http://www.lewrockwell.com/…

Writes Katie:

So–my high school had a conference call today with the PA governor, Ed Rendell. Now, I already knew this guy was a true-blue thuggish socialist, and what’s more, he was holding this conference call to whip up support for his new state/taxpayer/theft-funded “tuition relief” program. Our journalism teacher told us to create a list of questions to ask about the new program. Most people asked if accepting this money would lessen their debt, how much would they receive, the whole “where’s my handout” spiel. A lot of kids did want to know where the heck this money was coming from, since our state has a budget deficit of over ONE BILLION DOLLARS.

Well, the conference call was at four o’clock, and I was the only student able to stay, so I got to ask the governor any question on the sheet. Now, since the questions were pre-reviewed, my teacher and I weren’t sure if he’d even let us ask any of them. We waited through many skim-the-surface kind of questions from other students about how much they would owe after the new program “helped” them and their families, how the state government would pay with it (they would tax video poker in bars–Fast Eddy loves to condemn gambling, then legalize it and tax it to death), and to ask if out-of-state residents could enjoy the same benefits.

My teacher and I were getting ready to pack up and hang up the phone when the moderator said, “Well, we have time for one more question, and this one’s from Katie…” We both leapt for the phone, and after pressing the speaker button, the moderator said that Rendell wanted to address the first question. I said, “Actually, governor, I want to talk about how government aid inflates college prices. Colleges can keep raising their prices because they know that the government will pick up the tab, and they’ll keep their same profit margins. But no responsible business would raise its proces above what its consumer base could afford! I think we should stop all government aid to make them lower their prices.”

“Cutting aid programs would be disastrous,” Rendell growled. “And colleges depend on the endowments the state gives them…”

“So they’re not profitable? They’re losing money? Every year?” I asked incredulously.

“Yes, they are,” Rendell said. He mentioned public AND private colleges not making any profit whatsoever. “None of the colleges in Pennsylvania are profitable. None.”

Even if he’s wrong and some are profitable it’s only because of the State and it’s subsidies.

The lack of basic economics or human nature is amazing. It makes one wonder if they are actually ignorant of fascists.

http://www.philly.com/…

Things could get hairy in New Jersey this summer for women who sport revealing bikinis or a little bit less.

The painful Brazilian wax and its intimate derivatives are in danger of being stripped from salon and spa menus if a recent proposal to ban genital waxing is passed by the state’s Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling.

Cherry Hill salon owner Linda Orsuto said that women would “go ballistic” if the proposal passed. She said that some women would resort to waxing themselves, visiting unlicensed salons or traveling to other states, including Pennsylvania, in a quest to remain bare down there.

“The clients are going to freak,” said Orsuto, who owns 800 West Salon & Spa, on Route 70. “It’s a hot issue, and we’re going to have to do something.”

New Jersey statutes allow waxing of the face, neck, arms, legs and abdomen, but officials say that genital waxing has always been illegal, although not spelled out.

Regardless, almost every salon in South Jersey, from Atlantic City casinos to suburban strip malls, has been breaking the law for years by ridding women, and some men, of their pubic hair for $50 to $60 a session.

Jeff Lamm, a spokesman for New Jersey’s Division of Consumer Affairs, said that the proposal would specifically ban genital waxing, and was prompted by complaints to the board from two women who were injured and hospitalized. One of them sued. Lamm said that the state only investigates infractions if consumers complain.

Two South Jersey hospitals and a handful of dermatologists didn’t return requests for comment, and another hospital declined.

Dr. Eric Bernstein, a Philadelphia dermatologist, said that genital waxing could irritate or tear the skin and result in infections.

“But you can get an infection from almost anything,” he added. “The state is probably just looking out for the residents’ best interest, but they’ll have to enforce it.”

As if requiring a license to do it in the first place wasn’t bad enough?! Why?! What could they possibly gain from this?

The topic of violent video games came up in a PA house of representatives committee hearing last Friday.  The subject of a 5% tax on violent video games came up as state reps discussed it.  The person they asked stated that it would be legally problematic.

For those of you not fortunate enough to live in the tri-state area of the right coast, let me introduce you to the alcohol purchasing laws in PA:

• Wine and Spirits (the hard stuff) are sold in state owned Wine and Spirits shops.  The hours are controlled and they are tightly linked to the state.
• Wineries can sell wine at the location where they make it.  I’m not sure about distilleries or breweries.
• Beer can be purchased as special taverns in quantities of two six packs or less.
• Beer can be purchased in bulk (case, keg, etc.) at special “Beverage Distributors”.
• Wine and Spirit shops have their prices fixed by the state.

The system seems to be a series of compromises and concessions from an initially overly restrictive system.  As such beer is treated differently than everything else.  Does this seem confusing and stupid to anyone else?  Booze costs next to nothing to produce and yet the price must be inflated to account for taxation and cost of difficult distribution.  Even so, somebody who wants to be drunk all the time could still do so in PA for about $12 bucks a day.  Does anyone out there actually think price can be used to dissuade people who are addicted?  Also, with retail locations limited it must be incredibly difficult to introduce a new product to market.  How many awesome new beers and liquers are we missing because of this?  Lastly why aren’t more citizens upset about this?  Is it that we feel we should be happy that the government still lets us get at the sauce?  Flex your rights PA, lets see you scrap some antiquated legislation.

http://www.lewrockwell.com/…

http://www.lewrockwell.com/…

1. Saturday is supposed to be a day of rest, but the New York Times is hard on the job of promoting the total state. First, there is a front-page article on the plight of refugees from Zimbabwe, and it is well-written and interesting, and very, very sad. However, we should not forget that the Times was an early supporter of the man who is the source of this misery, Robert Mugabe. Furthermore, Mugabe’s policies pretty much square with the state economic control that the Times endorses every day in both its news and editorial sections.That the tragedy in Zimbabwe is an extreme example of what happens when the state confiscates private property, sets price controls, and prints money without end does not negate the fact that the Times for years has endorsed state seizure of private property, price controls, and fiat money. Indeed, one would think that the editors there would recognize the folly of those things endorsed by the Times, but we are speaking of the Newspaper of Walter Duranty, Jayson Blair, Judith Miller, and Duff Wilson (of Duke lacrosse fame).
2. The top editorial excoriates Gov. David Paterson for choosing Kirsten Gillibrand as Hillary Clinton’s U.S. Senate replacement. Why? In the Times‘ own words:
   

   What is the most disappointing about Ms. Gillibrand’s record is her extreme opposition to reasonable gun control laws. Her opposition to new efforts to trace illegal guns and support for rolling back gun control laws in the District of Columbia go well beyond her declared support for hunters’ rights. She earned a top rating and vigorous campaign support from the National Rifle Association. Her jarring views on guns could cost her a bitter Democratic primary fight next year for re-election if gun-control advocates like Representative Carolyn McCarthy of Long Island challenge her on this issue.

   I’m not sure what “unreasonable” gun control might be. However, the editors do hope that her views will “evolve” to fit those of the anti-private gun Senator Charles Schumer:

   On Friday, Ms. Gillibrand seemed ready to hear arguments against her views on guns. She vowed to help push Ms. McCarthy’s latest bill to speed background checks on those who buy guns at gun shows. She should also agree to Senator Charles Schumer’s offer to escort her on a listening tour of New York’s urban neighborhoods where guns are not used for hunting the Thanksgiving turkey. Senator Schumer said he was confident that once she saw the problem, her views on this grave issue would “evolve.”

   Read that, “Unless you are lockstep with Schumer, we will kneecap you in the upcoming election.” No doubt, she will be horrified. Who knows? Maybe they can have a REAL DRIVE-BY SHOOTING DURING HER VISIT!
   Read More…

http://www.nydailynews.com/

A New Jersey mom who gave her three children Nazi-friendly names says she lost custody of the kids because a neighbor wrongly accused her and her husband of abuse.

Child welfare officials seized the children on Jan. 9 after the neighbor phoned in the claim, Deborah Campbell told the The Express Times paper in nearby Easton, Pa.

“My husband and I would never abuse our children,” she told the paper for Wednesday’s edition. “I just want my children back.”

Officials at the State Department of Youth and Family Services won’t say why they removed Adolf Hitler, 3; JoyceLynn Aryan Nation, 1; and Honszlynn Hinler Jeannie Campbell, an infant, from the house.

The mom was told by a family court judge not to talk about the case, but she says she’s violating that order in hopes of gaining public support.

“I’m begging people to stand behind us and for an attorney to come forward,” she said.

Deborah Campbell says her husband, Heath, was hospitalized because of stress from the dispute. He was released Monday.

A postponed court hearing hasn’t been rescheduled because the family is seeking a lawyer.

The bizarre names came to public attention after a local store refused to fill their order for a birthday cake with the message, “Happy Birthday Adolf Hitler.”

The parents insist they’re not racists and want only to honor the heritage of the Third Reich.

“They’re just names, you know,” Heath Campbell has said.

First Story . Second Story