Great Outdoors Initiative a federal land grab?
posted at 3:00 pm on August 14, 2010 by Ed Morrissey
The Boss Emeritus takes a look at a little-noticed Obama administration proposal called the Great Outdoors Initiative, a program that claims to look for the most meaningful land to Americans — and have the federal government seize it. Washington already controls one in every three acres of American land, and the increased reach creates more cost and less opportunity for American prosperity and industry:
In April, President Obama issued a memorandum outlining his “21st century strategy for America’s great outdoors.” It was addressed to the Interior Secretary, the Agriculture Secretary, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency and the chair of the Council on Environmental Quality. The memo calls on the officials to conduct “listening and learning sessions” with the public to “identify the places that mean the most to Americans, and leverage the support of the Federal Government” to “protect” outdoor spaces. Eighteen of 25 planned sessions have already been held. But there’s much more to the agenda than simply “reconnecting Americans to nature.”
The federal government, as the memo boasted, is the nation’s “largest land manager.” It already owns roughly one of every three acres in the United States. This is apparently not enough. At a “listening session” in New Hampshire last week, government bureaucrats trained their sights on millions of private forest land throughout the New England region. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack crusaded for “the need for additional attention to the Land and Water Conservation Fund — and the need to promptly support full funding of that fund.”
Property owners have every reason to be worried. The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is a pet project of green radicals, who want the decades-old government slush fund for buying up private lands to be freed from congressional appropriations oversight. It’s paid for primarily with receipts from the government’s offshore oil and gas leases. Both Senate and House Democrats have included $900 million in full LWCF funding, not subject to congressional approval, in their energy/BP oil spill legislative packages. The Democrats have also included a provision in these packages that would require the federal government to take over energy permitting in state waters, which provoked an outcry from Texas state officials, who sent a letter of protest to Capitol Hill last month:
“In light of federal failures, it is incomprehensible that the United States Congress is entertaining proposals that expand federal authority over oil and gas drilling in state water and lands long regulated by states… Given the track record, putting the federal government in charge of energy production on state land and waters not only breaks years of successful precedent and threatens the 10th Amendment to the United Sates Constitution, but it also undermines common sense and threatens the environmental and economy security of our state’s citizens.”
In light of federal budget deficits, perhaps Washington should be looking to unload some of its real estate rather than expand its ownership of it. California has at least broached the idea of selling its public holdings in order to reduce costs and raise funds to balance its severely dysfunctional budget. Instead of Great Outdoors Initiatives and federal expansion of jurisdiction and control, we need a more modest approach to governance and a return to state and local control of resources and assets.
Be sure to read it all, but it also reminded me of a lighter moment. In the classic comedy Blazing Saddles, Hedley LaMarr (Harvey Korman) had the concept well in mind:
Related Posts:
Breaking on Hot Air
Oh, good: Iranian hackers trying to break into the American energy grid
Reason: Will ObamaCare and patent attacks kill medical innovation?
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: 1 2 Next »
It sounds precisely like what the modern left would do.
rob verdi on August 14, 2010 at 3:03 PM
Again? I thought Clinton already took all the land that once belonged to the states.
TexasDan on August 14, 2010 at 3:03 PM
To tell a family secret, my grandmother was a dutch.
Inanemergencydial on August 14, 2010 at 3:03 PM
1. Fed Gov buys up all land
2. Communism
3. ????
Jeff2161 on August 14, 2010 at 3:06 PM
They’re gonna need a lot of Methodists to pull it off.
Techie on August 14, 2010 at 3:07 PM
About 10 years ago I started finding these nonprofit groups on the internet that are serious about seizing all available land for the feds.
Blake on August 14, 2010 at 3:09 PM
While we are all screaming about mosques, Obama is busy creating thousands of new Trojan Horse regulations and agencies.
faraway on August 14, 2010 at 3:12 PM
Thanks sooooo much for the vid, Ed. I was under the impression that you are a Catholic, but you’ve helpfully cleared up that misconception.
jgapinoy on August 14, 2010 at 3:12 PM
LOL! I just watched Blazing Saddles for the first time all the way through and unedited for the first time a couple days ago. HOLY COW!!!!
Yakko77 on August 14, 2010 at 3:12 PM
It is a movie that could never be made today.
Inanemergencydial on August 14, 2010 at 3:14 PM
Democrats have known the party would over this year, for a year now, its all vindictiveness until the lights go out.
Expect the left the pile on while the piling’s good, for them, not us.
If its hateful, harmful, liberal, its full speed ahead.
Speakup on August 14, 2010 at 3:14 PM
One of these days, people will realize he’s a communist.
Felonious Monk on August 14, 2010 at 3:15 PM
Nice video ..specially @ 22 second mark….oooooooh.
Whats going on ? First its
followed by this clip…hmmmmmmmm
;-)
macncheez on August 14, 2010 at 3:16 PM
If the Federal Government is an agent acting with the authority granted it by the states, how the hell can the Feds even own any land that doesn’t specifically serve a Federal function, such as an airbase or training range?
Effin Commies!
Maquis on August 14, 2010 at 3:19 PM
Again…
When you triple the size of government, you have to find something for all the new bureaucrats to do.
Seven Percent Solution on August 14, 2010 at 3:19 PM
Wow. Can’t believe the Obama Supporting The Mosque thread was shut down.
I miss the OLD HotAir.
Gob on August 14, 2010 at 3:22 PM
Send Mongo in to take care of Barry O!
heh heh heh…
rockbend on August 14, 2010 at 3:23 PM
More Socialist/Democrat treachery.
JoeySlippers on August 14, 2010 at 3:24 PM
Ixnay! room 101 or something…
Inanemergencydial on August 14, 2010 at 3:25 PM
Let’s see….. Obozo buys up land with a ” worthless” dollar(s) hmmmmm sweet deal for the commits/ dims/ liberals
grapeknutz on August 14, 2010 at 3:28 PM
“I, for one, welcome our new Muslim overlords.” — Kent Brockman.”
sharrukin on August 14, 2010 at 3:29 PM
Maybe the federal government should snatch up most of Detroit. It could be turned into a federal toxic waste site. It’s a win-win situation. Work for people in an economically depressed area, and Detroit would be so much cleaner and prettier.
Tommy_G on August 14, 2010 at 3:30 PM
Rule 8:
“Keep the pressure on, with different tactics and actions, and utilize all events of the period for your purpose.”
This is not going to end until they are thrown out. Everyday is a new form of attack from an alternate angle…I pray that when the pendulum swings in the opposite direction, we will eradicate every time bomb they left behind and more.
Alinsky on August 14, 2010 at 3:31 PM
Too many bad words get through the filters?
slickwillie2001 on August 14, 2010 at 3:36 PM
But there’s no oil, coal, or natural gas in Detroit.
slickwillie2001 on August 14, 2010 at 3:37 PM
It’s going to be interesting to see what happens when the “progressive” greenies’ plans to stop as much land development as possible come face-to-face with the other progressives’ plans for open borders and unlimited immigration.
Somebody ain’t gonna be happy.
AZCoyote on August 14, 2010 at 3:39 PM
Not trying to hijack this board but why on Earth is there no further discussion on POTUS signing off on the Ground Zero mosque?
I cannot understand why the only thread pointing to it was closed off for commenting.
This is the most foolish things the guy has done and my most trusted conservative minded blog is trying to pretend the issue is dead?
What is happening here? This is a BIG story!
FireBlogger on August 14, 2010 at 3:39 PM
Too many bad words get through the filters?
slickwillie2001 on August 14, 2010 at 3:36 PM
Nope. Consider the topic. I guess only a certain critique of Islam is allowed. I thought HA had a disclaimer saying the views of post-ers do not necessarily mean they are the views of HA?
Gob on August 14, 2010 at 3:40 PM
That vid is the perfect pop-culture analogy for a ‘land grab’ story, isn’t it?
listens2glenn on August 14, 2010 at 3:42 PM
FireBlogger on August 14, 2010 at 3:39 PM
Oh and Fire, it averaged far more posts than the average thread here on HA lately. It’s absolutely maddening.
Gob on August 14, 2010 at 3:42 PM
In other news, but seemingly related….Holy Shift
Sekhmet on August 14, 2010 at 3:46 PM
Say one thing to …
faraway on August 14, 2010 at 3:47 PM
Somewhat OT: Gallup has President Puddin Pop at an all time low of 43%.
Key West Reader on August 14, 2010 at 3:48 PM
You know, I saw this yesterday and am wondering if this is actually true. If it is? Say buh-bye to these Socialist infiltrators.
Key West Reader on August 14, 2010 at 3:49 PM
But we WON’T take the Irish… Okay, EVERYBODY!!
teacherman on August 14, 2010 at 3:50 PM
“C’MON, FOLKS, LET’S WIPE ‘EM OUT!”
teacherman on August 14, 2010 at 3:50 PM
change name from Socialist to Communist, and there you go.
Remember hearing our grandparents or parents talk about the communists and how they were undercover. It really makes you wonder if these people actually know what they are?
upinak on August 14, 2010 at 3:51 PM
MSNBC headline : 57 % of Americans are racists
macncheez on August 14, 2010 at 3:51 PM
AKA Agenda 21.
marinetbryant on August 14, 2010 at 3:52 PM
Good Luck with that. Remember it is the people who voted them in…. and it is the people who are obviously un-informed.
upinak on August 14, 2010 at 3:52 PM
It’s been true for years. This isn’t the first time the list has been published.
sharrukin on August 14, 2010 at 3:53 PM
Those damned Chinese. You just know one of them cursed us with that “interesting times” business.
Sekhmet on August 14, 2010 at 3:54 PM
“I think he said the sheriff is near.”
Doughboy on August 14, 2010 at 3:58 PM
I wonder what happens to land values when the government seizes land? Supply and demand dictates it will cause other land to be more expensive. More Change?
CWforFreedom on August 14, 2010 at 4:02 PM
BTW, the DSA (Democratic Socialists of America) founded the “New Party” of which Obama was a member.
http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/194354.php
sharrukin on August 14, 2010 at 4:02 PM
A month from now he will be in the high 30′s.There isn’t a lot of good news to come and he just keeps shoving sh*t in the majority’s faces. That majority grows by the day.
The joy I feel watching his political capital fail is only exceeded by the sadness I feel by the decline of this great country.
CTSherman on August 14, 2010 at 4:05 PM
The time bombs left behind are those upper and mid level bureaucrats in all the newly formed gubmint agencies that will still be making new codes and regulations to prevent private land ownership and full land usage by existing owners.
TugboatPhil on August 14, 2010 at 4:07 PM
I suspect that many more would belong if they were in safe districts. Georgia’s own moonbat, Hank ‘Is-Guam-Tipping’ Johnson is on the list.
slickwillie2001 on August 14, 2010 at 4:09 PM
After praying about it, & praying for Ed, I regret writing the way I did. I don’t regret criticizing Ed, but I should have said it differently.
Ed, I apologize. And I hope & pray that you become more faithful to your core convictions.
I’m not the only one who’s noticed this problem:
jgapinoy on August 14, 2010 at 4:13 PM
Maybe it’s time to change the name of the Fed government to “CONTROL”.
GarandFan on August 14, 2010 at 4:15 PM
I think we’re reaching a point where many of us know who and what this man is, and in November we can try to undo the damage of 2008. There are times when I feel sorry for him because of how thin skinned he is.
It took his election to bring this Nation to its knees, but we can rebuild, replace, replenish, restore and renew the Promise of America. Now is the time. Now is the time.
Key West Reader on August 14, 2010 at 4:20 PM
Pretty much guaranteed, as the amount of land is more-or-less fixed. Eventually, you reach a point rather like Japan during the 1990s “bubble economy”, when they believed that the land under Tokyo alone was worth more than the entire continental United States put together.
Then the crash came. Of course, when the “land crash” happens here, the people responsible will have handed control over to their “chosen successors”. (They think.)
When you couple this with the present Administration’s determination to promote “urban core living” (i.e. LBJ- style “projects” with everybody living in the large cities- where they can more easily be controlled), I can’t help having the uneasy feeling that we are dealing with people who either (a) have never read Robert Silverberg’s novel The World Inside, or (b) worse yet, have read it and think the society he describes therein is a good idea.
clear ether
eon
eon on August 14, 2010 at 4:24 PM
But there’s no PsiCorps to implant 0bama with a false personality….
Okay, been watching too much Babylon 5. Been getting the episodes on Netflix, to show my 11-year-old why it rocks as a series.
Sekhmet on August 14, 2010 at 4:24 PM
Agreed. You left out reload.
CTSherman on August 14, 2010 at 4:26 PM
I am shocked. I reread page one. So many comments were deleted and even edited! One of mine has an ellipsis to indicate missing words. Was the thread that harmful to do that and shut it down? I’ve read much worse here that remain. An explanation of where we strayed sure would be nice. And “you can comment somewhere else” doesn’t cut it. Wow….
conservative pilgrim on August 14, 2010 at 4:33 PM
This is why they are pushing light rail projects in States like mine who don’t want or need it. If we do not begin to turn this ship in November (beware of RINO’s – do not vote undeserving incumbents), then we will be transformed into a Socialist state. It’s very simple and I think that most Americans get it. We’re being ruled by the Liberal Elites. Will we lay down and take it?
Key West Reader on August 14, 2010 at 4:36 PM
Those of us in agriculture have known about this all too well.
They do it in many ways.
Some people/entities/companies get rich off it through land ‘swaps’ where the govt pays top dollar for ‘wilderness’ land that is worth much less than that on the open market. Some forest product companies have done this from what I gather-selling the feds their rotten infested timberland that is worthless for big bucks.
Greenies also do it through ‘conservation easements’.
A lot of folks in agriculture have been fooled by the ‘easy $’ that conservation easements promises.
One day, their heirs probably, are going to realize the error made by selling the easement.
When you invite the feds onto your property, you’re asking for trouble.
I don’t care how nice they seem.
We’ve had Fish & game & other fed people running around here lately demanding personal information about people’s land uses, like how many cows are in this pasture & when, etc.
I know some people regard Range magazine as a hack mag, but it is not.
It is a great magazine to start off learning about federal land grabbing, federal grabbing of water & grazing rights, etc.
Guys with PHds in their scientific fields write articles in it. Makes for a wonderful reference point to dig further.
The UN will never stop unless we get out of it & they lose our $$ support.
Agenda 21 is INSANE & seeks to usurp our sovereignty.
It is no conspiracy.
They are working dilligently to make it happen.
Badger40 on August 14, 2010 at 4:38 PM
If Obambi really intends to grab all that land:
“Someone go back and get a sh!t-load of dimes!”
rmgraha on August 14, 2010 at 4:43 PM
It’s common knowledge (or should be by now) that this site is read by Rush, Sarah, the POTUS and his WH staff and their Journolisters. For me, it is a privilege to be able to comment and I’m grateful for Ed, Allah, Dr. Zero, Anita Moncreif and all of the other Green Room contributors.
If a decision is made to stop a thread from devolving, and if there are comments that could cause harm to the credibility of Hot Air, I’d shut a thread down too.
/Former Director of a large Corporation. Sorry if you disagree.
Key West Reader on August 14, 2010 at 4:47 PM
I do agree. It is their site.
It’s hard to have courage in this day & age to let it rip.
Luckily we HAers have FB to whine on.
I like posting here, too.
I can remember being warned about something & it really was pollyannish, but being at HA is kinda like being in someone else’s home-you gotta play by their rules if you want to be there, like it or not.
Badger40 on August 14, 2010 at 4:54 PM
Read through the thread (what’s left of it) yourself and then tell me if the comments harm the credibility of Hot Air (because the answer is no).
I’d sincerely like a response from either Ed or AP why the decision was made to close the thread and delete & edit numerous comments. People were passionately upset about Obama’s comments and now we’re told to shut up about it.
conservative pilgrim on August 14, 2010 at 4:59 PM
You know, Badger… at some point in the future, places like this will be studied and marveled at. Future generations will want to know more about how the dinosaur media led itself to being extinct and irrelevant in the US. Sort of like Pravda was for the Soviet Union.
Just think about how many victories have been scored. From the exposure of the Journolistas that put this klown in office, to the dismantling of ACORN, from the sound clips, the vid clips, etc. Our Nation has been manipulated by the old media. Never again.
Key West Reader on August 14, 2010 at 5:00 PM
It’s simple……The Fed Gov needs MORE collateral to show debt-buyers / holders that it can get it’s hands on more assets if needed.
You have any assets?
PappyD61 on August 14, 2010 at 5:08 PM
Mr. President, how are you going to take the land?
Obama: we go a ridin’ into town – a-whoopin’ and a hollerin’…..
tommer74 on August 14, 2010 at 5:16 PM
And liberals feign alarm over cries from an ever-increasingly public that it wants its country back.
Here’s the proof: Obama’s is literally taking it away from us.
BuckeyeSam on August 14, 2010 at 5:24 PM
We Must Do Something! Harrumph!
mrt721 on August 14, 2010 at 5:25 PM
I totally agree. Perhaps that is why the Feds are looking at regulating the Internet? Hmmm….
You know it crossed my mind.
But they’ve been t it for so long I only think it may be an afterthought.
The govt has always been about owning land since it got too big for its own britches.
How ’bout school lands?
Yeah they generate revenue for the counties, but WHY do they need to own it at all? Citizens could be generating revenue in the form of property taxes, added jobs in town through the use of that land for profit, etc.
We lease a section of school land. It butts right up against our homeplace.
And we HAVE to have it for our ranching operation.
If you know how cows are, you know the HAVE to have it is true.
Badger40 on August 14, 2010 at 5:27 PM
Work in a gay marriage angle, and you will see numerous threads started on it. Something like: WILL GROUND ZERO MOSQUE ALLOW GAY MARRIAGES TO BE PERFORMED?
Blake on August 14, 2010 at 5:28 PM
That’s the typical liberal response to any rational argument: “Shut up,” he explained.
rmgraha on August 14, 2010 at 5:31 PM
Will Greg Gutfield’s (from Red Eye) gay bar next to the mosque work instead?
rmgraha on August 14, 2010 at 5:34 PM
Too big a story to be swept under. The story is a comment magnet and an opportunity to attract more page views.
Not the least of which the actions/words of the president of the United States went completely against the will of the people again and this needs an airing out.
I have been reading this blog since the start and this baffles me.
FireBlogger on August 14, 2010 at 5:35 PM
The Left’s Grand Design that Øbama follows is for the population to be nudged into urban centers, where life styles, property usage, etc. can be more efficiently managed. To this end, federal support will be focused on urban areas with massive new programs such as the Emerald Cities Collaborative, and rural living will be discouraged by tax and regulatory measures. The fed will acquire or otherwise control as much land (and water) as it can, especially that rich in mineral and energy resources, and try to cede chunks of its sovereignty to the UN in the name of ‘sustainable development’. The Grand Design is a fundamental redesign, and it’s ugly.
petefrt on August 14, 2010 at 5:36 PM
Let this explain it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWHgUE9AD4s
sharrukin on August 14, 2010 at 5:39 PM
Read up on this.
The feds bought this large ranch bcs it was part of T. Roosevelt’s Elkhorn ranch.
Now they say they’ll preserve the grazing use, oil & gas development etc.
But it’s hogwash.
The guys in charge now may really believe that.
But bcs it’s federal land, the feds can change the rules whenever & however they want.
They do it ALL the time with CRP.
This was a huge controversy here in ND.
The enviro-nuts will stop at nothing to remove ALL grazing,EVERYTHING from public lands.
This is the 1st step towards elminating grazing in the ND badlands area.
Badger40 on August 14, 2010 at 5:42 PM
Look at all the land the Muslims are buying all over this country, The Imam from Ground Zero thousands of acres in(CO) Maurice Strong* New world order,thousands of acres also CO.
Then what we will give to the Chinese when we can’t repay our loans,Mexico when give back our Southern States.
America is being sold piece by piece under the radar, I hope we last til November
concernedsenior on August 14, 2010 at 5:45 PM
What’s their beef with grazing? What enviro harm does it do? Or is a vegan agenda driving it?
petefrt on August 14, 2010 at 6:05 PM
Cows cause global warming. They fart methane and CO2 or something. :)
Blake on August 14, 2010 at 6:17 PM
Now here is a story of how the government tried to push a man around with historical grazing & water rights on public lands. He did win. But his family I am sure has to remain ever vigilant. It is well worth reading about.
In regards to getting rid of grazing on public lands (& even private), enviros (who are a mix of various nutjobs like Sierra Club, World Wildlife Fund, PETA, Earth Firsters, HSUS [Human Society of The US-not to be confused with your local Human Societies]etc.) have long held various opinions regarding grazing, many touting that grazing destroys the land.
You can research yourself quite easily the benefits of grazing.
It’s big research business. Rotational grazing is one thing we have been practicing on our ranch with wonderful benefits.
The govt ,i.e. Fish & Wildlife, BLM, state DNRs, etc. have long been involved in management scenarios. And they are often hogtied by lawsuits driven by ‘conservation’ groups (making boatloads of cash off of said lawsuits when the govt loses through a fund the govt has to award the little guy who had to go to court against the govt & won (this fund-I forget the name of it-was meant to help people fight the feds by paying the winner’s court costs)).
These groups are only interested in halting any meaningful economic activities on public lands.
Many claim grazing destroys the land for other animals despite research showing the evolution of grasses through grazing animals.
Badger40 on August 14, 2010 at 6:23 PM
That’s what this Agenda 21 thing is partly about. Trying to save the climate by forcibly managing the world’s resources (i.e. land).
Badger40 on August 14, 2010 at 6:28 PM
OK. I have been trying to post something. It does NOT show up, yet my other stuff does.
What gives?
There is no word in it or phrase that is threatening or bad.
You know they’ve always had ideas like this about rural land.
City people come to the country & they cannot fathom that someone can own thousands of acres.
And often they think, well that person is rich & maybe greedy bcs they have all of that.
Some city folks actually think all open ‘empty’ land is federal land.
Consider the Buffalo Commons ‘idea’.
Forget the rest of us who actually live here & make a living off of this land they propose to just have the feds ‘buy’.
City dwelling do-gooders who know nothing about the land or caring for animals have always been poking their noses into rural affairs.
That is why private property rights are so valuable & precious.
They are not just there to protect your home in the city, your business lot downtown you wish to turn into a parking lot to make $$, your car, your clothes.
My water rights, mineral rights, right to graze my land, or farm it, or sell it to developers to build homes, etc. are just as precious.
But people often do not see the ba!!le we are waging out here in the plains & west.
Bcs the land looks ‘empty’ & there are so few of us living out here, we are often silenced &/or ignored.
We in the west are some of the first to have gone through federal land grabs.
Next time they’ll be coming after YOUR stuff.
Badger40 on August 14, 2010 at 6:29 PM
Here I go again:
You know they’ve always had ideas like this about rural land.
City people come to the country & they cannot fathom that someone can own thousands of acres.
And often they think, well that person is rich & maybe greedy bcs they have all of that.
Some city folks actually think all open ‘empty’ land is federal land.
Consider the Buffalo Commons’idea’(just Google it).
Forget the rest of us who actually live here & make a living off of this land they propose to just have the feds ‘buy’.
City dwelling do-gooders who know nothing about the land or caring for animals have always been poking their noses into rural affairs.
That is why private property rights are so valuable & precious.
They are not just there to protect your home in the city, your business lot downtown you wish to turn into a parking lot to make $$, your car, your clothes.
My water rights, mineral rights, right to graze my land, or farm it, or sell it to developers to build homes, etc. are just as precious.
But people often do not see the ba!!le we are waging out here in the plains & west.
Bcs the land looks ‘empty’ & there are so few of us living out here, we are often silenced &/or ignored.
We in the west are some of the first to have gone through federal land grabs.
Next time it is YOU.
Badger40 on August 14, 2010 at 6:31 PM
Thanks, Badger. Hang in there.
petefrt on August 14, 2010 at 6:33 PM
I miss Michelle.
Hobbes on August 14, 2010 at 6:46 PM
Sorry I get so worked up about this issue.
But it’s one of my concerns.
I just thank God we don’t live around any public lands.
Course we got a river running through our place-the Cannonball.
There’s been talk of the feds forcing us all to fence it off from animals so they won’t drink in it (pooping in the water as they drink).
That would force us out of ranching, probably. I can’t imagine being able to do it.
Badger40 on August 14, 2010 at 6:46 PM
Ditto.
Change is hard.
Sometimes the new is not nearly as good as the old..
Badger40 on August 14, 2010 at 6:47 PM
Thanks for the link…I now understand!
Hobbes on August 14, 2010 at 6:57 PM
Hey, no apologies, please! Fight the good fight. I’m not sure how bad it’s going to get before it bottoms out, but I’m certain this leftist gubmint overreach is going to generate a backlash the likes of which our generation has never before seen.
petefrt on August 14, 2010 at 6:59 PM
You are so right!
Hobbes on August 14, 2010 at 7:00 PM
Harvey Korman, really miss him.
His best was in HIGH ANXIETY along with CLORIS LEACHMAN. Very, very, very funny.
Lourdes on August 14, 2010 at 7:11 PM
The Left — that means Obama, specifically and the DoJ — is walking a very fine line of credulity or lack thereof (I favor the latter), what with them having to rely on “Freedom of Religion” and waving the Constitution to support and advocate for Islam, while then falling critical as soon as the “homosexuals marry” thing gets going. They can’ t promote Freedom of Religion while also standing up for Judge Walker (CA, Prop. 8, homosexual and apparently quite completely crazy) while Walker’s entire railing against Prop. 8 is based upon 138-pages of ranting about Christianity.
Lourdes on August 14, 2010 at 7:22 PM
I bet I’m not the only person who sees that photo on the main page that leads this story, as a guy (guy on reader’s left) wearing one of those Afghani-Paki head-scarf-weavey things.
Lourdes on August 14, 2010 at 7:24 PM
The Nature Conservancy, a trust fund and donation supported green group, buys forest land from logging companies and sells the logging rights to the highest bidders who then log the trees, leaving behind piles of slash. Then the NC sells the land to the state its in for a profit, naturally, and voila, that’s how previously usable land comes under the ownership of a state.
Kissmygrits on August 14, 2010 at 8:33 PM
Drudge is all over it. This move by Bammie may come to be seen as another ‘the police acted stupidly’ moment.
slickwillie2001 on August 14, 2010 at 8:38 PM
As long as the Americans have a “federal” government with a $3 trillion budget, the Americans will live at continual risk to their liberty and prosperity. One cannot have a single government of such power without an expectation that its power will increase.
Moreover, I no longer think legislation is primarily in the hands of the elected representatives. The bills are so large, and Senators and Representatives have so little acquaintance with them, that it seems the bills must to some large degree be written by staff, conferring with bureaucrats and interested parties, i.e. God-only-knows-whom. The result of the Congress’s having usurped the powers of the states and people is that the Congress, overwhelmed by their many functions, have delegated powers to men whose name and character the Americans do not know. The nameless work in nearly complete safety, for the Americans cannot think of opposing those, of whose existence they are not aware.
Kralizec on August 14, 2010 at 9:21 PM
conservative pilgrim on August 14, 2010 at 4:33 PM
Thanks for having guts, Pilgrim. I agree with you.
Gob on August 14, 2010 at 9:28 PM
Someone left the “irony” on again…
Obowma wants to seize more land, but taking care of the land he is responsible for under the Constitution…
… not so much.
Seven Percent Solution on August 14, 2010 at 9:43 PM
They want everything, don’t they? Banks, loans, health care, energy, private companies, land, you name it. “All your stuff are belong to us.”
I guess the ultimate goal is that some people will control everything and everybody. We will petition them to give us bread and water and a place to live in return for a life of slave labor. We won’t have anything that we haven’t had to beg or bribe them for.
Alana on August 14, 2010 at 10:16 PM
!!!!! You’re right! I just went and read the rest of it I hadn’t yet read, and the “explanation” at the end for it’s closing.
It would be nice (and respectful) to give an actual explanation, otherwise it leaves me thinking AP didn’t like the fact that people disagreed with him. Did I, for one, take issue with him too much?
Reading down this thread, apparently it wasn’t that. But still, an explanation would be nice. How are we supposed to know what it is we’re not supposed to do?
Alana on August 14, 2010 at 10:47 PM
Commenting on the comment by Gob (August 14, 2010 at 3:22 PM) while still being relevant to this thread:
“What in the Wide World of Sports is a-goin’ on here?”
least1 on August 15, 2010 at 1:56 AM
It’s just Chavezing Yankeeland style. We’re far too sophisticated to just grab it.
That image thing is important for the voters. If we play it right, even the ones whose land we take will still vote for us….
And why do we still have a controlling left in this nation? Because we suffer from the battered wife syndrome -hit us again Obama – please.
Don L on August 15, 2010 at 6:47 AM
Comment pages: 1 2 Next »