Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), Chairman of the Republican Study Committee will introduce the Spending Reduction Act of 2011 at noon today. This Act reduces federal spending by $2.5 trillion over ten years. The bill will specifically hold FY 2011 non-security discretionary spending to FY 08 levels, hold non-defense discretionary spending to FY 06 levels thereafter for the rest of the ten-year budget window (the same level as in effect during the last year of GOP control of the Congress), and include more than 100 other program eliminations or savings proposals, consisting of proposals from the RSC Sunset Caucus, YouCut, or past RSC budgets. Below is a chart:

In a nutshell:

The Spending Reduction Act of 2011

+ $80 billion Take current non-security discretionary spending back to 2008 levels.

+ $45 billion Repeal unspent stimulus funds.

+ $46.1 billion End federal control of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac & return Medicaid FMAP spending to 2008 levels.

+ $2.3 trillion On Oct. 1, 2011 (start of FY 2012), reduce non-defense discretionary spending to 2006 levels and implement a hard freeze through FY 2021 (removes inflation increase from CBO’s baseline).

• Includes $330 billion from specifically targeting more than 100 programs and spending reforms (i.e. $7.5 billion annually by cutting the federal travel budget in half).

• Also includes shrinking the size and cost of the civilian federal workforce (reduce workforce through attrition by 15% and no automatic pay increases for 5 years).

= $2.47 Trillion

Total savings add up to approximately $2.5 trillion when one includes reforms and reductions. The full document can be seen below:

Spending Reduction Plan

I had the pleasure of being included on a conference call with Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ) the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Capital Market and Government-Sponsored Enterprises for the House Financial Services Committee, and Sen. Jim Demint (R-SC) with a preview of their Spending Reduction Act.

There are hopes if this Spending Reduction Act is passed the US can realize $2.5T in savings over the next 10 years. This is the beginning of a process which will play out in the House and then will be passed over to the Senate, according to Sen. Demint. Although the time frame is up for debate, this is the only way we can save our country and our currency. A salient quote from Sen Demint:

We can’t mix free enterprise with socialism and expect it to work.

The Congressmen are ferretting out waste and have asked their constituents for input where costs can be cut and this plan is a starting point, to force a debate and pass a balanced budget amendment. If the Feds can cede control of many functions and programs back to the states it will be a win for all of us.

The plans are to introduce this as a “stand alone” legislation. When asked about the possible default of states and/or their state pension programs Sen. Demint responded there will be framework for the states to set up for bankruptcy, but he was firm that no states will be “bailed out.” THAT would:

devolve into a Ponzi scheme which would have worldwide consequences. We need to draw a line in the concrete, not in the sand.

Rep. Jordan stated this is “tough love” time and it will be difficult but we will all come through it and it will send a message to the White House the Republicans are committed to enacting a realistic budget and debt ceiling.

Tune in about noon or 12:15 pm today to hear the “unveiling.”

Crossposted at Conservative Outlooks

FYI just found this 45 page doc on WVA coal facts, from taxes paid, employment, production & more. WVA is No.2 in US coal production behind No. 1 Wyoming. WVA ships coal to 33 states & 23 countries and accounts for 50% of all US coal exports. 1/2 of the electricity in this country comes from coal. Page 20 on the document, page 18 according to the PDF.

Our government seems to know no bounds these days. In a stunning, but not surprising power-grab, and show of boldness, the EPA, specifically Chair Nancy Sutley of the Council on Environmental Quality, revoked the coal mining permit for Arch Coal’s Spruce Mine No. 1 in Logan County, West Virginia. The action happened on January 13 after 9 months of threats from the EPA that the mine would cause irreparable harm to the environment. Area businesses sent this letter to Ms. Sutley expressing opposition. Of keynote is the following observation:

If EPA is allowed to revoke this permit, every similarly valid Section 404 permit held by any entity — businesses, public works agencies and individual citizens — will be in increased regulatory limbo and potentially subject to the same unilateral, after-the-fact revocation. The implications could be staggering, reaching all areas of the U.S. economy including but not limited to the agriculture, home building, mining, transportation and energy sectors.

Arch Coal, which contributes 16% of America’s coal supply, had the project in the works for over a decade and received its permit in 2007 during the Bush administration. This mine, a “mountain top removal mine” when fully operational would have employed 235 miners and 300 indirect jobs in support services. Arch Coal has already set aside $250 million for this project, which now, under EPA orders, will have to be shut down.

The EPA cited its authority under the Clean Water Act, an action taken place only twice in the last 40 years and never before to a coal mine. This action predictably will send chills up the spines of business and industry who will assuredly be fearful of undertaking projects and investing money in those projects, especially now that we see an almost unprecedented revocation after a permit has been issued by the proper agency. Local reaction, including concerns by Senator Manchin can be see on this video here. Sorry, no embed code.

West Virginia is the second largest coal producer in the country:

• $26 billion pumped into the West Virginia economy annually
• $3.2 billion in wages for West Virginia families
• 60,000 jobs
• Jobs pay an average of $68,500 annually, more than twice the state average wage
• 60% of the state’s business taxes are paid by coal and utilities

I had the pleasure of speaking with Mr. Bill Raney, President of the West Virginia Coal Association regarding the EPA’s arrogance and total disregard for “coal families” in West Virginia. He tells me there are of course the resident environmentalists and their “concerns”, mainly a study which shows the mine may have the potential of one insect, the mayfly, disappearing. However he has spoken openly and collectively with the residents who live in this rural area and they welcome the mine, the jobs and the dollars it will place into the West Virginia economy. He assured me unlike the Feds, the process has been open and transparent with community input all along and the mining company is always accessible to residents to listen to any concerns they may have. He also stated to me the claims of water contamination are unsubstantiated and some opponents are fabricating a “there will be cancer” fear. Also there are no streams involved, only ditches which are dry most of the year. In this type of mining the top of the mountain must be removed to extract the coal underneath. The “overburden” or material on top of the coal, is moved into the ditches. After the coal is extracted the overburden is placed back into its original area, reinstating the natural look of the environment.

Mr. Raney tells me the major problems began when the Obama administration came on line with its new staff. What do you know about that.

Arch Coal has already filed suit in DC court and also in the WVA southern district court. Reactions of West Virginia Congressional representatives and Governor Earl Tomblin are aggravation. Tomblin has announced a “Rally for Coal” on Thursday, January 20 in Charleston:

“Our coal industry provides jobs for our men and women, money for our children’s education, and energy for our country’s growing appetite for electricity,” Gov. Tomblin said. “We must stand up and show federal regulators that we will not retreat from their unfair actions. We will continue the fight not just for the Spruce Number One mine but for every coal miner, coal company and for our way of life.”

Senator Jay Rockefeller has sent a letter to President Obama, excerpted below:

I am writing to express my outrage with the EPA’s decision to veto a rigorously reviewed and lawfully issued permit at the Spruce Number 1 Mine in Logan County, West Virginia. This action not only affects this specific permit, but needlessly throws other permits into a sea of uncertainty at a time of great economic distress. It is further upsetting that the EPA is seeking to veto a permit that has already been so thoroughly reviewed.

Senator Manchin in this press release calls the EPA’s action “unprecedented and irresponsible.”

“It goes without saying, such an irresponsible regulatory step is not only a shocking display of overreach, it will have a chilling effect on investments and our economic recovery. I plan to do everything in my power to fight this decision.”

Rep. Nick Rahall, in this interview, calls the EPA’s decision “chilling.”

We presently have an oil drilling moratorium in parts of the Gulf and eastern seaboard. And Governor David Paterson of New York recently signed into law a ban on horizontal natural gas hydro-fracking under pressure of the ACORN-founded Working Families Party.

Now our coal is at risk. What’s left, my friends?

Crossposted at Conservative Outlooks

Crossposted at Procinct.net

For sometime our religious symbols have been the target of groups such as the ACLU, Americans United for Separation of Church and State and even our own court system.

The seven-foot tall, concrete and metal Mojave Desert Cross erected in the middle of the Mojave Desert near Barstow, CA was originally constructed in 1934 by the Veterans of Foreign Wars to honor our fallen heroes. The plaque read:

“The Cross, Erected in Memory of the Dead of All Wars” and “Erected 1934 by Members of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Death Valley Post 2884.”

In 2001 a former park service employee, Frank Buono, representing the ACLU sued to have the cross taken down arguing the government was endorsing a certain religion. A federal court of appeals ruled the cross violated the Establishment Clause of the Constitution and ordered it removed.

On April 28 of 2010 SCOTUS ordered the cross could stay, ruling the lower court did not take into consideration the government had decided to cede the parcel of land where the cross was erected to the VFW. During the time the case was under consideration the cross was ordered to be covered with plywood.

Several days after the SCOTUS ruling a park ranger went to repair the plywood which had been damaged and discovered the cross had been stolen: the bolts had been cut which anchored it to the bedrock. Here is Shepard Smith on Fox News reporting on the devastating and disgraceful news:

Thomas J. Tradewell, VFW National Commander had this to say after the theft was discovered:

This was a legal fight that a vandal just made personal to 50 million veterans, military personnel and their families.

It has been the intention of veterans groups to rebuild the cross and many volunteers have offered their services, legally the land still is not theirs and vowed to fight on. The cross has been rebuilt several times before, as it was originally built of wood which had not taken the elements well. In the 1990’s it was rebuilt of metal pipe.

On January 10, 2011, Liberty Institute with the assistance of the law firm of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius in LA are suing the Feds to force them to deed the one acre plot of land to the veterans so the cross can be rebuilt. Plaintiffs in the case are VFW Post 385 and VFW Department of California. Defendants are Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar; Christine S. Lehnertz, Regional Director, Pacific NW Region of the National Park Service and Dennis Schramm, Superintendent of the Mojave National Reserve. The complaint is below:

Mojave Lawsuit

Liberty Institute filed the suit because the Obama administration is:

1. REFUSING to transfer ownership of the land, on which the Mojave Desert Memorial has stood, to the VFW, as directed by a 2003 Act of Congress.
2. NEGLECTING to replace the Mojave Desert Cross, the only national WWI Memorial designated by the United States Congress.
3. IGNORING a joint letter from the National Commanders of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, The American Legion and Military Order of the Purple Heart politely asking for the President’s help in restoring the monument.
4. TEAMING UP with the ACLU and asking the district court to not allow the veterans request to intervene in the case to protect their memorial, their land.

In 2003 Rep. Jerry Lewis orchestrated a “land swap” in which the one-acre parcel the cross sat on would be deeded to the Veterans in exchange for a 5-acre parcel donated to the government in another part of the Mojave Preserve by Wanda and Henry Sandoz. The lawsuit was filed to uphold the land transfer.

In another attack against our religious symbols, the liberal 9th Circuit Court of Appeals recently ruled the Mount Soledad Memorial Cross unconstitutional. Liberty Institute has this online petition, Don’t Tear Me Down, asking President Obama to appeal the 9th Circuit’s decision.

I’ll keep you updated on both.

Crossposted at Conservative Outlooks

Crossposted at Procinct.net

Anita Moncrief became politically famous is 2008 when she “blew the whistle” on the corrupt and infamous group ACORN.

Ms. Moncrief has become involved in a variety of Conservative Movements and is now the national spokesperson for American Majority. After covering in person the Harris County (Houston) Dem voter fraud debacle in Election 2010 Ms. Moncrief has formed a Tea Party in Houston called The Crispus Attucks Tea Party. From an email I received from her:

I wanted to introduce you to the new Tea Party group I started in Texas along with local black conservatives. We are based in a former ACORN neighborhood represented by Sheila Jackson Lee. We have been meeting/planning since late November, and our inaugural meeting is January 18th. The path has not been easy, and though we have been shut out of black churches and community centers, we managed to find a place literally two blocks from Sheila Jackson Lee’s home. She is of course invited.

FYI Rep. Jackson Lee was one of the “problem makers” during Election 2010 when she showed up at a polling place in violation of regulations.

Here is the formal press release:

Press Release New Tea Party

Ms. Moncrief is a true American Patriot and hero and we wish her success, although we know that she is successful in all that she does.

I’ll keep you updated.

Crossposted at Conservative Outlooks

Crossposted at Procinct.net

Update 1/7/11 6:00pm. Two San Diego area Congressmen, Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-Carlsbad) and Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-El Cajon) sent letters to US AG Holder & Defense Secretary Robert Gates in defense of the memorial.

A commanding and dramatic site. A testament to our War Veterans who have given their lives to Advance Freedom and protect our nation. Now in danger from leftist and liberal organizations like the ACLU, Americans United for Separation of Church and State and our own court system.

This time an outrage from the liberal 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, specifically Justice Margaret McKeown who penned the 50 page decision this week, stating the 43 foot tall Mount Soledad Cross which sits on federal land in a park just outside the city of San Diego violates the “Establishment Clause” of the Constitution, noted below:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

In reaching the decision the 9th Circuit overturned a previous ruling in 2008 by Justice Larry Burns who ruled in a previous lawsuit by Jewish veterans the cross is part of a memorial built for and in memorial of all veterans, not just those of any ethnicity or religion. The Cross now belongs to the Federal Government, specifically the Defense Department, the entity which now must intervene to save the cross from possible demolition. Not only is there a cross, but also 2,700 plaques dedicated to war veterans both living and deceased in 6 concentric rings.

The crux of McKeown’s decision states the Cross

“primarily conveys a message of government endorsement of religion that violates the Establishment Clause. This result does not mean that the memorial could not be modified to pass constitutional muster, nor does it mean that no cross can be part of this veterans’ memorial.”

Our national heritage seems to be in the crosshairs of liberal organizations and judges who are chipping away bit by bit at the ideals and religion this country was founded upon.

This Cross controversy has been in the court system for over 10 years, SCOTUS Justice Kennedy intervened in 2006 ruling for a stay after Congressional legislation and the voters of San Diego made their feelings known positively after the ACLU filed suit on behalf of an atheist who was apparently “offended” by the cross. If the “offendee” was “offended” this diarist sees no need for that “offendee” to attempt to limit access to the thousands of visitors who see the cross as a Beacon of Light and comfort for our veterans, those who made the ultimate sacrifice and their families. After all, it just sits there. There’s no coercion of any kind.

Gina Coburn, ironically a spokesperson in the San Diego attorney’s office and once a plaintiff claims the cross will have to be removed unless the 9th Circuit reverses their decision or SCOTUS intervenes.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Atty. Kelly Shackelford of Liberty Institute whose organization is representing the American Legion and has filed a brief asking the court to protect the monument. Liberty Institute also represents over 4 million veterans in their fight to preserve the Mojave Desert Veterans Memorial which also had a cross, pictured below, which was stolen back in May after SCOTUS “saved” it. This is akin to desecrating people’s graves.

Liberty Institute will be appealing to the Obama Administration and the US Justice Dept to intervene to save the Soledad cross. Their press release is here.

It seems we have an attempt at “religious cleansing” here, my folks. I wonder what the reaction would be had this been a mosque. Attorney Shackelford states:

“The Ninth Circuit’s opinion almost completely disregards the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Salazar v. Buono, in which the Court said that the Mojave Desert Veterans Memorial should stay,” said Kelly Shackelford, president/CEO of Liberty Institute. “This ruling is a slap in the face to our nation’s veterans, and we hope that the Justice Department will ask the U.S. Supreme Court to set the matter straight.” [snip]This is part of a national trend to remove crosses on federal land, regardless of whether the cross is part of something as sacred as a veterans memorial.”

We’ll have to see how the Justice Dept. and Obama handle this. After all, Obama was “called to task” by members of Congress in this letter for “misquoting history” in his speech in Indonesia last December. In the speech he called our national motto E pluribus unum when in reality it is In God We Trust. A deliberate misquote, an error or no teleprompter in site?

The letter is signed by 42 Congressmen.

As our Veterans Memorial Crosses seem to be toppling like dominoes, what is next to be targeted? The site below?

Crossposted at Conservative Outlooks

Crossposted at Procinct.net

Since the Feds have failed miserably to protect the 389-mile Arizona-Mexico border to keep drug traffickers and illegals from the US, a grass-roots group has proposed citizens take efforts into their own hands and build a wall themselves. The name of the group is The Great Wall of Arizona.

I have been in e-mail contact with Mr. David Garretson who is heading up the project, and I agree with him in the wake of a border patrol agent being shot and killed it is even more imperative to have a physical barrier. From their website:

“TheGreatWallOfArizona.org is dedicated to getting as many people as possible to the Arizona Mexico border to build a wall. Recent polls show that 68% of Americans think that there should be a physical barrier between the US and Mexico. TheGreatWallOfArizona.org is a grassroots movement to get that physical barrier built. Americans have a lot of different personal reasons for wanting to build a wall. Instead of getting caught up in all the different reasons TheGreatWallOfArizona.org strives to emphasis the common goal of building the wall. If you want to be a part of an American community that values actions more than words and you want to build a wall between Arizona and Mexico then join us here at TheGreatWallOfArizona.org by clicking on the Join button at the top right and let’s get the job done.”

Below are some questions asked and answered via e-mail by Mr. Garretson and can also be found on the site:

“Who actually owns the land?

The land on the Arizona-Mexico border is comprised of private, state, federal, and Indian Reservation ownership as well as Drug Cartel & Human Smuggler occupation.

How can private citizens just build a wall?

As annoying as the answer is how can we not? The Arizona State Government has stated that this is a Federal Government issue and actively pursues the issue as long as voters are watching. The Federal Government, through Janet Napolitano, has stated they have done their job securing the border and done it well! Yet we have all seen the signs warning American citizens not to travel in areas of Arizona due to safety concerns about the drug and human smuggling activities in the area. I think the last stat I read was 80 square miles of Arizona has been taken over by these invaders. If its not the States problem and the Federal Government doesn’t think its a problem then it is time for American citizens to stand up, take back some of the power they have lent to the government, and get the job done.

The border patrol agents, the local/county/state law enforcement agents, and citizens that have died because of our unsecured borders have lost their God given rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Since government is a reflection of the governed I can’t help but think “We The People” are responsible for those lives. Please don’t misunderstand me. I’m not suggesting a coup d’etat although some might right now.

“The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.” - Thomas Jefferson.

What I am suggesting is a little healthy Civil Disobedience “Let every man make known what kind of government would command his respect, and that will be one step towards obtaining it.” - Henry David Thoreau

I admit this isn’t planned out to the Nth degree and wrapped in a pretty bow but my heart, my mind, and through prayer my soul agrees that it is altogether necessary. As of right now the plan is to ask the private citizens and the Indian Nations for the necessary land. As far as government owned lands the political pull of a few million people will hopefully be enough to allow us to build. If not we’ll re-evaluate our options.

How would you coordinate 2 million people?

We would use the talent of those that have volunteered. There are bound to be many military, law enforcement, and construction/engineer volunteers. We will tap them and their experience organizing large groups to come up with a game plan.”

This plan sounds reasonable to me. After all, this person tried to do something about it:

Then this person sued her:

And then this person castigated her in front of the whole world:

And this person, instead of protecting our borders:

Gave us this:

“Saliva samples wanted from 9 Troy Democrats”

A CSI episode? A mystery novel? No, this is the latest Dem voter fraud scheme which rivals even the most thought-out voter fraud corruption plan of PA#8. Dems in PA#8 sent out a phony letter from a phony organization and included a pre-paid envelope for voter absentee applications to be mailed to the Dem candidate’s campaign manager’s P.O. box.

Now the Dems are getting even bolder.

We aren’t talking absentee ballot applications this time. Here the Dems are accused of actually forging absentee ballots and voting for people who didn’t even know they voted! Below is the partial line-up of suspects:

Court documents released name city of Troy Councilman-At-Large John Brown, Council President Clement Campana, Democratic committee member Anthony DeFiglio, District 6 Councilman Gary Galuski, Councilman-At-Large Michael LoPorto and District 2 Councilman Kevin McGrath (all shown above), as suspects in the Working Families Primary absentee ballot fraud case. City Clerk William McInerney, Rensselaer County (NY) Democratic Elections Commissioner Edward McDonough, and Councilman Brown’s brother, Daniel, are also named in the State Police deposition.

Individual photos and description above by Mike McMahon and J.S. Carras/The Record.

This is quite an unusual case, so much so that special prosecutor Trey Smith has been brought in to collect DNA samples from most of the Troy city council, all of whom happen to be Democrats. The purpose of collecting the DNA is to try and match it to saliva on the absentee ballot envelopes.

The investigation swirls around the primary for Troy city council in 2009. Allegations are the Dems tried to steal the election by forging absentee ballots for the Bertha Lewis/ACORN/SEIU founded Working Families Party. And then voting using those forged absentee ballots. New York election law allows cross-endorsing of candidates which means candidates can be on the ballot for more than one party. Andrew Cuomo, Kirsten Gillibrand, Hillary Clinton, Eliot Spitzer and Chuck Schumer have all taken both the Democratic Party and Working Families Party line. And WFP isn’t just for Democrats. Embattled Dede Scozzafava took both the WFP and Republican Party line in her bid for US Congress.

Sarah Couch, a Working Families Party worker who has not been named in the investigation told state police Councilman LoPorto, pictured above, gave her what she believed was 30 absentee ballots which were wrapped in newspaper.

According to CBS Albany only DeFiglio so far has admitted any partaking in these activities and that low income people were targeted because they were less likely to ask questions later. DeFiglio goes on to say:

“I think Bill McInerney [City Clerk] got greedy. I understand that the activities I engaged in regarding the absentee ballots was at the very least unethical and at the most illegal.”

A week ago a Grand Jury began hearing testimony in secret from groups of witnesses who claim they never filled out absentee ballots, and were surprised to find out they “voted.” Prosecutor Smith is asking the Grand Jury to hand over indictments against Councilman LoPorto and the county’s Democratic election commissioner Edward McDonough.

In a video here Jessica Boomhower states investigators came to her home because her name appeared on one of the ballots in question and that she did not vote and she elaborates in a quote below:

“You’re taking a right as a citizen. I think that should be considered,” Boomhower said. “They’re taking someone’s right to vote. That’s not proper.

I did speak with Dave Canfield, the writer of The Record, a Troy newspaper where the above video appears, and he stated to me there is no way of knowing how long the Grand Jury proceedings will take. Since there will be a myriad of groups of witnesses called, it’s unknown whether or not the GJ, if they do issue indictments, will do so after each witness group or wait until the entire proceedings are finished.

And LoPorto’s attorney Michael Feit says he’s “worried” about the process. He maintains LoPorto’s innocence and had this to say:

“I was concerned that the people who are testifying before the grand jury are going to be testifying before jurors who had been exposed for over a year to this pretrial publicity.”

On December 8 Troy City Councilman Kevin McGrath, also pictured above, testified for more than two hours.

This investigation is expected to go on for months, and months and months…

Crossposted at Conservative Outlooks

Crossposted at Procinct.net

Please read my first two posts on this little Civil War chapel which has not only been embroiled in controversy but now the target of arsonists.

Post #1: Background of problems begun by the Borough of Gettysburg which forced the chapel to close its doors the same day of its “Remembrance Day” of those who perished on the battlefield of Gettysburg.

Post #2: The devastating news last week that the chapel was burned to the ground and several other buildings immediately adjacent, including a coffee shop and Rescue/Mission Center were severely damaged with people displaced.

Federal authorities and the Borough of Gettysburg Police Dept. have confirmed what all of us had suspected: this small chapel built with love and remembrance of those few horrible days on the fields of the Gettysburg Battle was indeed the victim of arson. Here is a reminder picture of that horrible day in the early morning hours of December 3:

Chaplain John Wega, who erected the chapel in 2006, ironically in the same lot as a previous fire in 2004, is devastated not only because his hard work has “gone up in flames” but mostly because he, myself and many others fail to comprehend such a heinous act. Especially one against a place of worship.

Gettysburg at first attempted to kick God out of town. Then they burned him out of town.

No, this chapel did not have a “congregation,” but it did hold Sunday Services from April til the end of November and was open 24/7 for anyone who wished to visit and reflect. Yes, the chapel was embroiled in some controversy. I am not going to rehash that in this post. You may read Post #1 noted at the beginning of this diary for the story.

Liberty Institute, the organization representing Chaplain Wega in his battle with the Borough of Gettysburg issued this press release today. Below are some excerpted remarks:

GETTYSBURG, Pennsylvania, December 7, 2010 – Four days after the Gettysburg Log Chapel, a reconstructed Civil War Chapel, burned to the ground, the Borough of Gettysburg has officially confirmed that the fire was caused by arson.

“We intend to rebuild what has become known as ‘America’s Chapel’ with the support of people of faith around the Nation and, hopefully, the cooperation of the Borough of Gettysburg,’” said Hiram Sasser, director of litigation for Liberty Institute. “While tragic, we also pray that the events of the last several days will serve as a reminder of the love of Christ and power of faith in this Christmas season. We are confident that the authorities will find the responsible parties and bring them to justice.”

Chaplain Wega did have insurance on the chapel however that can in no way replace the sorrow he is feeling at this time. Three white teenage males seen near the chapel right before the fire are being sought for questioning.

And interestingly enough, my research has told me both Chaplain Wega and the coffee shop next door which was damaged are both on the list of businesses and organizations who oppose the building of a proposed casino 1/2 mile from the Gettysburg Battlefield. More on this to come..

The writer of this diary has a magnitude of anger and sorrow that is incomprehensible at this point. For someone to deliberately set a building ablaze, for reasons apparently unknown at this moment, endangering lives, destroying property and putting people in the hands of the Red Cross because they are homeless is devastating.

The investigation is ongoing.

TO HELP

Anyone with information about the Friday morning arson of the Civil War Chapel is asked to call Gettysburg Police at 334-1168.

Adams County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for information that leads to an arrest in this case. Tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers anonymously by calling 334-8057, texting CRIMES (274637) or visiting the website.

One can also visit the Save the Civil War Chapel website to make a donation. Liberty Institute, the organization representing Chaplain Wega, offers their services for Advancing Freedom at no charge and relies entirely on generous donations.

When these perpetrators are caught, and I have no doubt they will be, only God will be their judge.

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Romans 12:19

I first met Erick Brockway on twitter about a year ago. I can’t recall exactly now how we hooked up but that doesn’t matter.

Erick works tirelessly at two jobs and also finds time to write and maintain his own personal blog, a blog for California Conservatives and also be a noted diarist for RedState. He was also in the Navy Seabees.

Erick retired from the Navy Reserves after 20 years last weekend. EO1 (E6). Here is Erick receiving his papers. Yep, he is the one on the right in the shades.

Erick has been a mentor to me in the blogosphere. I would e-mail him asking for advice on certain topics. And he always knew the answer. Whether it was a techy issue, a campaign issue or advice for a diary. I then met him for the first time in Vegas last summer at the Right Online convention and then again in September in Austin at the Red State Gathering.

Here is Erick with his plaque at the retirement service.

And just look at the awards and medals. Erick has given unwavering support to all our men and women in the Armed Forces and has mourned all those deeply, as have all of us, who have given their lives for Freedom in this country.

Erick, I am proud to know you. Enjoy your well-earned retirement and bask in the knowledge you have contributed to the welfare and security of our Nation.

Erick is married to Jan Brockway. He has three children. Jessica, Josh and Cheyenne. All whom are most proud of him. Here is a picture of Erick with Jan and Jessica.

You can find more pictures of Erick on his FaceBook page. He is on twitter @erickbrockway.

Congratulations, Erick!

Crossposted at Conservative Outlooks

Update 12/7/10. I have received the news, as suspected, this fire indeed was caused by arson. Please read the update on my new diary.

Please see my previous post, “Gettysburg wants to kick God out of town, threatens historic Civil War chapel” for background.

This morning the Borough of Gettysburg, the Borough Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB) and many residents critical of this little Civil War chapel got their wish: the chapel along with several other structures adjacent burned to the ground.

Here is a slideshow of the fire as it was happening.

The chapel has been “under fire” literally when the Borough inspection service issued a “cease and desist” letter several days before the chapel was to have it’s final service of the season on November 21: “Remembrance Day” for all those who perished at Gettysburg. Liberty Institute and Wilmer Hale, a DC law firm had been working with the Borough in an attempt to resolve this issue. Until now. But things have changed.

My original story did get the attention of FoxNation, most of the 98 comments were positive but of course we have the usual folks who are against, and our resident nuts. But the real eye-opener came from commenters in one of the Gettysburg local newspapers. It seems the Borough also “came under fire” because many of the residents had seen this diary on Fox and felt they just might need to make a response. I’ve been checking every day, and I’ve seen no response. However, let’s take a look at some of the comments from the article:

Why is nobody talking about the way the boro tried to sidestep the rules in their construction project on the boro building, now people will see how this boro operates, do as I say not as I do. The rules are different for the council and their homes and businesess. How many times has King John written notes about his own house on his morning rounds? Wouldn’t it be cool if the boro had to follow their own rules….

Very nice, positive comment. Here’s another:

After attending a beautiful Sun. morning service

at The Civil War Chapel, It astounds me that the towns people of Gettysburg want to go against the law of the land.I thought churches were tax exempt. What is really going here ??? Does it have anything to do with their NO CASINO stand? The civil war roundtables and Veterans Organizations in Michigan will hear about this. This is Hallowed Ground as well that should remain. Is there a double standard here?

Sincerely,

Michigan reeanactor and American

Another nice, positive comment. Now take a look at this one:

The Liberty Institute is a fringe Religious Right organization being assisted by WilmerHale, a large Washington DC law firm. Gettysburg should hire equally high-end public relations advisors to handle the publicity. This issue is clouded by the ignorant and uneducated local Bible-thumpers [emphasis mine] who don’t know their rear ends from a hole in the ground. They should have their bungholes handed to them

Wow, now Christians are “fringe.” Wonder what this guy would say if a mosque wanted to be erected there. And here’s another equally as disturbing, this one after I placed a comment stating I was the writer of the diary that was receiving the attention:

Carol Greenberg wrote:

FYI, I am LadyImpactOhio who did the original post on RedState that made FoxNation and have the city council’s panties in a knot.

http://nation.foxnews.com/culture/2010/11/22/…

I’m not gonna back down, just like Chaplain Wega and his attorneys.

And you’re proud of that? You’re just another lying witch [emphasis mine] who wants a name. Gettyburg is full of churches and is not trying to kick God out of town. You know, I hope it stays - the way it is now - and a nice big storm comes up and blows the building and it’s saviours to hell - in splinters. And I won’t back down. Good riddance to the lot of you.

Nice. Here is the link to the video about the fire. For whatever reason, it will not play here, but it will play on my personal website, linked at the bottom of this diary. And here is a link to another video where Chaplain Wega gives his comments. Unfortunately, there is no embed code for this one.

I have no doubt in my mind, as the news sources and coverage suggests, this fire was a result of the big “A WORD”: ARSON. Yes, it will need to definitely be proven, but if it was arson they wanted it down badly enough that they didn’t care that other buildings were burned and lives were endangered. Thankfully, no one was hurt. The Red Cross is involved however assisting families who are displaced in apartment buildings next to the chapel which were damaged.

Liberty Institute, a Conservative legal-assistance organization who was assisting in the defense of the chapel provided me with this statement today shortly after the fire. ATF and the FBI has been called in, as well as the National Church Arson Task Force.

“Earlier this morning we were shocked to learn that the Gettysburg Log Chapel and several other buildings were destroyed or severely damaged by fire. The circumstances of the fire are under investigation, but it appears that the fire may have been deliberately set. We contacted the FBI and have been told that ATF and other officials from the National Church Arson Task Force are joining the investigation. Burning down a church is a federal crime [emphasis mine] under the Church Arson Prevention Act of 1996.

The Gettysburg Log Chapel closed for the season in November per an agreement with Borough officials, and was secure and unoccupied at the time of the fire. Our prayers go out for those who have been affected by the fire, and for the First Responders on the scene.”

If this WAS arson, this is an unconscionable act. Apparently our “freedom of religion and 1st amendment rights” are under fire. Literally.

Congratulations, Gettysburg. I never thought the city who is home to one of the nation’s most sacred shrines would stoop this low. However, apparently I was wrong.

I’ll keep everyone updated.

Crossposted at Conservative Outlooks