Saturday, November 26, 2011
Had Obama been, even for a year, an electrical contractor or Starbucks manager rather than spent a lifetime in academia, community organizing or comfortably employed by some sort of government, he would have had a different view of taxes and expenses.
◼ Why Not Pay Higher Taxes? - Victor Davis Hanson/PJM
Labels:
Class Warfare,
Economy,
Spending,
Taxes
Vulnerable Lawmakers Rush to Back Bill Banning Congressional Insider Trading
◼ Politically vulnerable lawmakers are lining up as co-sponsors of legislation that would ban congressional insider trading. - Publius/Breitbart's Big Government
A “60 minutes” report earlier this month indicated that members of Congress have been trading stocks based on knowledge gained from their positions, a practice that does not violate the law.
Before the report, a House bill that would outlaw the practice only had nine co-sponsors. In the week following the “60 Minutes” segment, that number jumped to 92. Of the 83 additions, 19 are facing competitive reelection races as defined by the Cook Political Report.
◼ Congress: Trading stock on inside information? - CBS News
◼ REVEALED: Nancy Pelosi Blocked Credit Card Reform While Investing Millions in Exclusive Visa Stock Offering - FOX
A “60 minutes” report earlier this month indicated that members of Congress have been trading stocks based on knowledge gained from their positions, a practice that does not violate the law.
Before the report, a House bill that would outlaw the practice only had nine co-sponsors. In the week following the “60 Minutes” segment, that number jumped to 92. Of the 83 additions, 19 are facing competitive reelection races as defined by the Cook Political Report.
◼ Congress: Trading stock on inside information? - CBS News
◼ REVEALED: Nancy Pelosi Blocked Credit Card Reform While Investing Millions in Exclusive Visa Stock Offering - FOX
Labels:
Congress,
John Boehner,
Nancy Pelosi,
Scott Brown,
Stock Market
Ron Paul popular, but often dismissed in race
◼ Ron Paul, the Texas congressman whose libertarian views have won him one of the most loyal followings of any Republican presidential candidate, ranks near the top of the polls in Iowa and New Hampshire. - Susan Ferrechio/Washington Examiner
With enthusiastic campaign organizations in both early voting states, Paul appears poised to make a strong second-place showing in either contest if not an outright victory should the race's national front-runner, Mitt Romney, should falter.
Yet, political experts say that despite that strong showing and dedicated following, Paul's campaign may not get much further....
"Republican generally like his fiscal policies, but when he gets into the foreign policy stuff, that is where he parts company with the majority of Republicans," University of Iowa political science professor Timothy Hagle told The Examiner....
But Paul's foreign policy viewpoint engenders deep loyalty among his followers.
__________________
Ron Paul
With enthusiastic campaign organizations in both early voting states, Paul appears poised to make a strong second-place showing in either contest if not an outright victory should the race's national front-runner, Mitt Romney, should falter.
Yet, political experts say that despite that strong showing and dedicated following, Paul's campaign may not get much further....
"Republican generally like his fiscal policies, but when he gets into the foreign policy stuff, that is where he parts company with the majority of Republicans," University of Iowa political science professor Timothy Hagle told The Examiner....
But Paul's foreign policy viewpoint engenders deep loyalty among his followers.
Ron Paul
Labels:
2012 Presidential Contenders,
Ron Paul
Front-runner Gingrich gets immigration grief
◼ Newt Gingrich did not walk on stage at Tuesday's Republican presidential debate planning to make a bold new statement on immigration. - Byron York/Washington Examiner
Here is what Gingrich said Tuesday night when the discussion turned to illegal immigrants: "I do not believe that the people of the United States are going to take people who have been here a quarter century, who have children and grandchildren, who are members of the community, who may have done something 25 years ago, separate them from their families, and expel them."
Gingrich said pretty much the same thing at a campaign event in South Carolina just last month. "There are some folks who have been here 20 or 25 years," he said. "They have paid taxes, they live in the community, they're married, they've got three kids, two grandkids, and they go to your local church. We are not going to deport them."
...The ironic thing is, Gingrich and his aides saw it coming. "In August, we had a conversation among the staff that this position was likely to draw criticism," recalls Gingrich spokesman R.C. Hammond. "He reassured us that if we are actually going to solve this problem, we have to do it this way. We are going to campaign like we are going to govern."
Far from being a slip, or a gaffe, Gingrich's statement was a gamble that he can win GOP votes even with a nuanced position on immigration. With his new lead in the polls, the stakes are higher than he could have predicted.
◼ Immigration: the new GOP social litmus test - Brian Hughes/Washington Examiner
__________________
Newt Gingrich
Here is what Gingrich said Tuesday night when the discussion turned to illegal immigrants: "I do not believe that the people of the United States are going to take people who have been here a quarter century, who have children and grandchildren, who are members of the community, who may have done something 25 years ago, separate them from their families, and expel them."
Gingrich said pretty much the same thing at a campaign event in South Carolina just last month. "There are some folks who have been here 20 or 25 years," he said. "They have paid taxes, they live in the community, they're married, they've got three kids, two grandkids, and they go to your local church. We are not going to deport them."
...The ironic thing is, Gingrich and his aides saw it coming. "In August, we had a conversation among the staff that this position was likely to draw criticism," recalls Gingrich spokesman R.C. Hammond. "He reassured us that if we are actually going to solve this problem, we have to do it this way. We are going to campaign like we are going to govern."
Far from being a slip, or a gaffe, Gingrich's statement was a gamble that he can win GOP votes even with a nuanced position on immigration. With his new lead in the polls, the stakes are higher than he could have predicted.
◼ Immigration: the new GOP social litmus test - Brian Hughes/Washington Examiner
Newt Gingrich
ClimateGate 2.0: 'I also think the science is being manipulated to put a political spin on it which for all our sakes might not be too clever in the long run...'
◼ Climategate scientists DID collude with government officials to hide research that didn't fit their apocalyptic global warming - Mail Online
5,000 leaked emails reveal scientists deleted evidence that cast doubt on claims climate change was man-made
Experts were under orders from US and UK officials to come up with a 'strong message'
Critics claim: 'The stink of intellectual corruption is overpowering'
Scientist asks, 'What if they find that climate change is a natural fluctuation? They'll kill us all'
◼ Climategate 2.0 emails: Warming "Scientist" Michael Mann Eviscerated by the Late John L. Daly - Doug Ross
◼ Why all the cloak and dagger stuff if this is all settled science…? - Watts Up With That?
◼ Warmist Geoffrey Lean: "The emails do destroy the myth of motiveless, disinterested paragons which some scientists have tried to foster – but then no-one else really believed it anyway." - Tom Nelson
5,000 leaked emails reveal scientists deleted evidence that cast doubt on claims climate change was man-made
Experts were under orders from US and UK officials to come up with a 'strong message'
Critics claim: 'The stink of intellectual corruption is overpowering'
Scientist asks, 'What if they find that climate change is a natural fluctuation? They'll kill us all'
◼ Climategate 2.0 emails: Warming "Scientist" Michael Mann Eviscerated by the Late John L. Daly - Doug Ross
◼ Why all the cloak and dagger stuff if this is all settled science…? - Watts Up With That?
◼ Warmist Geoffrey Lean: "The emails do destroy the myth of motiveless, disinterested paragons which some scientists have tried to foster – but then no-one else really believed it anyway." - Tom Nelson
Labels:
ClimateGate,
ClimateGate2,
Deception,
Global Warming
Democrat Senator Claire McCaskill Wants Probe of No-Bid Smallpox Drug Contract Given To Major Democrat Donor, Ronald O. Perelman
◼ Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., today called for investigation of the contract saying the five-year deal from the Department of Health and Human Services given to Siga Technologies raises questions about a conflict of interest and the potential waste of precious taxpayer funds. - Yid With Lid
Two weeks ago we reported the Obama administration was pushed through a small-pox vaccine costing $433-million dollars of taxpayer money even though there is doubt about whether the vaccine would work. There is also doubt whether the vaccine is necessary since WHO certified the eradication of smallpox in 1979 thanks to the work of the existing vaccine.
That didn't stop the Obama administration from awarding the contract for a new vaccine on a no-bid basis, to Siga Technologies Inc., whose controlling shareholder is billionaire Ronald O. Perelman, one of the world's richest men and a longtime Democratic Party donor and the guy who gave $50,000 to help fund Obama's inaugural bash. Perelman is most famous for his ownership of Revlon (he also almost killed Marvel Comics).
Two weeks ago we reported the Obama administration was pushed through a small-pox vaccine costing $433-million dollars of taxpayer money even though there is doubt about whether the vaccine would work. There is also doubt whether the vaccine is necessary since WHO certified the eradication of smallpox in 1979 thanks to the work of the existing vaccine.
That didn't stop the Obama administration from awarding the contract for a new vaccine on a no-bid basis, to Siga Technologies Inc., whose controlling shareholder is billionaire Ronald O. Perelman, one of the world's richest men and a longtime Democratic Party donor and the guy who gave $50,000 to help fund Obama's inaugural bash. Perelman is most famous for his ownership of Revlon (he also almost killed Marvel Comics).
Labels:
Campaign Finance,
Crony Capitalism,
Democrats,
Military,
President Obama
Conservatives4Palin To Run Ads In The Sioux City, Iowa Market Next Week
◼ Your contributions have made it possible for us to run the Palin reconsider television ad next week in the Sioux City, Iowa market. Thanks to everyone who chipped in to make it possible. - C4P
Message from C4P: What we do next after the television ad goes up is a more difficult question. If this ad is able to build some momentum for the Governor, the best way to keep that momentum going may be to commission a national GOP primary poll that includes the Governor as one of the options. We’ll see if it’s possible given our resources. We’re open to other ideas but the greatest challenge may be that time is running short for her to reconsider.
Labels:
2012 Presidential Contenders,
Sarah Palin
Friday, November 25, 2011
BARACK OBAMA, ED SCHULTZ MAKE GQ‘S ’LEAST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE ALIVE’ LIST
◼ While magazines across the country offer readers their pick of the world’s “most influential people,” this year, GQ magazine is bringing you the “The 25 Least Influential People Alive” — and on the list are MSNBC host Ed Schultz, and, of all people, President Barack Obama. - The Blaze
This is the same magazine that oddly, named Obama “Leader of the Year“ in 2009 and ”Man of the Year“ in 2008 while calling Sarah Palin ”dangerous“ and ”poisonous.”
This is the same magazine that oddly, named Obama “Leader of the Year“ in 2009 and ”Man of the Year“ in 2008 while calling Sarah Palin ”dangerous“ and ”poisonous.”
Labels:
President Obama
Angela Merkel, raised under communism, fighting to salvage capitalism and walking an almost impossible tightrope amid wildly conflicting economic, political and social concerns.
◼ Little communist who grew up to be world’s most powerful woman - Patriot Update
She has displayed uncharacteristic boldness in recent weeks, forcing European bankers to accept big losses on their loans to Greece and successfully facing down critics within her unstable governing coalition.
Labels:
Angela Merkel,
Economy,
Germany,
International Issues
Cairo: Two more female reporters sexually assaulted...
◼ Beware, female journos in Cairo warned - Newa24
For the past week Tahrir Square has seen mass protests and violent clashes between regime forces and pro-democracy campaigners demanding an end to trial by military tribunal and a faster transition to civilian rule.
On Thursday, French television reporter Caroline Sinz from the state network France 3 was subjected to a violent sexual assualt by a gang of young men and boys and her cameraman was beaten as they tried to cover the revolt....
The attacks came shortly after Egyptian-American journalist Mona Eltahawy reported that she had been the victim of a grotesque sexual assault by police after she was arrested during the protests.
Both cases recalled the February 11 sexual assault on South African CBS correspondent Lara Logan, who was seized by a mob as she worked in the square.
Several other women, both Egyptian and foreign, have complained of sexual aggression from both protesters and security forces.
According to a study carried out in 2008 by the Egyptian Centre for Women's Rights, more than 80% of Egyptian women suffer sexual assault or harrassment ranging from remarks to leering, half of them on daily basis.
◼ EGYPT: ANOTHER Western female journalist sexually brutalized by Muslim mob - Bare Naked Islam
For the past week Tahrir Square has seen mass protests and violent clashes between regime forces and pro-democracy campaigners demanding an end to trial by military tribunal and a faster transition to civilian rule.
On Thursday, French television reporter Caroline Sinz from the state network France 3 was subjected to a violent sexual assualt by a gang of young men and boys and her cameraman was beaten as they tried to cover the revolt....
The attacks came shortly after Egyptian-American journalist Mona Eltahawy reported that she had been the victim of a grotesque sexual assault by police after she was arrested during the protests.
Both cases recalled the February 11 sexual assault on South African CBS correspondent Lara Logan, who was seized by a mob as she worked in the square.
Several other women, both Egyptian and foreign, have complained of sexual aggression from both protesters and security forces.
According to a study carried out in 2008 by the Egyptian Centre for Women's Rights, more than 80% of Egyptian women suffer sexual assault or harrassment ranging from remarks to leering, half of them on daily basis.
◼ EGYPT: ANOTHER Western female journalist sexually brutalized by Muslim mob - Bare Naked Islam
Labels:
Middle East,
Women in the News
NBC, Whoopi Goldberg and the Double Standard for conservative Republican Women
◼ Michele Bachmann Greeted With 'Lyin' A-- B--ch' by Jimmy Fallon's Band - Noel Sheppard/Newsbusters
As we get nearer to Election Day, Americans on both sides of the political aisle must be wondering if the media will have any limits concerning what is an acceptable attack on one of President Obama's opponents.
◼ Michele Bachmann Demands Apology From NBC, Says Michelle Obama Would Have Gotten One - FOX
◼ Bachmann Disappointed NBC’s Fallon Apology Came from VP and Not President of Network - Noel Sheppard/Newsbusters
NBC apologized to Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) for the offensive song that was played as she walked onto the stage to be a guest on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon Monday.
Unfortunately, as Bachmann told radio’s Steve Malzberg guest-hosting for Jeff Bolton on KLIF in Texas Friday, that apology came from a vice president of programming and not NBC’s president (video follows with transcribed highlights and commentary):
Bachmann also commented to Malzberg about claims made by Fallon’s bandleader concerning the incident:
BACHMANN: The thing that was disingenuous is that the band was, the comment from the band is that it was a spontaneous act. Clearly it wasn’t. It was premeditated. He had tweeted twice before the show what his intentions were. And his Twitter account is 1.7 million people. So, it’s just, again, it comes down to the fact that if a Don Imus or someone does something that’s questionable, they’re thrown off the air. But when something is done to a conservative, it’s just passed off and forgotten. And I think that that’s really the difference. I’m a serious candidate for the presidency of the United States, but I’m a conservative Republican woman. That’s the double standard.
Bachmann then responded to Whoopi Goldberg for calling her a “bonehead” on Tuesday’s The View:
BACHMANN: I think this is the same pattern of what we saw happen on NBC. I’m a self-made person. I came from below poverty. I worked my way through college, through law school, through a post-doctorate program in federal tax law. I worked for years as a federal tax court attorney. I created my own business. It’s a profitable company, and I employ scores of people. I have raised 23 foster children in addition to my own biological five children. And I’ve started together with my husband and some other parents the first K-12 charter school in the United States of America. I served in the Minnesota state senate. I served as a member of the United States Congress, and now I’m running for the presidency of the United States.
I think those comments that came from Whoopi Goldberg are demeaning to a serious candidate running for the presidency on the Republican ticket, as a woman, the first serious female candidate who’s gotten this far. And I’m the only candidate that’s won an election in this presidential race statewide which is the Iowa Straw Poll. So I think again this is another example of the Hollywood elite bias coming from Whoopi Goldberg. I think it’s clearly unacceptable. Again, I think if she would have said that about Michele Obama, I think there would be very serious consequences from the network. But apparently, because of the conservative woman, they can get away with it.
As we get nearer to Election Day, Americans on both sides of the political aisle must be wondering if the media will have any limits concerning what is an acceptable attack on one of President Obama's opponents.
◼ Michele Bachmann Demands Apology From NBC, Says Michelle Obama Would Have Gotten One - FOX
◼ Bachmann Disappointed NBC’s Fallon Apology Came from VP and Not President of Network - Noel Sheppard/Newsbusters
NBC apologized to Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) for the offensive song that was played as she walked onto the stage to be a guest on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon Monday.
Unfortunately, as Bachmann told radio’s Steve Malzberg guest-hosting for Jeff Bolton on KLIF in Texas Friday, that apology came from a vice president of programming and not NBC’s president (video follows with transcribed highlights and commentary):
Bachmann also commented to Malzberg about claims made by Fallon’s bandleader concerning the incident:
BACHMANN: The thing that was disingenuous is that the band was, the comment from the band is that it was a spontaneous act. Clearly it wasn’t. It was premeditated. He had tweeted twice before the show what his intentions were. And his Twitter account is 1.7 million people. So, it’s just, again, it comes down to the fact that if a Don Imus or someone does something that’s questionable, they’re thrown off the air. But when something is done to a conservative, it’s just passed off and forgotten. And I think that that’s really the difference. I’m a serious candidate for the presidency of the United States, but I’m a conservative Republican woman. That’s the double standard.
Bachmann then responded to Whoopi Goldberg for calling her a “bonehead” on Tuesday’s The View:
BACHMANN: I think this is the same pattern of what we saw happen on NBC. I’m a self-made person. I came from below poverty. I worked my way through college, through law school, through a post-doctorate program in federal tax law. I worked for years as a federal tax court attorney. I created my own business. It’s a profitable company, and I employ scores of people. I have raised 23 foster children in addition to my own biological five children. And I’ve started together with my husband and some other parents the first K-12 charter school in the United States of America. I served in the Minnesota state senate. I served as a member of the United States Congress, and now I’m running for the presidency of the United States.
I think those comments that came from Whoopi Goldberg are demeaning to a serious candidate running for the presidency on the Republican ticket, as a woman, the first serious female candidate who’s gotten this far. And I’m the only candidate that’s won an election in this presidential race statewide which is the Iowa Straw Poll. So I think again this is another example of the Hollywood elite bias coming from Whoopi Goldberg. I think it’s clearly unacceptable. Again, I think if she would have said that about Michele Obama, I think there would be very serious consequences from the network. But apparently, because of the conservative woman, they can get away with it.
Labels:
Media bias,
Misogyny,
Republican Women,
Women In Politics
#OCCUPY MAIN STREET
◼ #OCCUPY MAIN STREET - FOX
Occupy Wall Street-inspired protesters are eyeing a new target -- Target. And dozens of other companies.◼ Demonstrators to 'Occupy' Struggling Retailers as They Try Turning Profit... - CNBC via Drudge
A campaign under the name "Occupy Black Friday" is trying to enlist supporters to boycott just about every major retailer, and quite a few mid-sized ones, the day after Thanksgiving. The protesters are casting a wide net, urging people to demonstrate against the top retail stores -- a list that includes everything from Wal-Mart to Target to Dick's Sporting Goods to Dollar Tree.
◼ Tea Party retaliates with 'BUYcott' Black Friday... - CNBC
Anti-Occupy Wall Street" groups are taking on the protesters of "Occupy Black Friday" with "BUYcott Black Friday."
Liberate Philadelphia/Liberate America, a Tea Party coalition of groups countering the "Occupy Wall Street" movement, are challenging the latest move by Occupy Wall Street protesters to occupy or boycott publicly traded retailers on Black Friday by instead encouraging consumers to shop on Black Friday to help the economy recover.
Labels:
#OccupyWallStreet,
Anarchy,
Economy,
Radical Left Wing,
Tea Party,
Unions
Three themes are emerging from the newly released emails: (1) prominent scientists central to the global warming debate are taking measures to conceal rather than disseminate underlying data and discussions; (2) these scientists view global warming as a political “cause” rather than a balanced scientific inquiry and (3) many of these scientists frankly admit to each other that much of the science is weak and dependent on deliberate manipulation of facts and data.
◼ Climategate 2.0: New E-Mails Rock The Global Warming Debate - Forbes
“Any work we have done in the past is done on the back of the research grants we get – and has to be well hidden,” Jones writes in another newly released email. “I’ve discussed this with the main funder (U.S. Dept of Energy) in the past and they are happy about not releasing the original station data.”
The original Climategate emails contained similar evidence of destroying information and data that the public would naturally assume would be available according to freedom of information principles.
“Any work we have done in the past is done on the back of the research grants we get – and has to be well hidden,” Jones writes in another newly released email. “I’ve discussed this with the main funder (U.S. Dept of Energy) in the past and they are happy about not releasing the original station data.”
The original Climategate emails contained similar evidence of destroying information and data that the public would naturally assume would be available according to freedom of information principles.
Labels:
Deception,
Global Warming
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving
"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow." - - Melody Beattie
Labels:
Holidays
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving
Tomorrow Americans will come together with loved ones to share a meal and give thanks for all of our blessings.
As we gather to celebrate, let us remember the many previous generations who worked to make America the greatest and freest nation the world has ever known.
Let us also remember our men and women in uniform and their families for their sacrifices during this holiday season. To those who have served and are serving now, thank you for all that you are doing to defend our freedoms and keep our great nation safe.
From my family to yours, may you have a very Happy Thanksgiving. John Boehner
Celebrating Thanksgiving with family and friends
On behalf of the entire Bachmann family, I would like to wish you & your family a happy Thanksgiving Day.
Thanksgiving is a wonderful day for families & friends to come together & be grateful for bountiful opportunities and lives we have been blessed with. This Thanksgiving I am thankful for the magnificent nation that we call home- The United States of America.
We have so much to be thankful for & I look forward to the many more blessings God has in store for us. Wishing you & yours a blessed day. Michele Bachmann
College Republican National Committee
Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving from the CRNC to you!
Tennessee College Republican Committee
We hope you and your family have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving! Click SHARE if you have a lot to be thankful for.
N.C. 7th Congressional District Republican Party
I hope you all have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
- Frank Williams, 7th District Chairman
Plant City Republican Women Federated
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your friends and family. Never forget those who paved the way for us to be able to celebrate this day. Let us give thanks.
I wanted to take a moment to wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving! As we gather together to celebrate this holiday, let us reserve a special thanks for the men and women serving away from home to protect our freedom and security. Eric Cantor
Republican Party of Wisconsin
The Republican Party of Wisconsin would like to wish you a very happy Thanksgiving!
California Republican Party (CRP)
Thanksgiving provides us with another reason to smile and another reason to be grateful. The CRP wishes you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving!
We pause today to give thanks for the many blessings in our lives: the love of family, the sacrifices of our military, the freedoms of a great nation. We are thankful for the many people we have met as we have traveled our country this year, and the patriotism of that special breed called Americans. We will celebrate this Thanksgiving holiday as a family, enjoying time spent with loved ones. We wish you and yours a very blessed Thanksgiving. God bless you, and God bless America. Rick Perry
Labels:
Holidays
California: 2 new developments in drama over political redistricting
◼ The secretary of state said there are enough signatures to send a Republican-led referendum effort to overturn state Senate maps onto the next stage -- the verification of those signatures. If at least 504,760 of them are found to be valid, the matter will be put to voters in November. - Jean Merl/LA Times
The signatures were collected by Republican activists, aided by donations totaling $2.5 million. As of late afternoon Wednesday, nearly 700,000 signatures had been reported to the secretary of state, with some counties yet to turn in their numbers.
Also Wednesday, a separate group of Republicans, including former Rep. George Radanovich, filed suit in federal court, alleging that the commission’s congressional district maps violate the U.S. Constitution and the federal Voting Rights Act.
The case, filed in the Central District of California, “provides irrefutable evidence” that the commission “intentionally ignored federal law” in drawing the new districts, Radanovich said in a statement announcing the suit.
The signatures were collected by Republican activists, aided by donations totaling $2.5 million. As of late afternoon Wednesday, nearly 700,000 signatures had been reported to the secretary of state, with some counties yet to turn in their numbers.
Also Wednesday, a separate group of Republicans, including former Rep. George Radanovich, filed suit in federal court, alleging that the commission’s congressional district maps violate the U.S. Constitution and the federal Voting Rights Act.
The case, filed in the Central District of California, “provides irrefutable evidence” that the commission “intentionally ignored federal law” in drawing the new districts, Radanovich said in a statement announcing the suit.
Labels:
California,
CRP,
Redistricting
It's Time to Talk Turkey About Income Inequality
◼ 390 years after the first symbol of gratitude created by Europeans on this continent, Americans are locked in a bitter conflict of ingratitude. The tug-of-war over the turkey wishbone is now a polarizing class struggle.
The dividing line is the loaded phrase “income inequality.” It’s all about who eats and who pays.
On one level, income inequality is real, and growing. Yet as a bedrock and urgent political issue, it’s pure hokum, cooked up in the socialist faculty lounges and the back rooms where the government unions pull the strings of puppet pols. The aim is to hijack emotions and grow the government pie so favored voters get a bigger slice.
It has surprisingly wide appeal. People from the vagabonds playing drums in Zuccotti Park to the billionaire mayor of New York who rousted them, Michael Bloomberg, say income inequality is a big problem....
Having given up on the meaning of America, which is about expanding opportunity and liberty for everyone, income equalizers are pitting Americans against each other in a fight certain to make losers of us all.
The dividing line is the loaded phrase “income inequality.” It’s all about who eats and who pays.
On one level, income inequality is real, and growing. Yet as a bedrock and urgent political issue, it’s pure hokum, cooked up in the socialist faculty lounges and the back rooms where the government unions pull the strings of puppet pols. The aim is to hijack emotions and grow the government pie so favored voters get a bigger slice.
It has surprisingly wide appeal. People from the vagabonds playing drums in Zuccotti Park to the billionaire mayor of New York who rousted them, Michael Bloomberg, say income inequality is a big problem....
Having given up on the meaning of America, which is about expanding opportunity and liberty for everyone, income equalizers are pitting Americans against each other in a fight certain to make losers of us all.
Labels:
Class Warfare,
Opinion
Occupy protests cost nation's cities at least $13M
◼ During the first two months of the nationwide Occupy protests, the movement that is demanding more out of the wealthiest Americans cost local taxpayers at least $13 million in police overtime and other municipal services, according to a survey by The Associated Press. - AP/Yahoo
The heaviest financial burden has fallen upon law enforcement agencies tasked with monitoring marches and evicting protesters from outdoor camps. And the steepest costs by far piled up in New York City and Oakland, Calif., where police clashed with protesters on several occasions.
The AP gathered figures from government agencies in 18 cities with active protests and focused on costs through Nov. 15, the day protesters were evicted from New York City's Zuccotti Park, where the protests began Sept. 17 before spreading nationwide. The survey did not attempt to tally the price of all protests but provides a glimpse of costs to cities large and small....
The spending comes as cash-strapped police departments have cut overtime budgets, travel and training to respond to the recession. Nonetheless, city officials say they have no choice but to bring in extra officers or hold officers past their shifts to handle gatherings and marches in a way that protects free speech rights and public safety. In some cities, officials say the spending is eating into their overtime budgets and leaving less money for other public services.
The heaviest financial burden has fallen upon law enforcement agencies tasked with monitoring marches and evicting protesters from outdoor camps. And the steepest costs by far piled up in New York City and Oakland, Calif., where police clashed with protesters on several occasions.
The AP gathered figures from government agencies in 18 cities with active protests and focused on costs through Nov. 15, the day protesters were evicted from New York City's Zuccotti Park, where the protests began Sept. 17 before spreading nationwide. The survey did not attempt to tally the price of all protests but provides a glimpse of costs to cities large and small....
The spending comes as cash-strapped police departments have cut overtime budgets, travel and training to respond to the recession. Nonetheless, city officials say they have no choice but to bring in extra officers or hold officers past their shifts to handle gatherings and marches in a way that protects free speech rights and public safety. In some cities, officials say the spending is eating into their overtime budgets and leaving less money for other public services.
Labels:
#Occupy,
#OccupyEureka,
Economy,
Spending
Mark Levin: A Neurosurgeon Calls In
"They don't call them patients, they call them 'units....'If you're a 'unit' above a certain age, you get 'comfort care..."
◼ SHOCK – Brain surgeon confirms ObamaCare rations care, has death panels!
◼ Full Transcript: Neurosurgeon Briefed by HHS Reveals Obamacare's Death Panels (Hint: Patients Are Called 'Units') - Doug Ross
Labels:
Obamacare
A TRILLION DOLLAR DISASTER… CBO Confirms Obama-Pelosi Stimulus Damages Economy in Long Run
◼ The CBO confirmed today that the $787 billion Obama-Pelosi stimulus plan damages the economy in the long run. - Gateway Pundit
◼ CBO: Stimulus hurts economy in the long run - Washington Times
◼ CBO: Stimulus hurts economy in the long run - Washington Times
The Congressional Budget Office on Tuesday downgraded its estimate of the benefits of President Obama’s 2009 stimulus package, saying it may have sustained as few as 700,000 jobs at its peak last year and that over the long run it will actually be a net drag on the economy.◼ CBO's report on its estimate of the number of jobs created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)
CBO said that while the Recovery Act boosted the economy in the short run, the extra debt that the stimulus piled up “crowds out” private investment and “will reduce output slightly in the long run — by between 0 and 0.2 percent after 2016.”
The analysis confirms what CBO predicted before the stimulus passed in February 2009, though the top-end decline of two tenths of a percent is actually deeper than the agency predicted back then.
Alexander Tsiaras: Conception to birth -- visualized
Image-maker Alexander Tsiaras shares a powerful medical visualization, showing human development from conception to birth and beyond. (Some graphic images.) TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes
Labels:
Miracles
Climategate 2.0 emails – They’re real and they’re spectacular!
◼ Climategate 2.0? More Emails Leaked From Climate Researchers - FOX
"Today’s decisions should be based on all the information we can get, not on hiding the decline"◼ Climategate 2.0 emails – They’re real and they’re spectacular! - Watts Up With That?
Excerpts from the emails posted on climate skeptic websites are certainly eye-opening:
{1939} Thorne/MetO: Observations do not show rising temperatures throughout the tropical troposphere unless you accept one single study and approach and discount a wealth of others. This is just downright dangerous. We need to communicate the uncertainty and be honest.The leak comes less than a week before the latest United Nations meeting intended to control carbon emissions and monitor the world's climate -- a fact underscored in a document that accompanied the leaked emails.
{3066} Thorne: I also think the science is being manipulated to put a political spin on it, which for all our sakes might not be too clever in the long run.
{4755} Overpeck: The trick may be to decide on the main message and use that to guid[e] what’s included and what is left out.
"Today’s decisions should be based on all the information we can get, not on hiding the decline," the anonymous document states, a reference to a comment from the first batch of emails that became a rallying point for climate skeptics.
{2440} Jones: I’ve been told that IPCC is above national FOI Acts. One way to cover yourself and all those working in AR5 would be to delete all emails at the end of the process
Labels:
Global Warming
Ron Paul's strength in Iowa shows it's too soon to write him off
◼ Though he has a large and loyal following, Ron Paul's positions on key issues sets him apart from many Republicans. But he keeps moving steadily toward a position of strength in the early voting – especially in Iowa. - Christian Science Monitor
Labels:
2012 Presidential Contenders,
Ron Paul
The world of reality has its problems, so it is understandable that some people want to escape to a different world, where you can talk lofty talk and forget about ugly realities like costs and repercussions. The world of reality is not nearly as lovely as the world of Liberal Land. No wonder so many people want to go there.
◼ Alice in Liberal Land - Thomas Sowell/Human Events
Labels:
Opinion,
Thomas Sowell
Debate RoundUp
◼ Gingrich: Let’s face it, we shouldn’t be deporting illegals who have been here for 25 years - HotAir
◼ Bachmann: Perry’s position on cutting off aid to Pakistan is “highly naive” - Mediaite
◼ Web and debates change rules of presidential race - Michael Barone/Washington Examiner
◼ Rick Santorum And Michele Bachmann Surprising Voices Of Reason At Republican Debate - Mediaite
◼ Romney slams Obama on defense - Brian Hughes/Washington Examiner
◼ GOP debate: Newt Gingrich beats back immigration critique (video) - Politico
◼ Republicans blast Pentagon cuts in GOP debate - LA Times
◼ Troop levels, Iran prompt GOP sparring in CNN National Security Debate (video) - CNN
◼ GOP debate: Perry urges Panetta to resign over defense cuts - The Hill
◼ Bachmann: Perry’s position on cutting off aid to Pakistan is “highly naive” - Mediaite
◼ Web and debates change rules of presidential race - Michael Barone/Washington Examiner
◼ Rick Santorum And Michele Bachmann Surprising Voices Of Reason At Republican Debate - Mediaite
◼ Romney slams Obama on defense - Brian Hughes/Washington Examiner
◼ GOP debate: Newt Gingrich beats back immigration critique (video) - Politico
◼ Republicans blast Pentagon cuts in GOP debate - LA Times
◼ Troop levels, Iran prompt GOP sparring in CNN National Security Debate (video) - CNN
◼ GOP debate: Perry urges Panetta to resign over defense cuts - The Hill
Labels:
2012 Presidential Contenders,
Debates
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Debate Livestream
Watch live video from www.cdenetworks.com on www.justin.tv
Live Blogging the Debate:
◼ Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion
◼ Atlas Shrugs
◼ Ace of Spades
◼ Althouse
◼ Pat Dollard
◼ Gateway Pundit
◼ Michelle Malkin
◼ HotAir
Live Blogging the Debate:
◼ Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion
◼ Atlas Shrugs
◼ Ace of Spades
◼ Althouse
◼ Pat Dollard
◼ Gateway Pundit
◼ Michelle Malkin
◼ HotAir
Labels:
Debates
What to Watch in Tonight's Republican Debate in Washington, D.C. TONIGHT 5-7
◼ Much to gain and lose for Gingrich, rivals in CNN national security debate - CNN
Republican presidential candidates take on national defense, the economy, international relations and terrorism issues in the CNN Republican National Security Debate in Washington, moderated by Wolf Blitzer at 8 p.m. ET Tuesday on CNN, the CNN mobile apps and CNN.com/Live.◼ The latest GOP debate comes at a time of campaigns in turmoil and unanswered questions about foreign policy - The Atlantic
The candidates share the stage at DAR Constitution Hall, just down the street from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. CNN is teaming up with leading Republican-leaning think tanks Heritage Foundation and American Enterprise Institute to host a debate that focuses heavily on national security and foreign policy issues, but which will also include top economic concerns, including the failure of the congressional super committee to find agreement to cut $1.2 trillion from the country's long-term debt.
The debate is the 11th major showdown between the Republican candidates and the first in 10 days.
It's also the first in which former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is firmly among the front-runners in national surveys, deadlocked with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for the top spot in the nomination race.
◼ GOP debate: Conflict for AEI and Heritage as new players? - Washington Post
The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) and the Heritage Foundation, two conservative think tanks that are co-sponsoring the debate with CNN, will appear front and center by asking many of the questions during the debate that will be moderated by CNN’s Wolf Blitzer at the historic 2800 capacity Daughters of the Revolution Constitution Hall. But can the two think tanks divorce themselves from the candidates they are tied to in order to produce an impartial debate?
Former Obama fundraiser Rezko gets 10-year sentence
◼ A U.S. judge on Tuesday sentenced Antoin "Tony" Rezko, a former Chicago fundraiser for President Barack Obama, to 10-1/2 years in prison for corruption and extortion. - Reuters
Judge St. Eve said she was sending a message that dishonesty in government does not pay, and that the endemic corruption in Illinois must stop. Blagojevich's Republican predecessor George Ryan was also imprisoned for corruption. Blagojevich will be sentenced on 18 corruption counts December 6, which included attempts to sell Obama's vacant Senate seat.◼ "That’s about as bad as it can get in a political corruption case," Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Niewoehner said according to the Sun-Times. "Illinois was for sale at the very top levels of our government." - The Hill
St. Eve said Rezko was a private citizen who wielded enormous power during Blagojevich's abbreviated two terms in office through campaign donations and favors, and he and other corrupt officials helped engineer a scheme that netted nearly $10 million in bribes.
The scheme involved state boards in charge of approving new hospitals and oversight of the Teachers' Retirement System, a multibillion-dollar pension fund. Rezko and his cohorts extorted bribes from companies seeking to invest the funds.
Rezko voluntarily went to prison in 2008 when he was found guilty on 16 of 24 counts of corruption charges related to money laundering and plotting to skim money from companies trying to do business with Blagojevich.◼ Obama Bundler Rezko Sentenced to 10 1/2 Years in Prison - Big Government
Rezko's association with Obama became an issue during his run for the White House. Then-Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), Obama's top rival in that race, accused Obama of "practicing law and representing your contributor, Rezko, in his slum landlord business in inner-city Chicago."
Readers will no doubt remember that Rezko and Obama were involved in a controversial land deal when Obama was a state Senator. They had very close ties:◼ Complaint hits Rezko land deal Washington Times
A former Illinois bank official, now claiming whistleblower status, says bank officials replaced a loan reappraisal that he prepared for a Chicago property that was purchased by the wife of now-convicted felon Tony Rezko, part of which was later sold to next-door neighbor Barack Obama.◼ We just imagined ObamaRezko. Orwellian - The Backyard Conservative
In a complaint filed Thursday in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Kenneth J. Connor said that his reappraisal of Rita Rezko’s property was replaced with a higher one and that he was fired when he questioned the document....
Critics of Mr. Obama’s dealings with Rezko charge that the senator may have gotten a deal on his property purchase, noting that Mrs. Rezko paid the full asking price for her property on an adjacent lot. Both of which were sold by a single seller. Mr. Obama bought his house for $1.65 million - $300,000 below the asking price.
When the property was sold, Mr. Obama knew Rezko was under investigation on fraud charges.
Rezko gets 10 years plus in the pen, he's served 4 already. Still no mention of his connection to Obama--he was his top money man, even as Bill Ayers was his political godfather.◼ Media bias: Obama crony Rezko sentenced Tuesday; Chicago Trib article about it doesn't mention president - Marathon Pundit
Labels:
President Obama,
Scandals,
Tony Rezko
Powerful Wall Street Executive Takes U.S. Government And Federal Reserve To Court
◼ The government is not empowered to trample shareholder and property rights even in the midst of a financial emergency. So says the legal representative for Hank Greenberg, former head of AIG, and among the most powerful and influential figures on Wall Street for several decades. - Ulsterman
At the crux of the Greenberg lawsuit is the contention that the U.S. government used the AIG bailout as a sort of taxpayer-funded money laundering institution once the government took an 80% stake in the multi-national insurance giant, a scenario Greenberg describes as “backdoor bailouts” that, according to the suit, amounted to over $100 billion dollars – allowing the Obama administration and the Federal Reserve to funnel bailout funds to goverment-approved institutions with little to no oversight or accountability.
Rather than granting AIG the same access to liquidity assistance that it granted to numerous other institutions, including various foreign companies, the government instead chose to use the difficulties faced by AIG to implement a takeover of the company without just compensation.
◼ AIG's Greenberg sues U.S. for $25 billion - Chicago Tribune
◼ Maurice R. "Hank" Greenberg, the longtime former chief executive of American International Group Inc., launched a legal challenge to the government's 2008 takeover of AIG, alleging the move was unconstitutional. - Wall St. Journal
◼ Hank Greenberg Is Suing The Government Over The Takeover Of AIG And Wants $25 BILLION In Damages - Business Insider
At the crux of the Greenberg lawsuit is the contention that the U.S. government used the AIG bailout as a sort of taxpayer-funded money laundering institution once the government took an 80% stake in the multi-national insurance giant, a scenario Greenberg describes as “backdoor bailouts” that, according to the suit, amounted to over $100 billion dollars – allowing the Obama administration and the Federal Reserve to funnel bailout funds to goverment-approved institutions with little to no oversight or accountability.
Rather than granting AIG the same access to liquidity assistance that it granted to numerous other institutions, including various foreign companies, the government instead chose to use the difficulties faced by AIG to implement a takeover of the company without just compensation.
◼ AIG's Greenberg sues U.S. for $25 billion - Chicago Tribune
◼ Maurice R. "Hank" Greenberg, the longtime former chief executive of American International Group Inc., launched a legal challenge to the government's 2008 takeover of AIG, alleging the move was unconstitutional. - Wall St. Journal
◼ Hank Greenberg Is Suing The Government Over The Takeover Of AIG And Wants $25 BILLION In Damages - Business Insider
Labels:
Bailouts,
Lawsuits,
President Obama
Anti-Obama sales outpace pro-Obama nearly fourfold at CafePress
◼ This past week, anti-Obama merchandise outpaced sales of pro-Obama merchandise 79 percent to 21 percent at the online clothing store CafePress, which has been tracking sales of election-relevant items. - Daily Caller
◼ shop.cafepress.com/anti-obama
Labels:
Approval Rating,
Polls,
President Obama
Super Committee Throws in the Cape
◼ The high stakes game on Capitol Hill to cut $1.2 trillion from the federal deficit ended in a stalemate Monday, effectively suspending tough decisions on budget cuts or tax increases until after next year’s presidential election. - Audrey Hudson/Human Events
“In the end, an agreement proved impossible not because Republicans were unwilling to compromise, but because Democrats would not accept any proposal that did not expand the size and scope of government or punish job creators,” said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R.–Ky.).◼ Super Failure - Billy House/National Journal via Drudge
But the nation’s debt crisis will continue – with the deficit now at about $15 trillion. It also is likely no coincidence that the committee waited until the financial markets closed for the day to make the announcement. The Dow Jones industrial average had already tumbled by more than 300 points earlier in the day partly in anticipation of the acknowledgement of failure.◼ Blame Game Begins, Again - NY Times
Labels:
Debt,
Economy,
President Obama,
Spending,
SuperCommittee,
Taxes
Monday, November 21, 2011
Chairman Reince Priebus on the Super Committee: “While GOP was at the table negotiating & Dems called for his leadership, Obama continued to opt for campaigning rather than governing.”
◼ RNC Chairman Reince Priebus Statement on Democrats’ Failure to Reach a Supercommittee Deal - RNC
“The Supercommittee’s failure is a direct result of President Obama’s negligence and Democrats’ intransigence. Over the last four months, Republicans on the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction worked around the clock to offer multiple proposals that would have broad bipartisan appeal. While Republicans were at the table negotiating in good faith, President Obama continued to prioritize campaigning over governing.
Instead of offering leadership to reduce the debt he created, he made the cold calculation that doing so was not in his best political interest. Even Senate Democrats have tough words for the President. As West Virginia Democratic Senator Joe Manchin said Sunday, ‘He's the leader of this great country. We want him to step forward.’
In addition to spending cuts and entitlement reform, Republicans on the committee also proposed achieving significant revenue increases through pro-growth tax reforms—closing loopholes and lowering rates. But that wasn’t enough for Democrats. When Republicans tried to meet them halfway, Democrats ran further to the left. They demanded higher taxes and even more stimulus spending, even though President Obama and other Democrats have acknowledged that taxes should not be raised in a recession.
While Republicans would have preferred that the process worked as intended, our Congressional leaders will ensure the deficit is reduced by the $1.2 trillion as prescribed. We remain completely dedicated to finding a solution to America’s massive debt problem.
Less than three years ago, President Obama promised to slow the growth of our debt. Instead, he has accelerated it. He and his fellow Democrats have refused to offer serious plans to achieve the dual goals of debt-reduction and economic growth. 2012 will offer voters an opportunity to elect a Republican president who will take that charge seriously.”
###
Text "RECLAIM" To 91919 To Join The GOP Mobile Army
“The Supercommittee’s failure is a direct result of President Obama’s negligence and Democrats’ intransigence. Over the last four months, Republicans on the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction worked around the clock to offer multiple proposals that would have broad bipartisan appeal. While Republicans were at the table negotiating in good faith, President Obama continued to prioritize campaigning over governing.
Instead of offering leadership to reduce the debt he created, he made the cold calculation that doing so was not in his best political interest. Even Senate Democrats have tough words for the President. As West Virginia Democratic Senator Joe Manchin said Sunday, ‘He's the leader of this great country. We want him to step forward.’
In addition to spending cuts and entitlement reform, Republicans on the committee also proposed achieving significant revenue increases through pro-growth tax reforms—closing loopholes and lowering rates. But that wasn’t enough for Democrats. When Republicans tried to meet them halfway, Democrats ran further to the left. They demanded higher taxes and even more stimulus spending, even though President Obama and other Democrats have acknowledged that taxes should not be raised in a recession.
While Republicans would have preferred that the process worked as intended, our Congressional leaders will ensure the deficit is reduced by the $1.2 trillion as prescribed. We remain completely dedicated to finding a solution to America’s massive debt problem.
Less than three years ago, President Obama promised to slow the growth of our debt. Instead, he has accelerated it. He and his fellow Democrats have refused to offer serious plans to achieve the dual goals of debt-reduction and economic growth. 2012 will offer voters an opportunity to elect a Republican president who will take that charge seriously.”
Text "RECLAIM" To 91919 To Join The GOP Mobile Army
Labels:
Reince Priebus,
RNC,
SuperCommittee
Mitt Romney: Believe in America
◼ Video: Romney’s first TV ad hits Obama in New Hampshire - HotAir
This’ll go up on the air tomorrow to coincide with The One’s visit to NH to promote his jobs bill. It’s virtually indistinguishable from a general election ad, which fits with Romney’s strategy of positioning himself as the inevitable nominee by concentrating his attacks on Obama.
Congressman West Statement on the Failure of the Super Committee
◼ Congressman Allen West (R-FL) released this statement this morning on the looming failure of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, referred to as the Super Committee:
"The Super Committee was entrusted by the American people and by fellow Members of Congress to work together and come up with a solution to America's fiscal crisis by spending and balancing our budget and finding the means to cut 1.2 trillion dollars over the next 10 years.
The Members of the Super Committee that stepped up to the plate to complete this task promised their country they would put politics aside, and fulfill this important task. Yet, it is apparent to everyone that politics and partisanship is at the very core of this failure. Over the course of the past two months, including dozens of meetings and hearings, this Super Committee has not been able to agree on a single issue that can help move this country forward. I find it appalling that grown adults can not sit down at a table and find a way to negotiate something so important to the future of this nation.
President Barack Obama and his Administration are to blame for the anticipated failure of the Super Committee. He has stood by and done nothing to encourage bipartisanship among this committee. Instead, the President and this Administration would rather sit back and watch automatic cuts kick in that will be devastating to our military- ripping 600 billion dollars from Defense in 10 years. At a time when America's enemies are more emboldened than ever, our military needs to be supported, not shredded.
I am calling on President Obama to step up and be a leader and introduce legislation that will restore these automatic cuts to our military. We can not put our country in danger because of partisan antics. The American people are sick and tired of Washington, DC and there's good reason why. The failure of this Super Committee is an embarrassment to Congress and to the American people. I call upon Members of Congress to learn from this failure and realize that the true victims of these partisan antics and political games are the American people."
"The Super Committee was entrusted by the American people and by fellow Members of Congress to work together and come up with a solution to America's fiscal crisis by spending and balancing our budget and finding the means to cut 1.2 trillion dollars over the next 10 years.
The Members of the Super Committee that stepped up to the plate to complete this task promised their country they would put politics aside, and fulfill this important task. Yet, it is apparent to everyone that politics and partisanship is at the very core of this failure. Over the course of the past two months, including dozens of meetings and hearings, this Super Committee has not been able to agree on a single issue that can help move this country forward. I find it appalling that grown adults can not sit down at a table and find a way to negotiate something so important to the future of this nation.
President Barack Obama and his Administration are to blame for the anticipated failure of the Super Committee. He has stood by and done nothing to encourage bipartisanship among this committee. Instead, the President and this Administration would rather sit back and watch automatic cuts kick in that will be devastating to our military- ripping 600 billion dollars from Defense in 10 years. At a time when America's enemies are more emboldened than ever, our military needs to be supported, not shredded.
I am calling on President Obama to step up and be a leader and introduce legislation that will restore these automatic cuts to our military. We can not put our country in danger because of partisan antics. The American people are sick and tired of Washington, DC and there's good reason why. The failure of this Super Committee is an embarrassment to Congress and to the American people. I call upon Members of Congress to learn from this failure and realize that the true victims of these partisan antics and political games are the American people."
Labels:
Allen West,
SuperCommittee
Obama’s Deliberate Lack Of Leadership Dooms Super Committee
◼ Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) Says That The President Is Going To Be Judged On The Results Of The Super Committee And Should Be Part Of The Fight For A Solution (MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” 11/21/11) - GOP.com
The Administration “Couldn’t Be Happier That This Is Failing” Because It Fits Into Their Campaign Narrative And They “Have Deliberately Refused” To Engage The Super Committee
"...its’ safe to say that in the absence of a real debt deal, which, of course, they would like to have, the administration couldn't be happier that this is failing because they will try to blame it all on the republicans going into the election year.” (CBS/The Early Show)
Labels:
Congress,
Debt,
President Obama,
Spending,
SuperCommittee,
Taxes
Issa: If Eric Holder is not ‘doomed,’ the Obama administration is
 | ||
Issa’s comments about Holder’s fate, and President Barack Obama’s continued willingness to protect his scandal-plagued attorney general, come as 52 members of Congress are demanding Holder’s immediate resignation. One of those lawmakers is 2012 presidential candidate Michele Bachmann, a congresswoman from Minnesota. Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has also demanded Holder step down, as has National Rifle Association president David Keene.
Those calling for Holder’s resignation believe Holder is either incompetent or dishonest. His controversial appearances on Capitol Hill have led to speculation that he misled Congress about his knowledge of Fast and Furious, and about when he first learned of the failed gun-walking program.
Obama’s refusal to hold Holder accountable for Fast and Furious — along with his administration’s continued willingness to stonewall Congressional investigators — is taking a center stage heading into the 2012 election season.
'It doesn't matter if you're Jewish, Arab straight or lesbian': Israeli women strip in support of nude Egyptian blogger
◼ The sign read 'Homage to Aliaa El Mahdi. Sisters in Israel' with the slogan 'Love without Limits', written in Arabic and Hebrew. - Daily Mail
When an Egyptian activist posted a nude picture of herself online in protest at the lack of freedom of expression, it sparked outrage in her country.
Now, a group of women in Israel have also stripped off in a show of solidarity.
Inspired by 20-year-old Aliaa Elmahdy's bold move, the 40 Israelis posed naked for a 'copycat' shot...
Elmahdy, a self-proclaimed atheist who recently dropped out of university, insists she will continue to fight for her freedom.
She told CNN: 'Women under Islam will always be objects to use at home.
'The (sexism) against women in Egypt is unreal, but I am not going anywhere and will battle it til the end.
'Many women wear the veil just to escape the harassment and be able to walk the streets.
'I am a believer of every word I say and I am willing to live in danger under the many threats I receive in order to obtain the real freedom all Egyptian are fighting and dying for daily.'
Labels:
Egypt,
International Issues,
Middle East,
Womens Rights
"Paul is '100% pure' and totally consistent," says pollster John Zogby. "There will be no sweetheart consulting contracts, no sexual harassment, no nothing" that could lead to a sudden exodus of support.
◼ Zogby: GOP voters ‘don’t like the dog food,’ make Ron Paul early-state contender - The Daily Caller (image source)
Texas Republican Rep. Ron Paul has been climbing in Republican presidential primary polls in the crucial early states of Iowa and New Hampshire – a growth that campaign chairman Jesse Benton attributes to a relentless ground campaign.
“We are pairing Dr. Paul’s winning message of limited government, real spending and a balanced budget with a top notch campaign,” Benton told The Daily Caller. “Our mail, phone, TV and ground game are top notch and we will not let up.”
The results of two Bloomberg polls in those states showed Paul in second place — the same showing he made in an Iowa poll conducted by Iowa State University. Other polls, including a New Hampshire Journal poll released Friday, found Paul running in third place in New Hampshire.
Pollster John Zogby believes Paul’s strong performance in early primary states is another sign of ”a Republican Party at war within.” Zogby told TheDC, ”This is battle for the heart and soul soul of the party and it is a very high stakes game.”
Texas Republican Rep. Ron Paul has been climbing in Republican presidential primary polls in the crucial early states of Iowa and New Hampshire – a growth that campaign chairman Jesse Benton attributes to a relentless ground campaign.
“We are pairing Dr. Paul’s winning message of limited government, real spending and a balanced budget with a top notch campaign,” Benton told The Daily Caller. “Our mail, phone, TV and ground game are top notch and we will not let up.”
The results of two Bloomberg polls in those states showed Paul in second place — the same showing he made in an Iowa poll conducted by Iowa State University. Other polls, including a New Hampshire Journal poll released Friday, found Paul running in third place in New Hampshire.
Pollster John Zogby believes Paul’s strong performance in early primary states is another sign of ”a Republican Party at war within.” Zogby told TheDC, ”This is battle for the heart and soul soul of the party and it is a very high stakes game.”
Labels:
2012 Presidential Contenders,
Ron Paul
"We were lazy and the CIA is now flying blind against Hezbollah"
◼ CIA Spies Caught, Fear Execution in Middle East - Good Morning America
Labels:
CIA,
International News,
Middle East
Gingrich bounces to top of Reuters/Ipsos, Gallup polls
Doomed by design: The SuperFail Committee
◼ It was all doomed by design from the start. - Michelle Malkin
◼ Democrats’ tax-hike obsession killed the SuperCommittee - James Pethokoukis/The American
Today, the “Super Committee” is expected to announce its gobsmackingly obvious Super Fail:◼ Debt supercommittee members brace for failure - Paul Kane/Washington Post
The congressional “supercommittee” stumbled its way toward failure Sunday, with final staff-level discussions focusing mostly on how the panel should publicly admit that lawmakers could not meet their mandate of shaving $1.2 trillion from the federal debt.◼ Put mortgage breaks, local taxes on table - Michael Barone/Washington Examiner
◼ Democrats’ tax-hike obsession killed the SuperCommittee - James Pethokoukis/The American
Labels:
Debt,
Spending,
SuperCommittee,
Taxes
In Wisconsin
◼ Russ Feingold: "The big lie is beginning. The big lie is that this is an out-of-state movement...." - Althouse (image source)
...Can you look at this picture of a truck parked on the Capitol Square during yesterday's rally and maintain a straight face? It says: "Kentucky/West Virginia/Indiana..."
◼ Are recalls hurting Wisconsin's economy? - Matt Kittle/Washington Examiner
In an interview with Wisconsin Reporter, Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch said she worries about what she describes as the distractions of recall campaigns on business investment and expansion.
Kleefisch and Gov. Scott Walker, along with four Republican state senators, are targets of a massive recall campaign, led by the Democratic Party of Wisconsin and the liberal political action committee United Wisconsin.
"Our governor has worked incredibly hard to make sure we have laid the framework for economic prosperity," she said. "We need certainty and stability in the financial climate of the state in order for job creators to invest.
"It's a concern of mine that ... our political differences continue to be the story. We want job creation to be the story."
◼ Prediction: Russ Feingold will run against Scott Walker in the recall election - Althouse
Labels:
Scott Walker,
Unions,
Wisconsin
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Family Leader forum: GOP candidates talk faith, morality around Thanksgiving table
◼ GOP candidates share stories of personal hardships at Iowa forum - Boston Herald
◼ The Presidential Thanksgiving Family Forum, hosted by Frank Luntz. It runs for about 2 hours and has Michele Bachmann, Ron Paul, Rick Sanoturm, Rick Perry, Herman Cain, and Newt Gingrich. - The Right Scoop
◼ Watch the Thanksgiving Family Forum -- Complete Video (2:58:11 long)
Reactions:
◼ Saturday's Republican debate showed that former bad boy Newt Gingrich is a born again front-runner - Telegraph
◼ Family Leader forum: Rick Perry brings a few laughs to forum, talks defense - Des Moines Register
◼ Herman Cain, Rick Santorum Tear Up at Iowa Presidential Forum - ABC
◼ Six Republicans vying to be their party’s nominee for president in 2012 met across a Thanksgiving dinner table on Saturday night for an unconventional discussion of their views and policy proposals.
The Thanksgiving Family Forum, held in a Des Moines church in front of some 2,500 social and religious conservatives, was an unusually freewheeling and philosophical discussion, touching on issues of morality, liberty and personal responsibility as well as hot-button issues like abortion and same-sex marriage.
Forum moderator Frank Luntz, the famed Republican message guru, challenged candidates Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, Rick Perry and Rick Santorum with mostly open-ended questions, and didn’t hesitate to press them on particulars.
A gathering of GOP presidential candidates on Saturday was unlike any other this year, when instead of finger-pointing and slashing at one another’s records, the rivals told deeply personal tales about faith, family and failures that left half of the six participants weeping.
◼ The Presidential Thanksgiving Family Forum, hosted by Frank Luntz. It runs for about 2 hours and has Michele Bachmann, Ron Paul, Rick Sanoturm, Rick Perry, Herman Cain, and Newt Gingrich. - The Right Scoop
◼ Watch the Thanksgiving Family Forum -- Complete Video (2:58:11 long)
◼ Saturday's Republican debate showed that former bad boy Newt Gingrich is a born again front-runner - Telegraph
◼ Family Leader forum: Rick Perry brings a few laughs to forum, talks defense - Des Moines Register
◼ Herman Cain, Rick Santorum Tear Up at Iowa Presidential Forum - ABC
◼ Six Republicans vying to be their party’s nominee for president in 2012 met across a Thanksgiving dinner table on Saturday night for an unconventional discussion of their views and policy proposals.
The Thanksgiving Family Forum, held in a Des Moines church in front of some 2,500 social and religious conservatives, was an unusually freewheeling and philosophical discussion, touching on issues of morality, liberty and personal responsibility as well as hot-button issues like abortion and same-sex marriage.
Forum moderator Frank Luntz, the famed Republican message guru, challenged candidates Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, Rick Perry and Rick Santorum with mostly open-ended questions, and didn’t hesitate to press them on particulars.
Nancy Pelosi Wants Federal Child Care
◼ (A)t the top of her to-do list, she says, will be “doing for child care what we did for health-care reform” - Maggie's Notebook
◼ ‘Princess Nancy’ Pelosi calls Cain ‘clueless’; vows to do more for child care - Melinda Henneberger/Washington Post
◼ Once They Own Your Kids, What’s Left? - Trevor Loudon
◼ ‘Princess Nancy’ Pelosi calls Cain ‘clueless’; vows to do more for child care - Melinda Henneberger/Washington Post
◼ Once They Own Your Kids, What’s Left? - Trevor Loudon
Labels:
Big Brother,
Nancy Pelosi
Spain election: Conservatives set to win landslide victory, exit polls show.
◼ Spain’s conservative party were set to win an overwhelming victory as the nation went to the polls to choose a government to steer the country through a looming debt crisis. - Telegraph
Initial exit polls suggested the Popular Party had secured between 181 and 185 seats, compared to 154 in the last legislature and that the socialists could only hope to win between 115 and 119 seats. The final results were not expected until late into Sunday night.
Initial exit polls suggested the Popular Party had secured between 181 and 185 seats, compared to 154 in the last legislature and that the socialists could only hope to win between 115 and 119 seats. The final results were not expected until late into Sunday night.
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International News
Democratic Pollsters: Obama Should Abandon Run for Second Term
◼ President Obama should abandon his run for a second term and turn over the reins of the Democratic Party to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, two one-time Democratic pollsters wrote in Monday's Wall Street Journal... - Michael Catalini/National Journal
Patrick H. Caddell and Douglas E. Schoen argued that just as Harry Truman and Lyndon Johnson decided not to pursue additional runs though they could have, Obama should do the same.
“He should abandon his candidacy for re-election in favor of a clear alternative, one capable not only of saving the Democratic Party, but more important, of governing effectively and in a way that preserves the most important of the president's accomplishments. He should step aside for the one candidate who would become, by acclamation, the nominee of the Democratic Party: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton,”Caddell and Schoen wrote.
Caddell, who worked as a pollster for President Jimmy Carter, and Schoen, who was a pollster for President Bill Clinton, argue that Obama will inevitably have to run a negative campaign in order to win reelection, the negative consequences of which will make it difficult for him to govern effectively.
“One year ago in these pages, we warned that if President Obama continued down his overly partisan road, the nation would be ‘guaranteed two years of political gridlock at a time when we can ill afford it.’ The result has been exactly as we predicted: stalemate in Washington, fights over the debt ceiling, an inability to tackle the debt and deficit, and paralysis exacerbating market turmoil and economic decline,” they write.
Patrick H. Caddell and Douglas E. Schoen argued that just as Harry Truman and Lyndon Johnson decided not to pursue additional runs though they could have, Obama should do the same.
“He should abandon his candidacy for re-election in favor of a clear alternative, one capable not only of saving the Democratic Party, but more important, of governing effectively and in a way that preserves the most important of the president's accomplishments. He should step aside for the one candidate who would become, by acclamation, the nominee of the Democratic Party: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton,”Caddell and Schoen wrote.
Caddell, who worked as a pollster for President Jimmy Carter, and Schoen, who was a pollster for President Bill Clinton, argue that Obama will inevitably have to run a negative campaign in order to win reelection, the negative consequences of which will make it difficult for him to govern effectively.
“One year ago in these pages, we warned that if President Obama continued down his overly partisan road, the nation would be ‘guaranteed two years of political gridlock at a time when we can ill afford it.’ The result has been exactly as we predicted: stalemate in Washington, fights over the debt ceiling, an inability to tackle the debt and deficit, and paralysis exacerbating market turmoil and economic decline,” they write.
Democratic Pollsters: Obama Should Abandon Run for Second Term
◼ President Obama should abandon his run for a second term and turn over the reins of the Democratic Party to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, two one-time Democratic pollsters wrote in Monday's Wall Street Journal... - Michael Catalini/National Journal
Patrick H. Caddell and Douglas E. Schoen argued that just as Harry Truman and Lyndon Johnson decided not to pursue additional runs though they could have, Obama should do the same.
“He should abandon his candidacy for re-election in favor of a clear alternative, one capable not only of saving the Democratic Party, but more important, of governing effectively and in a way that preserves the most important of the president's accomplishments. He should step aside for the one candidate who would become, by acclamation, the nominee of the Democratic Party: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton,”Caddell and Schoen wrote.
Caddell, who worked as a pollster for President Jimmy Carter, and Schoen, who was a pollster for President Bill Clinton, argue that Obama will inevitably have to run a negative campaign in order to win reelection, the negative consequences of which will make it difficult for him to govern effectively.
“One year ago in these pages, we warned that if President Obama continued down his overly partisan road, the nation would be ‘guaranteed two years of political gridlock at a time when we can ill afford it.’ The result has been exactly as we predicted: stalemate in Washington, fights over the debt ceiling, an inability to tackle the debt and deficit, and paralysis exacerbating market turmoil and economic decline,” they write.
◼ The Hillary Moment - President Obama can't win by running a constructive campaign, and he won't be able to govern if he does win a second term. - Patrick H. Caddell And Douglas E. Schoen/Wall St. Journal
Patrick H. Caddell and Douglas E. Schoen argued that just as Harry Truman and Lyndon Johnson decided not to pursue additional runs though they could have, Obama should do the same.
“He should abandon his candidacy for re-election in favor of a clear alternative, one capable not only of saving the Democratic Party, but more important, of governing effectively and in a way that preserves the most important of the president's accomplishments. He should step aside for the one candidate who would become, by acclamation, the nominee of the Democratic Party: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton,”Caddell and Schoen wrote.
Caddell, who worked as a pollster for President Jimmy Carter, and Schoen, who was a pollster for President Bill Clinton, argue that Obama will inevitably have to run a negative campaign in order to win reelection, the negative consequences of which will make it difficult for him to govern effectively.
“One year ago in these pages, we warned that if President Obama continued down his overly partisan road, the nation would be ‘guaranteed two years of political gridlock at a time when we can ill afford it.’ The result has been exactly as we predicted: stalemate in Washington, fights over the debt ceiling, an inability to tackle the debt and deficit, and paralysis exacerbating market turmoil and economic decline,” they write.
◼ The Hillary Moment - President Obama can't win by running a constructive campaign, and he won't be able to govern if he does win a second term. - Patrick H. Caddell And Douglas E. Schoen/Wall St. Journal
“We have never heard him PUBLICLY thank God for allowing him to become the first black United States president or for awarding him the Nobel Peace Prize after being in office for only 10 days. I dare President Obama to start publicly praising God at his upcoming campaign stops and State of the Union speech. Such acts will result in prosperity for a nation that is on the verge of a financial and spiritual collapse.”
◼ Rocky Twyman: Obama needs to Tebow - Politico
“I and many of my prayer warriors firmly believe that the Obama administration would be able to solve the serious unemployment and economic problems facing this nation if he gave praise and glory to God publicly for the blessings that he has received as president,” Twyman said.
“I and many of my prayer warriors firmly believe that the Obama administration would be able to solve the serious unemployment and economic problems facing this nation if he gave praise and glory to God publicly for the blessings that he has received as president,” Twyman said.
Labels:
President Obama,
Religion
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