Phil's Observations

Harriet Miers withdrew her nomination this week. The entire political spectrum and commentators were all over this, like a huge storm. It was hilarious to watch and listen and read. She wasn't a household name. She didn't have any constitutional record that she could use to demonstrate her qulifications. And it looks like Bush didn't prep as well as he should have. I still think it would have been interesting to hear her speak at the confirmation hearings...

VP Cheney's Chief of Staff was indicted yesterday. Another storm of controversy on the political spectrum. Two in one week. One hell of a week. The whole grand jury/special prosecutor thing was investigating if there was an intential leak of a covert CIA agent. Well, as of today, no crime was committed as it relates to the origin of the investigation. But it looks like Scooter Libby has lied and misled the investigators. Funny thing, I'm not really sure that a crime was actually commited; he may have done this to cover up something else or actually not intentially lied at all or forgot some of the details. I've heard it both ways. It will be interesting to find out if any of this comes out in trial.

I'm starting to believe that way too many Americans do not grasp the significance of terrorism, how it works, why it is a threat to the American culture, and why it is vital to stop it. There was a terrorist attack in New Delhi today. Far away from us. Why should we care? Because it is a monumental day towards cooperation and freedom: India & Pakistan agreed to open the Kashmir border to help with aid to victims of a recent, major earthquake. These are two countries that have been at odds with each other for a very long time. Yet they come together to help those victimized. The terrorists didn't like the two countries cooperating. 3 blasts. 58 dead. Dozens wounded. It never stops. Until we, as Americans, break the cycle and use our might to take care of the problem.

There were school girls were beheaded this week. Killed because they were Christian. Makes me wonder what the other religions are telling people to do.

Rosa Parks died this week. It's amazing how a stubborn woman would inspire a movement to right a wrong. What a fabulous country we live in.

Bone fragments were found last month, and verified this month that they originated from the 9/11 attacks. Four years later and scars are still visible with new ones found.

First, some quotes that make me laugh and sick at the same time:

"Five people were arrested in a deliberate attempt to protest these people planning to hunt and trap immigrants," said Kara K. Norlander, 23. [courtesy Daily Southtown]

"The Bay Area Coalition to Fight the Minutemen is mobilizing an action to oppose the Minutemen Project's rally to gather public support for their attempts to harass poor, undocumented border-crossers" [courtesy indybay.org]

"I call on President Bush … to call on extremist members of his own party to end their anti-immigrant rhetoric and support for the Minutemen vigilante group, both of which are helping spread fear and hatred in America,” said Dean, chairman of the DNC. [courtesy Vermont Guardian]

"They are outsiders, and we don't want them here," said David Van Deusen of Moretown, Vt., who helped to organize the protest. "We don't want their racist policies in Vermont." [courtesy sciencedaily.com]

Phil's Observations
There's even a website to stop the minutemen project ... http://swarmtheminutemen.com/ ... They even have a page entitled "Why We Remain Anonymous". Funny, isn't it? The minutemen are proud of their action and don't hide behind the curtain.

Fifty-four percent (54%) of Americans have a favorable opinion of the volunteers who patrolled portions of the Mexican border earlier this year. A Rasmussen Reports survey found that just 22% have an unfavorable view of the "Minutemen" volunteers. Check out out for yourself at rasmussenreports.com

The bottom line is really this: The government is not doing enough to stop terrorists from getting though. The government is not doing enough to reduce illegal immigration. Some citizens have stepped up to fill the lack of action. This is not a racial issue. This is not a vigilante issue. This is not a rent-a-cop issue. No one is getting hurt. No one is getting trapped. No one is getting harrassed - except the courageous volunteers themselves. There is no extremism issue here. The Minutemen are strictly nonconfrontational and use "observe and report" methods. To join the Minuteman Project, people must submit to a criminal background check. Anyone who has committed a crime is prohibited from joining or remaining in the group. What the hell is wrong with that?

I'm looking forward to your comments.

Here is the website of the minuteman project: Minuteman Project

The Minuteman Pledge

I. A Minuteman upholds the Constitution of the United States of America, and reveres the American Creed that unites us as one people, our Declaration of Independence.

II. A Minuteman knows well America is a nation of immigrants, and realization of our national promise has always relied upon those who come to America from other countries to participate fully, with their children and descendants, as loyal and law-abiding U.S. citizens.

III. A Minuteman believes that just as ethnicity, race, religion and all such factors are incidental and do not affect our God-given, constitutional equality as American citizens, such factors are also irrelevant in the debate over illegal immigration. There is no tolerance among Minutemen for racism or bigotry — E Pluribus Unum — Out of Many, One.

IV. A Minuteman believes in a strong, safe and secure America that begins with borders open only to those who have a legal right to enter, and who have met all the lawful criteria to cross into our territory established by the sovereign American people.

V. Minutemen vow to use every legal means at our disposal to assist law enforcement authorities in identifying and apprehending those who violate our borders, whether they are illegally trafficking people, weapons, arms, property, sexual slaves or any other contraband.

VI. Minutemen vow to report to the proper authorities any business entity which knowingly recruits, facilitates or employs people who have entered America illegally, or which cooperates in any commercial activity which involves contraband smuggling or marketing of persons, products or materiel.

VII. Minutemen promise to raise our voices — on cellular phones along the borders of America and in the halls of Congress — in the defense of the rule of law. The American people are firm but fair, and we share their great compassion for the many powerless victims of cruel, illegal human trafficking and labor exploitation. But we also support our citizens' adamant rejection of the blatant disregard for our laws and ordered liberty represented by the U.S. government's failure to secure our borders, enforce our nation's sovereignty and end the flood of illegal trafficking into American territory.

I vow before God and my fellow Americans that these principles guide my actions as a Minuteman. "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty..." And so I will stand watch on America's borders and in her sovereign interest until relieved from duty by my fellow countrymen.S

Standard Operating Procedure for Minuteman Project

1. Minutemen are courteous to everyone with whom they come into contact, and never discriminate against anyone for any reason.
2. Minutemen do not respond to any taunts or harassment from outside agitators, and must never be present for duty or serve in any capacity if intoxicated.
3. Minutemen Observe, Report and Direct Border Patrol or other appropriate emergency or law enforcement agencies to suspected Illegal Aliens or Illegal Activities.
4. Minutemen do not verbally contact, physically gesture to or have any form of communications with suspected Illegal Aliens.
5. Minutemen follow the Standard Operating Procedures to the letter and spirit.
6. Minutemen follow all federal, state and local laws, understanding that we are being held to a higher standard by all.
7. Minutemen understand that, while our actions cannot stop illegal activities along the boarder, we can change world perception and national thought concerning Homeland and Border Security.
8. Minutemen monitor their behavior, the behavior of the people around them and the group as a whole to ensure compliance with the SOP and any instruction given by Minuteman Corps Leadership.
9. Minutemen leave no garbage behind and follow strict pack-in / pack-out procedures.
10. Minutemen respect the property rights of everyone, start no fires, never drive off road, and follow the directions of all law enforcement personnel.

Courtesy of

DALLAS — The driver of a bus that caught fire while carrying nursing-home patients fleeing Hurricane Rita was charged Monday with criminally negligent homicide in the deaths of 23 passengers.

Juan Robles Gutierrez, a 37-year-old Mexican citizen, was taken into federal custody on an immigration violation five days after the Sept. 23 explosion near Dallas.

Sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Don Peritz would not give any specific examples of any negligence by Robles, saying details will be released if he is indicted.

"The bus is under his care, custody and control, and so is everyone on board," he said. "Safe transportation from the nursing home to the final destination is his responsibility. Based on the end result, he failed in that responsibility."

There was no immediate comment from the bus company, Global Limo Inc., which was shut down by federal regulators Oct. 7 as a hazard the public. Its telephone has been disconnected.

Peritz said the investigation was continuing and additional charges could be filed.

Each of the 23 counts of criminally negligent homicide carries up to two years behind bars and a $10,000 fine.

The bus erupted in flames about 16 hours after leaving Houston. Some passengers and the driver escaped, but the flames, fed by 18 medical oxygen tanks, trapped many inside.

From the beginning, investigators focused on the condition of the bus brakes. A motorist told investigators he motioned the driver to pull over shortly after seeing a rear wheel hub that was glowing red.

Authorities said Robles did not mention the encounter with the other driver when they interviewed him after the fire.

Sheriff Lupe Valdez said investigators also found no evidence that Robles helped several people off the bus before it was engulfed in flames, which was widely reported after the explosion.

"After an exhausting number of interviews, we have been unable to confirm any of those claims," Valdez said in a statement.

However, Peritz said a failure to help crash victims was not part of the charges against Robles.

Robles did not have a lawyer Monday. The Mexican Consulate said it would provide him with legal help.

The Texas Department of Public Safety has said that the bus' right rear brakes failed because of the loss of bearings, and that the left rear brakes were "not maintained in good working order."

Phil's Observaions
Let's see. Mexian resident. Immigration violation. Didn't help passengers. Didn't disclose other motorist warning during questioning. What else needs to be said?

Regular readers of Phil's Observations know that Phil is generally open-minded about most things. New readers may need a refresher, so skip past the next paragraph if you're not new:)

My ideology dictates the following about me: a) abortion is killing a child and is wrong b) people who do things with malicious intent should suffer some sort of punishment c) anyone who hurts a child should be executed immediately upon conviction d) the prosecutor and public defender should have the same resources available to do do their clients justice and e) if you have a negative personality, I don't want to be around you.

OK, that part is done for the newbies. So I have this buddy, Aaron, who I have known since my freshman year in college. We roomed together one year, and worked together for two. Back in those days, we could get into some really intense discussions about politics. I never thought anyone could be more right wing that him. I would have to offer up some common sense and bring him back to reality. He would get very boisterous in his arguements. Trust me, I got a few good laughs out of what he said. But he was really confident in his opinions, and vary rarely ever changed his view. I never considered myself a liberal, but next to my buddy, I was like Howard Dean. Fast forward a decade and a half later. After some career changes and moving around a little bit, we hooked up again maybe five years ago. While Aaron was still gung-ho republican, he wasn't as dedicated to the party as he had been back in college. So we've kept in touch over the last five years, getting togther every 3-4 months for dinner & drinks. It was his last visit over to my kneck of the woods that it finally hit me: My right-wing republican buddy was going liberal.

He started bashing Bush and other republicans. He says he now favors unions. He says now he believes the corporate America is out to ruin the little guy. He now says that Clinton did a lot of good while in office. He now things entitlements are good for the "common man". Aaron even said the "republican party left him." I couldn't believe it. My friend was becoming more liberal, and I was becoming more conservative. As we grow older and get more life experience, our views and opinions often evolve. What shocked me was how much we had changed since our college days, only a little more than a decade ago.

You see, my friend, and I have told him this, doesn't get it yet. It's more than political parties. I'm not a republican. I'm not a democrat. But I do have an ideology that dicates who I am. Whomever best fits my ideology gets my support and vote. Yeah, most of the time I vote for someone under the republican party. But not always. Yeah, most of the time when I write to a political leader, it's to a republican. But not always. Get over the party affiliation crap. Get over the extremism. Get over the acedamia. Get over the apathy. Support who you want because s/he satisfies your ideology.

I write quite a bit to my local, state, and federal representatives. Both in support of and against their position, I want to make sure that specific person knew what I wanted out of them. I encourage you to do the same. Isn't that democracy is all about?

Oh, and for those of you regular readers who like to challenge me on this, my answer is yes, I know we are a represntative government, not a pure democracy. And that is why my vote counts to get rid of my representative doesn't do what I want.

Be safe. Enjoy Life.

Ya know, I am getting some pretty good laughs from both parties of the political spectrum when it comes to this nomination. I don't know enough about the nominee to make a sound decision. I do know enough about the President to make a sound decision. So what has Phil decided?

Awww, come on, you should know by now!

Sit back, take it all in, enjoy people making idiots of themselves, and then decide whether or not I support this nominee.

That wasn't so hard, now was it?

Courtesy of

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee Rep. Stacy Campfield may seem an unlikely candidate for his state's black caucus. But the white Republican said he wants to join the group to serve a segment of his constituency better.

But Campfield's membership to the caucus was rejected and the state representative says it's because of the color of his skin.

"Only blacks can become full members — full and equal members," Campfield said. "I think that's the definition of racism."

The chairman of the caucus, Johnny Shaw, says at first he dismissed Campfield's request as a joke. Now, however, he thinks Campfield has other motives.

"I think the issue is money. He probably wants to know how we spend our money," Shaw said.

Shaw pointed out that the caucus meetings are open to anyone, and that the group offers honorary memberships.

But he has not changed his initial decision to deny Campfield a full membership.

In one press interview, Campfield compared the caucus' membership policies to that of the Ku Klux Klan, a statement that drew the ire of the NAACP, which demanded that the freshman representative resign.

Stefanie Lindquist, a professor of law and political science at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, said the case sets the Constitution against itself.

"You have, in effect, one piece of the Constitution pitted against another piece of the Constitution — the First Amendment freedom of association pitted against the equal protection clauses of the 14th Amendment," she said. "Hard to say which one will win out."

Phil's Observations
Ya know, this drives me nuts. This caucus is exactly what many have fought against: groups that discriminate because of race. And then the damn leader of the group suspects alterior motives. Maybe the guy just wanted to learn about his constituents? For Christ's sake, when the hell are people going to stop discriminating because of race? We're in the 21st century. WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!!

I was in Minneapolis this week visiting a client. I - like some forgetful seasoned citizen - forgot something. My laptop. I just about died. Flight coming home was late due to traffic issues at ORD. I'm not sure anything will fix the traffice issue at O'Hare. So I just got home a little while ago, and start searching the e-mail for important messages. I have 10 comments on the blog. I found that odd, simply because I haven't posted in a while. All of the frickin comments were spam. I deleted them all, and added a verification process to see if it will reduce or stop it. Now I'm pissed at the idots who need to spam personal blogs to try to raise cash.

Trip was good, thanks for asking. Not going to give any details.