Palin's Church Hit by Arson
Saturday, December 13, 2008 9:00 PM
Gov. Sarah Palin's home church was badly damaged by arson, leading the governor to apologize if the fire was connected to "undeserved negative attention" from her failed campaign as the Republican vice presidential nominee.
Damage to the Wasilla Bible Church was estimated at $1 million, authorities said Saturday. No one was injured in the fire, which was set Friday night while a handful of people, including two children, were inside, according to Central Mat-Su Fire Chief James Steele.
He said the blaze was being investigated as an arson but didn't know of any recent threats to the church. Authorities didn't know whether Palin's connection to the church was relevant to the fire, Steele said.
"It's hard to say at this point. Everything is just speculation," he said. "We have no information on intent or motive."
Steele would not comment on the means used to set the fire.
Pastor Larry Kroon declined to say whether the church had received any recent threats.
"There are so many variables," he said. "I don't want to comment in that direction."
Palin, who was not at the church at the time of the fire, stopped by Saturday. Her spokesman, Bill McAllister, said in a statement that Palin told an assistant pastor she was sorry if the fire was connected to the "undeserved negative attention" the church has received since she became the vice presidential candidate Aug. 29.
"Whatever the motives of the arsonist, the governor has faith in the scriptural passage that what was intended for evil will in some way be used for good," McAllister said.
The 1,000-member evangelical church was the subject of intense scrutiny after Palin was named John McCain's running mate. Early in Palin's campaign, the church was criticized for promoting in a Sunday bulletin a Focus on the Family "Love Won Out Conference" in Anchorage. The conference promised to "help men and women dissatisfied with living homosexually understand that same-sex attractions can be overcome."
The fire was set at the entrance of the church and moved inward as a small group of women were working on crafts, Steele said. The group was alerted to the blaze by a fire alarm.
Outside temperatures were minus 20 as firefighters battled the blaze.
Steele said a multi-agency task force was being assembled to investigate the fire.
Wasilla, the governor's hometown, is 40 miles north of Anchorage.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
New York Deserves A Qualified Senator
New York Deserves A Qualified Senator
By INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY | Posted Tuesday, December 16, 2008 4:20 PM PT
Elitism: Is Democratic New York Gov. David Paterson his own man? If he is, he'll appoint an accomplished leader as senator. If he isn't, he'll kowtow to the party bosses and pick . . . a Kennedy.
When the Empire State's legally-blind governor made a huge stink this week about an NBC "Saturday Night Live" skit that lampooned him, was he just conniving to convince New Yorkers how independent and determined he is — prior to caving in on Caroline Kennedy?
In the days since Gov. Paterson was depicted by comic Fred Armisen as confused and disoriented, holding charts upside down and wandering into the following sketch, our nation's touchy advocates for the disabled have taken umbrage at "SNL's" impudence and demanded an apology.
Paterson himself called it a "third-grade depiction of people and the way they look" that could lead people to think "disability goes hand-in-hand with an inability to run a government or business."
If he had any sense of humor — and really was as self-deprecating as his friends claim — he would show up on the set of the next "SNL" taping and take the sketch a step further.
Getting mad at comedians in an attempt to curry special-interest favor is no proof that Paterson, who replaced the disgraced Eliot Spitzer, makes his own decisions.
But the answer to the question of whether New York's chief executive takes orders from his party's power brokers, or acts on behalf of the people of his state, will come when he makes his decision on who will replace Secretary of State-designate Hillary Clinton.
Is this U.S. Senate seat, once held by such men of principle as Daniel Patrick Moynihan, James L. Buckley, and, yes, Bobby Kennedy, just a political football?
When the Democratic Party bosses in New York, like the now-scandal-plagued House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel, decided during the waning days of the Clinton administration that the first lady would be handed the state's Democratic senatorial nomination as a stepping stone to the presidency, others had to step aside.
New York Democrats who had actually done things for the state over the course of many years, like Westchester Rep. Nita Lowey, agreed to put their ambitions on hold for the sake of a non-New Yorker. Nearly a decade later, will prominent New York Democrats once again be asked to do the same as a favor to the Kennedy family?
What an insult to the former state comptroller and gubernatorial nominee Carl McCall, as well as to New York City-born Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, veteran Manhattan/Queens Rep. Carolyn Maloney, the state's popular current comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr., and longtime Bronx Rep. Jose Serrano.
Apart from Maloney, all the above major players on the New York political scene are either black or Hispanic.
It would also be a snub to state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, son of the former governor and ex-husband to one of Bobby Kennedy's daughters, who conducted an aggressive and even-handed investigation last year of fellow Democrat and ex-Governor Spitzer's misuse of the state police to spy on his chief Republican rival, State Senate Majority leader Joseph Bruno.
Caroline Kennedy has no qualifications to serve as a member of the nation's highest elective body. Her achievements amount to: organizing a rock concert in Central Park to raise private money for New York City public schools (to augment the zillions in taxes they already get); serving on the board of a ballet company; and writing a memo to Barack Obama comparing possible running mates.
Caroline has now dug into the deep Kennedy pockets to hire a top New York political consultant to both Democrats and Republicans, Josh Isay.
The ailing Sen. Ted Kennedy's appearance at the Democratic National Convention this summer has apparently brought the politically glamorous Kennedy family back into fashion.
But does New York's governor really want his legacy to be that he served as the hired help at Camelot?
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By INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY | Posted Tuesday, December 16, 2008 4:20 PM PT
Elitism: Is Democratic New York Gov. David Paterson his own man? If he is, he'll appoint an accomplished leader as senator. If he isn't, he'll kowtow to the party bosses and pick . . . a Kennedy.
When the Empire State's legally-blind governor made a huge stink this week about an NBC "Saturday Night Live" skit that lampooned him, was he just conniving to convince New Yorkers how independent and determined he is — prior to caving in on Caroline Kennedy?
In the days since Gov. Paterson was depicted by comic Fred Armisen as confused and disoriented, holding charts upside down and wandering into the following sketch, our nation's touchy advocates for the disabled have taken umbrage at "SNL's" impudence and demanded an apology.
Paterson himself called it a "third-grade depiction of people and the way they look" that could lead people to think "disability goes hand-in-hand with an inability to run a government or business."
If he had any sense of humor — and really was as self-deprecating as his friends claim — he would show up on the set of the next "SNL" taping and take the sketch a step further.
Getting mad at comedians in an attempt to curry special-interest favor is no proof that Paterson, who replaced the disgraced Eliot Spitzer, makes his own decisions.
But the answer to the question of whether New York's chief executive takes orders from his party's power brokers, or acts on behalf of the people of his state, will come when he makes his decision on who will replace Secretary of State-designate Hillary Clinton.
Is this U.S. Senate seat, once held by such men of principle as Daniel Patrick Moynihan, James L. Buckley, and, yes, Bobby Kennedy, just a political football?
When the Democratic Party bosses in New York, like the now-scandal-plagued House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel, decided during the waning days of the Clinton administration that the first lady would be handed the state's Democratic senatorial nomination as a stepping stone to the presidency, others had to step aside.
New York Democrats who had actually done things for the state over the course of many years, like Westchester Rep. Nita Lowey, agreed to put their ambitions on hold for the sake of a non-New Yorker. Nearly a decade later, will prominent New York Democrats once again be asked to do the same as a favor to the Kennedy family?
What an insult to the former state comptroller and gubernatorial nominee Carl McCall, as well as to New York City-born Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, veteran Manhattan/Queens Rep. Carolyn Maloney, the state's popular current comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr., and longtime Bronx Rep. Jose Serrano.
Apart from Maloney, all the above major players on the New York political scene are either black or Hispanic.
It would also be a snub to state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, son of the former governor and ex-husband to one of Bobby Kennedy's daughters, who conducted an aggressive and even-handed investigation last year of fellow Democrat and ex-Governor Spitzer's misuse of the state police to spy on his chief Republican rival, State Senate Majority leader Joseph Bruno.
Caroline Kennedy has no qualifications to serve as a member of the nation's highest elective body. Her achievements amount to: organizing a rock concert in Central Park to raise private money for New York City public schools (to augment the zillions in taxes they already get); serving on the board of a ballet company; and writing a memo to Barack Obama comparing possible running mates.
Caroline has now dug into the deep Kennedy pockets to hire a top New York political consultant to both Democrats and Republicans, Josh Isay.
The ailing Sen. Ted Kennedy's appearance at the Democratic National Convention this summer has apparently brought the politically glamorous Kennedy family back into fashion.
But does New York's governor really want his legacy to be that he served as the hired help at Camelot?
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Detroit Did All That?
By INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY | Posted Tuesday, December 16, 2008 4:20 PM PT
Economy: Taxpayers are being told that the middle class itself may be in peril if they don't bail out the auto industry. Look behind that tall claim and you'll find a liberal creation myth.
As the fate of General Motors, Chrysler and maybe Ford continues to hang in the balance, we hear increasingly dire talk about what might ensue if any of these companies has to seek protection under bankruptcy laws.
These companies would fold, millions of jobs would be lost, and America would lose a national-security linchpin. To top it all off, the survival of the middle class may be at stake, or so we're told.
Michigan's senior senator, Carl Levin, acknowledged on National Public Radio earlier this month that taxpayers may be reluctant to bail out Detroit. But he added: "I think everybody wants the middle class to survive, and the manufacturing centers of this country — wherever they are — have been a great source of the middle class to this country."
Fellow Senate Michigander Debbie Stabenow has said: "To fundamentally have a middle class in this country, we need to support the people who started the middle class: the automakers."
Both Levin and Stabenow may be taking a cue from UAW President Ron Gettelfinger, who has told union delegates that "the real issue is the backbone of America — an industry that does more for the economy than any other industry and, quite frankly, made the middle class what it is today."
Did Detroit really do all that? If so, then America had no middle class to speak of until the early 20th century.
Most historians would find that idea strange, but it springs from a view of history that seems widely held in the labor movement and the Democratic Party. This is the theory that unions essentially created the modern middle class in the mid-20th century by boosting the wages and benefits of millions of manufacturing workers.
You might call this the liberals' Middle Class Creation Myth. The auto industry is central to that tale not because of its bosses but because of the UAW, whose lavish contracts set the standard for the rest of organized labor. So all the talk today about saving the auto industry in order to save the middle class is really about preserving those union contracts.
The Big Three could survive and maybe even thrive by cutting their wage and benefit costs to the levels enjoyed by Toyota, Honda and other foreign companies that make cars in the U.S. Bankruptcy protection (or a similar government-supervised process) would release Detroit from its current UAW contracts and enable it to speed up the process, now far too slow, of closing that labor-cost gap.
We doubt if that is what Stabenow and Levin want. It's certainly not what Gettelfinger would want. But it's what Detroit needs to become competitive again. It's also what autoworkers need if they want to keep their jobs for the long term.
History teaches a couple of lessons here. One is that, as the labor movement boasts, wages and benefits did indeed rise in the late 1940s and 1950s, when private-sector unions were at their maximum strength.
But another lesson is that American industry had unusual advantages during that time, when Europe and Japan were still rebuilding and offered no serious competition. It was a phase that could not last, and unions could not stem the drain of jobs out of the U.S. manufacturing sector.
No fact makes this point better than the UAW's own dramatic shrinkage, from 1.5 million members in 1979 to fewer than half a million today. Such is the downside to a strategy of raising wages through collective muscle. When labor gets priced to a point where a machine can do a job more cheaply than a worker, the worker is out of a job.
So there has to be a better way to build an enduring middle class. In fact, there is. Long before the UAW was founded or the first car rolled off the assembly line, Americans were working their way into the middle class through education and individual initiative. Many have made that move up by way of Detroit. But Detroit is only one of myriad routes that the enterprising can choose.
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By INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY | Posted Tuesday, December 16, 2008 4:20 PM PT
Economy: Taxpayers are being told that the middle class itself may be in peril if they don't bail out the auto industry. Look behind that tall claim and you'll find a liberal creation myth.
As the fate of General Motors, Chrysler and maybe Ford continues to hang in the balance, we hear increasingly dire talk about what might ensue if any of these companies has to seek protection under bankruptcy laws.
These companies would fold, millions of jobs would be lost, and America would lose a national-security linchpin. To top it all off, the survival of the middle class may be at stake, or so we're told.
Michigan's senior senator, Carl Levin, acknowledged on National Public Radio earlier this month that taxpayers may be reluctant to bail out Detroit. But he added: "I think everybody wants the middle class to survive, and the manufacturing centers of this country — wherever they are — have been a great source of the middle class to this country."
Fellow Senate Michigander Debbie Stabenow has said: "To fundamentally have a middle class in this country, we need to support the people who started the middle class: the automakers."
Both Levin and Stabenow may be taking a cue from UAW President Ron Gettelfinger, who has told union delegates that "the real issue is the backbone of America — an industry that does more for the economy than any other industry and, quite frankly, made the middle class what it is today."
Did Detroit really do all that? If so, then America had no middle class to speak of until the early 20th century.
Most historians would find that idea strange, but it springs from a view of history that seems widely held in the labor movement and the Democratic Party. This is the theory that unions essentially created the modern middle class in the mid-20th century by boosting the wages and benefits of millions of manufacturing workers.
You might call this the liberals' Middle Class Creation Myth. The auto industry is central to that tale not because of its bosses but because of the UAW, whose lavish contracts set the standard for the rest of organized labor. So all the talk today about saving the auto industry in order to save the middle class is really about preserving those union contracts.
The Big Three could survive and maybe even thrive by cutting their wage and benefit costs to the levels enjoyed by Toyota, Honda and other foreign companies that make cars in the U.S. Bankruptcy protection (or a similar government-supervised process) would release Detroit from its current UAW contracts and enable it to speed up the process, now far too slow, of closing that labor-cost gap.
We doubt if that is what Stabenow and Levin want. It's certainly not what Gettelfinger would want. But it's what Detroit needs to become competitive again. It's also what autoworkers need if they want to keep their jobs for the long term.
History teaches a couple of lessons here. One is that, as the labor movement boasts, wages and benefits did indeed rise in the late 1940s and 1950s, when private-sector unions were at their maximum strength.
But another lesson is that American industry had unusual advantages during that time, when Europe and Japan were still rebuilding and offered no serious competition. It was a phase that could not last, and unions could not stem the drain of jobs out of the U.S. manufacturing sector.
No fact makes this point better than the UAW's own dramatic shrinkage, from 1.5 million members in 1979 to fewer than half a million today. Such is the downside to a strategy of raising wages through collective muscle. When labor gets priced to a point where a machine can do a job more cheaply than a worker, the worker is out of a job.
So there has to be a better way to build an enduring middle class. In fact, there is. Long before the UAW was founded or the first car rolled off the assembly line, Americans were working their way into the middle class through education and individual initiative. Many have made that move up by way of Detroit. But Detroit is only one of myriad routes that the enterprising can choose.
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Treasury: ‘No Decision’ Yet On Bailout Money
Treasury: ‘No Decision’ Yet on Using Financial-Industry Bailout Money to Bailout Auto Industry
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
By Matt Cover
U.S. Sen. Carl Levin addresses the media in Detroit, Monday, Dec. 15, 2008. (AP Photo)(CNSNews.com) – The Treasury Department is reviewing information from U.S. automakers and advising the White House about the possibility of using funds from the $700 billion financial bailout, passed in October, to bail out the car giants following the failure to pass a $14 billion bill in the Senate last week.
“We continue to assess and review the information we have received from the automakers,” Treasury spokesman Brookly McLaughlin told CNSNews.com. “(We) are providing the White House with regular briefings on our thinking.
“No decisions have been made,” she said.
House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) opposes a bailout of American automakers, with or without using part of the $700 billion in the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP).
“Leader Boehner is against any taxpayer-funded bailout of the auto industry, whether it uses billions of dollars from TARP or billions of dollars from another source of taxpayer funds,” Boehner spokesman Michael Steel told CNSNews.com.
“TARP money has (already) been used in a manner that is much different than how the program was described before it passed through Congress, and that’s a matter of significant concern,” Steel said.
However, Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) said that the TARP was always intended to save large, troubled industries.
“It was always the intent of the TARP program to assist industries whose collapse would have a major impact on the economy, including the financial sector,” Levin said in a press release Friday. “The effort to provide emergency bridge loans to U.S. automakers is still very much alive.”
Under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, signed into law on Oct. 3, the Treasury may only use funds from the Troubled Assets Relief Program to aid “financial institutions.”
“The Secretary is authorized to establish the TARP to purchase troubled assets from any financial institution,” the law reads. It further says: “The term ‘financial institution’ means any institution, including, but not limited to, any bank, savings association, credit union, security broker or dealer, or insurance company.”
This means that automakers cannot receive bailout money, according to Heritage Foundation Senior Legal Analyst Andrew Grossman.
“I don’t think it’s legal,” Grossman told CNSNews.com. “If you look at the statute the way the courts look at a statute, you’ll see that the ‘financial institutions’ definition simply could not include the automakers.”
“The power-granting phrase in the (bailout) law is pretty broad,” Grossman said. “The only limiting term that is in there is ‘financial institutions.’ If you look in the definition of ‘financial institution,’ it’s not just those things (named in the law) – it’s things like those things. You don’t read it as saying it could be ‘anything.’
“It can’t possibly mean just any institution – such as an automaker – because then it wouldn’t mean anything (at all),” said Grossman. “The statute is not ambiguous on this point. There might be close cases, (but) whether an automaker is a financial institution, however, is not a close case. It isn’t.”
Treasury has spent nearly all of the first $350 billion in TARP money, leaving only $15 billion before it must return to Congress and ask for the remaining $350 billion.
The bailout plan that failed in the Senate last week called for $14 billion in emergency funding as well as an unspecified amount to finance the restructuring of U.S. automakers, suggesting that Treasury would need to request the remaining $350 billion if it tried to use TARP to prop up the auto industry.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
By Matt Cover
U.S. Sen. Carl Levin addresses the media in Detroit, Monday, Dec. 15, 2008. (AP Photo)(CNSNews.com) – The Treasury Department is reviewing information from U.S. automakers and advising the White House about the possibility of using funds from the $700 billion financial bailout, passed in October, to bail out the car giants following the failure to pass a $14 billion bill in the Senate last week.
“We continue to assess and review the information we have received from the automakers,” Treasury spokesman Brookly McLaughlin told CNSNews.com. “(We) are providing the White House with regular briefings on our thinking.
“No decisions have been made,” she said.
House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) opposes a bailout of American automakers, with or without using part of the $700 billion in the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP).
“Leader Boehner is against any taxpayer-funded bailout of the auto industry, whether it uses billions of dollars from TARP or billions of dollars from another source of taxpayer funds,” Boehner spokesman Michael Steel told CNSNews.com.
“TARP money has (already) been used in a manner that is much different than how the program was described before it passed through Congress, and that’s a matter of significant concern,” Steel said.
However, Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) said that the TARP was always intended to save large, troubled industries.
“It was always the intent of the TARP program to assist industries whose collapse would have a major impact on the economy, including the financial sector,” Levin said in a press release Friday. “The effort to provide emergency bridge loans to U.S. automakers is still very much alive.”
Under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, signed into law on Oct. 3, the Treasury may only use funds from the Troubled Assets Relief Program to aid “financial institutions.”
“The Secretary is authorized to establish the TARP to purchase troubled assets from any financial institution,” the law reads. It further says: “The term ‘financial institution’ means any institution, including, but not limited to, any bank, savings association, credit union, security broker or dealer, or insurance company.”
This means that automakers cannot receive bailout money, according to Heritage Foundation Senior Legal Analyst Andrew Grossman.
“I don’t think it’s legal,” Grossman told CNSNews.com. “If you look at the statute the way the courts look at a statute, you’ll see that the ‘financial institutions’ definition simply could not include the automakers.”
“The power-granting phrase in the (bailout) law is pretty broad,” Grossman said. “The only limiting term that is in there is ‘financial institutions.’ If you look in the definition of ‘financial institution,’ it’s not just those things (named in the law) – it’s things like those things. You don’t read it as saying it could be ‘anything.’
“It can’t possibly mean just any institution – such as an automaker – because then it wouldn’t mean anything (at all),” said Grossman. “The statute is not ambiguous on this point. There might be close cases, (but) whether an automaker is a financial institution, however, is not a close case. It isn’t.”
Treasury has spent nearly all of the first $350 billion in TARP money, leaving only $15 billion before it must return to Congress and ask for the remaining $350 billion.
The bailout plan that failed in the Senate last week called for $14 billion in emergency funding as well as an unspecified amount to finance the restructuring of U.S. automakers, suggesting that Treasury would need to request the remaining $350 billion if it tried to use TARP to prop up the auto industry.
Pay $450 Billion Just to Cover Interest on National Debt
Uncle Sam Will Pay $450 Billion This Year Just to Cover Interest on National Debt
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
By Josiah Ryan, Staff Writer
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Dec. 15, 2008. (AP Photo)(CNSNews.com) - A November Treasury Department report states that the interest payment on the federal debt for Fiscal Year 2009 will be about $450 billion, making it the fourth largest expense in the federal budget behind Medicare-Medicaid, Social Security and defense spending.
The federal fiscal year runs from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30. The Treasury Department report presents the budget estimates for the full fiscal year 2009, which the interest payment and federal department budget projections are based upon.
If President-elect Barack Obama and the Democratic congressional leadership enact a proposed $1 trillion stimulus plan in early 2009, it could add about $50 billion to those annual interest payments, budget experts told CNSNews.com on Monday.
According to the Treasury Department report, released on Dec. 10, the federal government expects to pay $449,070,000.00 in interest on Treasury debt securities for FY 2009.
The Health and Human Services budget, which includes Medicare and Medicaid, will cost $739,241,000.00 for the fiscal year; Social Security Administration, $699,976,000.00; and the Defense Department-Military budget, $656,722,000.00. (Estimates by the White House’s Office of Management and Budget are nearly identical.)
Chris Edwards, director of tax policy studies at the libertarian Cato Institute, told CNSNews.com on Monday that the money paid by the Treasury for interest is different than other expenditures, because it does not directly benefit taxpayers.
“It represents money that can’t be used for tax reduction or spending programs,” said Edwards.
If the Obama administration is able to enact a $1 trillion stimulus package, taxpayers can expect to see $50 billion added to the annual payment, because the federal government usually borrows at an interest rate of about 5 percent, said Edwards and Brian Riedel, the latter who is a senior policy analyst at the Heritage Foundation.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday that Obama's team is considering a stimulus package for the faltering U.S. economy that could reach $1 trillion over two years.
“The fact that we are borrowing a trillion dollars means that someone has to pay that back,” said Edwards. “The economic fact is that while Americans are consuming a trillion more in stuff this year, people in later years will have to pay for it.”
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
By Josiah Ryan, Staff Writer
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Dec. 15, 2008. (AP Photo)(CNSNews.com) - A November Treasury Department report states that the interest payment on the federal debt for Fiscal Year 2009 will be about $450 billion, making it the fourth largest expense in the federal budget behind Medicare-Medicaid, Social Security and defense spending.
The federal fiscal year runs from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30. The Treasury Department report presents the budget estimates for the full fiscal year 2009, which the interest payment and federal department budget projections are based upon.
If President-elect Barack Obama and the Democratic congressional leadership enact a proposed $1 trillion stimulus plan in early 2009, it could add about $50 billion to those annual interest payments, budget experts told CNSNews.com on Monday.
According to the Treasury Department report, released on Dec. 10, the federal government expects to pay $449,070,000.00 in interest on Treasury debt securities for FY 2009.
The Health and Human Services budget, which includes Medicare and Medicaid, will cost $739,241,000.00 for the fiscal year; Social Security Administration, $699,976,000.00; and the Defense Department-Military budget, $656,722,000.00. (Estimates by the White House’s Office of Management and Budget are nearly identical.)
Chris Edwards, director of tax policy studies at the libertarian Cato Institute, told CNSNews.com on Monday that the money paid by the Treasury for interest is different than other expenditures, because it does not directly benefit taxpayers.
“It represents money that can’t be used for tax reduction or spending programs,” said Edwards.
If the Obama administration is able to enact a $1 trillion stimulus package, taxpayers can expect to see $50 billion added to the annual payment, because the federal government usually borrows at an interest rate of about 5 percent, said Edwards and Brian Riedel, the latter who is a senior policy analyst at the Heritage Foundation.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday that Obama's team is considering a stimulus package for the faltering U.S. economy that could reach $1 trillion over two years.
“The fact that we are borrowing a trillion dollars means that someone has to pay that back,” said Edwards. “The economic fact is that while Americans are consuming a trillion more in stuff this year, people in later years will have to pay for it.”
Monday, December 15, 2008
Robin Williams - American Plan for Peace
I've been saying this same thing for years now!!!!!!!!!!
Robin Williams - American Plan for Peace
YA, GOTTA LOVE HIM....A MUST READ...PLEASE DO YOURSELF A FAVOR...READ THIS!
The Plan for President
Robin Williams, wearing a shirt that says 'I love New York ' in Arabic.
You gotta love Robin Williams......Even if he's nuts! Leave it to Robin Williams to come up with the perfect plan. What we need now is for our UN Ambassador to stand up and repeat this message.
Robin Williams' plan...(Hard to argue with this logic!)
'I see a lot of people yelling for peace but I have not heard of a plan for peace. So, here's one plan.'
1) 'The US will apologize to the world for our 'interference' in their affairs, past & present. You know, Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, Tojo, Noriega, Milosevic, Hussein, and the rest of those 'good 'ole' boys'; we will never 'interfere' again.
2) We will withdraw our troops from all over the world, starting with Germany , South Korea , the Middle East and the Philippines . They don't want us there. We would station troops at our borders. No one allowed sneaking through holes in the fence
3) All illegal aliens have 90 days to get their affairs together and leave. We'll give them a free trip home. After 90 days the remainder will be gathered up and deported immediately, regardless of whom or where they are. They're illegal!!! France will welcome them.
4) All future visitors will be thoroughly checked and limited to 90 days unless given a special permit!!!! No one from a terrorist nation will be allowed in. If you don't like it there, change it yourself and don't hide here. Asylum would never be available to anyone. We don't need any more cab drivers or 7-11 cashiers.
5) No foreign 'students' over age 21. The older ones are the bombers. If they don't attend classes, they get a 'D' and it's back home baby.
6) The US will make a strong effort to become self-sufficient energy-wise. This will include developing non-polluting sources of energy but will require a temporary drilling of oil in the Alaskan wilderness. The caribou will have to cope for a while
7) Offer Saudi Arabia and other oil-producing countries $10 a barrel for their oil. If they don't like it, we go someplace else. They can go somewhere else to sell their production. (About a week of the wells filling up the storage sites would be enough.)
8) If there is a famine or other natural catastrophe in the world, we will not 'interfere .' They can pray to Allah or whomever, for seeds, rain, cement or whatever they need. Besides most of what we give them is stolen or given to the army. The people who need it most get very little, if anything.
9) Ship the UN Headquarters to an isolated island someplace. We don't need the spies and fair-weather friends here. Besides, the building would make a good homeless shelter or lockup for illegal aliens.
10) All Americans must go to charm and beauty school. That way, no one can call us 'Ugly Americans' any longer The language we speak is ENGLISH..learn it, or leave. Now, isn't that a winner of a plan?
'The Statue of Liberty is no longer saying 'Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses.' She's got a baseball bat and she's yelling, 'you want a piece of me?' '
If you agree with the above forward it to friends. If not, and I would be amazed, DELETE it!!
Robin Williams - American Plan for Peace
YA, GOTTA LOVE HIM....A MUST READ...PLEASE DO YOURSELF A FAVOR...READ THIS!
The Plan for President
Robin Williams, wearing a shirt that says 'I love New York ' in Arabic.
You gotta love Robin Williams......Even if he's nuts! Leave it to Robin Williams to come up with the perfect plan. What we need now is for our UN Ambassador to stand up and repeat this message.
Robin Williams' plan...(Hard to argue with this logic!)
'I see a lot of people yelling for peace but I have not heard of a plan for peace. So, here's one plan.'
1) 'The US will apologize to the world for our 'interference' in their affairs, past & present. You know, Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, Tojo, Noriega, Milosevic, Hussein, and the rest of those 'good 'ole' boys'; we will never 'interfere' again.
2) We will withdraw our troops from all over the world, starting with Germany , South Korea , the Middle East and the Philippines . They don't want us there. We would station troops at our borders. No one allowed sneaking through holes in the fence
3) All illegal aliens have 90 days to get their affairs together and leave. We'll give them a free trip home. After 90 days the remainder will be gathered up and deported immediately, regardless of whom or where they are. They're illegal!!! France will welcome them.
4) All future visitors will be thoroughly checked and limited to 90 days unless given a special permit!!!! No one from a terrorist nation will be allowed in. If you don't like it there, change it yourself and don't hide here. Asylum would never be available to anyone. We don't need any more cab drivers or 7-11 cashiers.
5) No foreign 'students' over age 21. The older ones are the bombers. If they don't attend classes, they get a 'D' and it's back home baby.
6) The US will make a strong effort to become self-sufficient energy-wise. This will include developing non-polluting sources of energy but will require a temporary drilling of oil in the Alaskan wilderness. The caribou will have to cope for a while
7) Offer Saudi Arabia and other oil-producing countries $10 a barrel for their oil. If they don't like it, we go someplace else. They can go somewhere else to sell their production. (About a week of the wells filling up the storage sites would be enough.)
8) If there is a famine or other natural catastrophe in the world, we will not 'interfere .' They can pray to Allah or whomever, for seeds, rain, cement or whatever they need. Besides most of what we give them is stolen or given to the army. The people who need it most get very little, if anything.
9) Ship the UN Headquarters to an isolated island someplace. We don't need the spies and fair-weather friends here. Besides, the building would make a good homeless shelter or lockup for illegal aliens.
10) All Americans must go to charm and beauty school. That way, no one can call us 'Ugly Americans' any longer The language we speak is ENGLISH..learn it, or leave. Now, isn't that a winner of a plan?
'The Statue of Liberty is no longer saying 'Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses.' She's got a baseball bat and she's yelling, 'you want a piece of me?' '
If you agree with the above forward it to friends. If not, and I would be amazed, DELETE it!!
The Day After (Inauguration)
The Day After (Inauguration)
By INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY | Posted Monday, December 15, 2008 4:20 PM PT
Climate Change: The Associated Press warns that the new administration won't have much time to save the planet from a global warming apocalypse. Never mind that the "ticking time bomb" is a dud.
The temperature at Denver International Airport dropped to 18 below zero on Sunday, breaking the previous record of 14 below set in 1901. White Sulphur Springs, Mont., reported 29 below to the National Weather Service, breaking the record of 17 below set in 1922. Meanwhile, ice storms ravage the Northeast and the upper Midwest.
This is not a local phenomenon. Hong Kong had the second-longest cold spell since 1885. Cold in northern Vietnam destroyed 40% of the rice crop and killed 33,000 head of livestock. The British Parliament debated climate change as London experienced the first October snow since 1934.
Presumably this has all been reported by the Associated Press. But according to a weekend AP report, this is all an illusion and "2008 is on a pace to be a slightly cooler year in a steadily rising temperature trend line." Rather than being "evidence of some kind of cooling trend, it actually illustrates how fast the world is warming." Oh.
The report, which includes no comments from any skeptic, says global warming "is a ticking time-bomb that President-elect Obama can't avoid." It warns "warming is accelerating. Time is running out, and Obama knows it." Especially if he relies on AP wire reports.
Problem is, nature didn't get the memo. Geophysicist David Deming found that for the first time since the 18th century, in the days before SUVs, Alaskan glaciers grew this year instead of retreating. Fairbanks had its fourth coldest October in 104 years of records.
U.S. Geological Survey glaciologist Bruce Molnia reported: "On the Juneau Icefield, there was still 20 feet of new snow on the surface of the Taku Glacier in late July." It was the worst summer he'd seen in two decades.
As the Anchorage Daily News reports, "Never before in the history of a research project dating back to 1946 had the Juneau Ice Field witnessed the kind if snow buildup that came this year. It was similar on a lot of other glaciers too."
The consequence of melting glaciers and sea ice is supposed to be rising sea levels. The poster children for this phenomenon are low-lying coral islands such as the Maldives and Tuvalu. Again, the facts are ignored in the quest for headlines.
The satellite record shows the sea level has actually fallen four inches around Tuvalu since 1993, when the $100 million international TOPEX/POSEIDON satellite project record began.
As in other places around the world, sea-level changes have many natural explanations, including geologic changes in the land.
The atolls of Tuvalu rest on sinking volcanic rock on top of which new coral grows to replace the coral die-off that occurs as the volcanic rock sinks deeper into the ocean where coral does not survive. Sand is excavated for building material on Tuvalu. Excavation for building material has eroded the beach, thus giving to the casual, or biased, observer the impression of rising sea levels.
The strong El Nino of 1997-98 caused the sea level surrounding Tuvalu to drop just over one foot.
Patrick Michaels, a research professor of environmental sciences at the University of Virginia and visiting scientist with the Marshall Institute in Washington, D.C., notes that Tuvalu is near the epicenter of a region where the sea level has been declining for nearly 50 years. He has written that the decline has been so steep that, even accepting the U.N.'s median estimates of global warming over the next hundred years, Tuvalu would not return to its 1950 sea level until 2050, much less disappear under the sea.
None of this, of course, matters to the warming zealots and some major media outlets. If it's too dry or too wet, too hot or too cold, everything is caused by global warming. We believe, as do many reputable scientists, that the warming and cooling of the earth is a natural phenomenon dictated by forces beyond our control, from ocean currents to solar activity. We needn't worry about one day mooring our boats to the Washington Monument.
Email To Friend |
By INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY | Posted Monday, December 15, 2008 4:20 PM PT
Climate Change: The Associated Press warns that the new administration won't have much time to save the planet from a global warming apocalypse. Never mind that the "ticking time bomb" is a dud.
The temperature at Denver International Airport dropped to 18 below zero on Sunday, breaking the previous record of 14 below set in 1901. White Sulphur Springs, Mont., reported 29 below to the National Weather Service, breaking the record of 17 below set in 1922. Meanwhile, ice storms ravage the Northeast and the upper Midwest.
This is not a local phenomenon. Hong Kong had the second-longest cold spell since 1885. Cold in northern Vietnam destroyed 40% of the rice crop and killed 33,000 head of livestock. The British Parliament debated climate change as London experienced the first October snow since 1934.
Presumably this has all been reported by the Associated Press. But according to a weekend AP report, this is all an illusion and "2008 is on a pace to be a slightly cooler year in a steadily rising temperature trend line." Rather than being "evidence of some kind of cooling trend, it actually illustrates how fast the world is warming." Oh.
The report, which includes no comments from any skeptic, says global warming "is a ticking time-bomb that President-elect Obama can't avoid." It warns "warming is accelerating. Time is running out, and Obama knows it." Especially if he relies on AP wire reports.
Problem is, nature didn't get the memo. Geophysicist David Deming found that for the first time since the 18th century, in the days before SUVs, Alaskan glaciers grew this year instead of retreating. Fairbanks had its fourth coldest October in 104 years of records.
U.S. Geological Survey glaciologist Bruce Molnia reported: "On the Juneau Icefield, there was still 20 feet of new snow on the surface of the Taku Glacier in late July." It was the worst summer he'd seen in two decades.
As the Anchorage Daily News reports, "Never before in the history of a research project dating back to 1946 had the Juneau Ice Field witnessed the kind if snow buildup that came this year. It was similar on a lot of other glaciers too."
The consequence of melting glaciers and sea ice is supposed to be rising sea levels. The poster children for this phenomenon are low-lying coral islands such as the Maldives and Tuvalu. Again, the facts are ignored in the quest for headlines.
The satellite record shows the sea level has actually fallen four inches around Tuvalu since 1993, when the $100 million international TOPEX/POSEIDON satellite project record began.
As in other places around the world, sea-level changes have many natural explanations, including geologic changes in the land.
The atolls of Tuvalu rest on sinking volcanic rock on top of which new coral grows to replace the coral die-off that occurs as the volcanic rock sinks deeper into the ocean where coral does not survive. Sand is excavated for building material on Tuvalu. Excavation for building material has eroded the beach, thus giving to the casual, or biased, observer the impression of rising sea levels.
The strong El Nino of 1997-98 caused the sea level surrounding Tuvalu to drop just over one foot.
Patrick Michaels, a research professor of environmental sciences at the University of Virginia and visiting scientist with the Marshall Institute in Washington, D.C., notes that Tuvalu is near the epicenter of a region where the sea level has been declining for nearly 50 years. He has written that the decline has been so steep that, even accepting the U.N.'s median estimates of global warming over the next hundred years, Tuvalu would not return to its 1950 sea level until 2050, much less disappear under the sea.
None of this, of course, matters to the warming zealots and some major media outlets. If it's too dry or too wet, too hot or too cold, everything is caused by global warming. We believe, as do many reputable scientists, that the warming and cooling of the earth is a natural phenomenon dictated by forces beyond our control, from ocean currents to solar activity. We needn't worry about one day mooring our boats to the Washington Monument.
Email To Friend |
Saturday, December 13, 2008
THE GLOBAL POVERTY ACT
Obama's S.2433 Would Put
US Under UN Mandate
11-29-8
SENATE BILL S. 2433 THE GLOBAL POVERTY ACT
According to David Bossie, President of the group 'Citizens United for American Sovereignty', based out of Merrifield Virginia , website: http://www.citizensunited.org/
The above- mentioned Senate Bill (S. 2433) is a piece of legislation in the works that all Americans need to know about and know now!
This bill, sponsored by none other than Sen. Barack Obama, with the backing of Joe Biden on the Foreign Relations Committee, and liberal democrats in Congress, is nothing short of a massive giveaway of American wealth around the world, and a betrayal of the public trust, because, if passed, this bill would give over many aspects of our sovereignty to the United Nations.
The noble sounding name of this bill, 'The Global Poverty Act' is actually a Global Tax, payable to the United Nations, that will be required of all American taxpayers. If passed in the Senate, the House has already passed it, this bill would require the U.S. to increase our foreign aid by $65 BILLION per year, or $845 BILLION over the next 13 years! That's on top of the billions of dollars in foreign aid we already pay out!
In addition to the economic burdens this potential law would place on our precarious economy, the bill, if passed in the Senate, would also endanger our constitutionally protected rights and freedoms by obligating us to meet certain United Nations mandates.
According to Senator Obama, we should establish these United Nations' goals as benchmarks for U.S. spending. What are they?
The creation of a U.N. International Criminal Court having the power to try and convict American citizens and soldiers without any protection from the U.S. Constitution.
A standing United Nations Army forcing U.S. soldiers to serve under U.N. command.
A Gun Ban on all small arms and light weapons --which would repeal our Second Amendment right to bear arms.
The ratification of the ' Kyoto ' global warming treaty and numerous other anti-American measures.
Recently, the Senate Subcommittee on Foreign Relations (where Sen. Joe Biden sits) approved this plan by a voice vote without any discussion! Why all the secrecy? If Senators Obama and Biden are so proud of this legislation, then why don't they bring it out into the light of day and let the American people have a look at it instead of hiding it behind closed doors and sneaking it through Congress for late night votes.
It may be only a matter of time before this dangerous legislation reaches a floor vote in the full body of the Senate.
Please write or call, email your representatives, the White House, the media, or anyone you think will listen, and express your opinions regarding this Global Tax giveaway and betrayal of the American people at a time when our nation and our people are already heavily burdened with the threats to our freedoms and economic prosperity.
Please send this email to as many folks out there in your networks as you can.
http://www.opencongress.org/bill/110-s2433/text
US Under UN Mandate
11-29-8
SENATE BILL S. 2433 THE GLOBAL POVERTY ACT
According to David Bossie, President of the group 'Citizens United for American Sovereignty', based out of Merrifield Virginia , website: http://www.citizensunited.org/
The above- mentioned Senate Bill (S. 2433) is a piece of legislation in the works that all Americans need to know about and know now!
This bill, sponsored by none other than Sen. Barack Obama, with the backing of Joe Biden on the Foreign Relations Committee, and liberal democrats in Congress, is nothing short of a massive giveaway of American wealth around the world, and a betrayal of the public trust, because, if passed, this bill would give over many aspects of our sovereignty to the United Nations.
The noble sounding name of this bill, 'The Global Poverty Act' is actually a Global Tax, payable to the United Nations, that will be required of all American taxpayers. If passed in the Senate, the House has already passed it, this bill would require the U.S. to increase our foreign aid by $65 BILLION per year, or $845 BILLION over the next 13 years! That's on top of the billions of dollars in foreign aid we already pay out!
In addition to the economic burdens this potential law would place on our precarious economy, the bill, if passed in the Senate, would also endanger our constitutionally protected rights and freedoms by obligating us to meet certain United Nations mandates.
According to Senator Obama, we should establish these United Nations' goals as benchmarks for U.S. spending. What are they?
The creation of a U.N. International Criminal Court having the power to try and convict American citizens and soldiers without any protection from the U.S. Constitution.
A standing United Nations Army forcing U.S. soldiers to serve under U.N. command.
A Gun Ban on all small arms and light weapons --which would repeal our Second Amendment right to bear arms.
The ratification of the ' Kyoto ' global warming treaty and numerous other anti-American measures.
Recently, the Senate Subcommittee on Foreign Relations (where Sen. Joe Biden sits) approved this plan by a voice vote without any discussion! Why all the secrecy? If Senators Obama and Biden are so proud of this legislation, then why don't they bring it out into the light of day and let the American people have a look at it instead of hiding it behind closed doors and sneaking it through Congress for late night votes.
It may be only a matter of time before this dangerous legislation reaches a floor vote in the full body of the Senate.
Please write or call, email your representatives, the White House, the media, or anyone you think will listen, and express your opinions regarding this Global Tax giveaway and betrayal of the American people at a time when our nation and our people are already heavily burdened with the threats to our freedoms and economic prosperity.
Please send this email to as many folks out there in your networks as you can.
http://www.opencongress.org/bill/110-s2433/text
The D3 - Detroit 3 Automakers - Union Wages
WHAT AN EYE OPENER!!!
Subject: The D3 - Detroit 3 Automakers - Union Wages
-----
According to Forbes:
Labor cost per hour, wages and benefits for hourly workers.
Ford: $70.51 ($141,020 per year)
GM: $73.26 ($146,520 per year)
Chrysler: $75.86 ($151,720 per year)
Toyota, Honda, Nissan (in U.S.): $48.00 ($96,000 per year)
According to AAUP and IES, the average annual compensation for a college professor in 2006 was $92,973 (average salary nationally of $73,207 + 27% benefits).
Bottom Line: The average UAW worker with a high school degree earns 57.6% more compensation than the average university professor with a Ph.D., and 52.6% more than the average worker at Toyota, Honda or Nissan.
Many industry analysts say the Detroit Three, must be on par with Toyota and Honda to survive. This year's contract, they say, must be "transformational" in reducing pension and health care costs.
What would "transformational" mean? One way to think about "transformational" would mean that UAW workers, most with a high school diploma, would have to accept compensation equal to that of the average university professor with a PhD.
Then there's the "Job Bank"
When a D3 (Detroit 3 carmaker) lays an employee off, that employee continues to receive all benefits - medical, retirement, etc., etc., PLUS an hourly wage of $31/hour.
Here's a typical story....
Ken Pool is making good money. On weekdays, he shows up at 7 a.m. at Ford Motor Co.'s Michigan Truck Plant in Wayne, signs in, and then starts working -- on a crossword puzzle. Pool hates the monotony, but the pay is good: more than $31 an hour, plus benefits.
"We just go in and play crossword puzzles, watch videos that someone brings in or read the newspaper," he says. "Otherwise, I just sit."
Pool is one of more than 12,000 American autoworkers who, instead of installing windshields or bending sheet metal, spend their days counting the hours in a jobs bank set up by Detroit automakers as demanded by the United Auto Workers Union - UAW - as part of an extraordinary job security agreement.
Now the D3 wants Joe Taxpayer to pick up this tab in a $25 Billion bailout package - soon to be increased to $45 Billion if Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton have their way.
The "Big 3" want this money - not to build better autos. No. They want it to pay the tab for Medical and Retirement benefits for RETIRED auto workers. Not ONE PENNY would be used to make them more competitive, or to improve the quality of their cars.
We ALL have problems paying for our Medical Insurance - but the Democrat leaders in Congress now want us to pay the Medical Insurance premiums of folks who have RETIRED from Ford, GM and Chrysler.
Not a good deal for us.
How about Chapter 11 - and getting rid of these ridiculous union contracts?
=
Subject: The D3 - Detroit 3 Automakers - Union Wages
-----
According to Forbes:
Labor cost per hour, wages and benefits for hourly workers.
Ford: $70.51 ($141,020 per year)
GM: $73.26 ($146,520 per year)
Chrysler: $75.86 ($151,720 per year)
Toyota, Honda, Nissan (in U.S.): $48.00 ($96,000 per year)
According to AAUP and IES, the average annual compensation for a college professor in 2006 was $92,973 (average salary nationally of $73,207 + 27% benefits).
Bottom Line: The average UAW worker with a high school degree earns 57.6% more compensation than the average university professor with a Ph.D., and 52.6% more than the average worker at Toyota, Honda or Nissan.
Many industry analysts say the Detroit Three, must be on par with Toyota and Honda to survive. This year's contract, they say, must be "transformational" in reducing pension and health care costs.
What would "transformational" mean? One way to think about "transformational" would mean that UAW workers, most with a high school diploma, would have to accept compensation equal to that of the average university professor with a PhD.
Then there's the "Job Bank"
When a D3 (Detroit 3 carmaker) lays an employee off, that employee continues to receive all benefits - medical, retirement, etc., etc., PLUS an hourly wage of $31/hour.
Here's a typical story....
Ken Pool is making good money. On weekdays, he shows up at 7 a.m. at Ford Motor Co.'s Michigan Truck Plant in Wayne, signs in, and then starts working -- on a crossword puzzle. Pool hates the monotony, but the pay is good: more than $31 an hour, plus benefits.
"We just go in and play crossword puzzles, watch videos that someone brings in or read the newspaper," he says. "Otherwise, I just sit."
Pool is one of more than 12,000 American autoworkers who, instead of installing windshields or bending sheet metal, spend their days counting the hours in a jobs bank set up by Detroit automakers as demanded by the United Auto Workers Union - UAW - as part of an extraordinary job security agreement.
Now the D3 wants Joe Taxpayer to pick up this tab in a $25 Billion bailout package - soon to be increased to $45 Billion if Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton have their way.
The "Big 3" want this money - not to build better autos. No. They want it to pay the tab for Medical and Retirement benefits for RETIRED auto workers. Not ONE PENNY would be used to make them more competitive, or to improve the quality of their cars.
We ALL have problems paying for our Medical Insurance - but the Democrat leaders in Congress now want us to pay the Medical Insurance premiums of folks who have RETIRED from Ford, GM and Chrysler.
Not a good deal for us.
How about Chapter 11 - and getting rid of these ridiculous union contracts?
=
NRA-ILA Grassroots Alert Vol. 15, No. 48
NRA-ILA Grassroots Alert Vol. 15, No. 48 12/12/08
Ammo Ban And Registration Proposal Getting Fresh Look
Click here to take this week's poll.
Happy Holidays: Now dispose of all of your ammunition! Every last round! From now on, you will be able to buy only overpriced ammunition that will be registered to you in a government database.
Not yet--at least for now. A small company, Ammunition Accountability--which wants to help anti-gunners price and regulate the Second Amendment out of existence, profit at the expense of our rights, or both--has found radical anti-gun legislators in 18 states willing to introduce bills pushing such nonsense.
You Can't Make This Stuff Up! Anti-gun Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) was taken into custody this week on federal corruption charges. He has been accused of conspiring to sell or trade President-elect Barack Obama's senate seat, seeking "personal financial benefits." The evidence? U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald released a 76-page FBI affidavit detailing an investigation that includes court-authorized wiretaps that are alleged to contain conversations where Blagojevich discusses exchanging the Senate appointment he controls for:
· A salaried position with either a non-profit foundation or a labor union-affiliated organization;
· Placing his wife on paid corporate boards;
· Commitments from individuals to raise campaign funds for Blagojevich, and;
· A cabinet post or ambassadorship in the Obama Administration.
Important Information On Right-to-Carry In Our National Parks: As we announced last week, the Department of Interior has released their new regulation that will recognize Right-to-Carry in national parks in those states that allow Right-to-Carry. It is important to note, however, that the new regulations do not take effect until 30 days after their publication in the Federal Register.
The Second Amendment Book Bomb on Bill of Rights Day, December 15! Monday, December 15, marks America's Bill of Rights Day, the anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution. To commemorate this event, the Second Amendment Book Bomb website has been created, a unique and powerful way to communicate the importance the Bill of Rights' Second Amendment plays in the protection of liberty. With your help, we can launch constitutional rights to the top of national book bestseller lists, making a loud and clear statement that Second Amendment rights are inalienable!
Got a New Rifle? Get a Top-Ranked Sight and Help NRA-ILA: AR-15s and similar rifles are flying off gun store shelves these days. If you're one of the buyers, here's your chance to put a top-of-the-line red dot sight on your new rifle - and at the same time, help defend all your guns against anti-gun groups and the Obama administration.
Here's how it works: Aimpoint, Inc. and MidwayUSA will donate $100 to the NRA Institute for Legislative Action for every Aimpoint CompM4 electronic red-dot sight package purchased by NRA members from MidwayUSA through the end of 2008.
This is a great opportunity to get an Aimpoint CompM4 at a special price and help NRA-ILA defend our firearms freedoms. The Aimpoint CompM4 is currently used by the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force as the M68 Close Combat Optic. It is also in service with the Navy and the Marine Corps.
Help Defend Your Gun Rights One Easy Click At A Time: We now have a revolutionary yet simple tool that will allow you to stay connected to NRA-ILA and raise valuable contributions to defend our Second Amendment rights without spending a dime!
It's the NRA-ILA Toolbar, and you can make a difference by downloading and using it.
STATE ROUNDUP (please click to see any updates on states not listed below.)
NEW JERSEY: "One-Gun-A-Month" Bill Heads to Senate Floor! On Monday, December 8, the New Jersey Law and Public Safety and Veterans' Affairs Committee passed S1774 by a 3-2 vote. This bill now moves to the Senate floor where it could be considered as early as Monday, December 15. Simply stated, S1774 would prohibit law-abiding citizens who have already undergone an extensive criminal background check from purchasing more than one handgun within a 30-day period. This bill places arbitrary limits on our Second Amendment rights and would set a dangerous precedent. If passed, this bill gives anti-gun extremists carte blanche to further hinder your right to purchase firearms. Next, it could be one rifle or shotgun per 30-day period, or even one handgun per six months or year. It is critical that this legislation be defeated. Please contact your State Senator TODAY and respectfully urge him or her to oppose this unwarranted and unjustified attack on our Second Amendment freedoms. You can find contact information for your State Senator by clicking here. Also, please contact State Senators Anthony Bucco (R-25) and Christopher Connors (R-9) to thank them for opposing S1774. Senator Bucco can be reached by phone at (973) 627-9700, and Senator Connors can be contacted at (609) 693-6700.
OREGON: Help to Allow Employees & Visitors to Transport and Store Lawfully-Owned Firearms in Motor Vehicles Parked on Certain State Properties! Send Comments in Today! Gun owners in Oregon are all too familiar with the never-ending assault on the state's firearms preemption law by state agencies, cities and counties, and local school districts. Section 166.170(1) of Oregon Revised Statutes clearly states: "Except as expressly authorized by state statute, the authority to regulate in any matter whatsoever the sale, acquisition, transfer, ownership, possession, storage, transportation or use of firearms or any element relating to firearms and components thereof, including ammunition, is vested solely in the Legislative Assembly."
Recognizing this, Department of Administrative Services (DAS) -- the central administrative agency of Oregon government that rents, manages or operates a majority of state office buildings -- is accepting written comments and holding a public hearing on proposed rules to remedy conflicts between the state firearms preemption law and their current policies banning the possession of firearms on premises under their control. The amended rule would state that the possession of firearms on the grounds, parking lots or premises of any building under DAS control would be governed by federal and state laws. To view a copy of the proposed rules, please click here. Please submit written comments in favor of the proposed rule changes by Monday, December 22, 2008 to:
Rules Coordinator
Department of Administrative Services, Facilities Division
1225 Ferry Street SE U100
Salem, OR 97301-4082
Or by e-mail to the Rules Coordinator: yvonne.hanna@das.state.or.us
You may also provide oral or written comments in favor of the proposed rule changes at the public hearing set for Monday, December 22, 2008, at 10:00 a.m.
Location: Department of Administrative Services, Facilities Division
1225 Ferry Street SE 2nd Floor
Salem, OR 97301
Mt. Ashland Conference Room
TEXAS: Pro-Gun Bill Introduced in the Lone Star State! The pre-filing of bills for the 2009 legislative session has begun. State Representative Dennis Bonnen (R-Angleton) has introduced House Bill 267, which would allow Texans to purchase rifles and shotgun in non-contiguous states. Currently, federal law allows the interstate sales of such firearms, but a conflicting Texas law only allows residents to buy long guns in the neighboring states of Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. This state law has prevented the FBI and BATFE from approving sales of rifles and shotguns in 45 other states to Texas residents. Please contact your state lawmakers and respectfully urge them to support HB 267 to bring Texas law into line with federal law. Contact information for returning State Senators and Representatives can be found at http://www.house.state.tx.us.
VIRGINIA: Update on Virginia Crime Commission Hearing On Tuesday, December 9, the Virginia Crime Commission held a hearing on possible legislation for the 2009 session. The Crime Commission's mission was to analyze the difference between Federal and State law regarding the definition of a dealer and determine if Virginia may possibly regulate the sale of firearms by private individuals. The Commission ruled that no recommendations will be voted upon, but it has set a meeting date of Tuesday, January 13, for a vote on legislative proposals. Please continue checking your email and www.NRAILA.org for any updates on this matter.
Right-to-Carry Permit Process Streamlined in Spotsylvania County! Also on Tuesday, December 9, the Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to remove the fingerprinting stage of requirements to obtain a Right-to-Carry permit. The removal of this clause will not only make things easier for applicants, but it will also ease the burden on the County Sheriff due to the dramatic spike in permit applications this year. Thank you to all of the NRA members who answered the call and either contacted the Board of Supervisors or attended the hearing. Without you, this victory would not have been possible!
WASHINGTON: Hearing to be Held on Monday, December 15 Regarding Seattle Mayor's Illegal Anti-Gun Tirade! As we have reported, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels--a member of New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's anti-gun gang, Mayors Against Illegal Guns--is taking a misguided approach to curbing crime in his city by violating state law. A public hearing will be held on Monday, December 15 to discuss the issue. The hearing will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the Bertha Knight Landes Room in the Seattle City Hall located at 600 4th Avenue in Seattle. Mayor Nickels is seeking the prohibition of firearms at Seattle Center, parks, community centers, and city-owned buildings. This ban, which includes Right-to-Carry permit holders, does not require review by the City Council and directs that a plan be drawn-up in 30 days to establish the prohibition. Mayor Nickels' crusade is a clear violation of Washington State's preemption statutes that dictate that only the State Legislature can enact laws pertaining to firearms. Because of preemption, the city has no arrest power or authority to fine people under Mayor Nickel's outlandish order. The city may, however, attempt to charge any violators with trespassing. It is important that NRA members, Right-to-Carry permit holders, firearm owners, and anyone interested in the rule of law to respectfully make their voice heard against this Draconian attack on our Second Amendment freedoms. Please attend Monday's hearing to voice and show your opposition to this illegal and unwarranted attack on our Second Amendment freedoms. If you are unable to attend, please contact Mayor Nickels to respectfully voice your opposition. The Mayor can be reached by phone at (206) 684-4000 or via email by clicking here
WISCONSIN: Please Attend the Wisconsin Hunters Rights Coalition's Second Annual HRC Summit! You are cordially invited to the Wisconsin Hunters Rights Coalition's Second Annual Summit on Saturday, January 10, 2009. Come out and learn about vital tools to help support Wisconsin's proud hunting tradition. Attendees will set upcoming legislative agendas, learn to effectively influence the outcome of legislation, get the most up-to-date status of issues, and more. Activities will begin at 10:00 a.m., and admittance is $10 (for lunch). The Summit will be held at the Holiday Inn Stevens Point Convention Center, located at 1001 Amber Avenue, in Stevens Point. Please RSVP by Friday, January 2, 2009 by calling (608) 819-0150 or e-mailing info@thewelchgroup.org. We encourage all members in Wisconsin to attend this special event to further educate themselves and support their hunter's rights.
WYOMING: BLM Begins New Management Plan for Public Lands in North-Central Wyoming The Bureau of Land Management has begun the process of revising a 1985 plan that directs the management of nearly 800,000 acres of public land in Campbell, Johnson, and Sheridan counties. These lands are adjacent to the Bighorn National Forest. An integral part of developing the new plan is public involvement that includes hunters and recreational shooters who want to secure their future on these lands. For this first phase of the planning process, the agency is accepting public comments until Monday, January 5, 2009. You may e-mail comments to BRMP_Rev_WYMail@blm.gov ,or send them by U.S. Mail to: 1425 Fort Street, Buffalo, WY 82834. For more information, you may contact Linda Slone, the Project Manager, at 307-261-7520 or visit the planning website at: http://www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/programs/Planning/rmps/buffalo.html. If continued hunting and recreational shooting opportunities are important to you on these public lands, it is imperative that you become involved in the planning process!
www.NRAILA.org
Write Your Representative
Write The Media
Get Involved Locally
Register To Vote
Contribute
NRA-ILA call 800-392-8683.
Address: 11250 Waples Mill Road Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Ammo Ban And Registration Proposal Getting Fresh Look
Click here to take this week's poll.
Happy Holidays: Now dispose of all of your ammunition! Every last round! From now on, you will be able to buy only overpriced ammunition that will be registered to you in a government database.
Not yet--at least for now. A small company, Ammunition Accountability--which wants to help anti-gunners price and regulate the Second Amendment out of existence, profit at the expense of our rights, or both--has found radical anti-gun legislators in 18 states willing to introduce bills pushing such nonsense.
You Can't Make This Stuff Up! Anti-gun Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) was taken into custody this week on federal corruption charges. He has been accused of conspiring to sell or trade President-elect Barack Obama's senate seat, seeking "personal financial benefits." The evidence? U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald released a 76-page FBI affidavit detailing an investigation that includes court-authorized wiretaps that are alleged to contain conversations where Blagojevich discusses exchanging the Senate appointment he controls for:
· A salaried position with either a non-profit foundation or a labor union-affiliated organization;
· Placing his wife on paid corporate boards;
· Commitments from individuals to raise campaign funds for Blagojevich, and;
· A cabinet post or ambassadorship in the Obama Administration.
Important Information On Right-to-Carry In Our National Parks: As we announced last week, the Department of Interior has released their new regulation that will recognize Right-to-Carry in national parks in those states that allow Right-to-Carry. It is important to note, however, that the new regulations do not take effect until 30 days after their publication in the Federal Register.
The Second Amendment Book Bomb on Bill of Rights Day, December 15! Monday, December 15, marks America's Bill of Rights Day, the anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution. To commemorate this event, the Second Amendment Book Bomb website has been created, a unique and powerful way to communicate the importance the Bill of Rights' Second Amendment plays in the protection of liberty. With your help, we can launch constitutional rights to the top of national book bestseller lists, making a loud and clear statement that Second Amendment rights are inalienable!
Got a New Rifle? Get a Top-Ranked Sight and Help NRA-ILA: AR-15s and similar rifles are flying off gun store shelves these days. If you're one of the buyers, here's your chance to put a top-of-the-line red dot sight on your new rifle - and at the same time, help defend all your guns against anti-gun groups and the Obama administration.
Here's how it works: Aimpoint, Inc. and MidwayUSA will donate $100 to the NRA Institute for Legislative Action for every Aimpoint CompM4 electronic red-dot sight package purchased by NRA members from MidwayUSA through the end of 2008.
This is a great opportunity to get an Aimpoint CompM4 at a special price and help NRA-ILA defend our firearms freedoms. The Aimpoint CompM4 is currently used by the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force as the M68 Close Combat Optic. It is also in service with the Navy and the Marine Corps.
Help Defend Your Gun Rights One Easy Click At A Time: We now have a revolutionary yet simple tool that will allow you to stay connected to NRA-ILA and raise valuable contributions to defend our Second Amendment rights without spending a dime!
It's the NRA-ILA Toolbar, and you can make a difference by downloading and using it.
STATE ROUNDUP (please click to see any updates on states not listed below.)
NEW JERSEY: "One-Gun-A-Month" Bill Heads to Senate Floor! On Monday, December 8, the New Jersey Law and Public Safety and Veterans' Affairs Committee passed S1774 by a 3-2 vote. This bill now moves to the Senate floor where it could be considered as early as Monday, December 15. Simply stated, S1774 would prohibit law-abiding citizens who have already undergone an extensive criminal background check from purchasing more than one handgun within a 30-day period. This bill places arbitrary limits on our Second Amendment rights and would set a dangerous precedent. If passed, this bill gives anti-gun extremists carte blanche to further hinder your right to purchase firearms. Next, it could be one rifle or shotgun per 30-day period, or even one handgun per six months or year. It is critical that this legislation be defeated. Please contact your State Senator TODAY and respectfully urge him or her to oppose this unwarranted and unjustified attack on our Second Amendment freedoms. You can find contact information for your State Senator by clicking here. Also, please contact State Senators Anthony Bucco (R-25) and Christopher Connors (R-9) to thank them for opposing S1774. Senator Bucco can be reached by phone at (973) 627-9700, and Senator Connors can be contacted at (609) 693-6700.
OREGON: Help to Allow Employees & Visitors to Transport and Store Lawfully-Owned Firearms in Motor Vehicles Parked on Certain State Properties! Send Comments in Today! Gun owners in Oregon are all too familiar with the never-ending assault on the state's firearms preemption law by state agencies, cities and counties, and local school districts. Section 166.170(1) of Oregon Revised Statutes clearly states: "Except as expressly authorized by state statute, the authority to regulate in any matter whatsoever the sale, acquisition, transfer, ownership, possession, storage, transportation or use of firearms or any element relating to firearms and components thereof, including ammunition, is vested solely in the Legislative Assembly."
Recognizing this, Department of Administrative Services (DAS) -- the central administrative agency of Oregon government that rents, manages or operates a majority of state office buildings -- is accepting written comments and holding a public hearing on proposed rules to remedy conflicts between the state firearms preemption law and their current policies banning the possession of firearms on premises under their control. The amended rule would state that the possession of firearms on the grounds, parking lots or premises of any building under DAS control would be governed by federal and state laws. To view a copy of the proposed rules, please click here. Please submit written comments in favor of the proposed rule changes by Monday, December 22, 2008 to:
Rules Coordinator
Department of Administrative Services, Facilities Division
1225 Ferry Street SE U100
Salem, OR 97301-4082
Or by e-mail to the Rules Coordinator: yvonne.hanna@das.state.or.us
You may also provide oral or written comments in favor of the proposed rule changes at the public hearing set for Monday, December 22, 2008, at 10:00 a.m.
Location: Department of Administrative Services, Facilities Division
1225 Ferry Street SE 2nd Floor
Salem, OR 97301
Mt. Ashland Conference Room
TEXAS: Pro-Gun Bill Introduced in the Lone Star State! The pre-filing of bills for the 2009 legislative session has begun. State Representative Dennis Bonnen (R-Angleton) has introduced House Bill 267, which would allow Texans to purchase rifles and shotgun in non-contiguous states. Currently, federal law allows the interstate sales of such firearms, but a conflicting Texas law only allows residents to buy long guns in the neighboring states of Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. This state law has prevented the FBI and BATFE from approving sales of rifles and shotguns in 45 other states to Texas residents. Please contact your state lawmakers and respectfully urge them to support HB 267 to bring Texas law into line with federal law. Contact information for returning State Senators and Representatives can be found at http://www.house.state.tx.us.
VIRGINIA: Update on Virginia Crime Commission Hearing On Tuesday, December 9, the Virginia Crime Commission held a hearing on possible legislation for the 2009 session. The Crime Commission's mission was to analyze the difference between Federal and State law regarding the definition of a dealer and determine if Virginia may possibly regulate the sale of firearms by private individuals. The Commission ruled that no recommendations will be voted upon, but it has set a meeting date of Tuesday, January 13, for a vote on legislative proposals. Please continue checking your email and www.NRAILA.org for any updates on this matter.
Right-to-Carry Permit Process Streamlined in Spotsylvania County! Also on Tuesday, December 9, the Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to remove the fingerprinting stage of requirements to obtain a Right-to-Carry permit. The removal of this clause will not only make things easier for applicants, but it will also ease the burden on the County Sheriff due to the dramatic spike in permit applications this year. Thank you to all of the NRA members who answered the call and either contacted the Board of Supervisors or attended the hearing. Without you, this victory would not have been possible!
WASHINGTON: Hearing to be Held on Monday, December 15 Regarding Seattle Mayor's Illegal Anti-Gun Tirade! As we have reported, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels--a member of New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's anti-gun gang, Mayors Against Illegal Guns--is taking a misguided approach to curbing crime in his city by violating state law. A public hearing will be held on Monday, December 15 to discuss the issue. The hearing will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the Bertha Knight Landes Room in the Seattle City Hall located at 600 4th Avenue in Seattle. Mayor Nickels is seeking the prohibition of firearms at Seattle Center, parks, community centers, and city-owned buildings. This ban, which includes Right-to-Carry permit holders, does not require review by the City Council and directs that a plan be drawn-up in 30 days to establish the prohibition. Mayor Nickels' crusade is a clear violation of Washington State's preemption statutes that dictate that only the State Legislature can enact laws pertaining to firearms. Because of preemption, the city has no arrest power or authority to fine people under Mayor Nickel's outlandish order. The city may, however, attempt to charge any violators with trespassing. It is important that NRA members, Right-to-Carry permit holders, firearm owners, and anyone interested in the rule of law to respectfully make their voice heard against this Draconian attack on our Second Amendment freedoms. Please attend Monday's hearing to voice and show your opposition to this illegal and unwarranted attack on our Second Amendment freedoms. If you are unable to attend, please contact Mayor Nickels to respectfully voice your opposition. The Mayor can be reached by phone at (206) 684-4000 or via email by clicking here
WISCONSIN: Please Attend the Wisconsin Hunters Rights Coalition's Second Annual HRC Summit! You are cordially invited to the Wisconsin Hunters Rights Coalition's Second Annual Summit on Saturday, January 10, 2009. Come out and learn about vital tools to help support Wisconsin's proud hunting tradition. Attendees will set upcoming legislative agendas, learn to effectively influence the outcome of legislation, get the most up-to-date status of issues, and more. Activities will begin at 10:00 a.m., and admittance is $10 (for lunch). The Summit will be held at the Holiday Inn Stevens Point Convention Center, located at 1001 Amber Avenue, in Stevens Point. Please RSVP by Friday, January 2, 2009 by calling (608) 819-0150 or e-mailing info@thewelchgroup.org. We encourage all members in Wisconsin to attend this special event to further educate themselves and support their hunter's rights.
WYOMING: BLM Begins New Management Plan for Public Lands in North-Central Wyoming The Bureau of Land Management has begun the process of revising a 1985 plan that directs the management of nearly 800,000 acres of public land in Campbell, Johnson, and Sheridan counties. These lands are adjacent to the Bighorn National Forest. An integral part of developing the new plan is public involvement that includes hunters and recreational shooters who want to secure their future on these lands. For this first phase of the planning process, the agency is accepting public comments until Monday, January 5, 2009. You may e-mail comments to BRMP_Rev_WYMail@blm.gov ,or send them by U.S. Mail to: 1425 Fort Street, Buffalo, WY 82834. For more information, you may contact Linda Slone, the Project Manager, at 307-261-7520 or visit the planning website at: http://www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/programs/Planning/rmps/buffalo.html. If continued hunting and recreational shooting opportunities are important to you on these public lands, it is imperative that you become involved in the planning process!
www.NRAILA.org
Write Your Representative
Write The Media
Get Involved Locally
Register To Vote
Contribute
NRA-ILA call 800-392-8683.
Address: 11250 Waples Mill Road Fairfax, Virginia 22030
HOW LONG DO WE HAVE?
thank you so much, Alice. this is ab excellent read.
Subject: Fwd: HOW LONG DO WE HAVE?
[In 1831 de Tocqueville visited America and said the same thing. ]
[The data at the bottom are Well Worth the long-read! ]
This is the most interesting thing I've read in a long t im e. The sad thing
about it, you can see it coming.
I have always heard about this democracy countdown. It is interesting to see
it in print. God help us, not that we deserve it.
How Long Do We Have?
About the t im e our original thirteen states adopted their new constitution
in 1787, Alexander Tyler, a Scottish history professor at the University of
Edinburgh , had this to say about the fall of the Athenian Republic some 2,000
years earlier:
'A democracy is always temporary in nature; it s im ply cannot exist as a
permanent form of government.'
'A democracy will continue to exist up until the t im e that voters discover
they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury.'
'From that moment on, the majority always vote for the candidates who
promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every
democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always
followed by a dictatorship.'
'The average age of the world's greatest civilizations from the beginning of
history, has been about 200 years'
'During those 200 years, those nations always progressed through the
following sequence:
1. from bondage to spiritual faith;
2. from spiritual faith to great courage;
3. from courage to liberty;
4. from liberty to abundance;
5. from abundance to complacency;
6. from complacency to apathy;
7. from apathy to dependence;
8. from dependence back into bondage'
Professor Joseph Olson of Hemline University School of Law, St. Paul ,
Minnesota , points out some interesting facts concerning the 2000 Presidential
election:
Number of States won by: Democrats: 19 Republicans: 29
Square miles of land won by: Democrats: 580,000 Republicans: 2,427,000
Population of counties won by: Democrats: 127 million Republicans: 143
million
Murder rate per 100,000 residents in counties won by: Democrats: 13.2
Republicans: 2.1
Professor Olson adds: 'In aggregate, the map of the territory Republican won
was mostly the land owned by the taxpaying citizens of this great country.
Democrat territory mostly encompassed those citizens living in
government-owned tenements and living off various forms of government welfare...' Olson
believes the United States is now somewhere between the 'complacency and apathy'
phase of Professor Tyler's definition of democracy, with some forty percent
of the nation's population already having reached the 'governmental
dependency' phase.
If Congress grants amnesty and citizenship to twenty million cr im inal
invaders called illegal's and they vote, then we can say goodbye to the USA in
fewer than five years.
If you are in favor of this, then by all means, delete this message. If you
are not, then pass this along to help everyone realize just how much is at
stake, knowing that apathy is the greatest danger to our freedom.
Thanks for reading.
Please pass this along.
Subject: Fwd: HOW LONG DO WE HAVE?
[In 1831 de Tocqueville visited America and said the same thing. ]
[The data at the bottom are Well Worth the long-read! ]
This is the most interesting thing I've read in a long t im e. The sad thing
about it, you can see it coming.
I have always heard about this democracy countdown. It is interesting to see
it in print. God help us, not that we deserve it.
How Long Do We Have?
About the t im e our original thirteen states adopted their new constitution
in 1787, Alexander Tyler, a Scottish history professor at the University of
Edinburgh , had this to say about the fall of the Athenian Republic some 2,000
years earlier:
'A democracy is always temporary in nature; it s im ply cannot exist as a
permanent form of government.'
'A democracy will continue to exist up until the t im e that voters discover
they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury.'
'From that moment on, the majority always vote for the candidates who
promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every
democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always
followed by a dictatorship.'
'The average age of the world's greatest civilizations from the beginning of
history, has been about 200 years'
'During those 200 years, those nations always progressed through the
following sequence:
1. from bondage to spiritual faith;
2. from spiritual faith to great courage;
3. from courage to liberty;
4. from liberty to abundance;
5. from abundance to complacency;
6. from complacency to apathy;
7. from apathy to dependence;
8. from dependence back into bondage'
Professor Joseph Olson of Hemline University School of Law, St. Paul ,
Minnesota , points out some interesting facts concerning the 2000 Presidential
election:
Number of States won by: Democrats: 19 Republicans: 29
Square miles of land won by: Democrats: 580,000 Republicans: 2,427,000
Population of counties won by: Democrats: 127 million Republicans: 143
million
Murder rate per 100,000 residents in counties won by: Democrats: 13.2
Republicans: 2.1
Professor Olson adds: 'In aggregate, the map of the territory Republican won
was mostly the land owned by the taxpaying citizens of this great country.
Democrat territory mostly encompassed those citizens living in
government-owned tenements and living off various forms of government welfare...' Olson
believes the United States is now somewhere between the 'complacency and apathy'
phase of Professor Tyler's definition of democracy, with some forty percent
of the nation's population already having reached the 'governmental
dependency' phase.
If Congress grants amnesty and citizenship to twenty million cr im inal
invaders called illegal's and they vote, then we can say goodbye to the USA in
fewer than five years.
If you are in favor of this, then by all means, delete this message. If you
are not, then pass this along to help everyone realize just how much is at
stake, knowing that apathy is the greatest danger to our freedom.
Thanks for reading.
Please pass this along.
Friday, December 12, 2008
The Era of White Guilt is over.
By Tom Adkins
Look at my fellow conservatives! There they go, glumly shuffling along, depressed by the election aftermath. Not me. I'm virtually euphoric. Don't get me wrong. I'm not thrilled with America 's flirtation with neo socialism. But there is a massive silver lining in those magical clouds that lofted Barak Obama to the Presidency. For today, without a shred of intellectually legitimate opposition, I can loudly proclaim to America : The Era of White Guilt is over.
This seemingly impossible event occurred because the vast majority of white Americans didn't give a fluff about skin color, and enthusiastically pulled the voting lever for a black man. Not just any black man. A very liberal black man who spent his early career race-hustling banks, praying in a racist church for 20 years, and actively worked with America-hating domestic terrorists. Wow! Some resume! Yet they made Barak Obama their leader. Therefore, as of Nov 4th, 2008, white guilt is dead.
For over a century, the millstone of white guilt hung around our necks, retribution for slave-owning predecessors. In the 60s, American liberals began yanking that millstone while sticking a fork in the eye of black Americans, exacerbating the racial divide to extort a socialist solution. But if a black man can become President, exactly what significant barrier is left? The election of Barak Obama absolutely destroys the entire validation of liberal white guilt. The dragon is hereby slain.
So today, I'm feeling a little "uppity," if you will. From this day forward, my tolerance level for having my skin color hustled is now exactly ZERO. And it's time to clean house. No more Reverend Wright's "God Damn America ," Al Sharpton's Church of Perpetual Victimization , or Jesse Jackson's rainbow racism. Cornell West? You're a fraud. Go home. All those "black studies" programs that taught kids to hate whitey? You must now thank Whitey. And I want that on the final.
Congressional Black Caucus? Irrelevant. Maxine Waters? Shut up. ACORN? Outlawed. Black Panthers? Go home and pet your kitty. Black separatists? Find another nation that offers better dreams. Go ahead. I'm waiting.
Gangsta rappers? Start praising America . Begin with the Pledge of Allegiance. And please…no more ebonics. Speak English, and who knows where you might end up? Oh, yeah…pull up your pants. Your underwear is showing. You look stupid.
To those Eurosnots who forged entire careers hating America ? I'm still waiting for the first black French President.
And let me offer an equal opportunity whupping. I've always despised lazy white people. Now, I can talk smack about lazy black people. You're poor because you quit school, did drugs, had three kids with three different fathers, and refuse to work. So when you plop your Colt 45-swilling, Oprah watchin' butt on the couch and complain "Da Man is keepin' me down," allow me to inform you: Da Man is now black. You have no excuses.
No more quotas. No more handouts. No more stealing my money because someone's great-great-great-great grandparents suffered actual pain and misery at the hands of people I have no relation to, and personally revile.
It's time to toss that massive, obsolete race-hustle machine upon the heap of the other stupid 60s ideas. Drag it over there, by wife swapping, next to dope-smoking. Plenty of room right between free love and cop-killing. Careful…don't trip on streaking. There ya go, don't be gentle. Just dump it. Wash your hands. It's filthy.
In fact, Obama's ascension created a gargantuan irony. How can you sell class envy and American unfairness when you and your black wife went to Ivy League schools, got high-paying jobs, became millionaires, bought a mansion, and got elected President? How unfair is that??? Now, Like a delicious O'Henry tale, Obama's spread-the-wealth campaign rendered itself moot by it's own victory! America is officially a meritocracy. Obama's election has validated American conservatism!
So, listen carefully…Wham!!!
That's the sound of my foot kicking the door shut on the era of white guilt. The rites have been muttered, the carcass lowered, dirt shoveled, and tombstone erected. White guilt is dead and buried.
However, despite my glee, there's apparently one small, rabid bastion of American racism remaining. Black Americans voted 96% for Barak Obama. Hmmm. In a color-blind world, shouldn't that be 50-50? Tonight, every black person should ask forgiveness for their apparent racism and prejudice towards white people. Maybe it's time to start spreading the guilt around.
Look at my fellow conservatives! There they go, glumly shuffling along, depressed by the election aftermath. Not me. I'm virtually euphoric. Don't get me wrong. I'm not thrilled with America 's flirtation with neo socialism. But there is a massive silver lining in those magical clouds that lofted Barak Obama to the Presidency. For today, without a shred of intellectually legitimate opposition, I can loudly proclaim to America : The Era of White Guilt is over.
This seemingly impossible event occurred because the vast majority of white Americans didn't give a fluff about skin color, and enthusiastically pulled the voting lever for a black man. Not just any black man. A very liberal black man who spent his early career race-hustling banks, praying in a racist church for 20 years, and actively worked with America-hating domestic terrorists. Wow! Some resume! Yet they made Barak Obama their leader. Therefore, as of Nov 4th, 2008, white guilt is dead.
For over a century, the millstone of white guilt hung around our necks, retribution for slave-owning predecessors. In the 60s, American liberals began yanking that millstone while sticking a fork in the eye of black Americans, exacerbating the racial divide to extort a socialist solution. But if a black man can become President, exactly what significant barrier is left? The election of Barak Obama absolutely destroys the entire validation of liberal white guilt. The dragon is hereby slain.
So today, I'm feeling a little "uppity," if you will. From this day forward, my tolerance level for having my skin color hustled is now exactly ZERO. And it's time to clean house. No more Reverend Wright's "God Damn America ," Al Sharpton's Church of Perpetual Victimization , or Jesse Jackson's rainbow racism. Cornell West? You're a fraud. Go home. All those "black studies" programs that taught kids to hate whitey? You must now thank Whitey. And I want that on the final.
Congressional Black Caucus? Irrelevant. Maxine Waters? Shut up. ACORN? Outlawed. Black Panthers? Go home and pet your kitty. Black separatists? Find another nation that offers better dreams. Go ahead. I'm waiting.
Gangsta rappers? Start praising America . Begin with the Pledge of Allegiance. And please…no more ebonics. Speak English, and who knows where you might end up? Oh, yeah…pull up your pants. Your underwear is showing. You look stupid.
To those Eurosnots who forged entire careers hating America ? I'm still waiting for the first black French President.
And let me offer an equal opportunity whupping. I've always despised lazy white people. Now, I can talk smack about lazy black people. You're poor because you quit school, did drugs, had three kids with three different fathers, and refuse to work. So when you plop your Colt 45-swilling, Oprah watchin' butt on the couch and complain "Da Man is keepin' me down," allow me to inform you: Da Man is now black. You have no excuses.
No more quotas. No more handouts. No more stealing my money because someone's great-great-great-great grandparents suffered actual pain and misery at the hands of people I have no relation to, and personally revile.
It's time to toss that massive, obsolete race-hustle machine upon the heap of the other stupid 60s ideas. Drag it over there, by wife swapping, next to dope-smoking. Plenty of room right between free love and cop-killing. Careful…don't trip on streaking. There ya go, don't be gentle. Just dump it. Wash your hands. It's filthy.
In fact, Obama's ascension created a gargantuan irony. How can you sell class envy and American unfairness when you and your black wife went to Ivy League schools, got high-paying jobs, became millionaires, bought a mansion, and got elected President? How unfair is that??? Now, Like a delicious O'Henry tale, Obama's spread-the-wealth campaign rendered itself moot by it's own victory! America is officially a meritocracy. Obama's election has validated American conservatism!
So, listen carefully…Wham!!!
That's the sound of my foot kicking the door shut on the era of white guilt. The rites have been muttered, the carcass lowered, dirt shoveled, and tombstone erected. White guilt is dead and buried.
However, despite my glee, there's apparently one small, rabid bastion of American racism remaining. Black Americans voted 96% for Barak Obama. Hmmm. In a color-blind world, shouldn't that be 50-50? Tonight, every black person should ask forgiveness for their apparent racism and prejudice towards white people. Maybe it's time to start spreading the guilt around.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Obama Should Not Fire Patrick Fitzgerald
Obama Should Not Fire Patrick Fitzgerald
Thursday, December 11, 2008 10:32 AM
By: Dick Morris & Eileen McGann
When Bill Clinton took office in January 1993, he was hearing the foot steps of Little Rock U.S. Attorney Charles Banks, who was hot on his heels as he probed charges of corruption that swirled around the Whitewater land deal.
President Clinton decided, in one of his first acts, to fire all 93 U.S. attorneys — claiming he wanted a clean slate.
Many insiders suspected that the other 92 bodies were a cover for firing Banks and replacing him with Paula Casey, a Clinton ally.
U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald's indictment of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich raises a similar question as President-elect Barack Obama prepares to take office: Will the new president fire Fitzgerald?
In view of the often-close relationship between Blagojevich, Obama, and other key members of the incoming administration, it would be a travesty were Fitzgerald's head to roll now:
Fitzgerald has already indicted and convicted Antoin Rezko, Obama's friend and key financial backer, who may have arranged for the then-state-senator to acquire his home and adjoining property on advantageous terms.
Obama and incoming Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel were among an intimate circle of Blagojevich advisers when Blagojevich first ran for governor in 2002. Emanuel says that he, Obama, and others "participated in a small group that met weekly when Rod was running for governor. We basically laid out the general election, Barack and I and these two."
Obama adviser and media guru David Axelrod worked for Blagojevich in his races for Congress before he ran for governor, although Axelrod (a consultant of uncommon integrity) refused to work for Blagojevich when he ran for governor.
Even though Fitzgerald had already made it clear that he was investigating the governor, following up "very serious allegations of endemic hiring fraud" and noted that he had "a number of credible witnesses," Obama vigorously backed Blagojevich for re-election in 2006.
At the Illinois State Fair that August, ABC's Jake Tapper reported that Obama told the crowd, "We've got a governor in Rod Blagojevich who has delivered consistently on behalf of the people of Illinois."
Fitzgerald has clearly signaled that his probe doesn't involve Obama, but who knows if it might lead to other Illinois Democrats in the new president's coterie of aides?
If Fitzgerald stays on the job, we can be sure the investigation will be pursued honestly and thoroughly. His Inspector Javert-like pursuit of the Valerie Plame scandal, aimed at the heart of the Bush administration, should be more than enough proof of his nonpolitical credentials.
Obama shouldn't hesitate to replace Fitzgerald once his work is done. But if he removes the Illinois U.S. attorney right off the bat, we'll be left wondering if he did so to cover something up.
Join Dick Morris on a Special Cruise! Newsmax will be hosting its 10th Anniversary Cruise in June of 2009 and you are invited! Join Newsmax writers Dick Morris, Ronald Kessler, Christopher Ruddy, Dr. Russell Blaylock, Dr. David Brownstein, and many others on an incredible cruise of the Mediterranean. For full info — Click Here Now.
© 2008 Newsmax. All rights reserved.
Thursday, December 11, 2008 10:32 AM
By: Dick Morris & Eileen McGann
When Bill Clinton took office in January 1993, he was hearing the foot steps of Little Rock U.S. Attorney Charles Banks, who was hot on his heels as he probed charges of corruption that swirled around the Whitewater land deal.
President Clinton decided, in one of his first acts, to fire all 93 U.S. attorneys — claiming he wanted a clean slate.
Many insiders suspected that the other 92 bodies were a cover for firing Banks and replacing him with Paula Casey, a Clinton ally.
U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald's indictment of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich raises a similar question as President-elect Barack Obama prepares to take office: Will the new president fire Fitzgerald?
In view of the often-close relationship between Blagojevich, Obama, and other key members of the incoming administration, it would be a travesty were Fitzgerald's head to roll now:
Fitzgerald has already indicted and convicted Antoin Rezko, Obama's friend and key financial backer, who may have arranged for the then-state-senator to acquire his home and adjoining property on advantageous terms.
Obama and incoming Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel were among an intimate circle of Blagojevich advisers when Blagojevich first ran for governor in 2002. Emanuel says that he, Obama, and others "participated in a small group that met weekly when Rod was running for governor. We basically laid out the general election, Barack and I and these two."
Obama adviser and media guru David Axelrod worked for Blagojevich in his races for Congress before he ran for governor, although Axelrod (a consultant of uncommon integrity) refused to work for Blagojevich when he ran for governor.
Even though Fitzgerald had already made it clear that he was investigating the governor, following up "very serious allegations of endemic hiring fraud" and noted that he had "a number of credible witnesses," Obama vigorously backed Blagojevich for re-election in 2006.
At the Illinois State Fair that August, ABC's Jake Tapper reported that Obama told the crowd, "We've got a governor in Rod Blagojevich who has delivered consistently on behalf of the people of Illinois."
Fitzgerald has clearly signaled that his probe doesn't involve Obama, but who knows if it might lead to other Illinois Democrats in the new president's coterie of aides?
If Fitzgerald stays on the job, we can be sure the investigation will be pursued honestly and thoroughly. His Inspector Javert-like pursuit of the Valerie Plame scandal, aimed at the heart of the Bush administration, should be more than enough proof of his nonpolitical credentials.
Obama shouldn't hesitate to replace Fitzgerald once his work is done. But if he removes the Illinois U.S. attorney right off the bat, we'll be left wondering if he did so to cover something up.
Join Dick Morris on a Special Cruise! Newsmax will be hosting its 10th Anniversary Cruise in June of 2009 and you are invited! Join Newsmax writers Dick Morris, Ronald Kessler, Christopher Ruddy, Dr. Russell Blaylock, Dr. David Brownstein, and many others on an incredible cruise of the Mediterranean. For full info — Click Here Now.
© 2008 Newsmax. All rights reserved.
Absolutely Corrupt
Absolutely Corrupt
By INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY | Posted Tuesday, December 09, 2008 4:20 PM PT
Leadership: The media had a frenzy Tuesday with the "stunning" news that Illinois Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich had been arrested on corruption charges. The only thing stunning is it doesn't happen more often.
Blagojevich and his top aide, John Harris, were both arrested early Tuesday by the FBI on federal corruption charges. Among the more serious allegations is that Blagojevich tried to put Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat up for sale.
Blagojevich was reportedly caught on a wiretap explaining that a Senate seat "is a f***ing valuable thing, you just don't give it away for nothing."
The Illinois governor also reportedly tried to get the Chicago Tribune editorial board to tone down its criticism of him in exchange for state help with selling Wrigley Field, which is owned by the newspaper's parent, Tribune Co.
The mind boggles at such cupidity and outright criminality. Yet this wasn't the only news having to do with political corruption in recent days and weeks. Indeed, our political system is brimming with scandals, large and small.
Take last week, when a virtually unknown GOP challenger, Anh Cao, upset Louisiana Democratic Rep. William Jefferson in an election. Jefferson held a safe, gerrymandered district. Yet his constituents threw him out. Why? He'd been accused of accepting bribes, and federal agents later found thousands of dollars of suspicious cash stashed in his home freezer.
Fact is, America's political culture is in deep crisis. Hardly a day goes by without hearing about someone at the state or local level implicated in some sort of corrupt behavior. Literally dozens of our nation's 535 congressmen and women have been accused or found guilty of misconduct or misdeeds of various stripes.
Examples abound: Rep. Charles Rangel (taxes). Sen. Larry Craig ("wide stance" in a public bathroom). Sen. Chris Dodd (sweetheart mortgage deal, contributions from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). Rep. Alcee Hastings (impeached as a judge for corruption and perjury and since elected to the House in Florida).
And these just scratch the surface.
What does all this have to do with Blagojevich? Plenty. Blagojevich's case goes far beyond Illinois borders in its implications for the American political system.
For years, Illinois' state legislature has been controlled by one party, the Democrats — just as Washington will be in January. As Lord Acton said, power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. We hope one-party control of Washington won't bring a new wave of political crimes and corruption.
President-elect Obama emerged from the rough-and-tumble Illinois and Chicago political milieus. He knew Blagojevich well. He also knew convicted felon and political fixer Tony Rezko. So he no doubt knows too how corrosive this kind of malfeasance can be to a democratic system such as ours.
We hope he'll set an example and show zero tolerance for this kind of corruption in his new administration. Because people are fallible, corruption is perhaps inevitable. But that's no reason to tolerate it.
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By INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY | Posted Tuesday, December 09, 2008 4:20 PM PT
Leadership: The media had a frenzy Tuesday with the "stunning" news that Illinois Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich had been arrested on corruption charges. The only thing stunning is it doesn't happen more often.
Blagojevich and his top aide, John Harris, were both arrested early Tuesday by the FBI on federal corruption charges. Among the more serious allegations is that Blagojevich tried to put Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat up for sale.
Blagojevich was reportedly caught on a wiretap explaining that a Senate seat "is a f***ing valuable thing, you just don't give it away for nothing."
The Illinois governor also reportedly tried to get the Chicago Tribune editorial board to tone down its criticism of him in exchange for state help with selling Wrigley Field, which is owned by the newspaper's parent, Tribune Co.
The mind boggles at such cupidity and outright criminality. Yet this wasn't the only news having to do with political corruption in recent days and weeks. Indeed, our political system is brimming with scandals, large and small.
Take last week, when a virtually unknown GOP challenger, Anh Cao, upset Louisiana Democratic Rep. William Jefferson in an election. Jefferson held a safe, gerrymandered district. Yet his constituents threw him out. Why? He'd been accused of accepting bribes, and federal agents later found thousands of dollars of suspicious cash stashed in his home freezer.
Fact is, America's political culture is in deep crisis. Hardly a day goes by without hearing about someone at the state or local level implicated in some sort of corrupt behavior. Literally dozens of our nation's 535 congressmen and women have been accused or found guilty of misconduct or misdeeds of various stripes.
Examples abound: Rep. Charles Rangel (taxes). Sen. Larry Craig ("wide stance" in a public bathroom). Sen. Chris Dodd (sweetheart mortgage deal, contributions from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). Rep. Alcee Hastings (impeached as a judge for corruption and perjury and since elected to the House in Florida).
And these just scratch the surface.
What does all this have to do with Blagojevich? Plenty. Blagojevich's case goes far beyond Illinois borders in its implications for the American political system.
For years, Illinois' state legislature has been controlled by one party, the Democrats — just as Washington will be in January. As Lord Acton said, power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. We hope one-party control of Washington won't bring a new wave of political crimes and corruption.
President-elect Obama emerged from the rough-and-tumble Illinois and Chicago political milieus. He knew Blagojevich well. He also knew convicted felon and political fixer Tony Rezko. So he no doubt knows too how corrosive this kind of malfeasance can be to a democratic system such as ours.
We hope he'll set an example and show zero tolerance for this kind of corruption in his new administration. Because people are fallible, corruption is perhaps inevitable. But that's no reason to tolerate it.
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Military Losses, 1980-2007
Military Losses, 1980-2007
The annual fatalities, by any cause, of military members while actively serving in the armed forces from 1980 through 2006:
1980 2,392 (Carter)
1981 2,380 (Reagan)
1984 1,999 (Reagan)
1988 1,819 (Reagan)
1989 1,636 (George H W)
1990 1,508 (George H W)
1991 1,787 (George H W)
1992 1,293 (George H W)
1993 1,213 (Clinton)
1994 1,075 (Clinton)
1995 2,465 (Clinton)
1996 2,318 (Clinton)
1997 817 (Clinton)
1998 2,252 (Clinton)
1999 1,984 (Clinton)
2000 1,983 (Clinton)
2001 890 (George W)
2002 1,007 (George W)
2003 1,410 (George W)
2004 1,887 (George W)
2005 919 (George W)
2006 920 (George W)
2007 899 (George W)
GHW Bush Years (1989-1992): 6,224 deaths
Clinton years (1993-2000): 14,107 deaths
George W years (2001-2007): 7,932 deaths
These figures indicate the loss from the two latest Middle East conflicts are less than the loss of military personnel during Clinton's presidency when America wasn't even involved in a war--unless you include Bosnia and Mogadishu, Somalia.
Many members of our media and politicians pick and choose the information on which they report.
They present only those "facts" that support their agenda.
The latest census of Americans shows the following distribution of citizens by race:
European descent 69.12 percent
Hispanic 12.50 percent
Black 12.30 percent
Asian 3.70 percent
Native American 1.00 percent
Other 2.60 percent
Members of the media lead us to believe the military death ratio is off balance compared to the distribution by race in America.
Here are the fatalities by race over the past three years in Iraq.
European descent 74.31 percent
Hispanic 10.74 percent
Black 9.67 percent
Asian 1.81 percent
Native American 1.09 percent
Other 0.33 percent
These statistics came from the Congressional Research Service and may be confirmed at: www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/RL32492.pdf
"History does not entrust the care of freedom to the weak or timid."
--- Dwight D. Eisenhower
The annual fatalities, by any cause, of military members while actively serving in the armed forces from 1980 through 2006:
1980 2,392 (Carter)
1981 2,380 (Reagan)
1984 1,999 (Reagan)
1988 1,819 (Reagan)
1989 1,636 (George H W)
1990 1,508 (George H W)
1991 1,787 (George H W)
1992 1,293 (George H W)
1993 1,213 (Clinton)
1994 1,075 (Clinton)
1995 2,465 (Clinton)
1996 2,318 (Clinton)
1997 817 (Clinton)
1998 2,252 (Clinton)
1999 1,984 (Clinton)
2000 1,983 (Clinton)
2001 890 (George W)
2002 1,007 (George W)
2003 1,410 (George W)
2004 1,887 (George W)
2005 919 (George W)
2006 920 (George W)
2007 899 (George W)
GHW Bush Years (1989-1992): 6,224 deaths
Clinton years (1993-2000): 14,107 deaths
George W years (2001-2007): 7,932 deaths
These figures indicate the loss from the two latest Middle East conflicts are less than the loss of military personnel during Clinton's presidency when America wasn't even involved in a war--unless you include Bosnia and Mogadishu, Somalia.
Many members of our media and politicians pick and choose the information on which they report.
They present only those "facts" that support their agenda.
The latest census of Americans shows the following distribution of citizens by race:
European descent 69.12 percent
Hispanic 12.50 percent
Black 12.30 percent
Asian 3.70 percent
Native American 1.00 percent
Other 2.60 percent
Members of the media lead us to believe the military death ratio is off balance compared to the distribution by race in America.
Here are the fatalities by race over the past three years in Iraq.
European descent 74.31 percent
Hispanic 10.74 percent
Black 9.67 percent
Asian 1.81 percent
Native American 1.09 percent
Other 0.33 percent
These statistics came from the Congressional Research Service and may be confirmed at: www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/RL32492.pdf
"History does not entrust the care of freedom to the weak or timid."
--- Dwight D. Eisenhower
Subj: Statistics on Recent Election
Subj: Statistics on Recent Election
Wow, how depressing
>
> Professor Joseph Olson of Hemline University School of Law,
> St. Paul, Minnesota , points out some interesting facts concerning the
> Presidential election:
> Number of States won by: Democrats: 19 Republicans: 29
> Square miles of land won by: Democrats: 580,000 Republicans: 2,427,000
> Population of counties won by: Democrats: 127 million Republicans: 143
> million
> Murder rate per 100,000 residents in counties won by: Democrats: 13.2
> Republicans: 2.1
> Professor Olson adds: "In aggregate, the map of the territory Republican
> won was mostly the land owned by the taxpaying citizens of the country.
> Democrat territory mostly encompassed those citizens living in
> government-owned tenements and living off various forms of government
> welfare..." Olson believes the United States is now somewhere between the
> "complacency and apathy" phase of Professor Tyler's definition of
> democracy, with some forty percent of the nation's population already having
> reached the "governmental dependency" phase.
> If Congress grants amnesty and citizenship to twenty million criminal
> invaders called illegal's and they vote, then we can say goodbye to the
> USA in fewer than five years
> If you are in favor of this, then by all means, delete this message.
> If you are not, then pass this along to help everyone realize just how much
> is at stake, knowing that apathy is the greatest danger to our freedom.
Wow, how depressing
>
> Professor Joseph Olson of Hemline University School of Law,
> St. Paul, Minnesota , points out some interesting facts concerning the
> Presidential election:
> Number of States won by: Democrats: 19 Republicans: 29
> Square miles of land won by: Democrats: 580,000 Republicans: 2,427,000
> Population of counties won by: Democrats: 127 million Republicans: 143
> million
> Murder rate per 100,000 residents in counties won by: Democrats: 13.2
> Republicans: 2.1
> Professor Olson adds: "In aggregate, the map of the territory Republican
> won was mostly the land owned by the taxpaying citizens of the country.
> Democrat territory mostly encompassed those citizens living in
> government-owned tenements and living off various forms of government
> welfare..." Olson believes the United States is now somewhere between the
> "complacency and apathy" phase of Professor Tyler's definition of
> democracy, with some forty percent of the nation's population already having
> reached the "governmental dependency" phase.
> If Congress grants amnesty and citizenship to twenty million criminal
> invaders called illegal's and they vote, then we can say goodbye to the
> USA in fewer than five years
> If you are in favor of this, then by all means, delete this message.
> If you are not, then pass this along to help everyone realize just how much
> is at stake, knowing that apathy is the greatest danger to our freedom.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
OPINION
Top 10 Poorest Cities
What do the top ten cities with the highest poverty rate all have in common?
Detroit, MI(1st on the poverty rate list) hasn't elected a Republican mayor since 1961;
Buffalo, NY(2nd) hasn't elected a Republican mayor since 1954;
Cincinnati, OH(3rd) hasn't elected a Republican mayor since 1984;
Cleveland, OH(4th) hasn't elected a Republican mayor since 1989;
Miami, FL(5th) has never had a Republican mayor;
St. Louis, MO(6th) hasn't elected a Republican mayor since 1949;
El Paso, TX(7th) has never had a Republican mayor;
Milwaukee, WI(8th) hasn't elected a Republican mayor since 1908;
Philadelphia, PA(9th) hasn't elected a Republican mayor since 1952;
Newark, NJ(10th) hasn't elected a Republican mayor since 1907.
Pittsburgh, PA(11) ... No Republican held ANY office in Pittsburgh for 65 years until two were elected in 1995.
Einstein once said, "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."
It is the disadvantaged (define that however you will) who habitually elect Democrats --- yet they are still disadvantaged after all these years! Imagine that.
Like Charles Barkley said: "The poor have been voting for Democrats for 50 year s and they are still poor" !!!!!!
What do the top ten cities with the highest poverty rate all have in common?
Detroit, MI(1st on the poverty rate list) hasn't elected a Republican mayor since 1961;
Buffalo, NY(2nd) hasn't elected a Republican mayor since 1954;
Cincinnati, OH(3rd) hasn't elected a Republican mayor since 1984;
Cleveland, OH(4th) hasn't elected a Republican mayor since 1989;
Miami, FL(5th) has never had a Republican mayor;
St. Louis, MO(6th) hasn't elected a Republican mayor since 1949;
El Paso, TX(7th) has never had a Republican mayor;
Milwaukee, WI(8th) hasn't elected a Republican mayor since 1908;
Philadelphia, PA(9th) hasn't elected a Republican mayor since 1952;
Newark, NJ(10th) hasn't elected a Republican mayor since 1907.
Pittsburgh, PA(11) ... No Republican held ANY office in Pittsburgh for 65 years until two were elected in 1995.
Einstein once said, "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."
It is the disadvantaged (define that however you will) who habitually elect Democrats --- yet they are still disadvantaged after all these years! Imagine that.
Like Charles Barkley said: "The poor have been voting for Democrats for 50 year s and they are still poor" !!!!!!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Blagojevich Scandal: What Did Obama Know, and When Did He Know It?
Blagojevich Scandal: What Did Obama Know, and When Did He Know It?
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 7:04 PM
By: David A. Patten
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich wanted “something big” from the Obama administration in return for naming its preferred candidate to fill Obama’s Senate seat — and he delivered an expletive-filled tirade when Obama’s representatives apparently refused to go along.
Blagojevich and his chief of staff, John Harris, were arrested Tuesday on charges that they tried to “sell” the U.S. Senate seat that Obama recently vacated. Under Illinois law, naming a replacement falls to Blagojevich.
The FBI says it taped Blagojevich complaining that Obama advisers were telling him that he had to “suck it up . . . and give this mother----er [the President-elect]] his senator. F--- him. For nothing? F--- him.”
Obama briefly addressed the arrests Tuesday afternoon, telling the media, “I had no contact with the governor or his office and so I was not aware of what was happening. It’s a sad day for Illinois. Beyond that, I don’t think it’s appropriate to comment.”
The criminal complaint was announced Tuesday by federal prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald, who came to national prominence during the investigation that led to the conviction of Scooter Libby on charges related to the Valerie Plame case.
Fitzgerald stated Tuesday that “there is no allegation in the complaint that the president-elect was aware of it and that is all I can say,” according to ABCNews.com.
The 76-page criminal complaint refers to the president-elect and his representatives at least 40 times, however.
Item No. 99 in the document states that Blagojevich and Harris spoke on Nov. 7 with “Adviser B,” a Washington, D.C.-based consultant presumably working on behalf of the Obama transition team.
During the call, Blagojevich indicated that he would appoint a person the complaint identifies only as “Senate Candidate 1” -- presumably a candidate preferred by the Obama administration -- in return for Blagojevich being appointed Secretary of Health and Human Services by Obama.
Candidate 1 is generally believed to be Obama insider Valerie Jarrett, who has been mentioned as among the favorites to replace Obama in the Senate.
Harris stated “we wanted our [request] to be reasonable and rather than . . . make it look like some sort of selfish grab for a quid pro quo.
During the call, Blagojevich stated he was hurting “financially.” And Harris said the “financial security” of the Blagojevich family was an issue. At one point, Blagojevich stated outright, “I want to make money,” according to the indictment.
Also discussed during that conference call was a “three-way deal” between the SEIU union, Blagojevich, and Obama. The deal was that Blagojevich would appoint Obama’s preferred candidate, and in return Obama would help Blagojevich win the SEIU appointment to head an organization called “Change to Win.”
ChangetoWin.org describes itself as an organization created by “seven unions and six million workers” to “restore the American Dream of the 21st Century.”
Harris said the three-way deal would give Obama a “buffer so there is no obvious quid pro quo for [the appointment of Senate Candidate 1]. The criminal complaint states, “Adviser B said that he liked the idea of the three-way deal.”
Three days later, the indictment said, Blagojevich told Harris it was unlikely that Obama would name him Secretary of Health and Human Services, or appoint him to be an ambassador, due to the investigation looming over him.
The complaint states that Adviser B and another consultant are believed to have participated in a call during which Blagojevich said they were telling him to “suck it up” for two years, and give this “motherf---er [the President-elect] his senator. F--- him. For nothing? F--- him.”
Next, states the complaint, Blagojevich says he would appoint another candidate, Senate Candidate 4, “before I just give f---ing [Senate Candidate 1] a f---ing Senate seat and I don’t get anything.”
Senate Candidate 4, the complaint states, is a deputy governor of the State of Illinois. Dean Martinez, Bob Greenlee, and Louanner Peters currently serve as deputy governors.
During the conversations with Obama’s representatives, Blagojevich repeatedly made it clear he would not agree to name “Senate Candidate 1” to fill the position without a quid pro quo from the White House, if only indirectly, according to the complaint. Blagojevich stated he wanted to make $250,000 to $300,000 annually.
The criminal complaint indicates Blagojevich and his staff were confident they could exact something from at least one candidate for the seat, Senate Candidate 5. Senate Candidate 5 is not identified.
Based on the complaint, it remains unclear whether any close Obama associate knew that Blagojevich was seeking monetary gain in return for the Senate appointment. It is possible that having such knowledge without reporting it to authorities in a timely way could raise serious legal issues.
If nothing else, the complaints represent an embarrassment to Obama given his support for Blagojevich’s gubernatorial reelection bid.
The RNC responded to the indictments in part by circulating an Associated Press report from August 2006 in which Obama stated, “We’ve got a governor in Rod Blagojevich who has delivered consistently on behalf of the people of Illinois.”
Also, RNC Chairman Robert M. “Mike” Duncan released a statement calling Obama’s reaction to the arrests “insufficient at best.”
He added, “Given the President-elect’s history of supporting and advising Gov. Blagojevich, he has a responsibility to speak out and fully address the issue.”
© 2008 Newsmax. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 7:04 PM
By: David A. Patten
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich wanted “something big” from the Obama administration in return for naming its preferred candidate to fill Obama’s Senate seat — and he delivered an expletive-filled tirade when Obama’s representatives apparently refused to go along.
Blagojevich and his chief of staff, John Harris, were arrested Tuesday on charges that they tried to “sell” the U.S. Senate seat that Obama recently vacated. Under Illinois law, naming a replacement falls to Blagojevich.
The FBI says it taped Blagojevich complaining that Obama advisers were telling him that he had to “suck it up . . . and give this mother----er [the President-elect]] his senator. F--- him. For nothing? F--- him.”
Obama briefly addressed the arrests Tuesday afternoon, telling the media, “I had no contact with the governor or his office and so I was not aware of what was happening. It’s a sad day for Illinois. Beyond that, I don’t think it’s appropriate to comment.”
The criminal complaint was announced Tuesday by federal prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald, who came to national prominence during the investigation that led to the conviction of Scooter Libby on charges related to the Valerie Plame case.
Fitzgerald stated Tuesday that “there is no allegation in the complaint that the president-elect was aware of it and that is all I can say,” according to ABCNews.com.
The 76-page criminal complaint refers to the president-elect and his representatives at least 40 times, however.
Item No. 99 in the document states that Blagojevich and Harris spoke on Nov. 7 with “Adviser B,” a Washington, D.C.-based consultant presumably working on behalf of the Obama transition team.
During the call, Blagojevich indicated that he would appoint a person the complaint identifies only as “Senate Candidate 1” -- presumably a candidate preferred by the Obama administration -- in return for Blagojevich being appointed Secretary of Health and Human Services by Obama.
Candidate 1 is generally believed to be Obama insider Valerie Jarrett, who has been mentioned as among the favorites to replace Obama in the Senate.
Harris stated “we wanted our [request] to be reasonable and rather than . . . make it look like some sort of selfish grab for a quid pro quo.
During the call, Blagojevich stated he was hurting “financially.” And Harris said the “financial security” of the Blagojevich family was an issue. At one point, Blagojevich stated outright, “I want to make money,” according to the indictment.
Also discussed during that conference call was a “three-way deal” between the SEIU union, Blagojevich, and Obama. The deal was that Blagojevich would appoint Obama’s preferred candidate, and in return Obama would help Blagojevich win the SEIU appointment to head an organization called “Change to Win.”
ChangetoWin.org describes itself as an organization created by “seven unions and six million workers” to “restore the American Dream of the 21st Century.”
Harris said the three-way deal would give Obama a “buffer so there is no obvious quid pro quo for [the appointment of Senate Candidate 1]. The criminal complaint states, “Adviser B said that he liked the idea of the three-way deal.”
Three days later, the indictment said, Blagojevich told Harris it was unlikely that Obama would name him Secretary of Health and Human Services, or appoint him to be an ambassador, due to the investigation looming over him.
The complaint states that Adviser B and another consultant are believed to have participated in a call during which Blagojevich said they were telling him to “suck it up” for two years, and give this “motherf---er [the President-elect] his senator. F--- him. For nothing? F--- him.”
Next, states the complaint, Blagojevich says he would appoint another candidate, Senate Candidate 4, “before I just give f---ing [Senate Candidate 1] a f---ing Senate seat and I don’t get anything.”
Senate Candidate 4, the complaint states, is a deputy governor of the State of Illinois. Dean Martinez, Bob Greenlee, and Louanner Peters currently serve as deputy governors.
During the conversations with Obama’s representatives, Blagojevich repeatedly made it clear he would not agree to name “Senate Candidate 1” to fill the position without a quid pro quo from the White House, if only indirectly, according to the complaint. Blagojevich stated he wanted to make $250,000 to $300,000 annually.
The criminal complaint indicates Blagojevich and his staff were confident they could exact something from at least one candidate for the seat, Senate Candidate 5. Senate Candidate 5 is not identified.
Based on the complaint, it remains unclear whether any close Obama associate knew that Blagojevich was seeking monetary gain in return for the Senate appointment. It is possible that having such knowledge without reporting it to authorities in a timely way could raise serious legal issues.
If nothing else, the complaints represent an embarrassment to Obama given his support for Blagojevich’s gubernatorial reelection bid.
The RNC responded to the indictments in part by circulating an Associated Press report from August 2006 in which Obama stated, “We’ve got a governor in Rod Blagojevich who has delivered consistently on behalf of the people of Illinois.”
Also, RNC Chairman Robert M. “Mike” Duncan released a statement calling Obama’s reaction to the arrests “insufficient at best.”
He added, “Given the President-elect’s history of supporting and advising Gov. Blagojevich, he has a responsibility to speak out and fully address the issue.”
© 2008 Newsmax. All rights reserved.
Rezko Tie Links Obama and Blagojevich
Rezko Tie Links Obama and Blagojevich
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 3:36 PM
By: David A. Patten
President-elect Barack Obama’s ties to arrested Illinois Democratic Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich run primarily through Chicago slum lord and felon Tony Rezko.
Rezko served as the political godfather for both Blagojevich and Obama, helping both to rise in Chicago and Illinois politics. Obama himself has credited Rezko with helping to his political career.
Rezko raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for both politicians.
A 76-page FBI affidavit released today after the arrest of Blagojevich and his chief of staff, John Harris, says Blagojevich conspired “to sell” the Illinois Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.
U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald called the effort to barter the seat the “most sinister and appalling” of a long list of accusations against Blagojevich. Blagojevich, as governor, is responsible for naming Obama’s replacement.
Rezko has had extensive ties to both men:
Rezko’s Ties to Obama
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the two met in 1990 while Obama was still attending Harvard Law School. Rezko offered Obama a job, but Obama declined.
In 1995, Obama billed 32 hours for work done on behalf of Woodlawn Preservation and Investment Corp., a company involved in a low-income housing partnership with Rezko. He also wrote letters supporting the proposed development.
Rezko was Obama’s second largest individual contributor when he began his run for an Illinois state Senate seat in 1995. Two Rezko companies contributed $2,000 to Obama’s campaign, and Rezko and wife Rita reportedly worked on Obama’s campaign.
In the first half of 1997, according to a report by Newsmax Contributing Editor Kenneth R. Timmerman, two Rezko companies contributed $2,000 to Obama’s ongoing political operation.
In the first half of 1998, Rezko provided Obama’s campaign food worth an estimated $457.70 as an “in-kind contribution.”
Rezko was one of Obama’s biggest contributors when he ran for U.S. Senate in 2003 and 2004, and Rezko was a member of Obama’s campaign finance committee, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
In June 2003, Rezko held a ritzy fund-raiser for Obama at his tony Wilmette mansion. Obama later said, “Rezko was not my largest fundraiser but a significant fundraiser.” According to Reuters, Obama said Rezko raised as much as $250,000.
In 2005, as news began to spread that federal authorities were investigating Rezko, Obama bought a house in Chicago’s Kenwood neighborhood for $1.65 million. Rezko’s wife, Rita, paid $625,000 for a lot adjacent to Obama’s new home, and the two deals closed on the same day.
Seven months later, Rezko’s wife sold one-sixth of her lot – a 10-foot strip of a 60-foot lot -- to Obama for $104,500.
In December 2006, Obama told the Washington Post the deal was a “boneheaded” mistake. “There’s no doubt I should have seen some red flags in terms of me purchasing a piece of property from him,” Obama said.
The Post reports Rezko and Obama later “collaborated” to construct a fence to divide the two properties, which Obama said was required by city code. Obama paid for lawn maintenance for both properties.
In March 2008, Obama said Rezko had raised up to $250,000 to help underwrite his prior campaigns in Illinois – a much higher figure than had previously been reported.
Rezko helped Obama’s presidential campaign raise over $150,000. The campaign later donated Rezko’s contributions to charity.
Rezko Ties to Blagojevich
The FBI says between June 2001 and August 2004 Rezko raised over $1.4 million for Blagojevich’s political campaigns, according to the Los Angeles Times. (Blagojevich was elected governor of Illinois in 2002, and reelected in 2006.)
Rezko hosted Blagojevich’s first post-election party at his mansion. Although he had no official role in the Blagojevich administration, he reportedly participated in several Blagojevich strategy retreats.
In October 2006, authorities indicted Rezko for soliciting kickbacks from companies seeking state contracts that were awarded by officials under the governor’s authority. According to the Los Angeles Times and others, $20,000 that Rezko garnered from kickbacks found its way via a middleman into Obama’s Senate campaign coffers.
Rezko’s June 2008 trial on corruption strongly implicated Blagojevich. Blagojevich allegedly discussed a state job for a donor, after that donor wrote a $25,000 check for his campaign.
During the trial, prosecutors maintained that Rezko routinely arranged shakedowns while serving as a top Blagojevich adviser.
In all, prosecutors said, Rezko squeezed various companies for some $7 million in kickbacks.
Following his conviction on 16 counts of fraud, money laundering, and aiding and abetting bribery, Rezko said federal authorities tried to pressure him “to tell the wrong things” about the Obama and Blagojevich. The Sun-Times reported prosecutors pushed Rezko to cooperate in the corruption probe against Blagojevich.
It should be noted that Obama has consistently stated he never intervened on behalf of Rezko in any state or federal business. Authorities have yet to suggest any wrongdoing on the part of either Obama or his staff.
© 2008 Newsmax. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 3:36 PM
By: David A. Patten
President-elect Barack Obama’s ties to arrested Illinois Democratic Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich run primarily through Chicago slum lord and felon Tony Rezko.
Rezko served as the political godfather for both Blagojevich and Obama, helping both to rise in Chicago and Illinois politics. Obama himself has credited Rezko with helping to his political career.
Rezko raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for both politicians.
A 76-page FBI affidavit released today after the arrest of Blagojevich and his chief of staff, John Harris, says Blagojevich conspired “to sell” the Illinois Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.
U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald called the effort to barter the seat the “most sinister and appalling” of a long list of accusations against Blagojevich. Blagojevich, as governor, is responsible for naming Obama’s replacement.
Rezko has had extensive ties to both men:
Rezko’s Ties to Obama
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the two met in 1990 while Obama was still attending Harvard Law School. Rezko offered Obama a job, but Obama declined.
In 1995, Obama billed 32 hours for work done on behalf of Woodlawn Preservation and Investment Corp., a company involved in a low-income housing partnership with Rezko. He also wrote letters supporting the proposed development.
Rezko was Obama’s second largest individual contributor when he began his run for an Illinois state Senate seat in 1995. Two Rezko companies contributed $2,000 to Obama’s campaign, and Rezko and wife Rita reportedly worked on Obama’s campaign.
In the first half of 1997, according to a report by Newsmax Contributing Editor Kenneth R. Timmerman, two Rezko companies contributed $2,000 to Obama’s ongoing political operation.
In the first half of 1998, Rezko provided Obama’s campaign food worth an estimated $457.70 as an “in-kind contribution.”
Rezko was one of Obama’s biggest contributors when he ran for U.S. Senate in 2003 and 2004, and Rezko was a member of Obama’s campaign finance committee, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
In June 2003, Rezko held a ritzy fund-raiser for Obama at his tony Wilmette mansion. Obama later said, “Rezko was not my largest fundraiser but a significant fundraiser.” According to Reuters, Obama said Rezko raised as much as $250,000.
In 2005, as news began to spread that federal authorities were investigating Rezko, Obama bought a house in Chicago’s Kenwood neighborhood for $1.65 million. Rezko’s wife, Rita, paid $625,000 for a lot adjacent to Obama’s new home, and the two deals closed on the same day.
Seven months later, Rezko’s wife sold one-sixth of her lot – a 10-foot strip of a 60-foot lot -- to Obama for $104,500.
In December 2006, Obama told the Washington Post the deal was a “boneheaded” mistake. “There’s no doubt I should have seen some red flags in terms of me purchasing a piece of property from him,” Obama said.
The Post reports Rezko and Obama later “collaborated” to construct a fence to divide the two properties, which Obama said was required by city code. Obama paid for lawn maintenance for both properties.
In March 2008, Obama said Rezko had raised up to $250,000 to help underwrite his prior campaigns in Illinois – a much higher figure than had previously been reported.
Rezko helped Obama’s presidential campaign raise over $150,000. The campaign later donated Rezko’s contributions to charity.
Rezko Ties to Blagojevich
The FBI says between June 2001 and August 2004 Rezko raised over $1.4 million for Blagojevich’s political campaigns, according to the Los Angeles Times. (Blagojevich was elected governor of Illinois in 2002, and reelected in 2006.)
Rezko hosted Blagojevich’s first post-election party at his mansion. Although he had no official role in the Blagojevich administration, he reportedly participated in several Blagojevich strategy retreats.
In October 2006, authorities indicted Rezko for soliciting kickbacks from companies seeking state contracts that were awarded by officials under the governor’s authority. According to the Los Angeles Times and others, $20,000 that Rezko garnered from kickbacks found its way via a middleman into Obama’s Senate campaign coffers.
Rezko’s June 2008 trial on corruption strongly implicated Blagojevich. Blagojevich allegedly discussed a state job for a donor, after that donor wrote a $25,000 check for his campaign.
During the trial, prosecutors maintained that Rezko routinely arranged shakedowns while serving as a top Blagojevich adviser.
In all, prosecutors said, Rezko squeezed various companies for some $7 million in kickbacks.
Following his conviction on 16 counts of fraud, money laundering, and aiding and abetting bribery, Rezko said federal authorities tried to pressure him “to tell the wrong things” about the Obama and Blagojevich. The Sun-Times reported prosecutors pushed Rezko to cooperate in the corruption probe against Blagojevich.
It should be noted that Obama has consistently stated he never intervened on behalf of Rezko in any state or federal business. Authorities have yet to suggest any wrongdoing on the part of either Obama or his staff.
© 2008 Newsmax. All rights reserved.
Jeb Bush to GOP: Don't Become 'Democrat-Lite'
Jeb Bush to GOP: Don't Become 'Democrat-Lite'
Sunday, November 30, 2008 4:20 PM
By: David A. Patten
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush tells Newsmax that the GOP must broaden its appeal to avoid becoming “the old white-guy party,” and recommends that Republicans create a “shadow government” to engage Democrats on important issues as the incoming Obama administration seeks to enact its agenda.
In a wide-ranging interview with Newsmax, the popular former governor and younger brother of President George W. Bush said the 2008 election was neither “transformational” nor a landslide. For example, he noted that Barack Obama's significant fundraising advantage over John McCain played a key role in Democratic success this year.
[To see full video, go here now]
Bush urged Republicans not to abandon their core conservative principles in favor of a "Democratic-lite" agenda. Still, the GOP does need to do some real soul-searching, he said.
“If you take the [last] two election cycles, there’s real cause for concern, no question about it,” he said.
There is good news for Republicans, Bush said: The United States remains “basically a center-right country.” He cited President-elect Barack Obama’s stance on taxes as an example.
“Who would have thought the so-called liberal candidate would be the one advocating tax cuts, and attacking the Republican candidate for tax hikes — which wasn’t true, but was effective when you consider he was outspending Sen. McCain by five to one.”
Bush, considered one of the most successful governors in modern Florida history, gives Democrats kudos for their effectiveness in registering voters. That should be a lesson to the GOP, he said.
“Go back to the blocking and tackling, and not assume that you can just pontificate,” said Bush, who frequently is mentioned as a top-tier GOP presidential prospect.
“You’ve got to do the hard work. That means grass-roots organization. It means listening to the base of the party. It means voter registration. It means turn-out operations. It means recruiting candidates that look like the population we’re trying to attract to our cause. Those things seem to have waned in the last couple years.”
Perhaps most importantly, Bush said, the party must confront the nation’s changing demographics.
“We can’t ignore large segments of our population and expect to win,” Bush said. “We can’t be the ‘old white-guy’ party. It’s just not going to work, the demographics go against us in that regard.
“Among Hispanic voters, I think we need to change the tone of the conversation as it relates to immigration. In Florida, we’ve not participated much in the chest pounding and the yelling and the screaming. I mean, it just drives me nuts when there are substantive policy differences that we can show mutual respect on, but the tone needs to change. And I think we need to recruit more candidates who share our values in the Hispanic community. In Florida we’ve done that.”
Indeed, Bush, who is fluent in Spanish and married to a Mexican-American, carried over 56 percent of the Florida’s non-Cuban Hispanic vote when he won re-election to the Florida statehouse in 2002. His popularity among GOP-leaning Cuban-Americans was even higher.
Bush’s other advice on where the GOP should go from here:
The party should establish a loyal opposition and “organize ourselves in the form of a shadow government” that would address key issues, providing the public with “a loftier debate about policy” rather than mere partisanship.
On the state and local level, Bush says the GOP should demonstrate “a passion for reform.”
The party must hold fast to its convictions. “We can’t be Democrat-lite. We can’t just ‘get along,’” he told Newsmax. “We have to actually be proposing solutions to what appear to be intractable problems as it relates to education, healthcare, infrastructure. Across the board there are ways that we can show that we are truly on the side of the people that are concerned about the future of the country, without abandoning our principles.”
Bush cited Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal as “a great example of a governor who is leading by example, and has a passion for reform. That should be the model across the country.”
Bush also offered Obama advice on one of his favorite issues, education: “Obama should defy his core constituency. He should take on the teachers’ union and be on the side of disadvantaged families who send their kids to schools that almost assure that their children will not have the same opportunities that were afforded them. That is an un-American situation, and there’s much that can be done to narrow the achievement gap.
“Part of it means we may need to restructure how we educate kids. We need to use technology. We need to pay for performance for teachers. We need to eliminate tenure. We need to focus early on the fact that we have these huge achievement gaps. We need much more accountability, we need more school choice.
“And if Senator Obama led that charge, there would be truly a transformation in education, and I for one would be a strong supporter in that regard,” Bush said.
On the economy, Bush said Obama should reconsider his plans to raise taxes.
“His advisers can’t be telling him it’s a great idea to raise taxes, it’s a great idea to raise the capital gains tax, it’s a great idea to raise marginal rates. They can’t be telling him that in this very, very perilous economic time that we’re in,” Bush said.
On a personal note, Bush told Newsmax that he wouldn’t be surprised if his father, former President H.W. Bush, jumps out of a plane when he turns 85 in June.
“He likes going fast in boats and he likes jumping out of planes,” he said of his father. “I can’t explain it, but there’s nothing I can do about it!”
Bush added, “Whenever I get a chance, I always ask him about his life, because it’s just been a spectacular life. If I could be half the man my dad has been, I would consider myself having a really privileged life.”
Sunday, November 30, 2008 4:20 PM
By: David A. Patten
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush tells Newsmax that the GOP must broaden its appeal to avoid becoming “the old white-guy party,” and recommends that Republicans create a “shadow government” to engage Democrats on important issues as the incoming Obama administration seeks to enact its agenda.
In a wide-ranging interview with Newsmax, the popular former governor and younger brother of President George W. Bush said the 2008 election was neither “transformational” nor a landslide. For example, he noted that Barack Obama's significant fundraising advantage over John McCain played a key role in Democratic success this year.
[To see full video, go here now]
Bush urged Republicans not to abandon their core conservative principles in favor of a "Democratic-lite" agenda. Still, the GOP does need to do some real soul-searching, he said.
“If you take the [last] two election cycles, there’s real cause for concern, no question about it,” he said.
There is good news for Republicans, Bush said: The United States remains “basically a center-right country.” He cited President-elect Barack Obama’s stance on taxes as an example.
“Who would have thought the so-called liberal candidate would be the one advocating tax cuts, and attacking the Republican candidate for tax hikes — which wasn’t true, but was effective when you consider he was outspending Sen. McCain by five to one.”
Bush, considered one of the most successful governors in modern Florida history, gives Democrats kudos for their effectiveness in registering voters. That should be a lesson to the GOP, he said.
“Go back to the blocking and tackling, and not assume that you can just pontificate,” said Bush, who frequently is mentioned as a top-tier GOP presidential prospect.
“You’ve got to do the hard work. That means grass-roots organization. It means listening to the base of the party. It means voter registration. It means turn-out operations. It means recruiting candidates that look like the population we’re trying to attract to our cause. Those things seem to have waned in the last couple years.”
Perhaps most importantly, Bush said, the party must confront the nation’s changing demographics.
“We can’t ignore large segments of our population and expect to win,” Bush said. “We can’t be the ‘old white-guy’ party. It’s just not going to work, the demographics go against us in that regard.
“Among Hispanic voters, I think we need to change the tone of the conversation as it relates to immigration. In Florida, we’ve not participated much in the chest pounding and the yelling and the screaming. I mean, it just drives me nuts when there are substantive policy differences that we can show mutual respect on, but the tone needs to change. And I think we need to recruit more candidates who share our values in the Hispanic community. In Florida we’ve done that.”
Indeed, Bush, who is fluent in Spanish and married to a Mexican-American, carried over 56 percent of the Florida’s non-Cuban Hispanic vote when he won re-election to the Florida statehouse in 2002. His popularity among GOP-leaning Cuban-Americans was even higher.
Bush’s other advice on where the GOP should go from here:
The party should establish a loyal opposition and “organize ourselves in the form of a shadow government” that would address key issues, providing the public with “a loftier debate about policy” rather than mere partisanship.
On the state and local level, Bush says the GOP should demonstrate “a passion for reform.”
The party must hold fast to its convictions. “We can’t be Democrat-lite. We can’t just ‘get along,’” he told Newsmax. “We have to actually be proposing solutions to what appear to be intractable problems as it relates to education, healthcare, infrastructure. Across the board there are ways that we can show that we are truly on the side of the people that are concerned about the future of the country, without abandoning our principles.”
Bush cited Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal as “a great example of a governor who is leading by example, and has a passion for reform. That should be the model across the country.”
Bush also offered Obama advice on one of his favorite issues, education: “Obama should defy his core constituency. He should take on the teachers’ union and be on the side of disadvantaged families who send their kids to schools that almost assure that their children will not have the same opportunities that were afforded them. That is an un-American situation, and there’s much that can be done to narrow the achievement gap.
“Part of it means we may need to restructure how we educate kids. We need to use technology. We need to pay for performance for teachers. We need to eliminate tenure. We need to focus early on the fact that we have these huge achievement gaps. We need much more accountability, we need more school choice.
“And if Senator Obama led that charge, there would be truly a transformation in education, and I for one would be a strong supporter in that regard,” Bush said.
On the economy, Bush said Obama should reconsider his plans to raise taxes.
“His advisers can’t be telling him it’s a great idea to raise taxes, it’s a great idea to raise the capital gains tax, it’s a great idea to raise marginal rates. They can’t be telling him that in this very, very perilous economic time that we’re in,” Bush said.
On a personal note, Bush told Newsmax that he wouldn’t be surprised if his father, former President H.W. Bush, jumps out of a plane when he turns 85 in June.
“He likes going fast in boats and he likes jumping out of planes,” he said of his father. “I can’t explain it, but there’s nothing I can do about it!”
Bush added, “Whenever I get a chance, I always ask him about his life, because it’s just been a spectacular life. If I could be half the man my dad has been, I would consider myself having a really privileged life.”
Monday, December 8, 2008
Insider Report from Newsmax.com
Insider Report from Newsmax.com
Headlines (Scroll down for complete stories):
1. Potential Obama Appointees Questioned on Guns
2. Ted Turner: KGB Was ‘Honorable’
3. Hillary Needs ‘Fix’ to Serve on Cabinet
4. Gen. James Jones: Not Pro-Israel
5. Videos Could Foil a Chris Matthews Senate Run
6. Eric Holder: No Geneva Convention Rights for Terrorists
7. We Heard: Inauguration Costs, Virginia Benefactor
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Potential Obama Appointees Questioned on Guns
The National Rifle Association has denounced the Barack Obama transition team’s questionnaire asking potential appointees about their own gun ownership.
The 63-question personnel form includes this query: “Do you or any members of your immediate family own a gun? If so, provide complete ownership and registration information. Has the registration ever lapsed? Please also describe how and by whom it is used and whether it has been the cause of any personal injuries or property damage.”
Paul Light, professor of public service at New York University, told Politico.com that there was no such question for potential appointees when George W. Bush took office in 2000.
“It kind of sticks out there like a sore thumb,” he said.
Light hypothesized that the Obama camp might want to avoid the spectacle of a Cabinet-level or other high-ranking appointee who is found to have an unregistered handgun.
But the NRA, which spent millions in an attempt to defeat Obama, is crying foul over the question.
“Barack Obama and his administration are showing their true colors and true philosophy with regard to the Second Amendment,” said Chris Cox, the NRA’s top political official.
“It shows what we’ve been saying all along — this guy doesn’t view the Second Amendment as a fundamental constitutional right.”
Republican Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina also denounced the question.
“It’s very odd and very concerning to put out a question like that,” he said.
DeMint’s campaign organization sent an e-mail to supporters vowing to endorse legislation that bars federal hiring discrimination on the basis of gun ownership.
The question put to potential appointees is just the latest Obama move to irk opponents of gun control, NewsBusters contributing editor Tom Blumer pointed out.
Among other things, Obama has voted to allow lawsuits designed to bankrupt firearms firms, voted to ban almost all rifle ammunition commonly used for hunting and sport shooting, endorsed a complete ban on handgun ownership, voted to uphold local gun bans and the criminal prosecution of people who use firearms in self-defense, and supported a proposal to ban gun stores within five miles of a school or park.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Ted Turner: KGB Was ‘Honorable’
CNN founder Ted Turner said the former Soviet intelligence agency KGB was “honorable” — and equated the U.S. mission in Iraq with the U.S.S.R.’s invasion of Afghanistan.
During an appearance on last week’s “Meet the Press,” Turner — whose latest book is “Call Me Ted” — was asked by host Tom Brokaw if he believes all nuclear weapons can be eliminated if the U.S. and Russia take the lead.
Turner, co-founder of the Nuclear Threat Initiative to stem the spread of nuclear weapons, said “absolutely,” and called the Russians “very reasonable, pragmatic, practical people.”
When Brokaw mentioned Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s past with the KGB, Turner responded:
“Well, he had that background. But you know, we have an FBI, and we're not prejudiced against somebody who's worked at the FBI. It's an honorable place to work. And the KGB, I think, was an honorable place to work. And it gave people in the former Soviet Union, a communist country, an opportunity to do something important and worthwhile.”
The next exchange went like this:
Brokaw: “But in the meantime, it appears that he's very much more interested in just causing difficulty for the United States, getting in our face in a manner of speaking.”
Turner: “Well, wait. We're the ones, in my opinion, we're the ones that started that. We're the ones that started by putting the Star Wars system in Czechoslovakia and Poland when they wanted to be part of it. We've said that system is only to protect us from Iran or protect Europe from Iranian missiles. So why didn't we cooperate with the Russians? Why have we constantly been pushing on the Russians all the time?”
Brokaw: “Your friend, Jimmy Carter, tried to be friendly with Leonid Brezhnev, and for his friendliness what did Brezhnev do? … He invaded Afghanistan.”
Turner: “Well, we invaded Afghanistan, too, and it's a lot further — at least it's on the border of the Soviet Union or the former Soviet Union or Russia…”
Brokaw: “But Ted, don't try to go there in terms of justifying that … It was naked aggression on the part of the Russians at the time.”
Turner: “Well, going into Iraq was naked aggression on the part of the United States.”
Brokaw failed to challenge that assertion.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Hillary Needs ‘Fix’ to Serve on Cabinet
Sen. Hillary Clinton is constitutionally ineligible to serve as Secretary of State in the Obama administration, according to the public interest group Judicial Watch.
The Ineligibility Clause of the U.S. Constitution stipulates that no member of Congress can be appointed to an office that has benefited from a salary increase during that Senator or Representative’s current term of office.
A January 2008 Executive Order signed by President George W. Bush during Hillary Clinton’s current Senate term increased the salary for Secretary of State from $186,600 to $191,300.
Specifically, Article I, section 6 of the U.S. Constitution states: “No Senator or Representative shall, during the time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments (salary and benefits) whereof shall have been increased during such time.”
At the 1787 Constitutional Convention there was fear that of members of Congress might create new jobs or give raises to existing jobs, and then take those jobs for themselves.
President Richard Nixon circumvented this provision after appointing Ohio Sen. William Saxbe to the position of Attorney General. The Attorney General’s salary had been increased during Saxbe’s term, but the Nixon administration managed to push legislation through Congress to reduce the salary to its previous level.
This scheme, known thereafter as “The Saxbe Fix,” was also used to allow Sen. Lloyd Bensen to assume the position of Treasury Secretary under President Clinton.
So Hillary will require a “Saxbe Fix” to serve as Secretary of State, according to Judicial Watch. But the group asserts that the tactic “may reduce the salary of Secretary of State to previous levels, but it does not affect what is a clear constitutional prohibition.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Gen. James Jones Not Pro-Israel
Barack Obama’s appointment of retired Gen. James Jones as his national security adviser raised concerns in Israel that Jones is not a firm supporter of the Jewish state.
Jones, former supreme allied commander of NATO, served as Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s special envoy for Israeli-Palestinian security issues over the past year. During that time he was reported to have drafted a paper critical of some aspects of Israel’s security stance toward the Palestinians, according to the Jerusalem Post.
But the report, which Israeli government officials feared could cause tension between the U.S. and Israel, was never published.
However, it is known that Jones favors replacing Israeli forces in the West Bank with an international force.
He also opposes Israel’s demand that it retain extensive security control over the occupied territories even after a Palestinian state is established, the Israel newspaper Haaretz disclosed.
In discussions with the Bush administration, Israel has argued that its major population centers are vulnerable to rocket and suicide attacks from the West Bank, and control of the Jordan Valley is needed to prevent weapons smuggling into the West Bank.
Israel also wants control of border crossings, and maintains that Palestinians cannot be trusted with responsibility for security, according to Haaretz.
Jones has instead proposed a NATO-based international force that would eventually transfer control to the Palestinians.
Israeli officials maintain that an international force cannot provide the intelligence needed to ward off terrorist attacks.
As national security adviser Jones can be expected to make Israeli-Palestinian relations a top priority. In an interview with Inside the Pentagon in October, he said “nothing is more important” in the Middle East than a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. Videos Could Foil a Chris Matthews Senate Run
MSNBC host Chris Matthews is mulling a run for Pennsylvania Republican Arlen Specter’s Senate seat in 2010 — but his candidacy could prove to be an opposition researcher’s dream thanks to some embarrassing gaffes recorded by the media.
Matthews, a former top aide to Democratic House Speaker Thomas “Tip” O’Neil, has spoken often about his political aspirations, in particular winning a Senate seat.
Originally from the Philadelphia area, he has been shopping for a home in Pennsylvania and has discussed resigning as host of “Hardball with Chris Matthews” to prepare for a run, according to Politico.com.
A recent Rasmussen poll showed Matthews in a virtual dead heat with Specter even though Matthews has not announced his candidacy.
But the firebrand journalist — with 11 years on the air, 13 years in the print media and six books to his credit — has provided an opponent with plenty of ammunition to use against him.
Typing his name in the video-sharing Web site YouTube brings up nearly 10,000 results, The Hill newspaper reports, including a 44-second “Chris Matthews Swearing Montage” featuring clips of the TV host using foul language on the air.
Another YouTube video features Matthews’ appearance on Ellen DeGeneres’ TV show, when he danced with DeGeneres and ended up grabbing her breast.
Yet another video shows Matthews apologizing for saying on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” show that Hillary Clinton got elected to the Senate because her husband “messed around.”
“Treating Hillary Clinton badly during the primary is going to come back and haunt him,” a Democratic operative told Politico.
A video showing Matthews ogling CNBC host Erin Burnett has brought accusations from bloggers that the TV host is sexist, according to The Hill.
Then there is the video of Matthews’ interview with Sen. Zell Miller at the 2004 Republican National Convention, when Matthews sought to grill Miller about his criticism of Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry.
Miller gave no ground as Matthews deployed his rat-a-tat rhetorical style, and even warned the pro-Kerry host that he wouldn't tolerate the same kind of treatment he gave conservative columnist Michelle Malkin the previous week when Matthews tossed her off the show for defending the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth.
The heated exchange ended with Miller telling Matthews: “I wished we lived in the day where you could challenge a person to a duel. That would be pretty good.”
The interview was later parodied on several late-night comedy shows.
Sen. Specter was asked by CNN host Wolf Blitzer what he thought about a potential Matthews candidacy. Perhaps with the TV host’s gaffes in mind, Specter said: “I’ll be prepared.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Eric Holder: No Geneva Convention Rights for Terrorists
Eric Holder, Barack Obama’s choice for Attorney General, has gone on the record stating that he does not believe terrorists are entitled to prisoner of war status under the Geneva Convention.
Discussing combatants captured in the war on terror, Holder — who served as deputy attorney general in the Bill Clinton administration — said in an interview with CNN in January 2002:
“One of the things we clearly want to do with these prisoners is to have an ability to interrogate them and find out what their future plans might be, where other cells are located. Under the Geneva Convention … you are really limited in the amount of information that you can elicit from people.
“It seems to me that given the way in which they have conducted themselves, however, that they are not, in fact, people entitled to the protection of the Geneva Convention. They are not prisoners of war.
“If, for instance, Mohamed Atta had survived the attack on the World Trade Center, would we now be calling him a prisoner of war? I think not. Should Zacarias Moussaoui be called a prisoner of war? Again, I think not.”
Moussaoui was charged with six conspiracy counts related to the 9/11 attacks and is now serving a life sentence.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. We Heard . . .
THAT Virginia businessman Earl Stafford is shelling out $1 million so that disadvantaged people, terminally ill patients, and wounded soldiers from around the country can stay in Washington for Barack Obama’s Jan. 20 inauguration.
Stafford, founder of the technology company Unitech, will provide his guests with free lodging for three nights at the JW Marriott hotel, which offers a prime view of the Pennsylvania Avenue parade route.
He told The Washington Post that he is prepared to spend $600,000 more for a breakfast, a luncheon and two balls at the hotel.
At least 30 percent of the guests staying in Stafford’s 300 rooms and four suites are to be disadvantaged or needy in some way.
The African-American businessman said he wants to “bless those who otherwise wouldn’t have an opportunity to be part of the great celebration, the inauguration and the festivities.”
THAT the cost of the inauguration could leave financially-strapped Washington, D.C., with a record-breaking bill for services.
The bill for security and other outlays will almost certainly exceed the $15 million the federal government gives to the District of Columbia each year to defray the expense of holding events, according to the District’s congressional delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton.
In 2005, with an estimated 300,000 people in attendance, President George W. Bush’s second inauguration cost the city more than $17 million. This year, officials expect nearly five times as many people, according to the DC Examiner’s Web site.
“There will be an additional amount necessary to handle the unprecedented crowds,” said Norton.
“It’s an outrage to have costs incurred for federal events.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Headlines (Scroll down for complete stories):
1. Potential Obama Appointees Questioned on Guns
2. Ted Turner: KGB Was ‘Honorable’
3. Hillary Needs ‘Fix’ to Serve on Cabinet
4. Gen. James Jones: Not Pro-Israel
5. Videos Could Foil a Chris Matthews Senate Run
6. Eric Holder: No Geneva Convention Rights for Terrorists
7. We Heard: Inauguration Costs, Virginia Benefactor
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1. Potential Obama Appointees Questioned on Guns
The National Rifle Association has denounced the Barack Obama transition team’s questionnaire asking potential appointees about their own gun ownership.
The 63-question personnel form includes this query: “Do you or any members of your immediate family own a gun? If so, provide complete ownership and registration information. Has the registration ever lapsed? Please also describe how and by whom it is used and whether it has been the cause of any personal injuries or property damage.”
Paul Light, professor of public service at New York University, told Politico.com that there was no such question for potential appointees when George W. Bush took office in 2000.
“It kind of sticks out there like a sore thumb,” he said.
Light hypothesized that the Obama camp might want to avoid the spectacle of a Cabinet-level or other high-ranking appointee who is found to have an unregistered handgun.
But the NRA, which spent millions in an attempt to defeat Obama, is crying foul over the question.
“Barack Obama and his administration are showing their true colors and true philosophy with regard to the Second Amendment,” said Chris Cox, the NRA’s top political official.
“It shows what we’ve been saying all along — this guy doesn’t view the Second Amendment as a fundamental constitutional right.”
Republican Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina also denounced the question.
“It’s very odd and very concerning to put out a question like that,” he said.
DeMint’s campaign organization sent an e-mail to supporters vowing to endorse legislation that bars federal hiring discrimination on the basis of gun ownership.
The question put to potential appointees is just the latest Obama move to irk opponents of gun control, NewsBusters contributing editor Tom Blumer pointed out.
Among other things, Obama has voted to allow lawsuits designed to bankrupt firearms firms, voted to ban almost all rifle ammunition commonly used for hunting and sport shooting, endorsed a complete ban on handgun ownership, voted to uphold local gun bans and the criminal prosecution of people who use firearms in self-defense, and supported a proposal to ban gun stores within five miles of a school or park.
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2. Ted Turner: KGB Was ‘Honorable’
CNN founder Ted Turner said the former Soviet intelligence agency KGB was “honorable” — and equated the U.S. mission in Iraq with the U.S.S.R.’s invasion of Afghanistan.
During an appearance on last week’s “Meet the Press,” Turner — whose latest book is “Call Me Ted” — was asked by host Tom Brokaw if he believes all nuclear weapons can be eliminated if the U.S. and Russia take the lead.
Turner, co-founder of the Nuclear Threat Initiative to stem the spread of nuclear weapons, said “absolutely,” and called the Russians “very reasonable, pragmatic, practical people.”
When Brokaw mentioned Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s past with the KGB, Turner responded:
“Well, he had that background. But you know, we have an FBI, and we're not prejudiced against somebody who's worked at the FBI. It's an honorable place to work. And the KGB, I think, was an honorable place to work. And it gave people in the former Soviet Union, a communist country, an opportunity to do something important and worthwhile.”
The next exchange went like this:
Brokaw: “But in the meantime, it appears that he's very much more interested in just causing difficulty for the United States, getting in our face in a manner of speaking.”
Turner: “Well, wait. We're the ones, in my opinion, we're the ones that started that. We're the ones that started by putting the Star Wars system in Czechoslovakia and Poland when they wanted to be part of it. We've said that system is only to protect us from Iran or protect Europe from Iranian missiles. So why didn't we cooperate with the Russians? Why have we constantly been pushing on the Russians all the time?”
Brokaw: “Your friend, Jimmy Carter, tried to be friendly with Leonid Brezhnev, and for his friendliness what did Brezhnev do? … He invaded Afghanistan.”
Turner: “Well, we invaded Afghanistan, too, and it's a lot further — at least it's on the border of the Soviet Union or the former Soviet Union or Russia…”
Brokaw: “But Ted, don't try to go there in terms of justifying that … It was naked aggression on the part of the Russians at the time.”
Turner: “Well, going into Iraq was naked aggression on the part of the United States.”
Brokaw failed to challenge that assertion.
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3. Hillary Needs ‘Fix’ to Serve on Cabinet
Sen. Hillary Clinton is constitutionally ineligible to serve as Secretary of State in the Obama administration, according to the public interest group Judicial Watch.
The Ineligibility Clause of the U.S. Constitution stipulates that no member of Congress can be appointed to an office that has benefited from a salary increase during that Senator or Representative’s current term of office.
A January 2008 Executive Order signed by President George W. Bush during Hillary Clinton’s current Senate term increased the salary for Secretary of State from $186,600 to $191,300.
Specifically, Article I, section 6 of the U.S. Constitution states: “No Senator or Representative shall, during the time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments (salary and benefits) whereof shall have been increased during such time.”
At the 1787 Constitutional Convention there was fear that of members of Congress might create new jobs or give raises to existing jobs, and then take those jobs for themselves.
President Richard Nixon circumvented this provision after appointing Ohio Sen. William Saxbe to the position of Attorney General. The Attorney General’s salary had been increased during Saxbe’s term, but the Nixon administration managed to push legislation through Congress to reduce the salary to its previous level.
This scheme, known thereafter as “The Saxbe Fix,” was also used to allow Sen. Lloyd Bensen to assume the position of Treasury Secretary under President Clinton.
So Hillary will require a “Saxbe Fix” to serve as Secretary of State, according to Judicial Watch. But the group asserts that the tactic “may reduce the salary of Secretary of State to previous levels, but it does not affect what is a clear constitutional prohibition.”
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4. Gen. James Jones Not Pro-Israel
Barack Obama’s appointment of retired Gen. James Jones as his national security adviser raised concerns in Israel that Jones is not a firm supporter of the Jewish state.
Jones, former supreme allied commander of NATO, served as Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s special envoy for Israeli-Palestinian security issues over the past year. During that time he was reported to have drafted a paper critical of some aspects of Israel’s security stance toward the Palestinians, according to the Jerusalem Post.
But the report, which Israeli government officials feared could cause tension between the U.S. and Israel, was never published.
However, it is known that Jones favors replacing Israeli forces in the West Bank with an international force.
He also opposes Israel’s demand that it retain extensive security control over the occupied territories even after a Palestinian state is established, the Israel newspaper Haaretz disclosed.
In discussions with the Bush administration, Israel has argued that its major population centers are vulnerable to rocket and suicide attacks from the West Bank, and control of the Jordan Valley is needed to prevent weapons smuggling into the West Bank.
Israel also wants control of border crossings, and maintains that Palestinians cannot be trusted with responsibility for security, according to Haaretz.
Jones has instead proposed a NATO-based international force that would eventually transfer control to the Palestinians.
Israeli officials maintain that an international force cannot provide the intelligence needed to ward off terrorist attacks.
As national security adviser Jones can be expected to make Israeli-Palestinian relations a top priority. In an interview with Inside the Pentagon in October, he said “nothing is more important” in the Middle East than a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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5. Videos Could Foil a Chris Matthews Senate Run
MSNBC host Chris Matthews is mulling a run for Pennsylvania Republican Arlen Specter’s Senate seat in 2010 — but his candidacy could prove to be an opposition researcher’s dream thanks to some embarrassing gaffes recorded by the media.
Matthews, a former top aide to Democratic House Speaker Thomas “Tip” O’Neil, has spoken often about his political aspirations, in particular winning a Senate seat.
Originally from the Philadelphia area, he has been shopping for a home in Pennsylvania and has discussed resigning as host of “Hardball with Chris Matthews” to prepare for a run, according to Politico.com.
A recent Rasmussen poll showed Matthews in a virtual dead heat with Specter even though Matthews has not announced his candidacy.
But the firebrand journalist — with 11 years on the air, 13 years in the print media and six books to his credit — has provided an opponent with plenty of ammunition to use against him.
Typing his name in the video-sharing Web site YouTube brings up nearly 10,000 results, The Hill newspaper reports, including a 44-second “Chris Matthews Swearing Montage” featuring clips of the TV host using foul language on the air.
Another YouTube video features Matthews’ appearance on Ellen DeGeneres’ TV show, when he danced with DeGeneres and ended up grabbing her breast.
Yet another video shows Matthews apologizing for saying on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” show that Hillary Clinton got elected to the Senate because her husband “messed around.”
“Treating Hillary Clinton badly during the primary is going to come back and haunt him,” a Democratic operative told Politico.
A video showing Matthews ogling CNBC host Erin Burnett has brought accusations from bloggers that the TV host is sexist, according to The Hill.
Then there is the video of Matthews’ interview with Sen. Zell Miller at the 2004 Republican National Convention, when Matthews sought to grill Miller about his criticism of Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry.
Miller gave no ground as Matthews deployed his rat-a-tat rhetorical style, and even warned the pro-Kerry host that he wouldn't tolerate the same kind of treatment he gave conservative columnist Michelle Malkin the previous week when Matthews tossed her off the show for defending the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth.
The heated exchange ended with Miller telling Matthews: “I wished we lived in the day where you could challenge a person to a duel. That would be pretty good.”
The interview was later parodied on several late-night comedy shows.
Sen. Specter was asked by CNN host Wolf Blitzer what he thought about a potential Matthews candidacy. Perhaps with the TV host’s gaffes in mind, Specter said: “I’ll be prepared.”
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6. Eric Holder: No Geneva Convention Rights for Terrorists
Eric Holder, Barack Obama’s choice for Attorney General, has gone on the record stating that he does not believe terrorists are entitled to prisoner of war status under the Geneva Convention.
Discussing combatants captured in the war on terror, Holder — who served as deputy attorney general in the Bill Clinton administration — said in an interview with CNN in January 2002:
“One of the things we clearly want to do with these prisoners is to have an ability to interrogate them and find out what their future plans might be, where other cells are located. Under the Geneva Convention … you are really limited in the amount of information that you can elicit from people.
“It seems to me that given the way in which they have conducted themselves, however, that they are not, in fact, people entitled to the protection of the Geneva Convention. They are not prisoners of war.
“If, for instance, Mohamed Atta had survived the attack on the World Trade Center, would we now be calling him a prisoner of war? I think not. Should Zacarias Moussaoui be called a prisoner of war? Again, I think not.”
Moussaoui was charged with six conspiracy counts related to the 9/11 attacks and is now serving a life sentence.
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7. We Heard . . .
THAT Virginia businessman Earl Stafford is shelling out $1 million so that disadvantaged people, terminally ill patients, and wounded soldiers from around the country can stay in Washington for Barack Obama’s Jan. 20 inauguration.
Stafford, founder of the technology company Unitech, will provide his guests with free lodging for three nights at the JW Marriott hotel, which offers a prime view of the Pennsylvania Avenue parade route.
He told The Washington Post that he is prepared to spend $600,000 more for a breakfast, a luncheon and two balls at the hotel.
At least 30 percent of the guests staying in Stafford’s 300 rooms and four suites are to be disadvantaged or needy in some way.
The African-American businessman said he wants to “bless those who otherwise wouldn’t have an opportunity to be part of the great celebration, the inauguration and the festivities.”
THAT the cost of the inauguration could leave financially-strapped Washington, D.C., with a record-breaking bill for services.
The bill for security and other outlays will almost certainly exceed the $15 million the federal government gives to the District of Columbia each year to defray the expense of holding events, according to the District’s congressional delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton.
In 2005, with an estimated 300,000 people in attendance, President George W. Bush’s second inauguration cost the city more than $17 million. This year, officials expect nearly five times as many people, according to the DC Examiner’s Web site.
“There will be an additional amount necessary to handle the unprecedented crowds,” said Norton.
“It’s an outrage to have costs incurred for federal events.”
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