tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59927276682606136272023-11-15T11:48:30.266-06:00American MomentsPromoting Distinctly American Ideas -
100% Conservative, 100% Correct, 100% CurtisCurtis Staggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11149214876616860049noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992727668260613627.post-59170691623836052762014-08-14T23:01:00.001-05:002014-08-14T23:01:26.509-05:00WHY IS IBOTOOLBOX GETTING SO POPULAR?<p>Here are a few reasons why this platform is being used everyday by thousands upon thousands of business owners around the world: </p> <p><b>1.</b> <a href="http://freetools.startarealbusiness.com/" target="_blank">IBOtoolbox</a> works! So many systems and tools out there on the Internet do not work. They are 100% hype with no return for using them. IBOtoolbox was designed from the ground up to be the workhorse of your marketing efforts. Whether you are a part time or a full time Internet Marketer, you will quickly find that IBOtoolbox under hypes and over delivers on every turn. </p> <p><b>2.</b> The system contains the most targeted audience you will find anywhere on the Internet. IBOtoolbox receives hundreds of thousands of visitors each and every day. These visitors are looking for opportunities to make extra money, they are finding your products and services through search engines, or they are coming to IBO through our vast social media network. Bottom line, IBOtoolbox has what every business owner needs... a NON-incentivized visitor/prospect base. </p> <p><b>3.</b> <a href="http://freetools.startarealbusiness.com/" target="_blank">IBOtoolbox</a> is a community of like minded Internet Marketers just like yourself and was specifically developed for the Internet Marketer. Every feature, tool, widget, and app was developed to help you market your business. Every aspect of IBOtoolbox was specially designed to fit into your marketing plan. There is no other platform on the Internet that even comes close to all that IBOtoolbox has to offer. </p> <p><b>4.</b> <a href="http://freetools.startarealbusiness.com/" target="_blank">IBOtoolbox</a> is 100% free. No gimmicks, no levels, no limitations, no restrictions, no NAG screens, nothing. Every single feature, tool, and app that IBOtoolbox has is open to every single member. IBOtoolbox has leveled the playing field making it possible to succeed with Internet Marketing regardless of your financial situation. </p> <p><b>IMPORTANT:</b>  IBOtoolbox does not have levels, packages, payplans, enrollment fees, or other strings. We are a truly free platform that does not tell you to upgrade after you join. ALL members of IBOtoolbox have the same features and tools. IBOtoolbox is not an MLM, traffic exchange program, or any other type of program designed to lure money from your pocket. IBOtoolbox will NEVER sell, give, lend, or barter your information to a third party. IBOtoolbox will NEVER "transform" into an MLM or bait and switch you in any way. <br /><b>MORE IMPORTANT:</b>  <a href="http://freetools.startarealbusiness.com/" target="_blank">IBOtoolbox</a> is a <b>"safehaven"</b> to build your business! </p> <p><a href="http://curtisstaggs.com/" target="_blank">Curtis Staggs</a></p> Curtis Staggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11149214876616860049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992727668260613627.post-88089935751819056172014-07-04T09:17:00.001-05:002014-07-04T09:17:19.453-05:00Reflections on Independence Day - Our lives. Our fortunes. Our sacred honor.<p>Independence Day.</p> <p>On the Fourth of July, we celebrate the birth of America.</p> <p>There will be parades and fireworks, barbecues, picnics, carnivals, fairs, baseball games, speeches and ceremonies, etc.</p> <p>We will talk about our history and tradition.</p> <p>We will speak of freedom and liberty.</p> <p>We will remember our founding document, the Declaration of Independence, and the grand ideas it shows us.  The most familiar words that still guide and inform us.</p> <blockquote> <p>"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."</p> </blockquote> <p>Yet, when we think about this historical document, sometimes I think we overlook the driving force behind it and the sacrifices made to give birth to our independence.</p> <p>I'm talking about the 56 men that signed the Declaration of Independence and quite literally signed their lives away.</p> <p>The following is taken from the closing of the last paragraph from the Declaration:</p> <blockquote> <p>"And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."</p> </blockquote> <p>Our lives.  Our fortunes.  Our sacred honor.</p> <p>We understand the first two but it's very hard to grasp the concept of sacred honor in today's society.  We hardly commit to anything and stick with it.</p> <p>To put it simply in Texas Holdem Poker terms, these men we're "all in."</p> <p>They held nothing back.</p> <p>And their losses were many.</p> <p>They lost houses and lands, children and families, their health, their fortunes, their liberty, their reputations, their friendships, etc.  For many it cost them everything, even their lives.</p> <p>Every year at this time, as we celebrate, I've tried to make it a tradition to read the Declaration to my children.  I hope they will read it to their children someday.</p> <p>We read the names of the 56 signers aloud and say "thank you."</p> <p>I think we owe them that much.</p> <p><b>The 56 signatures on the Declaration appear in the positions indicated:</b></p> <p><i>Column 1</i></p> <p><b>Georgia:</b></p> <p>Button Gwinnett</p> <p>Lyman Hall</p> <p>George Walton</p> <p><i>Column 2</i></p> <p><b>North Carolina:</b></p> <p>William Hooper</p> <p>Joseph Hewes</p> <p>John Penn</p> <p><b>South Carolina:</b></p> <p>Edward Rutledge</p> <p>Thomas Heyward, Jr.</p> <p>Thomas Lynch, Jr.</p> <p>Arthur Middleton</p> <p><i>Column 3</i></p> <p><b>Massachusetts:</b></p> <p>John Hancock</p> <p><b>Maryland:</b></p> <p>Samuel Chase</p> <p>William Paca</p> <p>Thomas Stone</p> <p>Charles Carroll of Carrollton</p> <p><b>Virginia:</b></p> <p>George Wythe</p> <p>Richard Henry Lee</p> <p>Thomas Jefferson</p> <p>Benjamin Harrison</p> <p>Thomas Nelson, Jr.</p> <p>Francis Lightfoot Lee</p> <p>Carter Braxton</p> <p><i>Column 4</i></p> <p><b>Pennsylvania:</b></p> <p>Robert Morris</p> <p>Benjamin Rush</p> <p>Benjamin Franklin</p> <p>John Morton</p> <p>George Clymer</p> <p>James Smith</p> <p>George Taylor</p> <p>James Wilson</p> <p>George Ross</p> <p><b>Delaware:</b></p> <p>Caesar Rodney</p> <p>George Read</p> <p>Thomas McKean</p> <p><i>Column 5</i></p> <p><b>New York:</b></p> <p>William Floyd</p> <p>Philip Livingston</p> <p>Francis Lewis</p> <p>Lewis Morris</p> <p><b>New Jersey:</b></p> <p>Richard Stockton</p> <p>John Witherspoon</p> <p>Francis Hopkinson</p> <p>John Hart</p> <p>Abraham Clark</p> <p><i>Column 6</i></p> <p><b>New Hampshire:</b></p> <p>Josiah Bartlett</p> <p>William Whipple</p> <p><b>Massachusetts:</b></p> <p>Samuel Adams</p> <p>John Adams</p> <p>Robert Treat Paine</p> <p>Elbridge Gerry</p> <p><b>Rhode Island:</b></p> <p>Stephen Hopkins</p> <p>William Ellery</p> <p><b>Connecticut:</b></p> <p>Roger Sherman</p> <p>Samuel Huntington</p> <p>William Williams</p> <p>Oliver Wolcott</p> <p><b>New Hampshire:</b></p> <p>Matthew Thornton</p> <hr /> <p><a href="http://coastal-freedom.com/">Time.  Money.  Freedom.</a></p> Curtis Staggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11149214876616860049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992727668260613627.post-1338856422375195462014-06-25T19:27:00.001-05:002014-06-25T19:27:41.484-05:00School is NEVER Out!<p>This is one in a series of excerpts from a book that is part of my daily <a href="http://www.ibourl.net/curtisstaggs">personal development</a> routine.  The book is written by Mike Brescia entitled "Today is Your Day to Win."</p> <p>It's a quick morning read and is set up in a daily reading format so when you get to the end of the book you just start again.  I've been using the book nearly 10 years and I get something new and fresh from each read.  I strongly encourage you to add this title to your success library.</p> <p>It contains <a href="http://www.ibourl.net/greatmotivationalquotes">great motivational quotes</a> as well as great questions to ask yourself about improving every area of your life.</p> <p>Here are a few excerpts from today's reading:</p> <blockquote> <p><b>Today's Empowering Quote:</b></p> <p>Phil Jackson knows how to coach me.  He gets me angry.  When I get angry, I dominate.  It's perfect.  -Shaquille O'Neal</p> <p><b>Today's Empowering Question:</b></p> <p>Who else can I learn important skills and lessons from now?</p> <p><b>Today’s Winning Beliefs:</b></p> <p>•    I see each day's new challenges as the way toward high achievement</p> <p>•    I overcome all challenges that come my way</p> <p>•    I learn something valuable from everyone I meet</p> <p>•    I'm now achieving my potential</p> <p>•    I am getting better at everything I do</p> <p>•    I believe I can learn anything</p> </blockquote> <p>Every day is a great day to learn something new and develop new skills for life and business.  Incorporate these ideas and concepts into your daily routine consistently and you'll begin to see gains in the areas of your life you're seeking to improve.</p> <p>________________________________________</p> <p>Imagine a business where you can earn almost $10,000 in ONE transaction and take deeply discounted vacations whenever you like.  NOT mlm or network marketing.  NOT a gifting program.  NOT your ordinary home business.  And it's been working for over 22 years.  <a href="http://www.ibourl.net/coastalfreedom">Click here for details.</a></p> Curtis Staggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11149214876616860049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992727668260613627.post-1785935582163831062014-05-02T13:57:00.001-05:002014-05-02T13:57:46.608-05:00Is Coastal Vacations the right business for You?<p>Well, that depends...</p> <p>There are literally THOUSANDS of home businesses out there to choose from.</p> <p>I use that word "businesses" loosely, because there's a lot of junk on and off the internet.</p> <p>Cash gifting, HYIPs, autosurfs, and other pie-in-the-sky schemes are often called businesses when there's no real product or service being exchanged.</p> <p>At least with mlm/network marketing you normally have a product or service, but very few people are making any money because they cannot create the organization it takes to generate the massive sales volume needed to throw off substantial income.</p> <p>With so many choices out there...good, bad ,and ugly; why choose <a href="http://coastal-freedom.com/" target="_blank">Coastal Vacations</a>? </p> <p>What makes it stand apart from all the others? </p> <p>Well, first of all, let's look at some facts:</p> <p>According to a recent home business poll, here are the TOP 10 criteria people are looking for:</p> <p> <br /><strong>Substantial immediate income <br />Low initial capital <br />Extreme Product value <br />No need to keep product on hand <br />Easy to use system <br />Company stability <br />Duplicatable <br />Worldwide appeal <br />Exponential growth <br />Long term income</strong></p> <p> <br />Now, that's a pretty tall bill for any one business to fill. </p> <p>Most businesses meet at least 2 or 3 of these criteria, but very few can meet more than that. Many people have tried program after program, trying to find the perfect one, and finally decide to give up. They lose hope that the "REAL THING" truly exists.</p> <p>Well, what if I told you that Coastal Vacations meets *ALL* of the above criteria, and even more?</p> <p>We have merged two of the hottest industries today - Travel and the Internet. The result is a business that blows the competition away.</p> <p>Let's take a closer look at that list again as it applies to Coastal...</p> <p><strong>Substantial immediate income</strong> - $1,000 - $9,705 for every new client referral</p> <p><strong>Low initial capital</strong> - Start your very own REAL business for less than $1500 capital up front.</p> <p><strong>Extreme Product value</strong> - The Coastal level I Package is worth over $15,000, and yet we retail it for just $1,295.</p> <p><strong>No need to keep product on hand</strong> - You mail the order to the shipping center, and they drop ship the product directly to your clients.</p> <p><strong>Easy to use system</strong> - Full training provided by your own personal mentor who has had established success in the business and can show you the ropes. If you can give out a website address and a phone number, you can do this!</p> <p><strong>Company stability</strong> - The Coastal package is over 25 years old, and has been marketed this way for over 20 years. All the companies we represent are at least 15 years old, and are all licensed and bonded, as well as listed with the BBB.</p> <p><strong>Duplicatable</strong> - The company offers tools for your success and also for the success of anyone you teach. Marketing systems are already in place, one simply has to plug-in and get started!</p> <p><strong>Worldwide appeal</strong> - The Coastal opportunity is available worldwide. The package can be used by anyone, anywhere.</p> <p><strong>Exponential growth</strong> - Although Coastal is NOT mlm or network marketing, there is exponential growth built in.</p> <p><strong>Long term income</strong> - Once you are a Coastal Director, you are a Director for life! There are no yearly agent fees, no minimum sales requirements, no inactivity penalties.... this business is yours forever.</p> <p>But we don't stop there..... there's more.....</p> <p><strong>No waiting on checks</strong> - You are paid directly by the customer, so you get paid FIRST. You then send the wholesale cost into the shipping center, and the package is drop shipped to your client. Because the company doesn't pay you anything, they don't keep track of what you do. There are no 1099s at the end of the year. It is up to you to keep track and report what you make.</p> <p><strong>No restrictions on marketing</strong> - Most companies make you get your ads approved and have to "OK" your ideas before you can use them. Not Coastal. This is YOUR business. You are completely independent. If you can dream it up, you can do it.</p> <p><strong>Everyone loves to travel!!!</strong> - Travel is the one thing that has universal appeal. Families, businesses, non-profit organizations, retired couples... everybody.... loves this package. Even the biggest skeptic will perk up his ears when you start talking about the benefits of wholesale vacations with the Coastal package.</p> <p><strong>Dozens of effective marketing methods</strong> - Our Directors use many different methods.... some use the Internet exclusively, some just over the telephone, others solely in person. You can use postcards, seminars, trade shows, newspapers, magazines, the Internet, business-to-business... the possibilities are endless! And, as part of your personal training, you will be taught about each of these methods and how to use them.</p> <p>What an incredible opportunity!  I've been developing businesses for over 20 years and I’ve never seen a business that offers such reward for so little risk.  As Coastal Directors, we earn between 77% and 88% commission from every sale we personally make.</p> <p>Coastal Vacations is lucrative enough even within the first few months to support an entire household by itself.</p> <p>How many people can say that? That their business they run from their home pays all their bills all by itself?  Very few.</p> <p>I encourage you to <a href="http://coastal-freedom.com/" target="_blank">take the 3-step tour at our website</a> and view the recorded webinar found there.</p> <p>After that, you may have some questions, but you should have a pretty good idea if this is right for you. Please feel free to call me at my home office, 270-339-3672 with your questions. </p> <p>To your Success,</p> <p>Curtis Staggs</p> <p><a href="http://coastal-freedom.com/" target="_blank">Coastal Freedom</a></p> Curtis Staggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11149214876616860049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992727668260613627.post-2415072387691095642014-03-25T14:39:00.001-05:002014-03-25T14:39:41.029-05:00I am NOT an Avon representative, but I know a good one<p>Everyone has heard about <a href="http://discoveravon.com/">Avon</a>.  They've been around since 1886 and have maintained a good reputation for quality products primarily for women. </p> <p>And as the title of the release says, I am NOT an <a href="http://discoveravon.com/">Avon representative</a>; but, my wife is, and as a good husband and friend, I must take a few moments to help promote her endeavor. </p> <p>Since I'm a student of history and I love a good story I'll share a little history about Avon that I learned recently.   </p> <p>According to the company website, the founder, "David H. McConnell didn't originally intend to create a beauty company. A traveling book salesman, he founded Avon in 1886 after realizing his female customers were far more interested in the free perfume samples he offered than in his books. During his book selling days, McConnell had also noticed that many of his female customers were isolated at home while their husbands went off to work. So he purposely recruited female sales Representatives. McConnell believed they had a natural ability to network with and market to other women, and a passion for his products. At a time of limited employment options for women, the Avon earnings opportunity was a revolutionary concept. It marked the start of the company's long and rich history of empowering women around the globe." </p> <p>http://www.avoncompany.com/aboutavon/history/ </p> <p>Now, a little history about my wife (my empowered woman) and I.  We've lived in <a href="http://discoveravon.com/">Madisonville Kentucky</a> for almost thirty years.  She has supported my business endeavors over the years and there have been many.  I started my first brick and mortar retail store at age 19 and she was there.  She has seen my boom and bust.  She has witnessed the good, the bad, and the ugly.  And recently, she has started her own home based business.  I am very happy for her.   </p> <p>So, if you enjoy Avon products or know someone who does you can <a href="http://discoveravon.com/">buy Avon online</a>.  FREE standard shipping with $35 order or more. </p> <p><a href="http://discoveravon.com/">Avon is the world leader in anti-aging skin care products, fragrance and color cosmetics. Its product line includes beauty products, fashion jewelry and apparel and features such well-recognized brand names as Avon Color, Anew, Skin So Soft, Avon Solutions, Advance Techniques Hair Care, Avon naturals, mark and Avon Wellness.</a></p> Curtis Staggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11149214876616860049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992727668260613627.post-39625745637429163302014-02-07T10:19:00.002-06:002014-02-07T10:20:04.306-06:00February 7th Facts from American History<br>
On Feb 7,1812 - The last of the New Madrid earthquakes, a series of violent quakes that changes the course of the Mississippi River, occurs near New Madrid, Missouri.
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On Feb 7, 1867 - Laura Ingalls Wilder is born near Pepin, Wisconsin. At the age of 65, she published a novel about her life, Little House in the Big Woods, soon to be followed by Little House on the Prairie and others.
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On Feb 7, 1964 - The Beatles arrive in New York for their first U.S. tour and an appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, touching off Beatlemania.
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On Feb 7,1984 - Space shuttle Challenger astronauts Bruce McCandless and Robert Stewart take the first untethered spacewalk.
<br>Curtis Staggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11149214876616860049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992727668260613627.post-2091242032542927342014-02-06T17:48:00.001-06:002014-02-06T17:48:54.968-06:00Happy Birthday Mr. President!<p>February 6th is the birthday of Ronald Wilson Reagan, the nation's 40th president. </p> <p>When he became president, many said the nation's best days were behind us.  He spent much of his presidency (1981-1989) reminding Americans, again and again, that this country is still a land of boundless potential, a beacon of freedom and hope for the world. </p> <p>Reagan served as Governor of California and was a former actor. He is often remembered as "The Great Communicator" for his ability to connect with the American people.   </p> <p>He had a great sense of humor as evidenced in quotes like, "Politics is supposed to be the second-oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first." </p> <p>One of my favorite Reagan quotes is, "The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'" </p> <p>Reagan believed that government was NOT the answer to our problems, but was very often, THE problem.  And that the American people are the answer to every problem we face as a nation. </p> <p>I think the Reagan legacy will be that Ronald Reagan helped America believe in itself again.  He showed us that we are an exceptional nation, and that brighter days were in our future. </p> <p>President Reagan died on June 5th, 2004. </p> <p>Rest in Peace Mr. President, you will be missed and remembered. </p> <p><a href="http://americanmoments.blogspot.com/">Click here for more American Moments</a></p> Curtis Staggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11149214876616860049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992727668260613627.post-84559706762087486722013-12-24T17:32:00.001-06:002013-12-24T17:32:53.953-06:00What Innovation Can Do to Your Life<p>It's a talent that everyone has, yet they think they don't. The power of innovation. If you've ever marveled at somebody's creative prowess, guess what, you can create and innovate too. It just takes time. Everyone is born creative. The box of crayons in kindergarten were not limited to those who possessed potential; because the truth is, everybody has potential. </p> <p>You know how long it took to learn to ride a bike or drive or to never commit the same mistake again? It's the same with innovation. It takes a  bit of practice and a lot of time before this mind function comes easily  when called. This article will teach you a few tips on how to bring innovation into your life. </p> <p>Don't listen to what other people say. Follow the beat of your own drum. Allowing for the input of other people will only bring cacophony to the music you are trying to make. If you have an original idea, don't waste your time and effort trying to make people understand. They won't. And the help you will probably get comes in the form of negative feedback. If all those geniuses listened to their peers, we would probably still be living in the middle ages. </p> <p>Spend time on it. I cannot stress that enough, although, please do not mistake this tip to tell you to quit your day job entirely. Do not. This involves some tricky time management but with a little discipline you'll be able to squeeze both in. </p> <p>Exercise. Take a walk. Run a mile or two. Send all those endorphins coursing through your veins. Exercising certainly clears and relaxes your mind and allows for anything to pop up. </p> <p>Record your dreams. Aren't some of them just the craziest things that your conscious mind would never have thought of? If you've had these dreams before, and I'm sure have, this only shows you the untapped innovative power you have lying within. So jot down those notes. Those dreams may just create an innovative spark in you. </p> <p>Find your own style. You can always tell a Van Gogh from a Matisse. You'll know Hemingway wrote something by the choice of words on the paper. So it is the same with you. People will appreciate your innovation more because it is uniquely yours and that no one else would have thought of what you were thinking. That will let people see how valuable an asset you are. </p> <p>Don't hide behind nifty gadgets or tools. You don't need the most expensive set of paints to produce a masterpiece. The same way with writing. You don't need some expensive fountain pen and really smooth paper for a bestseller. In fact, J.K. Rowling wrote the first book of the Harry Potter Series on bits of tissue. So what if you've got an expensive SLR camera if you're a crappy photographer? Who cares if you've got a blinging laptop if you can't write at all? The artist actually reduces the number of tools he has as he gets better at his craft: he knows what works and what doesn't. </p> <p>Nothing will work without passion. What wakes you up in the mornings? What keeps the flame burning? What is the one thing that you'll die if you don't do? Sometimes people with talent are overtaken by the people who want it more. Think the hare and the tortoise. Ellen Degeneres once said that if you're not doing something that you want to do, then you don't really want to do it. And that's true. Sometimes you just want something so bad you become a virtual unstoppable. And that is passion. Passion will keep you going. </p> <p>Don't worry about inspiration. You can't force it; inspiration hits when you least expect it to, for those unpredictable yet inevitable moments you should prepare. An idea could strike you on the subway, yet alas, you poor unfortunate soul; you have no sheet of paper to scribble down a thought that could change the world. Avoid these disasters. Have a pen and paper within your arm's reach at all times. </p> <p>I hope this article has helped you bring more innovation into your life. Keep in mind that you're doing these things for your own satisfaction and not anybody else's. But soon enough they will notice, and everything should snowball from there. </p> Curtis Staggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11149214876616860049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992727668260613627.post-79546839291200098592013-12-14T09:39:00.001-06:002013-12-14T09:39:15.232-06:0012 Second Commute<p>I recently discovered <a href="http://www.12secondcommute.com/rep/VacationKing.html" target="_blank">12 Second Commute</a>, also known as 12 SC, and what I have found is a treasure trove for anyone building businesses online.  It has certainly made my life easier and saved me time.  They have all the tools and resources an internet marketer needs to earn income online, it’s affordable and in one all inclusive system.  Here’s a sampling of some of the system’s features:</p> <p>** World-class Autoresponder that can be setup by anyone in less than 40 seconds. <br />** Ad Tracker, Contact Manager, Capture Page Creator, URL Rotator and more. <br />** Unbiased Training and Support so you never struggle again. <br />** Multiple Streams of Income built in so you earn as you learn. <br />** Stunning capture pages you can use to promote any program </p> <p>The people behind <a href="http://www.12secondcommute.com/rep/VacationKing.html" target="_blank">12 Second Commute</a> have been helping others earn money online in a solid and consistent fashion since 1999.  They even <strong>give you a FREE trial account with no credit card required</strong> so you can see how powerful and easy to use our system will be.  So, what do you have to lose.  <a href="http://www.12secondcommute.com/rep/VacationKing.html" target="_blank">Click here to try it out.</a>  You might like it.  I’m betting you do!</p> Curtis Staggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11149214876616860049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992727668260613627.post-66606829264828043492013-10-16T00:08:00.001-05:002013-10-16T00:08:20.933-05:00Great Quote from Mark Twain<h3><font size="3" face="Arial">“Life is short, break the rules, forgive quickly, kiss slowly, love truly, laugh uncontrollably, and never regret anything that made you smile. Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”</font></h3> Curtis Staggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11149214876616860049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992727668260613627.post-66147525488199568472013-02-04T18:51:00.000-06:002013-02-04T18:51:12.259-06:00Could be a peek into our future in AmericaThe following is a clip from the United Kingdom where they have already enacted handgun laws and confiscated weapons.
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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qGVAQOUi6ec?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Curtis Staggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11149214876616860049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992727668260613627.post-88141179539971156102011-07-25T20:02:00.002-05:002011-07-25T20:05:14.856-05:00<iframe width="500" height="314" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Jg9fesMAvwA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Curtis Staggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11149214876616860049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992727668260613627.post-63896581652446490222010-02-22T21:02:00.001-06:002010-02-22T21:03:52.042-06:00A little Liberal humor<span id="ecxrole_document" style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:#000000;"><span style="background-color: transparent;font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;color:#000000;" ><span style="font-family:Tahoma;font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: 12pt;">A Republican, in a wheelchair, entered a restaurant one afternoon and asked the waitress for a cup of coffee. The Republican looked across the restaurant and asked, "Is that Jesus sitting over there?" <br /> <br />The waitress nodded "yes," so the Republican requested that she give Jesus a cup of coffee, on him. <br /> <br />The next patron to come in was a Libertarian, with a hunched back. He shuffled over to a booth, painfully sat down, and asked the waitress for a cup of hot tea. He also glanced across the restaurant and asked, "Is that Jesus, over there?" <br />The waitress nodded, so the Libertarian asked her to give Jesus a cup of hot tea, "My treat." <br /> <br />The third patron to come into the restaurant was a Democrat on crutches. He hobbled over to a booth, sat down and hollered, "Hey there honey! How's about gettin' me a cold mug of Miller Light?" He too looked across the restaurant and asked, "Isn't that God's boy over there? <br /> <br />The waitress nodded, so the Democrat directed her to give Jesus a cold beer. "On my bill," he said loudly. <br /> <br />As Jesus got up to leave, he passed by the Republican, touched him and said, "For your kindness, you are healed." The Republican felt the strength come back into his legs, got up, and danced a jig out the door.<br /> <br />Jesus passed by the Libertarian, touched him and said, "For your kindness, you are healed." The Libertarian felt his back straightening up and he raised his hands, praised the Lord, and did a series of back flips out the door. <br /> <br />Then, Jesus walked towards the Democrat, just smiling. <br /> <br />The Democrat jumped up and yelled, <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Don't touch me ... I'm collecting disability." </span><br /><br /></span></span></span></span>Curtis Staggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11149214876616860049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992727668260613627.post-52254880057967461802009-09-11T08:04:00.000-05:002009-09-11T08:06:20.136-05:00Why are liberals so upset?Why are liberals so upset that some people did not want their children exposed to the Obama speech on Tuesday? Some just can’t deal with the rejection of their anointed one. After all, he’s so intelligent (they keep reminding us). As if his IQ will somehow make up for any other short comings. <br /><br />Liberals fail to understand that parents don’t owe anyone an explanation for protecting their children from something they view as potentially harmful. As a concerned father of five, I try to err on the side of caution when it comes to my children. I don’t have to justify myself to any man for looking out for my kids.<br /><br />And no, Mr. Lowery and Ms. Watson, it’s not about the color of Barack’s skin. It’s about the color of his ideas. He is a statist. Statism is defined as the principle or policy of concentrating extensive economic, political, and related controls in the state at the cost of individual liberty. We also learned from the Joe the plumber episode that Obama believes in wealth redistribution. He believes in expanding BIG government. I reject those ideas and so does most of America. <br /><br />I know this may come as a surprise to some, but most of America is NOT racist. Want some proof? How about the fact that Barack Obama is President of the United States? Even though 96 percent of black voters voted for Obama, that only accounted for 13 percent of the electorate. So there must have been a bunch of white people voting to get the guy elected. And how come there where no major news stories questioning the influence of race in the 96 percent of black voters that voted Obama? Hmmmm.<br /><br />Most Americans are not racist and we’re really tired of the accusation. We reject racism, but not because of the morality issue. I’m sure that comes into play, but it’s secondary to the fact that racism is just plain stupid. Most of us were taught as children not to judge a book by its cover. Believing that one skin is superior to another is like walking into a library and making your selections based on whether you like the cover or not, with no regard to the content. That would be foolish.<br /><br />In the words of King, “they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” That’s all I’ve done. I’ve judged the content of the book called Obama and I don’t want my children reading it.Curtis Staggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11149214876616860049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992727668260613627.post-7620870708947080152009-06-22T08:14:00.000-05:002009-06-22T08:17:24.466-05:00Liberals continue to whineOne thing is certain, liberals continue to fume over the “tea party” events almost to the point of having conniptions when they say the words “tea party” and I think I know why. They’re scared to death. You see, they’re so used to conservatives behaving in a certain predictable way. Conservatives are not activists by nature. We don’t normally run around with picket signs protesting this and that, that behavior is usually reserved for liberals and their special interest groups. Most Americans are too busy with their jobs and businesses, their family and their faith, to be proactive in any political way; but liberals exist for their “special” causes whether it is animal rights, the global warming agenda, gay marriage, nationalized medicine, abortion on demand, etc. Patience and diligence has allowed these “government is the solution types” to incrementally shape our society. <br /><br />Now, conservatives are mobilizing and that’s what frightens liberals. They were not expecting such an outcry. They have underestimated the opponent and over played their hand. Obama, Pelosi, Reid and the others have tried to do too much too fast and they made the mistake of waking up the giant that is the American people. According to a recent Gallup poll, 40 percent of Americans identify themselves as conservative, 35 percent call themselves moderate and only 21 percent say they’re liberal. I’ll bet that stings! Equally interesting, just 3 percent of republicans say they’re liberal while a whopping 22 percent of democrats consider themselves conservative. Could it be because most Americans believe in the principles of free enterprise and limited government as opposed to collectivism and an unlimited expansion of government? Or maybe because we think that individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense are vital to our very survival? <br /><br />Liberals would never win an election if they were honest with the American people during the campaign. Can you imagine that stump speech? “Yeah, we believe that the government should control every aspect of your life because we don’t really trust you to run your own life. We’re going to tax you every chance we get, it’ll be painful. We will be redistributing your wealth to those whom we deem more deserving. We will enslave you to debt; you and your children and your children’s children will be paying for a long long time. We hate capitalism because it’s unfair, so we’ll destroy it so you won’t have the opportunity to improve your position in life. We’ll be permitting illegal aliens to over run your country and there will be a lot of gang members and criminals in general. We will not keep you safe from the crazy dictators of this world who are arming as we speak, after all, America has made mistakes and deserves what she gets; besides as long as I have a safe place to hide I don’t really care about you. We will have to confiscate all your guns, we wouldn’t want you to be able to stop us from achieving our goals. Anything else we decide to do, we will do but you should know that we always have your best interests at heart. Thank you for your vote.”Curtis Staggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11149214876616860049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992727668260613627.post-71095936986247914572009-05-04T18:28:00.001-05:002009-05-04T18:30:38.071-05:00Dear Employees:Dear Employees:<br /><br />As the CEO of this business that employs 140 people, I have accepted the fact that Barack Obama is our new President, and that our taxes and government fees will now increase in a BIG way.<br /><br />To compensate for this additional overhead, I figure that the clients will have to see an increase in our fees of about 8%, but, since we cannot raise those prices right now due to the dismal state of our economy, we will haveto lay off several of our employees instead.<br /><br />This unfortunate economic reality has really been eating at me for a while, as we believe we are family here, and I it’s difficult to choose who will have to go.<br /><br />After giving it considerable thought, this is what I did: I strolled through our parking lot and found 11 Obama bumper stickers on our employees' cars and have decided these folks will be thefirst to be laid off. I can't think of a more fair way to approach this problem.<br /><br />They wanted change; I'm giving it to them.If you have a better idea, let me know.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br />The BossCurtis Staggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11149214876616860049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992727668260613627.post-20412471057629112072009-04-28T10:07:00.002-05:002009-04-28T10:19:16.180-05:00Worldwide History of Gun ControlIn 1929, the Soviet Union established gun control. From 1929 to 1953, about 20 million dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated…<br />——————————<br />In 1911, Turkey established gun control. From 1915 to 1917, 1.5 million Armenians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.<br />——————————<br />Germany established gun control in 1938 and from 1939 to 1945, a total of 13 million Jews and others who were unable to defend themselves were rounded up and exterminated.<br />——————————<br />China established gun control in 1935. From 1948 to 1952, 20 million political dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.<br />——————————<br />Guatemala established gun control in 1964. From 1964 to 1981, 100,000 Mayan Indians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.<br />——————————<br />Uganda established gun control in 1970. From 1971 to 1979, 300,000 Christians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.<br />——————————<br />Cambodia established gun control in 1956. From 1975 to 1977, one million educated people, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.<br /><br /><br />We should not forget that the spark which ignited the American Revolution was caused by the British attempt to confiscate the firearms of the colonists. For more information, please see: <a href="http://www.keepandbeararms.com/newsarchives/XcNewsPlus.asp?cmd=view&articleid=432" target="_blank">Guns, Revolutions, History</a>. Here is a quote from the Lexicon Universal Encyclopedia:<br /><br />‘‘War clouds were gathering rapidly. The sending of more than 3,000 British army regulars under Maj. Gen. Thomas Gage to Boston further exacerbated the imperial rift. When a column of these troops under Lt. Col. Francis Smith moved into the countryside to <strong>collect</strong> arms and munitions gathered by the patriot militia, hostilities erupted at Lexington and Concord on Apr. 19, 1775.’’Curtis Staggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11149214876616860049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992727668260613627.post-33937830243130084182009-04-22T16:42:00.004-05:002009-04-22T16:49:20.534-05:00"YOU MAY BE A TALIBAN IF..."The U.S. troops in Afghanistan proved they have retained their sense of<br />humor, one of them sent this. "You may be a Taliban if..."<br /><br />1. You refine heroin for a living, but you have a moral objection to beer.<br />2. You own a $3,000 machine gun and $5,000 rocket launcher, but you can't afford shoes.<br />3. You have more wives than teeth.<br />4. You wipe your butt with your bare hand, but consider bacon "unclean."<br />5. You think vests come in two styles: bullet-proof and suicide.<br />6. You can't think of anyone you haven't declared Jihad against.<br />7. You consider television dangerous, but routinely carry explosives in your clothing.<br />8. You were amazed to discover that cell phones have uses other than setting off roadside bombs.<br />9. You have nothing against women and think every man should own at least one.<br />10. You've always had a crush on your neighbor's goat<br /><br /><strong>Humor is mankind's greatest blessing</strong>.- Mark Twain, a BiographyCurtis Staggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11149214876616860049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992727668260613627.post-13530452560326090782008-12-20T16:28:00.002-06:002008-12-20T16:32:31.328-06:00I've seen the light<span >I have finally seen the light and it is truly life changing; you might even call it an epiphany. It’s transformational. I get it; I mean I really get it. I finally understand what the board of health is trying to accomplish with this smoking ban and why their work is so important. I understand the mission now. They’re just trying to protect us from ourselves. We need their help. The community’s very health is at stake.<br /><br />I feel so foolish for letting issues like liberty and personal property rights to cloud my vision and make me so blind to the truth. The scales have fallen of my eyes. I’m so glad we have the board of health to watch over us. I know some of you are thinking, what about freedom? Well, sometimes you have to look at the big picture. Even a surgeon has to cut things off now and then to bring about healing. Just consider this a little amputation of liberty for the greater good.<br /><br />Think about it. There are more of us non-smokers so we are the majority, and it’s only a small infringement on the business owner’s property rights anyways. Yes, we could choose to go somewhere else but that is very inconvenient. Besides, they’ll be healthier in the end too and we’ll all have cleaner lungs. Now don’t start with that ‘does the end justify the means’ stuff. The business owners will probably secretly thank the board of health when all is said and done.<br /><br />I know the number of smokers in the country has steadily declined over the past 40 years, probably due to education on the subject, but it’s just not happening fast enough. Sometimes you have to use some extraordinary methods to get where you want to go and if we lose a business or two along the way, it’s a small price to pay for a healthier Hopkins County.<br /><br />Like it or not, you’ve got a friend in the Hopkins County Board of Health. They’ll do what ever it takes to make sure you’re healthy. They’re here to help you make those hard decisions and they’re very, very smart. They know what’s best for you. They've got your back. I don’t know about you but I’ll sleep more soundly tonight.<br /><br /><strong>Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. </strong><br /><strong>-- Benjamin Franklin</strong></span><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br /><br /></span>Curtis Staggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11149214876616860049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992727668260613627.post-41229683627363365272008-12-17T15:46:00.002-06:002008-12-17T15:57:42.452-06:00Smoke em if You got em<strong>"I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it." </strong><br /><strong>--Thomas Jefferson</strong><br /><br />Make no mistake, if Ms. Miller and her fellow health Nazis thought there was a way that they could force you to quit smoking altogether then they would. After all, it’s for your own good; they only have your best interest at heart, right? Well, it seems our community’s good health is their quest even if they have to surgically remove our freedom and liberty to accomplish it.<br /><br />Already, they are intensifying their efforts and tightening the language of the initial ban (surprise!) with no regard for the investments made by private businesses trying to comply with the regulation. Now that business owners have spent hard earned money to have separately ventilated smoking areas for people 21 and older, these “educated” people have decided that the current regulation doesn’t protect everyone.<br /><br />Well guess what guys, some of us don’t want you to “protect” us, and in fact some of us think we need protecting from you. It’s only been a little over 60 days since the board of health implemented their little smoking ban and now they want to change it. How fickle! It’s no great shocker that this unelected body with no accountability to the people is so arbitrary and unreasonable in their decisions.<br /><br />Don’t think for a minute that this new proposal is anything but an incremental strategy. They got their foot in the door with the initial ban and now they can modify it. According to The Messenger, Dr. Tristan Lineberry, chairman of the board’s smoke-free committee, said earlier this week that the proposal came about because Judge Brantley said the courts “uphold Board of Health regulations enacted for the purpose of protecting the public’s health.” So, the board was emboldened by the judge’s decision and decided to step up their time frame. There’s no time like the present for tyranny, right?<br /><br />I also find Brantley’s litmus test frightening, he said the courts upheld “regulations enacted for the purpose of protecting the public’s health.” That’s a pretty big window, it’s very vague. So if the board declares something in the interest of public health, they can regulate and the court is going to back that up? Get out of town!?! Is there a fourth branch of government I wasn’t taught about?<br /><br />I’ve never smoked a day in my life, but this unconstitutional usurping of power makes me want to smoke a carton of cigarettes. I’m soooo tired of this governmental arrogance, this elitist-I’m smarter than you and know what’s good for you crap. I guess the board of health needs a history lesson about prohibition. Enough talk already. Smoke em if you got em.Curtis Staggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11149214876616860049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992727668260613627.post-83026317911343909642008-12-17T08:35:00.002-06:002008-12-17T08:47:40.700-06:00Catching Wild PigsThere was a Chemistry professor in a large college that had some exchange students in the class. <br /><br />One day, while the class was in the lab, the Prof. noticed one of the exchange students who kept rubbing his back and stretching as if his back hurt. The professor asked the young man what the matter was. The student told him he had a bullet lodged in his back. He had been shot while fighting communists in his native country who were trying to overthrow his country's government and install a communist government. <br /><br />In the midst of his story he looked at the professor and asked a strange question. He asked, 'Do you know how to catch wild pigs?' The professor thought it was a joke and asked for the punch line. The young man said this was no joke.<br /><br />'You catch wild pigs by finding a suitable place in the woods and putting corn on the ground. The pigs find it and begin to come everyday to eat the free corn. When they are used to coming every day, you put a fence down one side of the place where they are used to coming. When they get used to the fence, they begin to eat the corn again and you put up another side of the fence.<br /><br />They get used to that and start to eat again. You continue until you have all four sides of the fence up with a gate in the last side. The pigs, who are used to the free corn, start to come through the gate to eat, then you slam the gate on them and catch the whole herd. 'Suddenly the wild pigs have lost their freedom. They run around and around inside the fence, but they are caught. Soon they go back to eating the free corn. They are so used to it that they have forgotten how to forage in the woods for themselves, so they accept their captivity.' <br /><br />The young man then told the professor that was exactly what he seeing happening in America 'The government keeps pushing the people toward socialism and keeps spreading the free corn out in the form of programs such as supplemental income, tax credit for unearned income, tobacco subsidies, dairy subsidies, payments not to plant crops (CRP), welfare, medicine , drugs, etc, etc, etc. while the people continue to lose their freedom - just a little at a time.<br /><br />One should always remember: There is no such thing as a free Lunch ! Also, a politician will never provide a service for you cheaper than you can do it yourself.' So, if you see that all of this wonderful government 'help' is a problem confronting the future of democracy in America , you might want to take some action, tell your friends and family, exercise your right to vote, etc.<br /><br />If you think the free ride is essential to your way of life, then do nothing and may God help you when the gates slam shut!<br /><br />Listen closely to what the politicians are promising you - just maybe you will be able to tell who is about to slam the gate on America <br /><br /><strong>"A government big enough to give you everything you want, is big enough to take away everything you have."-- Thomas Jefferson</strong>Curtis Staggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11149214876616860049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992727668260613627.post-23227640062532628722008-12-16T15:14:00.003-06:002008-12-17T08:31:02.453-06:00A Modern ParableHere's an email I read today, thought it was insightful and needed to be shared:<br /><br />A Modern Parable.<br /><br />A Japanese company ( Toyota ) and an American company (Ford Motors) decided to have a canoe race on the Missouri River. Both teams practiced long and hard to reach their peak performance before the race. On the big day, the Japanese won by a mile.<br /><br />The Americans, very discouraged and depressed, decided to investigate the reason for the crushing defeat. A management team made up of senior management was formed to investigate and recommend appropriate action. Their conclusion was the Japanese had 8 people rowing and 1 person steering, while the American team had 7 people steering and 2 people rowing.<br /><br />Feeling a deeper study was in order; American management hired a consulting company and paid them a large amount of money for a second opinion. They advised, of course, that too many people were steering the boat, while not enough people were rowing.<br /><br />Not sure of how to utilize that information, but wanting to prevent another loss to the Japanese, the rowing team's management structure was totally reorganized to 4 steering supervisors, 2 area steering superintendents and 1 assistant superintendent steering manager. They also implemented a new performance system that would give the 2 people rowing the boat greater incentive to work harder. It was called the 'Rowing Team Quality First Program,' with meetings, dinners and free pens for the rowers. There was discussion of getting new paddles, canoes and other equipment, extra vacation days for practices and bonuses. The pension program was trimmed to 'equal the competition' and some of the resultant savings were channeled into morale boosting programs and teamwork posters.The next year the Japanese won by two miles.<br /><br />Humiliated, the American management laid-off one rower, halted development of a new canoe, sold all t! he paddl es, and canceled all capital investments for new equipment. The money saved was distributed to the Senior Executives as bonuses.<br /><br />The next year, try as he might, the lone designated rower was unable to even finish the race (having no paddles,) so he was laid off for unacceptable performance, all canoe equipment was sold and the next year's racing team was out-sourced to India.<br /><br />Sadly, the End.<br /><br />Here's something else to think about: Ford has spent the last thirty years moving all its factories out of the US , claiming they can't make money paying American wages.<br /><br />TOYOTA has spent the last thirty years building more than a dozen plants inside the US The last quarter's results: TOYOTA makes 4 billion in profits while Ford racked up 9 billion in losses.<br /><br />Ford folks are still scratching their heads, and collecting bonuses...<br /><br />IF THIS WEREN'T SO TRUE IT MIGHT BE FUNNYCurtis Staggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11149214876616860049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992727668260613627.post-69377020321961690632008-12-13T13:11:00.003-06:002008-12-17T15:45:33.831-06:00Governor Steve Beshear violates the privacy of my homeThis is a letter I submitted on 12-8-08 to the Madisonville Messenger in reference to the blocking of gambling websites in Kentucky. As of 12-17-08 they have not printed it.<br /><br />*****************************************************************************<br /><br />"I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against everyform of tyranny over the mind of man." --Thomas Jefferson<br /><br />Just like the fictional character, Howard Beale, in the 1976 movie Network, “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore.” I am outraged. Why? I’ll tell you why. I sat down at MY computer the other night, in the privacy of MY own home to play some online poker, a little Texas holdem to be exact. I had received an email about a special promotion and I wanted to check it out. This is the message I received when I attempted to access that website:<br /><br />Thanks for visiting AbsolutePoker.com.Unfortunately, this website can no longer be accessed from within the state boundaries of Kentucky.If you are not trying to access this site from within Kentucky, or if you feel you have received this message in error, please contact <a href="mailto:support@absolutepoker.com">support@absolutepoker.com</a>.<br /><br />What? So I went to the other website that was running a similar promotion and this is what I saw:<br /><br />Thanks for visiting UltimateBet.com.Unfortunately, this website can no longer be accessed from within the state boundaries of Kentucky.If you are not trying to access this site from within Kentucky, or if you feel you have received this message in error, please contact <a href="mailto:support@ultimatebet.com">support@ultimatebet.com</a><br /><br />Alright, this is completely nuts. I knew the governor wanted control of 140 plus domain names so he could keep the money in Kentucky. Yes, that’s his argument. In fact I wrote a letter to the editor about it back in October, but I had hoped that that lunacy would not become reality. Well guess what? Little Stevie Beshear from Dawson Springs got his way. He got the court to go along with his madness and rule that these gaming sites either block the residents of Kentucky or surrender their domain names to the state. Hey Stevie, that’s called extortion and it’s not the way to win friends and influence people.<br /><br />What’s next? Are you going to block Amazon.com or maybe eBay because the money’s going out of Kentucky? Why don’t you just block the road to Evansville or Nashville to prevent shopping there or at least erect a toll booth to charge these unfaithful consumers who are spending money outside the state? How dare they! Uh oh, I have to stop myself, I certainly don’t want to give little Stevie any ideas.<br /><br />C’mon, is THIS the pride of Dawson Springs and Hopkins County? Is THIS the future of Kentucky? Isn’t this America, the land of the free or do we even know or care what it means to be free anymore? This thug violated the privacy of my HOME, using the power of the state, to dictate to me what I could and could not do in my leisure time with MY money; but it’s ok if I go to the race track or one of the other “state sanctioned” facilities or websites like twinspires.com. What hypocrisy!<br /><br />I challenge any liberal democrat that voted for this tyrant to defend his actions. Please, please try and justify him. Show us all how you think. Tell us that you think it’s ok in the United States of America to come into a man’s home and criminalize his behavior when he is harming no one. Tell us that little Stevie has our best interest at heart and is doing this to protect Kentucky. I dare you. While you’re at it, how about telling YOUR governor, your home town boy, to spend his time policing a real internet crime, like catching child pornographers and leave the poker players alone. Oh and someone needs to share a history lesson or two with little Stevie and remind him that he was elected governor not King.Curtis Staggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11149214876616860049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992727668260613627.post-55989316520083496552008-12-13T12:18:00.001-06:002008-12-17T15:45:06.110-06:00Out of control governmentThis letter was printed in early November in the Madisonville Messenger<br />******************************************************************<br /><br />“It behooves every man who values liberty of conscience for himself, to resist invasions of it in the case of others: or their case may, by change of circumstances, become his own.” – Thomas Jefferson<br /><br />I’m writing this letter for the benefit of Dorothy Putty and those like her who seem to have missed the whole point in reference to the smoking ban in Hopkins County. My opposition to the smoking ban has never been about smoking itself or the arguments about second hand smoke, but about over reaching out of control government, specifically the actions of our board of health.<br /><br />I am and have always been a NON-smoker and if Ms. Putty had actually read my letter about my children she would know this. I grew up with a smoking father and I probably have a slight allergy to smoke. I think smoking is a stinky habit and I don’t enjoy eating with smoke in my face any more than the next person, but I don’t think we need more government regulation of the private business owner. Instead, I choose to trust the American free enterprise system and the profit motive of the merchant. I know he or she wants me to have a good experience in their establishment so they can extract some of my money and hopefully I’ll come back and bring some friends too. If I have a negative experience that cannot be resolved I simply take my hard earned money and walk. If the business owner suffers enough loss, they’ll change their behavior or go out of business. That’s the free market at work.<br /><br />Now as far as the soda pop illustration in my last letter, it was certainly not a comparison between smoking and soda. It was satire. I was demonstrating the absurd by being absurd. I find it absolutely absurd that in the United States of America, we would allow an unelected group of people to make law and I was speculating about how far reaching that action could be. I opened that particular letter with a totally fictitious quote from Robin the Boy Wonder; now one would think that should have been a pretty good clue of what was in store further in the letter. Maybe Ms. Putty also thinks Robin really said “these Health Department goons really believe they have the right to make law” since she obviously doesn’t get it. The point of everything I’ve written about the smoking ban was and has been about ever expanding government control. In this case, our board of health, an unelected body, is operating outside the constitution.<br /><br />Ms. Putty says we need to “put up our crazy arguments”, but I don’t think it’s crazy to argue for our liberty. I think America needs a good healthy common sense debate about the role of government in our lives. I can argue all day long for freedom’s sake, it is only ink I’m spilling, some men and women have spilled their blood. How can I in good conscience remain silent when some seem so willing to throw away our freedom over an issue of convenience? It’s just smoke. If you are uncomfortable then say something to the manager/owner, move to another table or take your money and leave but don’t trade something that people died to obtain. Stop asking the government to solve every problem for you. When you do you surrender your power.<br /><br />Putty continues with “just have enough common decency to consider other people.” Is it common decency to trample on private citizens property rights? Have you considered the impact of this smoking ban on private business owners? Or is that a price you’re willing to pay to serve your convenience? Is it common decency for the Board of Health, a body that has no accountability to voters, to enact law which does not reflect the will of the people?<br /><br />Finally, if my arguments are as Ms. Putty says, “along the lines of ignorance”, I consider it a privilege to be counted with men such as Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Benjamin Franklin and our other founding fathers who believed in a loose limited government also. I'll walk in their shadow any day, and if that’s ignorance, so be it.Curtis Staggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11149214876616860049noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5992727668260613627.post-66362564198875876142008-12-13T12:15:00.000-06:002008-12-13T12:28:43.471-06:00Holy Smokes! Another letter to the editorI sent this letter to the editor on October 25th<br />*****************************************<br /><br />Holy smokes Batman, these Health Department goons really believe they have the right to make law. Don’t they know that their job is to educate not legislate? -- Robin, the Boy Wonder<br /><br />What clarity! I have to agree with Batman’s faithful sidekick, this issue is so simple that even a child gets it. The Hopkins County Board of Health on the other hand, seems to lack such wisdom. In their zeal to protect our health, they forgot that any power not specifically given them is reserved to the people.<br /><br />Maybe next they decide that something needs to be done about the consumption of soda pop. We all know it’s not good for you, its liquid sugar! Soda is probably one of the leading causes of onset Diabetes in this country. So “to protect and improve the health of the people”, the Health Department bans the drinking of soda at restaurants. Sound crazy and far fetched? That’s the road we are placing ourselves on if we let this smoking ban stand. I don’t know about you, but I want off the bus NOW!Curtis Staggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11149214876616860049noreply@blogger.com0