Saturday, April 13, 2013
PJTV: MSNBC Fascists Want Your Kid
Who is responsible for your children? First it took a family. Then it took a village. Now it takes a left-wing network. According to MSNBC contributor Melissa Harris-Perry, children belong to the government. Why do liberals hate the notion of responsible parenting? Does MSNBC want to remove children from families?
Labels:
Education,
fascism,
MSNBC,
Radical Left Wing
MEDIA ACKNOWLEDGE BLOWING GOSNELL STORY, PLEDGE EXTENSIVE COVERAGE
◼ Something truly remarkable happened yesterday. After days and weeks of pushing by New Media and social media, the mainstream media have not only admitted that they should have covered the ongoing capital murder trial of abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell; they have promised to immediately remedy that mistake: - John Nolte/Breitbart ◼ via ReFounders
"The Daily Beast's Megan McArdle: ◼ "Why I didn't write about Gosnell's trial -- and why I should have."
Bloomberg columnist ◼ Jeffrey Goldberg writes: "It’s too late now, though, to suppress coverage. [Kirsten] Powers and others have shamed the media into paying attention, and the press is now on the case. It’s remarkable that it took this long."
◼ The Washington Post: "We believe the story is deserving of coverage by our own staff, and we intend to send a reporter for the resumption of the trial next week. In retrospect, we should have sent a reporter sooner."
Politico's ◼ Dylan Byers: "Gosnell should be front-page, top-of-the-hour news by primetime tonight. And if it's not, we'll write about it again."
NBC's ◼ Joe Scarborough: "A horrifying story out of Philadelphia that the media must cover. We will cover this on Monday."
Last night on CNN, Jake Tapper (one of the few who had already covered Gosnell), Erin Burnett and Anderson Cooper devoted extensive time to the story. And as you can see above, the media is promising to do more next week than just navel gaze."
◼ Why Dr. Kermit Gosnell's Trial Should Be a Front-Page Story - CONOR FRIEDERSDORF/The Atlantic
"The Daily Beast's Megan McArdle: ◼ "Why I didn't write about Gosnell's trial -- and why I should have."
Bloomberg columnist ◼ Jeffrey Goldberg writes: "It’s too late now, though, to suppress coverage. [Kirsten] Powers and others have shamed the media into paying attention, and the press is now on the case. It’s remarkable that it took this long."
◼ The Washington Post: "We believe the story is deserving of coverage by our own staff, and we intend to send a reporter for the resumption of the trial next week. In retrospect, we should have sent a reporter sooner."
Politico's ◼ Dylan Byers: "Gosnell should be front-page, top-of-the-hour news by primetime tonight. And if it's not, we'll write about it again."
NBC's ◼ Joe Scarborough: "A horrifying story out of Philadelphia that the media must cover. We will cover this on Monday."
Last night on CNN, Jake Tapper (one of the few who had already covered Gosnell), Erin Burnett and Anderson Cooper devoted extensive time to the story. And as you can see above, the media is promising to do more next week than just navel gaze."
◼ Why Dr. Kermit Gosnell's Trial Should Be a Front-Page Story - CONOR FRIEDERSDORF/The Atlantic
Labels:
Abortion,
Kermit Gosnell,
Media bias,
murders,
NEW Media
Weekly Republican Address: Rep. Jackie Walorski
In this week's address, Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-IN) discusses the disappointing facts in President Obama's budget: a tax increase on middle-class families, hundreds of billions of dollars added to the national debt, and never achieving balance. Americans don't need another tax increase, especially with April 15th around the corner. House Republicans have a solution to reign in wasteful spending and simplify our tax code with a balanced budget: http://GOP.gov/budget
Another change story
(Link to Video that accompanied this expired.)
◼ I wonder—would this be a good video to send to liberal friends who seem amenable to persuasion? - neoneocon
Read the excellent comment thread.
◼ Neo's story: Previously a lifelong Democrat, born in New York and living in New England, surrounded by liberals on all sides, I've found myself slowly but surely leaving the fold and becoming that dread thing: a neocon. - neoneocon
◼ Condescension and leaving the political fold - neoneocon
◼ Archive for the 'A mind is a difficult thing to change: my change story' Category
◼ A mind is a difficult thing to change: Part One–Intro
◼ A mind is a difficult thing to change: Part 2–Therapeutic change
◼ A mind is a difficult thing to change: Part 3–Beginnings
How does a political identity begin?
Political identities, like religious identities, start when we’re very young, and they start with the family. Later on, in our teens and early twenties, we may rebel, or we may continue along the path laid down in childhood. But as little children we can’t possibly understand politics rationally. For children, politics is mostly a matter of affilliation, plus some vague information swirling around in the public domain and filtering down to the child in childish terms: What does my family think and believe? Who are the good guys and who are the bad guys?
◼ A mind is a difficult thing to change: interlude
◼ A mind is a difficult thing to change: Part 4A (Vietnam–the home front)
◼ A mind is a difficult thing to change: Part 4B (Vietnam–photographic interlude)
◼ A mind is a difficult thing to change: Vietnam interlude–after the fall
◼ A mind is a difficult thing to change: Part 4C (Vietnam–change and betrayal)
◼ A mind is a difficult thing to change: Part 5 (The quiet years: tanks vs. pears)
◼ A mind is a difficult thing to change: Part 6A (9/11: the watershed)
◼ A mind is a difficult thing to change–Part 6 B (After 9/11: war is interested in you)
The motivation was provided by 9/11 itself, as I wrote towards the end of my last “change” post:
It now seemed to be no less than a matter of life and death to learn, as best I could, what was going on. I knew it wasn’t up to me to solve this; I had no power and no influence in the world. But still something drove me, with a force that was almost relentless, to pursue knowledge and understanding about this event. The pursuit of this knowledge no longer seemed discretionary or abstract, it seemed both necessary and deeply, newly personal.
The access was provided by the internet. The worldwide media was newly at my fingertips. Without it, I would never have encountered the varied sources that led me down the path of change, but would instead have stuck with the old tried and true–the Times, the Globe, the New Yorker, Nightline, and NPR–and I am certain I would not be sitting here today, writing this blog.
Prior to this, I’d been neither a news junkie nor a history buff. My consumption of such things seems to have been about average: the usual cursory high school history courses plus one or two in college; the quick reading of a daily newspaper and a weekly periodical; and the viewing of the nightly news on TV, background noise while I concentrated on cooking dinner or tending to the family.
◼ A mind is a difficult thing to change: (Part 7A: Jenin, Jenin)
◼ A mind is a difficult thing to change: (Part 7B: the Vietnam photos revisited)
And Breitbart's watershed event:
◼ I wonder—would this be a good video to send to liberal friends who seem amenable to persuasion? - neoneocon
Read the excellent comment thread.
◼ Neo's story: Previously a lifelong Democrat, born in New York and living in New England, surrounded by liberals on all sides, I've found myself slowly but surely leaving the fold and becoming that dread thing: a neocon. - neoneocon
◼ Condescension and leaving the political fold - neoneocon
◼ Archive for the 'A mind is a difficult thing to change: my change story' Category
◼ A mind is a difficult thing to change: Part One–Intro
◼ A mind is a difficult thing to change: Part 2–Therapeutic change
◼ A mind is a difficult thing to change: Part 3–Beginnings
How does a political identity begin?
Political identities, like religious identities, start when we’re very young, and they start with the family. Later on, in our teens and early twenties, we may rebel, or we may continue along the path laid down in childhood. But as little children we can’t possibly understand politics rationally. For children, politics is mostly a matter of affilliation, plus some vague information swirling around in the public domain and filtering down to the child in childish terms: What does my family think and believe? Who are the good guys and who are the bad guys?
◼ A mind is a difficult thing to change: interlude
◼ A mind is a difficult thing to change: Part 4A (Vietnam–the home front)
◼ A mind is a difficult thing to change: Part 4B (Vietnam–photographic interlude)
◼ A mind is a difficult thing to change: Vietnam interlude–after the fall
◼ A mind is a difficult thing to change: Part 4C (Vietnam–change and betrayal)
◼ A mind is a difficult thing to change: Part 5 (The quiet years: tanks vs. pears)
◼ A mind is a difficult thing to change: Part 6A (9/11: the watershed)
◼ A mind is a difficult thing to change–Part 6 B (After 9/11: war is interested in you)
The motivation was provided by 9/11 itself, as I wrote towards the end of my last “change” post:
It now seemed to be no less than a matter of life and death to learn, as best I could, what was going on. I knew it wasn’t up to me to solve this; I had no power and no influence in the world. But still something drove me, with a force that was almost relentless, to pursue knowledge and understanding about this event. The pursuit of this knowledge no longer seemed discretionary or abstract, it seemed both necessary and deeply, newly personal.
The access was provided by the internet. The worldwide media was newly at my fingertips. Without it, I would never have encountered the varied sources that led me down the path of change, but would instead have stuck with the old tried and true–the Times, the Globe, the New Yorker, Nightline, and NPR–and I am certain I would not be sitting here today, writing this blog.
Prior to this, I’d been neither a news junkie nor a history buff. My consumption of such things seems to have been about average: the usual cursory high school history courses plus one or two in college; the quick reading of a daily newspaper and a weekly periodical; and the viewing of the nightly news on TV, background noise while I concentrated on cooking dinner or tending to the family.
◼ A mind is a difficult thing to change: (Part 7A: Jenin, Jenin)
◼ A mind is a difficult thing to change: (Part 7B: the Vietnam photos revisited)
And Breitbart's watershed event:
The Left's Treatment of Clarence Thomas Changed Breitbart from Papa Giorgio on Vimeo.
Don’t be fooled. Gun confiscation has already begun in NY
◼ Following the passage of “The SAFE Act” in New York State, Big Brother got busy pretty quickly grabbing up the guns. Of course nobody was reporting on it very much until they managed to collect them from the wrong guy and a judge made them give them back. - HotAir
For all of our more liberal leaning readers who continue to ask “what’s so bad” about universal background checks before we’ve even seen the specifics, this is your answer. In New York, you can be placed on a “list”of people with no Second Amendment rights on the say so of any doctor who has questions. And it already happened to David Lewis. Thankfully, he’s getting his guns back… for now. But what is the larger effect of this if we put it on a national scale?
For all of our more liberal leaning readers who continue to ask “what’s so bad” about universal background checks before we’ve even seen the specifics, this is your answer. In New York, you can be placed on a “list”of people with no Second Amendment rights on the say so of any doctor who has questions. And it already happened to David Lewis. Thankfully, he’s getting his guns back… for now. But what is the larger effect of this if we put it on a national scale?
Labels:
Confiscation,
Gun Control,
HIPPA,
Invasion of Privacy,
New York
Obama, in the pitiless logic of legalized abortion, labored to preserve this oft-practiced but never discussed form of infanticide against the Illinois legislature’s proposed “Born Alive” ban.
◼ A decade later in Philadelphia, “it would rain fetuses. Fetuses and blood all over the place.” - Andrew C. McCarthy/National Review
So said Stephen Massof, one of Kermit Gosnell’s fellow butchers, as he described for the jury the chamber of horrors that was the “Women’s Medical Society” on Lancaster Avenue. There, scores of babies — perhaps hundreds of them — were willfully mutilated after being born alive.
From Dehumanizing Word Games to Gosnell
Abortion is not to be spoken of, only done.
...In Philadelphia, at a human abattoir on Lancaster Avenue, is where it ends, not where it starts. It starts with the perversion of language. It starts when the icons of a dissipated culture reduce a baby to a “fetus.” From there, Yeats’s blood-dimmed tide rolls rapidly in. Before long, a baby is not a person but a punishment, as President Barack Obama framed the matter in his familiar off-the-cuff iciness.
Of course, to describe newborn children in their boundless possibilities and wonder would be to acknowledge, foremost, their humanity. That is why, instead, abortion enthusiasts must grope for words when circumstances force them to speak publicly about their gruesome business.
“That fetus, or child — however way you want to describe it,” Mr. Obama once stammered. This was back when, as a state senator, he was unnerved by the natural resistance of babies to the unnatural insistence of their mothers — of the culture — that they just disappear. If you’ve ever watched a hit man testify, you’ve heard the same stammer: the faint glimmer of a long-forgotten but stubbornly indelible line between right and wrong.
It is the line that makes killing much easier to do than to talk about. It is the line that now impels a self-imposed media embargo against news about the shocking trial of Kermit Gosnell.
◼ Abortionist Slit Necks of Born Babies in Front of Teenager; Told Assistant: 'That's What You Call a Chicken With Its Head Cut Off' - CNS
[Editor's note: This story includes a graphic photograph, taken from a grand jury report, that shows a murdered baby with its spinal chord severed.]
So said Stephen Massof, one of Kermit Gosnell’s fellow butchers, as he described for the jury the chamber of horrors that was the “Women’s Medical Society” on Lancaster Avenue. There, scores of babies — perhaps hundreds of them — were willfully mutilated after being born alive.
Abortion is not to be spoken of, only done.
...In Philadelphia, at a human abattoir on Lancaster Avenue, is where it ends, not where it starts. It starts with the perversion of language. It starts when the icons of a dissipated culture reduce a baby to a “fetus.” From there, Yeats’s blood-dimmed tide rolls rapidly in. Before long, a baby is not a person but a punishment, as President Barack Obama framed the matter in his familiar off-the-cuff iciness.
Of course, to describe newborn children in their boundless possibilities and wonder would be to acknowledge, foremost, their humanity. That is why, instead, abortion enthusiasts must grope for words when circumstances force them to speak publicly about their gruesome business.
“That fetus, or child — however way you want to describe it,” Mr. Obama once stammered. This was back when, as a state senator, he was unnerved by the natural resistance of babies to the unnatural insistence of their mothers — of the culture — that they just disappear. If you’ve ever watched a hit man testify, you’ve heard the same stammer: the faint glimmer of a long-forgotten but stubbornly indelible line between right and wrong.
It is the line that makes killing much easier to do than to talk about. It is the line that now impels a self-imposed media embargo against news about the shocking trial of Kermit Gosnell.
◼ Abortionist Slit Necks of Born Babies in Front of Teenager; Told Assistant: 'That's What You Call a Chicken With Its Head Cut Off' - CNS
[Editor's note: This story includes a graphic photograph, taken from a grand jury report, that shows a murdered baby with its spinal chord severed.]
Friday, April 12, 2013
Philadelphia abortion clinic horror
We've forgotten what belongs on Page One.
THE SCATHING SPEECH THAT TAKES THE MEDIA TO TASK FOR BLACKOUT OF GRUESOME ABORTION TRIAL: IF THE ‘DOCTOR’ USED AN AR-15, YOU BET THEY’D CARE
◼ Ten Congressmen took to the floor of the U.S. House on Thursday to shed some light on the grisly details surrounding the trial of Kermit Gosnell, an abortionist who stands accused of murdering seven newborn infants (allegedly cutting their spines with scissors) and one grown woman. - Becket Adams/The Blaze
Among the 10 U.S. lawmakers was Rep. Chris Smith, a New Jersey Republican who says the media has intentionally ignored Gosnell’s “House of Horrors.”
“If Dr. Gosnell had walked into a nursery and shot seven infants with an AR-15, it would be national news and the subject of presidential hand-wringing,” said Rep. Smith.
Indeed, considering the fact that anti-gun advocates in the media, including CNN’s Piers Morgan, are usually Johnny on the Spot when it comes to gun-related crime involving children, the lack of Gosnell coverage is truly puzzling.
“Will the decades-long major national news media cover-up of the brutality—and violence—of abortion methods ever end?” Rep. Smith continued. “Will Americans ever be told the horrifying details as to how — and how often — abortionists dismember, decapitate, and chemically poison innocent babies?”
... ◼ In today’s edition of USA Today, columnist Kirsten Powers writes:
“Infant beheadings. Severed baby feet in jars. A child screaming after it was delivered alive during an abortion procedure. Haven’t heard about these sickening accusations?
It’s not your fault. Since the murder trial of Pennsylvania abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell began March 18, there has been precious little coverage of the case that should be on every news show and front page.”
She goes on to point out: “A Lexis-Nexis search shows none of the news shows on the three major national television networks has mentioned the Gosnell trial in the last three months. The exception is when Wall Street Journal columnist Peggy Noonan hijacked a segment on Meet the Press”
In a letter sent by Media Research Center President Brent Bozell and twenty prominent leaders call on the broadcast networks to stop censoring coverage of the trial, pointing out that as of April 4th, since the trial began ABC, CBS and NBC have given the story zero coverage in their morning and evening news shows.
◼ ABORTION DOC 'GOSNELL' IS MOST SEARCHED TERM ON POLITICO, YIELDS ZERO MATCHES - John Nolte/Breitbart
◼ Shaming the MSM on abortion house of horrors blackout - American Thinker
◼ Washington Post reporter explains her personal Gosnell blackout - mollie /Patheos Get Religion
◼ Why They Won’t Talk About Kermit Gosnell - Seth Mandel/Commnetary
◼ Discussion at Lucianne
◼ Kermit Gosnell Trial: Philadelphia Abortion Clinic 'Beheaded Live Babies' - IB Times
◼ PHOTO: EMPTY 'RESERVED MEDIA SEATING' AT ABORTION DOC GOSNELL'S MURDER TRIAL - John Nolte/Breitbart
◼ Baldwin also told the jury about seeing at least five aborted babies moving, breathing, and, in one case, "screeching" after late-term procedures at the clinic - Philadelphia Inquirer
◼ Planned Parenthood ‘appalled’ by Kermit Gosnell’s ‘criminal enterprise’ - Twitchy
◼ He kept severed feet in jars but escaped mainstream media coverage: Gosnell trial continues - Twitchy
◼ Severed Spines and Seared Consciences - Mollie Hemingway, Ed.
...And it's not like we currently have a president who repeatedly fought laws that would protect children such as the ones that Gosnell is accused of killing. Oh wait, we do have a president who did that? I'm pretty sure the media would have told us all about it if so, right? Oh wait, they bought all his excuses -- contradictory though they were -- for why he was fighting the Illinois Born-Alive Infants Protection Act? Want to know more? ◼ Read this excellent piece by Ramesh Ponnuru.
◼ Conor Friedersdorf and Megan McArdle write about this at The Atlantic and The Daily Beast, respectively... - The Volokh Conspiracy
◼ Why Dr. Kermit Gosnell's Trial Should Be a Front-Page Story - CONOR FRIEDERSDORF/The Atlantic
◼ Why I Didn't Write About Gosnell's Trial--And Why I Should Have - Megan McArdle/The Daily Beast
◼ Everything You Need To Know About Kermit Gosnell And The Abortion ‘House Of Horrors’ Trial - Mediaite
[Editor's note: This article contains highly disturbing, graphic images. Please proceed with caution.]
◼ [For photos of Gosnell's late-term aborted babies, shown in the Grand Jury Report, click on pages 85, 102, and 115 of the report. Please proceed with caution, as these photos are highly disturbing.] (PDF)
◼ Ten Congressmen took to the floor of the U.S. House on Thursday to shed some light on the grisly details surrounding the trial of Kermit Gosnell, an abortionist who stands accused of murdering seven newborn infants (allegedly cutting their spines with scissors) and one grown woman. - Becket Adams/The Blaze
Among the 10 U.S. lawmakers was Rep. Chris Smith, a New Jersey Republican who says the media has intentionally ignored Gosnell’s “House of Horrors.”
“If Dr. Gosnell had walked into a nursery and shot seven infants with an AR-15, it would be national news and the subject of presidential hand-wringing,” said Rep. Smith.
Indeed, considering the fact that anti-gun advocates in the media, including CNN’s Piers Morgan, are usually Johnny on the Spot when it comes to gun-related crime involving children, the lack of Gosnell coverage is truly puzzling.
“Will the decades-long major national news media cover-up of the brutality—and violence—of abortion methods ever end?” Rep. Smith continued. “Will Americans ever be told the horrifying details as to how — and how often — abortionists dismember, decapitate, and chemically poison innocent babies?”
... ◼ In today’s edition of USA Today, columnist Kirsten Powers writes:
“Infant beheadings. Severed baby feet in jars. A child screaming after it was delivered alive during an abortion procedure. Haven’t heard about these sickening accusations?
It’s not your fault. Since the murder trial of Pennsylvania abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell began March 18, there has been precious little coverage of the case that should be on every news show and front page.”
She goes on to point out: “A Lexis-Nexis search shows none of the news shows on the three major national television networks has mentioned the Gosnell trial in the last three months. The exception is when Wall Street Journal columnist Peggy Noonan hijacked a segment on Meet the Press”
In a letter sent by Media Research Center President Brent Bozell and twenty prominent leaders call on the broadcast networks to stop censoring coverage of the trial, pointing out that as of April 4th, since the trial began ABC, CBS and NBC have given the story zero coverage in their morning and evening news shows.
◼ ABORTION DOC 'GOSNELL' IS MOST SEARCHED TERM ON POLITICO, YIELDS ZERO MATCHES - John Nolte/Breitbart
◼ Shaming the MSM on abortion house of horrors blackout - American Thinker
◼ Washington Post reporter explains her personal Gosnell blackout - mollie /Patheos Get Religion
Hi Molly – I cover policy for the Washington Post, not local crime, hence why I wrote about all the policy issues you mention.◼ Discussion at Lucianne
◼ Why They Won’t Talk About Kermit Gosnell - Seth Mandel/Commnetary
◼ Discussion at Lucianne
◼ Kermit Gosnell Trial: Philadelphia Abortion Clinic 'Beheaded Live Babies' - IB Times
◼ PHOTO: EMPTY 'RESERVED MEDIA SEATING' AT ABORTION DOC GOSNELL'S MURDER TRIAL - John Nolte/Breitbart
◼ Baldwin also told the jury about seeing at least five aborted babies moving, breathing, and, in one case, "screeching" after late-term procedures at the clinic - Philadelphia Inquirer
◼ Planned Parenthood ‘appalled’ by Kermit Gosnell’s ‘criminal enterprise’ - Twitchy
@ppact Your "unsafe, unsanitary" Delaware clinic is pretty appalling as well: abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?sec… #Gosnell
— AlexaShrugged (@AlexaShrugged) April 12, 2013
◼ He kept severed feet in jars but escaped mainstream media coverage: Gosnell trial continues - Twitchy
◼ Severed Spines and Seared Consciences - Mollie Hemingway, Ed.
...And it's not like we currently have a president who repeatedly fought laws that would protect children such as the ones that Gosnell is accused of killing. Oh wait, we do have a president who did that? I'm pretty sure the media would have told us all about it if so, right? Oh wait, they bought all his excuses -- contradictory though they were -- for why he was fighting the Illinois Born-Alive Infants Protection Act? Want to know more? ◼ Read this excellent piece by Ramesh Ponnuru.
◼ Conor Friedersdorf and Megan McArdle write about this at The Atlantic and The Daily Beast, respectively... - The Volokh Conspiracy
◼ Why Dr. Kermit Gosnell's Trial Should Be a Front-Page Story - CONOR FRIEDERSDORF/The Atlantic
◼ Why I Didn't Write About Gosnell's Trial--And Why I Should Have - Megan McArdle/The Daily Beast
◼ Everything You Need To Know About Kermit Gosnell And The Abortion ‘House Of Horrors’ Trial - Mediaite
[Editor's note: This article contains highly disturbing, graphic images. Please proceed with caution.]
◼ [For photos of Gosnell's late-term aborted babies, shown in the Grand Jury Report, click on pages 85, 102, and 115 of the report. Please proceed with caution, as these photos are highly disturbing.] (PDF)
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Elizabeth Warren pays interns $0 per hour (Not even minimum wage)
◼ What happened to the other $22? - Le-gal In-sur-rec-tion
Elizabeth Warren has gained notoriety recently for complaining that the minimum wage would be $22 per hour if it kept up with worker productivity gains over the past several decades {...}
If the minimum wage was so important to Warren, we wondered what she paid her interns.
The abuse of interns by powerful corporations like The NY Times is well documented, and the subject of controversy by student and worker advocates who argue that such internships in the private sector may violate wage laws. Even if done in compliance with legal guidelines, unpaid internships take advantage of unequal bargaining power in a weak job market.
Warren actively is seeking interns for her Senate offices.
We checked today with Warren’s Senate office, and were told that “all internships are unpaid.” When asked whether they had any paid internships, the office responded “we do not.”
Warren is not alone. Unpaid internships in Congress are the norm and appear to be legal because that’s the way Congress wrote the law.
We also researched internships Warren’s Senate campaign offered. Warren’s campaign made very effective use of “internships” as a lure to get students to work on campuses and elsewhere for the campaign. The internships were both part and full time and were unpaid.
...These are just some facts to consider the next time Warren rips into some business person for not paying employees enough.
Elizabeth Warren has gained notoriety recently for complaining that the minimum wage would be $22 per hour if it kept up with worker productivity gains over the past several decades {...}
If the minimum wage was so important to Warren, we wondered what she paid her interns.
The abuse of interns by powerful corporations like The NY Times is well documented, and the subject of controversy by student and worker advocates who argue that such internships in the private sector may violate wage laws. Even if done in compliance with legal guidelines, unpaid internships take advantage of unequal bargaining power in a weak job market.
Warren actively is seeking interns for her Senate offices.
We checked today with Warren’s Senate office, and were told that “all internships are unpaid.” When asked whether they had any paid internships, the office responded “we do not.”
Warren is not alone. Unpaid internships in Congress are the norm and appear to be legal because that’s the way Congress wrote the law.
We also researched internships Warren’s Senate campaign offered. Warren’s campaign made very effective use of “internships” as a lure to get students to work on campuses and elsewhere for the campaign. The internships were both part and full time and were unpaid.
...These are just some facts to consider the next time Warren rips into some business person for not paying employees enough.
Labels:
Elizabeth Warren,
Hypocrisy,
minimum wage
BIG BREAK in Watergate case, Where's Woodward? Bernstein?
◼ KENTUCKY DEMOCRATIC OFFICIAL NOW IMPLICATES PROGRESSIVE GROUP IN MCCONNELL BUGGING STORY - The Blaze
WFPL-Louisville reports:
Jacob Conway, who is on the executive committee of the Jefferson County Democratic Party, says that day, Shawn Reilly and Curtis Morrison, who founded and volunteered for Progress Kentucky, respectively, bragged to him about how they recorded the meeting.The Kentucky-based liberal group Progress Kentucky is no stranger to controversy for its unremitting attacks on Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. Having already been responsible for the racist attack on McConnell’s wife, former Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, the group allegedly has decided to try a new tack: Using private statements by McConnell and/or his aides to generate controversy.
Conway says neither the local nor the state Democratic party had any part in the incident.[...]
McConnell had previously pointed a finger at Progress Kentucky as the organization responsible for the “bug,” but had backed off prior to this announcement. Now, it seems McConnell’s original suspicion may have been right.
Morrison and Reilly have not themselves spoken to the media on the subject of this bit of eavesdropping. Conway, however, has made a point of clarifying what happened both to WFPL and Fox News, so as to maintain plausible deniability on the part of the Kentucky Democratic party.
McConnell campaign manager Jesse Benton isn’t convinced. “They certainly weren’t authorized to be there,” he explained to Megyn Kelly on Fox. “I think what’s even more disturbing are the tactics that the Left is prepared to resort to.”
Lawmaker drops bombshell: North Korea may have nuclear missiles
◼ An unclassified Pentagon report not yet released to the public suggests that North Korea can arm missiles with nuclear warheads, a lawmaker revealed Thursday. - CS Monitor ◼ Via Drudge
If North Korea does have nuclear-armed missiles, it could strike South Korea, Japan, or US forces in Japan. It could perhaps also hit Guam, but Hawaii and the mainland US are out of the North's missile range, according to US intelligence estimates.
◼ NKOREA: 'Powerful striking means' on standby - AP
◼ WATCHCON 2 - Herald Sun (note link autoplays)
◼ US intelligence reveals launch zone - Bill Gertz/Washington Free Beacon @BillGertz
◼ Pentagon Deploys Sea Radar - ABC
◼ Kerry requests China pressure - Financial Times (sign up rqd)
◼ FLASHBACK: Declared Missile Defense System 'Cancer On Our Nation' - CNS
◼ INSIDE NKOREA: SHOCK PHOTOS - Mirror.uk
Here are the 16 Republicans who voted to kill Rand Paul's gun control filibuster before it started
◼ This morning, Senators Rand Paul, Ted Cruz, and Mike Lee released the following statement: - Robert Laurie/CainTV
So much for "shall not be infringed."
Here are the GOP members who sided with their Dem opponents. It's basically a who's who of the RINO world.
This morning the Senate will vote on the motion to proceed to the firearms bill (S.649). It is expected that the Toomey-Manchin provision announced yesterday will replace the current language regarding background checks. Yet, as of this morning, not a single senator has been provided the legislative language of this provision. Because the background-check measure is the centerpiece of this legislation it is critical that we know what is in the bill before we vote on it. The American people expect more and deserve better.Sadly, just a few hours later, 16 Republican Senators caved to the Democrats and voted to end debate and bring to the floor a gun control bill that no one has had a chance to read. There will be Amendments offered, it will probably pass, and then we'll all be able to "find out what's in it."
Unfortunately, the effort to push through legislation that no one had read highlights one of the primary reasons we announced our intention to force a 60 vote threshold. We believe the abuse of the process is how the rights of Americans are systematically eroded and we will continue to do everything in our power to prevent it.
So much for "shall not be infringed."
Here are the GOP members who sided with their Dem opponents. It's basically a who's who of the RINO world.
Lindsey Graham (SC) (202) 224-5972
Lamar Alexander (TN) (202) 224-4944
Kelly Ayotte (NH) (202) 224-3324
Richard Burr (NC) (202) 224-3154
Saxby Chambliss (GA) (202) 224-3521
John McCain (AZ) (202) 224-2235
Tom Coburn (OK) (202) 224-5754
Susan Collins (ME) (202) 224-2523
Bob Corker (TN) (202) 224-3344
Jeff Flake (AZ) (202) 224-4521
John Hoeven (ND) (202) 224-2551
Johnny Isakson (GA) (202) 224-3643
Dean Heller (NV) (202) 224-6244
Mark Kirk (IL) (202) 224-2854
Pat Toomey (PA) (202) 224-4254
Roger Wicker (MS) (202) 224-6253
North Coast Railroad Authority board reverses certification of environmental report; environmentalist groups suing NCRA call move desperate legal maneuver
◼ A decision by North Coast Railroad Authority Wednesday aimed at defusing a pair of environmental lawsuits rankled two North Coast groups that have spent nearly two years taking the agency to court. - Grant Scott-Goforth/The Times-Standard
...When the NCRA was awarded state funds to develop the EIR, it came with stipulations that the study and subsequent operation would follow the California Environmental Quality Act. The board maintains environmental review is not needed if construction and operation are paid for with private money, and has long argued in court that federal law preempts state law and that the state courts have no authority to block rail activity.
This approach has met with skepticism in court in the nearly two years of lawsuits against the NCRA. In the latest ruling, a Marin County judge allowed the lawsuits to proceed. While the judge affirmed the supremacy of federal law, the court said that the authority had gone so far along under state law that it couldn't reverse course....
...When the NCRA was awarded state funds to develop the EIR, it came with stipulations that the study and subsequent operation would follow the California Environmental Quality Act. The board maintains environmental review is not needed if construction and operation are paid for with private money, and has long argued in court that federal law preempts state law and that the state courts have no authority to block rail activity.
This approach has met with skepticism in court in the nearly two years of lawsuits against the NCRA. In the latest ruling, a Marin County judge allowed the lawsuits to proceed. While the judge affirmed the supremacy of federal law, the court said that the authority had gone so far along under state law that it couldn't reverse course....
Labels:
Environment,
Humboldt County,
Local Issues,
Local News,
NCRA,
Phony Groups
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
ABC, CBS and NBC Turn a Blind Eye to ObamaCare Setbacks
◼ For the past couple of weeks there has been a steady drip of bad news for ObamaCare, but you wouldn't know it if you only get your news from the Big Three (ABC, CBS, NBC) networks. - Geoffrey Dickens/Media Research Center
From a Society of Actuaries report that determined premium costs will shoot up thanks to a thirty-three percent average increase in claims; to thirty-three Senate Democrats joining Republicans in voting to repeal an ObamaCare tax on medical devices; to a Quinnipiac University poll showing even two-thirds of self-identified Democrats saying the law will either hurt them or have no effect, the recent news has been bad for the President's chief legislative victory.
However, not one of these trouble spots for ObamaCare has been mentioned on ABC, CBS or NBC's evening or morning show broadcasts.
The following setbacks for ObamaCare haven't received a single second of air time on the Big Three networks:
■ On March 22, ObamaCare hit a major snag when even 33 Senate Democrats openly defied the President as they joined 45 Republicans in voting to repeal a 2.3 percent sales tax, crucial to paying for ObamaCare, on medical devices such as pacemakers and MRI machines. The measure was co-sponsored by liberal Minnesota Democrat Amy Klobuchar, who said in a statement that she would "continue to work to get rid of this harmful tax."
Big Three coverage: 0 stories.
■ On March 26, the Society of Actuaries, released a study that determined health claims will increase by an average of 32 percent with some states seeing claims rise as much as 80 percent. The study estimated that states will now have to double their health spending to cover the millions of the previously uninsured. The study went on to report that claims will be driven higher because many employers will stop covering their employees once Obamacare is instituted and those workers will be more expensive to insure than those already in the individual market.
Big Three coverage: 0 stories.
■ On March 26, Obama's own Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius admitted that premiums will rise for some people buying new insurance policies in the coming fall, because of ObamaCare requirements. As the March 26 Wall Street Journal reported: "The secretary's remarks are among the first direct statements from federal officials that people who have skimpy health plans right now could face higher premiums for plans that are more generous."
Big Three coverage: 0 stories.
■ On April 3 Fox News reported that the Obama administration admitted a system of exchanges designed to make it simpler for small businesses to provide health insurance, the very core of ObamaCare's promise, will be delayed an entire year. According to Jim Capretta of the Ethics and Public Policy Center this is a huge setback because: "Lots of small businesses struggle with providing insurance for their workers so this was supposed to facilitate it and make it easier for small business to do this," and added: "It was a huge portion of the sale job. When they passed the law in 2010 there were many senators and members of Congress who were saying 'I am doing this because it's going to help small businesses.'"
Big Three coverage: 0 stories.
■ On April 4 Quinnipiac University released a poll showing that even two-thirds of Democrats now believe Obama's health care reforms will either hurt them personally or have no effect on their daily lives, vs. 27% of Democrats who believed they would be helped. Overall, only 15% of voters think ObamaCare will mostly help them personally, vs. 78% who expect it to hurt them or have no effect.
Big Three coverage: 0 stories.
Here are a few of the positive Team Obama items the networks deemed more important to cover:
■ ABC's April 4 Good Morning America devoted a full segment to discussing the First Lady's hairstyle, as co-anchor Robin Roberts teased: "Next up in our GMA Heat Index. Michelle Obama making headlines again for her bangs."
■ On CBS's April 3 edition of This Morning, Jan Crawford, in discussing Joe Biden's 2016 presidential prospects, relayed how voters have found the Vice President's penchant for gaffes "almost endearing."
■ NBC's April 2 Today show highlighted a clip of Al Roker singing "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" with Michelle Obama and celebrity chef Anne Burrell at the White House Easter Egg Roll.
◼ Pat Caddell: Media Have Become An "Enemy Of The American People" - Real Clear Politics
From a Society of Actuaries report that determined premium costs will shoot up thanks to a thirty-three percent average increase in claims; to thirty-three Senate Democrats joining Republicans in voting to repeal an ObamaCare tax on medical devices; to a Quinnipiac University poll showing even two-thirds of self-identified Democrats saying the law will either hurt them or have no effect, the recent news has been bad for the President's chief legislative victory.
However, not one of these trouble spots for ObamaCare has been mentioned on ABC, CBS or NBC's evening or morning show broadcasts.
The following setbacks for ObamaCare haven't received a single second of air time on the Big Three networks:
■ On March 22, ObamaCare hit a major snag when even 33 Senate Democrats openly defied the President as they joined 45 Republicans in voting to repeal a 2.3 percent sales tax, crucial to paying for ObamaCare, on medical devices such as pacemakers and MRI machines. The measure was co-sponsored by liberal Minnesota Democrat Amy Klobuchar, who said in a statement that she would "continue to work to get rid of this harmful tax."
Big Three coverage: 0 stories.
■ On March 26, the Society of Actuaries, released a study that determined health claims will increase by an average of 32 percent with some states seeing claims rise as much as 80 percent. The study estimated that states will now have to double their health spending to cover the millions of the previously uninsured. The study went on to report that claims will be driven higher because many employers will stop covering their employees once Obamacare is instituted and those workers will be more expensive to insure than those already in the individual market.
Big Three coverage: 0 stories.
■ On March 26, Obama's own Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius admitted that premiums will rise for some people buying new insurance policies in the coming fall, because of ObamaCare requirements. As the March 26 Wall Street Journal reported: "The secretary's remarks are among the first direct statements from federal officials that people who have skimpy health plans right now could face higher premiums for plans that are more generous."
Big Three coverage: 0 stories.
■ On April 3 Fox News reported that the Obama administration admitted a system of exchanges designed to make it simpler for small businesses to provide health insurance, the very core of ObamaCare's promise, will be delayed an entire year. According to Jim Capretta of the Ethics and Public Policy Center this is a huge setback because: "Lots of small businesses struggle with providing insurance for their workers so this was supposed to facilitate it and make it easier for small business to do this," and added: "It was a huge portion of the sale job. When they passed the law in 2010 there were many senators and members of Congress who were saying 'I am doing this because it's going to help small businesses.'"
Big Three coverage: 0 stories.
■ On April 4 Quinnipiac University released a poll showing that even two-thirds of Democrats now believe Obama's health care reforms will either hurt them personally or have no effect on their daily lives, vs. 27% of Democrats who believed they would be helped. Overall, only 15% of voters think ObamaCare will mostly help them personally, vs. 78% who expect it to hurt them or have no effect.
Big Three coverage: 0 stories.
Here are a few of the positive Team Obama items the networks deemed more important to cover:
■ ABC's April 4 Good Morning America devoted a full segment to discussing the First Lady's hairstyle, as co-anchor Robin Roberts teased: "Next up in our GMA Heat Index. Michelle Obama making headlines again for her bangs."
■ On CBS's April 3 edition of This Morning, Jan Crawford, in discussing Joe Biden's 2016 presidential prospects, relayed how voters have found the Vice President's penchant for gaffes "almost endearing."
■ NBC's April 2 Today show highlighted a clip of Al Roker singing "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" with Michelle Obama and celebrity chef Anne Burrell at the White House Easter Egg Roll.
◼ Pat Caddell: Media Have Become An "Enemy Of The American People" - Real Clear Politics
Labels:
Media bias,
Obamacare,
ObamaTAX,
Propaganda,
Push Back,
Skyrocketing Costs
OBAMA'S BUDGET: 'BAD MATH, PHANTOM REVENUES, IMAGINED CUTS, TAX HIKES'
◼ Early analysis: Obama's 2014 budget numbers are based on bad math, phantom revenues, imagined spending cuts and a middle-class tax hike - Daily Mail
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell practically begged the White House on Tuesday to get serious.
'Mr. President, if you are ready to embrace bold reform — to take the steps that are needed to make our entitlement programs permanently solvent and grow the economy — then Republicans are ready to work with you,' McConnell said.
'The time has come to summon the political courage to move beyond the status quo, to put the tax hikes and the poll-tested gimmicks aside, and to do what must be done.'
◼ OBAMA'S SPENDING PLAN: $3.8 TRILLION - AP ◼ Via Drudge
The president's spending and tax plan is two months late. The administration blames the delay on the lengthy "fiscal cliff" negotiations at the end of December and then fights over the March 1 automatic spending cuts.
◼ 'DEAD ON ARRIVAL' IN CONGRESS - Yahoo
President Barack Obama on Wednesday unveiled his latest budget—a symbolic document that doesn’t directly decide government spending, won’t pass Congress and isn’t likely to do much to create jobs. No budget does that by itself.
Obama is scheduled to publicly unveil his budget in the Rose Garden at 11 am ET. The actual document will go formally “live” online here at about 11:15 am ET.
But the non-binding blueprint already has done something that the president himself has only rarely accomplished since taking office: It’s basically united Washington. In opposition.
◼ Includes New 'Buffett Rule' - The Hill
President Obama’s budget to be released on Wednesday would leave the nation with a $744 billion budget deficit in 2014 despite new entitlement cuts and tax hikes....
Unlike the House Republican budget, Obama’s budget would not balance, though it would reduce the deficit as a percentage of gross domestic product to 1.7 percent by 2023.
◼ Tax Increase on Charity - Forbes
◼ Left peeved - Dana Milbank/Washington Post
◼ PAUL RYAN STATEMENT ON BARACK OBAMA 2014 BUDGET - Human Events
“I’m disappointed by the President’s proposal because it merely ratifies the status quo. It doesn’t break new ground; it goes over old ground: It takes more from families to spend more in Washington. And the White House says they never balance the budget. Instead, it raises taxes by $1.1 trillion. It increases spending by $964 billion. And it adds $8.2 trillion to our debt.
“Both sides have put plans on the table. And there are many differences between them. The President and Senate Democrats believe Washington knows better, so their plan puts more power in its hands. By defending the status quo, they’re letting critical programs like Medicare wither on their watch. They’re cementing record poverty and high unemployment into place.
“We’re offering a different approach. We don’t want to regulate people’s lives even more. We want to improve them. Our plan balances the budget in ten years to foster a healthier economy and to help create jobs. Our plan expands opportunity for the young. It guarantees a secure retirement for seniors. And it repairs the safety net for those in need.
“In the next few weeks, we’ll work to find common ground and to move the debate forward. Even if we can’t agree on everything, we need to make a down payment on our debt—now. We can start with common-sense reforms to strengthen entitlements and revenue-neutral tax reform.
“The President’s budget is such a disappointment because it’s a missed opportunity. We need a new approach to meet our generation’s most pressing challenges. I hope the other side will join us in proposing real reforms. But until then, we need to take steps in the right direction. I am hopeful we will.”
◼ THE MYTH OF OBAMA’S CENTRISM - David Harsanyi/Human Events @davidharsanyi
Barack Obama’s quest for a “balanced approach” is the lifeblood of his political success — and also its biggest myth. Witness the coverage of the purportedly centrist president’s 2014 budget proposal.
Thatcher Passes
◼ A long-time Reagan aide recalls an enduring friendship. - Peter Hannaford on 4.8.13
On the news of Margaret Thatcher’s passing, several television commentators asked variations of the question that followed Ronald Reagan’s nearly nine years ago: “When will see another like her again? The answer in both case is, “never.” Both were sui generis — one of a kind.
They had several things in common: well-developed character, clear policy objectives, articulate expression and, most of all, determination to succeed. From the moment they first met, in April 1975, it is as if they had been friends and allies for years. I know. I was there.
It was barely three months since the end of his second term as Governor of California. Our new office was in Los Angeles. He had been invited to address the annual meeting of the Pilgrim Society in London in April. This group celebrated British-American cohesion based on the historic voyage of the pilgrims to New England. A mutual friend arranged for Mr. Reagan to call on Mrs. Thatcher the next day. He was looking forward to it with great enthusiasm. He was not disappointed.
The Conservative Party had done little to reverse economic malaise. Now, the Labour government was intent on enlarging the already large role of welfare statism. Margaret Thatcher, to put it mildly, disagreed. At Oxford (where her academic major was chemistry) she had been influenced by Friedrich von Hayek’s The Road to Serfdom with its message that rampant state intervention leads to authoritarian government. In 1959, she won a seat in Parliament.
Ronald Reagan first met her just after she had challenged and defeated Edward Heath for the Conservative Party’s chairmanship. We called on her in her office in the Parliament building. Her reception room was barely large enough for two of them and one aide each, Derek Howe for Mrs. Thatcher and myself.
The two had heard and read so much about each other that they immediately fell into comparing notes on the shortcomings of government in their respective countries: undue regulation, growth-stunting tax policies, lack of encouragement of individual initiative. They even found they had similar childhood living arrangements. Thatcher, a grocer’s daughter, was raised in a flat above one of her father’s two stores. Reagan, the son of a shoe salesman, was born in a flat above a bakery across the street from the store.
After an hour or so. Mrs. Thatcher had to excuse herself for another meeting; however, she had arranged for us to meet with several of her colleagues in a conference room on another floor.
What ensued was a fast-moving and cheerful session with Sir Keith Joseph, Mrs. Thatcher’s theoretical “strong right arm,” Geoffrey Howe (later to become foreign secretary), and two or three other free-market Conservative MPs.
Three and a half years later, in November 1978, the principals met again, on the eve of Mrs. Thatcher’s party winning the government and her becoming Britain’s first women (and, ultimately, longest-serving) prime minister. For Ronald Reagan, this was the first stop on a listen-and-learn trip to European capitals as a prelude to his 1980 campaign.
By now she had a slightly larger office and the reception room could hold the same four people, plus Richard Allen (who become President Reagan’s first National Security Advisor). This time much of the discussion was on Soviet expansionism and defense measures. She emphasized the fact that Soviet SS-20 intermediate-range ballistic missiles were aimed at every Western European capital.
This sunk in with Reagan. Later that year, he would visit NORAD, the U.S. early-warning system in a Colorado mountain that could spot an IBM fired toward the U.S. Then, after a briefing about the Carter Administration’s new treaty based on Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT II), he said what we needed instead, was START (Strategic Arms Reduction Talks). And, as president in early 1983 he orchestrated acceptance of U.S. missile defense systems to protect Western European capitals. This would prove to be an important step in his carefully planned strategy to bring the Cold War to a successful conclusion.
Their friendship endured through all the years shared years in office and beyond. In 2004, she, by now Baroness Thatcher, gave one of the most eloquent eulogies at Ronald Reagan’s funeral. Each imparted strengths to the friendship: he charisma and an understanding of how to use U.S. strength in the world; she, intellectual rigor. Both were natural leaders.
Peter Hannafordwas closely associated for a number of years with the late President Reagan, beginning in the California Governor’s office. His latest book is “Presidential Retreats”.
Labels:
Margaret Thatcher,
Peter Hannaford,
Ronald Reagan
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Obama’s 2014 budget plan to be delivered Wednesday — into a yawning political void
◼ President Obama will unveil his 2014 spending plan Wednesday, 65 days late and several trillion dollars short, by Republican standards, of effectively reining in the national debt. - Lori Montgomery/Washington Post
But the more relevant fact about the White House budget may be the yawning political void into which it is about to fall on Capitol Hill.
But the more relevant fact about the White House budget may be the yawning political void into which it is about to fall on Capitol Hill.
By the way, remember when the left pretended that they thought somebody like Donald Segretti was a bad guy?
◼ As Heads is Tails: - Ed Driscoll/PJM
Apparently, President Nixon is now so rehabilitated in the left’s eyes that Watergate is now a how-to guide, not a warning... CNN reports:
Apparently, President Nixon is now so rehabilitated in the left’s eyes that Watergate is now a how-to guide, not a warning... CNN reports:
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s re-election campaign is “working with the FBI” on how Mother Jones, a liberal magazine, obtained a recording of political aides meeting with McConnell and discussing opposition research on Ashley Judd, McConnell campaign manager Jesse Benton told CNN Tuesday….Or to put it another way, “Mother Jones either published audio which was illegally recorded or endorsed @JamesOKeefeIII’s style of journalism.” Not to mention, “Hypocrisy: Mother Jones Writer Behind McConnell Bugging Railed Against Bush Wiretapping.”
“Obviously a recording device of some kind was placed in Senator McConnell’s campaign office without consent. By whom and how that was accomplished will presumably be the subject of a criminal investigation,” Benton said in a statement.
Labels:
Democrats,
Mitch McConnell,
Richard Nixon,
Watergate
Sequester Extravagance
◼ President Obama and the first family enjoy singer and actor Justin Timberlake performing Otis Redding's classic "Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay" during the White House's celebration of Memphis Soul. - Real Clear Politics
◼ "SEQUESTER SOUL SHOW LIVE FROM WHITE HOUSE! LEAVE YOUR TROUBLES BEHIND." - Althouse
◼ Let’s Stay Sequestered: Obama Hosts Soul Show - Bridget Johnson/PJM
Gov. Brown: To drill or not to drill?
◼ California could become the next oil boom state. - Katy Grimes/Cal Watchdog
Will Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown and a Democratic supermajority in the state Legislature seize the day — and the tax revenue that would come with drilling and fracking? Or will excessive environmental concerns block the development, the jobs and the revenues?
I’ve been saying for months now, if Gov. Brown doesn’t want to go down as the leader responsible for driving the silver stake into the heart of the state of California, he has one option: he can always turn to oil fracking and save the state. Just the mere mention of this dramatic policy change would impact financial markets.
California oil = jobs + tax revenues
California sits on two-thirds of America’s shale oil reserves. The Monterey Shale Formation is four times the size of the Bakken Shale Reserve in North Dakota, which is now the largest oil producer in the country behind Texas.
Along the Western side of the San Joaquin Valley in the middle of the state, the Monterey Shale Formation encompasses several hundred miles, where water has dried up and unemployment is the highest in the state.
Will Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown and a Democratic supermajority in the state Legislature seize the day — and the tax revenue that would come with drilling and fracking? Or will excessive environmental concerns block the development, the jobs and the revenues?
I’ve been saying for months now, if Gov. Brown doesn’t want to go down as the leader responsible for driving the silver stake into the heart of the state of California, he has one option: he can always turn to oil fracking and save the state. Just the mere mention of this dramatic policy change would impact financial markets.
California oil = jobs + tax revenues
California sits on two-thirds of America’s shale oil reserves. The Monterey Shale Formation is four times the size of the Bakken Shale Reserve in North Dakota, which is now the largest oil producer in the country behind Texas.
Along the Western side of the San Joaquin Valley in the middle of the state, the Monterey Shale Formation encompasses several hundred miles, where water has dried up and unemployment is the highest in the state.
Labels:
California,
Economy,
Energy,
Jobs
"As soon as they were weaned, Napoleon took them away from their mothers, saying that he would make himself responsible for their education. He took them up into a loft which could only be reached by a ladder from the harness-room, and there kept them in such seclusion that the rest of the farm soon forgot their existence."
◼ Why is MSNBC aping George Orwell's villains? - Matt K. Lewis/The Week
In George Orwell's 1984, we find this dystopian observation taking place in the fictional land of Oceania:
In George Orwell's 1984, we find this dystopian observation taking place in the fictional land of Oceania:
The family could not actually be abolished, and, indeed, people were encouraged to be fond of their children, in almost the old-fashioned way. The children, on the other hand, were systematically turned against their parents and taught to spy on them and report their deviations. The family had become in effect an extension of the Thought Police. It was a device by means of which everyone could be surrounded night and day by informers who knew him intimately.Orwell's Animal Farm provides us with yet another example. In this instance, Napoleon the pig (who is said to represent Stalin) declares that "the education of the young was more important than anything that could be done for those who were already grown up."
Labels:
Media bias,
MSNBC,
Radical Left Wing,
Societal Breakdown
Obama Overrides Congress to Buy $690 Million Worth of Russian Choppers for Afghan Air Force
◼ Apparently America has too many jobs so Obama will be spending taxpayer money to support Russia’s defense industry on behalf of Afghanistan. And he’s doing so over the bipartisan objections of Congress from both the right and left and a ban on buying them written into the NDAA. - Daniel Greenfield /Front Page
Aside from throwing almost $700 million to a company owned by the Russian government at a time when Obama has taken a chainsaw to the United States military, subsidizing the Russian defense industry helps it develop more weapons that will be sold to America’s enemies....
And oh yeah, this was a no bid contract.
Aside from throwing almost $700 million to a company owned by the Russian government at a time when Obama has taken a chainsaw to the United States military, subsidizing the Russian defense industry helps it develop more weapons that will be sold to America’s enemies....
And oh yeah, this was a no bid contract.
Sen. Cruz Releases Inaugural Report on Obama Administration’s Unprecedented Attempts to Expand Federal Power
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) today released a report – “The Legal Limit: The Obama Administration’s Attempts to Expand Federal Power” – that analyzes six instances in the last 15 months where the U.S. Supreme Court has unanimously rejected the Obama Administration’s arguments for increased federal power.
“When President Obama’s own Supreme Court nominees join their colleagues in unanimously rejecting his Administration’s call for broader federal power six times in just over one year, the inescapable conclusion is that the Obama Administration’s view of federal power knows virtually no bounds,” said Sen. Cruz. “This is a deeply troubling pattern that we will continue to highlight as long as this Administration continues seeking ways to expand its power in direct violation of Americans’ constitutional rights.”
Sen. Cruz’s report highlights the six cases that the Supreme Court has unanimously rejected since January 2012. Had President Obama’s Department of Justice been successful in its cases, the federal government would have the power to:
Attach GPSs to a citizen’s vehicle to monitor his movements, without having any cause to believe that a person has committed a crime (United States v. Jones);
Deprive landowners of the right to challenge potential government fines as high as $75,000 per day and take away their ability have a hearing to challenge those fines (Sackett v. EPA);
Interfere with a church’s selection of its own ministers. (Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church & School v. EEOC);
Override state law whenever the President desires. (Arizona v. United States);
Dramatically extend statutes of limitations to impose penalties for acts committed decades ago. (Gabelli v. SEC); and
Destroy private property without paying just compensation. (Arkansas Fish & Game Commission v. United States).
The arguments advanced in these cases demonstrate an astonishing view of federal power on behalf of the Obama Administration that is worthy of further examination. View the full report ◼ HERE
“When President Obama’s own Supreme Court nominees join their colleagues in unanimously rejecting his Administration’s call for broader federal power six times in just over one year, the inescapable conclusion is that the Obama Administration’s view of federal power knows virtually no bounds,” said Sen. Cruz. “This is a deeply troubling pattern that we will continue to highlight as long as this Administration continues seeking ways to expand its power in direct violation of Americans’ constitutional rights.”
Sen. Cruz’s report highlights the six cases that the Supreme Court has unanimously rejected since January 2012. Had President Obama’s Department of Justice been successful in its cases, the federal government would have the power to:
Attach GPSs to a citizen’s vehicle to monitor his movements, without having any cause to believe that a person has committed a crime (United States v. Jones);
Deprive landowners of the right to challenge potential government fines as high as $75,000 per day and take away their ability have a hearing to challenge those fines (Sackett v. EPA);
Interfere with a church’s selection of its own ministers. (Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church & School v. EEOC);
Override state law whenever the President desires. (Arizona v. United States);
Dramatically extend statutes of limitations to impose penalties for acts committed decades ago. (Gabelli v. SEC); and
Destroy private property without paying just compensation. (Arkansas Fish & Game Commission v. United States).
The arguments advanced in these cases demonstrate an astonishing view of federal power on behalf of the Obama Administration that is worthy of further examination. View the full report ◼ HERE
The Legal Limit: The Obama Administration's Attempts to Expand Federal Power
Monday, April 8, 2013
The mainstream media has been studiously avoiding the trial of abortion butcher Kermit Gosnell, despite the kind of stomach-churning testimony that would normally attract headline coverage.
◼ KERMIT GOSNELL’S HOUSE OF SCREAMS - John Hayward/Human Events @Doc_o
The latest, from Delaware Online:
During busy times, when the women were given drugs to induce contractions all at once, (another co-defendant, Steven) Massof told the court that “it would rain fetuses. Fetuses and blood all over the place.”
“I felt like a firemen in hell. I couldn’t put out all the fires,” he said.
The people testifying in this trial keep dropping sound bites that would command headlines in any other context, but there’s virtually no Big Media coverage of the story, and certainly no attempt to build a narrative around the obvious questions of “How did this happen?” and “Is this happening anywhere else?” The normal media search for “lessons” from a shocking incident seems to have been put on indefinite hold. Will their interest finally be aroused by the chilling detail of a baby screaming out loud during an abortion procedure?
The latest, from Delaware Online:
A Delaware woman who worked for abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell recalled hearing one child “screaming” after it was delivered alive during an abortion procedure at Gosnell’s West Philadelphia clinic.West herself is facing up to 100 years in prison, having admitted to third-degree murder, and testified as part of a plea deal. She offered a chilling look at how Gosnell ran his little shop of horrors...
Sherry West, of Bear, said she was loyal to Gosnell – who is now facing multiple counts of murder for allegedly killing children after they were delivered alive at his clinic – but said the incident “really freaked me out.”
During busy times, when the women were given drugs to induce contractions all at once, (another co-defendant, Steven) Massof told the court that “it would rain fetuses. Fetuses and blood all over the place.”
“I felt like a firemen in hell. I couldn’t put out all the fires,” he said.
The people testifying in this trial keep dropping sound bites that would command headlines in any other context, but there’s virtually no Big Media coverage of the story, and certainly no attempt to build a narrative around the obvious questions of “How did this happen?” and “Is this happening anywhere else?” The normal media search for “lessons” from a shocking incident seems to have been put on indefinite hold. Will their interest finally be aroused by the chilling detail of a baby screaming out loud during an abortion procedure?
Labels:
Abortion,
Media bias,
murders
IRS collecting tax payer information from Facebook and Twitter
◼ You have until April 15th to file a return - and the IRS will be collecting a lot more than just taxes this year. - FOX DC
According to several reports, the agency will also be collecting personal information from sites like Facebook and Twitter.
It says the effort is to catch people trying to beat the system, but some say it goes too far.
Attorney Kristen Mathews warns to be careful with what you say on social media platforms.
She has concerns the government is pushing the limits of what has historically been considered private.
According to several reports, the agency will also be collecting personal information from sites like Facebook and Twitter.
It says the effort is to catch people trying to beat the system, but some say it goes too far.
Attorney Kristen Mathews warns to be careful with what you say on social media platforms.
She has concerns the government is pushing the limits of what has historically been considered private.
You're Not Really Following @BarackObama on Twitter
◼ All of the president's named social media accounts, in fact, have been handed over to a non-partisan, not-for-profit group that isn't overly concerned if you didn't notice the transition. - Philip Bump/The Atlantic
As the first sitting President with a Twitter account, the murky handover raises questions that didn't exist ten years ago — can a politician legally hand over his valuable online identity to an outside group? is it ethical? — and makes clear federal regulators are unprepared to answer them....
His Twitter account was created by a staffer on March 5, 2007, two months before he formally announced his presidential candidacy. Throughout that contest, his first term, and second campaign for the presidency, Obama's campaign staff used it to share news about the president's policy priorities and to try and engage Americans in his efforts. Then, in January, it handed the reins to Organizing for Action, a new entity that took over much of Obama's campaign apparatus: website, social media accounts, email list — even the abbreviated shorthand of "OFA." The organization updated the bios associated with the social media accounts ("This account is run by Organizing for Action staff") and then kept tweeting and Facebooking, with a new emphasis on joining — and, ideally, contributing to — the new OFA. Without skipping a beat, a brand-new organization gained millions of followers on social media. It's like the president, mid-conversation, handed his phone to a telemarketer who does a great Obama impression. Or, to be more accurate, one telemarketer — the campaign — handed the phone to another one.
But to the government, OFA and the Obama campaign are very different legal creatures. Organizing For Action was created earlier this year as a 501(c)(4) non-profit under IRS code — the same as other political non-profits, like the conservative groups FreedomWorks and Karl Rove's Crossroads GPS. There are particular things a 501(c)(4) can and cannot do. It can raise scads of money, which is appealing to political organizations. But it cannot expressly advocate for a political candidate, which some organizations tend to consider a bit of an impediment. What a 501(c)(4) can do politically is what's known as issues advocacy, pressuring elected officials and candidates on issues for the "promotion of social welfare." This vague-sounding phrase is legally vague as well, and has generally been interpreted to allow for pretty much any sort of political statement short of "Vote For Candidate X." So if Organizing For Action wants to, say, convince Congress to support background checks, it can send material to voters in a senator's district, requesting that they call their senator and demand he vote the right way....
The president's press office loudly proclaims its commitment to "creating an unprecedented level of openness" in government. "We will work together," it writes, "to ensure the public trust and establish a system of transparency, public participation, and collaboration." As an entity independent of the president, Organizing For Action appears not to be beholden to that mantra.
As the first sitting President with a Twitter account, the murky handover raises questions that didn't exist ten years ago — can a politician legally hand over his valuable online identity to an outside group? is it ethical? — and makes clear federal regulators are unprepared to answer them....
His Twitter account was created by a staffer on March 5, 2007, two months before he formally announced his presidential candidacy. Throughout that contest, his first term, and second campaign for the presidency, Obama's campaign staff used it to share news about the president's policy priorities and to try and engage Americans in his efforts. Then, in January, it handed the reins to Organizing for Action, a new entity that took over much of Obama's campaign apparatus: website, social media accounts, email list — even the abbreviated shorthand of "OFA." The organization updated the bios associated with the social media accounts ("This account is run by Organizing for Action staff") and then kept tweeting and Facebooking, with a new emphasis on joining — and, ideally, contributing to — the new OFA. Without skipping a beat, a brand-new organization gained millions of followers on social media. It's like the president, mid-conversation, handed his phone to a telemarketer who does a great Obama impression. Or, to be more accurate, one telemarketer — the campaign — handed the phone to another one.
But to the government, OFA and the Obama campaign are very different legal creatures. Organizing For Action was created earlier this year as a 501(c)(4) non-profit under IRS code — the same as other political non-profits, like the conservative groups FreedomWorks and Karl Rove's Crossroads GPS. There are particular things a 501(c)(4) can and cannot do. It can raise scads of money, which is appealing to political organizations. But it cannot expressly advocate for a political candidate, which some organizations tend to consider a bit of an impediment. What a 501(c)(4) can do politically is what's known as issues advocacy, pressuring elected officials and candidates on issues for the "promotion of social welfare." This vague-sounding phrase is legally vague as well, and has generally been interpreted to allow for pretty much any sort of political statement short of "Vote For Candidate X." So if Organizing For Action wants to, say, convince Congress to support background checks, it can send material to voters in a senator's district, requesting that they call their senator and demand he vote the right way....
The president's press office loudly proclaims its commitment to "creating an unprecedented level of openness" in government. "We will work together," it writes, "to ensure the public trust and establish a system of transparency, public participation, and collaboration." As an entity independent of the president, Organizing For Action appears not to be beholden to that mantra.
I realized that we out on the street were not protesting against the president’s agenda: We were part of the president’s agenda.
...The purpose is not to change Obama’s mind, the purpose is to provide him with political cover to make bad or unpopular decisions, by fabricating hollow “popular uprisings” which he can then point to as indicative of overall public opinion....
Barack Obama is an addict. And his drug of choice is the money showered on him by Bay Area billionaires.
The lure of endless cash and boundless adoration is just too much to resist, and so for the umpteenth time since 2008 he once again scheduled a fundraising trip through San Francisco, this time on April 3 to benefit Nancy Pelosi and her quest to reclaim the Speakership of the House: since Obama himself no longer needs campaign donations, all the money gathered on this trip would go to Democratic congressional candidates.
As soon as Obama's Bay Area fundraisers were announced, activist groups began to schedule protests. But in the post-2012 era, none of these groups were conservative; instead, the protesters were all challenging Obama from the left, in an attempt to sway his policies ever more leftward....
California to Vote on Bill Allowing Midwives to Do Abortions
◼ This bill will be voted on by the Assembly Committee on Business, Professions and Consumer Protection and it comes after the state took a first step next year and putting women’s health at risk by allowing non-doctors to perform surgical abortions even though women have been killed and injured in abortions even when performed by licensed physicians. - Life News
Senate Bill 623, by Sen. Christine Kehoe, D-San Diego, was supported by Planned Parenthood and opposed by pro-life groups. Introduced by Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego), it extended a program run by the University of California, San Francisco, in which nurse practitioners, midwives and physicians assistants are trained to perform abortions.
The last days of the California legislative session saw abortion backers fight to expand abortion, while ignoring the severe economic crisis California continues to face. Lawmakers took an unrelated book and inserted language in it from a failed measure to allow nurses to do abortions.
Kehoe claimed that the bill was necessary to fill gaps in the availability of abortion caused by the shortage of doctors in parts of the state. The bill went through three attempts before passage. Ms. Kehoe “gutted and amended” the bill after its introduction, which raised some protest from other members of the Senate. This spring, a Senate committee rejected an attempt to pass a broader bill allowing non-physicians to perform abortions. In the end, a narrower version of the bill was passed. Rather than opening abortion to non-physicians generally, the bill focuses on extending a U.C. San Francisco program training physicians assistants and others to perform first trimester abortions.
The new measure, AB 154, seeks to expand that effort.
ACTION: Contact the committee members listed below and ask them to vote “NO” on AB 154.
Senate Bill 623, by Sen. Christine Kehoe, D-San Diego, was supported by Planned Parenthood and opposed by pro-life groups. Introduced by Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego), it extended a program run by the University of California, San Francisco, in which nurse practitioners, midwives and physicians assistants are trained to perform abortions.
The last days of the California legislative session saw abortion backers fight to expand abortion, while ignoring the severe economic crisis California continues to face. Lawmakers took an unrelated book and inserted language in it from a failed measure to allow nurses to do abortions.
Kehoe claimed that the bill was necessary to fill gaps in the availability of abortion caused by the shortage of doctors in parts of the state. The bill went through three attempts before passage. Ms. Kehoe “gutted and amended” the bill after its introduction, which raised some protest from other members of the Senate. This spring, a Senate committee rejected an attempt to pass a broader bill allowing non-physicians to perform abortions. In the end, a narrower version of the bill was passed. Rather than opening abortion to non-physicians generally, the bill focuses on extending a U.C. San Francisco program training physicians assistants and others to perform first trimester abortions.
The new measure, AB 154, seeks to expand that effort.
ACTION: Contact the committee members listed below and ask them to vote “NO” on AB 154.
Assembly Committee on Business, Professions and Consumer Protection
Richard Gordon (Chair).....916-319-2024.....916-319-2124 fax
Brian Jones (Vice-Chair).....916-319-2071.....916-319-2171 fax
Raul Bocanegra.....916-319-2039.....916-319-2139 fax
Nora Campos.....916-319-2027.....916-319-2127 fax
Roger Dickinson.....916-319-2007.....916-319-2107 fax
Susan Eggma.....916-319-2013.....916-319-2113 fax
Curt Hagman.....916-319-2055.....916-319-2155 fax
Chris Holden.....916-319-2041.....916-319-2141 fax
Brian Maienschein.....916-319-2077.....916-319-2177 fax
Kevin Mullin.....916-319-2022.....916-319-2122 fax
Nancy Skinner.....916-319-2015.....916-319-2115 fax
Phillip Ting.....916-319-2019.....916-319-2119 fax
Scott Wilk.....916-319-2038.....916-319-2138 fax
Homeowners Locked Out
◼ Political elite blocks Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association from participating in a hearing on Prop. 13 while giving anti-Prop. 13 zealots a soapbox to promote their misinformation. - Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
Readers of this column are fully aware that the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association is the leading voice for California’s beleaguered homeowners and citizen taxpayers. For that reason, we have frequently confronted situations where California’s political elites attempt to silence our voice or limit the access conferred to others in communicating our message to the public at large.
Just last year, you may recall, Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg intentionally shut off the camera which was airing what was specifically designated as a “public hearing” at the Capitol just as HJTA’s representative was about to testify on the horrible impacts of Proposition 30. Agree with us or not, we had an important message to share with all California voters as to why imposing the highest income tax and sales tax rates in America was a bad idea. Pulling the plug on the public access channel was such an unwarranted act of censorship that even the usually liberal media was outraged.
Well, here we go again.
Today, April 8, 2013, the Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation is holding a 3 hour hearing on Proposition 13. And yet the organization which is synonymous with Prop 13 and the rights of California homeowners was not invited to participate. Thus, although assorted government analysts, academicians and even those expressing outright hostility to Proposition 13 will be testifying, the voice of homeowners has, once again, been locked out.
Readers of this column are fully aware that the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association is the leading voice for California’s beleaguered homeowners and citizen taxpayers. For that reason, we have frequently confronted situations where California’s political elites attempt to silence our voice or limit the access conferred to others in communicating our message to the public at large.
Just last year, you may recall, Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg intentionally shut off the camera which was airing what was specifically designated as a “public hearing” at the Capitol just as HJTA’s representative was about to testify on the horrible impacts of Proposition 30. Agree with us or not, we had an important message to share with all California voters as to why imposing the highest income tax and sales tax rates in America was a bad idea. Pulling the plug on the public access channel was such an unwarranted act of censorship that even the usually liberal media was outraged.
Well, here we go again.
Today, April 8, 2013, the Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation is holding a 3 hour hearing on Proposition 13. And yet the organization which is synonymous with Prop 13 and the rights of California homeowners was not invited to participate. Thus, although assorted government analysts, academicians and even those expressing outright hostility to Proposition 13 will be testifying, the voice of homeowners has, once again, been locked out.
Labels:
California,
Democrats,
Prop 13,
Radical Left Wing,
Taxes
EndTheCoverUp.com: 700 Special Ops vets call on Congress to establish special select committee on Benghazi
◼ Via the Center for Security Policy, 700 Special Ops veterans sent a letter to Congress today calling on Congress to establish a select committee to investigate the Benghazi cover-up. - Michelle Malkin
“The SOF 700 letter was organized at the initiative of Lieutenant General William G. “Jerry” Boykin USA (Ret.) by Special Operations Speaks (SOS),” Frank Gaffney writes. “This not-for-profit organization was established by special operation veterans in 2012 to illuminate the failed operational security environment of the Obama Administration and to restore accountability in government. These veterans have put their lives on the line for our country. The signers are determined to ensure than no one else needlessly loses theirs by establishing – and learning from – the lessons of the Benghazigate scandal.”
...You can join the petition movement here at ◼ EndTheCoverUp.com. Make your voice heard and keep the memory of the fallen Americans in Benghazi alive.
“The SOF 700 letter was organized at the initiative of Lieutenant General William G. “Jerry” Boykin USA (Ret.) by Special Operations Speaks (SOS),” Frank Gaffney writes. “This not-for-profit organization was established by special operation veterans in 2012 to illuminate the failed operational security environment of the Obama Administration and to restore accountability in government. These veterans have put their lives on the line for our country. The signers are determined to ensure than no one else needlessly loses theirs by establishing – and learning from – the lessons of the Benghazigate scandal.”
...You can join the petition movement here at ◼ EndTheCoverUp.com. Make your voice heard and keep the memory of the fallen Americans in Benghazi alive.
R.I.P Margaret Thatcher IRON LADY DIES IN LONDON
◼ Margaret Thatcher, former British prime minister, dead at 87 - Washington Post
◼ Britain's first and only female prime minister Margaret Thatcher dies peacefully at the age of 87 after suffering a stroke. - Sky News ◼ Via Drudge
Lady Thatcher's children Mark and Carol said their mother, who suffered bouts of ill health in recent years, died peacefully on Monday morning.
Downing Street, which joined Buckingham Palace in flying its flags at half mast, said the politician would be given a full ceremonial funeral with honours at St Paul's Cathedral.
Prime Minister David Cameron led tributes from around the world, calling the former Tory leader "a great prime minister, a great leader, a great Briton".
Drudge headlines:
◼ THATCHER: 'Towering, divisive, revered' - NYT
Margaret Thatcher, the “Iron Lady” of British politics who pulled her country back from 35 years of socialism, led it to victory in the Falklands war and helped guide the United States and the Soviet Union through the cold war’s difficult last years, died Monday. She was 87.
◼ Staunch US ally in Cold War victory - Washington Times
◼ Global champion of free markets - Guardian uk
◼ 'The PM Who Changed the World' (Video, autoplays) - Guardian uk
◼ NO STATE FUNERAL - AP
◼ Tributes pour in: live reaction and updates
◼ "Former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher, the grocer’s daughter whose overpowering personality, bruising political style and free-market views..."
"... transformed Britain and transfixed America through the 1980s, died Monday after a stroke, her spokesman said in a statement. She was 87." - Althouse
◼ The Iron Lady Passes On - Terresa Monroe-Hamilton/New Zeal
It is with a heavy heart and genuine grief that I found out this morning that Maggie Thatcher passed away from a stroke. The world has lost a great, great soul and someone I looked up to. Heaven has gained a warrior and we have lost an angel.
◼ We lost a giant for freedom and human dignity. - Le-gal In-sur-rec-tion
◼ "'Tramp the dirt down': George Galloway's extraordinarily crass tweet...leads the Left’s sickening 'celebration' just minutes after Baroness Thatcher’s death." - Althouse
◼ Although the internet was flooded with tributes to the Iron Lady, it also showcased venom for Britain's first and only female political leader. - Daily Mail.uk
◼ REST IN PEACE, MARGARET THATCHER - David Harsanyi/Human Events @davidharsanyi
◼ Thatcher and “saving” the West - neo-neocon
RIP Margaret Thatcher!Tell Ronnie we miss him!
— Jennifer (@JenKnapp) April 8, 2013
◼ Quotes of the day - Allahpundit/HotAir
...she seemed to be having so much fun. That, I think, is what they never forgave her for. Thatcher laughed at them, mocked them, outwitted and out-debated them. That infuriated the Left: Conservatives aren’t supposed to mock, they are supposed to be mocked. They might be allowed to win a few elections, but they could never be allowed to win the argument, much less to scoff at liberals’ public pieties.
Thatcher won, in no small part because she was her own best case. Her confidence, prudence, good humor, and other virtues were those she sought to encourage in her fellow countrymen…
As we celebrate the remarkable life of Margaret Thatcher, it is fitting that we remember the most important aspect of it: She won, and she deserved to win. Those who opposed her and reviled her were on the wrong side of the most important question of their age, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with tyrants, many of them as guilty as those who manned the gulag watchtowers. And even today, when they make their pilgrimages to sit at the feet of Castro or bury Chávez, when they put leftist terrorists on their payrolls, they know: They lost. What they do not know, because they are incapable of understanding the fact, is that they deserved to lose. We should not allow them to pretend that they were on the right side all along.
Labels:
Great Britain,
International News,
Margaret Thatcher
Sunday, April 7, 2013
2014: DEMS BEGIN TO FREAK OVER OBAMACARE CHAOS...
◼ ObamaCare takes friendly fire - The Hill ◼ Via Drudge
Delays in implementing popular pieces of ObamaCare are hurting it with Democrats.
The party has long acknowledged that the Affordable Care Act has its flaws. Their new openness about those flaws comes after Obama’s reelection, which ensured that the law would not be repealed before it’s fully implemented.
But it also comes just ahead of the 2014 election cycle, when vulnerable Democrats in conservative states will have to defend their votes for the health law.
◼ Doctors driven to bankruptcy - CNN Money
As many doctors struggle to keep their practices financially sound, some are buckling under money woes and being pushed into bankruptcy.
Delays in implementing popular pieces of ObamaCare are hurting it with Democrats.
The party has long acknowledged that the Affordable Care Act has its flaws. Their new openness about those flaws comes after Obama’s reelection, which ensured that the law would not be repealed before it’s fully implemented.
But it also comes just ahead of the 2014 election cycle, when vulnerable Democrats in conservative states will have to defend their votes for the health law.
◼ Doctors driven to bankruptcy - CNN Money
As many doctors struggle to keep their practices financially sound, some are buckling under money woes and being pushed into bankruptcy.
Labels:
2014 Midterms,
Democrats,
Obamacare,
ObamaTAX
USA meets Kyoto protocol goal – without ever embracing it - and the media ignores it
◼ New EIA data shows USA inadvertently meets 1997 Kyoto protocol CO2 emission reductions without ever signing on thanks to a stagnant economy. Lowest level of CO2 emissions since 1994. - Anthony Watts/Watts Up With That?
◼ U.S. Meets 2012 Kyoto CO2 Standard! - azleader/Inform The Pundits
Kyoto is the bedrock of international law that serves as the legal foundation used by all nations for their individual actions taken to reduce global CO2 emissions. The United States, the lone non-signatory, is now the only major polluter to have met the standard. Today the EIA simply reports that U.S. CO2 emissions in 2012 were the lowest since 1994. Though amazing in itself, it is not headline news. Meeting the Kyoto Protocol standard should be front page news.
◼ U.S. Meets 2012 Kyoto CO2 Standard! - azleader/Inform The Pundits
Kyoto is the bedrock of international law that serves as the legal foundation used by all nations for their individual actions taken to reduce global CO2 emissions. The United States, the lone non-signatory, is now the only major polluter to have met the standard. Today the EIA simply reports that U.S. CO2 emissions in 2012 were the lowest since 1994. Though amazing in itself, it is not headline news. Meeting the Kyoto Protocol standard should be front page news.
Labels:
Global Warming,
International News,
Kyoto
The House and Senate have already passed their own budget plans. The House plan cuts $5.7 trillion in spending and balances the budget in 10 years while the Senate plan increases taxes by $1 trillion
◼ Yet now, the White House pushes Obama budget, warns Republicans about 'my way or highway' tactic - FOX
The White House tried Sunday to win support for President Obama’s forthcoming budget, arguing the plan is a balanced approach to economic prosperity and warning Republicans about stonewalling negotiations and pushing a “rejected” Romney plan.
“Right now, the approach of many Republicans, particularly the leadership in the House, is my way or the highway,” senior White House adviser Dan Pfeiffer told “Fox News Sunday.” “Their view is the only acceptable plan is to try to … essentially enact the Romney economic plan. The American people rejected that, and Republicans shouldn't be doubling down on it.”
The White House effort comes three days before Obama releases his 2014 budget, which is expected to include a mix of tax increases and cuts to such entitlements as Social Security and Medicare.
FLASHBACK: ◼ In March of 2012, Biggest act of bipartisanship to date: Obama budget defeated 414-0
◼ March 29, 2012: Obama budget goes down in House -- 414-0 - Washington Times
◼ May 16, 2012: President Obama's budget suffered a second embarrassing defeat Wednesday, when senators voted 99-0 to reject it. Coupled with the House's rejection in March, 414-0, that means Mr. Obama's budget has failed to win a single vote in support - Washington Times
The White House tried Sunday to win support for President Obama’s forthcoming budget, arguing the plan is a balanced approach to economic prosperity and warning Republicans about stonewalling negotiations and pushing a “rejected” Romney plan.
“Right now, the approach of many Republicans, particularly the leadership in the House, is my way or the highway,” senior White House adviser Dan Pfeiffer told “Fox News Sunday.” “Their view is the only acceptable plan is to try to … essentially enact the Romney economic plan. The American people rejected that, and Republicans shouldn't be doubling down on it.”
The White House effort comes three days before Obama releases his 2014 budget, which is expected to include a mix of tax increases and cuts to such entitlements as Social Security and Medicare.
FLASHBACK: ◼ In March of 2012, Biggest act of bipartisanship to date: Obama budget defeated 414-0
◼ March 29, 2012: Obama budget goes down in House -- 414-0 - Washington Times
◼ May 16, 2012: President Obama's budget suffered a second embarrassing defeat Wednesday, when senators voted 99-0 to reject it. Coupled with the House's rejection in March, 414-0, that means Mr. Obama's budget has failed to win a single vote in support - Washington Times
NBC PROMOTES FAULTY 'ANTI-GOVERNMENT' TALE ABOUT KIDNAPPING SUSPECTS
◼ NBC is promoting a story about a 35-year-old man. Joshua Hakken, who is alleged to have kidnapped his young sons from their grandmother's house and fled with them and his wife Sharyn, possibly by boat.- Joel Pollak//Breitbart
What has elevated this story from the local crime beat to national prominence is the allegation that Hakken and his wife are "anti-government"--an allegation that has been partially debunked by Reason.com's Mike Riggs.
NBC reports:
What has elevated this story from the local crime beat to national prominence is the allegation that Hakken and his wife are "anti-government"--an allegation that has been partially debunked by Reason.com's Mike Riggs.
NBC reports:
In a previous release, the sheriff’s department said that "both suspects are anti-government and have attempted a previous abduction at gun point in Louisiana.”However, Riggs notes that local police in Slidell, Louisiana, the city where the first arrests were made and the "anti-government rally" was alleged to have taken place, say that there was no such rally arrest:
Joshua Hakken was arrested in St. Tammany Parish, La. on June 17, 2012 after attending an “anti-government rally,” the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s department said in a press release. He was charged with the unlawful sale of narcotics in the presence of minors and possession of marijuana and spent one day in jail before making bond, said Officer Ben Sciambra of the Slidell city jail.
I asked the Slidell Police Department for Hakken's arrest report, and was told that it's being kept private because Hakken's drug charges are still pending. As I noted in an update a few minutes ago, the Slidell Police Department says the claim that Hakken was arrested at an "anti-government rally" simply isn't true, and they don't know where it came from.As Riggs notes elsewhere, the Florida media are promoting the "anti-government angle." But, as he points out, there is not much evidence that Riggs's beliefs are anything more than "libertarian/Tea Party."
Labels:
#VetThe Media,
False Reports,
Media bias,
NBC
What are Preppers? Terrorists?
◼ Preppers are individuals that stock up on food, weapons (sometimes), gas, and other essential items that their families may need in order to survive in a time of crisis.
What do preppers look like?
Preppers are normal every day individuals. They look like you and me. They are hardworking, smart, and intelligent. They are your neighbors, your co-workers, your friends, your family, and your bosses. They certainly are not the crazy, whacked out individuals that the main stream media portray them to be. Mains stream media portrays preppers as possible terrorists, nuts, psycho’s, and individuals for us to fear. This brings up the question as to why, and what is their purpose for doing so? Let’s dig a little deeper and see if we can come up with the real reasoning behind main stream media’s attack on preppers.
In the event of such a disaster (ex: Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Sandy, L.A. Riots) when grocery stores are empty, gas stations closed, power is down, looting is rampant, and there is no source of heat. Individuals that have prepared “Preppers” for such a disaster will not be subjected to starvation, dehydration, hypothermia, or mob attacks. They will not have to grovel to our government for food, water, shelter, or basic necessities. While others will have to stand in line for hours to get a simple bottle of water, or a blanket....
Do “Preppers” fall under the definition of terrorism...?
The Department of Homeland Security lists the (following) and suggests you report any such activity immediately. This is not the full list.
According to the DHS (U//FOUO) Rightwing Extremism Manual download here that is exactly what they are doing. They have redefined what a terrorist is, and are targeting normal everyday people like you and I. “Preppers” being one of them.
Many of the DHS/FEMA preparations, bills, and manuals have come to light in the recent years and MSM refuses to report on them. Yet, for some reason people refuse to connect the dots, even when the proof is right before their eyes. They refuse to accept the reality of the treasonous acts going on within our government against the citizens of the United States. When will people move past the excuse of “racism” to justify Obama’s actions? People from every walk of life are in danger via his policies and executive orders.
What do preppers look like?
Preppers are normal every day individuals. They look like you and me. They are hardworking, smart, and intelligent. They are your neighbors, your co-workers, your friends, your family, and your bosses. They certainly are not the crazy, whacked out individuals that the main stream media portray them to be. Mains stream media portrays preppers as possible terrorists, nuts, psycho’s, and individuals for us to fear. This brings up the question as to why, and what is their purpose for doing so? Let’s dig a little deeper and see if we can come up with the real reasoning behind main stream media’s attack on preppers.
In the event of such a disaster (ex: Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Sandy, L.A. Riots) when grocery stores are empty, gas stations closed, power is down, looting is rampant, and there is no source of heat. Individuals that have prepared “Preppers” for such a disaster will not be subjected to starvation, dehydration, hypothermia, or mob attacks. They will not have to grovel to our government for food, water, shelter, or basic necessities. While others will have to stand in line for hours to get a simple bottle of water, or a blanket....
Do “Preppers” fall under the definition of terrorism...?
The Department of Homeland Security lists the (following) and suggests you report any such activity immediately. This is not the full list.
1. Buy a cup of coffee with cashThe list goes on and on. The sad thing is none of what they list in their manuals targets any actual threats or known terrorist organizations. It targets law abiding Americans as the “terrorist”. No mention of gangs, drug dealers, Al Qaeda, nor Muslim Brotherhood activities. Why? Could it be because they are changing their target from the real terrorist’s to the American people?
2. Reporting or doing journalism
3. Criticizing the government targeting innocent civilians with drones.
4. Have more than 7 days worth of food in your house.
5. Pro-Life
6. Believe in the Constitution
7. Bumper stickers “Know your rights or loose them” “Ron Paul” “Anti-Obama”
8. Speaking out against government policies
9. Asking questions about Wall Street
10. Against Big Government
11. Veteran
12. Pro-gun
13. Don’t want the government spying on you without a warrant.
14. Use Social Media
According to the DHS (U//FOUO) Rightwing Extremism Manual download here that is exactly what they are doing. They have redefined what a terrorist is, and are targeting normal everyday people like you and I. “Preppers” being one of them.
Many of the DHS/FEMA preparations, bills, and manuals have come to light in the recent years and MSM refuses to report on them. Yet, for some reason people refuse to connect the dots, even when the proof is right before their eyes. They refuse to accept the reality of the treasonous acts going on within our government against the citizens of the United States. When will people move past the excuse of “racism” to justify Obama’s actions? People from every walk of life are in danger via his policies and executive orders.
Labels:
DHS,
disaster,
Disaster relief,
preppers,
self sufficient,
Terrorism
Mother Of Slain Benghazi Officer To Sean Hannity: ‘They Want Me To Shut Up’
◼ On Friday, Sean Hannity brought Pat Smith, mother of the late Sean Smith, on his radio program. The 34-year-old information management officer was one of four Americans murdered in the Benghazi embassy attack on September 11, 2012. - AJ Delgado/Mediaite
In the chilling interview, a distraught Ms. Smith, in tears, pleaded for answers and spoke of the efforts to silence her....
Smith then spoke of the intimidation she has experienced, in her quest for answers, noting she is being silenced, though Hannity clarified it is not by someone in the government:
They don’t tell me much. They want me to shut up…. I was told, and I really would rather not say by who, [though] I can if you need it, but I was told that I’m causing a lot of problems and to shut up…. I told them ‘I will not! I will not shut up until I find out what really happened!’During the ceremony when the caskets returned, Ms. Smith, who attended and sat next to Colin Powell’s wife, described her interaction at the event with President Obama and Hillary Clinton:
SMITH: The President? I cried on his shoulder. And I was crying there and he’s patting me on the back and looking around to who he’s gonna talk to next. So I didn’t feel any comfort there. Hillary? I cried on her shoulder also, but she paid a little attention to me then walked off. Panetta took my face in his hands. I asked him: “Please, please let me know what happened, I’ve got to know!” And he took my face in his hands and he says, “Trust me, trust me. I will get back to you. I will let you know.” And guess how much I’ve heard from him since?
HANNITY: Nothing.
SMITH: You got it.
America is on the brink of World War III, but seems to be more concerned with Beyonce and her Cuban exploits (she’s a Marxist elitistist – what do you expect?), than impending nuclear annihilation.
◼ NoKo-a-NoGo - Terresa Monroe-Hamilton/The Noisy Room
◼ Over the years, North Korea, since the last conflict with South Korea, has blustered and threatened on a continual basis. It has been a ploy to get money and support out of the U.S. and the U.N. and has worked time and again. This time is different. - Trevor Loudon/New Zeal
Kim Jong Il, who masterfully played the U.S. for time, money and food, is now dead. His son, Kim Jong Un now rules with an iron fist and has ratcheted up the rhetoric and threats. So much so, that I don’t see him backing down without at least attacking South Korea. He can’t afford to lose face.
North Korea’s Army is currently the fifth largest in the world. Let that sink in. Here are the top 10 currently:
While the NoKos have moved two long range missiles to their coast and loaded them on their launchpads, we blinked this morning. The U.S. is now delaying a test of our Minuteman III Intercontinental Missile out of California to ‘ease’ tensions with North Korea. Fools. This won’t ease tensions, it will embolden North Korea, because in the end, even if they attack the South, they believe we won’t do squat. It shows the U.S. is weak and in disarray. They believe at most we’ll throw sanctions at them and wag our finger in disapproval. That’s a recipe for nuclear war and global chaos.
◼ NORTH KOREAN GENERAL STAFF: 'GRAVE SITUATION' LOOMING - WND
Former ambassador says long-range missile shift raises specter of EMP attack
◼ Hagel warns North Korean nuclear arsenal a 'growing threat' - The Hill
...Hagel phoned Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan Tuesday evening and asked Beijing to help intensify pressure on the North Koreans to abandon their pursuit of additional nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.
"The secretary emphasized the growing threat to the U.S. and our allies posed by North Korea's aggressive pursuit of nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs and expressed to General Chang the importance of sustained U.S.-China dialogue and cooperation on these issues," Pentagon spokesman George Little said in a statement obtained by Fox News....
◼ Over the years, North Korea, since the last conflict with South Korea, has blustered and threatened on a continual basis. It has been a ploy to get money and support out of the U.S. and the U.N. and has worked time and again. This time is different. - Trevor Loudon/New Zeal
Kim Jong Il, who masterfully played the U.S. for time, money and food, is now dead. His son, Kim Jong Un now rules with an iron fist and has ratcheted up the rhetoric and threats. So much so, that I don’t see him backing down without at least attacking South Korea. He can’t afford to lose face.
North Korea’s Army is currently the fifth largest in the world. Let that sink in. Here are the top 10 currently:
1. United StatesWhen all of this started to blow up, Hagel got on the phone with China to beg them to get North Korea to back off. What an idiot. That’s like going to Hitler to ask for the Muslims to back off. North Korea is a proxy state for China. Nothing happens there without their tacit consent. All the theater of evacuating embassies in North Korea and the Chinese refusing to go, is just that… theater. The Chinese are in control. As an added bonus, I suspect Iran is paying the NoKos to stir up crap so they can finish their nuclear development and Russia is in the mix too. Things are not as they appear. We are being set up for a worldwide conflict that will crash all economies and reset the geo-political playing field, including the U.S. You are watching it playing out right in front of your eyes — at least you’ll be watching it till the EMPs fly.
2. China
3. Russia
4. India
5. North Korea
6. Turkey
7. France
8. Iran
9. Pakistan
10. United Kingdom
While the NoKos have moved two long range missiles to their coast and loaded them on their launchpads, we blinked this morning. The U.S. is now delaying a test of our Minuteman III Intercontinental Missile out of California to ‘ease’ tensions with North Korea. Fools. This won’t ease tensions, it will embolden North Korea, because in the end, even if they attack the South, they believe we won’t do squat. It shows the U.S. is weak and in disarray. They believe at most we’ll throw sanctions at them and wag our finger in disapproval. That’s a recipe for nuclear war and global chaos.
◼ NORTH KOREAN GENERAL STAFF: 'GRAVE SITUATION' LOOMING - WND
Former ambassador says long-range missile shift raises specter of EMP attack
◼ Hagel warns North Korean nuclear arsenal a 'growing threat' - The Hill
...Hagel phoned Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan Tuesday evening and asked Beijing to help intensify pressure on the North Koreans to abandon their pursuit of additional nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.
"The secretary emphasized the growing threat to the U.S. and our allies posed by North Korea's aggressive pursuit of nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs and expressed to General Chang the importance of sustained U.S.-China dialogue and cooperation on these issues," Pentagon spokesman George Little said in a statement obtained by Fox News....
Labels:
#War,
China,
Chuck Hagel,
International News,
National Security,
North Korea
ATF Seeks 'Massive' Database of Personal Info: 'Assets, Relatives, Associates and More'
◼ A recent solicitation from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) reveals that the agency is seeking a "massive" online database capable of pulling up individuals' personal information, connections and associates. - CNS
On March 28, ATF posted the notice on FedBizOpps.gov, entitled "Investigative System." The solicitation was updated on April 5 with a few minor changes....
On March 28, ATF posted the notice on FedBizOpps.gov, entitled "Investigative System." The solicitation was updated on April 5 with a few minor changes....
Labels:
Big Brother,
Big Government,
Gun Control,
Invasion of Privacy
Afghanistan: Taliban Kill Six Americans
◼ A young diplomat is among the dead after a Taliban suicide car bombing branded "despicable" by US Secretary of State John Kerry. - Sky News
Taliban militants have killed six Americans, including a young female diplomat, in the deadliest day in Afghanistan for the US in eight months.
Three members of the military, two US civilians and an Afghan doctor died after being hit by an explosion while travelling to donate books to a school in the south.
Taliban militants have killed six Americans, including a young female diplomat, in the deadliest day in Afghanistan for the US in eight months.
Three members of the military, two US civilians and an Afghan doctor died after being hit by an explosion while travelling to donate books to a school in the south.
Labels:
Afghanistan
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)