K Capital Partners which owns nearly 10 percent of the Chicago Sun-Times (aka the Obama News) wants the company to put itself up for sale after complaining that the company stock is “trading at a significant discount discount to its intrinsic value.” The group claims the move needs to be made in order to preserve shareholder value.

I have a better idea; how about improving the product beyond the mindless liberal pap they call news these days. Drop the National Enquirer theme and content and write actual news. Having left leaning editorial content is acceptable if that is their bent but the current paper is so far over the top it has become unreadable. Contrary to editorial page editor Cheryl Reed’s claims that the paper represents working class values, the paper speaks for nothing more than the lunatic fringe or those with a short attention span. Maybe the stock price is indicative of the value of the product and currently that value is nothing higher than lining for the bird cage.

Posted by Biloxi in Biloxi Says, On My Mind at 9:56 PM EDT

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A coalition of “immigrant rights” groups have filed a lawsuit to stop the Department of Homeland Security from doing their job. The intent is to stop the Department’s recent actions to crack down on employers who hire those workers who illegally entered the United States.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in San Francisco, contends that the rules would lead to mass firings of workers who are U.S. citizens and to discrimination against employees who look or sound foreign. It also names the Social Security Administration as a defendant.

Using the old xenophobia dodge may be effective with the irrational but it does not pass the logic test. Expecting people to follow the laws of the nation in which they live is not xenophobic at all, it is rather rational. The process of sending “no match” letters to employers with workers on their payroll that have social security numbers that do not match their names in an entirely logical maneuver and a reasonable, simple first step to getting a handle on the 800 pound gorilla that is illegal immigration. Yes, the government can make mistakes in their database and identification procedures but one would expect issues like the recently married, divorced, adopted or otherwise would be likely to have documentation such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, decrees or other legal documents to prove their legitimate citizenship. It is highly unlikely that mass firings of legal US citizens would ever become an issue or practice unless one subscribes to the mass hysteria theory of which enforcement proponents are often accused of succumbing. Can you say red herring? Also the no match letters are sent because of exactly that, a mismatch between the name and SSAN#. It doesn’t matter if the mismatch is a person named Smith using the number assigned to a citizen named Chen or if it is a Gonzalez claiming to be a Rodriguez. The process cannot target people who “look or sound foreign” because a computer database cannot see or hear. It reviews data and is entirely non-discriminatory.

“Employers have used no-match letters in the past to basically quash worker organizing,” said Ana Avendaño, director of the AFL-CIO’s immigrant worker program.

“The Bush administration is giving unscrupulous employers another union-busting tool.”

Therein you see the real agenda behind the union opposition. This interest is more of a drive to bolster declining membership rolls than out of any great concern for the well being of legal citizens. An illegal cannot lawfully work here so there is no real need to organize. The legal workers can attempt to organize by whatever means available and cannot be stopped by no match letters. One cannot reasonably draw a correlation between union organization and no match letters unless they are suggesting knowledge of actual illegals in their attempts to organize. This then ceases to be any kind of an altruistic, workers rights issue and becomes more of the naked attempt to swell the ranks that it appears to be.

Immigrant-rights groups said Wednesday that the employer enforcement wouldn’t result in the deportation of millions of undocumented workers. Employers either will fire them and hire a new batch of illegal immigrant workers — or they will simply take the workers off the books and force them further underground.

“It is really not effective immigration enforcement,” Avendaño said. “It’s just smoke and mirrors.”

This proves to be a self-serving quote if there ever was one. This method is but one of many in an attempt to get serious about enforcement. Enforcement first is the key to any true immigration reform and this is part of taking away the incentive for others to break the law by entering our country illegally. Securing the borders and getting a handle on who lives within them is tantamount to a secure country. The smoke and mirrors is the professed “concern” motivating the illegal immigration advocates.

Posted by Biloxi in Immigration at 6:48 AM EDT

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Opponents of the troop surge in Iraq have had to admit that it is working and restoring security in many areas throughout the country. Careful to make sure they don’t portray their opposition as anti-military they now praise the troops and acknowledge the successes of the surge yet have come up with a new argument as to why we should cut and run. How they can ever suggest we undo all the work of our valiant military as well as bail on our ally in the fledgling democracy that is Iraq is beyond comprehension. Any kind of a major pullout would throw the country into chaos and virtually hand control of the region to Iran.

Aware of the trouble Iraqi progress could mean for Democrats at home — House Whip James Clyburn recently said if the surge were successful, it would be “a real problem for us” — a revised set of talking points is being worked up by Democrats that declares the escalation of troops in Iraq has not been successful despite White House claims otherwise.

Wow - what is good for America, a stable Iraq, is a problem for the Democrats and cause for a new set of talking points to spin a success as something of a failure. The new strategy is to say that while the troops have done a great job and the surge that many of their party (as well as some “moderate” Republicans) ridiculed and called a failure before it was launched is successful; the Iraqis (read President Bush) have failed in the political arena. Many have called for the ouster of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki while others have merely declared his government a failure. The same people that claim we had no right to invade a sovereign country are suggesting we tamper with the democratic process of the same sovereign nation. An interesting contradiction to say the least. al-Maliki certainly does not seem up to the task of brokering a reconciliation between the Sunnis, Shiites, and Kurds into an effective, functioning, secular government and may well be gone before long but it is certainly not the job of the American government to interfere beyond the diplomatic discussion stage. This should be handled by the Iraqi people in elections. Secondly the short attention span of our current political generation seems to forget that the United States government did not immediately fall into a symbiotic and seamless functioning unit in the relatively short period following our independence from Britain at the dawn of our Republic. We even had a sitting Vice President in Aaron Burr kill former Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton in a duel over publicly stated disagreements. If this happened here on a continent that did not have the historical religious and political hatreds spanning hundreds of years such as those in Iraq , how do we expect instantaneous results from the Iraqis?

The United States has evolved over a period of 200 plus years yet we expect Iraq to be perfect in 2. Our national security is as stake and we have an interest in Iraqi success; the stability of the region is of the utmost importance for the United States and the world at large. As such I think the opponents of the Administration’s Iraq policy need to be more constructive in their critique. Diverging views can be helpful but not when the source of the divergence is a strictly partisan goal of political strength and not brought forth with a goal of what is in the best interests of America and her people. The opponents of our Iraq policy have become so invested in defeat that they will continue to look for it, even in the face of unqualified success. Such an outlook does not make us stronger or more secure, it is time to serve the people by looking out for their long term security over political power. This is a Representative Republic after all.

Posted by Biloxi in Foreign Policy, Middle East, War on Terror at 8:36 AM EDT

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Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez didn’t like the Constitutional term limits that restrict him from being leader for life, the one thing that all Communists crave, so he has set out to change the Constitution.

In an address to the National Assembly, Chavez laid out 33 changes that he says would incorporate socialist ideology into the constitution that he pushed through in 2000, and redistribute power and resources to the poor and disadvantaged.

Since he has been in power since 2000 should the “poor and disadvantaged” already be taken care of? Didn’t the amendments of 2000 take care of the people or did he have to wait until he had a totalitarian lock on the government? He has substantially diverted and restructured law to marginalize the opposition and consolidate his power. This is much like the tactics of the anti-reformer and un-democrat Vladimir Putin in Russia.

Chavez proposed adding one year to the current six-year presidential term and eliminating the two-term limit, allowing him and future presidents to run for reelection indefinitely. He rejected criticism that he was becoming increasingly autocratic.

“It’s not that I want to enthrone myself,” Chavez said. “This shouldn’t surprise anyone. It’s done this way in any number of countries.

“There are many lies circulating in the world, about a dictatorship in Venezuela, about a concentration of power in Venezuela,” he said. “This is a transfer of power to the people.”

If not a dictatorship then why redistribute private property? Why take government control of the media and restrict free speech? Why threaten to arrest or expel critics of the government and the President? If that is not a concentration of the power in one man I cannot imagine what is. The Constituiton of Venezuela I would assume is there to protect all of the people, not just those close to Hugo and as such, changing it does little more than show El Presidente’s true colors which are as red as his favorite clothing hue.

By calling his proposal a “reform” rather than a wholesale revision, Chavez avoids elections to form a constitutional assembly such as the one he called in 1999. Rather, Chavez has drafted the new measures himself with the help of a constitutional commission made up of sympathetic lawmakers, judges and journalists.

Limit the possibility of getrting his way by actually letting a diverse cross-section of views into the process? Not Hugo, I’m shocked.

Although Chavez has been subjected to widespread criticism in recent weeks, his popularity remains above 60%. He has been criticized for bending Venezuela’s institutions to his will, but Chavez’s supporters remind critics that he has won four national elections, including his initial election victory in 1998.

They were all on the up and up too, ask Jimmy Carter. When you promise the poor and desperate something for nothing you can bet you’ll get that vote, the rest you just steal.

After President Bush proposed a Constitutional Amendment to protect marriage the hue and cry was to protect the Constitution and will of the people. Every time the administration makes a move to protect the country we hear about an erosion of our freedoms or our cruelty to others be it warrantless wiretapping, imprisonment of enemy combatants, or airport security searches. Yet Chavez, darling of the leftist elite, continually warps his government to gain absoulte power and we hear not a peep.

Heck the Hollywood ego-political power structure are lining up to visit with the man. Danny Glover, Harry Belafonte, Sean Penn and anyone else who wants to show they care more than the Commander in Chief. Cindy Sheehan, media moth and political lightweight, allowed herself to be used as a photo-op and now Presidential hopeful Barack Obama claims he would talk to him without precondition and subject the United States to ridicule as he is used as a prop, while Hugo Chavez’s Latin-American Communist revolution rolls on.

Let’s face it, the left’s fascination with Chavez is that he hates the President, and nothing more. Try making an anti-Government movie like George Clooney did with Syriana in Chavez’s Venezuela and see how far you get. All that is left for Hugo to do is purge the non-loyalists by death and mass expulsion. That is the Communist script and the use of the word socialism is only meant to soften the blow. Socialism is only Communist-lite and any system that takes from the individual to redistribute unequally among the masses is evil and only serves the government. If I were a Venezuelan today I would be very afraid for the future. Castro is dying in Cuba and Hugo Chavez wants to rise in his place, only this time the dictator has money and natural resources. America, including Barack Obama should hold this man at arms length.

We have seen a dictator and it is not President Bush; it wears the red beret of Hugo Chavez.

Posted by Biloxi in Foreign Policy, Liberal Illogic at 4:12 PM EDT

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Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica announced his candidacy for Cook County States Attorney yesterday. In a blogger conference call, Peraica outlined his number one priority as being the elimination of corruption in Cook County and promised to deal with the “theft of taxpayer money” through patronage hires, sweetheart deals and the army of clout that currently exists. He further pledged openness making information available through the Freedom of Information Act, something he claims current officeholder Dick Devine has not done in full. He also intends to end other violations he attributes to the incumbent including violations of the open meetings act and the use of dedicated funds for non-statutory uses.

When asked about running against a firmly entrenched Democratic organization in a solidly “blue” county Peraica referred to his 2006 County Board President race where he lost but was able to garner over 500,000 votes in a strong showing. He also pointed out higher than expected vote totals in the City of Chicago. Another point addressed was the fragmented County Republican Party and Peraica’s sometimes contentious position within. Particularly of interest was his relationship with County Chairman Elizabeth Doody Gorman who recently blasted him on WLS radio after his criticism of her vote for the Stroger budget among other things. The relationship can be considered frosty at best. Peraica related that he had held a meeting with the other 5 Republican Board Commissioners and that the problems were ironed out though the veracity of their support remains to be seen. At this point he doesn’t expect a Republican primary opponent though promises to campaign as if he had one. Tony feels he can benefit from the added name recognition gained in the run for Board President and expects to need to raise 1.5 to 3 million dollars to finance the race. Judging by the state (or lack thereof) of the County Party Tony can expect tepid help at best making this a true grass roots effort. Many township committeemen are ineffectual or nearly non-existent as far as organizational efforts though Peraica did point to some strong Township organizations where he felt he could draw support. In spite of recent Cook County GOP history, Tony Peraica strongly feels he can expect full Republican backing yet the truth remains to be seen. While the state has two official political parties things have operated as if there is one for the most part, especially in the State’s most populous county.

If elected, Peraica promises full cooperation and expects to work “hand in hand” with current US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald in identifying and rooting out corruption in Government. This would be a refreshing change to the Cook County status quo but one not easily achieved. Many have come into County Politics claiming the mantle of reform only to offer more of the same. Most recently this was the stated claim of current Cook County Board President Todd Stroger, Peraica’s opponent in the 2006 election. Shortly after his election we were immediately returned to the cronyism and nepotism of years past. Peraica comes across as credible and his history on the Cook County Board backs up his claims. The Commissioner exudes the confidence necessary to make a run at the firmly entrenched establishment but does come with some questions about his past where he originally was a Democrat, then after his party switch was associated with convicted Cicero Town President Betty Loren Maltese . Another stumbling block may be his support for failed Gubernatorial candidate Judy Baar Topinka who was an entrenched insider and no agent for change. When she had a chance to come out and support independence in our leadership, Topinka, as head of the Illinois GOP, withheld support for former US Senator Peter Fitzgerald. This ultimately lead to the Jack Ryan begets Alan Keyes saga; assuring the election of Barack Obama. This is hardly what I consider reform though I am loathe to paint with that broad a brush as Topinka and Peraica are both Riverside Republicans in a heavily Democratic County, leading to a logical alliance.

The 2008 race proves to be interesting and Peraica may just be able to pull it off as a Republican in the office is not without precedent. Peraica has the will and strength of character to pull off the change he touts if only he can make it through the minefield of county politics. He is tested in battle and has shown he can handle everything thrown in his direction. Though corruption and cronyism in the county is so firmly entrenched that Mr. Peraica better watch his flank at all times and that doesn’t just mean from the Democrats.

The 2008 Cook County States Attorney race just got interesting and scorched earth awaits. Good luck Tony.

Posted by Biloxi in Illinois Politics at 8:17 AM EDT

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It appears the once proud WLS has fallen further from its once proud perch in Chicago radio. The following guest post by Republic stalwart Mensa outlines some of their latest foibles along with that of another less than honest “journalist” :

On August 2, 2007, Don Wade read an article on WLS-AM just before the 6am news. He read it in such a way that his audience could reasonably assume it was his thoughts, as there was no attribution. The article can be found here and while I agree with the article, I find it appalling that Mr. Wade would not attribute the article and allow his audience to believe the thoughts therein were his own. After e-mails to him, his producer, and management were ignored, I sent e-mails to Robert Feder, the author, the owner of the website, and called the station. To no avail.

A few days later, I found that WMAR, allegedly pilfered a piece from another blogger. You can read that story here.

I sent this information to Robert Feder of the Sun-Times.

Monday, WLS management initiated the slogan “Live. Local. And First.” There’s just one tiny problem with that. They weren’t the first to use it. WIBC in Indianapolis has been using it, check their banner.

After I notified WLS of the fact that another station was using that slogan, a certain host whose name shall remain anonymous, Roe Conn, (sic) stated: “That wouldn’t be the first time.” Indeed. Nor the last, as plagiarism is rampant.

I did try to contact Citadel, but they do not accept e-mail. WIBC found my phone call fascinating.

Only the FCC knows for sure.

Posted by Biloxi in Guest Post at 6:13 AM EDT

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Actor Sean Penn is firmly planted in the make believe world that many celebrities roam. It is a world devoid of realism and out of touch with the masses. It is a world where the inhabitants mistake the people’s admiration of their work, (acting) for acceptance of every crackpot world view they espouse. It is a place where they can advocate for the masses without actually understanding them and where they can condescend while claiming compassion. In a recent article Sean opines as to how he has experienced “backlash” for expressing his political views, (I say delusions), but somehow he sees it as more respectable than promoting movies, the very vehicle that has brought him an audience for his idiocy.

Somehow he defines political disagreement and free speech as the great unwashed not allowing him to be an American.

“The exemption they make for actors _ because you occupy the position they only dreamed about as a child, you can’t be an American too,” he says. “You don’t get both, because that’s just too much.”

We know he is an American because in Russia he would have been killed for speaking out against the government and in Venezuela where he recently cozied up to Communist wannabe and pseudo dictator Hugo Chavez he would have had his media outfit shut down and “nationalized”.

It is obvious you’re an American Sean, otherwise we wouldn’t be reading your nonsensical ramblings. Self important toads like yourself are marginalized or jailed for their anti-government stances in many of the places you champion over your home country. It’s obvious the Jeff Spicoli role wasn’t entirely an act.

America, welcoming crackpots since 1776.

Posted by Biloxi in Biloxi Says at 8:12 PM EDT

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