NBC Nightly News Comes to West Virginia for Manchin/Raese Contest

Governor Joe Manchin and his campaign underestimated Raese's challenge for Byrd's Senate seat. Now they are fighting desparately to win. Campaign Manchin overestimated themselves and were entirely blind, until too late, at how upset average West Virginians are at Washington, thinking that the outrage and discontent was "just a Republican thing". Wrong.

Manchin, who wanted the glorious stamp of approval from the voters, might be wishing now he would have just appointed himself to fill Byrd's seat, which as Governor he had full power to do. But, he was absolutely sure he would be stamped 'approved'--relying on his popularity as Governor--without any trouble from an outsider with almost no political experience. Wrong again. A proverb warns: "Pride comes before the fall", and the "certainty" of Manchin winning the election (as he thought when deciding not to appoint himself) seems to be slipping from his political grasp. Rasmussen just reported that Raese's lead has increased.


It's all about Obama and a referendum against the present Congress and Obama administration in power that has railroaded sweeping new European type legislation that is the most socialist since FDR.

Now West Virginia wants change, ironically, and Raese is just a far better bet than the governor who is loyal to the Democrat party establishment. Obama is experiencing blow-back to his "Change" agenda. Mark it, for it will continue two years after this as well, when Rockefeller's seat comes up for election.

The State and local media too, which leans Democrat, has underestimated just how angry and vehement West Virginians are against the present Washington agenda. Even Rockefeller would have a hard time this year, if his seat was up for election against even the most novice Republican candidate.

The NBC video also proves the Gazette and Democrat establishment wrong in trying to portray the Tea Party movement as "extreme right-wing republican conservatives", as they interview Democrats voting for Raese too.

Governor Flipper? Manchin Goes National with FOX Against Obama Policies

FOX News did a nationally broadcast interview (see video below) with Governor Manchin pressing him whether he has now flip-flopped in support of President Obama's policies, primarily health care reform, to save his political hide from Republican challenger John Raese who is presently leading in the polls by 6 points (with early voting starting soon). This directly addresses the ad campaign Raese has leveled at Manchin, justly pointing out that he would likely become a political partisan in Washington and "rubber stamp for Barack Obama" (as Rep. Shelly Moore Capito was accused of by state democrats with Bush), because that is what tends to happen there for anyone who desires to gain power and personal advancement. (And make no mistake, Manchin's ego insists on personal advancement above all). Raese struck a nerve, and it is working. Watch Manchin play defense, desperately.



So does he really mean what he says? Or, has John Raese forced the Governor into it, through political threat, and now Manchin is playing the pragmatist to win. Manchin has everything riding on this as far as his political future, and he was arrogant enough to think it would be easy. Well guess what. Governor Joe is finding out that the Tea Party movement in fact is non-partisan, and he is now shifting with the political wind.

But why then did he have Bill Clinton campaign with him in Morgantown today? Campaigning with Clinton was a stupid move and sends an entirely different message than to the one in this interview with FOX.

It is also sickening to hear him brag about West Virginia's good financial situation, as if he deserves the credit, when it was done only by passing Table Games legislation and expanding the State government via gambling revenues, when the majority in the state opposed it, and the State Constitution does not permit it, nor was amended. So make no mistake, the state finances were fixed only by dishonest, unconstitutional dirty dealing to create more Gambling Revenues, not by job expansion or attracting employers. So, "Governor Soprano" (as Raese called him once) seems to fit the way Manchin operates, and he is not above using slick shady dealings to get done what he wants. The governor is more pragmatist than principled, which makes where he stands uncertain.

Credibility will be the issue here, for if Manchin was critical of Obamacare and fiscal policies he did not say anything about it until now, when his Senate race is on the line. Voters will decide soon.

Gov. Joe Manchin's Record as He Bids for Byrd's Senate Seat

When Manchin campaigned for governor 6 years ago he promised to improve the state climate for business in West Virginia. CNBC's state scoreboard says it all.

Since President Obama is focused on the economy, what does Manchin bring to the table? Only his "Open for Business" results .

Manchin cut taxes, good. But it was a food tax, which most states don't have. So he gets a C.

He managed the budget well, good, but only by bringing in casino table games to increase state revenues on top of lottery schemes. This increases revenues by defrauding others, their duped consent notwithstanding (what gambling is, and why its a crime until legalized, for the "house always wins"). And this trick was done by circumventing and violating the Constitution of West Virginia, as the WVU Law Professor interview proves (and the state supreme court refused to hear in appeal!) Only 4 of 55 counties got to vote.

clipped from politics.usnews.com West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin: Senate Run 'Highly Likely' clipped from www.cbsnews.com clipped from politics.usnews.com BOSTON — West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin said Friday that he'll make a decision next week on whether to run for the late Robert C. Byrd's Senate seat. "It's highly likely I will," he told The Associated Press at the National Governors Association meeting. clipped from www.pbase.com clipped from www.huntingtonnews.net EDITORIAL: What Exactly Has Manchin Accomplished to Merit U.S. Senate Seat? Six years later, Manchin has accomplished nothing like that helpful effort for West Virginia's business climate. clipped from www.cnbc.com #46 West Virginia Category Score 2010 Rank 2009 Rank Cost of Doing Business 283 15 10 Workforce 126 44 48 Quality of Life 117 40 39 Economy 134 24 11 Transportation & Infrastructure 82 38 39 Technology & Innovation 27 48 49 Education 71 34 35 Business Friendliness 4 50 50 Access to Capital 12 40 36 Cost of Living 17 17 15 OVERALL 873 46 46

Obama Comes Clean on Coal With Capito and Republicans: To Be "Put Out of Business...Not Right Away"

Here in this MSNBC video where President Obama met with Republicans to square off in some debate (where he proves to be extraordinarily skilled at both recitation and rhetorical presentation of facts for debate purposes, without a script or teleprompter) he finally comes clean on his policy for coal.  This clip shows Rep. Capito questioning Obama on this issue important to all West Virginians and his response.  This should remove any doubts that in the long term Obama's goal is to "put the old [i.e. energy source--coal] out of business", just not "right away".  These are his words addressed directly to Capito's forthright question below (after mentioning he has met and enjoyed working with Governor Manchin, a "divide and conquer" strategy).  Note Obama ducks for water and prepares himself as if he knows the question coming.

The ambiguity is now removed.  The Obama administration wants coal phased out "in the long run".  Governor Manchin should mark this whenever he deals or meets again with the President or his EPA administration.  Senator Byrd has already alluded to this long term policy by pushing back West Virginians from making harsh criticism.  Is this why Obama never campaigned in West Virginia?  Will West Virginia be "phased out" as a major energy supplier "in the long run"?  This is what "change" is all about in the energy policy front, and here in West Virginia.  Now everyone knows for certain which way the "powers that be" are pushing.

It appears that Rep. Capito formed her Coal Caucus just in time, which just added Rep. Mollahan (D) to its ranks to form a defense against this aggressive (and rather Statist) policy to control energy industries for a Utopian global agenda.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Manchin Stands Up For State's Rights vs. Federal Martial Law

Apparently in acting in capacity of the National Governor's Association, as second in leadership, Governor Manchin put his name to paper in defending States' Rights under the 10th Amendment of the Constitution to counter a usurping role of the Federal government and Pentagon during times of declared crisis.  This would also include governor's powers, versus federal, in response to a Swine Flu emergency:

Governors oppose DoD emergency powers

A bipartisan pair of governors is opposing a new Defense Department proposal to handle natural and terrorism-related disasters, contending that a murky chain of command could lead to more problems than solutions.

Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas (R), chairman of the National Governors Association, and Vice Chairman Gov. Joe Manchin (D) of West Virginia penned a letter opposing the Pentagon proposal, which they said would hinder a state's effort to respond to a disaster.

Current law gives governors control over National Guard forces in their own states as well as any Guard units and Defense Department personnel imported from other states....

REAL ID: Chertoff Threatens Governor (Montana), Governor Threatens Chertoff

Read this exchange! Gov. Schweitzer (D-Montana), a governor who truly fights for his citizen's constitutional freedoms, works with Gov. Manchin on the board of the Govenor's Association. Manchin has been complying while Schweitzer resisting REAL ID, as have the majority of republicans and democrats in the West Virginia legislature (see REAL ID tags). Manchin and the DMV have acted behind the scenes to stall and block any anti-REAL ID legislation. "Mountaineers are always free", if it is more than just the state Motto, is at stake.

Tell the Govenor and your legislators what you think, and take action below (DownsizeDC.org) to send your Congressmen an email on this too.

D o w n s i z e r - D i s p a t c h

---

Quote of the Day:

"Do you want our government to have the ability to track where you went, how you went, how you got there and when you got home? It would be naïve for someone to think this information will not be abused in the future. Virtually every decade these kinds of files have been used to violate people's privacy."
-- Brian Schweitzer, Governor of Montana

Subject: Chertoff threatens governor, governor threatens Chertoff

We knew that the state of Montana was resisting the REAL ID Act, but we just learned some of the details of that resistance. The story is so good we had to share it, in case you hadn't heard . . .

Brian Schweitzer, the governor of Montana, wrote a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. The letter informed Chertoff that Montana would not be complying with the REAL ID Act. Our quote of the day supplies one of the reasons for Governor Schweitzer's rebellion. In response to the letter . . .

Secretary Chertoff called Governor Schweitzer and threatened him. Chertoff told Schweitzer that Montana residents would be banned from airplanes, or subjected to severe, time-consuming inspections at airports.

The Governor countered with his own threat, "How about we both go on 60 Minutes a few days after the DHS starts patting down Montana driver's license-holders who are trying to get on the planes and both of us can tell our side of the story."

Chertoff didn't like that suggestion. He said, "I see the problem. We need to get this fixed."

So far, the "fix" involves granting Montana and all other rebellious states an extension of the deadline for complying with the REAL ID Act. But the real fix is to repeal REAL ID.

Have you protested to your elected representatives that the Secretary of Homeland Security has been threatening the citizens of states that don't comply with REAL ID? If not, please do so. You can mention the Chertoff-Schweitzer exchange in your personal comments. Ask Congress to repeal the REAL ID Act. You can send your message here.

If you've sent a REAL ID Act message recently, consider sending another "I am not afraid" message. We have a lot of new people who probably aren't familiar with our "I am not afraid" campaign. You can check it out here.

Please also consider making a donation to further our work. You can do so here.

Thank you for being a part of the growing Downsize DC army.

Jim Babka
President
DownsizeDC.org, Inc.

D o w n s i z e r - D i s p a t c h
is the official email list of DownsizeDC.org, Inc. & Downsize DC Foundation

West Virginia Conducts Improbable, Expensive Terror Excercise, Evacuation of D.C. Scenario

"Thomas says it’s costly to run emergency exercises like this and researchers like him hope to find ways to practice less expensively."

"The sky is falling, the sky is falling"; Homeland Security plays 'Chicken Little' again, at the cost of West Virginia taxpayers. The probability of this happening is microscopic! See our previous article, "OVERBLOWN", to put all this into more rational perspective.

According to the paranoid propaganda (similar to "mushroom clouds" from Saddam Hussein) we are to believe that "it is not if, but when" the nation's capitol WILL BE attacked, and a mass evacuation forced--because they say so! All of this to see if "radios and communication" work properly? Is this apocalyptic scenario (like catastrophic tides due to global warming) really that probable, or is this more of a psychological operation and way to get West Virginia government to comply with the "war on terrorism" program of Homeland Security? (Gov. Manchin previously conducted a "Flu Pandemic Summit" also in Charleston, another "not if, but when" scenario, and also supports REAL ID while the people and legislators largely oppose it).

Actually, even if a rehearsal were justified, there is a greater probability many would flee to Maryland or southern Virginia, since the interstates more immediately cross those areas, rather than the narrow portion of the West Virginia panhandle, and I-270 is the quickest northern route which would entirely by-pass the portion of I-81 this was conducted at. So even the emphasis on West Virginia does not make sense, which looking at the map shows.

View Larger Map

Meanwhile taxpayers should be told just how much this cost and how much came from the state budget.

Dirty bomb exercise tests West Virginia's emergency services

By Cecelia Mason

Listen Now (3:30)

Homeland Security spokesman discusses exercise

June 18, 2008

The scenario: A dirty bomb falls somewhere in the Washington D.C. area. Thousands of people evacuate to West Virginia. The state Homeland Security Department staged a major exercise yesterday to test whether West Virginia can handle such a scenario.

In Berkeley County, the local Homeland Security and Emergency Services Department set up a decontamination station on a strip of land between the county’s hospital and Interstate 81.

Shortly after 11 a.m. a West Virginia Emergency Response Team semi truck and trailer pulled up. Members from local fire and emergency services departments worked with members of the National Guard to empty the truck and erect tents where evacuees were decontaminated.

State Military Affairs and Public Safety Deputy Director Christy Morris was on hand to observe.

...Thomas says it’s costly to run emergency exercises like this and researchers like him hope to find ways to practice less expensively.

Alaska Becomes 9th State to Outlaw REAL ID

Tyrannical federal legislation has sparked another Civil War against federal despotism, and the states are seceding from REAL ID continually, essentially using the doctrine of Nullification based upon the 10th amendment of the Constitution.

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.

Any state that respects the Constitution and freedom for its citizens will do the same. Tell Governor Manchin and the legislators to make West Virgina the 10th State to ban REAL ID and follow the supreme law they swear to uphold!

clipped from www.aclu.org Alaska Becomes 9th State to Reject Real ID Governor Palin allowed the bill to become law, effective August of this year. Real ID is a federal mandate imposing a national ID card on all Americans through their state drivers' licenses. The Real ID Act of 2005 mandates that all states have compliant identification cards consistent with federal regulations, as well as requiring that all Americans' private information be held in a giant federal database – the cost and security of which is unknown. The states' response to the passage of Real ID has been steady. To date, 19 states have passed either resolutions or statutes against the program, including nine that have opted out completely. "Alaska has joined a growing nationwide movement against Real ID As the Department of Homeland Security continues its practice of kicking the can down the road, states are continuing to stand up for their residents' privacy and reject Real ID. Officials of both parties came together to pass legislation

FED UP With REAL ID: Cato Interviews SC Gov. Mark Sanford--"REAL ID Rebels"

Great interview with the Governor of South Carolina (R) who is resisting REAL ID, that Governor Joe Manchin, State legislators, and the entire public should listen to.

He frames the controversy as between State and Federal government power, and Liberty vs. Security, consistent with the Constitution, which all swear to defend and protect:

Listen to it on the Cato Institute Daily Podcast here

VOTE: May 13th Primary Elections--Educate Yourself, Vote Your Conscience, Reject "Group Think"

Here are the links from the Secretary of State's Office to online SAMPLE BALLOTS by county for all registered parties and voters.

clipped from www.wvsos.com West Virginia Primary and General Election Ballots Find your county's candidate list or sample ballot for the West Virginia Primary and General Elections here. The lists and sample ballots are posted for viewing using the Acrobat Reader. For information about how to download and use the free reader, see Acrobat Reader Help. If your county information is not yet available, you may request a sample from your county clerk. Go directly to the county and ballot links below.

USE THE SAMPLE BALLOTS TO DECIDE BEFORE YOU GO.

Since every candidate must swear to defend and protect the Constitution of West Virginia and of the United States, think about who WILL defend the Bill of Rights the most, that ensures our freedoms, that we are losing!

We can think of a few who would be better than their rivals:

--Ron Paul (R) for President, still in race, will increase delegates for voice in national convention; strict Constitutionalist, most conservative member of Congress on taxes and gun rights, limited government, personal liberty. [McCain is a RINO neoconservative (not conservative), deceives on war hero status, does not uphold the Constitution, blindly loyal to Israel, McCain-Feingold on illegal immigration, Keating Five member, megalomaniac on war policy, CFR member (world government), wants National ID, etc.]

--Edward Burgess for Delegate (R) St. Albans--strict Constitutionalist, activist

--Bob Bastress for Supreme Court (D)--only expert on the West Virginia Constitution. This is important since many issues of the state could involve controversies on the State and Federal Constitutions; i.e. mandatory drug testing, REAL ID, surveillance cameras, PATRIOT ACT powers, mandatory vaccination laws, home schooling, free speech issues, a rogue Legislature and Governor that trample the Constitution(s) through laws and executive power (e.g. tables games, privacy rights, private property rights, law enforcement powers, etc.)

--Dan Greear for Attorney General (R)--Law education, seems intellectually honest rather than partisan as top prosecutor.

--Corey Polumbo for Senate (D)--lawyer, intellectually honest, open, admitted table games were likely not Constitutional (but voted at the end for it anyway, glaring inconsistency; better be his last)

--ABSOLUTELY NO on Shelly Moore Capito (R) for US House of Reps--did not defend and uphold the Constitution on REAL ID, USA PATRIOT ACT, Military Commissions Act, domestic surveillance, unjustifiable Iraq and Afghan wars (for neocon regime change, not threats to US), gross overspending of tax dollars, Abramoff (convicted) recipient, Scooter Libby (convicted) supporter, partisan instead of Constitutional, lack of oversight in Page incident, little evidence of weighing constituents views contrary to party loyalty, liberal on social issues (abortion, government health care), not strict enough on 2nd amendment rights.

--ABSOLUTELY NO ON ANY INCUMBENT WHO VOTED FOR LEGISLATIVE PAY RAISE.

--VOTE AGAINST MANCHIN FOR GOVERNOR, who does not uphold the Constitution on REAL ID (4th and 10th amendments), free speech (signed unconstitutional ethics legislation in first month; threatened, intimidated Blankenship who ran ads against him, settled out of court), violated State Constitution on table games, 4th amendment privacy rights (favors mandatory drug testing; traffic surveillance cameras across state began in late 2007), heavy taxation (WV ranked 4th in total taxes as fraction of population income, with high food stamp population, highest State gas tax, corrupt anti-constitutional casino game tax scheme; credits himself on food tax, but resisted it, forced it to be gradual only; state is rich in revenue while people are comparatively poor), is partisan instead of law and issue oriented, political ambitions over good of West Virginians, arrogant (self made inaugural parade) and extravagant (Christmas parties at state expense, Gov. Mansion remodel, new gold dome) relying on political "noble family" status while feigning "buddy", flag waver instead of Constitutional defender, uses State money for subtle personal travel (bowl games, plane trips, extensive foreign travel), cronyism for political appointees (frankly, alot of Italians in key positions of power--see Knights of Columbus; wife and brother in state positions), Knights of Columbus member (loyalty to ideology of secret society that pushes militant Roman Catholic world view toward empire; not loyal to Constitution; persecutory toward Protestant Christians and others--see oath), and WVU-Heather Bresch Affair demonstrates favoritism, political protectionism and real family values of "privileged" status.

[These opinions are only those of the West Virginia Holler editor. Not paid for by any candidate or candidate's committees.]

REAL ID: Idaho Rejects, Missouri House Opposes, SC Governor Publicly Renounces--While Manchin Holds West Virginians Hostage

More wise States (but not including West Virginia, being held captive by Manchin and the head of DMV) are moving against REAL ID despite the phony "extensions" (measures to coerce compliance) from the Dept. of Homeland Tyranny. Most people, however, are still too ignorant about the issue of what really goes on at DMV (becoming federalized Gestapo outposts) when they are "processed" for their innocent looking drivers license. For when that occurs an entire biometric and data-mining system is then established on them (yes, "free citizens" pre-booked like arrested criminals), including the process of linking of their ID to foreign governments (i.e. Canada and Mexico. Yes, when you cross the border Canadian customs can pull your entire personal record, including occupation, up on their screen, courtesy of the federalized DMV). Meanwhile, the security merchandisers (like Viisage, contracted with West Virginia DMV, apart from legislative or judicial oversight with new privacy invasions) are making a killing, using your tax dollars, at the expense of your personal liberties! Manchin government is more than willing to have the latest hi-tech, privacy-killing, tyrannical ID system to tag, track, and monitor you, and of course have you pay for it under the guise of "public safety". It is more than just West Virginia's official slogan of "Mountaineers are always free" that has been set aside. It is the very constitution and laws defending that which are being abandoned which prevent an intrusive, liberty-killing, over-powerful government that claims the people are its property and tags them like sheep.

People need to read so here is some help. Do not miss Washington Times commentary ("REAL ID Side Effects) below from Gov. Mark Sanford (R - South Carolina), who writes this, which is similar to the position in previous SB248 (the bi-partisan West Virginia senate bill against REAL ID) which got buried by the Governor's minions:

Our greatest homeland security is liberty, and the Founding Fathers believed our greatest threat to liberty was a central government grown too powerful. Accordingly, they set up checks on federal power by vesting authority at the individual and state levels.

REAL ID disrupts this delicate balance of power in two ways. First, it turns the Founders' logic on its head by forcing states to act as agents for the federal government in creating a national ID card for federal purposes. Needing a REAL ID to board a plane or enter a federal building would also change the balance of power in something as seemingly insignificant as a visit to a member of Congress.

Too bad Gov. Manchin is not like this (as he worked to block passage of the anti-REAL ID bill in the House), despite that he swore to "defend and uphold the Constitution" (both State and Federal) upon entry to office! Manchin is either grossly ignorant or willingly defiant of the Constitution, bowing to the federal plea of "necessity". Democrat and republican voters alike should mark his constitutional violation well, which has occurred frequently behind warm smiles.

Along with the articles about Idaho now joining the growing list of anti-REAL ID states, and Missouri on the brink (as well as California), do not miss the blog article from Reasonable Citizen ("Making States Submit to Federal Authority"), who makes a strong case against REAL ID, including this good observation:

"The 9/11 Commission could have said: 'The States must set standards for drivers licenses and other forms of identification.' But, no, they decided that only the Federal government could set standards and then force the States to comply.... Why is the Federal government forcing this upon people? Because they know that nobody wants a Federal ID system. Nobody.... By forcing the States to do something at a local level, the Federal government can create a Federal ID system without taking any of the heat."

Idaho Joins the Ranks of the Anti-Real ID States
ACLU (press release) - New York,NY,USA
"Governor Otter heeded the will of the people this week when he rejected the invasive and problematic Real ID Act," said Barry Steinhardt, director of the

Missouri House passes bill to prohibit Real ID
Kansas City Star - MO,USA
The Missouri House approved a bill sponsored by Guest, a King City Republican, prohibiting the state from complying with the federal Real ID Act. The act, ...

Idaho House Shoots Down REAL ID--West Virginia Should Follow Suit

Idaho makes a gesture to the Feds and Homeland Security about REAL ID, similar to what West Virginia's Senate approved recently in SB248. Unlike Governor Manchin, Idaho's governor, who originally supported REAL ID, now repudiates it!

clipped from www.newwest.net Idaho House Shoots Down Real ID The Idaho House passed unanimously yesterday a bill directing the Idaho Department of Transportation not to implement the federal REAL ID Act – a decision that, if passed by the Senate and signed by Governor Butch Otter The so-called Real ID is an unfunded Congressional mandate from 2005 for nationwide specifications for drivers’ licenses that was ostensibly intended to help protect Americans from terrorists, but it has since been opposed by more than 30 states, including Montana. The Idaho Legislature had passed a joint memorial last year opposing REAL ID, but that bill had no force of law, while this one specifically tells ITD not to implement it and to report to the Governor and the Legislature any federal attempts to force the department to do so. Otter was a cosponsor of the bill when he was in Congress but has since repudiated it as too expensive and an attack on civil liberties.

Montana Governor to Feds: "Go to Hell" On REAL ID; Governor Joe Manchin Plays the Puppet

While other governors like our own Gov. Joe Manchin are playing politically-correct puppets like cowards and complying with REAL ID, to kiss up to the federal powers (for political ambitions?), the governor of Montana is standing up boldly like a man (consistent with his oath of office) for the Constitution, State's Rights, 4th amendment privacy of their citizens and challenging what he called the "bluff" of the Federal government with its threats of "special treatment" beginning May 11th for those whose states are rejecting REAL ID (see earlier post).

West Virginia almost joined seventeen other states that have passed measures against REAL ID as well when the Senate passed bipartisan bill 248 with only three dissenting votes until the governor's lobbying got it stalled in House committee without an up or down vote. The governors and legislators of Maine and New Hampshire have made it clear they will not bow to federal threats or coercion against their citizens (by arbitrary and unconstitutional treatment) either that are being used to intimidate to force REAL ID upon the states.

The governor of Montana should be an example to Gov. Manchin, and the government and people of West Virginia. As Ronald Reagan stated once,

"All of us need to be reminded that the federal government did not create the states; the states created the federal government".

Therefore the sovereignty of the states, demonstrated in their creation and limiting of federal powers, is the chief defense in preventing federal despotism, particularly effecting citizens rights and privacy.

This is a short, must-listen NPR interview that every American needs to hear. (Click the link at the top of the clip if the "listen now" does not open the player, to go directly to the story page and audio).

clipped from www.npr.org Nation Montana Governor on 'Real ID' Act Listen Now [4 min 21 sec] add to playlist All Things Considered, March 7, 2008 · Montana is one of several states that have balked at a federal law requiring states to issue tamper-proof identification cards to residents. Gov. Brian Schweitzer discusses his state's opposition.

West Virginia Senate Bill Against REAL ID Passes, DMV and Governor Manchin Opposes

How the governor can oppose a bill that upholds the Constitution of West Virginia as well as the U.S. (see REAL ID info at top of blog) is beyond the scope of reason or justification. This bill has bi-partisan support and only OUTSIDE PRESSURE from Homeland Security and the "security merchandisers" (who profit from REAL ID at the expense of citizen's liberties), who also might play an influencing role in the governor's personal political ambitions, could be the possible agents of opposition. It is has been introduced in the House but taken a detour to a transportation committee (to be leaned on by the DMV most likely).

The governor has sworn to uphold both the State and Federal Constitutions (including 4th and 10th Amendments) and so have the legislators. They are therefore duty bound by law to support and sign this important legislation, without amendment, and IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE FEDERAL DEADLINE, to ensure that "Mountaineers are always free" from federal or state despotism, under the "plea of necessity". Is the governor against our liberty and freedom, and the Constitution? Over 17 States have passed legislation against the REAL ID Act. Most recently Montana rejected it, and the Democrat governor of Montana has been vocal about a full rebellion by the states, collectively, against it! How does the Daily Mail call this "long odds" with all this opposition, and only "three dissenting votes"?

Hats off to the Republicans in particular, like Senators Vic Sprouse (who co-sponsored Senate bill 248) and Clark Barnes, who are finally leading republicans in beginning to defend "individual liberty" and the Constitution, consistent with the republican platform. This also demonstrates a clear case where Rep. Shelly Moore Capito was wrong in supporting this unconstitutional federal legislation, which was coerced through by craft under another measure. Republicans are playing a key national role in its rejection by the states. A good conservative blog against REAL ID can be found at REAL ID WATCH.

Democrats have usually defended (constitutional) privacy rights in particular, and should help turn the Governor back to Constitutional restraints on government, which have been eroding in West Virginia as privacy has been trumped by surveillance propagandists and Mayors and County Commissioners who are pushing tyrannical "security" measures.

See our previous posts under the label "REAL ID", and see the video to right where a Senator from Maine argues against REAL ID, resulting in that state's justifiable and first rejection of it.

clipped from www.dailymail.com Bill attacking REAL ID wins Senate passage despite long odds CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- After seeming dead in the morning, a bill objecting to a federal driver's license law passed the Senate Wednesday night after passionate debate. The measure, ultimately passed with three dissenting votes, would block state participation in the REAL ID Act, which aims to create a national standard for driver's licenses and other identification cards in the name of homeland security. The bill blocking participation in the REAL ID Act has drawn opposition from the state Division of Motor Vehicles and Gov. Joe Manchin. Support for the measure was rallied on the Senate floor by Sen. Clark Barnes "As West Virginians, we have some tolerance of the federal government, but very little,'' the Randolph County Republican said. Barnes said the REAL ID Act amounts to a violation of privacy because it would tie state DMV computer records in with a national database