Monday, October 11, 2010
Liu Wins Nobel Peace Prize, Wife Held Away
Liu's Noble Peace Prize is declared this way on the web site: The Nobel Peace Prize 2010 was awarded to Liu Xiaobo "for his long and non-violent struggle for fundamental human rights in China".
Liu Xiaobo was awarded the peace prize as he sits in a Chinese prison. The committee stuck to the decision despite the objections raised by the Chinese government. His is an eleven year sentence and he is there because he dares to speak up for freedom and human rights for all of the people of China. And, now his wife has been "moved".
From The Washington Times:
Authorities escorted Liu's wife from Beijing to the northeastern city where he is imprisoned but did not let her see him to deliver news of the honor. That will have to wait until Sunday, a family member said.
Activist lawyers in Beijing inspired by the award to hold a get-together said police followed them and told them to stay home, preventing them from meeting.
Also receiving an award, the Nobel Prize in Literature is a Peruvian novelist, Mario Vargas Llosa. He, too, speaks out about human - individual - rights. He, too, has a passion against dictators.
It does present a puzzle. Why would such worthy recipients be recognized one year and others so wholly undeserving receive the awards another year? Why are such political decisions made at the expense of recognizing the truly worthy?
Al Gore? Barack Obama? Mohamed ElBaradei? All embarrassments to the recognition. Where is the consistency? The committee can be applauded one year and scolded the next, rightfully so.
In the case of Liu, the Chinese government fears Western recognition, Western values creeping into the culture that has so richly rewarded Communism of the years over regular Chinese. The dictatorship is brutal and evil in thought and approach of governing. Liu is imprisoned for a lack of free speech in his country. Censorship is a prime method of holding the population in check.
While liberal ideologues like Thomas Friedman sing the praises of Chinese efforts into green energy technology as they belittle our country, it is hard to also not hold fools like him responsible for the lack of willingness of the Chinese dictatorship to move into the 21st century on human rights. Friedman has travelled to China. He knows what a dirty and nasty environment it has. Garbage collection and disposal is a consistent problem. The air quality in large cities is from bad to worse. How dare he hold China up as an example of how the U.S. should proceed. It is a deliberate lie in the form of propaganda for the environmentalists in our country. Shame on him.
When the far left ideologues in our country behave with the honest dignity of Liu, we will all reap the rewards. The likes of Friedman are too blind to see the error of their ways.
Liu Xiaobo was awarded the peace prize as he sits in a Chinese prison. The committee stuck to the decision despite the objections raised by the Chinese government. His is an eleven year sentence and he is there because he dares to speak up for freedom and human rights for all of the people of China. And, now his wife has been "moved".
From The Washington Times:
Authorities escorted Liu's wife from Beijing to the northeastern city where he is imprisoned but did not let her see him to deliver news of the honor. That will have to wait until Sunday, a family member said.
Activist lawyers in Beijing inspired by the award to hold a get-together said police followed them and told them to stay home, preventing them from meeting.
Also receiving an award, the Nobel Prize in Literature is a Peruvian novelist, Mario Vargas Llosa. He, too, speaks out about human - individual - rights. He, too, has a passion against dictators.
It does present a puzzle. Why would such worthy recipients be recognized one year and others so wholly undeserving receive the awards another year? Why are such political decisions made at the expense of recognizing the truly worthy?
Al Gore? Barack Obama? Mohamed ElBaradei? All embarrassments to the recognition. Where is the consistency? The committee can be applauded one year and scolded the next, rightfully so.
In the case of Liu, the Chinese government fears Western recognition, Western values creeping into the culture that has so richly rewarded Communism of the years over regular Chinese. The dictatorship is brutal and evil in thought and approach of governing. Liu is imprisoned for a lack of free speech in his country. Censorship is a prime method of holding the population in check.
While liberal ideologues like Thomas Friedman sing the praises of Chinese efforts into green energy technology as they belittle our country, it is hard to also not hold fools like him responsible for the lack of willingness of the Chinese dictatorship to move into the 21st century on human rights. Friedman has travelled to China. He knows what a dirty and nasty environment it has. Garbage collection and disposal is a consistent problem. The air quality in large cities is from bad to worse. How dare he hold China up as an example of how the U.S. should proceed. It is a deliberate lie in the form of propaganda for the environmentalists in our country. Shame on him.
When the far left ideologues in our country behave with the honest dignity of Liu, we will all reap the rewards. The likes of Friedman are too blind to see the error of their ways.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Obama Vows Hand to Hand Combat With GOP
Whatever happened to candidate Obama's promise of a post-racial administration?
An Associated Press-GfK poll shows whites without four-year college degrees preferring GOP candidates by twice the margin of the last two elections, when Democrats made significant gains in the House and Senate. The poll, conducted last month, found this group favoring GOP hopefuls 58 percent to 36 percent — a whopping 22 percentage-point gap
And, what about a post-partisan administration? You remember, we aren't red states or blue states, we are the United States, right? Well seems that is out the window, too, in the panic of watching poll after poll still predict big wins for the GOP in November. A Republican majority in Congress would mean "hand-to-hand combat" on Capitol Hill for the next two years, threatening policies Democrats have enacted to stabilize the economy, President Obama warned Wednesday.
One would think it is a humbling turn of events that so soon into his first term, Obama finds a CNN poll showing former President G.W. Bush missed by so many Americans. The poll finds 1/4 of Democrats believe a return of Republicans into power would be good for political policy decisions.
According to the poll, independents say they would vote for the Republican candidate over the Democrat by a two to one margin.
The CNN poll is of course deeply humiliating for the White House, especially coming just three and a half weeks before the November mid-terms. George W. Bush’s resurgence is in large part due to mounting opposition to the Obama’s presidency’s left-wing agenda, but it is also spurred by Obama’s image as an out of touch, aloof and elitist president, divorced from economic and political reality on the ground.
However, Obama continues on in his own little bubble. The man is tone deaf to the chatter on the ground of the electorate. Americans are loudly voicing opposition to the big government solutions Team Obama continues to choose to solve the problems of the nation yet what does Obama do? He chooses to double down on the path to governing from the far left. Two recent staffing decisions show that he has no intention to moderate after the coming defeats the mid-term elections will provide for his Democratic majorities in Congress.
When Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel resigned, Obama announced his replacement - Peter Rause - described as a calm, trusted senior adviser to Obama who has spent much of his career as a chief of staff in the Senate Rause is known as a devoted, long time Democratic ideologue who serves quietly, out of the camera lights and away from the microphones. And, National Security Adviser James Jones is slated to be replaced by Thomas Donilon, another long time fixture inside the Capitol. He is described as one who began as young political operative for President Jimmy Carter and later was chief of staff for Secretary of State Warren Christopher in the Clinton administration. He has long operated in the area between politics and national security. He coached Mr. Obama on foreign policy for his debates during the 2008 presidential campaign. Both staffing decisions say no change in tone, no change in policy, no change in attitude, and certainly no change in any outreach to Republicans.
President Obama wants hand to hand combat? He should remember - be careful for which you wish.
An Associated Press-GfK poll shows whites without four-year college degrees preferring GOP candidates by twice the margin of the last two elections, when Democrats made significant gains in the House and Senate. The poll, conducted last month, found this group favoring GOP hopefuls 58 percent to 36 percent — a whopping 22 percentage-point gap
And, what about a post-partisan administration? You remember, we aren't red states or blue states, we are the United States, right? Well seems that is out the window, too, in the panic of watching poll after poll still predict big wins for the GOP in November. A Republican majority in Congress would mean "hand-to-hand combat" on Capitol Hill for the next two years, threatening policies Democrats have enacted to stabilize the economy, President Obama warned Wednesday.
One would think it is a humbling turn of events that so soon into his first term, Obama finds a CNN poll showing former President G.W. Bush missed by so many Americans. The poll finds 1/4 of Democrats believe a return of Republicans into power would be good for political policy decisions.
According to the poll, independents say they would vote for the Republican candidate over the Democrat by a two to one margin.
The CNN poll is of course deeply humiliating for the White House, especially coming just three and a half weeks before the November mid-terms. George W. Bush’s resurgence is in large part due to mounting opposition to the Obama’s presidency’s left-wing agenda, but it is also spurred by Obama’s image as an out of touch, aloof and elitist president, divorced from economic and political reality on the ground.
However, Obama continues on in his own little bubble. The man is tone deaf to the chatter on the ground of the electorate. Americans are loudly voicing opposition to the big government solutions Team Obama continues to choose to solve the problems of the nation yet what does Obama do? He chooses to double down on the path to governing from the far left. Two recent staffing decisions show that he has no intention to moderate after the coming defeats the mid-term elections will provide for his Democratic majorities in Congress.
When Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel resigned, Obama announced his replacement - Peter Rause - described as a calm, trusted senior adviser to Obama who has spent much of his career as a chief of staff in the Senate Rause is known as a devoted, long time Democratic ideologue who serves quietly, out of the camera lights and away from the microphones. And, National Security Adviser James Jones is slated to be replaced by Thomas Donilon, another long time fixture inside the Capitol. He is described as one who began as young political operative for President Jimmy Carter and later was chief of staff for Secretary of State Warren Christopher in the Clinton administration. He has long operated in the area between politics and national security. He coached Mr. Obama on foreign policy for his debates during the 2008 presidential campaign. Both staffing decisions say no change in tone, no change in policy, no change in attitude, and certainly no change in any outreach to Republicans.
President Obama wants hand to hand combat? He should remember - be careful for which you wish.
Saturday, October 09, 2010
Alarming Autumn Follows Summer of Recovery
From the GOP's Weekly Address:
"The President's policies are irresponsible and unsustainable." - Sen. Barrasso
From the Summer of Recovery to the Alarming Autumn.
"The President's policies are irresponsible and unsustainable." - Sen. Barrasso
From the Summer of Recovery to the Alarming Autumn.
Friday, October 08, 2010
Jerry Brown and Misogyny Today
I think Jerry Brown is a good example of why the far left agenda is a failure in politics. Even in California he is known as Governor Moonbeam, from his earlier days as leader of the state.
Today his campaign is apologizing for calling rival candidate Meg Whitman a whore. L.A. Police Protective League claims Whitman made a deal with them on pensions if she wins the election. Brown is not in favor of making a deal with them. A reversal of traditional thinking between the two parties but nonetheless. In the background, after a phone call concludes and yet the tape recorder is still running in the room, a Brown aide calls Whitman a whore for showing willingness to make a deal. Liberals are brushing it off as though she deserves the label because she is making deals and so, well, that's what she gets.
Interesting. Are male candidates called whores? Why are the far left ideologues still accepting of such misogyny around today's women candidates. Hillary Clinton certainly was abused by her own party for being a woman candidate, too. Isn't this 2010? Aren't we supposed to be well past this sort of discrimination as a society?
The far left are hypocrites when it comes to claiming to be supporters of women's issues. They are only too willing to look the other way if the politician is one of their own. Bill Clinton was excused time and time again for bad behavior towards women and yet not a word was uttered. He was elected and re-elected over and over, whether for Governor of Arkansas or President of the United States. Liberal women journalists joked that they would be happy to "service" him as they flew on Air Force One. How progressive. How professional.
The votes of women have been taken for granted by the Democrats for far too long. They no longer even try to cover their double standard. Say anything is their motto. Whether it is referring to the Tea Party movement using sexual terminology or lurid descriptions of GOP women running for office. They are not much better to their own.
Call them out on it. Insist women be treated with respectful language whether you are on the same side of the political aisle or not.
Today his campaign is apologizing for calling rival candidate Meg Whitman a whore. L.A. Police Protective League claims Whitman made a deal with them on pensions if she wins the election. Brown is not in favor of making a deal with them. A reversal of traditional thinking between the two parties but nonetheless. In the background, after a phone call concludes and yet the tape recorder is still running in the room, a Brown aide calls Whitman a whore for showing willingness to make a deal. Liberals are brushing it off as though she deserves the label because she is making deals and so, well, that's what she gets.
Interesting. Are male candidates called whores? Why are the far left ideologues still accepting of such misogyny around today's women candidates. Hillary Clinton certainly was abused by her own party for being a woman candidate, too. Isn't this 2010? Aren't we supposed to be well past this sort of discrimination as a society?
The far left are hypocrites when it comes to claiming to be supporters of women's issues. They are only too willing to look the other way if the politician is one of their own. Bill Clinton was excused time and time again for bad behavior towards women and yet not a word was uttered. He was elected and re-elected over and over, whether for Governor of Arkansas or President of the United States. Liberal women journalists joked that they would be happy to "service" him as they flew on Air Force One. How progressive. How professional.
The votes of women have been taken for granted by the Democrats for far too long. They no longer even try to cover their double standard. Say anything is their motto. Whether it is referring to the Tea Party movement using sexual terminology or lurid descriptions of GOP women running for office. They are not much better to their own.
Call them out on it. Insist women be treated with respectful language whether you are on the same side of the political aisle or not.
Get Rid of Blue Dog Democrats
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same."--Ronald Reagan
We are told that the Blue Dog Democrats are moderate; willing to work with Republicans to get through legislation important to the American people. Well, here are some interesting facts:
The "Blue Dog" coalition was formed after the Republicans took the majority in 1994. Blue Dogs were self described as loyal but conservative Democrats who had turned blue as a result of their party's economic policies.
The Blue Dog voting record show members voting with Nancy Pelosi on economic issues 80% of the time.
*EVERY member of the Blue Dog Coalition voted for the Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac bailouts.
*63% voted for the $700 billion TARP Program.
*73% voted for the auto bailout.
*54% voted for the Obamacare bill.
*74% voted for President Obama's budget (which tripled the
debt in 2010).
The idea of a fiscally conservative "Blue Dog" Democrat is a clever attempt to fool voters into re-electing 54 vulnerable Democrats this election cycle.
It is time for real change in Washington, D.C. No more rubber stamping the Obama agenda that Americans are so strongly against. No more deal making in back rooms and meetings behind closed doors to strong arm those who want to do the right thing and side with the merican people against the far left agenda of Team Obama.
Vote them out.
Thursday, October 07, 2010
Nervous Democrats Spy on Conservative Records
What is it with this administration and spying on conservatives? Is it such a scary political season for them and the upcoming wave of GOP wins in the mid-term elections that they are now resorting to Clinton-era style snooping on the opposition?
The Treasury Department is looking into allegations that Council of Economic Advisers Chairman Austan Goolsbee illegally snooped into the tax status of a privately held corporation run by some of the country’s biggest conservative political benefactors.
Several prominent Republican senators pressed the department’s inspector general to investigate why Goolsbee claimed Koch Industries hadn’t paid corporate taxes.
The White House says Goolsbee, who made the remarks in a late August background conference call with reporters — just before his appointment to CEA chairman — misspoke.
Goolsbee is not too swift, if he did do the spying, because he got the facts wrong as he accused a major corporation of not paying their corporate taxes. On Sept. 22, an attorney for Koch Industries told The Weekly Standard that "Koch Industries does pay corporate income taxes and is compliant with all its tax obligations”—meaning Goolsbee got it wrong.
Is this the new age of superior ethics in action, as we were promised from President Obama as he was sworn into office?
Remember the claims by newly installed Speaker of the House Pelosi and her pledge to 'drain the swamp' in Congress? Well, that didn't happen and it is only getting worse. Despite her claims of draining the swamp, Pelosi’s allies have nonetheless been preoccupied with securing reelection and helping special interest friends rather than their constituents, who still suffer from ever rising unemployment and a sluggish economic recovery – despite a $787 billion “stimulus”.
Senator Baucus has requested that investigations on conservative organizations begin by looking into their tax filings. He is bothered by the effective work done by them this campaign cycle. Where is his concern about unions, manpower and money, in our elections?
Democrats have been exposed on Twitter, too. There is a video circulating that unmasks a nasty Democratic operative threatening and aggressively pursuing conservatives on Twitter. Where does it stop?
The Treasury Department is looking into allegations that Council of Economic Advisers Chairman Austan Goolsbee illegally snooped into the tax status of a privately held corporation run by some of the country’s biggest conservative political benefactors.
Several prominent Republican senators pressed the department’s inspector general to investigate why Goolsbee claimed Koch Industries hadn’t paid corporate taxes.
The White House says Goolsbee, who made the remarks in a late August background conference call with reporters — just before his appointment to CEA chairman — misspoke.
Goolsbee is not too swift, if he did do the spying, because he got the facts wrong as he accused a major corporation of not paying their corporate taxes. On Sept. 22, an attorney for Koch Industries told The Weekly Standard that "Koch Industries does pay corporate income taxes and is compliant with all its tax obligations”—meaning Goolsbee got it wrong.
Is this the new age of superior ethics in action, as we were promised from President Obama as he was sworn into office?
Remember the claims by newly installed Speaker of the House Pelosi and her pledge to 'drain the swamp' in Congress? Well, that didn't happen and it is only getting worse. Despite her claims of draining the swamp, Pelosi’s allies have nonetheless been preoccupied with securing reelection and helping special interest friends rather than their constituents, who still suffer from ever rising unemployment and a sluggish economic recovery – despite a $787 billion “stimulus”.
Senator Baucus has requested that investigations on conservative organizations begin by looking into their tax filings. He is bothered by the effective work done by them this campaign cycle. Where is his concern about unions, manpower and money, in our elections?
Democrats have been exposed on Twitter, too. There is a video circulating that unmasks a nasty Democratic operative threatening and aggressively pursuing conservatives on Twitter. Where does it stop?
Will November Election Results Surpass "Tsanami"?
The game is on. The GOP is trying to lower expectations of electorate victories on November 2 and the Democrats are hoping to raise the hopes of a dejected party and get out the vote.
The usual strategies are in play - the GOP paint Democrats as the tax and spend party (certainly easy to do now) and the Democrats want to scare the senior citizen voters with social security privatization talk and other issues not even on the table. Now we learn of the race card being thrown. Standard stuff for the party of progressive thinkers.
Princella D. Smith offers the following:
"In Louisiana, Democrat strategists on going on record saying that they will use race to convince voters in New Orleans why they should vote against Vietnamese Republican Congressman, Joseph Cao and instead select an African-American Democratic State Representative, Cedric Richmond,—because he’s “black like them”.
In my home state of Arkansas, the Democratic Party sent out a release Monday night demanding an apology of Republican Congressman John Boozman for laughing at a conservative commentator’s remarks to a tea party rally.
Really? Are we really chasing cameras to see “who laughs at what jokes”, now? Man, they must REALLY think Senator Lincoln is in trouble."
This article says that "tsunami" will not be a big enough term for the upcoming GOP victories in November.
Yesterday, Gallup delivered its first 2010 "likely voter" poll and the results floored the political community. In the generic ballot question, which asks which party a voter would favor in a generic House contest, Gallup gave the GOP a 46% to 42% edge. But then Gallup applied two versions of its "likely voter" turnout model. In its "high turnout model," Republicans led Democrats by 53% to 40%. In its "low turnout model," the GOP edge was a stunning 56% to 38%. That kind of margin in favor of Republicans has never been seen in Gallup surveys.
What should worry Democrats most is that the "low turnout model" is typical of recent midterm elections. If the Gallup numbers hold up (and the firm cautions that "the race often tightens in the final month of the campaign"), some word more cataclysmic than "tsunami" would be needed for the Democratic losses.
An interesting development reported on the true character of President Obama: Cedric Richmond? The one black folks in Louisiana should vote for because he's black? Well, he is the recipient of an Obama support ad in this campaign season. He is running against Joseph Cao, the only GOP member of the House of Representatives to vote in favor of Obamacare. This is how Obama rewards his bi-partisan effort. Unfortunately for Cao, however, that love does not seem to be reciprocated by the Democratic party or by Obama himself. In his first general election advertisement, Obama took the opportunity to endorse Cao’s Democratic opponent, Cedric Richmond, a move which incensed Cao. He seems mystified Obama did this and has, according to Fox News, been desperately trying to reach the president to talk about what he seems to think was just an honest mistake.
Yeah, right. This president knows exactly what he is doing and he is quite happy to show his racist side. Well, the black half of his bi-racial gene pool. Cao naively believed that by voting to help out poor residents of his district and supporting Obamacare would garner some favor from the president. He doesn't realize the career history of Obama. The man has absolutely no history of loyalty. He is all about himself. Period.
We will know most of the results in 26 days, some will be involved in re-counts and law suits.
Here's a bit of the ugly brought to you by the Democrats: They are nothing if not consistent.
The usual strategies are in play - the GOP paint Democrats as the tax and spend party (certainly easy to do now) and the Democrats want to scare the senior citizen voters with social security privatization talk and other issues not even on the table. Now we learn of the race card being thrown. Standard stuff for the party of progressive thinkers.
Princella D. Smith offers the following:
"In Louisiana, Democrat strategists on going on record saying that they will use race to convince voters in New Orleans why they should vote against Vietnamese Republican Congressman, Joseph Cao and instead select an African-American Democratic State Representative, Cedric Richmond,—because he’s “black like them”.
In my home state of Arkansas, the Democratic Party sent out a release Monday night demanding an apology of Republican Congressman John Boozman for laughing at a conservative commentator’s remarks to a tea party rally.
Really? Are we really chasing cameras to see “who laughs at what jokes”, now? Man, they must REALLY think Senator Lincoln is in trouble."
This article says that "tsunami" will not be a big enough term for the upcoming GOP victories in November.
Yesterday, Gallup delivered its first 2010 "likely voter" poll and the results floored the political community. In the generic ballot question, which asks which party a voter would favor in a generic House contest, Gallup gave the GOP a 46% to 42% edge. But then Gallup applied two versions of its "likely voter" turnout model. In its "high turnout model," Republicans led Democrats by 53% to 40%. In its "low turnout model," the GOP edge was a stunning 56% to 38%. That kind of margin in favor of Republicans has never been seen in Gallup surveys.
What should worry Democrats most is that the "low turnout model" is typical of recent midterm elections. If the Gallup numbers hold up (and the firm cautions that "the race often tightens in the final month of the campaign"), some word more cataclysmic than "tsunami" would be needed for the Democratic losses.
An interesting development reported on the true character of President Obama: Cedric Richmond? The one black folks in Louisiana should vote for because he's black? Well, he is the recipient of an Obama support ad in this campaign season. He is running against Joseph Cao, the only GOP member of the House of Representatives to vote in favor of Obamacare. This is how Obama rewards his bi-partisan effort. Unfortunately for Cao, however, that love does not seem to be reciprocated by the Democratic party or by Obama himself. In his first general election advertisement, Obama took the opportunity to endorse Cao’s Democratic opponent, Cedric Richmond, a move which incensed Cao. He seems mystified Obama did this and has, according to Fox News, been desperately trying to reach the president to talk about what he seems to think was just an honest mistake.
Yeah, right. This president knows exactly what he is doing and he is quite happy to show his racist side. Well, the black half of his bi-racial gene pool. Cao naively believed that by voting to help out poor residents of his district and supporting Obamacare would garner some favor from the president. He doesn't realize the career history of Obama. The man has absolutely no history of loyalty. He is all about himself. Period.
We will know most of the results in 26 days, some will be involved in re-counts and law suits.
Here's a bit of the ugly brought to you by the Democrats: They are nothing if not consistent.
Wednesday, October 06, 2010
Smart Girls Open Dialogue
Smart Girl Politics began as an offshoot of the 2008 presidential election cycle. Continuing to grow, in 2009 a Smart Girl Summit was held as a way for like-minded women to gather and inspire conservative women as grassroots political activists.
The motto of Smart Girl Politics: Engage. Educate. Empower.
Smart Girl Summit has opened a dialogue between liberal and conservative women. And by dialogue, I mean a cat fight. It never fails. Women are not the greatest supporters of each other and can be our own worst enemies in the process. Liberal women are indignant that conservative women are leading the current political tsunami underway which will result in the strong Democratic majority in the House of Representatives go the way of other failed ideas - down the tubes. While all women can celebrate a woman as Speaker of the House, the first one proved to be a dreadful example of sour leadership. Who wants to be represented by a person - male or female - so vapid as to state "We have to pass the bill so you can see what's in it"? Well, maybe those in San Francisco...
The problem is that liberal women don't understand the concept of feminist conservatives. Feminist is a term jealously held for themselves by liberals, which is silly in and of itself, but true. So, Emily's List - an organization devoted to electing pro-choice female Democrats - sent an intern to go "undercover" to the Smart Girls Summit '10 to report back about the goings-on. So incredibly juvenile at face value, compounded by the fact that it was open to the public and a welcoming environment to all walks of political thought.
Blissfully mute on the dreadfully hateful speech frequently heard from speakers at Democratic gatherings, this intern was offended by some of the words used by some speakers at the conference. Tender ears burned by tough talk. Welcome to the real world, young woman. The rhetoric goes both ways.
Princella D. Smith was one singled out in the angst of the young woman intern. Princella is proof that the old stereotype that the GOP is only for white men has been shattered in recent years. Princella, you see, is a 26 year old black woman. Liberals don't like prominent young black women coming forward as conservatives. They feel entitled to blind support from youth and minorities. She is described as: Princella Smith is a 26 year-old former Republican congressional candidate from Arkansas. Prior to running for office, she served as a national spokesperson for Newt Gingrich’s American Solutions and as a communications director on Capitol Hill. She has worked on or with various campaigns and has been a frequent guest on national and local media outlets. This article explains the whole brouhaha the best.
As with the misguided ad parodying Palin's mama grizzlies' video, Emily's List excursion into enemy territory is a bit of an embarrassment. Why sent an intern on the sly to report on a conference that was open to anyone willing to pay for a ticket? Why spy on conservative women? Why so shocked and appalled at the speeches? The whole thing makes Emily's List look a little desperate, a little out of step. Again it fails to understand conservative smart girls.
And this: Now comes Smart Girl blogger Jenny Erikson, countering with a challenge:
"Listen up liberals, because I am sick to death of saying it. We conservatives don't believe it's freakish and against the laws of nature to decide not to have children, to attend an Ivy League school, or to have a career....''
"What is against the laws of nature? For a woman to kill her unborn child for no reason other than being pregnant is inconvenient."
Conservative women are living the feminist model - making their own choices and pursuing their dreams. The social/moral issue of abortion, does, however, divide conservatives and liberals. If liberal women continue to be one-note Nellies about abortion, as though that issue is the only one of importance, then they will continue to fall behind the times. And, sshhh....don't tell them. There are pro-choice women in the GOP, too! Imagine that!
Jim DeMint and Teacher Qualifications
Public servants - public employees - would do well to remember what exactly it is that the taxpayers pay them to do. This remark by S.C. Senator Jim DeMint is wrong and buffoonish: DeMint said if someone is openly homosexual, they shouldn't be teaching in the classroom and he holds the same position on an unmarried woman who's sleeping with her boyfriend — she shouldn't be in the classroom. "(When I said those things,) no one came to my defense,” he said. “But everyone would come to me and whisper that I shouldn't back down. They don't want government purging their rights and their freedom to religion.”
DeMint spoke at The Greater Freedom Rally sponsored by teh CEO Roundtable of South Carolina held at First Baptist North Spartanburg. He enjoyed the applause he received as he bragged about not supporting earmarks that would be sent to his state. Sounds like John McCain without the religious hyperbole.
Who put Jim DeMint in charge of human resources in the class room? What business is it of his when it comes to the sex life of teachers? What is he doing spewing forth in a church on politics and mixing up religion into it?
A good step for conservatives demanding less governmental interference in our daily lives would be to stop with the preaching about private lives. As an adult in our society, it is not any of your business whether or not your child's teacher is having sex with another adult. If it is a public school the intrusion is inexcusable. Since when does Jim DeMint get to impose his morality on other adults?
There is just something a bit creepy about a politician who would hold himself/herself out as morally superior. Usually a fall is not far down the road.
DeMint spoke at The Greater Freedom Rally sponsored by teh CEO Roundtable of South Carolina held at First Baptist North Spartanburg. He enjoyed the applause he received as he bragged about not supporting earmarks that would be sent to his state. Sounds like John McCain without the religious hyperbole.
Who put Jim DeMint in charge of human resources in the class room? What business is it of his when it comes to the sex life of teachers? What is he doing spewing forth in a church on politics and mixing up religion into it?
A good step for conservatives demanding less governmental interference in our daily lives would be to stop with the preaching about private lives. As an adult in our society, it is not any of your business whether or not your child's teacher is having sex with another adult. If it is a public school the intrusion is inexcusable. Since when does Jim DeMint get to impose his morality on other adults?
There is just something a bit creepy about a politician who would hold himself/herself out as morally superior. Usually a fall is not far down the road.
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
One Nation Rally in Washington
Leading up to the "One Nation" rally, liberals boasted of the expected diversity to be on display at the event. This is a favorite boast of the Democratic party - how diverse a party it is in make up. Byron York writes:
Looking around the rally, there were Teamsters Local 311, Service Employees International Union Local 1199, Communications Workers of America Local 2336, American Federation of Teachers Local 1, United Auto Workers Amalgamated Local 171, Transport Workers Union Local 100, and representatives of many, many other unions. That's a lot of diversity
Is that what passes for diversity these days? Unions and more unions. Paid bus trips into the nation's capitol to act as though it is a gathering of committed individuals coming together for common cause? Did they receive union wages for attending and holding up nasty signs?
This article for The Daily Beast provides some color commentary of the event: The crowds mostly wore union T-shirts—tie-dyes for members of SEIU/1199—while UAW members donned straight-forward navy blue shirts that said “Mobilizing for Justice.” Justice is, of course, supposed to be impartial, but in this crowd the word had ideological overtones, as protesters marched past people handing out copies of “The Workers World” and selling The Communist Manifesto next to the collected works of Malcom X.
It sounds really kind of sad. Old washed up 1960's professional race baiters - Jesse Jackson, for instance (who has a long history with the current president) and openly Communist and Socialists all coming together to wrap themselves in victimhood. How retro.
The park employees were none too thrilled with the trashy mess left behind. Isn't it the far left that brags about how environmentally aware they are? Or is it just when it comes to the taxpayer footing the bill, not for them to actually bend down and pick up some trash themselves? Couldn't they have at least been earth friendly enough to pick up after themselves?
I'll pass on embracing this spectacle as "diversity" and something of which to be proud.
Looking around the rally, there were Teamsters Local 311, Service Employees International Union Local 1199, Communications Workers of America Local 2336, American Federation of Teachers Local 1, United Auto Workers Amalgamated Local 171, Transport Workers Union Local 100, and representatives of many, many other unions. That's a lot of diversity
Is that what passes for diversity these days? Unions and more unions. Paid bus trips into the nation's capitol to act as though it is a gathering of committed individuals coming together for common cause? Did they receive union wages for attending and holding up nasty signs?
This article for The Daily Beast provides some color commentary of the event: The crowds mostly wore union T-shirts—tie-dyes for members of SEIU/1199—while UAW members donned straight-forward navy blue shirts that said “Mobilizing for Justice.” Justice is, of course, supposed to be impartial, but in this crowd the word had ideological overtones, as protesters marched past people handing out copies of “The Workers World” and selling The Communist Manifesto next to the collected works of Malcom X.
It sounds really kind of sad. Old washed up 1960's professional race baiters - Jesse Jackson, for instance (who has a long history with the current president) and openly Communist and Socialists all coming together to wrap themselves in victimhood. How retro.
The park employees were none too thrilled with the trashy mess left behind. Isn't it the far left that brags about how environmentally aware they are? Or is it just when it comes to the taxpayer footing the bill, not for them to actually bend down and pick up some trash themselves? Couldn't they have at least been earth friendly enough to pick up after themselves?
I'll pass on embracing this spectacle as "diversity" and something of which to be proud.
Monday, October 04, 2010
Nicky Diaz and Failed October Surprises
GOP candidate Meg Whitman and Democrat Jerry Brown squared off for a debate before Univision Saturday. The race is much closer than Democrats counted on - even if their candidate is perennial candidate, Jerry Brown.
Jerry Brown, working with fan lawyer Gloria Allred, dropped their October surprise a bit early this electorial season. Allred, a woman who fancies herself a champion of women and women issues, brought forward the Whitman housekeeper, Nicky Diaz to cry about poor treatment at the hands of Meg Whitman. What Allred and Brown didn't count on is how utterly a failure this stereotypically dirty political trick has become. And, as it was brought out a mere matter of days before the appearance before the Univision audience is no coincidence in the land of nasty behavior by desperate politicians.
Here is how the story goes - Ms. Whitman and her husband went through an agency to hire a maid. She was to help with the house and children. Whitman specifically requested that proper hiring practices be used - make sure the applicant was legally available to work in this country. Diaz was hired after showing a social security card, a drivers license, and the proper government-issued working permit. All was good for nine (9) years. Whitman says her family considered Diaz a part of their extended family. She was paid $23 per hour for about 15 hours a week.
Diaz went to Whitman after nine (9) years of employment and confessed that she is in this country illegally. Whitman severed ties with her at that point.
As the story has developed, after the press conference called by Allred on behalf of Diaz and the announcement that Diaz is filing suit against Whitman for poor treatment and low wages with reimbursement for mileage if she was asked to drive for an errand, Allred provided a copy of a letter from the government alerting Whitman and her husband that the social security number provided by Diaz didn't match with her. There was a handwritten note at the bottom of the copy Allred provided asking Nicky to check into the matter. Though Whitman never saw the letter and her husband didn't remember it, it was her husband's writing asking Diaz to check into it. Allred considers this the smoking gun in favor of the housekeeper.
Here's the problem for Allred and Diaz: Whitman did absolutely everything right. She did everything legally required of an employer. She used an employment agency. She was provided and kept copies of Diaz's documents. Her husband asked Diaz to handle the discrepancy with the social security number. On the letter from the government, it clearly states that the employer is not allowed to fire the employee on the basis of that letter.
There is nothing more that could have been expected of Whitman or her husband. They followed the rules. Whitman and her husband also made certain that the appropriate taxes where withheld from her pay. Everything was by the book.
Then the debate before the audience at Univision. Whitman confronted Brown before he could attack. This was the best quote of the debate:
“Jerry, you should be ashamed,” Whitman said. “You and your surrogates put her deportation at risk. You put her out there. You should be ashamed for sacrificing Nicky Diaz on the altar of your political ambitions.”
Brown, not remorseful in the least, countered with this inane response: "Don't run for governor if you can't stand up on your onw two feet and say, 'Hey, I made a mistake, I'm sorry, let's go on from here." This was ironic, considering it is he that should be admitting is mistake of dragging an illegal immigrant into the campaign for his own benefit. He nor Allred care anything about this woman. She is simply fodder for the Brown campaign. So much for liberals standing up for minorities or women.
Now, what is to become of Nicky Diaz? The whole country knows of her legal status now. Will she be deported or sent to jail? What about her sister? Diaz used the social security number of her sister in her employment documents. Now, is identification theft added to the criminal activity?
Whitman told the audience, "I cannot win the governor's race without the Latino vote." She asked for their support.
Brown was busy touting his family legacy. His father is a former two term governor and Brown is a former governor and Oakland mayor. He is the state's attorney general at the present time. He is well past his prime and it is a shame he is the Democratic candidate running for the job of California governor.
Whitman is a wildly successful entrepreneur and savvy business woman. She was an economic advisor for the McCain 2008 presidential campaign. This is her first run at public office. California sorely needs a business person as the leader of the state - one bankrupt and in sad shape - not an old lifetime politician with no real world business experience. Brown feels entitled to the job - as though it is his personal legacy and not the business of the people of California.
Aren't Democrats busy touting their support for illegal immigrants? Aren't Democrats busy giving lip service to a desire for hope and change? Not Jerry Brown. He has managed to put two women in jeopardy and advanced more dirty political tricks along the way.
Shame on Jerry Brown and Gloria Allred both.
Jerry Brown, working with fan lawyer Gloria Allred, dropped their October surprise a bit early this electorial season. Allred, a woman who fancies herself a champion of women and women issues, brought forward the Whitman housekeeper, Nicky Diaz to cry about poor treatment at the hands of Meg Whitman. What Allred and Brown didn't count on is how utterly a failure this stereotypically dirty political trick has become. And, as it was brought out a mere matter of days before the appearance before the Univision audience is no coincidence in the land of nasty behavior by desperate politicians.
Here is how the story goes - Ms. Whitman and her husband went through an agency to hire a maid. She was to help with the house and children. Whitman specifically requested that proper hiring practices be used - make sure the applicant was legally available to work in this country. Diaz was hired after showing a social security card, a drivers license, and the proper government-issued working permit. All was good for nine (9) years. Whitman says her family considered Diaz a part of their extended family. She was paid $23 per hour for about 15 hours a week.
Diaz went to Whitman after nine (9) years of employment and confessed that she is in this country illegally. Whitman severed ties with her at that point.
As the story has developed, after the press conference called by Allred on behalf of Diaz and the announcement that Diaz is filing suit against Whitman for poor treatment and low wages with reimbursement for mileage if she was asked to drive for an errand, Allred provided a copy of a letter from the government alerting Whitman and her husband that the social security number provided by Diaz didn't match with her. There was a handwritten note at the bottom of the copy Allred provided asking Nicky to check into the matter. Though Whitman never saw the letter and her husband didn't remember it, it was her husband's writing asking Diaz to check into it. Allred considers this the smoking gun in favor of the housekeeper.
Here's the problem for Allred and Diaz: Whitman did absolutely everything right. She did everything legally required of an employer. She used an employment agency. She was provided and kept copies of Diaz's documents. Her husband asked Diaz to handle the discrepancy with the social security number. On the letter from the government, it clearly states that the employer is not allowed to fire the employee on the basis of that letter.
There is nothing more that could have been expected of Whitman or her husband. They followed the rules. Whitman and her husband also made certain that the appropriate taxes where withheld from her pay. Everything was by the book.
Then the debate before the audience at Univision. Whitman confronted Brown before he could attack. This was the best quote of the debate:
“Jerry, you should be ashamed,” Whitman said. “You and your surrogates put her deportation at risk. You put her out there. You should be ashamed for sacrificing Nicky Diaz on the altar of your political ambitions.”
Brown, not remorseful in the least, countered with this inane response: "Don't run for governor if you can't stand up on your onw two feet and say, 'Hey, I made a mistake, I'm sorry, let's go on from here." This was ironic, considering it is he that should be admitting is mistake of dragging an illegal immigrant into the campaign for his own benefit. He nor Allred care anything about this woman. She is simply fodder for the Brown campaign. So much for liberals standing up for minorities or women.
Now, what is to become of Nicky Diaz? The whole country knows of her legal status now. Will she be deported or sent to jail? What about her sister? Diaz used the social security number of her sister in her employment documents. Now, is identification theft added to the criminal activity?
Whitman told the audience, "I cannot win the governor's race without the Latino vote." She asked for their support.
Brown was busy touting his family legacy. His father is a former two term governor and Brown is a former governor and Oakland mayor. He is the state's attorney general at the present time. He is well past his prime and it is a shame he is the Democratic candidate running for the job of California governor.
Whitman is a wildly successful entrepreneur and savvy business woman. She was an economic advisor for the McCain 2008 presidential campaign. This is her first run at public office. California sorely needs a business person as the leader of the state - one bankrupt and in sad shape - not an old lifetime politician with no real world business experience. Brown feels entitled to the job - as though it is his personal legacy and not the business of the people of California.
Aren't Democrats busy touting their support for illegal immigrants? Aren't Democrats busy giving lip service to a desire for hope and change? Not Jerry Brown. He has managed to put two women in jeopardy and advanced more dirty political tricks along the way.
Shame on Jerry Brown and Gloria Allred both.
Sunday, October 03, 2010
Boehner Forces Pelosi to Vote For Adjournment
A little discussed story is the fact that the vote to adjourn the House of Representatives was only passed with the help of Speaker Pelosi leaving her luxury suite of offices and going to the floor to vote 'yea'. Why? Rep. John Boehner made a very good argument to the members that to adjourn that day was to vote in favor of allowing the tax rates in place for the last decade to expire.
The vote was 210-209. Pelosi made it clear she has no intention of bringing the tax policy up for a vote before the mid-term elections, especially with the Democrats in such tough races. Now it is clear that a growing number of Democrats are taking a second look at the logic of raising any tax levels during our current dismal economic times.
As reported in The Hill: The 39 Democrats who voted against adjournment were a mix of centrist Blue Dogs and vulnerable members from Republican-leaning districts. Reps. Jason Altmire (Pa.), Gerry Connolly (Va.), Travis Childers (Miss.), Joe Donnelly (Ind.), Steve Driehaus (Ohio), Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (S.D.), Frank Kratovil (Md.), Walt Minnick (Idaho) and Tom Perriello (Va.) were among the vulnerable Democrats to vote against ending the work period without voting on the tax cuts.
Three House Democrats who are running for Senate, Reps. Brad Ellsworth (Ind.), Charlie Melancon (La.) and Joe Sestak (Pa.) also voted against adjournment.
As reported in the press, when Press Secretary Gibbs was asked why Democratic leadership in the House didn't take up the tax cut issue, he stammered and went to the standard default answer - the Republicans are to blame. Nonsense, of course, but he did it. As ABC News White House corespondent Jake Tapper questioned him and the validity that the Republicans could "hold hostage" any legislation in the House, Gibbs simply stayed on the talking point of blaming the GOP and failed miserably to shed any new light on the subject.
This is the statement released by House Minority Leader Boehner:
“A vote to adjourn this Congress without an up-or-down vote to stop all the tax hikes is a vote to raise taxes and destroy more jobs. American families and small businesses deserve better. This Congress has a chance to help end uncertainty for families and small businesses by stopping all the tax hikes set to take effect on January 1. If Democratic Leaders leave town without stopping all of the tax hikes, they are turning their backs on the American people.
“With the Pledge to America, Republicans are offering a specific plan to help create jobs, which includes stopping all the tax hikes. This is an agenda that could be voted on today if the Speaker will allow it.”
Boehner forced their hand and the Democrats punted. They kicked the tax rate increase coming in January down the road, hoping to save some Democratic seats.
The vote was 210-209. Pelosi made it clear she has no intention of bringing the tax policy up for a vote before the mid-term elections, especially with the Democrats in such tough races. Now it is clear that a growing number of Democrats are taking a second look at the logic of raising any tax levels during our current dismal economic times.
As reported in The Hill: The 39 Democrats who voted against adjournment were a mix of centrist Blue Dogs and vulnerable members from Republican-leaning districts. Reps. Jason Altmire (Pa.), Gerry Connolly (Va.), Travis Childers (Miss.), Joe Donnelly (Ind.), Steve Driehaus (Ohio), Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (S.D.), Frank Kratovil (Md.), Walt Minnick (Idaho) and Tom Perriello (Va.) were among the vulnerable Democrats to vote against ending the work period without voting on the tax cuts.
Three House Democrats who are running for Senate, Reps. Brad Ellsworth (Ind.), Charlie Melancon (La.) and Joe Sestak (Pa.) also voted against adjournment.
As reported in the press, when Press Secretary Gibbs was asked why Democratic leadership in the House didn't take up the tax cut issue, he stammered and went to the standard default answer - the Republicans are to blame. Nonsense, of course, but he did it. As ABC News White House corespondent Jake Tapper questioned him and the validity that the Republicans could "hold hostage" any legislation in the House, Gibbs simply stayed on the talking point of blaming the GOP and failed miserably to shed any new light on the subject.
This is the statement released by House Minority Leader Boehner:
“A vote to adjourn this Congress without an up-or-down vote to stop all the tax hikes is a vote to raise taxes and destroy more jobs. American families and small businesses deserve better. This Congress has a chance to help end uncertainty for families and small businesses by stopping all the tax hikes set to take effect on January 1. If Democratic Leaders leave town without stopping all of the tax hikes, they are turning their backs on the American people.
“With the Pledge to America, Republicans are offering a specific plan to help create jobs, which includes stopping all the tax hikes. This is an agenda that could be voted on today if the Speaker will allow it.”
Boehner forced their hand and the Democrats punted. They kicked the tax rate increase coming in January down the road, hoping to save some Democratic seats.
McConnell Does GOP Weekly Address
We've seen a governing party basically tune out the people who elected them, says Senate Minority Leader McConnell.
Saturday, October 02, 2010
NASA's Bolden Muslim Remarks In News Again
The NASA Director is in Saudi Arabia to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the first Muslim to go into space. The person was a member of the royal family, not an traditional astronaut, but never mind. It is all a part of the outreach tasked to John Bolden by President Obama. Obama wants the Muslim nations to "feel good" about their scientific contributions to the world. Funny, I didn't realize it was a part of the presidential job description to make other nations feel good about themselves.
It appears that those concerned about the reputation of NASA didn't think Bolden's trip was a wise move.
Bolden plans to attend an aerospace technology conference Saturday and a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the shuttle flight STS-51G, a U.S. flight that carried the first Muslim -- a member of Saudi royalty -- into space. Bolden also may hold a meeting with Saudi King Abdullah.
The Orlando Sentinel reported that "top" NASA officials had urged Bolden not to make the trip, but NASA had no comment when asked about the claim.
Bolden's remarks created an immediate firestorm from those who were offended by the characterization of his mission as head of NASA, presidential directive or not.
The former head of NASA on Tuesday described as "deeply flawed" the idea that the space exploration agency's priority should be outreach to Muslim countries, after current Administrator Charles Bolden made that assertion in an interview last month.
"NASA ... represents the best of America. Its purpose is not to inspire Muslims or any other cultural entity," Michael Griffin, who served as NASA administrator during the latter half of the Bush administration, told FoxNews.com.
At the time of Bolden's remarks, the White House continued a pattern of throwing supporters under the bus when a pubic remark becomes uncomfortable for them - the president's spokesperson denied the intent. The White House last week sought to clarify Bolden's comment, saying Obama wanted NASA to engage with the world's best scientists and engineers from countries like Russia and Japan, Israel and many Muslim-majority countries.
Top priority is Muslim outreach or simply outreach to other scientists worldwide? Time will tell.
It appears that those concerned about the reputation of NASA didn't think Bolden's trip was a wise move.
Bolden plans to attend an aerospace technology conference Saturday and a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the shuttle flight STS-51G, a U.S. flight that carried the first Muslim -- a member of Saudi royalty -- into space. Bolden also may hold a meeting with Saudi King Abdullah.
The Orlando Sentinel reported that "top" NASA officials had urged Bolden not to make the trip, but NASA had no comment when asked about the claim.
Bolden's remarks created an immediate firestorm from those who were offended by the characterization of his mission as head of NASA, presidential directive or not.
The former head of NASA on Tuesday described as "deeply flawed" the idea that the space exploration agency's priority should be outreach to Muslim countries, after current Administrator Charles Bolden made that assertion in an interview last month.
"NASA ... represents the best of America. Its purpose is not to inspire Muslims or any other cultural entity," Michael Griffin, who served as NASA administrator during the latter half of the Bush administration, told FoxNews.com.
At the time of Bolden's remarks, the White House continued a pattern of throwing supporters under the bus when a pubic remark becomes uncomfortable for them - the president's spokesperson denied the intent. The White House last week sought to clarify Bolden's comment, saying Obama wanted NASA to engage with the world's best scientists and engineers from countries like Russia and Japan, Israel and many Muslim-majority countries.
Top priority is Muslim outreach or simply outreach to other scientists worldwide? Time will tell.
Foul Mouthed Rappers & Old Pals On the Trail
President Obama and his staff are very concerned about the enthusiasm gap between Democrats and Republicans. One way he is trying to fire up the base is to do rallies with young voters. Young voters were a big part of his election plan and he hopes to keep them on his side.
"I'm back here today just in case you've forgotten what it feels like to change the country," Obama called out to a sold-out crowd of 3,000 at a Democratic National Committee fundraiser at DAR Constitution Hall. Also from this article: The DNC had enlisted hip hop artist B.o.B to perform, and the crowd also heard from Obama's 2008 campaign manager, David Plouffe, on the importance of the youth vote to the November midterm elections, which are expected to be brutal for the Democrats.
Here's the lyrics from the rapper hired by Team Obama to play the get out the vote rally on Sept 30.
http://www.elyricsworld.com/im_dat_nigga_lyrics_b.o.b..html (thanks for the h/t David)
Lovely. Way to lead by example, Mr. President.
This is a bit of a wrap-up, too: Thursday's event was organized for the DNC's Gen44 group, which tries to cultivate young leaders. It was expected to raise $750,000.
Beforehand, Obama spoke at a small fundraising dinner at the home of John Phillips and Linda Douglass, where guests paid $30,400 each to raise $1 million for the Democratic Party. Citing his big rally in Madison, Obama told the group that Democrats are "waking up."
You remember Ms. Douglass, don't you? She was the member of Team Obama that was all in favor of bloggers tattling on other bloggers, or friends reporting friends, to the White House if there was unsupportive talk going on about the Obama agenda. She's also a former network news person so she was totally tapped into getting her stories out.
Here's the details from Politico:
President Barack Obama dropped by, spoke for 15 minutes “standing in a doorway between two dining/living areas set with dinner tables, to make eye contact with either side,” according to the White House pool report, and then went back off into the stormy night. The event was supposed to raise $1 million for Democrats.
No news there, except that one of half of the couple, Linda Douglass, a former network reporter who worked in the Obama campaign and the Obama White House, is now the vice president for strategic communications at Atlantic Media, which owns a host of publications that cover politics, including The Atlantic, National Journal and Government Executive.
“The DNC asked my husband if he would provide our house for a fundraiser and he said yes,” she said. “He has held fundraisers there in the past. This was his event. I was not involved in any way, though yes, I live here.” Right.
It's just all so cozy, isn't it? Is this the change American voters hoped for by electing this man?
And, from the fabulous world of all things Obama:
He also thanked Phillips for still talking to him after he took Douglass on the campaign and into the administration for 18 months. And he wondered why the couple hasn’t had him to their spectacular place in Italy. “I’d appreciate a little break, and some Tuscan sun. Some pasta. I can use it,” he said, though not quite yet.
If Michelle can go to Spain, looks like he can go to Italy for a high living vacation.
"I'm back here today just in case you've forgotten what it feels like to change the country," Obama called out to a sold-out crowd of 3,000 at a Democratic National Committee fundraiser at DAR Constitution Hall. Also from this article: The DNC had enlisted hip hop artist B.o.B to perform, and the crowd also heard from Obama's 2008 campaign manager, David Plouffe, on the importance of the youth vote to the November midterm elections, which are expected to be brutal for the Democrats.
Here's the lyrics from the rapper hired by Team Obama to play the get out the vote rally on Sept 30.
http://www.elyricsworld.com/im_dat_nigga_lyrics_b.o.b..html (thanks for the h/t David)
Lovely. Way to lead by example, Mr. President.
This is a bit of a wrap-up, too: Thursday's event was organized for the DNC's Gen44 group, which tries to cultivate young leaders. It was expected to raise $750,000.
Beforehand, Obama spoke at a small fundraising dinner at the home of John Phillips and Linda Douglass, where guests paid $30,400 each to raise $1 million for the Democratic Party. Citing his big rally in Madison, Obama told the group that Democrats are "waking up."
You remember Ms. Douglass, don't you? She was the member of Team Obama that was all in favor of bloggers tattling on other bloggers, or friends reporting friends, to the White House if there was unsupportive talk going on about the Obama agenda. She's also a former network news person so she was totally tapped into getting her stories out.
Here's the details from Politico:
President Barack Obama dropped by, spoke for 15 minutes “standing in a doorway between two dining/living areas set with dinner tables, to make eye contact with either side,” according to the White House pool report, and then went back off into the stormy night. The event was supposed to raise $1 million for Democrats.
No news there, except that one of half of the couple, Linda Douglass, a former network reporter who worked in the Obama campaign and the Obama White House, is now the vice president for strategic communications at Atlantic Media, which owns a host of publications that cover politics, including The Atlantic, National Journal and Government Executive.
“The DNC asked my husband if he would provide our house for a fundraiser and he said yes,” she said. “He has held fundraisers there in the past. This was his event. I was not involved in any way, though yes, I live here.” Right.
It's just all so cozy, isn't it? Is this the change American voters hoped for by electing this man?
And, from the fabulous world of all things Obama:
He also thanked Phillips for still talking to him after he took Douglass on the campaign and into the administration for 18 months. And he wondered why the couple hasn’t had him to their spectacular place in Italy. “I’d appreciate a little break, and some Tuscan sun. Some pasta. I can use it,” he said, though not quite yet.
If Michelle can go to Spain, looks like he can go to Italy for a high living vacation.
Friday, October 01, 2010
Are Women Turning to the GOP?
Are women voters turning to the Republican party? New polling results show a definite trend and it is not good news for Democrats.
This was published in the Austin newspaper recently. Catching the eye of other bloggers, the question can be asked: what is happening to female voters' support of the Democratic party?
This all dovetails into an article written by political reporter John Fund at The Wall Street Journal. President Obama has fallen dramatically out of favor with women voters. More specifically, he has lost support from white, college educated women. They now give Obama a 39% positive job rating. Only 31% of the same category of white men approve of Obama now.
And, from The Nation, a liberal publication, the problem of women and the Democrats surfaces, too. Speaking of the party and its deliberate efforts to make the party appear more masculine after the label of being a champion for 'female' issues - the softer mommy party label - the piece states: This aversion to any hint of femininity is likely why we rarely hear about the prowoman legislation Democrats have pushed through. The first bill President Obama signed was the foot-stomping, beret-tossing Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, about which we don't hear a peep these days, even as the purportedly women-driven Tea Party barks about the ways women have been economically injured by this administration. And while Nancy Pelosi crowed in March about how, thanks to healthcare reform, being a woman no longer counts as a pre-existing medical condition, she was among the few Democrats to whoop it up on this score. And why are so many Congressional Democrats distancing themselves from the first female speaker of the House—arguably one of the most efficient, effective and dynamic ones in recent history—and apparently siding with the GOP attack featuring Pelosi as the Wicked Witch of the West?
Now, I would argue on the talent displayed by Speaker Pelosi. While she knows how to browbeat collegues for votes and ram legislation through that is monumentally unpopular with Americans outside of San Francisco, she is no Tip O'Neill. Her popularity is shown to be non-existent according to new polls. Her numbers are at an all time low. She does not present a likable personality - she is curt and inarticulate with reporters.
And, we read the word "barks" from The Nation's piece in relation to Tea Party leaders - women leaders. How progressive!
The Democrats have fallen victim to their own hype. The party takes the vote of women for granted - just as they do the minority vote. While the minority vote continues to vote in lock step, women think for themselves. Women make the family purchasing decisions, the vacation plans, the medical care decisions, the education decisions and so on. Women are typically the main caretakers of the family.
The economic policies of the Republican party are family friendly policies. Responsible mothers will teach their children to take care of themselves as they grow up and assume personal responsibility as they learn to be productive members of society. Contrary to popular thought in the Democratic male hierarchy, women are regular human beings. Women want their children to grow, to be successful in school and the adult world, to be caring and compassionate people within a community. The government and its programs do not raise children and tend to the needs of a family - women do. Members of both parties want the less fortunate of us to receive a hand up, not a hand out. Members of both parties believe in caring for the elderly and the ill in society. No one wants to take away the social security benefits of those who are receiving it. No one wants people living in gutter, eating cat food, as the insincere, nasty leftists would have you believe of the Republicans.
Women are the quickest growing populace within the entrepreneurial segment of society, of the small business owners. These businesses employ people within their communities and provide benefits for them - to help them raise families. With the help of sound fiscal policies in Washington and at the state level, this is accomplished. To raise taxes in a recession and to force new requirements like the health insurance debacle coming down the road is to stifle small business growth and increase uncertainty. All of this adds to the unemployment statistics, not ease them.
Democrats will soon realize they must wake up and take women voters seriously all year, every year. Women are no longer settling for being pandered to on the campaign trail with touchy-feely speeches from politicians. Saddling our children and grandchildren with exploding federal debt makes women angry. The days of pandering with federal program hand-outs to buy votes is coming to an end. The emerging Tea Party movement is led by women. The Republican party is the new woman's party. Republican women get the work done from grass roots to federal level leadership.
Welcome aboard, ladies. We want you in the Republican party and we need you. Help us change course from an arrogant and deaf Democratic leadership.
This was published in the Austin newspaper recently. Catching the eye of other bloggers, the question can be asked: what is happening to female voters' support of the Democratic party?
This all dovetails into an article written by political reporter John Fund at The Wall Street Journal. President Obama has fallen dramatically out of favor with women voters. More specifically, he has lost support from white, college educated women. They now give Obama a 39% positive job rating. Only 31% of the same category of white men approve of Obama now.
And, from The Nation, a liberal publication, the problem of women and the Democrats surfaces, too. Speaking of the party and its deliberate efforts to make the party appear more masculine after the label of being a champion for 'female' issues - the softer mommy party label - the piece states: This aversion to any hint of femininity is likely why we rarely hear about the prowoman legislation Democrats have pushed through. The first bill President Obama signed was the foot-stomping, beret-tossing Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, about which we don't hear a peep these days, even as the purportedly women-driven Tea Party barks about the ways women have been economically injured by this administration. And while Nancy Pelosi crowed in March about how, thanks to healthcare reform, being a woman no longer counts as a pre-existing medical condition, she was among the few Democrats to whoop it up on this score. And why are so many Congressional Democrats distancing themselves from the first female speaker of the House—arguably one of the most efficient, effective and dynamic ones in recent history—and apparently siding with the GOP attack featuring Pelosi as the Wicked Witch of the West?
Now, I would argue on the talent displayed by Speaker Pelosi. While she knows how to browbeat collegues for votes and ram legislation through that is monumentally unpopular with Americans outside of San Francisco, she is no Tip O'Neill. Her popularity is shown to be non-existent according to new polls. Her numbers are at an all time low. She does not present a likable personality - she is curt and inarticulate with reporters.
And, we read the word "barks" from The Nation's piece in relation to Tea Party leaders - women leaders. How progressive!
The Democrats have fallen victim to their own hype. The party takes the vote of women for granted - just as they do the minority vote. While the minority vote continues to vote in lock step, women think for themselves. Women make the family purchasing decisions, the vacation plans, the medical care decisions, the education decisions and so on. Women are typically the main caretakers of the family.
The economic policies of the Republican party are family friendly policies. Responsible mothers will teach their children to take care of themselves as they grow up and assume personal responsibility as they learn to be productive members of society. Contrary to popular thought in the Democratic male hierarchy, women are regular human beings. Women want their children to grow, to be successful in school and the adult world, to be caring and compassionate people within a community. The government and its programs do not raise children and tend to the needs of a family - women do. Members of both parties want the less fortunate of us to receive a hand up, not a hand out. Members of both parties believe in caring for the elderly and the ill in society. No one wants to take away the social security benefits of those who are receiving it. No one wants people living in gutter, eating cat food, as the insincere, nasty leftists would have you believe of the Republicans.
Women are the quickest growing populace within the entrepreneurial segment of society, of the small business owners. These businesses employ people within their communities and provide benefits for them - to help them raise families. With the help of sound fiscal policies in Washington and at the state level, this is accomplished. To raise taxes in a recession and to force new requirements like the health insurance debacle coming down the road is to stifle small business growth and increase uncertainty. All of this adds to the unemployment statistics, not ease them.
Democrats will soon realize they must wake up and take women voters seriously all year, every year. Women are no longer settling for being pandered to on the campaign trail with touchy-feely speeches from politicians. Saddling our children and grandchildren with exploding federal debt makes women angry. The days of pandering with federal program hand-outs to buy votes is coming to an end. The emerging Tea Party movement is led by women. The Republican party is the new woman's party. Republican women get the work done from grass roots to federal level leadership.
Welcome aboard, ladies. We want you in the Republican party and we need you. Help us change course from an arrogant and deaf Democratic leadership.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
U.S. Border Violence Escalates
President Obama and his administration can talk all they want about how much the expenditure of money and human work force has increased under their watch. The fact remains that the southern border of our country is not secured and violence is spiraling out of control. Here is a report from the AP today:
An American tourist was shot in the back of the head in Mexican waters on Thursday after being ambushed by armed boaters, a Texas sheriff said. It happened on a lake where run-ins with pirates had already put fishermen and Texas officials on alert.
Zapata County Sheriff Sigifredo Gonzalez said a 30-year-old man and his wife were riding jet skis back from Mexico when about six gunmen approached in two boats. Gonzalez said the man was shot as the couple sped away.
What happened to the man was unclear. Gonzalez said the man's wife tried circling back to get him, but retreated back to U.S. waters after being fired upon again.
"They saw them approaching and started revving it up back to the U.S. side," Gonzalez said. "The guys just started shooting at them from behind."
Gonzalez said he has contacted the Mexican consulate and asked them to look for the man. He said there was nothing else he could do.
The shooting happened on the Mexican side of Falcon Lake, about 60 miles down the border from Laredo. Earlier this year, several fishermen were robbed at gunpoint on the lake's Mexican side.
In those robberies, authorities say the gunmen traveled in the low-slung, underpowered commercial Mexican fishing boats that are familiar in the area. They asked for money, drugs and guns, and took what cash was available, but no one was hurt.
Falcon Lake is a dammed section of the Rio Grande that straddles the border. The border is marked by 14 partially submerged concrete towers that mark the Rio Grande's path before the lake was created in 1954.
Officials have sought in recent months to assure boaters that the U.S. side of the lake is safer.
Gonzalez said the couple shot at Thursday never spoke the gunmen. He said the couple lived in McAllen, Texas, and had ridden their jet skis over to Mexico for sightseeing.
The shooting happened about 2:45 p.m., said Texas Parks & Wildlife Department spokesman Mike Cox. He said the department has two boats with seven game wardens on the lake.
Gonzalez has previously chalked up the dangerous waters as the product of fighting between rival Mexican drug gangs.
Violence on the Mexican side of the lake has been climbing for several months, as a fractured partnership between the region's dominant Gulf Cartel and its former enforcers, the Zetas, plunged many of the area's Mexican border cities into violence.
An American tourist was shot in the back of the head in Mexican waters on Thursday after being ambushed by armed boaters, a Texas sheriff said. It happened on a lake where run-ins with pirates had already put fishermen and Texas officials on alert.
Zapata County Sheriff Sigifredo Gonzalez said a 30-year-old man and his wife were riding jet skis back from Mexico when about six gunmen approached in two boats. Gonzalez said the man was shot as the couple sped away.
What happened to the man was unclear. Gonzalez said the man's wife tried circling back to get him, but retreated back to U.S. waters after being fired upon again.
"They saw them approaching and started revving it up back to the U.S. side," Gonzalez said. "The guys just started shooting at them from behind."
Gonzalez said he has contacted the Mexican consulate and asked them to look for the man. He said there was nothing else he could do.
The shooting happened on the Mexican side of Falcon Lake, about 60 miles down the border from Laredo. Earlier this year, several fishermen were robbed at gunpoint on the lake's Mexican side.
In those robberies, authorities say the gunmen traveled in the low-slung, underpowered commercial Mexican fishing boats that are familiar in the area. They asked for money, drugs and guns, and took what cash was available, but no one was hurt.
Falcon Lake is a dammed section of the Rio Grande that straddles the border. The border is marked by 14 partially submerged concrete towers that mark the Rio Grande's path before the lake was created in 1954.
Officials have sought in recent months to assure boaters that the U.S. side of the lake is safer.
Gonzalez said the couple shot at Thursday never spoke the gunmen. He said the couple lived in McAllen, Texas, and had ridden their jet skis over to Mexico for sightseeing.
The shooting happened about 2:45 p.m., said Texas Parks & Wildlife Department spokesman Mike Cox. He said the department has two boats with seven game wardens on the lake.
Gonzalez has previously chalked up the dangerous waters as the product of fighting between rival Mexican drug gangs.
Violence on the Mexican side of the lake has been climbing for several months, as a fractured partnership between the region's dominant Gulf Cartel and its former enforcers, the Zetas, plunged many of the area's Mexican border cities into violence.
Scolding the Electorate Into Voting
What kind of strategy is it when the leader of your political party ridicules and complains about voter support instead of asking for their votes? The President and Vice President are making headlines for their strange tactics on the campaign trail as they try to gin up some level of enthusiasm from pessimistic Democrats as we head into the November mid-term elections. Democratic voters know the odds of a Republican sweep in House elections and that their majority is soon to come to an end. The heady days of total control with ample majorities in both houses of Congress and in the White House are about to end.
Instead of stump speeches bucking up the base voters of the party, as is the normal method of asking for voters to turn out at the polls on election day, instead of cheer leading them into some sort of motivation to get out and cast a vote, President Obama and Vice President Biden has chosen to ridicule and scold what few supporters they have left.
John Podhoretz nails it: Obama is talking to voters as though he is their boss, or their principal, or their father. He is not any of those things. He is their employee. And employers don't like it when their employees yell at them -- even if their employees have it right.
The advertising and public relations wing of Team Obama have scheduled Obama for a series of backyard chats with "ordinary" Americans. The hosts are hand selected stalwart Democratic supporters and the guests in attendance are screened in advance. There is nothing spontaneous or "ordinary" about this kind of photo op. At best the backyard settings are hokey. At worst, they are cynically keeping the President in the daily news cycle.
A big focus is being placed on the younger voting population and college campuses are a favorite for the President as he tries to appear on televised broadcast news on a daily basis. These appearances are being scaled back, though, as he no longer fills an auditorium.
Here's an example: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/president-obama-fires-up-voter-base-11753668 of President Obama trying to lit a fire under the younger electorate.
The advertising and public relations wing of Team Obama have scheduled Obama for a series of backyard chats with "ordinary" Americans. The hosts are hand selected stalwart Democratic supporters and the guests in attendance are screened in advance. There is nothing spontaneous or "ordinary" about this kind of photo op. At best the backyard settings are hokey. At worst, they are cynically keeping the President in the daily news cycle. We read that these dog and pony shows are to combat the image that Obama is out of touch, living in a bubble, and does not relate to the ordinary American though his personal popularity numbers are good. We are told it is only his policies that Americans are rebelling against. So far this approach isn't working. It is only a matter of time before his falling poll numbers spread into this personal numbers. He would do himself some good if he was seen as moderating his strident actions after the mid-term elections in November but most analysts do not think that will happen. He is not as Bill Clinton was in 1994 after the Republican Revolution. Obama truly believes he has done nothing wrong. He truly finds nothing wrong in ramming through legislation with only down the line party votes, even if he ran as the post-partisan candidate. No hope of that anywhere in sight.
This is proving to be normal behavior from the president. Instead of learning and listening to the voters, to his base support, he blames them for defeats in mid-term elections that haven't even occurred yet. He reads the opinion polls - despite denying that he pays much attention to them, his administration has used them more extensively than any other previous administration - and he reads of very low enthusiasm levels inside the Democratic party. Republican voters are greatly enthusiastic this election cycle and ready to vote.
The Democrats have an odd way of motivating voters. From The Wall Street Journal: Mr. Obama added that "if people now want to take their ball and go home, that tells me folks weren't serious in the first place." Making the case for left-wing voters to show up in November, Mr. Obama told Rolling Stone that he is presiding over "the most successful administration in a generation in moving progressive agendas forward."
Obama does fancy himself as an intellectual, despite the fact that he consistently gets very basic facts wrong, whether it is the 57 states debacle or misstating lines of the Constitution (strange since he is suppose to be a constitutional scholar), or our nation's history in general. His is a world view different than most Americans, whether he chooses to accept that reality or not.
Instead of stump speeches bucking up the base voters of the party, as is the normal method of asking for voters to turn out at the polls on election day, instead of cheer leading them into some sort of motivation to get out and cast a vote, President Obama and Vice President Biden has chosen to ridicule and scold what few supporters they have left.
John Podhoretz nails it: Obama is talking to voters as though he is their boss, or their principal, or their father. He is not any of those things. He is their employee. And employers don't like it when their employees yell at them -- even if their employees have it right.
The advertising and public relations wing of Team Obama have scheduled Obama for a series of backyard chats with "ordinary" Americans. The hosts are hand selected stalwart Democratic supporters and the guests in attendance are screened in advance. There is nothing spontaneous or "ordinary" about this kind of photo op. At best the backyard settings are hokey. At worst, they are cynically keeping the President in the daily news cycle.
A big focus is being placed on the younger voting population and college campuses are a favorite for the President as he tries to appear on televised broadcast news on a daily basis. These appearances are being scaled back, though, as he no longer fills an auditorium.
Here's an example: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/president-obama-fires-up-voter-base-11753668 of President Obama trying to lit a fire under the younger electorate.
The advertising and public relations wing of Team Obama have scheduled Obama for a series of backyard chats with "ordinary" Americans. The hosts are hand selected stalwart Democratic supporters and the guests in attendance are screened in advance. There is nothing spontaneous or "ordinary" about this kind of photo op. At best the backyard settings are hokey. At worst, they are cynically keeping the President in the daily news cycle. We read that these dog and pony shows are to combat the image that Obama is out of touch, living in a bubble, and does not relate to the ordinary American though his personal popularity numbers are good. We are told it is only his policies that Americans are rebelling against. So far this approach isn't working. It is only a matter of time before his falling poll numbers spread into this personal numbers. He would do himself some good if he was seen as moderating his strident actions after the mid-term elections in November but most analysts do not think that will happen. He is not as Bill Clinton was in 1994 after the Republican Revolution. Obama truly believes he has done nothing wrong. He truly finds nothing wrong in ramming through legislation with only down the line party votes, even if he ran as the post-partisan candidate. No hope of that anywhere in sight.
This is proving to be normal behavior from the president. Instead of learning and listening to the voters, to his base support, he blames them for defeats in mid-term elections that haven't even occurred yet. He reads the opinion polls - despite denying that he pays much attention to them, his administration has used them more extensively than any other previous administration - and he reads of very low enthusiasm levels inside the Democratic party. Republican voters are greatly enthusiastic this election cycle and ready to vote.
The Democrats have an odd way of motivating voters. From The Wall Street Journal: Mr. Obama added that "if people now want to take their ball and go home, that tells me folks weren't serious in the first place." Making the case for left-wing voters to show up in November, Mr. Obama told Rolling Stone that he is presiding over "the most successful administration in a generation in moving progressive agendas forward."
Obama does fancy himself as an intellectual, despite the fact that he consistently gets very basic facts wrong, whether it is the 57 states debacle or misstating lines of the Constitution (strange since he is suppose to be a constitutional scholar), or our nation's history in general. His is a world view different than most Americans, whether he chooses to accept that reality or not.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Meet Ron Johnson - A Candidate For Today
Attention voters: We could use a lot more of these kind of candidates. This is the Republican running against entrenched Democrat Russ Feingold in Wisconsin. Meet Ron Johnson:
Russ Feingold is running away from his water carrying of the Obama agenda. Every time Obama appeared in Wisconsin - several times, as it is a swing state and he is nervous. Until tonight. He brought Obama into Wisconsin for a fundraiser. In the last polling, Johnson is up a couple of points. Feingold is shocked, to put it mildly. The Democrats planned on this seat being safe for them to retain.
Russ Feingold is feeling the heat and that is a good thing.
Russ Feingold is running away from his water carrying of the Obama agenda. Every time Obama appeared in Wisconsin - several times, as it is a swing state and he is nervous. Until tonight. He brought Obama into Wisconsin for a fundraiser. In the last polling, Johnson is up a couple of points. Feingold is shocked, to put it mildly. The Democrats planned on this seat being safe for them to retain.
Russ Feingold is feeling the heat and that is a good thing.
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