Health care overhaul spawns mass confusion for public | McClatchy: "WASHINGTON — Two weeks after President Barack Obama signed the big health care overhaul into law, Americans are struggling to understand how — and when — the sweeping measure will affect them.
Questions reflecting confusion have flooded insurance companies, doctors' offices, human resources departments and business groups.
'They're saying, 'Where do we get the free Obama care, and how do I sign up for that?' ' said Carrie McLean, a licensed agent for eHealthInsurance.com. The California-based company sells coverage from 185 health insurance carriers in 50 states.
McLean said the call center had been inundated by uninsured consumers who were hoping that the overhaul would translate into instant, affordable coverage. That widespread misconception may have originated in part from distorted rhetoric about the legislation bubbling up from the hyper-partisan debate about it in Washington and some media outlets, such as when opponents denounced it as socialism.
'We tell them it's not free, that there are going to be things in place that help people who are low-income, but that ultimately most of that is not going to be taking place until 2014,' McLean said."
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Somalis with terrorist links feared headed to U.S. border | Washington Examiner
Somalis with terrorist links feared headed to U.S. border | Washington Examiner: "Somalis with ties to a terrorist organization are believed to be plotting to illegally enter the United States after being mistakenly released from custody in Mexico, a confidential federal law enforcement report said.
The report, obtained by the Washington Examiner, said that 23 Somalis who entered Mexico illegally earlier in the year were caught there, then released in late January.
Only 16 of the 23 people were identified by both Mexican and U.S. law enforcement officials, while the 'other 7 are unknown,' the report says.
Included in the group is Mohamed Osman Noor, 35, of Somalia, who U.S. officials suspect has strong ties to Al-Shabaab Mujahideen, an Islamist insurgency group in the ongoing war in Somalia with ties to al Qaeda."
The report, obtained by the Washington Examiner, said that 23 Somalis who entered Mexico illegally earlier in the year were caught there, then released in late January.
Only 16 of the 23 people were identified by both Mexican and U.S. law enforcement officials, while the 'other 7 are unknown,' the report says.
Included in the group is Mohamed Osman Noor, 35, of Somalia, who U.S. officials suspect has strong ties to Al-Shabaab Mujahideen, an Islamist insurgency group in the ongoing war in Somalia with ties to al Qaeda."
CNSNews.com - Justice Dept. Included Non-Terrorists on List Supporting Obama’s Claim That Hundreds of Terrorists Have Been Convicted in Civilian Court
CNSNews.com - Justice Dept. Included Non-Terrorists on List Supporting Obama’s Claim That Hundreds of Terrorists Have Been Convicted in Civilian Court: "(CNSNews.com) – The Justice Department included non-terrorists on a list provided to members of the U.S. Senate as back-up for President Barack Obama’s and Attorney General Eric Holder’s claims that hundreds of terrorists have been convicted in civilian federal courts.
In advocating the closure of the Guantanamo Bay prison in May 2009, Obama said, “Nobody has ever escaped from one of our federal supermax prisons, which hold hundreds of convicted terrorists.”
That remark sparked the curiosity of Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, who wrote Attorney General Eric Holder asking for the names and offenses of those “hundreds” of terrorists convicted in civilian courts and sent to civilian prisons.
Kyl did not get a prompt response.
Then Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, asked Holder about Kyl’s request at a Nov. 18 hearing. Holder responded: “I will supply you with those 300 names and what they were convicted of. I'll be glad to do that.”
Like Kyl before him, Sessions did not get a prompt response.
Then in February, in a letter defending his decision to prosecute Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab (the would-be Northwest Flight 253 underwear bomber) in a civilian court rather than a military tribunal, Holder told Senate Republicans: “In keeping with this policy [of trying terrorists in civilian courts], the Bush administration used the criminal justice system to convict more than 300 individuals on terrorism related charges.”
This prompted yet another request from Senate Republicans for a list of the 300 people who were convicted in civilian courts on terrorism charges.
Finally, on March 26, the Justice Department sent a list of 403 names to the Senate Judiciary Committee. But a preliminary review by CNSNews.com found that more than 30 of the names on that list had nothing to do with terrorism."
In advocating the closure of the Guantanamo Bay prison in May 2009, Obama said, “Nobody has ever escaped from one of our federal supermax prisons, which hold hundreds of convicted terrorists.”
That remark sparked the curiosity of Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, who wrote Attorney General Eric Holder asking for the names and offenses of those “hundreds” of terrorists convicted in civilian courts and sent to civilian prisons.
Kyl did not get a prompt response.
Then Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, asked Holder about Kyl’s request at a Nov. 18 hearing. Holder responded: “I will supply you with those 300 names and what they were convicted of. I'll be glad to do that.”
Like Kyl before him, Sessions did not get a prompt response.
Then in February, in a letter defending his decision to prosecute Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab (the would-be Northwest Flight 253 underwear bomber) in a civilian court rather than a military tribunal, Holder told Senate Republicans: “In keeping with this policy [of trying terrorists in civilian courts], the Bush administration used the criminal justice system to convict more than 300 individuals on terrorism related charges.”
This prompted yet another request from Senate Republicans for a list of the 300 people who were convicted in civilian courts on terrorism charges.
Finally, on March 26, the Justice Department sent a list of 403 names to the Senate Judiciary Committee. But a preliminary review by CNSNews.com found that more than 30 of the names on that list had nothing to do with terrorism."
DEM STRATEGISTS HAVE IT WRONG at DickMorris.com
DEM STRATEGISTS HAVE IT WRONG at DickMorris.com: "Stanley Greenberg and James Carville claim that the Republican Party has peaked too soon. Incredibly, Greenberg says “when we look back on this, we’re going to say Massachusetts is when 1994 happened.” Stan’s only claim to expertise in the 1994 elections, of course, is that he’s the guy who blew it for the Democrats. Right after that, President Clinton fired both of the flawed consultants and never brought them back again.
Now,their latest pitch is that the highpoint of the GOP advance was the Scott Brown election and that, from here on, things will “improve slightly” for the Democrats.
Once again, Carville and Greenberg are totally misreading the public mood. Each time the Republican activists battle, they become stronger. Their cyber and grass roots grow deeper. The negatives that attach to so-called “moderate” Democratic incumbents increase. And each time Obama, Reid and Pelosi defy public opinion and use their majorities to ram through unpopular legislation, frustration and anger rises.
Were Obama’s ambitions to slacken, perhaps a cooling off might eventuate. But soon the socialist financial takeover bill will come on the agenda, followed by amnesty for illegal immigrants, cap and trade, and card check unionization. Each bill will trigger its own mobilization of public opposition and add to the swelling coalition of opposition to Obama and his radical agenda.
And, all the while, the deficit will increase, interest rates will rise, and unemployment will remain high."
Now,their latest pitch is that the highpoint of the GOP advance was the Scott Brown election and that, from here on, things will “improve slightly” for the Democrats.
Once again, Carville and Greenberg are totally misreading the public mood. Each time the Republican activists battle, they become stronger. Their cyber and grass roots grow deeper. The negatives that attach to so-called “moderate” Democratic incumbents increase. And each time Obama, Reid and Pelosi defy public opinion and use their majorities to ram through unpopular legislation, frustration and anger rises.
Were Obama’s ambitions to slacken, perhaps a cooling off might eventuate. But soon the socialist financial takeover bill will come on the agenda, followed by amnesty for illegal immigrants, cap and trade, and card check unionization. Each bill will trigger its own mobilization of public opposition and add to the swelling coalition of opposition to Obama and his radical agenda.
And, all the while, the deficit will increase, interest rates will rise, and unemployment will remain high."
CNSNews.com - D.C. Leader Calls on Illegal Immigrants to Fill Out Census for Taxpayer-Funded Resources
CNSNews.com - D.C. Leader Calls on Illegal Immigrants to Fill Out Census for Taxpayer-Funded Resources: "(CNSNews.com) – The executive director of a D.C. Latino community organization at a rally Thursday called on Hispanics, regardless of their immigration status, to participate in the 2010 Census, adding that doing so will expand their access to $400 billion in government-funded “resources.”
“To the Hispanic community, the reality is that, the Census, participating in the Census is very important,” said Rodrigo Leiva in Spanish while speaking at a rally focused on urging the American public to participate in the decennial tabulation by the Census Bureau."
“To the Hispanic community, the reality is that, the Census, participating in the Census is very important,” said Rodrigo Leiva in Spanish while speaking at a rally focused on urging the American public to participate in the decennial tabulation by the Census Bureau."
CNSNews.com - White House Takes Swipe at RNC’s Steele for ‘Silly Comment’ on Race and Obama
CNSNews.com - White House Takes Swipe at RNC’s Steele for ‘Silly Comment’ on Race and Obama: "Washington (CNSNews.com) – The White House weighed in on Monday concerning controversy about Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, with spokesman Robert Gibbs saying the chairman’s problem was “not the race card -- it’s the credit card.”
The response came after Steele, the first black RNC chairman, compared himself with President Barack Obama, the first black president, and said they both have a “slimmer margin” for error than other officials do because of their race."
The response came after Steele, the first black RNC chairman, compared himself with President Barack Obama, the first black president, and said they both have a “slimmer margin” for error than other officials do because of their race."
CNSNews.com - Obama Administration Won’t Say How it Will Pay for Federal Same-Sex Benefits
CNSNews.com - Obama Administration Won’t Say How it Will Pay for Federal Same-Sex Benefits: "(CNSNews.com) – The Obama administration is not ready to tell Congress what cost-cutting measures it will take to pay for extending federal employee benefits to same-sex couples.
The legislation that provides health care, long-term care, family and medical leave and federal retirement benefit passed the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee and is awaiting approval on the Senate floor."
The legislation that provides health care, long-term care, family and medical leave and federal retirement benefit passed the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee and is awaiting approval on the Senate floor."
CNSNews.com - White House Misses Deadline on GOP Inquiry About Sestak Scandal, Call for Special Prosecutor Likely
CNSNews.com - White House Misses Deadline on GOP Inquiry About Sestak Scandal, Call for Special Prosecutor Likely: "Washington (CNSNews.com) – The White House counsel’s office failed to meet an already extended deadline for answering questions from House Republicans about Rep. Joe Sestak (D-Pa.), who had said the White House offered him a high-level administration job in exchange for his not running against Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) in the Pennsylvania Democratic Senate primary.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs also declined to say on Monday whether the administration would support a special prosecutor investigating the matter. Gibbs instead referred back to a Mar. 16 statement in which he said “whatever” White House conversations occurred with Sestak, they were “not problematic.”"
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs also declined to say on Monday whether the administration would support a special prosecutor investigating the matter. Gibbs instead referred back to a Mar. 16 statement in which he said “whatever” White House conversations occurred with Sestak, they were “not problematic.”"
Tea Party blacks taking heat (OneNewsNow.com)
Tea Party blacks taking heat (OneNewsNow.com): "ALBANY, NY - They've been called Oreos, traitors and Uncle Toms, and are used to having to defend their values. Now black conservatives are really taking heat for their involvement in the mostly white Tea Party movement -- and for having the audacity to oppose the policies of the nation's first black president.
'I've been told I hate myself. I've been called an Uncle Tom. I've been told I'm a spook at the door,' said Timothy F. Johnson, chairman of the Frederick Douglass Foundation, a group of black conservatives who support free market principles and limited government.
'Black Republicans find themselves always having to prove who they are. Because the assumption is the Republican Party is for whites and the Democratic Party is for blacks,' he said.
Johnson and other black conservatives say they were drawn to the Tea Party movement because of what they consider its commonsense fiscal values of controlled spending, less taxes and smaller government. The fact that they're black — or that most tea partyers are white — should have nothing to do with it, they say."
'I've been told I hate myself. I've been called an Uncle Tom. I've been told I'm a spook at the door,' said Timothy F. Johnson, chairman of the Frederick Douglass Foundation, a group of black conservatives who support free market principles and limited government.
'Black Republicans find themselves always having to prove who they are. Because the assumption is the Republican Party is for whites and the Democratic Party is for blacks,' he said.
Johnson and other black conservatives say they were drawn to the Tea Party movement because of what they consider its commonsense fiscal values of controlled spending, less taxes and smaller government. The fact that they're black — or that most tea partyers are white — should have nothing to do with it, they say."
Census used as 'gay gimmick' (OneNewsNow.com)
Census used as 'gay gimmick' (OneNewsNow.com): "Traditional marriage proponents are warning that homosexual activists and the Obama administration are once again working in concert to 'manipulate' federal law.
The Associated Press reports that the Census Bureau plans to count same-sex couples who say they are married, regardless of whether they have a marriage license (see AP article). Even though only five states and the District of Columbia have legalized same-sex 'marriages,' the Census Bureau says same-sex couples should feel free to check the 'husband' or 'wife' boxes on the census form, rather than 'unmarried partner.'"
The Associated Press reports that the Census Bureau plans to count same-sex couples who say they are married, regardless of whether they have a marriage license (see AP article). Even though only five states and the District of Columbia have legalized same-sex 'marriages,' the Census Bureau says same-sex couples should feel free to check the 'husband' or 'wife' boxes on the census form, rather than 'unmarried partner.'"
True confessions (OneNewsNow.com)
True confessions (OneNewsNow.com): "President Obama's politicized, profligate U.S. census drive is so desperate for positive press that it has now recruited former Bush senior adviser Karl Rove to do public service announcements. Rove pleads on video: 'Please answer the 10 easy questions. They're almost the same ones Madison helped write for the first census back in 1790.' Message: If you don't join the census bandwagon, James Madison will have lost!
Sorry, Mr. Rove. Playing the Founding Fathers card isn't going to quell conservative criticism of how the Obama administration has exploited the census boondoggle for both economic and ideological gain.
For the record, I have no beef with the constitutional mandate. I complied by filling out my census form and sending it back -- with 'American' in the blank for race/ethnicity to register my opposition to government racial classifications. Despite apocalyptic suggestions by census officials and some Republican politicians that conservatives are recklessly boycotting the decennial head count, analysis by both the right-leaning Daily Caller and left-leaning Plum Line websites shows that return rates from conservative counties are in line with national averages."
Sorry, Mr. Rove. Playing the Founding Fathers card isn't going to quell conservative criticism of how the Obama administration has exploited the census boondoggle for both economic and ideological gain.
For the record, I have no beef with the constitutional mandate. I complied by filling out my census form and sending it back -- with 'American' in the blank for race/ethnicity to register my opposition to government racial classifications. Despite apocalyptic suggestions by census officials and some Republican politicians that conservatives are recklessly boycotting the decennial head count, analysis by both the right-leaning Daily Caller and left-leaning Plum Line websites shows that return rates from conservative counties are in line with national averages."
Deputy Sheriff Chad Prichard Overton County Sheriff’s Office Tennessee « The Munz ~~ Remembering the fallen
Deputy Sheriff Chad Prichard Overton County Sheriff’s Office Tennessee « The Munz ~~ Remembering the fallen
Deputy Sheriff Chad Prichard
Overton County Sheriff’s Office
Tennessee
End of Watch: Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Biographical Info
Age: Not available
Tour of Duty: 2 months, 2 weeks
Badge Number: Not available
Incident Details
Cause of Death: Fall
Date of Incident: Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Deputy Chard Prichard died when he fell into a sinkhole just outside of Standing Stone State Park.
He, another deputy, and two state park rangers, were investigating a cold case homicide in the area of Rocky Mountain Road when they came across the sinkhole. As Deputy Prichard attempted to get a closer look with his flashlight, the ground around the sinkhole gave way and he fell approximately 160-feet to the bottom.
Rescue personnel responded to the scene and recovered his body several hours later.
Deputy Prichard had served as a deputy for only 2 1/2 months. He had previously served in the Overton County Jail. He is survived by his wife.
Agency Contact Information
Overton County Sheriff’s Office
1010 John T. Poindexter Drive
Livingston, TN 38570
Phone: (931) 823-5635
Conservative News: Toto - Hollywood celebrities make poor pundits. - HUMAN EVENTS
Conservative News: Toto - Hollywood celebrities make poor pundits. - HUMAN EVENTS: "You don’t have to look hard to find an actor or singer who is jamming a foot in his or her mouth on a hot political issue. Just consider Tom Hanks’ statements last month about the reasons the U.S. fought Japan during World War II.
“We, in turn, wanted to annihilate [the Japanese] because they were different. Does that sound familiar, by any chance, to what’s going on today?” Hanks rhetorically asked Time magazine, weaving historical lunacy with moral relativism gone wild while pitching his new product, HBO‘s “The Pacific.”
You almost can’t blame the rich and famous for such mistakes. They endure an endless stream of questions while promoting their latest product and journalists know talking politics is good copy. Celebrities, whose opinions are rarely put through any rigorous testing, are only too happy to oblige.
The “Huffington Post” goes one step further, providing valuable online space to celebrities eager to play pundit for a day."
“We, in turn, wanted to annihilate [the Japanese] because they were different. Does that sound familiar, by any chance, to what’s going on today?” Hanks rhetorically asked Time magazine, weaving historical lunacy with moral relativism gone wild while pitching his new product, HBO‘s “The Pacific.”
You almost can’t blame the rich and famous for such mistakes. They endure an endless stream of questions while promoting their latest product and journalists know talking politics is good copy. Celebrities, whose opinions are rarely put through any rigorous testing, are only too happy to oblige.
The “Huffington Post” goes one step further, providing valuable online space to celebrities eager to play pundit for a day."
Harmful hints of a hand to Hamas - NYPOST.com
Harmful hints of a hand to Hamas - NYPOST.com: "Some of President Obama's friends are making quiet over tures to Hamas -- the terror ists who control Gaza. Even if this doesn't lead to an official dialogue, the administration's failure to distance itself from such efforts undermines US allies and US alliances.
A seasoned former US ambassador to Israel, Thomas Pickering, and a key member of Bill Clinton's team at the 2000 Camp David talks, Robert Malley, sat down in Zurich last summer with top Hamas politburo members, Osama Hamdan and Mahmud Zahar.
A classmate of Obama's at Harvard, Malley has long argued that Middle East diplomacy should include Hamas and Syria. He was an Obama adviser on Arab-Israeli issues in 2008 -- until the campaign had to sever ties in the wake of media attention to his regular meetings with Hamas leaders."
A seasoned former US ambassador to Israel, Thomas Pickering, and a key member of Bill Clinton's team at the 2000 Camp David talks, Robert Malley, sat down in Zurich last summer with top Hamas politburo members, Osama Hamdan and Mahmud Zahar.
A classmate of Obama's at Harvard, Malley has long argued that Middle East diplomacy should include Hamas and Syria. He was an Obama adviser on Arab-Israeli issues in 2008 -- until the campaign had to sever ties in the wake of media attention to his regular meetings with Hamas leaders."
Will the health care reform law last after 2010 election? / The Christian Science Monitor - CSMonitor.com
Will the health care reform law last after 2010 election? / The Christian Science Monitor - CSMonitor.com: "Washington —
Can the new healthcare reform law survive?
President Obama and Democratic leaders in Congress rightly chalk it up as an epic legislative achievement. But their fight to sustain the new law through the 2010 and 2012 elections – before key features such as subsidies and the health insurance 'exchanges' take effect – could be as daunting as passing it.
One reason: House and Senate Republicans, who uniformly rejected the healthcare package, may well remain opposed.
'We don't know a lot about what the long-term implications are of sustaining laws if they are passed on such partisan votes,' says Eric Patashnik, professor of politics and public policy at the University of Virginia.
How the deed was done"
Can the new healthcare reform law survive?
President Obama and Democratic leaders in Congress rightly chalk it up as an epic legislative achievement. But their fight to sustain the new law through the 2010 and 2012 elections – before key features such as subsidies and the health insurance 'exchanges' take effect – could be as daunting as passing it.
One reason: House and Senate Republicans, who uniformly rejected the healthcare package, may well remain opposed.
'We don't know a lot about what the long-term implications are of sustaining laws if they are passed on such partisan votes,' says Eric Patashnik, professor of politics and public policy at the University of Virginia.
How the deed was done"
Machete used in anti-Semitic attack in Gatineau, Carleton students say
Machete used in anti-Semitic attack in Gatineau, Carleton students say: "OTTAWA — A well-known student supporter of Israel at Carleton University and an Israeli engineering student at the university say they are counting themselves lucky to have survived an attack with what they say was a machete near a Gatineau bar early Monday.
Nick Bergamini, 22, vice-president of the Carleton University Students’ Association, said he and roommate Mark Klibanov were leaving Le Volt bar on Promenade du Portage at 1:45 a.m. when a group of about 10 men began yelling in English and Arabic that they were Zionists and Jews."
Nick Bergamini, 22, vice-president of the Carleton University Students’ Association, said he and roommate Mark Klibanov were leaving Le Volt bar on Promenade du Portage at 1:45 a.m. when a group of about 10 men began yelling in English and Arabic that they were Zionists and Jews."
AP Stereotypes Tea Party Race Demographics; Ignores Gallup Poll Showing Numbers in Line with Public | NewsBusters.org
AP Stereotypes Tea Party Race Demographics; Ignores Gallup Poll Showing Numbers in Line with Public | NewsBusters.org: "It's incredible to see how many ways the mainstream media are able to analyze and dissect the Tea Party movement phenomenon on a regular basis. But lately it has been en vogue to challenge this movement on merits of race - a popular ad hominem talking point for opponents of the movement.
However, the Associated Press, an organization known for its extensive fact checking of conservatives, took a look at the other side of racism in the Tea Party movement - the backlash against 'black conservative Tea Party backers.' An April 6, 2010 AP story by Valerie Bauman spelled out all the ways these black conservatives have been labeled by opponents - with curiously little or no outrage from the same members of the media quick to advertise alleged Tea Party protest indiscretions.
'They've been called Oreos, traitors and Uncle Toms, and are used to having to defend their values,' Bauman wrote. 'Now black conservatives are really taking heat for their involvement in the mostly white tea party movement-and for having the audacity to oppose the policies of the nation's first black president.'"
However, the Associated Press, an organization known for its extensive fact checking of conservatives, took a look at the other side of racism in the Tea Party movement - the backlash against 'black conservative Tea Party backers.' An April 6, 2010 AP story by Valerie Bauman spelled out all the ways these black conservatives have been labeled by opponents - with curiously little or no outrage from the same members of the media quick to advertise alleged Tea Party protest indiscretions.
'They've been called Oreos, traitors and Uncle Toms, and are used to having to defend their values,' Bauman wrote. 'Now black conservatives are really taking heat for their involvement in the mostly white tea party movement-and for having the audacity to oppose the policies of the nation's first black president.'"
FOXNews.com - Scam Artists Take Advantage of New Health Care Law
FOXNews.com - Scam Artists Take Advantage of New Health Care Law: "Scam artists are taking advantage of the new health insurance law to peddle phony policies.
Health and Human Services Sec. Kathleen Sebelius said Tuesday she is warning state officials about a proliferation of scams involving phony health insurance policies. Federal investigators are also on the lookout.
Some of the hustlers are going door to door claiming there's a limited open-enrollment period to buy health insurance now. But the big expansion of coverage won't come for another four years, and door-to-door salespeople are unlikely to be part of the plan then.
'Unfortunately, scam artists and criminals may be using the passage of these historic reforms as an opportunity to confuse and defraud the public,' Sebelius wrote in a letter to state insurance commissioners and attorneys general.
In the letter, released Tuesday, she urged vigorous prosecution of anyone caught selling fraudulent policies."
Health and Human Services Sec. Kathleen Sebelius said Tuesday she is warning state officials about a proliferation of scams involving phony health insurance policies. Federal investigators are also on the lookout.
Some of the hustlers are going door to door claiming there's a limited open-enrollment period to buy health insurance now. But the big expansion of coverage won't come for another four years, and door-to-door salespeople are unlikely to be part of the plan then.
'Unfortunately, scam artists and criminals may be using the passage of these historic reforms as an opportunity to confuse and defraud the public,' Sebelius wrote in a letter to state insurance commissioners and attorneys general.
In the letter, released Tuesday, she urged vigorous prosecution of anyone caught selling fraudulent policies."
FOXNews.com - GOP Senator: Health Care Law Will Permit Sex Offenders to Get Viagra
FOXNews.com - GOP Senator: Health Care Law Will Permit Sex Offenders to Get Viagra: "Sen. Tom Coburn drew ridicule last month for trying in vain to prohibit sex offenders from getting Viagra prescriptions under the new health care law.
But Coburn is now having the last laugh after the Congressional Research Service confirmed his assertions that sex offenders not in prison could get Viagra and other drugs treating erectile dysfunction under health plans subsidized by taxpayer dollars.
In a memo to the Oklahoma Republican, who is one of two doctors in the chamber, and provided to FoxNews.com, the CRS said there are no provisions in the new health care law 'which would require health plans to limit the type of benefits that can be offered based on the plan beneficiary's prior criminal convictions.'"
But Coburn is now having the last laugh after the Congressional Research Service confirmed his assertions that sex offenders not in prison could get Viagra and other drugs treating erectile dysfunction under health plans subsidized by taxpayer dollars.
In a memo to the Oklahoma Republican, who is one of two doctors in the chamber, and provided to FoxNews.com, the CRS said there are no provisions in the new health care law 'which would require health plans to limit the type of benefits that can be offered based on the plan beneficiary's prior criminal convictions.'"
Unions pay themselves first, rank-and-file second (and less) « » Print The Daily Caller – Breaking News, Opinion, Research, and Entertainment
Unions pay themselves first, rank-and-file second (and less) « » Print The Daily Caller – Breaking News, Opinion, Research, and Entertainment: "nion officers’ pension plans are significantly better funded than the plans they negotiate for their rank-and-file counterparts, raising questions about whether union members have been manipulated by those they trust to bargain for them.
The average union staff plan is funded at over 95 percent, while the average funding percentage of a rank-and-file member’s pension plan is 79 percent, according to a September study by the Hudson Institute. None of the staff pensions are on the Department of Labor’s list of critically underfunded pension plans, while more than half of rank-and-file pension plans are endangered. (A pension is considered “endangered” by the government when it contains less than 80 percent of the assets needed to cover its liabilities.)
Some are questioning why pension plans negotiated by union leaders on behalf of union members are performing so poorly while the leaders’ pension funds remain healthy."
The average union staff plan is funded at over 95 percent, while the average funding percentage of a rank-and-file member’s pension plan is 79 percent, according to a September study by the Hudson Institute. None of the staff pensions are on the Department of Labor’s list of critically underfunded pension plans, while more than half of rank-and-file pension plans are endangered. (A pension is considered “endangered” by the government when it contains less than 80 percent of the assets needed to cover its liabilities.)
Some are questioning why pension plans negotiated by union leaders on behalf of union members are performing so poorly while the leaders’ pension funds remain healthy."
FOXNews.com - Republicans Slam Obama Judicial Nominee Over 117 Omissions From Record
FOXNews.com - Republicans Slam Obama Judicial Nominee Over 117 Omissions From Record: "Senate Republicans on Tuesday slammed one of the Obama administration's most controversial judicial nominees for failing to initially disclose more than 100 of his speeches, publications and other background materials -- an omission the Republicans called unprecedented and a possible attempt to 'hide his most controversial work.'
They said Goodwin Liu's nomination to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals is in 'jeopardy' in light of the problem.
The complaint came after Liu, a Berkeley law professor, gave the Senate Judiciary Committee a bundle of supplemental material that contained 117 things he left out after his February nomination."
They said Goodwin Liu's nomination to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals is in 'jeopardy' in light of the problem.
The complaint came after Liu, a Berkeley law professor, gave the Senate Judiciary Committee a bundle of supplemental material that contained 117 things he left out after his February nomination."
Volcker: Taxes likely to rise eventually to tame deficit | Reuters
Volcker: Taxes likely to rise eventually to tame deficit | Reuters: "(Reuters) - The United States should consider raising taxes to help bring deficits under control and may need to consider a European-style value-added tax, White House adviser Paul Volcker said on Tuesday.
Volcker, answering a question from the audience at a New York Historical Society event, said the value-added tax 'was not as toxic an idea' as it has been in the past and also said a carbon or other energy-related tax may become necessary.
Though he acknowledged that both were still unpopular ideas, he said getting entitlement costs and the U.S. budget deficit under control may require such moves. 'If at the end of the day we need to raise taxes, we should raise taxes,' he said."
Volcker, answering a question from the audience at a New York Historical Society event, said the value-added tax 'was not as toxic an idea' as it has been in the past and also said a carbon or other energy-related tax may become necessary.
Though he acknowledged that both were still unpopular ideas, he said getting entitlement costs and the U.S. budget deficit under control may require such moves. 'If at the end of the day we need to raise taxes, we should raise taxes,' he said."
Obama answers Census question on race: African-American - The Oval: Tracking the Obama presidency
Obama answers Census question on race: African-American - The Oval: Tracking the Obama presidency: "For those wondering, President Obama checked the 'African American' box on the Census question about race.
Obama is the son of a black father and a white mother, and the Census form gives people the right to declare themselves of mixed race. Spokesman Robert Gibbs said Obama had no hesitation on the question.
(We should point out that Obama's father was from Kenya and his mother was from Kansas, so he is African-American in the truest sense of the term)."
Obama is the son of a black father and a white mother, and the Census form gives people the right to declare themselves of mixed race. Spokesman Robert Gibbs said Obama had no hesitation on the question.
(We should point out that Obama's father was from Kenya and his mother was from Kansas, so he is African-American in the truest sense of the term)."
Hate crimes force Jews out of Malmo - Washington Times
Hate crimes force Jews out of Malmo - Washington Times: "Marcus Eilenberg is a Swedish Jew whose family roots in Malmo run deep. His paternal grandparents were Holocaust survivors who found shelter in this southern Swedish city in 1945. His wife's parents fled to Sweden from communist Poland in the 1960s.
Now the 32-year-old law firm associate feels the welcome for Jews is running out, and he is moving to Israel with his wife and two children in May. He says he knows at least 15 other Jews who are leaving for a similar reason."
Now the 32-year-old law firm associate feels the welcome for Jews is running out, and he is moving to Israel with his wife and two children in May. He says he knows at least 15 other Jews who are leaving for a similar reason."
FOXNews.com - Obama Bans Islam, Jihad From National Security Strategy Document
FOXNews.com - Obama Bans Islam, Jihad From National Security Strategy Document: "WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama's advisers will remove religious terms such as 'Islamic extremism' from the central document outlining the U.S. national security strategy and will use the rewritten document to emphasize that the United States does not view Muslim nations through the lens of terror, counterterrorism officials said.
The change is a significant shift in the National Security Strategy, a document that previously outlined the Bush Doctrine of preventative war and currently states: 'The struggle against militant Islamic radicalism is the great ideological conflict of the early years of the 21st century.'"
The change is a significant shift in the National Security Strategy, a document that previously outlined the Bush Doctrine of preventative war and currently states: 'The struggle against militant Islamic radicalism is the great ideological conflict of the early years of the 21st century.'"
California Democrat proposes mandatory gun registration - Taking Liberties - CBS News
California Democrat proposes mandatory gun registration - Taking Liberties - CBS News: "A California Democrat is proposing a new law requiring residents to register their shotguns and rifles or go to jail, CBSNews.com has learned.
Assemblyman Mike Feuer, whose district includes Beverly Hill and West Hollywood, this week introduced legislation ordering law enforcement to 'permanently keep' records of anyone who buys a gun from a dealer or an individual. California already stores information about handgun purchases.
Feuer is no friend of firearms owners: his previous legislative effort, which Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law, required all new handguns to include 'microstamping' technology that can imprint serial numbers on spent ammunition casings. As a Los Angeles city councilman, Feuer proposed limiting city residents to one gun a month."
Assemblyman Mike Feuer, whose district includes Beverly Hill and West Hollywood, this week introduced legislation ordering law enforcement to 'permanently keep' records of anyone who buys a gun from a dealer or an individual. California already stores information about handgun purchases.
Feuer is no friend of firearms owners: his previous legislative effort, which Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law, required all new handguns to include 'microstamping' technology that can imprint serial numbers on spent ammunition casings. As a Los Angeles city councilman, Feuer proposed limiting city residents to one gun a month."
The New Media Journal | Political Violence in America by Paul R. Hollrah
The New Media Journal | Political Violence in America by Paul R. Hollrah: "Since the signing of the Democrats’ healthcare monstrosity, and before, polls have consistently shown that Barack Obama is taking his party down the road to annihilation. Those same polls show that the party is now more unpopular than at any time since its founding in the 1830s.
In an attempt to avoid what promises to be an unprecedented political thrashing in the mid-term elections, Obama and other Democrat leaders have adopted a policy of painting all Republicans and all Tea Party participants as violent racial bigots. Yes, several Democrat congressmen have reported receiving threatening phone calls and a number of Tea Party participants have vented their anger on Democrats as they made their way through the crowds outside the U.S. Capitol. That is indicative of the level of anger that they have created, but it simply is not possible to make the giant leap from a few isolated incidents of “venting” to real threats of bodily harm.
In American politics there are three distinct kinds of people. First, there are those who make little or no effort to evaluate the issues or the candidates; they simply go to the polls on Election Day, weather permitting, and pull the lever for every Democrat on the ballot. Second, there are those who feel they’ve done their civic duty when they have evaluated the candidates and the issues and they’ve cast what they feel is an informed ballot on Election Day. And finally, there are those who are the foot soldiers of our republic...those who not only study the issues in great detail, but who recruit the candidates, contribute the money, walk the precincts, man the phones, manage the campaigns, run for office, and get out the vote on Election Day."
In an attempt to avoid what promises to be an unprecedented political thrashing in the mid-term elections, Obama and other Democrat leaders have adopted a policy of painting all Republicans and all Tea Party participants as violent racial bigots. Yes, several Democrat congressmen have reported receiving threatening phone calls and a number of Tea Party participants have vented their anger on Democrats as they made their way through the crowds outside the U.S. Capitol. That is indicative of the level of anger that they have created, but it simply is not possible to make the giant leap from a few isolated incidents of “venting” to real threats of bodily harm.
In American politics there are three distinct kinds of people. First, there are those who make little or no effort to evaluate the issues or the candidates; they simply go to the polls on Election Day, weather permitting, and pull the lever for every Democrat on the ballot. Second, there are those who feel they’ve done their civic duty when they have evaluated the candidates and the issues and they’ve cast what they feel is an informed ballot on Election Day. And finally, there are those who are the foot soldiers of our republic...those who not only study the issues in great detail, but who recruit the candidates, contribute the money, walk the precincts, man the phones, manage the campaigns, run for office, and get out the vote on Election Day."
Bunning, Dems trade shots over expired jobless benefits - TheHill.com
Bunning, Dems trade shots over expired jobless benefits - TheHill.com: "Democrats and Sen. Jim Bunning traded barbs Monday over blame for the expiration of unemployment benefits for thousands of workers.
Bunning (R-Ky.) laid the blame on Democrats for not paying for the cost of extending benefits by either cutting spending elsewhere or raising taxes.
Democrats said helping the unemployed should qualify as “emergency spending” that doesn’t have to be offset with spending cuts or tax increases.
At issue are hundreds of thousands of unemployed workers who will lose the benefits without action by Congress."
Bunning (R-Ky.) laid the blame on Democrats for not paying for the cost of extending benefits by either cutting spending elsewhere or raising taxes.
Democrats said helping the unemployed should qualify as “emergency spending” that doesn’t have to be offset with spending cuts or tax increases.
At issue are hundreds of thousands of unemployed workers who will lose the benefits without action by Congress."
WSJ: GM Lost $4.3 Billion In 2nd Half 2009 - FOXBusiness.com
WSJ: GM Lost $4.3 Billion In 2nd Half 2009 - FOXBusiness.com: "Home / Markets
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
WSJ: GM Lost $4.3 Billion In 2nd Half 2009
ETROIT -(Dow Jones)- General Motors Co. said Wednesday that it lost $4.3 billion in the second half of 2009 in the first official accounting of GM's balance sheet since the company emerged from bankruptcy.
The post-bankruptcy GM reported $57.5 billion in revenue for the July 10 through Dec. 31 period. That compared with $46.8 billion for the first half of the year for so-called old GM.
'We are building the foundation that will allow us to return to public ownership,' Chris Liddell, GM vice chairman and chief financial officer, said in a statement. 'Completing fresh-start accounting is an important step in that process.'"
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
WSJ: GM Lost $4.3 Billion In 2nd Half 2009
ETROIT -(Dow Jones)- General Motors Co. said Wednesday that it lost $4.3 billion in the second half of 2009 in the first official accounting of GM's balance sheet since the company emerged from bankruptcy.
The post-bankruptcy GM reported $57.5 billion in revenue for the July 10 through Dec. 31 period. That compared with $46.8 billion for the first half of the year for so-called old GM.
'We are building the foundation that will allow us to return to public ownership,' Chris Liddell, GM vice chairman and chief financial officer, said in a statement. 'Completing fresh-start accounting is an important step in that process.'"
Karzai Slams the West Again - WSJ.com
Karzai Slams the West Again - WSJ.com: "KABUL, Afghanistan—President Hamid Karzai lashed out at his Western backers for the second time in three days, accusing the U.S. of interfering in Afghan affairs and saying the Taliban insurgency would become a legitimate resistance movement if the meddling doesn't stop.
Mr. Karzai, whose government is propped up by billions of dollars in Western aid and nearly 100,000 American troops fighting a deadly war against the Taliban, made the comments during a private meeting with about 60 or 70 Afghan lawmakers Saturday."
Mr. Karzai, whose government is propped up by billions of dollars in Western aid and nearly 100,000 American troops fighting a deadly war against the Taliban, made the comments during a private meeting with about 60 or 70 Afghan lawmakers Saturday."
Indian Maoists kill 75 in police massacre - Yahoo! News
Indian Maoists kill 75 in police massacre - Yahoo! News: "RAIPUR, India (AFP) – Maoist rebels killed 75 policemen in a jungle ambush in central India on Tuesday in the worst ever massacre of security forces by the left-wing extremists, officials said.
A patrol from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was attacked at dawn in the state of Chhattisgarh and when reinforcements rushed to the scene they were surrounded by hundreds of heavily-armed rebels.
In a hail of automatic gunfire and landmine explosions, 75 officers were killed, seven were injured and a heavily armoured anti-mine vehicle sent to retrieve the wounded was blown up, government officials and police told AFP."
A patrol from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was attacked at dawn in the state of Chhattisgarh and when reinforcements rushed to the scene they were surrounded by hundreds of heavily-armed rebels.
In a hail of automatic gunfire and landmine explosions, 75 officers were killed, seven were injured and a heavily armoured anti-mine vehicle sent to retrieve the wounded was blown up, government officials and police told AFP."
More Americans Sever U.S. Ties as IRS Gets Tougher - WSJ.com
More Americans Sever U.S. Ties as IRS Gets Tougher - WSJ.com: "The number of American citizens and green-card holders severing their ties with the U.S. soared in the latter part of 2009, amid looming U.S. tax increases and a more aggressive posture by the Internal Revenue Service toward Americans living overseas.
According to public records, just over 500 people world-wide renounced U.S. citizenship or permanent residency in the fourth quarter of 2009, the most recent period for which data are available. That is more people than have cut ties with the U.S. during all of 2007, and more than double the total expatriations in 2008."
According to public records, just over 500 people world-wide renounced U.S. citizenship or permanent residency in the fourth quarter of 2009, the most recent period for which data are available. That is more people than have cut ties with the U.S. during all of 2007, and more than double the total expatriations in 2008."
Killing of radical Muslim cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, authorised by US - Telegraph
Killing of radical Muslim cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, authorised by US - Telegraph: "Al-Awlaki has emerged as a prominent al-Qaeda recruiter and has been tied by US intelligence to the 9/11 hijackers, along with Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the Nigerian accused of trying to blow up a Detroit-bound airliner on Christmas Day, as well as Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, the Army psychiatrist accused of killing 13 people in November at Fort Hood, Texas.
American counter terrorism officials say they believe al-Awlaki has become a recruiter for the al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula terrorist network, feeding prospects into plots aimed at the US and at Americans abroad, according to officials."
American counter terrorism officials say they believe al-Awlaki has become a recruiter for the al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula terrorist network, feeding prospects into plots aimed at the US and at Americans abroad, according to officials."
DEBKAfile, Political Analysis, Espionage, Terrorism, Security
DEBKAfile, Political Analysis, Espionage, Terrorism, Security: "In introductory interviews to Islamist websites, Saleh Al-Qaraawi, the newly-appointed al Qaeda chief in the Levant (Israel, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and the Palestinian territories) threatens to loose a fresh wave of attacks on US and Israeli targets as well as UN peacekeepers in South Lebanon. debkafile's counter-terror sources report that Al-Qaraawi (aka Star of Piety), a Saudi aged 40, is on the oil kingdom's list of 85 most wanted terrorists. He is married to the daughter of another terrorist high on the wanted list, Sheikh Hazeima.
Al Qaeda's sites present Al Qaraawi as Commander of the 'Abdullah Azzam Brigades,' named for Osama bin Laden's precursor as the jihadi organization's founding ideologue in the late 1980s."
Al Qaeda's sites present Al Qaraawi as Commander of the 'Abdullah Azzam Brigades,' named for Osama bin Laden's precursor as the jihadi organization's founding ideologue in the late 1980s."
Car bombs kill at least 30 in Baghdad
Car bombs kill at least 30 in Baghdad: "BAGHDAD -- Suicide attackers detonated three car bombs near diplomatic missions in Baghdad on Sunday, killing at least 30 people and wounding scores, security officials said.
The attacks, the deadliest in the capital since the March 7 parliamentary elections, come as Iraq's political factions are locked in a dispute over the outcome of the vote. Analysts say the violence could trigger a more intense round of fighting among the rivals that threatens to spill into the streets.
The strikes against the Iranian, German and Egyptian diplomatic missions appeared to be a continuation of attacks that began in August against government and high-profile buildings that killed hundreds. But accusations started soon after Sunday's bombings, with former prime minister Ayad Allawi's Iraqiya bloc calling on the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to 'restore security' and blaming security forces for failing to prevent the attacks.
'This is a serious crime in which the Iraqi people are being consumed in the process of what we can call the conflict over who should have the upper hand in Iraq,' political analyst Ibrahim al-Sumaidaie said."
The attacks, the deadliest in the capital since the March 7 parliamentary elections, come as Iraq's political factions are locked in a dispute over the outcome of the vote. Analysts say the violence could trigger a more intense round of fighting among the rivals that threatens to spill into the streets.
The strikes against the Iranian, German and Egyptian diplomatic missions appeared to be a continuation of attacks that began in August against government and high-profile buildings that killed hundreds. But accusations started soon after Sunday's bombings, with former prime minister Ayad Allawi's Iraqiya bloc calling on the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to 'restore security' and blaming security forces for failing to prevent the attacks.
'This is a serious crime in which the Iraqi people are being consumed in the process of what we can call the conflict over who should have the upper hand in Iraq,' political analyst Ibrahim al-Sumaidaie said."
BBC News - Russia 'could opt out of nuclear disarmament deal'
BBC News - Russia 'could opt out of nuclear disarmament deal': "Russia's foreign minister has said his country could opt out of a new nuclear disarmament treaty if it feels threatened by US missile defence plans.
But Sergey Lavrov said current, short-term US plans, which could include ground-based interceptor missiles in Romania, seemed acceptable to Russia.
Russia and the US are due to sign a deal to reduce their nuclear stockpiles in Prague on Thursday.
Mr Lavrov said the treaty marked a 'new level of trust' between the two states."
But Sergey Lavrov said current, short-term US plans, which could include ground-based interceptor missiles in Romania, seemed acceptable to Russia.
Russia and the US are due to sign a deal to reduce their nuclear stockpiles in Prague on Thursday.
Mr Lavrov said the treaty marked a 'new level of trust' between the two states."
Ten killed as explosions rock Baghdad | The Australian
Ten killed as explosions rock Baghdad | The Australian: "FIVE large blasts rocked Baghdad killing at least 10 people today, two days after deadly bombings in the capital sparked concern insurgents are making a comeback due to a political impasse.
The explosions took place in mostly Shi'ite neighbourhoods in the capital, including a suicide bombing at a popular restaurant in Allawi, near Haifa street in central Baghdad, an interior ministry official said.
A defence ministry official said at least 10 people were killed and 35 others wounded in the blasts."
The explosions took place in mostly Shi'ite neighbourhoods in the capital, including a suicide bombing at a popular restaurant in Allawi, near Haifa street in central Baghdad, an interior ministry official said.
A defence ministry official said at least 10 people were killed and 35 others wounded in the blasts."
CNSNews.com - IRS Launches New Global Program to Target ‘High Wealth Individuals'
CNSNews.com - IRS Launches New Global Program to Target ‘High Wealth Individuals': "(CNSNews.com) - The Internal Revenue Service has launched a new global program to target what it calls “high wealth individuals,” IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman said Monday.
“Through our new global high wealth operating unit we are taking a unified look at the entire web of business and economic entities controlled by high wealth individuals so we can better assess the risk such arrangements pose to tax compliance,” Shulman said at the National Press Club on Monday.
Shulman said the IRS is using “our robust and evolving enforcement program that ensures that everyone pays what they owe.”"
“Through our new global high wealth operating unit we are taking a unified look at the entire web of business and economic entities controlled by high wealth individuals so we can better assess the risk such arrangements pose to tax compliance,” Shulman said at the National Press Club on Monday.
Shulman said the IRS is using “our robust and evolving enforcement program that ensures that everyone pays what they owe.”"
CNSNews.com - Justice Dept. Included Non-Terrorists on List Supporting Obama’s Claim That Hundreds of Terrorists Have Been Convicted in Civilian Court
CNSNews.com - Justice Dept. Included Non-Terrorists on List Supporting Obama’s Claim That Hundreds of Terrorists Have Been Convicted in Civilian Court: "(CNSNews.com) – The Justice Department included non-terrorists on a list provided to members of the U.S. Senate as back-up for President Barack Obama’s and Attorney General Eric Holder’s claims that hundreds of terrorists have been convicted in civilian federal courts.
In advocating the closure of the Guantanamo Bay prison in May 2009, Obama said, “Nobody has ever escaped from one of our federal supermax prisons, which hold hundreds of convicted terrorists.”
That remark sparked the curiosity of Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, who wrote Attorney General Eric Holder asking for the names and offenses of those “hundreds” of terrorists convicted in civilian courts and sent to civilian prisons.
Kyl did not get a prompt response."
In advocating the closure of the Guantanamo Bay prison in May 2009, Obama said, “Nobody has ever escaped from one of our federal supermax prisons, which hold hundreds of convicted terrorists.”
That remark sparked the curiosity of Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, who wrote Attorney General Eric Holder asking for the names and offenses of those “hundreds” of terrorists convicted in civilian courts and sent to civilian prisons.
Kyl did not get a prompt response."
CNSNews.com - Obama-Backed Financial Reform Bill Would Create New Bureaucracy with Power to Subpoena ‘Any Data’ from ‘Any Financial Company’
CNSNews.com - Obama-Backed Financial Reform Bill Would Create New Bureaucracy with Power to Subpoena ‘Any Data’ from ‘Any Financial Company’: "(CNSNews.com) - The financial regulatory bill, which passed the Senate Banking Committee on March 22 with President Barack Obama’s backing and is now a top priority for congressional Democrats, would create a new Treasury Department bureaucracy authorized to collect any and all information from “any financial company” to analyze whether financial firms and their business practices might threaten financial stability.
The new bureaucracy would have subpoena power."
The new bureaucracy would have subpoena power."
Obama’s “Stunning Naiveté” | FrontPage Magazine
Obama’s “Stunning Naiveté” | FrontPage Magazine: "Last week at the Heritage Foundation, Former Ambassador John Bolton delivered a speech titled, “Protecting National Sovereignty in the Age of Obama.” The focus of the speech laid emphasis on the importance of maintaining American sovereignty in order to ensure the preservation of freedom. In this context, Bolton reviewed Obama’s policies on national security, charging the President with a worldview that demonstrates “stunning naiveté.”
On one side of the debate are the Americanists who believe, as the Founding Fathers intended, that the Constitution of the United States is “the supreme law of the land.” On the other side of the debate are the globalists who advocate that “customary and international law,” international organizations, conventions and resolutions should take precedence over national sovereignty. In this worldview, nations which constitute the beacon of liberty and human rights would hold no sway over those which snuff out freedom and human dignity."
On one side of the debate are the Americanists who believe, as the Founding Fathers intended, that the Constitution of the United States is “the supreme law of the land.” On the other side of the debate are the globalists who advocate that “customary and international law,” international organizations, conventions and resolutions should take precedence over national sovereignty. In this worldview, nations which constitute the beacon of liberty and human rights would hold no sway over those which snuff out freedom and human dignity."
Obama Makes Biological Warfare More Attractive to Terrorist States | NewsReal Blog
Obama Makes Biological Warfare More Attractive to Terrorist States | NewsReal Blog: "The New York Times today reviews Barack Obama’s latest gutting of American strength in an effort to make the bad guys love us. In the process, he makes biological attack the most attractive way to inflict mass casualties on Americans.
THE NEW YORK TIMES: It eliminates much of the ambiguity that has deliberately existed in American nuclear policy since the opening days of the cold war. For the first time, the United States is explicitly committing not to use nuclear weapons against nonnuclear states that are in compliance with the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, even if they attacked the United States with biological or chemical weapons or launched a crippling cyberattack.
In other words, as long as a rogue nation does not undertake the expensive and extremely difficult manufacturing process of a nuclear program which requires obvious industrial effort, they can go ahead with something that anyone with a chemistry set and access to nasty germs can make in a basement somewhere. Nice."
THE NEW YORK TIMES: It eliminates much of the ambiguity that has deliberately existed in American nuclear policy since the opening days of the cold war. For the first time, the United States is explicitly committing not to use nuclear weapons against nonnuclear states that are in compliance with the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, even if they attacked the United States with biological or chemical weapons or launched a crippling cyberattack.
In other words, as long as a rogue nation does not undertake the expensive and extremely difficult manufacturing process of a nuclear program which requires obvious industrial effort, they can go ahead with something that anyone with a chemistry set and access to nasty germs can make in a basement somewhere. Nice."
President Obama Imperils Our Nation’s Security | NewsReal Blog
President Obama Imperils Our Nation’s Security | NewsReal Blog: "President Obama chose an interview with his favorite news outlet, The New York Times, to announce a radical new direction for America’s nuclear strategy. He is substantially narrowing the conditions under which the United States would use nuclear weapons. Even if we are attacked with biological or chemical weapons, Obama is now declaring our use of any type of nuclear weapons in response is off limits in most cases.
Obama is also renouncing the development of any new nuclear weapons, overriding the initial position of his own Secretary of Defense. The nuclear freeze crowd must be dancing in the streets.
Obama is carving out a limited exception to his no-nuclear response policy when it comes to Iran and North Korea and is not including attacks by a nuclear state within the scope of his ban on a nuclear response. Nevertheless, he is signaling a major retreat from our country’s long bipartisan policy of deterrence, containment and deliberate public ambiguity about our nuclear strategy. And his exceptions do not provide much comfort."
Obama is also renouncing the development of any new nuclear weapons, overriding the initial position of his own Secretary of Defense. The nuclear freeze crowd must be dancing in the streets.
Obama is carving out a limited exception to his no-nuclear response policy when it comes to Iran and North Korea and is not including attacks by a nuclear state within the scope of his ban on a nuclear response. Nevertheless, he is signaling a major retreat from our country’s long bipartisan policy of deterrence, containment and deliberate public ambiguity about our nuclear strategy. And his exceptions do not provide much comfort."
Morning Bell: How the Left Really Plans to Pay for Obamacare | The Foundry: Conservative Policy News.
Morning Bell: How the Left Really Plans to Pay for Obamacare | The Foundry: Conservative Policy News.: "According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), over half of President Barack Obama’s new $940 billion health care entitlement is paid for by price-fixing Medicare cuts. Never mind that the President’s own Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services says that these cuts would cause “roughly 20 percent” of Medicare providers to go bankrupt in Obamacare’s first ten years. The CBO has to believe these cuts will happen because they are required, by law, to believe everything Congress tells them. The American people are not. So the American people ought to know that instead of cutting doctors’ Medicare reimbursement rates by 21% as required by law on April 1, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services froze payments at current levels until Congress could come back after Easter recess and rescind those cuts. Again. As they have done every year but one since the cuts were first enacted in 1997."
Infrastructure Minister: PA Arabs Contaminating Our Water - Defense/Middle East - Israel News - Israel National News
Infrastructure Minister: PA Arabs Contaminating Our Water - Defense/Middle East - Israel News - Israel National News
National Infrastructure Minister MK Uzi Landau toured the Binyamin region Tuesday and said that Israel should consider ceasing the flow of water to the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority if it does not stop contaminating the water with sewage.
Landau condemned the behavior, and illustrated his point by stating that the Arabs are “receiving clean water from us and are returning sewage. This is ruining the environment.”
‘Obama will Shy Away from Nuclear Crisis with Israel’ - A7 Exclusive Features - Israel News - Israel National News
‘Obama will Shy Away from Nuclear Crisis with Israel’ - A7 Exclusive Features - Israel News - Israel National News: "U.S. President Barack Obama will not start a new crisis with Israel over its suspected nuclear capability, according to Bar-Ilan Political Science Prof. Gerald Steinberg. He said that the United States already 'has enough complications' with Israel over the issue of building for Jews in all of Jerusalem and is not looking for additional problems.
The possibility of American pressure on Israel to sign a nuclear non-proliferation treaty could be raised next week, when Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu meets U.S. President Barack Obama at a nuclear summit. Israel’s official policy is “nuclear ambiguity,” meaning it does not acknowledge possessing nuclear weapons. Signing a non-proliferation treaty would counter that policy."
The possibility of American pressure on Israel to sign a nuclear non-proliferation treaty could be raised next week, when Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu meets U.S. President Barack Obama at a nuclear summit. Israel’s official policy is “nuclear ambiguity,” meaning it does not acknowledge possessing nuclear weapons. Signing a non-proliferation treaty would counter that policy."
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Obama Raises White Flag Over America
Obama Raises White Flag Over America: "There’s a white flag flying over America this morning and it was run up the flagpole by President Barack Obama without the knowledge or permission of the American people.
Sporting a Chicago White Sox baseball cap, the Girly on the Mound of yesterday’s baseball opener, went on to toss the bombshell that he will make the world a nuclear weapons free zone.
Not only does Obama’s revamping of American nuclear strategy"
Sporting a Chicago White Sox baseball cap, the Girly on the Mound of yesterday’s baseball opener, went on to toss the bombshell that he will make the world a nuclear weapons free zone.
Not only does Obama’s revamping of American nuclear strategy"
A Thousand Lies
A Thousand Lies: "The question is, how long can a nation sustain itself when its president, its government, and its news media tell a thousand lies every day?
Americans are drowning in lies. The biggest lie is the budget, burdened with trillions in debt, and behind that are the virtually insolvent entitlement programs, Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid.
Despite the judgment of legal scholars, the healthcare “reform” is unconstitutional and will be challenged in the courts by many of the States affected by it. These are, however, the same courts that have resisted addressing Obama’s eligibility to be president.
A thousand lies every day.
Americans must now get ready for a new flood of lies. These are already coming out of the Environmental Protection Agency, now completely in the control of radical environmentalists. The big lie is that carbon dioxide is a “pollutant” and, as such, can or should be regulated by the Clean Air Act. The EPA has already moved to increase its demand for more mileage from autos when it is common knowledge that lighter cars just mean more deaths from collisions. People will die."
Americans are drowning in lies. The biggest lie is the budget, burdened with trillions in debt, and behind that are the virtually insolvent entitlement programs, Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid.
Despite the judgment of legal scholars, the healthcare “reform” is unconstitutional and will be challenged in the courts by many of the States affected by it. These are, however, the same courts that have resisted addressing Obama’s eligibility to be president.
A thousand lies every day.
Americans must now get ready for a new flood of lies. These are already coming out of the Environmental Protection Agency, now completely in the control of radical environmentalists. The big lie is that carbon dioxide is a “pollutant” and, as such, can or should be regulated by the Clean Air Act. The EPA has already moved to increase its demand for more mileage from autos when it is common knowledge that lighter cars just mean more deaths from collisions. People will die."
Barack Hussein Obama: Marxist Ideologue or Evolving Madman?
Barack Hussein Obama: Marxist Ideologue or Evolving Madman?: "At their best, Marxists are simply individuals who want to be corrupted, rule over others (known as either “the great unwashed masses” or “the proletariat”—same thing) and live “the good life” at the expense of others; that’s the rest of us. These people (and I use that word advisedly) steal from and bleed others until; they are almost devoid of funds and life. Note: They cannot completely dry up their serfish golden geese as the ruling class elite need these newly-made serfs to work for them.
The subsequent pillage from the planned and growing underclass goes into the coffers of these ruling Marxists to be used at their leisure and for their largely prurient pleasures. As I have written for well over a decade, Marxism—also known as Fascism, Leninism and any other Totalitarianism—is a feudal system. There is the ruling class and there are “the workers”—no longer called employees. Marxism replaces freedom and liberty with bondage and slavery. It takes everything from those over whom it rules and gives it to the Marxist masters and those whom they believe can and will keep them in power—forever. Under Marxism virtually everyone is for sale. Only their respective prices are negotiated. This is Marxism at its best. But, believe it or not, there is an even much darker side."
The subsequent pillage from the planned and growing underclass goes into the coffers of these ruling Marxists to be used at their leisure and for their largely prurient pleasures. As I have written for well over a decade, Marxism—also known as Fascism, Leninism and any other Totalitarianism—is a feudal system. There is the ruling class and there are “the workers”—no longer called employees. Marxism replaces freedom and liberty with bondage and slavery. It takes everything from those over whom it rules and gives it to the Marxist masters and those whom they believe can and will keep them in power—forever. Under Marxism virtually everyone is for sale. Only their respective prices are negotiated. This is Marxism at its best. But, believe it or not, there is an even much darker side."
Barack Obama’s counter-terrorism nominees indicate serious problems within the White House – Telegraph Blogs
Barack Obama’s counter-terrorism nominees indicate serious problems within the White House – Telegraph Blogs: "On March 15 I blogged about the serious ethical and competency problems with President Obama’s nominees to head the Transportation Security administration (TSA) - the agency that provides security for America’s airlines and airports. Obama’s first nominee, Erroll Southers, was forced to withdraw when some very serious ethical problems came to light. The next nominee was retired U.S. Army Major General Robert Harding, who was also recently forced to withdraw from consideration because the consulting firm he set up to provide interrogators to the U.S. forces in Iraq overbilled the U.S. military by $1.8 million when their contract was terminated.
The good news is that someone in the US Senate staff is doing their homework and checking the records of Obama’s nominees. Neither nominee had an impressive record, but Southers was committed to Obama’s political programme of furthering public union membership and Harding was a leading advocate of race-based hiring – so it is clear that political loyalty trumped competence in countering terrorism for this job. Yet, without the ethical problems, which were serious indeed, both of these mediocrities would have sailed through the Senate confirmation process without much trouble. Whatever staff Senate staff members are vetting the nominees – God bless you for doing your job well. All air passengers are a lot safer without these two running the TSA.
But that begs the question of how such flawed nominees for a senior counter-terrorism post made it through the White House vetting process and were sent to the Senate for final confirmation. If you are looking for a competent, apolitical, senior police or intelligence official with a proven record of leadership there are actually plenty of people to choose from in the USA. A committee of senior FBI and Intelligence people could come up with a list of several good nominees in a few minutes."
The good news is that someone in the US Senate staff is doing their homework and checking the records of Obama’s nominees. Neither nominee had an impressive record, but Southers was committed to Obama’s political programme of furthering public union membership and Harding was a leading advocate of race-based hiring – so it is clear that political loyalty trumped competence in countering terrorism for this job. Yet, without the ethical problems, which were serious indeed, both of these mediocrities would have sailed through the Senate confirmation process without much trouble. Whatever staff Senate staff members are vetting the nominees – God bless you for doing your job well. All air passengers are a lot safer without these two running the TSA.
But that begs the question of how such flawed nominees for a senior counter-terrorism post made it through the White House vetting process and were sent to the Senate for final confirmation. If you are looking for a competent, apolitical, senior police or intelligence official with a proven record of leadership there are actually plenty of people to choose from in the USA. A committee of senior FBI and Intelligence people could come up with a list of several good nominees in a few minutes."
The Associated Press: US consulate attacked in NW Pakistan
The Associated Press: US consulate attacked in NW Pakistan: "PESHAWAR, Pakistan — Islamist militants attacked a U.S. consulate in northwest Pakistan with car bombs and grenades Monday, killing three people, hours after 41 people died in a suicide attack on a political rally elsewhere in the region.
The assaults illustrated the resilience of militants in the country despite intense army operations and U.S. missile strikes in their northwestern havens near Afghanistan.
After the car bombs exploded at a checkpoint outside the consulate in Peshawar, militants dressed in security uniforms fired mortars or rocket-propelled grenades at the heavily fortified compound in an attempt to make their way inside, said a Pakistani intelligence official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media.
'I think they could not manage to get inside,' provincial Senior Minister Bashir Ahmad Bilour told reporters outside the consulate."
The assaults illustrated the resilience of militants in the country despite intense army operations and U.S. missile strikes in their northwestern havens near Afghanistan.
After the car bombs exploded at a checkpoint outside the consulate in Peshawar, militants dressed in security uniforms fired mortars or rocket-propelled grenades at the heavily fortified compound in an attempt to make their way inside, said a Pakistani intelligence official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media.
'I think they could not manage to get inside,' provincial Senior Minister Bashir Ahmad Bilour told reporters outside the consulate."
Medvedev Seeks ‘Brutal’ Response to Terror Attacks (Update1) - Bloomberg.com
Medvedev Seeks ‘Brutal’ Response to Terror Attacks (Update1) - Bloomberg.com: "April 1 (Bloomberg) -- President Dmitry Medvedev called for a “brutal” response to terrorism during a trip to Dagestan in Russia’s mostly Muslim North Caucasus region, where 14 people have died in bomb blasts in the last two days.
“We’ve twisted off the heads of the most odious thugs, but clearly that’s not enough,” Medvedev said during a security meeting in the regional capital Makhachkala. “We’ll find them all in a timely manner and we’ll punish them all,” he said in comments broadcast on state television. “That’s the only way.”"
“We’ve twisted off the heads of the most odious thugs, but clearly that’s not enough,” Medvedev said during a security meeting in the regional capital Makhachkala. “We’ll find them all in a timely manner and we’ll punish them all,” he said in comments broadcast on state television. “That’s the only way.”"
Panel: Justice stonewalling on Panthers - Washington Times
Panel: Justice stonewalling on Panthers - Washington Times: "President Obama or Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. should declare publicly whether executive privilege has been invoked in the Justice Department's refusal to release documents showing why voter-intimidation charges against the New Black Panther Party were dismissed, says the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.
Declaring an impasse in negotiations between the commission and the department, Commission Chairman Gerald A. Reynolds said the Justice Department has 'repeatedly refused' to provide any basic information regarding the case, instead asserting 'vague and generalized privileges' that do not apply.
'The actual basis for the department's continued refusal to cooperate with the commission remains unclear,' Mr. Reynolds said in a letter last week to Mr. Holder. 'For example, has the president invoked executive privilege over the materials that the commission is seeking? If that is the case, the president or the attorney general must so state."
Declaring an impasse in negotiations between the commission and the department, Commission Chairman Gerald A. Reynolds said the Justice Department has 'repeatedly refused' to provide any basic information regarding the case, instead asserting 'vague and generalized privileges' that do not apply.
'The actual basis for the department's continued refusal to cooperate with the commission remains unclear,' Mr. Reynolds said in a letter last week to Mr. Holder. 'For example, has the president invoked executive privilege over the materials that the commission is seeking? If that is the case, the president or the attorney general must so state."
New Black Panther members protected by Obama and Holder?
New Black Panther members protected by Obama and Holder?: "It becomes curiouser and curiouser as to why the New Black Panthers are being protected by Attorney General Eric H. Holder after they intimidated voters in 2008. What role President Barack Obama has played in this coverup remains an unanswered question. Why were these charges dismissed?
Once again Holder is being requested to respond by April 12, 2010 on whether or not he intends to cooperate. If he doesn't do so, it raises the question of what Obama and Holder are hiding from the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and why?
U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Chairman Gerald A. Reynolds has said that the Justice Department repeatedly refused to provide any basic information about the case. Holder's office responded to his request claiming vague and generalized privileges.
The Justice Department refused to turn over documents sought by the commission to explain why a civil complaint was dismissed against the New Black Panthers Party who disrupted a Philadelphia polling place in the November 2008 election."
Once again Holder is being requested to respond by April 12, 2010 on whether or not he intends to cooperate. If he doesn't do so, it raises the question of what Obama and Holder are hiding from the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and why?
U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Chairman Gerald A. Reynolds has said that the Justice Department repeatedly refused to provide any basic information about the case. Holder's office responded to his request claiming vague and generalized privileges.
The Justice Department refused to turn over documents sought by the commission to explain why a civil complaint was dismissed against the New Black Panthers Party who disrupted a Philadelphia polling place in the November 2008 election."
YID With LID: Maxine Waters 2007 Speech at "F**K the USA" Rally (and SHE Bashes the Tea Party?)
YID With LID: Maxine Waters 2007 Speech at "F**K the USA" Rally (and SHE Bashes the Tea Party?)
Maxine Waters is a perfect example of what is wrong with Congress a partisan who uses the office to enrich her family and her friends. Even worse she represents the ultimate in hypocrisy. The week after the tea parties out side the capital the weekend of the Obamacare vote she was front and center on TV criticizing the words and methods of the protesters, who were generally peaceful and respectful. She also used her criticism as an opportunity to bash Republicans for supporting the tea parties. Yet as this video shows, in 2007 she was a leader, speaking at a Code Pink rally, where the protesters were screaming "F**K The USA" as she was screaming "Bush is a Liar."
Maxine Waters is a perfect example of what is wrong with Congress a partisan who uses the office to enrich her family and her friends. Even worse she represents the ultimate in hypocrisy. The week after the tea parties out side the capital the weekend of the Obamacare vote she was front and center on TV criticizing the words and methods of the protesters, who were generally peaceful and respectful. She also used her criticism as an opportunity to bash Republicans for supporting the tea parties. Yet as this video shows, in 2007 she was a leader, speaking at a Code Pink rally, where the protesters were screaming "F**K The USA" as she was screaming "Bush is a Liar."
4/6: Tea Party In Nevada – A Picture Worth Sharing : Glenn Beck – The 912 Project
4/6: Tea Party In Nevada – A Picture Worth Sharing : Glenn Beck – The 912 Project
Tea Party Rally to Oust Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was held in Searchlight, Nevada — March 27, 2010 Photos © 2010 – American Border Patrol. We thought you might appreciate this snapshot.
HUGE crowd, little or no problems. Mainstream Media was MIA on this.
'Riot Is the Voice of the Unheard' - WSJ.com
'Riot Is the Voice of the Unheard' - WSJ.com: "'The Tea Party emerges as not only outrageous, but they have turned up the volume in ways that even Code Pink have not been able to do,' Rep. Maxine Waters said the other day on MSNBC. A video (warning: some adult language) from Breitbart.tv has been making the rounds interspersing quotes from that MSNBC interview with clips from a 2007 'antiwar' rally where Waters fulminated about then-President Bush and other members of his administration.
The Breitbart video very effectively makes the case that Waters is guilty of hypocrisy. Her behavior at the rally is at least as unattractive as her description of the tea partiers' conduct. On the other hand, so what? When has a politician ever complained about the other side's incivility without being guilty of hypocrisy?
But a look further back into Waters's history reveals her hypocrisy to be far worse than is typical. The last time America experienced political mob violence--the Los Angeles riots of 1992--Waters was there offering excuses and justifications."
The Breitbart video very effectively makes the case that Waters is guilty of hypocrisy. Her behavior at the rally is at least as unattractive as her description of the tea partiers' conduct. On the other hand, so what? When has a politician ever complained about the other side's incivility without being guilty of hypocrisy?
But a look further back into Waters's history reveals her hypocrisy to be far worse than is typical. The last time America experienced political mob violence--the Los Angeles riots of 1992--Waters was there offering excuses and justifications."
Patient Opt Out | Opt Out of Obamacare | Muslims Get to Opt Out!
Patient Opt Out | Opt Out of Obamacare | Muslims Get to Opt Out!
CHRISTIANS AND JEWS NEED NOT APPLY FOR
THE MUSLIM EXEMPTION TO OBAMACARE
CHRISTIANS AND JEWS NEED NOT APPLY FOR
THE MUSLIM EXEMPTION TO OBAMACARE
If you are a mainstream Christian or a Jew, you need not apply to Opt Out of ObamaCare; that exemption is reserved for Muslims, Scientologists, Amish, Christian Scientists and Native American Indians who have a “conscientious objection” to insurance. A conscientious objection to theft committed by rogue politicians under the color of law with the threat of violence for non-compliance isn’t sufficient in America today to exempt average Americans from the stranglehold of government.
Expose Obama » Blog Archive » Obama Removes Jesus from Easter Message?
Expose Obama » Blog Archive » Obama Removes Jesus from Easter Message?
President Obama literally edited Christ out of his “holiday greeting” today when he excerpted a sermon given by a military chaplain on Iwo Jima on Easter Sunday 1945.
Below is the relevant paragraph from Obama’s holiday greeting today:
The rites of Passover, and the traditions of Easter, have been marked by people in every corner of the planet for thousands of years. They have been marked in times of peace, in times of upheaval, in times of war.
American Thinker: Obama's Russian Disaster
American Thinker: Obama's Russian Disaster: "The point of President Barack Obama's much-ballyhooed 'reset' of relations with Vladimir Putin's Russia was simple: Get Russia to stop supporting American enemies and use its influence to reduce the threat of nuclear terror being rained down on the West by the world's rogue regimes.
Obama was ready, willing, and able to betray Russian human rights activists by selling American values down the river in order do get this deal done, and he promptly gave them the cold shoulder. He was even willing to totally ignore Russia's horrific problem of race murder and its invasion of tiny Georgia for imperial conquest.
Last week, Obama learned the wisdom of Ronald Reagan's famous advice on Russia: 'Trust, but verify.'"
Obama was ready, willing, and able to betray Russian human rights activists by selling American values down the river in order do get this deal done, and he promptly gave them the cold shoulder. He was even willing to totally ignore Russia's horrific problem of race murder and its invasion of tiny Georgia for imperial conquest.
Last week, Obama learned the wisdom of Ronald Reagan's famous advice on Russia: 'Trust, but verify.'"
The ABC of spinning Obamacare | Australian Conservative
The ABC of spinning Obamacare | Australian Conservative: "The ABC’s Washington correspondent Kim Landers, is attempting to portray America’s healthcare debate as a victory for Obama (yeah!) against evil conservative forces (boo, hiss). An updated report (March 22, 2010) states:
Republicans remain united in their opposition, with one declaring that healthcare reform will lead to “Armageddon” and another saying “demons” have overrun the Congress.
Apparently, Landers has an issue with colloquial speech. But, moreover, stronger words used by Democrats have been ceremonially ignored.
Now, why is that?
Shocked by the fact that an opposition party has the temerity to oppose, Landers is trying hard to present Big Tax’s opponents as mean-y Republicans by echoing Obama’s talking points. Or as the emo correspondent puts it:
The highly-contested bill would reshape one sixth of the American economy, provide health insurance to 30 million people who do not have it, and stop insurance companies from refusing to cover patients with pre-existing conditions."
Republicans remain united in their opposition, with one declaring that healthcare reform will lead to “Armageddon” and another saying “demons” have overrun the Congress.
Apparently, Landers has an issue with colloquial speech. But, moreover, stronger words used by Democrats have been ceremonially ignored.
Now, why is that?
Shocked by the fact that an opposition party has the temerity to oppose, Landers is trying hard to present Big Tax’s opponents as mean-y Republicans by echoing Obama’s talking points. Or as the emo correspondent puts it:
The highly-contested bill would reshape one sixth of the American economy, provide health insurance to 30 million people who do not have it, and stop insurance companies from refusing to cover patients with pre-existing conditions."
Krugman Admits Rationing (Death Panels) From Obamacare » Secondhand Smoke | A First Things Blog
Krugman Admits Rationing (Death Panels) From Obamacare » Secondhand Smoke | A First Things Blog: "The clip below requires a little unpacking: In answering a flip, but it turns out quite good, question about “death panels,” Paul Krugman claims accurately that the cost/benefit board established over private medicine by Obamacare will be able to impose “more or less binding judgments” refusing care, and moreover, that these refusals will save “a lot of money” in the context of treating the elderly (and others, such as people with disabilities and terminal illnesses). He says that the panel will prevent treatment that isn’t “medically” useful. But private insurance companies already do that. So do Medicare and Medicaid.
No, the money won’t be taken out of the hide of patients who want physiologically useless treatment, it will come at the lethal cost to patients whose treatment will be refused because it could work, based on the invidious judgment that the patient’s life is not worth the money to support. In short, Krugman has admitted that contrary to the many mendacious denials by Obamacare supporters, the new regime will impose rationing–just as in the UK with NICE, which is why I bring it up all the time."
This is akin to imposing a duty to die because when we reach a certain point in life, we will not be able to obtain treatment we want that could keep us going. Indeed, for me, this centralized federal control over what will and will not be provided in medicine–and to whom–is the biggest reason (among so many) why Obamacare is wrong. Repeal. Reform. Replace. First target–putative death panels.
No, the money won’t be taken out of the hide of patients who want physiologically useless treatment, it will come at the lethal cost to patients whose treatment will be refused because it could work, based on the invidious judgment that the patient’s life is not worth the money to support. In short, Krugman has admitted that contrary to the many mendacious denials by Obamacare supporters, the new regime will impose rationing–just as in the UK with NICE, which is why I bring it up all the time."
This is akin to imposing a duty to die because when we reach a certain point in life, we will not be able to obtain treatment we want that could keep us going. Indeed, for me, this centralized federal control over what will and will not be provided in medicine–and to whom–is the biggest reason (among so many) why Obamacare is wrong. Repeal. Reform. Replace. First target–putative death panels.
Rep. Gerry Connolly in Trouble After Health Care Vote - AOL News
Rep. Gerry Connolly in Trouble After Health Care Vote - AOL News: "TYSONS CORNER, Va. (April 4) -- Rep. Gerry Connolly was among friends as he explained at a Rotary Club breakfast why he voted for health care reform last month.
'We're all businessmen and businesswomen,' the Democratic congressman told the well-dressed group over bacon and eggs at a private club here. 'This bill is the largest single deficit-reduction legislation in American history. It's a good start in terms of sort of fiscal discipline, and it will bring down the cost of health care.'
Many in the room nodded approvingly. Other parts of the district are not so welcoming. Many are predicting the freshman congressman will have a difficult time winning a second term in November."
'We're all businessmen and businesswomen,' the Democratic congressman told the well-dressed group over bacon and eggs at a private club here. 'This bill is the largest single deficit-reduction legislation in American history. It's a good start in terms of sort of fiscal discipline, and it will bring down the cost of health care.'
Many in the room nodded approvingly. Other parts of the district are not so welcoming. Many are predicting the freshman congressman will have a difficult time winning a second term in November."
Short-term customers boosting health costs - The Boston Globe
Short-term customers boosting health costs - The Boston Globe: "Thousands of consumers are gaming Massachusetts’ 2006 health insurance law by buying insurance when they need to cover pricey medical care, such as fertility treatments and knee surgery, and then swiftly dropping coverage, a practice that insurance executives say is driving up costs for other people and small businesses."
Mass. communities likely to feel cost of employees’ ‘Cadillac’ plans - The Boston Globe
Mass. communities likely to feel cost of employees’ ‘Cadillac’ plans - The Boston Globe: "Massachusetts municipalities that offer employees, retirees, and elected officials the most generous and costly health insurance plans will feel the squeeze of the new national health care law’s tax on “Cadillac’’ insurance plans."
A family health plan that costs more than $27,500 would be subject to a 40 percent tax on every dollar spent above that threshold. The tax, set to take effect in 2018, would be levied on insurers, who would probably pass it on to municipalities and other employers. A few cities and towns already have family plans that exceed $27,500, and many others are on track to surpass that level before the tax kicks in.
That means taxpayers in many communities could be facing thousands of dollars in additional costs for every employee, retired worker, and elected leader they cover, unless those communities move soon to scale back coverage, a change the law is designed to encourage.
A family health plan that costs more than $27,500 would be subject to a 40 percent tax on every dollar spent above that threshold. The tax, set to take effect in 2018, would be levied on insurers, who would probably pass it on to municipalities and other employers. A few cities and towns already have family plans that exceed $27,500, and many others are on track to surpass that level before the tax kicks in.
That means taxpayers in many communities could be facing thousands of dollars in additional costs for every employee, retired worker, and elected leader they cover, unless those communities move soon to scale back coverage, a change the law is designed to encourage.
Greenspan on Heath Care Costs: Severe Consequences if CBO is Wrong - Political Punch
Greenspan on Heath Care Costs: Severe Consequences if CBO is Wrong - Political Punch: "Former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan told me the probability that the CBO was too rosy in its projections of health care costs is “much higher than we would like”. “You have to ask yourself, ‘What happens if we are wrong?’”, Greenspan said in my exclusive “This Week” interview. The consequences, he ominously warned, “are very severe”.
WATCH VIDEO HERE:"
WATCH VIDEO HERE:"
Rate hikes likely with health care reform - Redlands Daily Facts
Rate hikes likely with health care reform - Redlands Daily Facts: "A few years ago when Raul Holgun was diagnosed with diabetes, his insurance doubled from $1,500 to $3,000 monthly.
Holgun, who owned a business in Highland at that time, had no choice: The policy had to be canceled.
Before the passage of the health care reform legislation last month, it would be at the very least difficult, if not impossible, for Holgun, now 61, to get health insurance.
But the powerful force of health care reform that will keep others from experiencing what Holgun did will also add fresh fuel to the already raging wildfire of health care costs.
You'll feel the strength of those flames when you see the costs for next year's health care coverage.
'I'd be very surprised if we were not looking at a double-digit increase' for company-provided health care insurance next year, said Jay Prag, an economics professor in the Peter F. Drucker and Masatoshi Ito Graduate School of Management at Claremont Graduate University.
And those increases are likely to be passed down to employees, Prag said.
There's another unintended consequence of health care reform smoldering in the business community: uncertainty.
Just as some Southern California companies are beginning to feel their way out of the recession, the sweeping health care proposal has introduced another unknown factor into their decision- making equations."
Holgun, who owned a business in Highland at that time, had no choice: The policy had to be canceled.
Before the passage of the health care reform legislation last month, it would be at the very least difficult, if not impossible, for Holgun, now 61, to get health insurance.
But the powerful force of health care reform that will keep others from experiencing what Holgun did will also add fresh fuel to the already raging wildfire of health care costs.
You'll feel the strength of those flames when you see the costs for next year's health care coverage.
'I'd be very surprised if we were not looking at a double-digit increase' for company-provided health care insurance next year, said Jay Prag, an economics professor in the Peter F. Drucker and Masatoshi Ito Graduate School of Management at Claremont Graduate University.
And those increases are likely to be passed down to employees, Prag said.
There's another unintended consequence of health care reform smoldering in the business community: uncertainty.
Just as some Southern California companies are beginning to feel their way out of the recession, the sweeping health care proposal has introduced another unknown factor into their decision- making equations."
Still confusion over details of health reform :: Naperville Sun :: Local News
Still confusion over details of health reform :: Naperville Sun :: Local News: "If you're feeling bewildered by the health care overhaul, you're not the only one.
As the dust settles over the controversial law, local insurance agents are busy figuring out what it means for them and their clients."
As the dust settles over the controversial law, local insurance agents are busy figuring out what it means for them and their clients."
Wheaton-based insurance agent Karla Rockwell described the new health care law simply: "There's so many weeds, we can't see the crops," she said.
That doesn't mean there aren't changes in the roughly 2,400-page Patient Protection and Affordable Care Bill and its companion bill, passed last week, she does like.
"I am in favor of mandates, of coverage for pre-existing conditions," she said. She favors the stricter rules concerning when an insurance company can rescind a policy, events she called "devastating."
Texas gun case could decide health care reform lawsuit | Houston & Texas News | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle
Texas gun case could decide health care reform lawsuit | Houston & Texas News | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle: "A Texas high school student's decision to bring a .38-caliber handgun to school in 1992 could end up at the center of the legal fight over President Barack Obama's health care reform plan.
Alfonso Lopez Jr.'s arrest at Edison High School in San Antonio set in motion a legal battle that may prove crucial to 13 state attorneys general fighting the new law.
Lopez, a senior when he was arrested for handgun possession in March 1992, ended up facing federal charges of violating the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990. But the Supreme Court, on a 5-4 vote, threw out his conviction five years later on the grounds that Congress exceeded its regulatory authority under the Constitution when it approved the 1990 law, which makes it a violation of federal law to possess a firearm in a school zone.
Commerce clause cited
In filing a lawsuit last week challenging the new health care law's mandate that everyone must have health insurance, the 13 state attorneys general — including Greg Abbott of Texas — cited the same legal reasoning that went into the Lopez ruling.
At issue in both cases is the Constitution's commerce clause, which limits the regulatory powers of Congress to matters involving interstate commerce. In the Lopez decision, conservatives on the court led by then-Chief Justice William Rehnquist ruled that the 1990 gun law was unconstitutional because it had nothing to do with commerce between states.
Upholding the federal government's right to control guns in school zones would give Congress “a general police power of the sort retained by the states,” Rehnquist wrote for the majority.
That's almost exactly the argument the states are making now in a lawsuit filed March 23."
Alfonso Lopez Jr.'s arrest at Edison High School in San Antonio set in motion a legal battle that may prove crucial to 13 state attorneys general fighting the new law.
Lopez, a senior when he was arrested for handgun possession in March 1992, ended up facing federal charges of violating the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990. But the Supreme Court, on a 5-4 vote, threw out his conviction five years later on the grounds that Congress exceeded its regulatory authority under the Constitution when it approved the 1990 law, which makes it a violation of federal law to possess a firearm in a school zone.
Commerce clause cited
In filing a lawsuit last week challenging the new health care law's mandate that everyone must have health insurance, the 13 state attorneys general — including Greg Abbott of Texas — cited the same legal reasoning that went into the Lopez ruling.
At issue in both cases is the Constitution's commerce clause, which limits the regulatory powers of Congress to matters involving interstate commerce. In the Lopez decision, conservatives on the court led by then-Chief Justice William Rehnquist ruled that the 1990 gun law was unconstitutional because it had nothing to do with commerce between states.
Upholding the federal government's right to control guns in school zones would give Congress “a general police power of the sort retained by the states,” Rehnquist wrote for the majority.
That's almost exactly the argument the states are making now in a lawsuit filed March 23."
Paladino to Cuomo: Stop Obamacare Now « Albany's Insanity
Paladino to Cuomo: Stop Obamacare Now « Albany's Insanity: "Paladino to Cuomo: Stop Obamacare Now
Upon the US House of Representative’s passage of the national health care bill today in a partisan vote, New York Republican candidate for Governor Carl Paladino released the following letter to New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.
March 21, 2010
Attorney General Andrew Cuomo
The Capitol
Albany, NY 12224-0341
Dear Mr. Cuomo:
You are the People’s lawyer, sworn to uphold the Constitution. I write as a citizen to urge you to take immediate legal action to stop the unconstitutional health care bill passed today by the Congress and likely to be signed into law by the President.
There are several critical unconstitutional provisions in this bill, including:
For the first time ever, the federal government is forcing people to buy a good or service in the marketplace. In my view, this exceeds Congress’s power under the commerce clause and brings into play the Tenth Amendment of the Constitution which reserves such decisions to the states and the people.
Some versions of the bill stretch the general welfare and due process clauses of the Constitution past the breaking point by exempting some states from certain provisions and giving special privileges to others; and
By forcing the states to create “benefit exchanges,” the bill violates federalism and threatens to make states into mere administrative branches of the federal government.
In short, this bill simultaneously establishes a precedent for total elimination of both federalism and individual economic freedom. Obamacare must be stopped – for New Yorkers especially, who pay more for insurance than most Americans. Our Medicaid program is the nation’s most expensive, and we pay exorbitant local and state taxes to support it.
Please do your duty to the People and join other attorneys general in filing suit to halt this destructive and unconstitutional legislation before it does irreparable harm to our already depressed economy.
If I were Governor of New York today, on Monday I would ask the Attorney General to join in unison with dozens of states that will file suit against the federal government to stop Obamacare. I would also call upon the State Legislature to consider a resolution demanding Congress call a convention to amend the Constitution to outlaw this radical extension of federal power into health care.
Your leadership in the next few weeks will speak volumes. New York is listening.
Sincerely,
(original signed)
Carl Paladino"
Upon the US House of Representative’s passage of the national health care bill today in a partisan vote, New York Republican candidate for Governor Carl Paladino released the following letter to New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.
March 21, 2010
Attorney General Andrew Cuomo
The Capitol
Albany, NY 12224-0341
Dear Mr. Cuomo:
You are the People’s lawyer, sworn to uphold the Constitution. I write as a citizen to urge you to take immediate legal action to stop the unconstitutional health care bill passed today by the Congress and likely to be signed into law by the President.
There are several critical unconstitutional provisions in this bill, including:
For the first time ever, the federal government is forcing people to buy a good or service in the marketplace. In my view, this exceeds Congress’s power under the commerce clause and brings into play the Tenth Amendment of the Constitution which reserves such decisions to the states and the people.
Some versions of the bill stretch the general welfare and due process clauses of the Constitution past the breaking point by exempting some states from certain provisions and giving special privileges to others; and
By forcing the states to create “benefit exchanges,” the bill violates federalism and threatens to make states into mere administrative branches of the federal government.
In short, this bill simultaneously establishes a precedent for total elimination of both federalism and individual economic freedom. Obamacare must be stopped – for New Yorkers especially, who pay more for insurance than most Americans. Our Medicaid program is the nation’s most expensive, and we pay exorbitant local and state taxes to support it.
Please do your duty to the People and join other attorneys general in filing suit to halt this destructive and unconstitutional legislation before it does irreparable harm to our already depressed economy.
If I were Governor of New York today, on Monday I would ask the Attorney General to join in unison with dozens of states that will file suit against the federal government to stop Obamacare. I would also call upon the State Legislature to consider a resolution demanding Congress call a convention to amend the Constitution to outlaw this radical extension of federal power into health care.
Your leadership in the next few weeks will speak volumes. New York is listening.
Sincerely,
(original signed)
Carl Paladino"
Ohio Attorney General certifies petition that may shield Ohioans from Obamacare
Ohio Attorney General certifies petition that may shield Ohioans from Obamacare: "Cincinnati, OH - The Ohio Liberty Council, a statewide coalition of 25 grassroots groups which includes many Ohio Tea Party organizations, has been working to have an amendment added to Ohio’s constitution concerning the new healthcare legislation. The Ohio Liberty Council Media team told Examiner that the groups have gained the first of several victories that will be needed when they were informed on Thursday that Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray has certified the initial language submitted for the “Ohio Healthcare Freedom Act.”
According to Maurice Thompson, Executive Director of the 1851 Center for Constitutional Law, “In obtaining Attorney General certification, the measure has overcome the primary initial legal hurdle. Next, the Ohio Ballot Board, which is chaired by Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, will determine whether the measure satisfies Ohio’s Single Subject Rule, i.e. the rule that any law must contain only one subject. The Single Subject Rule construes subjects very broadly, enough so that this test is unlikely to pose a problem, absent extreme partisanship from the Ballot Board. However, this is always a possibility.”"
According to Maurice Thompson, Executive Director of the 1851 Center for Constitutional Law, “In obtaining Attorney General certification, the measure has overcome the primary initial legal hurdle. Next, the Ohio Ballot Board, which is chaired by Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, will determine whether the measure satisfies Ohio’s Single Subject Rule, i.e. the rule that any law must contain only one subject. The Single Subject Rule construes subjects very broadly, enough so that this test is unlikely to pose a problem, absent extreme partisanship from the Ballot Board. However, this is always a possibility.”"
Fact And Comment - Forbes.com
Fact And Comment - Forbes.com: "rammed ObamaCare through the House by unprecedented parliamentary trickery, bribery and deceit. The President has thereby poisoned the national political well.
But the health care fight has just begun. Substantive constitutional court challenges are coming. Congressional elections are around the corner, and there's a growing opposition that wants to undo what Obama has just done. The President will discover that, ultimately, the American people's tenacity will overwhelm his--and he will be a failed President. But the cost of his public-be-damned attitude will be immense."
But the health care fight has just begun. Substantive constitutional court challenges are coming. Congressional elections are around the corner, and there's a growing opposition that wants to undo what Obama has just done. The President will discover that, ultimately, the American people's tenacity will overwhelm his--and he will be a failed President. But the cost of his public-be-damned attitude will be immense."
American Thinker: Who Will Guarantee ObamaCare Rights When the Duty-Bound Refuse?
American Thinker: Who Will Guarantee ObamaCare Rights When the Duty-Bound Refuse?: "If ObamaCare rights were in a horse race against duties necessary to sustain and pay for them, duties would be losing by several furlongs. And rights would come up lame soon thereafter, because rights in the long run can prosper only with equal duties alongside. But what if the duty-bound are insolvent, or, in horse-racing lingo, worn out 'bleeders'? Or what if the duty-bound are unwilling to pay for another round of rights when the beneficiaries outnumber them ten to one and have no skin in the game? What if the duty-bound spit the bit and refuse to take a saddle?
Political rights, and especially social contract rights, as distinct from natural rights, need intrinsic value to make them worth securing and defending. And only those rights worthy of a fight would justify corresponding duties demanding personal sacrifice, sweat, equity, or treasure.
Historically, duties always preceded rights. In the Hebrew Bible, God imposed the duties of the Ten Commandants on Moses as a precondition to the covenant of salvation for His chosen people. In the New Testament, Jesus imposed the duty of belief in His incarnation, death on the cross, and resurrection in order for believers to enjoy grace and everlasting life."
Political rights, and especially social contract rights, as distinct from natural rights, need intrinsic value to make them worth securing and defending. And only those rights worthy of a fight would justify corresponding duties demanding personal sacrifice, sweat, equity, or treasure.
Historically, duties always preceded rights. In the Hebrew Bible, God imposed the duties of the Ten Commandants on Moses as a precondition to the covenant of salvation for His chosen people. In the New Testament, Jesus imposed the duty of belief in His incarnation, death on the cross, and resurrection in order for believers to enjoy grace and everlasting life."
American Thinker Blog: Support for Obamacare still tanking
American Thinker Blog: Support for Obamacare still tanking: "President Obama made a big deal earlier this week about the falling approval in the polls for Obamacare. 'It was only passed a week ago,' he mocked.
That may be true, Mr. President. But please to tell us when your promise that those numbers will turn around may begin? By the time they do, you, Bo the dog, and maybe Nancy Pelosi will be the only ones who still think it's a great idea.
To wit: A CBS poll showing that the public is growing more skeptical, not less, of Obamacare:
Fifty-three percent of Americans say they disapprove of the new reforms, including 39 percent who say they disapprove strongly. In the days before the bill passed the House, 37 percent said they approved and 48 percent disapproved.
Republicans and independents remain opposed to the reforms, and support has dropped some among Democrats. Now 52 percent of Democrats approve of the new reforms, a drop from 60 percent just before the bill was passed by Congress...
Even though the president and Democratic leaders have repeatedly pointed out that the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office called the reform package a deficit-reducer, six in 10 Americans still think the new health care reforms will increase the budget deficit. Just 13 percent think the reforms will decrease the deficit and another 15 percent expect no effect.
Allahpundit at Hot Air:
More than half think th"
That may be true, Mr. President. But please to tell us when your promise that those numbers will turn around may begin? By the time they do, you, Bo the dog, and maybe Nancy Pelosi will be the only ones who still think it's a great idea.
To wit: A CBS poll showing that the public is growing more skeptical, not less, of Obamacare:
Fifty-three percent of Americans say they disapprove of the new reforms, including 39 percent who say they disapprove strongly. In the days before the bill passed the House, 37 percent said they approved and 48 percent disapproved.
Republicans and independents remain opposed to the reforms, and support has dropped some among Democrats. Now 52 percent of Democrats approve of the new reforms, a drop from 60 percent just before the bill was passed by Congress...
Even though the president and Democratic leaders have repeatedly pointed out that the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office called the reform package a deficit-reducer, six in 10 Americans still think the new health care reforms will increase the budget deficit. Just 13 percent think the reforms will decrease the deficit and another 15 percent expect no effect.
Allahpundit at Hot Air:
More than half think th"
Rasmussen poll post health care debate mimics '94 Gallup poll - Water Cooler - Washington Times
Rasmussen poll post health care debate mimics '94 Gallup poll - Water Cooler - Washington Times: "Democrats continue to believe Americans will embrace the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act as more of them learn what is in the new law.
However, the numbers are not proving the Democrats correct because they show the number who disliked the health care bill presented in 1994 is similar to the number who do not like the health care law today.
Rasmussen Reports has just conducted a new poll that explains voters trust Republicans more than Democrats on nine out of ten key issues.
Rasmussen states:
-- Following the passage of the health care bill, 53 percent now say they trust Republicans on the issue of health care. Thirty-seven percent place their trust in Democrats. A month earlier, the two parties were essentially even on the health care issue."
However, the numbers are not proving the Democrats correct because they show the number who disliked the health care bill presented in 1994 is similar to the number who do not like the health care law today.
Rasmussen Reports has just conducted a new poll that explains voters trust Republicans more than Democrats on nine out of ten key issues.
Rasmussen states:
-- Following the passage of the health care bill, 53 percent now say they trust Republicans on the issue of health care. Thirty-seven percent place their trust in Democrats. A month earlier, the two parties were essentially even on the health care issue."
UPDATE 2-Alcoa demolishing two plants, sees $120 mln charge | Reuters
UPDATE 2-Alcoa demolishing two plants, sees $120 mln charge | Reuters: "HOUSTON, April 5 (Reuters) - Alcoa Inc (AA.N) said on Monday it plans to shut and demolish two previously idled plants, citing market fundamentals.
Alcoa will permanently shutter its Eastalco smelter in Frederick, Maryland which has a capacity of 195,000 metric-tons-per-year and its smelter in Badin, North Carolina which has a capacity of 60,000 metric-tons-per-year, it said in a regulatory filing.
Global demand for aluminum has not rebounded as quickly as that of steel and other metals since the start of recession started in December 2007.
The price of the metal plunged 18 months ago from highs of about $3,300 per tonne, and has slowly risen to around $2,300 on Monday.
The Alcoa plant closures will result in an after-tax charge of $120 million in the first quarter, it said in a filing with the U.S Securities and Exchange Commission.
'These smelters were not running,' Affiliated Research Group analyst Charles Bradford said. 'Eastalco, in particular, was a situation where the power contract ran out."
Alcoa will permanently shutter its Eastalco smelter in Frederick, Maryland which has a capacity of 195,000 metric-tons-per-year and its smelter in Badin, North Carolina which has a capacity of 60,000 metric-tons-per-year, it said in a regulatory filing.
Global demand for aluminum has not rebounded as quickly as that of steel and other metals since the start of recession started in December 2007.
The price of the metal plunged 18 months ago from highs of about $3,300 per tonne, and has slowly risen to around $2,300 on Monday.
The Alcoa plant closures will result in an after-tax charge of $120 million in the first quarter, it said in a filing with the U.S Securities and Exchange Commission.
'These smelters were not running,' Affiliated Research Group analyst Charles Bradford said. 'Eastalco, in particular, was a situation where the power contract ran out."
Report: Dems face two worrisome elections - UPI.com
Report: Dems face two worrisome elections - UPI.com: "WASHINGTON, April 6 (UPI) -- The prospect of losing two U.S. House seats in special elections spurred a Democratic effort to avoid a potential domino effect in November, strategists said.
Projections for special elections next month in Hawaii and Pennsylvania have caused alarm among Democratic officials, who said they feared dual defeats would play into the thinking that the Democratic Party is consigned to huge losses in the fall, Politico reported Tuesday.
In Hawaii, party leaders said they were worried the two top Democrats will split the vote, allowing a Republican to take a seat with a plurality in the state's all-party special election."
Projections for special elections next month in Hawaii and Pennsylvania have caused alarm among Democratic officials, who said they feared dual defeats would play into the thinking that the Democratic Party is consigned to huge losses in the fall, Politico reported Tuesday.
In Hawaii, party leaders said they were worried the two top Democrats will split the vote, allowing a Republican to take a seat with a plurality in the state's all-party special election."
Russia reserves opt-out of arms treaty with US - Yahoo! News
Russia reserves opt-out of arms treaty with US - Yahoo! News: "MOSCOW – The new U.S.-Russian arms control treaty is a much better deal for Russia than its predecessor, but Moscow reserves the right to withdraw from it if a planned U.S. missile defense system grows into a threat, Russia's foreign minister said Tuesday.
Sergey Lavrov said Russia will issue a statement outlining the terms for such a withdrawal after President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev sign the treaty Thursday in Prague. The new accord replaces the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, or START I, which expired in December.
Lavrov has said before that Russia could withdraw from the treaty. But his comments at a briefing Tuesday were his most specific yet on how and why a withdrawal could occur."
Sergey Lavrov said Russia will issue a statement outlining the terms for such a withdrawal after President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev sign the treaty Thursday in Prague. The new accord replaces the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, or START I, which expired in December.
Lavrov has said before that Russia could withdraw from the treaty. But his comments at a briefing Tuesday were his most specific yet on how and why a withdrawal could occur."
FCC loses key ruling on Internet `neutrality' - Yahoo! Finance
FCC loses key ruling on Internet `neutrality' - Yahoo! Finance: "WASHINGTON (AP) -- A federal court threw the future of Internet regulations and U.S. broadband expansion plans into doubt Tuesday with a far-reaching decision that went against the Federal Communications Commission.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled that the FCC lacks the authority to require broadband providers to give equal treatment to all Internet traffic flowing over their networks. That was a big victory for Comcast Corp., the nation's largest cable company, which had challenged the FCC's authority to impose such 'Net neutrality' obligations on broadband providers.
The ruling marks a serious setback for the FCC, which is trying to adopt official Net neutrality regulations. FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, a Democrat, argues that such rules are needed to prevent phone and cable companies from using their control over Internet access to favor some online content and services over others."
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled that the FCC lacks the authority to require broadband providers to give equal treatment to all Internet traffic flowing over their networks. That was a big victory for Comcast Corp., the nation's largest cable company, which had challenged the FCC's authority to impose such 'Net neutrality' obligations on broadband providers.
The ruling marks a serious setback for the FCC, which is trying to adopt official Net neutrality regulations. FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, a Democrat, argues that such rules are needed to prevent phone and cable companies from using their control over Internet access to favor some online content and services over others."
Doctors sue to overturn ObamaCare (OneNewsNow.com)
Doctors sue to overturn ObamaCare (OneNewsNow.com): "Another complaint was filed Friday by a group of nearly 5,000 American physicians as the lawsuits continue to pile up in an effort to overturn the new healthcare reform legislation.
The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) is the first medical society to sue to overturn the newly enacted healthcare bill. Dr. Jane Orient, executive director of AAPS, says several issues are of concern.
'It's an issue of freedom, it's an issue of saving the country from bankruptcy, it's an issue of access to medical care -- all of these things,' she says. 'This bill is a monstrous threat to Americans; and the more they find out about it, the more they dislike it [and] the more they fear it.'
Dr. Jane Orient (AAPS)Dr. Orient further explains that the legislation is unconstitutional on several grounds. 'There are no enumerated powers anywhere in the Constitution for the government to force people to buy insurance or to allow the government to intervene in the relationships between patients and physicians,' she argues."
The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) is the first medical society to sue to overturn the newly enacted healthcare bill. Dr. Jane Orient, executive director of AAPS, says several issues are of concern.
'It's an issue of freedom, it's an issue of saving the country from bankruptcy, it's an issue of access to medical care -- all of these things,' she says. 'This bill is a monstrous threat to Americans; and the more they find out about it, the more they dislike it [and] the more they fear it.'
Dr. Jane Orient (AAPS)Dr. Orient further explains that the legislation is unconstitutional on several grounds. 'There are no enumerated powers anywhere in the Constitution for the government to force people to buy insurance or to allow the government to intervene in the relationships between patients and physicians,' she argues."
CNSNews.com - IT Problems Will Put Census at Risk ‘Up to the Last Minute,’ Says Commerce Dept Official
CNSNews.com - IT Problems Will Put Census at Risk ‘Up to the Last Minute,’ Says Commerce Dept Official: "(CNSNews.com) – Information Technology (IT) problems will put the 2010 Census operations at risk “up to the last minute,” a top Commerce Department official told CNSNews.com. However, the official, whose department oversees the Census Bureau, has “a lot of confidence” that these problems will be fixed in time for the face-to-face interviews starting next month with individuals who did not fill out their census forms by mail.
“There’s always risks. I think there’ll be risks up to the last minute and it’s certainly the duty of the GAO [Government Accountability Office] and IG [Inspector General] to point that out, Dr. Nancy Potok, deputy under secretary for economic affairs at the Commerce Department, told CNSNews.com."
“There’s always risks. I think there’ll be risks up to the last minute and it’s certainly the duty of the GAO [Government Accountability Office] and IG [Inspector General] to point that out, Dr. Nancy Potok, deputy under secretary for economic affairs at the Commerce Department, told CNSNews.com."
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