Nothing To See Here

What in the world is going on in Boston?

Obviously, we are all well aware of the tragic terrorist acts which marred the Boston Marathon. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who lost their life and those who have forever been negatively impacted by the actions of these terrorists.

However, the aftermath of the event has been quite confusing and with all the scandals engulfing the Obama administration, it is hard for the public to keep their eye on the ball.  Heck, we don't even know what game we are playing.

While the authorities chased down the publicly know suspects, a major US city was in lock down. It was the Tsarnaev brothers, Chechen immigrants, with the older brother killed in a shootout and the younger brother, after being identified by a private citizen, having been captured in cuddy cabin boat on a trailer in the yard of a suburban Boston home.  Tsarnaev is awaiting trial. 

It is over, and the bad guys have been caught and are off the street.  All is good; nothing to see here.  Not so fast my friend.

Where did it all begin?  One of the aforementioned scandals had to do with the National Security Agency spying, without warrant, on all Americans in the name of prohibiting our nation from being hit again by terrorists.  As Benjamin Franklin so eloquently said, "They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety". Even though reports have the Russian government warning us about the brothers Tsarnaev, with the federal government spying on the citizenry with high tech surveillance, it did nothing to stop terrorism from striking our streets, literally, in Boston. 

That ole Franklin was a real gem.

Although we are not aware of any intelligence gathered from surveillance tactics, there were significant clues something was up.

On September 11, 2011, a vicious homicide took place in the area in which the Tsarnaev brothers resided, with the victim having been a close friend of the older Tsarnaev brother.  The case remained unsolved, but it is noteworthy that news reports indicate Tsarnaev did not attend the funeral.  That type of behavior should have raised some suspicion.

Only after the bombing investigation got going did the authorities stumble upon the obvious; that mounting evidence suggested Tsarnaev brothers were involved in the grisly killing.

In the weeks prior to the Boston bombing over in Hanover, nearby the area the Tsarnaev brothers and their friends lived, came news reports of two recent incidents where homemade explosives were detonated.  At the first location, it was noted that witnesses at the nearby Target store on Washington Street reported seeing a bright flash and hearing two explosions from that area. The local news report noted that several unexploded devices were found at the scene and later detonated under secure conditions by the State Police Bomb Squad.  Obviously, these were dry runs.

On the day after the bombing, a series of photographs were published on the internet.  I became aware of the pictures from a Facebook post by FOX News Eric Bolling, and you can see the entire portfolio of photos HERE.

These photos are very interesting indeed.  Several potential suspects, most carrying backpacks, are seen in the screen shots.  I am particularly interested in the picture presented below.  The first is a photo of the immediate aftermath of the bombing, and something peculiar is quite noticeable.  Standing right beyond the start finish line are two men dressed in similar attire who appear stationary and not at all fazed by what has occurred.  Take a look.

 

A closer inspection of the photo, zoomed in below, shows two men hiding backpacks apparently engaged in some form of communication.  Certainly, to engage in identification of these men would be speculative, but it does appear the man on the left is the older Tsarnaev brother.  However, it is clear that the other individual is not the younger Tsarnaev brother.  Take a look. 

 

To gain clearer perspective, an opportunity a better look exists. Click here for full resolution image.

If we assume the individual on the left is in fact the older Tsarnaev brother, who is the individual on the right?  Although some friends of the Tsarnaev brothers have been arrested on lesser charges, none resembled this man. 

The authorities have informed the public there are no outstanding suspects related to the bombings, but regardless if the man pictured on the left is the older Tsarnaev brother or not, these two men are reacting unlike most everyone else pictured, which at a minimum raises suspicion.

I have not heard anything in the media about who these two men, and particularly the one pictured at right, are.  I would like to know.  Oh well, nothing to see here. Move on.

In the immediate aftermath of the bombings, new reports suggested a man who had been hospitalized with injuries likely sustained at the bombing.  The injuries were described as consistent with someone who was not injured from the bombing, but participatory in implementing the bombing.

Respectable journalists over at CNN reported the news, labeling the suspect as a Saudi Arabian. Seemingly due to political correctness, the reports were retracted.  CNN promptly regretted the error, but I conclude there was no error.  John King has been at this a long time and he would not recklessly report such a thing, and Fran Townsend has a credible reputation as well.  CNN may be publicly apologizing for the error, but there was no error. Wonder who got to these guys?

The story of the error has no credibility because the problem is that this individual actually exists, and The Blaze, among others, did extensive reporting on this individual.  The young man had been classified by our government as very dangerous, as The Blaze reports.

In what appeared as a stunning jailbreak of lemmings, the media quickly retracted that this individual, complete with burned hands, was not a suspect at all.  In fact, although there was no official recognition of the event, pictures indicate Michelle Obama visited him in the hospital. Reports now suggest he was deported and will not face further interrogation on the subject.  Just lovely.

With the propaganda arm of the Obama administration, the mainstream media, having dropped the subject from the daily news reel, the American people lost focus on the subject as a slew of scandals suffocated the Obama administration.

With the dust seemingly settled came news of a rather startling event just north of Boston.  On May 14th, patrols were stepped up after seven chemical engineering students were caught trespassing at the Quabbin Reservoir.  As CBS Boston reports, State Police say the five men and two women are from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore, and “cited their education and career interests” for being in the area. The men told police they were chemical engineers and recent college graduates.

No charges were to be filed against the trespassers, but that did not sit well with Glenn Beck.



After the early and prompt decision not to charge the trespassers, Massachusetts Police are appealing that decision. The reservoir, which provides the city of Boston their drinking water, was accurately deemed "critical infrastructure" and thus the Mass. Police found charges were appropriate.  It should be noted the trespassers included adults, five men and two women, who were from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Singapore.

Common sense would have you believe the authorities within and surrounding Boston would be on high alert given these wide ranging events with terroristic suspicion.  We are unable to conclude that after learning what took place at the Boston Aqueduct on June 3. 

Three padlocks to hatches were cut at the Boston aqueduct, which supplies water to greater Boston. Seemingly oblivious to the previous incidents, CBS Boston reports State Police are investigating, though they say “there is no evidence of any crime other than vandalism.”  Nothing to see here.

While the events following the Boston Marathon bombing may be isolated incidents with no relation to the terroristic acts of the bombing, my tolerance for coincidence expired a long time ago.  In addition, there are several unanswered and troubling aspects regarding the bombing that have not been adequately addressed.

Obviously, our government values their relationships with countries and groups that harbor terrorists.  While questions regarding Boston remain unanswered, the administration aims to engage in assisting in weaponizing terrorists in Syria and welcomes terrorists into The White House.

Goodwill is quickly contracting globally, and with the United States in decline due to weak leadership and financial constraints, a significant event could catapult Uncle Sam into a very perilous position.  Such an event could well be financial, but it certainly could be the actions of terrorists, or both.

Before discounting the events in Boston, recognize those who carried out the events of September 11, 2001 were not Rhodes Scholars. It would be prudent to remain vigilant.

Diligent Hands Bring Wealth

On this day, June 19th, a statue of Frederick Douglass was unveiled in the Untied States Capitol's Emancipation Hall. For Frederick Douglass, (1818-1885) a free market capitalist, entrepreneur and national hero as a champion of civil rights, freedom and justice for all, the recognition bestowed him today at the United States Capitol was long overdue.

 

It is clear that President Obama, from pronouncements that the Constitution is a flawed document to his actions, not only failing to uphold, but seeking to change the Constitution, does not adequately respect the Constitution or the divinely inspired Founding Fathers who created it. 

 

 

This is in stark contrast to Douglass, who said  "The American Constitution in s written instrument full and complete in itself.  No Court in America,, no Congress, no President, can add a single word therto, or take single word therefrom.  It is a great national enactment done by the people. and can only be altered, amended or added to by the people."

Florida Senator Marco Rubio and his gang of eight compadres feverishly work on an immigration bill that rewards those who broke the law and will create an overwhelming level of entitlements bankrupting our nation.

Rubio and his republican counterparts supportive of this legislation worry that without supporting amnesty for those illegal immigrants already here while paving a way to legal immigration, the democrats will generate a corner on the market for Hispanic votes moving forward.

First and foremost, disregarding the rule of law for votes is an appalling trade off void of the principles our nation was founded upon. Secondly, the whole premise is false and needs to be rejected.

The immigration bill is not about votes, or for the benefit of the immigrants who are supposedly living in the shadows; it is about control.

If the GOP fears issues finding enough voters to strengthen their relevance, beyond placing conservatives on the ballot drawing a significant distinction against the progressives, there is a clear pathway for the GOP to never lose another election.  Frederick Douglass is the answer.

Douglass, a republican, recognized that free market capitalism is the best path to prosperity, noting “If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground. They want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters."

In aggregate, as evidenced by the voting record, the black population has let the evil of racism and vengeance cloud their perspective restricting the avenues of progress which lay before them. Many who are Christian have reconciled disarming these arbitrary handicaps from prohibiting their pursuit of happiness.

The Democrats, through enacting entitlements which are designed to rob individuals of their identity and leave them dependant on an increasingly oppressive government, get the overwhelming majority of black votes but are the cause of the greater majority of harm riddling the community. The issues range from the breakdown of the traditional family, a unspeakably low marriage rates, low educational progress and extremely high crime rates and drug usage.  There has been little improvement in recent decades, with regression under the Obama administration

If only those lost in the black community could have their eyes opened.  Recently down in Louisiana, State Senator Elbert Guillory changed to the republican party after fully comprehending what heroes like Douglass and Martin Luther King already knew.  Guillory explained "Why I Am a Republican", and this should be mandatory viewing for our friends in the black community.  Take a listen:



“This struggle may be a moral one, or it may be a physical one, and it may be both moral and physical, but it must be a struggle. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will. Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them, and these will continue till they are resisted with either words or blows, or with both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress,” said Douglass. 

As Guillory recognizes, blacks, and for that matter, individuals ill-informed of the history and government action engaging in various forms of oppression, often welcome governance that restricts freedom and liberty through control mechanisms disguised as entitlements.  Of course, there is no free lunch.  These governmental actions are generally driven by democrats, not by republicans.

Douglass noted that "Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth."  Through leaders like C. L Bryant,  KCarl Smith of The Frederick Douglass Republicans, Ken Hutcherson,  Allen West and fine new media outlets like The Black Quill and Ink blog, it is hoped word can spread alerting the black community their future belongs to them, with their successes encouraged and embraced by all Americans.

Hopefully, as quipped by Rabbi Daniel Lapin, focus can be accurately placed upon the big G, as in God, rather than the little g, as in government. Imagine the prosperity for all.  Douglass would be teared with joy!

Immigration Legislation A Sociopolitical Monster

An immigration bill, derived by yet another dreadful "gang of eight", is on the fast track to becoming law.

As a member of the gang of eight, Florida Senator Marco Rubio is the mouthpiece of the legislation, which is beyond disappointing. I was among the legions of Floridians who enthusiastically supported Rubio's candidacy against Charlie Christ, whose principles were set by changes in wind direction.


Rubio speaks at Orlando Tea Party rally

 

After a thorough victory, the hope for results matching the rhetoric were high. I have heard Rubio speak personally on many occasions, and he eloquently spoke, from the heart without teleprompter, about the founding principles of our country and conservative answers to the myriad of issues engulfing our nation. His story is most compelling, and he was among those Mitt Romney strongly considered as a running mate in 2012.

AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

Therefore, it is with extreme disappointment Rubio has violated many of those principles in supporting the immigration legislative efforts. While we recognize our immigration policy, an issue of passion for Rubio, is broken, it should be clear the constituents who elected Rubio did not send him to Washington to join in legislation with Chuck Schumer (D:NY), Dick Durbin (D:IL), Lindsey Graham (R:SC) and John McCain (R:AZ), a good man who has apparently lost his mind.

Many GOP members, apparently inclusive of Rubio, are under the false belief that with these immigrants tied to the Democrats the only hope of ever winning another election is to appease these illegal immigrants by merging minds on the issue with progressives. Rubio's election in Florida, sinking with immigrants, should have been proof of that error in judgement.

Although Rubio insists he is not being set up, from the granstands it looks quite differently.  Rubio is quickly losing credibility among the GOP, and rightfully so.  Dana Rohrabacher, (R:CA) ripped Rubio. “Rubio is so mixed up and so confused. I think he has given up his rightful place to advise any of us in Washington what to do, and he’s given up any right to be trusted by the American people,” he said."

The Senate is formulating a bill on the fast track, which will then head over to the House.  Over there, the House will attempt to redirect the Senate by passing a bill seemingly more in line with common sense American views on the issue.  At this point, the bills will meet in conference committee to be reconciled, as which point a new bill will be finalized and voted upon, one heavily influenced by the left.  There will not be enough opposition for the GOP to stop it, and boom, we have amnesty for tens of millions of illegal immigrants.  Yes, they are illegal immigrants.

Therefore, to prohibit the conference from taking place, it is imperative that nothing passes in the House.  Among those who understand the trojan horse being set up, and working to defeat it, are Louie Gohmert (R:TX), Michele Bachmann (R:MN) and Steve King (R:IA).

This trifecta of republicans astutely recognize that for the progressives, while this is portrayed a humane answer to the immigration issues, the real goal is to crash the system, leaving the majority of the citizenry dependant on government assistance and control, described as a "governing coalition for the long term".  It is Cloward and Piven, and it simply must be defeated on the battlefield of ideas.

Rubio also initially said the border fence would be a precursor to an immigration policy being implemented, but Rubio has since reversed that thought, proclaiming the necessity to get tax revenue from the new legal immigrants to fund the fence.  Legalization first, border security second. Not so fast my friend.

In fact, we already have laws requiring border security that is not being enforced.  Border security, and the right to security, is found in the foruth amendment.  With the government failing to secure the border, they are in violation of the rule of law and our Constitution.  Sadly, the government is picking and choosing which laws they think it prudent to enforce. This type of governance was something our founders warned us about.

There is not a promised path to citizenship for those who are here illegally, and those who are here illegally must retreat through the system legally. The process allowing legal immigrants must be overhauled to expedite the process for those who seek to become citizens and assimilate and become productive members of our communities, not adopting the practices of working the welfare system.

Should this legislation pass, the heavy weight of the increase of entitlements for those new immigrants will lead to socialism and a total collapse of our economic system.  As the great Barry Goldwater once said, "And here we encounter the seeds of government disaster and collapse -- the kind that wrecked ancient Rome and every other civilization that allowed a sociopolitical monster called the welfare state to exist." 

The gang of eight are playing games, and the results of this immaturity could jettison our great experiment to the ash heap of history. 

Find Your Founding Father

This past Sunday was Fathers Day, a very special day across the fruited plain. For those who no longer have the opportunity to visit with your Dad, we hope you had a day of embracing fond memories. Hopefully, for those that can, an opportunity was seized to visit and reminisce. For those who regrettably were unable to experience this gem of life, prayers are extended that in your life you will be able create a new path of love and family.  Certainly, special recognition goes out to Dads whose sons and daughters are away from home fighting for the home of the free and the brave.

I had a very enjoyable day with my family at Tropicana Field in Saint Petersburg.  Alex Gordon, picture below left in warmups, drove in two runs as the visiting Kansas City Royals defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 5-3.  Hall of Famer George Brett, an inaugural member of The Hall of BAHL pictured at right, looked like he could pinch hit at any moment.



 

A wonderful video turned up over the weekend, expressing in eloquence the sentiments many of us have for Dads.  Many are small memories of a special day, or maybe that summer trip, but recognizing the many sacrifices made on our behalf.  Please take a listen:

 

A real tear jerker indeed.  Make you appreciate life and the fragility associated with it.

Weighing heavily on the minds of many of us takes to a place of some other Fathers; our Founding Fathers.

In recent years, our government has been acting in violation of the founding principle set forth by our Founding Fathers. These are simple principles, focused on freedom and liberty and the right to pursue happiness for all.  These principles placed the power in the people, recognizing the incentives and dreams of the individual can produce great things which can benefit society in a ripple effect of ways.

Our current government leaders think government can dictate your affairs much more efficiently than you can, and aim to place you in a box by controlling your educational and health care opportunities, all while regulating and taxing success in effort to help those on the low end of the spectrum through wealth transformation.

This is not the place of the government to dictate, rather the market.  While most everyone welcomes a safety net for those who fall on hard times, having 47% of the population on government assistance is a marker of failure.

Our Founding Fathers would not be at all pleased.  In all his brilliance, Michael Ramirez of Investors Business Daily has again captured the minds of those who recognize what is happening in America.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Fathers Day.  With the day of recognition in the rear view mirror, it is time for all of us, Fathers of the great experiment of America, to honor not only our Fathers, but our Founding Fathers, in working to defeat on the battlefield of ideas those that wish to trample on those divinely inspired founding principles our Founding Fathers gave us.

Happy Founding Fathers Day!

The Hall of BAHL

Sports is and always has played a significant role in my life. I have found that most all of life's lessons are learned between the lines. Discipline, individual responsibility, teamwork and sportsmanship are among many opportunities presented within the games that offer guidance to prosper in life.

Over the years, there have been many individuals associated with sports that I have looked up to, been a fan of, owned a jersey of or just pulled for. These are my guys, and although it has not always been a road without bumps for many, these are my guys. In an effort to recognize these folks, I have formed The Hall of BAHL.

Individuals making this list may or may not be the greatest ever players, coaches or ambassadors, but they are my favorites.

Each year, I will induct five members into The Hall of BAHL. In honor of my good buddy and Sportsman Big Ole BudFeiser, who we lost in 2011 and who I grew up playing sports with, each class will annually be announced on his birthday, June 13.

The inductees for the 2013 Hall of BAHL class are listed in no particular order below:

BOBBY LABONTE





 With Richard Petty retiring at the end of the 1992, I needed another driver to pull for. While I did like and pull for Kyle Petty, a driver my age caught my eye driving the Maxwell House Pontiac Grand Prix for Bill Davis. That was Bobby Labonte of Corpus Christi, Texas.

When Joe Gibbs entered the NASCAR circuit, Bobby was tapped to drive the Gibbs #18 Interstate Batteries Pontiac Grand Prix. Bobby Labonte would have tremendous success piloting the green 18, winning 21 Sprint Cup races over his career, including a Brickyard 400, and winning the Sprint Cup Championship in 2000.

Ironically, I first met Labonte in 1999 at a lunch set by BudFeiser, for whom the Hall of Ball is dedicated.  BudFeiser worked in the grocery industry and through relationships with some of Labonte's sponsors, BudFeiser arranged for me to be included in a lunch and Q&A at the Outback in Daytona.  What a day!

I also had the opportunity in January of 2001 to be participatory in the filming of a SeaDoo commercial with Bobby and fellow Gibbs driver Tony Stewart in Grant, FL. It was a bitterly cold day, and while I enjoyed hanging out with the guys that day, I was disappointed to have ended up on the cutting room floor with respect to the commercial that aired that year.

Bobby remains one of the very few drivers to win a Nationwide and Sprint Cup series championship, and is one of few who have scored wins in the Camping World Truck Series, Nationwide Series and the Sprint Cup Series.

For the last few years, Bobby has been piloting the #47 Toyota for JTG/Daugherty Racing. In an ironic twist, it was announced this week Bobby will be replaced for a few races for the remainder of the season as the team seeks to improve the on track performance.

Bobby has always been recognized by his peers as a class act and a good, clean racer.  Labonte is someone I have been proud to have been associated with and an individual and welcome his inclusion
in The Hall of BAHL.

JOHNNY RODGERS

When I began following college football as a youngster, my beloved Nebraska Cornhuskers were unleash decades of football excellence by winning back to back National Championships in 1970-71.  While the teams had several All Americans on the roster, it was flanker Johnny Rodgers who led the way.

Nebraska was a unanimous undefeated champion in 1971, defeating #2 Oklahoma at Norman and then #2 Alabama in The Orange Bowl.  In the nationally televised "Game of the Century" versus OU, Johnny the Jest electrified the crowd with a brilliant 72 yard punt return helping the Big Red to victory.

Nebraska was upset at UCLA early in 1972, and did not have the season they had hoped for in the first season for famed Coach Tom Osborne.  But Rodgers did not disappoint, winning the 1972 Heisman Memorial Trophy.  In The Orange Bowl as Nebraska smashed Notre Dame 40-6, Rodgers ran for three scores and caught a touchdown, and threw for another touchdown setting Orange Bowl records along the way.

 

I was fortunate to see JR Superstar in both of those Orange Bowl games, and particularly remember his outstanding performance versus Notre Dame.  Rodgers was well deserving of the Heisman, the first for Nebraska, and an integral part of helping the Big Red win the national title for the first time.  I join a legion of Nebraskans who adore and appreciate "The Jet" from Omaha who electrified the college football landscape in the early seventies.

After some issues, Rodgers ended up graduating from The University of Nebraska and remains a strong supporter of the program, often participating in promotional partnerships with the University.  I am pleased to now include Johnny Rodgers in The Hall of BAHL

CHARLIE WARD

Among the most gifted athletes I have ever witnessed, who operated with extreme poise under pressure, was former Florida State quarterback Charlie Ward. Ward, of Thomasville, GA, the 1993 Heisman Trophy winner, helped lead Florida State to their first National Championship in 1993 with an 18-16 victory over Nebraska in The Orange Bowl.

Coach Bobby Bowden, who recognized the talented skill set and maturity level Ward possessed, change the Seminole offense to better utilize ward's abilities. The Seminoles broke out the Fast Break offense, and with Ward directing a very talented group, Florida State began to set a slew of offensive records.

Ward would direct a comeback for the ages against a top ten Georgia Tech team at Atlanta, however, the Seminoles would fall at Notre Dame 31-24. With the Irish losing the following week, the stage was set as FSU would face undefeated Nebraska in the Orange Bowl. Nebraska came to play, and it came down to the final play, but Ward and the Seminoles would win their first National Title.













Ward was a stellar athlete, who was the starting punter as a freshman and doubled as the point guard on the Florida State basketball team, which went to the Elite Eight under his direction.  After FSU, Ward would not attempt a career in the NFL, opting to embark on a long term career for in the National Basketball Association, most notably with the New York Knicks.

Charlie Ward has had a long term association with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and has always demonstrated excellent attributes as a citizen and member of the Florida State family.  It is an honor to induct Charlie Ward into the third class of The Hall of BAHL.

TOMMIE FRAZIER

The run. In one of college footballs greatest plays, "Touchdown" Tommie Frazier, seemingly stopped on numerous occasion, ran over several Florida Gators en routed to an electrifying 75 yard touchdown run to help Nebraska demolish the Gators 62-24 in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl following the 1995 season.  It was a season Nebraska would dominate the competition and finish undefeated, capping back to back National Championships for the Cornhuskers.

Well known down in these parts from his high school days at powerhouse Bradenton Manatee, Tommie Frazier was sure for stardom when he took his skills to Lincoln.

Frazier had a brilliant career with the 'Huskers, 33-3 as a starter, but did suffer adversity as his junior season was cut short due to blood clotting in his leg.  This unusual injury keep him sidelined for many games, but Frazier came back and, sharing time with Brook Berringer, played well in the Orange Bowl victory over Miami after the 1995 season.  The injury cast a cloud on how effective he would be during his senior season.  But, Frazier would get through the season without a measurable incident earning All America honors and finishing as runner up for the 1995 Heisman Trophy.

Frazier remains close to the program and is a strong ambassador for UNL and the Nebraska football program.  Recently elected to the College Football Hall of Fame, and you cannot have such a thing without Frazier, I am honored to welcome "Touchdown" Tommie Frazier to the Hall of BAHL, whose incredible Fiesta Bowl run will never be forgotten.



GENE DECKERHOFF

Florida State began emerging on the national scene under legendary coach Bobby Bowden in the late 1970's.  This was before ESPN, and Seminole games were rarely on local television, leaving a scratchy AM radio as the only live alternative.

 

In 1979, Gene Deckerhoff became the Florida State football play by play announcer, and has remained "The Voice of the Seminoles" ever since.  Gene is in a class by himself in the press box, exhibiting extensive knowledge and unrivaled enthusiasm. TOUCHDOWN FLORIDA STATE!

 

In 1980, Deckerhoff began hosting the "Bobby Bowden Show" with Coach Bowden, which became a sort of cult favorite with Bowden and Gene rehashing the game. At the halftime break of the show, Deckerhoff teamed with former FSU halfback Burt Reynolds in a segment titled "Great Moments in Florida State History," usually filmed over the summer on location with Reynolds. 

 

Deckerhoff continues to be a tremendous ambassador for Florida State, speaking at booster functions across the country, often in the company of Coach Jimbo Fisher.  I have visited with Gene at several of these functions with the Seminole Club of Greater Orlando, and have always enjoyed his company immensely.

 

With the blessing of FSU, Gene took over the play by play gig for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where several of his favorite FSU stars, including Derrick Brooks, Brad Johnson and Warrick Dunn, have starred.  It requires extensive and pinpoint travel, but with all smiles, Gene has always been up for the job.

 

Deckerhoff is well recognized as the best in the business, not only by his legion of fans, but by his peers in the broadcasting industry.  In 2011, with Gene set to broadcast his 400th FSU football game, a video tribute to Gene was put together, which we wrote a blog about.  Please take a listen as we welcome Florida State's Gene Deckerhoff into The Hall of BAHL:

BSA a Vehicle for Traditional Assualt

It is no doubt difficult for those who have not been paying close attention and are just now coming to the realization that the Obama administration is orchestrating a full scale transformation of the United States of America. 

With all the scandals surrounding the Obama administration expanding exponentially, what has gotten lost is the that the administration does not care much for America the way it was formed, and is seeking and implementing a transformation, complete with a changing of our history and traditions.

Perhaps, many were not listening back in the day when it became clear the Obama administration would actually embark upon.  Sadly, with many uniformed citizens cheering all along the way, we are indeed moving to a different place, one our founding fathers would not appreciate.

Please listen to Michelle Obama at a campaign stop in 2008:



Recently, a tradition of over 100 years was nudged through political correctness and pressure to adjust their long standing principles, and that is the Boy Scouts of America.

From time to time here on BAHL Revere, we accept guest posts from individuals on topics they have superior knowledge of.   A longtime friend and former colleague has had a very close, long standing association with the Boy Scouts of America, and has offered the following essay regarding the recent developments. Please see the following from Jangles:

I do not have a problem with gay people or gay Scouts. In my many years as a Scout Leader I am sure there were at least a couple of gay Scouts in our Troop and/or Council. None of these Scouts were ever impugned, embarrassed or judged. They were treated no different from any other boy in the Troop or Pack.

The Boy Scouts of America is not a boys sex club.

It is a mute point since all Scouts are under the age of 18 (age of consent). So we are talking about under age boys having sex? It is my belief that this type of activity is inappropriate, but young boys will sometimes do things that are inappropriate. I am not sure if an adolescent boy that might be attracted to other boys would be comfortable in the Boy Scout environment.

But an older teenage boy with aggressive tenancies might be a predator towards the younger Scouts. The Scout Leadership training focuses on protecting these young men and boys from bullying as well as other activities that do not conform to the BSA core principles. We are trained to handle these type of issues in a tactful and responsible manner.

The BSA did not have to change their requirements. Two new BSA board members, inclusive of the new president, have pushed this leftist agenda. A couple of councils from New England, Church of LDS & the left coast carried the agenda. Fly over country and the south stood uniformly opposed to changing these traditions and rules.

This is the camels nose in the tent. Next they will change the rules for adult leaders.

70% of the Packs and Troops are sponsored by religious organization, which are required to go through an annual re-charter with their sponsors and councils. The legal council for these religious organizations will balk at the re-charter process and advise their client not to allow this organization to re-charter through their church, due to the increased risk of a law suits stemming from inappropriate sexual behavior of a minor boy. Then you will have government schools and other secular organizations become the main sponsors of the Packs and Troops.

Oh and by the way, please don’t mention God while you are on government property. Someone might and/or could intrepid the mention of God as offensive. The ACLU lawyers will soon be after you.

The new BSA might have increased corporate donations with changes to the by-laws, but without Scouts, Scout Leaders and parent volunteers you will not have an organization to spend the corporate donation on. The BSA will have cash on hand for a short time to cover a couple of law suits. The media will cover the law suits until the BSA finally fold up their tents and trek away from 100 years of tradition.

Make no mistake, this is not about gay Johnny wanting to be a Boy Scout. This is about the progressives infiltrating another traditional organization and killing it from within their own ranks under the guise of allowing a small percentage of a fraction to join the Boy Scouts of America, if only for a few weeks and quit.

The changes in the BSA by-laws is a recipe for failure. The left and the gay activist groups have the right to start up their own organization and develop their own bylaws and traditions. They do not need or require the BSA, they just want to shut down another traditional organization that helps other people.

There is little doubt the Boy Scouts are among many cherished traditional organizations that have been attacked into changing long standing principled positions.  The attacks on the Catholic church is somewhat similar, with the non existent war on women providing the backdrop for opening the door to challenge the traditions.

Surely you recall Chick-fil-A standing up for the traditional family, only to get boycotted and crucified by a wide range of cities, organizations and LGBT supporters.  This past July, we wrote a blog post noting the seemingly nudged and orchestrated support of the LGBT community all the while criticizing the traditional family.

In addition, while God is to be excluded in most every public arena due to political correctness, we are nudged into being fully accepting to other religions, including Islam, in society and even in the court of law.

These events are being orchestrated by design, and most of America has no clue.  It can only be classified as physcological warfare in a larger landscape that must be considered a non violent coup to take over, or transform, the United States of America,

Our President, and our First Lady, informed us they were going to do this.  Many heard, but few were listening.  Maybe now, as rights are being taken away under the trampling of the Constitution and as the rule of law grows non existent, the citizenry will recognize what is before them, which is a loss of the freedom and liberties granted us with our representative republic.

Unlike the Obama administration and the rest of their progressive followers, our traditions and history, those that champion freedom, are very important and are integral to preserving our founding principles.  Sadly, we must rise up and defend them with legally permissible and non violent action, before the great experiment ends and American becomes Venezuela with the citizenry nothing more than another brick in the wall. 

Time is short.

Washington Web Cam

With the NSA government surveillance of the people, a scandal of  in extreme violation of the first amendment, growing exponentially by the day, it is clear that nothing you do can be deemed private. Smart phones, HD internet attached monitors and your personal computer can all be utilized, without your consent, to monitor your activities.

It is a Brave New World out there gang.  Welcome to 1984!  Beck is on top of it as usual:



This government, which clearly cannot be trusted, is on record utilizing this type of information against political opponents, as Tea Party and 9-12 groups, along with Mitt Romney donors, can attest.  Even Mitt Romney himself was attacked by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D:NV.

With the government having access to every computer keystroke, they can attack their political opponents with this information.  Most would not want the public to be privy to all Google searches you have implemented.

Oh my goodness!  All those porn searches!  That information, if noted, in violation of my civil rights, could be used against me.  The list of folks who might mount a congressional run may have just got significantly reduced, but there will be no affect to BAHL Revere.

I have some working knowledge regarding the porn industry, having been a longtime listener to The King of All Media, Howard Stern, where members of the industry are frequent guests and due to following financial markets.  About a dozen years ago, I had the occasion to meet Jenna Jameson, who appeared in Stern's movie Private Parts, and who is perhaps the most famous of all porn stars.

It is worth noting that many of the woman working in this industry these days are much better looking than you may think.  Although I am sure many are doing as they please, and some like Ms. Jameson had done quite well for themselves financially, you would hope they had higher aspirations in life than going down the road to being participatory in porn performance.



Drunna

Recent research noted that there are a handful of past performers who have come out of retirement to work again, perhaps most notably the actress Julia Ann.  Two stars I noted were a very decent looking woman seemingly in her mid thirties called Drunna, who looks like a soccer Mom, and a relatively new performer called Brooklyn Chase, who is real cute. One has to wonder what paths they took to become stars in the industry rather than living normal lives like the rest of us.  Maybe it is all about the desire to be famous; who knows.

By the way, as Mark Steyn pointed out sitting in for Rush last week, stars often get their names by using the town they grew up in and the name of their dog. Brooklyn Chase, you are busted!

Recently, I learned that members of the porn industry were being targeted in an unusual way; financial markets.  Business Insider reported that members of the porn industry were being denied business banking accounts and denied lending opportunities due their profession.

The article reports that porn star Chanel Preston learned her business checking account had been shut down because the bank was worried about the Webcam shows she had on her site and had revoked the account.

In addition, the article discusses a lawsuit filed by Marc Greenberg, of MRG Entertainment, against JP Morgan Chase, who claimed JP Morgan Chase denied him a loan because of his association in the adult entertainment industry, citing moral reasons.  The court system will aim to figure out whether Greenberg was in fact discriminated against.

The Business Insider article also referenced a CNBC report about web cam girls which noted film and video distribution is giving way to Internet sites and Web cams. As a result, barriers to entry in the industry are being lowered and more of the industry is being based out of homes and being run through small business arrangements and partnerships, necessitating banking services.

Sadly, the government is much more involved in our home business, in more ways than one, than we ever imagined.  Their unwarranted and illegal intrusion is a violation of the civil rights of our citizenry and must be appropriately and legally dealt with. This is one of several areas which exhibit that our government is completely out of control.

With the government lurking about in an Orwellian nature, it may be time to break off those relationships with the cam girls and shut down that web cam.  Big brother is watching.

**WARNING: Please be advised that above links to the Adult Performers referenced in the blog post may contain nudity and snapshots of pornographic material not suitable for minors.

Clocks Read Thirteen

George Orwell's "1984" was published 64 years ago today.

As someone has appropriately pointed out, it was not supposed to be an instructional manual. Are the clocks really striking thirteen?

Without question, we are blazing down this path. While President Obama is horrendous, orchestrating and cheerleading our journey there, be advised many republicans stand quietly beside him as "inner party" members aiming rule over the "proles", or working class citizens.

Breaking news seemingly on the hour of illegal government surveillance activities,  described as for the benefit of the citizenry, has arrived with fervor of a broken glass table.  Never ending wars and urban decay will come along for the ride.

Sound familiar?

An Issue of Character

The eruption of scandals in Washington is beyond disturbing.  Most Americans cannot quite reconcile that their government is not operating in their best interests.  Certainly, not one American welcomes the idea of pondering which side our government is on, certainly inclusive of our president.

Although some unfortunately did not, most of us all grew up with our parents and important figures in our lives teaching us the golden rule, common decency and what is right and what is wrong.  For many who were not fortunate to have a solid home base, these lessons were learned through sporting activities, clubs, schools or houses of worship.

Sadly, those in charge in Washington have no concept of common decency, and as Rep. Trey Gowdy, R:SC, so eloquently points out, lack the character necessary to be representatives and/or servants of the people. 

While the mainstream media sleeps, everyday the scandals deepen.  The testimony today about the lavish parties, conferences, line dances and parodies set off Gowdy, and he appropriately labels those in charge of, and participatory in, these grotesque wastes of taxpayer money as lacking character.



It all starts at the top.  The leadership in Washington, from the oval office on down, have not made mistakes regretting decisions that in retrospect seem inappropriate.  To the contrary. 

Those under oath, telling lies to no end in sarcastic fashion seemingly without a care in the world, seem to have a chip on their shoulder, perhaps knowing the higher ups have their back. I have always thought lying under oath meant jail time, but that seems to have been in a different time.

The answers under testimony are illustrative of the extreme level of arrogance held by these workers, and their disdain for the middle America working class they continuously claim to champion.  The level of disrespect for our rule of law is stunning, and there is no doubt, as we note the 64th anniversary of the printing of George Orwell's classic 1984, working Americans are viewed as proles by the inner party government officials and who seek expansive control mechanisms over the masses.

The transformation of America under President Obama is hitting high octane.  One of two options await the citizenry.  Either we actually become proles under a progressive dictatorship eerily similar to the events in 1984 or the whole thing blows up and we survive another day to keep the great gift of our representative republic.

Do you possess a moral compass and a level character unlike those who arrogantly and brazenly disrespect and violate the rule of law and our founding principles?  If so, the time is now for you to take a stand.

Breaking the Boardwalk

There were such high hopes.

I became aware of Chris Christie from his frequent guest appearances on CNBC's Squawk Box and was thrilled when he announced he would run against incumbent New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine. After his tenure with Goldman Sachs, Corzine had run Jersey into the ground, and given both Obama and Biden often sought his economic council, is it any wonder our country is in economic peril. A wonderful opportunity to implement free market principles in a blue state exisited, and Christie was just the guy to take it on.

Christie understands free markets, and has no patience for the unions and their interference in the marketplace.  His tenure as Governor has brought New Jersey new found prosperity, even against the backdrop of the stagnant if not recessionary national economy.

The fever pitch for Christie came as the 2012 presidential approached.  Would Christie get in?  An exemplary speech at the Reagan Library brought a high level of enthusiasm, but Christie threw in behind Mitt Romney and would sit it out.

Since that point, it has been downhill slide for Christie and his relationship with those on the GOP right. Christie spoke at the GOP convention, but rather than explaining why Mitt Romney was the properly experienced person to lead this country, Christie discussed his own successes and fell far short in touting those of Romney.

Then, New Jersey was hit by Hurricane Sandy, and shortly thereafter came a visit by President Obama.  Christie was far too welcoming to our sitting President, whose economic policies were combative to the goals set forth by Christie.  In the days after, Christie praised the leadership of Obama on his commitment for assiting the region, elevating his declining stature among the nations voters.  The compliments for Obama far exceeded what was required, particularly because there was no actual leadership implemented or enacted by Obama.

With much of the hurricane ravaged area still reeling, President Obama returned to attend a ceremony on the Jersey shore as the famed boardwalk re-opened for the summer.  Christie gleefully awaited Obama with open arms, and before the love fest was over, we pondered if Brokeback Boardwalk would become a movie sequel.

Obama, who media elites tell us would likely be playing in the NBA if he were not doing the heavy lifting in Washington, missed in four football tosses in embarrassing fashion.  Have no fear, as a blushing Chris Christie hit the target, winning Obama a stuffed bear a four year old would cherish. Oh, what a day?

Meanwhile, Frank Lautenberg (D), a long sitting New Jersey Senator, passed away the other evening, opening up his seat.  For someone not trying to score political points, the opportunity to appoint a republican to this seat should be promptly taken.

One would have to go back a long way to find a more critical time for the GOP, with our republic practically hanging in the balance.  There is the attack on the second amendment, potential immigration legislation, the train wreck of Obamacare, Islamic terrorism, nuclear weapons and God forbid the potential replacement of a supreme court judge.  While it is only one seat, that one seat can make a huge difference.

So with Christie throwing open the seat, in conjunction with the recent series of actions by the Gov, we can conclude that he is not all that worried about the destruction to the country his new found boyfriend is engaged in.  In fact, odds favor he is a progressive republican with many of the same controlling big government ideas of Obama.

For those who champion liberty and freedom, any opportunity to legally thwart Obama from achieving his goals should be exercised with precision.  With Christie failing to act in this regard, we have learned all we need to know prior to 2016.  Sadly, he is not one of us.

It might be all for naught, as by the time 2016 comes around, Rush Limbaugh would not be surprised if Christie ran as a Democrat.  Maybe former Florida Governor Charlie Christ could be his running mate.

Overdrive Turn For Bachmann

I have often heard former Florida Congressman Lou Frey say a day in politics is a lifetime, and nothing could be further from the truth.

Last week, Representative Michele Bachmann, R:MN, announced she would not seek to retain her congressional seat in 2014, citing her belief in term limits.  Needless to say, for those of us who champion the rule of law and our founding principles, the loss of Bachmann and her strong voice will leave a significant void.

Jim Graves, who Bachmann narrowly defeated in 2012, not to be confused as a statesman, responded with a few digs directed at Bachmann.  Graves effort at ridicule and divisiveness brings to mind those progressive tactics of Sal Alinsnky. Stay classy there Jim.

In the article of propaganda for Graves, The Huffington Post presented approximately 20 slides hammering Bachmann for various positions over the years, thinking they were exposing weaknesses. As usual with these hit jobs, somewhere along the way the truth got lost, as a review of these slides give indication how correct the assessments of Bachmann are.  Although I am intrigued by the opportunity to tackle each one individually here, I will cite two that should be illustrative.

In slide six, Bachmann labels the tax code as a weapon of mass destruction.  Does any body remain unconvinced the administration is not restricting commerce and punishing opponents through the tax code? In slide eight, Bachmann warns back in March of 2011 of the Obama administration being a "gangster government." "I don't take back my statements on gangster government," she said, referring to a charge she made during the debate over health care reform. "I think that there have been actions taken by the government that are corrupt."  Oh my gosh was that exponentially correct.

Just six months ago, reports had Bachmann prepared to challenge a weakened John Boehner, R:OH, for the speakership. Oh, what a difference a couple of months makes.

Bachmann, a Tea Party favorite, has had a bullseye on her back for quite some time, sadly from both sides of the aisle.  While the left attempted to discredit her a a moonbat, that line of attack only gained traction for the thousands of faithful MSNBC viewers.

It was attacks from the moderate republican camp that really made it tough for Bachmann.  We have presented many posts about Bachmann efforting to question the levels of infiltration of the Muslim Brotherhood and their operatives within our government.  Those inquiries drew the ire of GOP leaders Lindsay Graham and John McCain, not to mention John Boehner. 

Recently, even Karl Rove took some shots at Bachmann, although he was incorrect in his assessment, which is becoming all too frequent.

Bachmann was correct in asking these questions, and given the intense level of attack in response that came her way, it would not be difficult to conclude she hit a significant nerve.  Hey, wasn't John McCain just over in Syria hanging out with these folks?

The left was employing a tactic previously used to attack Sarah Palin, in the form of filing a series of complaints about about campaign finance.  Ultimately, these accusations and complaints result in no findings; however, the monetary expenses and time and opportunity costs in defense of these accusations are substantial. 

Look closely, as an examination of the IRS actions paint a similar picture of efforting to intimidate and punish punatively political opponents.

Bachmann was always a champion of free market capitalism, and had a complete handle on the economic issues confronting Uncle Sam. In addition, she had and has keen insight on the issues surrounding the global war on terrorism.

It is sad Bachmann will relinquish her position in the fight for freedom, and one can only hope she will reposition herself in another arena to help us in the fight to save America.  Bachmann is a fighter whose voice we need in the fight for freedom we find ourselves engaged in, so I expect we have not heard the last from her.