Harpseal passed on as of March 19, 2004

His friend | Mar 22, 2004 | Laz

[Lazamataz]

Matt Reilly, also known as 'harpseal' on Free Republic, died on March 19, 2004.

His friend Eileen is making arrangements for a Memorial service at the local VA.

Matt was a former Navy SEAL, a keen businessman, a friend to his Walker Hound, and an accomplished sailor.

He was also my friend and my business partner. I can't barely see the keyboard through my tears. He will be missed greatly.

[Vigilantcitizen]

Hang in there Laz. I'm pulling hard for you, man.

[Taxman]

Rest in Peace, Harpseal.

Prayers up for Harpseal, his family and FRiends.

[Cloud William]

I also have chosen a new tagline. I think it may be permanent.

I think that's a fine tribute. I'm sure that I'll not be the only FReeper to see those words and smile at the memories, bittersweet though they seem at the moment.

[Badray]

I too am in tears. Sorry for your loss for it is our loss too. Strange how the passing of a man that you never met or spoke to can effect you.

If I ever had any doubts about an issue, his posts would soon settle that. I always knew that his posts would be cogent.

Thank you for your service to our country and our liberty. RIP Harpseal.

[SevenDaysInMay]

We were all honored to have his experience and humor shared by "Harpseal".

If it weren't for good men, we might think that mediocre men are good enough.

Tom

[Badray]

In memory of harpseal.

[m18436572]

R.I.P., Harpseal!

[Mortimer Snavely]

My condolences on the loss of your dear friend.

Harpseal will certainly be missed around here.

[spunkets]

Sorry to hear this. He will be missed.

[Grampa Dave]

"Harpseal was a good solid American , served his nation and fellow man till the end of his days here on this earth. If the good lord was grading lives and the way they are lived then Matt Reilly surely received an A+ based on my knowledge of him that he shared and I observed. The nation is richer for having had Matt fight for it and poorer for it's loss of a fine warrior."

One of these days in the future when the last communist and Islamofascist has been removed from our world, and the left wing's hold on the media becomes a joke, we will see some incredible true stories of about our Cold War Warriors like Matt. The Cold War was actually World War III. Then, Americans will appreciate what was done for America and the world by our Cold War Warriors like Matt.

When the last Islamofascist has been removed, we again will discover what our Spec Op Warriors and regular Warriors did for America and the world in World War IV.

In the meantime as conservatives, who understand the realities, we will honor respect the Matts, whom we know and didn't have the honor to know.

[murdoog]

When I think of Harpseal, I think of his list of proposals for saving America's jobs. I apologize if they've been posted on this thread (I looked, but might have missed them). But just to make sure, here they are in all their glory:

1. Get rid of government subsidies for offshore investment of US companies. OPIC is the first such program which should go but support of World Bank programs that subsidize the outflow of Capital would be another.
2. Use tariffs on those nations which are engaged in unfair trade practices such as currency manipulation (China and India for example), those nations which refuse to open their markets to US products (China for example with its 50% tariffs on US consumer goods and non tariff barriers), those nations that subsidize competition to American Industry (airbus for example) and those nations which have slave conditions for their workers.
3. Use tariffs and other means to prevent the relocation of jobs offshore that are essential to the national defense. If necessary take control of the company seeking to export vital technology or industry by means of eminent domain (No I do not like this last option and I will only defend its use as an absolute last resort like say in the case of rare earth magnets essential to smart bomb technology). Provide a hardened, widely distributed infrastructure to supply all that is needed for our military units and civil defense that can be continued to be deployed in the event of any military attack.
4. An immediate end to guest worker programs. If people wish to come to the USA to work and make a life let them immigrate according to the rules.
5. Provide economic development zones where the corporate income tax is zero for operations within these zones. In order to operate in this zone a company must agree to only purchase American components if available and employ only American citizens or legal immigrants in these operations. These economic development zones shall be eventually be expanded to include every bit of every state once the benefits are shown I would like them to be totally implemented immediately but I realize that may be overreaching. It must be stated for clarification that simply being in the geographic area of the zones does will not subject any company to any new mandatory regulation. Everything is voluntary for getting the exclusion from corporate taxation. The profit attributable to direct imports is subject to the same rules that exist everywhere else in this nation for corporate taxation. Only free from such taxation is the profit attributable to American content and any American improvement. In short no new mandatory regulation will be a part of this. It is my opinion that there will not be a lack of companies seeking this tax relief. And no the regulation implied is absolutely minimal in order to get this through.
6. Scale back unnecessary regulation including the tort system. Institute a cap on punitive damages, limits on class action suits, and limits on liability to the actual percentage of liability with no plaintiff able to collect if said plaintiff was involved in the commission of a felony at the time of the alleged tort or was more than 49% negligent in the alleged tort. Note that the loser in a frivolous lawsuit shall pay the attorney fees of the winner. There are many other regulatory structures that also need to be included that need to be included such as repealing the Family leave mandate, getting rid of OSHA etc.
7. Increase the domestic content in purchases by the Department of defense and give absolute preference in non-domestic content to proven allies of the USA over say the French or Germans. The only reason any content for DOD purchase may come from non US allies is that content is not available elsewhere and is essential.
8. Do not allow expense involved in moving operations overseas to be included in business expenses under the IRS code.
9. Prosecute for perjury anyone who has made a false statement in order to employ an H1B or L1 visa worker. I will be lenient on the actual perjurer if he/she was ordered to make this false statement and he/she provides testimony to aid in the conviction of the person ordering the perjury. Just because a person is a CEO does not give them a pass on criminal behavior.
10. Prosecute anyone who orders the transfer of vital defense technology or funds a R&D project that could be of use to our military overseas except to strong allies of the USA. Make the necessary enhancements to our espionage laws so that continued support or funding of any R&D in a nation whose government has threatened the USA is guilty of espionage. The UK and Australia come to mind as meeting these criteria for being eligible for transfer of technology first. There will be other nations and a gradation of what can be transferred to which specific nation. Under no circumstances may technology be transferred to any nation whose government has threatened the USA within five years without a complete change of government or specific exemption from Congress and the administration.
11. Deport all illegal aliens immediately and take measures that prevent the entry of any more illegal aliens. Fine all companies knowingly employing illegal aliens Criminal sanctions should be imposed on anyone helping an illegal alien stay in the USA in violation of our laws.
12. Decrease the punishing levels of taxation on companies and eliminate the double taxation on corporate dividends. See effects of item 5 for how minimal this will be if item 5 covers the entire USA. Eliminate all IRS provisions that inhibit free use of independent contractors by businesses for example section 1706.
13. Eliminate the minimum wage so that the worker can be paid based on productivity. Overtime compensation will remain the same but instead of 150% of the "wage" the worker would receive 150% of the production pay. If one through 13 are enacted # 14 becomes an irrelevancy as no one will be working for that low a wage.

Not everybody agreed with all of Harpseal's ideas on trade. But I think nearly everyone here, even free-trade libertarians, can find something on the list they agree with.

It would be a fitting tribute to Harp if we all looked through this list for something we agreed with, and then do something to support it, whether it's writing or calling your congressman or writing a letter to the newspaper.

[LouD]

My condolences, Laz - To you and his family and loved ones.

He will be missed. I had noticed his pings had dropped off in the last couple of months, but just assumed he was busy.

We didn't always agree, but I always valued his opinion.

We will keep him in our prayers.

[Badray]

gonzo, buddy. How are you doing? Long time no see. All the best to you. Ray

[skinkinthegrass]

prayers PING :(

[My Favorite Headache]

Major prayer bump. Harpseal's tagline was always in my mind every day. RIP

[philman_36]

Oh no. My condolences to his family and friends.
Ecc. 3...there is a time for everything, even death.

[ClancyJ]

May he rest in peace - he will be missed.

[betty boop]

Laz, I am so sorry for your loss. May the Lord comfort you in your grief. Harpseal is in my prayers. May God bless his family in this time of sadness.

[rohry]

My heart is aching for you man. Hang in there...

I wish I could say something that would help you in your time of grief...

[SVTCobra03]

Semper Fi Harpseal and say hello to my brothers guarding the streets of your new home.