Open Thread on Security, Terrorism, and Personal Freedoms

I'm a bit torn here, as anyone in my position would be. Allow me to explain...

I'm a BIG proponent of individual rights and civil liberties. Anyone who knows me knows that this is who I am. I also believe in a safe, secure nation. However, I'm confused on trying to strike a balance between the two.

So how does one defend against potential terrorist attacks in a manner that is conducive to safety for all...but does not violate the personal freedoms of American citizens and residents?

If you think you've got an idea, post it below...

Pat Herrity to Run, but For What?

Ben Tribbett says "HERRITY IS IN", but is he referring to the Fairfax County Chairmanship (which he has already expressed interest in running for), or is Herrity going to run against Keith Fimian in a primary to decide who faces Gerry Connolly in this year's midterm Congressional election? I've asked Ben this question, let's see what the answer is...

UPDATE...

Ben posted in the comments section of his post that Herrity is in for a run at Connolly's Congressional seat.

Rasmussen Ruminations

Some interesting recent polls from Rasmussen Reports (the most accurate pollster around, in most opinions)...

- Massachussetts Senate Race: Coakley 50%, Brown 41%. This is very interesting, because one would think that a sitting Dem AG (which Coakley is) in a solidly Blue state would rabidly support a candidate from the same party as "icon" (their preference in terms, not mine), Ted Kennedy. Brown, a sitting state Senator, could make this interesting as the health care reform bill, while still slightly favored in Mass, continues to sour voters. Brown also has a 39-point lead among Independents...the problem is, Republicans/Independents combined are vastly outnumbered by Democrats in this state.

- 59% of those polled support racial profiling for airline security, and 71% believe it is necessary for proper security. Even minorities support racial profiling for airline security at 52%. A majority of Democrats also support this. I'm not sure where I fall on this, as my love for personal civil liberties and support of solid national security come in conflict here. However, this says a lot about how Americans feel we should change our methods of security. A poll also showed that 49% of Americans feel that their fellow countrymen have forgotten the impact of the 9/11 attacks.

- Generic Congressional Ballot...Republicans 44%, Democrats 35%. Also, the number of self-identified Democrats has dropped to it's lowest level in the 7 years Rasmussen has tracked this. The bigger key is that Republican support is not rising as fast as the Dems are losing it...which the GOP needs to pounce on to continue this wave through 2010 and beyond. Otherwise, they're leaving open voters to return to the Donks or go third party (hey, the Libertarians are generally a good choice, too! I'm really starting to feel the need for a 3rd party in this country)

- 55% of national voters say California should go bankrupt instead of receiving a bailout. Only 27% support bailing out the state.

- 52% of Americans disapprove of Obama's performance...39% strongly disapprove. This is compared to 48% approve and 27% strongly approve. Not good, period.

Snowstorm, Interrupted

Looks like the snowstorm that is causing problems all over the country will spare Virginia the worst. Only Highland County is expected to get more than 3 inches. Considering some of the snow that other areas will be receiving (such as the mountainous areas of West Virginia), we are going to be lucky...although I've noticed that people around the Valley were a little skittish due to the last snowstorm.

Transparancy My @$$!

The White House is only allowing C-SPAN 1 hour of coverage of the health care debate that is currently being done behind closed doors in committee. So much for that "most transparent government ever" line we heard in 2006 from Pelosi and company, and echoed in 2008 by Barry from D.C.

Obama Approves Taxing Health Care Plans

This is exactly what he claimed John McCain would do in the 2008 campaign, and promised that he wouldn't do. This is a crock, a sham, and should be the straw that broke the camel's back as far as any "on-the-fence" supporters of the health care bill go.

Barry from D.C. has broken another campaign promise, made another move against the will of the people, and given Americans another reason to realize that electing him was not historic, just a historic mistake.

Not Only Are Dem Incumbents Retiring, Some Are in Real Trouble

The Washington Times reports that beyond the seats of the retiring Chris Dodd and Byron Dorgan, 6 other Senate seats currently held by Dems are going to have major problems holding onto their seats. They are...

- Senate Majority Leader Harry "The Weasel" Reid of Nevada, who is now trailing badly in recent polls.
- Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas, who sold out her vote on the health care bill, and cannot break 41 percent in any poll with any of her 4 potential GOP challengers.
- Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, the Democrat-turned-Republican-turned-Democrat now trails Congressman Pat Toomey in the latest Rasmussen polls, and is not highly favored by Pennsylvanians.
- Kristen Gillibrand of New York, who is only ahead of George Pataki by o.2% in the latest RCP poll aggregation.
- Michael Bennet of Colorado is trailing former Lt. Gov. Jane Norton by almost 10 points.
- There is a open race in Ohio where former Congressman Rob Portman leads Ohio Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher by 7 points in the latest polls there.

8 potential Senate pick-ups for the GOP here...they have an opportunity to really close the gap. Let's just hope that Steele and Company don't fumble the ball here.

Another One Bites The Dust

Mason Conservative reports that Sen. Byron Dorgan of South Dakota will not seek reelection this year. I had blogged last week that there have been a lot of potential Dem recruits for various Congressional seats that have declined to run. More work for the Donks as it appears many are treating the party as the Titanic heading towards the iceberg.

01/06/2010 UPDATE

Now it appears that Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut and Colorado Governor Bill Ritter are also retiring and not running for re-election. Both men were in trouble in the polls already. This just furthers a rising tide of red.