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Krystlehttp://crystalclearconservative.wordpress.comMeet Krystle, a blogger who loves to cook, run, and talk about politics/sports. I can be contacted at crystalclearblogger@gmail.com.

Fast and Furious Scandal Unveiled on Univision

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Well, it’s about time more information starts being uncovered on the Fast and Furious scandal.   The Daily Caller has a great article explaining in detail exactly what happened with the scandal that has been plaguing the Department of Justice and Obama Administration.  However, I am more impressed that Univision has a great report delving deeper into this scandal (see video)

The bigger question remains:  Why is Eric Holder still in charge of the Justice Department?  He should have been kicked out a long time ago.

Guest Post: I Won’t Surrender to Criminals – Neither my Property Nor My Life

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This is a guest post from Ross Puskar, author of “Founding Fathers Know Best.”

As a young man I was taught by my dad and my uncles to stand up for myself. Their advice was plain-spoken. I was not to start any fights, but if someone hit me I should hit back. I was admonished to act like a man.

In school I learned that when Germany and Japan attacked the United States, we fought back. We defended America. And I learned our Founding Fathers would not submit to the tyranny of King George. They risk their lives, fortunes and sacred honor when they declared their Independence. They would fight to the death to protect their property and families and Liberty.

Has our culture completely changed today? Disturbing zero tolerance policies on in-school fights require expulsion of any student who fights back. Some cities advocate surrendering to criminals without attempting any self-defense. Would the Founding Fathers ever understand these obsequious policies? How would they react to any Government that promotes immediate and complete submission?

The situation in Washington, DC is particularly disconcerting. Their official safety policy has been articulated by Deputy Mayor Paul Quander: “It’s much better in my opinion to be scared or to be frightened, and even if you have to be injured, but to walk away and survive. You’ll heal and you can replace whatever was taken from you.” And Mr. Quander added, “If you are armed it escalates the situation.”

The violent crime rate in DC for a recent two month period was up 40%, and robberies at gun point increased by 50%. In addition, Washington, DC is arguably the most difficult place in America to get a license to carry a concealed weapon. All the odds seem to be in favor of the criminals and against law-abiding citizens.

Of course submitting and surrendering to the criminals, as the Deputy Mayor suggests, is no guarantee one will escape unharmed, or even alive. One would be at the mercy of an illicit element who have no respect for laws or civilization.

I confess. Washington, DC’s safety concept is anathema to me. I don’t understand it and I could never accept it. I’m also very pleased to learn I share a position with the vast majority of my fellow Americans. According to a recent Reuter’s poll, 67% of our citizens believe in using deadly force to protect themselves in a public place.

The submit and surrender policy of Washington, DC is wrong. It reflects spurious thinking by persons without values. There is no place in our great nation for that kind of appeasement and cowardice. Especially not in the capital bearing the name of the Father of our Country!

I would not teach a daughter to be scared, to surrender her money, to suffer injury, and to submit without a fight.  I would not ask a husband to allow his wife to endure indignity and harm before he would attempt to defend her. I would not suggest a mother allow her child to be assaulted and not try to protect her.

What advice would you give to your family and friends?

If a person would not try to protect his property or his family or himself – who or what would he fight for? Is there anything or anyone for whom he’d risk his life? Or would he always submit? To me, surrendering to any criminal element seems un-American. It seems a violation of the sacred trust willed to us by the Founding Fathers.

I have another confession. My son-in-law and daughter live right outside Washington, DC. My advice to them is as simple as my dad’s advice to me. Stand up for yourself. Get a license for a concealed weapon. Buy and carry a good gun. And let the criminals decide if they want to risk their lives messing with you.

Whether you agree or disagree, I’m very interested in learning your thoughts on this issue.  What would you do if confronted by a criminal? by an armed criminal? Would you simply surrender your hard-earned money? Would you suffer injury without fighting back. Please write your comments and let us know. Thanks.
Ross Puskar is the author of the new political satire Founding Fathers Know Best about the spirits of Adams, Jefferson and Madison returning to the White House to counsel the President on the issues of the election of 2012. It’s now available at amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.  You can follow Ross on Twitter (@FFKnowBest) and Facebook (Ross Puskar) and you can like FFKB on Facebook.

Eleven Years Later…

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I still get angry when I look back on the events that took place eleven years ago.  It felt like a sense of security was taken from us on that beautiful September day.

Eleven years ago, I was a sophomore at a college in Maryland.  I was getting ready for class, when my Mother told me to come into her room.  I walked into her room, only to see a plane hit the World Trade Center.  Originally, I thought it was a pilot error, until I saw the other plane hit.  Then, I knew this was not an ordinary plane crash caused by pilot error.  I left home that morning, only to be stuck in traffic on Maryland Route 140, hearing that a plane had hit the Pentagon.  Upon parking my car in front of the Psychology building, I ran to the sociology department for class.  I found out there would be no class that day.

As I was leaving to head home, I called my Mom, who said my cousin was supposed to be working on an IT project at the Pentagon.  Instantly, I tried calling, then texting my cousin to find out if he had made it out.  No answer, and then I called out sick to work to be with my family.  It was a daunting two hours before we found out he was okay and was not in the Pentagon during the crash.  He overslept and decided to head to the office.  Since cell phone signals were out all over the place, he could not answer many frantic calls checking in on his safety.

Needless to say, I will always remember what happened eleven years ago and how it destroyed my sense of security.

The Silence and a CCC Wedding

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There have been quite a few good things happening in CCC’s life right now.  While all is well, I am taking a longer than usual sabbatical from blogging.  At this point, I am hoping to be back blogging about politics and life later this week or as time allows.

In the meantime, I would like to share some thoughts on wedding planning.  If you have or are in the process of wedding planning, I am certain you will commiserate with me that it is hard work.  I mean outside of the budget, the lessons of dealing with vendors, etc. have taught me that it is time to toughen up on my negotiation skills.  Thankfully, the dress has been bought, the church and reception site booked, as well as the other small details.   December will be here before I know it, and then I will be depressed that everything flew by so fast.

So, I don’t want to turn this into a wedding blog.  God knows, there’s enough of that out there.  The political and sports talk will be back soon.  I just wanted to let you know that I am alive and well in the palatial above ground bunker.

The Great Hair Ticket

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Well, it’s Romney/Ryan 2012!  Game on…and welcome to The Great Hair Ticket.

Am I disappointed in the pick?  No.  Actually, Romney needed Paul Ryan to boost the Republican ticket.  Ryan has a pretty solid record on fiscal issues, which will definitely be appealing to those who are fiscally conservative, and he also has a libertarian lean (as noted in the video below).

While there are some issues where I disagree with Ryan, I think he is a solid pick.  This will no doubt help Romney in the Midwest, where the race has been tightened.

We need change.  I don’t think the hope and change that was elected in 2008 is the answer (rather that change has been a disaster).  The real change is someone who is actually committed to turning around our economy and reducing government spending.  This has been an area, where Barack Obama and his cronies have failed consistently.  Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan are more committed to getting America back on the right track.

Oh, and I am so glad this website is back…”Hey Girl, it’s Paul Ryan.”

Is Voter Intimidation on the Rise?

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How would you feel if your personal information was distributed to a newspaper because you signed a petition regarding a controversial issue?  You would probably feel violated and feel threatened by groups who may vehemently disagree with the specific issue.

In Maryland, there are thousands of people who may be feeling violated as the state Board of Elections released a database containing the names and addresses of those who signed the petition in support of traditional marriage between one man and one woman on the general election ballot in November.  The Washington Blade obtained the database to show its readers who signed the petition to bring this law to question, which would make same-sex marriage legal in Maryland.

Does this sound like voter intimidation to you?  After all, this database could be used to empower groups who support same-sex marriage to target those who may disagree with them and forcibly persuade voters to change their stance on this issue.   For example, similar actions have been taking place like this throughout the country.  While a majority of this has been focused on those who do not support same-sex marriage, these tactics could extend to other issues as well.

When one goes to sign a petition on bringing a controversial issue to a general election ballot, they should not feel threatened for voicing their concerns.   While this information was likely obtained through a FOIA request, this information should not have been released in its entirety to readers of a publication.  This is bad journalistic efforts on behalf of The Blade to release the database to its readers, in an attempt to possibly threaten those who disagree with them on same-sex marriage.

If this action can happen in a neighboring state, this same thing could happen in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  This election is crucial in so many ways, and it does not need to go down to illegal and coercive tactics to persuade people to vote one way or another.  If there are differing issues, it is best to follow proper political discourse and respectfully disagree.

We’re going to tax you…all in the name of ObamaCare

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Today’s Wall Street Journal featured the dissent of the Supreme Court justices on ObamaCare.

I feel that you should read this before I go into a rant against Chief Justice John Roberts and his other bench mates, who decided to keep the mandate as a tax. Personally, we experienced an attack on our constitutional liberties yesterday, and this decision will go down in history as one of the worst examples of judicial overreach our nation has ever seen. Basically, this sets the precedent for the power to tax over everything. Who knows? Obama may hate red headed females and decide to tax them because of their natural (or not-so-natural) tresses. If this happens, I’m doomed.

I’ll have more on the health care case later.

Obama wants more of your $$$

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At first, he wanted you under his thumb by ramming his health care law down your throat.  He has been effective at destroying your liberties and better yet stomping on the Constitution.

Now, his own supporters are doubting he has the chance to win, and he is begging for your donations to his campaign.  If you and your significant other are planning to get hitched, forget registering at Target or Crate and Barrel…because you can register with Barack Obama’s campaign.  Desperation has at an all-time low with the Obama campaign.

Let’s just say this…my fiancé and I will not be registering with Obama.  We would rather have the Kitchen Aid stand mixer from Williams Sonoma…thank you very much.

Walker’s Victory Displays the True Colors of the Liberals

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Congratulations to Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker! Walker (and his fellow Republicans) won the recall election last night. This means he can continue to be a thorn in the side of the public sector unions and bring true fiscal accountability to the Badger State.

However, Walker’s victory was not well received by the union workers and the Democrats. Instead, they found ways to suck up another fifteen minutes of fame by whining about their defeat and even using violence (as you can see in the clip). I feel the need to highlight some of the pathetic displays by the liberals in Wisconsin last night.

Cue 1: A supporter of Tom Barrett got a little emotional over the defeat.

The exact quote from the emotional Barrett supporter:

I’m very emotional because we all had invested in this. This was it. If we didn’t win tonight, the end of the U.S. as we know it just happened. This is it. We just got outspent $34 million to $4 million. And we don’t have any more resource left but the people you see here behind me. And if the people you see here behind me can’t get it done tonight, it’s done. Democracy’s dead.

So, you had a lot invested in defeating Walker…big whoop-de-freaking-do! However, don’t go saying the end of the U.S. is over due to the loss. Heck no, it isn’t! Rather, Wisconsin is better off under Walker’s leadership, as he has nearly eliminated the deficit and has not raised taxes. In fact, property taxes actually went down in the state. (Source)

If you think the whining was not enough, you are right. Another Barrett supporter actually took things to the extreme by slapping Barrett in the face before he delivered his concession speech.

Cue 2: A nice slap in the face really gets your point across…NOT!

Wow…this is real classy! I thought liberals represented the party of peace. I guess not. Hasn’t anyone ever told her that violence is not the answer or the way to persuade people? I guess not.

Despite the outlandish (and humorous) behavior of Barrett supporters, I have to congratulate Walker, Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch, and three of the four State Senators (who were also recalled and emerged victorious).

Race Recap: Springfield 5K

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Granted, I have not been blogging lately.  No excuses!  Of course, it is hard balancing training, work, and life.

Since I last logged on, I ran another 5K.  I have decided to focus on shorter distance races, instead of pushing myself towards the half marathon.  Since the knee injury last year and the pain that I am still experiencing due to scar tissue, I am playing it safe this time around.

Last Saturday, I ran the Springfield 5K, which was held in conjunction with the Springfield Days festival.  My friend urged me to run this race, as he was planning to run the 15K.  While the 15K was tempting, I opted for the 5K to attempt to shatter my previous record:  30:45 (which I accomplished at the Walter L. Mess W&OD 5K in March 2012).

The 5K started off downhill, so I was able to run faster than usual.  I would guess my pace was in the  8 minute/mile arena.  However, the early downhill did have a negative impact, when it came to keeping the pace in the flat portions of the course.  I knew going fast in the beginning might backfire and result in some walk breaks a little down the line.

By the time the 5K runners separated from the 15K runners, I knew it was going to be a reversal where we would have to go back uphill again.  For some reason, my body was not too thrilled.  If my quads were able to give me the middle finger or scream, they would have on the Commerce Street hill.  I just dug deep and pushed myself to get up that hill in one piece.  By the time I got over that hill, my adrenaline kicked in and I sprinted back to the line.

Overall, I placed 12th in my age group with a time of 30:36 (9 seconds off my previous time).  If you are looking for local races, check out RunWashington.com.   The next race I am looking at running is another 5K during Father’s Day weekend in Cleveland.  Hopefully, I shave a minute off this time (if things work in my favor).