My Vote Doesn’t Make a Difference

   ‘Civic Responsibility’ is more than a definition in a high school civics text. Here are a few historical situations where one vote made major differences in world history:

In 1645, one vote gave Oliver Cromwell control in England.

In 1649, one vote gave America the English language instead of German.

In 1839, one vote elected Marcus Norton governor of Massachusetts.

In 1845, one vote brought Texas into the Union.

In 1868, one vote saved President Andrew Johnson from impeachment.

In 1876, one vote changed France from a monarchy to a republic.

In 1923, one vote gave Adolph Hitler control of the Nazi Party. 

(Excerpted from an article by Mark Smith in the Blue Ribbon Coalition newsletter and used by Resource Roundup every few years to remind you that you could be that ‘one vote’. Register. Vote! -Ed.)

Gore Speech on Coldest Day:

The Earth is Warming!

   On January 15,  former Vice President Al Gore gave a speech in New York in which he attacked President Bush for a lack of policies to curb global warming. The event was sponsored by the far-left group MoveOn.org, which is reportedly funded by billionaire George Soros, who is determined that Bush be defeated in the 2004 election. (MoveOn.org also posted a reader-submitted campaign poster on its website likening President Bush to Hitler.) “I don’t think there is any longer a credible basis for doubting that the Earth’s atmosphere is heating up because of global warming,” said Gore. His timing was just a tad bad: the speech was given on the coldest day in 50 years, with wind chills in parts of New England plunging to minus 100 degrees! That doesn’t stop extremists, however. When weather refuses to warm for them, they unbelievably claim that global warming causes cold weather.

   Gore claimed that the Bush/Cheney administration is ‘a wholly-owned subsidiary of the “coal, oil, utility and mining industries’ and that its policies are leading the world to the brink of catastrophe. “While President Bush likes to project an image of strength and courage, the real truth is that in the presence of his large financial contributors, he is a moral coward,” said Gore. Gore also criticized Bush for trying to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil exploration and accused him of gutting environmental laws.

    Amy Ridenour, president of the National Center for Public Policy Research, questioned why, if Gore is so certain man-made greenhouse gases are responsible for global warming, the Clinton/Gore administration did not submit the Kyoto Protocol to the Senate for ratification. It is hypocritical to accuse the Bush administration of bartering the environment for “industry” bucks, she said, when “there is more money available to those on Gore’s politically-correct side of the global warming issue.” She added that: “No serious policy person could give the speech Al Gore gave today,”

(Sources: www.libertymatters.org and www.federalist.com)

Eco-terrorist Students Plead Guilty

   The Associated Press reported on January 12 that three young men in Richmond, Virginia pleaded guilty to vandalizing construction equipment, building sites, fast-food restaurants, and more than 25 sport utility vehicles on behalf of Earth Liberation Front (ELF), recognized by the FBI as the most destructive domestic terrorist organization. The three were in high school at the time of the attacks. They now face up to five years in prison and must repay more than $200,000. The graffiti and notes left by the students accused the victims of harming the environment and contributing to ‘suburban sprawl’. Their lawyer stated that they “never gave thought to the repercussions of their acts. They were idealistically involved in the cause for the environment.”

Eco-Saboteurs Target More Hummers

   Members of ELF (Earth Liberation Front) are thought to be responsible for the January vandalism of five Hummers in northwest Arkansas, reported TheHomeTownChannel.com. The initials ‘ELF’ were spraypainted on the SUVs, and one owner reported that his vehicle had slashed tires, broken windows, dents, and a sandwich shoved in the gas tank.

USF&WS: WY Must Change Wolf Plan

   In January, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USF&WS) announced that the process to delist
the western population of gray wolves can begin once Wyoming approves key changes to state law and its wolf management plan. According to the USF&WS,  wolf management plans developed by Idaho and Montana are adequate to maintain the population of gray wolves above established recovery goals, but delisting cannot begin until Wyoming’s plan is approved, since wolves in the three states are all considered part of the same Distinct Population Segment.

   The Service stated that Wyoming must make the following changes:

   (1) Wyoming’s predatory animal status for wolves must be changed. The designation of wolves as “trophy game” statewide would allow Wyoming to devise a management strategy that provides for self-sustaining populations above recovery goals, regulated harvest and adequate monitoring of that harvest;

   (2) The Wyoming state law must clearly commit to managing for at least 15 wolf packs in Wyoming; and
   (3) The Wyoming definition of a pack must be consistent among the three states and should be biologically based. The three states are currently collaborating on the criteria that defines a wolf pack.

Senator Introduces ESA Reform Bill

   Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR), whose state has been ravaged by the unscrupulous use of the Endangered Species Act, has introduced the Sound Science for Endangered Species Planning Act (S. 2009). The bill will require that “greater weight be given to scientific or commercial data that is empirical or has been field tested or peer-reviewed before making decisions under the ESA.”

   Over the past several years, there has been increasing evidence that environmental decisions by federal agencies have relied on sloppy science or science snatched out of thin air altogether. The issue was brought to light when a retired Forest Service biologist publicly criticized the agency for planting lynx hair in a national forest and claiming the hair samples were proof that lynx were present in the area. In announcing his bill, Sen. Smith said; “Decisions based on bad science can take a tremendous toll on people who make their living from the land [nor] does the environment benefit from flawed policies. Preventing these mistakes is something everyone can support.”

 Peer review should be made mandatory.

(Source: www.libertymatters.org)

Enviros Want to Lower Missouri River

   Radical environists are still pushing to lower the water level in the Missouri River. Both commercial and private boating would be negatively impacted, and a recent study commissioned by Nebraska’s two largest utilities shows that the public will also face significantly increased power rates and the possibility of blackouts. Omaha Public Power District and Nebraska Public Power District depend on Missouri River water to help generate power and if the river is lowered this summer, officials expect it will be necessary to buy power from outside sources. The economic impact of lowering river flows could reach $40,000 per day, or $78 million for the entire peak summer season. American Rivers spokesman, Chad Smith, acknowledged there could be adverse effects, but accused the utilities of overstating potential problems. In an ironic twist of words, Smith said “[I]t is really not acceptable to have a group like this out there talking about blackouts… causing harm to children and the elderly. That’s just the worst kind of scare-tactic rhetoric that has no place in an informed public debate on conservation issues.” Too bad Smith and his enviro cronies don’t practice what they preach.

(Source: www.libertymatters.org)

Labor Secretary: Watch NGOs!

   U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao told attendees to the Conservative Political Action Conference in Arlington, Virginia that non-government organizations (NGOs) should “be at the top of every conservative’s watch list.” She said that NGOs are working behind the scenes with multi-lateral organizations and left-wing liberal groups within the U.S. to influence global public opinion in international law, standards and practices. Secretary Chao said it is apparent the goal is to undermine U.S. sovereignty and force the United States to dance to the tune of an international ruling body such as the United Nations. Finally, a top political official exposes the truth!

(Source: www.libertymatters.org)

If Only...

   “If men of wisdom and knowledge, of moderation and temperance, of patience, fortitude and perseverance, of sobriety and true republican simplicity of manners, of zeal for the honour of the Supreme Being and the welfare of the commonwealth; if men possessed of these other excellent qualities are chosen to fill the seats of government, we may expect that our affairs will rest on a solid and permanent foundation.”

Samuel Adams, a founder of the United States of America

Snowmen fall from

heaven unassembled.