Neighborhood Watch Watch

2011-08-08T19:44:00.001-05:00

Hi Chris, this is Thomas Lessman. Good to hear from you again! My Dad charges $20/day per adult to fish all day. I don't know if he charges to go target practicing, I think it depends on his mood, but he's always happy when someone offers a donation of $10 or so.

Who Moderates the Moderators?

2009-03-31T18:27:00.003-05:00

My question is directed towards the Topeka Capital-Journal, and more specifically, to their online Editor, Curt Kaywood. He's basically boasting about his work on the CJonline website and his efforts to build a community forum. http://cjonline.com/interact/blog/kurt_caywood/2009-03-31/wanted_a_few_good_moderators

Who moderates the Moderators? I think it's a pretty legitimate question because apparently some of their online censors have their own agendas, or like to play favorites regarding the removal of "offensive" posts and banning of certain users.

My complaint is very legitimate and still has not received any answers more substantial than, "Be happy we let you back on".

Yet the posts that I responded to, which were every bit as offensive as my responses to them, are still online.

So to CJonline:

You may think that it's no big deal, yeah whatever, quit complaining and be happy. But you ain't the only ones with a job to do. A LOT of times your reporters have left out crucial information in their stories (such as asking the OTHER side of the story). Or forgot to include websites. It really bothers me when your reporters write a story and only ask ONE side, and don't even bother to ask any OTHER sides. That's not only sloppy writing, it's also counter to what a newspaper is supposed to be. Opinions aren't necessarily news, but reporting them as such is dishonest. And several Capital-Journal reporters have a major problem thinking their opinion is news enough.

In any case, the fact that I alone was banned, while the people who attacked me first and very personally were left alone, is beyond an insult. And the fact that they were allowed to continue posting trash after I was banned, is a direct attack against me.

It's reminiscent of a teacher watching the playground bullies pick on the school nerd. And when the nerd finally hits one of the bullies back, the teacher sends the nerd home to keep the peace. And I don't appreciate it!

In any case, you want a community forum? Then stop letting people make anonymous, libelous personal attacks against other people on the site. A little trash talking is one thing, but serious false allegations are something certain users thrive on. And by you allowing those cyber-bullies to run the game, you kill any chances of making this a legitimate community forum.

Sincerely,

-----------------
Thomas Lessman
Web: www.ThomasLessman.com
Blog: www.talessman.blogspot.com

Alive & Kicking

2009-03-24T12:19:00.002-05:00

I realize I haven't updated this blog for a little too long, and I apologize but there are legitimate reasons for it. Like I was in the hospital last week for a severe sinus infection (even though I've never had sinus problems before that!).

But I've still been active, Alive & Kicking (by Simple Minds, possibly my favorite 80's song!). Primarily I've been working full time with some messed up hours. Also coordinating for our first concert of Truckhenge Music Fest III (2009).

I've actually slacked off on the history maps since mid January. Not to worry, I'll be back on them here eventually, but you've got to take breaks from that every once in a while or you get too burned out!

And of course I'm still active on CJonline, fighting with the usual round of asshats (TopekaVoter/Jason Chaika, ThimTHebow, LearnedHand, etc.) I actually got banned from CJo for a week after some retaliatory comments I made against CJo staff for censuring my posts but leaving up posts that were attacking me. After a good conversation with Mark Nusbaum, Publisher of the Capital-Journal, I was given back access to my CJo account. I actually like Mr. Nusbaum, and I've been a major fan of the Journal ever since he took over the position. Too bad for the CJo censor Nazi who apparently has a problem with the controversy surrounding my opinions. I think he wants to ban me again, but I've always been one to stand up for what I believe in - even if I have to fight the teacher to prove the point!

Anyway, I just wanted to let y'all know that, like the Simple Minds song from the 80's, I'm still... Alive & Kicking!

Thomas Lessman
Web: www.ThomasLessman.com

Fairness Doctrine?

2008-11-18T07:17:00.001-06:00

If we really want to discuss "fair", try walking in a Libertarian's shoes. Or a Reformer's or Constitutionalist's shoes.

It's amazing that the vast majority of people who take the World's Smallest Political Quiz (http://www.theadvocates.org/quiz.html) fit within the Libertarian side of the spectrum. Yet they hardly know about the Libertarian Party. They are delighted to find a party actually pushes for limited government, and they agree that the government is involved in our lives in ways it has no business being involved. Yet come election time, they STILL vote for Republicans or Democrats.

A LOT of that would change, if their wasn't a BIpartisan effort of Republicans & Democrats doing their best to exclude every other political party from the process.

America has almost irreparably transformed itself from a nation of rugged individualists, to a nation of urban worker-drones. Instead of individuals who live for Freedom, most drones would rather be free from living.

And we are our own worst enemy because WE are the ones electing the same people back into office.

Thomas Lessman
Libertarian Party of Kansas: www.LPKS.org
Constitution Party: http://ks.constitutionparty.com/
Reform Party of Kansas: www.vote-ks.org

Sonny Scroggins receives award

2008-11-07T12:17:00.000-06:00

From the Topeka Capital-Journal, Friday Nov. 7, 2008.
Source URL: http://www.cjonline.com/stories/110708/loc_353115113.shtml

I respect Sonny Scroggins. And even when I don't agree with him, I still respect his views.

The reason is because Sonny doesn't talk out of both sides of his mouth. In Sonny's words, if it ain't right for a white man to do or say it, then it also ain't right for a black man to do or say it.

I can respect a man who stands up for his beliefs. Even more so when they aren't hypocritical about them. And after a knowing Sonny for a few years, I consider him a good friend.

Thomas Lessman
Web: www.ThomasLessman.com
Blog: www.talessman.blogspot.com

Supporting Ann Mah in 2008

2008-10-28T15:48:00.003-05:00

(Published in the Topeka Metro on Friday, October 31st, 2008)
I campaigned twice for the 53rd District KS House of Representatives, in 2004 & 2006. Both times, Ann Mah beat me to the ground in total number of votes. Granted, I had an uphill battle running as a Libertarian with a very limited budget.

In between campaigns, I've had the honor of working with Ann Mah on several issues. Though I haven't always agreed with her votes, she has earned my respect in many ways.

Ann Mah is very responsive to OUR FEEDBACK. Simply put, if you let her know (respectfully) how you feel about any issue she has to vote on, she will listen. If enough people tell her the same thing, she will go with the wishes of her constituents.

Ann Mah goes out of her way to make herself available for her constituents. I really appreciate the public forums she hosts at Lake Shawnee and other areas, where she invites her constituents to actively contribute their ideas.

Also, Ann Mah's constituent service is the best I've ever seen. She literally does the best she can to help her constituents with issues that fall within her scope as State Representative.

I do not know much about Ann's current opponent, Cecil Washington. He may well be a good man, but I've never been contacted by him, nor have I ever heard anything else about him except for Jack Woelfel's letter in his support.

Ann Mah has earned my respect the hard way, and I feel confident supporting her campaign for a 3rd term as my State Representative in the 53rd District.

Respectfully,

Thomas Lessman
Web: www.ThomasLessman.com
Blog: www.talessman.blogspot.com

Political Insanity

2008-10-20T09:04:00.002-05:00

I realized a long time ago, that BOTH parties - Democrats AND Republicans - are sticking it to us. Some individuals in those parties are good people with good intentions. But overall those two parties are now rotten with political corruption. Yet because they have more money and more power, people just keep voting for one or the other while completely ignoring the alternatives.

It's a shame how bad things are in the US today, especially when most people turn a blind eye to it. Face it, our government and both major political parties have sold US out!

Many of the best average jobs (production, customer service, now technology and others) have been outsourced to other countries. Our economy is about to crash like a cheap glass house - watch out for those flying shards of glass! Foreign nations own controlling interests in so many American businesses, and our government owes those nations an almost ungodly amount of debt that our children will never be able pay off.

Government agencies like SRS, the IRS, the FBI, CIA, and even the judicial/legal system, routinely ignore the Constitutional rights of citizens. They are literally destroying the lives of your friends, family, and neighbors.

Yet through it all, the American people just refuse to believe what they see. We think we're the greatest people to ever live, and these kinds of tragedies can't happen in America! But they DO happen, and instead of making it stop, most of us would rather sit on our *$$ and watch sports or reality TV shows.

"This can't happen in America; somebody should put a stop to that! Oh look the football game is on. Hey we'll just elect the same people back into office again. Sure they've screwed us around too many times to count, but I don't want to vote for a 3rd party even if I agree with most of their ideas..."

Vote Libertarian! http://www.lpks.org/
Constitution Party: http://www.cp.org/
Reform party: http://www.votekansas.org/

Respectfully,
Thomas Lessman
Web: http://www.thomaslessman.com/
Blog: http://www.talessman.blogspot.com/

Judge "Backroom Deals" Jackson & a Crooked Attorney Named "Pope"

2008-09-30T06:39:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I witnessed one of the most obvious cases of backroom dealing I've ever seen, in the Shawnee County courthouse. It was an assault case, with the Shawnee County DA prosecuting one of my neighbors, Scotty Dundee Wilson, for an incident where Wilson assaulted and sucker-punched me in front of a 27 news camera last year during the floods.

I mean literally, the incident was caught on camera, by then-reporter Brian Dorman. At no point did I do anything but defend myself from this 400 lb bully and his 350 lb brother (I'm only 155 lbs). In fact, the only thing I DID do was say some words to him after he attacked me.

Keep in mind, at no point was I on trial; I was only involved as a witness. Wilson purchased the services of an attorney named "Pope". EVERYONE who saw the tape, could see it was an obvious case of a big bully attacking a smaller guy - just because he can.

As I said, I have a witness in Brian Dorman, who at the time was a TV Reporter for 27 news (now he's an Anchor for 13 news). He and I actually became acquainted during this incident, which started when Scotty and Will Wilson attempted to take the news camera away from Brian Dorman while he was interviewing me about the 2007 flood. Scotty Wilson (literally on camera), got in my face, pushed me about 8 feet away, then a minute later got in my face again, and sucker-punched me.

And yet, after going into chambers with Wilson's attorney (Pope), Judge Jackson declares it was "mutual combat". Even though NOT ONCE did I do anything but raise my arms in defense as Wilson came at me.

Next week I will be protesting Judge "Backroom Deals" Jackson. As far as I'm concerned, that son-of-a-bitch has no business sitting on any bench, especially when he cares more about backroom deals than justice.

Sincerely,

Thomas Lessman
Web: www.ThomasLessman.com
Blog: www.talessman.blogspot.com
------------------------------------

Truckhenge Music Festival II (2008)

2008-09-21T12:45:00.002-05:00

All I can say...
...is the 2nd Truckhenge Music Festival was one hell of a great party!!!

Special thanks to Bob Cutler of the Klusterfux, Jen and Adam Angellini from Wakamojo, and Bob Curry from Side Effects, for helping us get things done.

9 bands: Wakamojo - Schumann's Resonance - Klusterfux - SideEffects - Mirror Image - Hammerjunk - Obone - Lazer Panther - The Hemorrhoids. Remember those bands, I'm sure you'll be seeing a LOT more about them over the next year! In fact, several of them are competing in the Battle of the Bands at the Boobie Trap bar tomorrow night (Saturday Sept. 27).

This 2nd concert was MUCH better than the first concert last year! For one, there was NO band drama to deal with; these bands work together very well! Second, since we kept more control over the event this year (instead of letting someone else take over and BS), we knew much more about what was going on, than we did last year.

I've heard anywhere from 300 to 400 people came out this year. 350 was my estimate, so we'll go with that for now. We actually lost count after 156 people signed the list - it was starting to form a line so we decided to just let people sign the list on their own.

The sound was great! Truckhenge forms such a great natural amphitheater that the sound doesn't have to be blasted up too loud - it sounds great all the way through the audience area and isn't distorted or blowing your head off.

And some of the bands played great remake songs that were also remade to include "Truckhenge" in them. That's a cool theme that I'm sure we're going to work with next year!

Oh, there will definitely be a "Truckhenge Music Festival III (2009)"! We'll have a meeting in October for anyone interested in working with us to make next year's party even better. We're already planning to spread it over a whole weekend (instead of just one night), so look for a Friday to Sunday event. If we get some sponsors and some volunteers, we may also set up a second stage.

The possibilities are here, we just need people to step up!

Thomas Lessman
Web: www.ThomasLessman.com
Blog: www.talessman.blogspot.com

Lessman's Farm website: www.LessmanFarm.com
Truckhenge: www.Truckhenge.com

Ready for 2008 Truckhenge Music Festival?

2008-09-14T07:55:00.001-05:00

I've been so busy helping coordinate this year's concert at Truckhenge, I haven't been able to concentrate enough to update this blog! Tune in to the Jim Cates Show on CJOnline this Tuesday (Sept. 16), when I'll be on air to talk about this year's concert! (Click here to download the archived show)

Truckhenge Music Festival
Saturday September 20, 2008
NO Admission fees, free camping, and BYOB!
(Gates open at 12:00 noon, music starts at 6:00 PM)
Website: www.LessmanFarm.com/events.html

9 confirmed bands!
Wakamojo - Schumann's Resonance - Klusterfux - SideEffects - Hammerjunk - Obone - Lazer Panther - The Hemmorhoids - St. Nick

We're proud to help support the local music scene. Come out to the Lessman Farm and PARTY with some of Topeka's best local bands. Hope to see you there!

Thomas Lessman
Web: www.thomaslessman.com

Lessman's Farm website: www.LessmanFarm.com
Truckhenge Concert page: www.LessmanFarm.com/Events.html

Anonymous Cowards

2008-08-26T10:31:00.001-05:00

Topeka City Councilmember Jack Woelfel wrote a good letter to CJonline that was published yesterday. The letter was basically thanking the Capital-Journal for making people add their real names (and verifying the identity) before they would publish their letters. Here is his letter: http://cjonline.com/stories/082508/opi_322042433.shtml

I agree that sometimes it can be convenient or “safer” to post comments anonymously. But some anonymous posers are nothing more than cowards who like to talk trash, feeling free to say whatever they want because they think they are free from any kind of retribution.

Take “TopekaVoter” (aka Jason Chaika) from CJonline. That coward is stupid enough to post my daughter’s names online, because he’s mad at me for not supporting gay marriage.

Maybe cowards like that should be hiding their identities. But try telling our founding fathers that anonymity is good. Look at the Declaration of Independence. Do you see any names like “KingGeorgeSux” or “DixieQueen”?

No. Those who signed the Declaration of Independence were obviously NOT cowards. They stood behind their words by signing their real names. I guarantee they faced a LOT worse consequences than people posting trash on CJonline.

I don’t like some of Jack’s politics, but I DO respect what he wrote in his letter. Raubin & Megan, you of all people should agree with that - you speak your mind AND stand behind your words by saying “This is who I am and this is how I feel”. Whether I agree with you or not, I would never call you cowards. But most people who post anonymously are nothing more than childish cowards who want to talk trash freely without facing the consequences of their words.

For cowards like TopekaVoter (aka Jason Chaika), perhaps that is in their best interests. After posting my daughters’ names online, he definitely has a good reason to hide his identity.

Thomas Lessman
Web: http://www.thomaslessman.com/
Blog: http://www.talessman.blogspot.com/
====================

Meth Wars: Program Monitors Pharmacies

2008-08-14T14:55:00.000-05:00

I believe government news like this "Program to monitor pharmacies in meth battle" needs to be recieved cautiously.

Sure it "feels good" to hear the government is going to "do something" to stop illegal drug use. But I need to know a LOT more information before I can just accept another government program, especially when it appears to be a seriously invasive program.

What information are they going to collect from the pharmacies? Who will be collecting the information, where will it be stored, and how will it be used? How do they expect this to fix the meth problem? How will they fund the program? What will they do with the already existing programs that are similar but apparently aren't working? If those other programs are working, then why do they need another program?

WE the People keep letting the government jump into whatever programs it wants, without paying attention to the consequences. We've already got serious budget and economic problems.
Why are we being told that they government doesn't have enough money to pay for all of the road construction, infrastructure, police positions, and various social services the government says it needs?

If the government doesn't have enough money to pay for its existing needs, why is it starting new programs that will cost more and be even more invasive, without disbanding the older similar programs that apparently aren't working?

Thomas Lessman
Web: www.ThomasLessman.com
Blog: www.talessman.blogspot.com
====================

Libertarian Party of Kansas: www.LPKS.org

Government again blowing smoke up your...

2008-08-03T05:59:00.002-05:00

From the Topeka Capital-Journal story "Little of tobacco settlement spent on smoking cessation". Here is my response:

It's amazing how much BS people will let the government get away with.

Certain state leaders claimed the $$$ from the lawsuit would go to reimburse states for tobacco-related illnesses and programs, and for educational "smoking prevention campaigns". Instead, State leaders spent the $$$ on just about everything BUT what we were told it would be spent on. It went to road work, pet projects, and many other non-smoking related things.

I predicted that outcome even back when the lawsuits first hit the news. The next prediction is even worse. Since the State blew all that lawsuit and tax money, guess what they'll say when smoking-related health costs and deaths continue to increase?

Government: "Golly people, all these rising health care costs mean we have to raise your taxes - AGAIN!"

Get rid of bad government. Vote Libertarian! www.LPKS.org

Thomas Lessman
Web: http://www.thomaslessman.com/
Blog: http://www.talessman.blogspot.com/
====================

Political Party Member Disparity Reduced

2008-07-27T13:35:00.001-05:00

This is my comment on a story in the Topeka Capital-Journal titled "Political party member disparity reduced". http://cjonline.com/stories/072608/loc_309880856.shtml

Libertarians, Constitutionalists, Reformists, Greens, and other parties have been trying to give you more choices for decades.

Yet time after time, you keep re-electing the same Republicans and Democrats, just different faces.

A lot of Republicans, and some Democrats, are beginning to understand the Libertarian party as being more in tune with what can save America.

But with 523 registered Libertarians in Shawnee County, and only 7 or 8 of us show up for the monthly meetings?

Bottom line is that no matter what party you are registered with, if you don't actively participate in that party, you have only yourself to blame when things don't go the way you want.

LPKS/LNEKs meetings: Last Thursday of each month.
LNEKs meeting this Thursday (7-31-08). 7:00-8:00 PM. Planet Sub on 21st & Wanamaker (Next to Target). All meetings are open to the public!

Thomas Lessman
Web: http://www.thomaslessman.com/
Blog: http://www.talessman.blogspot.com/
=====================

2008 Country Stampede

2008-06-30T09:40:00.002-05:00

This was the first Country Stampede I've ever been to. I never thought I'd say this, but that concert was the most fun I've had in years! One way or another, I will FIND a way to go back next year!

I met Chris Simmons from The Simmons Brothers band; you can hear their music for free on The Simmons Brothers' MySpace page. Someday we hope to see them play at Truckhenge!

I also got to see live performances by Rascall Flatts and Taylor Swift. And there were tons of things to do besides listen to music - I highly recommend the Toyota Tundra exhibit, THAT is a vehicle with excellent offroad performance!

This year I only got to attend Saturday's events. Next year I hope to get a better package, for all 4 days and with camping. If you can go, I highly recommend it, and you should plan ahead by at least 3 months! EVERY hotel room, bed & breakfast, and other sleeping places were taken between Manhattan and Topeka! I'd estimate at least 4'500 people were in the main area on Saturday around 7 pm. It was crowded but not too badly. And there were TONS of activities and things to sign up for.

Anyway, I really had a good time, and I want to thank Shannon for taking me. While there I took notes, so now I have more ideas for the next concert we host at Truckhenge!

Thomas Lessman
Web: http://www.thomaslessman.com/
Blog: http://www.talessman.blogspot.com/

Lessman Farm, Catfish Pond, & Truckhenge:
www.thomaslessman.com/LessmanFarm/

World History Maps by Thomas Lessman:
http://www.worldhistorymaps.info/
=================

Irrational Hatred from the Left

2008-06-27T11:51:00.004-05:00

I've been told my writings often come across as "harsh", because I'm honest, blunt, and to-the-point. And I admit that sometimes, especially when I'm in a bad mood, my writings can come across as harsh, though I think it's because people aren't used to hearing some of the things I say. I'm just not "politically correct".

Often I get accused of being a "woman hater" because I advocate for equal rights and equal responsibilities for men and women. I say things like, "Men and women are equally human, and each are equally capable of evil and mean things towards each other". I'm all for women and men having equal rights and equal responsibilities. That also means that men should get the same rights that women have, and women should have the same responsibilities as men have. And neither gender should have privileges that are not given to the other gender.

On the Topeka Capital-Journal site (http://www.cjonline.com/), I often butt heads with certain commenters who disagree with my views. However you'll note that there are often as many people who DO agree with me and what I say.

One commenter in particular, named "TopekaVoter", takes the "hate Thomas" line a bit further in the comments section on Kathleen Parker's latest column, "Domestic violence requires new approach". (For the record, I am a big fan of Kathleen Parker and I respect her views very much. And I agree with her take on the domestic violence issue).

This "TopekaVoter" is a big pusher of gay marriage. His site is http://www.kansasequalitycoalition.org/ (because I believe in showing all sides of a disagreement).

I honestly don't care about the gay marriage issue. As far as I'm concerned, heterosexuals and homosexuals are both equally human. There should be no laws specifically discriminating for or against anyone based on sexual orientation. (Which is why I think most "pro-marriage" legislation is unconstitutional, if it specifically states that homosexuals cannot get married).

If gays want to marry, I say, "more power too them". Though I think they should be aware that marriage is no longer the commitment it once was, but is instead a potential trap, especially if children are involved. But IF we expand marriage beyond its current definition of one man and one woman, then we also have to allow polygamy, harems, and any other form of "marriage" - because if it's called "discrimination against gays" for marriage to be only one man and one woman, then it's also discrimination against other forms of marriage. You can see a better description of my views in my blog post about Gay Marriage "Rights".

Yet TopekaVoter will have NONE of that logic! So now he says I hate gays, women, and however many other groups he could think of. And he goes beyond the limit of "just plain ignorance" in trying to explain himself. Read our disagreement for yourself on CJonline's site, here <http://cjonline.com/stories/062708/opi_296139446.shtml>.

What is your take on my views, or about that discussion? I'm curious what you think.

Thomas Lessman
Website: http://www.thomaslessman.com/
Blog: http://www.talessman.blogspot.com/
================

Racism is Racism

2008-06-04T08:44:00.000-05:00

Affirmative action IS racism. The sky IS blue. Those are two facts that are just plain common sense. One more and I'm on a roll...

The Wikipedia definition of RACISM: Racism, by its simplest definition, is discrimination based on racial group. People with racist beliefs might hate certain groups of people according to their race, or in the case of institutional racism, certain racial groups may be denied rights or benefits. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racism)

Telling me that I can't go this college because I'm white is every bit as racist as telling my friend he can't go this college because he's black.

I realize that some people are too racist to understand that. But I believe most people have enough common sense to understand that racism is bad no matter whom it's directed towards. Even if they don't have the courage to stand up and speak out against ALL forms of racism.

"It doesn't matter whether you call it 'reverse discrimination', 'white/black power' or 'affirmative action'; racism is still racism, and it's wrong."

Thomas Lessman
Web: www.ThomasLessman.com
Blog: www.talessman.blogspot.com
====================

Open Questions Regarding Abortion

2008-05-26T14:43:00.000-05:00

What right can possibly be more precious or sacred than the right to life?

For the "pro-choice" crowd, and others who think that "a woman's choice" sounds nice: why do you not extend that same choice to men, or at least give equal rights to men? You claim to be "pro-choice", but only for women. How is that equal? What happened to equal rights? Or is it just that you think women are "more equal" than men?

I've heard feminists label unborn children as "parasites", fetuses, lumps of flesh, or anything else they can think of to de-humanize them. That's literally doing the same thing to unborn children that Nazis did to Jews.

The simple fact is that what you call "choice" is literally taking a human life, which is murder. You may call it abortion or choice or whatever. Nazis called it racial purity, but the end result is still the same. Murder.

I have an open invitation for anyone who has answers to my questions. Please answer them by responding in the comments section.

Thomas Lessman
Website: http://www.thomaslessman.com/
Blog: http://www.talessman.blogspot.com/
====================

World History Map Corrections & Updates

2008-05-22T10:06:00.001-05:00

After a short break, I'm back to working on my world history maps again. I haven't made any more new maps yet, but I have been going back over some of them and making some corrections and improvements. So far I've gone over the maps of 323 BC, 200 BC, 100 BC, and 001 AD. (That's 4 down, 35 to go!)

Source References
Probably one of the most important improvements is that I'm doing a better job of documenting my sources. A lot of people wanted to know where I was getting my information for the maps, but originally I didn't document that info very well. If you want to see the sources of my information, check out the new TAL_Map_Sources.html page.

Corrections on borders
You'll notice on recently updated maps some of the borders are change significantly. For example, notice the difference in the map of 100 BC, between the OLD version and the NEW version, especially in India. The reason is because originally I only had a few sources. As more information becomes available, I show it in the map.

Note: On maps after 800 AD, my borders in Northern Europe are inaccurate due to the geographical differences between my base map and the source maps from http://www.euratlas.com/. A Wikipedian named User:Bogomolov_PL did a great job of showing me how I was off on the map of 1200 AD. If anyone can do the same thing Bogomolov did, and show me how I can correct the borders of other maps, it would be greatly appreciated!

How to Report Possible Errors:
I appreciate any information that can help make the maps more accurate. If you'd like to report a possible error on any map, please see here. Some people have sent me emails telling me about errors in the maps. Unfortunately they usually don't send their source info, and I cannot make any changes without source information to back up the change!

Questions, Concerns, and Feedback:
Please feel free to email me if you have any questions, concerns, or feedback. I do appreciate anything that can help improve them!

Thomas Lessman
Website: www.thomaslessman.com
Blog: www.talessman.blogspot.com
Email: talessman@yis.us

World History Maps by TAL: www.worldhistorymaps.info

Lessman's Farm & Catfish Pond:
www.thomaslessman.com/LessmanFarm/
=======================

Jim Cates

2008-05-16T16:37:00.001-05:00

In October of 2002 I started listening to the Jim Cates Show. Before that I hadn't thought much of talk radio. Since then I've become a loyal listener, frequent caller, and occasional guest on his show.

Recently Cumulus Broadcasting decided to terminate the # 1 rated talk show in Kansas. The only details are that the new station management wanted to change the format in a way that would effectively cut the heart out of the show - they wanted to end the Open Lines sessions and censor any "negative" issues.

The Jim Cates Show provided a community forum for people in Topeka, and he allowed anyone to call in and discuss issues of importance. Like everyone, Jim has his own views, but his show was never about HIS views - he allowed the public a chance to speak. Even when Jim disagreed with a caller, he was always respectful about it, but he made it a point to let people speak even if they have opposing views.

I've always liked his show, but I've really been impressed with the man himself. Jim Cates has a level of sincerity and integrity that too many people seem to lack today. It wasn't just on air either; every time I've seen Jim in public, whether at the park, a coffeehouse, or even his favorite local bar, he has always been friendly and cool to hang out with.

This morning we held a rally at Cumulus headquarters in downtown Topeka. I'd say about 30-35 people showed, many of them were people I knew from their on-air voice. Several sponsors were also their, announcing that they were pulling their advertising from ALL Cumulus stations until Jim Cates is reinstated.

After my recent correspondences with certain Cumulus officials, I've lost confidence in that corporation. Regardless of the few short "standard replies" they've given, the fact is that Cumulus has effectively silenced the voice of the people, and basically told their most loyal listeners where we could put our voice...

I hope Jim is able to get his show back on air, perhaps on AM 580 WIBW. Or maybe his Sunday morning show on 49 KTKA will expand to a few days per week? Topeka has a lot of potential, and people like Jim Cates can help us reach that potential.

Respectfully,

Thomas Lessman
Website: http://www.thomaslessman.com/
Blog: http://www.talessman.blogspot.com/
Email: talessman@yis.us

World History Maps by TAL: http://www.worldhistorymaps.info/

Lessman's Farm & Catfish Pond:
www.thomaslessman.com/LessmanFarm/

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(Note: the Topeka Capital-Journal also has a short article about this situation)

Buzz Hates Atheists

2008-05-10T06:53:00.000-05:00

A guy name Buzz had his opinion about atheists published on CJonline, in a piece titled, "Letter: Rights for All Others". I wonder if he held anything back, or did he tell us how he really feels?

I'm not even atheist and I can see the bigotry in his words. I'm going to repeat some of his rant, but I'll switch the words "atheist" and "christian" so you can see how this sounds:

"What societal good have Christians ever done? Atheism is the only reason Christians even have the right to believe in God. It wasn't some native tribe's beads that gave Christians that right, because it was Atheists who established protections for minorities in this country."

In his letter, Buzz blames atheists for Hitler, Stalin, and several other nasty characters in history. It makes me wonder, does he also blame atheists for the Crusades, the Inquisition, Islam, Oil prices, the Titanic, and Mondays?

Buzz, is there anything bad that you DON'T blame on atheists?

For the record, I do see atheism as a type of religion (religiously anti-religious). And some atheists do go overboard sometimes when they are defending their beliefs against others. Some atheists are even as fanatical as some christian or muslim fanatics (like Pat Roberts, Louis Farrakhan, Phred Phelps, and Bin Laden).

However most atheists are good and simple people trying to survive and live their life as best as they can. Just like the vast majority of christians, jews, muslims, and even spiritual but non-religious people like me. They have their own beliefs and don't want to be harassed or treated unfairly because of their religion.

Hate-filled rants and religious bigotry have caused enough misery on our planet. And it started long before atheism was even thought of.

Sincerely,

Thomas Lessman
Website: http://www.thomaslessman.com/
Blog: http://www.talessman.blogspot.com/
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World History Maps
: http://www.worldhistorymaps.info/

Gay Marriage "Rights"?

2008-05-05T00:43:00.000-05:00

I got into a debate with a local "Gay Rights" activist on our local newspaper website over the "Gay Marriage" issue. I really don't care what consenting adults do, and I don't care if someone is gay or not (as long as they don't shove it in my face). Because honestly, the more guys who are gay, the less competition there is... DUH!

However, the issue of "gay marriage" interests me because I see the much of the same hypocrisy, distortions, and victimology from the "gay rights movement" as I do from Feminists and other "professional victim" groups.

First, there is no "Right to Marry", just like there is no "Right to have sex" or a "Right to drive". Marriage is only a government-granted privilege (not a human right). Marriage was originally a religious ceremony meant to symbolicly unite a man and woman in a committed relationship. Unfortunately the Government took over the power to grant marriages. We ALL know that when the government gets involved, bad things happen. So what was originally a religious ceremony has now become a potential gold mine for one partner, and a trap for the other. Government has no good reason to get involved in marriage, but they did it anyway and made a mess of it!

Second (and my main point) is that, IF traditional marriage (one man and one woman) is considered discrimination against gays, then doesn't it also discriminate against bigamists, polygamists, and guys with large harems? Thus, if we expand the definition of "marriage" to include homosexual couples, then don't we also have to expand marriage to allow bigamist, polygamist, plural, and any other type of marriages that aren't considered "traditional"?

(After all, would it be fair to discriminate against polygamists, and not allow them to marry the way they want to, simply because they aren't gay?)

One commenter responded by saying that we could write the laws so that any two (and ONLY two) people could marry. He obviously ignored or didn't see what I was getting at.

The gay rights activist, however, responded to my question with hostility, basically making false assumptions about me and my intentions. The interesting part was where he said, "I will not be derailed by your weak attempts to compare my committed loving relationship to any other controversial group. I.E. What's next people... robot marriage?"

In other words, he believes it's discrimination to not allow "his people" to marry the way they want to marry, but he believes it's okay to use that same "discrimination" against other groups that aren't like his. And even though he calls it discrimination, he still used the same type of argument that his opponents use against his cause. (His "What's next, robog marriage" is too similar to the "What's next, do we allow beastiality marriages" argument I've seen other people use to argue against gay marriage.

His response is comparable to a Jew arguing that it was ok for the Nazis to murder Gypsies, Gays, Poles, and other groups because they aren't like his people. It's exactly like feminists, who argue that gender discrimination is wrong, but only if it's against a woman because they think it's okay to discriminate against men.

Just like feminists and race-baiters, this guy is so stuck on seeing himself and "his group" as a victim class, that he can't see his own bigotry and hypocrisy and thus becomes what he accuses his opponents of.

Respectfully,

Thomas Lessman
Website: http://www.thomaslessman.com/
Blog: http://www.talessman.blogspot.com/
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The Matrix (of Family Law)

2008-05-04T06:50:00.000-05:00

This is something I published on the original Million Dads March Network site back in 2003. I got the idea after seeing an article by Jim Untershine on the Men's News Daily website.

(FYI the MillionDadsMarch.org domain name and website are no longer under my control. During my last campaign the domain lapsed and I apparently didn't renew it in time. Someone else took the domain name, and I have no idea who they are. The site is totally different than my old site).

The Family Law Matrix

"You are here because you know something. You can’t explain what you know, but you feel it. You’ve felt it your entire life; that there is something wrong with the world. It is like a splinter in your mind driving you mad. It is this feeling that brought you here.

The Family Law Matrix is everywhere. Even now in this very room. You can see it when you look out your window or when you enter the court room. You can feel it when you are allowed to visit your kids, and when you pay your $upport. You can hear it on the news. It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth.

The truth is that you are a slave to Family Law. Like everyone else you were born into its bondage. Drawn into a deadly trap that you cannot smell or taste or touch. It is a prison for your mind.

Unfortunately no one can be told what the Family Law Matrix is. You have to experience it for yourself. If you pay the "child $upport bill" and accept being a visitor to your kids, the story ends. You will wake up in your bed and believe… whatever it is you want to believe.

If you refuse to pay the bill or to accept being an UNEQUAL PARAENT then stay in this wonderland, and we'll show you just how deep the rabbit hole goes.

Remember, all we offer is the truth, nothing more…"
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Thomas Lessman
. http://www.thomaslessman.com/
Blog: http://www.talessman.blogspot.com/
Email: talessman@yis.us
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Is Topeka Really So Bad?

2008-04-29T09:17:00.001-05:00

(Kudos to CJonline's Ric Anderson, who is challenging readers to submit stories about what is GOOD about Topeka. His article is here: (http://blogs.cjonline.com/index.php?entry=7134)

Some people complain about Topeka a LOT, saying there's nothing to do around here, or that Topeka is SO boring, or is just such a terrible place to live. But what gets me about those people who just complain about Topeka is that they have a glossy blank stare when you ask them HOW to make it better.

There are actually quite a few of good things about Topeka. And Shawnee County too! All you have do do is just look around...

Lake Shawnee has so much going on that it's one of the best features of the area. A big lake for boating, camp grounds, a great walking trail, golf, paddle boats, ball diamonds, playgrounds, and plenty more.

Speaking of walking trails, not only is the one at Lake Shawnee a great one, but so is the new Shunga Trail, which goes through most of Topeka. Another cool (unofficial) trail is the levee system along the river. Walk from Oakland to Tecumseh!

Truckhenge, just east of Billard Airport, is a cool grassroots art park that also has the best-stocked Catfish pond in the state. See the website at www.thomaslessman.com/LessmanFarm/

Those are only a FEW of the good things about Topeka. Seriously, just look around and you'll see so many things you hadn't thought of...

Respectfully,

Thomas Lessman
Website: http://www.thomaslessman.com/
Blog: http://www.talessman.blogspot.com/
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Drunk Driving Prevention: Use Common Sense

2008-04-26T12:43:00.000-05:00

Drunk driving is a terrible problem that is (and should be) a crime. But it can also be an honest mistake that all too easy to make, and current policies don't help the situation. Here are two common problems with common sense solutions that will go a LONG way to prevent drunk driving:

Problem 1: Lowering the legal limit only puts more drunk drivers on the road. Many drunk drivers honestly have no idea they were over the legal limit. I don't know of any bars equipped with a breathalyzer. I don't know anyone who owns a breathalyzer (or who knows where to get one). How can anyone know they are over the legal limit if they have no way of seeing what their blood/alcohol level is?

Solution: Breathalyzers need to be available so people can see for sure whether they are legally drunk or not. Either allow bars to install them, or help people get a breathalyzer installed in their car. Or instead of setting up checkpoints, have some officers go to bars and OFFER to let people take a breathalyzer (by choice), so people actually have a way to know for sure whether they are legally drunk or not BEFORE they get in their car.

Problem 2: Forcing bars to kick everyone out at 2am with no exceptions puts people in a sudden bind. Especially if they just finished their (last call) drink and they haven't felt the effects yet. That can easily lead to people honestly not realizing they're drunk until they are already on the road!

Solution: Allow bars to stay open longer but stop serving alcohol at 2am. That way if someone needs to sit for a while and sober up, they can do it in the bar instead of in their car. If the bar wants, it can also serve breakfast to customers so they can sober up and while waiting for their food and eating. That would let people have time to sober up AND it would let the bar make more money by giving its customers what they need. A win-win situation!

Conclusion: There are more changes that would help prevent drunk driving, but the two above would be a good start. Laws are necessary to define crimes and punishment, but should we really punish someone harshly if they honestly didn't know they were breaking the law? We have to make sure that people actually have a way to know if they are breaking the law, so they have the opportunity to do the right thing before it's too late.

Thomas Lessman
Website: http://www.thomaslessman.com/
. Blog: http://www.talessman.blogspot.com/
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Is Rape OK if the Rapist is a Woman?

2008-04-16T10:39:00.002-05:00

The big list of female teacher sex offenders is at http://www.worldnetdaily.com/?pageId=39783 . (Keep in mind these are only the well-known cases. Many of these predators are never reported or punished.)

Some people may think there was no harm done, and some people even say the boys were lucky to be raped. In reality, statutory rape is every bit as harmful to boys as it is to girls. Notice that many of these teachers became pregnant by the boys they raped, thus leading to further victimization of the boys because,

1. How many 14 or 17 year-old boys are ready to be fathers? (Answer: young boys and girls aren't ready to be parents, period.)

2. Underage boys still have to pay $upport even though they were raped. For example, a 12 year-old boy in Kansas was forced to pay $upport to the babysitter who raped him. See:

. . . 2a. Hermesmann v. Seyer on Wikipedia (a good summary of the case)
. . . 2b. State of KS ex rel. Hermesmann v. Seyer, http://www.kscourts.org/Cases-and-Opinions/opinions/ctapp/1997/19970905/76971.htm.

3. How will the boy handle the stress of raising a child, going to school, missing events, and working after school to pay $upport to his rapist?

4. How will this rape effect the boys' views on women and sex, and how will it affect his future relationships with girls his own age?

5. Will the boy be able to have a normal family of his own? Will having a child keep him from forming healthy relationships? If he ever is able to start a family, how will he be able to support his own family AND the person who raped him?

I can go on but any normal person understands how statutory rape can hurt male victims as badly as it can hurt female victims. It's not the fantasy some people may dream of, but it can become a life-altering nightmare.

Female sex predators are as dangerous to boys as male sex predators are to girls. Will this female teacher/rapist get the same punishment as a male teacher/rapist, or will she enjoy the usual female sentencing discount?

Thomas Lessman
Website: www.ThomasLessman.com
. Blog: www.talessman.blogspot.com
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Attorney "Ethics" Leave Innocent Man in Prison for 26 Years

2008-04-13T08:22:00.000-05:00

What words could possibly do justice to this terrible situation? Not many things would be worse than spending most of your life in prison - especially for a crime you didn't commit!

I understand the attorneys probably acted "legally and ethically" within the bounds of their duty as attorneys. It obviously wasn't an easy decision for them; they feel bad and possibly had some trouble sleeping. I wouldn't ever want to have to make a decision like that. But I don't feel AT ALL sorry for them, nor do I think they did the RIGHT thing.

Really I think he (Mr. Logan) should be able to sue them (the attorneys) and the state, for wrongful incarceration and other damages he suffered because of their... ommission?... negligence?... blind obedience?... or whatever you want to call it.

There may not be any laws specifically against what they did. I agree that they had a tough decision to make, and they were in a way, "just doing their jobs". But that's the same excuse Nazi soldiers used to justify their crimes. And in this situation, I see the attorneys' actions (or lack thereof) to be similar in nature. Though I'm willing to bet that if Mr. Logan were to sue the attorneys, no US court would rule in his favor.

Regardless of what the laws say or omit, and regardless of what any "code of ethics" says, there is ALWAYS a line between "Right" and "Wrong". Maybe they couldn't see that line because of the foggy grey Ethics area. But they knew he was innocent, and that he was at constant risk of being raped or murdered while in prison.

Yet they still made a conscious decision to withold information that would have set this innocent man free. It may have been a tough decision for the attorneys, but their choice cost an innocent man 26 years in prison, putting him in extreme danger and effectively destroying his life. And NO amount of ethics can give Mr. Logan half of his life back.

Thomas Lessman
Website: http://www.thomaslessman.com/
Blog: http://www.talessman.blogspot.com/

World History Maps
. http://www.worldhistorymaps.info/

Lessman Farm and Truckhenge
. www.thomaslessman.com/LessmanFarm/
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Woman Convicted of DUI, Sentencing Postponed

2008-04-10T12:42:00.001-05:00

See also from the Topeka Capital-Journal, 4-10-2008: Sentencing postponed for woman involved in fatal DUI wreck.

I saw this wreck happen; in fact, Justin's car was right behind my car. I saw her lights coming towards me and suddenly it registered that she was in MY lane! I swerved just in time to avoid her - she literally missed me by less than 4 feet. I swerved back onto the road and looked in my rear view mirror just in time to see her hit his car head-on. He and I were each going about 60 mph; I don't know how fast she was going.

I've seen a LOT of things in my life, including seeing other people die, but what I saw that night shook me. I've lived in this area my whole life (30 years) and didn't know any of the people involved. But I DO know what I saw. Out of respect for the Mr. Fujibayashi and his family, I'll keep those details between myself and the police report.

What really got me was a week later, when I was called to the Highway Patrol headquarters. They needed a statement from me, as a witness, because it seemed that Ms. Dennon and another witness (her friend) were trying to claim that she was in the correct lane, and that Mr. Fujibayashi was in the wrong lane.

In other words, they were trying to save Dennon's skin, by blaming it on her victim, the man she killed!

As a single parent myself, I understand the need to get out and away and have fun. Everybody makes mistakes, and sometimes they are fatal. However drunk driving is no innocent mistake, it's extreme reckless negligence. And in this case, her actions ruined 3 lives.

It's a shame that Ms. Dennon's child will have a mother in prison. It's an even greater shame that Ms. Dennon needlessly took a life, tried to blame it on her victim, and now her daughter is going to pay the price.

There is a MySpace page in memory of Justin Fujibayashi. http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=143196782

Sincerely,

Thomas Lessman
Website: www.ThomasLessman.com
Blog: www.talessman.blogspot.com

World History Maps
. www.WorldHistoryMaps.info

Lessman Farm and Truckhenge
. www.thomaslessman.com/LessmanFarm/

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"If You Don't Like It Here, You Should Move..."

2008-04-09T13:28:00.000-05:00

It's often tempting if you don't agree with someone else's political views, to tell them they should "move to some other country" if they don't like it here so much. That kind of thinking is actually un-American, although it's a sin I myself have occasionally fallen into.

One of the most beautiful things about America is that you can live here, be a citizen, and disagree about certain things, even major things, but we're all allowed the right to have our own ideas, beliefs, and opinions. It's in the first amendment of the Bill of Rights. A good read, I highly recommend it!

I don't agree with views of a lot of people sometimes. And they don't agree with some of my views either. But we all have that right, and nobody has to leave just because they don't agree with somebody else.

Disagreeing with the President, or agreeing with the President, or not liking a certain type of tax or government program, or whatever, doesn't mean somebody is "un-American", nor do they need to leave.

America (the US) is the greatest nation on Earth. That doesn't mean the government is always right, and it doesn't always act in the best interest of We the People. It also doesn't mean that America is always right in the ways it deals with other nations. It's our duty as citizens to take care of this nation - including making sure our government stays in line.

And with the way things have been going, we are literally *this* close to losing our nation, people! Illegal immigration is FAR worse than most official reports admit. Our economy is on the verge of collapse (it will be comparable to the Great Depression 80 years ago, if we don't get a grip on it NOW). We have quite a few enemies around the world who are becoming major threats. And that's only the tip of the iceberg that's about to hit our Titanic...

Respectfully,

Thomas Lessman
. www.ThomasLessman.com
Blog: www.talessman.blogspot.com
Email: talessman@yis.us

World History Maps
. www.WorldHistoryMaps.info

Lessman Farm and Truckhenge
. www.thomaslessman.com/LessmanFarm/
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Racial Issues, Part 1

2008-04-06T08:50:00.001-05:00

I think Glenda Overstreet and I may finally agree on *something* related to racial issues. Seriously! The last 3 paragraphs in her post, "Apology vs. Action", may be the best common-ground place to start healing America's racial issues.

America has serious racial issues that we haven't handled very well. When I say "we", I mean EVERYONE in America: Whites, Blacks, Natives, Grandparents, Adults, Children, even Deceased people. Every generation in American history has faced racial issues that have changed over time. The issues we face are not the exact same racial issues that our parents, great-grandparents, or great-great-great-great grandparents dealt with. And each generation has handled these issues in their own way.

These racial issues are very complex and deep-rooted, and it will take a LOT of work on all sides before these wounds can be healed. I appreciate Glenda's last 3 paragraphs because she at least acknowledges that slavery has happened to some members of every race at some point in history. I'll add further that every race has also, at some point, enslaved members of other races. There is no such thing as an "innocent race".

I understand that in America's early years most blacks were brutally enslaved by some whites (not ALL whites). I also understand that blacks suffered discrimination even after slavery was abolished, and that some blacks still face various forms of discrimination. The thing is, Blacks aren't the only race to face discrimination in modern America. Policies like affirmative action, racial quotas, and other ill-conceived policies only substitute one form of discrimination for other forms of discrimination.

Whites and Latinos, Natives, and other races all suffer various forms of discrimination from members of other races. Everyone has their own stories of discrimination they've faced in their lives. Speaking from my view as a white male, I've seen and experienced discrimination many times, in many ways. But individual stories are not the point.

People must look past their own personal experiences, and realize that racism affects everyone. Blacks have legitimate reasons to feel historically exploited by America. So have Natives and Whites. There isn't any race in America that hasn't been exploited or discriminated against at some point in history.

Today we are all supposedly recognized as equals before the law, regardless of race or gender or etc. Which is how it should always have been, because each one of us is as human as the next person. Nobody is more human than anyone else. We are all equally human.

Respectfully,

Thomas Lessman
. http://www.thomaslessman.com/
Blog: http://www.talessman.blogspot.com/
Email: talessman@yis.us
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World History Maps by Thomas Lessman
. http://www.worldhistorymaps.com/

Rape

2008-04-05T12:21:00.000-05:00

(I decided to write this after reading an article in the Topeka Capital-Journal about a fundraiser for a new anti-rape group.

Rape is a terrible crime. There's another rape epedimic that gets little or no coverage, even though it happens more frequently than violent rapes.

The epedimic is in FALSE ALLEGATIONS of rape. Several studies have shown that between 20% to 40% of rape accusations are FALSE (as in, the accuser admitted she lied, or at least the evidence she lied was overwhelming).

Here's a good example: http://glennsacks.com/blog/?cat=21

False accusers have many of the same traits as other types of rapists. They pick victims and commit the crime based on revenge, it's a power trip, they don't want their husband to know what they were really doing out so late, they were bored or angry, etc.

Victims of rape by false allegation suffer many of the same problems as other rape victims. They become confused, fearful or suspicious of other people, withdrawn, unable to sleep, distracted or unable to work, depressed, and suffer post-traumatic stress syndrome.

Except that victims of other types of rape get support, shelter, sympathy, justice, and other help. But victims of rape by false accusation get none of that; instead they lose their friends, their jobs, their faces get plastered all over the news, and no justice (the rapist is rarely even punished).

I agree that true rape is a horrible crime. To falsely accuse someone of rape is actually a way of raping them. Someone who makes false accusations should be charged with "Rape by False Accusation", and if convicted get the same punishment like any other rapist.

Respectfully,

Thomas Lessman
. ww.ThomasLessman.com
Blog: http://www.talessman.blogspot.com/
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http://www.hisside.com/
http://www.falseallegations.com/

Libertarian Bob Barr for President?

2008-04-02T23:46:00.001-05:00

GOPUSA sent out an article about former US Rep. Bob Barr, who may run for President as a Libertarian candidate. Bob Barr is a former Republican who decided the Libertarian Party was better. The article is located <here on the GOPUSA Forum>.

Like Ron Paul, Bob Barr seems to be an honest man of integrity. He fights to protect our freedoms and constitutional rights, and has the genuine interest of "We the People" at heart. Bob Barr is well known as a true Conservative and many people will flock to his campaign, like they did with Ron Paul. It will definitely make this campaign interesting again!

**Take the World's Smallest Political Quiz! Just 10 easy questions, and you'll know which political party supports your views. You may be surprised!

Personally, I support whomever I honestly feel is best for the job of defending our rights and freedoms. If a candidate has already been elected to office previously, they have an record of how they voted on legislation (elected voting record). If that record is good, and the candidate fulfilled their elected duties, and protected the Constitution and Bill of Rights, then they've likely earned my vote. If their record is bad (eg. they supported bad laws, restricted freedoms, or were otherwise bad leaders), I won't vote for them because I refuse to reward bad leadership by voting for it! Seems simple enough.

When you vote, are you confident in the people you vote for? Have you ever decided to vote for the "lesser of two evils" because you didn't think a 3rd party candidate couldn't win? If so, the bottom line is that you sold your vote to a candidate you don't agree with, and who really doesn't represent you. In other words, you voted against yourself!

Too many Republicans (and Democrats) have fallen victim to the "Our Party First" syndrome. That mindset got us 8 years of Clinton and 8 years of Bush. If we suffer 8 years of McCain, Obama, or Clinton #2, our lives will only go from bad to worse, or even more worse than that. Each of them might take us down a different drain, but the bottom line is that if they're elected we WILL be going down a drain.

The Republicans may well lose this election, and it's their own fault for ignoring common sense and putting up McCain as their candidate. I'd have switched parties for Ron Paul, but if the Republicans would rather support Bush and McCain over Paul or Barr, then it's no longer the Republican Party. It's become the "New Moderate Party", only most of its members don't want to believe it. Conservatives are starting to wake up and look for a party that supports their ideals.

The Democrats aren't doing much better. Their campaigns have been so intolerably ho-hum that many Democrats aren't even bothering to vote. There's a strong split between Hillary's "Femocrats" and Obama's supporters, and they are split along racial and gender lines.

We may yet see the demise of this faulty 2-party system, to be replaced by a multi-party (4 or more) system that gives people more choice and more representation. Conservatives may join the Libertarian Party, leaving the "Moderate Republican" party. The Democrats may split into 2 or more parties, covering minority issues, gender issues, and possibly labor issues.

I definitely don't agree with the GOPUSA editor, who said that Ron Paul should be kicked out of the Republican Party if he supports a Libertarian Presidential candidate. Some Libertarians said the same of me when I supported Republican Ron Paul's campaign. If the Republican Party starts kicking out members who vote for better candidates, then it's really lost it's mind! Didn't another party also deal harshly with people who supported better candidates from other parties? I believe it was called the Communist Party...

Thomas Lessman
. http://www.ThomasLessman.com/
World History: http://www.WorldHistoryMaps.info/
Blog: http://www.talessman.blogspot.com/
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Libertarian Party of Kansas: http://www.LPKS.org
US Libertarian Party: http://www.LP.org

Parents' Rights Case Rejected by KS Court

2008-03-19T11:28:00.004-05:00

* This post is in response to Michael Hooper's article, "Sperm donor takes case to Supreme Court", in the Topeka Capital-Journal on March 19, 2008.

Typical bureaucracy at work.

On one hand the government says it must force fathers to "be responsible". It passes more laws, hires more caseworkers, kicks in doors, even throws fathers in jail to force them to "be responsible". On the other hand, the courts decide that fathers won't be allowed to even BE fathers unless they have permission from the mother?

Most fathers are the best fathers they can be. But many fathers get blocked by vindictive mothers, biased judges, and a legal system that is hell-bent on destroying lives and families to keep itself in business. (see <Here> and <Here> and <Here> for related letters.)

I personally don't like what I've seen from this Daryl Hendrix guy. I heard him on the Jim Cates Show a few months ago and he said, "I don't want to go down the fathers' rights path...", like it's a bad thing. Maybe he was trying to be politically correct, I don't know. What I DO know is that a lot of people don't think before they speak. They don't care what happens to other people as long as it doesn't happen to them. They know what the courts are doing is wrong. They see me organize rallies to stand up for our rights as parents (see <Here> for example). But instead of stepping up and helping us defend their rights, they turn and walk away. Some are too lazy or apathetic, others think it won't happen to them, and everyone has an excuse for not getting involved. And when they finally get pulled into the system, they expect me to jump at the "opportunity" to help them.

The courts are segregating parents into unequal classes (custodial and non-custodial), which encourages parents to fight each other for power. Divorce and custody battles are big business for attorneys, mediators, judges, caseworkers, therapists, and other professionals who make their living off broken families. It's no longer about right and wrong; now the courts are mostly concerned about the almighty bottom dollar.

It's time to reign in the courts and end the bureaucratic industry of family destruction. The first step is to force the legal system to recognize Mothers and Fathers equally as parents (with equal rights and equal responsibilities), unless they are proven unfit by a jury. Each parent should have the child 1/2 the time (or as close as possible), and family law needs reformed so that it encourages parents to work together to raise their children instead of fighting for power in court.

Thomas Lessman
. http://www.thomaslessman.com/
Blog: http://www.talessman.blogspot.com/
Email: talessman@yis.us

* * * Equal Rights for parents website: http://www.acfc.org/ .
*** http://www.hisside.com/, Glenn Sacks' radio show and blog about men's and fathers' issues.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

World History Maps update

2008-02-27T10:24:00.004-06:00

A few updates in my world history maps...

I've now got 39 world history maps online, from 1300 BC to 1500 AD. The website is http://www.worldhistorymaps.info/. The maps cover the "old world" (Eastern Hemisphere) during every 100 years and several key points in history.

How much of the world did Alexander the Great conquer compared to Ghengis Khan? What were the Germanic kingdoms that replaced the Western Roman Empire? How big was the Roman Empire during Jesus' lifetime? How much smaller was the Roman Empire during the Crusades?

There are many different kinds of history maps available online, but very few large scale maps (covering large parts of the world during specific dates.) There are many maps of the world in 1900 AD, but what about a map of the world in 900 AD? We have all read about the Egyptian Empire, but what other nations did the Egyptians trade or compete with? http://www.worldhistorymaps.info/.

The Eastern Hemisphere in 1300 BC,
during the height of the Egyptian Empire

It took me a lot of time and research to make these maps, especially because sources often conflict, and I make corrections when new information comes my way. The maps aren't perfect (show me ANY perfect history map!). But they are as accurate as possible and updated whenever new, verifiable information is available to me.

So check them out; they show a view of history that is valuable but rarely seen. It gives you a better understanding of history when you can see the BIGGER picture during any given year.

Thomas Lessman
. http://www.thomaslessman.com/
Blog: http://www.talessman.blogspot.com/

World History Maps:
http://www.worldhistorymaps.info/
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Truckhenge Media Coverage

2008-02-16T16:21:00.000-06:00

Ever since I was a kid, my dad collected antique trucks. By 2001 he had several of them. Then a petty Shawnee County health inspector decided he didn't like my dad competing with some local landfills by allowing clean rubble dumping on our property. So the County took my dad to court charging him with misc. nuisances. One of which targeted my dad's collection of antique trucks. The Judge ordered my dad to "pick the trucks up". So he did!

He put them in the ground pointing up to the sky, painted them, and called them "Truckhenge". He's added several metal and beer-bottle sculptures, some boats, and more. The whole farm is really pretty cool.

The TV show "Rare Visions and Roadside Revelations" has taped the farm, and KDHE featured Truckhenge in its "Get Caught Recycling" campaign. There is also a nice video of Truckhenge at the http://www.roadsideamerica.com/ website and a good section about it at http://www.kansastravel.org/.

This Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008, there is a TV crew from Sweden that will come to Topeka to tape the Farm. Is that cool or what? My dad has definitely made a name for the farm and for himself. And believe me, it is a real cool grassroots arts park. He's happy to give tours, just make sure to stop at the house and he'll take you on a tour.

For more information, check out the official Truckhenge website, at
www.thomaslessman.com/LessmanFarm/ .

Thomas Lessman
. http://www.thomaslessman.com/
Blog: http://www.talessman.blogspot.com/
Email: talessman@yis.us

Prison Rape Board Game?

2008-01-28T16:30:00.000-06:00

The article below my signature is from CJonline. The son of Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius has created and is marketing a board game about prison rape, called "Don't Drop the Soap".

America's a free country and he has the right to create whatever dumb offensive games he wants to create. That doesn't mean we have to sit by and do nothing, either. Rape is not a joke, and it's dispicable that someone would try to make a profit by making a game about it, much less calling it "entertainment".

This guy is the son of the Governor of Kansas. She (Governor Sebelius) is supporting her son's efforts to market this game, even defending it. If he made a board game about raping women and called it "Entertainment", would she be so supportive of him then?

Considering the numbers of people who have been released from prison after being found innocent due to prosecutor misconduct, false accusations, fabricated evidence, and other issues in the justice system, the creation of this game becomes even more despicable.

Rape isn't a game, and it's not funny when anyone is raped, whether they are a woman or a man. Instead of supporting her son's efforts to profit from a despicable game, Governor Sebelius should be educating him on how prison rape is every bit as serious and harmful as other forms of rape.

--------------------
Thomas A. Lessman
Web: http://www.thomaslessman.com/
Blog: http://www.talessman.blogspot.com/
Email: talessman@yis.us
--------------------

Article: Sebelius' son sells game out of Cedar Crest
By Tim Hrenchir, the Topeka Capital-Journal. Date: 1-26-2008
Source URL: http://cjonline.com/stories/012608/bus_240507951.shtml

Chuck Adkins, the Bitchboy who hates Ron Paul

2008-01-15T16:39:00.000-06:00

On Men's News Daily and Blogwonks, there is a writer who calls himself "Chuck Adkins", who apparently hates Ron Paul as much as the columnist who anonymously calls himself "Rogue Jew".

Both of these columnists will stoop to ANY low it takes to keep Ron Paul from getting elected. Aparently they hate integrity and honesty so much that they draft BS distortions about Ron Paul supposedly being racist, homophobic, etc. (Rest assured, Ron Paul is NOT either of those, and he has 100 times the integrity and honesty of ANY of the other politicians running for president).

But Chuck Adkins takes it so personally, he stooped to calling me a "bald headed four eyed freak" when I called him out on his lies. Then to top it off, Adkins actually deleted our whole exchange, probably after realizing his own words exposed how stupid he actually sounds making those false accusations against Ron Paul.

I get annoyed to no end by so-called conservatives (actually they are pseudo-conservatives) who whine about the tactics used by Feminists and liberals, then turn around and use those same tactics to stop a real man of integrity, like Ron Paul.

Chuck Adkins is just another hate-mongering moronic trash journalist, and it seems Blogwonks is getting overrun by these pathetic pieces of wannabe-media.

Thomas Lessman
. http://www.thomaslessman.com/
. http://www.worldhistorymaps.info/
Blog: http://www.talessman.blogspot.com/
Email: talessman@yis.us

Mens News Daily

2008-01-02T15:46:00.000-06:00

For a long time now, I've been a supporter of a site called "Mens News Daily", which is a right-wing, alternate news source for men.

Many of the columnists on that site are great columnists, including Dave Usher, Jim Kouri, Carey Roberts, and Glenn Sacks, among others.

Some of the columnists are little better than the left-wing trash journalists they claim to hate. In particular is a columnists known only as "the Rogue Jew". I honestly thought for the longest time that the "Rogue Jew" was a satire column, making fun of things in a negative way. Thus I didn't usually pay much attention to them.

Until recently. It seems the "Rogue Jew" has taken it upon himself (herself?) to start calling presidential candidate Ron Paul a racist and white supremacist. They provide no proof of their claims, except to say that KKK members are the biggest donaters to his campaign. Again, they show no proof, only making up baseless allegations that would make any feminist blush with excitement.

When I attempted to question these false allegations against Ron Paul, the site's owner, Mike LaSalle, deleted my comments outright. It seems that the owner of Men's News Daily thinks it is okay to spread false allegations against a great presidential candidate, but not okay to question those making the false allegations.

What a shame. It seems that Men's News Daily, formerly a good bastion of news that you wouldn't see in mainstream media, has now become a right-wing version of the very feminist media it claims to hate. How sad...

For the record, Ron Paul is NOT a racist, and he is the last great hope for America to return to its roots of freedom and liberty for all. Remember, only freedom will return America to its roots, not shoddy journalism!

Sincerely,

Thomas Lessman
. www.ThomasLessman.com
. www.WorldHistoryMaps.info
Blog: www.talessman.blogspot.com
Email: talessman@yis.us

World History

2007-10-18T08:59:00.000-05:00

Ever wonder what the world looked like 2'000 years ago? How much land did the Romans actually rule? What lands did the Chinese rule 1'500 years ago? What did the Arab Islamic Empire look like? How about Alexander the Great's empire?

I've been a big fan of history ever since I was a little kid. I remember reading about Charlemagne's Frankish Empire before I was in High School. The Roman Empire has always been my favorite, and it spanned over 2'200 years. Imagine what the US would be like 2'000 years from now!

When looking for maps online, I never had much luck finding maps I was satisfied with. Sure I'd find good maps covering one or two small regions (like France or Greece, etc.), but I couldn't find any maps that covered whole continents. And believe you me, I looked!

Check out World History by Thomas Lessman.
http://www.thomaslessman.com/History/Maps.html.

I was forced to draw my own maps. It took a LOT of research, but I've done it! PLEASE look around, and see if you can find any maps that are as detailed, extensive, or accurate as the historical maps I've drawn. And if you DO find better maps, let me know!

So far I've been able to draw 15 of these maps, covering the world (well, at least the Eastern Hemisphere) from 500 BC to 1025 AD. I've got my complete set available on my website;

So if you like history, check out my Historical Maps at www.ThomasLessman.com/History/Maps.html, and see what the world looked like at various key points in history.

Thomas Lessman
. http://www.thomaslessman.com/
Blog: http://www.talessman.blogspot.com/
Email: talessman@yis.us

WW3

2007-09-26T21:53:00.001-05:00

(Published in the Topeka Metro, Oct 12, 2007)

I hate to say it, but I seriously doubt we'll survive another World War. It's not nukes or chems that I'm afraid of. Think about this:

1. There are 30 million + illegal aliens in our nation. If even 1/10th of them are hostiles? That's 3 MILLION enemy soldiers inside our own borders, strategically located inside our nation!

To be "hostiles", they don't have to be soldiers from islamic, or communist, or rival nations. Hostiles also include groups like "M-13", the central american gang that is rampant in the American Southwest. Groups like La Raza openly flout their anti-Americanism, yet they are slated to receive over several MILLION $$$ in federal subsidies in the next few years? Why don't they give equivalent funding to the Minutemen?

It seems our own federal government is working against us too! How hard has the government tried towards revoking the 2nd amendment and disarming our own citizens? The British lost the Revolutionary war because American Citizens were armed and able to fight back. Germany knew it would fail in any invasion of the US because they knew many of the citizens were armed. Kinda puts a damper on any organized invasion of the US, when the enemy knows we can field a "Citizens' Army" larger than anything they can throw at us...

Add to that the almost determined effort by the federal government to outsource many of our best paying, quality jobs to 3rd world nations (thus impoverishing a LOT more of our population than they let on). AND stationing our troops in so many nations that our own army is terribly stretched thin and unable to return to the US if we are attacked on several fronts.

A friend of mine brought up a tragically great point the other day. I want to preface it by saying that I get a lot of calls from guys who have been screwed over so bad in family courts (which can destroy a life and smile while doing it). Some of them (and other groups) get so frustrated they say it's time to stop working within the system to reform it, and just grab guns and start fighting back.

I tell each of them that, while I understand their frustrations, grabbing our guns is the stupidest thing we can do. The citizens of the US have set themselves up for failure. If we can't get 20 guys to stand outside their courthouse and publicly protest against officials they know are anti-American, what on earth makes you think we can get 20 MILLION people to stand up and fight back with guns? Because it will take at LEAST that many to stop the Apache helicoptors, stealth bombers, tanks, and other advanced weapons that would be thrown at us.

My friend brought up a great point. "If America revolts, WHO do you think will be putting down that revolt?" He said, "It won't be our own military; very few of our soldiers will fire on their fellow citizens. Instead, it will be UNITED NATIONS troops who would be sent in as "peacekeepers", because they are well armed and trained, and they have no alliegance to the US or our citizens. In fact, many are from nations who strongly hate the US. Do you really think they'd have any mercy or understanding for "We The People", knowing that we elected our own government?

Thomas A. Lessman
. http://www.thomaslessman.com/
Blog: http://www.talessman.blogspot.com/
Email: talessman@yis.us
Phone: 785-230-4546
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"Deadbeat Dads" editorial from KMBC-TV

2007-06-13T09:18:00.000-05:00

This editorial by Wayne Godsey of KMBC-TV <Click Here> is a kick in the face to all fathers, and just in time for Father's Day. KMBC-TV can be emailed via their "Contact KMBC" page at http://www.thekansascitychannel.com/contactus/index.html

Trash Can editorials like this cannot be allowed to go unchallanged. Real reporters actually check facts and get both sides of the story. This guy is the GENERAL MANAGER of a TV station, yet he didn't think to talk to any of the people he's so carelessly stereotyping?

The facts are:
1. Most "deadbeat dads" are regular fathers crushed by child $upport orders that can take more than half of their income - literally leaving dads without money for rent, food, or bills. How is dad supposed to be able to take care of the kids when they're with him if he has no money to feed or clothe them?
2. States have incentives to keep child $upport high because they get federal reimbursements for every dollar they collect (Bradley amendment, USC 42 sec 666).
3. Courts routinely segregate parents into unequal classes (custodial and non-custodial), giving custodial parents a lot of power over the other parent's life and relationship with the children. This encourages parents to fight for power (in and out of court), which makes a lot of money for attorneys, therapists, and other court personnel.
4. Restricted visitation, parental alienation, and "Kids, meet your new daddy this week" syndrome are just a few issues that non-custodial parents and children face. Courts rarely do anything if mommy won't let daddy see the kids (but she tells the kids their daddy doesn't love them anymore - so she found them a new daddy at the bar last night, and he's better than the one last week...)

That's barely the beginning of the OTHER SIDE of the story that Wayne Godsey failed to mention when he jumped on his editorial bully pulpit. My question is, does KMBC-TV have the courage to show BOTH sides of the story, or should we write them off as a "Trash Can Newscast"?

Thomas A. Lessman
. http://www.thomaslessman.com/
Blog: http://www.talessman.blogspot.com/
Email: talessman@yis.us
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"Politically-Correct" Racism

2007-04-20T10:13:00.000-05:00

"Politically Correct" Racism
By Thomas Lessman, Date: 4-20-07

A joke by shock-jock Don Imus about "nappy-headed hos" helped set off another mini-explosion in the powder keg of racial issues in America. Imus apologized repeatedly but was suspended from his show and later fired. Several things about this whole episode bother me.

Why do some people think it's ok to insult, degrade, or discriminate against other races, but not their own?

Imus' joke was nothing compared to racial jokes told by Carlos Mencia, Dave Chapelle, or Chris Rock (who doesn't hide his contempt when he calls white people "crackers"). Many rap stars sing about "nappy-headed hos" (among other terms far more insulting*). Do the race crusaders think it's okay for some people to be racist, but not others?

Welcome to "politically-correct" racism and the glaring hypocrisy of racial politics in America.

Some of the most vocal protesters demanding Imus' blood openly flaunt their own racism, saying it's not really racism if it's said by someone who is black. The "politically-correct" racists were silent when Al Sharpton spoke about "blood-sucking Jews", but raised hell when Mel Gibson said it. Snoop Dogg, of all people, said that Imus' words were demeaning to black women. This from the guy who raps about using women and putting them in their place because, "we don't love them hoes". (While I like some of Snoop's songs, that doesn't change the fact that he's a racist hypocrit!)

When confronted with proof of their racism, most "politically-correct" racists respond predictably. First they try to deny it and accuse their critics of being racist. Then they try justifying their racism by claiming it's not really racism when blacks are racist because blacks are a minority.

I fully support the right of free speech whether I agree with the opinion or not. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are hypocritical, race-baiting opportunists, but in a free nation they have the same right to speak just like everyone else. What bothers me is that they think the right to be pompous, self-righteous, racist hypocrits belongs only to them.

Either racism is wrong and it's wrong for anyone to be racist, or it's not wrong and everyone can be racist. I personally believe racism is ignorant, but I refuse to stay silent while racist hypocrits like Sharpton, Jackson, and Snoop Dogg promote their own racism.

Some civil rights leaders DO understand that point. The only real civil rights leader in Topeka, Sonny Scroggins, has spent decades fighting racism in all forms. While Scroggins dislikes the terms used by Imus, he also understands that Imus' words were no worse than what Snoop Dogg raps. Recently, Sonny has been protesting on Wanamaker to stop Gangsta Rap (which made Snoop Dogg rich). Says Scroggins, "Either racism is wrong, or it isn't, but they can't have it both ways."

I respect those words of wisdom from Sonny, and I will be joining him in protest as time permits. I encourage you to protest with Sonny too, if you truly believe racism is racism regardless of the color of the racist. You can contact Sonny at 785-232-3761 or BiasBustersOfKansas@yahoo.com.

Respectfully,
Thomas A. Lessman
. www.ThomasLessman.com
Blog: www.talessman.blogspot.com
Email: talessman@yis.us.
Phone: 785-230-4546
----------------------------------------------

* "Where them nigga hoes at?" (FYI, that's the opening line of the rap song "Playa's Ball" by E-40 & Too Short.)

Apology to Reporters Tim Hrenchir & Fred Johnson

2007-04-05T15:18:00.000-05:00

I owe Topeka Capital-Journal reporters Tim Hrenchir and Fred Johnson an apology.

About a month ago, I called into Jim Cates Show to voice support for Jack Woelfel's campaign, and we later began discussing certain problems the Topeka Capital-Journal has with "shoddy reporting". Jim asked what I meant by that, and I brought up a few examples.

One article in particular that I pointed out was the CJonline article from Oct. 30, 2006, titled, "Voting Habits Steady". The author of the article highlighted my voting record as the worst, saying I had voted in only 12% of the elections I was elegible to vote in. (Article link: www.cjonline.com/stories/103006/loc_votehabits.shtml)

That's incorrect, because as a registered Libertarian, I'm not able to vote in many elections that registered Republicans or Democrats are able to vote in. The author also downplayed the fact that I've shown up to vote during elections, only to be told there was nothing I could vote for because I'm registered Libertarian.

Anyway, Jim asked who the reporter who wrote that story, and I replied that I wasn't sure, but it may have been Fred Johnson or Tim Hrenchir. I was wrong; it wasn't Fred or Tim. Earlier today I re-read the story and realized it was Barbara Hollingsworth who wrote the story.

That's not the only time I've noticed factual in-accuracy of some articles published in the Topeka Capital-Journal, but it was the first one that came to mind when I was on air.

In any case, I named the wrong reporters, and I apologize to them for my error.

Respectfully,
--------------------
Thomas A. Lessman
Web: www.ThomasLessman.com
Blog: www.talessman.blogspot.com
Email: talessman@yis.us
--------------------

Electing a Better City Council

2007-03-22T06:45:00.000-05:00

The Topeka Metro recently published my letter in support of Jack Woelfel for City Council.

Electing for a Better City

I gained respect for my former opponents Ann Mah and Jack Woelfel after the 2002 elections, and it's been an honor working with them ever since.

Now one of them - Jack Woelfel - is running for Topeka City Council district 9.

Topeka has a few good leaders (like John Alcala and Sylvia Ortiz) who care about our city and lead as best they can. Unfortunately some city leaders (like Blackburn and Duffy) have their own agendas and they don't care how their schemes hurt our city, as long as they get what they want.

Jack Woelfel is a man of integrity who believes in responsible government and fiscal responsibility. He has the best interests of the City and its residents at heart, and Topeka will prosper with him on the Council.

I urge you to consider your choices and elect Jack Woelfel to Topeka City Council.

Respectfully,
Thomas Lessman

Islam vs. the West?

2007-02-09T00:32:00.000-06:00

I'm about as close to an expert on world history as anyone can be without having a degree. My strongest point is Roman History, as well by Ancient and Medieval history of Europe and the Mid East.

The Moslem Turks conquered my favorite Empire, the 2206 year-old Roman Empire (in 1453 AD, 40 years before Columbus arrived in America!). So you can imagine how irked I am that the Moslems destroyed one of history's greatest civilizations.

And I agree that one of our biggest security issues today is terrorism from Moslem extremists. (Though I think Illegal Immigration is a far more dangerous threat).

The thing is, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are different sects of the same religion. All three worship the same God; the only difference is that Jews don't believe the Messiah has come yet, Christians believe Jesus was the Messiah, and Moslems belive that Jesus was a Prophet, and that Mohammed was the final Prophet.

In any context historical or modern, Moslems are no more violent than Christians, Jews, Hindus, even Atheists. Because when it comes down to it, we're all equally human, no matter what God(s) we do or don't believe in.

The man who wrote "The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam" was on a local radio show here just a few days ago. First he said that Islam is a dangerous religion because it teaches its believers that infidels (non-Moslems) are only worthy of death. That's not true - Islam teaches that non-believers should be converted at every opportunity, but those who don't convert should be taxed. Seriously.

Then he started talking about how Moslems are bad because they behead or stone criminals to death. The irony here is that Christians were still doing much the same thing only a few decades ago - and some Christians still do.

It's tragic that several thousand innocent people were murdered by Moslem extremists in the WTC bombings. (Though I do believe parts of our own government had their hand in planning that tragedy). It's also tragic that several thousand innocent people have been murdered - some intentionally, some not - during our wars to get Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein.

I agree that we MUST stop the Moslem extremists, because of the fact that they are determined to destroy every one of us. But remember, not every Moslem is an extremist, just like not every Christian is a David Koresh or a "Reverend" Phred Phelps.

My point is that we'll never win this war through the commercialized Propaganda that the authors who wrote "The Truth About Mohammed" and "The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam" are trying to get rich off of.

While I agree that it's way overboard to threaten this guy with death, what did he expect? How many Christians would be pissed off if an Buddhist wrote a book called, "The Truth About Jesus"? If an Atheist spit in your face and called you a moron who wastes his faith on an invisible cloud being, wouldn't your first reaction be to want to kill him? When you spew false propaganda about a man's religion, isn't that much like spitting in his face and insulting his beliefs?

The only way we can win this war against terrorists is to eliminate the terrorists, NOT by killing innocent people or preaching hateful propaganda against the survivors. All that does is create even more extremists, which creates more terrorists.

Respectfully,
Thomas Lessman
. http://www.thomaslessman.com/
Email: talessman@yis.us
Blog: http://www.talessman.blogspot.com/

Debate Followup for KS House Dist. 53

2006-10-11T14:44:00.000-05:00

* My opponents in this election both contacted me to express disagreement with my review of our debate. Their rebuttles are in the comments section for this post, because I believe it's only fair for the voters if they get the views of all 3 candidates.
-------------------------

Reviews from those who listened to yesterday's debate yesterday and gave me feedback have been very good. Thank you to Jim Cates for hosting and Steve Forman for producing the show!

2 hours after the debate I got a call from tv 13 WIBW. On October 31st I'll be appearing on their News at Noon program. Also, on October 20th, I'll be speaking to Mr. Buchanan's class at Shawnee Heights High School, along with Ann Mah and possibly Doug Desch.

I stumbled a few times early on (answering complex questions isn't easy to do sometimes in 60 seconds...) but then recovered. Those who gave me feedback said that my opponents seemed to be hostile and confrontational with each other, while I seemed respectful and more thoughtful in what the callers were asking.

I respect both of my opponents (Ann Mah-D and Doug Desch-R). They seem to be good people who just sit on the wrong side of some issues. What bothered me about their answers to some of the questions was that they both seem to favor more laws and more government in areas I believe already have WAY too much of them.

For more information about all 3 candidates, click this link:http://www.thomaslessman.com/#ThomasLessmanPlatform

Again, thank you to Jim Cates and Steve Forman, as well as both of my opponents, Doug Desch and Ann Mah.

Respectfully,

--------------------------------------
Thomas A. Lessman,
Candidate for Kansas House Dist 53
Website: www.ThomasLessman.com
Blog: www.talessman.blogspot.com
Professional Email: Chairman@MillionDadsMarch.org
Personal Email: talessman@yis.us
Phone: 785-230-4546 or 234-3486
Mail Address:
4124 NE Brier Rd.
Topeka, KS 66616
--------------------------------------

Libertarian Party of Kansas
www.LPKS.org

Blind hate leads to blind stupidity

2006-10-02T08:00:00.000-05:00

Recently, a man named Jeff Cohen wrote an opinion about urging people to buy Citgo gas to punish 7-11 for not supporting Venezuela's socialist tyrant, Hugo Chavez. You may remember that a few weeks ago, Chavez called President Bush II "the Devil" at a UN assembly.

Several people on MySpace, including my own sister, were ecstatic and sent it around to everyone they knew. After all, they reasoned, ANYONE is better than Bush II.

Oh how blind hate can so easily lead to blind stupidity...

I'm a Libertarian, and as such I'm definitely NO fan of Bush II. Bush will go down in history as one of America's worst presidents (as will Clinton).

That said, Bush will NEVER be as hypocritical or anti-freedom as Chavez is. Cohen seems ignorant to the FACT that if he wrote a column criticizing Chavez, he'd better not show his face in Venezuela or he'd get arrested.

Yes, you read that right. Chavez, the man Cohen claims is a champion of the poor and downtrodden, does NOT allow freedom of speech in his country. Furthermore, Chavez' administration is far more corrupt and abusive than Bush's administration is in the US - and that's pretty bad!

Cohen claims that Citgo's oil profits go to the poor of Venezuela, but that's a CROCK and Cohen should know better. Citgo's profits actually go to the managers of Citgo and to Chavez' cronies. Chavez isn't running a democracy - he's creating a socialist nation that borders on Communism.

But apparently Jeff Cohen thinks ANY hypocritical dictator would be better than Bush.

That's the problem with "politically correct liberal speak". It sounds nice until you actually SEE it in action.

Bush II is bad. Chavez is worse. Jeff Cohen should either open his eyes, or move to Venezuela to see just how bad his "champion" really is.

Sincerely,

Thomas Lessman
Candidate for KS House Dist. 53
Website: www.ThomasLessman.com

Here is the opinion sent out by Jeff Cohen:
Of the top oil producing countries in the world, only one is a democracy with a president who was elected on a platform of using his nation's oil revenue to benefit the poor. The country is Venezuela. The President is Hugo Chavez. Call him "the Anti-Bush."

Citgo is a U.S. refining and marketing firm that is a wholly owned subsidiary of Venezuela's state-owned oil company. Money you pay to Citgo goes primarily to Venezuela -- not Saudi Arabia or the Middle East. There are 14,000 Citgo gas stations in the US. (Click here http://www.citgo.com/CITGOLocator/StoreLocator.jsp to find one near you.) By buying your gasoline at Citgo, you are contributing to the billions of dollars that Venezuela's democratic government is using to provide health care, literacy and education, and subsidized food for the majority of Venezuelans.

Instead of using government to help the rich and the corporate, as Bush does, Chavez is using the resources and oil revenue of his government to help the poor in Venezuela. A country with so much oil wealth shouldn't have 60 percent of its people living in poverty, earning less than $2 per day. With a mass movement behind him, Chavez is confronting poverty in Venezuela. That's why large majorities have consistently backed him in democratic elections. And why the Bush administration supported an attempted military coup in 2002 that sought to overthrow Chavez.

So this is the opposite of a boycott. Call it a BUYcott. Spread the word.

Of course, if you can take mass transit or bike or walk to your job, you should do so. And we should all work for political changes that move our country toward a cleaner environment based on renewable energy. The BUYcott is for those of us who don't have a practical alternative to filling up our cars.

So get your gas at Citgo. And help fuel a democratic revolution in Venezuela.
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0516-25.htm

Thank you Topeka Capital-Journal

2006-09-25T23:00:00.000-05:00

I've been known to disagree with the Topeka Capital-Journal, and when it happens I'm not shy about expressing my disagreement (as respectfully as possible). That said, the Capital-Journal isn't always wrong and I DO try to give credit where it is due. (Case in point: I thanked them in my letter "No Deadbeat" in Feb. 2004).

Now I would like to thank the Capital-Journal for it's work to expose a group called, "Schools for Fair Funding".

In the recent school finance fiasco, 19 School Districts and several attorneys formed a so-called "non-profit" organization that sued Kansas (well, just every KS taxpayer) for more money. Ironically, one of the state's worst Judges (Bullock "the Hutt") presided over that case. The Topeka Capital-Journal explains it in their articles, "Kline tells group to open funding records" (8-19-06), "Money spread beyond courtroom" (9-03-06), and "CJ's lawsuit draws fire" (9-15-06).

Does anyone else smell the odor coming from "Schools for Fair Funding"? *Sniff* it kinda smells *sniff* like ...

As a "non-profit" organization that used public money, "Schools for Fair Funding" is legally and ethically obligated to explain how much money it received and what it did with that money. Instead it seems they would rather withhold that information and continue using the court system to play legal games with the people of Kansas.

Thank you, Topeka Capital-Journal, for helping defend the rights of The People in this matter.

Respectfully,
---------------------------------------
Thomas Lessman
Website: www.ThomasLessman.com
Email: talessman@yis.us
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Good Riddance to Judge Bullock "the Hutt"

2006-09-14T08:07:00.000-05:00

The CJonline article is here: <http://www.cjonline.com/stories/091406/loc_judgeretire.shtml>

For those who may not understand why we call him Judge Bullock "the Hutt", visit this page on the ACFC-KS website: (http://www.acfc-ks.org/Judge_Terry_Bullock.htm)

Ah, Judge Bullock "the Hutt", a Judge who doesn't have a problem kicking a man when he's down. Of course, this article only mentions his mis-efforts in the school finance case, and fails to mention ANYthing about his collusion with various agencies to violate the civil rights of non-custodial parents.

Nevertheless, you can BET that we'll have a "going away party" for him at the courthouse when he finally leaves...

http://www.talessman.blogspot.com/

--------------------------------------
Thomas A. Lessman,
Candidate for Kansas House Dist 53
Website: www.ThomasLessman.com
Professional Email: Chairman@MillionDadsMarch.org
Personal Email: talessman@yis.us
Phone: 785-230-4546 or 234-3486
Mail Address:
4124 NE Brier Rd.
Topeka, KS 66616
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Praising the Minutemen

2006-09-13T11:50:00.000-05:00

Praising the Minutemen

In light of a recent CJonline editorial (http://www.cjonline.com/stories/091306/opi_minutemaned.shtml), I feel it necessary to speak in defense of the Minutemen. Maybe the Editorial Board - like many entrenched politicians - just doesn't get it.

Illegal aliens have no respect for our national laws, nor do they care about the "rights" or freedom of American citizens. Some factions of illegal aliens advocate the subversion and outright conquest of several U.S. states. Over 20 million illegal aliens have already infiltrated our nation. That's a very serious threat to our national security, and the government's response to date has been dangerously weak.

In times of crisis, every American citizens has the duty to stand up and work together to end the crisis. 200 years ago the Minutemen stood together to fight for our independence and freedom. Today they are standing up again to defend America's independence and freedom. Instead of criticizing these patriots, we should be supporting their brave efforts.

Respectfully,

Thomas Lessman,
Member of Citizens For Immigration Reform
. www.CFIR.org

Minimum Wage Increase?

2006-08-24T13:28:00.000-05:00

The hot topic on my favorite local radio show was the proposed Minimum Wage increase.

I admit that back in my high school days about 10 years ago, I thought minimum wage increases were good. I mean after all, I only made minimum wage back then, and I loved the thought of making more money. Who doesn't?

When the min wage increased however, I discovered that I really wasn't making any more money, even though my hourly wage was more. How? First the government took more money out of my checks for taxes. I also had to pay more for everything from cigarettes to hamburgers to gas for my car.

Thus, after the minimum wage increased, I wound up making LESS money than before.

My own personal experience aside, minimum wage increases sound great in theory, but in practice they are anything but. They cause more problems for businesses, cause layoffs, and lead to price increases. The only reason the government is proposing an increase is because higher minimum wage means more tax money for bloated government.

At the same time however, it is beyond rediculous when a company pays its employees barely enough to survive, while its managers and owners make an obscene amount of money. Wal Mart is a good example of this; the Walton family clears several BILLION $$$ each year while most Wal Mart employees scrape by on less than a living wage. Any Wal Mart employee gets fired if they so much as mention UNION.

If the purpose of raising minimum wage is to eliminate poverty or help everyone make more money, why don't they just raise the minimum wage to $50/hour? Wouldn't THAT eliminate poverty if EVERYONE made at least $50/hour? Of course not; then a cheeseburger would cost $45, and a gallon of gas would be at least $25.

Signed:

Thomas Lessman
Candidate for KS House Dist. 53
. www.ThomasLessman.com
Email: talessman@yis.us

LPKS vs. Shawnee County

2006-08-18T15:58:00.000-05:00

Libertarian Party of Kansas files lawsuit against Shawnee County
Source URL: http://www.cjonline.com/stories/081806/loc_libertarians.shtml

Shawnee County officials are notorious for their selective persecution of people and businesses that aren't part of their "good ole boy" network. If you aren't part of that club, you'd better walk a fine line or else...

This particular time, the "good ole boy" network really screwed up. Whatever excuses they spit out, the FACT is that they ILLEGALLY violated the LPKS' constitutional right of free speech.

Unfortunately, it looks like Shawnee County taxpayers will have to pay for the ignorance of some elected officials who had personal grudges against the LPKS.

SH CO Commissioner Vic Miller, you and your excuses are pathetic! Rest assured, you'll be strongly opposed in your next election campaign.

On the off chance the LPKS loses this lawsuit, Vic Miller and other Shawnee County officials had better pray that I don't find out where they plan to hold their fundraisers...

Another popular local blog has more information available about this issue, and you can visit that blog at http://news2know.blogspot.com/2006/08/libertarians-sue-over-deputies-who.html#comments

Signed,

Thomas Lessman
LP Candidate for KS House Dist 53
Website: www.ThomasLessman.com
Email: talessman@yis.us

Libertarian Party of Kansas
www.LPKS.org

Merry CHRISTmas and Happy Holidays

2005-12-24T09:07:00.000-06:00

This Christmas/Holiday season has been frought with arguments over political correctness. It seems a growing minority of people don't like the religious implications of celebrating a holiday that revolves around the birth of the man who founded the world's most popular religion...

I'm well known for my non-religiousness. To most people, religion is little more than a "my god can beat up your god" complex. People speak of the greater morality their religion preaches, then they throw that morality out the window when dealing with people of other religions.

Even though I'm non-religious, I know that Jesus was a real person, just like Mohammed and Buddah were real people. Taking the CHRIST out of CHRISTmas is every bit as silly as taking Martin Luther King Jr out of Martin Luther King Jr day. CHRISTmas is a celebration of Jesus' birthday. So what if he founded a religion? He was a great man who did many great things. I'd say that is good enough reason to celebrate his birthday, whether you follow his religion or not!

Christmas also isn't the ONLY holiday this season; there's also Hannukah, Kwanzaa, and the Winter Solstice celebration. If Christians want people to respect their beliefs and their holidays, they need to give others that same respect.

So, Merry CHRISTmas, Happy Holidays, and have a great new year!

Respectfully,

Thomas Lessman
. www.ThomasLessman.com
Email: talessman@yis.us

Supporting TABOR

2005-09-28T15:23:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I attended the "American Dream Express" rally in Topeka. There were approximately 40 to 50 supporters of TABOR, and maybe 6 to 10 people opposed, present at the rally.

Opponents of TABOR used a lot of fear-mongering and mis-information in their attempts to oppose the Taxpayor Bill of Rights.

A prime example: one opponent held a sign that stated "If TABOR is passed, 50'000 Kansas children will lose their access to Health Wave."

Representative Brenda Landwier, who spoke in favor of TABOR, pointed out that sign and remarked that "there are only 30'000 Kansas children currently ON Health Wave."

Hmmm...

When you FOLLOW THE MONEY, you quickly realize that the opponents of TABOR are primarily groups that rely on government money to operate, or who support unchecked beaurocratic spending.

As a Libertarian, I SUPPORT TABOR because it puts power back in the hands of WE THE PEOPLE by allowing us the final say in whether our taxes will be raised. What is wrong with that?

FOLLOW THE MONEY!