◼ When the questions needed to be asked and answers needed to be given, both the president and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton were nowhere to be found. - IBD Editorial
...Obama seemed more outraged that the rumored successor to Clinton at State was being criticized for parroting an obvious lie than by the terrorist attack that killed a U.S. ambassador, two former Navy SEALs and another diplomat. He and his administration knew that very night, the night he flew off to Las Vegas to campaign, that terrorists killed the four Americans, yet he sent his U.N. ambassador out to lie for him.
Does Obama really expect us to believe "she gave her best understanding of the intelligence that had been provided to her" when the CIA station chief and the National Counterterrorism Center chief had said it was an organized terrorist attack with mortars and rocket-propelled grenades and there was in fact no mob?
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Friday, November 16, 2012
Obamacare implementation could spell trouble for Democrats in 2014
◼ The good news for Democrats is that Obamacare will now be implemented. But the bad news for Democrats is also that Obamacare will now be implemented. - Philip Klein/Washington Examiner @philipklein
President Obama's re-election ensures that his signature health care law will not be repealed before its major provisions go into effect. But that also means, to borrow a phrase from House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Americans will begin to find out what's in the law.
Starting Jan. 1, several key provisions of the health care law will kick in. Americans will only be allowed to contribute $2,500 to flexible spending accounts, which allow participants to pay for medical expenses on a pretax basis. Also, from then on, the accounts can only be used to pay for drugs with a prescription, excluding over-the-counter drugs, which still may be legitimate medical expenses and were previously allowed.
The new year will also ring in a wave of new tax increases. One is the Medicare tax hike on individuals earning more than $200,000 and married couples earning more than $250,000. Another is the 3.8 percent tax on interest, dividends, annuities, royalties and rents. On top of that, there will be a 2.3 percent tax increase on medical devices. These will be on top of any tax hike that comes out of current end-of-the-year negotiations between Republicans and Democrats to avoid the "fiscal cliff."
Most of the major provisions of the health care law go into effect in 2014. During that year, individuals will be forced to purchase government-approved insurance policies or pay a tax. The tax will hit 6 million uninsured Americans, most of them middle-class, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
Employers who have at least 50 workers could have to pay a $2,000-per-employee fine for not providing health insurance. As Zane Tankel, who owns 40 Applebee's locations in the New York area, recently explained on Fox Business, this provision will force him to hold off on expanding or hiring, and even to re-evaluate his current workforce. Business owners throughout the nation have echoed his thinking.
In addition, 2014 will usher in the expansion of Medicaid and the creation of new exchanges. On these exchanges, eligible individuals will receive government subsidies to purchase government-designed insurance plans administered by private companies. These two components are projected to cost $1.7 trillion over a decade.....more at the link
President Obama's re-election ensures that his signature health care law will not be repealed before its major provisions go into effect. But that also means, to borrow a phrase from House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Americans will begin to find out what's in the law.
Starting Jan. 1, several key provisions of the health care law will kick in. Americans will only be allowed to contribute $2,500 to flexible spending accounts, which allow participants to pay for medical expenses on a pretax basis. Also, from then on, the accounts can only be used to pay for drugs with a prescription, excluding over-the-counter drugs, which still may be legitimate medical expenses and were previously allowed.
The new year will also ring in a wave of new tax increases. One is the Medicare tax hike on individuals earning more than $200,000 and married couples earning more than $250,000. Another is the 3.8 percent tax on interest, dividends, annuities, royalties and rents. On top of that, there will be a 2.3 percent tax increase on medical devices. These will be on top of any tax hike that comes out of current end-of-the-year negotiations between Republicans and Democrats to avoid the "fiscal cliff."
Most of the major provisions of the health care law go into effect in 2014. During that year, individuals will be forced to purchase government-approved insurance policies or pay a tax. The tax will hit 6 million uninsured Americans, most of them middle-class, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
Employers who have at least 50 workers could have to pay a $2,000-per-employee fine for not providing health insurance. As Zane Tankel, who owns 40 Applebee's locations in the New York area, recently explained on Fox Business, this provision will force him to hold off on expanding or hiring, and even to re-evaluate his current workforce. Business owners throughout the nation have echoed his thinking.
In addition, 2014 will usher in the expansion of Medicaid and the creation of new exchanges. On these exchanges, eligible individuals will receive government subsidies to purchase government-designed insurance plans administered by private companies. These two components are projected to cost $1.7 trillion over a decade.....more at the link
It´s clear from Obama´s indignant tone at Wednesday´s press conference that he has no intention of reconciling differences with Republicans over fiscal policy.
◼ Watch Out, Speaker, Obama Still Channeling Saul Alinsky - IBD Editorial
His mentors counseled to never compromise with "the enemy."
....This isn't your Bill Clinton Democrat back in the Oval Office, one who'll listen to reason, compromise, cut a deal. No, this is a different Democrat entirely, far more radical, much more doctrinaire in his leftist beliefs. And now very angry, seeking "revenge."
His mentors counseled to never compromise with "the enemy."
....This isn't your Bill Clinton Democrat back in the Oval Office, one who'll listen to reason, compromise, cut a deal. No, this is a different Democrat entirely, far more radical, much more doctrinaire in his leftist beliefs. And now very angry, seeking "revenge."
Petraeus to testify behind closed doors on Benghazi Friday
◼ The hearing to be held by the House Intelligence Committee is closed to the public and the media. Petraeus is expected to answer questions about the CIA's knowledge and handling of the assault on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi that left U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans dead. Two of those Americans were with the CIA. - CBS News
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calf., chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said Wednesday that Petraeus was "willing and interested" to talk to the committee, CBS News reported earlier Wednesday.
"It's just on Benghazi. Our hearings are on Benghazi and the intelligence that preceded Benghazi and the intelligence that determined security," she told reporters.
Meanwhile, the House Intelligence Committee will hear from him at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, an hour that is extremely uncommon for a congressional meeting.
◼ CNN: Petraeus will Amend His Testimony on Benghazi – He Knew it Was a Terror Attack Almost Immediately (Video) - CNN
A source who spoke to Gen. Petraeus told CNN’s Barbara Starr the former CIA Director wants to clear up some misconceptions. He wants to tell Congress that he knew almost immediately that Ansar al Sharia, the al Qaeda sympathizing group was responsible for the preplanned attack on the Consulate in Benghazi that killed four Americans. The question of their motivation is where the confusion lies according to the this report. Initially, there were up to 20 intelligence reports that blamed the YouTube video as the motivation. Those reports were disproven in time, but supposedly not before Petraeus had testified before Congress on the 14th, three days after the attack.
He also reportedly had his own talking points separate from Susan Rice’s talking points which came from someone else in the administration, an account that seems to be at odds with a CBS report, Thursday that revealed “CIA talking points” for Susan Rice that characterized the Benghazi attack as “spontaneously inspired” by protests. (Uh huh.)
◼ CNN: PETRAEUS TO TESTIFY HE KNEW LIBYA WAS TERRORISM 'ALMOST IMMEDIATELY' - John Nolte/Breitbart
There’s no question that at first a “fog of war” excuse made perfect sense. But what’s also not in question is that as the days and weeks passed, the White House moved further and further away from what the President said on “60 Minutes” — which means that as those 20 or so reports were being “disproved,” the Administration was moving further and further away from the truth.
How did that happen?
The other issue, and this is something I’ve been pushing for weeks now, is that both White House spokesman Jay Carney and U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice told the media repeatedly that there was absolutely no evidence that Libya was premeditated.
Now we know there was.
It’s one thing to say you believe the attack was over a video, it’s an entirely different tightrope to walk when you’re saying in no uncertain terms that there’s “no evidence” of a terror attack.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calf., chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said Wednesday that Petraeus was "willing and interested" to talk to the committee, CBS News reported earlier Wednesday.
"It's just on Benghazi. Our hearings are on Benghazi and the intelligence that preceded Benghazi and the intelligence that determined security," she told reporters.
Meanwhile, the House Intelligence Committee will hear from him at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, an hour that is extremely uncommon for a congressional meeting.
◼ CNN: Petraeus will Amend His Testimony on Benghazi – He Knew it Was a Terror Attack Almost Immediately (Video) - CNN
A source who spoke to Gen. Petraeus told CNN’s Barbara Starr the former CIA Director wants to clear up some misconceptions. He wants to tell Congress that he knew almost immediately that Ansar al Sharia, the al Qaeda sympathizing group was responsible for the preplanned attack on the Consulate in Benghazi that killed four Americans. The question of their motivation is where the confusion lies according to the this report. Initially, there were up to 20 intelligence reports that blamed the YouTube video as the motivation. Those reports were disproven in time, but supposedly not before Petraeus had testified before Congress on the 14th, three days after the attack.
He also reportedly had his own talking points separate from Susan Rice’s talking points which came from someone else in the administration, an account that seems to be at odds with a CBS report, Thursday that revealed “CIA talking points” for Susan Rice that characterized the Benghazi attack as “spontaneously inspired” by protests. (Uh huh.)
◼ CNN: PETRAEUS TO TESTIFY HE KNEW LIBYA WAS TERRORISM 'ALMOST IMMEDIATELY' - John Nolte/Breitbart
There’s no question that at first a “fog of war” excuse made perfect sense. But what’s also not in question is that as the days and weeks passed, the White House moved further and further away from what the President said on “60 Minutes” — which means that as those 20 or so reports were being “disproved,” the Administration was moving further and further away from the truth.
How did that happen?
The other issue, and this is something I’ve been pushing for weeks now, is that both White House spokesman Jay Carney and U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice told the media repeatedly that there was absolutely no evidence that Libya was premeditated.
Now we know there was.
It’s one thing to say you believe the attack was over a video, it’s an entirely different tightrope to walk when you’re saying in no uncertain terms that there’s “no evidence” of a terror attack.
UNION STRIKE KILLS THE TWINKIE
◼ Twinkies Maker Hostess Going Out of Business - nbcdfw.com
“We deeply regret the necessity of today’s decision, but we do not have the financial resources to weather an extended nationwide strike,” Hostess CEO Gregory F. Rayburn said in announcing that the firm had filed a motion with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court to shutter its business. “Hostess Brands will move promptly to lay off most of its 18,500-member workforce and focus on selling its assets to the highest bidders.”
Hostess Brands Inc. had earlier warned employees that it would file to unwind its business and sell off assets if plant operations didn't return to normal levels by 5 p.m. Thursday. In announcing its decision, Hostess said its wind down would mean the closure of 33 bakeries, 565 distribution centers, approximately 5,500 delivery routes and 570 bakery outlet stores in the United States.
Hostess suspended bakery operations at all its factories and said its stores will remain open for several days to sell already-baked products....
A union representative did not immediately return a call from The Associated Press seeking comment on the company's announcement....
The company, founded in 1930, was fighting battles beyond labor costs, however. Competition is increasing in the snack space and Americans are increasingly conscious about healthy eating. Hostess also makes Dolly Madison, Drake's and Nature's Pride snacks.
If the motion is granted, Hostess would begin closing operations as early as Tuesday.
"Most employees who lose their jobs should be eligible for government-provided unemployment benefits," Hostess said.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
The Obamacare Layoff Bomb: 'I think it's a terrible thing. It's ridiculous that the maximum hours we can give people is 28 hours a week instead of 40'
◼ Denny's to charge 5% 'Obamacare surcharge' and cut employee hours to deal with cost of legislation - Daily Mail
The fast-food business owner is set to hold meetings at his restaurants in December where he will tell employees, 'that because of Obamacare, we are going to be cutting front-of-the-house employees to under 30 hours, effective immediately.'
Claiming that he is not anti-insurance Metz has said that he understands the problems this will cause for his employees.
'I think it's a terrible thing. It's ridiculous that the maximum hours we can give people is 28 hours a week instead of 40,' said Metz to the Huffington Post.
'It's going to force my employees to go out and get a second job.'
Obamacare requires businesses or franchises with more than 50 workers must offer an approved insurance plan or pay a penalty of $2,000 for each full-time worker over 30 workers.
The program mandates that only employees working more than 30 hours a week are covered under their employers health insurance plan, chains like Olive Garden and Red Lobster are already considering reduced worker hours.
'Obviously, I'd love to cover all our employees under that insurance,' said Metz.
'But to pay $5,000 per employee would cost us $175,000 per restaurant and unfortunately, most of our restaurants don't make $175,000 a year. I can't afford it.'
◼ TEXAS INSTRUMENTS Cuts 5% of Workforce... - cnbc
◼ List of Layoffs
To see even more companies that announced layoffs since the election, ◼ visit the Daily Job Cuts page. - hrwf
◼ Death spiral: Hours cut, workers pushed to part-time due to Obamacare; ‘They keep cutting my hours’ - Twitchy
◼ Five More Obamacare Taxes Starting January 1, 2013 - hrwf
It's serious.
The fast-food business owner is set to hold meetings at his restaurants in December where he will tell employees, 'that because of Obamacare, we are going to be cutting front-of-the-house employees to under 30 hours, effective immediately.'
Claiming that he is not anti-insurance Metz has said that he understands the problems this will cause for his employees.
'I think it's a terrible thing. It's ridiculous that the maximum hours we can give people is 28 hours a week instead of 40,' said Metz to the Huffington Post.
'It's going to force my employees to go out and get a second job.'
Obamacare requires businesses or franchises with more than 50 workers must offer an approved insurance plan or pay a penalty of $2,000 for each full-time worker over 30 workers.
The program mandates that only employees working more than 30 hours a week are covered under their employers health insurance plan, chains like Olive Garden and Red Lobster are already considering reduced worker hours.
'Obviously, I'd love to cover all our employees under that insurance,' said Metz.
'But to pay $5,000 per employee would cost us $175,000 per restaurant and unfortunately, most of our restaurants don't make $175,000 a year. I can't afford it.'
◼ TEXAS INSTRUMENTS Cuts 5% of Workforce... - cnbc
◼ List of Layoffs
To see even more companies that announced layoffs since the election, ◼ visit the Daily Job Cuts page. - hrwf
◼ Death spiral: Hours cut, workers pushed to part-time due to Obamacare; ‘They keep cutting my hours’ - Twitchy
◼ Five More Obamacare Taxes Starting January 1, 2013 - hrwf
It's serious.
Labels:
Cutbacks,
Economy,
Jobs,
Layoffs,
Obamacare,
ObamaTAX,
President/Candidate Obama,
Unemployment
Join us for lunch Nov. 15
We'll be installing our new officers, welcome new President Annette De Modena, 1st Vice President Jan Pierre, 2nd Vice President Sharon Cole, Treasurer Rebecca Crosby, Recording Secretary Sheryl Fearrien, and Director-At-Large Leola Santsche. 2013 will be a whole new ballgame, with the bruising Presidential campaign behind us and a host of problems in California. We need you more than ever.
Kathrin Burleson will give us an update on Honor Flight, and share a series of Veterans' portraits she's been working on. (See the unveiling Nov. 12th at The Arkley Center. For details, ◼ click here.
We’re meeting at 445 Herrick Avenue, Eureka...
Get there at 11:30 a.m. Lunch & Socializing: Meeting 12:00 -1:00 p.m.
Your choice: Lunch $14.50 (Tax & tip included), or Beverage (no lunch) $4.00, Payable to HRWF
RSVP by phone: Laura 839-5538
RSVP by email: Margaret Stafford tom-marg@suddenlink.net
Labels:
Honor Flight,
HRWF,
Humboldt County,
Meetings
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
It's official: Democrats now have their Assembly supermajority
◼ Norby concession assures Dems of Assembly supermajority - Sacramento Bee
Norby's concession means that Democrats will have 54 of 80 seats in the lower house next year.
◼ Why Democratic Supermajority Could be Good for Reform - Joe Mathews/Fox&Hounds
Norby's concession means that Democrats will have 54 of 80 seats in the lower house next year.
◼ Why Democratic Supermajority Could be Good for Reform - Joe Mathews/Fox&Hounds
Labels:
California,
Democrats,
One Party Rule,
Super Majority
Mark Levin: Obama & Alinsky
◼ Today's Show: Listen here ◼ Archives ◼ Catch it LIVE during the day 3:00-6:00 PT on WABC ONline
◼ On Wednesday's Mark Levin Show: President Obama gives his first press conference since being reelected and it is full of class warfare and more of Obama's propaganda and lies. Mark explains how Obama is a student of Saul Ainsky and is using Alinsky's tactics to divide the country to promote him and his agenda, and Speaker Boehner doesn't understand or isn't willing to combat it. Obama talks about his mandate to fundamentally transform America, even though he received fewer votes this time than last election. What gives him the authority or the power to transform everything about America to what he envisions it should be? Mark also talks about Obama and how he used Susan Rice to begin the Benghazi cover-up and to tell lies to the media about what happened. Finally, Congressman Jeff Landry calls in to discuss his election runoff in December for Louisiana’s 3rd Congressional District.
◼ Saul Alinsky - Discover the Networks
◼ Immigrants and the GOP (Debunking some talk radio myths) - Wall Street Journal
◼ In Praise of Huddled Masses (July 3, 1984) - Wall Street Journal
◼ WSJ: Tea Party “hobbits” need to go back to Middle Earth, or something (July 27, 2011) - Hot Air
◼ Gohmert: I want Gingrich as speaker - Politico
◼ McMorris Rodgers elected chairwoman of House GOP conference - The Hill
◼ Israel launches Gaza offensive, kills Hamas commander - Reuters
◼ Obama Still Silent as Egypt Backs Hamas - Breitbart
◼ Republican Charles Boustany Supporting Barack Obama - Cajun Conservative
They pick this liberal ideologue – a State Department stooge who knows nothing about terrorism, nothing about intelligence, nothing about the military — hand her the dishonest talking points, and send her out to parrot their propaganda. When Rice’s explanation is proved false, then Obama starts saying he’s going to “get to the bottom of it,” as if someone else were responsible for crafting these lies which were calculated to benefit him politically.
HAMAS: STRIKE 'OPENED GATES OF HELL'
◼ Hamas military chief killed in Gaza air strike - Barney Henderson, and Chris Irvine/The Telegraph
Hamas has said that Israeli air strike in Gaza which killed Ahmed Jabari, the head of its military wing, "has opened the gates of hell".
◼ Israel kills Hamas military chief: as it happened - Latest updates as Hamas military chief is killed by an Israeli air strike in Gaza City. - The Telegraph
Top Hamas commander killed in Israeli airstrike...
◼ VIDEO... - YouTube
◼ Target tied to Iran - Lee Smith/Weekly Standard
◼ It’s War: Israel responds to Hamas attacks with campaign of airstrikes - Washington Free Beacon
◼ TEHRAN MOUNTS MASSIVE DRILLS - Washington Free Beacon
◼ Israel launches Operation Pillar of Cloud - Amos Harel, Avi Issacharoff, Gili Cohen and Reuters/Haaretz
◼ Recommends That No Hamas Operatives 'Show Their Faces' - Daniel Halper/Weekly Standard
Hits 20 underground rocket sites in Gaza...
IDF 'ready to initiate ground operation'...
Rockets explode in Israeli border town...
◼ Gaza Livestream
◼ Up to date coverage - in French
◼ Our blog friends in Israel - Le-gal In-sur-rec-tion
◼ Recommended Blog: http://muqata.blogspot.com/
[EXCLUSIVE VID] Busted: Obama’s Fieldworks Office Admits Funneling Money to Defeat Allen West
◼ The progressive left has made no secret of their hatred for Congressman Allen West. It will be months until we fully understand the national coordination and vast resources that were brought to Florida in an attempt to defeat him at all costs. One group that shifted resources to his district is Fieldworks. - Clash Daily
Fieldworks is a progressive campaign organization that has secured many of ACORN’s old contracts. ACORN went bankrupt after Hannah Giles’s child prostitution expose.
Most notably Fieldworks has extensive Voter Registration and “Get Out The Vote” contracts with almost every major progressive left organization in America.
Here is an exclusive excerpt of raw footage from American Phoenix Foundation’s investigation into some of Fieldworks activities across the country. A full investigation is forthcoming.
◼ FieldWorks, says it works largely with Democratic candidates, causes and progressive organizations collecting signatures for voter registration or ballot initiatives across the country. - FOX
◼ FieldWorks, SEIU, AFL-CIO, Colorado Civic Engagement Roundtable, and Colorado’s ACORN Ground Game - Aaron Gardner/Media Trackers
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
OBAMA WIN IS CONSTITUTION'S LOSS
◼ Nat Hentoff shames Americans who have 'discard the Declaration of Independence' - Nat Hentoff/WND
The fateful questions for the future of this nation are why did he win, and will his re-election show the victorious way for future presidents to come?
Many Americans’ choice to discard the Declaration of Independence reveals an alarming ignorance of their history, including why their country is – or is supposed to be – unique among all other nations in the world.
The depth of this ignorance explains why throughout the long, fiercely divisive presidential and congressional campaigns, there were hardly any references to Obama’s persistent contempt for the Constitution. This was the case among loyal Obama Democrats, of course, but also among Republicans and independents.
What makes us Americans was not an issue!
How grotesque it was for Obama to say in September – as he presented his beliefs for maintaining the principles of America’s rule of law while strengthening national security – that in going after American citizens involved with al-Qaida: “They are subject to the protections of the Constitution and due process” (“Death from afar,” The Economist, Nov. 3).
Had I been there looking at him, how could I not have burst out laughing?
______________ Nat Hentoff is a nationally renowned authority on the First Amendment and the Bill of Rights and author of many books, including "The War on the Bill of Rights
The fateful questions for the future of this nation are why did he win, and will his re-election show the victorious way for future presidents to come?
Many Americans’ choice to discard the Declaration of Independence reveals an alarming ignorance of their history, including why their country is – or is supposed to be – unique among all other nations in the world.
The depth of this ignorance explains why throughout the long, fiercely divisive presidential and congressional campaigns, there were hardly any references to Obama’s persistent contempt for the Constitution. This was the case among loyal Obama Democrats, of course, but also among Republicans and independents.
What makes us Americans was not an issue!
How grotesque it was for Obama to say in September – as he presented his beliefs for maintaining the principles of America’s rule of law while strengthening national security – that in going after American citizens involved with al-Qaida: “They are subject to the protections of the Constitution and due process” (“Death from afar,” The Economist, Nov. 3).
Had I been there looking at him, how could I not have burst out laughing?
Politichicks: Breaking Up With the Mainstream Media
PolitiChick Ann-Marie Murrell has had enough with being constantly ridiculed, denigrated and mentally abused by ABC/CBS/NBC etc so she is officially breaking up the Mainstream Media (“MM”).
Labels:
Conservatives,
Media bias
Hillary can't make House hearing on Benghazi; busy visiting friends, wine tasting in Australia
◼ US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton poised to visit friends in Adelaide next week - Herald Sun AU via Drudge
◼ SKEDADDLE: Panetta joins Hillary in Australia... - AP ◼ Via Drudge
◼ Camp Bastion, Afghanistan: We Need Answers - Michelle Malkin
While Secretary of State Hillary Clinton boozes it up in Australia and the Pentagon grapples with more floozy eruptions, outraged military families are still waiting for answers about the forgotten 9/14 attack on Camp Bastion.
Muckrakers and distraction engineers are having a front-page field day with the so-called sex scandal. But for surviving relatives and colleagues of heroic Marine Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Raible and Sargent Bradley Atwell, it’s the national-security scandal at Afghanistan’s Camp Bastion that deserves headline coverage.
FOUR-STAR CIRCUS
Drudge headlines:
General sent thousands of 'inappropriate' e-mails to woman who reported harassment by Petraeus's mistress...
FBI agent banned from probe after he 'grew obsessed' and sent her shirtless photos...
REPORT: Gens. Petraeus and Allen intervened in nasty child custody battle...
'Bombshell story is just a smoke screen for something bigger'...
Petraeus personally investigated Benghazi attack...
Local TV station mistakenly airs altered, sexually-suggestive version of Broadwell's book cover...
MYSTERY: Broadwell's driver's license found in D.C.'s Rock Creek Park...
ABCNEWS: PETRAEUS COULD FACE CHARGES...
Supreme Allied Commander nomination put on hold...
CIA Disputes Broadwell's Benghazi Comment...
Ghostwriter: 'I always wondered why he was granting her access that he did'...
Petraeus, mistress used e-mail trick employed by terrorists...
FBI Agents 'Raid Home of Mistress'...
REPORT: Jill Kelley calls 911, requests 'diplomatic protection'...
Panetta: 'I'm Reading the Papers Like You Are'...
'Who do you think you are?... You parade around the base'...
◼ Petraeus Sex Scandal Could Have Sunk Obama - Cliff Kincaid/Trevor Loudon
...Because of (Eric) Cantor’s failure to go public, the scandal exploded only after the election, as Petraeus submitted his resignation as CIA director and Obama accepted it. “I would like to congratulate President Obama on his re-election,” Cantor had actually said on his blog, knowing that Obama’s administration was engaged in a massive cover-up. Only later did he acknowledge, in response to a New York Times report, that he had the information that could have derailed Obama’s presidential campaign and possibly given Mitt Romney the presidency....
◼ If You Were Saying to Yourself, ‘This Petraeus Scandal Isn’t Crazy Enough …’ - The Other McCain
...What is really interesting, however, is that this lurid and tawdry soap opera may have accidentally turned up the best explanation for why the Obama administration lied through its teeth about the Benghazi attack, as Townhall’s Katie Pavlich observes:
It isn’t the affair itself that gives us more information, but the affair bringing attention to words spoken by Broadwell in Denver on October 26. She said the CIA was holding prisoners at the annex in Benghazi and Fox News has confirmed with another source this was the case.Wow. So if Broadwell was right — and obviously, she was in a position to know — then either (a) the Obama administration was secretly violating its own announced policy, or (b) some in the CIA had gone “rogue,” and the deliberate obfuscation of what happened in Benghazi was a cover-up of this secret violation of the president’s executive order....
This explains two things. The U.S. consulate in Benghazi was being repeatedly attacked because prisoners were being held and because President Obama signed an executive order in 2009 banning secret CIA prisons, they had to find an alternative story to cover-up what really happened, hence the YouTube video.
Europe's Jerry Sandusky?
◼ The only difference is that he wasn't the justice minister in charge of his case. - Peter Hannaford/American Spectator 11/12
In the Jerry Sandusky case Penn State officials closed their ears for years to rumors about his behavior. In the Netherlands, the alleged pedophile Joris Demmink, Secretary-General of the Dutch Ministry of Justice, has had a close friend thwart official investigations into his behavior. That friend? Himself. This cozy arrangement may be about to come to an end.
In the mid 1990s in Turkey, Demmink sexually assaulted numerous boys between the ages of 12 and 16, according to the Dutch attorney for two of the victims. They now demand prosecution. Attorney Adele Van Der Plas says one victim was 12 at the time he was brought by a police officer to Demmink's chambers, where he was repeatedly sexually assaulted.
Now, three Dutch and three Turkish citizens have come forward publicly to identify Demmink as their molester. Van Der Plas cites four police reports that name him as a suspect. Yet, whenever official investigations have been launched, they ended up lacking "evidence," for Demmink's office had the last word on such investigations. His senior position in the government has caused other officials to close ranks when each investigation was abruptly terminated.
A periodic U.S. State Department human rights report on every country about human trafficking is a study in contradiction when it comes to the Netherlands. It gives it "Tier 1" status, a designation awarded to nations at the forefront of fighting child sex trafficking. Yet, its Netherlands report begins with the statement that it "…is primarily a source, destination and transit country for men, women and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor."
A report from the U.S. Embassy at The Hague defends Demmink, saying, "The prosecutor's office… concluded that there was no evidence to substantiate the allegations." It also claims that recent statements by alleged Demmink victims, private investigators and a former police official are "unproven." No wonder, considering Demmink's ability to spike any investigation.
Attorney Van Der Plas minces no words: "There has never been a credible investigation into his behavior." The reason: a criminal case would "touch the top power elite." She adds, "If they investigate they will find massive fraud and corruption that Demmink has been able to deflect and insulate himself and many others."
Our State Department's contradiction has led three members of the U.S. House of Representatives Joseph R. Pitts, (PA), Frank Wolf (VA) and Christopher Smith (NJ) to write to Chairman Christian Ehler of the European Union's Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue Steering Committee. They stated "that the Ministry (Demmink's) may not be able to properly execute The Netherlands responsibilities under EU Decision 2004/68/JHS, on combating the sexual exploitation of children." That's an understatement.
They also asked Ehler to forward their concerns to the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties.
A letter to Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan by Rep. Ted Poe (TX) asked that the claims by young Turkish men that Demmink assaulted them when they were boys be treated "as a matter of urgency." He wrote that "this issue should be thoroughly and promptly investigated, then handled by the appropriate judicial authorities of your country."
In Washington, the policy director of the Rebecca Project for Human Rights, Kwame Fosu, has urged Congress to hold oversight hearings on the State Department's contradictory report on human rights trafficking in the Netherlands. The group also held a recent street demonstration outside the New York offices of APG, the Dutch government's main pension administrator.
Joris Demmink will retire shortly. When he does, he is expected to lose his protective shield of immunity from prosecution. He has built up significant pension funds to be paid him by APG. He is likely to take the money and run -- as quickly as he can -- to a country with which the Netherlands has no extradition treaty, there to continue molesting children.
The Rebecca Project has asked the U.S. Congress to pass a resolution intended to bar Demmink from entering the U.S. until "a transparent investigation… is conducted into his actions toward children." It also wants any U.S. assets of Demmink frozen until this occurs.
International child advocates are calling on Queen Beatrix to become personally involved to make sure Demmink is brought to justice before he flees the Netherlands.
Gradually the ring of justice is closing around Joris Demmink, but time is running out. Will it fully close before he escapes? Will his enablers in the Dutch government allow him to slip out quietly or will they ensure that justice is done?
Labels:
International News,
Peter Hannaford
e-News from National Federation of Republican Women
Relief Fund Established for the Victims of Hurricane Sandy in New York and New Jersey
The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Tower Foundation is collecting money to help New York and New Jersey Hurricane Sandy victims directly. Stephen Siller was a firefighter who sacrificed his life on 9/11, and his brothers started The Tunnel to Tower Foundation to honor Stephen's example of service. They established a yearly run called Tunnel to Tunnel, because Stephen ran in full gear in the Battery Tunnel all the way into Manhattan and lost his life at Ground Zero.
Due to the severe damage from Hurricane Sandy that continues to hurt the Northeast region, the Tunnel to Tower Foundation set up a special relief fund to help the New York and New Jersey Hurricane Sandy victims. All donations will benefit those that have been adversely impacted by the devastation wrought by Hurricane Sandy on the New York City and New Jersey coastlines.
If you would like to donate online, click here. Checks should be made payable to the "T2T Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund" and can be sent to:
__________________
The Impact of the Super PAC This Election Cycle
In reflecting on this election season, some are saying the electoral defeat of the many candidates backed by super PACS - independent billionaire funded outside organizations - turned out to be a bust.
In the Sunday, November 11 edition, the Washington Post claimed that GOP strategist Karl Rove backed many candidates with his brainchild, a behemoth super PAC named American Crossroads. The loss of so many candidates backed by Rove's super PAC proves that "politics has finally passed Rove by." To the contrary, noted Rove, who is quoted as stating "We did good things this year ... but look, it's the way of politics that you're going to have some good years, and you're going to have some bad years."
The Washington Post reports that Rove is considering new missions for Crossroads to begin picking sides in Republican primaries, leaving behind battling only in general elections and battling only Democrats.
"The idea would be to boost the [primary] candidate it deems most electable and avoid nominating the kind of flawed [or] extreme ones who cost the Party what should otherwise have been easy Senate wins in" several states.
The 2012 elections for Crossroads was a "$300 million learning experience." As Rove adds, "we've got to carefully examine ... an after-action report looking at everything with fresh eyes and questioning and figuring out what worked and what didn't work."
The Sunlight Foundation, which tracks money in politics, notes that only 6 percent of Crossroads money went to winners. By comparison, the Washington Post reports that the Service Employees International Union, "an old war horse of Democratic politics, had a 70 percent victory rate."
Donald Trump even weighed in saying "Congratulations to Karl Rove on blowing $400 million this cycle. Every race Crossroads ran ads in, the Republican lost."
On November 10, the Washington Post reporter Karen Tumulty wrote that Rove is likely to have Crossroads be more active in organizations such as the Republican State Leadership Committee, which has been trying to build a more appealing GOP "farm team" by, among other things, recruiting Hispanics to run for State offices. In addition, there is money being raised to run advertising shoring up congressional Republicans during the upcoming negotiations to avert what has been called the "fiscal cliff."
__________________
Supreme Court Hears Important Voting Rights Case
Passed in 1965 and renewed by Congress four times since then, the landmark Voting Rights Act contains a provision which requires States, counties and cities that have been judged guilty of failing to end voter discrimination in the past, or engaging in election discrimination activities, to have to go through the Justice Department's "pre-clearance" process before they can enact election changes.
NBC's Pete Williams reports that such government entities are "presumed to be acting improperly whenever they seek to enact election changes." They are required to do what many believe is "go[ing] hat in hand to Justice Department officialdom to seek approval" before putting into place new election legislation.
Calling that portion of the Voting Rights Act unconstitutional, Shelby County in Alabama points out in its lawsuit that other localities have made substantial election reforms even though they have not eliminated racial discrimination at the polls. Nevertheless, they have not been forced into the Justice Department's pre-clearance category.
Alabama's argument is that, for example, Florida has been forced into "pre-clearance litigation to prove that reducing early voting from 14 days to 8 days is not discriminatory when States such as Connecticut, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania have no early voting at all."
Three years ago the Supreme Court narrowly rejected a similar challenge to the pre-clearance requirement but strongly suggested that several justices have doubts about its constitutionality. The court's decision in this current matter will be of great interest.
The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Tower Foundation is collecting money to help New York and New Jersey Hurricane Sandy victims directly. Stephen Siller was a firefighter who sacrificed his life on 9/11, and his brothers started The Tunnel to Tower Foundation to honor Stephen's example of service. They established a yearly run called Tunnel to Tunnel, because Stephen ran in full gear in the Battery Tunnel all the way into Manhattan and lost his life at Ground Zero.
Due to the severe damage from Hurricane Sandy that continues to hurt the Northeast region, the Tunnel to Tower Foundation set up a special relief fund to help the New York and New Jersey Hurricane Sandy victims. All donations will benefit those that have been adversely impacted by the devastation wrought by Hurricane Sandy on the New York City and New Jersey coastlines.
If you would like to donate online, click here. Checks should be made payable to the "T2T Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund" and can be sent to:
Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation
2361 Hylan Blvd
Staten Island, NY 10306
The Impact of the Super PAC This Election Cycle
In reflecting on this election season, some are saying the electoral defeat of the many candidates backed by super PACS - independent billionaire funded outside organizations - turned out to be a bust.
In the Sunday, November 11 edition, the Washington Post claimed that GOP strategist Karl Rove backed many candidates with his brainchild, a behemoth super PAC named American Crossroads. The loss of so many candidates backed by Rove's super PAC proves that "politics has finally passed Rove by." To the contrary, noted Rove, who is quoted as stating "We did good things this year ... but look, it's the way of politics that you're going to have some good years, and you're going to have some bad years."
The Washington Post reports that Rove is considering new missions for Crossroads to begin picking sides in Republican primaries, leaving behind battling only in general elections and battling only Democrats.
"The idea would be to boost the [primary] candidate it deems most electable and avoid nominating the kind of flawed [or] extreme ones who cost the Party what should otherwise have been easy Senate wins in" several states.
The 2012 elections for Crossroads was a "$300 million learning experience." As Rove adds, "we've got to carefully examine ... an after-action report looking at everything with fresh eyes and questioning and figuring out what worked and what didn't work."
The Sunlight Foundation, which tracks money in politics, notes that only 6 percent of Crossroads money went to winners. By comparison, the Washington Post reports that the Service Employees International Union, "an old war horse of Democratic politics, had a 70 percent victory rate."
Donald Trump even weighed in saying "Congratulations to Karl Rove on blowing $400 million this cycle. Every race Crossroads ran ads in, the Republican lost."
On November 10, the Washington Post reporter Karen Tumulty wrote that Rove is likely to have Crossroads be more active in organizations such as the Republican State Leadership Committee, which has been trying to build a more appealing GOP "farm team" by, among other things, recruiting Hispanics to run for State offices. In addition, there is money being raised to run advertising shoring up congressional Republicans during the upcoming negotiations to avert what has been called the "fiscal cliff."
Supreme Court Hears Important Voting Rights Case
Passed in 1965 and renewed by Congress four times since then, the landmark Voting Rights Act contains a provision which requires States, counties and cities that have been judged guilty of failing to end voter discrimination in the past, or engaging in election discrimination activities, to have to go through the Justice Department's "pre-clearance" process before they can enact election changes.
NBC's Pete Williams reports that such government entities are "presumed to be acting improperly whenever they seek to enact election changes." They are required to do what many believe is "go[ing] hat in hand to Justice Department officialdom to seek approval" before putting into place new election legislation.
Calling that portion of the Voting Rights Act unconstitutional, Shelby County in Alabama points out in its lawsuit that other localities have made substantial election reforms even though they have not eliminated racial discrimination at the polls. Nevertheless, they have not been forced into the Justice Department's pre-clearance category.
Alabama's argument is that, for example, Florida has been forced into "pre-clearance litigation to prove that reducing early voting from 14 days to 8 days is not discriminatory when States such as Connecticut, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania have no early voting at all."
Three years ago the Supreme Court narrowly rejected a similar challenge to the pre-clearance requirement but strongly suggested that several justices have doubts about its constitutionality. The court's decision in this current matter will be of great interest.
Labels:
Hurricane Sandy,
NFRW,
SCOTUS,
Super PAC
Jerry Brown’s scorn for wealth creators
◼ California was once a trend-setting state. - B. Daniel Blatt/Gay Patriot
Today, however, it seems only to cling to ideas long since proved worthless. Businesses are fleeing the state. Storefronts on once bustling commercial thoroughfares sit vacant for want of retail tenants. The unemployment rate remains above 10%.
And our governor doesn’t seem to have much respect for those who build enterprises and create jobs. Contending that the passage of Proposition 30 last week marks “the start of a broader movement to increase taxes on the rich“, Jerry Brown said
Revenue means taxes, and certainly those who have been blessed the most, who have disproportionately extracted, by whatever skill, more and more from the national wealth, they’re going to have to share more of that. . . . And everyone is going to have to realize that building roads is important, investing in schools is important, paying for the national defense is important, biomedical research is important, the space program is an indicator of the world leader – all that takes money.
Ah, but Jerry, before that referendum passed, we were already taxed enough to pay for such things. And other states manage to pay for roads, schools and etc., with much lower tax rates than we had before Prop 30 passed. The issue is not the absence of revenue, but the excess of bureaucracy and the superabundance of benefits for government employees.
Today, however, it seems only to cling to ideas long since proved worthless. Businesses are fleeing the state. Storefronts on once bustling commercial thoroughfares sit vacant for want of retail tenants. The unemployment rate remains above 10%.
And our governor doesn’t seem to have much respect for those who build enterprises and create jobs. Contending that the passage of Proposition 30 last week marks “the start of a broader movement to increase taxes on the rich“, Jerry Brown said
Revenue means taxes, and certainly those who have been blessed the most, who have disproportionately extracted, by whatever skill, more and more from the national wealth, they’re going to have to share more of that. . . . And everyone is going to have to realize that building roads is important, investing in schools is important, paying for the national defense is important, biomedical research is important, the space program is an indicator of the world leader – all that takes money.
Ah, but Jerry, before that referendum passed, we were already taxed enough to pay for such things. And other states manage to pay for roads, schools and etc., with much lower tax rates than we had before Prop 30 passed. The issue is not the absence of revenue, but the excess of bureaucracy and the superabundance of benefits for government employees.
Labels:
#FAIL,
California,
Class Warfare,
Economy,
Governor Jerry Brown,
Spending,
Taxes
Stick it to blue states a/k/a Country First
◼ Sunday Reflection: Repeal the Hollywood tax cuts! - Glenn Reynolds/Washington Examiner
There's an old joke about a boy who complains to his mother that his little sister keeps pulling his hair.
"Oh," responds the mother, "she doesn't know that it hurts."
A few minutes later, the mother hears the girl scream and runs into the other room. "She knows now," the boy explains.
There's a lesson for Republicans in that old joke, if they're smart enough to absorb it.
◼ High state income and property tax states like California, New York, and Illinois are automatic wins for Democrats, giving them a built-in electoral college advantage. And they stuck it to the rest of us. - Le-gal In-sur-rec-tion
◼ link - John Hayward/Human Events @Doc_o
...So if Boehner and his team are going to put some tax increases on the table, perhaps by eliminating deductions more than raising rates, they should learn from past mistakes a drive a truly hard bargain. Make the spending cuts immediate, not a load of cold porridge about $X of cuts happening over ten years, eight of which will never come. The opening bid should be small revenue increases for big fiscal restraint, something on the scale of giving Obama his silly “Buffett Rule” millionaire surtax in exchange for a balanced budget.
And let’s hope the Speaker and the rest of the Republican negotiators are smart enough to propose revenue increases that will hurt liberals the most. Start by taxing the ever-loving crap out of Hollywood. I’ve suggested this before, and the esteemed Instapundit, Glenn Reynolds, was on the same wavelength last August when he suggested bringing back the 20 percent excise tax on motion picture gross revenue from the 1950s.
...The point is that anyone can tear pages out of Barack Obama’s beloved Alinsky playbook. He can be forced to live up to his own standards. His ideology can be bent into shapes that will enrage his loyal constituents. The President says he wants a “balanced approach?” Let’s jump on the see-saw with gusto, and give him one hell of a ride.
◼ Tapping the Golden Vein - Doctor Zero/HotAir
...Hollywood actors are generally outspoken in support of “social justice,” so they shouldn’t mind picking up the tab. Will Ferrell, recently named Hollywood’s most overpaid actor by Forbes, is an aggressive advocate of socialized medicine – but strangely enough, he hasn’t used any of his millions to buy insurance for the poor. We can change that with some carefully targeted taxes. After pulling in $20 million a pop for a string of lousy movies, Ferrell is Salvation Army kettle full of undeserved loot just waiting to be rolled into the soup kitchens.
Canadian actor Jim Carrey railed against “personal greed” after collecting millions to record the voice of Scrooge in this year’s computer-animated A Christmas Carol. Carrey’s not dumb enough to submit himself to the wonders of Canadian health care or economic policy, but he thinks you should. We could help him overcome his bad feelings about personal greed by grabbing seventy or eighty percent of his huge fortune, and using that money to fund emergency medical services for the poor....
There's an old joke about a boy who complains to his mother that his little sister keeps pulling his hair.
"Oh," responds the mother, "she doesn't know that it hurts."
A few minutes later, the mother hears the girl scream and runs into the other room. "She knows now," the boy explains.
There's a lesson for Republicans in that old joke, if they're smart enough to absorb it.
◼ High state income and property tax states like California, New York, and Illinois are automatic wins for Democrats, giving them a built-in electoral college advantage. And they stuck it to the rest of us. - Le-gal In-sur-rec-tion
◼ link - John Hayward/Human Events @Doc_o
...So if Boehner and his team are going to put some tax increases on the table, perhaps by eliminating deductions more than raising rates, they should learn from past mistakes a drive a truly hard bargain. Make the spending cuts immediate, not a load of cold porridge about $X of cuts happening over ten years, eight of which will never come. The opening bid should be small revenue increases for big fiscal restraint, something on the scale of giving Obama his silly “Buffett Rule” millionaire surtax in exchange for a balanced budget.
And let’s hope the Speaker and the rest of the Republican negotiators are smart enough to propose revenue increases that will hurt liberals the most. Start by taxing the ever-loving crap out of Hollywood. I’ve suggested this before, and the esteemed Instapundit, Glenn Reynolds, was on the same wavelength last August when he suggested bringing back the 20 percent excise tax on motion picture gross revenue from the 1950s.
...The point is that anyone can tear pages out of Barack Obama’s beloved Alinsky playbook. He can be forced to live up to his own standards. His ideology can be bent into shapes that will enrage his loyal constituents. The President says he wants a “balanced approach?” Let’s jump on the see-saw with gusto, and give him one hell of a ride.
◼ Tapping the Golden Vein - Doctor Zero/HotAir
...Hollywood actors are generally outspoken in support of “social justice,” so they shouldn’t mind picking up the tab. Will Ferrell, recently named Hollywood’s most overpaid actor by Forbes, is an aggressive advocate of socialized medicine – but strangely enough, he hasn’t used any of his millions to buy insurance for the poor. We can change that with some carefully targeted taxes. After pulling in $20 million a pop for a string of lousy movies, Ferrell is Salvation Army kettle full of undeserved loot just waiting to be rolled into the soup kitchens.
Canadian actor Jim Carrey railed against “personal greed” after collecting millions to record the voice of Scrooge in this year’s computer-animated A Christmas Carol. Carrey’s not dumb enough to submit himself to the wonders of Canadian health care or economic policy, but he thinks you should. We could help him overcome his bad feelings about personal greed by grabbing seventy or eighty percent of his huge fortune, and using that money to fund emergency medical services for the poor....
Labels:
Alinsky,
Blue State,
Hollywood,
President/Candidate Obama,
Taxes
NEW HOURS FOR REPUBLICAN HEADQUARTERS
Week of November 12:
Wednesday, Nov. 14, 10 a.m.- 1 p.m.Week of November 19 (Thanksgiving Week):
Thursday, Nov. 15, 1 -4 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 16, 1 -4 p.m.
CLOSED
Labels:
Humboldt GOP
CBO: Obama’s Plan To Tax The Rich Would Reduce Deficit By Zero Dollars…
◼ Sadly, sheeple voters bought into his class warfare nonsense. - Weasel Zippers
◼ How much deficit reduction would Obama’s tax on the rich accomplish? - Conn Carroll/Washington Examiner @conncarroll
◼ How much deficit reduction would Obama’s tax on the rich accomplish? - Conn Carroll/Washington Examiner @conncarroll
Raising taxes on the rich was the cornerstone of President Obama’s reelection campaign. “If we’re serious about reducing the deficit,” Obama told a rally in Columbus, Ohio, on election day, “we’ve got to ask the wealthiest Americans to go back to the tax rates they paid when Bill Clinton was in office.”
But just how much deficit reduction would Obama’s tax hikes on the rich necessarily accomplish?
Nothing, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
Letting tax rates rise to Clinton era levels for those families making over $250,000 a year would only raise $824 billion over ten years. That is not even enough revenue to undo the sequester that Obama promised “will not happen” during his final debate with Mitt Romney.
Labels:
CBO,
Economy,
President/Candidate Obama,
Sequestration,
Taxes
With perfect, nearly poetic irony, modern civilization was ended by popular vote
◼ In simple terms, on November 6, America joined the rest of the lost world in declaring once and for all that private property is an illusion. The product of a man's labor does not rightfully belong to him, which means his labor itself -- his time and effort -- does not belong to him, which means his life does not belong to him. Modernity's project is nullified. Milton, Locke, Swift, Diderot, Montesquieu, Jefferson and all the rest -- obliterated at the ballot box. - Daren Jonescu/American Thinker
What comes next remains to be seen, and to be fought for by the minority of us who are unwilling to accede to this mindless rush to barbarism. But for now, as of November 6, self-ownership, also known as individual sovereignty, is dead on this planet. Men are not free.
No election can rescind that truth, until the conditions that brought the world to this sad outcome have begun to be undone. We have a lot of work to do, and the clock is ticking, because victorious oppression has a way of accelerating exponentially with each little triumph.
What comes next remains to be seen, and to be fought for by the minority of us who are unwilling to accede to this mindless rush to barbarism. But for now, as of November 6, self-ownership, also known as individual sovereignty, is dead on this planet. Men are not free.
No election can rescind that truth, until the conditions that brought the world to this sad outcome have begun to be undone. We have a lot of work to do, and the clock is ticking, because victorious oppression has a way of accelerating exponentially with each little triumph.
Labels:
2012 Elections,
Freedom,
Property Rights,
Regulation
Monday, November 12, 2012
In 59 Philadelphia voting divisions, Mitt Romney got zero votes
◼ "We have always had these dense urban corridors that are extremely Democratic," said Jonathan Rodden, a political science professor at Stanford University. "It's kind of an urban fact, and you are looking at the extreme end of it in Philadelphia." - Miriam Hill, Andrew Seidman, and John Duchneskie/Philadelphia Inquirer
OBAMA BYPASSES CONGRESS, GIVES $1.5 BILLION TO MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD
◼ Congress has restricted and, in fact, halted military aid to Egypt until and “unless the State Department certifies that Egypt is making progress on basic freedoms and human rights.” - AWR HAWKINS/BREITBART
During a trip through Colorado in December of last year, President Obama spoke of his intention to implement his economic policies with or without the approval of Congress. Said Obama, “And where Congress is not willing to act, we’re going to go ahead and do it ourselves.” It now appears that such a mindset applies not only to economic matters but to the distribution of foreign aid as well--in particular, foreign military aid for the Muslim Brotherhood, who now hold the reigns in Egypt.
Congress has restricted and, in fact, halted military aid to Egypt until and “unless the State Department certifies that Egypt is making progress on basic freedoms and human rights.” After all, Christians and other practitioners of non-Islamic religions have had a tough go of it there. And of course, many Egyptian officials harbor such hatred toward the U.S. that one of the candidates for the Egyptian presidency has openly referred to America as the “infidel country” in media interviews.
Nevertheless, the news breaking now is that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will soon announce that President Obama will “resume funding for Egypt’s military, despite Congressional restrictions and objections from human rights and democracy advocates....”
During a trip through Colorado in December of last year, President Obama spoke of his intention to implement his economic policies with or without the approval of Congress. Said Obama, “And where Congress is not willing to act, we’re going to go ahead and do it ourselves.” It now appears that such a mindset applies not only to economic matters but to the distribution of foreign aid as well--in particular, foreign military aid for the Muslim Brotherhood, who now hold the reigns in Egypt.
Congress has restricted and, in fact, halted military aid to Egypt until and “unless the State Department certifies that Egypt is making progress on basic freedoms and human rights.” After all, Christians and other practitioners of non-Islamic religions have had a tough go of it there. And of course, many Egyptian officials harbor such hatred toward the U.S. that one of the candidates for the Egyptian presidency has openly referred to America as the “infidel country” in media interviews.
Nevertheless, the news breaking now is that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will soon announce that President Obama will “resume funding for Egypt’s military, despite Congressional restrictions and objections from human rights and democracy advocates....”
Gee, why do you think the Obama administration waited until after November 6th to mail these letters?
◼ This story comes to us from the great state of…OHIO
The Obama administration managed to lengthen the fuse on the layoff bomb so it didn’t detonate until after the election, and you have to wonder how much coordination went into making sure these notices weren’t mailed out until the voting was over in the Buckeye State:
The Obama administration managed to lengthen the fuse on the layoff bomb so it didn’t detonate until after the election, and you have to wonder how much coordination went into making sure these notices weren’t mailed out until the voting was over in the Buckeye State:
Ohio families receiving food stamps could get an unwelcome surprise come January: $50 less every month in assistance....
Two separate questions here. One: Is the CIA still operating secret prisons and, if so, how are they questioning their prisoners? Enhanced interrogation is the only part of the Bush counterterror playbook that O hasn’t adopted, or so we’ve assumed. We’ll see.
◼ Fox News source: Yes, the CIA was holding prisoners at the Benghazi annex - Allahpundit/HotAir
Two: Did Ansar al-Sharia and its partners in jihad find out about the prisoners and attack the annex on 9/11 to try to free them? I’m thinking … probably not, for the reasons Ed gave this morning. If they thought there were prisoners at the annex, why’d they attack the consulate first and give up the advantage of surprise? The attack on the consulate wasn’t a diversion, either: According to the CIA’s timeline, the first attack at the annex didn’t happen until 11:56 p.m., more than two hours after the consulate attack had begun and after the CIA security team had already returned from the consulate to the annex. That makes it sound like the jihadis tailed the CIA’s people back to the annex; if they were planning an ambush to free prisoners, they should have had people pre-positioned there to move in as soon as they saw the CIA security team leave for the consulate earlier in the evening. And again, per Ed, if you were going to hold prisoners somewhere in the Middle East, why on earth would you choose a city as unstable as Benghazi?
◼ The Petraeus Timeline: Will We Ever Again Hear the Complete Truth About Anything? - Le-gal In-sur-rec-tion
Two: Did Ansar al-Sharia and its partners in jihad find out about the prisoners and attack the annex on 9/11 to try to free them? I’m thinking … probably not, for the reasons Ed gave this morning. If they thought there were prisoners at the annex, why’d they attack the consulate first and give up the advantage of surprise? The attack on the consulate wasn’t a diversion, either: According to the CIA’s timeline, the first attack at the annex didn’t happen until 11:56 p.m., more than two hours after the consulate attack had begun and after the CIA security team had already returned from the consulate to the annex. That makes it sound like the jihadis tailed the CIA’s people back to the annex; if they were planning an ambush to free prisoners, they should have had people pre-positioned there to move in as soon as they saw the CIA security team leave for the consulate earlier in the evening. And again, per Ed, if you were going to hold prisoners somewhere in the Middle East, why on earth would you choose a city as unstable as Benghazi?
◼ The Petraeus Timeline: Will We Ever Again Hear the Complete Truth About Anything? - Le-gal In-sur-rec-tion
A lot more taxpaying Californians are going to start exploring housing options in Dallas and Houston, now that California voters have figuratively handed over to the Democrats the PIN numbers to their bank accounts.
◼ I’m still not suggesting moving away, but it’s wise to keep a real estate agent’s number on speed dial as you watch the coming legislative session in Sacramento. - Steven Greenhut/Human Events
Republicans in California don’t stand for much, but they have mostly stood together in opposition to tax increases. Likewise, Democrats – including the handful of “moderates” – have been unified in their promotion of higher taxes as the answer to California’s problems. Now the Democrats will have their way, early and often.
Republicans in California don’t stand for much, but they have mostly stood together in opposition to tax increases. Likewise, Democrats – including the handful of “moderates” – have been unified in their promotion of higher taxes as the answer to California’s problems. Now the Democrats will have their way, early and often.
Labels:
2012 Elections,
California,
Democrats,
Economy,
One Party Rule,
Republicans,
Spending,
Taxes
Video: ‘Honor Flight’ trailer
◼ After you’ve stopped wiping your eyes, pass it along to your friends and family who’d like it. - HotAir
Then, go to ◼ HonorFlighttheMovie.com and pledge to see the movie. This will help Dan get the story of so many of the Greatest Generation into theaters, and maybe even in the Oscar running for documentaries.
And remember, locally: North Coast Honor Flight and the Eureka Symphony invite you to an evening of music and art honoring our Humboldt County WWII veterans at The Arkley Center on November 12, the day following Veterans Day, at 5:30pm. Musical director Carol Jacobson has selected a program of moving American music, including Our Town, by American composer Aaron Copland. Also featured will be portraits of the veterans by Trinidad artist, Kathrin Burleson, co-founder of North Coast Honor Flight. A reception following the concert will be hosted by Redwood Capital Bank. Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate and pay tribute to these American heroes.
Admission is $12 for adults and $5 for children.
◼ northcoasthonorflight.com
◼ The North Coast Honor Flight Video Project (Part 1)
◼ The North Coast Honor Flight Video Project (Part 2)
◼ The North Coast Honor Flight Video Project (Part 3)
◼ The North Coast Honor Flight Video Project (Part 4)
Labels:
Honor Flight,
Veterans
RIP Norman Shopay
◼ MCSD Manager Norman Shopay died Saturday, Nov. 10, of an apparent heart attack. Jack Durham/McKinleyville Press
◼ McKinleyville services district GM Norman Shopay dies - The Times Standard
◼ McKinleyville services district GM Norman Shopay dies - The Times Standard
Labels:
Humboldt County,
Local News,
McKinleyville
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Death spiral: Hours cut, workers pushed to part-time due to Obamacare; ‘They keep cutting my hours’
◼ As Twitchy has been reporting, the layoff bomb has detonated. Many companies, both large and small, have been forced to lay off workers due to President Obama’s re-election. With no hope of Obamacare being repealed, they are now forced to lay off employees in order to stay in business. - Twitchy
But it’s not just layoffs. Some companies are also contemplating cutting hours. Sadly, many companies have already done so.
Part-time is the new full-time in Obamaville.
This doesn’t just hurt the workers, who now have to try to live on a far more meager salary. It hurts the country as a whole.
But it’s not just layoffs. Some companies are also contemplating cutting hours. Sadly, many companies have already done so.
Part-time is the new full-time in Obamaville.
This doesn’t just hurt the workers, who now have to try to live on a far more meager salary. It hurts the country as a whole.
Fewer working hours = less income = lower tax receipts = bigger deficit. Fewer working hours = less income = more welfare. #deathspiral
— Nathan Wurtzel (@NathanWurtzel) November 10, 2012
Labels:
2012 Presidential Campaign,
Cutbacks,
Economy,
Jobs,
Layoffs,
Obamacare,
ObamaTAX,
Unemployment
On Tuesday only one precinct had less than 113% turnout. “The Unofficial vote count is 175,554 registered voters 247,713 vote cards cast (141.10% ). The National SEAL Museum, a St. Lucie county polling place, had 158.85% voter turn out, the highest in the county.”
◼ Massive Voter Fraud in St. Lucie County, Florida - Heather Ginsberg/Townhall
On Tuesday only one precinct had less than 113% turnout. “The Unofficial vote count is 175,554 registered voters 247,713 vote cards cast (141.10% ). The National SEAL Museum, a St. Lucie county polling place, had 158.85% voter turn out, the highest in the county.”
...This is a problem that must be addressed right away. There is no reason that there should ever be more than 100% turnout. This county alone could have cost Allen West his election. Voter fraud is real, and it is time that this be solved.
◼ Republican Congressman Allen West’s campaign is ready to “go to war” to get a recount in the Florida 18th Congressional District race. The latest twist to emerge from the ongoing vote count – in some precincts there are more ballots than voters. - James S. Robbins/The Washington Times
The vote count has been marked by controversy. Poll watchers accuse local election officials of incompetence, intimidation and possible fraud. The latest twist is that in some precincts of St. Lucie County there appear to be dozens more ballots being counted than the number of voters. The West campaign is demanding St. Lucie County Supervisor of Elections Gertrude Walker release the voter poll books that show how many voters actually showed up on Election Day to validate the count. “What we are saying is, open your books!” a source close to the West campaign told The Washington Times.
UPDATE: An hour after this report was posted the St. Lucie County Canvassing Board agreed to an entire early-voting recount starting Sunday at 7 a.m. Most of the election-day problems with the vote count were among the early votes, including possible duplicate vote counts or over-counting. This recount will involve approximately 30,000 ballots.
Stay tuned.
◼ Note: Voter fraud rumor of the day: 141% voter turnout in St. Lucie County, Fla. - Twitchy
Twitter user @NathanWurtzel points out that the figure is based on “cards cast,” which is not the same as votes cast.
It appears that “cards cast” refers to the number of ballots times the number of pages on each ballot. So if the ballot is two pages long, “cards cast” should be twice the number of ballots cast.
On Tuesday only one precinct had less than 113% turnout. “The Unofficial vote count is 175,554 registered voters 247,713 vote cards cast (141.10% ). The National SEAL Museum, a St. Lucie county polling place, had 158.85% voter turn out, the highest in the county.”
...This is a problem that must be addressed right away. There is no reason that there should ever be more than 100% turnout. This county alone could have cost Allen West his election. Voter fraud is real, and it is time that this be solved.
◼ Republican Congressman Allen West’s campaign is ready to “go to war” to get a recount in the Florida 18th Congressional District race. The latest twist to emerge from the ongoing vote count – in some precincts there are more ballots than voters. - James S. Robbins/The Washington Times
The vote count has been marked by controversy. Poll watchers accuse local election officials of incompetence, intimidation and possible fraud. The latest twist is that in some precincts of St. Lucie County there appear to be dozens more ballots being counted than the number of voters. The West campaign is demanding St. Lucie County Supervisor of Elections Gertrude Walker release the voter poll books that show how many voters actually showed up on Election Day to validate the count. “What we are saying is, open your books!” a source close to the West campaign told The Washington Times.
UPDATE: An hour after this report was posted the St. Lucie County Canvassing Board agreed to an entire early-voting recount starting Sunday at 7 a.m. Most of the election-day problems with the vote count were among the early votes, including possible duplicate vote counts or over-counting. This recount will involve approximately 30,000 ballots.
Stay tuned.
◼ Note: Voter fraud rumor of the day: 141% voter turnout in St. Lucie County, Fla. - Twitchy
Twitter user @NathanWurtzel points out that the figure is based on “cards cast,” which is not the same as votes cast.
It appears that “cards cast” refers to the number of ballots times the number of pages on each ballot. So if the ballot is two pages long, “cards cast” should be twice the number of ballots cast.
Labels:
2012 Elections,
Florida,
Voter fraud
Evidence that 2012 Election was Stolen Mounts
◼ At first it was just a blip on the radar, but then my twitter feeds, email boxes began filling up with reports of democrat voter fraud on November 6th.
◼ Former GOP official: “I was told I’d already voted, but I hadn’t” - Guy Benson/Townhall
The former Digital Director of the National Republican Congressional Committee tells Townhall he fears he's been victimized by voter fraud in the key swing state of Virginia. His early morning ordeal played out in the House district of Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA), whose 23-year-old son abruptly resigned from the campaign in late October, after being caught on film conspiring to count illegal votes. When the NRCC alumnus arrived to vote at his polling place in Alexandria this morning, his attempt to cast a ballot was rebuffed by election officials: "I got inside, they set me up, I gave the woman my ID, and I told her my address. She said, 'it seems you've voted absentee.' Then she realized she'd read the sheet wrong. 'No, it says here that you've already voted,' she told me. I hadn't even applied for an absentee ballot, nor did I vote early. As hokey as it sounds, I was excited to vote in person. I had absolutely not voted earlier that day. I arrived four minutes after they opened. Basically, I was told I'd already voted, but I hadn't."... ◼ Crossposted at HotAir
◼ In Colorado! Ten counties show 104% to 140% turnout! - RedstateMore, at the link.
◼ Crooked Politics: Obama Lost in Every State With Photo ID Law - American 3rd Position
◼ Philly Polling Stations Where GOP Inspectors Were Kicked Out Had 90% Voter Turnout, 99% Voted For Obama… - Weasel Zippers
◼ Former GOP official: “I was told I’d already voted, but I hadn’t” - Guy Benson/Townhall
The former Digital Director of the National Republican Congressional Committee tells Townhall he fears he's been victimized by voter fraud in the key swing state of Virginia. His early morning ordeal played out in the House district of Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA), whose 23-year-old son abruptly resigned from the campaign in late October, after being caught on film conspiring to count illegal votes. When the NRCC alumnus arrived to vote at his polling place in Alexandria this morning, his attempt to cast a ballot was rebuffed by election officials: "I got inside, they set me up, I gave the woman my ID, and I told her my address. She said, 'it seems you've voted absentee.' Then she realized she'd read the sheet wrong. 'No, it says here that you've already voted,' she told me. I hadn't even applied for an absentee ballot, nor did I vote early. As hokey as it sounds, I was excited to vote in person. I had absolutely not voted earlier that day. I arrived four minutes after they opened. Basically, I was told I'd already voted, but I hadn't."... ◼ Crossposted at HotAir
History: GOP Accomplishments
Republicans Established the Transcontinental Railroad
The 1860 Republican National Convention, in its platform, called for building a railroad to the Pacific.
In 1862, the Republican-controlled 37th Congress passed the Pacific Railway Act, establishing the transcontinental railroad. The bill, written by U.S. Representative Samuel Curtis (R-IA), was signed into law later that day by Republican President Abraham Lincoln.
The man honored with driving the golden spike to complete the railroad was former Republican governor of California, Leland Stanford. In 1856, Stanford had co-founded the California Republican Party. He would later serve in the U.S. Senate and found Stanford University.
1862
Republicans Passed the Land-Grant College Act
In 1862, the Republican-controlled 37th Congress passed the Land-Grant College Act. The law, written by Representative Justin Morrill (R-VT), distributed federal land to states to fund the establishment of colleges and universities throughout the country. The dozens of land-grant colleges include the Cornell University, Iowa State University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Arizona, and the University of Illinois, among many others.
1863
The Highest Point in Washington, DC
and The District of Columbia Emancipation Act
In 1863, the statue atop the U.S. Capitol was hoisted into place. Among the onlookers was the African-American who made it, Philip Reid. Mr. Reid had been a slave until freed by the Republican Party's DC Emancipation Act the year before. This law to free the 3,100 slaves in the nation's capital was written by Senator Henry Wilson (R-MA) and signed by Republican President Abraham Lincoln. Every Democrat in Congress voted against it.
Thanks to the GOP, Philip Reid, a skilled metal worker, supervised the bronze casting process as a free man. The name of the statue: Freedom.
1863
The First Hispanic Governor was a Republican
In 1863, Romualdo Pacheco was elected state treasurer of California, and then to the state legislature. In 1871, he was elected Lt. Governor. Four years later, the incumbent governor was elected to the U.S. Senate, making Pacheco the 12th Governor of California. Following his ten months in office, he won three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives and then served as ambassador to Honduras and to Guatemala during Republican President Benjamin Harrison’s administration.
1864
Republicans Freed the Slaves
The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution:
Abolition of Slavery
At the suggestion of President Abraham Lincoln. RNC Chairman Edwin Morgan opened the 1864 Republican National Convention with a brief statement:
“The party of which you, gentlemen, are the delegated and honored representatives, will fall far short of accomplishing its great mission, unless among its other resolves it shall declare for such an amendment of the Constitution as will positively prohibit African slavery in the United States.”Abolishing slavery became part of the platform. Congressional Republicans passed the 13th Amendment unanimously – against nearly unanimous Democrat opposition – and it was ratified within the year.
1866
Republicans Passed the 14th Amendment
The 14th Amendment guarantees due process and equal protection of the laws to all citizens. It enshrines in the Constitution provisions of the GOP’s 1866 Civil Rights Act. The original purpose of the 14th Amendment was to defend African-Americans from their Democrat oppressors in the post-Civil War South. (Its Citizenship Clause provides a broad definition of citizenship that overruled the Supreme Court's ruling in Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857) that had held that black people could not be citizens of the United States.)
The principal author of the 14th Amendment was U.S. Rep. John Bingham (R-OH). In Congress, all votes in favor of the 14th Amendment were from Republicans, and all votes against it were from Democrats.
In 1868, the Republican Governor of New Jersey vetoed an attempt by the Democrat-controlled legislature to rescind the state's ratification of the 14th Amendment.
1866
Republicans Established the Buffalo Soldiers
In 1866, the Republican-controlled 39th Congress established the Buffalo Soldiers. A law introduced by Rep. Isaac Hawkins (R-TN) provided for six regiments of African-American troops. These soldiers, whom American Indians compared to the buffalos they revered, were posted to the frontier.
Buffalo Soldiers also fought honorably in the Spanish-American War and in the Philippines. The last of the Buffalo Soldiers died in 2005 at the age of one hundred eleven.
1867
Republicans Established Howard University
In 1867, with the purpose of establishing an institution of higher learning for emancipated slaves and other African-Americans, Senator Samuel Pomeroy (R-KS) and Representative Burton Cook (R-IL) wrote the charter for Howard University, in Washington, D.C. Senator Henry Wilson (R-MA) introduced a bill to grant the charter, and the Republican-controlled 39th Congress soon passed it.
The trustees named their university for General Oliver Howard, who had championed it in Congress and served as its first president. He had served as commissioner of the Freedmen's Bureau, the federal agency tasked with assisting emancipated slaves in the post-war South. General Howard would be president of Howard University from 1869 to 1874.
1868
Memorial Day
John Logan (R-IL) was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1866 and then in 1871 to the first of three terms in the U.S. Senate. He was the GOP’s vice presidential nominee in 1884.
In 1868, as head of a Civil War veterans organization, Logan proclaimed that Americans should honor fallen servicemen by decorating their graves with flowers. That year, five thousand people attended the first ceremony in Arlington National Cemetery. The principal speaker was future president James Garfield (R-OH). Memorial Day soon became an annual event, and President Richard Nixon signed it into law as a national holiday in 1971.
1869
Republicans Passed the 15th Amendment
In 1869, the Republican-controlled 40th Congress passed the 15th Amendment, extending to African-Americans the right to vote. Nearly all Republicans in Congress voted in favor, though a few abstained, saying it did not go far enough. Nearly all Democrats in Congress voted against the 15th Amendment.
The 15th Amendment was ratified the following year, but using intimidation, poll taxes, registration fraud, and literacy tests Democrats prevented most African-Americans from voting for nearly a century.
1869
Republican Opposition to Plessy v. Ferguson
Dissenting from the infamous Plessy v. Ferguson decision in 1896 – which declared “separate but equal” to be constitutional – Justice John Marshall Harlan wrote:
“Our Constitution is color-blind, and neither knows nor tolerates classes among citizens.”
A former Attorney General of Kentucky, Harlan was a two-time Republican nominee for governor before Republican President Rutherford Hayes appointed him to the U.S. Supreme Court.
1870
The First African-American Senator was a Republican
Born a free man in North Carolina, Hiram Revels moved to Baltimore, where he became a minister in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. He served as a military chaplain during the Civil War. The end of the war found him in Mississippi, where he settled.
Hiram Revels began his political career, as a Republican, on the Natchez City Council. He then won a seat in the state senate. When the state was re-admitted to the Union in 1870, the legislature elected Revels to the U.S. Senate.
1871
Republicans Outlawed the Ku Klux Klan
In 1871, the Republican-controlled 42nd Congress passed a Civil Rights Act aimed at the Ku Klux Klan. Guilty of murdering hundreds of African-Americans, this terrorist organization had also eradicated the Republican Party throughout most of the South.
The law empowered the Republican administration of Ulysses Grant to protect the civil rights of the former slaves in federal court, bypassing the Democrat-controlled state courts.
The 1871 Civil Rights Act, along with the GOP’s 1870 Civil Rights Act, effectively banned the Klan and enabled Republican officials to arrest hundreds of Klansmen. Though the U.S. Supreme Court would eventually strike down most of the 1871 Civil Rights Act, the Ku Klux Klan was crushed. The KKK did not rise again until the Democratic administration of President Woodrow Wilson.
1872
Yellowstone National Park
On March 1, 1872, Republican President Ulysses Grant signed into law a bill establishing Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone was the first national park in the world. The bill had been written by U.S. Senator Samuel Pomeroy (R-KS) and was passed by the Republican-controlled 42nd Congress. Republican congressmen also passed the bills establishing Yosemite National Park and Rock Creek National Park.
1875
Republicans Passed the 1875 Civil Rights Act
On his deathbed in 1874, Senator Charles Sumner (R-MA) told a Republican colleague: “You must take care of the civil rights bill – my bill, the civil rights bill. Don’t let it fail.” In March 1875, the Republican-controlled 43rd Congress passed the most comprehensive civil rights legislation ever. President Ulysses Grant signed the bill into law that same day.
Among its provisions, the 1875 Civil Rights Act banned racial discrimination in public accommodations. Sound familiar? Though struck down by the Supreme Court eight years later, the 1875 Civil Rights Act would be reborn as the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
1878
A Republican Wrote the 19th Amendment
In 1878, U.S. Senator Aaron Sargent (R-CA) introduced in Congress the proposed 19th Amendment, according women the right to vote. Over the next four decades, it was primarily the Democrats who would oppose the measure. Not until 1919, after the Republican Party won majorities in the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives, did Congress approve what would become the 19th Amendment
1884
A Former Slave Chaired the 1884 Republican National Convention
An African-American former congressman, John Lynch, chaired the 1884 Republican National Convention. A speech seconding his nomination for the post marked the entrance onto the national stage of a 25-year old delegate named Theodore Roosevelt.
Lynch was born into slavery in 1847. After emancipation, he joined the Republican Party. At the age of 22, Lynch was elected to the Mississippi legislature. Within three years, Lynch became speaker of the state House of Representatives. In 1872, at the age of 25, Lynch was elected to the first of three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, making him one of the youngest persons ever to serve in Congress.
John Lynch was a delegate to five Republican National Conventions. He chaired the Mississippi Republican Party from 1881 to 1889 and was the Republican National Committeeman for Mississippi from 1884 to 1889. He later served in the Benjamin Harrison and William McKinley administrations.
1887
First Women Mayors in the United States
In 1887, Susanna Salter (R-KS), daughter-in-law of a former Lt. Governor, was elected mayor of Argonia, a Kansas town of some 500 people. Support from the local Republican Party was key to her victory. The first woman to serve as mayor, Salter became a national celebrity. On March 2, 1960, President Dwight Eisenhower honored her with a proclamation celebrating her 100th birthday.
Bertha Landes, a Republican, was the first woman to serve as mayor of a large American city. Elected in 1926, Landes campaigned that Seattle needed some "municipal housekeeping." Among her accomplishments were curbing corruption and reducing crime.
1906
A Republican President Appointed the First Jewish Cabinet Secretary
In 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt (R-NY) nominated Oscar Straus for Secretary of Commerce and Labor. The German-born Straus would be the first Jewish person to serve as a Cabinet Secretary. While in office, he strongly denounced Democrats' attempts to incite class hatred.
Straus also served as ambassador to Turkey during the administrations of Republican Presidents William McKinley and William Howard Taft.
1924
Republicans Passed the Indian Citizenship Act
In 1924, Republican President Calvin Coolidge signed the Indian Citizenship Act, granting citizenship to all Native Americans. The law had been written by Rep. Homer Snyder (R-NY), who had been a delegate to the 1916 and 1920 Republican National Conventions. It was passed by the Republican-controlled 68th Congress.
Then Senate Majority Whip Charles Curtis (R-KS), whose mother was a Native American, would be elected Vice President in 1928.
1924
The First Hispanic U.S. Senator was a Republican
Octaviano Larrazolo had three times run unsuccessfully, as a Democrat, for congressional delegate before joining the Republicans in 1911. Seven years later, he was elected Governor of New Mexico.
In 1928, while he was serving in the legislature, a vacancy occurred in the U.S. Senate. Larrazolo won the special election to fill the seat. He served for the last three months of the term, but did not run for re-election due to ill health.
1938
The First Asian-American U.S. Senator was a Republican
Born in Honolulu to Chinese immigrants, Hiram Fong entered politics as an influential advocate for statehood. Running as a Republican, he won a seat in the territorial legislature in 1938, rising to House Speaker a decade later. When Hawaii became a state in 1959, Fong was elected one of the state’s first two U.S. Senators. He served three terms in the U.S. Senate, where he strongly supported civil rights legislation. Hiram Fong received votes for the presidential nomination at the 1964 and 1968 Republican National Conventions.
1940
The Republican Party First Called for Ending Racial Segregation in the Military
In 1940, the Republican National Convention approved a plank in its platform calling for racial integration of the armed forces: “Discrimination in the civil service, the army, navy, and all other branches of the Government must cease.”
For the next eight years, Democratic presidents Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Harry Truman refused to integrate. Not until 1948 did President Truman finally comply with the Republicans' demands for racial justice in the U.S. military.
1952
A Republican Integrated the University of Mississippi
Elbert Tuttle became a leader of the Georgia Republican Party in the 1940s. In 1952, Tuttle was instrumental in securing the Republican presidential nomination for Dwight Eisenhower.
After first appointing him general counsel of the U.S. Treasury Department, President Eisenhower appointed Tuttle to U.S. Court of Appeals in 1954. Recognizing that Brown v. Board of Educationwas a “broad mandate for racial justice,” Tuttle ruled in favor of civil rights activists in a number of important cases. It was Judge Tuttle who, in 1962, ordered the University of Mississippi to admit its first African-American student, James Meredith.
1954
A Republican Wrote the Brown v. Board of Education decision
In 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation in public schools is unconstitutional. The author of Brown v. Board of Education was a Republican, Chief Justice Earl Warren.
Warren entered Republican politics in 1938 with his election as Attorney General of California. Four years later, he was elected Governor. Earl Warren delivered the keynote address at the 1944 Republican National Convention and was the GOP’s 1948 vice presidential nominee. President Eisenhower appointed him Chief Justice in September 1953. Instrumental in the appointment was Warren's friend, Attorney General Herbert Brownell, a former chairman of the RNC.
1954
Republicans Established the Federal Highway System
In his 1954 State of the Union address, Republican President Dwight Eisenhower proposed “to protect the vital interest of every citizen in a safe and adequate highway system.” He soon followed this with an appeal to the nation’s governors. The administration then submitted a plan to Congress. President Eisenhower renewed his call for a federal highway system in his 1956 State of the Union address. President Eisenhower signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act later that year. The law provided $25 billion to establish 41,000 miles of highways.
Dwight Eisenhower had learned the value of good transportation while participating in the U.S. Army’s transcontinental maneuvers in 1919.
1957
Republicans Passed the 1957 Civil Rights Act
During the five terms of the FDR and Truman presidencies, the Democrats did not propose any civil rights legislation. President Eisenhower, in contrast, asked his Attorney General to write the first federal civil rights legislation since the Republican Party’s 1875 Civil Rights Act.
Many Democrats in the Senate filibustered the bill, but strong Republican support ensured passage. The new law established a Civil Rights Division within the Justice Department and authorized the Attorney General to request injunctions against any attempt to deny someone’s right to vote. The GOP improved upon this landmark legislation with the 1960 Civil Rights Act.
1957
Republicans Ended Racial Segregation in Little Rock
Just a few days after passage of the GOP’s 1957 Civil Rights Act, the Democrat governor of Arkansas ordered the National Guard to prevent the court-ordered racial integration of a public high school in Little Rock. Republican President Dwight Eisenhower refused to tolerate defiance of the federal judiciary. Under a plan suggested by his attorney general, the President placed the governor’s soldiers under federal control and ordered federal troops to the state, where they escorted African-American children to school.
Republicans were unfazed by the many Democrats, including John Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson, who criticized President Eisenhower for the action he took to uphold civil rights.
1972
Nixon Goes to China
Republican President Richard Nixon had the foresight to end more than two decades of hostility with the most populous nation on earth, dating back to the Korean War. He astonished the world by travelling to Beijing in February 1972 for meetings with the leadership of communist China.
The normalization of bilateral relations proved beneficial for both the United States and the People's Republic of China. President Nixon's diplomacy helped distance China from the United States' principal adversary at the time, the Soviet Union. For China, meeting with an America president was the first step toward opening its economy to the free market.
1981
Reagan Tax Cuts
In his first message to Congress, Republican President Ronald Reagan called for a sharp reduction in federal income tax rates. Within months, he convinced enough congressional Democrats to join with the Republicans to pass the 1981 Economic Recovery Act. Overall, marginal rates were lowered by a quarter, with the top rate down from 70 percent to 50 percent.
President Reagan knew that nations prosper when the government allows people to keep more of their own money. His wise approach to fiscal policy caused an economic boom, ending the stagnation and “malaise” of the Carter era.
1987
Tear Down This Wall
On June 12, 1987, President Ronald Reagan demanded that the Soviet Union end its oppression of East Europe:
“Freedom leads to prosperity. Freedom replaces the ancient hatreds among the nations with comity and peace. Freedom is the victor...At the time, many Democrats and their media allies ridiculed President Reagan for suggesting that communist domination of the area would not be eternal. In fact, the Berlin Wall came down just two years later.
General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”
1994
Contract with America
Six weeks before the 1994 midterm elections, 367 Republican congressional candidates pledged to hold votes in the U.S. House of Representatives for a series of reforms. Called the Contract with America, this initiative was in effect a national campaign platform for congressional races around the nation. It propelled the GOP to win control of the House for the first time since the 1950s.
Among these measures were tax cuts, welfare reform and a requirement that laws which apply to the American public also apply to Congress. House Republicans delivered on their promise to bring each element of the contract up for a vote within the first 100 days of the 104th Congress.
1996
Welfare Reform
In August 1996, the Republican-controlled 104th Congress passed the GOP's Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act. President Bill Clinton, reluctantly, signed it after vetoing it twice.
This reform measure allowed state governments to craft their own welfare programs provided they followed certain guidelines. Welfare would no longer be an entitlement, and those recipients able to work would be required to seek employment. No longer would states have financial incentives to add as many people to the welfare rolls as possible.
The law has made significant progress in rolling back Democrat policies that for generations had trapped poor people in a cycle of dependency on government bureaucrats.
2001
Operation Enduring Freedom
A week after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, Congress authorized the Commander-in-Chief to use military force against those who "planned, authorized, committed, or aided" the attacks. The Taliban regime made Afghanistan a base of operations for al Qaeda and Republican President George W. Bush ordered attacks against terrorist havens in that country. Airstrikes began on October 7, 2001, followed later by ground troops.
The U.S. military, together with forces from Britain and other allies, destroyed terrorist camps and ousted the Taliban, liberating 27 million people from Taliban oppression, including giving girls the opportunity to attend school and giving women the right to vote. It is critically important that the current administration maintain America’s bipartisan commitment to the Afghan people.
2001
Republican Tax Cuts
In 2001, the Republican-controlled 107th Congress passed and Republican President George W. Bush signed the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act. It lowered individual income tax rates across the board. The law also reduced taxes on capital gains and retirement saving while increasing the personal federal income tax exemption for the Alternate Minimum Tax. The GOP strengthened this tax reform legislation with the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003.
Cutting taxes proved spectacularly successful, boosting employment and economic growth for years. Sadly, the Democrats who took control of Congress in 2007 vowed to allow these Republican tax cuts to expire in 2011. This will have the effect of a huge tax increase on the American people.
2003
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Since seizing power in 1979, Saddam Hussein commanded a nightmarish regime that murdered hundreds of thousands of Iraqis. His army attacked Kuwait in 1990, but military action by the United States and allies forced him to retreat.
After Hussein violated and ignored many United Nations resolutions regarding Iraq's failure to comply with disarmament and cease-fire terms from the first Gulf War, Congress authorized Republican President George W. Bush to use force to hold Hussein accountable. Five months later, in March 2003 President Bush ordered 250,000 U.S. troops into Iraq. Five nations contributed additional troops to the campaign, followed by troops from more than two dozen allies for stabilization efforts. Operation Iraqi Freedom ousted the dictator from power and liberated more than 23 million people.
2004
Vouchers for DC Schoolchildren
In 2004, the Republican-controlled 108th Congress and Republican President George W. Bush signed an omnibus spending bill including a voucher program for schoolchildren in the District of Columbia. Instead of being shackled to the failed public school system, several thousand children could, using the first federal government vouchers, escape to private school.
This program was established to last five years. Though popular with parents and students, parental choice was strongly opposed by the education establishment. Democrats in control of the 111th Congress, along with President Barack Obama, refused to renew the program in 2009. h/t: GOP.com
The People’s Party
It all started with people who opposed slavery. They were common, everyday people who bristled at the notion that men had any right to oppress their fellow man. In the early 1850’s, these anti-slavery activists found commonality with rugged individuals looking to settle in western lands, free of government charges. “Free soil, free labor, free speech, free men,” went the slogan. And it was thus in joint opposition to human enslavement and government tyranny that an enterprising people gave birth to the Republican Party.
In 1856, the Republicans became a national party by nominating John C. Fremont for President. Four years later, with the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860, the Republicans firmly established themselves as a major political party. The name “Republican” was chosen because it alluded to equality and reminded individuals of Thomas Jefferson’s Democratic-Republican Party.
All of Us Equal
In 1861, the Civil War erupted, lasting four grueling years. During the war, against the advice of his cabinet, President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation that freed the slaves. The Republicans of the day worked to pass the Thirteenth Amendment, which outlawed slavery; the Fourteenth Amendment, which guaranteed equal protection under the laws; and the Fifteenth, which helped secure voting rights for African-Americans. All of these accomplishments extended and cemented the fundamental freedoms our nation continues to enjoy today.
The Republican Party also played a leading role in securing women the right to vote. In 1896, the Republican Party was the first major political party to support women’s suffrage. When the 19th Amendment finally was added to the Constitution, 26 of 36 state legislatures that had voted to ratify it were under Republican control. The first woman elected to Congress was a Republican, Jeanette Rankin from Montana in 1917. So it was by hardworking Republican hands that color and gender barriers were first demolished in America.
Free from Oppression
Republicans believe individuals, not government, can make the best decisions; all people are entitled to equal rights; and decisions are best made close to home. These basic principles are as true today as they were when the Party was founded. For all of the extraordinary leaders the Party has produced throughout its rich history, Republicans understand that everyday people in all 50 states and territories remain the heart and soul of our Party.
Presidents during most of the late nineteenth century and the early part of the twentieth century were Republicans. The White House was in Republican hands under Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush. Under Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, the United States won the Cold War, releasing millions from Communist oppression, in true anti-big government Republican spirit.
Elephants, Not Donkeys
The symbol of the Republican Party is the elephant. During the mid term elections in 1874, Democrats tried to scare voters into thinking President Ulysses S. Grant would seek to run for an unprecedented third term. Thomas Nast, a cartoonist for Harper’s Weekly, depicted a Democratic donkey trying to scare a Republican elephant – and both symbols stuck. For a long time, Republicans have been known as the “G.O.P.” with party faithful believing it meant the “Grand Old Party.” But apparently the original meaning (in 1875) was “gallant old party.” When automobiles were invented it also came to mean, “get out and push.” That’s still a pretty good slogan for Republicans who depend every campaign year on the hard work of hundreds of thousands of everyday volunteers to get out and vote and push people to support the causes of the Republican Party.
Freedom Fighters
Abolition. Free speech. Women’s suffrage. These were all causes the Republican Party adopted early on. So, too, were reducing the size of government, streamlining bureaucracy, and returning power to individual states. With a core belief in the primacy of individuals, the Republican Party, since its inception, has been at the forefront of the fight for individuals’ rights in opposition to a large, intrusive government.
h/t: GOP.com
Did you know? Martin Luther King, Jr. was a Republican?
Did you know...
◼ The Republican Party - the party of Abraham Lincoln - was borne in 1854 out of opposition to slavery.
◼ The party of Jim Crow and the Ku Klux Klan was, as Jeffrey Lord points out in an article at the WSJ, the Democratic Party.
◼ The 13th (abolishing slavery), 14th (due process for all citizens) and 15th (voting rights cannot be restricted on the basis of race) Amendments to the Constitution were enacted by Republicans over Democratic opposition.
◼ The NAACP was founded in 1909 by three white Republicans* who opposed the racist practices of the Democratic Party and the lynching of blacks by Democrats.
◼ In fairness, it was the Democrat Harry Truman who, by Executive Order 9981 issued in 1948, desegregated the military. That was a truly major development. Yet - the military has been the single greatest driving force of integration in this land for over half a century.
◼ It was Chief Justice Earl Warren, a former Republican Governor of California appointed to the Supreme Court by President Eisenhower, also a Republican, who managed to convince the other eight justices to agree to a unanimous decision in the seminal case of Brown v. Board of Education. That case was brought by the NAACP. The Court held segregation in schools unconstitutional. The fact that it was a unanimous decision that overturned precedent made it clear that no aspect of segregation would henceforth be considered constitutional.
◼ Republican President Ike Eisenhower played additional important roles in furthering equality in America. He "proposed to Congress the Civil Rights Acts of 1957 and 1960 and signed those acts into law. . . . They constituted the first significant civil rights acts since the 1870s." Moreover, when the Democratic Governor of Arkansas refused to integrate schools in what became known as the "Little Rock Nine" incident, "Eisenhower placed the Arkansas National Guard under Federal control and sent Army troops to escort nine black students into an all-white public school."
◼ The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was championed by JFK - but it was passed with massive Republican support over 80%) in Congress and over fierce opposition from Democrats who made repeated attempts at filibuster. Indeed, 80% of the vote opposing the Civil Rights Act came from Democrats.( Women were added to the Act as a protected class by a Democrat who thought it would be a poison pill, killing the legislation. To the contrary, the Congress passed the Act without any attempt to remove the provision....
◼ Martin Luther King Jr. was the most well known and pivotal Civil Rights activist ever produced in America. His most famous speech, "I Had A Dream," was an eloquent and stirring call for equality. You can find it here. Rev. King was, by the way, a Republican.
◼ h/t, and credit to: Wolfhowling, who compiled this wonderful collection of links: Standing At The Crossroads - Identity Politics, Multiculturalism & The Melting Pot (Updated & Bumped)
◼ article in WSJ
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)