Idaho Libertarian Times

Yeah I could make it up , but why: Remington Shotguns Solicitation Number: EDOOIG-10-000004

Radley Balko noted this today I looked it up, it is weird, its not what I'd expect department of education to be buying,,, shotguns, from the looks, it isn't the first buy either read the RFP

Synopsis:

Added: Mar 08, 2010 10:39 am Modified: Mar 11, 2010 10:16 amTrack Changes

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) intends to purchase twenty-seven (27) REMINGTON BRAND MODEL 870 POLICE 12/14P MOD GRWC XS4 KXCS SF. RAMAC #24587 GAUGE: 12 BARREL: 14" - PARKERIZED CHOKE: MODIFIED SIGHTS: GHOST RING REAR WILSON COMBAT; FRONT - XS CONTOUR BEAD SIGHT STOCK: KNOXX REDUCE RECOIL ADJUSTABLE STOCK FORE-END: SPEEDFEED SPORT-SOLID - 14" LOP are designated as the only shotguns authorized for ED based on compatibility with ED existing shotgun inventory, certified armor and combat training and protocol, maintenance, and parts.
The required date of delivery is March 22, 2010.
Interested sources must submit detailed technical capabilities and any other information that demonstrates their ability to meet the requirements above, no later than March 12, 2010 at 12 PM, E.S.T. Any quotes must be submitted electronically to the attention of ****>****@ed.gov, Contract Specialist (Contract Operations Group), with a concurrent copy to****.****@ed.gov, Contracting Officer (Contract Operations Group).
The following clauses are applicable to this requirement:

This is mere conjecture from here on but think about it:

Weird possibility:  it looks like an off the books black bag operation doing a straw man deal through these guys , question is, who would be desperate enough to run a straw man deal in a public environment like this.  

The other possibility is the Department of education is buying 27 Remington model 870 shotguns with 14 inch barrels.

Question is why?

Podcast #21 James Oaksun talks about the LP, his run for the National LP Treasurer & how he would like to try to fix the party.

Podcast#21 Fri Mar 12 2010, 12:02:38

The following is James Oaksuns agenda shared in an email with me ;

"Here is my concept for zero based budgeting.

Right now, the LNC (or at least the LNC's dominant coalition) divides our money as follows:

40% overhead
30% fund raising
20% what I call "talking to ourselves"
10% building the party (meaning ballot access, events, conference appearances, and the like)

I have this in a pie chart on my website, www.JamesOaksun.com.  I also distributed it in Austin, much to some of the LNC members' chagrin.

I think this allocation is just ridiculous. 

So my idea is to start from zero in an exercise I call zero based budgeting.

To do this, you set every line item in the budget to zero.  All of them.

You start with a clean sheet of paper and you say, what are the absolutely most mission critical things we ought to be doing.

Yes there are some "overhead" functions we have to have.  Accounting/FEC filings, legal, maybe some others.

But we get everything rank ordered.  Then you put price tags on it and say, if we have $1 million what do/can we fund.

And that's what we do.

We've been adrift, we have no strategy, we are shrinking.  We need to revitalize things.
Nobody wants to give of their money and time just to pay the overhead, or send out fundraising letters.  Activists need and deserve activity.

Implications:

1. Example rent.  Last year we spent $141k on rent.  Why.  In fact, my starting point is, why do we even need to have an office period.  I know people who run million dollar businesses from spare rooms in their home. That's where I start.  Justify to the members why we needto have *any* office, and then look them in the eye and say why we need to spend $141k per year on it, especially if we don't own it.  Of course the current management will not do this.  They had their chance.  They have not led.  We Will.
2. Example staff.  It may turn out that certain functions are best fulfilled with a paid staff.  To me, I start from zero.  Why do we need any paid staff.  OK, maybe an Exec Director.  Why anyone beyond them?  Lots of things can be outsourced.  We are a small business essentially, we need to start thinking like one.  Thinking like guerrillas.
3. Example website and electronic communications.  We spend in excess of $100k/yr on this.  Ask me my opinion of the current http://lp.org   site.  Ask me also what http://JamesOaksun.com   -- a site that gets more traffic than all but 3 state LP websites, and almost as much traffic as Wayne Root's site -- cost me.

The step beyond is, of course, the future strategy -- where do we want to go with this, what do we want to become.  And then, how to fund that.  The two exercises are related.  But first, the zero based budget represents a fresh start.
"

http://www.jamesoaksun.com/

Podcast # 20 The Post Austin / Pre StLouis Game Show!

 George Phillies & Carolyn Marbry talk with Dwight & I about Austin, St.Louis & the Libertarian party's future & their plans as Candidates for LNC Chair & Vice Chair

PODCAST#20, Sat Mar 06 2010, 09:53:12

Stay tuned Next Week for our interview with James Oaksun :

Sull: N, passses 10-5. [Floor Fee Vote] FEES KILLED.

Almost Live From Mike Seebeck's Twitter account The Floor Fees just died! Mikes Twit post reads as follows:

Mike Seebeck Sull: N, passses 10-5. FEES KILLED.

Mike Seebeck Starr: N, Ruwart: Y, Flood: Y, Ryan: Y, Fox: Y, SB: N, Karlan: Y, Wrights: Y, Lark: Y, Hawk: Y, Lieb: N, Matt: N, Dixon: Y, Jingo: Y,

Now the LNC is working this item;

Ruwart: Motion written by Nolan: "no person who is a declared candidate for LNC officer shall be given a speaking slot as Keynote

Podcast #19 Ramming Speed!

PODCAST #19 Sat Feb 27 2010, 10:03:02

Union and liberal groups decry "small, puny" $15 billion jobs bill, want Congress to shake taxpayers upside-down until at least $180 billion falls out  (thehill.com)                                             http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/82537-left-blasts-reids-15-billion-jobs-bill-as-puny

Unions and liberal groups blast Reid’s $15 billion jobs legislation as 'puny'
By Walter Alarkon - 02/22/10 06:00 AM ET
http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/82537-left-blasts-reids-15-billion-jobs-bill-as-puny

It's full speed ahead for Obama's health care plan, which "manages to take the worst of both the House and Senate bills and combine them into something more destructive"  (online.wsj.com)
ObamaCare at Ramming Speed: The White House shows it has no interest in compromise.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704454304575081391789004352.html

Obama was so anxious to listen to GOP, he spent more time talking today than all GOP participants combined. Bonus: Also exceeded total of all other Democrats  (weeklystandard.com)
http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/obama-democrats-talk-four-hours-republicans-talk-two-hours

Conceding that today's health care summit will be as predictable as kabuki theater, Democrats work on strategy for the real negotiations to follow behind the scenes  (washingtonpost.com)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/24/AR2010022405633.html?hpid=topnews

Senate votes to extend PATRIOT Act for another year. How's that for hope and change?  (news.yahoo.com)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100225/ap_on_go_co/us_patriot_act

Polls show that in a generic ballot race, the GOP is poised to pick up the most seats in the House. Ever. As in, bigger than 1994  (yglesias.thinkprogress.org)
http://yglesias.thinkprogress.org/archives/2010/02/generic-ballot-points-to-giant-house-gop-win-in-2010.php

Although he took top honors at CPAC, Ron Paul is to the future of conservatism what Keith Olbermann is to the future of liberalism  (reason.com)
http://reason.com/archives/2010/02/24/the-ron-paul-delusion

 Pot in a Box - Claudia Coffey reports DC Couple Gets Pot Delivery from Fed Ex Mistakenly receive $120,000 worth of marijuana
http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/dc/dc-couple-gets-pot-delivery-from-fed-ex-022610

Report: Vaccines didn't cause Jenny McCarthy's son's autism, because he doesn't have autism. Jenny McCarthy: "My bad"
http://www.hollywoodlife.com/2010/02/26/jenny-mccarthy-says-her-son-evan-never-had-autism/

Falcon 9 Flight 1 vertical

2/20/2010 Raising the Falcon 9 Flight 1 vehicle to vertical on the launch pad at SLC-40, Cape Canaveral AFS, Florida

 SpaceX's debut Falcon 9 rocket stands atop its launch pad at Space Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida in late Feb. 2010 for final tests ahead of its maiden test flight. Credit: Chris Thompson/Space

The Falcon 9 Rocket and Dragon Spacecraft: See the craft in detail, plus how it stacks up to a Russian Soyuz rocket and NASA's space shuttles. Credit: Karl Tate, SPACE.com

Images Used courtesy space.com & Spacex

Podcast#18 : the smoggy edition

Pdocast#18 Sat Feb 20 2010, 10:51:09

Commissioners decry emissions testing plan and refuse county vehicle participation

By Mike Butts
CANYON COUNTY ― "Minutes before the state's Department of Environmental Quality planned to announce its new vehicle emissions testing program for Canyon County, county commissioners and some county mayors criticized the program."
“Something doesn't smell right here and I guarantee you it's not the air in Canyon County,” commissioner Steve Rule said at a press conference at the county courthouse scheduled just 30 minutes before DEQ's announcement. “One hundred and ninety-five thousand people in Canyon County do not want this program shoved up their tailpipes.”
http://www.idahopress.com/news/article_40dccdce-1cb2-11df-a468-001cc4c002e0.html
& http://www.idahopress.com/image_ed536a70-1df4-11df-a176-001cc4c002e0.html

Climate change proves to be a giant scandal-plagued boondoggle built on extremely sketchy science. Obama's solution? Give them another 2.6 BILLION dollars, of course  (foxnews.com)
http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/02/11/obama-spending-increase-global-warming-research/

Bob Barr actually acts like a libertarian for once, says waterboarding is torture. This would usually earn him an obvious tag, but he had the balls (and moustache) to do it at CPAC
CPAC audience boos former GOP Rep. Bob Barr for saying waterboarding is torture.
(thinkprogress.org)
http://thinkprogress.org/2010/02/19/cpac-boos-panelist-torture/


From msnbc: Weis Proposes "Covert" Camera to Fight Chicago Crime
By Susan Rivera NBCChicago.com updated 9:47 a.m. MT, Sat., Feb. 20, 2010
Chicago's blue light cameras are easy to spot, both to observers and criminals alike.
The idea to post cameras in crime plagued neighborhoods is a good one, but their conspicuousness is a problem, so Police Superintendent Jody Weis is proposing to add new “covert” cameras so small they fit inside a matchbox, the Sun-Times reports.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35420011

boingboing reports: School used student laptop webcams to spy on them at school and home
By Cory Doctorow at 11:49 PM February 17, 2010
http://www.boingboing.net/2010/02/17/school-used-student.html
According to the filings in Blake J Robbins v Lower Merion School District (PA) et al, the laptops issued to high-school students in the well-heeled Philly suburb have webcams that can be covertly activated by the schools' administrators, who have used this facility to spy on students and even their families. The issue came to light when the Robbins's child was disciplined for "improper behavior in his home" and the Vice Principal used a photo taken by the webcam as evidence. The suit is a class action, brought on behalf of all students issued with these machines. http://boingboing.net/2010/02/17/school-used-student.html

Daniel Rubin: Another case of TSA overkill
By Daniel Rubin Inquirer Columnist
"Just when I thought I was out of the Transportation Security Administration business for a few columns, they pull me back in.
Did you hear about the Camden cop whose disabled son wasn't allowed to pass through airport security unless he took off his leg braces?"
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/84368492.html

Buzz kill: Crozet man finds eBay yanks High Times
by Lisa Provence published 4:41pm Monday Feb 15, 2010
Super Bowl Sunday left Crozet resident Fred Carwile “frustrated and angry,” he says. And not because the Saints won.
That was the day he discovered that his sales listings for back-issues of High Times magazine, which he’s sold for years on eBay, had been yanked without warning. Further infuriating Carwile: He claims that two different eBay customer service reps told him the marijuana-oriented mags were pulled at the request of the federal government.
http://www.readthehook.com/blog/index.php/2010/02/15/buzz-kill-crozet-man-finds-ebay-yanks-high-times/

LPCa had their convention last weekend & several LNC chair candidates were present & this links is to their equal time speeches asking for your vote;
http://www.freedomsphoenix.com/Article/065099-2010-02-15-ernest-hancock-vs-wayne-allen-root.htm

Podcast#17 The podcast that never Was

Don't ask me how I did it but the Podcast all 2 hours & 42 minutes worth never taped. We had a technical issues, to make things worse We had guests this week

Rob Oates the Idaho LP chair & as of this week a regular contributor

And singer John Ringer  who's new song my country my ass is available here for down load along with the link to his site: http://home.att.net/~j.c.ringer/overview.html 

SPACEX ANNOUNCES FINAL ARRIVAL OF FALCON 9 FLIGHT HARDWARE AT CAPE CANAVERAL IN PREPARATION FOR INAUGURAL LAUNCH

If your a fan of manned space flight like I am then you'll appreciate this particular development ; Spacex a Company "Established in 2002 by Elon Musk , the founder of PayPal and the Zip2 Corporation, SpaceX has already developed two brand new launch vehicles" Both developed in the same time frame that the Constellation program was born & died I might add due to poor planning & excution by NASA. This while Spacex was able to produce a full up manned design in 5 years from scratch, NASA's Aries rockets were no closer than 5 years away from an unmanned flight of any kind. Todate the only aries flight ever made was a 2 minute boiler plate test shot out of  Cape Kennedy in November 2009 & that was just an instrumentation test flight, not man capable flight article that this Spacex launch is. Yet again Living proof that given the opportunity private sector will if given the right opportunity will walk away from a government in house project & produce a solid answer  in 1/2 the time & 1/2 the budget.  Below is their press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Emily Shanklin | Director, Marketing and Communications
media@SpaceX.com
310.363.6733

SPACEX ANNOUNCES FINAL ARRIVAL OF FALCON 9 FLIGHT HARDWARE AT CAPE CANAVERAL IN PREPARATION FOR INAUGURAL LAUNCH

---

Hawthorne, CA (February 11, 2010) – Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) announces that all flight hardware for the debut launch of the Falcon 9 vehicle has arrived at the SpaceX launch site, Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40), in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Final delivery included the Falcon 9 second stage, which recently completed testing at SpaceX's test facility in McGregor, Texas. SpaceX has now initiated full vehicle integration of the 47 meter (154 feet) tall, 3.6 meter (12 feet) diameter rocket, which will include a Dragon spacecraft qualification unit.

"We expect to launch in one to three months after completing full vehicle integration," said Brian Mosdell, Director of Florida Launch Operations for SpaceX. "Our primary objective is a successful first launch and we are taking whatever time necessary to work through the data to our satisfaction before moving forward."

Following full vehicle integration, SpaceX will conduct a static firing to demonstrate flight readiness and confirm operation of ground control systems in preparation for actual launch.

Though designed from the beginning to transport crew, SpaceX's Falcon 9 launch vehicle and Dragon spacecraft will initially be used to transport cargo. Falcon 9 and Dragon were selected by NASA to resupply the International Space Station (ISS) once Shuttle retires. The $1.6B contract represents 12 flights for a minimum of 20 tons to and from the ISS with the first demonstration flights beginning in 2010.

About SpaceX

SpaceX is developing a family of launch vehicles and spacecraft intended to increase the reliability and reduce the cost of both manned and unmanned space transportation, ultimately by a factor of ten. With the Falcon 1 and Falcon 9 vehicles, SpaceX offers highly reliable/cost-efficient launch capabilities for spacecraft insertion into any orbital altitude and inclination. Starting in 2010, SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft will provide Earth-to-LEO transport of pressurized and unpressurized cargo, including resupply to the International Space Station (ISS).

Founded in 2002, SpaceX is a private company owned by management and employees, with minority investments from Founders Fund and Draper Fisher Jurvetson. The SpaceX team now numbers nearly 900, with corporate headquarters in Hawthorne, California. For more information, please visit the company's web site at www.spacex.com.

The Falcon 9 vehicle undergoes final integration in the hangar at the SpaceX launch site in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The vehicle's nine Merlin 1C engines are at far left, and second stage is at far right. Credit SpaceX

Flight hardware for the inaugural launch of Falcon 9 rocket undergoing final integration in the hangar at SpaceX's Cape Canaveral launch site in Florida. Components include: Dragon spacecraft qualification unit (left), second stage with Merlin Vacuum engine (center), first stage with nine Merlin 1C engines (right). Credit: SpaceX

Podcast #16 The dont ask, don't tell, don't get the point episode

PODCAST#16 Sun Feb 07 2010, 09:45:52

New information emerging about arrested Idahoans
by Scott Evans Idaho's NewsChannel 7
Posted on February 6, 2010 at 6:27 PM, Updated yesterday at 10:18 PM
"More information continues to emerge about the group of Americans who were arrested in Haiti."
http://www.ktvb.com/news/Local-store-collecting-donations-for-planned-orphanage-shocked-by-arrests-83732252.html

Fark headline: Secretary of Defense Robert Gates wants to ease "don't ask, don't tell" out slowly, carefully. Doesn't understand the importance of rapid pull-out ; The Boston Globe Pentagon may ease ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’
Could reduce expulsions of gay service members; Some in Congress want to keep existing rules By Bryan Bender Globe Staff / February 2, 2010
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2010/02/02/pentagon_may_ease_dont_ask_dont_tell_rules?mode=PF

FOX News Poll: Most Americans Want a ‘Do-Over’ On Health Reform
By Tami Buhr - FOXNews.com Updated February 05, 2010
A new Fox News Poll shows that less than one-quarter of American voters support passage of the legislation currently before Congress.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/02/05/fox-news-poll-americans-want-health-reform/

Dems To Force GOP Vote On Anti-Social Security Privatization Resolution
Christina Bellantoni | February 5, 2010, 2:02PM
"House Democrats are going to force their Republican colleagues to vote on a resolution opposing the privatization of Social Security."
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/02/dems-to-force-gop-vote-on-anti-social-security-privatization-resolution.php?ref=fpa

Rich Lowry, February 5, 2010 12:00 A.M.
"For Government, Let the Good Times Roll" 1690% increase in federal employees making $170,000 or more.
http://article.nationalreview.com/424072/for-government-let-the-good-times-roll/rich-lowry

 President Obama wants to privatize much of NASA and... wait, what?  (blogs.discovermagazine.com) The Good News: Bye bye Constellation
http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2010/02/01/president-obamas-nasa-budget-unveiled/
The real answer is http://www.spacex.com/falcon9.php

www.chattanoogan.com
Cleveland Taking Down Red Light Cameras
posted February 5, 2010
Cleveland city officials said red light cameras in the city seem to be effective, but the company furnishing the cameras has asked that the cameras come down.
http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_168401.asp