The American Spectator : Barney Does Brussels: Why It Matters

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Barney Does Brussels: Why It Matters

By Jeffrey Lord on 2.17.09 @ 6:08AM

An Australian fire, a Dutch MP, Barney Frank and Maxine Waters.

On the surface the stories are just old and new.

But if signal flares count for anything, they are going off now at a rate that rivals the Fourth of July fireworks over the Washington Monument.

First (but of course), America's Barney Frank.

The story dates from 2007. Various news outlets (CNN, Washington Examiner) report that Congressman Barney Frank has been to Brussels and, as well, London. On the trip with him is his House Financial Services buddy, Rep. Maxine Waters. How did they get there? After all, this is the crew (along with another HFS Committee member, California's Brad Sherman) who would soon be hauling carmakers and bankers in front of their committee to complain about the use of private jets from those who accept taxpayer dollars.

Well, they flew, of course. Specifically on a Boeing 737 Executive Jet operated by 201st Airlift Squadron of the D.C. Air Reserve Guard. Which is to say, a jet paid for by the taxpayers. You. Were they cramped in their seats? No. We learn that the Barnster and Maxie were in "plush first class seats." They had 34 to chose from. Plus, according to CNN, a conference area with table and full length couch, retractable movie screens that pop out of ceiling to see the latest movie, and a galley for full meals, snacks, and appetizers. This leaves out the Air Force stewards at their beck and call, not to mention the usual staff, both civilian and military.

Cost to hike Mr. Frank and Ms. Waters and their entourage across the pond to a couple European capitals and back? $10,000 an hour. Cost for that part of the adventure? $160,000.

Let's move Down Under.

As we speak, stunned Australians are in the process of recovering from a vicious fire that has killed at least 200 people.

Let's have a victim speak for himself. The account is from the theage.com.au (caution, a profanity ahead.):

ANGRY residents last night accused local authorities of contributing to the bushfire toll by failing to let residents chop down trees and clear up bushland that posed a fire risk.

During question time at a packed community meeting in Arthurs Creek on Melbourne's northern fringe, Warwick Spooner -- whose mother Marilyn and brother Damien perished along with their home in the Strathewen blaze -- criticised the Nillumbik council for the limitations it placed on residents wanting the council's help or permission to clean up around their properties in preparation for the bushfire season. "We've lost two people in my family because you dickheads won't cut trees down," he said.

"We wanted trees cut down on the side of the road … and you can't even cut the grass for God's sake."

Later, the meeting was cut short when Mr Spooner's father, Dennis, collapsed in his chair and an ambulance had to be called. Despite losing his wife and son and everything he owned, a friend later said he had not stopped or slept since the weekend.

Another resident said she had asked the council four times to tend to out-of-control growth on public land near her home, but her pleas had been ignored.

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topics:
Government Intrusion, Government Waste, Barney Frank

About the Author

Jeffrey Lord is a former Reagan White House political director and author. He writes from Pennsylvania at jlpa1@aol.com.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (27) | Leave a comment

bobmontgomery| 2.17.09 @ 6:25AM

In an era of instant communications, the global left is passing legislation, issuing executive orders and coordinating with it's overseas bretheren faster than those of you who are waking up can react. Forty years of the New Age conditioned the public to accept socialism, no matter how much they pretend to be outraged when individual outrages are shown to them. They may cling to their guns and their religion, but when necessary, will they use them?

Pecos Pete| 2.17.09 @ 7:34AM

Bob: "They may cling to their guns and their religion, but when necessary, will they use them?"

Good question. Religion and guns.

Religion is being reduced as a moral imperative on a daily basis in the USA. If it feels good, do it. Sounds like a stimulus plan.

Gun ownership is rising, but will owners use their guns? New Orleans sort of proved differently as most gun owners watched the police confiscate their guns. Not too promising.

Melvin| 2.17.09 @ 8:26AM

Very good point Pecos Pete. Like with anything else, different time different political mood. At the time New Orleans had just been run over by a major hurricane, communications with the outside world was limited or nonexistent.
Many New Orleans residents saw law enforcement pull up and naturally figured that they were to help with disaster relief. The New Orleans firearms issue can be an major discussion all unto itself, but now we are dealing with corruption and political hooliganism on a national and states level.
Will legally armed citizens draw a line in the street and take actually potshots and law enforcement personnel? That question is like wondering if we are going to win the lottery.
We must keep in mind that it the kindling is being prepared by a corrupt government for an angry America, and it could only take one incident to turn that kindling into a raging brushfire that would set off a shot to be heard around the world.
When a person says revolution, Americans tend to think of some third world dictatorship some where, thousands of miles away, but here, in what the world considers the most civilized country in the word?
It all boils down to Americans be so damn frustrated with government and capitalism because both have taken advantage of the taxpayer.
This issue is coming to a head my dear friends and it is going to explode and be for a time very ugly, and I sincerely hope that freedom prevails because if not, the results will be unimaginable.
All we have to remember is the words uttered by a Democrat supporter, "We won."

owyheewine| 2.17.09 @ 9:23AM

Anyone but me notice how much Brad Sherman resembles Dilbert's pointy haired boss?
Enough said.

Sheryl| 2.17.09 @ 9:42AM

Sadly, the rest of us ARE asleep, I think, and that is why this goes on currently and will continue until we are no longer asleep. We can sleep in peace for now, though--"the government" is watching out for us.
God help us all.

Hal G. P. Colebatch| 2.17.09 @ 9:42AM

As an Australian I can confirm this is correct - the Australian bushfires were made far more deadly than they would otherwise have been because extremist "Green" ideology prevented sensible clearing or light, controlled burning earlier. The "Greens", needless to say, are a city-based party of trendy lefties.

Simulacre| 2.17.09 @ 10:04AM

Transnational Progressives on the loose...maybe one day, (a greater majority of) people will take the threat they pose seriously -before we end up with a one world fascist government state.

james johnson| 2.17.09 @ 10:05AM

Who has a right to the fruits of another's labor?

Socialism is slavery

I will not submit!

Dr. Albert Gortenbull| 2.17.09 @ 10:36AM

Nazi, communist, and anarchist vulchers are circling the weakened bodies of quasi-socialist states that are in danger of economic collapses. Keep your guns in a safe location and stock up on ammo. Respectfully, Gortenbull

Nick in Virginia| 2.17.09 @ 10:47AM

"...In obeisance to the gods of environmentalism, Australians are waking up to the realization that some 200 people are now dead ..."

No, this can't be true. I've already read several Aussie journalist who used the wildfires as proof that Global Warming is killing us and the planet (no consideration of arson or poor timber management was ever mentioned by them).

Marc Jeric| 2.17.09 @ 10:57AM

When the stories of terror, mass murder in Gulags, and utter poverty finally reached the West, our revolutionary marxists became "environmentalists" sometime in the 1970's. Since then the mass murders caused by them are reaching the Stalin and Mao numbers. Just the elimination of DDT, which has since been shown a) to be degradable, and b) not to have caused any discomfort to any fish or bird, let alone a human being, produced 110 million dead in Africa alone by malaria and sleeping sickness.

chonicler0| 2.17.09 @ 10:59AM

Regarding: “Will legally armed citizens draw a line in the street and take [actual] potshots [at] law enforcement personnel?

That is not the right question. The only way to turn the tide away from socialism is to win the hearts and minds of a majority of voters. Taking to the streets with our guns is the surest way to turn the public against the freedoms for which our founding fathers bleed.

Look at how easily big government has used fear of our current economic situation to swiftly execute the biggest power grab in our history. Just imagine what they could frighten the masses into allowing if some of us took to the streets with guns. Out of fear for safety, big government would not only take our guns they would kill us where we stand. Anyone remember “Four Dead in Ohio” – I do not mean the song. How about Waco, Ruby Ridge?

The “pen” is still mightier than the sword. Our glorious revolution broke the yoke of British rule at an incalculable loss of life. I am grateful for and honor their sacrifice. Considerably less blood was shed in India to throw off the same yoke.

Do not misunderstand me; I would defend with my life the right to bare arms, but that argument has already been won at the highest court in the land. Those in opposition to that right would love to see us take to the streets – it would open up for debate an argument we have already won. Never give your enemy a weapon they can use against you – especially won that would disarm us.

Gandhi’s movement won freedom in India because he convinced his people to hit Britain where it hurts the most – the pocketbook. Big government’s pocketbook ultimately must be filled with taxes. We are moving to a kind of America where half of the citizens will contribute little or nothing to the “public burden” our “leaders” have imposed upon the other half. To the wealthy, that is not as big a deal as it is for you and me. They can leave America and live anywhere. For those who love America more than they love their money we have but one path that will save America.

We have the constitutional right to remove a government that fails to do the will of the people. Right now big government can claim it is doing the will of the people, and until the people see this leftward shift is not the best course to follow there is little we can do to stop a run away train. But this ride to socialism has derailed in every country that has tried it (think USSR) and it is only a matter of time before it runs out of steam here.

Meanwhile do all you can to enlighten your neighbors as to the lessons history offers. And, if one day in the future, we find the burden of taxes to oppressive to bear and our government refuses to change course then we hit them were it hurts the most. Uncle Sam can put you in jail if you fail to pay taxes. But suppose ten million Americans refuse to pay taxes – will they put all 10 million in jail, how about 20 million? The future belongs to those who are organized (you can quote me). And before any real direction change can be accomplished we have a lot of organizing to do. Learn all you can about the internet, social networking tools, peer-to-peer collaborative efforts. Read “The Wisdom of Crowds”, “The Wealth of Networks”, “Here Comes Everybody” and other books about how the internet has changed everything. If we have to fight that will be the “pen” that is mightier than the sword of oppression.
.

Thomas| 2.17.09 @ 11:46AM

Free speech, government benevolence and common sense. Where have they gone? Politicians and other government administrators crave one thing, power. Their entire life's work is devoted to the acquisition and maintenance of their own power. And they will do anything to achieve that goal.

As to the question of will firearms owners in America us their weapons against the government? Who knows. That is the point of the Second Amendment. It keeps politicians relatively honest while giving the citizenry the means to defend themselves from despotic rule. Outside of the occasional hoplophobe, there are only two groups of people who fear an armed citizenry; criminals and politicians [though the distinction is becoming less clear everyday]. The mere fact that there so many firearms in private hands is daunting to despotic politicians. This is changing, though.

The current liberal politicians in Washington are insane. They have been emboldened by the election of Barack Obama and their increased representation in Congress. They are further emboldened by their passage of the totally pork-laden non-stimulus bill over the objections of the bulk of their constituents who can read and write. They have now entered the realm of despotic rule and not much is going to stop their advance. Look for limitations of speech to arise quickly. The stealth fairness doctrine is the second step. The first was the total control of the mainstream media by liberals. Additional curbs on free speech and communication will not be far behind [goodbye conservative internet blogs]. Control of private firearms comes next, probably through ammunition taxes and gun "registration". Then look for the institution of a quasi-military organization to "protect" the homeland from internal threats. These will be your gun grabbers, if it is still necessary.

The "pen" will not stop this process. Ultimately, the politicians will overreach and turn public opinion almost totally against them. But, until then, the downward slide into totalitarianism will continue. Where it stops, nobody knows.

DSAMMIS| 2.17.09 @ 12:45PM

Confrontation between gun toting citizens and the government isn't a winning stategy. I still keep my pitchfork in plain view.

Thomas| 2.17.09 @ 1:02PM

"Confrontation between gun toting citizens and the government isn't a winning strategy. I still keep my pitchfork in plain view."

Correct, but "There comes a time in the course of human events..."etc.

Louis Jenkins| 2.17.09 @ 5:32PM

Insane, they're all insane. Folks, the government no longer fears the armed citizenry or the voters, otherwise they would not act in the manner that they do. They hold us in contempt, refer to us as "fly over" country pumpkins, and spend, spend, spend tax dollars, and print more when the pot is empty. Bush, or Obama, pick your poison, as the nation is bankrupt. Protest, no matter if peaceful or violent, will be met with total government strength. Protests of the 60s are past. Dogs and tear gas are ancient history. Even if you peacefully protest, lthen go home, look up before you depart. You're on candid camera. Your debit card, your cell phone, even your car with GPS, can be tracked. Your movements are known, and your home address is available. Chances are this blog is being monitored. If you hear a noise at 4 am at your door, it sure won't be the Avon Lady. We are being backed into a corner, and there are no safe choices. We're like the turtle that has had its head lopped off. We just don't know that we're dead. And since we're already dead is there anything left to perish?

ruth| 2.17.09 @ 7:11PM

Now that all of the problems have been presented, does anybody have any solutions? Thanks. And I don't think I'm that damned turtle. Not yet.

Hal G. P. Colebatch| 2.17.09 @ 7:57PM

Australian blogger Tim Blair has a story of people in Victoria being fined by the "Green" local council for having moved rocks into "unnatural positions." They moved the rocks at the request of fire-fighting authorities so that fire-fighting vehicless could get onto their properties. As Blair comments: "These people are insane."

Melvin| 2.17.09 @ 9:12PM

chonicler0 and Thomas, huzzah, outstanding posts. Definitely have points to reflect on which direction we must choose.

Alan Healy| 2.17.09 @ 9:31PM

It is worth noting that Geert Wilders is not being kept out of the UK because he might stir up hatred against our Muslim friends . It is the violence that Muslims may direct towards him and everyone else that has prompted our government's capitulation .

ruth| 2.17.09 @ 11:25PM

Well, Alan, I guess that's a little better. The great Winston must be spinning in his grave right now.

Russell Seitz| 2.18.09 @ 3:43AM

Hal Colbach seems indisposed to mention that Australian Aboriginal tribal councils are paid some millions annually to continue their immemorial practice of lighting fires annually to prevent fuel build-up in the bush.

Though much given to celebrating downside extremes of weather , as when it snows in the Snowy Mountains, he has kept his peace in your pages as the worst Australian drought since the 30's has set the stage for the Barbie of the Gods.

Last time I was in Melbourne , it was 43 F.

Last week it was over 43 C for three days running .

Hal G. P. Colebatch| 2.18.09 @ 7:05AM

Huh? I am "much given to celebrating downside extremes of weather"? When and where exactly did I do that, pray?

This guy is delusional.

ruth| 2.18.09 @ 2:29PM

Bad speller, too.

Hal G. P. Colebatch| 2.18.09 @ 8:21PM

Extract from a story in the Sydney Daily Telegraph (via Tim Blair's website):

"A DECISION to cancel almost half the burn-offs planned for NSW bushfire zones has put thousands of lives and properties in danger.

"Frustrated volunteer firefighters yesterday lashed out at bureaucrats and greenies for preventing them from protecting communities.

"In one outrageous case, a woman was told by the State Government her fire escape route would remain an overgrown mess because it was a corridor for native flora and fauna.

"More than 2100 hazard reduction operations planned by the Rural Fire Service were abandoned last year, the organisation's annual report reveals.

"Deputy Captain George Bennett said firefighters were so frustrated by bureaucratic hurdles they were finding legal ways to complete small burns "undercover" on private property.

"He said it took some brigades 12 months to gain approval for hazard reductions. The RFS admitted one burn-off on Mona Vale Rd in Sydney recently took several years to be approved ..."

ruth| 2.18.09 @ 11:00PM

Mr. Colebatch, unfortunately for us, this idiocy has been going on in California for years, and we have had the firestorms to prove it. I loathe the stupidity of liberals