OpiniPundit

Tuesday "Un"Funny

2012-01-31T14:47:00.000-08:00

Montana Supreme Court Rejects Global Warming Petition

2012-01-31T05:40:00.000-08:00

Sow of sanity from the heartland.

In a precedent-making decision, the Montana Supreme Court dismissed yesterday the Petition for Original Jurisdiction by Our Children�s Trust saying unsettled factual issues related to limiting emissions of greenhouse gasses (GHGs) must first be addressed in a lower court.The Montana Supreme Court followed the recommendations of the Montana Attorney General, and rejected the claim made by Our Children’s Trust in its May 4, 2011, Petition, that a “scientific consensus exists that increasing emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) are affecting the Earth’s climate.” The ruling forces those filing future GHG-emissions lawsuits to first prove the scientific credibility of their global warming claims by means of legally competent evidence.

As the Montana Supreme Court stated the case:

Petitioners ask us to enter judgment in this original proceeding to declare that the State of Montana (State) holds the atmosphere in trust for the present and future citizens of the State of Montana. Petitioners further contend that this trust imposes on the State the affirmative duty to protect and preserve the atmosphere, including establishing and enforcing limitations on the levels of greenhouse gas emissions as necessary to mitigate human-caused climate change.

But, the Court wrote, it was “persuaded” by the Attorney General�s arguments that the evidence Our Children’s Trust offered for human-caused global warming is in legally substantial doubt...

Global warming activists seek to purge ‘deniers’ among local weathermen

2012-01-30T09:03:00.000-08:00

Fascism at it's finest.

Concerned that too many “deniers” are in the meteorology business, global warming activists this month launched a campaign to recruit local weathermen to hop aboard the alarmism bandwagon and expose those who are not fully convinced that the world is facing man-made doom.

The Forecast the Facts campaign — led by 350.org, the League of Conservation Voters and the Citizen Engagement Lab — is pushing for more of a focus on global warming in weather forecasts, and is highlighting the many meteorologists who do not share their beliefs.

“Our goal is nothing short of changing how the entire profession of meteorology tackles the issue of climate change,” the group explains on their website. “We’ll empower everyday people to make sure meteorologists understand that their viewers are counting on them to get this story right, and that those who continue to shirk their professional responsibility will be held accountable.”

According to the Washington Post, the reason for the campaign can be found in a 2010 George Mason University surveys, which found that 63% of television weathermen think that global warming is a product of natural causes, while 31% believe it is from human activity.

Sunday Funny

2012-01-29T04:55:00.000-08:00

Thanks RR.

Romney’s negative ratings soaring among independents

2012-01-28T05:13:00.000-08:00

I’ve got a new partisan breakdown of some numbers from the new NBC/WSJ poll, and here’s the verdict: Romney’s unfavorability rating among independents has spiked 20 points in the last two months.

The poll found that among overall Americans, Romney is rated very or somewhat positively by 31 percent, while he’s rated very or somewhat negatively by 36 percent............

In November, Romney was rated somewhat or very negatively by 22 percent of independents.

In December, Romney was rated somewhat or very negatively by 29 percent of independents.

And in the new poll, Romney was rated somewhat or very negatively by 42 percent of independents — 20 points higher than two months ago.

Also: In November, Romney was beating Obama 47-34 among those voters. Now the numbers are upside down: Obama is beating Romney 44-36.

If he can't pull even a majority of independents, we are truly doomed.

Boys Attack Cyclist Who Fights Back, Kills 1:

2012-01-27T06:15:00.000-08:00

This guy should be the "Poster Senior" for CCW all across the country.

A 65-year-old man riding his bicycle along a Berks County trail became the target of three teenage boys looking to allegedly mug him Wednesday morning, according to authorities.

In a matter of moments the teens became the target of the cyclist, according to Cumru Township Police.

The three teens had cut school and were set on robbing people -- having already attacked two elderly men -- when they came upon the 65-year-old riding on the Thun Trail, according to Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams.

The cyclist was near the Bertolet Fishing Dock at S First Avenue and Chestnut Street in West Reading, Pa. around 11 a.m. when one of the teens knocked the man down, police said.

Adams picks it up from here:

"One of the juveniles punched the bike rider in the face, knocking him off his bike. Julius Johnson ran up to bike rider and kicked him."

That was when the 65-year-old pulled a gun and shot, officials said.

Johnson, 16, died at the scene while his 15-year-old alleged accomplice was taken to the hospital with a gunshot wound, officials said.

New-home purchases fall, 2011 worst ever for sales

2012-01-26T07:57:00.000-08:00

I know I've said it bofore but I'll say it again....untill this turns around, the economy won't.

Fewer Americans bought new homes in December. The decline made 2011 the worst year for new-home sales on records dating back nearly half a century.

The Commerce Department said Thursday new-home sales fell 2.2 percent last month to a seasonally adjusted annual pace of 307,000. The pace is less than half the 700,000 that economists say must be sold in a healthy economy.

About 302,000 new homes were sold last year. That's less than the 323,000 sold in 2010, making last year's sales the worst on records dating back to 1963. And it coincides with a report last week that said 2011 was the weakest year for single-family home construction on record.

Romney Advisor: No Obamacare Repeal

2012-01-25T04:49:00.000-08:00

It' would be perilous enough to say this in the general, but in a Republican primary....the kiss of death.

As Ben Domenech notes in his Transom, Mitt Romney’s advisors have now advised him to support “a $2 gas tax, a VAT, and open Taliban talks.” Add to that list not repealing Obamacare. Norm Coleman, an advisor to Romney, went on record saying:

"We’re not going to do repeal. You’re not going to repeal Obamacare… It’s not a total repeal… You will not repeal the act in its entirety, but you will see major changes, particularly if there is a Republican president… You can’t whole-cloth throw it out. But you can substantially change what’s been done."

Occupy Protestors Disrupt Washington Pro-Life Prayer Vigil

2012-01-24T07:24:00.000-08:00

The "peaceful" pro-abortion crowd show thier true colors yet again.

A peaceful religious tradition was disrupted today as the pro-abortion version of Occupy Washington attempted to surround and overwhelm a group of prayerful pro-life advocates in front of the Supreme Court.

For the last nine years, CEC For Life has sponsored a prayer vigil for unborn babies on the morning of the March for Life. Opposition from pro-abortion advocates is always expected, but often minimal. This year, however, CEC For Life found themselves quickly surrounded by a much larger and far more hostile group than usual, according to Fr. Terry Gensemer of the o0rganization.

Gensemer said that, as those leading the prayer vigil began to invite pro-life advocates to join in worship, those with the pro-abortion opposition positioned themselves inches away from the musicians, chanting, screaming, and dragging a ten-foot banner between the team and those trying to pray and worship.

One member of the pro-abortion force actually spent an extended amount of time screaming into the face of an adopted child whose sign read: “I’m glad I was adopted and not murdered.”

2012 Florida Republican PrimaryFlorida GOP Primary

2012-01-22T16:20:00.000-08:00

We knew a Gingrich win in South Carolina would have ramifications but it's proving to be a full blown game changer.

Less than two weeks ago, Mitt Romney had a 22-point lead in Florida, but that’s ancient history in the race for the Republican presidential nomination. Following his big win in South Carolina on Saturday, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich now is on top in Florida by nine.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Florida Republican Primary Voters, taken Sunday evening, finds Gingrich earning 41% of the vote with Romney in second at 32%. Former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum runs third with 11%, while Texas Congressman Ron Paul attracts support from eight percent (8%). Nine percent (9%) remain undecided.

Gingrich Beats Media in South Carolina, 54 to 14

2012-01-22T06:03:00.000-08:00

Florida only despises the media slightly less.

(CNSNews.com) - Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has defeated the national media in South Carolina by a margin of 54 percent to 14 percent, according to a survey conducted by a Democratic polling firm.

The poll, conducted by Raleigh, N.C.-based Public Policy Polling (PPP), interviewed 1,540 likely South Carolina Republican primary voters from Jan. 18 to Jan. 20. It showed that 54 percent of those voters said they had a favorable opinion of Gingrich while 37 percent said they had an unfavorable opinion of him.

At the same time, only 14 percent said they had a favorable opinion of the media, while 77 percent said they had an unfavorable opinion of the media.

Prediction S. Carolina Primary

2012-01-21T06:45:00.000-08:00

Predicted: Gingrich: 38%

Romney: 27%

Santorum: 19%

Paul:16%

Actual: Gingrich: 40%

Romney: 27%

Santorum: 17%

Paul: 13%

Hmmmmm, not bad.

Friday Funny

2012-01-20T13:22:00.001-08:00

State Dept. To Reject Keystone Pipeline

2012-01-18T05:03:00.000-08:00

Controverial my hiney, it's a no brainer for clear thinking Americans.

The controversial Keystone Pipeline will reportedly be denied by President Obama, according to Fox News.

The State Department is expected to vote against the pipeline this afternoon. Transcanada will however be allowed to reapply with an alternate route going through Nebraska

Gingrich Shines in Debate

2012-01-17T06:17:00.000-08:00

I watched the debate and Gingrich was just plain outstanding!

Newt Gingrich's fluent, policy-rich performances in the early debates, laced with derision for the media's attempts to question the Republican candidates, propelled him to the front of the GOP pack in early December.

His command of the stage here in Myrtle Beach for the 16th (yep, there have been that many, and the next is in Charleston on Thursday) could just be the lifeline he needs to achieve the task he has set himself - overcoming Mitt Romney's clear lead in the South Carolina polls to win the state on Saturday.

Romney was under pressure over releasing his tax returns (he eventually said that he would "probably" do so in April), on why he had not objected as Massachusetts governor to felons on parole having the right to vote and he gave an awkward, fumbling response to a softball about whether he had been hunting since 2007, even mixing up moose and elk.

Gingrich, however, ... scored quite a few points against Romney and the former Speaker's fluency with policy and ability to dissect questions and make a big-picture conservative case against Obama made him the night's big winner.

Indiana Senate Committee Passes Right-to-Work Bill

2012-01-16T05:52:00.000-08:00

Loooooooong overdue.

INDIANAPOLIS — After nearly six hours of testimony and debate, the Indiana state Senate Pensions and Labor Committee approved Senate Bill 269 by a 6-to-4 vote. Commonly referred to as a "right-to-work" law, SB 269 would make it a Class A misdemeanor to require an individual to join or remain in a union or to pay any dues, fees or other charges to that same labor organization. The bill now goes to the full state Senate, despite the continued absence of a House quorum in the intended joint committee meeting between the House Employment, Labor and Pensions Committee and the Senate Pensions and Labor Committee.

No amendments were allowed in the hearing.

The House and Senate will be called back into session again on Monday. Republican proponents intend to pass the bill in the Senate by the end of next week, but await boycotting Democratic House members for the progression of the bill’s discussion.

All those who voted in favor of the bill were Republicans; all those who voted against the bill were Democrats save Republican Sen. Brent Waltz. In 2004, Sen. Waltz defeated Senate Finance Chairman Larry Borst, whose campaign was partially funded by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber testified in favor of right-to-work today.

Sunday Funny

2012-01-15T04:58:00.000-08:00

Thanks RR.

Budget/Debt Analysis for Dummies

2012-01-12T07:38:00.000-08:00

Supreme Court delivers a knockout punch to the White House

2012-01-11T15:31:00.000-08:00

SWWWWAAAAACK!

Wednesday the United States Supreme Court delivered a knockout blow to the White House in the cause of religious liberty.

Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for a unanimous court swatted away the government’s claim that the Lutheran Church did not have the right to fire a “minister of religion” who, after six years of Lutheran religious training had been commissioned as a minister, upon election by her congregation.

The fired minister -- who also taught secular subjects -- claimed discrimination in employment. The Obama administration, always looking for opportunities to undermine the bedrock of First Amendment religious liberty, eagerly agreed.

There was just one big problem standing in the way of the government's plan: the U.S. Constitution. For a long time American courts have recognized the existence of a "ministerial exemption" which keeps government’s hands off the employment relationship between a religious institution and its ministers or clergy.

South Carolina AG to fight feds over voter ID law

2012-01-11T07:56:00.000-08:00

There is absolutely no legitimate reason that someone can't reasonably excercise a minimal effort to obtain a voter ID. The only reasons would be they're just too damn lazy or they are complicit in the attempt to commit voter fraud.

Three of South Carolina’s top political leaders announced Tuesday their plans to file a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice’s decision to block the state’s controversial voter ID law.

Attorney General Alan Wilson said he will file a lawsuit within the next two weeks against the Justice Department in Washington D.C. district court.

It’s necessary, Wilson said, to protect the integrity of South Carolina elections.

“Our intent of the office is to look at this legislation through the litigation process and to ensure that no voter is suppressed in the right to vote and that the integrity of the electoral process is protected,” he said “That is of paramount importance that we protect the electoral process and ensure that voter irregularities and potential voter fraud is curtailed, curbed or prevented.”

Obama's Numbers Down Even Among his Most Stalwart Supporters

2012-01-10T06:42:00.000-08:00

Starting to stink it up even among the minority rank and file.

Remember just two weeks ago when the media and even many conservative pundits flatly proclaimed Obama’s BIG victory in the payroll tax cut showdown had handed him a BIG edge going into an election year? If you do you are in the minority. The American people were not fooled.

New Gallup survey numbers tell us a Georgia State Judge’s ruling that Barack Obama is not legible to be president as per Georgia law, may end up being a merciful death to his reelection plans.

In early December Obama’s Gallup survey approve/disapprove numbers were 43/50. His BIG victory just before Christmas got him to 45/47. Immediately after the BIG victory he’s back down to 42/49.

Not only are these numbers bad, they become still worse when broken down into individual voter categories. Obama’s approval among his “MUST have” core groups is dangerously low. Blacks give him an 83% rating and Hispanics, just 46%.

These numbers are made far worse in light of Gallup’s own recent survey of enthusiasm that set “non-White” enthusiasm at just 31%.

Keep in mind Obama got 65% of Blacks to vote 97% for him in 2008.

Is God Telling Us Something?

2012-01-09T14:28:00.000-08:00

Tebow continues to inspire.

The game peaked with a rating/share of 31.6/46 (8:00-8:15 PM, ET).

1. Peak rating/share: 31.6

2. Passing yardage: 316

3. Yards per completion: 31.6

4. Steelers' possession time 31:06

5. Only interception of the game Broncos pick it off on a 3rd and 16.

6. John 3:16.

Gwyneth Paltrow’s New $425 GOOP Cleanse ‘A Waste Of Time And Money,’ Say Doctors

2012-01-09T12:05:00.000-08:00

Another liberal Hollywood nimrod spewing lies for personal or professional gain at the expense of the public, who'd a thunk it.

Don’t spend your money or your effort subjecting yourself to actress Gwyneth Paltrow‘s “cleanse” or anyone else’s, say top NYC doctors.

“‘Cleansing’ is the equivalent of ’snake oil,’” says NYC internist, Dr. Robert Bos.

He adds that “there is no scientific proof” that a cleanse will help give your digestive system a break, eliminate toxins, rebuild beneficial bacteria or give you more energy, as Gwyneth promises in her GOOP newsletter.

Gwyneth’s cleanse program instructs you to drink her protein shake for breakfast, have a solid meal for lunch, another shake for dinner and take her GOOP “clean” supplements (which aren’t explained) throughout the day.

BARACK OBAMA UNABLE TO REGISTER FOR STATE PRIMARY AS ALABAMAREVIEWS HIS ELIGIBILITY

2012-01-08T16:19:00.000-08:00

They'll be at least a few more of these.

An Alabama Court has announced that it will hear arguments as to whether Barack Hussein Obama II is in fact eligible to appear on the State Presidential Primary Ballot.

Several Alabama citizens have filed a lawsuit within the Alabama Circuit Court to "prevent certification of President Barack Obama for 2012 Alabama ballot access pending final hearing based on factual evidentiary hearings."

Sunday Funny

2012-01-08T06:16:00.000-08:00

Thanks RR.

7 teens charged with beating classmate unconscious

2012-01-07T14:42:00.000-08:00

I'll guarantee if my 13 year old boys would have been on the bus this would have never happened, or they'd have gotten their a$$ kicked stopping it.

MIAMI (AP) — Seven central Florida teenagers were arrested after authorities said they punched and kicked a 13-year-old until she was unconscious while on a school bus.

The victim told authorities that Friday was her first time riding the bus and no one would let her sit down. About 75 children were riding the bus bound for a middle school in Ocala, a rural city north of Orlando. The victim said someone threw a shoe at her and she threw one back, according to an arrest report.

One girl allegedly asked students if they wanted to hit the victim, then instructed the teens to form a circle and began hitting and kicking the victim. Several witnesses said they saw the girl fall to the floor and "appear to have a seizure and pass out," according to the arrest report.

The victim, who is not being identified, was taken to the hospital and diagnosed with a concussion, severe bruising on her head and muscle spasms.

Grassley: New docs prove Admin knew about gun walking

2012-01-06T04:43:00.000-08:00

As if there wasn't enough evidence already.

New documents obtained from the Justice Department Thursday prove that the administration knew that guns had been walked as part of Operation Wide Receiver, Senator Charles Grassley said in a press release, and then he reiterated his call for Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer to resign.

The documents include e-mails and copies of letters sent to Grassley by Assistant Attorney General Ronald Weich, including a Feb. 4, 2011 letter that insisted that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives had never “sanctioned or otherwise knowingly allowed the sale of assault weapons to a straw purchaser who then transported them into Mexico…” That letter has been “withdrawn” because facts uncovered over the past 11 months clearly show that guns were walked, and the ATF let it happen.

GM to call back 8,000 electric Chevy Volts

2012-01-05T06:59:00.000-08:00

For those unfamiliar with the situation, that's all of them.

General Motors plans to ask Volt owners to bring their electric cars into dealers to strengthen the structure around the batteries.

The automaker said Thursday it plans enhancements to the vehicle’s structure and battery coolant system to further protect the 400-pound lithium-ion battery from the possibility of an electrical fire occurring days or weeks after a severe crash.

The enhancements come in response to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Preliminary Evaluation to examine post-severe crash battery performance.

Iowa Results and Commentary

2012-01-04T05:45:00.000-08:00

Romney: 24.6%

Santorum: 24.5%

Paul 21.4%

Gingrich 13.3%

Perry: 10.3%

It's all about electability and a scant majority of Iowans believe that Mitt Romney, warts and all, has the best chance of beating Obama.

I happen to believe it's flawed logic but bottom line, the person who can best convince the Republican primary electorate that he can do this will win the nomination.

Newt Gingrich had, with his debate performances, accomplished this but after a relentless onslaught by the MSM, Romney and a few others lost that confidence.

Chevy Volt Gets "Worst Product" Award

2012-01-03T05:27:00.000-08:00

All the more infuriating condidering it cost us taxpayers $235,000 per vehicle.

General Motors' much-hyped Chevy Volt has yet another distinction to add to its long list of commendations. We had all heard repeatedly about Motor Trends' Car of the Year award, Consumer Reports' recommendation and Jay Leno's love affair with the car, but the Volt now gets a less publicized, more deserved distinction from Yahoo Finance's 24/7 Wall Street site. The Volt has made the list of "The Worst Product Flops of 2011" and apologists for the vehicle are sure to, once again, attack the credibility of those issuing the opinion.

Iowa Caucus Predictions

2012-01-02T04:35:00.000-08:00

Romney: 21%

Santorum: 20%

Gingrich 19%

Paul 17%

Perry 17%

Rest: Fuhgetaboutit

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2012-01-01T06:07:00.001-08:00

Sunday Funny

2012-01-01T03:36:00.000-08:00

Thanks RR.

New High: 48% Say Most Members of Congress Are Corrupt

2011-12-31T06:53:00.000-08:00

What's even more surprising is that a majority think these candidates spend millions, sometimes out of pocket, for the job because of their patriotism, civil mindedness and big heart.

The belief that politicians use their office for personal gain is growing.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 48% of Likely U.S. Voters believe that most members of Congress are corrupt. Just 28% disagree, and another 24% are not sure.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on December 27-28, 2011 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence.

Paul: Iran justified in closing Strait of Hormuz

2011-12-30T07:34:00.000-08:00

This after saying earlier that Iran is entitled to a nuclear weapon. The man is certifiable.

As Iran ratcheted up its rhetoric Thursday about closing the Strait of Hormuz, Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul revisited his earlier criticisms of Western policy towards Tehran, adding that Iran would be justified in cutting off the strategic waterway in response to sanctions. ... At a campaign event in Iowa Thursday, Paul called Western sanctions imposed against Iran over its nuclear activities “horrendous” and “acts of war,” while repeating earlier assertions that Iran would understandably want to develop a nuclear weapons capability, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Obama Job Approval

2011-12-29T11:43:00.000-08:00

Gallup: Obama "bump" is history. His lavish living in Hawaii can't be helping matters any.

41% Approve, 50% Disapprove.

Rasmussen: Romney 45% Obama 39%

2011-12-29T05:30:00.000-08:00

Obama under 40%, WOW!

Mitt Romney has now jumped to his biggest lead ever over President Obama in a hypothetical Election 2012 matchup. It’s also the biggest lead a named Republican candidate has held over the incumbent in Rasmussen Reports surveying to date.

The latest national telephone survey finds that 45% of Likely U.S. Voters favor the former Massachusetts governor, while 39% prefer the president. Ten percent (10%) like some other candidate in the race, and six percent (6%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

A week ago, Romney trailed Obama 44% to 41%. The week before that, he held a slight 43% to 42% edge over the president. The two candidates have been essentially tied in regular surveys since January, but Romney remains the only GOP hopeful to lead Obama in more than one survey. Despite Romney’s current six-point lead, his latest level of support is in line with the 38% to 45% he has earned in matchups with the president this year. However, Obama’s 39% is a new low: Prior to this survey, his support has ranged from 40% to 46% in matchups with Romney.

Congress ends corn ethanol subsidy

2011-12-28T05:15:00.000-08:00

Long overdue.

Washington —The United States has ended a 30-year tax subsidy for corn-based ethanol that cost taxpayers $6 billion annually, and ended a tariff on imported Brazilian ethanol.

Congress adjourned for the year on Friday, failing to extend the tax break that's drawn a wide variety of critics on Capitol Hill, including Sens. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., and Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. Critics also have included environmentalists, frozen food producers, ranchers and others.

The policies have helped shift millions of tons of corn from feedlots, dinner tables and other products into gas tanks.

Home prices down in most major US cities

2011-12-27T13:44:00.000-08:00

I've said it before, I'll say it again, untill this turns around the economy won't.

U.S. home prices fell in most major cities for the second straight month, further evidence that the housing recovery will be bumpy. The Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller index shows prices dropped in October from September in 19 of the 20 cities tracked. Prices in a majority of cities declined for the second straight month.

Sears to Close Up to 120 Kmart and Sears Stores

2011-12-27T06:07:00.000-08:00

So much for the blockbuster Christmas sales season.

Between 100 and 120 Sears and Kmart stores will be closed, Sears Holdings said Tuesday, after terrible holiday sales during what is the most crucial time of the year for retailers.

Sears has yet to determine which stores will be closed, but there has been a clear shift in where the retailer will devote its resources.

The company is moving away from its practice of propping up "marginally performing" stores in hopes of improving their performance. Sears said it will now concentrate on cash-generating stores.

"Given our performance and the difficult economic environment, especially for big-ticket items, we intend to implement a series of actions to reduce ongoing expenses, adjust our asset base, and accelerate the transformation of our business model," said CEO Louis D'Ambrosio. "These actions will better enable us to focus our investments on serving our customers."

Even profitable firms fleeing California

2011-12-26T06:39:00.000-08:00

Gettin out while the gettin's good.

Democratic reaction to the news that Waste Connections, a $3.6-billion company and major Sacramento-area employer, is headed to Houston to seek a friendlier business climate tells other businesses all they need to know about the attitudes of those who run California's government.

State Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, gave these clueless and snarky remarks in response to the news: "In this instance you have a company that is, in fact, profitable, making significant revenue gains in 2011 and 2010. That doesn't speak to a bad business climate here in California when a good company is able to thrive in that way. So whatever Mr. Middelstaedt's (company CEO) reasons are to leave the great state of California, I know I'm pushing back."

The California Democratic Party's attitude long has been that businesses are basically trying to rip off the public, and the source of all wealth and advancement can be found in the public sector, When businesses leave. Steinberg and Co. show little sympathy.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T04:38:00.000-08:00

Have a Joyous Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T11:28:00.000-08:00

If you're one of the many families that has a Christmas Eve eating tradition please give us your best.

Personally my wifes family had one when we got married....Oyster stew and rice with raisins, it was vile! Thankfully I got her off that and for 20 years we've had Super Jumbo Atlantic wild caught Shrimp and Jumbo Stone Crab claws MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM gooooooood.

Please post what you'll be having.

Yes, Virginia, There Really Is Voter Fraud

2011-12-23T05:32:00.000-08:00

Voter fraud IS rampant and it's perpetuated by the same party that disenfranchised blacks in the 1800s. Cancelling out a legitimate vote with an illegitimate one is the same as disenfranchisement by intimidation and violence.

The latest voter-fraud convictions in Troy, N.Y., must be very inconvenient to the public-affairs propagandists over at the DNC and the NAACP, as well as liberal media outlets like the New York Times. It just ruins their constant refrain that there is no voter fraud in the United States.

Eric Shawn at FOX News reports that two Troy city officials, the city clerk and a councilman, along with two Democratic political operatives, have pled guilty to forging absentee-ballot signatures and casting fraudulent ballots in the 2009 Working Families Party primary. The WFP is the political party associated with ACORN.

One of the citizens whose votes were stolen was stunned at what happened. She said that she was “sure this goes on a lot in politics, but it’s very rare that they do get caught.” This voter was right on the money with that observation — fraud is so easy to commit in our election system that it is rare that fraudsters get caught and even rarer that they get prosecuted.

As for the constant liberal claims that voter fraud does not occur, one of the Democratic operatives who pled guilty, Anthony DeFiglio, told New York State police investigators “that faking absentee ballots was a commonplace and accepted practice in political circles, all intended to swing an election.” And whose votes do they steal? DeFiglio was very plain about that: “The people who are targeted live in low-income housing, and there is a sense that they are a lot less likely to ask any questions.”

Economic Growth Revised Lower for 3rd Quarter

2011-12-22T04:47:00.000-08:00

Well you could knock me over with a feather.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. economy grew more slowly in the summer than previously thought because consumers spent less than the government had first estimated. But economists expect growth in the current October-December quarter to be stronger.

The Commerce Department says the economy grew at an annual rate of 1.8 percent in the July-September quarter. That was the fastest growth this year, up from 1.3 percent in the April-June quarter. But it was down slightly from last month's estimate that the economy was expanding at a 2 percent rate in the summer.

The government now estimates that consumer spending grew at a 1.7 percent annual rate last summer, instead of 2.3 percent. The updated estimate reflects data showing less spending on hospitals.

Rasmussen poll shows Romney leading 25%, Paul 20%, Gingrich 17%

2011-12-21T07:53:00.000-08:00

It looks like support is beginning to coalesce for Romney.

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and Texas Congressman Ron Paul are leading the pack in Iowa with just two weeks to go until Caucus Day. But large numbers of voters remain uncommitted and lots could change between now and January 3.

The new Rasmussen Reports survey of Iowa caucus participants shows Romney on top with 25% of the vote followed by Paul at 20% and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich at 17%. Texas Governor Rick Perry and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, both at 10%, are the only other candidates in double-digits. Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann earns six percent (6%), former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman four percent (4%), while one percent (1%) prefer some other candidate and eight percent (8%) are not sure.

U.S. Official: North Korea Leader Died Just As Deal Was Struck To Halt Nuclear Program

2011-12-20T08:01:00.001-08:00

The United States was about to announce a deal that would put a stop to North Korea's uranium enrichment program when it was announced that the country's leader, Kim Jong Il, had died, a senior U.S. official told CBS on Tuesday.

The Obama administration, according to the official, was due to announce that the U.S. would make a large donation of food aid to North Korea, and in turn North Korea was to announce the suspension of its controversial uranium enrichment program.

Yeah, that's the ticket.

Gingrich wins endorsements from American Family Association, Iowa speaker

2011-12-20T05:05:00.000-08:00

Nice pick up.

Newt Gingrich rolled out a pair of high profile endorsements Tuesday, hoping to regain momentum in Iowa as recent polls have shown the one-time frontrunner slipping back into the middle of the Republican pack.

Don Wildmon, the founder and chairman of the American Family Association, announced his support for Gingrich Tuesday. The group, which promotes conservative Christian values and has a nationwide radio network of more than 180 stations, is a coup for Gingrich who has struggled to convince conservative voters to overlook a past that includes multiple divorces and admitted marital infidelity.

"Newt Gingrich recognizes the threat to our country posed by judges and lawyers imposing values upon the country inconsistent with our religious heritage, and has proposed constitutional steps to bring the courts back in balance under the constitution,” Wildmon said in a statement.

Palin Rattles the Cage

2011-12-19T09:19:00.000-08:00

Brother could she turn this thing on it's ear.

In Fox Business Network interview, ex-Alaska Guv plays coy on whether she's still mulling a presidential bid.

Palin: "It's not too late for folks to jump in. Who knows what will happen in the future."

Saturday Funny

2011-12-18T05:06:00.000-08:00

Thanks RR.

Obama: Only Three Other Presidents Might Outrank Me

2011-12-17T06:54:00.000-08:00

Truely a legend in his own mind.

In his latest interview with CBS News's Steve Kroft, President Obama said "I would put our legislative and foreign policy accomplishments in our first two years against any president -- with the possible exceptions of Johnson, F.D.R., and Lincoln -- just in terms of what we've gotten done in modern history." CBS edited the statement out of the televised version of the interview.

Obama’s Watergate Officials cover up culpability for gun smuggling and murder

2011-12-16T06:55:00.000-08:00

A Special Prosecutor needs to be appointed and NOW.

A year ago this week, U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry was murdered. He died protecting his country from brutal Mexican gangsters. Two AK-47 assault rifles were found at his death site. We now know the horrifying truth: Agent Terry was killed by weapons that were part of an illegal Obama administration operation to smuggle arms to the dangerous drug cartels. He was a victim of his own government. This is not only a major scandal; it is a high crime that potentially reaches all the way to the White House, implicating senior officials. It is President Obama’s Watergate.

'Dismal' prospects: 1 in 2 Americans are now poor or low income

2011-12-15T07:37:00.000-08:00

Let's redistribute the wealth so we can all be poor.

WASHINGTON - Squeezed by rising living costs, a record number of Americans — nearly 1in 2 — have fallen into poverty or are scraping by on earnings that classify them as low income.

The latest census data depict a middle class that's shrinking as unemployment stays high and the government's safety net frays. The new numbers follow years of stagnating wages for the middle class that have hurt millions of workers and families.

Well, for at least the last 3+ years.

Video Grab of the Day

2011-12-14T12:26:00.000-08:00

Funny. This image was displayed on Fox's America Live Wednesday. Considering Fox's cheerleading for Romney over the last 6 months, it was probably a legitimate screw up. Either that or the producer isn't on the Romney bandwagon.

Boxer: "Poison Pill" In GOP Payroll Tax Bill "Will Kill 8,100" People For Christmas

2011-12-14T04:48:00.000-08:00

Boxer is hyperbole personified.

"They have attached a poison pill -- literally, colleagues -- because it will kill 8,100 more people more than would have otherwise been killed from pollution," Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Cali.) said on the Senate floor today about Republicans trying to roll back a Clean Air Act provision.

Barack Obama Would Lose All 12 Swing States Today, Poll Says

2011-12-13T05:12:00.000-08:00

Long time to go but interesting nonetheless.

A survey of 12 swing states that Barack Obama carried in 2008 now finds the president losing to both Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich there.

USA Today-Gallup -- polling registered voters in Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin -- found Obama trailing Romney 43-48, and Gingrich 45-48.

Because Obama is expected to hold the big states of California, New York and Illinois, he maintains a popular-vote advantage nationwide, where he leads Gingrich 50-44, and edges Romney 47-46.

But the Electoral College math would deliver the White House to Republicans if they can carry the swing states, as the USA Today-Gallup poll shows.

CNN: Gingrich challenges Romney to a bet

2011-12-12T06:44:00.000-08:00

Like him or not ya gotta love his moxie.

Londonderry, New Hampshire (CNN) – Newt Gingrich responded to a call Monday by GOP rival Mitt Romney to return the money he received from mortgage giant Freddie Mac by issuing his own challenge.

"If Gov. Romney would like to give back all the money he's earned from bankrupting companies and laying off employees over his years at Bain that I would be glad to then listen to him," Gingrich told reporters after a town hall, referring to the company Romney ran. "And I'll bet you 10 dollars, not 10 thousand that he won't take the offer."

Pakistan Says U.S. drones in its Air Space will be Shot Down

2011-12-11T10:17:00.000-08:00

This is what the billions and billions of foreign aid have bought us.

ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan will shoot down any U.S. drone that intrudes its air space per new directives, a senior Pakistani official told NBC News on Saturday.

According to the new Pakistani defense policy, "Any object entering into our air space, including U.S. drones, will be treated as hostile and be shot down," a senior Pakistani military official told NBC News.

The policy change comes just weeks after a deadly NATO attack on Pakistani military checkpoints accidentally killed 24 Pakistani soldiers, prompting Pakistani officials to order all U.S. personnel out of a remote airfield in Pakistan.

Pakistan told the U.S. to vacate Shamsi Air Base by December 11.

Sunday Funny

2011-12-11T04:45:00.000-08:00

Thanks RR.

Former Obama lawyer admits deceiving Congress

2011-12-10T05:57:00.000-08:00

Remember the Gerald Walpin affair? Republican Sen. Charles Grassley does.

Walpin was the inspector general of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the organization that runs the AmeriCorps service program. In June 2009, Walpin received a call from Norman Eisen, who was then the Special Counsel to the President for Ethics and Government Reform. Eisen told Walpin he had an hour to either resign or be fired.

Eisen's call appeared to violate the 2008 Inspectors General Reform Act, which is designed to protect inspectors general from political interference. The Act requires the president to give Congress 30 days' notice, plus an explanation of cause, before firing an inspector general. In Walpin's case, the White House did neither.

In a meeting with Grassley, Eisen apologized for his statements to investigators. In the letter, Eisen writes, "It is now my understanding that I answered a few of the questions inaccurately, although at the time I thought they were accurate. Of course, it was not my intent to mislead staff in any way, but to the extent that I was unclear in my responses, or that my declining to answer questions created confusion, I regret it and I sincerely apologize."

Try that statement with the IRS.

Americans leaving US in record numbers

2011-12-09T06:45:00.000-08:00

Interesting...

Ever dream of leaving it all behind and heading out of America? You’re not the only one. A new study shows that more US citizens than ever before are living outside of the country.

According to statistics from the US State Department, around 6.4 million Americans are either working or studying overseas, which Gallup says is the largest number ever for such statistic.

The polling organization came across the number after conducting surveys in 135 outside nations and the information behind the numbers reveal that this isn’t exactly a longtime coming either — numbers have skyrocketed only in recent years. In the 24 months before polling began, the number of Americans between the ages of 25 and 34 living abroad managed to surge from barely 1 percent to over 5.1 percent. For those under the age span wishing to move overseas, the percentage has jumped in the same amount of time from 15 percent to 40.

Survey USA Poll - Florida

2011-12-08T12:52:00.000-08:00

This thing is very quickly becoming out of reach for Romney.

8 weeks to the Florida GOP Primary, Newt Gingrich resoundingly defeats Mitt Romney, with no other candidates worth discussing, according to a SurveyUSA poll of 500 likely Republican primary voters conducted for WFLA-TV in Tampa.

Gingrich gets 45%, Romney 23%, no one else is above 6%.

TV Stunt Goes Awry, Sends Cannonball Rocketing Through Homes

2011-12-07T07:45:00.000-08:00

Speaking of loose cannons...

DUBLIN, Calif. (CBS) — A cast iron cannonball rocketed through two homes and landed inside a minivan Tuesday when a “Mythbusters” TV experiment went wrong.

Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage are hosts of the scientific experimentation show, which airs on The Discovery Channel. The pair was reportedly trying to figure out how fast a cannonball would travel, when it misfired and shot hundreds of feet in the air.

“This cannonball was supposed to go through several barrels of water and through a cinder block, and then ultimately into the side of the hill,” said J.D. Nelson of the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department.

Instead the cannonball flew over the foothills surrounding Camp Parks Military Firing Reservation, before spiraling back toward Dublin like a cruise missile.

It flew straight though the front door of a home on Cassata Place, and bounced around like a pinball, flying up to the second floor before blasting through a back bedroom wall.

The wayward cannonball then blasted across a busy road and through a second home some 50 yards away, demolishing roof tiles.

Wednesday Funny

2011-12-07T05:07:00.000-08:00

Gingrich 37%, Romney 22% Among GOP Voters Nationwide

2011-12-06T09:59:00.000-08:00

Hmmmmm.

PRINCETON, NJ -- Newt Gingrich leads Mitt Romney 37% to 22% in Gallup's inaugural Daily tracking of Republican registered voters' preferences for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination, with all other candidates in the single digits.

LGBT Activists Urge Christmas Shoppers To Boycott Salvation Army Donations

2011-12-05T14:02:00.000-08:00

Gay and lesbian activists have accused the Salvation Army of discrimination against homosexuals because of its affirmation of traditional marriage and other Biblical viewpoints.

“We are urging a boycott of the Salvation Army because it uses its selective interpretation of the Bible to promote discrimination against LGBT people in employment benefits and leadership positions within the Army,” said Andy Thayer, co-founder of the Gay Liberation Network.

“It’s a sad day in America when gay rights become more important than giving to the needy,” said Brad Dacus, president of Pacific Justice Institute.

“Here’s a better idea,” he added. “The next time you pass a Salvation Army bell-ringer, why not thank the volunteer and put a little extra in the kettle to make up for the LGBT grinches who will not be giving this year?”

I don't know about you all but I'll be giving significantly more to the SA this year.

First post-Cain poll finds Gingrich holding double-digit lead nationally

2011-12-05T06:03:00.000-08:00

Most significant of all, Romney picked up 0% from Cains withdrawal.

Newt Gingrich is benefitting from Herman Cain’s exit from the GOP presidential race, according to a Poll Position survey released on Monday.

According to the survey of likely Republican primary voters and caucus-goers, which was taken after Cain announced his campaign’s suspension on Saturday, Gingrich took 37 percent of support of those surveyed, followed by Mitt Romney at 23 percent.

Rep. Ron Paul came in at seven percent, Rep. Michele Bachmann at six percent, Gov. Rick Perry at three percent, and Jon Huntsman and Rick Santorum with two percent each.

Sunday Funny

2011-12-04T14:00:00.000-08:00

Thanks RR.

Real Unemployment 11 Percent; Total Unemployment 15.6 Percent

2011-12-03T06:53:00.000-08:00

Dig into the data and it's a lot worse than we would be led to believe.

In the last year, the civilian population rose by 1,726,000. Yet the labor force fell by 67,000. Those not in the labor force rose by 1,793,000.

In November, those "Not in Labor Force" rose by a whopping 487,000. If you are not in the labor force, you are not counted as unemployed.

Were it not for people dropping out of the labor force, the unemployment rate would be well over 11%.

Rhode Island governor gets rid of capitol 'Christmas' tree

2011-12-01T06:00:00.000-08:00

The thing idiot Chafee fails to grasp is that the "holiday" IS Crristmas.

Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee does not like a Christmas tree being called a Christmas tree. So he is changing it. According to FoxNews, Gov. Chafee has said the Christmas tree in the State House Rotunda in Providence, as of this year, will be called a "holiday" tree.

Thus the War on Christmas continues. Those like Gov. Chafee don't like the fact that the Christmas tree is identified with the Christian faith.

But Rep. Doreen Costa, called the governor a "Grinch."

She has decided to erect her own Christmas tree - at the State House. And she plans on lighting it on Dec. 6 - the same day Chafee plans to host the official "holiday" tree lighting event.

U.S. Seals Court Records Of Border Patrol’s Murder

2011-11-30T07:07:00.000-08:00

And the duplicity continues....

The Obama Administration has abruptly sealed court records containing alarming details of how Mexican drug smugglers murdered a U.S. Border patrol agent with a gun connected to a failed federal experiment that allowed firearms to be smuggled into Mexico.

This means information will now be kept from the public as well as the media. Could this be a cover-up on the part of the “most transparent” administration in history? After all, the rifle used to kill the federal agent (Brian Terry) last December in Arizona’s Peck Canyon was part of the now infamous Operation Fast and Furious. Conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the disastrous scheme allowed guns to be smuggled into Mexico so they could eventually be traced to drug cartels.

Instead, federal law enforcement officers lost track of more than 1,000 guns which have been used in numerous crimes. In Terry’s case, five illegal immigrants armed with at least two semi-automatic assault rifles were hunting for U.S. Border Patrol agents near a desert watering hole just north of the Arizona-Mexico border when a firefight erupted and Terry got hit.

On Newt's 'humane' immigration policy

2011-11-29T08:55:00.000-08:00

Thomas Sowell nails it yet again.

Now that Newt Gingrich has become the latest in a series of Republican front-runners, he is getting the kinds of scrutiny and attacks that have done in other front-runners.

One of the issues that has aroused concern among conservative Republicans is that of amnesty for illegal immigrants, especially after Gingrich said that it would not be "humane" to deport someone who has been living and working here for years.

Let's go back to square one. The purpose of American immigration laws and policies is not to be either humane or inhumane to illegal immigrants. The purpose of immigration laws and policies is to serve the national interest of this country.

There is no inherent right to come live in the United States, in disregard of whether the American people want you here. Nor does the passage of time confer any such right retroactively.

Rep. Barney Frank won't seek re-election

2011-11-28T07:44:00.000-08:00

That is one disgusting individual that I hope we don't here from ever again unless it's a statement after his conviction for corruption.

Washington (CNN) -- Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank, a prominent 16-term liberal Democrat and arch-enemy of political conservatives nationwide, will announce Monday he does not intend to seek re-election in 2012, according to a statement from Frank's office.

Frank will hold a news conference in his district to discuss the decision at 1 p.m.

Sunday Funny

2011-11-27T06:16:00.000-08:00

Thanks RR.

Iran Threatens To Hit Turkey If US, Israel Attack

2011-11-26T07:05:00.000-08:00

Oh, that will deter the Israeli's. All kidding aside this threat was probably directed at Obama and knowing him it may work.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran will target NATO's missile defense installations in Turkey if the U.S. or Israel attacks the Islamic Republic, a senior commander of Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard said Saturday.

Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the head of the Guards' aerospace division, said the warning is part of a new defense strategy to counter what he described as an increase in threats from the U.S. and Israel.

Tensions have been rising between Iran and the West since the release of a report earlier this month by the International Atomic Energy Agency that said for the first time that Tehran was suspected of conducting secret experiments whose sole purpose was the development of nuclear arms.

Sandusky's Grandson Comes Forward With Allegations of Sexual Abuse

2011-11-25T12:03:00.000-08:00

Geez, this just keeps getting worse and worse.

The allegations towards accused Penn State pedophile Jerry Sandusky continue with his grandson now coming forward with claims of sexual abuse.

A complaint was filed against the former assistant coach by the wife of one of his adopted sons, Matt Sandusky with Pennsylvania's Children's and Youth Services, his lawyer told ABC News.

“The allegations are ridiculous and unfounded. Jerry has absolutely denied any inappropriate contact with his grand kids.” Sandusky's attorney Joseph Amendola said.

Sandusky's daughter-in-law filed for a restraining order after his November 5 arrest to prevent her children from sleeping over.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T06:41:00.000-08:00

Sign of the Times

2011-11-24T05:46:00.000-08:00

A west Georgia business owner’s sign.

Official Unofficial Thanksgiving Recipe Posting

2011-11-23T15:01:00.000-08:00

Okay folks, the third year we have been doing this and it's time yet again. We're having a traditional dinner....a 18# Tom turkey deep fried in peanut oil, yams with brown sugar bacon drippings and multiple spices, green bean casserole, southern style mac and cheese, fresh frozen (Cherokee variety) sweet corn, reduced gravy from the drippings with Idaho Russet mashed potatoes, no dressing :(, wife hates "soggy bread"..

For the hardcore meat eaters ....4 racks of Pork Baby Back ribs cooked on the Bradley Smoker starting in about 2 hours.

Dessert: Pumpkin Divine....a combination of pumpkin pie and cake with a brown sugar and butter topping. This will give sex a run for the money.

Please, give up your best.

"Disastrous" bond sale shakes confidence in Germany

2011-11-23T04:32:00.000-08:00

Like a row of Dominoes...

BERLIN (Reuters) - A "disastrous" German bond sale on Wednesday sparked fears that Europe's debt crisis was even beginning to threaten Berlin, with the leaders of the euro zone's two strongest economies still firmly at odds over a longer-term structural solution.

Financial markets were also unnerved by newspaper reports that Belgium may be pressing France for an expansion of a 90 billion euro ($120 billion) bailout of failed bank Dexia.

On top of this, a special report by Fitch Ratings suggested France had limited room left to absorb shocks to its finances like a new downturn in growth or support for banks without endangering its cherished AAA credit status.

After one of the least successful debt sales by Europe's powerhouse economy since the launch of the single currency, the euro fell and European shares sank to 7-week lows.

Futures Turn Lower After GDP Report

2011-11-22T06:04:00.000-08:00

I'm shocked I tell you, shocked!

Futures edged lower Tuesday following a lower-than-expected GDP figure and following the previous session’s sharp sell off.

The U.S. economy grew at a slightly slower pace than previously estimated in the third quarter, but weak inventory accumulation amid sturdy consumer spending strengthened views output would pick up in the current quarter.

Gross domestic product grew at a 2.0 percent annual rate in the third quarter, the Commerce Department said in its second estimate on Tuesday, down from the previously estimated 2.5 percent.

The Puzzling Differences Between Michigan and Indiana in This Recession

2011-11-21T06:18:00.000-08:00

Good article and accurate, read the whole thing.

This recession has been difficult throughout the Midwest. The nation’s two leading manufacturing states, Indiana and Michigan, have and still continue to feel the pain of this recession. Yet Michigan, which is less dependent on manufacturing, has had a much deeper and longer downturn than Indiana. This is a great puzzle. We have recently authored a study that attempts to frame the issues more clearly "The Puzzle of Indiana's Economy Through the Great Recession," for the Sagamore Institute.

In the wake of this recession the livelihoods and dreams of many in the Midwest have been impacted by high levels of joblessness and persistent unemployment. Unemployment peaked in Indiana at 10.8 percent, but rose to 14.9 percent in Michigan. Any economic model would predict either state would have had unemployment rates in the 13 to 15 percent range. Our study tries to explain this difference in outcomes between the two states. It is the puzzle that has a few answers.

First, it is pretty clear that the unemployment rate differences cannot be wholly explained by the structure of manufacturing. Indiana is more manufacturing intensive than Michigan, and the sharp drops in auto sales such as those seen in 2008 and 2009 are not correlated with increased volatility in Michigan’s unemployment rate. Of course, the auto industry matters. Indiana saw just one Big Three plant closing during the recession, while Michigan lost seven GM plants over the same time period. Indiana is also home to Honda, Toyota and Subaru plants. In 2010, Indiana was site of large announced investment by GM. Granted, the life cycle of a particular plant will effect closing and opening dates, so plant closings can be affected by such things as a discontinued product line or aging equipment. In the end, plant closings are heavily influenced by underlying economic factors, both local and national.

Sunday Funny

2011-11-20T06:21:00.000-08:00

Thanks RR.

Kissinger Called Jews 'Self-Serving,' 'Bastards'

2011-11-19T12:47:00.000-08:00

Considering they were fighting for their very existence, I'm inclined to cut them some slack. Unlike Obama, they wished to preserve that which they had.

Transcripts from 39years ago show that Henry Kissinger, a Jew who later served as U.S. Secretary of State Kissinger under President Richard Nixon, held anti-Jewish views. In 1972, then-Prime Minister Golda Meir asked Nixon to protest to the Kremlin over its levying of fees for exit permits for Jews who wish to emigrate.

The Associated Press quotes Kissinger as calling Jews "self serving" and using the word "bastards" in reference to them. At the time of the events, AP explains, the White House was "defending its strategy of quiet diplomacy" and sought to assure American Jews that Nixon was very concerned about the plight of Soviet Jews but that quiet diplomacy was the best approach.

A White House official, Leonard Garment asked Kissinger for help and guidance, saying he was flooded with letters and phone calls from concerned Jews. The late Alexander Haig, Nixon's national security adviser, had forwarded Meir's letter to him as well. Kissinger was Haig's deputy at the time. The transcripts show that Kissinger said to Garment: "Is there a more self-serving group of people than the Jewish community?"

Cain’s Knowledge-Deficit Disorder

2011-11-18T05:23:00.000-08:00

I like Cain but I've seen too many "deer in the headlight moments". I'm afraid he's just not ready for primetime.

He is running for president knowing little about major matters of public import.

Poor Rick Perry. His “brain freeze” is indelible, otherwise it would forever be eclipsed by Herman Cain’s more cringe-inducing meanderings on Libya.

At a meeting with the editors of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Cain was asked whether he agreed with Pres. Barack Obama’s handling of Libya. You would think he had been asked who is the president of Ubeki-beki-beki-beki-stan-stan, Cain’s joshing description of a prototypical gotcha foreign-policy question. What ensued was the longest five minutes of an editorial-board meeting ever.

Cain paused. Then he asked for a lifeline by trying to confirm with his questioner that President Obama supported the Libyan uprising. He started to say why he disagreed with Obama, but stopped after realizing, “No, that’s a different one.” He hesitated again. “Got all this stuff twirling around in my head,” he explained.

Pic of the Day

2011-11-17T08:23:00.000-08:00

Twomen going to work at the OWS protests in Manhattan.

Quote of the Day

2011-11-17T07:24:00.000-08:00

John Adams: Property is surely a right of mankind as really as liberty. Perhaps, at first, prejudice, habit, shame or fear, principle or religion, would restrain the poor from attacking the rich, and the idle from usurping on the industrious; but the time would not be long before courage and enterprise would come, and pretexts be invented by degrees, to countenance the majority in dividing all the property among them, or at least, in sharing it equally with its present possessors. Debts would be abolished first; taxes laid heavy on the rich, and not at all on the others; and at last a downright equal division of every thing be demanded, and voted. What would be the consequence of this? The idle, the vicious, the intemperate, would rush into the utmost extravagance of debauchery, sell and spend all their share, and then demand a new division of those who purchased from them. The moment the idea is admitted into society, that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence. If “Thou shalt not covet,” and “Thou shalt not steal,” were not commandments of Heaven, they must be made inviolable precepts in every society, before it can be civilized or made free

The 53%ers

2011-11-16T14:37:00.000-08:00

Another ObamaCare Glitch

2011-11-16T07:20:00.000-08:00

The longer Obama is in office the more "Putinesque he is becoming.

Even if ObamaCare survives Supreme Court scrutiny next spring, its trials will be far from over. That's because the law has a major glitch that threatens its basic functioning. It's so problematic, in fact, that the Obama administration is now brazenly trying to rewrite the law without involving Congress.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act offers "premium assistance"—tax credits and subsidies—to households purchasing coverage through new health-insurance exchanges. This assistance was designed to hide a portion of the law's cost to individuals by reducing the premium hikes that individuals will face after ObamaCare goes into effect in 2014. (If consumers face the law's full cost, support for repeal will grow.)

The law encourages states to create health-insurance exchanges, but it permits Washington to create them if states decline. So far, only 17 states have passed legislation to create an exchange.

This is where the glitch comes in: ObamaCare authorizes premium assistance in state-run exchanges (Section 1311) but not federal ones (Section 1321). In other words, states that refuse to create an exchange can block much of ObamaCare's spending and practically force Congress to reopen the law for revisions.

GOP’s Boehner embraces tax-raising plan

2011-11-16T06:07:00.000-08:00

Republicans raise taxes....lose elections, it's that simple.

House Speaker John A. Boehner publicly blessed a Republican deficit-reduction plan Tuesday that would raise $300 billion in additional tax revenue while overhauling the IRS code.

In doing so, he bucked opposition by some GOP presidential hopefuls and colleagues wary of violating a longstanding point of party orthodoxy.

Mr. Boehner, the top Republican in Congress, spoke as time grew perilously short for agreement by the deficit-fighting supercommittee. The panel has until a week from Wednesday to vote on any compromise, but several officials said that, in reality, perhaps as little as 48 or 72 hours are available to the six Republicans and six Democrats.

While Mr. Boehner’s voice is important, his endorsement does not mean all Republicans will follow him or that a deal is in sight. Republicans have been unified for two decades in opposition to higher taxes, while Democrats on the supercommittee insist on additional revenue before they will agree to cuts in benefit programs like Medicare as part of a compromise.

2013 Ford Mustang gallops up to 200 mph (650hp)

2011-11-15T08:28:00.000-08:00

Yet another argument for the contention that we’re living in a golden era for American muscle cars arrives with the 2013 Ford Mustang, which will sport a brace of tech and styling updates across its line — including the most powerful V8 engine sold by any automaker in the world. How much trouble could you get in with a 200-mph ‘Stang?

The original pony car has survived 46 years only through annual tweaking between major redesigns, and offering a broad enough model range to lure in everyone from high-schoolers to professional drag racers. Thanks to the competition with the revived Chevrolet Camaro, there’s more muscle in muscle cars than ever before; today’s base V6 Mustang has more grunt than the V8 flashed seven years ago.

DANG!

Gingrich Leads in PPP Poll, Followed by Cain

2011-11-14T12:15:00.000-08:00

It's a PPP poll so be wary, interesting nonetheless.

Results from new poll of GOP primary voters from Democratic firm Public Policy Polling: Newt Gingrich (28 percent), Herman Cain (25 percent), Mitt Romney (18 percent), Rick Perry (6 percent), Michele Bachmann and Ron Paul (5 percent), Jon Huntsman (3 percent), Rick Santorum and Gary Johnson (1 percent).

One particularly interesting note from PPP: “There’s reason to think that if Cain continues to fade, Gingrich will continue to gain. Among Cain’s supporters 73 percent have a favorable opinion of Gingrich to only 21 percent with a negative one.”

Supreme Court will hear legal fight over health care overhaul

2011-11-14T05:23:00.000-08:00

Let the games begin!

Setting the stage for a historic constitutional confrontation over federal power, the Supreme Court on Monday granted three separate cases on the constitutionality of the new federal health care law, and set aside 5 1/2 hours — probably in March — for oral argument. The Court, however, did not grant all of the issues raised and it chose issues to review only from three of the five separate appeals before it. It is unclear, at this point, whether all cases will be heard on a single day.

Sunday Funny

2011-11-13T07:03:00.000-08:00

Thanks RR.

Led Zeppelin’s Stairway To Heaven Turns 40 Years Old

2011-11-12T08:05:00.000-08:00

Dang, talk about feeling old.

Forty years ago an incredible classic rock band hit their creative peak when they released Led Zeppelin lV. I remember at age fourteen being handed this record for the first time, and being awe struck by stunning song-craftsmanship and lyrical prowess. The album itself which was released November 8th 1971 was a major success and sold 23 million copies alone in the United States, but only peaked at number 2 on the charts.

Many Zeppelin Fans know this album as the one that contains Stairway to Heaven, but among rock critics and fanatics of Zeppelin the whole album is a masterpiece. Led Zeppelin was never known for creating phenomenal singles, but created a name for themselves as a record band. They saw that every song recorded for the album should be done masterfully, and should compliment other tracks on the album. It’s not easy to convince the novice Zeppelin fan that Stairway to Heaven is not the best song on Led Zeppelin lV, but give them a few years and they will be hailing Zeppelin IV for songs such as “Black Dog,” “Rock and Roll,” and “When The Levee breaks.” This album is a must for an classic rock enthusiast, and should be apart of any album collection.

Employer-based health Insurance Continuues to Trend Down

2011-11-11T15:14:00.000-08:00

Go figure.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The percentage of American adults who get their health insurance from an employer continues to decline, falling to 44.5% in the third quarter of this year. This percentage has been steadily declining since Gallup and Healthways started tracking Americans' health insurance sources in 2008.

Fifty Percent Welfare Nation

2011-11-11T05:30:00.000-08:00

Shocking and totally unsustainable.

It has become all too easy today to receive government assistance. Half of all babies born in the U.S. today receive food assistance, and half of all children live in a home that will use food assistance at some point during their childhood. 40 percent of the population in Washington, D.C. is on welfare. Between 2000 and 2010 the number of Americans receiving food assistance more than doubled, expanding to over 47 million, which is more than one-seventh of the population. Forty years ago, only 4.3 million Americans received food assistance. According to a Heritage Foundation study, means-tested welfare has grown faster than every other part of government during the past two decades, including Social Security, Medicare, education and defense.

Foreclosures regaining momentum, hit 7-month high

2011-11-10T08:33:00.000-08:00

Always a very telling statistic and very bad news.

The U.S. foreclosure rate has climbed to its highest level in seven months, suggesting that lenders are moving beyond a "robo-signing" scandal that had temporarily slowed bank takeovers, according to a private firm that tracks the activity.

Foreclosure filings — including default notices, scheduled auctions, and bank repossessions — were issued on 230,678 homes in October, up 7 percent from September but 31 percent below the level of October 2010, according to the report issued by RealtyTrac Thursday.

And then there's this: Median home prices fall for 3Q in most US cities.

Former Ariz. US Attorney admits leaking memo smearing Fast and Furious whistle-blower

2011-11-09T06:15:00.000-08:00

Former Arizona U.S. Attorney Dennis Burke, who resigned in August, admitted late Tuesday that he leaked a document aimed at smearing Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent John Dodson, an Operation Fast and Furious whistle-blower.

“Dennis regrets his role in disclosing the memo but he’s a stand-up guy and is willing to take responsibility for what he did,” Chuck Rosenberg, Burke’s lawyer, said according to NPR. “It was absolutely not Dennis’s intent to retaliate against Special Agent Dodson or anyone else for the information they provided Congress.”

Rosenberg claims Burke is cooperating with congressional investigators.

"Stand up guys" don't leak lies for illegitimate partisan purposes.

Witness: Cain accuser hugged him during Tea Party meeting a month ago

2011-11-08T06:09:00.000-08:00

From The Chicago Sun Times:

The Cain Encounter ...

They hugged each other backstage in a full embrace like old friends.

She grabbed his arm and whispered in his left ear.

She kept talking as he bent to listen, and he kept saying “Uh, huh. Uh, huh.”

Huh?

“I don’t know if what she was giving him was a sucker punch, but he didn’t put his arm down while she was talking to him,” said the Sneed source.

◆The “he”... is GOP presidential contender Herman Cain, who has been accused of sexual harassment by several women.

◆The “she”... is Chicagoan Sharon Bialek, who held a news conference Tuesday as the only woman to PUBLICLY accuse Cain of sexual harassment.

Hmmmmm, something is not adding up.