South Carolina: Sleeper Cell of the South

MoonHowler

Colonel Morris Davis submitted this essay to Huffington Post.  He sent us a copy also.

 

I saw this sticker last week when I was at the old market in Charleston, South Carolina.

 

Those stickers are quite common and seemed innocent enough, but then I had a Glenn Beck moment where the hidden symbols became clear and revealed their deeper, darker meaning.

Where had I seen the same palm tree symbol before? BAM! – It’s that island they built in Dubai, a Muslim Middle Eastern country. And who else has a tree on their flag? Bam! – Lebanon, another Middle Eastern country that is predominately Muslim. Okay, okay, maybe I’m reading too much into the symbolism of the tree, but what about that crescent moon? BAM! – The crescent moon is an international symbol for Muslims and appears on the flags of most Islamic countries. So, there it was as plain as day right in front of me … a palm tree and a crescent moon … enough said.

Now the letters “SC” made logical sense … “Sharia Caliphate” or perhaps “Sleeper Cell.” What better way to lull the rest of the nation into complacency than pretending to be intolerant right wing bigots who love sweet tea and pulled pork and hate mosques and prayer rugs. And maybe that whole terror baby nonsense isn’t nonsense after all. Well played, Senator DeMint … or should I say Sheikh DeMint?

Manassas Old Town Merchants Asked to Close up Shop for an Hour

MoonHowler

It has come to our attention that the merchants of  Old Town Manassas are being asked by the anti-KK zealots to close up shop for 1 hour during the middle of Fall Festival, between 12:00 and 1:00 pm.  Are they nuts? 

Fall Festival and the other events held in the City are to promote fun, highlight the city, and bring in folks to spend money in the City of Manassas.  Localities all over America do this and each place tries to add its own unique touch to an event; something that makes the festival special. 

What kind of a self-serving, narcissistic, selfish person would ask merchants in this economic crunch to turn away potential business for an hour?  Why?  Are they going to pay each merchant their lost revenue?  Are they going to replace the BPOL tax loss for the  City?  Are they going to replace the sales tax to the state?  Are they going to pay the salaries of the worker bees who might get put on unpaid ‘break’ for an hour? 

Do these people think that the average shopper coming from outside Old Town Manassas gives a fig about KK Temptations, which by the way,  isn’t even open for business yet?   The Moonhowlings roving reporters will be taking note of which businesses were bullied into closing.  We will publish those names.  Our readers and contributors may handle the situation as they feel best. 

[Clarification:  People may chose to spend their money in establishments opposing KK Temptations or instead they may choose to withhold their money from said establishments.]

One has to ask what on earth these people are trying to do to the City.  This proposed behavior is illogical.  What people boycott themselves?  The object of the boycott won’t even be open for business. 

Knowledge is power.  This boycott is all about bullying and power.  Some of us will not allow ourselves to be bullied.

Elena

Moon-howler

Feds Sue Fox News

MoonHowler

The Feds have sued Fox News for allegedly retaliating against Catherine Herrity for complaining about unequal pay and unequal job conditions based on her age and gender.  The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)says Fox News Channel reporter Catherine Herridge filed an internal complaint about allegedly discriminatory practices in 2007.   Fox News supposedly found no bias but later included language in Ms. Herrity’s contract that would prevent her from complaining.  She refused to sign her contract.

According to Huffington Post:

The network agreed to remove the language after she complained to the EEOC.

The EEOC seeks unspecified monetary damages and a court order enjoining Fox from retaliating against other employees.

Should we be surprised?  Is there any woman on the show who is not attractive?  Men certainly aren’t held to the same standard of attractness.  Other than Shep, there seems to be an absence of male counterparts.    There seems to be a hook for the men…pretty women with cleavage and leg.  Bring in the men and the women will follow?  Is that how it works?  Probably the good car chases don’t hurt either.

Does Catherine Herrity still work for Faux News or has she been turned out to pasture?

 

Banned Books Week (BBW) Sept. 25-Oct. 2

MoonHowler

From the American Library Association:

Censorship can be subtle, almost imperceptible, as well as blatant and overt, but, nonetheless, harmful. As John Stuart Mill wrote in On Liberty:

If all mankind minus one, were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind. Were an opinion a personal possession of no value except to the owner; if to be obstructed in the enjoyment of it were simply a private injury, it would make some difference whether the injury was inflicted only on a few persons or on many. But the peculiar evil of silencing the expression of an opinion is, that it is robbing the human race; posterity as well as the existing generation; those who dissent from the opinion, still more than those who hold it. If the opinion is right, they are deprived of the opportunity of exchanging error for truth: if wrong, they lose, what is almost as great a benefit, the clearer perception and livelier impression of truth, produced by its collision with error.

— On Liberty, John Stuart Mill

 

Banned Books Week began back in 1982.  It is always designated as the last week in September.  It is the only national celebration of  the freedom to read what we want.  More than a thousand challenges from every state have come in since 1982. 

 The following list is the top 100 banned or challenged classics:

 

Read More

Ye Olde City Council …Caves

MoonHowler

It sounds like Ye Olde City Council is going to cave in to the pompous prudes of purity in their quest to extinguish all erotica in the City of Manassas. The pitch forks have been sharpened and the torches lit.  

According to the News & Messenger:

After a  closed session Monday night, the Manassas City Council unanimously passed a resolution aimed at regulating sexually-oriented businesses in the city.

City officials say the resolution will allow officials to keep future sexually-oriented businesses — dubbed SOBs in the paperwork — away from schools, churches, day care centers, playgrounds, youth activity centers and libraries.

The resolution also allows the council to hire outside lawyers to provide a “second opinion” on the validity of existing permits for such businesses. The action will costed [sic] an estimated $71,000.

The action comes in the wake of an uproar over a mother-and-daughter plan to open KK’s Temptations, an adult boutique, in Old Town next month.

 

It sounds like the Salem Witch Trials have begun.  It might be cheaper for Ye Olde City Council to built a dunking pond over on ye Olde Museum Property.  If it floats, it might be erotica. 

 Read More

The Fairest Person in the Temple of Doom Visits Jon Stewart

MoonHowler

Bill O’Reilly, who Jon Stewart described as the fairest person in the Temple of Doom (Fox News) returned the favor and interviewed with Jon Stewart last night. Jon had gone to the Temple of Doom to be on the O’Reilly Show last week. The visit was very collegial and both men had a hard time keeping a straight face, which was really fun to see.

 

 

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c
Bill O’Reilly
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party

To see Jon Stewart reflections on Colbert’s testimony before the Congressional Subcommittee, click here.

UPDATE:

From the O’Reilly Factor last night. Strange that Jon Stewart, a comedian who supposedly appeals only to dope smoking young liberals, is in the poll with all the conservative pundits. The low negative reaction caught my attention!

Sales Tax Moratorium on Energy Savers Oct. 8-11

MoonHowler

InsideNova:

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia is holding its fourth annual tax holiday on energy-efficient products.

Gov. Bob McDonnell said Monday the tax holiday will begin on Oct. 8 and run through Oct. 11.

During that time, residential consumers can save money by buying sales-tax exempt items like heat pumps, dishwashers, washing machines, insulation, toilets and showerheads. Other products include air conditioners, refrigerators, ceiling fans, compact fluorescent light bulbs, programmable thermostats and faucets.

New and used items must be priced at $2,500 or less and certified as being energy efficient with the Energy Star and WaterSense designations.

Online purchases also will be exempt from the 5 percent sales tax if the orders are placed during the tax holiday and the sellers have the items available for immediate shipment.

The governor’s office says some retailers also may choose to pay the tax on any nonexempt merchandise.

October 8-11.  That is a mighty small window of opportunity. I think that having a tax moratorium on energy savers is an excellent idea. I would like to see the time frame last at least a week. There is also the matter of the merchant having the item in stock for immediate shipment. I can see room for bait and switch in this model. Also, are there incentives for merchants to pay the sales tax for the customer?

But over-all, good for Virginia for holding its 4th annual tax holiday. Perhaps next year that small window of opportunity will open up a bit more.   Perhaps Virginia might also consider a spring and fall moratorium. 

UFOs Snoop Around Nuclear Arsenals

MoonHowler

The much awaited declassified report is here. Retired military officers testify about their UFO experiences. 6 of these officers claimed that they were each told not to tell anyone. The sightings took place over several decades. Now the information is no longer classified. All sightings in this report involved nuclear sites.  These men are very serious about what they have seen. They feel that the Air Force has not been truthful with them.

From CNN:

 

Read More

Open Thread Monday, September 27

MoonHowler

One more week left in September. A new open thread is here. There is plenty to talk about. By now everyone has seen 9500 Liberty or at least had the opportunity to see it. I am watching “Waiting for Superman,” a documentary about America’s education system. Apparently it looks at the worst rather than the best. Davis Guggenheim of ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ is the filmmaker.

I am not sure I am buying in to all this. Mr. Howler was listening about all the crappy teachers. He threw in one remark and left the room: what about all the crappy students? The documentary opened Friday. I am sure we will hear a great deal more in the upcoming weeks.

Grayson goes after “Taliban Dan”

MoonHowler

Disclaimer: Moonhowlings does not endorse either candidate nor does it speak to the accuracy of either video.

Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) is not the master of understatement. In fact, most people think he is somewhat over the top. He is definitely liberal. What happens when neither candidate seems to fit the tenor of the constituents? Grayson’s opponent, Daniel Webster, was supposedly elected in primary by the far, far right. I checked out Webster’s website. He seems conservative but not insanely so. That is not to say he is or isn’t, just that his website is no indication of far right insanity.

Grayson has nicknamed his opponent Tailban Dan:

Read More

Reminder! 9500 Liberty Premieres on MTV Tonight @ 8

MoonHowler

Meet the Stars on MTV

S.B. 1070 has been tried once before. Learn the history anti-immigration lobbyists want us to forget.

On Sunday Sept. 26th at 8 PM ET / PT, a game-changing documentary about politics and immigration will be broadcast into 100 million homes.
“9500 Liberty” will premiere simultaneously on MTV2, MTV U, and MTV Tr3s (with Spanish subtitles), and America will see how ordinary citizens, Republicans, and Democrats in Northern Virginia join forces to combat extremism, and regain control of a county government.

MTV 360 presents the
WORLD TELEVISION PREMIERE of
9500 LIBERTY
Sunday Sept. 26th
8 PM ET / PT on MTV 2, MTV U,
& MTV Tr3s (with Spanish subtitles)

 

I hope we get to see the panel discussion with Corey and John Quinones. I will be online tonight during the film. We can use this thread for comments about the film. I am sorry we couldn’t meet as a group. Finding a place seemed pointless with so little get together interest. So…we can do it here.

Those Rascally Founders

MoonHowler
The Constitutional Convention painted by Howard Chandler Christy
The Constitutional Convention painted by Howard Chandler Christy

We have heard a lot in the past year or so about what the Founding Fathers  intended and  about their vision for us. Many folks have a very romanticized idea of the original Constitution and how it came to  be.  People keep saying what the founders intended for all of us. I am not so sure many of those  people who are making these statements  would  have even be allowed to vote.

After our Constitution was first ratified, there were significant changes.  For instance, senators were not directly elected.  The  vice president was elected differently also.   Many of the  fundamentals have changed.   Do we really know what those early leaders thought?  We can only tell from their essays.  letters and of course, deeds.

 
Read More

Income Growth Rates 1948-2005

MoonHowler

There seems to be a misconception that Americans do better financially when there is a Republican administration than during a Democratic administration.

Perhaps we need to rethink that one. According to the following graph, Americans have had a greater income growth rate under a Democratic administration from 1948 until 2005.

income graph

Link to the Washington Post article.

Read More

“Kids [Teenagers] are Not Dogs in Heat”

MoonHowler

Well, is Christine O’Donnell sure about that? I have sure seen some doggie teenagers.

From the Huffiington Post:

It all went down on a 2003 episode of “Scarborough Country,” which was “Morning Joe” before Mika and the Starbucks sponsorship, when the dude who hosted “The Grind” on MTV would just show up wearing a T-shirt and just start straight up opining at Joe Scarborough! It was a wild, more unrestrained time in American life, and Christine O’Donnell had a dream of throwing a wet towel on the whole thing

:

O’Donnell certainly has lofty ambitions. Is O’Donnell able to distinguish between kids who might listen to her and kids who aren’t? Does she realize that perhaps there needs to be more than one message? Tea Party People might want to consider getting a realist to represent them for a Senator from Delaware.

I wonder if she is now making the same claim now she’s a woman in her 40’s?