Stay classy, Helen.
Friday, June 04, 2010
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
Bill Clinton - Useful Idiot in Sestak Scandal
On the Friday afternoon of Memorial Day weekend, the Obama White House coordinated with Rep. Joe Stestak and came clean on what happened concerning the bribe made to him to get out of the Senate seat race against sitting Senator Arlen Specter. Well, it was their idea of coming clean, anyway.
A bonus tidbit entered the fray, too. Seems we are to believe that former President Bill Clinton was the messenger for Rahm Emanuel and Team Obama in making the offer. To hear Sestak tell the tale, Clinton and he have a long history together and it was only natural that Clinton be the messenger. We were told that Clinton spoke to Sestak and offered him a seat on a presidential commission for no pay and still remain in the House, where he was deemed to be more useful. It is said to have been a presidential commission on intelligence matters. The story line goes that Obama had to re-pay Specter with campaign help for switching parties and giving the Democrats a solid 60 vote majority.
Perhaps nothing technically illegal was offered. There is a federal law on the books that would prevent Sestak, had he accepted the offer, from sitting on a commission, paid or not, while remaining in the House of Representatives. You would think a former President would know that. You would also think the Obama administration, so intellectually superior to the rest of us mere mortals, would know that. If so, it was just politics as usual.
We simply do not know what we do not know. However it all plays out, it stinks. Make no mistake, this is a huge embarrassment for Barack Obama. He was the man who ran for the office promising to be the most transparent president, ever. He was the man who ran for office promising to change the way Washington does business. No more business as usual, we were told over and over from the campaign trail.
And, as has been for every administration, it is the cover-up, stupid. Apparently there were overtures to Sestak over the course of two months, so it wasn't a one shot offer. Sestak says he refused the offer immediately. White House counsel, Bob Bauer, also Obama family attorney, looked into the matter and proclaimed it all much ado about nothing. Bauer, you may remember is not only the family attorney but also husband to Anita "I love Mao" Dunn, up until recently the White House communications director. It may be that a more fairly unbiased investigation needs to be conducted.
By exposing himself as the corrupt Chicago politician many assumed he would be, as a product of the Chicago political machine, Obama has broken campaign ethical pledge after pledge. He is, in fact, taking the sleaze factor to new levels. For the trumpeted 'smartest person in the room', he certainly could use some common sense. Appearances are everything in politics. Perception is reality in politics. These are basic facts every Political Science 101 student learns in college. The heavy handed style of Chicago politics don't sit well with the rest of the country.
And as for Clinton, well, what a useful idiot he has turned out to be. He was trying so hard to create a strong post-presidential legacy of world leader, of global humanitarian, to combat his less than honorable legacy as U.S. President, and it is surprising that he be brought into this smelly kettle of fish. Maybe he is being brought down a few notches again over an over-sized ego. Unfortunately for him, however, Sestak wasn't willing to play along and then he went to the press as his primary campaign fought on against Specter to tell vaguely about the offer from the White House.
Once again, where is the national press and why aren't they demanding answers? Why did they go along and wait until the story couldn't be avoided any longer, as the statements were put out? The public opinion continues on a downward spiral against President Obama. It would be refreshing for the press to do its job and stop with the covering for Team Obama.
A bonus tidbit entered the fray, too. Seems we are to believe that former President Bill Clinton was the messenger for Rahm Emanuel and Team Obama in making the offer. To hear Sestak tell the tale, Clinton and he have a long history together and it was only natural that Clinton be the messenger. We were told that Clinton spoke to Sestak and offered him a seat on a presidential commission for no pay and still remain in the House, where he was deemed to be more useful. It is said to have been a presidential commission on intelligence matters. The story line goes that Obama had to re-pay Specter with campaign help for switching parties and giving the Democrats a solid 60 vote majority.
Perhaps nothing technically illegal was offered. There is a federal law on the books that would prevent Sestak, had he accepted the offer, from sitting on a commission, paid or not, while remaining in the House of Representatives. You would think a former President would know that. You would also think the Obama administration, so intellectually superior to the rest of us mere mortals, would know that. If so, it was just politics as usual.
We simply do not know what we do not know. However it all plays out, it stinks. Make no mistake, this is a huge embarrassment for Barack Obama. He was the man who ran for the office promising to be the most transparent president, ever. He was the man who ran for office promising to change the way Washington does business. No more business as usual, we were told over and over from the campaign trail.
And, as has been for every administration, it is the cover-up, stupid. Apparently there were overtures to Sestak over the course of two months, so it wasn't a one shot offer. Sestak says he refused the offer immediately. White House counsel, Bob Bauer, also Obama family attorney, looked into the matter and proclaimed it all much ado about nothing. Bauer, you may remember is not only the family attorney but also husband to Anita "I love Mao" Dunn, up until recently the White House communications director. It may be that a more fairly unbiased investigation needs to be conducted.
By exposing himself as the corrupt Chicago politician many assumed he would be, as a product of the Chicago political machine, Obama has broken campaign ethical pledge after pledge. He is, in fact, taking the sleaze factor to new levels. For the trumpeted 'smartest person in the room', he certainly could use some common sense. Appearances are everything in politics. Perception is reality in politics. These are basic facts every Political Science 101 student learns in college. The heavy handed style of Chicago politics don't sit well with the rest of the country.
And as for Clinton, well, what a useful idiot he has turned out to be. He was trying so hard to create a strong post-presidential legacy of world leader, of global humanitarian, to combat his less than honorable legacy as U.S. President, and it is surprising that he be brought into this smelly kettle of fish. Maybe he is being brought down a few notches again over an over-sized ego. Unfortunately for him, however, Sestak wasn't willing to play along and then he went to the press as his primary campaign fought on against Specter to tell vaguely about the offer from the White House.
Once again, where is the national press and why aren't they demanding answers? Why did they go along and wait until the story couldn't be avoided any longer, as the statements were put out? The public opinion continues on a downward spiral against President Obama. It would be refreshing for the press to do its job and stop with the covering for Team Obama.
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Flotillas and Israeli-U.S. Relations
Israel has a responsibility to monitor shipments into Gaza. That is clear. Why did the supporters of Palestine chose to taunt the Israelis in the days leading up to their convoy into the waters monitored by Israel? If everything was on the up and up whey didn't they take the regular route on land? And, why were 'peace activists' armed with knives and lead pipes? How do they explain the report of grenades used and violenting throwing an Israeli overboard?
HERE is a video taken of the raid on the flotilla:
Turkey furnished the largest of the vessels - a cruise ship carrying the most people. The Israeli officials say that known terrorists were on board.
After the news hit the airwaves, the usual condemnation began against Israel for protecting its own country. Benjamin Netanyahu was due to visit the White House Tuesday and that trip has been cancelled. Netanyahu was in Canada when the news broke and he made the decision to go home and attend to this emergency.
Much of the details have yet to come out but some interesting tidbits are surfacing. One of the activists on board the Turkish cruise liner was a former U.S. diplomat from the Jimmy Carter days. Carter is a well know hater of the Jews so maybe this isn't such a surprise. Edward L. Peck was a Foreign Service member for about 30 years and served in Arab posts. He is a longtime critic of U.S. - Israel relations and enjoys the spotlight on such far left outlets as "Democracy Now" radio. Rev. Jeremiah Wright, pastor to the Obamas, is said to have been inspired by Peck and the credit of the famous line from the 2008 presidential campaign, "chickens are coming home to roost" goes to him. Wright bragged that he heard Peck use the phrase on FOX news in an interview and it amused him. Peck also accused former President Bush of deliberately extending the fight during the 2006 Lebanon War, according to Foreign Policy. Peck and four others are said to have represented the Free Palestine Movement out of California.
The activists had a flotilla of six vessels. The ruse was that it was all humanitarian aid. This is the standard story line as terrorists try to break through the protected area.
Given the abhorrent behavior of the Obama administration toward Israel - the latest slap coming just days ago as the U.N. Non-Proliferation Treaty is signed at the conclusion of the conference with the U.S. signing on after specifically telling Israel they would not if it targeted only Israel. Again the Obama administration lied to Israel and signed the agreement and Obama made the gesture of saying he "strongly' opposed the agreement. Really? Then why did his representatives sign on? How absurd. The agreement calls for another conference in 2012 to establish a nuclear weapon free Middle East. Currently, Israel is the only nation in the region known to have nuclear weapons. There was no provision made to call for a halt to Iran's nuclear weapons program. Surprise! National Security Adviser Gen James Jones said he 'deplored' the statement to single out Israel. Yet the statement was signed.
Israel has detained the flotilla people. Thirty-two are imprisoned. Ten were killed in the inspection by the Israel Navy at sea and several were injured. Seven of the Israel Defense Forces troops were wounded. The vessels were towed to Ashdod. In total there were about 700 activists on the vessels. It is reported that 16 of the arrested were jailed after refusing to give their identification.
Israel Defense Minister Ehud Barak said those who organized the flotilla have ties to Hamas and al-Qaida. He said it was a deliberate and violent provocation.
Do 'peace activists' on a humanitarian trek kill with knives, lead pipes and violence? Egypt also blockades Gaza. Why do we not hear about the activists provoking Egypt? Yeah, you know why. This has nothing to do with humanitarian aid.
There was an attempt to get a resolution of condemnation thru the U.N.Security Council today. It failed to flourish. Turkey has called for the Israel ambassador to leave its country. Turkey calls it a war crime. How about the crime of Turkey as an accessory to this incident by furnishing a cruise ship to transport the intruders?
HERE is a video taken of the raid on the flotilla:
Turkey furnished the largest of the vessels - a cruise ship carrying the most people. The Israeli officials say that known terrorists were on board.
After the news hit the airwaves, the usual condemnation began against Israel for protecting its own country. Benjamin Netanyahu was due to visit the White House Tuesday and that trip has been cancelled. Netanyahu was in Canada when the news broke and he made the decision to go home and attend to this emergency.
Much of the details have yet to come out but some interesting tidbits are surfacing. One of the activists on board the Turkish cruise liner was a former U.S. diplomat from the Jimmy Carter days. Carter is a well know hater of the Jews so maybe this isn't such a surprise. Edward L. Peck was a Foreign Service member for about 30 years and served in Arab posts. He is a longtime critic of U.S. - Israel relations and enjoys the spotlight on such far left outlets as "Democracy Now" radio. Rev. Jeremiah Wright, pastor to the Obamas, is said to have been inspired by Peck and the credit of the famous line from the 2008 presidential campaign, "chickens are coming home to roost" goes to him. Wright bragged that he heard Peck use the phrase on FOX news in an interview and it amused him. Peck also accused former President Bush of deliberately extending the fight during the 2006 Lebanon War, according to Foreign Policy. Peck and four others are said to have represented the Free Palestine Movement out of California.
The activists had a flotilla of six vessels. The ruse was that it was all humanitarian aid. This is the standard story line as terrorists try to break through the protected area.
Given the abhorrent behavior of the Obama administration toward Israel - the latest slap coming just days ago as the U.N. Non-Proliferation Treaty is signed at the conclusion of the conference with the U.S. signing on after specifically telling Israel they would not if it targeted only Israel. Again the Obama administration lied to Israel and signed the agreement and Obama made the gesture of saying he "strongly' opposed the agreement. Really? Then why did his representatives sign on? How absurd. The agreement calls for another conference in 2012 to establish a nuclear weapon free Middle East. Currently, Israel is the only nation in the region known to have nuclear weapons. There was no provision made to call for a halt to Iran's nuclear weapons program. Surprise! National Security Adviser Gen James Jones said he 'deplored' the statement to single out Israel. Yet the statement was signed.
Israel has detained the flotilla people. Thirty-two are imprisoned. Ten were killed in the inspection by the Israel Navy at sea and several were injured. Seven of the Israel Defense Forces troops were wounded. The vessels were towed to Ashdod. In total there were about 700 activists on the vessels. It is reported that 16 of the arrested were jailed after refusing to give their identification.
Israel Defense Minister Ehud Barak said those who organized the flotilla have ties to Hamas and al-Qaida. He said it was a deliberate and violent provocation.
Do 'peace activists' on a humanitarian trek kill with knives, lead pipes and violence? Egypt also blockades Gaza. Why do we not hear about the activists provoking Egypt? Yeah, you know why. This has nothing to do with humanitarian aid.
There was an attempt to get a resolution of condemnation thru the U.N.Security Council today. It failed to flourish. Turkey has called for the Israel ambassador to leave its country. Turkey calls it a war crime. How about the crime of Turkey as an accessory to this incident by furnishing a cruise ship to transport the intruders?
Monday, May 31, 2010
Memorial Day 2010
This from an e-mail I received recently, on the meaning shared on Memorial Day.
It is the
VETERAN,
not the preacher,
who has given us freedom of religion.
It is
the VETERAN,
not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.
It is
the VETERAN,
not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.
It is
the VETERAN,
not the campus organizer,
who has given us freedom to assemble.
It is
the VETERAN,
not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is
the VETERAN,
not the politician,
Who has given us the right to vote.
It is the
VETERAN who
salutes the Flag,
It is
the
VETERAN
who serves
under the Flag,
ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD,
AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.
This takes you to a Moment of Remembrance : http://www.remember.gov/MomentofRemembrance/tabid/54/Default.aspx
The National Moment of Remembrance, established by Congress, asks Americans wherever they are at 3 p.m., local time, on Memorial Day to pause in an act of national unity (duration: one minute).The time 3 p.m. was chosen because it is the time when most Americans are enjoying their freedoms on the national holiday. The Moment does not replace traditional Memorial Day events; rather it is an act of national unity in which all Americans, alone or with family and friends, honor those who died for our freedom. It will help to reclaim Memorial Day as the sacred and noble holiday it was meant to be. In this shared remembrance, we connect as Americans.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
American Exceptionalism? What Exceptionalism?
What runs through the brains of President Obama and his VP, Joe Biden? Is it simply a natural reflex to assume there is no exceptionalism to America on the far left? Just days before Memorial Day weekend and events scheduled to honor the sacrifices of brave men and women in our nation's defense, Biden jets off to Brussels and declares it the capitol of the world. Take that, America!
Here is the video:
No, in the mind of the Vice President of the United States, it is a perfectly acceptable remark to declare Brussels the capitol of the world. And, here we were under the impression it would be Washington, D.C. Especially if you are an American.
President Obama is not laying a wreath at Arlington Cemetery, as is the tradition of American presidents in observance of Memorial Day. No, no. Ushering in a new day of hope and change, this president is flying off to his adopted hometown of Chicago to spend the long weekend with the family in a little vacation. He is sending VP Biden and Mrs. Biden to do the official ceremonies. They will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and also host a breakfast for Gold Star families at the White House.
President Obama will be the first of recent presidents to abandon the ceremony at Arlington Cemetery. Bill Clinton participated each year of his eight in office. George W. Bush participated in 7 ceremonies, the one he missed was due to his participation in ceremonies in Normandy.
Instead of going to Arlington Cemetery and honoring the fallen who are remembered on this day, Obama will give a speech at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, just south of Chicago. This will be the 11th annual ceremony at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery. It was declared a national cemetery in 1999.
While it may not be necessary to honor the fallen heroes at Arlington, it is a tradition that should be encouraged. This is where the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was placed and it is especially important to remember that. Any cemetery can be used which holds the fallen, of course, but Arlington National Cemetery is indeed a special place. To many Americans, this is another example that President Obama does not fully appreciate the importance of some very worthy traditions held in high regard by us.
Thanks to the brave sacrifices of our military, we are free to celebrate our nation's freedoms every day. The very least we can do is set aside a day to remember them.
Here is the video:
No, in the mind of the Vice President of the United States, it is a perfectly acceptable remark to declare Brussels the capitol of the world. And, here we were under the impression it would be Washington, D.C. Especially if you are an American.
President Obama is not laying a wreath at Arlington Cemetery, as is the tradition of American presidents in observance of Memorial Day. No, no. Ushering in a new day of hope and change, this president is flying off to his adopted hometown of Chicago to spend the long weekend with the family in a little vacation. He is sending VP Biden and Mrs. Biden to do the official ceremonies. They will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and also host a breakfast for Gold Star families at the White House.
President Obama will be the first of recent presidents to abandon the ceremony at Arlington Cemetery. Bill Clinton participated each year of his eight in office. George W. Bush participated in 7 ceremonies, the one he missed was due to his participation in ceremonies in Normandy.
Instead of going to Arlington Cemetery and honoring the fallen who are remembered on this day, Obama will give a speech at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, just south of Chicago. This will be the 11th annual ceremony at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery. It was declared a national cemetery in 1999.
While it may not be necessary to honor the fallen heroes at Arlington, it is a tradition that should be encouraged. This is where the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was placed and it is especially important to remember that. Any cemetery can be used which holds the fallen, of course, but Arlington National Cemetery is indeed a special place. To many Americans, this is another example that President Obama does not fully appreciate the importance of some very worthy traditions held in high regard by us.
Thanks to the brave sacrifices of our military, we are free to celebrate our nation's freedoms every day. The very least we can do is set aside a day to remember them.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Comparing BP's Oil Spill and Hurricane Katrina
It was wrong for the Democrats to lead the charge that the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina and the long, slow response to help the people in the path of the storm was all the fault of George W. Bush. Likewise, it is wrong for people to lay the blame for the slow response in capping the oil spill at the feet of Barack Obama.
That said, it is not unusual for people to respond to reactions by the most powerful man in the world as he deals with disasters. Those criticizing the slow reaction of George W. Bush have some ground on which to stand. The picture published of him looking out the window of Air Force One as he flew over New Orleans was an incredible blunder. And, whomever advised him to not stop in, say, Baton Rouge to talk to the people on the ground right away poorly served the president. Barack Obama criticized Bush as loudly as any other Democrat looking to make political points, not help the people needing it. Bush did go several days later and make an impassioned speech in Jackson Square to reassure everyone that the federal government was doing all it could.
Barack Obama didn't go to the Gulf coast for two weeks after the Deepwater Horizon exploded and the lives of eleven men were lost. He has let three more weeks go by before his second trip to the region. And, most think it is only because he has come under fire for his perceived negligence. In politics, perception is everything. This president was touted as Mr. Cool and Calm as he campaigned for the office. We were all expected to fall for the narrative that this is the preferred personality of a great leader. Maybe. But experience matters, too. The fact is, Obama's administration was slow to react, maybe not fully realizing the severity of the disaster. But, for a president who strongly believes in the power of the government running as much of our lives as possible, it was odd that he left so much to others initially. Now he is playing catch-up, even holding his first press conference at the White House in over 300 days. And, he still blames the previous administration for as much as possible.
The Washington Times editorial refers to the oil spill as Obama's 'Oily Katrina'.
Agree or not with the politics of Karl Rove, no one denies he is a plain talker and will cut to the heart of a situation. Here is an except from an article in the LA Times online:
Now, Rove on Democrats trying to blame George W. Bush for last month's oil spill, as The Ticket revealed here Tuesday:
"Obama Administration officials last year short-circuited the process and allowed Transocean and British Petroleum to drill this well to put this unit at the place that they were drilling and to do so without full environmental review and a full safety review.
It was Obama Administration officials.
Chris Dodd, you know, is reaching back. I wish he knew the facts. He clearly knew that facts when he got that improper mortgage from people he was writing legislation benefits for, but he doesn't have the facts known here.
In fact, it was on the front page of the New York Times....that the decision to allow this rig to drill in this place was granted last year with expedited approvals without a full environmental and safety review by Obama Administration officials.
And, finally, Rove on presidential behavior:
Look, the American people don't elect a president with the hope that he's going to spend most of his time blaming his predecessor. They elect a president to get things done.
I think it hurts President Obama. It makes him look weak. You know, this constant 'poor us, we were handed a bad thing, all the problems are the problems of the previous administration.' You know, look, when Bush came into office he had a recession.
You didn't hear Bush go out and say, 'Well you know Clinton, the stock market peaked in March of 2000. NASDAQ lost 50% of it's value. We were headed to a recession and it's all Clinton's fault and we are cleaning up after the Clinton mess.'
The American people don't want to hear that. So, look, that's fine if they want to do that because I think it hurts them. It diminishes them. It makes them look weak and pitiful and that's not what the American people want.
The reason why the President has such a low approval rating when he should have high ones, is because of the way he conducts himself in office."
Elizabeth Birnbaum, Director of Minerals Management Service, has resigned as a result of the oil spill travesty. She blames the agency she "inherited" in need of reform. Of course she does. The "inherited" excuse is prevalent with this administration, from President Obama on down. He says the word so much that the thought must run through the minds of his employees. Read her self-pitying resignation statement HERE. The odd part of her resignation is that President Obama was in the dark about it as he said in the press conference held yesterday. He said he didn't know if she resigned or was fired. This from the man who was trying mightily to convey the message that he was in charge of the disaster response.
Also, this tidbit emerges from Birnbaum's testimony before Congress: inspectors at MMS are unionized. HERE is the story of the last inspection of the Deepwater Horizon. Quite a cozy little corrupt set-up there.
President Obama has photo ops and interviews galore to account for his whereabouts and his agenda this last month and more since the Deepwater Horizon exploded. He's had date nights with his wife, vacation trips, interviews for sports shows, golf games, basketball games, a White House Corespondents dinner, a State Dinner, and graduation addresses. All standard stuff, to be sure, but hardly the appearance of the man who says he 'won't rest' until the oil spill is plugged or until everyone looking for a job has one. Words matter. An interesting twist is that now even the most ardent ideologues from the Democratic party are loudly voicing displeasure of how the president is handling this environmental and human crisis.
Sometimes criticism is legitimate.
That said, it is not unusual for people to respond to reactions by the most powerful man in the world as he deals with disasters. Those criticizing the slow reaction of George W. Bush have some ground on which to stand. The picture published of him looking out the window of Air Force One as he flew over New Orleans was an incredible blunder. And, whomever advised him to not stop in, say, Baton Rouge to talk to the people on the ground right away poorly served the president. Barack Obama criticized Bush as loudly as any other Democrat looking to make political points, not help the people needing it. Bush did go several days later and make an impassioned speech in Jackson Square to reassure everyone that the federal government was doing all it could.
Barack Obama didn't go to the Gulf coast for two weeks after the Deepwater Horizon exploded and the lives of eleven men were lost. He has let three more weeks go by before his second trip to the region. And, most think it is only because he has come under fire for his perceived negligence. In politics, perception is everything. This president was touted as Mr. Cool and Calm as he campaigned for the office. We were all expected to fall for the narrative that this is the preferred personality of a great leader. Maybe. But experience matters, too. The fact is, Obama's administration was slow to react, maybe not fully realizing the severity of the disaster. But, for a president who strongly believes in the power of the government running as much of our lives as possible, it was odd that he left so much to others initially. Now he is playing catch-up, even holding his first press conference at the White House in over 300 days. And, he still blames the previous administration for as much as possible.
The Washington Times editorial refers to the oil spill as Obama's 'Oily Katrina'.
Agree or not with the politics of Karl Rove, no one denies he is a plain talker and will cut to the heart of a situation. Here is an except from an article in the LA Times online:
Now, Rove on Democrats trying to blame George W. Bush for last month's oil spill, as The Ticket revealed here Tuesday:
"Obama Administration officials last year short-circuited the process and allowed Transocean and British Petroleum to drill this well to put this unit at the place that they were drilling and to do so without full environmental review and a full safety review.
It was Obama Administration officials.
Chris Dodd, you know, is reaching back. I wish he knew the facts. He clearly knew that facts when he got that improper mortgage from people he was writing legislation benefits for, but he doesn't have the facts known here.
In fact, it was on the front page of the New York Times....that the decision to allow this rig to drill in this place was granted last year with expedited approvals without a full environmental and safety review by Obama Administration officials.
And, finally, Rove on presidential behavior:
Look, the American people don't elect a president with the hope that he's going to spend most of his time blaming his predecessor. They elect a president to get things done.
I think it hurts President Obama. It makes him look weak. You know, this constant 'poor us, we were handed a bad thing, all the problems are the problems of the previous administration.' You know, look, when Bush came into office he had a recession.
You didn't hear Bush go out and say, 'Well you know Clinton, the stock market peaked in March of 2000. NASDAQ lost 50% of it's value. We were headed to a recession and it's all Clinton's fault and we are cleaning up after the Clinton mess.'
The American people don't want to hear that. So, look, that's fine if they want to do that because I think it hurts them. It diminishes them. It makes them look weak and pitiful and that's not what the American people want.
The reason why the President has such a low approval rating when he should have high ones, is because of the way he conducts himself in office."
Elizabeth Birnbaum, Director of Minerals Management Service, has resigned as a result of the oil spill travesty. She blames the agency she "inherited" in need of reform. Of course she does. The "inherited" excuse is prevalent with this administration, from President Obama on down. He says the word so much that the thought must run through the minds of his employees. Read her self-pitying resignation statement HERE. The odd part of her resignation is that President Obama was in the dark about it as he said in the press conference held yesterday. He said he didn't know if she resigned or was fired. This from the man who was trying mightily to convey the message that he was in charge of the disaster response.
Also, this tidbit emerges from Birnbaum's testimony before Congress: inspectors at MMS are unionized. HERE is the story of the last inspection of the Deepwater Horizon. Quite a cozy little corrupt set-up there.
President Obama has photo ops and interviews galore to account for his whereabouts and his agenda this last month and more since the Deepwater Horizon exploded. He's had date nights with his wife, vacation trips, interviews for sports shows, golf games, basketball games, a White House Corespondents dinner, a State Dinner, and graduation addresses. All standard stuff, to be sure, but hardly the appearance of the man who says he 'won't rest' until the oil spill is plugged or until everyone looking for a job has one. Words matter. An interesting twist is that now even the most ardent ideologues from the Democratic party are loudly voicing displeasure of how the president is handling this environmental and human crisis.
Sometimes criticism is legitimate.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
President Obama Holds Press Conference - Finally
President Obama held a press conference at the White House - the first in more than 300 days. As is his habit, he droned on in his answers and only called on a few journalists - 10 in total. He was in full professorial mode.
The bulk of the questions pertained to the BP oil spill. "From the moment this diaster began, the Federal government has been in command", began his repetitive response to questioning. He held to the talking points that his administration had been in charge "from Day One." He stated that BP "is operating at our direction." He also made clear that he intends to use this tragedy to push his political agenda of 'clean' energy legislation. He urged the Senate to pass the bill the House passed last year. And then he said he didn't want the oil spill to be in the standard political filter as other political discourse. He fibbed that he didn't care about the politics of it all.
He is a politician from Chicago, above all else. Of course he cares about the politics of any event while he's the top guy. Let's not forget his continued loud criticisms of the handling of Hurricane Katrina by the Bush administration when he was briefly in the U.S. Senate.
Obama touted the 'brain trust' involved in assisting BP in strategy and solutions for the oil spill. He pointed to Dr. Steven Chu, the Energy Secretary who is a Nobel prize award winner. Considering that Obama himself is a Nobel prize winner, that award holds less prestige than in previous times. Obama did, however, encourage tourism to the Gulf coast, so there's that.
Obama has suspended operations for 33 deep water drilling leases currently underway. No concern for those workers expressed, though. Maybe because oil rig workers aren't unionized they don't become as important as, say, auto factory workers. He did, for the first time during this crisis, remind everyone that he grew up in Hawaii and that the ocean is 'sacred' to him and he sympathises with those along the coast frustrated by slow actions.
Channeling the Jimmy Carter days, the president says his elementary school age daughter Malia sticks her head into his room as he shaves in the morning and asks, "Did you plug the hole yet, Daddy?" Shades of Jimmy Carter's breakfast talks with young daughter Amy on nuclear proliferation.
There was standard Bush bashing. Though now into the second of his four year term, the meme continues that everything bad is the fault of George W. Bush. Just as Secretary Salazar blamed Bush for "corrupt practices", Obama restated the claim. He did say that Salazar's fascist language of keeping his boot on the throat of BP is not appropriate. But the blame Bush thread continues. He said he didn't know if Elizabeth Birnbaum was fired or not. Her resignation was reported today and originally it was reported that the Mineral Management Services director had been fired. Why wouldn't the big boss know if she was fired? Who's in charge here?
Obama said that deep water drilling is expensive and risky. True enough. Then he said, "You never heard me say 'drill, baby, drill'. We can't drill our way out of the problem." Standard liberal talking points. And just wrong. Obama announced the cancellation of lease sales in Louisiana and Virginia. More oilfield unemployment to come.
It was asked of the president, why only help from two countries is being utilized and not from all 17 countries that have offered help or equipment. It was learned that only the help from Mexico and Norway has been accepted to date.
Helen Thomas asked when our troops would stop killing innocent Afghani people, when would he bring the troops all home. And, she said, "don't use a Bushism" that if we don't fight them there, the terrorists will come here. Everyone still in full blame Bush mode.
Asked about the increased presence of National Guardsmen on our southern border, by a Mexican journalist, Obama touted also the $500 million set aside for the exercise. He said, in response to the new Arizona law, that he didn't approve of it and that he didn't approve or disapprove of the boycott by some of that state. Imagine that. A President of the United States doesn't come out against the boycott of one of our own fifty states. Or as candidate Obama said, 57 states.
How long before the man who claimed his administration would be the most transparent ever releases its statement about the mess brought about by the alleged bribe to Rep Sestak in hopes he wouldn't run against Sen Arlen Specter? Obama said it would be forthcoming soon. He said it wouldn't be weeks but soon. And, he said his administration didn't do anything wrong.
Will it be another 300 plus days before he stands and answers questions from the press again?
The bulk of the questions pertained to the BP oil spill. "From the moment this diaster began, the Federal government has been in command", began his repetitive response to questioning. He held to the talking points that his administration had been in charge "from Day One." He stated that BP "is operating at our direction." He also made clear that he intends to use this tragedy to push his political agenda of 'clean' energy legislation. He urged the Senate to pass the bill the House passed last year. And then he said he didn't want the oil spill to be in the standard political filter as other political discourse. He fibbed that he didn't care about the politics of it all.
He is a politician from Chicago, above all else. Of course he cares about the politics of any event while he's the top guy. Let's not forget his continued loud criticisms of the handling of Hurricane Katrina by the Bush administration when he was briefly in the U.S. Senate.
Obama touted the 'brain trust' involved in assisting BP in strategy and solutions for the oil spill. He pointed to Dr. Steven Chu, the Energy Secretary who is a Nobel prize award winner. Considering that Obama himself is a Nobel prize winner, that award holds less prestige than in previous times. Obama did, however, encourage tourism to the Gulf coast, so there's that.
Obama has suspended operations for 33 deep water drilling leases currently underway. No concern for those workers expressed, though. Maybe because oil rig workers aren't unionized they don't become as important as, say, auto factory workers. He did, for the first time during this crisis, remind everyone that he grew up in Hawaii and that the ocean is 'sacred' to him and he sympathises with those along the coast frustrated by slow actions.
Channeling the Jimmy Carter days, the president says his elementary school age daughter Malia sticks her head into his room as he shaves in the morning and asks, "Did you plug the hole yet, Daddy?" Shades of Jimmy Carter's breakfast talks with young daughter Amy on nuclear proliferation.
There was standard Bush bashing. Though now into the second of his four year term, the meme continues that everything bad is the fault of George W. Bush. Just as Secretary Salazar blamed Bush for "corrupt practices", Obama restated the claim. He did say that Salazar's fascist language of keeping his boot on the throat of BP is not appropriate. But the blame Bush thread continues. He said he didn't know if Elizabeth Birnbaum was fired or not. Her resignation was reported today and originally it was reported that the Mineral Management Services director had been fired. Why wouldn't the big boss know if she was fired? Who's in charge here?
Obama said that deep water drilling is expensive and risky. True enough. Then he said, "You never heard me say 'drill, baby, drill'. We can't drill our way out of the problem." Standard liberal talking points. And just wrong. Obama announced the cancellation of lease sales in Louisiana and Virginia. More oilfield unemployment to come.
It was asked of the president, why only help from two countries is being utilized and not from all 17 countries that have offered help or equipment. It was learned that only the help from Mexico and Norway has been accepted to date.
Helen Thomas asked when our troops would stop killing innocent Afghani people, when would he bring the troops all home. And, she said, "don't use a Bushism" that if we don't fight them there, the terrorists will come here. Everyone still in full blame Bush mode.
Asked about the increased presence of National Guardsmen on our southern border, by a Mexican journalist, Obama touted also the $500 million set aside for the exercise. He said, in response to the new Arizona law, that he didn't approve of it and that he didn't approve or disapprove of the boycott by some of that state. Imagine that. A President of the United States doesn't come out against the boycott of one of our own fifty states. Or as candidate Obama said, 57 states.
How long before the man who claimed his administration would be the most transparent ever releases its statement about the mess brought about by the alleged bribe to Rep Sestak in hopes he wouldn't run against Sen Arlen Specter? Obama said it would be forthcoming soon. He said it wouldn't be weeks but soon. And, he said his administration didn't do anything wrong.
Will it be another 300 plus days before he stands and answers questions from the press again?
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Professor Booed During Arizona Commencement
The recent debate over the Arizona legislation passed to address the growing crisis of the effects from illegal immigration facing the state moved into the May 2010 Commencement Ceremony for the University of Arizona College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Professor Sandra Soto decided it was appropriate to deliver a speech to the graduating class by inserting her own political opinion of the legislation. What should have solely been about the graduates and their accomplishments and hopes for the future became an avenue for a far left liberal professor to spew fort with her misrepresentation of the law.
The professor deliberately lied about the law. For her inappropriate tone and material, she was very loudly booed by the audience. Good for them. It is proper that they - the parents and loved ones that paid the tuition bills and supported the young people - protested the nonsense coming from the professor.
HERE is Sandra Soto's bio and info on the University of Arizona Women's Studies Department web page.
It has now been announced that President Obama, under strong criticism from all sides of the debate, is sending 1200 National Guard troops to our country's southern border. The current number 'monitoring' the border is 340. The new order includes $500 million. Make no mistake, this is welcome but it is for show. 1200 troops is far below the number needed. Plus, these people will not have the authority or training to do anything much more than push pencils at desk jobs or perhaps change a tire on a Jeep. They are not there to enforce. They are there to monitor and assist the Border Patrol.
During a closed door meeting over lunch with Senate Republicans, President Obama tried to make a show of reaching out. According to reports from those present, he showed himself as he is - thin skinned and petulant. Instead of showing leadership, he continues to agitate and provoke, as is his experience from his 'community organizer' days in Chicago. When Senator McCain told him that securing the border would have to come before immigration reform legislation could move forward with GOP support, Obama told him that this was not an acceptable approach.
McCain said, "I said we needed to secure the border first. I pointed out that members of his administration who have not read the law have mischaracterized the law." As is his habit, Obama tried to one-up former President Bush by claiming he is doing more for border security than done by Bush. Former President Bush sent 6,000 guardsmen to the border in 2006. The commitment was for two years.
President Bush and John McCain tried to get immigration reform passed and it was stopped by both Democrats and Republicans. Democrats have been in charge of both houses of Congress since 2007. It is well past time for the federal government to do its job - secure the border - and stop bullying states that are left no other choice but to do it on their own.
The professor deliberately lied about the law. For her inappropriate tone and material, she was very loudly booed by the audience. Good for them. It is proper that they - the parents and loved ones that paid the tuition bills and supported the young people - protested the nonsense coming from the professor.
HERE is Sandra Soto's bio and info on the University of Arizona Women's Studies Department web page.
It has now been announced that President Obama, under strong criticism from all sides of the debate, is sending 1200 National Guard troops to our country's southern border. The current number 'monitoring' the border is 340. The new order includes $500 million. Make no mistake, this is welcome but it is for show. 1200 troops is far below the number needed. Plus, these people will not have the authority or training to do anything much more than push pencils at desk jobs or perhaps change a tire on a Jeep. They are not there to enforce. They are there to monitor and assist the Border Patrol.
During a closed door meeting over lunch with Senate Republicans, President Obama tried to make a show of reaching out. According to reports from those present, he showed himself as he is - thin skinned and petulant. Instead of showing leadership, he continues to agitate and provoke, as is his experience from his 'community organizer' days in Chicago. When Senator McCain told him that securing the border would have to come before immigration reform legislation could move forward with GOP support, Obama told him that this was not an acceptable approach.
McCain said, "I said we needed to secure the border first. I pointed out that members of his administration who have not read the law have mischaracterized the law." As is his habit, Obama tried to one-up former President Bush by claiming he is doing more for border security than done by Bush. Former President Bush sent 6,000 guardsmen to the border in 2006. The commitment was for two years.
President Bush and John McCain tried to get immigration reform passed and it was stopped by both Democrats and Republicans. Democrats have been in charge of both houses of Congress since 2007. It is well past time for the federal government to do its job - secure the border - and stop bullying states that are left no other choice but to do it on their own.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
America Speaking Out
The folks at Contract from America have a new initiative. Generally speaking, I do not support 'contracts' to be signed by candidates for elected office. They smack of litmus tests and that is not an inclusive exercise. But, in the case of the Contract From America, their 10 point statement of principles is representative of the economic area of basic Republican and conservative thought. It is productive for Republicans and conservatives to focus on fiscal issues that unite us over the social issues that divide us. Our nation is in dire straits, in need of true fiscal common sense.
The website http://www.americaspeakingout.com states:
This site was developed by House Republicans as part of an official effort to increase the dialogue between Americans and their Congress. Here, Americans are provided a new platform to share their priorities and ideas for a national policy agenda. As Republicans, we are committed to our principles of limited, more accountable government; economic freedom; lower taxes; fiscal responsibility; protecting life, American values, and the Constitution; and providing for strong national security. This is an open forum, however, where all Americans are welcome to respectfully offer their opinions, regardless of party affiliation and whether we endorse them or not. It is our hope the active engagement of the American people will produce a robust debate that will aid in the construction of a new American agenda.
Dialogue between the American public and elected officials is a good thing. I won't dwell on the fact that this is a bit slow out of the gate and instead show support for the effort. It seems to be loosely similar to the YouVote idea recently launched by House Republicans and quite successful. If Republicans are to maximize the opportunity presented to them by the mismanagement of Congress by the Democrats in November, it is crucial that every initiative for dialogue be launched and used.
The website http://www.americaspeakingout.com states:
This site was developed by House Republicans as part of an official effort to increase the dialogue between Americans and their Congress. Here, Americans are provided a new platform to share their priorities and ideas for a national policy agenda. As Republicans, we are committed to our principles of limited, more accountable government; economic freedom; lower taxes; fiscal responsibility; protecting life, American values, and the Constitution; and providing for strong national security. This is an open forum, however, where all Americans are welcome to respectfully offer their opinions, regardless of party affiliation and whether we endorse them or not. It is our hope the active engagement of the American people will produce a robust debate that will aid in the construction of a new American agenda.
Dialogue between the American public and elected officials is a good thing. I won't dwell on the fact that this is a bit slow out of the gate and instead show support for the effort. It seems to be loosely similar to the YouVote idea recently launched by House Republicans and quite successful. If Republicans are to maximize the opportunity presented to them by the mismanagement of Congress by the Democrats in November, it is crucial that every initiative for dialogue be launched and used.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Salazar Preens, Jindal Takes Charge in Oil Spill Recovery
You may remember Secretary Salazar and his quote showing off his inner Nazi and macho role playing saying he and the administration would 'keep a boot on the throat of BP' as they deal with the drilling accident. Now, continuing along his violent speech pattern: “If we find (BP is) not doing what they're supposed to be doing, we'll push them out of the way appropriately,” Salazar said.
Everyone feeling better now?
A recap of Salazar's visit to Houston is HERE
Here is my question. After the administration, including and most especially President Obama, essentially ignored this tragedy from the beginning and then tried to change the narrative by claiming they were involved "from day one" and the slobbering press continued to do the administration's bidding, why is it acceptable that Secretary Salazar goes for weeks at a time without a visit to the Gulf coast? He showed up in Houston yesterday morning and admitted it has been weeks since he has been to BP's headquarters. It was, what, nineteen days or so before the president bothered to go to the coast and act as though he is on top of the situation. Imagine a Republican president with that slow of a time frame for a personal visit.
Today Salazar and Napolitano will go to Louisiana for more photo ops to show how involved they are in the situation. Yesterday Governor Jindal held a press conference with area state officials to lay out his plans forward. There is no more patience left for federal response or that from BP. He's pushing Salazar and his crew out of the way. He stated that his requests made to the federal government for equipment for preventing the oil from moving to the coastline has not been answered in a responsible way. The state has received a fraction of his request, more than 30 days after the fact.
Salazar has no experience in the offshore drilling sector. He is a standard liberal acting as though they are the environmental saviors. He conveniently never mentions it was him and his agency that signed off on the drilling waivers only days before this tragedy occurred. He does not have clean hands.
Typical of Washington, the president made a big deal of sending out a team of inspectors to oil rigs drilling offshore in the Gulf of Mexico with subsea blowout preventer (BOP)stacks after the Deepwater Horizon's accident. This was to show how involved the administration was in the whole thing. Anyone read or hear anything of the results of all these inspections? No? Imagine that.
Go HERE for the reports.
The reason that there was no press coverage of the inspection reports is because there is no 'there' there. The one rig drilling for BP, no surprise, has a rather substantial infraction and it was corrected. And, it was a problem with testing the BOP pressure. Other than that one, the others didn't amount to much. The Nautilus mentioned is the sister rig to the Deepwater Horizon, the rig commissioned by my husband in S. Korea in the shipyard as it was built. It drills for Shell, not BP - an important distinction. On inspection, it did well. A crumpled paper coffee cup was removed so as not to be a potential fire hazard. That infraction in no way compares to the seriousness of improper testing of the BOP.
Secretary Salazar huffing and puffing about the slow work of plugging up this oil leak is buffoonery. It is what we have come to expect from our government in times of emergency.
Bob Woodward, liberal journalist, spews forth with more absurdity: ..I think the one thing we’ve learned about oil is—it’s kind of answered the question why the oil companies have been making so much money. You don’t have to go down there and pump it. It just comes to you once you pierce the shell of the bottom. All of this is coming, you know, no pumps. It’s spewing out. Watch and cringe:
Incredible.
Everyone feeling better now?
A recap of Salazar's visit to Houston is HERE
Here is my question. After the administration, including and most especially President Obama, essentially ignored this tragedy from the beginning and then tried to change the narrative by claiming they were involved "from day one" and the slobbering press continued to do the administration's bidding, why is it acceptable that Secretary Salazar goes for weeks at a time without a visit to the Gulf coast? He showed up in Houston yesterday morning and admitted it has been weeks since he has been to BP's headquarters. It was, what, nineteen days or so before the president bothered to go to the coast and act as though he is on top of the situation. Imagine a Republican president with that slow of a time frame for a personal visit.
Today Salazar and Napolitano will go to Louisiana for more photo ops to show how involved they are in the situation. Yesterday Governor Jindal held a press conference with area state officials to lay out his plans forward. There is no more patience left for federal response or that from BP. He's pushing Salazar and his crew out of the way. He stated that his requests made to the federal government for equipment for preventing the oil from moving to the coastline has not been answered in a responsible way. The state has received a fraction of his request, more than 30 days after the fact.
Salazar has no experience in the offshore drilling sector. He is a standard liberal acting as though they are the environmental saviors. He conveniently never mentions it was him and his agency that signed off on the drilling waivers only days before this tragedy occurred. He does not have clean hands.
Typical of Washington, the president made a big deal of sending out a team of inspectors to oil rigs drilling offshore in the Gulf of Mexico with subsea blowout preventer (BOP)stacks after the Deepwater Horizon's accident. This was to show how involved the administration was in the whole thing. Anyone read or hear anything of the results of all these inspections? No? Imagine that.
Go HERE for the reports.
The reason that there was no press coverage of the inspection reports is because there is no 'there' there. The one rig drilling for BP, no surprise, has a rather substantial infraction and it was corrected. And, it was a problem with testing the BOP pressure. Other than that one, the others didn't amount to much. The Nautilus mentioned is the sister rig to the Deepwater Horizon, the rig commissioned by my husband in S. Korea in the shipyard as it was built. It drills for Shell, not BP - an important distinction. On inspection, it did well. A crumpled paper coffee cup was removed so as not to be a potential fire hazard. That infraction in no way compares to the seriousness of improper testing of the BOP.
Secretary Salazar huffing and puffing about the slow work of plugging up this oil leak is buffoonery. It is what we have come to expect from our government in times of emergency.
Bob Woodward, liberal journalist, spews forth with more absurdity: ..I think the one thing we’ve learned about oil is—it’s kind of answered the question why the oil companies have been making so much money. You don’t have to go down there and pump it. It just comes to you once you pierce the shell of the bottom. All of this is coming, you know, no pumps. It’s spewing out. Watch and cringe:
Incredible.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
POTUS Delivers Commencement Address at West Point
As I listened to President Obama deliver the commencement address to the graduating class of 2010 from West Point, all I could think of was that the audience must have felt short-changed. The speech was delivered by a liberal with no clue about the military. That was painfully obvious. The speech was poorly written - the fault of speech writers, not the president - and tossed in everything but assurances from a supportive commander in chief. Passion was absent and emotion was non-existent.
HERE is the text.
Among the lines delivered, Obama continued the far left lie that the U.S. decided to 'go it alone' in Iraq. This completely re-writes history. After 17 U.N. resolutions were ignored and the newly minted war on terror became the issue to the day, The U.S. entered Iraq but we had a small coalition of partners. To write off the contributions of Great Britain, Australia, Poland, Italy, Germany, and other partners is just wrong. Many nations have sacrificed for Iraq's freedom from Saddam. His slap at the previous administration - "In the past, we've always had the foresight to avoid acting alone."
"We must develop clean energy that can power new industry and unbound us from foreign oil and preserve our planet. We have to pursue science and research that unlocks wonders as unforeseen to us today as the microchip and the surface of the moon were a century ago." Liberal pap.
And, more jabs - "But this is a different kind of war. There will be no simple moment of surrender to mark the journey's end - no armistice, no banner headline. Though we have had more success eliminating al Qaeda leaders in recent months than in recent years..." Really?
An interesting recap was written by a parent in the audience. The author uses a pen name to remain anonymous but his child graduated from West Point yesterday.
His assessment of the audience's lukewarm reception - polite applause included - was apparent through the television lens, too. There were several awkward pauses as the president waited for applause that was not forthcoming. For a man who is heralded as the best speech deliverer, ever, he was halting and clumsy. He was not in his comfort zone.
President Obama did, however, show promise. This speech was noticeably absent of his standard insertions of "I" into each sentence.
I couldn't help but reflect back to previous speeches since the current wars began by former President Bush and Secretary of Defense Gates. Obviously the West Point audience did, too.
HERE is the text.
Among the lines delivered, Obama continued the far left lie that the U.S. decided to 'go it alone' in Iraq. This completely re-writes history. After 17 U.N. resolutions were ignored and the newly minted war on terror became the issue to the day, The U.S. entered Iraq but we had a small coalition of partners. To write off the contributions of Great Britain, Australia, Poland, Italy, Germany, and other partners is just wrong. Many nations have sacrificed for Iraq's freedom from Saddam. His slap at the previous administration - "In the past, we've always had the foresight to avoid acting alone."
"We must develop clean energy that can power new industry and unbound us from foreign oil and preserve our planet. We have to pursue science and research that unlocks wonders as unforeseen to us today as the microchip and the surface of the moon were a century ago." Liberal pap.
And, more jabs - "But this is a different kind of war. There will be no simple moment of surrender to mark the journey's end - no armistice, no banner headline. Though we have had more success eliminating al Qaeda leaders in recent months than in recent years..." Really?
An interesting recap was written by a parent in the audience. The author uses a pen name to remain anonymous but his child graduated from West Point yesterday.
His assessment of the audience's lukewarm reception - polite applause included - was apparent through the television lens, too. There were several awkward pauses as the president waited for applause that was not forthcoming. For a man who is heralded as the best speech deliverer, ever, he was halting and clumsy. He was not in his comfort zone.
President Obama did, however, show promise. This speech was noticeably absent of his standard insertions of "I" into each sentence.
I couldn't help but reflect back to previous speeches since the current wars began by former President Bush and Secretary of Defense Gates. Obviously the West Point audience did, too.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
Texas Public Policy Foundation Establishes Eighth Policy Center
Recently I wrote about new initiatives put forward by the GOP. Now, I see a similar initiative has begun at Texas Public Policy Foundation.
The Texas Public Policy Foundation is a non-profit free-market research institute based in Austin.
The foundation is announcing a new policy center - the Center for Tenth Amendment Studies. The Center for Tenth Amendment Studies was established to pursue the restoration of the Constitution's original system of checks and balances through which citizens can restrain their own government and thereby enjoy their unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The Center will accomplish this through research and outreach to policymakers and the public. The Texas Public Policy Foundation is a non-profit free-market research institute based in Austin.
Foundation President Brooke Rollins continues, "The Center for Tenth Amendment Studies is arguably the most important project we have undertaken. Texas has shown that it can meet the needs of its citizens without the support or interference of the federal government. Now it is time to address the more fundamental question of how we can protect our freedoms and roll back the encroachments of an increasingly voracious national government."
Two attorneys - both constitutional experts - have joined in the new policy center as Senior Fellows. Ted Cruz, former Solicitor General for the State of Texas and Scott Brister, former Texas Supreme Court justice, should establish the Foundation's eighth policy center as a think tank reaching for new solutions to restore the proper balance between the federal government, the State of Texas, and individuals.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Calderon Bashes America. POTUS Agrees.
President Calderon visited the U.S. and met with President Obama yesterday before an official state dinner in his honor. Shame on President Obama for allowing Calderon to criticize America and then jumping into the fray and agreeing with him against one of our own states. Shame of this far left ideologue for his continued campaigning at the expense of leadership. Shame on the ignorance, deliberate or not, of this president who enjoys touting himself as a constitutional scholar. He continues to deliberately lie about the wording of the Arizona legislation to score points and it is wrong. To say that you object because there is a possibility that the law may be poorly enforced neglects to recognize that any law has that possibility. And, once again, the chief law enforcer of the country disparages the law enforcement forces of our nation. Just as Obama was quick to jump in and criticize the law enforcement of Cambridge, Massachusetts, he now does the same to those in Arizona. How low can this man go before the pubic rises and says enough is enough? It is long past time to demand real leadership, not school yard bully tactics from the president.
If the president or his administration bothered to read the 10 page law, they would read that the law specifically prohibits law enforcement from stopping anyone on the basis of skin color or ethnic profile. The only ones to be stopped are those who are breaking a law, regardless of skin color. There has been a federal law requiring those here on work visas or naturalized citizens to carry papers with them for many years. Everyone is asked for identification by law enforcement if stopped for questioning over activities witnessed.
This is what infuriates American citizens.
If the president was truly interested in working on immigration reform, he would support measures to increase legal immigration. He would secure our border with Mexico, first and foremost. It is his top duty as the Commander in Chief, as written in our country's constitution, to protect our nation's people. He would support measures to find a path for those here illegally to become citizens. He would support fines to employers who encourage illegal immigration by offering jobs. He would support deporting, immediately, those who are here illegally and arrested for illegal activities. He would stop the partisan and insulting language used by those in the Democrat party that wish to claim Hispanic voters as future voters.
We are in desperate need of common sense in this country.
It is important to argue for legal immigration, as Mitt Romney does. The Romney family has strong Mexican roots. It is crucial for the GOP to stop allowing the Democrats to make the argument that Republicans are anti-immigration. It is crucial to make the case for legal immigration.
The Romney family has a long Mexican history. Mitt's great grandfather left the U.S. to avoid religious persecution in 1884. He created a Mormon community in Chihauhua that still exists today. The Romney family has lived the hope of a better life in a neighboring country. The GOP has to get out front on the issue and encourage reform that would bring in educated and highly skilled workers, not simply allow low skilled workers to cross the border to be hired at lower wages. It is good fiscal policy to encourage those who want higher education and excel in their chosen field, whether it is science or mathematics or computer technology.
Mexican President Calderon came under questioning from the press, while President Bush was in office, for the reports that he has a brother living in the U.S. illegally. It was fine to question him then but now apparently it is not. President Obama has a distant relative living in the northeast illegally, after ignoring a deportation order, and now has been given a waiver to stay in this country.
Did the president work on this issue as a U.S. senator? Has he made it a top priority in his agenda? No to both of those questions. He knows it is a political hot potato and is only interested in future votes. He continues to prove to be unserious by his public posturing. The majority of the American people polled support the Arizona legislation. Once again, Obama is at odds with majority opinion. Once again, he doubles down against American voters.
First Lady Michelle Obama visited an elementary school with the first lady of Mexico yesterday. While there, Mrs. Obama was questioned by a little girl about her husband requiring the showing of papers by people. The little girl was mistaken about that, of course, but Mrs. Obama went with it. She said the subject needed action. Then the little girl told Mrs. Obama that her mother didn't have papers.
This little girl in Maryland presented the First Lady and her guest with an awkward moment. Too bad Mrs. Obama wasn't better prepared with her answer. Granted, there is only so much she could have said to a second grade student but there has to be a way of talking to children and explaining our nation's sovereignty.
If the president or his administration bothered to read the 10 page law, they would read that the law specifically prohibits law enforcement from stopping anyone on the basis of skin color or ethnic profile. The only ones to be stopped are those who are breaking a law, regardless of skin color. There has been a federal law requiring those here on work visas or naturalized citizens to carry papers with them for many years. Everyone is asked for identification by law enforcement if stopped for questioning over activities witnessed.
This is what infuriates American citizens.
If the president was truly interested in working on immigration reform, he would support measures to increase legal immigration. He would secure our border with Mexico, first and foremost. It is his top duty as the Commander in Chief, as written in our country's constitution, to protect our nation's people. He would support measures to find a path for those here illegally to become citizens. He would support fines to employers who encourage illegal immigration by offering jobs. He would support deporting, immediately, those who are here illegally and arrested for illegal activities. He would stop the partisan and insulting language used by those in the Democrat party that wish to claim Hispanic voters as future voters.
We are in desperate need of common sense in this country.
It is important to argue for legal immigration, as Mitt Romney does. The Romney family has strong Mexican roots. It is crucial for the GOP to stop allowing the Democrats to make the argument that Republicans are anti-immigration. It is crucial to make the case for legal immigration.
The Romney family has a long Mexican history. Mitt's great grandfather left the U.S. to avoid religious persecution in 1884. He created a Mormon community in Chihauhua that still exists today. The Romney family has lived the hope of a better life in a neighboring country. The GOP has to get out front on the issue and encourage reform that would bring in educated and highly skilled workers, not simply allow low skilled workers to cross the border to be hired at lower wages. It is good fiscal policy to encourage those who want higher education and excel in their chosen field, whether it is science or mathematics or computer technology.
Mexican President Calderon came under questioning from the press, while President Bush was in office, for the reports that he has a brother living in the U.S. illegally. It was fine to question him then but now apparently it is not. President Obama has a distant relative living in the northeast illegally, after ignoring a deportation order, and now has been given a waiver to stay in this country.
Did the president work on this issue as a U.S. senator? Has he made it a top priority in his agenda? No to both of those questions. He knows it is a political hot potato and is only interested in future votes. He continues to prove to be unserious by his public posturing. The majority of the American people polled support the Arizona legislation. Once again, Obama is at odds with majority opinion. Once again, he doubles down against American voters.
First Lady Michelle Obama visited an elementary school with the first lady of Mexico yesterday. While there, Mrs. Obama was questioned by a little girl about her husband requiring the showing of papers by people. The little girl was mistaken about that, of course, but Mrs. Obama went with it. She said the subject needed action. Then the little girl told Mrs. Obama that her mother didn't have papers.
This little girl in Maryland presented the First Lady and her guest with an awkward moment. Too bad Mrs. Obama wasn't better prepared with her answer. Granted, there is only so much she could have said to a second grade student but there has to be a way of talking to children and explaining our nation's sovereignty.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Ct Attorney General Blumenthal Fakes War Tales
Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal was caught in a big time lie. Running for the Senate seat now occupied by Senator Chris Dodd, who is retiring,has been exposed by The New York Times for his lies - in the form of resume padding. Blumenthal made many references on the campaign trail to his time spent in Vietnam and of mistreatment as a veteran. He used the claims of being spit upon and such as was common mistreatment of real war veterans of that day.
Blumenthal went to the West Hartford VFW to try and stop the bleeding. The small stage was all decked out with American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars members.
Turns out Blumenthal is indeed a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves. He did not, however leave the country in service. His time overseas was spent in college. Blumenthal had a number of deferrals, like the previously criticized VP Cheney. You may remember that former President Bush was criticized for being a member of the USAF national guard. Suddenly it is chic to be a Democrat with military service, for political expediency. It would appear, however, that the military service must be real or the public isn't quite so impressed.
As the newspaper account reports, Blumenthal was advised to apologize, mean it and move on. His statement before the press wasn't exactly an apology, though. He said he "regretted" his words. He didn't say he was sorry for doing it. He says it was the use of "a few misplaced words" that he regrets. When finally pressed by the reporters if he was sorry, the veterans on stage told him not to be swayed by them and he repeated his previous wording.
The youtube video of the non-apology:
Then, in regards to the veterans he used as his stage props for the press conference, according to the news account he used another fake war veteran. This guy claimed to be a POW and wore medals he didn't really earn. Nice,huh? According to THIS William Joseph Trumpower is also known as Elliott Storm. He was asked by the Blumenthal campaign to come to support the candidate today and Storm called his pals in his group, "Vet Pack". This group advocates for veterans in need of post traumatic stress syndrome.
Many political insiders now think Blumenthal's long political career is over. We will wait to see how it all plays out. Perhaps Senator John Kerry has some advice.
Blumenthal went to the West Hartford VFW to try and stop the bleeding. The small stage was all decked out with American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars members.
Turns out Blumenthal is indeed a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves. He did not, however leave the country in service. His time overseas was spent in college. Blumenthal had a number of deferrals, like the previously criticized VP Cheney. You may remember that former President Bush was criticized for being a member of the USAF national guard. Suddenly it is chic to be a Democrat with military service, for political expediency. It would appear, however, that the military service must be real or the public isn't quite so impressed.
As the newspaper account reports, Blumenthal was advised to apologize, mean it and move on. His statement before the press wasn't exactly an apology, though. He said he "regretted" his words. He didn't say he was sorry for doing it. He says it was the use of "a few misplaced words" that he regrets. When finally pressed by the reporters if he was sorry, the veterans on stage told him not to be swayed by them and he repeated his previous wording.
The youtube video of the non-apology:
Then, in regards to the veterans he used as his stage props for the press conference, according to the news account he used another fake war veteran. This guy claimed to be a POW and wore medals he didn't really earn. Nice,huh? According to THIS William Joseph Trumpower is also known as Elliott Storm. He was asked by the Blumenthal campaign to come to support the candidate today and Storm called his pals in his group, "Vet Pack". This group advocates for veterans in need of post traumatic stress syndrome.
Many political insiders now think Blumenthal's long political career is over. We will wait to see how it all plays out. Perhaps Senator John Kerry has some advice.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Rep Mark Souder Leaves in Disgrace
Once again the GOP is reminded of the consequences of those candidates running for office as beacons of moral superiority. Today, Rep Mark Souder, R-IN, just two weeks ago ran for re-election and won his primary in a tough race, has come forward and admitted to martial infidelity with a part time staff member. His all but certain re-election is now toast.
From the CNN blog Rep Souder said as he announced his departure from Washington:
"I sinned against God, my wife and my family by having a mutual relationship with a part-time member of my staff," he said. "In the poisonous environment of Washington, D.C, any personal failing is seized upon, often twisted, for political gain.
"I am resigning rather than to put my family through that painful, drawn-out process,"
How does his family feel about the youtube video he did with is lady friend on the subject of abstinence?
The hypocrisy and arrogance is breathtaking.
Souder claims it is the poisonous atmosphere that is the enemy, not his loutish behavior. Time and time again, we see those who claim to represent moral integrity and religious values prove the opposite after a little time in national office and are then sent to the dust bin of political history. This man even has a video interview with the other woman discussing his moral superiority - on abstinence.
One party does not hold the higher moral integrity. People are people, no matter of which party they belong to politically. Beware of those who would tout morality over all else. They belong in a pulpit, not political office.
From the CNN blog Rep Souder said as he announced his departure from Washington:
"I sinned against God, my wife and my family by having a mutual relationship with a part-time member of my staff," he said. "In the poisonous environment of Washington, D.C, any personal failing is seized upon, often twisted, for political gain.
"I am resigning rather than to put my family through that painful, drawn-out process,"
How does his family feel about the youtube video he did with is lady friend on the subject of abstinence?
The hypocrisy and arrogance is breathtaking.
Souder claims it is the poisonous atmosphere that is the enemy, not his loutish behavior. Time and time again, we see those who claim to represent moral integrity and religious values prove the opposite after a little time in national office and are then sent to the dust bin of political history. This man even has a video interview with the other woman discussing his moral superiority - on abstinence.
One party does not hold the higher moral integrity. People are people, no matter of which party they belong to politically. Beware of those who would tout morality over all else. They belong in a pulpit, not political office.
Monday, May 17, 2010
New GOP Initiatives
Two new initiatives from the GOP are being introduced. Both have promise.
In the YouCut program,House Republicans present to site visitors the opportunity to vote on several proposals for cutting the budget. They began the voting on Wednesday of last week and as of Thursday, 70,000 votes had been recorded.
The second new initiative was launched on May 6. Ten House Republicans
came together to form the 10th Amendment Task Force. This is touted to "usher in a 'New Era of Federalism' and will work to ensure that the principles within the 10Amendment to the U.S. Constitution serve as a framework for Republicans to fundamentally alter the way government interacts with and touches people on a daily basis." That explanation from the office of Rep. Tom Price. The goal is to send more power back to states and local governments away from Washington.
The original ten:
Rob Bishop (UT-01)
Marsha Blackburn (TN-07)
Jason Chaffetz (UT-03)
Michael Conaway (TX-11)
John Culberson (TX-07)
Scott Garrett (NJ-0)
Doug Lamborn (CO-05)
Cynthia Lummis (WY-At large)
Tom McClintock (CA-04)
Randy Neugebauer (TX-19)
The Washington Post reports on three other initiatives being discussed among small groups of conservatives. They include stressing the importance of marriage,as former President Bush did in his "Healthy Marriage Initiative". This program's funding expires next year. President Obama has a pilot program focusing on fathers, which will replace the Bush program. Both the social value and economic value of marriage are to be stressed by the GOP.
Also discussed by Rep. Paul Ryan is Social Security and Medicare reform. He suggests turning Medicare away from being a government run program in to one where people use vouchers to buy private insurance coverage. For Social Security, he suggests benefits to be calculated on inflation instead of wage increases.
And the last of those mentioned in the Washington Post article was on of a parent tax cut. Economist Robert Stein claims the tax code is unfair to parents. He suggests a formula of $4,000 per child tax credit. Then that is funded by reform of the income tax code. Income tax would be in two categories - one 15% of income and the other 35%. This plan does hike taxes on some - those in the upper middle class who would be bumped up to the 35% tax level. Those may include couples without children or those who have grown children.
Politico notices that the House of Representatives, fearing the mid-term election massacre sure to come, is now all about politics over substance. It's interesting when the press has to report on the obvious, on their own, because the atmosphere has become as it is now. It seems the House Democrats are using political games as the America Competes bill-a science initiative- makes its way through. They have added 54 amendments, all of which are purely vanity votes. They need a little something to take home to the folks which may save their butts in tough re-elections.
Maybe all those incumbent Democrats wouldn't be in such tough re-election races if they hadn't spent so much money with so little in results. Just a thought.
In the YouCut program,House Republicans present to site visitors the opportunity to vote on several proposals for cutting the budget. They began the voting on Wednesday of last week and as of Thursday, 70,000 votes had been recorded.
The second new initiative was launched on May 6. Ten House Republicans
came together to form the 10th Amendment Task Force. This is touted to "usher in a 'New Era of Federalism' and will work to ensure that the principles within the 10Amendment to the U.S. Constitution serve as a framework for Republicans to fundamentally alter the way government interacts with and touches people on a daily basis." That explanation from the office of Rep. Tom Price. The goal is to send more power back to states and local governments away from Washington.
The original ten:
Rob Bishop (UT-01)
Marsha Blackburn (TN-07)
Jason Chaffetz (UT-03)
Michael Conaway (TX-11)
John Culberson (TX-07)
Scott Garrett (NJ-0)
Doug Lamborn (CO-05)
Cynthia Lummis (WY-At large)
Tom McClintock (CA-04)
Randy Neugebauer (TX-19)
The Washington Post reports on three other initiatives being discussed among small groups of conservatives. They include stressing the importance of marriage,as former President Bush did in his "Healthy Marriage Initiative". This program's funding expires next year. President Obama has a pilot program focusing on fathers, which will replace the Bush program. Both the social value and economic value of marriage are to be stressed by the GOP.
Also discussed by Rep. Paul Ryan is Social Security and Medicare reform. He suggests turning Medicare away from being a government run program in to one where people use vouchers to buy private insurance coverage. For Social Security, he suggests benefits to be calculated on inflation instead of wage increases.
And the last of those mentioned in the Washington Post article was on of a parent tax cut. Economist Robert Stein claims the tax code is unfair to parents. He suggests a formula of $4,000 per child tax credit. Then that is funded by reform of the income tax code. Income tax would be in two categories - one 15% of income and the other 35%. This plan does hike taxes on some - those in the upper middle class who would be bumped up to the 35% tax level. Those may include couples without children or those who have grown children.
Politico notices that the House of Representatives, fearing the mid-term election massacre sure to come, is now all about politics over substance. It's interesting when the press has to report on the obvious, on their own, because the atmosphere has become as it is now. It seems the House Democrats are using political games as the America Competes bill-a science initiative- makes its way through. They have added 54 amendments, all of which are purely vanity votes. They need a little something to take home to the folks which may save their butts in tough re-elections.
Maybe all those incumbent Democrats wouldn't be in such tough re-election races if they hadn't spent so much money with so little in results. Just a thought.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Needs Adult Discussion
Something sorely missing and greatly needed in today's verbal discourse is some grown up talk. Take, for instance, the talk surrounding the Horizon Deepwater oil spill.
We've read the quotes and heard the quips that span from no one taking full responsibility to those who would shut down offshore oil drilling all together as a response to the oil spill. We've reached crazy town. Most importantly, those living on the coast are suffering and some of it is inflicted by the press coverage. To hear some reports, one would think that the beaches were coated and the natural environment was gone forever.
Those who make their livings on the Gulf coast need your support. Do not cancel your summer vacation yet. Do not stop buying and eating seafood from the Gulf of Mexico. None of that has been affected. Yet. There is no way of knowing what the damage will be but it is not time for irrational action. Why can't we take a breath and keep up with the progress being made? Or not being made.
The dirty little secret is now coming out. Everyone is responsible. Dealing with the tone of the discourse, leadership comes from the top. President Obama was slow off the mark on this disaster and now is in complete cya mode. Understandable after the public reaction to a natural disaster like Hurricane Katrina and the federal response to that. However, Team Obama was oddly silent and passive in the beginning. We heard a lot of 'everything is under control' quotes. He made a quick trip to the coast and met with various important people. This was, however, many days after the event. President Bush, after Hurricane Katrina, went to speak at Jackson Square to reassure all of federal commitment much sooner. That is one example that neither party can claim superiority in federal response and reaction. This is now being shown and the Democrats who hated President Bush so viciously that they were willing to slander him on a daily basis are now coming to understand. Or admit.
The president made a statement that is now portrayed by the slobbering press as 'tough' and 'angry' a couple of days ago from the Rose Garden. He said that he was 'not impressed' with the way the executives from the companies involved handled the congressional hearings. Well, Mr. President, it is not for you to be impressed. And, as he lightly chided the federal government's involvement as inadequate, he called for calm civility. Then he bashed the previous administration again. He enjoys a new phrase now. He now says "for the last 10 years or so" when he bashes the previous administration. He has gotten the message that the public is tired of his whining about what he 'inherited'. Sort of. This call for calm action was just a day or so after he went to Manhattan for a big bucks fundraiser and loudly bashed the GOP for entertainment. Where is his own civility?
It is a shame that of all the policies that President Obama has decided to continue from the Bush administration, a civil tone is not one of them.
You can go HERE for a web site of my husband's. He commissioned the Horizon's sister rig in Korea. You can find pictures there that may be informative. The site hasn't been updated in a couple of years but you'll get a glimpse into oil drilling rigs.
Here is a web site on the response activities.
The finger pointing is unseemly at all levels. It is, however, human nature. It would be refreshing if an adult dialogue would begin. Offshore oil drilling is the most regulated and taxed of all American industry. The federal government plays a large part in the operations. This Obama administration has greatly benefited from campaign donations from oil industry coffers, as did its predecessors. Candidate Obama received the most campaign dollars from BP. Surprise! Do not fall for the old meme that it is the evil GOP in bed with energy companies. Energy companies are like any other industry. The people running them and working for them contribute to both political parties.
"You have to come up with assurances to the American people that this won't happen again." That quote from far left Democrat Senator Charles Schumer on a Sunday morning talk show. How absurd. And, how exactly would one do that? There is no such guarantee. Anything run by human beings has a certain amount of human risk.
Deep water offshore oil drilling is the new frontier. It is done far offshore. To compare this tragedy to the Exxon Valdez is to not understand the difference between an oil freighter that hit rocky shoreline and an offshore drilling rig drilling a well. Both accidents. Completely different circumstances. BP doesn't have a stellar safety record and no one is claiming they are fault free. Neither is Transocean, the drilling contractor. Yes, Halliburton had a hand in it as the data collector and testing operation. This will all be sorted out. In the mean time, there is an uncontrolled gush of oil coming from that well. Let's remember the priority.
It would be helpful for all sections of this arena looking for answers to try to remain adult in discussion and deed.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
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