And The Question Still Remains Valid Today: What Has America Become? by Ken Huber

 Rene Girard, Examiner.com

"What Has America Become" was the title of a letter to the editior written by Ken Huber of Tawas City, Michigan.   It contains a series of comparisons and contrasts which causes one to think about the double-standards and conditions under which we now live here in America.  

A reprint of the article has been circulating online (see photo with this article) finding its way to Fort Worth and possibly all over the nation.  It was originally printed in the Iosco County News Herald on June 9, 2010, published in the Opinion column.  Please read, post your thoughts, and as always feel free to subscribe for future articles and/or
share with others.

 Where Is Tawas City, MI? It is on Lake Huron and has a population of just over 2,000!!

What has America become?
Editor,

Has America become the land of special interest and home of the double standard?

Lets see: if we lie to the Congress, it's a felony and if the Congress lies to us its just politics; if we dislike a black person, we're racist and if a black person dislikes whites, its their 1st Amendment right; the government spends millions to rehabilitate criminals and they do almost nothing for the victims; in public schools you can teach that homosexuality is OK, but you better not use the word God in the process; you can kill an unborn child, but it is wrong to execute a mass murderer; we don't burn books in America, we now rewrite them; we got rid of communist and socialist threats by renaming them progressive; we are unable to close our border with Mexico, but have no problem protecting the 38th parallel in Korea; if you protest against President Obama's policies you're a terrorist, but if you burned an American flag or George Bush in effigy it was your 1st Amendment right.

You can have pornography on TV or the internet, but you better not put a nativity scene in a public park during Christmas; we have eliminated all criminals in America, they are now called sick people; we can use a human fetus for medical research, but it is wrong to use an animal.

We take money from those who work hard for it and give it to those who don't want to work; we all support the Constitution, but only when it supports our political ideology; we still have freedom of speech, but only if we are being politically correct; parenting has been replaced with Ritalin and video games; the land of opportunity is now the land of hand outs; the similarity between Hurricane Katrina and the gulf oil spill is that neither president did anything to help.

And how do we handle a major crisis today? The government appoints a committee to determine who's at fault, then threatens them, passes a law, raises our taxes; tells us the problem is solved so they can get back to their reelection campaign.

What has happened to the land of the free and home of the brave?

- Ken Huber
Tawas City

(note:  all links added for articles related to topics within Mr. Huber's article.  His article had no links.)

WND EXCLUSIVE Court to feds: Explain Marine's Facebook-postings arrest

Hey Brooksie,  You Need To Pay Attention To This!!!

Judge refuses to dismiss law enforcement officers from false-detention lawsuit

A federal judge in Richmond, Va., has refused to dismiss from a lawsuit several FBI and Secret Service agents as well as local police officers who arrested a military veteran based on an opinion from a counselor who had never met him that he might be a danger.

The officers had confronted the veteran, Brandon Raub, after he expressed criticism of the U.S. government on a social networking page.

They arrested Raub and kept him in custody for an evaluation based on the long-distance opinion from Michael Campbell, a psychotherapist hired by the local county. But when the case came before a judge, his ruling found the concerns raised by the officers were “so devoid of any factual allegations that it could not be reasonably expected to give rise to a case or controversy.”

Raub then sued the officers for taking him into custody.
The latest ruling rejected a request by the officers to end the case.

“Brandon Raub’s case exposes the seedy underbelly of a governmental system that continues to target military veterans for expressing their discontent over America’s rapid transition to a police state,” said John W. Whitehead, president of The Rutherford Institute.

“While such targeting of veterans and dissidents is problematic enough, for any government official to suggest that they shouldn’t be held accountable for violating a citizen’s rights on the grounds that they were unaware of the Constitution’s prohibitions makes a mockery of our so-called system of representative government. Thankfully, Judge Hudson has recognized this imbalance and ensured that Brandon Raub will get his day in court,” he said.

The decision came from U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson, who essentially said there is not enough information at this point in the case to dismiss the law enforcement defendants. He ordered limited discovery.

The Rutherford Institute called the decision a victory for free speech and the right to be free from wrongful arrest.

Raub, a decorated Marine, had been taken into custody by “a swarm” of FBI, Secret Service agents and local police and forcibly detained in a psychiatric ward for a week because of controversial song lyrics and political views posted on his Facebook page, Rutherford reported.

Hudson said the Rutherford Institute, which is representing Raub, had alleged sufficient facts to indicate that the involuntary commitment violated his rights under the U.S. Constitution’s First and Fourth Amendments.

Institute attorneys had filed the civil rights lawsuit in federal court on behalf of Raub, alleging that his seizure and detention were the result of a federal government program code-named “Operation Vigilant Eagle” that involves the systematic surveillance of military veterans who express views critical of the government.

The complaint alleges that the attempt to label Raub as “mentally ill” and his subsequent involuntary commitment was a pretext designed to silence speech critical of the government.

It was Aug. 16, 2012, when Chesterfield police, Secret Service and FBI agents arrived at Raub’s home, asking to speak with him about his Facebook posts. Like many Facebook users, Raub, a Marine who has served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, uses his Facebook page to post song lyrics and air his political opinions.

Without providing any explanation, levying any charges against Raub or reading him his rights, law enforcement officials handcuffed Raub and transported him to police headquarters, then to John Randolph Medical Center, where he was held against his will.

The Institute reported in a hearing on Aug. 20, government officials pointed to Raub’s Facebook posts as the reason for his incarceration. While Raub stated that the Facebook posts were being read out of context, a special justice ordered Raub be held up to 30 more days for psychological evaluation and treatment.

But Circuit Court Judge Allan Sharrett ordered Raub’s immediate release a short time later, and the lawsuit was initiated.

 http://www.wnd.com/2013/08/court-to-feds-explain-marines-facebook-postings-arrest/

Re-posted in it's Entirety because we asked and have permission.

Duck & Cover Brooksie!!!

Submitted by: Todd Comber

NaturalNews: The miracle of beets, vitamin C, pumpkin seeds and more‏

Dear Lisbon Reporter and NaturalNews readers,

Beets are in the news yet again as a super enhancer to your athletic performance. They not only lower blood pressure; they also boost stamina!

Personally, I like to add 1/4th of a beet to any fruit smoothie. It boosts the nutrition and enhances the smoothie color, too.
Here's the latest research:
http://www.naturalnews.com/040773_athletic_performance_beet_juice_stamina.html

In case you missed it, the US Supreme Court actually ruled in favor of human rights for once: It struck down corporate patents on human genes, thereby preventing humanity from becoming enslaved by Big Pharma and biotech companies:
http://www.naturalnews.com/040760_Supreme_Court_gene_patents_Myriad_Genetics.html

Check out these 7 amazing uses for hemp. So why aren't America's farmers allowed to grow hemp even though we import it from other countries?
http://www.naturalnews.com/040771_hemp_legalization_industrial_uses.html

Southern Liberal Disguised as a Republican!

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham isn't sure if web bloggers have First Amendment protections. What's the deal with the government's war on journalism and free speech?
http://www.naturalnews.com/040772_bloggers_First_Amendment_freedom_of_the_press.html

Don't miss this expert who explains how vitamin C kills every known virus:
http://www.naturalnews.com/040770_vitamin_C_virus_Dr_Thomas_Levy.html

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Improve your athletic performance naturally with beets: Research (NaturalNews) If you want to improve your athletic performance and stamina, there's no real substitute for simply putting time into working out. But if it if you're looking for a simple, natural way to increase the length of your workouts, or if you just...

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Guys: raise your testosterone levels naturally by eating more pumpkin seeds (NaturalNews) The male species has it tough these days. Our collective hormone balance is constantly being assaulted by things like toxic outgassing from plastics, chemical contamination of food, estrogenic compounds in soy and other food additives, lack...

Studies link sugary drink consumption to heart disease (NaturalNews) Many studies link consumption of sugary soft drinks (including non-carbonated beverages) to serious health consequences. One of these is heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States and one of the most costly. Unfortunately...

Want a better deal on buying a house? Find a physically unattractive real estate agent (NaturalNews) A study from Columbus State University suggests that physically attractive real estate agents tend to list property at a higher price and make more money from each sale. So when it comes to locking in the best deal on a house, it's...

Top five reasons to use goat's milk soap (NaturalNews) Consumers are becoming more aware of the chemical mass production of commercial body care products that are loaded with synthetic ingredients. Possibly a symptom of an economy looking to cut costs, body care products like soap and deodorant...

Obama scandals involving IRS, DOJ, EPA and NSA amount to a constitutional crisis (NaturalNews) "Trust us, we're from the government." That statement is no longer a punch line, thanks to President Obama, who had the temerity recently to suggest Americans should not question him or his regime, despite a plethora of still-unfolding scandals...

Get rid of your acne naturally with fish oil supplementation (NaturalNews) There may be a safe, reliable and natural way to treat moderate and severe cases of acne: Supplementation with omega-3-rich fish oil. Acne occurs when a substance known as sebum builds up and combines with dead skin cells. This clogs...

Only 20 minutes of yoga instantly stimulates the brain: Study (NaturalNews) Westerners are inclined to accept the dogma of resistance and aerobic exercising as the only route to fitness. Many physical fitness advocates dismiss hatha yoga as too wimpy. Nevertheless, even seasoned triathlon athlete Rich Roll wishes...

Entrepreneurial spirit highest in Arizona, Utah, Colorado; lowest in rust-belt states and deep south (NaturalNews) The spirit of the west harbors the most entrepreneurial spirit, according to demographics laid out by researchers at the University of Jena in Germany and The University of Texas at Austin. Of the 500,000 diverse and widespread...

Your spiritual right to GMO labeling (NaturalNews) As you already figured out, I try to find out all I can about how callous, impersonal, selfish, greedy and uncaring about people Monsanto is. So, I'm cruising the internet and I come across an article that put Monsanto's complete disregard...

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Australia to unleash genetically modified wheat - who will burn down these fields and stop this human rights horror? (NaturalNews) It might sound drastic, but the torching and removal of unwelcome genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) is precisely how the people of countries throughout Europe, Asia, and elsewhere have effectively stopped the commercial deregulation...

NSA Wiretapping Public Service Announcement (Hysterical)

NSA Wiretapping Public Service Announcement
Trevor Moore (Whitest Kids U' Know) tells us what we can do about the NSA wiretapping our phones Link http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/ba0c...

Why is America so crazy? (Scott Ritter - The problem and the solution)

Almost 5 years ago this man gave this alarming but great speech and look at us today!

Lisbon
 
Some people aren't going to like
this. 
 
But until Americans confront their
core problem, they - and others - 
will continue to be victimized by
its "leaders."
 
There is a solution: 
 
http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/383.html
 
- Brasscheck

I'm a Good Ole' American (Anti-Obama song)

A song written by a concerned, non-funded American Citizen in opposition to an ever-growing tyrannical government. 9/12 protests in Washington, D.C.
I'm a Good Ole American

 

Is This What Our Forefathers Had In Mind?

 

 

 

 

Does Lisbon Maine Need A Free Speech Zone?

    Due to Lisbon’s Councilors  turning  public Council Meetings into an exclusion zone for free speech the people of Lisbon are left with a problem. Where are the citizens of Lisbon going to exercise their Free speech as specified by our Constitution?

    I propose Lisbon Councilors Establish a Free Speech Zone somewhere in the vicinity of Lisbon Town Hall.   I'm sure Lisbon public works has the materials necessary to install Free Speech Cages on public property adjacent to the Town Hall.

                                                          An Example Of A Free Speech Cage

    The First Amendment to the United States Constitution states that "Congress shall make no law... abridging... the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Its a sad day in Lisbon when we are reduced to  "Free Speech Cages"

Respectfully
Joe Hill

"Maine We The People"...Collection of Maine Corruption Reporting Sites

Links To Blogs Exposing Maine Corruption

  If you want to include your Maine website please contact us  at:    Admin@Lisbonmaine.net


Maine We The People

Too Close To The Truth For Comfort In Lisbon's Management Circle!

ARE WE GETTING TOO CLOSE?

In a desperate attempt to keep the truth from the residents of Lisbon, the town council has restricted what the people can bring out during Audience Participation.  The people can no longer raise issues of concern if it is not on the agenda.  Since, the agenda has no section for New Business section, the ONLY way to bring this out is to contact a councilor who decides whether to put it on the next agenda or not.

Common sense will tell you that under no circumstance will a councilor ever put any issue on the agenda that will embarrass or expose corruption by the council.  So the people will never hear about the misappropriation of town funds and the mismanagement going on in the town.  This is a direct form of censorship and a violation of the people’s right to be heard by the 1^st Amendment the United States Constitution.  Free speech is guaranteed under the 1^st Amendment everywhere in this country but in Lisbon.

The people have already asked several questions this council never answered.  Questions like:

1.        Why did we have a tax increase last year and then a carry forward of over a million dollars?

2.       Why are purchases not charged to the department the purchases are for?

3.       Why did it take six years to file a law suit to recover the misappropriated $32,500?

4.       Why did the town find it necessary to transfer funds right after the beginning of the new fiscal year?

5.       Why does the Chairman of the council NOT have to pay interest and penalties on back taxes owed like ALL of residents?

6.       Why are the people not informed of the “precise nature of the business” being discussed in Executive Sessions in accordance with Maine law?

7.       Why was the old high school sold to Brunswick Housing Authority for $1.00?

8.       Why has there been no work done on the people voting on the municipal budget by departments?

Asking any councilor to put these items on the agenda so the people can discuss these issues will never happen. 

It should be the concern of every resident of Lisbon that their 1^st Amendment right has been taken away by this council. 

Instead of identifying problems areas and correcting them, this council has chosen to silence the people and conduct business as usual.  The people of Lisbon should be outraged by this inexcusable behavior.  It is time to force this council to take action to eliminate misappropriation of town funds and the mismanagement going on in Lisbon. 

Larry Fillmore

We the People  

In Lisbon It's Do As We Say Councilors, Never Mind 'We the People' That Voted Us In!!!

COUNCILORS ABUSE of POWER

 Fern Larochelle, Town Council Chairman

At the last town council meeting, Chairman LaRochelle dropped a bomb on the Public.  Chairman LaRochelle apparently decided to enforce Mrs. Pomelow’s rewrite of the Council Working Rules.  According to the Council Working Rules, no one can introduce any new business or ask any questions about anything not on the agenda.  Chairman LaRochelle apparently is tired of this council’s 'shenanigans' being exposed to the residents of Lisbon.  It is too bad that the Councilors and the Town Manager did not read and adhere to the Mission Statement of the Town of Lisbon.  This is like their oath of office which they totally ignore.

 Lori Pomelow

Their oath of office requires councilors to abide by the United States Constitution, Maine Constitution and Law, and the Charter of the town of Lisbon to include all our ordinances.  Yet, instead of abiding by these; these councilors and town manager totally ignore them.  The council has violated the 1^st Amendment of the US Constitution by censuring what the people are allowed to bring out at a council meeting.  Apparently, there is no more freedom of speech in Lisbon.  Mrs. Pomelow eliminated “New Business” in the Council Working Rules so if it is not on the agenda residents cannot bring it up to the council during Audience Participation. Censuring the Public violates everything the councilors swore to uphold.

The town of Lisbon’s Mission Statement was written to ensure the citizens of Lisbon would be an active participant in the governing of Lisbon.  Statements like “We are committed to serving the public, being accountable and conducting ourselves with integrity, honesty and responsibility.”  Now we find that the town manager and Police Chief have lied to the Public.  The Chairman of the town council has tried to confuse the people with half-truths or just flat out lied to the residents of Lisbon.  The Finance Director has repeatedly charged accounts that had nothing to do with the purchase; which I believe is misappropriation of funds.  The town manager has hidden funds throughout the budget in years pass and will continue to do so in order to create a “Slush Fund”.

 Stephen G. Eldridge, Lisbon Town Manager

Now let's look at another statement “We are committed to sharing information with our citizens and including them as partners in the decision making process."  This is without question the biggest joke of all.  I had to sue the town twice to get information the judge said I was entitled too.  I have also had to submit approximately 90 other Freedom of Access Acts (FOAA) to get information which I have also had to pay for.  I have had to call the state in to get information I was entitled too; so tell me again how committed is the town is in sharing information?  By the way, it takes two Priests, a Nun, a Rabbi and the Pope to get any information pertaining to the Revolving Loan Fund Program.  

Now, Chairman LaRochelle has pretty much eliminated the citizens as far as being involved in the decision making process by censuring free speech during Audience Participation at council meetings.  I believe it is necessary to rewrite our town’s mission statement to conform to this council and town managers concept of doing business.  If the residents of Lisbon are involved in the decision making process of the town, it will have to be as a “silent partner” because we have absolutely no say in what is going on.

The town council and town manager conduct 100% of their illegal activities behind closed doors disguised as Executive Sessions.  Maine law requires the town to “indicate the precise nature of the business” being discussed in Executive Sessions.  Statements such as “Personal Matters” and “Economic Development” are not precise nature of the business.  These councilors are snowed by the town manager and they hang on to every word, but those words are false.

I do not believe Chairman LaRochelle, Chief Brooks and Stephen Eldridge have any integrity and honesty.  I know for a fact they do not have the best interest of this community at heart.

Larry Fillmore

We the People