And these student journalists don't resort to hyperbole

And they probably will never get a job after graduation.

Covering the debate on gun control between the College Democrats and College Republicans over at the other university in Iowa.

Head over there to find out who won.

Homeland Security Compiling TSA Enemies List

Report: Homeland Security Compiling TSA Enemies List

The secret memo was written “in response to the growing public backlash against enhanced TSA security screening procedures and the agents conducting the screening process,” explained the DHS document’s introductory paragraph. It was issued in the form of an “administrative directive” after high-level meetings between American “security” bosses like Janet Napolitano and TSA overlord John Pistole. And Obama apparently approved.

The memo reportedly labels opponents of the TSA’s heavy-handed groping, naked-body scanners, and other procedures as “domestic extremists.”

As David Codrea has often said, "They hate us because we're free."

Protest TSA, get labeled as a "terrorist threat" and your name gets put on a list. Remember the Brady bunch and members of Congress want to use that list to deny your right to arms.

Free speech ain't so free.

Billboards are offensive

At least anti-Obama billboards.

Iowa isn't the only place where putting up a billboard will get you into trouble. A Grand Junction business owner received death threats over his connection with this sign:

"He got a lot of calls out of his place of business that he said he was fine with. When things got out of hand and people started calling his wife, that's when he decided to go ahead and take it down," says Blake Brueggeman, owner of Integrity Auto Repair. Brueggeman leases property from the billboard owner.

The sign's artist says it's meant to convey a message. It showed President Obama as a terrorist, gangster, Mexican bandito and a homosexual. "It's got a lot of symbolism in it, in that all of those characters are issues being mishandled by presidency," says creator of the sign, artist Paul Snover.

Ah, the lost art of political satire. It's death is coming soon.

H/T to Concerned American at Western Rifle Shooters Association

A comment that Concerned American left here during the Obama/Hitler/Lenin billboard "controversy":

A bad thing....once bullies have measured you (including the Repubs who shout and then apologize) and found you to be weak, they'll take everything from you, including your ribcage.

That offensive billboard:

The billboard that won't go away (updated)

Like a really bad horror movie, you can tell this has bad acting, cheesy props and cardboard characters. But you keep watching it until the end.

Mason City councilman, Scott Tornquist, is worried about the town's image.

...because folks from all over the country are expressing concern the city is supporting and promoting the sign.

Tornquist disagrees, and says the actions of a few people expressing their freedom of speech do not reflect the city's view.

Billboard has Impacts on the Community

So it's the city's view that they don't want people to express their freedom of speech if someone else doesn't like it?

Maybe this clears up my question:

In fact, this is not the first controversial sign the tea party's put up in town.

Tournquist said, "what's unique about this particular one that its offensive to such a large majority regardless of political party."

So now free speech is okay if it isn't offensive?

(Update - I posted before about one of their billboards at Truth in advertising placed in the same location as this dreaded one)



I don't understand what is so offensive about the billboard. But from the comments left behind at the news sites I've listed over this, it's because the billboard is racist.

So socialists are a minority protected by law? Who would have thought that?

But the howling left in this country need a scapegoat and found one in The Rose Bowl, a popular bowling alley the teaparty members use for their meeting. But that would be in a past tense, as in used to meet there. It seems that the business was receiving protests from around the county and now they caved and told the teaparty to practice picking up spares somewhere else.

The left can claim a victory for freedom and democracy now. Hurrah.

In a bold move of counting their chickens before they come home to roost (mixing my metaphors again):

Since the controversy, Democrats are now planning to use the billboard in a fundraising push for mid-term elections.

One of the local democratic leaders who worked on the Obama campaign says the tea party has given them an opportunity.

Dean Genth said, "I think because they put the billboard up and gave us a challenge, Democrats far and wide are gonna be energized to say we don't want that kind of vile, despicable behavior "

"That's despicable!" - Dean Genth.


He must think that Democrats, who give money to Democrats, will now give money to Democrats because of this billboard. Confused, yet?
(As a reader pointed out, "That's despicable," is actually a Daffy Duck quote. True, but I found this costume first.)

In a last ditch effort of statesmanship fail:

Tornquist tells us the city council could take action such as not allowing billboards in town, but he cautions by doing that they would be involving the government with the freedom of speech.

Tournquist hopes this is a learning experience for the community. It proves citizens can speak up and have their voice heard.

In the future, your voice may be heard only if the city council of Mason City approves it. Just like any common thug extortionist, this councilman is threatening a citizen's right to be heard with the implied "we'll deny all speech" if it's not an approved content.

So, who's acting like Hitler or Lenin, now?

Speak up, Mason City. Just don't say something that will give the city a bad image.

See, no more poster

In a reaction to criticism of their poster (Obama-Hilter-Lenin billboard getting press), the local Tea Party relented and asked for it to be covered up.

Spokesman Bob Johnson had this to say:

"The sign is covered out of respect for other Tea Party people," he said.

"The national (Tea Party) people are right, in that it is a distraction from the message the Tea Party is trying to get out."

Controversial billboard in Mason City covered up

They intend to replace it with a much more subdued message in the next couple of days.

In a fit of hyperbole, Mayor Erik Bookmeyer said:

Placing Mason City in the limelight nationally and internationally in this manner is despicable and inexcusable. That message does not reflect the core values of our community.

Quit equating Obama with other socialists, because he probably won't be as bad or evil as Hitler, Mussolini, Lenin, Stalin, Mao...

I should add the offensive billboard:

Obama-Hilter-Lenin billboard getting press

This billboard in Mason City, IA is receiving some press from around the state

Obama, Hitler billboard ‘not disrespectful,’ Tea Party leader says

“It’s a statement on his policies.”

Tea Party billboard draws ire in Mason City

"It's borderline hate crime."

Iowa billboard compares Obama to Hitler; draws criticism

The White House declined to comment.

What is today?

JPFO explains: What is Bill of Rights Day?

What does google think important:



Who is LL Zamenhof and who cares?

Reaction to Obama's speech

The Quad City Times has a few reactions to Obama's speech from local veterans and fathers of veterans.

Ret. Army Col. Hugh Pries, who at age 59 re-entered the Army and served a tour of duty in Iraq from February 2007 through January 2008, said he grew angry as he listened Tuesday night to President Barack Obama's speech on Afghanistan.

And

David Pautsch of Davenport, whose son Cpl. Jason Pautsch, 20, was killed April 10 while serving in Iraq, and his other son, Jared, 24, is serving in Afghanistan, said Obama has put the troops in more danger.

"I think it's brazen cowardice," Pautsch said of the president's speech. "That you could actually talk about withdrawing the troops before you've even sent them is just sheer stupidity. It makes all our troops that much more unsafe."

Read more at Obama's speech angers some locally

Simple formula at WRSA

Over at Western Rifle Shooters Association:

The people in this country who truly cherish freedom in all of its manifestations (thought, guns, speech, religion, association, private property, etc.) had better darned skippy get used to the idea that we are a cursed minority and will be for the foreseeable future.

The simple formula is this:

- We're screwed

- There's gonna be a fight

- Let's win

Read the rest at Repost: Let's Win

Humorous truth

A Holiday Note for all the King's Men (Hessians too!)

Truth in advertising?

Or, Free Speech - Deal with it.

Mason City, IA now displays a billboard paid for by a group called Concerned Citizens. Billboard questions country's direction

MASON CITY — A billboard on the 600 block of South Federal Avenue berates the Obama administration in a manner that has offended some who have seen it.

Mark Tlusty, who helped organize the “Tea Party” anti-tax protest in Central Park in April, said, “We’re just getting upset at how the government is running things. We wanted to express ourselves and chose this way to do it.”

But not everyone is happy. Someone got their panties in a bind:

Kathleen Wild of Mason City contacted the Globe Gazette to express her concerns after seeing the billboard.

“I think it’s a terrible thing to have above Mason City, which is a city of diversity,” she said.

Last time I checked we live in a nation of Free Speech. (At least it's supposed to be.) I'm guessing Kathleen's version of Mason City has no diversity of thought. Irony, anyone?

The offensive sign -