Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Saturday, January 19, 2008

The Founders Explain Conservatism


The Founders Explain Conservatism



"I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it."
-- Thomas Jefferson
"Congress has not unlimited powers to provide for the general welfare but only those specifically enumerated."
-- Thomas Jefferson


"[T]he powers of the federal government are enumerated; it can only operate in certain cases; it has legislative powers on defined and limited objects, beyond which it cannot extend its
jurisdiction."
-- James Madison, Speech in the Virginia Ratifying Convention [June 6, 1788]


...[T]he government of the United States is a definite government, confined to specified objects. It is not like the state governments, whose powers are more general. Charity is no part of the legislative duty of the government."
--James Madison
"...the opinion which gives to the judges the right to decide what laws are constitutional and what not, not only for themselves in their own sphere of action but for the Legislature and Executive also in their spheres, would make the Judiciary a despotic branch."
-- Thomas Jefferson
When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.
-- Benjamin Franklin
"No nation was ever ruined by trade, even seemingly the most disadvantageous."
-- Benjamin Franklin, Principles of Trade, 1774
"Were we directed from Washington when to sow, and when to reap, we should soon want bread."
-- Thomas Jefferson, Autobiography, 1821
"Society in every state is a blessing, but government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state an intolerable one; for when we suffer or are exposed to the same miseries by a government, which we might expect in a country without government, our calamity is heightened by reflecting that we furnish the means by which we suffer."
-- Thomas Paine, Common Sense, 1776
"They that can give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."
--Benjamin Franklin, Historical Review of Pennsylvania, 1759


"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigues of supporting it."
-- Thomas Paine, The American Crisis, No. 4, September 11, 1777
"The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence. If 'Thou shalt not covet' and 'Thou shalt not steal' were not commandments of Heaven, they must be made inviolable precepts in every society before it can be civilized or made free."
-- John Adams, A Defense of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America, 1787
"To be prepared for war, is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace."
-- George Washington, First Annual Message, January 8, 1790
"One single object. . . [will merit] the endless gratitude of the society: that of restraining the judges from usurping legislation."
-- Thomas Jefferson, letter to Edward Livingston, March 25, 1825
"Remember democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide."
-- John Adams, letter to John Taylor, April 15, 1814
"To take from one, because it is thought his own industry and that of his fathers has acquired too much, in order to spare to others, who, or whose fathers, have not exercised equal industry and skill, is to violate arbitrarily the first principle of association, the guarantee to everyone the free exercise of his industry and the fruits acquired by it."
-- Thomas Jefferson, letter to Joseph Milligan, April 6, 1816
" I am for doing good to the poor, but I differ in opinion of the means. I think the best way of doing good to the poor, is not making them easy in poverty, but leading or driving them out of it."
-- Benjamin Franklin, On the Price of Corn and Management of the Poor, November 1776
"The majority, oppressing an individual, is guilty of a crime, abuses its strength, and by acting on the law of the strongest breaks up the foundations of society."
-- Thomas Jefferson


"[The purpose of a written constitution is] to bind up the several branches of government by certain laws, which, when they transgress, their acts shall become nullities; to render unnecessary an appeal to the people, or in other words a rebellion, on every infraction of their rights, on the peril that their acquiescence shall be construed into an intention to surrender those rights."
-- Thomas Jefferson, Notes on Virginia [1782]

Friday, January 11, 2008

NFL DRAFT 2008



Boise State junior CB Joe Scandrick has become the second Bronco to enter this years’ draft. The 5-11, 190-pound Scandrick, who reportedly runs in the 4.45-4.50 range for the 40, joins star BSU Ryan Clady in the 2008 draft field. Scandrick is projected as an early-to-mid-second day pick this coming April. And if Michigan junior WR Mario Manningham doesn’t enter the 2008 drat, he may have to find another college to play at. New Michigan head coach Rich Rodriquez said Manningham, who has yet to announce his plans for the upcoming draft, is off the team after missing the Wolverines first team meeting under the new regime....

while Oklahoma junior QB Bobby Reid announced several days ago that was 'preparing' for the 2008 NFL draft, subsequent reports indicate that he may still be exploring the option of transferring to a D1AA school so he can play out his senior season. Reid, though, needs to find a loophole in NCAA rules. Players who transfer to a Division I-AA program must have two years eligibility remaining and Reid, who redshirted in 2004, has only year of eligibility remaining. There is an exception though in that a player with one year eligibility can transfer to a I-AA program if the new school offers a major that wasn't available at his previous school. Reid was considered one of the top young QBs in college football but lost his job to Zac Robinson this all and then gained some unwanted national exposure when Cowboys' head coach Mike Gundy came to his defense in that now famous rant at a reporter in mid-season.....

Florida State junior LB Geno Hayes has confirmed that he will in fact be entering this year’s draft. The 6-2, 220-pound Hayes, who run in the 4.65 range for the 40, is a tad undersized by NFL OLB standards but he has been very disruptive over his career; this year, for example, Hayes had 17.5 tackles or loss including 5 sacks. Hayes, though, was also had some off-field problems in the past which won't help his draft status.....

Clemson junior RB James Davis is the latest underclassmen to announce that he will be leaving school early and entering the 2008 draft. Davis was projected as a third-round pick by the NFL special draft advisory board. The 5-10, 210-pound Davis ran for almost 1,100 yards in 2007 while splitting carries with sophomore C.J. Spiller. The better news for Clemson is that junior WR Aaron Kelly, who had been thinking about entering the draft has decided to return for his senior season next fall....

Record-setting Vanderbilt junior WR Earl Bennett has announced that he will be entering the 2008 draft. Bennett is already the SEC's career receptions leader. Bennett is 6-1, 205 with reported 4.5 speed. He reportedly received a late third round grade by the NFL's special draft advisory committee but could move up dramatically if he can lower that 40 time at the combine....

Illinois junior RB Rashard Mendenhall will skip his senior year and enter the 2008 draft after rushing for a school-record 1,681 yards while leading the Illini on an unexpected run to the Rose Bowl. Mendenhall could be the second back off the board at this April's draft after fellow junior Darren McFadden of Arkansas....

Clemson junior DE Phillip Merling became the second Tiger to announce that he will pass up his senior season to enter the 2008 draft in the past two days. RB James Davis announced yesterday that he will be foregoing his final year of eligibility to test the draft waters this coming April. The 6-5, 272-pound Merling who times in the low-to-mid 4.7 range for the 40, had 7 sacks and 17 tackles for loss in 2007; he projects as a possible second round pick this year....

Central Florida junior CB Joe Burnett will not be entering the 2008 draft after all. Burnett, in fact, had shown up on several lists of underclassmen entering the upcoming draft as he was known to be flirting with the idea of leaving school this winter to join good buddy Kevin Smith in preparing for the draft. Smith announced his decision to enter the draft earlier in the week.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

NFL DRAFT 2008


Carson-Newman junior WR James Banks will forgo his senior season and enter the 2008 draft. Banks was a originally a heralded recruit at Tennessee but was dismissed from the team for repeated disciplinary offenses after two seasons. In his sophomore season Banks led the Vols with 42 catches for 621 yards and six touchdowns. Because of his chequered past, Banks is not likely to be drafted, but could get a look as an undrafted free agent by a team intrigued by his natural athleticism. Meanwhile, two current Tennessee underclassmen are believed to be leaning toward entering this year’s draft. MLB Jerod Mayo, who led the team with 140 tackles this fall, for example, is expected to for ego his senior season after being projected as a possible late second- or early third-round pick by the NFL’s special draft advisory committee. Junior RB Arian Foster is reportedly undecided about his immediate future but is also thought to be leaning towards going pro. Foster was rated as a possible second rounder by the committee after he ran for almost 1,200 yards last fall....

as expected, Rutgers junior RB Ray Rice will skip his senior year to enter the 2008 NFL draft. Rice’s decision comes three days after he ran for 280 yard and scored four touchdowns in a 52-30 victory over Ball State in the International Bowl. Where Rice ends up in the draft though will be one of the interesting questions this coming April. No question that Rice, who rushed for almost 5,000 career yards including over 2,000 in 2007, can scoot, but he’s not overly big at under 200 pounds. Meanwhile, Auburn DT Pat Sims has also announced that he will skip his senior season to enter the NFL draft. The 315-pound Sims was a first-team All-SEC pick this season after making 11.5 tackles for loss including 4.5 sacks. Sims would appear to be an early to mid second round prospect at this point but in something of a down year at the position could conceivably work his way into the late first round area. Another SEC star, Tennessee junior MLB Jerod Mayo, whose 140 total tackles led the SEC this season, has also decided to enter the upcoming NFL draft. Mayo graded out as a late second early third round prospect by the NFL’s special draft advisory committee....

Missouri junior QB Chase Daniel and star junior TE Chase Coffman were among 5 Tigers who reportedly considered entering the 2008 draft, but will return for their senior season instead. The other Missouri juniors to have gotten draft grades from the NFL’s special draft advisory committee were FS William Moore, DE Stryker Sulak and DT Ziggy Hood.....

Boise State junior CB Joe Scandrick has become the second Bronco to enter this years’ draft. The 5-11, 190-pound Scandrick, who reportedly runs in the 4.45-4.50 range for the 40, joins star BSU Ryan Clady in the 2008 draft field. Scandrick is projected as an early-to-mid-second day pick this coming April. And if Michigan junior WR Mario Manningham doesn’t enter the 2008 drat, he may have to find another college to play at. New Michigan head coach Rich Rodriquez said Manningham, who has yet to announce his plans for the upcoming draft, is off the team after missing the Wolverines first team meeting under the new regime....

While Oklahoma junior QB Bobby Reid announced several days ago that was 'preparing' for the 2008 NFL draft, subsequent reports indicate that he may still be exploring the option of transferring to a D1AA school so he can play out his senior season. Reid, though, needs to find a loophole in NCAA rules. Players who transfer to a Division I-AA program must have two years eligibility remaining and Reid, who red shirted in 2004, has only year of eligibility remaining. There is an exception though in that a player with one year eligibility can transfer to a I-AA program if the new school offers a major that wasn't available at his previous school. Reid was considered one of the top young QBs in college football but lost his job to Zac Robinson this all and then gained some unwanted national exposure when Cowboys' head coach Mike Gundy came to his defense in that now famous rant at a reporter in mid-season.....

The State, South Carolina’s main newspaper is reporting that both of Clemson juniors RB James Davis and DE Phillip Merling are close to announcing their intention to enter the 2008 drat, while a third, WR WR Aaron Kelly is also considering a jump to the pros this winter.....

Michigan junior WR Adrian Arrington has formally announced that he will be entering the 2008 NFL draft. The 6-2, 190-pound Arrington, who runs in the 4.55 range for the 40, caught 67 passes for 882 yards and 8 TDs this fall; he projects as a possible late second or early third round prospect for the upcoming draft, although he may also get pushed down a tad as there is just so much depth in this year’s receiver class. Meanwhile, there is till no official word from fellow Michigan WR Mario Manningham whether as expected he intends to follow suit. Incoming head coach Rich Rodriquez has already indicated Manningham is no longer part of the team after he missed the Wolverines’ first team meeting under the new coaching regime. At the same time, Michigan freshman QB Ryan Mallett, one of the top recruits in the country last season, may be headed to Tennessee although UCLA, Texas A&M and Arkansas are all still reportedly to be possibilities. Mallett, a pure pocket passer, opted to transfer as his style likely won’t suit what is expected to be a run-oriented offense under Rodriquez....

Clemson junior RB James Davis is the latest underclassmen to announce that he will be leaving school early and entering the 2008 draft. Davis was projected as a third-round pick by the NFL special draft advisory board. The 5-10, 210-pound Davis ran for almost 1,100 yards in 2007 while splitting carries with sophomore C.J. Spiller. The better news for Clemson is that junior WR Aaron Kelly, who had been thinking about entering the draft has decided to return for his senior season next fall.

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

NFL DRAFT 2008


Wisconsin junior CB Jake Ikegwuonu is the latest underclassman to indicate that he will be entering the 2008 draft. Underclassmen have until the close of business next Tuesday to file paperwork with the NFL to be eligible for this April’s draft. And there are still a lot of top names to be heard from over the course of the next week. One we probably won’t be hearing from is Ohio State junior OLB Marcus Freeman who reportedly has decided to remain in school for his senior season. On the other hand, there are reports from Central Florida that junior CB Joe Burnett will be joining fellow UCF junior RB Kevin Smith in the 2008 draft field.....

Monday, January 07, 2008

NFL DRAFT 2008


Kansas junior LT Anthony Collins has confirmed that he has decided to join close friend and Wildcats' CB Aqib Talib and declare for the 2008 draft. The 6-5, 310-pound Collins, a late-blloer with 5.10 speed over 40 yards, was projected as a 3rd round pick by the NFL's draft advisory committee....

Texas redshirt sophomore TE Jeremichael Finley has reportedly told school officials that he will be entering the 2008 draft. Finley is the second Texas underclassmen to make the decision joining junior RB Jamaal Charles in applying for this year's draft. Finley is also the first non-junior to declare for this year's draft. The 6-5, 240-pound Finley caught 45 passes for 575 yards in 2007....

Family sources close to both of junior CBs Aqib Talib of Kansas and Branden Flowers of Virginia Tech have indicated that both have decided to forego their final years of eligibility and declare for the NFL. Both had consulted with the NFL’s special draft advisory committee and both were reportedly told they would likely be second round picks this coming April. Ironically, the duo also faced each other in this year’s Orange Bowl in which Talib’s 60-yard TD return of an interception was the key play in the Jayhawks upset victory.

Friday, January 04, 2008

NFL DRAFT 2008



Pretty much as expected, Miami junior DE Calais Campbell has announced that he will forgo his senior season and enter the 2008 draft. The 6-8, 280-pound Campbell is the second Hurricane to announce he will leave early joining junior safety Kenny Phillips. Meanwhile, according to John Murphy of Yahoo Sports Florida junior TE Cornelius Ingram has also decided to forego his senior year with the Gators and enter the 2008 draft. The 6-4, 235-pound Ingram finished fourth on the team with 34 receptions for 508 yards and seven touchdowns. Ingram has reportedly been timed in the sub-4.5 range in the 40-yard dash and has the ability to line up in a number of positions on the field including H-Back, slot and even wideout.....

According to John Murphy of Yahoo Sports Syracuse WR Taj Smith, who potentially had a medical red-shirt year to use, has opted to enter the 2008 draft rather than returning for a fifth year in college. A former JC transfer who has had is share of injury problems in the past, averaged 18.7 tards per catch on 44 receptions. Smith is listed at 6-1, 187 and has been timed as fast as 4.42 in the 40-yard dash....

Virginia junior OG Branden Albert is the latest collegiate underclassmen to announce that he will forgo his final season of eligibility and enter the 2008 draft. The 6-6, 310-pound Albert was a third-team All-American this fall....

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Southern Farmers Fret As Cold Sets In

More man-made global warming news.....

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

NFL NEWS AND NOTES



Along with former G.M. Rick Mueller who was fired this morning, Miami has fired both college scouting coordinator Rick Thompson and assistant director of player personnel Mike Baugh. Meanwhile, Bill parcels, who is now running the football show in Miami, wasted little time in being to search for a replacement for Mueller as the Dolphins have reportedly sought and received permission to Jeff Ireland, who is the Dallas Cowboys' vice president of college and pro scouting. Parcells and Ireland worked together until Parcells left Dallas in 2006. Ireland is expected to interview for the post later this weekend, however, while Dallas owner/G.M. Jerry Jones appears willing to let Ireland move on to Miami it may not be until after the 2008 draft....

The NFL has confirmed pretty much what we have been reporting on how the league will break the three-way tie for the 3rd, 4th and 5th picks at the 2008 draft. Since Kansas City finished third in the AFC West and the Raiders fourth with the tie being broken on the basis of record in common games, the Raiders will draft ahead of the Chiefs. Atlanta and Oakland will flip a coin for the third position at the NFL Combine in February. If Atlanta wins, the Falcons will draft third, the Raiders fourth, and the Chiefs fifth. If the Raiders win the coin flip, they will draft third, and the Falcons and Chiefs will flip a coin to determine the fourth and fifth positions. The coin flip or flips will reportedly take place at the scouting combine in Indianapolis at the end of February. We've also had several queries why Dallas will pick after two teams which made the playoffs with the 22nd selection overall acquired from Cleveland which did not make the playoffs. The Browns/Cowboys are still 10-6 and so get grouped with teams with that record, but as the only non-playoff team go to the bottom of that group, but would still pick after playoff teams with inferior records.

Cindy makes the Rose Bowl Parade

U.S. retailers holiday sales up 3.6 percent

This for the most part ignored by the old media.