FRC Action PAC Pledges to Support Conservative Primary Challengers to Any U.S. Senator Voting to Overturn 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' During Lame-Duck Session

FRC Action PAC, the political action committee connected with FRC Action, the lobbying arm of the Family Research Council, announced today that it will endorse and fund conservative primary challengers to any U.S. Senator who votes to overturn "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" during the lame-duck session.

FRC Action PAC President Connie Mackey made the following comments:

"We are pledging today to endorse, and help fund, conservative primary challengers to any U.S. Senator who votes during the lame-duck session to overturn 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' FRC Action PAC will work to remove any U.S. Senator who would place liberal special interests ahead of the priorities of the American people.

"The U.S. Senate has twice rejected the overturn of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' Despite this, Majority Leader Harry Reid continues with his obsession while failing to address the essential responsibilities of the federal government. As three of the four service chiefs have made clear, the men and women of the Armed Forces who are engaged in fighting two wars should not be distracted by Congress using them to advance a liberal social agenda. Using the Senate's time in the lame-duck session to pay back his liberal political base is simply absurd and demonstrates once again Senator Reid's misplaced priorities. Members of the Senate should refuse to become accomplices in helping Harry Reid advance his agenda over the American people's agenda," concluded Mackey.

Camp, Herger Question Administration’s Decision to Force Seniors Out of Their Medicare Prescription Drug Plans

Ways and Means Ranking Member Dave Camp (R-MI) and Health Subcommittee Ranking Member Wally Herger (R-CA) today sent Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius a letter inquiring about the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) decision to eliminate certain Medicare Part D prescription drug plans that could force 3 million seniors out of their current plan. Camp and Herger expressed particular concerns that CMS would automatically enroll more than 1.5 million seniors in a plan with premiums 15 percent higher than seniors are currently paying.

The Republicans said: “We are alarmed that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has arbitrarily decided to limit beneficiaries’ choice of Part D prescription drug plans…We hereby request that CMS immediately provide all documents and correspondence related to CMS’ decision to eliminate prescription drug plans over the last two years, including any analysis that was conducted to determine the impact such decisions would have on premiums of displaced beneficiaries so that Congress can consider how best to protect seniors from such decisions in the future."

The full letter can be read here.

Urgent: Call your Senators now to support our military!

The U.S. Senate seeks to push abortion and a homosexual agenda onto our military! Call 202-224-3121 today & urge them to vote NO to proceeding on the defense authorization bill

With the economy still in the doldrums, and a massive job-killing tax increase scheduled for January looming over our heads, you would think that legislation to help average Americans find jobs in the private sector would be the top priority for the Democratic leadership in Congress. If you thought that, you would be wrong.

This Tuesday the Senate will vote on a bill that would overturn the 1993 law which codified the military's longstanding prohibition of homosexual conduct in the ranks. The language that would force open homosexuality upon the military is found in the defense authorization bill -- along with another anti-family provision that would turn U.S. military medical facilities here and around the globe into abortion centers.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has arranged it so that pro-family senators do not have an opportunity to offer any of their own amendments to counter his political abuse of our military. This means the only way to stop this monstrosity is to vote against proceeding to the bill.

This bill is not necessary to fund our military -- an appropriations bill does that.

Senators should reject Reid's distorted priorities by voting against advancing this bill at every step. Call your senators today at (202) 224-3121 and tell them to stop using the military to impose this administration's radical homosexual agenda.

Thank you for taking action today and God bless you.

Sincerely,
Tony Perkins
President
FRC Action: 801 G Street N.W. Washington, D.C. 20001
P: 202/393-2100 or 877/372-2808
frcaction.org

Help stop the DREAM ACT (Nightmare is more apt description)

Big government Democrats are working hard to shove yet another unpopular, unwanted piece of legislation down the throats of taxpayers... this time in the form of the DREAM ACT. The Defense Authorization Bill will be voted on at 2:15 PM Eastern time on Tuesday, September 21.

The DREAM ACT will dramatically push up spending and increase the cost of higher education for every state. The increase is even more extreme for states with large illegal immigrant populations.

The bill forces states to give taxpayer fueled financial aid to illegal immigrants, forces states to allow illegal immigrants to take advantage of in-state tuition, and worst of all, there is virtually no accountability for the funding involved in the bill. This is yet another outrageous bill pushed forth by Democrats and it must be stopped. Please CLICK HERE NOW for a list of numbers to call over night.


Above from Liberty.com / Americans for New Leadership

FED UP with Political Games

This thing with the career political types in the Republican Party trying to work against conservatives just to keep their power structure is making me lean real strongly toward calling myself an Independent.

I am fed up.

They are obviously not getting the message that we're tired, frustrated, irritated, angry with the games, the status quo, the "machine". I certainly don't want to hand over our country to Obama-types, but I'll be darned if I'm going to vote for the lesser of two evils when there's a good conservative choice in the race.

This garbage the National Republican Senatorial Committee has put out saying they're not going to help Christine O'Donnell is just like saying, 'up yours' to the many good, strong, conservatives who're crying out for change, clamoring for principled people. And, they just told the Democrats, "here, you can have this seat". Silver platter, too.


When I heard the news on Fox that the NRSC was saying they wouldn't help O'Donnell because they didn't believe she couldn't win I was LIVID. They didn't think she could win against Castle either. I can't vote for O'Donnell but I sure can vote for or against my own elected officials.


My message to the D.C. suits: If you are a conservative, if you have principles, then walk the walk. If you can't walk the walk then you'll find that I'll be out there looking for a TRUE conservative to run against you in the next election... And you know what? I'm willing to lose a battle here or there if that's what it takes to ultimately win the war for better government.

Just a note on the following release --- I'm not so sure I'm "on board" with the Tea Party Express, either. I'm trying hard to do my own research, read, listen, follow and learn. I have not supported every candidate they support. However, I'm sure happier with them than I am with the power-structure in our governing parties right now. There are some VERY true statements in the release below.


---

Tea Party Express Responds to NRSC

The Tea Party Express issued the following statement in response to preliminary reports that the National Republican Senatorial Committee would not support their own nominee for U.S. Senate in Delaware:

"The National Republican Senatorial Committee has reportedly said they will not support their own nominee for U.S. Senate in Delaware. This is a rash statement that hopefully they will reconsider once good judgment sets in.

"The NRSC tried to meddle in the vote recount for liberal Republican Lisa Murkowski in Alaska. Now they say they aren't committed to supporting their own nominee in Delaware? When will this insanity stop?

"We encourage the NRSC to take a night off, get some sleep, and reconsider their rash statements. It is because of inexcusable conduct in Delaware and Alaska that so many conservatives have turned to the Tea Party Express, offering their support and their donations. These people have lost faith in the NRSC as just another big-government, Washington, D.C.-based organization that has contributed to the problems this country currently faces.

"If the NRSC is committed to defeating Democrats in November, then it is time for them to honor their mission statement and do just that. If they fail to do so, then they can expect millions of conservatives to continue to steer their donations and volunteer hours elsewhere.

"Wake up NRSC, the reason the tea party movement has grown into such a powerful force is because of the failures of establishment organizations such as yours to honor the principles of the Republican Party platform. You tried to force through the most liberal Republican in Congress on the voters of Delaware and they rejected you. Wake up, you are defying your own base, and will end up an irrelevant and impotent organization that serves to only amuse the corrupt political establishment in Washington, D.C.

"The Tea Party Express will back Christine O'Donnell in the general election along with every other candidate we've endorsed. We trust adults at the NRSC will come to their senses and realize that the people have spoken, and it's time for the NRSC to represent the Republicans it is supposed to represent."

Why can't the good guys get some help?

"Already there are rumors of an August surprise (to use the phrase of business columnist Jimmy Pethokoukis) where Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac forgive underwater mortgages held by millions of Americans." - Larry Kudlow, Town Hall (http://townhall.com/columnists/LarryKudlow/2010/08/07/a_democratic_panic_attack/page/full)


I get really irritated when I read or hear about another bailout of any sort, but bailing out mortgages kinda makes me a bit hotter.

I have two family members who are struggling mightily to pay their mortgages each month. One got flooded out, had problems galore with the government flood insurance and needed some mortgage relief. She tried every way she could to get some help from any one of the programs Obama and his crew tout. The bottom line on any assistance was that she had to have missed a few mortgage payments to get ANY relief. It didn't matter what she could prove as to being upside-down, single mom, job salary cuts due to economy, house flooded, etc. etc. No help unless she was willing to skip some payments.

My other family member is semi-out of work. He does some seasonal stuff, which is so up and down it's hard to put a monthly income number on a form. He takes every side job, every handy-man job, anything that comes his way to make sure he pays the mortgage on his home. He has a special needs child which keeps his wife from working regularly, but she works out of the home as she can to help out.

He's checked into program after program, stepped up to talk to representatives when new options were put forth over the past few years. He has to miss some payments to qualify for anything, be completely out of work and / or have a steady income they can track.

I know that many, many of the people who benefit from the government's redistribution of our tax dollars (and loans from China) are in true desperate need. They lost their jobs and aren't able to work at any type job that will cover their mortgage. There are umpteen legitimate reasons that result in many being in the default boat. I don't have a problem with helping people who are truly in need. However, for every one who has an honest reason for being behind I'd bet there are at least two who are sitting back and waiting for Uncle Sam (oh, our poor beleaguered Uncle Sam) to fix things for them.

There are scammers who know how to work the system. There are those who go from one hand out to another. There are those who think we owe them.

Yesterday I was in conversation with a recent college administrative worker. He was talking about the number of government college loans handed out in his previous school that went to students who never showed. They got the max loan available, took the money and had a great time with no intention of ever paying it off. He was at a fairly small school and saw it happening over and over. He knew because he paid attention, asked questions and was shocked at the answer. It seems it's common practice. Scary.

How many of these people that are have their mortgages forgiven will be in the same situation again in a few years? How many are just sitting back and waiting for Obama to bail 'em out? Why is it that legitimate, hard working, people who don't want to scam or ruin their credit can't get any help? Why can't the government be fair? Why can't they come up with programs to help those who are trying to do the right thing?

Aww, we all know the answers to those questions. It's all politics, it's all about votes and it's all about power.

Ya know, if most of the programs put in by often-times good-intentioned people actually worked like they intended there wouldn't be a problem. We'd help those who needed a leg up become self-sufficient. We'd have programs that helped them get jobs, get over a temporary hump and get back into being a productive citizen. These hand-out programs went way, way wrong when they became political tools and/or when government drones started looking more at job security than the purpose of their position.

I was intending to have a politics-free Saturday, but I goofed and skimmed my emails. So much news, none of it seems to be good these days. I haven't even had my first cup of caffeine and I'm already steamed.... arrrgggghhhh.

A depressing article to start your day...

Everything Kudlow mentions as something the Dems may try or do scares the heck out of me. Even if Congress swings to the right in November I hear the Dems are going to try and push through all kinds of crap before they take their seats. These two years, the first years of Obama, are going to go down in history as doing the most damage to the foundation of our country and the future of our county. Even when and if there's a conservative takeover in Congress come January they're not going to be able to reverse much of what's been done until we clean out the White House in 2012, too.

A Democratic Panic Attack? 
With the disappointingly soft jobs report for July, and a faltering recovery overall, is Team Obama getting ready for some sort of new, liberal-left, Keynesian, big-bang stimulus package? Will they be desperate to “do something”?
Already there are rumors of an August surprise (to use the phrase of business columnist Jimmy Pethokoukis) where Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac forgive underwater mortgages held by millions of Americans. And with state and local government jobs having fallen 169,000 year-to-date, perhaps the Democratic Congress and the White House will seek an even bigger spending plan for teachers and Medicaid workers -- on top of the $26 billion plan that just passed the Senate.
http://townhall.com/columnists/LarryKudlow/2010/08/07/a_democratic_panic_attack/page/full

Pete Stark on Gov't, Healthcare - 'Open mouth, say what you really believe...'

The woman questioning Pete Stark (D-California) does a magnificent job. She knows her Constitution! The above is on Breitbart.tv, says this is part one. Can't wait to find or see part two.

Guys (and gals) like Stark have been in power way, way too long. Time to clean the house, clean out Washington and a lot of our local state gov't's too.

Your Last chance to Speak before Congress Silences You

Call your U.S. Senators today at 202-224-3121 and ask them to oppose S. 3628, the DISCLOSE Act

This past weekend Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Obama told a gathering of the most hard-edged liberal activists that they need to pull out all stops to win this November so that they can push more of their damaging agenda on the American people. Fearful of what Election Day could mean for their extreme ideology, a number of liberals in Congress are pushing S. 3628, the DISCLOSE Act, which amounts to Democrat incumbent protection legislation disguised as campaign finance reform.

Instead of addressing the problems often found in the financing of campaigns, S. 3628 seeks to add to the already onerous burdens placed on organizations that act within the law by going after their donors and exposing them in public forums. The exceptions, or "carve-outs," in the bill demonstrate the hypocrisy of its supporters. They provide special treatment for select special interest groups in a bill designed to crack down on the power of special interests!

Too often, such tactics are used to intimidate donors. We saw this in the sixties during the civil rights struggles, and more recently we have seen intimidation employed time and time again against Christians in states like Massachusetts, California and Maine for merely voicing their belief that marriage is between one man and one woman.

And now the Democrats want to intimidate you into silence as well!

How much of a farce is the DISCLOSE Act? The carve-outs in the bill give unions and traditional Democrat interest groups special protections, which is no surprise when you realize the legislation was written by legislators who have personal stakes in this election. In fact, the legislation allows for no expedited review, which means that if DISCLOSE passes, it cannot be reviewed by the courts until after the 2010 elections. Why? Because the Democrats know what they are passing is unconstitutional, and realize that once a federal court gives it a good look, it is likely to be overturned.

Please CALL your SENATORS today at 202-224-3121 and tell them to oppose S. 3628, the DISCLOSE Act.

Thank you and God bless you.

Sincerely,
Tony Perkins
President
FRC Action: 801 G Street N.W. Washington, D.C. 20001
P: 202/393-2100 or 877/372-2808 W: frcaction.org

We don't need this kind of crud...

Vitter Challenger Has His Own Ethical Baggage

Chet Traylor (R) made no secret he is challenging Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) in a primary for U.S. Senate because of the senator's "personal foibles" -- including a 2007 prostitution scandal and his continued employment of an aide accused of attacking his girlfriend with a knife in 2008.

But the Monroe News-Star reports Traylor "has his own ethical questions that could threaten the upstanding image his campaign has opted to present."

Most interesting is his complicated romantic history, including allegations of affairs with two married women. Traylor is also currently involved in a romantic relationship with the estranged wife of his stepson.

Paying for political endorsements...

Billionaire Florida U.S. Senate candidate Jeff Greene (D) paid a DNC member Jon Ausman $4000 for "political consultation and strategy" right after sending out a blast email asking who he should endorse in the race, the AP reports.

Several days later Ausman endorsed Greene.
DNC Member Paid Before Endorsement

More bad news on the Dodd-Frank bill...

House-Passed Financial Overhaul Allows for GM-Style Bailouts of Big Banks
(CNSNews.com) – The House-passed financial regulation bill would allow the government to save the profitable assets of a failing bank and spin them off into a new company – a power that mirrors the government’s action in saving General Motors and Chrysler. The provision is part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which passed the House on June 29.

More Babes Required in Dodd-Frank Bill...

As one of your Barracuda Babes, I can't sneer at anyone wanting to hire more women. However, I can definitely sneer at making it mandatory. Read on:

Gender Quotas In the Financial Sector?
Diana Furchtgott-Roth, RealClearMarkets.com, July 8, 2010
What one finds when reading congressional legislation is invariably surprising. Take the Dodd-Frank financial regulation bill, for instance, which was created by merging Senate and House bills. When the Senate returns from recess one of its first actions will be to vote on the bill, which passed the House on June 30. I was searching the bill for a provision about derivatives. What did I find but Section 342, which declares that race and gender employment ratios, if not quotas, must be observed by private financial institutions that do business with the government. In a major power grab, the new law inserts race and gender quotas into America's financial industry. . .

NOTE: I rec'd the above from a daily update I get from Manhattan Institute for Policy Research. Hope you'll check them out, they send out great tidbits. Here's a link: Manhattan Institute for Policy Researc

FRC Action PAC Dismayed By Gov. Crist's Ultrasound Bill Veto; Launches Radio Ad Campaign, StopCharlie.com in Response

Family Research Council Action PAC unveiled a new website, www.stopcharlie.com, and a state-wide radio ad campaign in response to Governor Charlie Crist's veto of commonsense ultrasound legislation.

Governor Crist vetoed the proposed law which prescribes an ultrasound prior to every abortion. Women must be allowed to view the live ultrasound images, though they must also be informed that they have the right to decline to view them under the law. The governor issued the veto only days after removing a pro-life section from his campaign website.

The radio ad will begin running state-wide early next week. The ad states, "Crist used to claim to be pro-life. Now he's just pro-Crist. Since leaving his party he's decided he'd rather be pro-abortion, removing the pro-life section from his website and vetoing a bill that would allow women to see an ultrasound of their child before having an abortion."

FRC Action PAC Chairman Tony Perkins released the following statement regarding the veto:

"Governor Crist has once again broken trust with the voters of Florida by vetoing a commonsense bill that would ensure that women receive factual information before an abortion. Sadly, he vetoed legislation that would strengthen a woman's right to know. Charlie Crist is willing to go to any extreme to please far Left special interest groups," said Perkins.

Perkins also added, "Charlie Crist has shown over and over again a willingness to abandon core moral values in his quest to become the next U.S. Senator from Florida. He must be stopped in his quest to become the next U.S. Senator from Florida which is why FRC Action PAC is launching this state-wide radio campaign."

"In contrast, Marco Rubio has been a true friend of the family and the culture of life as a state legislator in Florida. Senators who will fight to defend the family against the radical leadership in the Senate are crucial to the future of our country," said Perkins.

"Rep. Rubio has fought to protect mothers and their unborn children. He supported pro-life legislation that would require doctors to complete ultrasounds before performing abortions thus giving the mother an opportunity to assess the consequences of her actions. Rep. Rubio also understands the importance of adult stem cell research in treating patients. He also endorsed legislation to ensure that taxpayers aren't forced to fund embryonic stem cell research," concluded Perkins.

The radio advertisement can be heard here or at www.stopcharlie.com.

Tuesday a wake-up call for Republicans

Yeah, yeah, I know, you've heard that one already! The Democrats and libs are beating Republicans to death with a whole lot of twisting and turning of what happened on Tuesday in the Tim Burns race. Of course, the Republicans are also doing their version of twisting and turning.

I think the Republicans are coming across as arrogant, entitled, assured of victory and it's backfiring.

The Tea Party movement is not about being Republican. It's about values, it's about less government, and it's about real change that takes us back to a free America built on the ideas written in our Constitution and other founding documents, not Obama's radical change.

Republicans do not have the corner on the Tea Party and the ideas that are galvanizing Americans to stand up and stand out. The things the Republican Party SAYS they believe in are more closely aligned, but that doesn't mean those in Washington are the standard bearers. Many of those in politics who call themselves Republican have  already shown they can't be trusted to stick to Republican values. Why should we trust that they haven't wet their finger, stuck it up in the air and figured out which way they need to act to stay in power?

The arrogance they are showing with their "we're going to take up to 70 seats" and similar are really, really turning me off. They sound power hungry. They seem cocky. Sometimes they sound giddy.

If you had asked me a few years ago which party I belonged with I'd have answered 'Republican' in a heart beat. Now I just say I'm conservative. I vote conservative, which means I vote Republican as a rule. However, for the first time since choosing to become a Republican, I'm open to voting Libertarian, Independent, or 'other' if the candidate is truly conservative.


Yes, I know that by broadening my choices I may be helping to elect a lib. I'm going to watch that carefully. If a candidate hasn't got a chance or if it's very clear that voting third party will only split the conservative vote and allow a Democrat to waltz in the door, I'll vote Republican. However, if they keep crowing and dancing around like they've already won, I may have to rethink that stance. I know I will not be voting for many, if any, of those already in power. They've been infected and based on what I'm hearing I don't think they've taken their medicine like they should. I will NOT risk our country just to get them to swallow a bit more castor oil as we have too much to lose at this point. But once we get through this patch and have a positive foothold, I'm all for sweeping any of those opportunists left out the door.

I listen carefully now and I not only look at current actions, but past actions. I'm ready for a whole new crowd to put their butts in those chairs in the House and Senate chambers. It's not going to happen in the next election, or the one after that, but if we stick together it'll come to pass.

Blanche Lincoln and outside influence...

I was just listening to Blanche Lincoln talking after her squeak-through election last night. In her rah-rah talk, she said it was 'not being about outside groups' and how Arkansans did it their way, without outside influence, no one telling them how to vote, what to do, yada yada yada...

I had to chuckle (sarcastically, of course). Sometime soon she'll hop on an airplane to Washington, D.C. and do exactly what Obama, Pelosi, Reid and the Washington D.C. power Dems tell her to do...

Yep, no outside influence in Arkansas.

She does exactly what her constituents want right? Uh huh. 

And by the way Ms. Lincoln, you got just over 40% of the vote, and then it was only the Democrat vote. That doesn't bespeak a mandate from the voters to anyone who knows basic math. But then again, you like think that spending lowers the deficit so it's understandable that you'd think it was a huge victory. Well, in thinking about it, maybe it was a pretty big victory... you didn't lose outright. Yet.

"Joe The Plumber" Endorses Sharron Angle for U.S.Senate!

In a major development in the campaign to defeat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in his campaign for re-election, Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher - best known as "Joe The Plumber" has endorsed conservative Republican, Sharron Angle, in her campaign for U.S. Senate to Defeat Harry Reid.

The endorsement of Angle by "Joe The Plumber" is taking place at a Tea Party Express news conference in Las Vegas at the Orleans hotel this morning. A video of the endorsement of Angle can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1juoeQqBo8

"Sharron Angle continues to line up more and more conservative endorsements in her campaign for Senate. She's become a national hero of the tea party movement and conservatives across the country," said Sal Russo, Chief Strategist of the Tea Party Express.

The Arizona immigration law...

Couldn't have said this better (for sure ;-), so I'm not gonna try. Excellent!

A carefully crafted immigration law in Arizona

The chattering class is aghast at Arizona's new immigration law. "Harkens back to apartheid," says the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Cynthia Tucker. "Shameful," says the Washington Post's E.J. Dionne. "Terrible…an invitation to abuse," says the New York Times' David Brooks.

For his part, President Obama calls the law "misguided" and says it "threaten[s] to undermine basic notions of fairness that we cherish as Americans." Obama has ordered the Justice Department to "closely monitor the situation and examine the civil rights and other implications of this legislation."

Has anyone actually read the law?

Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/politics/A-carefully-crafted-immigration-law-in-Arizona-92136104.html#ixzz0mIdikaUA

 

George Soros and Obama: enemies of liberty

I think it’s fairly obvious that had it not been for the Hungarian-born billionaire George Soros, Barrack Obama would not be President of the United States today. Soros, who made most of his billions through the currency speculation which he first commenced during the post-war hyper inflation in Hungary in 1946, has become the world’s top financial supporter of statism and socialism. He is a “soft fascist”, as author Mark Levin would say, that is to say, someone who would foist a socialist totalitarian government on us by incremental steps....

http://www.examiner.com/x-32781-Clarksburg-Conservative-Examiner~y2009m12d16-George-Soros-and-Obama-enemies-of-liberty

Note: Well worth a read & a share on your blog... and / or some commentary. I rec'd it via Facebook contact today. It's an older article, December - but again, worth a read and thought.

Dem to Obama: Push immigration or I’ll tell Latino voters to stay home

A congressman from the president’s home state is threatening that he will urge Latino voters to stay home this November if the Democratic Party does not make a concerted effort to pass comprehensive immigration reform.

Read more: http://www.thehill.com/homenews/house/93183-dem-to-obama-push-immigration-or-ill-tell-latino-voters-to-stay-home

Obama’s Victim: The “Peace Process”

The apparently escalating conflict between the US and Israel did not have to occur. It must be resolved now, before it does irreparable harm to prospects for peace.

The conflict was largely contrived by people with agendas. The initial impetus for the brouhaha was an ill-timed announcement that permits had been issued for building 1,600 additional residences in a part of Jerusalem that had been captured by Israel in the 1967 war. The Netanyahu government had been praised by President Obama for agreeing to a freeze on building permits on the West Bank, despite the fact that the freeze did not extend to any part of Jerusalem. Thus the announcement of new building permits did not violate any agreement by Israel.

http://frontpagemag.com/2010/04/05/obamas-victim-the-peace-process/?utm_source=FrontPage+Magazine&utm_campaign=d0e8a0cd02-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email

Interesting: Obama Approval Index Month-by-Month

When tracking President Obama’s job approval on a daily basis, people sometimes get so caught up in the day-to-day fluctuations that they miss the bigger picture. To look at the longer-term trends, Rasmussen Reports compiles the numbers on a full-month basis, and the results can be seen in the graphics below.

Obama’s Approval Index rating fell a point in March to match the lowest levels yet measured for this president. His rating held steady in the first two months of 2010, after falling seven points in the final three months of 2009.
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/obama_administration/obama_approval_index_month_by_month

City Of Chicago To Modernize Outdated Graft Programs

CHICAGO—In an effort to streamline unethical practices and boost illegal profiteering, Mayor Richard M. Daley announced sweeping new plans Monday to overhaul his city's "antiquated" system of graft.
According to Daley, Chicago's once-great fraudulent institutions have grown obsolete, and City Hall is no longer bilking taxpayers out of as much money as it once did.
"It's been business as usual for too long in Chicago, and now it's time to find more efficient ways to misuse authority for personal gain," said Daley, who has served as Chicago's mayor since 1989. "We must modernize our illegitimate activities right now, today, before it becomes impossible for public officials to act in my best self-interests."
Telling City Council members it was inexcusable that Chicago still used such outdated methods as pen and pencil to falsify financial records and conceal kickbacks, Daley called for the purchase of some 10,000 overpriced computers, which he said would allow the city to digitize no-bid contracts, electronically transfer misappropriated funds, and keep better track of who's on the take.
http://www.theonion.com/articles/city-of-chicago-to-modernize-outdated-graft-progra,17140/

Ahhh, you gotta love The Onion... fantastic satire.

Surprise: Obama’s FCC Quietly Proposes Nationwide Internet Tax, Says it Will “Reduce Uncertainty”

The Obama Era has become a protracted, nightmarish Whack-A-Mole game of tax increases and bureaucratic self-enlargement. In sector after sector of American life, another scheme to expand government and wrench more earnings from Americans’ pockets pops up.

Its next targeted sector? The Internet.

Take a look at the following introduction of a nationwide tax upon Internet goods and services, inserted within page 58 of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) National Broadband Plan released this week:

Digital Goods and Services Taxation

RECOMMENDATION 4.20: The federal government should investigate establishing a national framework for digital goods and services taxation.

http://cfif.org/v/index.php/commentary/62-technology-and-telecom/550-surprise-obamas-fcc-quietly-proposes-nationwide-internet-tax-says-it-will-reduce-uncertainty

Guess we're finding out just how fast a country can change...

I used to read history books and wonder how in the world people "allowed" horrific things to happen in their countries. Unfortunately, I seem to be living through something similar in our own country and I'm finding out just how easy it can happen.

If you're reading headlines and seeing the news stories flash across screens it paints a big picture that is reminding me of Hieronymus Bosch's depiction of the last judgment... crammed full of horrible things to be.

We all know where the health care debacle is taking the country. Then there's the take over of banks, the auto industry, cap & trade, the involvement of the IRS in health care, all the Czars "nudging" and pushing, Obama's way of working around Congress when needed, the new regulations getting ready to hit, the falling / crashing economy, the soon-to-be taxed to death middle & upper class, the amnesty for illegals just around the corner...oh, I could go on and on but most of you are seeing those same headlines and listening to the same news.

It's frightening and what's really scary is how little impact we have on what they are doing in Washington. I used to think that we only mattered on election day in the eyes of politicians. Now I realize that they're finding a way to negate even that little bit of power.

Don't you wonder why we're seeing stories about gun purchases by the IRS? Today I saw a headline about some national / federal education fiefdom buying riot guns or something like that... was in a Ning group, haven't looked it up yet to learn details. Scary, huh?

So, tonight, right before I went to shut down the computer I saw the following fly by on my Facebook page. Had to share.

Forbes: Is a Chavez-Style Media Crackdown Coming to America?

"Many of [Hugo] Chavez’s most ardent supporters here in the U.S. come out of the 'media reform' movement, which believes that our corporate media has been thoroughly co-opted by capitalists bent on destroying the benevolent leadership of the likes of Chavez. They think that our capitalist-plagued media world is in dire need of reform."

So ominously wrote Steve Forbes Wednesday in an article guaranteed to make right-thinking Americans from coast to coast wonder what's next in the Left's plans to control the press.

Read more: http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2010/03/25/forbes-chavez-style-media-crackdown-coming-america#ixzz0jFeXwVj7

You know they want to take down Fox News and talk radio. We know they're looking at social networks and the Internet. Saw a few stories a week or so ago about the FBI setting up fake ids on Facebook, friending people so they could monitor them. I'd "assumed" that was already happening... and it's impossible to tell.

Another thing that kind of hit me in the wrong way was hearing about the move to make sure everyone had high speed access to the Internet. Sorry, but shades of Big Brother and 1984? Did anyone see the story in Georgia about the school system that was monitoring students at home via their computers? They turned on the cameras at will to see what kids were doing at HOME.

Now the Dems are implementing another piece of their plan by trying to say we're all violent mobsters ready to unleash on those sweet ol' politicians who're just doing what's best for us (gag). Ya hafta wonder where they were during all the attacks on George Bush... and conservatives... the Union bullies attacking citizens... And where's the media in all this? Talk about inciting chaos, these guys seem to be trying to create an incident.

I seem to stay in a perpetual state of angst these days. I can see it. I know what's happening and all I can do is write, call, fax, go to Tea Party / 912 Project meetings, network with like-minded friends and work to get some decent people elected in November. I think that's our last chance to at least stem the tide. The Dems know it, too, and they're working just as hard at they can to make sure whatever we do in November fails.

OK, nuff. I thought that by writing a bit I'd chill enough to sleep. Instead I think I may have put all this together in a way that'll give me nightmares. I'll never give up hope and I'll be fighting for our country with me last breath. I know most of you will be right there with me on that one!

FRC: White House is Right to be Embarrassed by Executive Order

It's Time to Replace and Repeal Says FRC Action PAC

Today, President Obama signed an executive order regarding federal funding of elective abortion following passage of health care reform legislation.

Family Research Council Action PAC President Tony Perkins made the following comments in response:

"In a stark contrast to yesterday's festivities, White House officials seem embarrassed by their agreement with Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) and put the ceremony where shady deals belong - behind closed doors. The White House was right to keep the event low-key because the signing doesn't change anything. The order is, as Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards pointed out, 'a symbolic gesture' that has absolutely no bearing on what the legislation does and does not fund.

"The Democratic leadership and these so-called 'pro-life' Democratic members have acted like this country's ruling class, ignoring that they are elected officials and answerable to the people. Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid spent enormous political capital, bent every rule, bribed politicians with taxpayer money, used backroom deals and rejected the will of a majority of the American people.

"The American people have not forgotten the founding principles of faith, family and freedom that make our nation great. Yes, our democratic republic is under direct assault by this bill. But, as we saw countless times over the past year, previously silent Americans have engaged in the political process.

"FRC Action PAC will target for defeat twenty members of Congress including Congressman Bart Stupak. Over the next seven months and on Election Day, our PAC members and the thousands of families we represent will send a powerful message that can't be ignored - 'it's time to replace this Congress, repeal this law and restore our constitutional freedoms'."

Pro-Life Movement Vows to Replace Members from Pro-life Districts Who Voted for the Most Pro-Abortion Bill Ever Passed by Congress

A New Congress Is Needed to Restore Abortion Funding Neutrality

Today the House of Representatives passed the Senate health care bill with a multitude of abortion funding provisions and passed the reconciliation bill to increase funding for one abortion funding program. Neither contained conscience protections previously approved by the House.

Family Research Council Action President Tony Perkins responded with the following comments:

"Passage of this partisan government takeover of health care with all of its Medicare cuts, tax increases, a continued marriage penalty, individual mandates, and abortion funding shows the extreme leftist orientation of this Congress.

"The American people, regardless of their view of its legality, should not be forced to pay for someone's abortion. Those who voted for this legislation cannot legitimately claim to be even neutral on the issue of abortion. This legislation accomplishes this abortion mandate in spades.

"Some Democratic Members who have had good pro-life records in the past turned away from those principles today, instead putting their trust in the most pro-abortion President in history and his equally pro-abortion Health and Human Services Secretary, Kathleen Sebelius. The President knows his promise would not have the weight of statutory law and is not worth the paper it was printed on. Any order from the President will likely quickly fall in the U.S. courts, if not reversed by Barack Obama himself.

"The President's disregard for the unborn is no surprise. It is the betrayal from those who have fought for life within his party that is the biggest shock. Especially Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) who had fought so valiantly in this debate, but folded when it really mattered.

"FRC Action will seek to defeat many of the Members from majority pro-life districts who voted wrong today, and they will have plenty of free time to realize the grave mistake they have committed on the unborn today with their vote."

This may be the most important action you ever take!!! 72 Hours to "Kill The Bill

If you've never picked up the phone and called your Congressman, now is the time to do it. If you've never emailed or faxed a Congressman inside or outside your district, now is the time to do both. They're saying that all they're getting is support... you know that's a lie. However, phones are jammed, fax machines are overloaded and email inboxes are full. That doesn't mean you should stop trying. It's a simple thing, it's just a little thing... but you will be part of the effort to KILL the BILL and preserve the freedoms you take for granted, the ones that are now facing assault in a final push to slip us over the edge. CALL. FAX. EMAIL. Send smoke signals... go to Washington if you can... camp outside your Congressman's door... 

Here's a message brought to you by the Tea Party Express & American Grassroots Coalition...

72 Hours to "Kill The Bill"

Broad TEA Party Coalition Aligns To Defeat Pelosi-Care

STEP 1: Call Congress and tell them to "Kill The Bill" -

1-877-762-8762 or 1-202-224-3121.  Melt the phone lines folks.  Do not relent.  Do not give up.  The stakes are too high for us to fail.  They want to have the government increasingly take over more and more of our healthcare system.  We must stop them NOW!  Call:  1-877-762-8762 or 1-202-224-3121

STEP 2:  Here's the game plan for the next 72-hours.  If you can get to D.C. this Saturday - please do so.  If you can't, see how else you can help (including calling 1-877-762-8762 or 1-202-224-3121).

WASHINGTON, DC (March 18, 2010) - The past two weeks has seen the "Take The Town Halls To Washington" initiative get nearly 1,000 people to DC to meet with approximately 30 Congressman.  The event culminated in the rally at Taft Park near the Capitol which was sponsored by Tea Party Express.  Over 1,500 people assembled to rally against the healthcare bill and then meet with their representatives.  While the Capitol Police diverted the stage and sound for the park rally, grass roots activists innovated and used a park bench and bull horn to get their message to the attendees!

With the critical nature of a looming Congressional decision, a broad coalition of Tea Party organizations and leadership is launching the final push before a possible vote by the House.  These events are being coordinated across the US and are aimed at communicating the frustration of the people while demanding the termination of this health bill legislation.  While the DNC and the administration continue to obfuscate and confuse, this coalition is focused on getting activists involved prior to Pelosi's maneuvering. 

The following actions are planned for the next 72 hours:

• Massive Phone Campaign to the House by constituents to vote no on the bill.
• "Talk to Washington" healthcare town halls: Mississippi, Pennsylvania & more.
• Code Red rally in Washington, DC at 12 noon on Saturday: Upper Senate Park.
• Nationwide "Virtual Vigil" on BlogTalk radio by DoctorsandPatients.org
• Candlelight vigil around the Capitol on Saturday night

Featured speakers at the Washington, D.C. Rally on Saturday will include:

• Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann (MN)
• Congressman Tom Price (GA)
• Congressman Joe Wilson (SC)
• Actor & Conservative John Voight
• Dr. Milton Wolf, Barack Obama’s second cousin who opposes Obamacare
• Colin Hanna, Let Freedom Ring
• Jim Martin, 60 Plus
• Phil Kerpen, Americans for Prosperity
• Andrew Langer, Institute for Liberty 
• Kathryn Serkes, Doctor Patient Medical Association
• Mark Skoda, Memphis Tea Party
• Amy Kremer, Tea Party Express
• Jennifer Hulsey, American Grassroots Coalition
• FreedomWorks Representative
• Ben Cunningham, Founder of the Tennessee Tax Revolt

Grass roots activists everywhere have worked to inform themselves, notify their representatives of their objections and take action in the form of rallies, meetings and calls into those representatives. Individual groups have worked to stop the healthcare legislation while coordinating with each other to amplify their message and their efforts.

Amy Kremer, of Tea Party Express, commented, "We had a great rally this week in DC and people have overwhelmed us with their desire to do it again on Saturday.  With so many people concerned about this legislation and the ability to come to Washington on a weekend, we are working within this coalition to expand the Code Red rally participation ."

The coalition of Tea Party organizations and leadership is committed to  changing the dynamics of this legislative process.  The Democratic led Congress is using procedural and legislative rules to ignore the overwhelming opposition to this bill.  The will of the American people is being subverted by these actions and the grass roots activists who make up this coalition are focusing their energy to kill the bill.

The coalition includes:

60 Plus

Americans for Prosperity

Americans for Tax Reform

Concerned Women for America

Constitutional Sovereignty Alliance

Doctor Patient Medical Association

Family Research Council

FreedomWorks

Grassfire/Resistnet

Heartland Institute

Institute for Liberty

Let Freedom Ring

Memphis Tea Party

Mom for America

National Center for Public Policy Research

National Taxpayer’s Union

Nationwide Tea Party Coalition

New Jersey Tea Party Coalition

Northern Virginia 912

Richmond Patriots

Take the Town Halls to Washington

Tea Party Express

Tea Party Patriots Live Radio Show

Washington DC Tea Party

We the People of Pennsylvania

For further information or to register and participate or assist others to come to Washington, DC, please check these websites where details will be posted and updated regularly throughout the next 48 hours: www.AmericanGrassrootsCoalition.org

If the health care debacle wasn't bad enuf, check out SB & I Jobs Tax Act...

Opening Statement Ranking Member Dave Camp (R-MI) Committee on Ways and Means Markup of the Small Business and Infrastructure Jobs Tax Act March 17, 2010 (Remarks as Prepared)

Mr. Chairman, thank you and let me take this opportunity to publicly congratulate you on your new rank within this Committee.  We have always had a good working relationship, and I look forward to this continuing.  You have said your approach will be “collegial but tough.”  I think that is exactly what we will have here today as we consider the Small Business and Infrastructure Jobs Tax Act.  Frankly, it is tough to see this bill as either a small business bill or a jobs bill.  And, unfortunately, the one area I thought was ripe for bipartisan compromise – pension relief – has been stripped out of the underlying legislation.  I know there continues to be some internal debate within the Democrat caucus about how to proceed on pensions, but for the sake of American employers and their workers, this is an area I think we can and should come together on quickly.  As for the bill before us, I have three main concerns: One: It raises taxes on employers during a recession – making it tougher for Americans to find needed work. Two: Roughly 80 percent of bill is dedicated to local governments. Small governments are not small businesses, and they do not create the kind of private-sector jobs we need. And, three: the limited and narrow tax provisions, even if well-intentioned, will not help employers create new jobs. Under this bill, jobs – American jobs – will be taxed.  That is the simple truth and ramification of the so-called Doggett Treaty provision, which accounts for roughly half of $17 billion in tax increases in this bill.  This bill also includes permanent tax hikes to pay for temporary tax relief and it represents a net tax increase. There is never a good time to raise taxes on employers and American workers, but given the continued weakness in the economy, now may be the worst time.  Exactly one-week ago, the Department of Labor confirmed that 48 states have lost jobs since the Democrats’ stimulus passed.  The Department of Labor has also confirmed that the economy shed 36,000 jobs last month and that a record 16 million Americans are out of work and 11 million are receiving an unemployment check instead of a paycheck.  To raise taxes on employers providing and creating jobs here in America, as the majority does in this bill, would only further delay recovery and add to the economic hardship millions of families are already facing. Mr. Chairman, we share a desire to help get the economy kick-started.  So while we applaud your effort in holding this mark-up, we have real concerns with the solutions you have put forward.   For those and other reasons we will seek to amend the bill before us in ways we think would help small businesses grow and create jobs again. With that, I yield back.

My comments: It's true. The Democrats are trying to destroy our country. Nuff said.

1984?

New Pay Discrimination Bill Would Let Government Collect Payroll Records of Private Companies

(CNSNews.com) – A proposed new law would empower the federal government to collect the payroll information of private companies and analyze it in an effort to prevent gender-based pay discrimination. Known as the Paycheck Fairness Act, the law was passed by the House of Representatives more than one year ago, but it had languished in the Senate until Thursday, when it was taken up in the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee.

What!!!???!! NO public option???

Pelosi has announced that there will not be a public option in Obamacare dashing any slim hopes the far Left held out that it'd make it into the final bill.

You know what that means? Anyone voting for the bill is dead meat if they're up for re-election this year.

The far Left is going to scream bloody murder... what's the point in playing with healthcare if there's their much-coveted public option? They're already up in arms about all the Obama promised but isn't producing. Having the words spoken definitively by Pelosi is just another nail in the coffin.

The middle on both sides, Independents, Republicans, Libertarians already hate Obamacare for any number of reasons. Increased taxes, increased interference by government in our lives, a government that mucks up anything it stomps its foot into, huge deficits, the need to focus on jobs, jobs, jobs and the economy, yada yada yada.

This is a bill from hell and a vote will send the country in that direction. We hafta do whatever we can to stop it (legally). Yell, scream, write, call, put signs in your yards, join your local Tea Party efforts, check out your local physician groups that's ganging up to try and stop it. Don't just sit there and moan about it. DO something. ACT. Get involved, even if all you can do is give it five minutes a day.

Pelosi: Public option will not be in health bill
By Jordan Fabian

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Friday that the public health insurance option will not be included in a package of fixes to healthcare reform legislation.

Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/86447-pelosi-public-option-will-not-be-in-health-bill

Federal Board to Review Health Insurance Premiums

Obama's Insurance Mess
Paul Howard, NRO's Critical Condition, March 9, 2010
One of the president's biggest talking points these days is his new proposal for a federal board to review health-insurance premiums and block "excessive" rate increases. . .

Health Care: The 12 Cent Problem

As a progressive, Obama hews to the Wilsonian tradition
George Will, Washington Post, March 11, 2010
There are legislative miles to go before the government will be emancipated from its health-care myopia, but it is not too soon for a summing-up. . .Employer-paid insurance is central to what David Gratzer of the Manhattan Institute calls "the 12 cent problem." That is how much of every health-care dollar is spent by the person receiving the care. Hence Americans' buffet mentality: We paid at the door to the health-care feast, so let's consume all we can....
As a progressive, Obama hews to the Wilsonian tradition

Rick Perry's big win in Texas

The conventional wisdom had it that the Republican gubernatorial primary in Texas would be a battle between challenger Kay Bailey Hutchison’s sophisticated urban base versus incumbent Rick Perry’s yahooing rural base. The election results—incomplete as I write past midnight Eastern time—tell a different story. Perry has won the Republican nomination without a runoff, with (as I write) 51% of the votes to 30% for Hutchison and 18% for Debra Medina (the candidate who got scrubbed from serious contention when she told Glenn Beck that she wasn’t sure the U.S. government wasn’t behind the September 11 attacks). That’s with 6,341 of 8,236 precincts reporting. Perry's margin is likely to increase...

Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/Rick-Perrys-big-win-in-Texas-86113137.html#ixzz0h8a2ADrR

Catch a falling czar's astounding comment ...

Van Jones, President Obama's former "green jobs" czar and a newly appointed Princeton lecturer, has a history of sparking protests against universities and previously slammed non-activist students as "worthless people" obtaining "worthless degrees," WND has learned. Jones also implied a university education must help students become "revolutionaries."
Find out the latest right now on WND.com.

(and, just in case Van ever happens to come across our blog... we lub u man, we really do... )

Thoughts on Brown, Romney, conservatism, the Tea Party movement & progressives...

I supported Scott Brown. Not because I thought he was going to save the Republican Party, the conservative ideology or do what I thought he should do. I supported him for a number of reasons.

- I thought anyone who'd put an "R" next to their name would be better than the "D" alternative.
- I liked the idea of putting an R in a Kennedy seat.
- I thought he'd vote more in line with how I'd vote as compared to the alternative.
- I liked some of the things he had to say.

On the flip side, I didn't think he was the "outsider" or the true conservative choice. However, given the state and the mind-set of his constituents I felt he was about as conservative as we'd be able to expect or hope to elect. He had a voting record and I would have voted no on some things he supported, yes on others he didn't.

There isn't anyone in Congress I would walk in lock-step with regarding their votes, how they handle things or even what they have to say in many cases.

Would I have preferred a true-blue conservative? Absolutely.

Am I going to work hard to make sure that the next person elected is more conservative than Brown? Absolutely.

Am I going to tar and feather the man? Nope. From what I can see he didn't lie to anyone, he didn't promise anything he hasn't delivered. He's been pretty up front about how he's going to vote.

I think we are at a critical, critical point in the direction of the Tea Party movement. We can't let a really, really bad vote by Brown cause us to pack up our bags and head to the hills. We learn. We don't get caught up in the hype. We do our homework on the next elections. We hold the Republican, Democrat, Independent, Libertarian candidate's feet to the fire. We research.

We need a Tea Party & / or Conservative questionnaire that we ask all candidates to answer. We need a Tea Party / Conservative pledge that we get candidates to sign. I know a lot of this is being worked on already.

A whole lot of people much smarter, and much more connected, than I are working on many things that should allow us to hang together better and to look deeper at those who are asking for our votes.

I'm not a strong supporter, or maybe even a lukewarm supporter of John McCain. There are things I like about him and things I really do not like about his votes and actions. I can understand Sarah Palin supporting him. Most of the world would not know who she was if McCain hadn't taken a chance on her. Yes, I firmly believe his choice garnered him a huge number of votes and that he wouldn't have been a contender without her so the score is somewhat even. However, I'd probably do the same if I were in her shoes.

Ditto on Scott Brown. Although the luster is gone and he's no longer feeling the love from conservatives, he owes a lot to John McCain.

Mitt Romney? To me it's politics as usual and I'm sick of politics as usual. I am looking for someone who isn't caught up in the game.

We're out here fighting a long history of not just "progressive" infiltration of both parties, but the power structure that is Washington D.C. We are naive if we think that a one-year movement is going to shake up the system to the extent that will give us a politics that is honorable and above self-serving power-hungry politics as usual.

It's going to take a long, long, long, long time and a whole heck of a lot of effort. We are going to have failures and we're going to make mistakes. If we stay true to our principles we can make a difference. We will prevail if we keep our spirits up and stand together, stand strong.

Don't give up just because Brown, Romney and friends aren't doing what you want them to do. Fight harder. Work harder.

And, one more caution: there are those in the Republican and Democratic parties who do NOT want the Tea Party ideals to prevail. We are being attacked, they are trying to divide and conquer and we can not let that happen. Don't let the little things divide. Don't get caught up on the big things either. I'm talking about the social principles that are so important to many of us. Yes, abortion, traditional marriage, our faith and other issues are critical and we need to focus and do what we can to promote our beliefs. However, that is not what the Tea Party movement is all about. We have to take care of the foundation first and re-build a country that allows us to tackle those issues peacefully, thoughtfully and prayerfully.

OK, I know I'm just one little drop of water in this huge country, in the conservative support system. There's absolutely no reason that anyone should listen or take to heart anything I wrote. It works for me, hopefully it'll resonate with some of you, too.

Public Comment Period Remains Open Until Friday For Draft National Disaster Recovery Framework

Don't know if any of you have an interest in looking at this but here it be:

Public Comment Period Remains Open Until Friday For Draft National Disaster Recovery Framework
Tue, 23 Feb 2010 01:07:34 -0600
WASHINGTON, DC -- Individuals and other stakeholders who still wish to submit comments on the draft National Disaster Recovery Framework have until Friday, February 26, 2010 to do so. The framework – focused on engaging state, local and tribal governments, nonprofit partners, the private sector, and the public to enhance the nation’s ability to recover from disasters – is available to read online at DisasterRecoveryWorkingGroup.gov. All comments must be submitted at www.regulations.gov in Docket FEMA-2010-0004.

Stimulus attacks help Dems gain first real traction in weeks

Congressional Democrats are celebrating what they say was their best week politically since Scott Brown s victory in Massachusetts on Jan. 19.

Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/82529-stimulus-attacks-help-dems-gain-first-real-traction-in-weeks

Herminator Update

If you tuned in with the 82,400 viewers for the Voice of the People's State of the Union on February 2, 2010, THANK YOU! If you missed it you can see and hear the entire webcast or just my fourteen minute closing remarks at www.tvtownhall.com.

The entire webcast exceeded our expectations with viewers and responses! Thank you again! Our voices are being heard.

Our voices are also being heard collectively across the country leading up to the November elections. People are fed up with the tax and tax and tax, and spend and spend and spend polices of this administration and Congress.

Here is some evidence that the Scott Brown victory in Mass. was no fluke:

Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) is polling behind three Republican challengers.
Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AK) is down 23 points in the polls.
Marco Rubio is leading Governor Charlie Crist in the primary in Florida.
Pat Toomey leads incumbent Senator Arlen Specter in Pennsylvania.
Businessman John Dennis is challenging Nancy Pelosi in California.

Thank you for lending your voice. We will not be silenced!

Herman Cain - Head Coach
Intelligent Thinkers Movement

Demon Sheep...

I nominate this one for the worst political ad EVER... wait until you see the end, you will howl. Bad news for Carly Fiorina in California. I can't believe she saw this, much less approved it. Guarantee you won't forget the demon sheep.

Are we being Chump by President Obama?

Interesting.

Healthcare headline roundup from around the world...

A lot of these are repeated in numerous papers, I only grabbed one and I tried only to grab stories from this morning or late yesterday... The headlines paint a picture of discord, but remember, they have a way of sitting in dark used-to-be-smoke-filled rooms and figuring out ways to work around set-backs.

Obama wants quick healthcare compromise
As Democrats searched for a way forward after their defeat in the Massachusetts Senate race, the US President, Barack Obama, said ''core elements'' of his healthcare package had broad support and could form the basis of a swift compromise.
''I would advise that we try to move quickly to coalesce around those elements in the package that people agree on,'' Mr Obama said on the US television network ABC.
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/world/obama-wants-quick-healthcare-compromise-20100121-mo85.html

Clyburn: 'Magic number on healthcare reform is 50, not 60'; measure not dead
Healthcare reform legislation is "not dead by any means," Democrats' third-ranking leader in the House emphasized Wednesday. http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/77129-clyburn-magic-number-on-healthcare-reform-is-50-not-60

Barack Obama in health reform risk after shock defeat
Barack Obama yesterday vowed to push on with controversial new laws after a humiliating election defeat which could wreck his healthcare and climate change plans.
America's biggest political upset in years came a year to the day since the President took office.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2010/01/21/barack-obama-in-health-reform-risk-after-shock-defeat-115875-21983558/

Obamacare in Cloud Cuckoo Land
Examiner Editorial
"If voters are so angry that Republicans can get Ted Kennedy's Senate seat, there isn't a safe Democratic incumbent anywhere in the country."

Obama's thud to earth
AMID the shock at the stunning electoral upset in Massachusetts by the Republican candidate, Scott Brown, and its implications for President Barack Obama's legislative program, something has been overlooked: a hostile or unreliable Congress is a normal part of US presidential politics.
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/opinion/editorial/obamas-thud-to-earth-20100121-mo2t.html

Democrats reconsider healthcare possibilities
Having lost their filibuster-proof majority in the Senate, President Obama and his allies ponder abandoning the major overhaul and instead making changes incrementally with some Republican support. President Obama and congressional Democrats are rethinking their healthcare strategy in the wake of a Republican victory in the Massachusetts Senate race, giving serious consideration to abandoning the comprehensive approach in favor of incremental steps that might salvage key elements of the package.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/la-na-congress-dems21-2010jan21,0,7342469.story?track=rss

White House signaling new direction on healthcare reform
President Barack Obama on Wednesday asked lawmakers to focus on the core elements of healthcare reform, with some interpreting his remarks as a call to scale back his top legislative priority. http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/77215-white-house-signaling-new-direction-on-health

Hope but no change
Americans wanted change in 2008, so they voted for Obama. What they got was a Clinton acolyte. No wonder they're mad
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2010/jan/18/barack-obama-us-politics

President Obama's five desperate options on healthcare reform
Existing state of play: The House of Representatives and the Senate have passed their own versions of President Obama’s signature healthcare reform bill. As is often the case during the passage of American legislation, both versions have been heavily amended during the debates.
Under normal circumstances, the next step for the bill to become legislation would see the Senate and House versions amalgamated in a series of backroom meetings. This final draft of the bill would then need to be passed by both the House and the Senate.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6994955.ece#cid=OTC-RSS&attr=797093

Political Earthquake Rocks Massachusetts
For the moment, millions of Haitians don't matter. For Washington and the West, they never did and don't now. It's pretense, a topic a forthcoming article will explore.
Today, however, the Massachusetts political earthquake takes precedence, and headlines explain it.
http://www.baltimorechronicle.com/2010/012110Lendman.shtml

Investors Eye Healthcare in Wake of G.O.P. Win
Investors and distressed market advisers on Wednesday said the surprise Republican senate win in Massachusetts may present opportunities in healthcare bonds, hospitals and medical companies, Reuters reported.

Frank walks back his health bill compromise is 'dead' comment
Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) on Wednesday walked back comments he previously made that the current healthcare reform negotiations are "dead." http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/77163-barney-frank-walks-back-comment-that-health-bill-compromise-is-dead

NHC urges congress to continue work on meaningful healthcare reform
The National Health Council (NHC), an organization providing a united voice for the more than 133 million people with chronic diseases and disabilities and their family caregivers, today sent a letter to Congress urging the House and Senate to "continue working to accomplish the long-sought goal of health care reform."

Dem leaders scramble to save healthcare reform after Brown win
Democratic leaders are scrambling to save healthcare reform legislation in the wake of a shocking Republican victory for the Senate seat held by the late Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.). http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/76957-dem-leaders-scramble-to-save-healthcare

Hitler finds our Scott Brown won Mass. election - hilarious

Saw this on my facebook account (thanks Mary), shared it there so if you're seeing this via Facebook feed, sorry, it's a duplicate.

Son of Climategate! Scientist says feds manipulated data

In a one-two series of Climategate aftershocks that assuredly will further rattle the global warming community, a report has been issued by U.S. researchers accusing government agencies of cherry-picking temperature readings used to assess global temperatures, and a series of embarrassing e-mails were released revealing what happened when a blogger dared to point out a mistake by NASA climate scientists.

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Could it Backfire on Brown?

Just a few concerns regarding the Brown v Coakley special election in Massachusetts... OK, I have many, but they're not keeping me up at night .

All this national attention could easily backfire on Brown's chances of winning. I know that if the national media started bringing attention to a race in my neighborhood or state, I'd start paying attention. I'd get hyper and engaged. I'd be calling my friends, working hard to get my candidate elected.

It seems to me that the Coakley supporters have been kind of lukewarm at best until recently. Now I'd bet they are awake and hot.

Of course, we're awake and hot, too, but we were already there prior to all the media attention.

There are also a contingency of people who're going to be spit-fire mad because all these outsiders are coming into their state and trying to tell 'em what to do... thus another group will be energized. Given the fact that Coakley is flying to Washington, hobnobbing with the health care folks at wine bars, it's probably pretty even on the who is courting or attracting "outsider" attention.

I wondered when the Democratic poll came out putting Brown in breathing room of a win against Coakley if it was a set-up to stir up the Democratic base. Once that poll popped up all of a sudden the Republican / conservative contingency across the country sent up a huge whoop of joy. They had a chance. The Democrats who were coasting, thinking that it was a shoe-in that a Dem would take the seat, all of sudden had something to be concerned about. I would bet there was a huge collective "huh????", then a bit of head shaking to make sure they were in the real world... then they started moving.

Another thing that passed through my mind when I first heard about the poll shift is the possibility that we on the conservative side are being set up for a crushing disappointment... one that is meant to take the wind out of our proverbial political enthusiastic sails.

I tossed that one fairly quickly. If the election is close we're still going to be thrilled. In a state that is more than predominately Democratic, in a seat that a Republican hasn't held since before most of us were born, we have a shot. That says a lot. It's encouraging. The only way most of us will be depressed about the election is if it's a land-slide for Coakley.

I really, really, really hope Brown wins... fingers and toes crossed, phone lines a burning, blogs a flying and even a few quick prayers as I think this race could be part of the salvation of our country...

However, even if Brown doesn't win, we won. We sent a message to those who are more concerned about their political future than they are about the integrity of their votes. There are some who may see that their chances of being elected again are zip if they vote for health care, cap & tax and continue to support the wacko anti-American agenda as proposed by Obama, Pelosi and soon-to-be-defeated Reid. We've shown that we're on fire and that more people are involved than ever before. We're here. We're worried about our country. More of us are realizing just how morally bankrupt our so-called leaders have become. We see the corruption. We're getting a real good look at politics and seeing just how far we've moved in the wrong direction.

It's going to take more than a few elections to turn things around. It's going to take some huge upheavals to get us back on track. We are in the process of trying to change a system that has developed in stealth for longer than our parents and possibly grand-parents have been on this earth.

I hope that everyone who's involved, engaged, working hard to affect a change stays involved past the 2012 elections, win or lose. We are not going to change the corruption, the power base, the intricate back-slapping system that has evolved by simply voting out a few of the bad apples. We're going to need to work hard for many years. Many, many years.

The recent elections were uplifting. This one is also going to be a good one. I believe we're going to be happy in November also... Keep the momentum going! Good work everyone!!! You are making a huge difference.