I only read the gay marriage articles and comments to see what arguments are being used on both sides. Soon the big question will polygamy and we need to marshal our arguments. Gay marriage is media/group generated and most people are not for it, and wish it would go away. However, I can see the public thinking 'why not?' on polygamy and we need to have an answer for this regressive agenda. I wish Christian apologists would take this seriously right now as Christianity was intrinsic in eliminating polygamy. Our Libertarian friends are simply liberal on social issues. Logic and facts do not persuade.Their posts are friendly trolling in fact. Don't tell me JofE as a savvy anti-enviro activist doesn't have an agenda with his social issues posts. That is not to say I'm against them as the discussions may bring enlightenment, just be aware you are talking to liberals with all the ramifications. Slippery slopes are real and this article is a new thought for me where it can all end- even the Russians and Chinese didn't/don't actually ban marriage only freedom loving liberals and Libertarians can accomplish this?

I remember that many people weren't very sympathetic when I reported a similar raid on a neighbor who bought and sold cheap cigarettes.

Everyone has insecurities but the world is full of nay-sayers and negativity and entrepreneurs fight this every step of the way. I have been thinking about this very thing and the perfect congress person or president is an entrepreneur- not necessarily a big corporate CEO who may be a hired hand. Visionary, goal oriented (gets things done/undone), hires the right people (politicians, economists, lawyers, accountants, managers), then leaves when things are accomplished- ready to move on to something new. As a conservative they must have underlying good character and a world-view they can state, but not force on others. Most of the good ones wouldn't (and don't) touch politics with a ten foot pole. I will add that S.Palin fit the bill.

I will have to read your post carefully again, but the first thing that popped into my head is, 'as long as they have windows'. Many of the old public buildings are being taken over and re-done more successfully by private parties, while the new public buildings do need more planning (to sum it up). I believe private housing is slowly changing for building to include less upkeep (O&M). Our community went through the building boom and I have watched these subdivisions with interest- and they look great, too. We are thinking of buying a high maintenance house, and I would love to read and plan along these lines (location, location). Things take time and smaller businesses often have to start with they can do now, but will be open to smart techniques and would like to read about them- I suggest articles on business blogs/mags especially NFIB.  However I am not a fan of Lean Mfg. Also, I personally prefer energy efficient to 'Green', and cheaper to 'sustainable'. Those terms are fraught with negativity and give good ideas the aura of scam and cheap advertising. They are ruined in other words- times are changing.

My husband who doesn't blog at all was very interested to know what people would comment. I told him that I thought that there wouldn't be a lot of comments, one reason being what is there to say? What can be done about it, and who would read the Acts if they didn't have to? The attack on our liberties is so overwhelming and the only thing we can really do is get Republicans in office this year. This is not enough, but it can be accomplished. However, we should not think that a little relief from the tax burden is enough. We need real reform.

While I agree with a lot of her philosophy she falls down when using philosophy in place of religion, or to be more exact, God. When I first read her books I thought she was most probably a Christian until I read a little deeper and also her personal views.  An example, which is always a stickler for philosophers- the problem of lying or telling lies. In fact this is always the problem with Libertarianism. You can see it in their poor arguments on social issues.  Same tactics as Liberals.

Small companies are affected the most as big container shipments (China) coming IN are not affected by the Lacey Act, and they just ignore CITES. China uses the most ebony of any country in the world among other materials. Mother of Pearl is actually targeted more than woods and is, in the industry, of more concern. If you are going through customs and your guitar has inlay that looks like gold MOP (or rosewood in the woods area) it can, and has been, taken away. I wouldn't chance it- take a beater or import. Let me add even FARMED mother-of-pearl. I forgot to add that I blame Republicans for this monstrosity, too. It did not happen overnight. I read this to my husband and he said he would not mention taking an 'import' (for many reasons :  )

Really read the Lacey Act (domestic) and  CITES (intern'l). I have had to. They are so broad that they can mean anything, and it actually states this. Be aware that the gov't site, which is supposed to be the final arbiter, changes continuously with of course the disclaimer it is up to us to know which form out of zillion is being used for what- and oh yes, just filling out the forms incorrectly can land you in jail. It is true that people in possession without the proper paperwork (how I hate that term) are liable too. Further there is no way to actually ship anything under this act. Here we have developed UPS that can ship anything, anywhere in 3 days and they are baffled. I could go on. All of us 'regular folk' have decided to just ignore it for now as there has been a pause that I believe is caused by the Gibson attention. Please be aware this is on the level of the IRS and socialized medicine for concern. 

One thing I have never looked into is if law enforcement can use video footage, from say traffic cameras, as evidence or just use them to catch somebody. I have heard automatic traffic tickets have been shot down. It seems to me that this is the crucial issue. The technology is here, isn't going away, and will only get more sophisticated. However, it is well-known that video can be easily tampered with (even make dinosaurs look real). I've brought this up to people and the normal person in a small town says naivily, why would they want to do that?

I was wondering, since Johnny Quest, when there would finally be flying cars. It took long enough for TV phones (Skype, FaceTime).

One thing for sure is I'm glad we're finally using it. Isn't it nice to drive the narrative once in awhile? Mr. Transparency is highly under-used. I've edited this to say that there are some really good comments on the Hot Air thread- my favorite is that seems that Obama is the original Birther. Love this stuff. I'm willing to bet he used this (lie?) for financial aid too...You opened the topic, don't blame me.

I plan to write in a protest vote in our primary. I was going to vote Ron Paul (as a protest). ABO in the general and the Repub. realize this, while also realizing that most conservatives actually vote. Thus, they are just not into us. I realize more and more that Republicans are part of the problem and the only way for a citizen to actually accomplish anything is by their vote. I am so proud of conservatives (mostly the tea party) who are showing the Republicans we are not going to just take it any more (as they supposedly wonder why there is enmity towards incumbents). 
We recently started a financial transaction that was a punch in the jaw and reminded me that all of these assaults to our liberty have grown and grown with aid from both parties. This horror story labyrinth wasn't created in four years. Romney will help give us breathing room but if he's not an actual reformer he is just like a Democrat in the long run.

This is exactly what being conservative is all about. The view of human nature recognizing we all have an inner barbarian. Give me an honest red neck (or 8th grader) any day over a compassionate, do gooder liberal- or socially liberal libertarians, or compassionate conservatives. Only the 8th graders have an excuse.

Exactly, sigh.

Socialism makes hypocrites of us all. Everyone has to expend more and more energy gaming the system just as welfare recipients. I thought this through quite a bit when we took a gov't grant in 2009. We then went to a dinner for area grant recipients and found that our Democratic Senator was going to speak and we decided to leave. Luckily he did not and we got a free dinner, too.

It seems the Right news (blogosphere) is easily distracted. The intellectuals grab hold of the discussion not caring if they are being played even if the topic is important in other ways. Republicans have no over-arching strategy to accomplish real reform (long term) for greater liberty, much less even get good candidates in the running, and are becoming more and more reactive with the help of much of the Right media. The rest of Americans really wish most of these issues (esp. gay marriage, look at the votes and the stats) would just go away and cannot wait until November is over. Stay on topic. Smaller government, especially in taxation, will free everyone including homosexuals. Just leave us alone. I see no proof that Republicans have any real plan for this, have accepted the status quo, and the grand strategy is band aids plus continually being shocked and outraged at the NYT.