Happy Birthday America

With this being the week of our nation's "birth"...that is the week we celebrate "America's Birthday", I thought it important to "go back to the basics", our AMERICAN Bill of Rights.

Celebrate that which makes us great, but be willing to fight for what we should never lose.

Note: The following text is a transcription of the first 10 amendments to the Constitution in their original form. These amendments were ratified December 15, 1791, and form what is known as the "Bill of Rights."

THE FIRST 10 AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION AS RATIFIED BY THE STATES

Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment III
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

Amendment VII
In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

Matt Lawrence & Thomas Van Hare have co-authored multiple books with their latest being BETRAYAL: Clinton, Castro & the Cuban Five. An explosive exposé that links the Clinton White House with Castro's murder of American citizens in February 1994. Click here to visit their website www.mattlawrencebooks.com. "Turn up your speakers!"

Thirty days oy vey, enough already!!!

Thirty days since the initial blowout of BP's Deepwater Horizons oil rig and the words and actions of big oil can not be more diametrically opposed.

It’s become pretty evident that BP has been “allowed” to attempt to regain control of their prized oil well as multiple leaks have pumped a consistent and otherwise unabated flow of goo that is now said to be worse than originally stated.

Who’d have thought that a company like BP would ever underestimate the scope of this disaster? After all BP is the company who said they’d pay the claims of impacted fishermen—and then asked those same fishermen to sign legally worded indemnity waivers before giving them jobs stringing oil booms in a feeble attempt to save their fishing grounds and livelihoods.

While BP bears the brunt of the responsibility in their failure in operating the rig, others also have dirty oil on their hands. Litigators for Halliburton, Trans Ocean, as well as BP, continue to file cases in court that attempt to do nothing more than limit their liabilities.

These lawsuits, along with…

1) BP finally admitting that the oil spill may be ten times worse than originally stated.
2) BP admitting the chemical dispersants they used in the Gulf are chemicals banned for use in Britain, and
3) BP’s continued refusal to allow scientists and engineers into the area to assess the real damage.

…give me the impression of a cover-up!

Why, after thirty days of BP failing to gain control of their “black-gold mine”, has there been no active American boycott of BP gasoline or their products?

Are American’s so disillusioned with the country’s current political climate and economic crisis that they’ve grown weary?

Have we become so jaded that American Idol or Lindsey Lohan’s possible new jail outfit are more important than the worst environmental disaster in U.S. history?

After all it’s only the potential loss of 30% of our seafood supply and the possible eradication of the breeding grounds for multiple species we supposedly cohabitate with on this planet.

As I write this, BP has finally decided that funnels and straws won’t work to stop the oil geysers and they’re going to attempt filling the well with drilling mud and concrete on Sunday, May 23rd--with the caveat that this is something “never attempted at this depth before”.

BP could have attempted this 29 days ago; but God forbid BP should lose their damned well, and the millions of dollars they’ve put into its research and development.

In comparison, at stake are the livelihoods and the economy of millions of American’s residing along America’s Gulf coast —not to mention one of the world’s most treasured coral reef systems!

But then, who needs beaches, coral reefs and fishermen when there’s always Disney World and the other theme parks to visit in central Florida— people will buy BP’s gas to get there, right?

Let’s hope not!

It’s time for Americans to speak to BP in the only language big oil understands--in dollars.

It’s time to avoid at all costs; the eco-friendly green logo’d BP gas stations recognized in the U.S. nationwide, as well their ARCO and am/pm stores of the American west.

I’d also suggest the next time you change your oil, choosing another brand other than Castrol, it’s a BP product as well.

Also, depending on where you are in the world, you may find BP Connect, Wild Bean Café and in Germany, Aral service stations and retail outlets which BP boasts is Germany’s number three fast food retailer behind Burger King and McDonalds.

Perhaps BP will get the message if the sound of Americans closing their wallets and purses is louder than the implosion and destruction of their well along with the billion barrels in oil reserves the black-gold represented to BP’s profits.

Thirty days is long enough. Turn off the flow of oil BP, before America wakes up and turns off the flow of cash!

BP = Bungled Performance!

Here's Shep Smith's FOX News commentary from May 14th
http://www.shepard-smith.net/video/fr/bpcommentary.mpg