“We Don’t Need No Stinking Constitution”

“We don’t need no stinking Constitution. And we sure don’t need no advice and consent from Congress. National sovereignty? Oh, please! That’s so twentieth-century.” At least that seems to be Barack Obama’s position today.


Obama thumbed his nose at Congress and the American people when he authorized the use of American military assets to invoke a no-fly zone over Libya. If news reports are accurate, Obama called Congressional leaders to the White House Saturday, not to discuss with them the pros and cons of U.S. involvement in the Libyan civil war. No, he called them over to inform them of the decision he had already made to commit U.S. forces to enforce a no-fly zone for the United Nations.

Now, there is no question that Muammar el-Qaddafi is a bad guy. Undoubtedly, the Libyan people will suffer greatly if he remains in power after the recent rebellion against his dictatorial rule. He promised to kill his opponents, and we know his ruthlessness in the past. Many innocent civilians have and will die unless he is removed.

Nonetheless, the United Nations’ resolution to order a no-fly zone over Libya to protect the rebels is a dangerous precedent. Our involvement is militarily unwise, financially disastrous, a threat to our national sovereignty, and constitutionally questionable.

Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich declared Obama’s decision an "impeachable offense” because of his failure to consult with Congress or get Congressional authorization beforehand. The Constitution in Article I, Section 8.11 is clear: Congress, not the President, holds the power “to declare war.”

Because of presidential abuses during the Vietnam era, Congress passed the War Powers Act in 1973 to rein in the President. Under it, the President may engage U.S. troops only if the U.S. or its territories are under imminent threat of invasion by a foreign power or if U.S. citizens need to be extracted from an imminent threat in a foreign nation. Otherwise, the President must go to Congress to seek a declaration of war or a Congressional mandate prior to any military action involving U.S. troops. In no case, can the President use the U.S. military if “imminent hostilities” are expected to last for sixty days or more. Some exceptions allow the timeframe to be extended an additional thirty days.

Thus, technically, the President may have the right to engage U.S. forces without any Congressional consultation first under the War Powers Act. It should be noted, though, that many legal scholars consider the War Powers Act itself to be unconstitutional. It has yet to be fully tested in a Supreme Court case.

Obama is the first President to take military action without any consultation with Congress. Every other President, including the Left’s hated George W. Bush, has made his case to Congress and sought advice or a Congressional resolution before sending our military forces into harm’s way.

The irony is that Obama’s previous position was that it is unconstitutional for a President to go to war without Congressional approval. For example, in a December, 20, 2007 interview with Charlie Savage, a Boston Globe reporter, Obama said: “The President does not have power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation.”

Savage asked his question specifically in regards to bombing Iran’s nuclear facilities, if needed to stop their development of nuclear weapons. Then-Senator Obama elaborated, “As for the specific question about bombing suspected nuclear sites, I recently introduced S.J. Res. 23, which states in part that ‘any offensive military action taken by the United States against Iran must be explicitly authorized by Congress.’”

Today, Secretary of State Hilary Clinton and Vice President Joe Biden enthusiastically support the sending of U.S. fighter pilots on the mission to ground Libya’s air defenses under the War Powers Act. They surely did not believe in it when Bush was President.

Savage asked Clinton the same question during her presidential campaign. Then-Senator Clinton gave a very similar answer to Obama’s regarding the War Powers Act. She supported Obama’s S.J. Res. 23 against bombing Iran without Congressional approval.

In 1998, then-Senator Joe Biden gave an impassioned speech on the Senate floor in opposition to “monarchist” Presidents who sent troops into military actions without Congressional approval. He fully outlined the history and intent of the Founding Fathers regarding the Constitution’s restrictions on presidential powers to make war. In this speech, Biden criticized fellow Democrats President Harry S. Truman for his “police action” in Korea and President Bill Clinton for bombing Iraq under United Nations resolutions.

Recommendations for 2011 Jacksonville City Election Primary

Mayor: Mike Hogan (Republican)

Mike Hogan has served on the City Council, in the state legislature, and is the current Tax Collector. In all these positions, Mike has gained an unmatched reputation for honesty and integrity, especially in his dealings with his constituents. As a member of City Council, I personally experienced the fact that he made himself readily available to anyone who wished to discuss issues before the Council. Although we did not always agree, I found him always willing to listen carefully and consider all points of view before making a decision. He is a fiscal conservative, winning the endorsement of the Concerned Taxpayers of Duval County. He has been endorsed by the N.R.A., too. I give my highest recommendation to Mike Hogan for Mayor. Website: http://www.hoganformayor.com/.

Sheriff: Soren G. Brockdorf (No Party Affliation)
With Jacksonville still the murder capital of Florida, it is time for entirely new leadership in the Sheriff’s Department. Soren would bring to the Sheriff’s office both a law enforcement and business background. In law enforcement, he has been a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Officer, a Clay County Deputy and a Federal Agent. He is a Supreme Court Certified Family and County Mediator. He has outlined precise plans to reduce administrative costs that will allow for more monies for officers on the streets. For example, he wants to introduce software that will get needed information directly to officers in the field while eliminating 120 administrative positions. He has pledged to put more officers in the neighborhoods with the highest crime rates and to reduce response times to police calls. He wants to add a DNA lab with a two-day turnaround so rape victims do not have to wait six months for results, which currently allows perpetrators to remain on the streets to victimize other women. Website: http://www.1sheriff.com/.

Property Appraiser: Jim Overton (Republican)
Jim is the current Property Appraiser and has done a good job of creating efficiencies in how the office operates while reducing the budget. He has put much of the information online that taxpayers need. He won the endorsement of the Concerned Taxpayers of Duval County. Website: http://www.jimoverton.com/.

Tax Collector: Dick Kravitz (Republican)
Dick Kravitz brings a wealth of legislative and business experience to the position of Tax Collector. He has served on the City Council and in the state legislature. I found him willing to listen to differing points of view on issues before making decisions. He has been fiscally conservative on budget and tax matters and has been endorsed by the Concerned Taxpayers of Duval County. Website: http://www.kravitzfortaxcollector.com/.

Council-at-Large Group 1: Steve Burnett (No Party Affiliation)
If you read the report in The Florida Times-Union, the race for Council-at-Large Group 1 is colorful. Each candidate has background issues and none is ideal. Steve is a twenty-year Navy veteran who advocates limited government as defined by the City Charter. After retiring from the Navy, he owned and operated 50 Jackson Hewitt tax preparation offices with 300 employees in Florida and Georgia. He is a registered Republican, although he chose to run without party affiliation. When he sold his Jackson Hewitt franchises, he was caught by a local TV news crew throwing records into a dumpster without shredding them, making clients and employees vulnerable to identity theft. Because of what I consider more serious issues with the other candidates, I will vote for Steve for Council-at-Large Group 1.

The Republican candidate, David A. Taylor is a lawyer by trade, specializing in commercial litigation and adoptions. He has been in the past and is currently under investigation by the Florida Bar Association for ethical violations, one of which could lead to criminal charges. The NE Florida Builder’s Association, both the Firefighters and Police unions, First Coast Manufacturer’s Association and JAXBiz have endorsed him, but the Concerned Taxpayers of Duval County gave him an ANTI-endorsement. These caused me to decide not to support David Taylor.

Steve’s other opponent is Democrat Kimberly Daniels, a self-admitted former drug abuser and prostitute. She now is pastor of a Northside Christian congregation with a reported 400 members. She pays no property taxes on her home because it is listed as a “rectory.” There are questions regarding the propriety of using church funds to make enhancements to the property, including a swimming pool with screened enclosure.

Council-at-Large Group 2: John R. Crescimbeni (Democrat)
John has served on the City Council for a combined total of ten years. Despite his Democrat affiliation, he has been one of the most consistent fiscal conservatives in city government. He practices what he preaches by being the only council member who does not have a paid legislative aide; he answers his own phone and does his own research. He has never missed a regularly scheduled City Council meeting in all ten years and has one of the best committee attendance records. He asks the tough questions on contracts such as those with the Jaguars or for the landfill. He opposed the county courthouse cost overruns. He voted against tax and fee increases, winning the endorsement of the Concerned Taxpayers of Duval County. Website: http://www.johnforcitycouncil.com/.  

Council-at-Large Group 4: Juan Diaz (Republican)

None of the candidates for Council-at-Large Group 4 have run for or held political office previously. After careful review of all their proposals and positions, I have decided to vote for Juan Diaz. He is a young corporate attorney who has served on a variety of local boards, committees and civic organizations. He is a fiscal conservative and won a co- endorsement of the Concerned Taxpayers of Duval County. He advocates job creation through expansion of JaxPort, Mayport Naval Station, the Cecil Commerce Center and Jacksonville’s healthcare facilities. He opposes tax or fee increases as a means of balancing the city’s budget. Instead, he would work to eliminate duplication of services, make pension reforms, privatize some services, etc. The Northeast Florida Board of Realtors and United Christians of Florida P.A.C also endorse him. Website: http://diaz4jax.com/.

Council-at-Large Group 5: Robin Lumb (Republican)
This is another race in which none of the candidates has previous political experience. Robin won my recommendation because of his active opposition to Obamacare, including organization of Town Hall meetings and public forums, and his advocacy for expansion of JaxPort for job generation. A fiscal conservative, he does not believe tax hikes will solve the city’s budget problems. Instead, pension costs need to be brought under control along with budget discipline that focuses on essential services and basic needs (public safety, roads, parks and libraries). He is a small business owner and has served on many civic and charitable organization boards. Concerned Taxpayers of Duval County has endorsed him. Website: http://www.votelumb.com/.

The primary will be held on Tuesday, March 22nd. Early voting begins Monday, March 7th. Whether you agree with my selections or not, please vote.

MTV's "Skins"

After watching tonight's episode of MTV's new series Skins, I wish I could take my brain out of my head and give it a good scrubbing. Skins included teens engaged in lesbian sex, drinking, drug use, masturbation, heterosexual sex, and foul language, all within the first 15 minutes. It was all I could do to keep from switching channels at the first commercial break.

The series has created a media firestorm of outrage because the actors and actresses are under the age of 18. Many are calling for the adults responsible for this series to be prosecuted under laws forbidding child pornography. Under them, children are not allowed to be filmed in portrayals of sexual behavior. Clearly, this series does that.

The Parents Television Council called Skins the "most dangerous program that has ever been foisted on your children!" That is why I kept watching until the end of the episode. I have a strict policy of not commenting on books, movies, TV shows, music, etc., until I have read or seen the original. I do not rely on secondhand information and opinions.

By the end of the hour, I was seriously depressed and disillusioned. I have never put much stock in the idea of UFO's and aliens visiting planet Earth, but now I'm not so sure. Am I even on the same planet I was on when I was a teenager? Has it really gotten that bad in our schools and homes?

Why would any reasonably responsible adult ever produce -- or even want to produce -- such a show? Or, loving parents permit this show to be aired in their homes? Or, any advertisers want their businesses associated with it? Or, any teens want to watch it?

Far worse than the explicit sex is the show's degrading of our teens. It portrays them as totally irresponsible, self-centered, immoral, lazy, anti-social and stupid. The producers and writers disdain, if not hate, today's teenagers. Now, I know I don't have a whole lot of close contact with teenagers anymore. But, the ones I do know are not at all like the ones portrayed on this show. If they were, I would completely despair for our future. I don't because I think the show is reflecting the self-hatred of the adults -- the producers, directors and screenwriters -- behind it.

The show's writing is atrocious, and the acting is worse. Poor quality should kill the show, if nothing else. I am a little heartened that several advertisers have bailed already. Maybe I am too naive, but I do not think this show will appeal to most teens. The show should bomb in the ratings because no self-respecting teen will want to waste his or her time on this trash. That said, I would advise any parents whose children do find this show appealing to get them into counseling immediately.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Quiz

Check out the Martin Luther King, Jr. quiz. You will be surprised at the answers, originally posted on January 15, 2007, which can be found at .http://yankeereb.blogspot.com/search/label/%22Martin%20Luther%20King%20Jr.%22.

2011 Fearless Forecasts

Florida, but not Jacksonville, will take a direct hit from a category 3 or higher hurricane.


A major earthquake (6.0 or higher) will rattle a major city on the West Coast.

The Tea Party will strongly influence the Jacksonville city council and mayoral elections. Rick Mullaney will not be our next mayor.

Sarah Palin will decide not to run for President.

Inflation will be above 5% by year-end, primarily due to higher food and gas prices. Gas will be $5/gallon or more.

A second round of foreclosures will cause further declines in the real estate market. Commercial real estate defaults will bring another banking crisis, although not as severe as the last one.

The stock market will decline during the first three quarters but rise slowly in the fourth quarter back to 11,500.

War will break out on the Korean peninsula. China will intervene to stop it.

Israel will take matters into her own hands and strike at Iran’s nuclear production facilities. Obama will be furious at Israel.

Terrorists will hit a train or subway in the U.S.

Osama bin Laden will be captured, thanks to a Special Ops. Unit.

A tornado will hit Godfrey, Brighton or Jerseyville in Illinois.

Hilary Clinton will resign as Secretary of State.

A dormant volcano will roar to life in Europe or Russia.

An earthquake in Afghanistan will kill and injure some U.S. troops, but the subsequent rush to bring aid to locals will help solidify U.S.-Afghan relations with local leaders.

Flooding from Spring runoff in western Colorado or Utah will take out a portion of the old D&RGW rail-line between Denver and Salt Lake City.

Unemployment will stay stubbornly above 9%.

President Obama will announce he will not run in 2012 due to revelations of the Chicago-style corruption throughout his inner circle. Indictments will be expected, if not delivered, by year-end.

Rahm Immanuel, Obama’s former chief-of-staff, will not be elected Mayor of Chicago.

A major art museum will suffer a truly stunning and audacious art heist.

Although Obamacare will not be repealed, Congressional Republicans will be successful in defunding major provisions. Federal courts will continue to hand down mixed decisions on its constitutionality. Eventually, the Supreme Court will declare the mandatory purchase of health insurance unconstitutional but not in 2011.

The news media will be abuzz with the “state nullification” movement as a way of reining in federal power.

2010 Fearless Forecasts Results

Below are the results of the Fearless Forecasts I made at the beginning of 2010. I think I forgot to post them, but as you can see, the results show that I continue to be about 50/50 right and wrong. (The results are in parentheses after each prediction.) I have been doing these forecasts since college days. The practice started with a Catholic priest, chaplain of the campus Newman Club, who became concerned about us believing Jeanne Dixon, a famous soothsayer of the sixties and seventies, had special predictive skills. He challenged a group of us to make our own for that year, which he kept. The following New Year's, he took them out so we could compare our results with Dixon's. Ours were the same as hers: 50/50 true and false. For years, our group made and saved our predictions for our New Year's Eve party. I kept it up long after our party days had passed, and the results are always the same. My next posting will be my forecasts for 2011.

Jacksonville will experience a snowfall; it may not be officially measurable but it will accumulate slightly on grassy areas. (True: trace officially recorded on 12/26)


The Jaguars will not sign Tim Tebow. (True)

The St. Louis Cardinals will play in the World Series. (False)

The Bad News: Healthcare reform will be signed into law. (True)

The Good News: Healthcare reform will cause the Democrats to lose control of the House and the Senate. (Half true: Republicans took control of the House, not the Senate)

The Tea Party movement will grow and become more organized. (True)

The housing market will experience another precipitous drop in prices – 8% or more – due to more foreclosures from rising mortgage interest rates. (False: prices dropped but not by 8%+)

There will be a successful suicide bomber attack in the U.S., probably in Las Vegas. (False)

Jacksonville will not have a direct hit from a hurricane but Florida will. (Half true: neither was hit by a hurricane)

A damaging tornado will hit Jacksonville or the metropolitan area (St. John’s, Clay, or Nassau counties. (False)

A cruise ship will be hijacked by pirates or sunk by terrorists. (False)

Scientists will become more alarmed over seismic activity in the Yellowstone caldera. (Neutral: some are; some aren’t)

The economy will not recover much, especially unemployment, which will remain above 8%. (True)

The stock market will have a correction back down to @ 8,000, then sluggishly return to above 10,000 but less than 11,500 by year-end. (Half true: dropped but closed slightly above 11,600)

The Senate will block immigration reform if it has any type of amnesty for illegals. (True)

The upper Mississippi River valley will have major flooding this Spring. (False: had some)

Congress will halt the closing of Guantanemo or the transfer of terrorists to Illinois. (True)

Reflections on an Election: November 2, 2010

American voters may have saved the United States yesterday, November 2, 2010. The stakes in this midterm election were just that high. I awoke this morning with renewed hope.


Overall, the results should hearten conservatives who believe in limited federal government, rule of law according to the Constitution as intended by our Founding Fathers, fiscal responsibility, and free market capitalism. With a few exceptions, the country roundly repudiated Obama and his far left modus operandi. So far, thirty-one Tea Party candidates won election.

There were a few disappointments for me. Foremost was the reelection of Harry Reid to the U.S. Senate from Nevada. I was rooting for Ken Buck for U.S. Senator from Colorado and Tom Tancredo for Colorado’s Governor. However, I knew they were long shots. Republican insiders sabotaged Delaware’s Odonnell; I blame them for her defeat. Results from Alaska will be delayed until November 18th. It is looking as though U.S. Senator Murkowski may have won reelection as a write-in candidate, which would be disappointing. However, these are blips on the radar screen compared to the sweep of Republican victories nationwide.

What struck me, as I watched the returns through the night and into the wee hours of the morning, was the breadth and depth of the conservative victory. A sea of red ink floods maps of the United States at the county level. Democrats in small islands of blue are even more isolated than before. Naturally, the national media focused on the national races for Congress and the Senate and, to a lesser extent, the governors’ races.

Not only did the U.S. Congress flip to a Republican majority, but so did many state legislatures. Come January, there will many more states with Republican majorities in both legislative bodies and a Republican governor. Some of these have not had Republican control since the Civil War.

This state-level Republican control will have profound long-term effects. This being a census year, these Republicans will control redistricting in their states, which must be completed for the 2012 election. Future national leaders often emerge from these state bodies. The most successful presidential candidates have been governors historically. A strong electoral base can swing the results in national races for the state through better organization and enthusiasm.

So, how did my candidate and referendum choices fare? The following candidates I voted for won:

· Marco Rubio for U.S. Senator

· Rick Scott for Governor & Jennifer Carroll for Lieutenant Governor

· Pam Bondi for Attorney General

· Jeff Atwater for Chief Financial Officer

· Adam Putnam for Commissioner of Agriculture

· Charles McBurney for State Representative (District 16)

For race results already announced, only Ander Crenshaw (District 1 Congressional Representative) and John Thrasher (District 8 State Senator) won without my vote. Also, all the judges were retained, and I always vote against all of them because I do not believe in lifetime appointments or the process by which they are selected. I am still waiting to hear results on the Soil and Water Conservation District races. I voted for Phillip Laibe for Group 1, Curtis Winkler for Group 3, and Stuart J. Coffin for Group 5.

The only amendment or referendum that did not go the way I voted was No. 1 to repeal public campaign financing. Voters did not give it the 60% approval necessary to pass a Florida constitutional amendment.

Passage of constitutional amendments 5 and 6 was especially pleasing. I have long fought against “minority access” districts; Florida has now outlawed them. Districts will have to be drawn to be as compact, equal in population, and use existing geographical boundaries as is feasible. District lines cannot be drawn to favor incumbents or a political party or to deny equal participation in the political process.

U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, Florida’s most embarrassing politico, announced today she would file suit against these amendments. Her district is one of the most convoluted in the country, extending from Jacksonville to Orlando. She knows she will lose if she has to run in a geographically contiguous district here in Duval County. That prospect alone persuaded me to vote for amendments 5 and 6, despite opposition from most establishment Republicans and the Tea Party. Many Republicans and conservatives have come to love these minority districts because it isolates voters who generally vote Democratic.