British Petroleum-gate: "British Petroleum-gate
All the money has flowed to Obama, the Congress, and the Ayer's family. Fancy that.
1) Pres_ _ent Obama and Rahm and the DNC gets $$$$$ from BP ............. check
'Obama biggest recipient of BP cash
.. more than $3.5 million…with the largest chunk of their money going to Obama'
'British Petroleum (BP) pumped $71,000 into Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign'
'White House chief tied to BP adviser'
Rahm Emanuel’s BP Connection
'Top PR firm for BP tied to White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel'
Bombshell expose'. The real money is in the use of dispersements.
NALCO is based in Chicago with subsidiaries in Brazil, Russia, India, China and Indonesia. '
FACTOID:
Oil dispersant manufacturer NALCO is associated with Exelon
which was Rahm Emanuel's first big deal on Wall Street,
and with ComEd -for which Axelrod did the PR which Bill Ayers' father was CEO.
ComED & Exelon are connected to NALCO through UChicago Argonne and Fermilab.
UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC--Stimulus Contract: $163,724,912.00 DOE May 22, 2009
Agencies to Study Dispersant Use and Ecosystem Impacts of Dispersed Oil in the Gulf of Mexico'
MUST READ MORE .....
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Experts: 'Ridiculous' Lawsuit Won't Nix Arizona Law on Illegals
Experts: 'Ridiculous' Lawsuit Won't Nix Arizona Law on Illegals: "Top Republicans blasted the Obama administration's lawsuit against Arizona's controversial illegal immigration law Tuesday as 'nothing short of ridiculous.'
Immigration law experts tell Newsmax that the administration has little chance of prevailing against the Arizona statute, which empowers police to arrest illegal aliens once another violation has occurred.
After weeks of speculation, the Department of Justice filed a 22-page lawsuit in the U.S. District Court of Arizona on Tuesday.
President Obama alleges that the law could contribute to racial profiling.
'In the United States of America, no law-abiding person, be they an American citizen, a legal immigrant or a visitor or tourist from Mexico, should ever be subject to suspicion simply because of what they look like,' Obama said when Mexican President Felipe Calderon visited the White House in May.
Apparently unable to substantiate the racial-profiling allegation — the Arizona law doesn't even take effect until July 29 — the administration instead focused its lawsuit narrowly on the Supremacy Clause in the U.S. Constitution.
That clause says federal laws take precedent over state laws. Article 6, Clause 2 of the U.S. Constitution states that laws made 'under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, anything in the Constitution or laws of any state to the contrary notwithstanding.'
Supporters of the Arizona law, however, say it is merely intended to enforce federal laws already on the books.
Immigration law experts tell Newsmax that the administration has little chance of prevailing against the Arizona statute, which empowers police to arrest illegal aliens once another violation has occurred.
After weeks of speculation, the Department of Justice filed a 22-page lawsuit in the U.S. District Court of Arizona on Tuesday.
President Obama alleges that the law could contribute to racial profiling.
'In the United States of America, no law-abiding person, be they an American citizen, a legal immigrant or a visitor or tourist from Mexico, should ever be subject to suspicion simply because of what they look like,' Obama said when Mexican President Felipe Calderon visited the White House in May.
Apparently unable to substantiate the racial-profiling allegation — the Arizona law doesn't even take effect until July 29 — the administration instead focused its lawsuit narrowly on the Supremacy Clause in the U.S. Constitution.
That clause says federal laws take precedent over state laws. Article 6, Clause 2 of the U.S. Constitution states that laws made 'under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, anything in the Constitution or laws of any state to the contrary notwithstanding.'
Supporters of the Arizona law, however, say it is merely intended to enforce federal laws already on the books.
LAPD makes arrest in Grim Sleeper serial killings [Updated] | L.A. NOW | Los Angeles Times
LAPD makes arrest in Grim Sleeper serial killings [Updated] | L.A. NOW | Los Angeles Times:
An arrest has been made in the Grim Sleeper serial killer case. The killer is believed responsible for 11 deaths over the last three decades. During a telephone interview with The Times, Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley identified the suspect as 57-year-old Lonnie David Franklin Jr.
An arrest has been made in the Grim Sleeper serial killer case. The killer is believed responsible for 11 deaths over the last three decades. During a telephone interview with The Times, Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley identified the suspect as 57-year-old Lonnie David Franklin Jr.
[For the record: 1:55 p.m.: An earlier version of this post gave an incorrect age for Franklin. He is 57.]
The series of killings included victims, mostly female, in the city of Los Angeles, in unincorporated areas of L.A. County and in Inglewood since the 1980s. A survivor in 1988 described her attacker as black, in his 20s, 5 feet, 8 inches to 5 feet, 10 inches tall, about 160 pounds, soft-spoken and articulate, with neatly trimmed hair and a pockmarked face.
DNA and ballistics evidence have connected the killings of 10 women and one man from 1985 to 2007, police said. After 1988, the killer did not commit any known homicides until 2002. He last struck on Jan. 1, 2007.
The victims the killer targeted were all black and most were apparent prostitutes or drug addicts who were sexually assaulted. A 12th victim escaped after being shot and raped.
Townhall - The Founders' Vision Versus Ours
Townhall - The Founders' Vision Versus Ours: "The celebration of our founders' 1776 revolt against King George III and the English Parliament is over. Let's reflect how the founders might judge today's Americans and how today's Americans might judge them.
In 1794, when Congress appropriated $15,000 to assist some French refugees, James Madison, the acknowledged father of our Constitution, stood on the floor of the House to object, saying, 'I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents.' He later added, '(T)he government of the United States is a definite government, confined to specified objects. It is not like the state governments, whose powers are more general. Charity is no part of the legislative duty of the government.' Two hundred years later, at least two-thirds of a multi-trillion-dollar federal budget is spent on charity or 'objects of benevolence.'
In 1794, when Congress appropriated $15,000 to assist some French refugees, James Madison, the acknowledged father of our Constitution, stood on the floor of the House to object, saying, 'I cannot undertake to lay my finger on that article of the Constitution which granted a right to Congress of expending, on objects of benevolence, the money of their constituents.' He later added, '(T)he government of the United States is a definite government, confined to specified objects. It is not like the state governments, whose powers are more general. Charity is no part of the legislative duty of the government.' Two hundred years later, at least two-thirds of a multi-trillion-dollar federal budget is spent on charity or 'objects of benevolence.'
Pajamas Media » BREAKING: A Third Former DOJ Official Steps Forward to Support J. Christian Adams (Updated)
Pajamas Media » BREAKING: A Third Former DOJ Official Steps Forward to Support J. Christian Adams (Updated): "Several former DOJ employees have been in contact with Pajamas Media, interested in publicly supporting J. Christian Adams as he comes forward about the DOJ’s failure to enforce the country’s laws from a race-neutral perspective.
These former DOJ employees have expressed a willingness to go on record regarding Adams’ professionalism, excellent performance, and outstanding record of enforcing the law without racial bias.
Additionally, they would like to corroborate Adams’ statements about the DOJ.
And perhaps — pay attention, DOJ press liaisons — offer their own accounts regarding the DOJ’s hostility to race-neutral law enforcement.
Watch this space today, and over the next few days, for additional statements from former DOJ employees.
First, here is Asheesh Agarwal. From 2006-2008, Asheesh Agarwal served as a deputy assistant attorney general in the Civil Rights Division. In that position, Agarwal supervised the Division’s Voting Section, which included Adams, and worked directly with Adams on several matters. Agarwal is currently an attorney in private practice.
During his tenure with the Department of Justice’s Voting Section, J. Christian Adams was a model attorney who vigorously enforced federal voting rights laws on behalf of all voters, without respect to race or ideology. Mr. Adams was also one of the most productive and successful voting attorneys in recent memory.
His victories include two cases on behalf of African-American voters under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, two cases on behalf of white voters under Section 2, and six cases on behalf of Hispanic voters under Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act. He also brought and won three cases on behalf of military voters. Having worked closely with Mr. Adams for several years, I can attest to the unsurpassed quality of his character, judgment, and commitment to the cause of civil rights on behalf of all Americans.
These former DOJ employees have expressed a willingness to go on record regarding Adams’ professionalism, excellent performance, and outstanding record of enforcing the law without racial bias.
Additionally, they would like to corroborate Adams’ statements about the DOJ.
And perhaps — pay attention, DOJ press liaisons — offer their own accounts regarding the DOJ’s hostility to race-neutral law enforcement.
Watch this space today, and over the next few days, for additional statements from former DOJ employees.
First, here is Asheesh Agarwal. From 2006-2008, Asheesh Agarwal served as a deputy assistant attorney general in the Civil Rights Division. In that position, Agarwal supervised the Division’s Voting Section, which included Adams, and worked directly with Adams on several matters. Agarwal is currently an attorney in private practice.
During his tenure with the Department of Justice’s Voting Section, J. Christian Adams was a model attorney who vigorously enforced federal voting rights laws on behalf of all voters, without respect to race or ideology. Mr. Adams was also one of the most productive and successful voting attorneys in recent memory.
His victories include two cases on behalf of African-American voters under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, two cases on behalf of white voters under Section 2, and six cases on behalf of Hispanic voters under Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act. He also brought and won three cases on behalf of military voters. Having worked closely with Mr. Adams for several years, I can attest to the unsurpassed quality of his character, judgment, and commitment to the cause of civil rights on behalf of all Americans.
How did Your Member of Congress Vote on the Obama Tax Hike Card Votes?
How did Your Member of Congress Vote on the Obama Tax Hike Card Votes?: "# Vote 194 is the Reconciliation Act of 2010 (Roll Call Vote) otherwise known as Obamacare. It contains 21 tax increases – several of which violate his “firm pledge”.
# Vote 50 is the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (Roll Call Vote). It contains the 156 percent increase in the federal excise tax on tobacco.
# Vote 477 is the Cap and Trade Bill (Roll Call Vote)
# Vote 50 is the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (Roll Call Vote). It contains the 156 percent increase in the federal excise tax on tobacco.
# Vote 477 is the Cap and Trade Bill (Roll Call Vote)
Politicians Serious About Deficit Should Tie Government Worker's Compensation to Market Wages
Politicians Serious About Deficit Should Tie Government Worker's Compensation to Market Wages: "In order to pay for current incongruous spending levels, government spending is now 23% of GDP, Democrats have attempted to levy the American people with a slew of new taxes. More prominently, House Democrats, aided by a handful of Republicans, managed to pass HR 2454, commonly referred to as cap-and-tax, legislation that would have raised a family of four’s energy costs by $22,800 from 2012 to 2035 had the bill not stalled in the Senate.
Desperate for revenue, Democrats have implemented a number of obscure taxes. The healthcare “reform” bill which passed earlier this year and has been called by many on the Left the greatest legislative achievement in decades, taxes people who tan, veterans who purchase prostatic limbs, and families with special needs children, just to name a few.
Unimaginatively, Democrats have looked to tax their way out of the current $13 trillion spending-induced deficit. There is a better way, though--cut spending. ATR President Grover Norquist outlined a strategy to cut government spending when he testified before Congress last week.
A brief excerpt :
Desperate for revenue, Democrats have implemented a number of obscure taxes. The healthcare “reform” bill which passed earlier this year and has been called by many on the Left the greatest legislative achievement in decades, taxes people who tan, veterans who purchase prostatic limbs, and families with special needs children, just to name a few.
Unimaginatively, Democrats have looked to tax their way out of the current $13 trillion spending-induced deficit. There is a better way, though--cut spending. ATR President Grover Norquist outlined a strategy to cut government spending when he testified before Congress last week.
A brief excerpt :
Human smugglers become more violent, ICE says | Facebook | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle
Human smugglers become more violent, ICE says | Facebook | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle: "The smuggler, nicknamed 'El Pelon,' Baldy, forced the 11 illegal immigrants to strip naked shortly after they arrived at the southwest Houston stash house, hoping to complicate any plans for escape.
He and the other smugglers led the men up a staircase to a room on the second floor.And there, they lived in what one Honduran immigrant described as a 'state of terror' for days while the smugglers attempted to extort more money from their relatives to secure their release.
One man said a smuggler stepped on his chest until blood came from his mouth. He was beaten, wrapped in a trash bag and left in a closet. The men said they were made to do 'bad things,' sexual acts, to one another by El Pelon, who would take pictures with his cell phone and send them to his friends, according to court records.
By the time Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials rescued the immigrants last August, one of the immigrants held at the house told agents he was contemplating jumping from the second-story window.
He and the other smugglers led the men up a staircase to a room on the second floor.And there, they lived in what one Honduran immigrant described as a 'state of terror' for days while the smugglers attempted to extort more money from their relatives to secure their release.
One man said a smuggler stepped on his chest until blood came from his mouth. He was beaten, wrapped in a trash bag and left in a closet. The men said they were made to do 'bad things,' sexual acts, to one another by El Pelon, who would take pictures with his cell phone and send them to his friends, according to court records.
By the time Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials rescued the immigrants last August, one of the immigrants held at the house told agents he was contemplating jumping from the second-story window.
Pajamas Media » J. Christian Adams: DOJ Opponents of Race-Neutral Law Should Explain Themselves
Pajamas Media » J. Christian Adams: DOJ Opponents of Race-Neutral Law Should Explain Themselves: "Today I testified to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights pursuant to a subpoena investigating the New Black Panther Party voter intimidation dismissal. I would rather no such obligation had arisen.
My previous Pajamas Media article comprised much of what I was willing to testify about. In that article, I detailed specific instances of hostility being expressed towards a race-neutral enforcement of civil rights laws, and in particular laws regarding voting and elections.
To the many that have experienced the hostility firsthand, denials of its existence seem preposterous.
To the many who expressed such hostility, often thoughtful but wrong, it would be a help to all of us if they might engage the debate with the respectable tenor which they sometimes did when I was in the Department of Justice. After all, such opponents of race-neutral law enforcement surely weren’t “cowards” about discussing race in those instances, and we might all benefit from a full understanding of their views. So let’s have the opponents of race-neutral enforcement of voting cases come out in the open and tell the American public why they oppose it.
But I’ll start the discussion for now.
My previous Pajamas Media article comprised much of what I was willing to testify about. In that article, I detailed specific instances of hostility being expressed towards a race-neutral enforcement of civil rights laws, and in particular laws regarding voting and elections.
To the many that have experienced the hostility firsthand, denials of its existence seem preposterous.
To the many who expressed such hostility, often thoughtful but wrong, it would be a help to all of us if they might engage the debate with the respectable tenor which they sometimes did when I was in the Department of Justice. After all, such opponents of race-neutral law enforcement surely weren’t “cowards” about discussing race in those instances, and we might all benefit from a full understanding of their views. So let’s have the opponents of race-neutral enforcement of voting cases come out in the open and tell the American public why they oppose it.
But I’ll start the discussion for now.
CNSNews.com - ICE Releases Memo Showing Agency Has Resources to Remove Only 4% of Illegal Aliens A Year
CNSNews.com - ICE Releases Memo Showing Agency Has Resources to Remove Only 4% of Illegal Aliens A Year: "(CNSNews.com) – In a June 30 memorandum, John Morton, assistant secretary of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), said that enforcing civil immigration laws is vital to “our national security, public safety, and the integrity of our border and immigration controls.”
But Morton also said that ICE only has the resources to remove about 400,000 illegal aliens each year, a litle less than 4 percent of the current population of those in the United States illegally.
In the memo, Morton said that because of the lack of resources, ICE must prioritize how it uses its personnel and detention facilities.
But Morton also said that ICE only has the resources to remove about 400,000 illegal aliens each year, a litle less than 4 percent of the current population of those in the United States illegally.
In the memo, Morton said that because of the lack of resources, ICE must prioritize how it uses its personnel and detention facilities.
ISNA Conference Again Features Conspiracy Theories :: The Investigative Project on Terrorism
ISNA Conference Again Features Conspiracy Theories :: The Investigative Project on Terrorism: "For the second consecutive year, the Obama Administration honored the annual conference of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) with a prominent official to speak on behalf of the President. And, for the second consecutive year, that conference featured false and radical dogma about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and purported Jewish 'power' over America.
In 2009, a panel of authors bandied about support for Hizballah and anti-Semitic conspiracy theories that cast Jews as controlling the world and interpreted the Holocaust as punishment for their sins. The speeches were more subtle this year, but included support for Hamas and repeatedly lamented what they saw as Israel's power to dictate policy to America.
In 2009, a panel of authors bandied about support for Hizballah and anti-Semitic conspiracy theories that cast Jews as controlling the world and interpreted the Holocaust as punishment for their sins. The speeches were more subtle this year, but included support for Hamas and repeatedly lamented what they saw as Israel's power to dictate policy to America.
Pajamas Media » BREAKING: A Third Former DOJ Official Steps Forward to Support J. Christian Adams (Updated)
Pajamas Media » BREAKING: A Third Former DOJ Official Steps Forward to Support J. Christian Adams (Updated): "Several former DOJ employees have been in contact with Pajamas Media, interested in publicly supporting J. Christian Adams as he comes forward about the DOJ’s failure to enforce the country’s laws from a race-neutral perspective.
These former DOJ employees have expressed a willingness to go on record regarding Adams’ professionalism, excellent performance, and outstanding record of enforcing the law without racial bias.
Additionally, they would like to corroborate Adams’ statements about the DOJ.
And perhaps — pay attention, DOJ press liaisons — offer their own accounts regarding the DOJ’s hostility to race-neutral law enforcement.
Watch this space today, and over the next few days, for additional statements from former DOJ employees.
First, here is Asheesh Agarwal. From 2006-2008, Asheesh Agarwal served as a deputy assistant attorney general in the Civil Rights Division. In that position, Agarwal supervised the Division’s Voting Section, which included Adams, and worked directly with Adams on several matters. Agarwal is currently an attorney in private practice.
These former DOJ employees have expressed a willingness to go on record regarding Adams’ professionalism, excellent performance, and outstanding record of enforcing the law without racial bias.
Additionally, they would like to corroborate Adams’ statements about the DOJ.
And perhaps — pay attention, DOJ press liaisons — offer their own accounts regarding the DOJ’s hostility to race-neutral law enforcement.
Watch this space today, and over the next few days, for additional statements from former DOJ employees.
First, here is Asheesh Agarwal. From 2006-2008, Asheesh Agarwal served as a deputy assistant attorney general in the Civil Rights Division. In that position, Agarwal supervised the Division’s Voting Section, which included Adams, and worked directly with Adams on several matters. Agarwal is currently an attorney in private practice.
The New Media Journal | Illegals Leaving Arizona at an Enormous Rate
The New Media Journal | Illegals Leaving Arizona at an Enormous Rate: "Hondurans are fleeing Arizona by the thousands. Honduran Ministry authorities believe this phenomenon is caused by the implementation of Arizona's new b order security law, SB1070, scheduled in force on 25 July.
Undocumented Hondurans are seeking refuge in the neighboring states of California and Texas, although most prefer California.
California is preferred because some Texas counties are seeking to implement similar laws, while California is boycotting certain trade and economic activities with Arizona in protest against SB 1070...
Most of these people have left Arizona in recent days as SB 1070 is scheduled to go into effect on July 25, empowering local police and municipal authorities to require any person detained for other violations of the law, who is suspected of being an undocumented immigrant, to present identification.
Arizona Governor Jan Brewer further clarified the caveat to immigrant status examination in that, according to an amendment to SB 1070, to request immigration documentation, a person must have committed a violation of other national or local law.
SB 1070 was adopted on April 25th and is scheduled to go into full force on July 25th (the Obama Administration has filed a lawsuit against the State of Arizona in an effort to stop the implementation of this legislation).
Around 600 thousand immigrants from Latin roots reside in Arizona, according to the Vice-Mayor of the city, Nowakowski Michel, who himself is an immigrant from Mexico of Polish origin.
Not only Hondurans are fleeing Arizona. 'We have official reports that reveal that some 250 thousand undocumented immigrants have emerged from the state in recent months,' said Alden Rivera, a TPS vice-chancellor.
Undocumented Hondurans are seeking refuge in the neighboring states of California and Texas, although most prefer California.
California is preferred because some Texas counties are seeking to implement similar laws, while California is boycotting certain trade and economic activities with Arizona in protest against SB 1070...
Most of these people have left Arizona in recent days as SB 1070 is scheduled to go into effect on July 25, empowering local police and municipal authorities to require any person detained for other violations of the law, who is suspected of being an undocumented immigrant, to present identification.
Arizona Governor Jan Brewer further clarified the caveat to immigrant status examination in that, according to an amendment to SB 1070, to request immigration documentation, a person must have committed a violation of other national or local law.
SB 1070 was adopted on April 25th and is scheduled to go into full force on July 25th (the Obama Administration has filed a lawsuit against the State of Arizona in an effort to stop the implementation of this legislation).
Around 600 thousand immigrants from Latin roots reside in Arizona, according to the Vice-Mayor of the city, Nowakowski Michel, who himself is an immigrant from Mexico of Polish origin.
Not only Hondurans are fleeing Arizona. 'We have official reports that reveal that some 250 thousand undocumented immigrants have emerged from the state in recent months,' said Alden Rivera, a TPS vice-chancellor.
Obama’s New Take on Partisanship - Victor Davis Hanson - National Review Online
Obama’s New Take on Partisanship - Victor Davis Hanson - National Review Online: "One of President Obama’s strangest complaints is that there are too many in Congress who act, well, like former senator Obama.
In his recent speech on the question of comprehensive immigration reform, President Obama once again blasted Republican political opportunism that opposes his initiatives for partisan, rather than principled, reasons. Indeed, Obama regularly criticizes as disingenuous those conservative politicos in Congress who mindlessly thwart his every move on health care, foreign policy, cap-and-trade, illegal immigration — you name it.
In his recent speech on the question of comprehensive immigration reform, President Obama once again blasted Republican political opportunism that opposes his initiatives for partisan, rather than principled, reasons. Indeed, Obama regularly criticizes as disingenuous those conservative politicos in Congress who mindlessly thwart his every move on health care, foreign policy, cap-and-trade, illegal immigration — you name it.
MSNBC Scarborough Slams Republican Sharron Angle as a 'Jackass'
MSNBC Scarborough Slams Republican Sharron Angle as a 'Jackass': "On Tuesday's edition of Morning Joe, Joe Scarborough and his panel discussed the 2010 midterm elections and trashed Republican candidate Sharron Angle as a 'mental patient' and a 'jackass.'
The conversation, which included Chris Matthews and Mike Barnicle, began with MSNBC contributor Mark Halperin claiming Angle is 'vulnerable' in the race because 'she has extreme positions that are out of step with the mainstream.'
Barnicle asserted that Angle was 'embarrassing' to the residents of Nevada and 'sounds like a mental patient.' After this incident, Chris Matthews began to quote Angle's radio interview with Lars Larson asserting, 'She understands why people think of and resort to Second Amendment solutions to the Democrats in Congress they don't like.'
Here's the remark in full:
The conversation, which included Chris Matthews and Mike Barnicle, began with MSNBC contributor Mark Halperin claiming Angle is 'vulnerable' in the race because 'she has extreme positions that are out of step with the mainstream.'
Barnicle asserted that Angle was 'embarrassing' to the residents of Nevada and 'sounds like a mental patient.' After this incident, Chris Matthews began to quote Angle's radio interview with Lars Larson asserting, 'She understands why people think of and resort to Second Amendment solutions to the Democrats in Congress they don't like.'
Here's the remark in full:
Fact Checking ABC's This Week: Most 'False' Statements Uttered by Democrats
Fact Checking ABC's This Week: Most 'False' Statements Uttered by Democrats: "Back in April, as ABC's Jake Tapper took over as interim host of This Week (pending the arrival of ex-CNNer Christiane Amanpour in August), the show asked the fact-checkers at PolitiFact to evaluate the truthfulness of statements made on the show.
After nearly three months, the results show far more Democrats and liberals earning a 'False' rating, with most of the 'True' ratings going to Republicans and conservatives. The discrepency remains even if you take into account that about two-thirds of the evaluated statements came from Democrats in the first place.
After nearly three months, the results show far more Democrats and liberals earning a 'False' rating, with most of the 'True' ratings going to Republicans and conservatives. The discrepency remains even if you take into account that about two-thirds of the evaluated statements came from Democrats in the first place.
Obama condemned for invoking race and religion in border dispute (OneNewsNow.com)
Obama condemned for invoking race and religion in border dispute (OneNewsNow.com): "A Christian law firm will assist Arizona in its defense against the Obama Justice Department's lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of The Grand Canyon State's immigration enforcement statute.
The lawsuit argues that Arizona's new measure, which requires state and local police to question and possibly arrest illegal aliens during the enforcement of other laws, like traffic stops, usurps federal authority.
President Barack Obama has called the state law 'misguided,' but Jordan Sekulow, director of international operations with the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), contends that Obama's grievance is what is misguided.
Jordan Sekulow (ACLJ)'For President Obama to invoke race in this, which he did in that speech -- calling this divisive, saying this may lead to people being pulled over because of how they talk or what color their skin is, and then, of course, invoking religion -- is totally misguided,' Sekulow argues.
'Unfortunately there are many Christian conservative groups who have bought into President Obama's propaganda,' he laments.
The lawsuit argues that Arizona's new measure, which requires state and local police to question and possibly arrest illegal aliens during the enforcement of other laws, like traffic stops, usurps federal authority.
President Barack Obama has called the state law 'misguided,' but Jordan Sekulow, director of international operations with the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), contends that Obama's grievance is what is misguided.
Jordan Sekulow (ACLJ)'For President Obama to invoke race in this, which he did in that speech -- calling this divisive, saying this may lead to people being pulled over because of how they talk or what color their skin is, and then, of course, invoking religion -- is totally misguided,' Sekulow argues.
'Unfortunately there are many Christian conservative groups who have bought into President Obama's propaganda,' he laments.
Open-Borders DOJ vs. America (OneNewsNow.com)
Open-Borders DOJ vs. America (OneNewsNow.com): "The Obama administration's lawsuit against Arizona, officially unveiled on Tuesday, is an affront to all law-abiding Americans. It is a threatening salvo aimed at all local, county or state governments that dare to take control of the immigration chaos in their own backyards. And it is being driven by open-borders extremists who have dedicated their political careers to subverting homeland security policies in the name of compassion and diversity.
The Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, headed by Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez, took the lead in prepping the legal brief against Arizona. The son of immigrants from the Dominican Republic, Perez is a far-left lawyer and activist who worked for the late mass illegal alien amnesty champion Ted Kennedy and served in the Clinton administration DOJ. While holding down a key government position there in which he was entrusted to abide by the rule of law, Perez volunteered for CASA de Maryland -- a notorious illegal alien advocacy group funded through a combination of taxpayer-subsidized grants and radical liberal philanthropy, including billionaire George Soros' Open Society Institute (not to mention more than $1 million showered on the group by Venezuelan thug Hugo Chavez's regime-owned oil company, CITGO).
Perez rose from CASA de Maryland volunteer to president of the group's board of directors. Under the guise of enhancing the 'multicultural' experience, he crusaded for an ever-expanding set of illegal alien benefits ranging from in-state tuition discounts for illegal alien students to driver's licenses. CASA de Maryland opposes enforcement of deportation orders, has protested post-9/11 coordination of local, state and national criminal databases, and produced a 'know your rights' propaganda pamphlet for illegal aliens depicting federal immigration agents as armed bullies making babies cry.
The Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, headed by Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez, took the lead in prepping the legal brief against Arizona. The son of immigrants from the Dominican Republic, Perez is a far-left lawyer and activist who worked for the late mass illegal alien amnesty champion Ted Kennedy and served in the Clinton administration DOJ. While holding down a key government position there in which he was entrusted to abide by the rule of law, Perez volunteered for CASA de Maryland -- a notorious illegal alien advocacy group funded through a combination of taxpayer-subsidized grants and radical liberal philanthropy, including billionaire George Soros' Open Society Institute (not to mention more than $1 million showered on the group by Venezuelan thug Hugo Chavez's regime-owned oil company, CITGO).
Perez rose from CASA de Maryland volunteer to president of the group's board of directors. Under the guise of enhancing the 'multicultural' experience, he crusaded for an ever-expanding set of illegal alien benefits ranging from in-state tuition discounts for illegal alien students to driver's licenses. CASA de Maryland opposes enforcement of deportation orders, has protested post-9/11 coordination of local, state and national criminal databases, and produced a 'know your rights' propaganda pamphlet for illegal aliens depicting federal immigration agents as armed bullies making babies cry.
ProPublica Photographer: I Was Followed by BP Security and Then Detained by Police - ProPublica
ProPublica Photographer: I Was Followed by BP Security and Then Detained by Police - ProPublica: "Freelance photographer Lance Rosenfield [1] was working on assignment for ProPublica in Texas City, Texas, last week, when a BP security guard began following him. Rosenfield was later detained by police after taking photos for two ProPublica stories. One revealed that BP’s Texas City refinery had illegally emitted 538,000 pounds of toxic chemicals [2] into the air in April and May. The other reported that the Texas City refinery continues to have serious safety violations [3] five years after an explosion at the plant killed 15 workers.
What follows is Rosenfield’s account of what happened on Friday night after the police, accompanied by the BP security guard, stopped him at a local gas station.
What follows is Rosenfield’s account of what happened on Friday night after the police, accompanied by the BP security guard, stopped him at a local gas station.
Media's Latest Stimulus Push: Spend Now, Tax Later
Media's Latest Stimulus Push: Spend Now, Tax Later: "When New York Times columnist and Nobel Prize-winning liberal economist Paul Krugman insisted back on June 28 the only way to avert a “third depression” was to open up the spigots of government stimulus, many dismissed the plea as Krugman doubling-down on his Keynesian ideology.
However, what Krugman may have done, intentionally or unintentionally, was reframe the debate about how much stimulus is needed and how should it be financed by new taxes.
One of those new taxes that has been publicly proposed by White House economic adviser and former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker was the value-added tax (VAT), which prompted a stern reply from Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, who rebuking the idea late in June.
Still, the VAT has managed to remain in the public purview for several months now. But that is just one of the potential new taxes being considered as a fix for future deficits that has gained steam with some of the talking heads in the media.
However, what Krugman may have done, intentionally or unintentionally, was reframe the debate about how much stimulus is needed and how should it be financed by new taxes.
One of those new taxes that has been publicly proposed by White House economic adviser and former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker was the value-added tax (VAT), which prompted a stern reply from Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, who rebuking the idea late in June.
Still, the VAT has managed to remain in the public purview for several months now. But that is just one of the potential new taxes being considered as a fix for future deficits that has gained steam with some of the talking heads in the media.
Facing Facts: Government is Still Less Efficient, More Incompetent Than the Private Sector
Facing Facts: Government is Still Less Efficient, More Incompetent Than the Private Sector: "President Ronald Reagan put accomplished industrialist and real estate developer Peter Grace in charge of a comprehensive analysis of government waste.
In 1984, the Grace Commission reported that the General Services Administration, which manages all government-owned real estate and land, employed 17 times more people and spent 14 times as much on overhead as a typical private sector company managing comparable properties. In the 26 years since, there’s been no improvement.
All these years later, we still have the massive, entrenched incompetence and corruption throughout the federal government which sanctions over-spending on everything including wages compared to what the private sector would pay for the same goods, services, personnel and pensions.
In private industry, where money is real, budgets must balance, bills must be paid and counterfeiting trillions of dollars is a crime. In contrast, government service long ago ceased representing sacrifice; it’s now guarantee of royal rewards, paid for by taxing the peasants and borrowing from China.
In 1984, the Grace Commission reported that the General Services Administration, which manages all government-owned real estate and land, employed 17 times more people and spent 14 times as much on overhead as a typical private sector company managing comparable properties. In the 26 years since, there’s been no improvement.
All these years later, we still have the massive, entrenched incompetence and corruption throughout the federal government which sanctions over-spending on everything including wages compared to what the private sector would pay for the same goods, services, personnel and pensions.
In private industry, where money is real, budgets must balance, bills must be paid and counterfeiting trillions of dollars is a crime. In contrast, government service long ago ceased representing sacrifice; it’s now guarantee of royal rewards, paid for by taxing the peasants and borrowing from China.
Media Darling Univision Anchor Brings Pro-Illegal Immigration Bias to Latino Households
Media Darling Univision Anchor Brings Pro-Illegal Immigration Bias to Latino Households: "He just might be the most influential journalist you’ve never heard of, and he’s wielding that power to lobby for amnesty for illegal immigrants and other extreme reforms.
Meet Jorge Ramos, a news anchor for the Spanish-language network Univision Communications Inc. Ramos has been hailed as one of the nation’s “Most Influential Hispanics” by Time and People magazines. He has been dubbed the “Brian Williams of Hispanic TV.”
In a July 4 interview on CNN’s “American Morning,” anchor Kiran Chetry referred to Ramos as a “prominent voice in the Latino community.” An on-screen description noted Ramos is an “award-winning journalist.”
But what many English-language outlets leave out of their gushing profiles are Ramos’ vocal positions on illegal immigration, health care reform, the War on Terror, and other issues. Each evening, millions of potential voters tune into the charismatic, silver-haired news anchor and trust him to report the daily news. What they get is far from just-the-facts.
Ramos’ brand of journalism represents an unsettling style among Spanish-language TV news reporters, whose musings on U.S. policy often go beyond mere political bias and into the realm of political advocacy.
Ramos has said the Arizona immigration enforcement law proves that “racism has deep roots in American society” and opposes using the term “illegal” in discussing immigration. He criticized George W. Bush’s “terrible legacy” and “a war in Iraq started with lies.”
Meet Jorge Ramos, a news anchor for the Spanish-language network Univision Communications Inc. Ramos has been hailed as one of the nation’s “Most Influential Hispanics” by Time and People magazines. He has been dubbed the “Brian Williams of Hispanic TV.”
In a July 4 interview on CNN’s “American Morning,” anchor Kiran Chetry referred to Ramos as a “prominent voice in the Latino community.” An on-screen description noted Ramos is an “award-winning journalist.”
But what many English-language outlets leave out of their gushing profiles are Ramos’ vocal positions on illegal immigration, health care reform, the War on Terror, and other issues. Each evening, millions of potential voters tune into the charismatic, silver-haired news anchor and trust him to report the daily news. What they get is far from just-the-facts.
Ramos’ brand of journalism represents an unsettling style among Spanish-language TV news reporters, whose musings on U.S. policy often go beyond mere political bias and into the realm of political advocacy.
Ramos has said the Arizona immigration enforcement law proves that “racism has deep roots in American society” and opposes using the term “illegal” in discussing immigration. He criticized George W. Bush’s “terrible legacy” and “a war in Iraq started with lies.”
FOXNews.com - NYC Subway Bomb Plot Linked to British Al Qaeda Cell, Feds Say
FOXNews.com - NYC Subway Bomb Plot Linked to British Al Qaeda Cell, Feds Say: "WASHINGTON -- A failed plot to set off bombs in the New York subway system last year was part of a larger Al Qaeda terrorist conspiracy that planned a similar attack in England, U.S. prosecutors said Wednesday.
In an indictment unsealed Wednesday, prosecutors added several Al Qaeda figures to the case, including Adnan Shukrijumah, an FBI most-wanted terrorist.
Shukrijumah, one of the Al Qaeda leaders in charge of plotting attacks worldwide, was directly involved in recruiting and plotting the New York attack, prosecutors said. Attorney General Eric Holder has called that plot one of the most dangerous since 9/11.
Two of the men indicted Wednesday -- Abid Naseer and Tariq Ur Rehman -- were linked to a previously undisclosed companion plot in England.
'These charges underscore the global nature of the terrorist threat we face,' said David Kris, the Justice Department's top national security prosecutor.
In an indictment unsealed Wednesday, prosecutors added several Al Qaeda figures to the case, including Adnan Shukrijumah, an FBI most-wanted terrorist.
Shukrijumah, one of the Al Qaeda leaders in charge of plotting attacks worldwide, was directly involved in recruiting and plotting the New York attack, prosecutors said. Attorney General Eric Holder has called that plot one of the most dangerous since 9/11.
Two of the men indicted Wednesday -- Abid Naseer and Tariq Ur Rehman -- were linked to a previously undisclosed companion plot in England.
'These charges underscore the global nature of the terrorist threat we face,' said David Kris, the Justice Department's top national security prosecutor.
Justice Department Sues Arizona for Immigration Law -- But Does Not Make Charges of "Discrimination" - Political Punch
Justice Department Sues Arizona for Immigration Law -- But Does Not Make Charges of "Discrimination" - Political Punch: "As widely anticipated, Attorney General Eric Holder today filed a lawsuit against Arizona and Gov. Jan Brewer over the state’s immigration law. The suit seeks a preliminary injunction to stop the law from being implemented.
The court filing states that Arizona law is pre-empted by federal law and therefore violates the supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution.
The filing makes no assertion that the law is discriminatory or risks being applied in a discriminatory fashion, as the president and other officials said they feared would be the case. Interestingly, this suit makes no civil rights charges against the Arizona law.
You can read the complaint HERE and the preliminary injunction brief HERE.
“The State of Arizona has crossed this constitutional line,” write Assistant Attorney General Tony West, United States Attorney Dennis K. Burke and others. “In acknowledged disagreement with the manner in which the federal government has regulated immigration and in contravention of these constitutional principles…The states are not permitted to set their own independent immigration policies, with varying and potentially conflicting enforcement systems and priorities. Were a number of states to act as Arizona has and strike out on their own, federal immigration policy and enforcement efforts would be crippled.”
The court filing states that Arizona law is pre-empted by federal law and therefore violates the supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution.
The filing makes no assertion that the law is discriminatory or risks being applied in a discriminatory fashion, as the president and other officials said they feared would be the case. Interestingly, this suit makes no civil rights charges against the Arizona law.
You can read the complaint HERE and the preliminary injunction brief HERE.
“The State of Arizona has crossed this constitutional line,” write Assistant Attorney General Tony West, United States Attorney Dennis K. Burke and others. “In acknowledged disagreement with the manner in which the federal government has regulated immigration and in contravention of these constitutional principles…The states are not permitted to set their own independent immigration policies, with varying and potentially conflicting enforcement systems and priorities. Were a number of states to act as Arizona has and strike out on their own, federal immigration policy and enforcement efforts would be crippled.”
Making Sense Message Boards - Obama’s Dangerously Stupid War on Arizona
Making Sense Message Boards - Obama’s Dangerously Stupid War on Arizona: "Just when you thought that you heard it all with this administration, you are going to hear even more. Let’s put this into perspective. The American people elected a man who obviously has communist loyalties and appoints those who are loyal to the cause. That is an undisputable fact. And yet, the people, charged with emotional & spiritual sensationalism, ignored all the clues, one of which was a negative rag on the Constitution of the United States, and still had hope and faith in him.
Then, pushed by greed and a lust for power, the Obama administration and the overwhelming Democrat majority in Congress spliced together an unconstitutional “health care” plan that collectively incorporates many of the Democrat party’s lobbying groups as members of the federal government in order to allow taxpayers money to flow into them and, give them assignments that will justify keeping them alive, well, and always running. Remember ACORN? What does ACORN have to do with health? Nothing! It is a fierce, hyper-partisan political organization that is runned by two militant Communists, Wade and Dale Radke, who are actively working to overthrow the United States system of Government, or our current free society. ACORN has a role in the newly passed health care plan. After many bribes (Ben Nelson, Dennis Kucinich, and many, many others), acts of intimidation (Eric Massa), demonization (Nancy Pelosi calling those who oppose it “Un-American”), and political threats lodged on Democrat members of Congress who aren’t as militant communist as the liberals want them to be, the Democrats were able to finally jam their bill through Congress, and then rub it in the faces of the American people.
Remember this?
http://hillbuzz.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/peloseinred-1.jpg
35 states then sued the Federal Government for forcibly mandating such a piece of legislation that is not only unconstitutional, but is burdensome on the states, runned by responsible Governors, who may want to be opposite of the president, and Congress, and may actually want to be fiscally responsible (note, I said may). So, 35 states sued the Obama administration for forcing something on them that is unconstitutional. And we’ve already established that the bill is unconstitutional and empowers militant communists. Okay.
Then comes the traffic of illegal aliens crossing over the border into Mexico. And many of these illegals are not even pro-American illegals. Many of these illegals are either pro-communist, or are in the process of being recruited by militant communists.
See For Yourself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LHRzxgAxRo
Crossing the border are also drug cartels, gangs, and criminals (who have committed serious crimes in Mexico). So what happens? Problems. People begin having problems. One Arizona property owner was shot by an illegal alien…..
Arizona Rancher Shot Dead on his Property Near Southwest Border
Updated Monday, March 29, 2010, 6:28 PM EDT - posted on NumbersUSA
http://www.numbersusa.com/content/news/m....st-border.ht ml
Autopsy: Slain Arizona rancher shot multiple times
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2....er-autopsy.html
Illegal Immigrant Suspected in Murder of Arizona Rancher
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/03/30/ill....rizona-rancher/
And so, the governor of Arizona did something about the problem of illegal aliens. She simply signed a law that would restore and enforce a law that already exists. Then, all of a sudden, the left went into a frenzy. You see, the liberal Democrats and their puppet masters (the biggest one being George Soros) do not like open borders. Them and their puppet masters are one-worlders who do not believe in borders. But aside from the biggest picture, the imminent goal for the Democrats is to flood the country with illegals, through amnesty make them legal, and then immediately, without a Civics test, health tests, or what have you, make them voters to save their majorities, or expand on them in 2010. In fact, knowing these Liberals as well as I do, I predicted back in 2008 that the Democrats would do this, or try to do this by 2010 because it is the most politically expedient for them to do so. And so, it happened. But anyway, going back to Jan Brewer. She signed a law that enforced an already existing law. The Obama administration went insane. Some even criticized it before they even read it (like Attorney General Eric Holder).
Watch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wa_3ohF0j0
Now, the Obama administration is actively suing the state of Arizona for simply… enforcing the law.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/07/....-early-tuesday/
http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=11096347
What makes this move so dangerously stupid goes far beyond the stuff I mentioned in this piece, and that alone is going far and beyond the extremes. Since we know his motive is selfishly political, and void of any substance, let's then study this from a political science standpoint. He is going to go against the will of an overwhelmingly large majority of American citizens (including Mexican-Americans) to sue a governor who has the guts to simply say 'enough is enough,' stop lawlessness by putting up restraints to that lawlessness, enforce the law, and honor her oath to preserve, protect, and defend the well being of her state. That's it. She's doing the right thing. These liberals are so backwards, and mentally disoriented, that they actually believe that appealing to fewer numbers will in fact add up to them winning more voters in the end. It's like when these like-minded politicians cow tow to labor unions and they serve the administrators of those labor unions over those who work under the leadership of those administrators (workers always outnumber administrators). I know what he's trying to do. He's trying to make up the numbers of those who he has royally screwed over, but with illegals flooding the country, and very little to practically no jobs for Americans, where are they going to work? Is he going to continue to give illegals stimulus money by putting them on construction projects? In fact, if he goes the route of amnesty, makes illegals legal, then they still won't have any jobs. There will be nothing for them here even as Americans. So what happens? Logic would dictate that they might actually vote against Obama since Republican policies always creates jobs, so long as they cut taxes, and limit, or cut spending entirely. Meanwhile he has alienated all of the moderate Democrats, the conservative Democrats, and is working for the hardcore Marxist base of his party. The hardcore Marxist base of his party is far fewer than the moderates, conservative Democrats, and Independents that carry either party to win in the end. Wow.
Knowing all of what I said today, and being fully aware of the context behind these actions, it is now going to be powerfully interesting, and epic, to see what comes out of this. It will be an epic showdown that I most definately will be watching.
Then, pushed by greed and a lust for power, the Obama administration and the overwhelming Democrat majority in Congress spliced together an unconstitutional “health care” plan that collectively incorporates many of the Democrat party’s lobbying groups as members of the federal government in order to allow taxpayers money to flow into them and, give them assignments that will justify keeping them alive, well, and always running. Remember ACORN? What does ACORN have to do with health? Nothing! It is a fierce, hyper-partisan political organization that is runned by two militant Communists, Wade and Dale Radke, who are actively working to overthrow the United States system of Government, or our current free society. ACORN has a role in the newly passed health care plan. After many bribes (Ben Nelson, Dennis Kucinich, and many, many others), acts of intimidation (Eric Massa), demonization (Nancy Pelosi calling those who oppose it “Un-American”), and political threats lodged on Democrat members of Congress who aren’t as militant communist as the liberals want them to be, the Democrats were able to finally jam their bill through Congress, and then rub it in the faces of the American people.
Remember this?
http://hillbuzz.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/peloseinred-1.jpg
35 states then sued the Federal Government for forcibly mandating such a piece of legislation that is not only unconstitutional, but is burdensome on the states, runned by responsible Governors, who may want to be opposite of the president, and Congress, and may actually want to be fiscally responsible (note, I said may). So, 35 states sued the Obama administration for forcing something on them that is unconstitutional. And we’ve already established that the bill is unconstitutional and empowers militant communists. Okay.
Then comes the traffic of illegal aliens crossing over the border into Mexico. And many of these illegals are not even pro-American illegals. Many of these illegals are either pro-communist, or are in the process of being recruited by militant communists.
See For Yourself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LHRzxgAxRo
Crossing the border are also drug cartels, gangs, and criminals (who have committed serious crimes in Mexico). So what happens? Problems. People begin having problems. One Arizona property owner was shot by an illegal alien…..
Arizona Rancher Shot Dead on his Property Near Southwest Border
Updated Monday, March 29, 2010, 6:28 PM EDT - posted on NumbersUSA
http://www.numbersusa.com/content/news/m....st-border.ht ml
Autopsy: Slain Arizona rancher shot multiple times
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2....er-autopsy.html
Illegal Immigrant Suspected in Murder of Arizona Rancher
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/03/30/ill....rizona-rancher/
And so, the governor of Arizona did something about the problem of illegal aliens. She simply signed a law that would restore and enforce a law that already exists. Then, all of a sudden, the left went into a frenzy. You see, the liberal Democrats and their puppet masters (the biggest one being George Soros) do not like open borders. Them and their puppet masters are one-worlders who do not believe in borders. But aside from the biggest picture, the imminent goal for the Democrats is to flood the country with illegals, through amnesty make them legal, and then immediately, without a Civics test, health tests, or what have you, make them voters to save their majorities, or expand on them in 2010. In fact, knowing these Liberals as well as I do, I predicted back in 2008 that the Democrats would do this, or try to do this by 2010 because it is the most politically expedient for them to do so. And so, it happened. But anyway, going back to Jan Brewer. She signed a law that enforced an already existing law. The Obama administration went insane. Some even criticized it before they even read it (like Attorney General Eric Holder).
Watch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wa_3ohF0j0
Now, the Obama administration is actively suing the state of Arizona for simply… enforcing the law.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/07/....-early-tuesday/
http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=11096347
What makes this move so dangerously stupid goes far beyond the stuff I mentioned in this piece, and that alone is going far and beyond the extremes. Since we know his motive is selfishly political, and void of any substance, let's then study this from a political science standpoint. He is going to go against the will of an overwhelmingly large majority of American citizens (including Mexican-Americans) to sue a governor who has the guts to simply say 'enough is enough,' stop lawlessness by putting up restraints to that lawlessness, enforce the law, and honor her oath to preserve, protect, and defend the well being of her state. That's it. She's doing the right thing. These liberals are so backwards, and mentally disoriented, that they actually believe that appealing to fewer numbers will in fact add up to them winning more voters in the end. It's like when these like-minded politicians cow tow to labor unions and they serve the administrators of those labor unions over those who work under the leadership of those administrators (workers always outnumber administrators). I know what he's trying to do. He's trying to make up the numbers of those who he has royally screwed over, but with illegals flooding the country, and very little to practically no jobs for Americans, where are they going to work? Is he going to continue to give illegals stimulus money by putting them on construction projects? In fact, if he goes the route of amnesty, makes illegals legal, then they still won't have any jobs. There will be nothing for them here even as Americans. So what happens? Logic would dictate that they might actually vote against Obama since Republican policies always creates jobs, so long as they cut taxes, and limit, or cut spending entirely. Meanwhile he has alienated all of the moderate Democrats, the conservative Democrats, and is working for the hardcore Marxist base of his party. The hardcore Marxist base of his party is far fewer than the moderates, conservative Democrats, and Independents that carry either party to win in the end. Wow.
Knowing all of what I said today, and being fully aware of the context behind these actions, it is now going to be powerfully interesting, and epic, to see what comes out of this. It will be an epic showdown that I most definately will be watching.
Townhall - One Business Filed 37,375 Bad W-2 Forms -- and Is Getting Away With It
Townhall - One Business Filed 37,375 Bad W-2 Forms -- and Is Getting Away With It: "A single employer filed 37,375 W-2 forms in tax year 2005 on which the Social Security Number and the name did not match. These 'no-match' W-2 forms often -- but not always -- represent an illegal-alien worker fraudulently using someone else's Social Security number or a fake number.
An employer who files 37,375 no-match W-2s in one year is almost certainly employing many thousands of illegal aliens -- and knows it.
An employer who files 37,375 no-match W-2s in one year is almost certainly employing many thousands of illegal aliens -- and knows it.
Yet there is no indication our federal government has taken any action to stop this employer from continuing to employ mass numbers of illegal aliens.
The unemployment rate was 7.7 percent when President Barack Obama was inaugurated. It is now 9.5 percent.
The fact that a single employer filed 37,375 no-match W2s in 2005 was revealed in a virtually unnoticed Dec. 15, 2008, audit report from the inspector general of the Social Security Administration (SSA).
White House Successfully Puts Cap on Gusher of Unflattering Oil-Spill Stories - The Campaign Spot - National Review Online
White House Successfully Puts Cap on Gusher of Unflattering Oil-Spill Stories - The Campaign Spot - National Review Online: "In today’s Jolt, there’s a roundup of Arizona immigration law and Kentucky Senate race news, but also an update on that huge story that I try to feature at least one item on in every edition . . .
The Oil Spill Won’t Disappear, but Discussion of Obama’s Response Might
You thought I was being silly with this one-item-on-oil-every-morning rule, huh? ‘Oh, Jim, the oil spill is one of the biggest news stories in years. There’s no way it will disappear from the front page.’ Well, there was nothing about the spill on the front page of the New York Times on Tuesday. (There was a bottom of the page story on Wednesday.)
The Oil Spill Won’t Disappear, but Discussion of Obama’s Response Might
You thought I was being silly with this one-item-on-oil-every-morning rule, huh? ‘Oh, Jim, the oil spill is one of the biggest news stories in years. There’s no way it will disappear from the front page.’ Well, there was nothing about the spill on the front page of the New York Times on Tuesday. (There was a bottom of the page story on Wednesday.)
Sergeant Orville Smith Shelton Police Department Connecticut End of Watch: Wednesday, July 7, 2010 « The Munz ~~ Remembering the fallen
Sergeant Orville Smith Shelton Police Department Connecticut End of Watch: Wednesday, July 7, 2010 « The Munz ~~ Remembering the fallen:
Sergeant Orville Smith
Shelton Police Department
Connecticut
End of Watch: Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Biographical Info
Age: 64
Tour of Duty: 39 years
Badge Number: S5
Incident Details
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: Saturday, July 3, 2010
Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved
Suspect Info: Apprehended
Sergeant Orville Smith died from injuries he sustained when he was struck by a vehicle operated by an intoxicated driver.
Sergeant Smith was working a traffic detail on Route 110 at the intersection of Indian Well Road. He was standing next to his patrol car when he and his patrol car were struck by a Nissan Frontier pickup truck operated by an intoxicated driver. Sergent Smith was taken to Bridgeport Hospital where he died from his injuries four days later.
The driver of the pick-up truck was arrested and charged with driving under the influence. He faces additional charges related to the death of Sergeant Smith.
Sergeant Smith had served with the Shelton Police Department for 39 years. He was United States Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War and also served as a volunteer firefighter with the Shelton Fire Department White Hills Co. No. 5.
Sergeant Smith is survived by his wife.
Agency Contact Information
Shelton Police Department
85 Wheeler Street
Shelton, CT 06484
Phone: (203) 924-1544
FOXNews.com - 27,000 Wells Abandoned, Unchecked in Gulf
FOXNews.com - 27,000 Wells Abandoned, Unchecked in Gulf: "More than 27,000 abandoned oil and gas wells lurk in the hard rock beneath the Gulf of Mexico, an environmental minefield that has been ignored for decades. No one -- not industry, not government -- is checking to see if they are leaking, an Associated Press investigation shows.
The oldest of these wells were abandoned in the late 1940s, raising the prospect that many deteriorating sealing jobs are already failing.
The AP investigation uncovered particular concern with 3,500 of the neglected wells -- those characterized in federal government records as 'temporarily abandoned.'
- Sent using Google Toolbar"
The oldest of these wells were abandoned in the late 1940s, raising the prospect that many deteriorating sealing jobs are already failing.
The AP investigation uncovered particular concern with 3,500 of the neglected wells -- those characterized in federal government records as 'temporarily abandoned.'
- Sent using Google Toolbar"
Under the sand, BP oil hidden from easy cleanup - Yahoo! News
Under the sand, BP oil hidden from easy cleanup - Yahoo! News: "GULF SHORES, Ala. – There's a dirty secret buried under Gulf of Mexico beaches after cleanup workers scrape away the oil washing ashore.
Walk to a seemingly pristine patch of sand, plop down in a chair and start digging with your bare feet, like everyone does at the beach. Chances are you'll walk away with gooey tar between your toes.
So far, cleanup workers hired by BP have skimmed only the surface, using shovels or sifting machines to remove oil. The company is planning a deeper cleaning program that could include washing or incinerating sand once the leak is stopped off the coast of Louisiana.
Some experts question whether it's better to just leave it alone and let nature run its course, in part because oil that weathers on beaches isn't considered as much of a health hazard as fresh crude. Some environmentalists and local officials fret about harm to the ecosystem and tourism.
'We have to have sand that is just as clean as it was before the spill,' said Tony Kennon, the mayor of Orange Beach, a popular tourist stretch reaching to the Florida state line.
- Sent using Google Toolbar"
Walk to a seemingly pristine patch of sand, plop down in a chair and start digging with your bare feet, like everyone does at the beach. Chances are you'll walk away with gooey tar between your toes.
So far, cleanup workers hired by BP have skimmed only the surface, using shovels or sifting machines to remove oil. The company is planning a deeper cleaning program that could include washing or incinerating sand once the leak is stopped off the coast of Louisiana.
Some experts question whether it's better to just leave it alone and let nature run its course, in part because oil that weathers on beaches isn't considered as much of a health hazard as fresh crude. Some environmentalists and local officials fret about harm to the ecosystem and tourism.
'We have to have sand that is just as clean as it was before the spill,' said Tony Kennon, the mayor of Orange Beach, a popular tourist stretch reaching to the Florida state line.
- Sent using Google Toolbar"
GOP senators launch broadside against Obamacare « » Print The Daily Caller – Breaking News, Opinion, Research, and Entertainment
GOP senators launch broadside against Obamacare « » Print The Daily Caller – Breaking News, Opinion, Research, and Entertainment: "The fight to shape perceptions of President Obama’s health care overhaul is still in the early stages, but on Wednesday two Republican senators will fire a salvo when they release a 32-page report arguing that the legislation is only exacerbating skyrocketing prices and will cause nearly 100 million Americans to lose their employer-based insurance.
“The passage of the new law is a lost historic opportunity,” says the report, authored by staff for Sen. Tom Coburn, Oklahoma Republican, and Sen. John Barrasso, Wyoming Republican.
The report, titled “Bad Medicine,” comes as the Obama administration is accelerating a public relations push to promote benefits in the law that are taking effect now or soon, in advance of this fall’s midterm elections. There have been improvements in public opinions about the law, though large numbers still oppose it.
One of the most startling assertions in the Coburn/Barrasso report – which was obtained ahead of its release by The Daily Caller – is that nearly 100 million Americans will lose their current form of health insurance and will be required to obtain more expensive plans. One of the president’s most constant refrains in selling his health bill was that if Americans liked what they had, they could keep it.
“The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently released a regulation that limits the changes businesses can make to health plans and still be considered ‘grandfathered’ plans – exempt from many of the burdensome new mandates in the law,” the report says. “With this new rule, it looks like almost 90 million Americans could lose their current health plan and instead be stuck with more costly, government-mandated health insurance.”
There are roughly 176 million Americans who currently have health insurance through their employer, the report says.
“The passage of the new law is a lost historic opportunity,” says the report, authored by staff for Sen. Tom Coburn, Oklahoma Republican, and Sen. John Barrasso, Wyoming Republican.
The report, titled “Bad Medicine,” comes as the Obama administration is accelerating a public relations push to promote benefits in the law that are taking effect now or soon, in advance of this fall’s midterm elections. There have been improvements in public opinions about the law, though large numbers still oppose it.
One of the most startling assertions in the Coburn/Barrasso report – which was obtained ahead of its release by The Daily Caller – is that nearly 100 million Americans will lose their current form of health insurance and will be required to obtain more expensive plans. One of the president’s most constant refrains in selling his health bill was that if Americans liked what they had, they could keep it.
“The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently released a regulation that limits the changes businesses can make to health plans and still be considered ‘grandfathered’ plans – exempt from many of the burdensome new mandates in the law,” the report says. “With this new rule, it looks like almost 90 million Americans could lose their current health plan and instead be stuck with more costly, government-mandated health insurance.”
There are roughly 176 million Americans who currently have health insurance through their employer, the report says.
The Obama Administration Protected Black Panther Who Advocates Killing W...
Let us not forget that this man is a representative of the Democratic Party. ~~ The Munz
A Socialist on the High Court? Part One » Publications » Family Security Matters
A Socialist on the High Court? Part One » Publications » Family Security Matters: "Elena Kagan’s controversial “Final Conflict” thesis on socialism was written in 1981 when she was 21 years old. Professor Harvey Klehr, an expert on the socialist and communist movements, told me that while he sensed “a lurking sympathy” in the document for the left-wing of the Socialist Party, he didn’t find a “red flag” that would derail her nomination. Kagan’s thesis covered the rise and fall of the socialist movement in New York City from 1900-1933.
Clearly, however, the socialist movement has risen again, under the cover of the “progressive” tradition that includes not only the President who appointed Kagan but her backers at the George Soros-funded Center for American Progress (CAP).
The embrace of Kagan by this movement is the real “red flag.” But Investor’s Business Daily (IBD) has noted in an editorial the “free ride” that Kagan has received in her confirmation hearings, as Republican senators have mostly “played dead” and the major media have acted as “compliant shills” for the nomination. Yet, as noted by IBD, Kagan has a radical record that includes:
Clearly, however, the socialist movement has risen again, under the cover of the “progressive” tradition that includes not only the President who appointed Kagan but her backers at the George Soros-funded Center for American Progress (CAP).
The embrace of Kagan by this movement is the real “red flag.” But Investor’s Business Daily (IBD) has noted in an editorial the “free ride” that Kagan has received in her confirmation hearings, as Republican senators have mostly “played dead” and the major media have acted as “compliant shills” for the nomination. Yet, as noted by IBD, Kagan has a radical record that includes:
El Paso City Hall Hit by Cross-Border Gunshots – Time for Action? » Publications » Family Security Matters
El Paso City Hall Hit by Cross-Border Gunshots – Time for Action? » Publications » Family Security Matters: "A gun battle between Mexican suspects and Mexican police left seven bullet holes in El Paso City Hall. This latest incursion of Mexico's deadly crime war has intensified calls for tighter border security.
The State Attorney General Greg Abbott wrote an official letter to President Barack Obama to say Tuesday's 'cross-border gunfire' was more proof that the state 'is under constant assault from illegal activity threatening a porous border.'
The gun battle between police and armed suspects in Ciudad Juarez — a city plagued by drug violence just across the Rio Grande from El Paso — occurred as police officers were trying to investigate a vehicle with no license plates in a border-area parking lot within view of El Paso City Hall.
Police and the armed Mexicans exchanged at least 40 shots, according to police officials. The El Paso Police commanders said they believe at least seven of those rounds crossed the border and hit El Paso's city hall. An Americans were wounded, but a Mexican cop and an innocent bystander in Juarez were reported killed as a result of the shootout.
The State Attorney General Greg Abbott wrote an official letter to President Barack Obama to say Tuesday's 'cross-border gunfire' was more proof that the state 'is under constant assault from illegal activity threatening a porous border.'
The gun battle between police and armed suspects in Ciudad Juarez — a city plagued by drug violence just across the Rio Grande from El Paso — occurred as police officers were trying to investigate a vehicle with no license plates in a border-area parking lot within view of El Paso City Hall.
Police and the armed Mexicans exchanged at least 40 shots, according to police officials. The El Paso Police commanders said they believe at least seven of those rounds crossed the border and hit El Paso's city hall. An Americans were wounded, but a Mexican cop and an innocent bystander in Juarez were reported killed as a result of the shootout.
Open-Borders DOJ vs. America » Publications » Family Security Matters
Open-Borders DOJ vs. America » Publications » Family Security Matters: "The Obama administration's lawsuit against Arizona, officially unveiled on Tuesday, is an affront to all law-abiding Americans. It is a threatening salvo aimed at all local, county or state governments that dare to take control of the immigration chaos in their own backyards. And it is being driven by open-borders extremists who have dedicated their political careers to subverting homeland security policies in the name of compassion and diversity.
The Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, headed by Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez, took the lead in prepping the legal brief against Arizona. The son of immigrants from the Dominican Republic, Perez is a far-left lawyer and activist who worked for the late mass illegal alien amnesty champion Ted Kennedy and served in the Clinton administration DOJ. While holding down a key government position there in which he was entrusted to abide by the rule of law, Perez volunteered for CASA de Maryland -- a notorious illegal alien advocacy group funded through a combination of taxpayer-subsidized grants and radical liberal philanthropy, including billionaire George Soros' Open Society Institute (not to mention more than $1 million showered on the group by Venezuelan thug Hugo Chavez's regime-owned oil company, CITGO).
The Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, headed by Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez, took the lead in prepping the legal brief against Arizona. The son of immigrants from the Dominican Republic, Perez is a far-left lawyer and activist who worked for the late mass illegal alien amnesty champion Ted Kennedy and served in the Clinton administration DOJ. While holding down a key government position there in which he was entrusted to abide by the rule of law, Perez volunteered for CASA de Maryland -- a notorious illegal alien advocacy group funded through a combination of taxpayer-subsidized grants and radical liberal philanthropy, including billionaire George Soros' Open Society Institute (not to mention more than $1 million showered on the group by Venezuelan thug Hugo Chavez's regime-owned oil company, CITGO).
National Inflation Association
National Inflation Association: "In NIA's latest economic documentary 'Meltup', we said that the simple act of the U.S. government eliminating its $7.25 per hour minimum wage and implementing a new $7.25 per hour maximum wage for government employees, would go a long way in helping rebalance America's unstable economy. NIA is very pleased that California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appears to have watched Meltup. Schwarzenegger last week announced plans to cut pay for over 200,000 state employees down to the minimum wage of $7.25 per hour due to a budget impasse.
Although most expect these salaries to rise back up after California passes a new budget, NIA believes the only way California will be able to survive without a bailout from the Federal Government, is if these wage cuts are made permanent. In fact, if the U.S. government wants to have any hope of preventing and/or delaying hyperinflation from occurring by the year 2015, we believe the Federal Government will need to implement similar wage cuts on a nationwide basis within the next 24 to 36 months.
Both the U.S. dollar and Euro experienced a decline in their share of the world's foreign-exchange reserves during the first quarter of 2010. Meanwhile, central banks reported a 19% increase in the 'other currencies' category, which includes currencies like the Canadian dollar and Australian dollar. While many European countries are now making the right choice of implementing tough austerity cuts to counteract weakening demand for Euros, there have been no calls for major austerity cuts in the United States. Before long, NIA expects short-term confidence in the Euro to be restored, which could turn the U.S. dollar short-term bounce into a huge crash, exactly like NIA predicted in its top 10 predictions for 2010.
Although most expect these salaries to rise back up after California passes a new budget, NIA believes the only way California will be able to survive without a bailout from the Federal Government, is if these wage cuts are made permanent. In fact, if the U.S. government wants to have any hope of preventing and/or delaying hyperinflation from occurring by the year 2015, we believe the Federal Government will need to implement similar wage cuts on a nationwide basis within the next 24 to 36 months.
Both the U.S. dollar and Euro experienced a decline in their share of the world's foreign-exchange reserves during the first quarter of 2010. Meanwhile, central banks reported a 19% increase in the 'other currencies' category, which includes currencies like the Canadian dollar and Australian dollar. While many European countries are now making the right choice of implementing tough austerity cuts to counteract weakening demand for Euros, there have been no calls for major austerity cuts in the United States. Before long, NIA expects short-term confidence in the Euro to be restored, which could turn the U.S. dollar short-term bounce into a huge crash, exactly like NIA predicted in its top 10 predictions for 2010.
Morning Bell: The Rationer-in-Chief | The Foundry: Conservative Policy News.
Morning Bell: The Rationer-in-Chief | The Foundry: Conservative Policy News.: "When Linda O’Boyle was diagnosed with bowel cancer, her doctors told her she could boost her chances of survival by adding the drug cetuximab to her regimen. But the rationing body for Britain’s National Health Service, the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), had previously ruled that the drug was not cost-effective and therefore would not be paid for by the government. So O’Boyle liquidated her savings and paid for the drug herself. But this is not allowed under NHS rules. When government bureaucrats found out that O’Boyle had purchased the drug with her own money, she was denied NHS treatment and died within months.
Defenders of Britain’s health care rationing system may try to claim that this tragic death is an outlier in an otherwise acceptable government run health care system. They are wrong. It is the point of the system. As socialized medicine and infanticide advocate Peter Singer has argued in The New York Times, the NICE bureaucrats must ration care or else free government health care would bankrupt the British economy. “NICE had set a general limit of £30,000, or about $49,000, on the cost of extending life for a year,” Singer writes. Following this logic, Singer supported NICE’s decision not to allow British citizens the kidney cancer fighting drug Sutent. As a result of this, and many other rationing decisions Britain, has one of the lowest cancer survival rates in the Western world. While 60.3% of men and 61.7% of women in Sweden survive a cancer diagnosis, in Britain the figure ranges between 40.2% to 48.1% for men and 48% to 54.1% for women. And NICE’s rationing has not just hit cancer patients. Doctors have warned that patients with terminal illnesses are being made to die prematurely under the NHS rationing scheme. And according to the Patients Association, one million NHS patients have been the victims of appalling care in hospitals across Britain.
Defenders of Britain’s health care rationing system may try to claim that this tragic death is an outlier in an otherwise acceptable government run health care system. They are wrong. It is the point of the system. As socialized medicine and infanticide advocate Peter Singer has argued in The New York Times, the NICE bureaucrats must ration care or else free government health care would bankrupt the British economy. “NICE had set a general limit of £30,000, or about $49,000, on the cost of extending life for a year,” Singer writes. Following this logic, Singer supported NICE’s decision not to allow British citizens the kidney cancer fighting drug Sutent. As a result of this, and many other rationing decisions Britain, has one of the lowest cancer survival rates in the Western world. While 60.3% of men and 61.7% of women in Sweden survive a cancer diagnosis, in Britain the figure ranges between 40.2% to 48.1% for men and 48% to 54.1% for women. And NICE’s rationing has not just hit cancer patients. Doctors have warned that patients with terminal illnesses are being made to die prematurely under the NHS rationing scheme. And according to the Patients Association, one million NHS patients have been the victims of appalling care in hospitals across Britain.
CNSNews.com - Federal Government Helped Pay Home Air-Conditioning Bills for Federal Employees, Prisoners and More Than 11,000 Dead People
CNSNews.com - Federal Government Helped Pay Home Air-Conditioning Bills for Federal Employees, Prisoners and More Than 11,000 Dead People: "(CNSNews.com) – According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the federal government helped pay the home air conditioning bills for more than 11,000 dead people, 1,100 federal employees, and 725 convicts in fiscal year 2009.
The payments were made by a $5 billion program known as the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). LIHEAP is designed to provide federal assistance, administered by the states, to help people pay the energy bills to heat their homes in the winter and cool them in the summer. The funds are disbursed by the Department of Health and Human Services and are distributed based on a formula that takes into account a state’s weather and the size of its low-income population.
The GAO examined the LIHEAP programs in seven states: Virginia, Maryland, Ohio, New York, Illinois, Michigan, and New Jersey. The agency found evidence of fraud in each state.
The payments were made by a $5 billion program known as the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). LIHEAP is designed to provide federal assistance, administered by the states, to help people pay the energy bills to heat their homes in the winter and cool them in the summer. The funds are disbursed by the Department of Health and Human Services and are distributed based on a formula that takes into account a state’s weather and the size of its low-income population.
The GAO examined the LIHEAP programs in seven states: Virginia, Maryland, Ohio, New York, Illinois, Michigan, and New Jersey. The agency found evidence of fraud in each state.
UNINSURED EMERGENCY ROOM USE GREATLY EXAGGERATED
UNINSURED EMERGENCY ROOM USE GREATLY EXAGGERATED: "A new report from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), the nation's chief health statistics agency, suggests the longstanding perception uninsured patients are clogging the nation's emergency rooms (ERs) is a myth. There is a widespread perception uninsured patients are a leading source of unnecessary ER visits because they lack a primary care provider, a perception echoed by President Obama and other political leaders as a rationale for their recently passed health care legislation, says Devon M. Herrick, a health economist and senior fellow at the National Center for Policy Analysis.
The report finds ER use is more closely associated with Medicaid enrolled patients. They seek care in the ER more frequently than both the uninsured and those covered by private insurance.
Other findings:
* Nearly one-third (32 percent) of Medicaid enrollees used the ER at least once during a 12-month period in 2007.
* Individuals with private health coverage were only about half as likely (17 percent) to visit an ER, and a similar proportion -- one in five -- of individuals without health coverage did so.
* Medicaid enrollees were three times as likely (15 percent vs. 5 percent) as the privately insured, and twice as likely as the uninsured (15 percent vs. 7 percent), to have visited an ER twice in the previous year.
Nearly 120 million ER visits are made in the United States each year -- approximately 11 percent of all U.S. ambulatory care visits. Some of that care could be done elsewhere, says Dr. Stephen Nichols, a regional medical officer for Schumacher Group, which contracts for emergency department services at community hospitals.
'In general, 5 percent to 25 percent of patients who visit an emergency department in a community hospital have non-urgent complaints that could easily have been addressed in an outpatient setting,' he says.
Dr. John Dunn, a specialist in emergency medicine in Brownwood, Texas, agrees and thinks the number of non-emergencies is even higher. 'Thirty percent to forty percent are emergencies or urgent care and deserve treatment within a reasonable time,' says Dunn. 'But it is care that could be seen to in an urgent care clinic or a well-equipped office, though the patients probably are better off in the emergency department.'
Source: Devon Herrick, 'Report: Uninsured Emergency Room Use Greatly Exaggerated,' Heartland Institute, July 7, 2010.
The report finds ER use is more closely associated with Medicaid enrolled patients. They seek care in the ER more frequently than both the uninsured and those covered by private insurance.
Other findings:
* Nearly one-third (32 percent) of Medicaid enrollees used the ER at least once during a 12-month period in 2007.
* Individuals with private health coverage were only about half as likely (17 percent) to visit an ER, and a similar proportion -- one in five -- of individuals without health coverage did so.
* Medicaid enrollees were three times as likely (15 percent vs. 5 percent) as the privately insured, and twice as likely as the uninsured (15 percent vs. 7 percent), to have visited an ER twice in the previous year.
Nearly 120 million ER visits are made in the United States each year -- approximately 11 percent of all U.S. ambulatory care visits. Some of that care could be done elsewhere, says Dr. Stephen Nichols, a regional medical officer for Schumacher Group, which contracts for emergency department services at community hospitals.
'In general, 5 percent to 25 percent of patients who visit an emergency department in a community hospital have non-urgent complaints that could easily have been addressed in an outpatient setting,' he says.
Dr. John Dunn, a specialist in emergency medicine in Brownwood, Texas, agrees and thinks the number of non-emergencies is even higher. 'Thirty percent to forty percent are emergencies or urgent care and deserve treatment within a reasonable time,' says Dunn. 'But it is care that could be seen to in an urgent care clinic or a well-equipped office, though the patients probably are better off in the emergency department.'
Source: Devon Herrick, 'Report: Uninsured Emergency Room Use Greatly Exaggerated,' Heartland Institute, July 7, 2010.
ASK GEORGE W. BUSH HOW TO AVERT A DOUBLE DIP
ASK GEORGE W. BUSH HOW TO AVERT A DOUBLE DIP: "As the jobless recovery continues, President Barack Obama argues that the United States needs another stimulus or risks a double-dip recession. A look behind the numbers suggests that liberal policies will hand us a double dip whether we get a stimulus or not, says Kevin A. Hassett, senior fellow and the director of economic policy studies at American Enterprise Institute.
A major reason for the revival of sour economic news is the looming expiration of George W. Bush's tax cuts:
* The top marginal income tax rate is set to increase on the first day of 2011 to 39.6 percent from 35 percent; the phase-out of itemized deductions will lift that, effectively, to 40.8 percent.
* In 2013, the 3.8 percent Obama health care tax on investment income will kick in, making the top rate 44.6 percent.
This tax hike will push us into double-dip territory for two reasons, says Hassett. First, it will hurt small businesses:
* While some of the income in the top bracket is wage and salary income of high earners, a big chunk of the money is the profit of small businesses; if you lift the top rate, you depress small-business activity, which in good times is often the engine of job growth.
* According to the latest ADP National Employment Report, goods-producing small businesses -- those with fewer than 50 employees -- have reduced their total payroll employment by about 20,000 jobs each month this year, including in June.
The other way the tax hike will rekindle the recession is through its treatment of dividends:
* Absent action by the Democratic majority in Congress, which seems increasingly unlikely, the current 15 percent top tax on dividends will rise to the top income tax rate -- 39.6 percent in 2011, which, again, will grow to 44.6 percent.
* This massive increase will reduce the desirability of equities, significantly harming the stock market, while giving firms a powerful incentive to pay dividends this year while the rate is lower.
There are two ways to stimulate an economy that is in trouble: with tax cuts or with increased government spending. Declaring early and resolutely that he would extend the Bush tax cuts would have given Obama a chance to try both. Instead, Democrats hoped that higher government spending would offset the suffocating prospect of tax increases. It hasn't worked, says Hassett.
Source: Kevin A. Hassett, 'Ask George W. Bush How to Avert a Double Dip,' American Enterprise Institute, July 6, 2010.
A major reason for the revival of sour economic news is the looming expiration of George W. Bush's tax cuts:
* The top marginal income tax rate is set to increase on the first day of 2011 to 39.6 percent from 35 percent; the phase-out of itemized deductions will lift that, effectively, to 40.8 percent.
* In 2013, the 3.8 percent Obama health care tax on investment income will kick in, making the top rate 44.6 percent.
This tax hike will push us into double-dip territory for two reasons, says Hassett. First, it will hurt small businesses:
* While some of the income in the top bracket is wage and salary income of high earners, a big chunk of the money is the profit of small businesses; if you lift the top rate, you depress small-business activity, which in good times is often the engine of job growth.
* According to the latest ADP National Employment Report, goods-producing small businesses -- those with fewer than 50 employees -- have reduced their total payroll employment by about 20,000 jobs each month this year, including in June.
The other way the tax hike will rekindle the recession is through its treatment of dividends:
* Absent action by the Democratic majority in Congress, which seems increasingly unlikely, the current 15 percent top tax on dividends will rise to the top income tax rate -- 39.6 percent in 2011, which, again, will grow to 44.6 percent.
* This massive increase will reduce the desirability of equities, significantly harming the stock market, while giving firms a powerful incentive to pay dividends this year while the rate is lower.
There are two ways to stimulate an economy that is in trouble: with tax cuts or with increased government spending. Declaring early and resolutely that he would extend the Bush tax cuts would have given Obama a chance to try both. Instead, Democrats hoped that higher government spending would offset the suffocating prospect of tax increases. It hasn't worked, says Hassett.
Source: Kevin A. Hassett, 'Ask George W. Bush How to Avert a Double Dip,' American Enterprise Institute, July 6, 2010.
THE GOVERNMENT PAY BONUS
THE GOVERNMENT PAY BONUS: "Pay cuts, layoffs and the highest unemployment rates in decades have reignited a debate over the relative treatment of public and private workers, say Andrew G. Biggs, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, and Jason Richwine, a senior policy analyst at the Heritage Foundation.
USA Today reported in March that federal workers earn substantially higher wages than private sector employees who work the same types of jobs. White House budget chief Peter Orszag responded that these pay differences merely reflect the superior skills of federal workers, not government largess.
Nevertheless, salaries are only one part of total compensation. Government employees may also receive more generous health and pension benefits than Americans working for private enterprise. So are federal employees overpaid? Data from the March Current Population Survey (CPS) suggest they are:
* At first glance, the CPS data show that the average hourly wage for a federal worker is about 48 percent higher than a private worker's.
* Yet because federal employees tend to be more educated and experienced than their private counterparts, one has to control for these skill differences.
* This reduces the public-private salary gap -- but it does not eliminate it; the federal wage premium for workers who have the same education and experience stands at 24 percent, still a windfall for public employees.
Even using all the standard controls -- including race and gender, full- or part-time work, firm size, marital status, region, residence in a city or suburb, and more -- the federal wage premium does not disappear. It stubbornly hovers around 12 percent, meaning private employees must work 13 and a half months to earn what comparable federal workers make in 12.
A federal pay premium is unfair both to private workers, who receive less than their government peers, and to taxpayers who must cover the difference. Given our 2.7 million-strong federal work force, the government effectively overbills Americans by almost $40 billion every year just on labor costs, say Biggs and Richwine.
Source: Andrew G. Biggs and Jason Richwine, 'The Government Pay Bonus,' Wall Street Journal, July 6, 2010.
USA Today reported in March that federal workers earn substantially higher wages than private sector employees who work the same types of jobs. White House budget chief Peter Orszag responded that these pay differences merely reflect the superior skills of federal workers, not government largess.
Nevertheless, salaries are only one part of total compensation. Government employees may also receive more generous health and pension benefits than Americans working for private enterprise. So are federal employees overpaid? Data from the March Current Population Survey (CPS) suggest they are:
* At first glance, the CPS data show that the average hourly wage for a federal worker is about 48 percent higher than a private worker's.
* Yet because federal employees tend to be more educated and experienced than their private counterparts, one has to control for these skill differences.
* This reduces the public-private salary gap -- but it does not eliminate it; the federal wage premium for workers who have the same education and experience stands at 24 percent, still a windfall for public employees.
Even using all the standard controls -- including race and gender, full- or part-time work, firm size, marital status, region, residence in a city or suburb, and more -- the federal wage premium does not disappear. It stubbornly hovers around 12 percent, meaning private employees must work 13 and a half months to earn what comparable federal workers make in 12.
A federal pay premium is unfair both to private workers, who receive less than their government peers, and to taxpayers who must cover the difference. Given our 2.7 million-strong federal work force, the government effectively overbills Americans by almost $40 billion every year just on labor costs, say Biggs and Richwine.
Source: Andrew G. Biggs and Jason Richwine, 'The Government Pay Bonus,' Wall Street Journal, July 6, 2010.
REASONS COLLEGE TUITION IS THE NEXT BUBBLE TO BURST
REASONS COLLEGE TUITION IS THE NEXT BUBBLE TO BURST: "College tuition has been increasing at such an alarming rate that some say we're witnessing yet another bubble in America. There are many reasons to believe we're in the middle of a college tuition bubble, says Naked Law.
Tuition is, and has been, increasing at double or triple the rate of inflation:
* On average, college tuition increases at around 8 percent per year, which means the cost of college doubles every nine years.
* Because colleges know that students will simply borrow more money to cover tuition increases, colleges have been relying on steady tuition hikes to solve all of their money problems.
Students are borrowing more than ever to pay for college:
* The number of college students graduating with over $25,000 in student loan debt has tripled in the past decade alone.
* Today, 66 percent of students borrow to pay for college, taking on an average of $23,165 in debt.
For-profit colleges are paying homeless people to take out federal loans to enroll:
* Because student loans are so easy to acquire, enterprising colleges are paying homeless people to enroll.
* Paying someone a $2,000 'stipend' gets the college $20,000 per year in tuition courtesy of the federal government.
College president salaries are sky high, even in a historical economic downturn:
* USA Today reported that 23 private college presidents made more than $1 million in 2008, while 110 made more than $500,000.
* This is not the norm -- as recently as 2002, there were no million-dollar presidents.
Source: Report, 'Eight Reasons College Tuition Is the Next Bubble to Burst,' Naked Law, June 8, 2010.
Tuition is, and has been, increasing at double or triple the rate of inflation:
* On average, college tuition increases at around 8 percent per year, which means the cost of college doubles every nine years.
* Because colleges know that students will simply borrow more money to cover tuition increases, colleges have been relying on steady tuition hikes to solve all of their money problems.
Students are borrowing more than ever to pay for college:
* The number of college students graduating with over $25,000 in student loan debt has tripled in the past decade alone.
* Today, 66 percent of students borrow to pay for college, taking on an average of $23,165 in debt.
For-profit colleges are paying homeless people to take out federal loans to enroll:
* Because student loans are so easy to acquire, enterprising colleges are paying homeless people to enroll.
* Paying someone a $2,000 'stipend' gets the college $20,000 per year in tuition courtesy of the federal government.
College president salaries are sky high, even in a historical economic downturn:
* USA Today reported that 23 private college presidents made more than $1 million in 2008, while 110 made more than $500,000.
* This is not the norm -- as recently as 2002, there were no million-dollar presidents.
Source: Report, 'Eight Reasons College Tuition Is the Next Bubble to Burst,' Naked Law, June 8, 2010.
A PLAGUE OF LOBBYISTS
A PLAGUE OF LOBBYISTS: "As Congress debated health care reform, the lobbying industry's representatives invaded Capitol Hill. Some got into the game to protect their interests against redistribution while others were digging for special subsidies, tax breaks and regulations at the expense of their competitors, says Ronald Bailey, a science correspondent for Reason Magazine.
* The nonprofit Center for Public Integrity reported in March that an analysis of Senate lobbying disclosure forms shows that more than 1,750 companies and organizations hired about 4,525 lobbyists -- eight for each member of Congress -- to influence health reform bills in 2009.
* Lobbyists for unions opposed taxes on gold-plated health insurance plans; lobbyists for doctors opposed cuts in Medicare reimbursements; a lobbyist for Dunkin Donuts opposed a soda tax to pay for health care reform; and a Cigar Association lobbyist fought a tobacco tax.
The Center for Public Integrity noted that 2009 was a boom year for influence peddling overall, with business and advocacy groups shelling out $3.47 billion for lobbyists. Although it is hard to quantify the exact amount spent on trying to influence health care legislation, the groups lobbying the issue spent about $1.2 billion, says Bailey.
Source: Ronald Bailey, 'A plague of lobbyists: you get what you pay for,' Reason Magazine, July 2010.
* The nonprofit Center for Public Integrity reported in March that an analysis of Senate lobbying disclosure forms shows that more than 1,750 companies and organizations hired about 4,525 lobbyists -- eight for each member of Congress -- to influence health reform bills in 2009.
* Lobbyists for unions opposed taxes on gold-plated health insurance plans; lobbyists for doctors opposed cuts in Medicare reimbursements; a lobbyist for Dunkin Donuts opposed a soda tax to pay for health care reform; and a Cigar Association lobbyist fought a tobacco tax.
The Center for Public Integrity noted that 2009 was a boom year for influence peddling overall, with business and advocacy groups shelling out $3.47 billion for lobbyists. Although it is hard to quantify the exact amount spent on trying to influence health care legislation, the groups lobbying the issue spent about $1.2 billion, says Bailey.
Source: Ronald Bailey, 'A plague of lobbyists: you get what you pay for,' Reason Magazine, July 2010.
NASA Goes Global: Astronauts Out, Indonesia In | NewsReal Blog
NASA Goes Global: Astronauts Out, Indonesia In | NewsReal Blog: "Do you remember that dream you had about growing up to be an astronaut one day? Well, you might want to rethink that. I don’t see that happening anytime soon, because NASA has better things to do.
Back in February, it was reported that Obama had cut the space program, which may result in the loss of 23,000 jobs. Obama apparently felt our money would be much better spent sending some of that NASA know-how over to Indonesia. We can teach them more about climate change, too! After all, it is the largest Muslim nation in the world, not to mention a place where Obama enjoyed some special boyhood memories. It’s a natural choice.
Here is what NASA’s administrator, Charlie Bolden, said at the time:
Specifically, he talked about connecting with countries that do not have an established space program and helping them conduct science missions. He mentioned new opportunities with Indonesia, including an educational program that examines global climate change.
“We really like Indonesia because the State Department, the Department of Education [and] other agencies in the U.S. are reaching out to Indonesia as the largest Muslim nation in the world. We would love to establish partners there,” Bolden said.
Back in February, it was reported that Obama had cut the space program, which may result in the loss of 23,000 jobs. Obama apparently felt our money would be much better spent sending some of that NASA know-how over to Indonesia. We can teach them more about climate change, too! After all, it is the largest Muslim nation in the world, not to mention a place where Obama enjoyed some special boyhood memories. It’s a natural choice.
Here is what NASA’s administrator, Charlie Bolden, said at the time:
Specifically, he talked about connecting with countries that do not have an established space program and helping them conduct science missions. He mentioned new opportunities with Indonesia, including an educational program that examines global climate change.
“We really like Indonesia because the State Department, the Department of Education [and] other agencies in the U.S. are reaching out to Indonesia as the largest Muslim nation in the world. We would love to establish partners there,” Bolden said.
Obama’s Islamization of NASA | NewsReal Blog
Obama’s Islamization of NASA | NewsReal Blog: "Obama sometimes seems to be all campaign all the time. But is he running for president of the OIC? Earlier this year his budget raised hackles and eyebrows by cutting out the Constellation program, intended to develop new rockets to carry people into space — such as the Ares rocket, meant to replace the aging shuttle. Now we are informed that NASA is instructed to run a Mohammedan outreach program … overseas, on earth.
No. This is not a story from the Onion. It was reported by Fox news here. NASA Administrator Charles Bolden apparently gave an interview to, wait for it … Al Jazeera, in which he said:
“When I became the NASA administrator — or before I became the NASA administrator — he [the president] charged me with three things. One was he wanted me to help re-inspire children to want to get into science and math, he wanted me to expand our international relationships, and third, and perhaps foremost, he wanted me to find a way to reach out to the Muslim world and engage much more with dominantly Muslim nations to help them feel good about their historic contribution to science … and math and engineering,”
Yes, you read that correctly, “… and perhaps foremost … engage much more with dominantly Muslim nations to help them feel good about their historic contribution to science … and math and engineering“.
No. This is not a story from the Onion. It was reported by Fox news here. NASA Administrator Charles Bolden apparently gave an interview to, wait for it … Al Jazeera, in which he said:
“When I became the NASA administrator — or before I became the NASA administrator — he [the president] charged me with three things. One was he wanted me to help re-inspire children to want to get into science and math, he wanted me to expand our international relationships, and third, and perhaps foremost, he wanted me to find a way to reach out to the Muslim world and engage much more with dominantly Muslim nations to help them feel good about their historic contribution to science … and math and engineering,”
Yes, you read that correctly, “… and perhaps foremost … engage much more with dominantly Muslim nations to help them feel good about their historic contribution to science … and math and engineering“.
Obama bypassing Senate for new Medicare chief - Yahoo! News
Obama bypassing Senate for new Medicare chief - Yahoo! News: "WASHINGTON – Bypassing Republicans eager to grill an administration official over the new health care law, President Barack Obama is planning to appoint the head of Medicare and Medicaid without Senate hearings.
Obama intends to use a so-called recess appointment to put Dr. Donald Berwick in charge of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, a White House official said Tuesday night. The appointment was expected Wednesday.
The decision means Berwick, an expert on patient care, can assume the post without being confirmed by the Senate, which is in recess for the July Fourth holiday. He could serve through next year without Senate confirmation.
Republicans had indicated they were prepared to oppose him over comments he had made on rationing of medical care and other matters. Democrats wanted to avoid a nasty confirmation fight that could reopen the health care debate. Berwick was nominated in April but no confirmation hearing had been scheduled.
Obama intends to use a so-called recess appointment to put Dr. Donald Berwick in charge of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, a White House official said Tuesday night. The appointment was expected Wednesday.
The decision means Berwick, an expert on patient care, can assume the post without being confirmed by the Senate, which is in recess for the July Fourth holiday. He could serve through next year without Senate confirmation.
Republicans had indicated they were prepared to oppose him over comments he had made on rationing of medical care and other matters. Democrats wanted to avoid a nasty confirmation fight that could reopen the health care debate. Berwick was nominated in April but no confirmation hearing had been scheduled.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
On Independence Day, CBS Frets Congress Becoming 'Paralyzed' Over 'Fear of the Deficit'
On Independence Day, CBS Frets Congress Becoming 'Paralyzed' Over 'Fear of the Deficit': "West coast viewers got to see a July 4 CBS Evening News on Sunday, and those who tuned in saw CBS's interim 'report card' on Congress's performance so far. Under the headline of 'unfinished business,' correspondent Wyatt Andrews and his sole expert, Politico's Jonathan Allen, both fretted how Congress is now 'paralyzed' due to a 'growing fear of the deficit.'
Many Americans are probably wishing Congress had become 'paralyzed' a few trillion dollars ago.
Andrews rued that supposedly job-creating 'stimulus spending' may be sacrificed if enough congressmen feel deficit spending is now 'political Kryptonite.'
Many members of Congress especially those in tough re-election campaigns are home right now, trying to figure out the spending issue: Will voters support more stimulus spending if it directly leads to jobs, or has deficit spending itself become political Kryptonite?
CBS's main example of congressional indecision, however, was an urgently-needed Afghanistan war funding bill that the Senate has nearly doubled with additional spending, pushing it from $33 to $60 billion, and that has ballooned in the House to $80 billion.
That doesn't sound like a Congress that is becoming cowed by the need to throttle back spending.
Many Americans are probably wishing Congress had become 'paralyzed' a few trillion dollars ago.
Andrews rued that supposedly job-creating 'stimulus spending' may be sacrificed if enough congressmen feel deficit spending is now 'political Kryptonite.'
Many members of Congress especially those in tough re-election campaigns are home right now, trying to figure out the spending issue: Will voters support more stimulus spending if it directly leads to jobs, or has deficit spending itself become political Kryptonite?
CBS's main example of congressional indecision, however, was an urgently-needed Afghanistan war funding bill that the Senate has nearly doubled with additional spending, pushing it from $33 to $60 billion, and that has ballooned in the House to $80 billion.
That doesn't sound like a Congress that is becoming cowed by the need to throttle back spending.
CBS's Chip Reid Rails Against Failure to Extend Unemployment Benefits: 'Senate Republicans Are to Blame'
CBS's Chip Reid Rails Against Failure to Extend Unemployment Benefits: 'Senate Republicans Are to Blame':
CBS's Chip Reid on Thursday railed against the Senate for failing to extend unemployment benefits. The Evening News reporter opined, "So who's fault is that? On the surface, it appears Senate Republicans are to blame. Led by Mitch McConnell, they killed the bill with a filibuster."
At no point did Reid or fill-in anchor Scott Pelley discuss whether unemployment benefits should be extended yet again. Democratic culpability included having one member who sided with the Republicans. Reid chided, "Democrats also have themselves to blame. One Democrat, Ben Nelson of Nebraska, voted no. If he had voted with his party, the bill would have passed."
Pelley began the program by indignantly announcing, "We have decided to start with the 1.3 million Americans whose unemployment benefits have run out, stopped cold, in the last 30 days. And we're starting there because the U.S. Senate went on vacation today without solving the problem."
Later, Pelley tried class warfare as he implied that the politicians who failed to pass the legislation were selfish: "You know, it may be worth noting that the vacationing senators make about $174,000 a year and enjoy lifetime health and pension benefits."
At no point did Reid or fill-in anchor Scott Pelley discuss whether unemployment benefits should be extended yet again. Democratic culpability included having one member who sided with the Republicans. Reid chided, "Democrats also have themselves to blame. One Democrat, Ben Nelson of Nebraska, voted no. If he had voted with his party, the bill would have passed."
Pelley began the program by indignantly announcing, "We have decided to start with the 1.3 million Americans whose unemployment benefits have run out, stopped cold, in the last 30 days. And we're starting there because the U.S. Senate went on vacation today without solving the problem."
Later, Pelley tried class warfare as he implied that the politicians who failed to pass the legislation were selfish: "You know, it may be worth noting that the vacationing senators make about $174,000 a year and enjoy lifetime health and pension benefits."
MSNBC's Joe Scarborough Slams Boehner Work Ethic, Lauded Obama's Golfing as Trips to 'Happy Places'
MSNBC's Joe Scarborough Slams Boehner Work Ethic, Lauded Obama's Golfing as Trips to 'Happy Places':
MSNBC host Joe Scarborough on Thursday slammed John Boehner's work ethic, chiding the House Minority Leader for drinking and smoking cigars. This verbal assault came just ten days after the Morning Joe host defended Barack Obama's golf outing, asserting that he wants the President to have a "happy place to go to."
The former Republican congressman ridiculed Boehner, saying "Everybody on Capitol Hill knows about John Boehner, he's not exactly the hardest worker in the world. He's a guy that likes golf, and he's a guy that likes, you know, socializing."
Scarborough made sure to stress that even though he doesn't know John Boehner personally, he was just "reporting" what he heard on the Hill.
The host's version of reporting continued as he berated, "[Boehner] is what my mother used to term a good-time Charlie and that is not a negative term. He golfs, drinks, has a good time. There are a lot of people on Capitol Hill that do that and I don't judge any of them. I'm just reporting here."
In contrast, on June 21, 2010, Scarborough talked to former GE CEO Jack Welch and defended, "Jack, I want my leader, whether it's a president or a guy running my corporation or running whatever, to have a happy place to go to, where he or she can recharge. The President golfing every Sunday, that's not a problem, is it?"
A transcript of the July 1, 2010, "Morning Joe" segment is available here:
MSNBC host Joe Scarborough on Thursday slammed John Boehner's work ethic, chiding the House Minority Leader for drinking and smoking cigars. This verbal assault came just ten days after the Morning Joe host defended Barack Obama's golf outing, asserting that he wants the President to have a "happy place to go to."
The former Republican congressman ridiculed Boehner, saying "Everybody on Capitol Hill knows about John Boehner, he's not exactly the hardest worker in the world. He's a guy that likes golf, and he's a guy that likes, you know, socializing."
Scarborough made sure to stress that even though he doesn't know John Boehner personally, he was just "reporting" what he heard on the Hill.
The host's version of reporting continued as he berated, "[Boehner] is what my mother used to term a good-time Charlie and that is not a negative term. He golfs, drinks, has a good time. There are a lot of people on Capitol Hill that do that and I don't judge any of them. I'm just reporting here."
In contrast, on June 21, 2010, Scarborough talked to former GE CEO Jack Welch and defended, "Jack, I want my leader, whether it's a president or a guy running my corporation or running whatever, to have a happy place to go to, where he or she can recharge. The President golfing every Sunday, that's not a problem, is it?"
A transcript of the July 1, 2010, "Morning Joe" segment is available here:
PROPOSED INTERNET "KILL SWITCH" RAISES CONCERNS
PROPOSED INTERNET "KILL SWITCH" RAISES CONCERNS: "The Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee headed by Sen. Joe Lieberman unanimously approved the 'Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset Act of 2010' on June 28, moving the bill to the Senate for a full vote.
According to the Heartland Institute:
* The one aspect of the bill eliciting the most concern is the so-called 'kill switch,' which is how opponents describe the emergency authority given the president over the Internet in the event vulnerabilities are exploited.
* If enacted, the legislation would grant the president power to seize control of Internet assets in this country, similar to the control China exerts over the Internet within its borders.
'Right now, China, the government, can disconnect parts of its Internet in a case of war. We need to have that here, too,' says Sen. Lieberman.
While fear mongering may help Lieberman convince the public that it needs saving from the Internet, the only danger lurking in cyberspace is an authoritarian information monopoly, says Heartland.
Washington's most effective power grabs are always sold as needed security, but, predictably, they quickly manifest into little more than relinquished civil liberties, says Eric Garris, founder of antiwar.com.
'We're not China; we have freedom here,' says Garris. 'After 9-11, the Internet was essential to keep people from panicking. If the Internet had been shut down, there would have been more rumors and paranoia. There would be no facts getting to the people outside of what they could get on television. And there's no guarantee that television wouldn't be shut down as well.'
Source: Phil Britt, 'Proposed Internet 'Kill Switch' Raises Concerns,' Heartland Institute, June 30, 2010.
For text:
According to the Heartland Institute:
* The one aspect of the bill eliciting the most concern is the so-called 'kill switch,' which is how opponents describe the emergency authority given the president over the Internet in the event vulnerabilities are exploited.
* If enacted, the legislation would grant the president power to seize control of Internet assets in this country, similar to the control China exerts over the Internet within its borders.
'Right now, China, the government, can disconnect parts of its Internet in a case of war. We need to have that here, too,' says Sen. Lieberman.
While fear mongering may help Lieberman convince the public that it needs saving from the Internet, the only danger lurking in cyberspace is an authoritarian information monopoly, says Heartland.
Washington's most effective power grabs are always sold as needed security, but, predictably, they quickly manifest into little more than relinquished civil liberties, says Eric Garris, founder of antiwar.com.
'We're not China; we have freedom here,' says Garris. 'After 9-11, the Internet was essential to keep people from panicking. If the Internet had been shut down, there would have been more rumors and paranoia. There would be no facts getting to the people outside of what they could get on television. And there's no guarantee that television wouldn't be shut down as well.'
Source: Phil Britt, 'Proposed Internet 'Kill Switch' Raises Concerns,' Heartland Institute, June 30, 2010.
For text:
Calls to 'Rein in the Federal Government' Are 'Not Very Rational,' Al Hunt Declares on ABC
Calls to 'Rein in the Federal Government' Are 'Not Very Rational,' Al Hunt Declares on ABC: "“The side that talks about the need to rein in the federal government” is “not very rational,” yet “is winning” the debate over whether to pass another “stimulus” bill, Al Hunt regretted on Sunday’s This Week on ABC.
The former Washington Bureau Chief for the Wall Street Journal, who’s Washington Editor for Bloomberg where he hosts Bloomberg TV’s Political Capital show, fretted over how “right now, that argument – that we have to rein in because the stimulus didn’t work -- well, I think most economists would say the stimulus did work in the sense it would have been a lot worse if there hadn’t been one.”
Hunt’s assessment came in reaction to an outnumbered Dan Senor, the lone voice on the panel against additional government spending to spur the economy and who warned of a Greece in our future. New York Times columnist Paul Krugman charged the 2009 stimulus bill wasn’t big enough and proposed that in the face of a likely $20 trillion debt in ten years, “whether we borrow another $500 billion now” is “really trivial,” Cynthia Tucker of the Atlanta Constitution yearned for a new “robust stimulus” and Jorge Ramos of Univision declared: “We need more government intervention.”
The former Washington Bureau Chief for the Wall Street Journal, who’s Washington Editor for Bloomberg where he hosts Bloomberg TV’s Political Capital show, fretted over how “right now, that argument – that we have to rein in because the stimulus didn’t work -- well, I think most economists would say the stimulus did work in the sense it would have been a lot worse if there hadn’t been one.”
Hunt’s assessment came in reaction to an outnumbered Dan Senor, the lone voice on the panel against additional government spending to spur the economy and who warned of a Greece in our future. New York Times columnist Paul Krugman charged the 2009 stimulus bill wasn’t big enough and proposed that in the face of a likely $20 trillion debt in ten years, “whether we borrow another $500 billion now” is “really trivial,” Cynthia Tucker of the Atlanta Constitution yearned for a new “robust stimulus” and Jorge Ramos of Univision declared: “We need more government intervention.”
Trust the Palestinian Authority? - Daniel Pipes - National Review Online
Trust the Palestinian Authority? - Daniel Pipes - National Review Online: "Under Yasser Arafat, the Palestine Liberation Organization notoriously said one thing to Arab/Muslim audiences and the opposite to Israeli/Western ones, speaking venomously to the former and in dulcet tones to the latter. What about Arafat’s mild-mannered successor, Mahmoud Abbas? Did he break from this pattern of duplicity or continue it?
This question has renewed relevance because reports suggest Abbas is ready to offer Israel various territorial compromises; plus, he took unprecedented steps in granting an interview to Israeli journalists and meeting with American Jewish leaders at the S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace.
This question has renewed relevance because reports suggest Abbas is ready to offer Israel various territorial compromises; plus, he took unprecedented steps in granting an interview to Israeli journalists and meeting with American Jewish leaders at the S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace.
HOW TO GREATLY REDUCE THE FISCAL BURDEN OF ENTITLEMENTS
HOW TO GREATLY REDUCE THE FISCAL BURDEN OF ENTITLEMENTS: "Despite the seriousness of the rapid increase in government spending and fiscal deficits, the main budgetary issue facing all developed countries during the next couple of decades is the expected growth in spending on entitlements: mainly, spending on retirement incomes and medical care given to the elderly, says Gary Becker, an economist and Nobel laureate.
For example:
* The growth in these expenditures is partly due to growing life expectancy and relatively low birth rates that will raise the number of retirees collecting social security benefits while reducing the relative number of men and women who are working to pay for these benefits.
* The growth in medical entitlements is mainly the result of technological advances and other changes that have led to a sharp expansion in both private and public spending on medical care during the past several decades, an expansion that is expected to continue into the future.
According to Becker:
* The United States and other countries should greatly raise over time the retirement age before the average person can become eligible for either social security retirement income or publicly-funded health benefits.
* The United States has been slowly increasing the normal retirement age in stages first from age 65 to 66, and then to age 67 for everyone born after 1960.
These have been steps in the right direction, but they do not go far enough and have been too slow, says Becker:
* It is time to raise more rapidly the normal retirement age for persons in reasonably good health to age 70 before they become eligible for either Social Security or Medicare benefits.
* This would add three years to taxable earnings, and eventually reduce the number of elderly collecting Social Security benefits by almost 20 percent compared to what it would be under present retirement ages.
* It would also significantly reduce spending on Medicare, although by less than 20 percent since persons over age 75 take the bulk of this spending because they are in worse health than younger retirees.
Source: Gary Becker, 'How to Greatly Reduce the Fiscal Burden of Entitlements,' The Becker-Posner Blog, June 27, 2010.
For text:
For example:
* The growth in these expenditures is partly due to growing life expectancy and relatively low birth rates that will raise the number of retirees collecting social security benefits while reducing the relative number of men and women who are working to pay for these benefits.
* The growth in medical entitlements is mainly the result of technological advances and other changes that have led to a sharp expansion in both private and public spending on medical care during the past several decades, an expansion that is expected to continue into the future.
According to Becker:
* The United States and other countries should greatly raise over time the retirement age before the average person can become eligible for either social security retirement income or publicly-funded health benefits.
* The United States has been slowly increasing the normal retirement age in stages first from age 65 to 66, and then to age 67 for everyone born after 1960.
These have been steps in the right direction, but they do not go far enough and have been too slow, says Becker:
* It is time to raise more rapidly the normal retirement age for persons in reasonably good health to age 70 before they become eligible for either Social Security or Medicare benefits.
* This would add three years to taxable earnings, and eventually reduce the number of elderly collecting Social Security benefits by almost 20 percent compared to what it would be under present retirement ages.
* It would also significantly reduce spending on Medicare, although by less than 20 percent since persons over age 75 take the bulk of this spending because they are in worse health than younger retirees.
Source: Gary Becker, 'How to Greatly Reduce the Fiscal Burden of Entitlements,' The Becker-Posner Blog, June 27, 2010.
For text:
The Plum Line - It's official: Obama admin will sue Arizona
The Plum Line - It's official: Obama admin will sue Arizona: "So it's official: Obama's Justice Department will announce this week that it's suing Arizona to overturn the onerous immigration law.
In case you doubt that this will revive the national yelling match over immigration, the two Republican Senators from Arizona, John McCain and Jon Kyl, are already out with a statement bashing the decision as proof that the Obama administration is weak on enforcement:
'The American people must wonder whether the Obama Administration is really committed to securing the border when it sues a state that is simply trying to protect its people by enforcing immigration law.
'Attorney General Holder speaks of the 'federal government's responsibility' to enforce immigration laws; but what are the people of Arizona left to do when the federal government fails in its responsibility?
'The Obama Administration has not done everything it can do to protect the people of Arizona from the violence and crime illegal immigration brings to our state. Until it does, the federal government should not be suing Arizona on the grounds that immigration enforcement is solely a federal responsibility.'
In case you doubt that this will revive the national yelling match over immigration, the two Republican Senators from Arizona, John McCain and Jon Kyl, are already out with a statement bashing the decision as proof that the Obama administration is weak on enforcement:
'The American people must wonder whether the Obama Administration is really committed to securing the border when it sues a state that is simply trying to protect its people by enforcing immigration law.
'Attorney General Holder speaks of the 'federal government's responsibility' to enforce immigration laws; but what are the people of Arizona left to do when the federal government fails in its responsibility?
'The Obama Administration has not done everything it can do to protect the people of Arizona from the violence and crime illegal immigration brings to our state. Until it does, the federal government should not be suing Arizona on the grounds that immigration enforcement is solely a federal responsibility.'
Thin grey line: Pensioners armed with spy cameras take on gang of drug dealers... and win | Mail Online
Thin grey line: Pensioners armed with spy cameras take on gang of drug dealers... and win | Mail Online: "When gangs of drug dealers and yobs descended on the streets of a small community, most residents decided it was best to keep out of their way.
But a group of fearless pensioners refused to bow to intimidation and have started a fightback against the crime ruining their area.
Armed with £15,000 of the latest surveillance and night vision equipment, they covertly film criminals going about their business and then pass the images on to police.
The group of 11 - aged between 67 and 92 - claim to have helped catch more than 100 criminals on the Highfields estate in Leicestershire using CCTV and long-range cameras.
The elderly team spend their days drawing up hit-lists of drug dealers during clandestine tea meetings and naming and shaming criminals on social networking websites.
Spokesman Albert Berer said the pensioners, known as the St Peter’s Neighbourhood Monitoring group, were determined not to let yobs and criminals take over their estate.
‘We are not your typical ‘twitching net curtain’ neighbourhood watch - we mean business,’ he said.
‘All the group, apart from myself, is made up of retired elderly people, who are scared out of their wits about what is happening in their neighbourhood.
‘We literally cannot go out at night because of hooded louts causing mayhem outside our front doors, along our walkways and on our streets.’
He said the group planned highly-detailed missions to pinpoint and catch the criminals who plagued the area.
Four of the team do most of the filming.
‘Often we sit around the table with a cup of tea drawing up a hit list of which drug dealers we are going to target next,’ he said.
But a group of fearless pensioners refused to bow to intimidation and have started a fightback against the crime ruining their area.
Armed with £15,000 of the latest surveillance and night vision equipment, they covertly film criminals going about their business and then pass the images on to police.
The group of 11 - aged between 67 and 92 - claim to have helped catch more than 100 criminals on the Highfields estate in Leicestershire using CCTV and long-range cameras.
The elderly team spend their days drawing up hit-lists of drug dealers during clandestine tea meetings and naming and shaming criminals on social networking websites.
Spokesman Albert Berer said the pensioners, known as the St Peter’s Neighbourhood Monitoring group, were determined not to let yobs and criminals take over their estate.
‘We are not your typical ‘twitching net curtain’ neighbourhood watch - we mean business,’ he said.
‘All the group, apart from myself, is made up of retired elderly people, who are scared out of their wits about what is happening in their neighbourhood.
‘We literally cannot go out at night because of hooded louts causing mayhem outside our front doors, along our walkways and on our streets.’
He said the group planned highly-detailed missions to pinpoint and catch the criminals who plagued the area.
Four of the team do most of the filming.
‘Often we sit around the table with a cup of tea drawing up a hit list of which drug dealers we are going to target next,’ he said.
CNSNews.com - Poll: More Think Obama Stimulus Hurt Employment Than Helped
CNSNews.com - Poll: More Think Obama Stimulus Hurt Employment Than Helped: "A plurality of Americans believe President Barack Obama’s stimulus package has harmed economic growth, according to a Rasmussen Reports poll released on Friday.
Less than a third, 29 percent, believe the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, better known as the stimulus package, improved the economy. Meanwhile, 43 percent believe it hurt the economy.
The survey was released the same day that the Labor Department released its monthly figures showing that while the number of job cuts were 125,000, the unemployment rate went down from 9.7 percent to 9.5 percent, or two-tenths of a percentage point. President Obama signed the $787 billion stimulus package in February 2009, vowing the bill would save or create 3.5 million to 4 million jobs.
This man is a complete failure, unable to execute the office he had all the answers for. ~ The Munz
Less than a third, 29 percent, believe the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, better known as the stimulus package, improved the economy. Meanwhile, 43 percent believe it hurt the economy.
The survey was released the same day that the Labor Department released its monthly figures showing that while the number of job cuts were 125,000, the unemployment rate went down from 9.7 percent to 9.5 percent, or two-tenths of a percentage point. President Obama signed the $787 billion stimulus package in February 2009, vowing the bill would save or create 3.5 million to 4 million jobs.
This man is a complete failure, unable to execute the office he had all the answers for. ~ The Munz
CNSNews.com - A Majority of U.S. Combat Casualties in Nine-Year-Long Afghanistan War Have Occurred in Less Than Year-and-a-Half of Obama Presidency
CNSNews.com - A Majority of U.S. Combat Casualties in Nine-Year-Long Afghanistan War Have Occurred in Less Than Year-and-a-Half of Obama Presidency:
(CNSNews.com) – A majority of all combat-related U.S. casualties in the nine-year-long war in Afghanistan have occurred since President Barack Obama was inaugurated a little more than 17 months ago.
Between Jan. 20, 2009 and July 2, 2010, according to CNSNews.com's database of Afghanistan war casualties, U.S. military personnel suffered 452 combat-related deaths in Afghanistan. That amounts to more than half of the total of 900 combat-related fatalities suffered by U.S. forces in Afghanistan during the entire nine years of the war.
To see a month-by-month chart of U.S. combat casualties in Afghanistan since October 2001 click here.
(CNSNews.com) – A majority of all combat-related U.S. casualties in the nine-year-long war in Afghanistan have occurred since President Barack Obama was inaugurated a little more than 17 months ago.
Between Jan. 20, 2009 and July 2, 2010, according to CNSNews.com's database of Afghanistan war casualties, U.S. military personnel suffered 452 combat-related deaths in Afghanistan. That amounts to more than half of the total of 900 combat-related fatalities suffered by U.S. forces in Afghanistan during the entire nine years of the war.
To see a month-by-month chart of U.S. combat casualties in Afghanistan since October 2001 click here.
TSA to Block "Controversial Opinion" on the Web - CBS News Investigates - CBS News
TSA to Block "Controversial Opinion" on the Web - CBS News Investigates - CBS News: "The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is blocking certain websites from the federal agency's computers, including halting access by staffers to any Internet pages that contain a 'controversial opinion,' according to an internal email obtained by CBS News.
The email was sent to all TSA employees from the Office of Information Technology on Friday afternoon.
It states that as of July 1, TSA employees will no longer be allowed to access five categories of websites that have been deemed 'inappropriate for government access.'
The categories include:
• Chat/Messaging
• Controversial opinion
• Criminal activity
• Extreme violence (including cartoon violence) and gruesome content
• Gaming
The email does not specify how the TSA will determine if a website expresses a 'controversial opinion.'
There is also no explanation as to why controversial opinions are being blocked, although the email stated that some of the restricted websites violate the Employee Responsibilities and Conduct policy.
The TSA did not return calls seeking comment by publication time.
- Sent using Google Toolbar"
The email was sent to all TSA employees from the Office of Information Technology on Friday afternoon.
It states that as of July 1, TSA employees will no longer be allowed to access five categories of websites that have been deemed 'inappropriate for government access.'
The categories include:
• Chat/Messaging
• Controversial opinion
• Criminal activity
• Extreme violence (including cartoon violence) and gruesome content
• Gaming
The email does not specify how the TSA will determine if a website expresses a 'controversial opinion.'
There is also no explanation as to why controversial opinions are being blocked, although the email stated that some of the restricted websites violate the Employee Responsibilities and Conduct policy.
The TSA did not return calls seeking comment by publication time.
- Sent using Google Toolbar"
Edwin Vieira, Jr. -- Obama Must Stand Up Now or Step Down
Edwin Vieira, Jr. -- Obama Must Stand Up Now or Step Down: "America is facing potentially the gravest constitutional crisis in her history. Barack Obama must either stand up in a public forum and prove, with conclusive documentary evidence, that he is “a natural born Citizen” of the United States who has not renounced his American citizenship—or he must step down as the Democratic Party’s candidate for President of the United States—preferably before the election is held, and in any event before the Electoral College meets. Because, pursuant to the Constitution, only “a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States at the time of the Adoption of th[e] Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President” (Article II, Section 1, Clause 4). And Obama clearly was not “a Citizen of the United States at the time of the Adoption of th[e] Constitution.”
Whether the evidence will show that Obama is, or is not, “a natural born Citizen” who has never renounced his American citizenship is an open question. The arguments on both sides are as yet speculative. But Obama’s stubborn refusal to provide what he claims is “his own” country with conclusive proof on that score compels the presumption that he knows, or at least strongly suspects, that no sufficient evidence in his favor exists. After all, he is not being pressed to solve a problem in quantum physics that is “above his pay grade,” but only asked to provide the public with the original copy of some official record that establishes his citizenship. The vast majority of Americans could easily do so. Why will Obama not dispel the doubts about his eligibility—unless he can not?
Too bad people didn't pay attention then ... but it matters not, Obama will go down as the usurper that he is in history. ~~ The Munz
Whether the evidence will show that Obama is, or is not, “a natural born Citizen” who has never renounced his American citizenship is an open question. The arguments on both sides are as yet speculative. But Obama’s stubborn refusal to provide what he claims is “his own” country with conclusive proof on that score compels the presumption that he knows, or at least strongly suspects, that no sufficient evidence in his favor exists. After all, he is not being pressed to solve a problem in quantum physics that is “above his pay grade,” but only asked to provide the public with the original copy of some official record that establishes his citizenship. The vast majority of Americans could easily do so. Why will Obama not dispel the doubts about his eligibility—unless he can not?
Too bad people didn't pay attention then ... but it matters not, Obama will go down as the usurper that he is in history. ~~ The Munz
Obama aide's hidden union payment smells like NY--Editorial - NYPOST.com
Obama aide's hidden union payment smells like NY--Editorial - NYPOST.com:
The Obama team has been knocked for bringing "Chicago style" politics to Washington -- but if you ask us, things down there are starting to smell suspiciously like . . . Albany.
A terrifying thought.
Politico reported last week that one of the president's top political advisers, Patrick Gaspard, took home nearly $40,000 last year from one of the country's most powerful labor unions -- without telling a soul.
You'd think that's the sort of trick that only New York state legislators, who regularly engage in off-the-books moonlighting for special interests, would be brazen enough to try.
Christopher Sadowski
Patrick Gaspard, Director of the Office of Political Affairs
Yet Gaspard has the ear of the president of the United States.
The cash was part of a severance package from health-care-union giant SEIU 1199, for whom Gaspard previously worked as political director.
Though required by law to disclose such income, he failed to do so.
The White House now says it's fixing the error, calling the update a "small administrative change."
Forgive us if we're skeptical of such protestations of innocence.
After all, having it made public last year that a top aide was on the payroll of a health-care union couldn't have helped the push for ObamaCare.
Tony Rezko cut Patti Blagojevich $40,000 check at the same time Blagojeviches needed $40,000 for home repairs. - The Blago Blog
Tony Rezko cut Patti Blagojevich $40,000 check at the same time Blagojeviches needed $40,000 for home repairs. - The Blago Blog: "Through its latest witness, prosecutors are following the money trail from Tony Rezko to pay for contractors who worked on a major Blagojevich home renovation.
Prosecution witness Robert Williams, Rezmar Chief Financial Office, read off the list of contractors who did work on the Blagojevich family's Ravenswood Manor home.
The main contractor and the subcontractors all were companies tied to Rezko.
The total amount to be paid to the various subcontractors at that time in January of 2004: $39,966.68.
Williams previously said Rezko asked him to pay $40,000 to Patti Blagojevich during the same time frame. Though the money purported to be commission for the sale of a condo unit, Williams said he wasn't aware of any work Patti Blagojevich did to earn the commission.
Prosecution witness Robert Williams, Rezmar Chief Financial Office, read off the list of contractors who did work on the Blagojevich family's Ravenswood Manor home.
The main contractor and the subcontractors all were companies tied to Rezko.
The total amount to be paid to the various subcontractors at that time in January of 2004: $39,966.68.
Williams previously said Rezko asked him to pay $40,000 to Patti Blagojevich during the same time frame. Though the money purported to be commission for the sale of a condo unit, Williams said he wasn't aware of any work Patti Blagojevich did to earn the commission.
The Greenroom » Reid Campaign Targets Angle Supporters With Phishing Website
The Greenroom » Reid Campaign Targets Angle Supporters With Phishing Website: "A few days ago, Sharron Angle launched a new format to her website, giving the campaign a more professional looking web portal.
Harry Reid’s campaign, however, took the code from the prior Angle website and launched a website called “TheRealSharronAngle.com.” The fake website was what, in internet terminology, is called spoofing, where a seemingly real website is created, usually to obtain information under false pretenses (frequently referred to as “phishing”).
The purported purpose of the spoofed website — according to a press release by the Reid campaign — was to preserve Angle’s position statements on various issues — but that purpose surely was contrived, since Angle’s prior website was cited and quoted extensively. All of Angle’s positions, as reflected on the original website, were fully preserved.
There even was a controversy back in June when the “issues” section of Angle’s original website momentarily disappeared as the website was being revamped, and there were plenty of screen shots and other information preserved from the original website. For example, in early June a reporter easily recovered old Angle web pages from Google Cache.
Harry Reid’s campaign, however, took the code from the prior Angle website and launched a website called “TheRealSharronAngle.com.” The fake website was what, in internet terminology, is called spoofing, where a seemingly real website is created, usually to obtain information under false pretenses (frequently referred to as “phishing”).
The purported purpose of the spoofed website — according to a press release by the Reid campaign — was to preserve Angle’s position statements on various issues — but that purpose surely was contrived, since Angle’s prior website was cited and quoted extensively. All of Angle’s positions, as reflected on the original website, were fully preserved.
There even was a controversy back in June when the “issues” section of Angle’s original website momentarily disappeared as the website was being revamped, and there were plenty of screen shots and other information preserved from the original website. For example, in early June a reporter easily recovered old Angle web pages from Google Cache.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)