Bill would give president emergency control of Internet
Internet companies and civil liberties groups were alarmed this spring when a U.S. Senate bill proposed handing the White House the power to disconnect private-sector computers from the Internet. They're not much happier about a revised version that aides to Sen. Jay Rockefeller, a West Virginia Democrat, have spent months drafting behind closed doors. CNET News has obtained a copy of the 55-page draft of S.773 (excerpt), which still appears to permit the president to seize temporary control of private-sector networks during a so-called cybersecurity emergency. The new version would allow the president to "declare a cybersecurity emergency" relating to "non-governmental" computer networks and do what's necessary to respond to the threat. Other sections of the proposal include a federal certification program for "cybersecurity professionals," and a requirement that certain computer systems and networks in the private sector be managed by people who have been awarded that license.

57% Would Like to Replace Entire Congress
If they could vote to keep or replace the entire Congress, just 25% of voters nationwide would keep the current batch of legislators. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% would vote to replace the entire Congress and start all over again. Eighteen percent (18%) are not sure how they would vote.

ROTC student suspended for telling Muslim to respect flag, remove headscarf
Maybe it's because her dad served in the U.S. Marines ... or because her high school mascot is a fierce-looking eagle ... or because she plans to enlist in the Army next summer after graduation to defend her country ... whatever the reason, when Heather Lawrence saw a fellow student refuse to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and recite it with the class, the 16-year-old Junior ROTC member saw a teachable moment and took it. And for that, she's been suspended five days. Lawrence's troubles with administrators at Springstead High School in Spring Hill, Fla., began last Wednesday when she noticed a female Muslim student refusing to participate in the Pledge. The student was wearing a hijab, the traditional Muslim headscarf.

White House won't explain how admitted communist became 'green jobs czar'
More than five months after the Obama administration announced the hiring of its "green jobs czar," Van Jones, the White House has refused to explain whether it knew of Jones admitted black nationalist and radical communist history and just who hired the adviser. Also questions continue to fester about how Jones, who has an arrest history, passed security clearances for his White House position.

Budget Update Shows No Need for Tax Hikes
The recently updated budget figures make clear that a lack of revenue is not causing record deficits, so no tax hikes are necessary to close future budget gaps. Instead, Congress and President Obama can do so by limiting spending to the historical average of 20 percent of GDP by: Reforming current entitlement programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid to make them more efficient and affordable; Dropping plans for an expensive takeover of the health care system; and Eliminating wasteful and lower-priority programs. To get further control over future deficits that result from tax revenue volatility, Congress and President Obama should also reduce the progressivity of the income tax by moving to a flatter income tax code.

A Costly Diversion from Real Solutions to Rising Oil Prices
At best oil speculation has a marginal and temporary impact on prices. Targeting oil speculators for high and volatile prices, much like targeting oil companies, is a political response that is likely to do more long-term harm than good by undermining the vital role speculators play in financial markets. On the other hand, unlocking America's untapped oil potential is a truly useful step towards affordable energy. Increased domestic production would have a noticeable impact on supplies and prices and is well worth doing, especially now that the latest drilling technologies have greatly minimized the risk of oil spills and other environmental damage. This pro-energy approach would clearly help rather than hurt, something that cannot be said of anti-speculation legislation.

Ezekiel Emanuel, Obama's Rationing Czar, Says We Have Too Much Health Care
Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, health adviser to President Barack Obama, is under scrutiny. As a bioethicist, he has written extensively about who should get medical care, who should decide, and whose life is worth saving. Dr. Emanuel is part of a school of thought that redefines a physician’s duty, insisting that it includes working for the greater good of society instead of focusing only on a patient’s needs. Many physicians find that view dangerous, and most Americans are likely to agree. The health bills being pushed through Congress put important decisions in the hands of presidential appointees like Dr. Emanuel. They will decide what insurance plans cover, how much leeway your doctor will have, and what seniors get under Medicare. Dr. Emanuel, brother of White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, has already been appointed to two key positions: health-policy adviser at the Office of Management and Budget and a member of the Federal Council on Comparative Effectiveness Research.

The Health Care Ad ABC Won’t Run
ABC is refusing to air a national ad by The League of American Voters, featuring a neurosurgeon asking the question, “How can Obama’s plan cover over 50 million new patients without any new doctors?” ABC justified the decision by pointing to a long-standing policy against running partisan commercials. Dick Morris, a onetime advisor to former President Bill Clinton and chief strategist for the League of American Voters, called the ABC decision “the ultimate act of chutzpah.” As he explains: “ABC is the network that turned itself over completely to Obama for a daylong propaganda fest about health care reform,” he said. “For them to be pious and say they will not accept advertising on health care shuts their viewers out from any possible understanding of both sides of this issue.” Fox News reports that NBC may also choose not to run the ad. I suggest we respond to this abuse of the public airwaves by creating a little homegrown balance. Forward the commercial to friends and family, and while you’re at it, steer them to Acton’s health care page, which includes this piece on “The Problem with Socialized Government Healthcare.”

Free the Mail
A privatized USPS would have the incentive and freedom to tackle such long-standing inefficiencies. At the same time, competitor firms would give households and businesses alternatives to the USPS's regular postal rate increases. It's time to end America's last great monopoly and free the mails.

The Real Ted Kennedy
The leftist media in this country has erupted in tributes to Ted Kennedy. Democrats praise him. Republicans praise him. Liberals praise him, conservatives praise him. And while we mourn when a man dies, does that mean that all criticism must stop? Does a man who spent his entire political life destroying the fundamental tenets of American morality become miraculously rehabilitated on his passing? Do conservatives stop being conservatives when such a man dies?

From Russia with No Love
A misguided ideology has taken root in America and has brought this nation to the brink of collapse. A battle of two ideals has ensued, both of which have a significant impact on our national security and ultimate fate of the nation. Can America return to conservative values and save itself from the jaws of Marxism, or will it spiral down a path of self destruction guided by none other than the former Soviet Union?

Gynecologists in Spain plan to choose jail before performing an abortion
Dr. Esteban Rodriguez, spokesman for the organization Right to Life (Derecho a Vivir) in Spain, responded yesterday to comments by the country’s Minister of Justice, Francisco Caamano, who said there was no room for a conscience clause in the new law on abortion. “We are willing to go to jail rather than following a criminal law, Rodriguez said, “and we are willing to commit the supposed crime of disobedience before the crime of abortion.”? ?“We will not kill our patients, nor will we commit a crime against the public health deliberately harming the heath of women, no matter how much the Minister of Justice threatens us and abuses his power,” the doctor said.

Court orders Christian child into government education
A 10-year-old homeschool girl described as "well liked, social and interactive with her peers, academically promising and intellectually at or superior to grade level" has been told by a New Hampshire court official to attend a government school because she was too "vigorous" in defense of her Christian faith.

Congressman’s statement on Health Care reform in Washington D.C.
Congressman Rogers (R-MI) makes his opening statement on Health Care reform legislation that is under debate in Congress.

GOP's Bachmann zings heckler at health-care town hall
Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., gave health-care town hall attendees in Lake Elmo, Minn., not only something to think about in her comments condemning President Obama's government health-care plan, but also something to smile over when she zinged a heckler with an impromptu remark that elicited uproarious laughter from the crowd. Bachmann had been arguing, "I would far prefer to have American medical care than I would health care in the U.K. any day of the week," a comment which brought cheers and applause from the approximately 400 who squeezed into a junior high school auditorium to hear her speak, with another roughly 400 watching via closed-circuit in the school's cafeteria. But when she held up a stack of papers she claimed were headline reports from U.K. newspapers carrying stories of poor health care under socialized medicine, an unidentified man attempted to interrupt. Bachmann was in the middle of highlighting a story about 4,000 U.K. women forced by a lack of hospital beds to give birth in hospital hallways, when the heckler became too loud to ignore. "That happens here!" the heckler shouted. "Not here," Bachmann attempted to argue. When the heckler insisted she was wrong, Bachmann responded with an impromptu zinger: "I've given birth here probably more times than you, sir," she said. The gathered crowd erupted in laughter.

TKF In Tranisition
Soon, TKF will be sent from a new e-mail address -- editor@kansasfederalist.com. Put this address in your addressbook to ensure you receive future updates.

TKF on Facebook
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Tiahrt endorsed by popular conservative figure
Yesterday, former Secretary of Education and Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy Bill Bennett endorsed Todd Tiahrt’s campaign for the United States Senate in a Wichita appearance. Bennett said there is not an oversupply of good people in Washington, and when they’re found, we should elect them to higher office. Tiahrt is such a person, he said. He also praised Tiahrt’s character and integrity. Bennett served as Education Secretary under Ronald Reagan.

Olathe, OP Chambers are Silent on Obamacare
In what will likely come as a surprise to many small business owners in Johnson County, the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce and the Olathe Chamber of Commerce refuse to take a position on ObamaCare. The almost-entirely Democratic legislation, in its current form, will functionally result in the federal take-over of health care, which represents one-sixth of the national economy. The two local chambers of commerce frequently take positions on local and state issues, but their views frequently are at odds with those of elected Republicans. The decision to not take positions on this federal legislation is consistent with the local chambers' consistent opposition to capitalism. While these groups sell themselves as pro-business groups, they oppose the private ownership of land, low taxes, and the rights of parents to decide where to educate their children with their own tax dollars. The local chambers, which rely heavily upon local government unions and administrators for support, are also often at odds with the state chamber of commerce, an organization that is known to consistently support actual business interests. The Kansas Chamber of Commerce -- the state-wide group that typically aligns with conservatives in the Kansas legislature -- strongly opposes the Democratic agenda on health care in Washington, DC.

Compliments to Commissioner David Lindstrom
Commission David Lindstrom voted against the appointment but made it clear he was protesting the search process, which he called disappointing, and not the selection. As soon as commissioners learned that Press was leaving, they hired The PAR Group to do a national search for a replacement. "Although I am pleased with all of our internal candidates, I was disappointed in the number of outside candidates recruited for the BOCC (Board of County Commissioners) to interview," Lindstrom said. "In my opinion, this search was incomplete and abbreviated."

Kobach Appears on Colbert and Fox and Friends
UMKC Law Professor and fellow Conservative and TKF friend Kris Kobach appears on the Colbert Report and Fox News Channel’s, Fox and Friends. Kobach is the Republican candidate for Kansas’ Secretary of State in 2010.

Don’t Text while you drive
Texting behind the wheel qualifies as irresponsible and completely stupid. There's even a word for it: intexicated. But is a gory British public service announcement going to reach kids who believe they are immortal?

Ambulances take 12 from Lenexa restaurant
A Mexican restaurant in Lenexa closed Sunday night after more than 20 persons fell ill while dining. Ambulances arrived at the Mi Ranchito restaurant at 13000 W. 95th St. shortly before 6 p.m. after some customers complained of nausea, vomiting and dizziness, said Dirk Fetterolf, EMS battalion chief for Johnson County Med-Act. “The situation quickly started to escalate, and eventually 22 people became ill,” he said. “Twelve of them were transported to three area hospitals.”

Tea Party in Wichita
Hundreds of people turned out for an American Tea Party sponsored by Kansas for Liberty at Sedgwick County Park Friday to protest how things are being run now by the Obama administration.

I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue. — Barry Goldwater

Gospel - Mk 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

1 And there assembled together unto him the Pharisees and some of the scribes, coming from Jerusalem. 2 And when they had seen some of his disciples eat bread with common, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault. 3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews eat not without often washing their hands, holding the tradition of the ancients: 4 And when they come from the market, unless they be washed, they eat not: and many other things there are that have been delivered to them to observe, the washings of cups and of pots, and of brazen vessels, and of beds. 5 And the Pharisees and scribes asked him: Why do not thy disciples walk according to the tradition of the ancients, but they eat bread with common hands? 6 But he answering, said to them: Well did Isaias prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7 And in vain to they worship me, teaching doctrines and precepts of men. 8 For leaving the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men, the washing of pots and of cups: and many other things you do like to these. 14 And calling again the multitude unto him, he said to them: Hear ye me all, and understand. 15 There is nothing from without a man that entering into him, can defile him. But the things which come from a man, those are they that defile a man. 21 For from within out of the heart of men proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile a man.

"Men sleep peacefully in their beds at night because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." George Orwell's truth comes to mind as one reads that Eric Holder has named a special prosecutor to go after the "rough men" who, to keep us sleeping peacefully at night, went too far in frightening Khalid Sheik Muhammad, the engineer of the September massacres.

Yet, it seems now indisputable that those CIA interrogators, with their rough methods, got vital intelligence that saved American lives, as Dick Cheney has consistently contended.

According to The Washington Times, which reviewed the newly declassified CIA documents, those interrogators "produced life-saving intelligence that disrupted numerous terrorist plots."

They elicited the names of al-Qaida agents who planned anthrax attacks on Westerners and a massive bombing of Camp Lemonier, the U.S. base in East Africa. They got the names of 70 recruits al-Qaida deemed "suitable for Western attacks" and of the men who made the bomb used on the U.S. consulate in Karachi.

Iyman Faris, an al-Qaeda sleeper agent and truck driver in Ohio, is serving 20 years because of information the CIA got from KSM and associates. Other operations aborted include al-Qaida "plots to fly airliners into buildings on the West Coast, setting off bombs in U.S. cities and planning to employ a network of Pakistanis to target gas stations, railroad tracks and the Brooklyn Bridge."

What were the "inhumane" techniques CIA interrogators used to uncover these plans for the mass murder of Americans? "Interrogators lifted one detainee off the floor by his arms, while they were bound behind his back with a belt," reports The Washington Post. "Another interrogator used a stiff brush to clean a detainee, scrubbing so roughly that his legs were raw with abrasions. Another squeezed a detainee's neck at his carotid artery until he began to pass out."

The CIA, we are told, used mock executions to frighten captives and threatened to kill KSM's children and rape his mother. Power drills were brandished in interrogation rooms.

Were any children killed? No. Was anyone's mother raped? No. Was the power drill used? No.

Was anyone executed in front of a witness to make him talk? No. It was faked, as Sean Connery faked it in "The Untouchables" to get an underling to blab to Eliot Ness, aka Kevin Costner, about how he could take down Al Capone's mob.

As for threatening to kill the children of our enemies, we did not do that in "The Good War." Instead, what we did was kill them in the thousands every night in air raids over Germany and Japan.

In the Tokyo firestorm of February 1945, the Dresden raid in March, and the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August, we killed grandparents, mothers, fathers, wives, sisters, daughters and sons of the enemy in the scores of thousands on each of those days.

Can it be that the same United States that honored Col. Paul Tibbets and put his Enola Gay, which dropped the bomb on Hiroshima, on display in its Air and Space Museum is going to prosecute a CIA agent for faking an execution and threatening, but never intending, to kill the children of Khalid Sheik Muhammad?

Why is Barack Obama allowing these prosecutions to proceed?

In 2004, career lawyers at Justice looked over the same reports and concluded that prosecutions would not serve the national interest. Obama has himself said he wants to move on.

Now, he and Holder may not like what was done back then, but who does? And where is the criminal intent? These agents are not sadists. They were trying to get intel to abort plots and apprehend terrorists to prevent them from killing us. And they succeeded. Not a single terrorist attack on the United States in eight years.

Do we the people, some of whom may be alive because of what those CIA men did, want them disgraced, prosecuted and punished for not going strictly by the book in protecting us from terrorists?

In its lead editorial Tuesday, "Following the Torture Trail," The Washington Post declaims, "The real culprits in this sordid story are the higher-ups, starting with former President George W. Bush and former Vice President Richard Cheney who led America down the degraded path of state-sponsored torture."

But why is Obama yielding to the clamor of a left that will not be satiated until Cheney and Bush are indicted as Class A war criminals? Is that in the national interest? Is it in Obama's interest to tear his country apart to expose and punish these CIA agents?

In the 1960s, Robert Kennedy and the boys at Justice set up a "Get Hoffa Squad" to take down Teamsters boss Jimmy Hoffa. It was a vendetta that succeeded.

This vendetta will not. For, on the issue of national security, as Barack will painfully discover, he is not more trusted than Dick Cheney or the rough men at the CIA who did the harsh interrogations of terrorists, to keep us sleeping peacefully at night.