Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Joe Bannister, good news for him, but is it good news for the rest of us?
Joe Bannister is a former IRS Agent. He’s become a patriotic tax-protester (tax protesters hate being called protestors, but I don’t know what else to call them). I got more than a dozen emails about Bannister’s incredible victory in court.
One such message read,
I'm sure by now you've heard of this ruling from last week...but JUST IN CASE, I've sent it over. Talk about "DownsizingDC," when the "Income Tax" fraud is brought down, we are well on our way.
He Fought the Income Tax and WON!
I responded,
Unfortunately, I’m spread very, very thin and haven’t had time to analyze what happened to see if this really is a _real_ _usable_ precedent, or whether there wasn’t some technicality or prosecutorial incompetence that was primary reason Joe Bannister won (something that was unique to his case, not duplicatable).
But in the meantime, I don’t want to get swept up in the excitement. I think the powers-that-be would like nothing more than to find a way to bankrupt, crush, and destroy their opposition. This case could be cheese in a giant mouse-trap for liberty-loving activists.
Joe Bannister is a former IRS Agent. He’s become a patriotic tax-protester (tax protesters hate being called protestors, but I don’t know what else to call them). I got more than a dozen emails about Bannister’s incredible victory in court.
One such message read,
I'm sure by now you've heard of this ruling from last week...but JUST IN CASE, I've sent it over. Talk about "DownsizingDC," when the "Income Tax" fraud is brought down, we are well on our way.
He Fought the Income Tax and WON!
I responded,
Unfortunately, I’m spread very, very thin and haven’t had time to analyze what happened to see if this really is a _real_ _usable_ precedent, or whether there wasn’t some technicality or prosecutorial incompetence that was primary reason Joe Bannister won (something that was unique to his case, not duplicatable).
But in the meantime, I don’t want to get swept up in the excitement. I think the powers-that-be would like nothing more than to find a way to bankrupt, crush, and destroy their opposition. This case could be cheese in a giant mouse-trap for liberty-loving activists.
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Culture Repair Radio Show Archives for June
Now, I'm on a roll. Here are the June programs of the Culture Repair Show, sponsored by my good friends at Gun Owners of America.
June 6 – This show was devoted to hot action items… 1) Judicial Appointments: Pryor unqualified. Janice Rogers-Brown not only qualified but amazing. 2) Get out of the World Trade Organization (Paul-Sanders Bill) – one big reason why Codex Alimentarius (food directives) attempt to steal your right to high-potency, non-prescription supplements. 3) James Senslessbrenner’s Drug War Snitch Bill (why object, because after all, it’s for the children?). Learn more and Take Action here. Once again, the GOA Update was about the special Election to fill Rob Portman’s seat, where GOA had endorsed Tom Brinkman. That just about covers it, but there were some other items as well. Listen.
June 12 – I started with a discussion of how World Trade Organization “free trade” really works (Hint: There’s nothing free about it). Bruce Shortt, author of the Harsh Truth About Public Schools, rejoined me with an update on his resolution for the Southern Baptists. This resolution called upon Southern Baptists, the largest protestant denomination in the U.S., to research how their local government school was handling the issue of homosexuality and that once they had the findings to present them to their local church and have a discussion about whether or not their kids should remain in those schools. He (reluctantly) shared how Baptist Press was engaged in a campaign to silence media coverage of the resolution, and how the President of the Convention opposed the resolution as well. I also defended the Read the Bill Act from a critic who said it was silly, but who had an even sillier idea. I have my own quote, voiced for the first time in this episode, “‘All or nothing’ in reality has become, ‘all nothing.’ We need evolution not revolution.” For the final time, the GOA Update was about the special Election to fill Rob Portman’s seat, where GOA had endorsed Tom Brinkman because the primary was a couple of days later. Listen.
June 19 – This was a banner show. First, I got my second caller in show history and as you’ll see in coming weeks, a trend of people actually listening seems to be occurring. Second, my network finally got my new ads in place. Through the show we talked about favorite media quotes, because the American Film Institute was going to be hosting a Top 100 TV show of famous quotes that week. I shared my favorite quote, but you’ll have to listen to find out what it is. Libertarian persuasion expert Michael Cloud joined me to talk about his new group, co-owned by Carla Howell, The Center for Small Government. Michael had joined me the night before as well when I guest hosted The Harry Browne Show for first time. Our primary focus was why small government was the right way to sell the message of liberty. The GOA Update came in two parts a) Tom Brinkman came in third place, sigh, and b) Larry Pratt on why Janice Rogers-Brown would be great choice for Supreme Court Justice (and I agree). Listen.
Jun 26 – Another banner show. Two callers one of whom is a famous radio talk show host (boy, this was a surprising thrill)! Ed Brayton joined me again to talk about the Supreme Court’s Kelo (eminent domain) decision. Also discussed Richard Durbin’s stupid comments (not stupid for the reasons GOP says they are). But where’s the outrage when Paul Harvey advocates nuclear bombing of the Middle East and apologizes for the ugliest parts of Manifest Destiny? This was some of my best radio work to date. I cannot imitate Paul Harvey’s voice, but I think I’ve got his cadence and some of his unique pronunciations down pat. Also there was a GOA Update about the Patriot Act Re-authorization and how this will negatively effect gun sellers and buyers. Listen.
Now, I'm on a roll. Here are the June programs of the Culture Repair Show, sponsored by my good friends at Gun Owners of America.
June 6 – This show was devoted to hot action items… 1) Judicial Appointments: Pryor unqualified. Janice Rogers-Brown not only qualified but amazing. 2) Get out of the World Trade Organization (Paul-Sanders Bill) – one big reason why Codex Alimentarius (food directives) attempt to steal your right to high-potency, non-prescription supplements. 3) James Senslessbrenner’s Drug War Snitch Bill (why object, because after all, it’s for the children?). Learn more and Take Action here. Once again, the GOA Update was about the special Election to fill Rob Portman’s seat, where GOA had endorsed Tom Brinkman. That just about covers it, but there were some other items as well. Listen.
June 12 – I started with a discussion of how World Trade Organization “free trade” really works (Hint: There’s nothing free about it). Bruce Shortt, author of the Harsh Truth About Public Schools, rejoined me with an update on his resolution for the Southern Baptists. This resolution called upon Southern Baptists, the largest protestant denomination in the U.S., to research how their local government school was handling the issue of homosexuality and that once they had the findings to present them to their local church and have a discussion about whether or not their kids should remain in those schools. He (reluctantly) shared how Baptist Press was engaged in a campaign to silence media coverage of the resolution, and how the President of the Convention opposed the resolution as well. I also defended the Read the Bill Act from a critic who said it was silly, but who had an even sillier idea. I have my own quote, voiced for the first time in this episode, “‘All or nothing’ in reality has become, ‘all nothing.’ We need evolution not revolution.” For the final time, the GOA Update was about the special Election to fill Rob Portman’s seat, where GOA had endorsed Tom Brinkman because the primary was a couple of days later. Listen.
June 19 – This was a banner show. First, I got my second caller in show history and as you’ll see in coming weeks, a trend of people actually listening seems to be occurring. Second, my network finally got my new ads in place. Through the show we talked about favorite media quotes, because the American Film Institute was going to be hosting a Top 100 TV show of famous quotes that week. I shared my favorite quote, but you’ll have to listen to find out what it is. Libertarian persuasion expert Michael Cloud joined me to talk about his new group, co-owned by Carla Howell, The Center for Small Government. Michael had joined me the night before as well when I guest hosted The Harry Browne Show for first time. Our primary focus was why small government was the right way to sell the message of liberty. The GOA Update came in two parts a) Tom Brinkman came in third place, sigh, and b) Larry Pratt on why Janice Rogers-Brown would be great choice for Supreme Court Justice (and I agree). Listen.
Jun 26 – Another banner show. Two callers one of whom is a famous radio talk show host (boy, this was a surprising thrill)! Ed Brayton joined me again to talk about the Supreme Court’s Kelo (eminent domain) decision. Also discussed Richard Durbin’s stupid comments (not stupid for the reasons GOP says they are). But where’s the outrage when Paul Harvey advocates nuclear bombing of the Middle East and apologizes for the ugliest parts of Manifest Destiny? This was some of my best radio work to date. I cannot imitate Paul Harvey’s voice, but I think I’ve got his cadence and some of his unique pronunciations down pat. Also there was a GOA Update about the Patriot Act Re-authorization and how this will negatively effect gun sellers and buyers. Listen.
Monday, June 27, 2005
Jessica Babka: Making Dad Proud
My nine-year-old daughter, Jessica, participated in Bible Quizzing, red level (grades 1-3). The topic for this year was I & II Samuel. Jessica was the best in her district, and we now know one of the best in the world!
At the local competition, a perfect score.
At the district competition, another perfect score.
At the regional competition, yet another perfect score!
Jessica receives award from Pastor Dan Hanson at Local Quiz
Well, on Saturday, we went to the Church of the Nazarene General Assembly for an international competition that included more than 700 children. And, once again, Jessica got a perfect score.
Her trophy shelf is something to behold. But the real value, as far as her mother and I are concerned, is the hiding of God’s Word in her heart.
…and, I get to crow a little.
My nine-year-old daughter, Jessica, participated in Bible Quizzing, red level (grades 1-3). The topic for this year was I & II Samuel. Jessica was the best in her district, and we now know one of the best in the world!
At the local competition, a perfect score.
At the district competition, another perfect score.
At the regional competition, yet another perfect score!
Jessica receives award from Pastor Dan Hanson at Local Quiz
Well, on Saturday, we went to the Church of the Nazarene General Assembly for an international competition that included more than 700 children. And, once again, Jessica got a perfect score.
Her trophy shelf is something to behold. But the real value, as far as her mother and I are concerned, is the hiding of God’s Word in her heart.
…and, I get to crow a little.
Culture Repair Radio Show Archives for May
OK, I should’ve been posting links to my show. There have been some great programs, and not so great. I’m still learning. Here are the remaining May shows.
May 8 – Jenna Bush “Da Butt Dance” reprise, Emergency Appropriations Bill w/ Real ID Act, “Madison Moment” – George Bush the biggest spender in history?, Is a Sunset Commission coming for all government programs?, Why the U.S. Global Empire is bad for US, and more! Listen.
May 15 – Herb Titus and Ed Brayton Debate on the Incorporation of the 14th Amendment and explain which approach favors small government and individual liberty more. I was intimidated by interviewing on this topic. Despite hours of study and phone calls with people smarter than me, I still didn’t feel competent to mediate this discussion between two very smart guys. It turns out, I lead off with the wrong set of questions, and never exposed the difference. Ed Brayton, commenting on this later, exposed the fact that I was not a competent interviewer on this topic. While he was right, I prefer to blame the fact that we didn’t have another hour to discuss the minutiae required. Listen.
May 22 – Harry Browne fills in for me, teases me about my bumper music and explains the sordid foreign policy history of the United States – the perpetual war for perpetual peace: Oh, and I make a special appearance! Listen.
May 29 – Perry Willis, Marketing Director for Downsize DC, joins me so that we can talk about the Downsize DC Foundation and DownsizeDC.org. Topics included are the various campaigns on DownsizeDC.org, “the Race” between government regulation and private progress, why Downsize DC is the most exciting thing happening in the freedom movement, and how DownsizeDC.org is the first plan in history to turn Milton Friedman’s rule about concentrated benefits and diffuse costs of big government programs right on its head. The GOA Update was about the special Election to fill Rob Portman’s seat, where GOA had endorsed Tom Brinkman. Listen.
Happy Listening!
OK, I should’ve been posting links to my show. There have been some great programs, and not so great. I’m still learning. Here are the remaining May shows.
May 8 – Jenna Bush “Da Butt Dance” reprise, Emergency Appropriations Bill w/ Real ID Act, “Madison Moment” – George Bush the biggest spender in history?, Is a Sunset Commission coming for all government programs?, Why the U.S. Global Empire is bad for US, and more! Listen.
May 15 – Herb Titus and Ed Brayton Debate on the Incorporation of the 14th Amendment and explain which approach favors small government and individual liberty more. I was intimidated by interviewing on this topic. Despite hours of study and phone calls with people smarter than me, I still didn’t feel competent to mediate this discussion between two very smart guys. It turns out, I lead off with the wrong set of questions, and never exposed the difference. Ed Brayton, commenting on this later, exposed the fact that I was not a competent interviewer on this topic. While he was right, I prefer to blame the fact that we didn’t have another hour to discuss the minutiae required. Listen.
May 22 – Harry Browne fills in for me, teases me about my bumper music and explains the sordid foreign policy history of the United States – the perpetual war for perpetual peace: Oh, and I make a special appearance! Listen.
May 29 – Perry Willis, Marketing Director for Downsize DC, joins me so that we can talk about the Downsize DC Foundation and DownsizeDC.org. Topics included are the various campaigns on DownsizeDC.org, “the Race” between government regulation and private progress, why Downsize DC is the most exciting thing happening in the freedom movement, and how DownsizeDC.org is the first plan in history to turn Milton Friedman’s rule about concentrated benefits and diffuse costs of big government programs right on its head. The GOA Update was about the special Election to fill Rob Portman’s seat, where GOA had endorsed Tom Brinkman. Listen.
Happy Listening!
