Marcus Luttrell: Hero

If you haven't seen "Lone Survivor" yet, go see it.  If you don't know about Marcus Luttrell, find out about him.  He is one of the most honest, real and brave soldiers you will ever know.

Here are two links to interviews with Marcus.  The first is a Glenn Beck interview with Marcus and his wife and dog.  The second is an NPR interview with Marcus, Peter Berg and actor Taylor Kitsch which was shot on opening night December 25, 2013.  The true nature of the man come through in these interviews.

Glenn Beck Interview:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2BwI2V0O9s&feature=player_embedded#t=44

NPR Interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5m9CMT_1bU&feature=player_embedded#t=2

The 50% Test

I have recently begun to apply a new test to many of the things that bother me.  When it seems that a news story is just too fantastical, or requires too much suspension of belief, or seems to contain too many coincidences, or requires too much conniving such that the whole thing couldn't possibly be true, then ask yourself this question:

The TEST:   "What if only 50% of what they are saying is true or applicable?"  

And if 50% of it seems plausible, then wouldn't you have to say there is something to be concerned about?  Shouldn't you pay more attention?  Is that enough that reasonable people should get exercised?

Obama Above the Law: Operation Choke Point

This post starts a new list of offenses by the President and the Obama Administration, in which they ignore existing law, or bypass Congress by means of executive orders, or simply just proceed with their ideology by means of administrative fiat.

First up is Operation Choke Point, in which the Administration and DOJ attempt to choke off (read: destroy) third party payment processors, payday lenders, and online lenders.  Also frightening, there is intimidation of banks to make it difficult for small vendors in businesses that the DOJ sees as "not socially acceptable" to use credit card services.  Such businesses include firearms and ammunition sellers, 

"The operation is headed by political operatives and career bureaucrats at the Department of Justice, the FDIC, and the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ("CFPB"). It appears to be the latest example of the Obama administration's successful efforts to weaponize the apparatus of the federal government against people and industries it opposes ideologically."

See here Breitbart's breaking story from yesterday:  Obama-Administration-s-Operation-Choke-Point-On-Mission-to-Destroy-Key-Sectors-of-Private-Lending-Industry

See here where Darrel Issa questions Eric Holder about Choke Point:  Congressman-Issa-Demands-Answers-from-Attorney-General-Holder-on-Operation-Choke-Point

And here see the full text of an article from which the following scary quote emanates:  Obamas-operation-choke-point-plan-create-more-federal-dependency

"As we see it, “Operation Choke Point” is part of Obama’s long term plan to remake American society by killing-off any inclination to be self-sufficient among America’s working poor, who are the primary users and beneficiaries of short-term lending."

Six Californias

California is a huge state, with 39 million diverse people. It has had so much good happen to it that many don’t seem to realize that now is not its finest hour. One proposal to solve some of the problems is to split the state into pieces. This could make the resulting smaller states easier to govern, more responsive to their citizens, more able to be competitive with other states, etc. Think of how, once again, California could even shake up the federal system for the better.

I like the idea – at least it deserves to be talked about. Maybe it should be a ballot initiative?

Six Californias Initiative 

Common Core: Education Salvation or Commie Core?

Common Core: Education Salvation or Commie Core?

Many States in the U.S. are implementing a new teaching methodology and set of standards called Common Core. I have been observing the pros and cons and arguments on both sides. Given my usual distrust of big government solutions, my predilection is to identify with the anti-CC side. But people I respect (like Mike Huckabee) are supportive of it.

In California, CC has being implemented swiftly and without feedback from the voters. CA stands to get a lot of money from the Feds and no doubt that is a driver. I spoke to Mr. Garagarza last week, the principle of the new Sierra Foothills Charter School in Mariposa, who said he liked CC. Of course our conversation was very limited.

Today I came across this video from Utah. It contains the best description of reasons and philosophy of why one should appose CC that I have seen to date. I would love to hear Nancy's take on this, if she has time to watch it. Also Alice, if you are watching. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=TYj-HDDrL4w#t=3533

Also see this video by a high school grad of excellence: http://dailycaller.com/2014/01/06/watch-another-high-school-student-take-down-common-core-like-a-boss/

Here is a video that discusses the CC standards: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=EXf91AGW2QA#t=114

For me the greatest danger presented here is loss of local control. The statement that elected school boards no longer represent citizens as concerns education is terrifying.

Now, why should I care? I don't have kids in school. Only my taxes are at risk. Not so fast: I hope to have grandkids one day and they will be affected. I have friends whose kids are being affected. I have a love for this country and I fear for the future of the Constitutional process when oligarchies (private companies and organizations as well as political leadership cabals) can take over education, on the belief that they are the holders of the keys to the perfect utopia.

Now, you might say, "Jay, you're being a scare monger."  Maybe, maybe not.  I have recently begun to apply this test to things:  "What if only 50% of what they are saying is true or applicable?"  Wouldn't you still have to say there is something to be concerned about here? 

One last thing:  CC includes a cradle to career student data collection scheme, with little security and broad distribution to data users.  They accomplished this by changing the definitions of privacy law to become broad based and squishy.  Watch the last video at minute 50. 

A last video by a Professor of Education Daniel Coupland at Hillsdale College: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDSvvyjsXSk