An impartial, transparent international investigation is needed into Turkey’s guilt over the deaths of nine people and the injuries suffered by scores of others last week.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Impartial, transparent international investigation into Turkey’s guilt « www.ilyameyer.com – English
Impartial, transparent international investigation into Turkey’s guilt « www.ilyameyer.com – English
Sunday, June 6, 2010
The Strata-Sphere » The End Of The Obama Era
The Strata-Sphere » The End Of The Obama Era
I really hate to see things end horribly. Yes, some people sow what they seed, and in the case of our naive and arrogant President he has no one to fault but himself (and maybe those voters who put him in this spot). But you hate to see what was a moment of hope and success end in scandal and ruin.
Like I said many times, I did not want to see this President fail. I wanted to see him grasp the seriousness of his challenges and learn and grow into the job. All first term Presidents have this test to face. But this President is surrounded by power trippers who are also young and naive, and the combined inexperience made surviving this test improbable.
What has me so sure this presidency is over? Was it the endless economic mess and the concurrent joblessness? Was it the destruction of our nation’s premier health care system? Was it his shining incompetence with the Gulf Oil spill? Yes and no. All these things led up to the final straw. The kicker is going to be the felony bribes his administration made to Representative Sestek (PA) and State House Speaker Romanoff (CO) to leave senate primaries.
As I noted previously, the White House excuse floated last Friday on the Sestak incident is simply a signed confession of guilt:
Pajamas Media » Satellite Photos Support Testimony That Iraqi WMD Went to Syria
Pajamas Media » Satellite Photos Support Testimony That Iraqi WMD Went to Syria
Ha’aretz has revived the mystery surrounding the inability to find weapons of mass destruction stockpiles in Iraq, the most commonly cited justification for Operation Iraqi Freedom and one of the most embarrassing episodes for the United States. Satellite photos of a suspicious site in Syria are providing new support for the reporting of a Syrian journalist who briefly rocked the world with his reporting that Iraq’s WMD had been sent to three sites in Syria just before the invasion commenced.
Ha’aretz has revived the mystery surrounding the inability to find weapons of mass destruction stockpiles in Iraq, the most commonly cited justification for Operation Iraqi Freedom and one of the most embarrassing episodes for the United States. Satellite photos of a suspicious site in Syria are providing new support for the reporting of a Syrian journalist who briefly rocked the world with his reporting that Iraq’s WMD had been sent to three sites in Syria just before the invasion commenced.
The newspaper reveals that a 200 square-kilometer area in northwestern Syria has been photographed by satellites at the request of a Western intelligence agency at least 16 times, the most recent being taken in January. The site is near Masyaf, and it has at least five installations and hidden paths leading underneath the mountains. This supports the reporting of Nizar Nayouf, an award-winning Syrian journalist who said in 2004 that his sources confirmed that Saddam Hussein’s WMDs were in Syria.
Waxman Drops The Bomb, We Cant Afford Obama’s Healthcare [Reader Post]
Waxman Drops The Bomb, We Cant Afford Obama’s Healthcare [Reader Post]
Charismatic Charmer, Henry Waxman & Obama, ”America’s Turd In The Punchbowl”, is getting steamed
Charismatic Charmer, Henry Waxman & Obama, ”America’s Turd In The Punchbowl”, is getting steamedOn Friday, Congressman Henry Waxman D CA, Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Finance, was on the floor pleading with Democrat Congressional members they need to push for an immediate 22.9 Billion Dollar ‘Fix’ for Medicare to cover doctor’s fees.
The Bill that was supposed to lower the cost of Health Care has now shown itself to have costs that are spiraling out of control: Barack assured the nation upon signing the Health Care Bill,
“This legislation will lower costs for families and for businesses and for the federal government, reducing our deficit by over $1 trillion in the next two decades,”.
In just two months, Waxman has discovered this new need for a 102 billion in federal spending that would increase the national debt by 54 billion over the next ten years, 25 billion going out to cover costs for the next few months of the fiscal year.
According to Waxman:Medicare On Life Supports :: Accuracy In Academia
Medicare On Life Supports :: Accuracy In Academia
Commentary: Along with millions of other Americans, I received a glossy letter from the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), Kathleen Sebelius, titled “Medicare and the New Health-Care Law—What it Means for You.”
She wrote “The Affordable Health Care Act passed by Congress and signed by President Obama this year will provide you and your family greater savings and increased quality health care.” This claim is made despite the overwhelming evidence that costs have increased dramatically and quality of service has decreased dramatically in every country in the world that has given the government control over their health-care system.
Also we now know that the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) withheld their cost calculations until after the Congress passed the bill. Their latest calculations showed that the new Obama care will cost the taxpayer significantly more than you presently pay as there are virtually no cost controls. The best estimate includes a half trillion in tax increases, a half trillion in Medicare cuts and another $1.3 trillion in costs, more than double of what its proponents said it would cost.
Remember the CBO in 1966 said the total cost of Medicare per year would be about $12 Billion by 1990. It was $107 billion in 1990, almost 900% higher than projected. It was approximately $408 billion in 2009.
Legalizing Euthanasia in Belgium Unleashes Nurses to Do Doctor-Ordered Non Voluntary Killing » Secondhand Smoke | A First Things Blog
Legalizing Euthanasia in Belgium Unleashes Nurses to Do Doctor-Ordered Non Voluntary Killing » Secondhand Smoke | A First Things Blog
Belgium has followed the Netherlands in jumping off a vertical moral cliff by embracing legalized euthanasia. The awful consequences that I predicted are now coming to pass; a steady increase in the number of cases, inadequate reporting, and a large percentage of non voluntary euthanasia deaths. Thus, I am anything but surprised by the study I analyze below, which echoes an earlier one reported here at SHS, that nearly as many Belgian euthanasia killings are non voluntary as of those that are voluntary (the concept of “voluntary” in this context being highly problematic, but let’s not deal with that here).
Belgium has followed the Netherlands in jumping off a vertical moral cliff by embracing legalized euthanasia. The awful consequences that I predicted are now coming to pass; a steady increase in the number of cases, inadequate reporting, and a large percentage of non voluntary euthanasia deaths. Thus, I am anything but surprised by the study I analyze below, which echoes an earlier one reported here at SHS, that nearly as many Belgian euthanasia killings are non voluntary as of those that are voluntary (the concept of “voluntary” in this context being highly problematic, but let’s not deal with that here).
Why might that be? Euthanasia consciousness rests on two intellectual pillers–that killing is an acceptable answer to human suffering, and radical individualism in which we all own our bodies and have the absolute right to do what we wish with it, including make it dead. But interestingly, the latter idea–often reduced to that most effective of all soundbites, “choice”–turns out to be far less robust than the acceptance of active killing as a proper method of ending suffering. In other words, once a society accepts killing as the answer to suffering, the request element becomes increasingly less important as doctors assume they are doing what is best for the patient by extinguishing their lives.
American Thinker: 'Leader with a Plan' Invites a Health Care Nightmare
American Thinker: 'Leader with a Plan' Invites a Health Care Nightmare
The American people are too simple to choose from "an array of products" in "a system as massive and complex as health care. That is for leaders to do."
Behold the words of Donald Berwick -- doctor, Harvard professor, and Obama's nominee to run the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), arguably the most powerful position in U.S. medicine, directing the flow of almost one trillion dollars a year.
Speaking to a British National Health Service (NHS) audience in 2008, Berwick said that people must not believe in "market forces." Instead, "leaders with plans" should design the people's health care system. The high-minded tone comes as no surprise, considering that the doctor was chosen by the highest-minded leader with a plan ever elected to the American presidency.
Speaking to a British National Health Service (NHS) audience in 2008, Berwick said that people must not believe in "market forces." Instead, "leaders with plans" should design the people's health care system. The high-minded tone comes as no surprise, considering that the doctor was chosen by the highest-minded leader with a plan ever elected to the American presidency.
Gateway Pundit Nationalized Health Care Hell: UK to Cut Millions of Operations to Control Costs – Seniors Hardest Hit
Gateway Pundit
Thanks Barack… Thanks Pelosi… Thanks Dems…
Look what we have to look forward to – death panels.
Great Britain is looking to cut billions from their broken nationalized health care system by cutting millions of operations. Of course, the elderly will be hardest hit.
The Daily Mail reported:
Millions of patients face losing NHS care as bosses prepare to axe treatments to make £20billion of savings by 2014, a top doctor has warned.
Among procedures being targeted by health trusts are hernias, joint replacements, ear and nose procedures, varicose veins and cataract surgery.
Dr Mark Porter, chairman of the British Medical Association’s consultants committee, warned NHS bosses wanted ‘wholesale reductions in budgets’.
Study: Obamacare Fails to Pay for High Risk Pools
Study: Obamacare Fails to Pay for High Risk Pools
President Barack Obama's new healthcare law reportedly doesn't allocate nearly enough money to cover the estimated 5.6 million to 7 million Americans with pre-existing medical conditions who will qualify for temporary high-risk insurance pools
An analysis by the Center for Studying Health System Change found that the new law “could leave hundreds of thousands of potential participants with serious medical problems unable to obtain coverage,” and concluded that the $5 billion earmarked for the pools might cover as few as 200,000 people a year.
That’s double the number of people now covered by underfinanced risk pools in 35 states, the New York Times reported.
The gap will force policymakers to freeze enrollment in the new pools, limit access and benefits, or increase premiums, prompting officials in 20 states to decline to establish their own federally financed pools because of concerns over intense pressure to pick up the burden if the money runs out.
The new law calls for the federal government to pick up the total cost of insuring newly eligible parents and childless adults for three years. Then the states will begin to pay some of the expense, gradually rising to 10 percent in 2020. Many governors fear that at that point the new costs will severely burden state budgets.
President Barack Obama's new healthcare law reportedly doesn't allocate nearly enough money to cover the estimated 5.6 million to 7 million Americans with pre-existing medical conditions who will qualify for temporary high-risk insurance pools
An analysis by the Center for Studying Health System Change found that the new law “could leave hundreds of thousands of potential participants with serious medical problems unable to obtain coverage,” and concluded that the $5 billion earmarked for the pools might cover as few as 200,000 people a year.
That’s double the number of people now covered by underfinanced risk pools in 35 states, the New York Times reported.
The gap will force policymakers to freeze enrollment in the new pools, limit access and benefits, or increase premiums, prompting officials in 20 states to decline to establish their own federally financed pools because of concerns over intense pressure to pick up the burden if the money runs out.
The new law calls for the federal government to pick up the total cost of insuring newly eligible parents and childless adults for three years. Then the states will begin to pay some of the expense, gradually rising to 10 percent in 2020. Many governors fear that at that point the new costs will severely burden state budgets.
Data Used to Justify Health Savings Effort Is Sometimes Shaky - NYTimes.com
Data Used to Justify Health Savings Effort Is Sometimes Shaky - NYTimes.com
In selling the health care overhaul to Congress, the Obama administration cited a once obscure research group at Dartmouth College to claim that it could not only cut billions in wasteful health care spending but make people healthier by doing so.
In selling the health care overhaul to Congress, the Obama administration cited a once obscure research group at Dartmouth College to claim that it could not only cut billions in wasteful health care spending but make people healthier by doing so.
Wasteful spending — perhaps $700 billion a year — “does nothing to improve patient health but subjects you and me to tests and procedures that aren’t necessary and are potentially harmful,” the president’s budget director, Peter Orszag, wrote in a blog post characteristic of the administration’s argument.
Mr. Orszag even displayed maps produced by Dartmouth researchers that appeared to show where the waste in the system could be found. Beige meant hospitals and regions that offered good, efficient care; chocolate meant bad and inefficient.
Study Misused to Expedite ObamaCare Passage
Study Misused to Expedite ObamaCare Passage
“In selling the health care overhaul to Congress, the Obama administration cited a once obscure research group at Dartmouth College to claim that it could not only cut billions in wasteful health care spending but make people healthier by doing so,” write Reed Abelson and Gardiner Harris in the New York Times. White House Budget Director Peter Orszag claimed the study showed that “an estimated $700 billion a year spent on health care … does nothing to improve patient health, but subjects you and me to tests and procedures that aren’t necessary and are potentially harmful — not to mention wasteful.”
“Mr. Orszag,” say Abelson and Harris, “even displayed maps produced by Dartmouth researchers that appeared to show where the waste in the system could be found. Beige meant hospitals and regions that offered good, efficient care; chocolate meant bad and inefficient.” All the Obama administration had to do was to “trim the money Medicare pays to hospitals and doctors in the brown zones,” according to Abelson and Harris, and the problem of wasteful healthcare spending would be solved.
Like so much else that passed for truth in the ObamaCare debate, Orszag’s assertions turned out to be somewhat less than accurate. The Dartmouth study, known officially as the Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care, says nothing whatsoever about the quality of healthcare, nor does it even address regional differences in healthcare practice and economic conditions. As Abelson and Harris write, “For all anyone knows, patients could be dying in far greater numbers in hospitals in the beige regions than hospitals in the brown ones, and Dartmouth’s maps
“In selling the health care overhaul to Congress, the Obama administration cited a once obscure research group at Dartmouth College to claim that it could not only cut billions in wasteful health care spending but make people healthier by doing so,” write Reed Abelson and Gardiner Harris in the New York Times. White House Budget Director Peter Orszag claimed the study showed that “an estimated $700 billion a year spent on health care … does nothing to improve patient health, but subjects you and me to tests and procedures that aren’t necessary and are potentially harmful — not to mention wasteful.”
“Mr. Orszag,” say Abelson and Harris, “even displayed maps produced by Dartmouth researchers that appeared to show where the waste in the system could be found. Beige meant hospitals and regions that offered good, efficient care; chocolate meant bad and inefficient.” All the Obama administration had to do was to “trim the money Medicare pays to hospitals and doctors in the brown zones,” according to Abelson and Harris, and the problem of wasteful healthcare spending would be solved.
Like so much else that passed for truth in the ObamaCare debate, Orszag’s assertions turned out to be somewhat less than accurate. The Dartmouth study, known officially as the Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care, says nothing whatsoever about the quality of healthcare, nor does it even address regional differences in healthcare practice and economic conditions. As Abelson and Harris write, “For all anyone knows, patients could be dying in far greater numbers in hospitals in the beige regions than hospitals in the brown ones, and Dartmouth’s maps
30 Days from Today: Obamacare’s First Pledge-Breaking Tax Hike Takes Effect
30 Days from Today: Obamacare’s First Pledge-Breaking Tax Hike Takes Effect
When President Barack Obama signed the healthcare bill into law, he formally broke his “firm pledge” to the American people that “no family making less than $250,000 a year will see any form of tax increase.”
Among the twenty one tax hikes signed into law as part of Obamacare, at least seven directly break Obama’s central campaign promise. The first of these tax hikes will take effect on July 1: the excise tax on indoor tanning services -- a 10 percent tax on the retail price of a tanning session.
Leaving no stone unturned in their petty, vindictive hunt for tax revenue, Obama and his congressional allies expect the tax to raise $2.7 billion over ten years. There is no exemption made for families making less than $250,000 per year.
On April 15 of last year, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Obama’s tax pledge “didn’t come with caveats.” And to this day, Obama’s promise remains for all to see at the Change.gov website: “no family making less than $250,000 will see their taxes increase.”
Twice during the month of April, however, Obama tried to amend the terms of his “firm pledge” by claiming his promise applies only to “income taxes” rather than “any form of taxes”.
In his April 10 Weekly Radio Address, Obama said:
“And one thing we have not done is raise income taxes on families making less than $250,000. That’s another promise we’ve kept.”
In a speech on the evening of April 15, Obama repeated the truncated promise:
“And one thing we haven’t done is raise income taxes on families making less than $250,000 a year -- another promise that we kept.”
Obama’s recent claims stand in stark contrast to his original promise:
“I can make a firm pledge. Under my plan, no family making less than $250,000 a year will see any form of tax increase. Not your income tax, not your payroll tax, not your capital gains taxes, not any of your taxes.” (Dover, NH) [Transcript] [Video]
American Thinker Blog: ObamaCare Propaganda Mailer
American Thinker Blog: ObamaCare Propaganda Mailer
Kathleen Sibelius (Obama's Health czarina) sent me a reassuring message about Medicare under Obama's new law. It came as a shiny, expensive pamphlet inside the first-class official business envelope from the Department of Health and Human Services (Penalty for Private Use $300) titled: "Medicare and the New Health Care Law -- What it Means for You." The brochure includes "A Message from Kathleen Sibelius" -- complete with her official title. She seems afraid I might be worried about what the new health care law really means for me.
She starts out on page one: "The Affordable Care Act passed by Congress and signed by President Obama this year will provide you and your family greater savings and increased quality health care." Clearly, she's going to give me better care for less money. She adds: "...you, your family, and your doctor -- not insurance companies -- have greater control over your care." Better yet! Then she promised me: "Your guaranteed Medicare benefits won't change -- whether you get them through Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan. Instead, you will see new benefits...." Now, I'm feeling great! After all the doubts the nasty Republicans spread about ObamaCare, thank you Kathleen, I should have had more faith!
Kathleen Sibelius (Obama's Health czarina) sent me a reassuring message about Medicare under Obama's new law. It came as a shiny, expensive pamphlet inside the first-class official business envelope from the Department of Health and Human Services (Penalty for Private Use $300) titled: "Medicare and the New Health Care Law -- What it Means for You." The brochure includes "A Message from Kathleen Sibelius" -- complete with her official title. She seems afraid I might be worried about what the new health care law really means for me.
She starts out on page one: "The Affordable Care Act passed by Congress and signed by President Obama this year will provide you and your family greater savings and increased quality health care." Clearly, she's going to give me better care for less money. She adds: "...you, your family, and your doctor -- not insurance companies -- have greater control over your care." Better yet! Then she promised me: "Your guaranteed Medicare benefits won't change -- whether you get them through Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan. Instead, you will see new benefits...." Now, I'm feeling great! After all the doubts the nasty Republicans spread about ObamaCare, thank you Kathleen, I should have had more faith!
Fiscal Fraud of Obamacare Snowballing Already - HUMAN EVENTS
Fiscal Fraud of Obamacare Snowballing Already - HUMAN EVENTS
It was supposed to save the taxpayers money, remember?
"This legislation will lower costs for families and for businesses and for the federal government, reducing our deficit by over $1 trillion in the next two decades," Obama said when he signed the bill.
On Friday, Waxman declared that the sky is about to fall on the Medicare system. He went to the House floor to "urge" his colleagues to vote for a bill that includes $102 billion in new federal spending and would add $54 billion to the national debt over the next 10 years -- $25 billion of it in the few months remaining in this fiscal year.
Why did Waxman believe this new borrowing-and-spending was necessary?
Remember the health care issue? Well, the fiscal consequences of the socialized medicine scheme enacted by President Barack Obama and Congress just two months ago are already beginning to snowball.
Democratic Rep. Henry Waxman of California, the chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, was one of the key architects and advocates of Obamacare. He was back on the House floor on Friday delivering an urgent plea to fellow Democrats that inadvertently -- or, perhaps, unavoidably -- revealed the fraudulent nature of our new national health care regime.It was supposed to save the taxpayers money, remember?
"This legislation will lower costs for families and for businesses and for the federal government, reducing our deficit by over $1 trillion in the next two decades," Obama said when he signed the bill.
On Friday, Waxman declared that the sky is about to fall on the Medicare system. He went to the House floor to "urge" his colleagues to vote for a bill that includes $102 billion in new federal spending and would add $54 billion to the national debt over the next 10 years -- $25 billion of it in the few months remaining in this fiscal year.
Why did Waxman believe this new borrowing-and-spending was necessary?
Suicide bomber kills four police in Iraqi capital | Reuters
Suicide bomber kills four police in Iraqi capital | Reuters
(Reuters) - A suicide bomber drove a car packed with explosives into a crowd of officers outside a police station in Baghdad on Sunday, killing four and wounding 12, a source in Iraq's Interior Ministry said.
he bomber struck as the officers were changing shifts in the mainly Shi'ite Amil district in the southwestern area of the Iraqi capital, the source said. Another six officers were wounded when a bomb attached to a parked car exploded near their patrol in eastern Baghdad.
Tensions have been running high since a March 7 parliamentary election that produced no clear winner, forcing potentially divisive negotiations between Iraq's Shi'ite, Sunni and Kurdish political factions to agree a new government.
Although overall violence has tumbled since the worst of Iraq's sectarian warfare in 2006-07 killed tens of thousands, civilian deaths have climbed since the vote.
Iraqi authorities said 275 civilians were killed in bomb blasts and other attacks in May and 274 in April, up from 216 in March and 211 in February.
Van der Sloot arrives at Lima police headquarters - CNN.com
Van der Sloot arrives at Lima police headquarters - CNN.com
Lima, Peru -- Murder suspect Joran van der Sloot arrived Saturday at the Lima police headquarters in Peru, where he is facing charges that he killed a Peruvian woman.
Van der Sloot, handcuffed and wearing a protective vest, was escorted through a news conference held by Peruvian authorities as photographers snapped photo after photo.
The body of 21-year-old Stephany Flores Ramirez was found Wednesday in a Lima hotel room registered to van der Sloot, a Dutch citizen who was twice arrested and released in connection with the 2005 disappearance of American teenager Natalee Holloway in Aruba.
Flores' body was badly beaten and investigators believe a tennis racquet in the room was used in the killing, Carlos Gonzalo, spokesman for Peru's Interior Ministry, told CNN. Despite reports that a baseball bat was the murder weapon, Gonzalo said there was not a baseball bat in the room.
Perspective: Sesame Street, socialism, and America (OneNewsNow.com)
Perspective: Sesame Street, socialism, and America (OneNewsNow.com)
"Mom, what happened to Sesame Street?" I was an inquisitive six-year old and my little mind could not comprehend why Big Bird, Ernie, the Cookie Monster, and their beloved stuffed friends had vanished from the only TV station in Jamaica. It was the late 1970s and my dear mother attempted to explain that the government had banned the children's program and other "foreign" programs.
"Mom, what happened to Sesame Street?" I was an inquisitive six-year old and my little mind could not comprehend why Big Bird, Ernie, the Cookie Monster, and their beloved stuffed friends had vanished from the only TV station in Jamaica. It was the late 1970s and my dear mother attempted to explain that the government had banned the children's program and other "foreign" programs.
Stop Liberal Lies
Stop Liberal Lies
Imagine that… The same guy that Obama “knew from the neighborhood” – whose living room was the venue for the birth of Obama’s Political career – is backing a radical hate group calling themselves “activists”.
The following is from the San Francisco Examiner:
Former Weather Underground leaders William Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn, as well as Code Pink founder Jodie Evans, helped organize the Free Gaza Movement, which launched the six-ship flotilla from Turkey to Israel that ended in a violent clash with Israeli Defense Forces, BigGovernment.com reported.
In January, the trio were spotted in Egypt attempting to stir up crowds on the streets with 1,400 other left-wing activists after the Egyptian government refused to allow Free Gaza Movement members to enter the Gaza Strip. About 100 marchers were eventually allowed to cross the border, where they were met by former Hamas prime minister Ismail Haniyeh.
BigGovernment quotes author Philip Weiss, who wrote that he witnessed Ayers and Dohrn arguing with fellow activists over whether to accept Egypt’s offer to allow a small number of them into Gaza:
Hundreds gather to support AZ illegals crackdown law (OneNewsNow.com)
Hundreds gather to support AZ illegals crackdown law (OneNewsNow.com)
PHOENIX - Hundreds of people supporting Arizona's new law cracking down on illegal immigration rallied near the state Capitol on Saturday afternoon in soaring temperatures.
Hundreds of motorcycle riders kicked off the downtown Phoenix rally by riding in a procession around the Capitol. Supporters waved American flags and some carried signs that read "What part of illegal don't they understand?"
The rally's turnout fell far short of the march organized by opponents of the law last weekend, when an estimated 20,000 people gathered.
Demonstrators on Saturday sweated as temperatures reached 105 degrees. Some shaded themselves with umbrellas and clamored to buy cold water and ice cream from vendors.
PHOENIX - Hundreds of people supporting Arizona's new law cracking down on illegal immigration rallied near the state Capitol on Saturday afternoon in soaring temperatures.
Hundreds of motorcycle riders kicked off the downtown Phoenix rally by riding in a procession around the Capitol. Supporters waved American flags and some carried signs that read "What part of illegal don't they understand?"
The rally's turnout fell far short of the march organized by opponents of the law last weekend, when an estimated 20,000 people gathered.
Demonstrators on Saturday sweated as temperatures reached 105 degrees. Some shaded themselves with umbrellas and clamored to buy cold water and ice cream from vendors.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Murder suspect returns to Peru to face charges - CNN.com
Murder suspect returns to Peru to face charges - CNN.com
Santa Rosa, Peru (CNN) -- Murder suspect Joran van der Sloot arrived Friday in Peru to face charges that he killed a Peruvian woman as police in Lima said they had identified the weapon that killed 21-year-old Stephany Flores Ramirez.
Flores' body was found Wednesday in a Lima hotel room registered to van der Sloot, a Dutch citizen who was twice arrested and released in connection with the 2005 disappearance of an American teenager, Natalee Holloway, in Aruba.
Investigators also found a baseball bat in the room, two law enforcement sources -- who said it was the murder weapon -- told HLN's "Nancy Grace."
Chilean authorities delivered van der Sloot to their Peruvian counterparts in the border town of Santa Rosa, where he was greeted by hecklers and dozens of media personnel jostling for position to get a better picture of the Dutch citizen.
Santa Rosa, Peru (CNN) -- Murder suspect Joran van der Sloot arrived Friday in Peru to face charges that he killed a Peruvian woman as police in Lima said they had identified the weapon that killed 21-year-old Stephany Flores Ramirez.
Flores' body was found Wednesday in a Lima hotel room registered to van der Sloot, a Dutch citizen who was twice arrested and released in connection with the 2005 disappearance of an American teenager, Natalee Holloway, in Aruba.
Investigators also found a baseball bat in the room, two law enforcement sources -- who said it was the murder weapon -- told HLN's "Nancy Grace."
Chilean authorities delivered van der Sloot to their Peruvian counterparts in the border town of Santa Rosa, where he was greeted by hecklers and dozens of media personnel jostling for position to get a better picture of the Dutch citizen.
Friday, June 4, 2010
GOPUSA » The Loft » Government Looks to 'Control'... Ummmm... 'Save' Old Media
GOPUSA » The Loft » Government Looks to 'Control'... Ummmm... 'Save' Old Media
Bobby_Loft
For all those people out there who don't understand what Barack Obama and his left-wing cohorts want to do to this country, just look at what has happened so far. Through various legislation and actions, Obama's government has gained partial control of the banking industry, finance, automobile production, energy, and, of course, health care. The whole idea is control... the more the government owns, the more it controls, and the less freedom the American people have. So, it should come as no surprise that Obama's socialist administration has set its focus on the media. In an effort to "save" old media, the administation is proposing a set of "guidelines" that would put the government in more control of the "news" that is delivered to the people. If this doesn't smack of "thought police," I don't know what does.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has published a "discussion draft" of what it calls Potential Policy Recommendations to Support the Reinvention of Journalism. I didn't realize that journalism (real journalism, that is) needed to be "reinvented," but leave it to Obama's government to propose "solutions" where there are no problems.
The document is based on the struggling newspaper industry. I guess it doesn't matter that other forms of media are booming, but because newspapers are starting to go into debt and fail, then the government must step in. Hello! It's 2010, not 1955! The report notes that advertising revenue from newspapers has fallen "approximately 45% since 2000. For example, classified advertising accounted for $19.6 billion in revenue for newspapers in 2000, $10.2 billion in 2008, and is estimated to be only $6.0 billion in 2009."
Read more: http://www.gopusa.com/theloft/2010/06/government-looks-to-control-ummmm-save-old-media.php#ixzz0pwUnTiH7
Bobby_Loft
For all those people out there who don't understand what Barack Obama and his left-wing cohorts want to do to this country, just look at what has happened so far. Through various legislation and actions, Obama's government has gained partial control of the banking industry, finance, automobile production, energy, and, of course, health care. The whole idea is control... the more the government owns, the more it controls, and the less freedom the American people have. So, it should come as no surprise that Obama's socialist administration has set its focus on the media. In an effort to "save" old media, the administation is proposing a set of "guidelines" that would put the government in more control of the "news" that is delivered to the people. If this doesn't smack of "thought police," I don't know what does.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has published a "discussion draft" of what it calls Potential Policy Recommendations to Support the Reinvention of Journalism. I didn't realize that journalism (real journalism, that is) needed to be "reinvented," but leave it to Obama's government to propose "solutions" where there are no problems.
The document is based on the struggling newspaper industry. I guess it doesn't matter that other forms of media are booming, but because newspapers are starting to go into debt and fail, then the government must step in. Hello! It's 2010, not 1955! The report notes that advertising revenue from newspapers has fallen "approximately 45% since 2000. For example, classified advertising accounted for $19.6 billion in revenue for newspapers in 2000, $10.2 billion in 2008, and is estimated to be only $6.0 billion in 2009."
Read more: http://www.gopusa.com/theloft/2010/06/government-looks-to-control-ummmm-save-old-media.php#ixzz0pwUnTiH7
The Associated Press: Fidel Castro claims Obama lives in fantasy world
The Associated Press: Fidel Castro claims Obama lives in fantasy world
HAVANA — Fidel Castro speculated Wednesday that a nuclear strike on Iran might help President Barack Obama win a second term in the White House and also suggested the United States could attack North Korea.
The former leader of Cuba, who has not been seen in public for nearly four years, also portrayed the U.S. president as a victim of fantasies planted in his mind by sinister advisers.
The column published by Cuban state media floated the idea that a nuclear attack on Iran — perhaps even without U.S. authorization — might help Obama win re-election in 2012.
HAVANA — Fidel Castro speculated Wednesday that a nuclear strike on Iran might help President Barack Obama win a second term in the White House and also suggested the United States could attack North Korea.
The former leader of Cuba, who has not been seen in public for nearly four years, also portrayed the U.S. president as a victim of fantasies planted in his mind by sinister advisers.
The column published by Cuban state media floated the idea that a nuclear attack on Iran — perhaps even without U.S. authorization — might help Obama win re-election in 2012.
RealClearPolitics - Video - Census Worker Claims Job Numbers Are Being Inflated
RealClearPolitics - Video - Census Worker Claims Job Numbers Are Being Inflated
"What they do is hire you, they train you like a few weeks -- 35, 40 hours of training and give you six hours of productive work and lay you off." a former Census named "Maria" tells FOX News. "Maria" further explains they rehire you so it counts as a new job.
Chrysler recalls more than 25,000 vehicles | Reuters
Chrysler recalls more than 25,000 vehicles | Reuters
Chrysler is recalling more than 25,000 Dodge Caliber and Jeep Compass vehicles to address the risk that accelerator pedals could become stuck and cause unintended acceleration, the automaker said on Friday.
Chrysler is recalling more than 25,000 Dodge Caliber and Jeep Compass vehicles to address the risk that accelerator pedals could become stuck and cause unintended acceleration, the automaker said on Friday.
Michael Medved : The Oil Spill, Obama and the Big Government Ideology - Townhall.com
Michael Medved : The Oil Spill, Obama and the Big Government Ideology - Townhall.com
According to a recent Gallup Poll, some 60% of the public believes that the federal government is doing a “poor” or “very poor” job in handling the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
Why, then, would any sane individual support the idea of giving these same bumblers enhanced control of other key areas in our lives –like the health care industry, the car companies, or the banking system?
The looming environmental catastrophe not only reveals the hapless, flailing ineptitude of the Obama administration, but far more importantly demonstrates the limited ability of Washington itself to solve the big problems of American life. That’s why the oil spill presents such a painful predicament for Democrats everywhere—even those Democrats who have begun to question and criticize the president for his handling of the disaster. No, it’s not “Obama’s Katrina”—it’s actually much worse for his party and for his political philosophy.
According to a recent Gallup Poll, some 60% of the public believes that the federal government is doing a “poor” or “very poor” job in handling the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
Why, then, would any sane individual support the idea of giving these same bumblers enhanced control of other key areas in our lives –like the health care industry, the car companies, or the banking system?
The looming environmental catastrophe not only reveals the hapless, flailing ineptitude of the Obama administration, but far more importantly demonstrates the limited ability of Washington itself to solve the big problems of American life. That’s why the oil spill presents such a painful predicament for Democrats everywhere—even those Democrats who have begun to question and criticize the president for his handling of the disaster. No, it’s not “Obama’s Katrina”—it’s actually much worse for his party and for his political philosophy.
Today's News Headlines, Online Video, World, US, Christian, Fox, Conservative, Political, Religious
Today's News Headlines, Online Video, World, US, Christian, Fox, Conservative, Political, Religious
Employment increased by 431,000 jobs in May, but 411,000 of those came from the government hiring temporary census workers. What does that mean? Real employment increased by about 41,000 jobs. Peanuts. What's worse is that economists expected the economy to add 500,000 jobs. We fell well short of expectations.
Meanwhile, the employment rate got better — decreasing from 9.9% in April to 9.7% in May. What does that mean? It means people are giving up. Those workers aren't disappearing — they're discouraged, and once you've stopped actually looking for work, the government stops counting you as wanting to be employed. If you don't want to be employed, you're not "unemployed." Combine that with the actual underemployment rate of 16% — people who have a job but want to work more hours — and we've got a serious number of people who can't bring home the bacon.
Employment increased by 431,000 jobs in May, but 411,000 of those came from the government hiring temporary census workers. What does that mean? Real employment increased by about 41,000 jobs. Peanuts. What's worse is that economists expected the economy to add 500,000 jobs. We fell well short of expectations.
Meanwhile, the employment rate got better — decreasing from 9.9% in April to 9.7% in May. What does that mean? It means people are giving up. Those workers aren't disappearing — they're discouraged, and once you've stopped actually looking for work, the government stops counting you as wanting to be employed. If you don't want to be employed, you're not "unemployed." Combine that with the actual underemployment rate of 16% — people who have a job but want to work more hours — and we've got a serious number of people who can't bring home the bacon.
SRN News : Feds send BP $69M bill as Obama plans trip to Gulf
SRN News : Feds send BP $69M bill as Obama plans trip to Gulf
The federal government slapped BP with a $69 million bill Thursday to cover initial costs of responding to the largest oil spill in U.S. history. An angry President Barack Obama said he was convinced that BP has not moved quickly enough to stop the flow of oil and clean up the mess.
Obama, who on Friday planned to make his second visit in a week to the battered Gulf Coast, used his strongest language to date in assailing BP.
"I am furious at this entire situation because this is an example where somebody didn't think through the consequences of their actions," Obama told CNN's Larry King. "This is imperiling an entire way of life and an entire region for potentially years."
Obama said BP has felt his anger, but added that "venting and yelling at people" won't solve the problem. His remarks aired Thursday night.
The federal government slapped BP with a $69 million bill Thursday to cover initial costs of responding to the largest oil spill in U.S. history. An angry President Barack Obama said he was convinced that BP has not moved quickly enough to stop the flow of oil and clean up the mess.
Obama, who on Friday planned to make his second visit in a week to the battered Gulf Coast, used his strongest language to date in assailing BP.
"I am furious at this entire situation because this is an example where somebody didn't think through the consequences of their actions," Obama told CNN's Larry King. "This is imperiling an entire way of life and an entire region for potentially years."
Obama said BP has felt his anger, but added that "venting and yelling at people" won't solve the problem. His remarks aired Thursday night.
Hiring weak in May except for Census workers Economic Report - MarketWatch
Hiring weak in May except for Census workers Economic Report - MarketWatch
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- Nonfarm payrolls grew by a seasonally adjusted 431,000 in May, but virtually all the new jobs were temporary jobs at the U.S. Census, leaving private-sector hiring very weak, the Labor Department reported Friday.
Excluding 411,000 temporary Census workers, payrolls rose by 20,000 in May. According to the survey of 400,000 business establishments, private-sector payrolls increased by 41,000, the fifth straight monthly gain.
"A disappointing private payroll number to be sure," said John Ryding and Conrad DeQuadros of RDQ Economics.
Wall Street celebrated a weak job report early Friday. Job growth slowed dramatically in May and the jobless rate jumped to 4.1 percent, the Labor Department said Friday. Total payrolls grew by 231,000, boosted by 357,000 new temporary census workers. Private employment fell by 116,000, the biggest drop since November 1991. Average hourly wages rose just 0.1 percent to $13.65.
*****This is 15% more temporary census workers than same time period in 2000, even though the U.S. population has only grown by about 10% percent in the same time period (281M in 2000 vs. 309M in 2010 according to Wikipedia ). Has Obama made Census taking less productive? *****
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- Nonfarm payrolls grew by a seasonally adjusted 431,000 in May, but virtually all the new jobs were temporary jobs at the U.S. Census, leaving private-sector hiring very weak, the Labor Department reported Friday.
Excluding 411,000 temporary Census workers, payrolls rose by 20,000 in May. According to the survey of 400,000 business establishments, private-sector payrolls increased by 41,000, the fifth straight monthly gain.
"A disappointing private payroll number to be sure," said John Ryding and Conrad DeQuadros of RDQ Economics.
Wall Street celebrated a weak job report early Friday. Job growth slowed dramatically in May and the jobless rate jumped to 4.1 percent, the Labor Department said Friday. Total payrolls grew by 231,000, boosted by 357,000 new temporary census workers. Private employment fell by 116,000, the biggest drop since November 1991. Average hourly wages rose just 0.1 percent to $13.65.
*****This is 15% more temporary census workers than same time period in 2000, even though the U.S. population has only grown by about 10% percent in the same time period (281M in 2000 vs. 309M in 2010 according to Wikipedia ). Has Obama made Census taking less productive? *****
NBC: Beth Holloway targeted in extortion scheme | NBC13.com
NBC: Beth Holloway targeted in extortion scheme | NBC13.com
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—- Law enforcement sources have confirmed to NBC that Natalie Holloway’s mother Beth Holloway was targeted by Joran van der Sloot in an alleged extortion scheme.
Thursday U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance announced extortion and wire fraud charges against van der Sloot.
Vance claimed van der Sloot sold false information about Natalie Holloway’s disappearance and circumstances surrounding her death to someone in Birmingham.
Vance said $15,000 was wired from Birmingham to the Netherlands on May 10, 2010 and that van der Sloot was ultimately seeking $250,000.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—- Law enforcement sources have confirmed to NBC that Natalie Holloway’s mother Beth Holloway was targeted by Joran van der Sloot in an alleged extortion scheme.
Thursday U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance announced extortion and wire fraud charges against van der Sloot.
Vance claimed van der Sloot sold false information about Natalie Holloway’s disappearance and circumstances surrounding her death to someone in Birmingham.
Vance said $15,000 was wired from Birmingham to the Netherlands on May 10, 2010 and that van der Sloot was ultimately seeking $250,000.
Energy Prices Will "Skyrocket" If U.S. Stops Drilling: Former Shell Exec Sees $6 to $8 Gas: Tech Ticker, Yahoo! Finance
Energy Prices Will "Skyrocket" If U.S. Stops Drilling: Former Shell Exec Sees $6 to $8 Gas: Tech Ticker, Yahoo! Finance
Oily tar balls hit the sands of the Florida Panhandle Friday even as BP engineers adjusted a sophisticated cap over the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. The containment cap is the latest attempt to plug the worst oil spill in U.S. history, triggered when the Deepwater Horizon rig exploded April 20, killing 11 people.
"The next 12 to 24 hours will give us an indication of how successful this attempt will be," BP CEO Tony Hayward said Thursday.
Whenever the spill is eventually contained, and the best estimates are still in the "months" category, the BP disaster has major implications for the environment, America's energy policy, and consumers.
"The implications for the American consumer and our society and the domestic United States are very seriously at the front of what I think about," says our guest John Hofmeister, former president of Shell Oil and author of Why We Hate the Oil Companies.
The BP disaster has raised questions about halting risky, domestic oil extraction procedures altogether, including deep-water programs. But Hofmeister -- a longtime advocate of more domestic drilling -- says Americans simply can't afford to stop drilling. (America's net imports of foreign oil have jumped to 58.2 percent in 2007 from 34.8 percent in 1973, accoding to the latest annual figures from the U.S. govermment.)
Prices Could "Skyrocket"
Oily tar balls hit the sands of the Florida Panhandle Friday even as BP engineers adjusted a sophisticated cap over the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. The containment cap is the latest attempt to plug the worst oil spill in U.S. history, triggered when the Deepwater Horizon rig exploded April 20, killing 11 people.
"The next 12 to 24 hours will give us an indication of how successful this attempt will be," BP CEO Tony Hayward said Thursday.
Whenever the spill is eventually contained, and the best estimates are still in the "months" category, the BP disaster has major implications for the environment, America's energy policy, and consumers.
"The implications for the American consumer and our society and the domestic United States are very seriously at the front of what I think about," says our guest John Hofmeister, former president of Shell Oil and author of Why We Hate the Oil Companies.
The BP disaster has raised questions about halting risky, domestic oil extraction procedures altogether, including deep-water programs. But Hofmeister -- a longtime advocate of more domestic drilling -- says Americans simply can't afford to stop drilling. (America's net imports of foreign oil have jumped to 58.2 percent in 2007 from 34.8 percent in 1973, accoding to the latest annual figures from the U.S. govermment.)
Prices Could "Skyrocket"
Now They Tell Us: Pro-Obama-Care Study By 'Wonderful' Group Now Seen As Dangerously Faulty By NYT
Now They Tell Us: Pro-Obama-Care Study By 'Wonderful' Group Now Seen As Dangerously Faulty By NYT
Another “now they tell us” moment from the New York Times on Obama-care appeared on Thursday's front page: “Study Cited for Health-Cost Cuts Overstated Its Upside, Critics Say” by health reporters Reed Abelson and Gardiner Harris. The study originated from the obscure Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care group and was heavily promoted on Capitol Hill by Congressional Budget Office director turned Obama budget director Peter Orszag.
Abelson has trod lightly over this ground before, in a December 23, 2009 story, pointing out flaws in the Dartmouth study, but this is the first Times story that challenges the findings root and branch. This after years of Times reporters and writers promoting the study, itself heavily promoted by Orszag.
Another “now they tell us” moment from the New York Times on Obama-care appeared on Thursday's front page: “Study Cited for Health-Cost Cuts Overstated Its Upside, Critics Say” by health reporters Reed Abelson and Gardiner Harris. The study originated from the obscure Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care group and was heavily promoted on Capitol Hill by Congressional Budget Office director turned Obama budget director Peter Orszag.
Abelson has trod lightly over this ground before, in a December 23, 2009 story, pointing out flaws in the Dartmouth study, but this is the first Times story that challenges the findings root and branch. This after years of Times reporters and writers promoting the study, itself heavily promoted by Orszag.
CBS: Memos Show Kagan 'Stood Shoulder to Shoulder with the Liberal Left'
CBS: Memos Show Kagan 'Stood Shoulder to Shoulder with the Liberal Left'
On Thursday’s CBS Evening News, correspondent Jan Crawford filed a report recounting revelations that Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan has a history of taking solidly liberal positions on issues like abortion, gay rights, and gun control – with evidence in the form of memos, some going back to her days working for liberal Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. Crawford: "Documents buried in Thurgood Marshall's papers in the Library of Congress show that, as a young lawyer, Kagan stood shoulder to shoulder with the liberal left, including on the most controversial issue Supreme Court nominees ever confront: abortion."
The CBS correspondent informed viewers that Kagan had fretted about conservatives restricting abortion rights: "In a case involving a prisoner who wanted the state to pay for her to have the procedure, Kagan writes to Marshall that the conservative-leaning court could use the case to rule against the woman and ‘create some very bad law on abortion.’"
On Thursday’s CBS Evening News, correspondent Jan Crawford filed a report recounting revelations that Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan has a history of taking solidly liberal positions on issues like abortion, gay rights, and gun control – with evidence in the form of memos, some going back to her days working for liberal Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. Crawford: "Documents buried in Thurgood Marshall's papers in the Library of Congress show that, as a young lawyer, Kagan stood shoulder to shoulder with the liberal left, including on the most controversial issue Supreme Court nominees ever confront: abortion."
The CBS correspondent informed viewers that Kagan had fretted about conservatives restricting abortion rights: "In a case involving a prisoner who wanted the state to pay for her to have the procedure, Kagan writes to Marshall that the conservative-leaning court could use the case to rule against the woman and ‘create some very bad law on abortion.’"
NBC Skips Any Mention of Latest Obama Job Offer to Dem Politician, Touts President's Rock Concert
NBC Skips Any Mention of Latest Obama Job Offer to Dem Politician, Touts President's Rock Concert
On Thursday's Today, the NBC program ignored the revelation that the Obama administration attempted to persuade a Democratic Senate candidate to drop out of a primary race. ABC's Good Morning America and CBS's Early Show both highlighted the story in full reports.
CBS's Erica Hill announced, "There are new allegations of back room politics by the White House. A Colorado politician says the Obama administration hinted at a job offer if he stayed out of the Senate race."
ABC's Jake Tapper pointed out the potential problems for the White House: "But this does look bad. It looks, again, like politics as usual. And Republicans, you can expect them to make a lot of hay about this today."
On Thursday's Today, the NBC program ignored the revelation that the Obama administration attempted to persuade a Democratic Senate candidate to drop out of a primary race. ABC's Good Morning America and CBS's Early Show both highlighted the story in full reports.
CBS's Erica Hill announced, "There are new allegations of back room politics by the White House. A Colorado politician says the Obama administration hinted at a job offer if he stayed out of the Senate race."
ABC's Jake Tapper pointed out the potential problems for the White House: "But this does look bad. It looks, again, like politics as usual. And Republicans, you can expect them to make a lot of hay about this today."
Sweeping Sestak under the rug (OneNewsNow.com)
Sweeping Sestak under the rug (OneNewsNow.com)
A conservative media watchdog says the mainstream media has shown a real lack of effort in the ongoing story surrounding Pennsylvania Senate candidate Joe Sestak and a possible deal from the White House.
A number of Republicans on Capitol Hill believe the Obama administration may have broken the law in offering Sestak a job in exchange for bowing out of his bid for the Senate against White House-supported incumbent Senator Arlen Specter. Congressman Darrell Issa (R-California) has suggested that the Sestak controversy could be President Obama's Watergate scandal.
A conservative media watchdog says the mainstream media has shown a real lack of effort in the ongoing story surrounding Pennsylvania Senate candidate Joe Sestak and a possible deal from the White House.
A number of Republicans on Capitol Hill believe the Obama administration may have broken the law in offering Sestak a job in exchange for bowing out of his bid for the Senate against White House-supported incumbent Senator Arlen Specter. Congressman Darrell Issa (R-California) has suggested that the Sestak controversy could be President Obama's Watergate scandal.
Repeal rush infuriates military leaders (OneNewsNow.com)
Repeal rush infuriates military leaders (OneNewsNow.com)
A conservative military watchdog isn't surprised that the four highest ranking officers from each service branch were "furious" over the way Nancy Pelosi rammed through legislation to repeal the 1993 law that bans homosexuals from military service, while denying its pre-determined consequences.
Just before the Memorial Day break, Congress voted mostly along party lines in a 234-194 count, with 10 not voting, to repeal Section 654, Title 10, which has been mislabeled "don't ask, don't tell." This vote took place despite the fact that the lawmakers received letters from four military service chiefs who urged them not to do so. (See earlier story)
A conservative military watchdog isn't surprised that the four highest ranking officers from each service branch were "furious" over the way Nancy Pelosi rammed through legislation to repeal the 1993 law that bans homosexuals from military service, while denying its pre-determined consequences.
Just before the Memorial Day break, Congress voted mostly along party lines in a 234-194 count, with 10 not voting, to repeal Section 654, Title 10, which has been mislabeled "don't ask, don't tell." This vote took place despite the fact that the lawmakers received letters from four military service chiefs who urged them not to do so. (See earlier story)
US Stock Futures Extend Losses After Jobs Report - CNBC
US Stock Futures Extend Losses After Jobs Report - CNBC
US stock futures extended their losses Friday after a report showed fewer jobs were added to nonfarm payrolls last month and most of those were temporary census workers.
US employers added 431,000 jobs to nonfarm payrolls in May, but 411,000 of those were temporary census workers. The private sector added just 41,000 jobs: Manufacturing, temporary help and mining added jobs, while construction declined. That number was also well short of the more than 500,000 economists had expected. The unemployment rate, however, fell to 9.7 percent from 9.9 percent in April.
"This number is extremely disappointing," said Todd Schoenberger, managing director at LandColt trading. However, he said, it should come as no surprise. "Considering first time jobless claims have been inching higher over the past four weeks ... and GDP came in at a lackluster 3%, American companies are going to be reluctant to hire."
US stock futures extended their losses Friday after a report showed fewer jobs were added to nonfarm payrolls last month and most of those were temporary census workers.
US employers added 431,000 jobs to nonfarm payrolls in May, but 411,000 of those were temporary census workers. The private sector added just 41,000 jobs: Manufacturing, temporary help and mining added jobs, while construction declined. That number was also well short of the more than 500,000 economists had expected. The unemployment rate, however, fell to 9.7 percent from 9.9 percent in April.
"This number is extremely disappointing," said Todd Schoenberger, managing director at LandColt trading. However, he said, it should come as no surprise. "Considering first time jobless claims have been inching higher over the past four weeks ... and GDP came in at a lackluster 3%, American companies are going to be reluctant to hire."
Drug cartel reportedly plotted to blow up Texas dam - Yahoo! News
Drug cartel reportedly plotted to blow up Texas dam - Yahoo! News
Mexican and U.S. authorities were "secretly scrambling" last month to thwart a Mexican drug cartel's plot to blow up a Texas dam that would have flooded an area with about 4 million inhabitants, according to the Houston Chronicle's Dane Schiller and James Pinkerton.
Law enforcement officials were reportedly tipped off to a plot when they found one of the handbills that the drug cartel Los Zetas was distributing on the Mexican side of the river, warning residents to clear out ahead of the explosion. Authorities found "small amounts of dynamite near the dam," the Chronicle said.
Mexican and U.S. authorities were "secretly scrambling" last month to thwart a Mexican drug cartel's plot to blow up a Texas dam that would have flooded an area with about 4 million inhabitants, according to the Houston Chronicle's Dane Schiller and James Pinkerton.
Law enforcement officials were reportedly tipped off to a plot when they found one of the handbills that the drug cartel Los Zetas was distributing on the Mexican side of the river, warning residents to clear out ahead of the explosion. Authorities found "small amounts of dynamite near the dam," the Chronicle said.
Study: Obamacare Fails to Pay for High Risk Pools
Study: Obamacare Fails to Pay for High Risk Pools
President Barack Obama's new healthcare law reportedly doesn't allocate nearly enough money to cover the estimated 5.6 million to 7 million Americans with pre-existing medical conditions who will qualify for temporary high-risk insurance pools
An analysis by the Center for Studying Health System Change found that the new law “could leave hundreds of thousands of potential participants with serious medical problems unable to obtain coverage,” and concluded that the $5 billion earmarked for the pools might cover as few as 200,000 people a year.
That’s double the number of people now covered by underfinanced risk pools in 35 states, the New York Times reported.
The gap will force policymakers to freeze enrollment in the new pools, limit access and benefits, or increase premiums, prompting officials in 20 states to decline to establish their own federally financed pools because of concerns over intense pressure to pick up the burden if the money runs out.
President Barack Obama's new healthcare law reportedly doesn't allocate nearly enough money to cover the estimated 5.6 million to 7 million Americans with pre-existing medical conditions who will qualify for temporary high-risk insurance pools
An analysis by the Center for Studying Health System Change found that the new law “could leave hundreds of thousands of potential participants with serious medical problems unable to obtain coverage,” and concluded that the $5 billion earmarked for the pools might cover as few as 200,000 people a year.
That’s double the number of people now covered by underfinanced risk pools in 35 states, the New York Times reported.
The gap will force policymakers to freeze enrollment in the new pools, limit access and benefits, or increase premiums, prompting officials in 20 states to decline to establish their own federally financed pools because of concerns over intense pressure to pick up the burden if the money runs out.
RealClearPolitics - Politics - Jun 04, 2010 - White House defends dealmaking in political races
RealClearPolitics - Politics - Jun 04, 2010 - White House defends dealmaking in political races
The White House scrambled Thursday to explain new revelations of political dealmaking, defending attempts to steer state primary races but saying the president was unaware an aide had urged a Colorado Democrat to seek a federal job rather than run.
With Republicans denouncing "Chicago-style politics" and accusing President Barack Obama of breaking his clean-politics promises, White House aides mustered a multi-pronged response. The White House has the right to try to avoid messy Democratic primaries, they said, but Obama leaves the details to underlings. They also offered more information about the Colorado Senate matter after being accused of trying to hush a similar Pennsylvania episode that broke wider open last week.
The White House scrambled Thursday to explain new revelations of political dealmaking, defending attempts to steer state primary races but saying the president was unaware an aide had urged a Colorado Democrat to seek a federal job rather than run.
With Republicans denouncing "Chicago-style politics" and accusing President Barack Obama of breaking his clean-politics promises, White House aides mustered a multi-pronged response. The White House has the right to try to avoid messy Democratic primaries, they said, but Obama leaves the details to underlings. They also offered more information about the Colorado Senate matter after being accused of trying to hush a similar Pennsylvania episode that broke wider open last week.
Burma is trying to build nuclear weapons and missiles, says US senator - Times Online
Burma is trying to build nuclear weapons and missiles, says US senator - Times Online
The Burmese Government is attempting to build nuclear weapons and long-range missiles, according to a military defector who smuggled photographs and documents of secret nuclear equipment out of the isolated dictatorship.
Evidence presented by the former Burmese officer and weapons engineer suggests that the country is still a long way from creating usable nuclear weapons. But the fact that it has even a nascent nuclear programme will cause international alarm at a time when the West is struggling to contain the ambitions of Iran and North Korea.
Jim Webb, the US senator, who in recent months has become an unofficial US envoy to Burma, yesterday cancelled a planned trip to Naypyidaw, the capital, because of concern about the reports of the defector’s testimony on the Norway-based news website, Democratic Voice of Burma. It comes after Kurt Campbell, the US assistant secretary of state, accused the Burmese junta of violating a UN resolution by allegedly buying arms from North Korea.
The Burmese Government is attempting to build nuclear weapons and long-range missiles, according to a military defector who smuggled photographs and documents of secret nuclear equipment out of the isolated dictatorship.
Evidence presented by the former Burmese officer and weapons engineer suggests that the country is still a long way from creating usable nuclear weapons. But the fact that it has even a nascent nuclear programme will cause international alarm at a time when the West is struggling to contain the ambitions of Iran and North Korea.
Jim Webb, the US senator, who in recent months has become an unofficial US envoy to Burma, yesterday cancelled a planned trip to Naypyidaw, the capital, because of concern about the reports of the defector’s testimony on the Norway-based news website, Democratic Voice of Burma. It comes after Kurt Campbell, the US assistant secretary of state, accused the Burmese junta of violating a UN resolution by allegedly buying arms from North Korea.
WHY THE WHITE HOUSE BRIBED ROMANOFF TO DROP OUT OF COLORADO SENATE RACE at DickMorris.com
WHY THE WHITE HOUSE BRIBED ROMANOFF TO DROP OUT OF COLORADO SENATE RACE at DickMorris.com
We now know that Obama’s Deputy Chief of Staff, called Colorado House Speaker Andrew Romanoff in September, 2009, to offer him one of three enumerated jobs if only he would drop out of the Democratic Senate primary in which he was challenging appointed Senator Michael Bennet. But the question is why?
In the case of the Spector/Sestak bribe, the answer is obvious: The Obama Administration wanted the Pennsylvania Senator to switch parties so that they would have a filibuster proof majority in the Senate. To persuade him to switch, the White House had to do its utmost to clear the field and assure him a safe path to the Senate nomination in his new political party. So, Rahm Emanual asked former President Bill Clinton to dangle positions in front of Sestak to get him to drop out of the race.
But Michael Bennet was no great friend of the White House. Having never been elected to a statewide position, he lacked a political base and was never a particularly strong candidate. He only got the Senate seat as an appointment to fill the seat vacated by Senator Ken Salazar who gave up the seat to become Secretary of the Interior in the Obama Administration. So why was the Obama Administration trying to clear the field for Bennet and assure him of the nomination?
We now know that Obama’s Deputy Chief of Staff, called Colorado House Speaker Andrew Romanoff in September, 2009, to offer him one of three enumerated jobs if only he would drop out of the Democratic Senate primary in which he was challenging appointed Senator Michael Bennet. But the question is why?
In the case of the Spector/Sestak bribe, the answer is obvious: The Obama Administration wanted the Pennsylvania Senator to switch parties so that they would have a filibuster proof majority in the Senate. To persuade him to switch, the White House had to do its utmost to clear the field and assure him a safe path to the Senate nomination in his new political party. So, Rahm Emanual asked former President Bill Clinton to dangle positions in front of Sestak to get him to drop out of the race.
But Michael Bennet was no great friend of the White House. Having never been elected to a statewide position, he lacked a political base and was never a particularly strong candidate. He only got the Senate seat as an appointment to fill the seat vacated by Senator Ken Salazar who gave up the seat to become Secretary of the Interior in the Obama Administration. So why was the Obama Administration trying to clear the field for Bennet and assure him of the nomination?
FOXNews.com - Journalism 'Reinvention' Smacks of Government Control, Critics Say
FOXNews.com - Journalism 'Reinvention' Smacks of Government Control, Critics Say
A list of potential policy recommendations to reinvent the field of journalism that has been compiled by the Federal Trade Commission is a "dangerous" overreach of power and a waste of taxpayer funds, critics of the project told FoxNews.com.
FTC officials began a project in May 2009 to consider the challenges the journalism industry faces in the digital age. The federal agency recently released a discussion draft titled "Potential Policy Recommendations to Support the Reinvention of Journalism," a 47-page document that outlines a major government push to rescue the country's flailing media platforms -- specifically newspapers, which have seen advertising revenues drop roughly 45 percent since 2000.
Among the numerous proposals mentioned in the document are:
-- the creation of a "journalism" division of AmeriCorps, the federal program that places 75,000 people with local and national nonprofit groups annually;
-- tax credits to news organizations for every journalist employed;
A list of potential policy recommendations to reinvent the field of journalism that has been compiled by the Federal Trade Commission is a "dangerous" overreach of power and a waste of taxpayer funds, critics of the project told FoxNews.com.
FTC officials began a project in May 2009 to consider the challenges the journalism industry faces in the digital age. The federal agency recently released a discussion draft titled "Potential Policy Recommendations to Support the Reinvention of Journalism," a 47-page document that outlines a major government push to rescue the country's flailing media platforms -- specifically newspapers, which have seen advertising revenues drop roughly 45 percent since 2000.
Among the numerous proposals mentioned in the document are:
-- the creation of a "journalism" division of AmeriCorps, the federal program that places 75,000 people with local and national nonprofit groups annually;
-- tax credits to news organizations for every journalist employed;
CNSNews.com - White House Misled Media: Originally Denied Sestak Job Offer That It Now Confirms
CNSNews.com - White House Misled Media: Originally Denied Sestak Job Offer That It Now Confirms
(CNSNews.com) – The White House initially denied to Pennsylvania media Rep. Joe Sestak's (D-Pa.) claim that the administration had offered him a job in exchange for not running in that state's U.S. Senate primary against Sen. Arlen Specter (D.-Pa.)--an action that the White House admitted to on Friday with the release of a memorandum by White House Counsel Robert F. Bauer.
Bauer's May 28 memo, which concedes that the White House did offer Sestak a position to “avoid a decisive Senate primary” against Specter, contradicts comments that an unnamed White House official or officials made to the Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia television journalist Larry Kane in February.
(CNSNews.com) – The White House initially denied to Pennsylvania media Rep. Joe Sestak's (D-Pa.) claim that the administration had offered him a job in exchange for not running in that state's U.S. Senate primary against Sen. Arlen Specter (D.-Pa.)--an action that the White House admitted to on Friday with the release of a memorandum by White House Counsel Robert F. Bauer.
Bauer's May 28 memo, which concedes that the White House did offer Sestak a position to “avoid a decisive Senate primary” against Specter, contradicts comments that an unnamed White House official or officials made to the Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia television journalist Larry Kane in February.
Coast Guard Logs Show White House Knew Extent of Oil Spill within 24 Hours - HUMAN EVENTS
Coast Guard Logs Show White House Knew Extent of Oil Spill within 24 Hours - HUMAN EVENTS
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), top Republican on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform released documents Thursday night showing the Coast Guard recorded on April 21 -- less than 24 hours after the Deepwater Horizon explosion -- the magnitude of the oil leak disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.
“Potential environmental threat is 700,000 gallons of diesel on board the Deepwater Horizon and estimated potential of 8,000 barrels per day of crude oil, if the well were to completely blowout,” the Coast Guard reported in a log of events from the immediate aftermath of the April 20 explosion -- shedding new information on the first days of the disaster.
“These documents raise new questions about whether the White House was slow to respond to an incident that was quickly recognized by the Coast Guard as a potentially catastrophic threat to the environment,” Issa said upon release of the documents. “It appears as if this administration would rather tell a half-truth if the full-truth doesn’t fit the story they want to tell.”
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), top Republican on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform released documents Thursday night showing the Coast Guard recorded on April 21 -- less than 24 hours after the Deepwater Horizon explosion -- the magnitude of the oil leak disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.
“Potential environmental threat is 700,000 gallons of diesel on board the Deepwater Horizon and estimated potential of 8,000 barrels per day of crude oil, if the well were to completely blowout,” the Coast Guard reported in a log of events from the immediate aftermath of the April 20 explosion -- shedding new information on the first days of the disaster.
“These documents raise new questions about whether the White House was slow to respond to an incident that was quickly recognized by the Coast Guard as a potentially catastrophic threat to the environment,” Issa said upon release of the documents. “It appears as if this administration would rather tell a half-truth if the full-truth doesn’t fit the story they want to tell.”
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Unemployment rate drop because of people leaving the workforce!
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
More on the drop in unemployment: The number of unemployed reentrants to the labor force actually fell by 286K in May, offsetting an increase in April. The drop to 9.7% was largely fueled by 322K people exiting the labor force. (BLS)
More on the drop in unemployment: The number of unemployed reentrants to the labor force actually fell by 286K in May, offsetting an increase in April. The drop to 9.7% was largely fueled by 322K people exiting the labor force. (BLS)
Imposing a State Income Tax Could Cost 134,178 Jobs - Press Releases
Imposing a State Income Tax Could Cost 134,178 Jobs - Press Releases
New research shows that the recommendations of the Tax Structure Study Committee would lead to:
Washington Policy Center, a non-profit research and education organization, used the State Tax Analysis Modeling Program (STAMP) to simulate the Tax Structure Study Committee's 2002 recommended tax scenario: Introducing a flat state income tax rate of 3.8%, reducing state sales tax from 6.5% to 3.5% and eliminating the state property tax.
Washington Residents to See ObamaCare Taxes Now, Services Later - Op Ed - Washington Policy Center
Washington Residents to See ObamaCare Taxes Now, Services Later - Op Ed - Washington Policy Center
ObamaCare sweeps away a host of state regulations and permanently alters our state’s insurance market. From now on, the federal government will manage the health care of all Washingtonians. The 2,700-page law contains a complex web of mandates, directives, price controls, tax increases and subsidies.
Federal officials will now decide what kind of insurance people in Washington must have, what medicines will be covered, what treatments are allowed and which are not. Early reports indicate, however, that President Obama, Vice-President Biden, the cabinet, senior members of Congress and leadership staff are exempt.
The new law falls well short of universal coverage. ObamaCare will leave about 6% of Washington residents without coverage. The measure is conservatively expected to cost $2.4 trillion in its first full decade. Thousands of older Washingtonians will lose their Medicare Advantage coverage, and the state’s 120,000 Health Savings Account holders may need to buy new policies or face stiff penalties.
Washington residents will begin paying ObamaCare taxes this year, while most benefits don’t start until 2014. The law includes some 19 new taxes - here’s a rundown of what Washingtonians can expect in the coming years.
Federal debt tops $13 trillion mark - Washington Times
Federal debt tops $13 trillion mark - Washington Times
The federal government is now $13 trillion in the red, the Treasury Department reported Wednesday, marking the first time the government has sunk that far into debt and putting a sharp point on the spending debate on Capitol Hill.
Calculated down to the exact penny, the debt totaled $13,050,826,460,886.97 as of Tuesday, leaping nearly $60 billion since Friday, the previous day for which figures were released.
At $13 trillion, that figure has risen by $2.4 trillion in about 500 days since President Obama took office, or an average of $4.9 billion a day. That's almost three times the daily average of $1.7 billion under the previous administration, and led Republicans on Wednesday to place blame squarely at the feet of Mr. Obama and his fellow Democrats.
White House: Obama may use executive privilege to withhold Kagan documents | Kagan Watch
White House: Obama may use executive privilege to withhold Kagan documents | Kagan Watch
In a letter to Sen. Jeff Sessions, the ranking Republican on the Judiciary Committee Republican, Robert Bauer, counsel to Obama, implied the president may use executive privilege to hide some memos Elena Kagan wrote when she served in the Clinton White House.
“President Obama does not intend to assert executive privilege over any of the documents requested by the Committee,” Bauer writes.
“Of course, President Clinton also has an interest in these records, and his representative is reviewing them now,” he adds.
The Clinton library has more than 150,000 documents related to Elena Kagan. This is one of the few sources we have to know what Kagan thinks on many issues.
North Korean envoy warns war could erupt soon - Yahoo! News
North Korean envoy warns war could erupt soon - Yahoo! News
GENEVA (Reuters) – A North Korean envoy said on Thursday that war could erupt at any time on the divided Korean peninsula because of tension with Seoul over the sinking of a South Korean warship in March.
"The present situation of the Korean peninsula is so grave that a war may break out any moment," Ri Jang Gon, North Korea's deputy ambassador in Geneva, told the United Nations-sponsored Conference on Disarmament.
North Korea's troops were on "full alert and readiness to promptly react to any retaliation," including the scenario of all-out war, he told the forum.
Ri, departing from his prepared remarks, said that only the conclusion of a peace treaty between the two countries would lead to the "successful denuclearization" of the peninsula. The 1950-53 Korean War ended with an armistice but no formal peace treaty.
Communist North Korea, hit with U.N. sanctions after testing nuclear devices in 2006 and 2009, is still under international pressure to dismantle its nuclear programme.
BBC NEWS | UK | Obama brother refused entry to UK
BBC NEWS | UK | Obama brother refused entry to UK
Barack Obama's half-brother was denied entry to the UK after being accused of a serious crime on an earlier visit, the Home Office has confirmed.
Samson Obama, who lives in Kenya, was on his way to the US presidential inauguration in January when he was stopped at East Midlands Airport.
According to the News of the World, fingerprint tests linked him to an alleged sex attack on a British girl.
Countdown to U.S. Economic Collapse :: The Market Oracle :: Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting Free Website
Countdown to U.S. Economic Collapse :: The Market Oracle :: Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting Free Website
Michael Snyder writes: So just how bad is the U.S. economy? Well, the truth is that sometimes it is hard to put into words. We have squandered the great wealth left to us by our forefathers, we have almost totally dismantled the world's greatest manufacturing base, we have shipped millions of good jobs overseas and we have piled up the biggest mountain of debt in the history of mankind.
Michael Snyder writes: So just how bad is the U.S. economy? Well, the truth is that sometimes it is hard to put into words. We have squandered the great wealth left to us by our forefathers, we have almost totally dismantled the world's greatest manufacturing base, we have shipped millions of good jobs overseas and we have piled up the biggest mountain of debt in the history of mankind.
We have taken the greatest free enterprise economy that was ever created and have turned it into a gigantic house of cards delicately balanced on a never-ending spiral of paper money and debt. For decades, all of this paper money and debt has enabled us to enjoy the greatest party in the history of the world, but now the bills are coming due and the party is nearly over.
In fact, things are already so bad that you can pick almost every number and find a corresponding statistic that shows just how bad the economy is getting.
You doubt it?
Well, check this out....
Michelle Malkin : The Summer of Corruption Plot Thickens - Townhall.com
Michelle Malkin : The Summer of Corruption Plot Thickens - Townhall.com
In Chicago politics, there's an old term for the publicly subsidized pay-offs and positions meted out to the corruptocrats' friends and special interests: boodle.
In the age of Obama, Hope and Change is all about the boodle. So it was with the stimulus. And the massive national service expansion. And the health care bill. And the financial reform bill. And the blossoming job-trading scandals engulfing the White House.
There's always been an ageless, interdependent relationship between Windy City politicos and "goo-goos" (the cynical Chicago term for good government reformers). Chicago-style "reform" has always entailed the redistribution of wealth and power under the guise of public service. And it has inevitably led to more corruption.
Mona Charen : Disgracing America - Townhall.com
Mona Charen : Disgracing America - Townhall.com
President Barack Obama, who got his start in politics in the living room of domestic terrorists Bill Ayers and Bernadine Dohrn, and spent his first year in office apologizing for American history, has now decisively tipped U.S. foreign policy toward America's enemies. Events of the past week have left no doubt.
There is a pattern. President "Let No Crisis Be Wasted" Obama twists events to justify his radical agenda. A financial crisis becomes the excuse for a massive health care entitlement. An oil spill is exploited to push an unpopular energy tax. And a jihadist publicity stunt -- the Gaza flotilla -- becomes the occasion to throw Israel to the wolves.
One mentions Ayers and Dohrn not to dwell on the past but because -- hello! -- the pair has been involved with the Free Gaza movement, one of the organizers of the so-called "Freedom Flotilla." Venezuela's Hugo Chavez has announced that he, too, would like to participate in the next running of the blockade -- and why not? Obama has blessed the project with success.
American Thinker: The (Not So) Great Pretender
American Thinker: The (Not So) Great Pretender
A few years ago, the film Catch Me if You Can told the story of Frank Abagnale, Jr., an extraordinary con man who managed to successfully impersonate a pilot, a doctor, and a legal prosecutor all before the age of nineteen. I've noticed a number of similarities between Mr. Abagnale and our president. But when it comes to being a Great Pretender, Obama is sorely lacking.
Like Mr. Abagnale, Mr. Obama has been playing multiple parts ever since he came on to the national stage. Unlike Mr. Abagnale, the president is a lousy actor. The key to being a confidence man is the ability to inspire confidence. Confidence that you really are what you are pretending to be. Before embarking on the big con, President Obama could have used Frank's advice. For example:
Obama pretends to be a brilliant scholar. He successfully accomplished this during the campaign by sticking with a cool, calm persona and shutting up when the teleprompter was off. His acolytes in the press and Democratic Party were so eager to be conned that they did not notice that Obama never provided any evidence of a stratospheric IQ. College transcripts were safely locked away. The candidate started appearing nowhere without his teleprompter or glued to his campaign staff, especially after performances such as this and his chat with Joe the Plumber.
A few years ago, the film Catch Me if You Can told the story of Frank Abagnale, Jr., an extraordinary con man who managed to successfully impersonate a pilot, a doctor, and a legal prosecutor all before the age of nineteen. I've noticed a number of similarities between Mr. Abagnale and our president. But when it comes to being a Great Pretender, Obama is sorely lacking.
Like Mr. Abagnale, Mr. Obama has been playing multiple parts ever since he came on to the national stage. Unlike Mr. Abagnale, the president is a lousy actor. The key to being a confidence man is the ability to inspire confidence. Confidence that you really are what you are pretending to be. Before embarking on the big con, President Obama could have used Frank's advice. For example:
Obama pretends to be a brilliant scholar. He successfully accomplished this during the campaign by sticking with a cool, calm persona and shutting up when the teleprompter was off. His acolytes in the press and Democratic Party were so eager to be conned that they did not notice that Obama never provided any evidence of a stratospheric IQ. College transcripts were safely locked away. The candidate started appearing nowhere without his teleprompter or glued to his campaign staff, especially after performances such as this and his chat with Joe the Plumber.
The American Spectator : The Coming Resignation of Barack Obama
The American Spectator : The Coming Resignation of Barack Obama
Months ago, I predicted in this column that President Obama would so discredit himself in office that he wouldn't even be on the ballot in 2012, let alone have a prayer of being reelected. Like President Johnson in 1968, who had won a much bigger victory four years previously than Obama did in 2008, President Obama will be so politically defunct by 2012 that he won't even try to run for reelection.
I am now ready to predict that President Obama will not even make it that far. I predict that he will resign in discredited disgrace before the fall of 2012. Like my previous prediction, that is based not just on where we are now, but where we are going under his misleadership.
Is the President Above the Law?
MUST read article ~~ The Munz
Mexico opens California office to provide ID for illegals | Washington Examiner
Mexico opens California office to provide ID for illegals | Washington Examiner
The Mexican government is opening a satellite consular office on Catalina Island -- a small resort off the California coast with a history of drug smuggling and human trafficking -- to provide the island's illegal Mexican immigrants with identification cards, The Washington Examiner has learned.
The Mexican consular office in Los Angeles issued a flier, a copy of which was obtained by The Examiner, listing the Catalina Island Country Club as the location of its satellite office. It invites Mexicans to visit the office to obtain the identification, called matricular cards, by appointment.
Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, a Republican whose district includes Catalina Island, said handing out matricular cards will exacerbate an already dangerous situation.
"Handing out matricular cards to Mexicans who are not in this country legally is wrong no matter where it's done," he said. "But on Catalina it will do more damage. It's a small island but there's evidence it's being used as a portal for illegals to access mainland California."
Mexican Border Dog and Pony Show Redux » Publications » Family Security Matters
Mexican Border Dog and Pony Show Redux » Publications » Family Security Matters
President Barack Obama recently told reporters in Washington that there is an agreement to send hundreds of additional National Guard soldiers to the southwestern U.S. border as one part of a comprehensive approach needed for immigration reform.
Obama spoke briefly to reporters about his decision announced earlier this week to authorize as many as 1,200 Guard members to the border during a White House news conference that had focused on the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
Asked by a reporter about the Guard-deployment plan in light of a new Arizona law to crack down on illegal immigration, Obama said the plan was shaped last year.
"So this is not simply in response to the Arizona law”, the president said.
The plan became public earlier this week after Obama met with Arizona Sen. John McCain, who has requested more federal resources along the border.
However, many of the Senators claim they were blind-sided by Obama's announcement since they claim he never mentioned his National Guard deployment plan.
Housing Double Dip a Done Deal - CNBC
Housing Double Dip a Done Deal - CNBC
Everybody take a nice long look at today's Pending Home Sales Index from the National Association of Realtors, because it's just about the last positive picture we're going to see for a while.
Everybody take a nice long look at today's Pending Home Sales Index from the National Association of Realtors, because it's just about the last positive picture we're going to see for a while.
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Yes, the index rose even more than expected, as buyers rushed in to take advantage of the home buyer tax credit.
And yes, those numbers will show up in Existing Home Sales in May and June, but then look out.
This index is based on contracts signed in August, and that's how the credit was set up; you had to sign your contract by April 30th and close by June 30th in order to get your $8000 if you're a first time buyer and $6500 if you're a move up buyer.
And then came May, traditionally the height of the spring housing season.
Illegal immigrants don't respect our laws - NJ.com
Illegal immigrants don't respect our laws - NJ.com
The United States was founded by immigrants who declared independence from Britain. This nation's founders wanted to be ruled by equitable laws that our citizens made for themselves, not by royalty or dictators. Every citizen of the United States has the right to challenge unjust laws through legislatures or the courts; therefore, respecting our nation's laws is fundamental to being a good American.
For Judith Hutton, CEO of the YWCA of Princeton ("Honor the legacy of Dorothy Height," May 23), to assert in her op-ed article that enforcement of our existing immigration laws is "racism" insults every American who believes in the rule of law. Her article also disrespects the millions of legal immigrants who have enriched our nation by obeying our laws, applying for legal residency and often becoming citizens.
Morning Bell: The Jobless Obama Recovery | The Foundry: Conservative Policy News.
Morning Bell: The Jobless Obama Recovery | The Foundry: Conservative Policy News.
This Wednesday in Pittsburgh, President Barack Obama defended his administration’s economic policies telling the audience at Carnegie Mellon University: “Now, I’ve never believed that government has all the answers. Government cannot and should not replace businesses as the true engine of growth and job creation.” But that is exactly what the President’s big government policies are doing. Last week, USA Today reported that in the first quarter of 2010, thanks to President Obama’s failed $862 economic stimulus, paychecks from private business shrank to their smallest share of personal income in U.S. history while government-provided benefits — from Social Security, unemployment insurance, food stamps and other programs — rose to a record high.
And now the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor and Statistics released its monthly jobs report today showing that the economy added 431,000 jobs in May. But don’t let that number fool you. Of those 431,000 jobs, 411,000 jobs were temporary government Census jobs. In fact, private sector job growth actually fell in May, from 231,000 new private sector jobs in April to just 41,000 new private sector jobs in May. Combining the private and public sectors–the nation’s unemployment rate fell to 9.7% as 286,000 workers left the labor force. In total the U.S. economy has now lost a net of 2.2 million jobs since President Barack Obama signed his stimulus bill and his administration is now 7.2 million jobs short of what he promised the American economy would support by 2010.
"DO OVER" SOCIAL SECURITY REPAYMENT PROVISION ENTICES MANY RETIREES
"DO OVER" SOCIAL SECURITY REPAYMENT PROVISION ENTICES MANY RETIREES
An increasing focus on the baby boomer generation's longevity and income risk is leading to a corresponding focus on effective Social Security distribution strategies. While much is made of the drawbacks of taking payments early on in retirement, a little-known "do-over" provision in the Social Security code, as well as two other provisions related to divorce, is getting significantly more attention, says Investment Advisor.
Conventional wisdom among financial advisors dictates it's better to wait as long as possible to begin receiving distributions in order to take advantage of higher systematic payments. The earlier such payments begin, the lower the amount received, sometimes significantly so. In a poor economy, clients might have little choice but to begin the process as soon as they're eligible. For those forced to do so, a recalculation provision in the Social Security code can help, says Pam Villarreal, senior policy analyst at the National Center for Policy Analysis.
- If an individual retires at age 62 and begins taking their Social Security payments, say at age 65, they can repay the entire amount they've taken over the three years and have their future payments recalculated to receive a higher amount.
- As an added benefit, they can also take a tax credit for any Social Security benefit tax they've had to pay, or they can take a deduction on the amount of income subject to the benefits tax.
In theory:
- Beneficiaries can begin taking the payments and invest them in conservative instruments.
- They can then pay back the principal when they reach full retirement age, and pocket the investments' return.
- They could then take advantage of any tax benefits and re-calculate to the higher amount for the remainder of the distributions.
"This is an option for many high-net-worth clients, but the obvious drawback is that the money must be repaid," says Villarreal. "If early distributions were begun by the client, it was probably for a reason, especially in this environment."
Source: John Sullivan, " 'Do Over' Social Security Repayment Provision Entices Many Retirees; Government code affords a second chance in a tough economy," Investment Advisor, June 3, 2010.
For text:
SWISS RATCHET UP TAX BREAKS AS EUROPE FIGHTS DEFICITS
SWISS RATCHET UP TAX BREAKS AS EUROPE FIGHTS DEFICITS
Schaffhausen, the size of the New York City borough of Queens, is one of 26 Swiss cantons offering tax deals to attract hedge funds, biotechnology firms and Internet entrepreneurs, and companies fleeing tax havens such as the Cayman Islands that are encountering international pressure, says Bloomberg.
Low corporate taxes will help Switzerland attract business, but it's also creating tension as European governments seek revenue to plug their fiscal deficits, says Alan McQuaid, chief economist at Bloxham Stockbrokers in Dublin.
Switzerland reported a fiscal surplus last year, and cantons from Zurich to Schwyz are lowering taxes:
- Tyco Electronics, which has had operations and manufacturing sites in Switzerland for about 25 years, has more than 1,000 employees in four other cantons including Zurich and Ticino.
- Swiss corporate tax rates, including a federal rate of 8.5 percent, range from 11.8 percent in the town of Pfaeffikon in Schwyz to 24.2 percent in Geneva, according to tax consultant Mattig-Suter & Partner.
- Compare this with a corporate tax rate of 28 percent in the United Kingdom and 35 percent in the United States.
Thousands of companies bolster earnings by attributing income to subsidiaries in countries with lower tax rates, legally cutting their costs with a technique known as transfer pricing, says Bloomberg.
Ineos, the world's third-largest chemicals company, said in March it aims to save about 450 million euros ($547 million) in taxes over four years by moving to Vaud.
Companies relocating to Switzerland negotiate through accounting and law firms to obtain a tax ruling from cantons, which make offers with the expectation that new arrivals will create jobs.
"You come here to enjoy the quality of life and low taxes, but in return you must help develop new industries and hire new people," says Brice Thionnet, a Geneva-based lawyer who specializes in corporate and tax structuring at Baker & McKenzie.
Source: Carolyn Bandel and Dylan Griffiths, "Swiss Ratchet Up Tax Breaks as Europe Fights Deficits Share," Bloomberg, June 3, 2010.
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FEDERAL DEBT TOPS $13 TRILLION MARK
FEDERAL DEBT TOPS $13 TRILLION MARK
The federal government is now $13 trillion in the red, the Treasury Department reported Wednesday, marking the first time the government has sunk that far into debt and putting a sharp point on the spending debate on Capitol Hill.
- Calculated down to the exact penny, the debt totaled $13,050,826,460,886.97 as of Tuesday, leaping nearly $60 billion since Friday, the previous day for which figures were released.
- At $13 trillion, that figure has risen by $2.4 trillion in about 500 days since President Obama took office, or an average of $4.9 billion a day.
- That's almost three times the daily average of $1.7 billion under the previous administration, and led Republicans on Wednesday to place blame squarely at the feet of Obama and his fellow Democrats.
"A $13 trillion debt is an alarm bell and a wake-up call combined, but Democrats are not even trying to pass a budget," says House Minority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio). "President Obama should call on congressional Democrats to pass a budget that provides the fiscal discipline economists say is needed to create jobs and grow our economy."
The $13 trillion debt number is not significant other than that it's another milestone, but its tolling shows just how much debt has been amassed in a short time, says the Washington Times.
- It took 197 days for the debt to rise from $12 trillion to $13 trillion, which is the second shortest trillion-dollar rise in history.
- The fastest trillion came at the end of 2008 and early 2009, when the Wall Street bailout created giant new obligations.
- At $13 trillion, that works out to an obligation of more than $42,000 for every U.S. resident.
"Throughout history, excessive debt has led to the demise of great nations," said Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.). "This milestone should be a wake-up call for Congress. No one will bail out America if we continue to live beyond our means."
Source: Stephen Dinan, "Federal debt tops $13 trillion mark; GOP sounds 'alarm' on red ink," Washington Times, June 2, 2010.
Morris: Obama doesn’t have a clue - TheHill.com
Morris: Obama doesn’t have a clue - TheHill.com
Conservatives are so enraged at Obama’s socialism and radicalism that they are increasingly surprised to learn that he is incompetent as well. The sight of his blithering and blustering while the most massive oil spill in history moves closer to America’s beaches not only reminds one of Bush’s terrible performance during Katrina, but calls to mind Jimmy Carter’s incompetence in the face of the hostage crisis.
America is watching the president alternate between wringing his hands in helplessness and pointing his finger in blame when he should be solving the most pressing environmental problem America has faced in the past 50 years. We are watching generations of environmental protection swept away as marshes, fisheries, vacation spots, recreational beaches, wetlands, hatcheries and sanctuaries fall prey to the oil spill invasion. And, all the while, the president acts like a spectator, interrupting his basketball games only to excoriate BP for its failure to contain the spill.
'There is a Time to Fight' - Alexander's Essays - PatriotPost.US
'There is a Time to Fight' - Alexander's Essays - PatriotPost.US
"...that time has now come."
"I am not influenced by the expectation of promotion or pecuniary reward. I wish to be useful, and every kind of service necessary for the public good, become honorable by being necessary." --Nathan Hale
"...that time has now come."Over the just passed Memorial Day, Patriots across the Fruited Plain paused to reflect upon the ultimate sacrifice made by so many of our uniformed Patriots in honor of their sacred oaths.
This Saturday, we pause again, to remember the sixth anniversary of Ronald Reagan's death, and to take account of his legacy.
Four weeks hence, Patriots will reflect upon the immense sacrifices, in both blood and treasure, that were spilt in creation of the United States of America, the greatest experiment in human history.
By uniting these days of reflection with Essential Education, a most vital part of The Patriot's mission, Patriots have the foundation required to understand truly the terrific cost of our Essential Liberty.
While reflection and education are vital to understanding the history of liberty and how to sustain it, united, continual and forceful action must be undertaken to restore constitutional Rule of Law.
In the words of Thomas Paine, "Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigues of supporting it."
With one third of all state primaries completed, let's take account of our actions to date, and the results.
Obama Implicated in Another Corruption Scandal | NewsReal Blog
Obama Implicated in Another Corruption Scandal | NewsReal Blog
It seems that the scandal revolving around former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich isn’t the only corruption scandal that could spell trouble for leading progressives, most noteworthy President Obama himself. Writing for the Examiner, Robert Moon reports that that the president is also implicated in the Romanoff-scandal.
Former Colorado House of Representatives Speaker Andrew Romanoff recently released a a copy of an email confirming his earlier accusations that the White House offered him a job to let Senator Michael Bennet’s reelection bid go unchallenged. Although it is certainly not uncommon for politicians to offer “someone a paid position in order to influence an election outcome,” as Moon explains, it most certainly is illegal.
Additionally, Moon adds, you have to wonder why it is that the mainstream media aren’t as upset about this scandal as they were when President Bush’s Attorney General Roberto Gonzalez “fired political appointees for political reasons,” which is, after all, quite a “common, non-controversial practice.”
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