Don't forget the Fairness Doctrine!

While we're all concentrating on trying to stop the stimulus, Obama, Pelosi and team are working on ways to further their other agendas (which all dovetail together nicely, of course). Once again talk radio is a target of the left and they're going to be trying to slide that one through soon. Talk radio is a thorn in their side and as long as conservatives talk show hosts are out there talking, they can't sneak things through (or whitewash the bills sufficiently so we think they're innocuous).

Another one that is winding it's way into law that needs our full attention is the Employee Fair Choice Act. You know, the one that takes choice away from workers and will make the Unions another arm of government? It's a power grab by the Unions and payback from Obama and friends for getting them into office.

Either one of those two will spell "the end" for America the brave and the free.

Health care is another bad one coming down the pike. I don't know if we can stop that one, but I certainly intend to try.

Think about our government running MORE of our lives! Did you hear last night that our government paid something like $30 or $40 billion for AIG assets worth $14 million or billion? My husband walked in and told me about it so I'm getting that second hand. Here's a quote from a CNBC story (sorry, but that's the first one that came up... arrggg, hate to give them any publicity):

The Congressional Oversight Panel report said the Treasury overpaid financial institutions by about $78 billion in its capital injections last year through the Troubled Asset Relief Program. It paid $254 billion in 2008 in return for stocks and warrants worth $176 billion under the Troubled Asset Relief Program. http://www.cnbc.com/id/29045660/site/14081545/for/cnbc/

My own tale of government intelligence is a doosey, which I'll save for another day. It has to do with taxes.

I used to work for the government, sad to say. I worked for a quasi-government agency that the government enveloped into their fold after I'd been there ten years. Talk about a change in philosophy. I was actually called into the office and chastised because I was working too efficiently and it was making everyone else look bad... I was told not to stay after hours to finish critical projects (even though I was salary and it didn't cost them a penny).

That's the day I decided I'd finally had enough and started working toward starting my own business. That day was also a turning point in my shift from "liberal" to conservative. While I was in my corporate cocoon, I didn't have to think for myself, didn't have to be responsible. I had fun, lived for the day and went with the flow. I didn't spend a whole lot of brain energy thinking about politics, where the country was headed, and the issues of the day.

I'll share more of my story someday, suffice it to say that as you can tell when I pop in here to blog, I'm aware now!

We have something precious in this country and I fear that we are getting ready to lose it. I saw the previous post one of my Barracuda Babe friends posted. It is SCARY. We have to stand up and fight like we've never fought before.

They are going to be adding little bits and pieces into bills that will further their agenda. I don't know what their ultimate goal is, all I can do is look at what is being proposed and guess.

Please, please, please pick up the phone and call. Send an email. Write a letter. If you're like I used to be and your day to day life consumes you, try to carve out 20 minutes a day to skim the Internet and read BOTH sides (if you're inclined to float left). Try to keep an open mind.

- Barracuda Babe extraordinaire

It doesn't matter if 100% of public doesn't want the anti-stimulati package

It struck me, as I was listening to a discussion on the non-economy stimulating package, that it really doesn't matter if none of us in voter land don't want it.

Once the Dems get this package through, and they will, our world will change. They'll be sitting pretty and whether we like it or not, we'll be stuck with them forever.

Think about all the things that are included in the trillion dollar future-killer.

Money for the poor. Those receiving the money will vote for who??? Of course they're going to vote for the ones who hand them their livelihood. They will be dependent.

Money for groups like ACORN. So much for fair votes, balanced votes, honest votes.

While Congress is stuffing this bill down our throats Mr. Obama is taking action to increase the power of the Unions. Where are they going to funnel money when the next election cycle rolls around?

Obama and the Democrats are building an army of dependent voters. They're killing the free market. Eventually they'll kill the incentive to work and get ahead, excel.

In the near future they're going to implement the un-"Fairness Doctrine" which will put an end to talk radio. They won't stop there.

If you look at all that is in the "stimulus" package it's nothing but payback and pay forward with a few jobs thrown in to sweeten the pot (or cover up the stink).

Once they get this passed, it's not going to matter one bit whether we liked it or whether we like anything they do in the future. They'll be elected by those who owe them, and those who owe their existence to the current group in the majority.

If there's any way we can stop this boondoggle, we need to do it!

Go to http://www.nostimulus.com/ and http://www.readthestimulus.org/. Write, call, fax and scream! It's not just the waste of money, it's the future of everything we believe in as freedom loving Americans.

"The trouble with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money" - Margaret Thatcher

Beware of Google; "Google ready to pursue its agenda in Washington"

Yes, this blog is hosted by Blogger, which is owned by Google. I'm not sure how long they're going to put up with me writing about their Obama love fest before they blacklist this blog... I'm hoping someone will come up with a conservative alternative that is as easy to manage. WordPress is nice enough, but it doesn't seem to have a lot of the same capabilities. On the other hand, WordPress has a lot to offer that Blogger doesn't.

Can't say I blame Google for doing whatever possible to promote their business growth, it's the capitalistic way. However, given Obama's tactics, the Fairness Doctrine, etc. and growing concerns with YouTube (owned by Google), Blogger and Google search blacklisting conservative entries, it's wise to be cautious, and to try and stay ahead of the game.

Anyway, I digress. Here's an article I just found that highlights again just how close Google and Obama are connected. Please read the entire article, it's worth the effort:

Google ready to pursue its agenda in Washington
Its employees supported Obama, and four Googlers served on his transition team. Now the Internet giant hopes to win support for network neutrality and expanding high-speed Internet access.
By Jim Puzzanghera and Jessica Guynn
January 24, 2009
Reporting from Washington -- Another inauguration took place in Washington this week -- Google Inc. officially became a political power player. In October, Google was only hours from being sued by the Justice Department as a Web-search monopolist. Today, less than three years after it made its first Washington hire, the Internet giant is poised to capitalize on its backing of President Obama and pursue its agenda in the nation's capital...
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-fi-google24-2009jan24,0,4126493.story

Georgia's Isakson Questions BHO's Sec Labor on Union's Secret Ballot

If the Unions have their way with taking away worker's rights to vote via secret ballot, we may as well throw in the towel. We will ultimately be a unionized nation of workers, unable to compete on any reasonable level with other countries. The Unions will be another arm of government without any of the meager restrictions that currently hamper our politicians.

I see the new regime chipping away at the foundation of our country from so many angles it's virtually impossible decide where to focus. It's death by inches. We focus on trying to fight the un-"Fairness Doctrine" and they inch forward on the "Employee Free Choice Act" (how much time went into choosing the names of that misleading moniker?). We focus on the monumental problems with the economy while they inch forward with unqualified or far-far-left cabinet appointments. While we focus on national issues our local governments stick out their hands for money, happily agreeing to comply with all the Federal strings attached.

I'm not one to get discouraged, but I can already tell that the next few years are going to test every positive bone in my body.

Our Georgia elected representatives seem to be, for the most part, conservative. I don't agree with everything they've signed onto or supported. In fact, if we had good viable, conservative choices in a few cases, I'd cast my vote in that direction. However, overall the Republican's seem to have the right views.

U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA) sent this release out Friday. Although many of you aren't in Georgia, I think you'll find it interesting reading.

Isakson Pushes Labor Nominee to Oppose Eliminating Workers’ Rights to Secret Ballot in Choosing Whether to Unionize

Isakson Notes Nominee’s Previous Support of Secret Ballot for Workers in Negotiating Flex Time

1/9/09 WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today questioned why President-elect Obama’s nominee for Secretary of Labor supports legislation to strip workers of their right to a secret ballot when deciding whether to unionize, but previously insisted on a secret ballot for workers during negotiations with management on flex time.

The nominee, U.S. Rep. Hilda Solis of California, voted for legislation to strip workers of the secret ballot when deciding whether to unionize in 2007, but pushed legislation in the California Legislature in the late 1990s in which she insisted that workers have the secret ballot when negotiating with management on flex time and overtime pay.

“You insisted that there be a vote by all employees and that it be by secret ballot. Why would we want to change the law of the United States now with regard to how unions are organized and eliminate the secret ballot?” Isakson said to Solis during her hearing this morning in the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

Solis responded to Isakson this morning that she was not prepared to make a statement about her position on the secret ballot at this time.

Isakson strongly opposes the so-called Employee Free Choice Act, also known as Card Check, which would eliminate the rights of workers to participate in a secret-ballot election in order to certify the creation of a union. The legislation would force employees to make a public declaration of their preference by allowing union organizers to bypass elections if a majority of employees sign cards authorizing a union.

The legislation passed the U.S. House in 2007 and is expected to be brought forth by Democratic leaders for a vote in the Senate this year.

Isakson believes the current system, which allows employees to use a secret ballot in choosing whether they want a union to become their exclusive representative in the workplace, has worked well because it neither advocates nor discourages unionization.

Isakson blamed declining union membership as the motive behind the legislation, which did not receive committee consideration. Union membership among private sector employees is at its lowest level in decades.

Isakson also used the nomination hearing for Solis to stress the importance of writing regulations that both protect workers and allow businesses to operate efficiently.

“In my four years on this committee as the Republican leader on the Employment and Workplace Safety Subcommittee, I have worked with Senators Murray, Kennedy, Enzi and others to try and strike this delicate balance,” Isakson said. “We have a strong record of working together on critical issues to American workers such as mine safety reform, banning asbestos, and pension protection.”

Update on Bizarro Fairness Doctrine

Hat tip to BKPundit (Twitter & freerepublic.com)!

GOP Legislators Vow to Fight Reinstitution of Fairness Doctrine with Introduction of Broadcaster Freedom Act
Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C.: 'We are not going to allow this rule to be reenacted either by the FCC, by the Obama administration or by Congress.'
In the midst of economic troubles and much anticipation of a new administration about to enter the White House, the potential return of the Fairness Doctrine hasn’t gotten much attention. But on the eve of President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration, Republican members of Congress haven’t forgotten. GOP Sens. Jim DeMint, S.C. and James Inhofe, Okla., along with two of their House colleagues, Reps. Mike Pence, Ind. and Greg Walden, Ore., introduced the Broadcaster Freedom Act at a press conference in the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 7.
http://businessandmedia.org/articles/2009/20090107194709.aspx

(another thanks to BKPundit 'cause I'm now signed up for updates from Business & Media!)

Fairness Doctrine: Phooey

Ya'll know I am diametrically opposed to the un-"Fairness Doctrine". It stinks like the pig poop in Animal Farm. It's 1984, Atlas Shrugged and... the end of freedom of speech in our great country. The Democrats are going to pass the blasted thing if they have the votes. They are short sighted in their thought process if they think it will not bite them in their own backsides at some point. It will be the thread that, once pulled, unravels all that protects free speech. As far as I'm concerned, they're killing America with this one.

OK. Now that you have been reminded how badly I hate the bizarro-fairness doctrine (BFD), here's a tiny bit of light in the distance... a teensey bit of hope... maybe... that I missed, quite possibly because I wasn't paying attention to the issue way back when Mike Pence introduced the Broadcaster Freedom Act.

I know the BFD came up for a vote, was shot down and now it's been revived (arrgghh). Maybe the release below came out during the time it was dying the first time? Doesn't matter, like the living dead, it's back again and this time the voodoo priests control the Congress so it just may go through if we don't fight it with every possible weapon we can muster.

Pence has a page where he's updating info on the BFD, I've copied the page at the end of this release. I know I must have heard something about this before, must have!

PENCE UNVEILS BILL TO PROHIBIT RETURN OF “FAIRNESS DOCTRINE” FOR TALK RADIO
“There is Nothing Fair about the Fairness Doctrine”

Washington, Jun 27, 2007 - WASHINGTON, DC—In remarks to be presented on the floor of the U.S. House today, U.S. Congressman Mike Pence, a former radio talk show host, will discuss a bill he plans to introduce that would prevent reinstatement of the Fairness Doctrine:

"The American people love a fair fight, especially where the issues of the day are debated. In a free market, fairness should be determined based upon equal opportunity, not equal results. As some voices are calling for Congress to enforce their idea of ‘fairness’ upon the American people, it would be good for us to proceed with caution whenever some would achieve their ‘fairness’ by limiting the freedom of others.

"Beginning in 1949, the Federal Communications Commission and its precursor developed and enforced the so-called Fairness Doctrine. The Fairness Doctrine required broadcasters to present controversial issues in a fair and balanced manner. However, because of the lack of clarity in the Commission’s ruling, broadcasters opted to offer non-controversial programming in lieu of hours of paperwork or countless legal fees.

"Thankfully, the FCC began to overturn its own ruling on the Fairness Doctrine in 1985. And, following that change in policy by the FCC and President Reagan’s veto of attempts to reinstate it, the results have been dramatic. The lifting of the Fairness Doctrine has opened the public airwaves to free and vigorous discussion of controversial issues by individuals of all political stripes.

"Since the demise of the Fairness Doctrine, talk radio has emerged as a dynamic forum for public debate and an asset to the nation.

"Unfortunately, in the name of fairness, there has been much talk in recent days about the need to level the playing field of radio broadcasting by restoring the Fairness Doctrine.

"A liberal think tank recently condemned what they called the ‘massive imbalance’ on the radio airwaves.

"Some elected officials have said that Congress should ‘deal with that problem’ and others are ‘looking at’ bringing back this outright regulation of the American political debate.

"Bringing back the Fairness Doctrine would amount to government control over political views expressed on the public airwaves. It is a dangerous proposal to suggest the government should be in the business of rationing free speech.

"Congress must take action to ensure that this archaic remnant of a bygone era of American radio does not return. There is nothing fair about the Fairness Doctrine.

"During my years in radio and television, I developed a great respect for a free and independent press. Since being in Congress, I have been the recipient of praise and criticism from broadcast media, but it has not changed my fundamental belief that a free and independent press must be vigorously defended by those who love liberty. It is with this in mind that I will introduce the Broadcaster Freedom Act.

"The Broadcaster Freedom Act will prohibit the Federal Communications Commission from prescribing rules, regulations, or policies that will reinstate the requirement that broadcasters present opposing viewpoints in controversial issues of public importance. The Broadcaster Freedom Act will prevent the FCC or any future President from reinstating the Fairness Doctrine. This legislation ensures true freedom and fairness will remain on our radio airwaves, and I would encourage my colleagues to cosponsor and support this bill.

"John F. Kennedy stated, ‘We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people.’”

Fairness Doctrine Update

**SPEAKER PELOSI SUPPORTS REVIVAL OF FAIRNESS DOCTRINE***
Story HERE.
Congressman Pence's response HERE.
Click HERE for a link to the discharge petition. Current count: 202 signatures (218 needed). *Note* actual count may differ from number of signatures due to the removal of resigned or deceased Members from the official count
Click HERE for a copy of the Broadcaster Freedom Act.
Click HERE for a copy of "Myth Vs. Fact" about the so-called "Fairness Doctrine"
Talking Points on the 'Fairness Doctrine.'
Quotes from Democrats about the 'Fairness Doctrine.'
More information and past updates are available HERE.
"Radio Independence Day" Press Conference - 6-11-2008
Members who voted for the moratorium but have not yet signed the discharge petition

p.s. For those who never read Superman comic books, you may need to go look up Bizarro World!)
p.p.s. I signed up for updates from Mike Pence on his site, you might want to do the same. http://mikepence.house.gov/

Re: Press shut down

"A Right Wing Conservative" asked what Obama would do to us on the blogosphere... I've already been wondering how long we'll have the luxury of using Blogger since the owner of Blogger is Google and the owner of Google is a staunch Obama supporter.

I know I get a bit paranoid at times with all this (at least I HOPE I'm being a bit paranoid), but when you see Obama in action and hear what he's telling us he's going to do, one has to worry about freedom of speech (among other things).

A lot of Dems / Liberals have been pushing the so-called "Fairness" Doctrine already. Bet that's one that comes up fairly quickly if we have Dems in control of all government bodies.

How long will it be before dissent or disagreement with Obama's policies becomes a national security risk and we all have to zip our mouths and quell our nimble fingers from typing on our keyboards?

"Lipstick Republican" pointed out something I missed --- "The shutdown began last week with the Obama campaign refusal to honor an interview appointment after Biden was asked something other than the usual softball questions. No major outcry over that, so this week they're going a little further. Which reporter gets muzzled next?"

We all know they're now "Hidin' Biden" to keep him from making any gaffes. I did see him today giving a scripted talk. I heard that Obama hasn't given an press availabilities for over a month, except the last time Biden gaffed and he was forced to talk candidly to the press.

I think the press is being patently stupid, no make that REALLY STUPID, by supporting someone who's going to turn on them before it's all said and done.

First they came for Joe the Plummer...

First they came for Joe the Plummer, but I remained silent... because I wanted Barack Obama to win...

We may have to revise the oft quoted and modified poem (posted below).

They came for Joe the Plummer and they're still going after him. "They" being Barack Obama, Joe Biden, the Democratic Party, the Liberals and the Media. They can't dispute what Obama said, they can't dispute the connection Joe has had and the impact of the conversation, thus they tear him down.

We all need to understand as conservatives that they will someday come for us if we don't speak out, speak loud and get our friends out to vote on or before November 4th.

They went after Sarah Palin and have been somewhat successful with the easily swayed.

Don't you think, know, that if the Democrats have the White House, the Congress and the Supreme Court that the so-called "Fairness" Doctrine will be enacted? Don't you realize that if they can bring this machine into play in this force now, when they only have semi-power, that we are in for real problems if they have total control?

They will come for us someday.

If we don't stand for something we'll fall for anything as the saying goes. There are a lot of people who are falling for Obama and for his message of government solving all problems, taking care of your ills and, as Obama said, redistributing the wealth.

We think our country is a strong democracy and we'll always be strong. I contend that we may be in the midst of an overthrow and half the country is opening their arms and embracing it simply because they want someone to take care of them.

I hope I'm being silly and fanciful. Maybe I am. But what if I'm not? Why take a chance?

Many of my friends talk about how bad it's going to be if Obama gets into office. They think that in four years the country will be so fed up with his policies that the Republicans will sweep back into office. I think Obama is smarter than that. I think he'll be in there for eight years if he wins and that by the end of those eight years we won't recognize our country, and possibly our world given their fascination with the American "One".

---

"First they came…" is a poem attributed to Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984) about the inactivity of German intellectuals following the Nazi rise to power and the purging of their chosen targets, group after group.

When the Nazis came for the communists,
I remained silent;
I was not a communist.
When they locked up the social democrats,
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.
When they came for the trade unionists,
I did not speak out;
I was not a trade unionist.
When they came for the Jews,
I remained silent;
I was not a Jew.
When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out.

Poor poor Wittle Obama. Don't you cry.

Awww, I feel so sowwy for wittle Obama. Poor Obama doesn't like it that those big bad mean media types over at Fox News are asking him those tuff qwestions. Don't cwy Mr. Obama, everybody else is protecting you.

What a wuss. Whine, whine, whine. Toss a chunk of cheese at him to go with the latte.

Have you heard about the interview he did with the New York Times Magazine? He said Fox News has cost him a couple of points in the polls. They have the audacity to portray him as a liberal. Oh my! I'm shocked.

Here's a quote from an article on Fox about the Obaby's interview:

"I am convinced that if there were no Fox News, I might be two or three
points higher in the polls," Obama says in the article. "If I were watching Fox
News, I wouldn't vote for me, right? Because the way I'm portrayed 24/7 is as a
freak!"

He continues that he is being typecast as "the latte-sipping, New York
Times-reading, Volvo-driving, no-gun-owning, effet, politically correct,
arrogant liberal. Who wants somebody like that?"

Obama's reference to his poll numbers comes at a time when he has
opened up a commanding lead over his rival, John McCain, in national polls, as
well as in several battleground states. A recent New York Times poll puts Obama
ahead by 14 percentage points.

Have you heard Sarah Palin whining about how ALL of the media is treating her? Have you heard John McCain whining about how the liberal media is attacking him? They answer a question if asked, but you never hear them taking on the trash job the media does on them every single day.

Obama gets the red carpet royal treatment by the majority of the media.

Can you imagine what his reaction is going to be if he's elected? What do you want to be that the Fairness Doctrine comes into play? How long do you think it will be before he shuts down some of the media because it's "contributing to the bad economy"?

If Barack Obama can't handle the kid-glove approach even Fox News has taken with him (aside from maybe Sean Hannity or Bill O'Reilly), I can't wait for the first time the media types don't like something he does and they actually ask him a tough question.

What a whiner. Ya think he's gonna stand up for us if he can't even handle Fox News? What do you think is going to happen when the French, the Chinese, the Iranians don't like something he does? Oooh, his feelings will be hurt and he'll have to do whatever it takes to make them happy.

Wimp.

NYT: Obama Laments Media Image, Says FOX News Cost Him in Polls
Barack Obama riffs on his media image in an interview for the New York Times Magazine, which quotes him as suggesting FOX News has cost him a few points in the polls.
The interview with reporter Matt Bai, to be published Sunday, features the Democratic presidential candidate feeling lamenting a "media narrative" that has pigeon-holed him as a liberal stereotype.
http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/10/15/obama-nyt-interview/