U.S.-Born al Qaeda Arrest News Incorrect - CBS News: "An 'important Taliban militant' was arrested today in Pakistan. But that is where the confusion started.
Earlier it was reported by Pakistani media that intelligence agents had arrested Adam Gadahn, the American-born spokesman for al Qaeda, in an operation in the southern city of Karachi.
It was further reported by the Associated Press and Reuters that Gadahn had been arrested, sourcing security officials.
CBS News was told by sources in the Pakistan government that it was Gadahn, even after U.S. officials refused to confirm it was the California native for whom a $1 million reward has been posted.
Now, CBS News' Farhan Bokhari in Islamabad writes that earlier reports the detained individual was Gadahn proved false. According to a Pakistan security official who spoke with CBS News on condition of anonymity, the arrested individual is in fact 'a Taliban militant leader who is known as Abu Yahya.'"
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Congressional estimates show grim deficit picture - Yahoo! News
Congressional estimates show grim deficit picture - Yahoo! News: "WASHINGTON – A new congressional report released Friday says the United States' long-term fiscal woes are even worse than predicted by President Barack Obama's grim budget submission last month.
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office predicts that Obama's budget plans would generate deficits over the upcoming decade that would total $9.8 trillion. That's $1.2 trillion more than predicted by the administration.
The agency says its future-year predictions of tax revenues are more pessimistic than the administration's. That's because CBO projects slightly slower economic growth than the White House.
The deficit picture has turned alarmingly worse since the recession that started at the end of 2007, never dipping below 4 percent of the size of the economy over the next decade. Economists say that deficits of that size are unsustainable and could put upward pressure on interest rates, crowd out private investment in the economy and ultimately erode the nation's standard of living."
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office predicts that Obama's budget plans would generate deficits over the upcoming decade that would total $9.8 trillion. That's $1.2 trillion more than predicted by the administration.
The agency says its future-year predictions of tax revenues are more pessimistic than the administration's. That's because CBO projects slightly slower economic growth than the White House.
The deficit picture has turned alarmingly worse since the recession that started at the end of 2007, never dipping below 4 percent of the size of the economy over the next decade. Economists say that deficits of that size are unsustainable and could put upward pressure on interest rates, crowd out private investment in the economy and ultimately erode the nation's standard of living."
National debt to be higher than White House forecast, CBO says - washingtonpost.com
National debt to be higher than White House forecast, CBO says - washingtonpost.com: "President Obama's proposed budget would add more than $9.7 trillion to the national debt over the next decade, congressional budget analysts said Friday. Proposed tax cuts for the middle class account for nearly a third of that shortfall.
The 10-year outlook released by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office is somewhat gloomier than White House projections, which found that Obama's budget request would produce deficits that would add about $8.5 trillion to the national debt by 2020.
The CBO and the White House are in relative agreement about the short-term budget picture, with both predicting a deficit of about $1.5 trillion this year -- a post-World War II record at 10.3 percent of the overall economy -- and $1.3 trillion in 2011. But the CBO is considerably less optimistic about future years, predicting that deficits would never fall below 4 percent of the economy under Obama's policies and would begin to grow rapidly after 2015."
The 10-year outlook released by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office is somewhat gloomier than White House projections, which found that Obama's budget request would produce deficits that would add about $8.5 trillion to the national debt by 2020.
The CBO and the White House are in relative agreement about the short-term budget picture, with both predicting a deficit of about $1.5 trillion this year -- a post-World War II record at 10.3 percent of the overall economy -- and $1.3 trillion in 2011. But the CBO is considerably less optimistic about future years, predicting that deficits would never fall below 4 percent of the economy under Obama's policies and would begin to grow rapidly after 2015."
STIMULUS WATCH: Less stimulus for minority firms - Yahoo! News
STIMULUS WATCH: Less stimulus for minority firms - Yahoo! News: "WASHINGTON – Hispanic and black businesses are receiving a disproportionately small number of federal stimulus contracts, creating a rising chorus of demands for the Obama administration to be more inclusive and more closely track who receives government-financed work.
Latinos and blacks have faced obstacles to winning government contracts long before the stimulus. They own 6.8 and 5.2 percent of all businesses, respectively, according to census figures. Yet Latino-owned business have received only 1.7 percent of $46 billion in federal stimulus contracts recorded in U.S. government data, and black-owned businesses have received just 1.1 percent."
Latinos and blacks have faced obstacles to winning government contracts long before the stimulus. They own 6.8 and 5.2 percent of all businesses, respectively, according to census figures. Yet Latino-owned business have received only 1.7 percent of $46 billion in federal stimulus contracts recorded in U.S. government data, and black-owned businesses have received just 1.1 percent."
My Way News - Al-Qaida calls on US Muslims to attack America
My Way News - Al-Qaida calls on US Muslims to attack America: "CAIRO (AP) - Al-Qaida's American-born spokesman on Sunday called on Muslims serving in the U.S. armed forces to emulate the Army major charged with killing 13 people in Fort Hood.
In a 25-minute video posted on militant Web sites, Adam Gadahn described Maj. Nidal Hasan as a pioneer who should serve as a role model for other Muslims, especially those serving Western militaries.
'Brother Nidal is the ideal role-model for every repentant Muslim in the armies of the unbelievers and apostate regimes,' he said.
Gadahn, also known as Azzam al-Amriki, was dressed in white robes and wearing a white turban as he called for attacks on what he described as 'high-value targets.'
Gadahn grew up on a goat farm in Riverside County, California, and converted to Islam at a mosque in nearby Orange County."
In a 25-minute video posted on militant Web sites, Adam Gadahn described Maj. Nidal Hasan as a pioneer who should serve as a role model for other Muslims, especially those serving Western militaries.
'Brother Nidal is the ideal role-model for every repentant Muslim in the armies of the unbelievers and apostate regimes,' he said.
Gadahn, also known as Azzam al-Amriki, was dressed in white robes and wearing a white turban as he called for attacks on what he described as 'high-value targets.'
Gadahn grew up on a goat farm in Riverside County, California, and converted to Islam at a mosque in nearby Orange County."
Chavez mocks Clinton as "blond Condoleezza" - Yahoo! News
Chavez mocks Clinton as "blond Condoleezza" - Yahoo! News: "CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuela's President Hugo mocked U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Friday as a 'blond' version of her predecessor, and said a row with Spain over alleged links with rebel groups was over.
Visiting Latin America this week, Clinton said the Obama administration's policies towards the region were helping blunt the criticism of the United States by leftist leaders like Chavez.
'To me, she's like Condoleezza Rice ... a blond Condoleezza,' said the Venezuelan, referring to former U.S. president George W. Bush's secretary of state, with whom he exchanged frequent harsh words at long-distance.
Citing comments by Clinton in Brazil, Chavez said she was proving to be equally aggressive. 'She comes to Brazil to provoke us, to try and divide us from our brothers.'"
Visiting Latin America this week, Clinton said the Obama administration's policies towards the region were helping blunt the criticism of the United States by leftist leaders like Chavez.
'To me, she's like Condoleezza Rice ... a blond Condoleezza,' said the Venezuelan, referring to former U.S. president George W. Bush's secretary of state, with whom he exchanged frequent harsh words at long-distance.
Citing comments by Clinton in Brazil, Chavez said she was proving to be equally aggressive. 'She comes to Brazil to provoke us, to try and divide us from our brothers.'"
Reuters AlertNet - Cuba to require medical insurance for visitors
Reuters AlertNet - Cuba to require medical insurance for visitors: "HAVANA, March 6 (Reuters) - Cash-strapped Cuba will require visitors to buy health insurance if they want to enter the country, according to a new government measure disclosed on Saturday.
Under the measure, which takes effect in May, the insurance will be sold by foreign companies approved by the Cuban government or by Cuban firms at ports of entry to the communist-led island, the government said in the online edition of Cuba's Official Gazette.
The measure decrees that tourists, foreigners with temporary residence in Cuba and Cubans living abroad who return to visit will have to be insured."
Under the measure, which takes effect in May, the insurance will be sold by foreign companies approved by the Cuban government or by Cuban firms at ports of entry to the communist-led island, the government said in the online edition of Cuba's Official Gazette.
The measure decrees that tourists, foreigners with temporary residence in Cuba and Cubans living abroad who return to visit will have to be insured."
Neglected by 'lazy' nurses, Kane Gorny, 22, dying of thirst rang the police to beg for water | Mail Online
Neglected by 'lazy' nurses, Kane Gorny, 22, dying of thirst rang the police to beg for water | Mail Online: "A man of 22 died in agony of dehydration after three days in a leading teaching hospital.
Kane Gorny was so desperate for a drink that he rang police to beg for their help.
They arrived on the ward only to be told by doctors that everything was under control.
The next day his mother Rita Cronin found him delirious and he died within hours.
She said nurses had failed to give him vital drugs which controlled fluid levels in his body. 'He was totally dependent on the nurses to help him and they totally betrayed him.'"
Kane Gorny was so desperate for a drink that he rang police to beg for their help.
They arrived on the ward only to be told by doctors that everything was under control.
The next day his mother Rita Cronin found him delirious and he died within hours.
She said nurses had failed to give him vital drugs which controlled fluid levels in his body. 'He was totally dependent on the nurses to help him and they totally betrayed him.'"
Soros manipulates euro - is U.S. dollar next? (OneNewsNow.com)
Soros manipulates euro - is U.S. dollar next? (OneNewsNow.com): "A scholar and New York Times bestselling author suspects left-wing billionaire George Soros is trying to manipulate the euro as part of his goal of establishing a one-world currency and a one-world government.
The London Daily Mail and The Wall Street Journal both recently reported on what is being described as an all-star 'ideas dinner' in New York City that was attended by some heavyweight hedge-fund managers, including George Soros. During that dinner, several participants argued that the euro is likely to fall to 'parity' or equal on an exchange basis with the dollar.
Dr. Jerome Corsi, author of America for Sale: Fighting the New World Order, Surviving a Global Depression, and Preserving U.S.A. Sovereignty, believes this is a George Soros-led effort all the way."
The London Daily Mail and The Wall Street Journal both recently reported on what is being described as an all-star 'ideas dinner' in New York City that was attended by some heavyweight hedge-fund managers, including George Soros. During that dinner, several participants argued that the euro is likely to fall to 'parity' or equal on an exchange basis with the dollar.
Dr. Jerome Corsi, author of America for Sale: Fighting the New World Order, Surviving a Global Depression, and Preserving U.S.A. Sovereignty, believes this is a George Soros-led effort all the way."
HotAirPundit: SNL Goes After "Deeply Unpopular" Health Care Bill
HotAirPundit: SNL Goes After "Deeply Unpopular" Health Care Bill
Obama on Harry Reid: "Health care could poll at 100% and Harry Reid would still have problems"
Health care is "angry mob" unpopular in Nevada...
Obama on Harry Reid: "Health care could poll at 100% and Harry Reid would still have problems"
Health care is "angry mob" unpopular in Nevada...
Obama: "Now Senator Reid I'll admit is in a different situation, he's up for re-election this fall where health care is especially unpopular,I'm not sure why but it is, really, really unpopular, angry mob unpopular. Lets be frank, Harry Reid could lose this November but let me make something clear, I don't think he will or at least it won't be because this unpopular bill.
Health care could poll at 100% and Harry Reid would still have problems, I think even Harry would agree he is not the most intelligenic or charismatic guy around. Plus he has been hurt by some of the sleazy deals he cut with other Senators in order to get health care passed, I mean you have to acknowledge they were sleazy, I mean the cornhusker kickback, it just smelled bad"
Police: Raiders rob international poker tournament - CNN.com
Police: Raiders rob international poker tournament - CNN.com: "(CNN) -- At least four masked and armed men robbed an international poker tournament in Berlin, Germany, Saturday, making off with an undisclosed sum of money, police said.
The Berlin police said the men, who had pistols and a machete, broke into the tournament at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, where the tournament is held, and forced organizers to hand over money.
A security staff member was lightly wounded after trying to hold down one of the men, police said in a statement.
The tournament participants were startled by the attack, and some tried to flee quickly, the police said."
The Berlin police said the men, who had pistols and a machete, broke into the tournament at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, where the tournament is held, and forced organizers to hand over money.
A security staff member was lightly wounded after trying to hold down one of the men, police said in a statement.
The tournament participants were startled by the attack, and some tried to flee quickly, the police said."
Russian forces kill militants linked to train attack - CNN.com
Russian forces kill militants linked to train attack - CNN.com: "Moscow, Russia (CNN) -- Russian security forces killed eight militants that it said were connected to a 2009 terrorist attack, the head of Russia's domestic security and anti-terrorism agency said Saturday.
The Russian forces also detained 10 militants in connection with the 2009 attack, in a special operation in the southern Russian republic of Ingushetia earlier this week, the head of the Russian security agency said.
In a televised meeting on Russia's state media, Federal Security Service Director Alexander Bortnikov told Russian President Dmitry Medvedev that the operation happened on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Bortnikov said that 'DNA tests of the militants have been carried out to establish their involvement' in a November 2009 Moscow to St. Petersburg train derailment that killed 28 people and injured about 90 others."
The Russian forces also detained 10 militants in connection with the 2009 attack, in a special operation in the southern Russian republic of Ingushetia earlier this week, the head of the Russian security agency said.
In a televised meeting on Russia's state media, Federal Security Service Director Alexander Bortnikov told Russian President Dmitry Medvedev that the operation happened on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Bortnikov said that 'DNA tests of the militants have been carried out to establish their involvement' in a November 2009 Moscow to St. Petersburg train derailment that killed 28 people and injured about 90 others."
Newsweek Declares The War On Terror Is Over! | NewsReal Blog
Newsweek Declares The War On Terror Is Over! | NewsReal Blog: "Have you heard? The War on Terror is over! In one of the most asinine statements by a “post-American” progressive, Newsweek editor and CNN commentator Fareed Zakaria declares Islamist extremism is defeated. After telling Americans last year to “learn to live with radical Islam,” Zakaria proclaims,
“The enemy is not vast; the swamp is being drained. Al Qaeda has already lost in the realm of ideology. What remains is the battle to defeat it in the nooks, crannies, and crevices of the real world.”
“The focus of our concern now is not a broad political movement but a handful of fanatics scattered across the globe.”
Indeed the changing composition of Islamic extremism does present individuals not clearly affiliated with any established group, most notably Nidal Malik Hasan, the Fort Hood shooter, and Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the Christmas day bomber. But despite a few independent radicals, Zakaria’s feint of immateriality belies the inherent risks of the continued existence of groups with extreme and violent ideology."
“The enemy is not vast; the swamp is being drained. Al Qaeda has already lost in the realm of ideology. What remains is the battle to defeat it in the nooks, crannies, and crevices of the real world.”
“The focus of our concern now is not a broad political movement but a handful of fanatics scattered across the globe.”
Indeed the changing composition of Islamic extremism does present individuals not clearly affiliated with any established group, most notably Nidal Malik Hasan, the Fort Hood shooter, and Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the Christmas day bomber. But despite a few independent radicals, Zakaria’s feint of immateriality belies the inherent risks of the continued existence of groups with extreme and violent ideology."
More Muslim Knuckleheads That Ditched Their Religion Of Peace Classes Arrested In UK Terror Plot | NewsReal Blog
More Muslim Knuckleheads That Ditched Their Religion Of Peace Classes Arrested In UK Terror Plot | NewsReal Blog: "Hey, where in Hell did these numb-skulls learn their Islam lessons? How’s come they missed the Islam is a religion of peace classes? Some heavy-weight big-stick from the Official World of Islam needs to walk into the Madrassa these guys went to and crack that head Imam’s melon. They gotta straighten out these isolated extremist knuckle-heads and get em to teach the real peaceful Islam lessons, I says. I just don’t get it with the Koran war-peace mix-up thing, the bomb all the planes business, and the bum-rush to kill all the Infidels. And now they’re workin’ in the airports, ‘ey?
I wanna see some world-wide condemnation of the jihad extreme-thing from the Umma-folk, and from my American politicians, so I can keep feelin’ good…. .. Meanwhile, yet another British Airways employee has been arrested and charged in connection with fund-raising for a terrorist plot, bringing to four the total charged by the British police authorities. Two of the four are, or were, employed by British Airways. Isn’t that special? The London Daily Mail story is here:
“A Heathrow Airport worker is in police custody today after a series of raids into an alleged terrorist fund-raising plot.
The man is the second British Airways worker held after three men were arrested in dawn raids this morning, taking to four the number in custody.
It follows the arrest on Thursday of a 30-year-old British Airways employee in Newcastle.
The three men, aged 31, 32 and 43, were seized by police at 5am today in Slough…”"
I wanna see some world-wide condemnation of the jihad extreme-thing from the Umma-folk, and from my American politicians, so I can keep feelin’ good…. .. Meanwhile, yet another British Airways employee has been arrested and charged in connection with fund-raising for a terrorist plot, bringing to four the total charged by the British police authorities. Two of the four are, or were, employed by British Airways. Isn’t that special? The London Daily Mail story is here:
“A Heathrow Airport worker is in police custody today after a series of raids into an alleged terrorist fund-raising plot.
The man is the second British Airways worker held after three men were arrested in dawn raids this morning, taking to four the number in custody.
It follows the arrest on Thursday of a 30-year-old British Airways employee in Newcastle.
The three men, aged 31, 32 and 43, were seized by police at 5am today in Slough…”"
Police: 8 teens shot at Indiana skate rink - CNN.com
Police: 8 teens shot at Indiana skate rink - CNN.com: "(CNN) -- Eight teenagers were wounded in a shooting Friday night at a skating rink in Gary, Indiana, police said Saturday.
Gary Police Department spokeswoman Cpl. Gabrielle King said that a fight broke out during or after the concert at the World of Skates roller rink on Friday, prompting the rink's manager to close up for the night.
'The manager asked everybody to leave, and when they went outside somebody just decided they would open fire and eight young people were shot,' she said.
She said those wounded range in age from age 14 to 18. They were taken to local hospitals, although King said none has life-threatening injuries.
She was not certain if any remained hospitalized Saturday. No arrests have been made, she said.
A phone call to World of Skates was not immediately returned."
Gary Police Department spokeswoman Cpl. Gabrielle King said that a fight broke out during or after the concert at the World of Skates roller rink on Friday, prompting the rink's manager to close up for the night.
'The manager asked everybody to leave, and when they went outside somebody just decided they would open fire and eight young people were shot,' she said.
She said those wounded range in age from age 14 to 18. They were taken to local hospitals, although King said none has life-threatening injuries.
She was not certain if any remained hospitalized Saturday. No arrests have been made, she said.
A phone call to World of Skates was not immediately returned."
Berkeley: The Confluence of Myopic Idealism and Reality | NewsReal Blog
Berkeley: The Confluence of Myopic Idealism and Reality | NewsReal Blog: "Young, enormously privileged college students are yet again exercising their latest favored entitlement: Fomenting mass unrest and destroying property because they just don’t feel they should have to pay for the generous benefits rightfully afforded to them by their welfare state utopia.
The Berkeley “struggle” is comical. Students, undoubtedly stoked by their increasingly irrelevant, dried-up leftist faculty mentors, invoke language of a bygone era to elevate what is little more than a puerile fit over tuition hikes to something like protesting war or racial segregation. In reality, there could be no better display of bourgeois selfishness, as the Wall Street Journal notes,
“We have here the vocabulary of the peace movement, of the struggle for decent conditions for migrants and other exploited workers, and of the civil-rights movement. Yet what did the protesters demand? Peace? Human rights? No. Money. And for whom? For the downtrodden and oppressed? No. For themselves.”"
The Berkeley “struggle” is comical. Students, undoubtedly stoked by their increasingly irrelevant, dried-up leftist faculty mentors, invoke language of a bygone era to elevate what is little more than a puerile fit over tuition hikes to something like protesting war or racial segregation. In reality, there could be no better display of bourgeois selfishness, as the Wall Street Journal notes,
“We have here the vocabulary of the peace movement, of the struggle for decent conditions for migrants and other exploited workers, and of the civil-rights movement. Yet what did the protesters demand? Peace? Human rights? No. Money. And for whom? For the downtrodden and oppressed? No. For themselves.”"
Saturday, March 6, 2010
National debt to be higher than White House forecast, CBO says
National debt to be higher than White House forecast, CBO says: "President Obama's proposed budget would add more than $9.7 trillion to the national debt over the next decade, congressional budget analysts said Friday. Proposed tax cuts for the middle class account for nearly a third of that shortfall.
The 10-year outlook released by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office is somewhat gloomier than White House projections, which found that Obama's budget request would produce deficits that would add about $8.5 trillion to the national debt by 2020.
The CBO and the White House are in relative agreement about the short-term budget picture, with both predicting a deficit of about $1.5 trillion this year -- a post-World War II record at 10.3 percent of the overall economy -- and $1.3 trillion in 2011. But the CBO is considerably less optimistic about future years, predicting that deficits would never fall below 4 percent of the economy under Obama's policies and would begin to grow rapidly after 2015."
The 10-year outlook released by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office is somewhat gloomier than White House projections, which found that Obama's budget request would produce deficits that would add about $8.5 trillion to the national debt by 2020.
The CBO and the White House are in relative agreement about the short-term budget picture, with both predicting a deficit of about $1.5 trillion this year -- a post-World War II record at 10.3 percent of the overall economy -- and $1.3 trillion in 2011. But the CBO is considerably less optimistic about future years, predicting that deficits would never fall below 4 percent of the economy under Obama's policies and would begin to grow rapidly after 2015."
DEBKAfile, Political Analysis, Espionage, Terrorism, Security
DEBKAfile, Political Analysis, Espionage, Terrorism, Security: "The US-led Western powers are scrapping tough measures incorporated in the original motion they drafted for a UN Security Council sanctions resolution against Iran, according to diplomats at the UN Center. To make the draft more acceptable to Russia and China, the blacklisting of Iran's central bank has been replaced by a decision to 'strengthen vigilance' over the bank's transactions, leaving only new overseas Iranian banks to be targeted.
The text earlier dropped the restrictions proposed by France against Iran's oil and gas industries, as well as the original US plan to halt supplies of gasoline and other refined oil products to Iran. As the haggling goes on, Moscow refuses to endorse a full arms embargo similar to the regime in place against North Korea.
debkafile reports: By the time it is tabled, the sanctions resolution will be toothless as an instrument for holding back Iran's dash for a nuclear bomb and its weapons of delivery.
Tehran already senses the new penalties will leave it sitting pretty with its economy, military assets and commercial ties unimpaired."
The text earlier dropped the restrictions proposed by France against Iran's oil and gas industries, as well as the original US plan to halt supplies of gasoline and other refined oil products to Iran. As the haggling goes on, Moscow refuses to endorse a full arms embargo similar to the regime in place against North Korea.
debkafile reports: By the time it is tabled, the sanctions resolution will be toothless as an instrument for holding back Iran's dash for a nuclear bomb and its weapons of delivery.
Tehran already senses the new penalties will leave it sitting pretty with its economy, military assets and commercial ties unimpaired."
Al-Qaeda | Iraq elections | Sunni Muslims
Al-Qaeda | Iraq elections | Sunni Muslims: "AL-QAEDA in Iraq has declared a nationwide 'curfew' to stop today's parliamentary elections, warning Iraqis they risk death if they vote.
The Islamic State of Iraq, an al-Qaeda-led umbrella organisation of insurgent groups, set the curfew from 6am to 6pm 'throughout Iraq and especially in Sunni areas' in a message posted on its website.
'For the safety of our people, any of those who learn of this, report it to those who do not know and supply yourself with needs for the curfew,' it said.
The group added that anyone who defied the curfew would 'unfortunately expose himself to the anger of Allah and then to all kinds of weapons of the mujahideen'."
The Islamic State of Iraq, an al-Qaeda-led umbrella organisation of insurgent groups, set the curfew from 6am to 6pm 'throughout Iraq and especially in Sunni areas' in a message posted on its website.
'For the safety of our people, any of those who learn of this, report it to those who do not know and supply yourself with needs for the curfew,' it said.
The group added that anyone who defied the curfew would 'unfortunately expose himself to the anger of Allah and then to all kinds of weapons of the mujahideen'."
Pupils aged five on hate register: Teachers must log playground taunts for Government database | Mail Online
Pupils aged five on hate register: Teachers must log playground taunts for Government database | Mail Online: "Heads will be forced to list children as young as five on school 'hate registers' over everyday playground insults.
Even minor incidents must be recorded as examples of serious bullying and details kept on a database until the pupil leaves secondary school.
Teachers are to be told that even if a primary school child uses homophobic or racist words without knowing their meaning, simply teaching them such words are hurtful and inappropriate is not enough.
Instead the incident has to be recorded and his or her behaviour monitored for future signs of 'hate' bullying."
Even minor incidents must be recorded as examples of serious bullying and details kept on a database until the pupil leaves secondary school.
Teachers are to be told that even if a primary school child uses homophobic or racist words without knowing their meaning, simply teaching them such words are hurtful and inappropriate is not enough.
Instead the incident has to be recorded and his or her behaviour monitored for future signs of 'hate' bullying."
FOXNews.com - Dems Race to Pass Health Care Bill as Tea Partiers Plan Town Hall Wave
FOXNews.com - Dems Race to Pass Health Care Bill as Tea Partiers Plan Town Hall Wave: "Democrats are racing the clock to pass health care reform ahead of a wave of Tea Party-driven town hall meetings planned for the spring recess -- the kind of gatherings that nearly derailed the package last August.
But there's a big difference this time around. Last summer, Democrats were encouraged to hold the town hall meetings, and they were blindsided by the backlash, which was recorded and promoted in countless YouTube clips. This time around, they have a good idea of what's coming -- and they're lying low, in case work on health care carries over into the recess.
'There's not been the same push as there was in August to encourage members to do town halls,' said Stephanie Lundberg, spokeswoman for House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer."
But there's a big difference this time around. Last summer, Democrats were encouraged to hold the town hall meetings, and they were blindsided by the backlash, which was recorded and promoted in countless YouTube clips. This time around, they have a good idea of what's coming -- and they're lying low, in case work on health care carries over into the recess.
'There's not been the same push as there was in August to encourage members to do town halls,' said Stephanie Lundberg, spokeswoman for House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer."
36 States Aim to Preempt Federal Health Care Plan -- Politics Daily
36 States Aim to Preempt Federal Health Care Plan -- Politics Daily: "Talk about your preemptive strike.
The success of national health care reform legislation is still an uncertainty, but some states are already taking measures to keep federal hands off their citizens.
Thursday, Virginia became the first state to enact a law exempting its residents from any health insurance mandates. It's one of 36 states where lawmakers are trying to head off potential federal legislation.
While Virginia enacted a statute, 25 other states are considering constitutional changes, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Virtually all the proposals object to mandates requiring individuals or businesses to buy health insurance."
The success of national health care reform legislation is still an uncertainty, but some states are already taking measures to keep federal hands off their citizens.
Thursday, Virginia became the first state to enact a law exempting its residents from any health insurance mandates. It's one of 36 states where lawmakers are trying to head off potential federal legislation.
While Virginia enacted a statute, 25 other states are considering constitutional changes, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Virtually all the proposals object to mandates requiring individuals or businesses to buy health insurance."
FOXNews.com - Obama 9th Circuit Nominee: Constitution Must Adapt to Changes in the World
FOXNews.com - Obama 9th Circuit Nominee: Constitution Must Adapt to Changes in the World: "Even his critics describe him as 'brilliant,' but President Obama's newly minted judicial nominee -- law professor Goodwin Liu -- will not have an easy time getting to the 9th Circuit bench.
At age 39, Liu has compiled an impressive resume: Rhodes Scholar, Supreme Court clerk, top grades at both Stanford University and Yale Law School and now law professor University of California, Berkeley.
Liu has also aligned himself with progressive legal groups, including the American Constitution Society, where he is chairman of the board of directors. That's prompting opponents to argue that Liu is 'too far outside the mainstream' to take a seat on a court just one step below the Supreme Court of the United States.
'He believes the Constitution is something judges can manipulate to have it say what they think culture or evolving standards of decency requires of it in a given day,' said the Senate Judiciary Committee's top Republican Jeff Sessions, R-Ala.
Ed Whelan, a one-time clerk to Justice Antonin Scalia and now president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, echoed those concerns."
At age 39, Liu has compiled an impressive resume: Rhodes Scholar, Supreme Court clerk, top grades at both Stanford University and Yale Law School and now law professor University of California, Berkeley.
Liu has also aligned himself with progressive legal groups, including the American Constitution Society, where he is chairman of the board of directors. That's prompting opponents to argue that Liu is 'too far outside the mainstream' to take a seat on a court just one step below the Supreme Court of the United States.
'He believes the Constitution is something judges can manipulate to have it say what they think culture or evolving standards of decency requires of it in a given day,' said the Senate Judiciary Committee's top Republican Jeff Sessions, R-Ala.
Ed Whelan, a one-time clerk to Justice Antonin Scalia and now president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, echoed those concerns."
Facebook | Sarah Palin's Notes
Facebook | Sarah Palin's Notes: "First the Obama Administration opened up the possibility of prosecuting CIA interrogators doing their jobs seeking information from terrorists. Then they tried to go after the Bush Administration lawyers who acted in good faith to protect us in the months after 9/11. Now some of the military brass are court-martialing three brave Navy SEALs for allegedly throwing a single punch at Iraqi terrorist leader Ahmed Hashim Abed. This is wrong. The Washington Times got it right: Save the SEALs.
These brave warriors belong in combat, not in the courthouse. They captured the most wanted terrorist in Iraq. We may never know how many other heroic missions they undertook on behalf of our country. The charges should be dropped, and they should be returned to their unit – with our gratitude for their service.
Stand up for the SEALs who are standing up for us!
- Sarah Palin"
These brave warriors belong in combat, not in the courthouse. They captured the most wanted terrorist in Iraq. We may never know how many other heroic missions they undertook on behalf of our country. The charges should be dropped, and they should be returned to their unit – with our gratitude for their service.
Stand up for the SEALs who are standing up for us!
- Sarah Palin"
Pelosi Signals Openness To Senate Language On Abortion Coverage In Health Reform Bill
Pelosi Signals Openness To Senate Language On Abortion Coverage In Health Reform Bill: "In a press conference Tuesday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) signaled that House Democrats might be willing to accept the Senate's language on abortion coverage and health insurance for immigrants, Roll Call reports. The issues are among the many that have divided the House Democratic caucus, as leaders consider the use of budget reconciliation to help pass health reform through a two-part process. According to Roll Call, neither abortion nor immigration 'can be addressed under a reconciliation bill because stringent rules governing such bills require provisions to have a direct budgetary impact' (Pierce/Bendery, Roll Call, 3/3). Pelosi said, 'Neither of these issues is central to the bill,' adding, 'This is not an immigration bill. This is not an abortion bill. This is a bill that would provide more health care to all Americans.' She continued, 'In order to be part of the budget bill, it has to be central to the budget. ... It's a very strict rule' (Fabian, 'Blog Briefing Room,' The Hill, 3/2)."
The ‘global warming’ story you haven’t heard: part two | NewsReal Blog
The ‘global warming’ story you haven’t heard: part two | NewsReal Blog
In January, I told you about independent journalist Donna Laframboise’s one-woman investigation of that Nobel-prize winning UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report on “global warming.”
She discovered, simply by using the report’s own built in search function, that some of the IPPCC report’s “peer reviewed scientific journals” were, uh, not.
Laframboise kept pulling the “peer review” thread. Today, she announces:
I counted the references cited in the final, published version of Chapter 11 and got a tally of 330. Of those, fully 139 – or 42 percent – were non-peer-reviewed grey literature.
(…)
At this juncture it’s worth remembering that the IPCC’s chairman, Rajendra Pachauri, has repeatedly claimed that the IPCC relies solely on peer-reviewed material to make its case. By now we know this isn’t remotely true.
Marxist Andy Stern Calls for Destruction of American Society as We Know It | NewsReal Blog
Marxist Andy Stern Calls for Destruction of American Society as We Know It | NewsReal Blog
On his TV show Glenn Beck highlighted a speech in which Andrew Stern, the Marxist Alinskyite who heads the radical Service Employees International Union lauded the new “economic plan led by the government.” Stern is shown giving a speech in which he says
We now have a new metric, you know, the president says he wants to judge the new economy whether it increases the number of people in the middle class, whether we have shared prosperity not just whether we have growth which is a fundamental different philosophy than we have seen in our country up to date and clearly government has has a major opportunity to distribute wealth through the EITC [Earned Income Tax Credit], through tax policies, through minimum wages, through living wages. The government has a role in redistributing wealth or social benefits like Medicare, Medicaid,
children’s health insurance.
In other words and despite his many denials Stern wants essentially wants to transform America into a socialist state. The America Stern wants to live in isn’t necessarily wealthy — as long as we are all equally poor then that’s OK by him.
It is this leftist fetishization of material equality that gets people like Andy Stern out of bed in the morning and it is destroying the America we love.
Anatomy of a Lie: ACORN, Charles Hynes, & the Church of Liberalism’s Canonization Process | NewsReal Blog
Anatomy of a Lie: ACORN, Charles Hynes, & the Church of Liberalism’s Canonization Process | NewsReal Blog
Global warming is settled science. Saddam Hussein never had WMDs. Tax cuts only benefit the rich. Ever wonder how so many leftist talking points come to be accepted as conventional wisdom? Often, it’s simply a matter of the media saying so as if they’re vetted, well-established conclusions, despite skipping the messy “vetting” and “establishing” parts.
Today the Daily Beast has provided us with a lovely example of the phenomenon, by highlighting a recent stunt by Comedy Central’s Stephen Colbert, having a few laughs at Sean Hannity’s expense (be warned that the video is somewhat risqué):
Sensing an opportunity in Sean Hannity’s evaporated support for the now largely-discredited “ACORN Pimp” videos, Stephen Colbert made a dubiously-edited video of his own for Thursday’s show… and wore a fur coat, to boot.Maddow Misinforms, Muckrakes to Stop Stupak | NewsReal Blog
Maddow Misinforms, Muckrakes to Stop Stupak | NewsReal Blog
Did you know polar bears sometimes eat their young? Kind of ruins the image of their cuteness doesn’t it? Democrats also will sometimes eat their own if they get in the way. Rachel Maddow attempted just that on her show last night. She took out her fork and knives and called for Bart Stupak’s head to be placed on her plate.
Congressman Stupak (D-Mich) was an unknown backbencher of the Democrat party until last fall. As a pro-life Democrat he has led the way to stop abortion funding in Obamacare. He now claims he has a group of 12 Democrats who voted for the House health care bill that will not vote for the Senate version, which includes money to help women pay for abortions.
Maddow, sensing Stupak’s ability to stop Obamacare, decided to devote a full segment to relentlessly and recklessly sling accusations at the Michigan Congressman. It was not journalism, it was not good television, it was pathetic.
Let’s look one by one at each salacious attack.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Hot Air » Blog Archive » Is reconciliation the biggest problem in ObamaCare push?
Hot Air » Blog Archive » Is reconciliation the biggest problem in ObamaCare push?: "Over the last few days, readers have sent a number of e-mails objecting to our focus on reconciliation as the big problem facing the opposition to ObamaCare. Reconciliation is just a ruse, they warn. The real danger is that the House will pass the Senate version of ObamaCare and that Barack Obama will sign it into law. The Senate doesn’t have to do anything at that point, except perhaps dodge the missiles tossed across the Capitol’s parking lot from their colleagues in the House after stiffing them on fixing their concerns.
That certainly has some truth to it. The House has had the option to do just that ever since the Senate passed its version in late December. The House can do that at any time during this session of Congress, which ends in December. They do not need to even put it through the committee process, but can bring it to the floor expeditiously — and Republicans have no way to stop it. If Nancy Pelosi ever decides to do that — presuming she can get the votes to pass it — Obama would surely sign the bill.
If that’s all it took, though, it would already have been done. The problem is that the Senate bill is unpopular among Democrats in the House, mainly for three reasons. First, the Senate stripped out the public option. Progressives have come to a grudging understanding that they’re not going to revive that. However, they’re not at all pleased with the so-called Cadillac tax funding mechanism in the Senate bill, primarily because it will hammer union workers who won big health-care benefits over the years. Finally, on the opposite end of the Democratic caucus, the abortion issue has made the Senate bill a bridge too far for at least a dozen Representatives who voted for the bill the first time — when it passed by only five votes."
That certainly has some truth to it. The House has had the option to do just that ever since the Senate passed its version in late December. The House can do that at any time during this session of Congress, which ends in December. They do not need to even put it through the committee process, but can bring it to the floor expeditiously — and Republicans have no way to stop it. If Nancy Pelosi ever decides to do that — presuming she can get the votes to pass it — Obama would surely sign the bill.
If that’s all it took, though, it would already have been done. The problem is that the Senate bill is unpopular among Democrats in the House, mainly for three reasons. First, the Senate stripped out the public option. Progressives have come to a grudging understanding that they’re not going to revive that. However, they’re not at all pleased with the so-called Cadillac tax funding mechanism in the Senate bill, primarily because it will hammer union workers who won big health-care benefits over the years. Finally, on the opposite end of the Democratic caucus, the abortion issue has made the Senate bill a bridge too far for at least a dozen Representatives who voted for the bill the first time — when it passed by only five votes."
Romneycare model a dud - BostonHerald.com
Romneycare model a dud - BostonHerald.com: "So this is what it looks like when a mild-mannered, liberal community activist goes “nuclear.”
President Barack Obama didn’t use the “n” word - or even the “r” word, “reconciliation.” But he made it clear he’s ready to go to Democrat DefCon4, give the partisan launch codes and inflict Obamacare on the American people at any political cost.
In defending his decision to go nuclear, Obama talked about insurance company “abuses.” He talked about premium hikes in California. He talked about a sick mom in Wisconsin. He even talked (in extremely modest ways) about Republican ideas like tort reform and fighting Medicare fraud."
President Barack Obama didn’t use the “n” word - or even the “r” word, “reconciliation.” But he made it clear he’s ready to go to Democrat DefCon4, give the partisan launch codes and inflict Obamacare on the American people at any political cost.
In defending his decision to go nuclear, Obama talked about insurance company “abuses.” He talked about premium hikes in California. He talked about a sick mom in Wisconsin. He even talked (in extremely modest ways) about Republican ideas like tort reform and fighting Medicare fraud."
» Don’t Believe the MSM: John Patrick Bedell, the Pentagon Shooter, was no Right-Winger - Big Journalism
» Don’t Believe the MSM: John Patrick Bedell, the Pentagon Shooter, was no Right-Winger - Big Journalism
Already, the media has jumped on the John Patrick Bedell story, claiming that he was a raving right winger “with virulent antigovernment feelings,” as the Christian Science Monitor puts it. And, just as they did with the Joseph Stack case, they’re ignoring the evidence in order to come to that conclusion.
John Patrick Bedell, whom authorities identified as the gunman in the Pentagon shooting on Thursday, appears to have been a right-wing extremist with virulent antigovernment feelings.
If so, that would make the Pentagon shooting the second violent extremist attack on a federal building within the past month. On Feb. 18, Joseph Stack flew a small aircraft into an IRS building in Austin, Texas. Mr. Stack left behind a disjointed screed in which, among other things, he expressed his hatred of the government.
“If so…” That’s a pretty big “if.”
Let’s start by noting that Bedell was a registered Democrat. The media has completely and conveniently ignored that little fact.
They’ve also ignored that he was anti-military; he believed the military murdered Marine Colonel James Sabow. This is a conspiracy theory popular among left-wingers, who believe that Sabow, whose death was ruled a suicide by official investigators, was killed because he knew too much about drug- and weapons-smuggling activities at his military base.
He was anti-Bush; his amazon.com reading list included left wing tomes like The Immaculate Deception: The Bush Crime Family Exposed, and Family of Secrets: The Bush Dynasty, the Powerful Forces that Put It in the White House, and What Their Influence Means for America.
He thought that the Bush Administration had staged 9/11 in order to centralize government power:
This organization, like so many murderous governments throughout history, sacrifice of thousands of its citizens in an event such as the September 11th attacks, as a small cost in order to perpetuate its barbaric control. This collection of gangsters would find it in their interests to foment conflict and initiate wars throughout the world in order to divert attention from their misconduct and criminality. The true nature of such a regime would find its clearest expression in Satanic violence currently ongoing in Iraq.
This mirrors Noam Chomsky far more than Rush Limbaugh; meanwhile, the media is attempting to play it off as some sort of legitimate “right-wing” perspective. Real conservatives look at the 9/11 truthers as complete dolts, and complete left-wing dolts at that. This guy was more Van Jones (a fellow 9/11 truther) than John Boehner or Sarah Palin.
The Munz ~~ Remembering the fallen
The Munz ~~ Remembering the fallen
Constable Artem (James) Otchakovski Peel Regional Police Service Ontario
Published March 5, 2010 1 Leave a Comment Edit
Constable Artem (James) Otchakovski
Peel Regional Police Service
Ontario
End of Watch: Monday, March 1, 2010
Biographical Info
Age: Not available
Tour of Duty: 2 years
Badge Number: Not available
Incident Details
Cause of Death: Automobile accident
Date of Incident: Monday, March 1, 2010
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Constable James Otchakovski was killed in an automobile accident at the intersection of Airport Road and Steeles Avenue East, in Brampton. He was on patrol when his vehicle collided with another vehicle at the intersection.
Constable Otchakovski had served with the agency for two years. He is survived by his wife and 3-year-old son.
Agency Contact Information
Peel Regional Police Service
Brampton, ON
Phone: () –
Please contact the Peel Regional Police Service for funeral arrangements or for survivor benefit fund information.
The Munz ~~ Remembering the fallen
The Munz ~~ Remembering the fallen
Inspector Brian C. Waynant Sr.
Wilmington Fire Marshal’s Office
Delaware
End of Watch: Monday, March 1, 2010
Biographical Info
Age: 45
Tour of Duty: 20 years
Badge Number: Not available
Incident Details
Cause of Death: Struck by train
Date of Incident: Monday, March 1, 2010
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Inspector Brian Waynant was struck and killed by an Amtrak train while searching for an arson suspect. He was on the tracks near the Wilmington Amtrak Station at approximately 9:30 pm when the incident occurred.
Inspector Waynant had served with the Wilmington Fire Marshal’s Office for four years and had previously served with the Wilmington Police Department for 16 years. He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
Agency Contact Information
Wilmington Fire Marshal’s Office
Emergency Operations Center
22 S. Heald Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
Phone: (302) 576-3120
Please contact the Wilmington Fire Marshal’s Office for funeral arrangements or for survivor benefit fund information.
CONGRESS DECLARES WAR ON HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS
CONGRESS DECLARES WAR ON HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS: "While Congress has been debating health reform, employers have been creating new consumer-driven health care plans. In fact, CDHC plans are the only type of health insurance that has been shown to reliably change patient and doctor behavior in ways that lower costs and improve the quality of care, says Ronald E. Bachman, FSA, MAAA, is President and CEO of Healthcare Visions, Inc. and a senior fellow with the National Center for Policy Analysis.
More than half of employers now offer consumer-driven options, including Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) or Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs). In 2010, nearly 18 million people will be enrolled, says Bachman.
Federal legislation can stop progress in its tracks, however. For example, the health care bill passed by the Senate (December 23, 2009) does not directly outlaw HSA-eligible plans, but it restricts HSA options in insidious ways that will delay, deny, defeat and ultimately kill them, says Bachman:
* HSA health plans are insurance plans that allow an individual and/or his employer to deposit funds into a special savings account.
* The funds are not subject to the income tax if withdrawals are used to pay out-of-pocket medical expenses.
* Right now, HSA plans are the only form of health insurance under which an individual's out-of-pocket exposure is limited by law.
* Currently, the limits are $5,950 for individuals and $11,900 for families.
* A plan could have lower deductibles and require patient copays up the total limit, or it could have deductibles as high as $5,950/$11,900 so long as the plan pays all costs above those amounts.
However:
* The Senate bill limits the deductible for small group plans to $2,000 for singles and $4,000 for families -- roughly one-third the level allowed under current HSA law -- with copays above the deductible.
* Many people would choose a $5,950 deductible over a $2,000 deductible and place the premium savings in an HSA, but this is a choice the Senate bill would deny them.
Source: Ronald E. Bachman, 'Congress Declares War on Health Savings Accounts,' March 5, 2010.
For text:"
More than half of employers now offer consumer-driven options, including Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) or Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs). In 2010, nearly 18 million people will be enrolled, says Bachman.
Federal legislation can stop progress in its tracks, however. For example, the health care bill passed by the Senate (December 23, 2009) does not directly outlaw HSA-eligible plans, but it restricts HSA options in insidious ways that will delay, deny, defeat and ultimately kill them, says Bachman:
* HSA health plans are insurance plans that allow an individual and/or his employer to deposit funds into a special savings account.
* The funds are not subject to the income tax if withdrawals are used to pay out-of-pocket medical expenses.
* Right now, HSA plans are the only form of health insurance under which an individual's out-of-pocket exposure is limited by law.
* Currently, the limits are $5,950 for individuals and $11,900 for families.
* A plan could have lower deductibles and require patient copays up the total limit, or it could have deductibles as high as $5,950/$11,900 so long as the plan pays all costs above those amounts.
However:
* The Senate bill limits the deductible for small group plans to $2,000 for singles and $4,000 for families -- roughly one-third the level allowed under current HSA law -- with copays above the deductible.
* Many people would choose a $5,950 deductible over a $2,000 deductible and place the premium savings in an HSA, but this is a choice the Senate bill would deny them.
Source: Ronald E. Bachman, 'Congress Declares War on Health Savings Accounts,' March 5, 2010.
For text:"
OBAMACARE BETA IS A DUD
OBAMACARE BETA IS A DUD: "In defending his decision to go nuclear (i.e., using reconciliation to pass his unpopular health care bill), President Obama talked Tuesday about insurance company 'abuses.' He talked about premium hikes in California. He talked about a sick mom in Wisconsin. He even talked (in extremely modest ways) about Republican ideas like tort reform and fighting Medicare fraud.
What Obama didn't mention was Massachusetts or bringing the benefits of Bay State reform to all America. Quite simply, he avoided mentioning the Bay State's attempt at government-run health care because it has been a debacle in Massachusetts, says columnist Michael Graham, of the Boston Herald.
Here are a few 'highlights' of the current status of the Obamacare experiment in Massachusetts:
* The Bay State's 'universal' health insurance scheme is already $47 million over budget for 2010; 'Romneycare,' or 'Obamacare Beta' as some are calling it, will cost taxpayers more than $900 million next year alone.
* Average premiums are the highest in the nation and rising.
* The state also spends 27 percent more on health care services, per capita, than the national average; those costs, contrary to what we were promised, have been going up faster here than nearly everywhere else.
* It's creating bizarre marketplace mutations; in Massachusetts, Obamacare 1.0 is such a mess the governor is talking about imposing draconian price controls.
* Gov. Deval Patrick (D) has even suggested going to 'capitation,' a system where doctors get a fixed amount of money per patient -- and then that's it; which means it would become in your doctor's financial interest never to see you again.
All this damage to the taxpayers, the insured and the responsible business owners . . . and for what? The percentage of uninsured Bay State residents has gone from around 6 percent to around 3 percent. In other words, it's a dud, says Graham.
The damage Obamacare would do to the current health care system -- where 85 percent of Americans are happy with their health care, by the way -- could be so great, the only institution big enough to repair it would be the government. The fact that the government inflicted that damage would be a moot point, says Graham.
Source: Michael Graham, 'Romneycare model a dud,' Boston Herald, March 4, 2010."
What Obama didn't mention was Massachusetts or bringing the benefits of Bay State reform to all America. Quite simply, he avoided mentioning the Bay State's attempt at government-run health care because it has been a debacle in Massachusetts, says columnist Michael Graham, of the Boston Herald.
Here are a few 'highlights' of the current status of the Obamacare experiment in Massachusetts:
* The Bay State's 'universal' health insurance scheme is already $47 million over budget for 2010; 'Romneycare,' or 'Obamacare Beta' as some are calling it, will cost taxpayers more than $900 million next year alone.
* Average premiums are the highest in the nation and rising.
* The state also spends 27 percent more on health care services, per capita, than the national average; those costs, contrary to what we were promised, have been going up faster here than nearly everywhere else.
* It's creating bizarre marketplace mutations; in Massachusetts, Obamacare 1.0 is such a mess the governor is talking about imposing draconian price controls.
* Gov. Deval Patrick (D) has even suggested going to 'capitation,' a system where doctors get a fixed amount of money per patient -- and then that's it; which means it would become in your doctor's financial interest never to see you again.
All this damage to the taxpayers, the insured and the responsible business owners . . . and for what? The percentage of uninsured Bay State residents has gone from around 6 percent to around 3 percent. In other words, it's a dud, says Graham.
The damage Obamacare would do to the current health care system -- where 85 percent of Americans are happy with their health care, by the way -- could be so great, the only institution big enough to repair it would be the government. The fact that the government inflicted that damage would be a moot point, says Graham.
Source: Michael Graham, 'Romneycare model a dud,' Boston Herald, March 4, 2010."
"INNOVATION" ISN'T ENOUGH TO FIX ENTITLEMENTS
"INNOVATION" ISN'T ENOUGH TO FIX ENTITLEMENTS: "Because of the nature of Social Security, innovation and efficiency improvements can only play a limited role in controlling its costs, says Josh Barro, a senior fellow with the Manhattan Institute.
With Social Security, innovation is essentially useless. It's hard to imagine a simpler government program than Social Security, which involves taking money from some people and sending it to other people, says Barro:
* No amount of innovation will allow the government to send out a $1,000 check at a cost below $1,000.
* And the Social Security Administration has little non-benefit fat to cut -- over 98 percent of Social Security's costs go to benefits, meaning opportunities for savings in overhead are severely limited.
* The only ways to save real money on Social Security are to send out smaller checks or fewer checks.
One innovative proposal for Social Security -- private accounts -- isn't a money saver either, says Barro:
* Every payroll tax dollar moved to a private account is one that the government can't use to finance current operations -- and therefore is a dollar that the government must now borrow in public markets.
* The rise in government-issued debt would soak up exactly the amount of capital unleashed in accounts and the economic effect would be a wash.
Of course, the government could cut other spending to avoid issuing more debt, says Barro. Rep. Paul Ryan's Roadmap plan couples private Social Security accounts with benefit cuts and increases in the retirement age. But it's the non-innovative components of Ryan's plan that provide real savings: the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) found that his plan would cut the deficit more if he scrapped privatization and kept his other Social Security reforms.
Source: Josh Barro, 'Innovation Isn't Enough to Fix Entitlements,' Real Clear Markets, March 2, 2010."
With Social Security, innovation is essentially useless. It's hard to imagine a simpler government program than Social Security, which involves taking money from some people and sending it to other people, says Barro:
* No amount of innovation will allow the government to send out a $1,000 check at a cost below $1,000.
* And the Social Security Administration has little non-benefit fat to cut -- over 98 percent of Social Security's costs go to benefits, meaning opportunities for savings in overhead are severely limited.
* The only ways to save real money on Social Security are to send out smaller checks or fewer checks.
One innovative proposal for Social Security -- private accounts -- isn't a money saver either, says Barro:
* Every payroll tax dollar moved to a private account is one that the government can't use to finance current operations -- and therefore is a dollar that the government must now borrow in public markets.
* The rise in government-issued debt would soak up exactly the amount of capital unleashed in accounts and the economic effect would be a wash.
Of course, the government could cut other spending to avoid issuing more debt, says Barro. Rep. Paul Ryan's Roadmap plan couples private Social Security accounts with benefit cuts and increases in the retirement age. But it's the non-innovative components of Ryan's plan that provide real savings: the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) found that his plan would cut the deficit more if he scrapped privatization and kept his other Social Security reforms.
Source: Josh Barro, 'Innovation Isn't Enough to Fix Entitlements,' Real Clear Markets, March 2, 2010."
LET'S BRING BACK THE ROBBER BARONS
LET'S BRING BACK THE ROBBER BARONS: "'Robber baron' became a term of derision to generations of American students after many earnest teachers made them read Matthew Josephson's long tome of the same name about the men whose enterprise drove the American industrial age from 1861 to 1901, says Daniel Henninger of the Wall Street Journal.
The antidote to Josephson's book is a small classic by Hillsdale College historian Burton W. Folsom called, 'The Myth of the Robber Barons: A New Look at the Rise of Big Business in America' (Young America's Foundation). Prof. Folsom's core insight is to divide the men of that age into market entrepreneurs and political entrepreneurs.
Market entrepreneurs like John D. Rockefeller, Cornelius Vanderbilt and James J. Hill built businesses on product and price:
* Hill was the railroad magnate who finished his transcontinental line without a public land grant.
* Rockefeller took on and beat the world's dominant oil power at the time, Russia and innovated his way to energy primacy for the United States.
Political entrepreneurs, by contrast, made money back then by gaming the political system:
* Steamship builder Robert Fulton acquired a 30-year monopoly on Hudson River steamship traffic from the New York legislature.
* Vanderbilt, with the slogan 'New Jersey must be free,' broke Fulton's government-granted monopoly.
If the Obama model takes hold, we will enter the Golden Age of the Political Entrepreneur, says Henninger. Politically connected entrepreneurs will spend their energies running a mad labyrinth of bureaucracies, congressional committees and Beltway door openers. Our best market entrepreneurs, instead of exhausting themselves on their new ideas, will run to ground gaming Barack Obama's ideas, says Henninger.
If the goal is job growth, we need to admit one fact: Political entrepreneurs create fewer jobs than do market entrepreneurs. We need new mass markets -- really big markets of the sort Henry Ford, Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie created. Great employment markets are discoverable only by people who create opportunities or see them in the cracks of what already exists -- a Federal Express or Wal-Mart. We have young people impatient for the chance to do what Carnegie, Rockefeller and Hill did. Let them, says Henninger.
Source: Daniel Henninger, 'Let's Bring Back the Robber Barons,' Wall Street Journal, March 4, 2010."
The antidote to Josephson's book is a small classic by Hillsdale College historian Burton W. Folsom called, 'The Myth of the Robber Barons: A New Look at the Rise of Big Business in America' (Young America's Foundation). Prof. Folsom's core insight is to divide the men of that age into market entrepreneurs and political entrepreneurs.
Market entrepreneurs like John D. Rockefeller, Cornelius Vanderbilt and James J. Hill built businesses on product and price:
* Hill was the railroad magnate who finished his transcontinental line without a public land grant.
* Rockefeller took on and beat the world's dominant oil power at the time, Russia and innovated his way to energy primacy for the United States.
Political entrepreneurs, by contrast, made money back then by gaming the political system:
* Steamship builder Robert Fulton acquired a 30-year monopoly on Hudson River steamship traffic from the New York legislature.
* Vanderbilt, with the slogan 'New Jersey must be free,' broke Fulton's government-granted monopoly.
If the Obama model takes hold, we will enter the Golden Age of the Political Entrepreneur, says Henninger. Politically connected entrepreneurs will spend their energies running a mad labyrinth of bureaucracies, congressional committees and Beltway door openers. Our best market entrepreneurs, instead of exhausting themselves on their new ideas, will run to ground gaming Barack Obama's ideas, says Henninger.
If the goal is job growth, we need to admit one fact: Political entrepreneurs create fewer jobs than do market entrepreneurs. We need new mass markets -- really big markets of the sort Henry Ford, Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie created. Great employment markets are discoverable only by people who create opportunities or see them in the cracks of what already exists -- a Federal Express or Wal-Mart. We have young people impatient for the chance to do what Carnegie, Rockefeller and Hill did. Let them, says Henninger.
Source: Daniel Henninger, 'Let's Bring Back the Robber Barons,' Wall Street Journal, March 4, 2010."
CNSNews.com - Two Students Investigated for 'Felony Hate Crime' -- Throwing Cotton Balls on Lawn
CNSNews.com - Two Students Investigated for 'Felony Hate Crime' -- Throwing Cotton Balls on Lawn
(CNSNews.com) - Two students at the University of Missouri-Columbia were suspended Wednesday, following their arrest on suspicion of a felony hate crime -- for throwing cotton balls across the lawn of the school's black-culture center, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.
Nathan Stephens, the culture center's coordinator, was quoted as saying that students were offended because of the "symbolic violence" harkening back to the days of slavery on cotton plantations.
Read St. Louis Post Dispatch article
See Newspaper Roundup
(CNSNews.com) - Two students at the University of Missouri-Columbia were suspended Wednesday, following their arrest on suspicion of a felony hate crime -- for throwing cotton balls across the lawn of the school's black-culture center, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.
Nathan Stephens, the culture center's coordinator, was quoted as saying that students were offended because of the "symbolic violence" harkening back to the days of slavery on cotton plantations.
Read St. Louis Post Dispatch article
See Newspaper Roundup
CNSNews.com - Dems Advance Obama’s Nominee for Justice Department Post, Despite GOP Opposition to Her Pro-Abortion, Anti-War Views
CNSNews.com - Dems Advance Obama’s Nominee for Justice Department Post, Despite GOP Opposition to Her Pro-Abortion, Anti-War Views: "(CNSNews.com) – The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday voted 12-7 along party lines for the full Senate to cast an up-or-down vote on Dawn Johnsen to head the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel. It was the second time since President Obama first nominated Johnsen one year ago that the committee has approved her nomination.
Johnsen, a law professor at Indiana University, had to be re-nominated by President Barack Obama after the Senate failed to vote on her appointment before its winter recess.
The Office of Legal Counsel provides authoritative legal advice to the president and all the Executive Branch agencies, reviewing all executive orders and proclamations to be issued by the president, the Justice Department Web site says. The office also provides legal advice to the Executive Branch on all constitutional questions and reviews the constitutionality of pending legislation."
Johnsen, a law professor at Indiana University, had to be re-nominated by President Barack Obama after the Senate failed to vote on her appointment before its winter recess.
The Office of Legal Counsel provides authoritative legal advice to the president and all the Executive Branch agencies, reviewing all executive orders and proclamations to be issued by the president, the Justice Department Web site says. The office also provides legal advice to the Executive Branch on all constitutional questions and reviews the constitutionality of pending legislation."
CNSNews.com - Rep. Boehner Rebuts House Speaker Pelosi’s Claim That Health Care Bill Doesn’t Fund Abortion
CNSNews.com - Rep. Boehner Rebuts House Speaker Pelosi’s Claim That Health Care Bill Doesn’t Fund Abortion: "(CNSNews.com) – House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) rebutted claims by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) that there is no federal (taxpayer) funding of abortion in the health care bill.
Speaking to reporters at his weekly press briefing on Thursday, Boehner said the Senate's version of health care reform, unlike the one that passed in the House, provides for federal funding of abortion.
Boehner pointed out that, under the Senate bill, all Americans are required to pay a separate abortion premium of at least $1 a month. This mandatory premium amounted to a tax, Boehner said, because the federal government is forcing Americans to fund abortion, something it has never done before.
“Under the Senate bill, everyone who buys a health policy at one of the so-called exchanges will pay a monthly abortion fee,” Boehner pointed out. “That goes into a fund to pay for elective abortions. Now, you can argue that this $1-per-month fee that everyone's going to be charged isn't a tax, but you try to explain that to the American people.”"
Speaking to reporters at his weekly press briefing on Thursday, Boehner said the Senate's version of health care reform, unlike the one that passed in the House, provides for federal funding of abortion.
Boehner pointed out that, under the Senate bill, all Americans are required to pay a separate abortion premium of at least $1 a month. This mandatory premium amounted to a tax, Boehner said, because the federal government is forcing Americans to fund abortion, something it has never done before.
“Under the Senate bill, everyone who buys a health policy at one of the so-called exchanges will pay a monthly abortion fee,” Boehner pointed out. “That goes into a fund to pay for elective abortions. Now, you can argue that this $1-per-month fee that everyone's going to be charged isn't a tax, but you try to explain that to the American people.”"
CNSNews.com - Hatch: Biden Will ‘Go Down in History as a Real Dolt’ If He Over-Rules Senate Parliamentarian and Lets The Dems Pass Health Care Without 60 Votes
CNSNews.com - Hatch: Biden Will ‘Go Down in History as a Real Dolt’ If He Over-Rules Senate Parliamentarian and Lets The Dems Pass Health Care Without 60 Votes: "(CNSNews.com) – Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) said that Vice President Joe Biden would “go down in history as a real dolt” if he used his power as president of the Senate to overrule the Senate parliamentarian on the legitimacy of procedural tactics that could allow the Democrats to enact their health-care reform bill without getting the normally required 60 votes in the Senate.
Because the Democrat caucus in the Senate no longer has 60 members with which to end debate on a bill (and prevent a Republican filibuster), it is being reported that the Democrats may attempt to pass changes to their original health care bill with just 51 votes through a process called reconciliation."
Because the Democrat caucus in the Senate no longer has 60 members with which to end debate on a bill (and prevent a Republican filibuster), it is being reported that the Democrats may attempt to pass changes to their original health care bill with just 51 votes through a process called reconciliation."
CNSNews.com - Hatch: Media ‘Suckered’ Into Believing Democrats' ‘Whining and Moaning’ About GOP
CNSNews.com - Hatch: Media ‘Suckered’ Into Believing Democrats' ‘Whining and Moaning’ About GOP: "(CNSNews.com) – Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) said the Democrats had “no reason to gripe” over Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Ky) delaying a $10-billion extension bill earlier this week because they have “59 votes on their side” and can basically do what they want in the Senate. He also said some of the media were “suckered” on the issue.
On Capitol Hill, CNSNews.com asked Hatch whether Bunning did the right thing and whether there was anything wrong in the way Bunning handled the issue.
Hatch said, “I’m not gonna’ criticize him. You know, anybody that has the ability to stand up like he’s done, I think deserves praise, not criticism. But, you know, sooner or later – But, look, the Democrats have no reason to gripe. They tried to turn the media on this and some of the media have been suckered on it because -- there are 59 votes on their side!”"
On Capitol Hill, CNSNews.com asked Hatch whether Bunning did the right thing and whether there was anything wrong in the way Bunning handled the issue.
Hatch said, “I’m not gonna’ criticize him. You know, anybody that has the ability to stand up like he’s done, I think deserves praise, not criticism. But, you know, sooner or later – But, look, the Democrats have no reason to gripe. They tried to turn the media on this and some of the media have been suckered on it because -- there are 59 votes on their side!”"
OBAMA BRIBES, THREATENS, AND REWARDS CONGRESS TO PASS HEALTH CARE at DickMorris.com
OBAMA BRIBES, THREATENS, AND REWARDS CONGRESS TO PASS HEALTH CARE at DickMorris.com: "All aspects of President Obama’s Chicago-style tactics are on display as he cajoles, bullies, and bribes the House to pass his health care proposals despite the overwhelming public rejection with which they have been met.
To some, he offers bribes. Congressman Jim Matheson, endangered species - a Utah Democrat - succeeded in getting his brother Scott appointed to a federal judgeship. Matheson voted against Obamacare when it first passed the House. With his new-found winnings in his pocket, he now professes to be undecided. He faces a clear conflict between his district and his conscience on the one hand and the bribe to his brother on the other. The conscience will probably lose.
Matheson supports his party 91% of the time according to the Washington Post even though McCain got 58% of the vote in his district in 2008. But Matheson got re-elected - by professing independence from the Democratic Party’s liberal line - with 63% of the vote, so he probably figures he can sneak in a vote for health care and still con his district into re-electing him. After all, he’s not heavy. He’s my brother."
To some, he offers bribes. Congressman Jim Matheson, endangered species - a Utah Democrat - succeeded in getting his brother Scott appointed to a federal judgeship. Matheson voted against Obamacare when it first passed the House. With his new-found winnings in his pocket, he now professes to be undecided. He faces a clear conflict between his district and his conscience on the one hand and the bribe to his brother on the other. The conscience will probably lose.
Matheson supports his party 91% of the time according to the Washington Post even though McCain got 58% of the vote in his district in 2008. But Matheson got re-elected - by professing independence from the Democratic Party’s liberal line - with 63% of the vote, so he probably figures he can sneak in a vote for health care and still con his district into re-electing him. After all, he’s not heavy. He’s my brother."
Massa to Resign on Monday - Roll Call
Massa to Resign on Monday - Roll Call: "Freshman Rep. Eric Massa (D-N.Y.) announced on Friday that he will resign from the House effective 5 p.m. on Monday.
Massa surprised political observers when he announced on Wednesday that he would not run for re-election in November. He cited a reoccurrence of cancer as the reason for his decision, but it came to light simultaneously that he is under investigation by the House ethics committee for alleged sexual harassment of an aide."
Massa surprised political observers when he announced on Wednesday that he would not run for re-election in November. He cited a reoccurrence of cancer as the reason for his decision, but it came to light simultaneously that he is under investigation by the House ethics committee for alleged sexual harassment of an aide."
National Inflation Association
National Inflation Association: "The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released unemployment numbers today for the month of February 2010. We saw a payroll decline in February of 36,000 jobs. If you discount the hiring of 15,000 temporary census workers, 51,000 jobs were lost. The official unemployment rate stayed the same at 9.7%, but including 'discouraged workers' the U-6 unemployment rate increased by 0.3% to 16.8%. Interestingly, the BLS revised payroll data for April through July 2009, which included the addition of 54,000 payrolls in April of 2009 for people that had been hired in preparation of the census. If the BLS can't accurately count the number of people hired to work for the census, NIA wonders how on earth these census workers will be able to accurately count the hundreds of millions of people living in this nation?
If you have recently watched any financial show on television, 90% of the guests talk about the 'economic recovery beginning to take hold.' NIA believes it is impossible for there to be an economic recovery when the imbalances that need to be corrected are growing larger than ever. Although U.S. consumer spending was up 0.5% in January, the U.S. savings rate fell to a 15-month low of 3.3%. In order for our economy to be on a road to recovery, we need to see a sharp contraction in consumer spending along with a savings rate north of 10%. The truth is, any positive U.S. economic data only serves as an indicator that inflation is beginning to take hold."
If you have recently watched any financial show on television, 90% of the guests talk about the 'economic recovery beginning to take hold.' NIA believes it is impossible for there to be an economic recovery when the imbalances that need to be corrected are growing larger than ever. Although U.S. consumer spending was up 0.5% in January, the U.S. savings rate fell to a 15-month low of 3.3%. In order for our economy to be on a road to recovery, we need to see a sharp contraction in consumer spending along with a savings rate north of 10%. The truth is, any positive U.S. economic data only serves as an indicator that inflation is beginning to take hold."
Hamas founder's son: I spied for Israel - CNN.com
Hamas founder's son: I spied for Israel - CNN.com: "The son of a founder of the Palestinian militant group, Hamas, Tuesday told CNN that he was a spy for Israel.
For 10 years, Mosab Yousef said he gathered information about Hamas terrorist plots and fed them to Israel's domestic security service Shin Bet.
Yousef, in an exclusive interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour, said he did it because he came to believe that Hamas was practicing 'exceptional cruelty' against its members and 'killed people for no reason.'
He has now written a book, 'Son of Hamas' detailing his exploits from his new base in the United States where he has lived since 2007. CNN could not independently confirm his story and Israel has refused to comment.
In the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, a former Israeli handler said of Yousef: 'One insight of his was worth 1,000 hours of thought by top experts.'"
For 10 years, Mosab Yousef said he gathered information about Hamas terrorist plots and fed them to Israel's domestic security service Shin Bet.
Yousef, in an exclusive interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour, said he did it because he came to believe that Hamas was practicing 'exceptional cruelty' against its members and 'killed people for no reason.'
He has now written a book, 'Son of Hamas' detailing his exploits from his new base in the United States where he has lived since 2007. CNN could not independently confirm his story and Israel has refused to comment.
In the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, a former Israeli handler said of Yousef: 'One insight of his was worth 1,000 hours of thought by top experts.'"
Two Pentagon Officers Shot Near Metro Station
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Facebook | Procter & Gamble VP's OPEN LETTER to Mr. Obama, "YOU SCARE ME".
Facebook | Procter & Gamble VP's OPEN LETTER to Mr. Obama, "YOU SCARE ME".
- Procter & Gamble VP's OPEN LETTER to Mr. Obama, "YOU SCARE ME".
- Description:
- AN OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA
Dear President Obama:
You are the thirteenth President under whom I have lived and unlike any of the others, you truly scare me.
You scare me because after months of exposure, I know nothing about you.
You scare me because I do not know how you paid for your expensive Ivy League education and your upscale lifestyle and housing with no visible signs of support.
You scare me because you did not spend the formative years of youth growing up in America and culturally you are not an American.
You scare me because you have never run a company or met a payroll.
You scare me because you have never had military experience, thus don't understand it at its core..
You scare me because you lack humility and 'class', always blaming others.
You scare me because for over half your life you have aligned yourself with radical extremists who hate America and you refuse to publicly denounce these radicals who wish to see America fail.
You scare me because you are a cheerleader for the 'blame America' crowd
and deliver this message abroad.
You scare me because you want to change America to a European style country where the government sector dominates instead of the private sector.
You scare me because you want to replace our health care system with a government controlled one.
You scare me because you prefer 'wind mills' to responsibly capitalizing on our own vast oil, coal and shale reserves.
You scare me because you want to kill the American capitalist goose that lays the golden egg which provides the highest standard of living in the world.
You scare me because you have begun to use 'extortion' tactics against certain banks and corporations.
You scare me because your own political party shrinks from challenging you on your wild and irresponsible spending proposals.
You scare me because you will not openly listen to or even consider opposing points of view from intelligent people.
You scare me because you falsely believe that you are both omnipotent and omniscient.
You scare me because the media gives you a free pass on everything you do.
You scare me because you demonize and want to silence the Limbaughs, Hannitys, O'Relllys and Becks who offer opposing, conservative points of view.
You scare me because you prefer controlling over governing.
Finally, you scare me because if you serve a second term I will probably not feel safe in writing a similar letter in 8 years.
Lou Pritchett
Origins: Lou Pritchett is a former vice president of Procter & Gamble whose career at that company spanned 36 years before his retirement in 1989, and he is the author of the 1995 business book, Stop Paddling & Start Rocking the Boat.
http://townhall.com/columnists/MattTowery/2010/03/05/not_one_major_poll_favors_obamas_health_proposal?page=full&comments=true
http://townhall.com/columnists/MattTowery/2010/03/05/not_one_major_poll_favors_obamas_health_proposal?page=full&comments=true: "In my entire career, I have never been as confounded as I am over President Obama and the Democratic leadership's obsession with a piece of legislation that not one major national poll has shown to be popular. A quick glance at this week's surveys shows about a 10 percent spread between those who favor the latest health care legislation and those who oppose it.
In the world of politics, that's a blowout. So I have to ask, why are the president and the leaders of Congress willing to see their entire party and a multitude of other policy proposals go down in flames over something that the public can't stand?
Well, we could be altruistic and say they believe that strongly in the merits of health care reform. Indeed, there are parts of the proposal I might support. But I've been around this game far too long to believe in pure altruism from politicians. After all, I was one myself. This isn't to say that elected officials don't try to do the right thing. But when you see the public hating what you are doing, you generally start to question whether what you are promoting is really the right thing."
In the world of politics, that's a blowout. So I have to ask, why are the president and the leaders of Congress willing to see their entire party and a multitude of other policy proposals go down in flames over something that the public can't stand?
Well, we could be altruistic and say they believe that strongly in the merits of health care reform. Indeed, there are parts of the proposal I might support. But I've been around this game far too long to believe in pure altruism from politicians. After all, I was one myself. This isn't to say that elected officials don't try to do the right thing. But when you see the public hating what you are doing, you generally start to question whether what you are promoting is really the right thing."
Will health care be President’s ‘Waterloo’?
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No Allies, But Plenty of Enemies - Victor Davis Hanson - National Review Online
No Allies, But Plenty of Enemies - Victor Davis Hanson - National Review Online: "Almost 30 years after losing a war over the Falkland Islands, Argentina is once again warning Britain that it still wants back what it calls the Malvinas.
Argentina is now angry over a British company’s oil exploration off the windswept islands in what it considers its South Atlantic backyard.
Although nominally democratic, the unpopular Kirchner government in Buenos Aires has claimed that the sparsely settled islands are a symbolic matter of Spanish-speaking pride throughout Latin America and belong to Argentina because the islands were Spain’s in the 19th century."
In response to all this, the Obama administration announced that it would remain neutral. Aside from the fact that the Falkland Islanders wish to remain British — and aside from our history of supporting Britain’s claim, including during the 1982 war — there are lots of reasons why our neutrality here is a bad idea.
Argentina is now angry over a British company’s oil exploration off the windswept islands in what it considers its South Atlantic backyard.
Although nominally democratic, the unpopular Kirchner government in Buenos Aires has claimed that the sparsely settled islands are a symbolic matter of Spanish-speaking pride throughout Latin America and belong to Argentina because the islands were Spain’s in the 19th century."
In response to all this, the Obama administration announced that it would remain neutral. Aside from the fact that the Falkland Islanders wish to remain British — and aside from our history of supporting Britain’s claim, including during the 1982 war — there are lots of reasons why our neutrality here is a bad idea.
The Corruptocrats - Investors.com
The Corruptocrats - Investors.com: "Ethics: There's a 900-pound elephant in the room in Washington named Corruption. The media don't seem to have noticed it's there — because the pachyderm is actually a donkey.
When Rep. Mark Foley, R-Fla., was exposed in the fall of 2006 sending sleazy text messages to male teenage congressional pages, the establishment press made sure it cast a heavy shadow on the entire Republican establishment. Again and again it was noted that then-House Speaker Dennis Hastert and other congressional GOP leaders obviously knew about Foley but did little or nothing.
Where are they now that Rep. Eric Massa, D-N.Y., is undone after unwelcome sexual advances toward a junior male staffer? House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., admits to knowing of the allegations, so where are the headlines like those in 2006 warning that this and other scandals could doom Democrats this November?"
When Rep. Mark Foley, R-Fla., was exposed in the fall of 2006 sending sleazy text messages to male teenage congressional pages, the establishment press made sure it cast a heavy shadow on the entire Republican establishment. Again and again it was noted that then-House Speaker Dennis Hastert and other congressional GOP leaders obviously knew about Foley but did little or nothing.
Where are they now that Rep. Eric Massa, D-N.Y., is undone after unwelcome sexual advances toward a junior male staffer? House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., admits to knowing of the allegations, so where are the headlines like those in 2006 warning that this and other scandals could doom Democrats this November?"
Energy Suicide: Unplugging America » Publications » Family Security Matters
Energy Suicide: Unplugging America » Publications » Family Security Matters: "What was that most homeowners and apartment dwellers most feared in the recent record-breaking blizzard that hit the northeast?
The answer is losing electricity and that is why the news of the event was always filled with reports of what towns had lost electricity due to downed tree limbs. This was followed by news of how quickly the utilities were making repairs.
Simply stated, when you lose electricity, you lose light and warmth, and you are instantly back to the dark ages before magical power flowed into your home through outlets throughout your house or apartment. No power leaves people searching for flashlights or, if they have planned for it, firing up a generator.
That is why energy is so critical, not just to our everyday lives, but to the future of the nation. It is, in many respects, life itself."
The answer is losing electricity and that is why the news of the event was always filled with reports of what towns had lost electricity due to downed tree limbs. This was followed by news of how quickly the utilities were making repairs.
Simply stated, when you lose electricity, you lose light and warmth, and you are instantly back to the dark ages before magical power flowed into your home through outlets throughout your house or apartment. No power leaves people searching for flashlights or, if they have planned for it, firing up a generator.
That is why energy is so critical, not just to our everyday lives, but to the future of the nation. It is, in many respects, life itself."
Pentagon Shooter Railed Against U.S. on Internet - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com
Pentagon Shooter Railed Against U.S. on Internet - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com: "Resentment of the U.S. government and suspicions over the 9/11 attacks have surfaced in writings by the Californian identified as the gunman who shot two Pentagon police officers before he was mortally wounded in a hail of return fire.
The shooter's death was confirmed early Friday, hours after the Thursday evening assault, as authorities searched for a motive behind the brazen attack. The two officers, Jeffery Amos and Marvin Carraway, were grazed by bullets and treated in a hospital.
SLIDESHOW: Shooting at the Pentagon
The attack unfolded at the subway entrance to the massive Defense Department headquarters, as an eerie calm and silence were broken by the explosion of gunfire."
The shooter's death was confirmed early Friday, hours after the Thursday evening assault, as authorities searched for a motive behind the brazen attack. The two officers, Jeffery Amos and Marvin Carraway, were grazed by bullets and treated in a hospital.
SLIDESHOW: Shooting at the Pentagon
The attack unfolded at the subway entrance to the massive Defense Department headquarters, as an eerie calm and silence were broken by the explosion of gunfire."
FOXNews.com - Dems Race to Pass Health Care Bill as Tea Partiers Plan Town Hall Wave
FOXNews.com - Dems Race to Pass Health Care Bill as Tea Partiers Plan Town Hall Wave: "Democrats are racing the clock to pass health care reform ahead of a wave of Tea Party-driven town hall meetings planned for the spring recess -- the kind of gatherings that nearly derailed the package last August.
But there's a big difference this time around. Last summer, Democrats were encouraged to hold the town hall meetings, and they were blindsided by the backlash, which was recorded and promoted in countless YouTube clips. This time around, they have a good idea of what's coming -- and they're lying low, in case work on health care carries over into the recess.
'There's not been the same push as there was in August to encourage members to do town halls,' said Stephanie Lundberg, spokeswoman for House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer."
But there's a big difference this time around. Last summer, Democrats were encouraged to hold the town hall meetings, and they were blindsided by the backlash, which was recorded and promoted in countless YouTube clips. This time around, they have a good idea of what's coming -- and they're lying low, in case work on health care carries over into the recess.
'There's not been the same push as there was in August to encourage members to do town halls,' said Stephanie Lundberg, spokeswoman for House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer."
FOXNews.com - With Money on the Line, Local Governments Urge Illegal Immigrants to Fill Out Census
FOXNews.com - With Money on the Line, Local Governments Urge Illegal Immigrants to Fill Out Census: "Cities, counties and states that haven't been very kind to illegal immigrants over the years are suddenly dusting off their welcome mats. With the 2010 census about to get under way, those undocumented residents will be worth a lot of money for the next few weeks."
Cities, counties and states that haven't been very kind to illegal immigrants over the years are suddenly dusting off their welcome mats. With the 2010 census about to get under way, those undocumented residents will be worth a lot of money for the next few weeks.
Jurisdictions across the country are reaching out to illegal immigrant communities, some of which are reluctant to participate, in an effort to convince them that filling out the census form is safe and that the information they provide won't be used against them. Counting every last resident is vital for these districts, because the census numbers will be used to determine funding as well as legislative districts. The more people an area has, the more money it is eligible for, and the more representation it can get in Congress -- which usually means even more money.
Cities, counties and states that haven't been very kind to illegal immigrants over the years are suddenly dusting off their welcome mats. With the 2010 census about to get under way, those undocumented residents will be worth a lot of money for the next few weeks.
Jurisdictions across the country are reaching out to illegal immigrant communities, some of which are reluctant to participate, in an effort to convince them that filling out the census form is safe and that the information they provide won't be used against them. Counting every last resident is vital for these districts, because the census numbers will be used to determine funding as well as legislative districts. The more people an area has, the more money it is eligible for, and the more representation it can get in Congress -- which usually means even more money.
Obama lobbies wavering Democrats on health care - Washington Times
Obama lobbies wavering Democrats on health care - Washington Times: "President Obama and top Democrats set out Thursday to thwart defections and solidify support for their health care overhaul bill, focusing on skeptical rank-and-file House Democrats antsy about voting for the unpopular measure and then having to fend off Republican attacks in the midterm elections.
A dozen House Democrats who supported the bill in the House said they'll vote against Mr. Obama's plan unless strong abortion restrictions are inserted. Others question whether the Senate bill, the basis of the president's plan, will do enough to stem rising health care costs or address regional disparities on Medicare rates.
Nearly 20 House Democrats were called to back-to-back White House meetings with Mr. Obama in which he told the rank and file that 'to maintain a strong presidency, we need to pass this bill,' said Rep. Raul M. Grijalva, Arizona Democrat and co-chairman of the Progressive Caucus."
A dozen House Democrats who supported the bill in the House said they'll vote against Mr. Obama's plan unless strong abortion restrictions are inserted. Others question whether the Senate bill, the basis of the president's plan, will do enough to stem rising health care costs or address regional disparities on Medicare rates.
Nearly 20 House Democrats were called to back-to-back White House meetings with Mr. Obama in which he told the rank and file that 'to maintain a strong presidency, we need to pass this bill,' said Rep. Raul M. Grijalva, Arizona Democrat and co-chairman of the Progressive Caucus."
Exclusive: You Can’t Make This Stuff Up – The Judicial Nominee Edition » Publications » Family Security Matters
Exclusive: You Can’t Make This Stuff Up – The Judicial Nominee Edition » Publications » Family Security Matters: "By now, you’ve likely heard about the nomination of Scott M. Matheson, Jr. to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit. Judge Matheson is, according to the White House press release, “a distinguished candidate for the Tenth Circuit court,” whose “legal and academic credentials are impressive and his commitment to judicial integrity is unwavering.”
On the face of it, it sounds like a routine judicial nomination. No big deal, right?
Problem is, Matheson’s brother is Rep. Jim Matheson of Utah, who voted “no” on government health care. Rep. Matheson is also one of 10 legislators who voted “no” who was invited to the White House last night.
Is this an innocent coincidence? Considering the recent scandals that include the “Cornhusker Kickback” and the “Second Louisiana Purchase,” it’s easy to be skeptical.
The White House is denying any “quid pro quo” in the Matheson judicial nomination, citing an impressive ABA rating and support by one of Utah’s senators. Yet interestingly enough, Big Government claims that Judge Matheson “is hurdling a few career steps to become a judge.”"
On the face of it, it sounds like a routine judicial nomination. No big deal, right?
Problem is, Matheson’s brother is Rep. Jim Matheson of Utah, who voted “no” on government health care. Rep. Matheson is also one of 10 legislators who voted “no” who was invited to the White House last night.
Is this an innocent coincidence? Considering the recent scandals that include the “Cornhusker Kickback” and the “Second Louisiana Purchase,” it’s easy to be skeptical.
The White House is denying any “quid pro quo” in the Matheson judicial nomination, citing an impressive ABA rating and support by one of Utah’s senators. Yet interestingly enough, Big Government claims that Judge Matheson “is hurdling a few career steps to become a judge.”"
Who’s Behind the Financial Crisis? » Publications » Family Security Matters
Who’s Behind the Financial Crisis? » Publications » Family Security Matters: "The New York Times is quoting a spokesman for George Soros as saying that the well-known hedge fund operator is guilty of no wrong-doing in connection with the financial upheaval currently affecting Greece and Europe as a whole. But Zubi Diamond, author of the powerful new book, Wizards of Wall Street, says the agenda of Soros and other short sellers is clear. Their purpose, he says, is “to loot America and any foreign country which invested in America. Greece was one of them. Iceland was ravaged and annihilated.”
The term “short selling” in this context refers to investors, speculators and currency manipulators who bet on the decline or collapse of a stock or currency through complex financial instruments handled mostly through secret off-shore accounts. For the hedge fund short sellers to make money, prices have to go down.
Short sellers, who are appearing at a March 11th event at the libertarian Cato Institute, insist that they “provide liquidity and transparency to our capital markets” and that their operations “expose corporate fraud and mismanagement.”"
The term “short selling” in this context refers to investors, speculators and currency manipulators who bet on the decline or collapse of a stock or currency through complex financial instruments handled mostly through secret off-shore accounts. For the hedge fund short sellers to make money, prices have to go down.
Short sellers, who are appearing at a March 11th event at the libertarian Cato Institute, insist that they “provide liquidity and transparency to our capital markets” and that their operations “expose corporate fraud and mismanagement.”"
Morning Bell: Obamacare’s Kabuki End Game | The Foundry: Conservative Policy News.
Morning Bell: Obamacare’s Kabuki End Game | The Foundry: Conservative Policy News.: "The doctors in lab coats surrounding President Barack Obama as he gave his latest health care speech yesterday were not there to give the President a physical; that happened Sunday. No, these doctors were props, dressed to impress for what the White House claims is their “final push” for the President’s government take-over of the health care industry. The President again repeated the same old tired claims he has been making for months: “The proposal I’ve put forward gives Americans more control over their health care,” “our proposal is paid for,” and “my proposal would bring down the cost of health care for millions.” We, and plenty of others, have refuted all these claims before, but this time they are particularly easy to expose as patently false. President Obama gave away the game when he said:
Our cost-cutting measures mirror most of the proposals in the current Senate bill, which reduces most people’s premiums and brings down our deficit by up to $1 trillion over the next two decades. And those aren’t my numbers – they are the savings determined by the CBO, which is the Washington acronym for the nonpartisan, independent referee of Congress.
But there is one huge difference between the Senate bill and what the President kept referring to as my/our proposal: the Senate bill actually exists. For all the talk in Washington about Democrats in the Senate using reconciliation to pass a final version of Obamacare, one key fact has been overlooked: no reconciliation bill exists. Not in the House. Not in the Senate. Nowhere. It simply has not yet been written, and there are plenty of reasons to believe it never will."
Our cost-cutting measures mirror most of the proposals in the current Senate bill, which reduces most people’s premiums and brings down our deficit by up to $1 trillion over the next two decades. And those aren’t my numbers – they are the savings determined by the CBO, which is the Washington acronym for the nonpartisan, independent referee of Congress.
But there is one huge difference between the Senate bill and what the President kept referring to as my/our proposal: the Senate bill actually exists. For all the talk in Washington about Democrats in the Senate using reconciliation to pass a final version of Obamacare, one key fact has been overlooked: no reconciliation bill exists. Not in the House. Not in the Senate. Nowhere. It simply has not yet been written, and there are plenty of reasons to believe it never will."
Pilot with fake licence arrested at airport | Reuters
Pilot with fake licence arrested at airport | Reuters: "(Reuters) - A Swedish pilot with a fake commercial license was arrested in his cockpit at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport as he prepared to fly 101 passengers on a Boeing 737 to Turkey, Dutch police said Wednesday.
Oddly Enough
The 41 year-old Swede, who was at the helm of a jet bound for Ankara, had been flying for 13 years and logged more than 10,000 flight hours using forged documents for airlines in Belgium, Britain and Italy, authorities said.
The pilot, whose name was not disclosed, was said to have expressed relief when confronted and taken off his pilot's stripes."
Oddly Enough
The 41 year-old Swede, who was at the helm of a jet bound for Ankara, had been flying for 13 years and logged more than 10,000 flight hours using forged documents for airlines in Belgium, Britain and Italy, authorities said.
The pilot, whose name was not disclosed, was said to have expressed relief when confronted and taken off his pilot's stripes."
Indonesian students protest Barack Obama's visit - Yahoo! News
Indonesian students protest Barack Obama's visit - Yahoo! News: "JAKARTA, Indonesia – Scores of Islamic students staged protests outside Jakarta's parliament and in at least three other major Indonesian cities on Friday against President Barack Obama's upcoming visit to this predominantly Muslim country.
The students carried banners branding Obama as an enemy of Islam and an imperialist in downtown Jakarta as well as in the provincial capitals Padang, Yogyakarta and Surabaya.
They also threw shoes at large pictures of Obama's head. An Iraqi journalist was sentenced to a year in prison for throwing his shoes at U.S. President George W. Bush during a news conference in Baghdad in 2008."
The students carried banners branding Obama as an enemy of Islam and an imperialist in downtown Jakarta as well as in the provincial capitals Padang, Yogyakarta and Surabaya.
They also threw shoes at large pictures of Obama's head. An Iraqi journalist was sentenced to a year in prison for throwing his shoes at U.S. President George W. Bush during a news conference in Baghdad in 2008."
China rhetoric raises threat concerns - Washington Times
China rhetoric raises threat concerns - Washington Times: "Recent statements by Chinese military officials are raising concerns among U.S. analysts that the communist government in Beijing is shifting its oft-stated 'peaceful rise' policy toward an aggressive, anti-U.S. posture.
The most recent sign appeared with the publication of a government-approved book by Senior Col. Liu Mingfu that urges China to 'sprint' toward becoming the world's most powerful state."
The most recent sign appeared with the publication of a government-approved book by Senior Col. Liu Mingfu that urges China to 'sprint' toward becoming the world's most powerful state."
How Much Stimulus Funding is Going to Your County? | ProPublica Recovery Tracker
How Much Stimulus Funding is Going to Your County? | ProPublica Recovery Tracker: "We’ve taken all the data used on the government’s stimulus Web site, Recovery.gov, cleaned out the cobwebs and added thousands of records the feds didn't include — the law doesn't require all recipients to report to Recovery.gov — to create the most comprehensive publicly available analysis of stimulus spending that we know of. Type in your county or click on your state to find local projects, and check out how per capita spending compares with poverty, income and unemployment in your area.
Interactive Chart: How Fast We're Spending the Stimulus Package"
Interactive Chart: How Fast We're Spending the Stimulus Package"
State Nursing Board Tracker | ProPublica
State Nursing Board Tracker | ProPublica: "Nursing boards – and other agencies that oversee such professionals as pharmacists, dentists and mortgage brokers – do not get nearly enough scrutiny. These boards are charged with protecting consumers from unscrupulous or incompetent professionals, but some provide almost no public information about what they do or how they're run. They are sometimes led by ill-qualified political appointees and lack sufficient personnel. But should these boring bureaucracies fail, the implications for your health, finances, and home can be dire.
California’s Board of Registered Nursing is a very recent example."
California’s Board of Registered Nursing is a very recent example."
Obama Stoops To New Low to Pass Obamacare | NewsReal Blog
Obama Stoops To New Low to Pass Obamacare | NewsReal Blog: "It was bad enough during the Clinton administration when there was virtually a for sale sign outside the Lincoln bedroom in order to garner campaign contributions. Now, in an effort to push Obamacare over the line, President Obama appears to be going so far as to sell a judgeship.
According to an article in The Weekly Standard, the brother of a Democratic congressman, Jim Matheson of Utah, has just been nominated by Obama to the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. It just so happens that the congressman voted against the original House health care bill last November but is now “undecided.” What a coincidence that his brother is named to an appeals court judgship as the final decision day for Obamacare approaches!
To be fair, the congressman’s brother, Scott Matheson, has solid academic credentials and has served as a prosecutor. However, he has no judicial experience. He is leapfrogging over many more experienced lower court judges just as Obama is trying to convert as many skeptics in his own party as he can to vote yes for Obamacare.
This is crass Chicago-style politics, even worse than the special deals in the Senate that Harry Reid put together. Now our third branch of government – an independent judiciary – is being infected by the stench of Obamacare."
According to an article in The Weekly Standard, the brother of a Democratic congressman, Jim Matheson of Utah, has just been nominated by Obama to the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. It just so happens that the congressman voted against the original House health care bill last November but is now “undecided.” What a coincidence that his brother is named to an appeals court judgship as the final decision day for Obamacare approaches!
To be fair, the congressman’s brother, Scott Matheson, has solid academic credentials and has served as a prosecutor. However, he has no judicial experience. He is leapfrogging over many more experienced lower court judges just as Obama is trying to convert as many skeptics in his own party as he can to vote yes for Obamacare.
This is crass Chicago-style politics, even worse than the special deals in the Senate that Harry Reid put together. Now our third branch of government – an independent judiciary – is being infected by the stench of Obamacare."
The Great Healthcare Robbery | FrontPage Magazine
The Great Healthcare Robbery | FrontPage Magazine: "“No one has talked about reconciliation,” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid declared during last week’s health care summit. It was a lie shocking in its boldness.
Live on national television, the Democrats’ leader in the U.S. Senate told the nation that not a single person had discussed even the possibility of using the Senate’s budget reconciliation rules, which require a simple majority vote instead of 60, as needed under regular Senate rules, to pass President Obama’s health care reform plan. Yet, a week before, Reid himself had said publicly that reconciliation was an option for passing the plan, Politico.com reported. Of the Senate’s 59 Democrats, 23 had already signed a letter urging the president to pass the plan via reconciliation by the time Reid said “no one” was even talking about it. And of course, a week later, President Obama, as expected, urged Democrats to pass the bill through the reconciliation process if necessary.
In other words, the Democratic Party leadership in Washington hadn’t just talked about reconciliation. It was central to their strategy."
Live on national television, the Democrats’ leader in the U.S. Senate told the nation that not a single person had discussed even the possibility of using the Senate’s budget reconciliation rules, which require a simple majority vote instead of 60, as needed under regular Senate rules, to pass President Obama’s health care reform plan. Yet, a week before, Reid himself had said publicly that reconciliation was an option for passing the plan, Politico.com reported. Of the Senate’s 59 Democrats, 23 had already signed a letter urging the president to pass the plan via reconciliation by the time Reid said “no one” was even talking about it. And of course, a week later, President Obama, as expected, urged Democrats to pass the bill through the reconciliation process if necessary.
In other words, the Democratic Party leadership in Washington hadn’t just talked about reconciliation. It was central to their strategy."
Pentagon shooting suspect believed to be behind anti-government rants - CNN.com
Pentagon shooting suspect believed to be behind anti-government rants - CNN.com: "Arlington, Virginia (CNN) -- Investigators on Friday were looking into the history of a man who they say shot two police officers at a Pentagon entrance Thursday evening.
Those two officers, and a third who came to assist, all fired at the man, who was shot in the head and died early Friday. The two wounded officers had superficial injuries and have been released from the hospital.
Pentagon Police Chief Richard S. Keevill said surveillance video shows the gunman acted alone. There is no known connection to domestic or international terrorism, he said.
The gunman 'was very well dressed in a suit' and showed 'no distress in his appearance' as he approached a screening area to enter Pentagon grounds about 6:40 p.m. Thursday, Keevill said. 'He walked very directly to the officers and engaged. He was very well armed. I will tell you that he had two 9 mm semiautomatic weapons and many magazines.'"
Those two officers, and a third who came to assist, all fired at the man, who was shot in the head and died early Friday. The two wounded officers had superficial injuries and have been released from the hospital.
Pentagon Police Chief Richard S. Keevill said surveillance video shows the gunman acted alone. There is no known connection to domestic or international terrorism, he said.
The gunman 'was very well dressed in a suit' and showed 'no distress in his appearance' as he approached a screening area to enter Pentagon grounds about 6:40 p.m. Thursday, Keevill said. 'He walked very directly to the officers and engaged. He was very well armed. I will tell you that he had two 9 mm semiautomatic weapons and many magazines.'"
Congressmen to Pentagon: Exonerate Navy SEALs in Iraq incident - CNN.com
Congressmen to Pentagon: Exonerate Navy SEALs in Iraq incident - CNN.com: "Washington (CNN) -- A trio of congressional Republicans passionately appealed to the Pentagon on Thursday to drop charges against three Navy SEALs accused of assaulting an Iraqi suspected of orchestrating the 2004 killing and mutilation of four U.S. contractors.
Flanked by about a dozen retired Navy SEALs at a news conference near the Capitol, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-California; Rep. Dan Burton, R-Indiana; and Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, insisted that the U.S. is sending the wrong message to its troops.
'These Navy SEALs were apprehending a terrorist murderer, and they are being accused of roughing him up? Give me a break! These men should be given medals, not prosecuted. These men are heroes,' Rohrabacher said.
Burton agreed, saying, 'These people are laying their lives on the line every day, and they can't go into a combat situation with kid gloves on.'"
Flanked by about a dozen retired Navy SEALs at a news conference near the Capitol, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-California; Rep. Dan Burton, R-Indiana; and Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, insisted that the U.S. is sending the wrong message to its troops.
'These Navy SEALs were apprehending a terrorist murderer, and they are being accused of roughing him up? Give me a break! These men should be given medals, not prosecuted. These men are heroes,' Rohrabacher said.
Burton agreed, saying, 'These people are laying their lives on the line every day, and they can't go into a combat situation with kid gloves on.'"
Morning Bell: So, How’s That Pivot to Jobs Going? | The Foundry: Conservative Policy News.
Morning Bell: So, How’s That Pivot to Jobs Going? | The Foundry: Conservative Policy News.: "Last week President Barack Obama hosted a seven-and-a-half-hour televised health care summit. This week the President launched his “final” campaign for passage of his health care plan. Next week, President Obama will travel to Missouri and Pennsylvania to continue this “final” effort to jam his unpopular plan through Congress. With this all-health-care-all-the-time White House agenda it seems like eons ago that the Obama administration announced, following the complete rejection of its health care plan in the Massachusetts Senate special election, that President Obama’s first State of the Union would mark a “pivot” from health care and to a “razor sharp focus on jobs”. So how is that pivot to jobs going? Well, the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics released its monthly jobs report this morning and it showed the U.S. economy shed another 36,000 net jobs last month. Our nation’s unemployment rate is still at 9.7%.
So why is our economy having such a tough time pulling out of recession? Here are the facts: the most recent data available show that the U.S. economy actually lost fewer jobs during this recession than were lost during the 2001 recession. Specifically, 50.8 million jobs were lost through the first six months of the ‘01 recession while 48.2 million jobs were lost through the first six months of this recession."
So why is our economy having such a tough time pulling out of recession? Here are the facts: the most recent data available show that the U.S. economy actually lost fewer jobs during this recession than were lost during the 2001 recession. Specifically, 50.8 million jobs were lost through the first six months of the ‘01 recession while 48.2 million jobs were lost through the first six months of this recession."
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Jim Bunning: Why I took a stand - Opinion - USATODAY.com
Jim Bunning: Why I took a stand - Opinion - USATODAY.com: "have been serving the citizens of Kentucky for nearly 24 years in Washington. During that time I have been a member of both the House of Representatives and the United States Senate. I have taken thousands of votes in relation to spending the taxpayers' money. I will be the first one to admit that I have cast some bad votes during my tenure, and I wish I could have some of them back. For too long, both Republicans and Democrats have treated the taxpayers' money as a slush fund that does not ever end. At some point, the madness has to stop.
Over a month ago, Democrats passed and President Obama signed into law the 'Pay-Go' legislation. It calls on Congress to pay for bills by not adding to our debt. It sounds like a common sense tool that would rein in government spending. Unfortunately, Pay-Go is a paper tiger. It has no teeth. I did not vote for the Democrats' Pay-Go legislation because I knew it was just a political dog-and-pony show to get some good press after some political setbacks. Since the Pay-Go rule was enacted, the national debt has gone up $244,992,297,448.11 (as of Wednesday, that is)."
Over a month ago, Democrats passed and President Obama signed into law the 'Pay-Go' legislation. It calls on Congress to pay for bills by not adding to our debt. It sounds like a common sense tool that would rein in government spending. Unfortunately, Pay-Go is a paper tiger. It has no teeth. I did not vote for the Democrats' Pay-Go legislation because I knew it was just a political dog-and-pony show to get some good press after some political setbacks. Since the Pay-Go rule was enacted, the national debt has gone up $244,992,297,448.11 (as of Wednesday, that is)."
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