PoliticalUSA.com

When is an "activist" not an "activist"?

2009-04-28T08:58:00.000-07:00

Hmmm, what do we call someone who has been "indicted on federal charges of unlawfully possessing and disclosing classified information"?

Thinking people would call him a SPY. But the AP doesn't seem to want to associate accused spies with a Democratic congressperson.

Media reports have suggested that Harman, who represents the Venice area of Los Angeles, was overheard in an NSA wiretap seeking lenient treatment for two former pro-Israel activists.

The activists later were indicted on federal charges of unlawfully possessing and disclosing classified information.

The press still can't call Cuba a dictatorship

2008-12-30T06:21:00.000-08:00

To them, it is still a glorious "revolution." And Castro was kind enough to rid the Cuban people of the evil "US-backed dictator." Such a sweetheart.

Obama may set new policy on Cuba's aging revolution

Five decades after Fidel Castro toppled a U.S.-backed dictator to take power in Cuba, the Cold War rivalry with Washington could be thawing as President-elect Barack Obama looks to ease sanctions against the communist-run island.

Obama has made clear he favors relaxing restrictions on family travel and cash remittances by Cuban Americans to Cuba, which this week marks the 50th anniversary of Castro's revolution.

2 Democrat MA State Senators Resign

2008-12-02T06:16:00.000-08:00

But you wouldn't know they are Democrats based on most of the news accounts. Strange how that always seems to happen.

Dianne Wilkerson, who "allegedly" took $23,000 in bribes is described as "Embattled." Here's a great picture of her stuffing cash into her bra.

The other guy, James Marzilla, has been accused of groping at least four women in parks. His wife has reported that he checked into a mental institution for treatment of bipolar disorder. Sounds like the next stop is Hollywood for this guy.

Gall bladder surgery anyone?

2008-10-20T09:36:00.001-07:00

I just had my gall bladder removed on Sunday. From waking up at 8am on Friday with 102.7 fever, to seeing my doctor at 4pm on Friday, to going to the ER at 6pm, to being diagnosed at 2am on Saturday morning to having the surgery at 4pm Saturday afternoon to returning home at 5pm on Sunday, it took a total of 57 hours (diagnosis to surgery was only 14 hours). And I complained every step of the way how long everything was taking.

But not so fast. In some parts of Canada where I can find information, the average wait time is a little bit more. For example in Alberta, the "target" wait time after diagnosis is 23 to 62 WEEKS. Yes, weeks. Not hours, not even days. And you can bet the average wait time, if not exceeding the target, is very close to the maximum as it was with most of the other types of surgery on which I could find statistics.

You see the problem with finding the numbers is the government doesn't seem all that keen to publish them. They are very good at publishing when they have lowered wait times to come closes to their targets, but even then they talk in vague statistics and percentages - not in hard numbers.

The best place to find information seems to be on message boards and reading the posts of actual patients. One patient from Ontario complained a few weeks ago about her 10 month wait for her gall bladder surgery. She was looking for advice on how to lessen the pain while she waits. I have one suggestion for her: Head south. They may have a way to ease your pain. It's called surgery.

Sadly, not once did she even question the sense of the Canadian health care system. Pretty sad that she has 9 months of pure pain ahead of her but she is so brainwashed she can't even see the real cause of her discomfort.

Canadian medicine borders on the medieval. Sure, there is 100% percent access to the health care system! Anyone at anytime can go visit the witch doctor and have the leeches suck out the their blood. Good job, Canada.

Is it O.J. or is it Obama

2008-10-16T09:52:00.000-07:00

At the risk of being called a racist, the resemblance is undeniable.

How dare they rely on that silly Constitution

2008-10-10T09:38:00.000-07:00

And you probably thought it was the job of law enforcement to protect and defend the constitution. What were you thinking.

The Sheriff's Department has begun the process of revoking hundreds of concealed weapon permits across Orange County.

This week, department officials confirmed that 146 letters have been sent out advising current license holders that their permits to carry firearms in public – called CCWs – are being revoked.

The letter, sent out under the signature of Captain Dave Nighswonger, advises current holders that if they feel that additional information should be considered they have roughly one month to provide additional good cause information for the department to consider before the revocation becomes final.

"Most of them are not coming back with the information we need," said Nighswonger. "A lot of them are arguing the second amendment (to the U.S. Constitution)," he said.

A Great Slip by E!

2008-10-06T05:33:00.000-07:00

Talk about a Freudian Slip.

The ghosts of O.J. Simpson's past are speaking out about his Friday night conviction for double murder armed robbery and kidnapping.

Fred Goldman, who believes O.J. killed his son, Ron, and Nicole Brown Simpson 14 years ago, told CNN that his family is "absolutely thrilled to see the potential that he could serve the rest of his life in jail where the scumbag belongs."

Simpson was acquitted of murder in 1995 but was found liable for their deaths in the 1997 civil suit.

Mario and Joe on the politics of the bailout

2008-10-05T12:08:00.000-07:00

McCain Playing Politics

By Mario Giardiello

Let me get this straight: McCain voted for the $700 billion bailout bill, and now is calling on President Bush to veto it. “He was for it before he was against it” is an expression that I have come to detest; but never has it been used before with a politician that has changed his mind within 24 hours without any new facts. And when pressed on MSNBC why he voted for it, he was as incoherent as Palin talking to Katie Couric about Supreme Court decisions or the bail out bill itself.

If McCain once represented the maverick style politics that is needed to shake up D.C., he has succumbed to Rove-like politics. The Bushies have over-prepared McCain and Palin so much they are confused by their own thoughts and they fail to make any sense. Between McCain’s fake smile and blinking eyes he looks like a ventriloquist’s dummy. And he ain’t much smarter, ya’ll.

Talk About Playing Politics

By Joe Giardiello

Once again Liberals like Mario are trying to have their tortillas and eat them, too. If McCain voted against the bailout they would have criticized him for voting against “saving the economy,” whatever that means. But since he voted for it despite opposing the pork barrel earmarks, they criticize him for not sticking to principles.

Then they make the absurd claim that McCain called on Bush to veto the bill. Huh? Maybe they should read what McCain actually said, not what they wanted to hear.

SCARBOROUGH: Why did these [pork barrel] items have to be in this critical bill?

MCCAIN: Well that’s just the way the system is working in Washington and the reason why it’s got to be fixed, and it’s got to be changed. And no matter what the stakes are, you’ve got to stop this by starting to veto bills that come across the president’s desk. … It’s insanity and it’s obscenity, because it’s a waste of taxpayers’ dollars and it goes on, and until we stop it, until we get frankly a president who will say, I’m gonna veto these bills, I’m gonna make the people famous that put them on there, uh, famous.

If liberals had the reading comprehension above the level of comic books, they would see the point was the system (that Barack Obama supports) is broken. He says he is going to veto bills when he is president.

Do liberals really think McCain was calling on Bush to veto the bill? Or are they just playing politics?

Haha

2008-10-04T07:17:00.000-07:00

Maybe justice delay is justice served. No more searching the golf courses for the real killer.

I'm no astronaut

2008-09-29T21:04:00.000-07:00

But it seems to me that if the spacecraft broke up into dozens of pieces, that really can't be called a "successful reentry."

Europe's unmanned space cargo vehicle successfully reentered the atmosphere over the south Pacific Ocean Sept. 29, breaking up into dozens of fragments that fell into the ocean along a pre-selected path that had been cleared of maritime traffic, European Space Agency (ESA) officials said.

But really that was what they expected it to do, so it actually was successful but you would think they could have come up with better language.

Ted Stevens needs to go

2008-09-29T15:21:00.000-07:00

But not because of this scam case by federal prosecutors. Everything they say is suspect. The case should be dismissed, but then we are probably forced to keep Stevens around.

A federal judge angrily rebuked the Justice Department on Monday for mishandling a witness against Sen. Ted Stevens, a dispute that delayed and initially threatened to derail the case against the Alaska senator.

The dustup didn't yield the mistrial or dismissal that the Republican senator was hoping for but, with Stevens running for re-election during his corruption trial, it reinforces his story line that he is the victim of overzealous prosecutors.

Stevens is charged with lying on Senate financial disclosure forms about more than $250,000 in free home renovations and other gifts he received from VECO Corp., a powerful Alaska oil pipeline contractor.

The witness dispute began this weekend when Robert Williams, the VECO employee who supervised the renovation project, called defense attorneys and said prosecutors had ignored important facts in the case.

Williams said the government's estimates for how much time he spent at the senator's house — and how much that time was worth — were overblown, according to court documents.

"That's just ..." defense attorney Robert Cary said in court Monday.

"Problematic," U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan said.

"It shocks us," Cary replied.

The value of the renovation is key because Stevens paid $160,000 and says he assumed it covered everything. Prosecutors say the job was so expensive, Stevens must have known his $160,000 wouldn't cover the tab.

Sullivan was livid that prosecutors sent Williams, who was under subpoena to testify in the case, back to Alaska without telling anyone. That raised suspicion among defense attorneys that prosecutors were trying to hide information that could help them.

Williams had been suffering from health problems and prosecutors said they decided they could bring the case without him.

Sullivan was not satisfied.

"Why wasn't I consulted? I'm peeved now. It's a federal subpoena to appear in my court," Sullivan said, his voice rising. "I think the government is treading in some shallow water here. What should the sanction be for that?"

Prosecutor Nicholas Marsh said the government was trying to consider Williams' medical problems, but he struggled to explain why prosecutors didn't tell anyone.

"Certainly looking back on it, we understand where the court's coming from," Marsh said.

That's what we call bullshit by prosecutors looking to pad their resumes with a high profile conviction.

And the Big Winner of the First Debate Is…

2008-09-28T12:43:00.001-07:00

By Joe Giardiello

Bill and Hillary. By a long shot. I am now more convinced than ever that Hillary will have her second bite at the apple in 2012. She will get the nomination next time because Democrats always seem to be running the last presidential election all over again. But more on that in the future.

If you’re asking who won the debate between the second and third place finishers, it was John McCain. As much as I hate to agree with Mario, alas, I find I have no choice. For only the third time this presidential cycle he is actually right. John McCain won this debate. (If you want to know the other times he was correct, they are 1) Hillary should have been the Democratic nominee, and 2) Hillary would win New Hampshire even after her devastating loss in Iowa).

According to the people who were watching the debate more sober than me, Obama agreed with McCain 11 times. Note to Obama: If you agree with the guy so much, why don’t you just vote for him? While there is no problem agreeing with your opponent in a debate, one of the cardinal rules is you don’t say you do. You simply state the same opinion as if you were the first one in the free world who ever had such a brilliant thought. Obama uses the “I agree with John” line because he’s trying to think about what he actually wants to say. So much for the grand orator.

Let’s face it – Obama is the ultimate one dimensional candidate. He has not had an original thought in his life.

Case in point: Obama is fixated on the idea that he was opposed to the war in Iraq from the beginning, as if that qualifies him to be president. That’s fine as far as it goes. Unfortunately for the Democrats, Obama’s pea brain can go no further. He seems to think if the war in Iraq was never fought, the fight against terrorism would have ended in Afghanistan. Never mind there is no logical reason to believe that. After all, al Quaida had attacked U.S. interests in at least six different theaters in the previous years.

John McCain, on the other hand, recognized the strategy in Iraq had failed to change with the changing circumstances. But then he doesn’t get his information from a teleprompter.

Yet not once did Obama suggest any plans to fight terrorism other than he would get that video tape making Osama bin Ladin. Hey Obama, if all he’s doing is making videos or audio tapes, at least he’s not flying planes into our buildings.

What Obama did do repeatedly was torture us with a collection of “Ummms,” “Ahhhhhs,” and st-st-st-stutters. I stopped counting at 47. Hey, I had pizza in the oven. I couldn’t wait around for the young man to compose his thoughts.

About the only thing Obama had going for him the whole night was the stiffness of John McCain. It was a stiffness that could only have come from serving his country and being tortured by our enemies.

And another thing – Who was leaking information to the state Senator from Illinois about the weapons program of Saddam Hussein? Obama stated one of the reasons he opposed the war was because we didn’t have reliable intelligence about WMDs. That would undoubtedly come as a surprise to the Clinton Administration, the Democratic leadership in Congress, the EU and the UN who all believed there was enough intelligence. So exactly where was he getting his information? The only person who would have known conclusively whether Iraq had WMDs or not would be someone whose middle name is not (or should that be was not) Hussein.

Up next – the Vice Presidential Debate. I can’t wait for that one. There will be a draft Hillary campaign unleashed before the debate is even over.

What Obama Doesn’t Understand…

2008-09-28T12:42:00.000-07:00

By Mario Giardiello

From the opening handshake, Obama seemed more presidential and confident, holding McCain’s hand firmly and looking him in the eye. McCain couldn’t even look at him. Then he proceeded with what some pundits are calling the best start of a debate for any candidate. He gave the specific step by step rescue plan for the economy that was clear and confident. He used the same numbered response later in the debate for at least one other issue (how he would deal with Pakistan). If he stuck to this strategy (not a tactic) then he would have won this debate handily instead of a draw that many seem to think it was.

McCain, on the other hand started weakly saying, “I’m not feeling too good about a lot of things lately…” What is there for him to feel good about? Polls are down almost as much as Wall Street, his maverick counterpart is embarrassingly unintelligible, and he isn’t getting any younger.

Despite all that, as hard as it is to say, my candidate for the President of the United States lost the first debate. Round one went to McCain because he was constantly on the offensive, which caused Obama to be knocked off message and on the ropes. Barring the positions on the issues, McCain made it clear that his experience was his greatest strength. His name dropping and trips abroad set him apart, as did his incessant reminder (true or not) that Obama just didn’t understand the complexity of the issues. Obama’s good judgment and intelligence may not be enough to engage the independents to look deeper into the issues.

CNN and MSNBC were holding on to the hope that McCain’s attacks were seen by independents as a negative. On the contrary, I believe the voters who have an independent streak admire the strength that McCain showed. There is no doubt that Senator McCain appears ready to be President, and many are still left wondering about Obama. “What Obama doesn’t understand” is how to be more direct and tough in a debate.

As a liberal, I sided with Obama on every issue other than his hawkish stance on Pakistan. But the debate wasn’t about the issues. It was good judgment versus experience, and experience won. Experience makes us feel safer in times of such uncertainty. Change and good judgment may make a good president of the Harvard Law Review, but it doesn’t guarantee winning a debate or the Presidency.

Some have suggested just because Obama is an extraordinary orator it does not mean he would be a better President. Similarly, just because McCain is a better debater, that does not make him a better President. So I continue to have faith that Obama is the “hope that I can believe in.” But all of a sudden, hope has a different meaning. I’m hoping he can hang on to a 6% - 8% lead until November.

One thing is for sure, Hillary and Bill are happy tonight.

Racist, illiterate Democrats and the people who love them

2008-09-25T08:25:00.000-07:00

Yes, this was the federal judge who was impeached for corruption.

ABC News' Teddy Davis Reports: Florida Democratic Congressman Alcee Hastings pointed to Sarah Palin on Wednesday to rally Jews to Obama.

"If Sarah Palin isn’t enough of a reason for you to get over whatever your problem is with Barack Obama, then you damn well had better pay attention," said Hastings. "Anybody toting guns and stripping moose don’t care too much about what they do with Jews and blacks. So, you just think this through."

Hastings, who is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, made his comments in Washington, D.C., while participating in a panel discussion sponsored by the National Jewish Democratic Council.

And you have to love this spin.

Asked what the congressman meant, Hastings spokesman David Goldenberg told ABC News that he was trying to argue that Palin is an "extremely conservative woman who is out of touch with mainstream America."

Barack Obama Holds Lead Among Arab American Vote

2008-09-18T10:23:00.000-07:00

No shit. That's what Zogby considers breaking news. I wonder if they asked in the poll who was responsible for 9-11. And if 23% of Arabs think Bush is doing a poor job, doesn't that automatically mean he is doing a good job?

Joe Biden's Dan Quayle moment

2008-09-11T14:57:00.000-07:00

Of course if Dan Quayle had done this it would have been headlines for days. But Biden does it and gets a pass.

Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden found himself in an embarrassing situation during a Missouri campaign appearance Tuesday.
During a stop in Columbia, Mo., Biden was speaking before a large crowd when he decided to give special recognition to State Senator Chuck Graham.
"Chuck, stand up, let the people see you," Biden shouted.
However, Biden did not realize that Graham is confined to a wheelchair.
"Oh, God love you. What am I talking about? I'll tell you what, you're making everybody else stand up, old pal. I'll tell you what, everybody else stand up for Chuck. Stand up for Chuck!" Biden said.

You can see the video at WTOP.

Defeated Ex-Senator Lincoln Chafee: A loser on so many levels

2008-09-11T11:35:00.000-07:00

This is the jerk-off the misguided Republican Party spent millions on defending in a primary challenge and general election in 2006 - even after he refused to support Bush in 04. Now, without even ever having met Sarah Palin, he has the gall to call her a "cocky wacko."

Now, Defeated ex-Senator Lincoln Davenport Chafee probably considers himself a learned man. He is, after all, a visiting fellow at Brown University's Watson Institute for International Studies. How impressive. How hoity-toity. You would think, as important as he undoubedly thinks he is, he could have thought of something a tad more clever than that.

This guy is so clueless, he things Sarah Palin has energized the Democratic Party. No wonder he is a defeated, ex-senator. While Obama and Biden flail about looking for a way to attack Palin, they dig themselves in deeper and deeper. Women are fleeing the Obama sinking ship in record numbers.

And not for anything, but just imagine if a visiting fellow at Brown University's Watson Institute for International Studies said such a thing about a Democrat, like Barack Obama for instance. He would be out on his ass in a minute. The same should happen to defeated ex-Senator Chafee. But we all know it won't because Democrats are held to a different (and much lower) standard.

Biden must be schooling Obama

2008-09-10T10:18:00.000-07:00

At least Biden plagerized political leaders. Obama steals cartoons.

• "Watch out Mr. Bush! With the exception of economic policy and energy policy and social issues and tax policy and foreign policy and Supreme Court appointments and Rove-style politics, we're coming in there to shake things up!"--Tom Toles cartoon, Washington Post, Sept. 5

• "John McCain says he's about change too. So I guess his whole angle is: Watch out, George Bush--except for economic policy, healthcare policy, tax policy, education policy, foreign policy and Karl Rove-style politics, we're really going to shake things up in Washington."--Barack Obama, Sept. 9

From Best of the Web

Now Biden sticks his foot in his mouth

2008-09-09T19:39:00.001-07:00

If Biden didn't understand how this comment was perceived, he's stupider than previously thought and certainly not qualified to be president.

During a campaign event in Columbia, Missouri, Biden did not mention his Republican counterpart by name but said, "I hear all this talk about how the Republicans are going to work in dealing with parents who have both the joy ... and the difficulty of raising a child who has a developmental disability, who were born with a birth defect."
Biden's support of stem cell research is at odds with the position taken by the Republicans' vice presidential nominee, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, whose 5-month-old son, Trig, has Down syndrome.
Palin, an evangelical Christian, opposes stem cell research because it involves the use of human embryos, but her running mate, GOP presidential nominee McCain, does support stem cell research.

And oh, by the way, Palin does not oppose "stem cell research." She opposed embryonic stem cell research has shown no promise in finding cures and must create human life in order to experiment on it. She supports stem cell research that uses adult stem cells - the research that has proven successful in finding cures.

Obama calls Palin a pig

2008-09-09T18:16:00.001-07:00

What is wrong with this guy? Is he really in this total free fall?

Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama told an audience Tuesday that GOP presidential nominee John McCain says he'll change Washington, but he's just like President Bush.

"You can put lipstick on a pig," he said to an outbreak of laughter, shouts and raucous applause from his audience, clearly drawing a connection to Palin's joke. "It's still a pig. You can wrap an old fish in a piece of paper called change. It's still going to stink after eight years."

And hasn't his handlers told him the "hip" thing is a losing proposition?

"Look, she's new, she hasn't been on the scene, she's got five kids. And my hat goes off to anybody whose looking after five. I've got two and they tire Michelle and me out," he said.

Reuters Poll Envy

2008-09-08T19:49:00.000-07:00

It seems strange this is the only poll that Reuters decides to give a headline. Maybe because it is the only one this week that shows Obama ahead. Every other poll shows McCain ahead by as much as 10 points.

Obama narrowly leads McCain in Washington Post/ABC poll
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama narrowly leads Republican rival John McCain by 47 percent to 46 percent among registered voters in a Washington Post/ABC News poll released on Monday.

If this guy were a Republican...

2008-09-07T16:08:00.000-07:00

...every stage of the case would be on the evening news. I'm guessing this will be the only story about it. Of course what can we expect from the same liberal mainstream media that ignored the corrupt Democratic Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick story.

Once-powerful Pa. senator faces long fraud trial
A longtime power broker in Pennsylvania politics earned nearly $100,000 a year as a state senator, up to $1 million a year as a rainmaking lawyer and millions more from the sale of a family bank.
However, prosecutors say freewheeling Philadelphia Democrat Vincent Fumo used little of his own money as he took yachting vacations with friends, spent lavishly on a 33-room city brownstone and hired operatives to spy on ex-wives and political foes.

Fumo faces trial Monday in federal court on charges alleging he used $3.5 million in what he called "OPM" — other people's money — to keep his political machine well oiled and fund a lifestyle that included three vacation homes and heated sidewalks outside his mansion. The trial is expected to last a full three months, after a week of jury selection.

Fumo is accused of misusing nearly $2 million in Senate funds and of raiding the coffers of a neighborhood charity after using his political clout to steer $27 million in corporate donations to the charity.

Some in Europe awakening to global warming scam

2008-09-06T08:59:00.000-07:00

Finally someone in Europe talking sense about the global warming scam.

Wilson row over green 'alarmists'
The Environment Minister Sammy Wilson has angered green campaigners by describing their view on climate change as a "hysterical psuedo-religion".
In an article in the News Letter, Mr Wilson said he believed it occurred naturally and was not man-made.
"Resources should be used to adapt to the consequences of climate change, rather than King Canute-style vainly trying to stop it," said the minister.
Peter Doran of the Green Party said it was a "deeply irresponsible message."
Mr Wilson said he refused to "blindly accept" the need to make significant changes to the economy to stop climate change.
"The tactic used by the "green gang" is to label anyone who dares disagree with their view of climate change as some kind of nutcase who denies scientific fact," he said.
The minister said he accepted climate change can occur, but does not believe the cause has been identified.
"Reasoned debate must replace the scaremongering of the green climate alarmists."

Typical NPR Coverage

2008-09-05T13:15:00.000-07:00

This is the best NPR could come up with in covering the Republican Convention.

Palin's Teen Is Pregnant; News Overshadows
Republican officials in St. Paul, Minn., devoted the first day of their national convention to fundraising and relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Gustav, tossing aside overt political appeals in favor of requests for help scheduled by first lady Laura Bush, and Sen. John McCain's wife, Cindy.
But overshadowing activities on the floor was a surprise statement from the McCain campaign that running mate Sarah Palin's unmarried, 17-year-old daughter is pregnant.

Obama's Youth Vote

2008-09-04T08:43:00.001-07:00

Yeah, really something to be proud of.

Mario and Joe from the Republican Convention

2008-09-03T21:02:00.000-07:00

Fired up and Ready to go to Sleep

From Mario Giardiello

As I turned the channel to FOX news last night, I thought I was on the wrong channel. It looked like an AARP meeting, not a political convention. I never saw so many wrinkles, bald spots, spectacles, and liver spots. The women were either sallow eyed, had too much make-up on, and/or had overly bloated lips. There were more cowboy hats than heads full of hair. This party is old and dying. May they rest in peace.

There is mostly old white guys represented, and their woman who followed them there. Once in awhile the cameras would pan over the crowd and it was scary. This is not a representation of our country, but of a Grand Poo Bah meeting. Where are the young people? Where are the people of color? Where are the handicapped? Do they hide these people like Denver hid their homeless by giving them movie tickets? Of course not. Anyone who has ever felt left out, discriminated against, or does not look like the rest of the Republican Party would not be at their convention. The representation of the Republican Party is superficial, and shallow. They do not represent our entire country and their days are numbered.

Cindy McCain symbolizes this superficiality. She’s the prettiest ugly person I ever saw. The closer the camera gets the more she looks like a Barbie bobble head. Is her head always so stiff and bobbing in agreement? The speakers aren’t always saying something agreeable, and she is busy nodding in agreement. Does she even care what she is hearing?

And what is their platform after all? Could they possibly exploit fear once again? After eight years of this tactic working why would they abandon it? And if we have to depend on wishy-washy independents to decide who should be the next president, then we liberals are in trouble. These are people who still don’t know whether they believe in the need for government to regulate big business or the need for big business to drive innovation and free markets, apparently not understanding there can be a sensible balance.

Yes, the days of the Republican Party as we know it is numbered. After all, just a few years ago, many of us liberal had much respect of McCain as a moderate (until we looked more closely at his voting record). I listened to Bush, Thompson, Lieberman, Huckabee, Romney, Giuliani, Laura Bush, and finally Palin and they were all on message. We had to sit through each of them gushing over McCain’s record as a war hero, talk about Obama’s inexperience, and tout the Republicans as the party that will keep us safe in such uncertain times. There is no dispute that McCain has more experience and he is enough of a “maverick” that Obama’s outsider appeal is diminished. If the Democrats don’t come out fighting on Monday we are done.

After the 3^rd night of the Republican convention, I can safely say, we liberals are in deep trouble. People will vote for McCain’s experience and security. I now understand we made a mistake not putting Hillary on our ticket. We have ourselves to blame.

She’s My Gal

From Joe Giardiello

Let me be the first to say it: Why couldn’t she be our presidential candidate. Oh well, we live and learn. I was certainly on the fence as to whether to support John McCain in November. It all depended on his running mate. And that was only because I believe that McCain will appoint conservatives to the Supreme Court.

Now I can say I have sipped the Kool-Aid and it is sweet. I almost can’t wait for the day the McCain Administration rides off into the sunset so we can get the President in office we want. So long Romney, good riddance Huckabee. You had your chance and you will not get another after tonight.

No doubt there are a few dozen (maybe even a few hundred) of Obama’s advisors sitting around with their chins on the table. Maybe by now they are picking them up and looking around at each other. “Uh oh,” they are all thinking, “What are we going to do now?” It is an excellent question.

So speaking as one who has run dozens of campaigns, let me try to answer that. Go home. Take a vacation. You have already made millions from the campaign so what are you worried about. Obama couldn’t break 50% with constant positive media attention and coming off a successful convention. There is no reason to think he can now.

Truly a star has been born tonight. Plucked right out of small town America and she will single handedly roll over the liberal, elitist establishment and show Washington how things are supposed to be run.

Here’s to one term for John McCain.

Palin-McCain 08

They still have a gallows in Washington

2008-09-02T20:41:00.001-07:00

It's true, Washington is the last state in the union that will actually hang a murderer. If only the government in Washington had the courage to carry it out.

A man fatally shot a sheriff's deputy responding to a call Tuesday in northwestern Washington state, then led authorities on a car chase and killed five other people before turning himself in, officials said. Two others were wounded.
A state trooper was among those injured in Skagit County, north of Seattle, authorities said. The dead were found at multiple scenes, state trooper Keith Leary said at a news conference.

Among the dead were the deputy and another person killed at the same location; two construction workers who were found shot nearby; a person killed at another location; and a motorist fatally shot on Interstate 5.

A motorcyclist was shot and wounded at a gas station in the town of Alger, and the trooper was wounded in the arm as the suspect raced along Interstate 5, authorities said.

That suspect, reportedly a man known to Skagit County authorities, eventually turned himself in at a Skagit County sheriff's office in Mount Vernon.

Bobby Jindal must hate his family

2008-09-01T13:50:00.000-07:00

This is the question the New York Times magazine asked Bobby Jindal. I'm not kidding.

If the Republican Party bills itself as the party of family values, what should we make of the fact that you rejected the name your parents gave you, their political affiliation and their religion?

Hinduism teaches there are different paths to God, and that may have played a part in their ultimate acceptance of my decision.

DEMOCRATS DISPLAY DESTRUCTIVE DELIGHT

2008-09-01T13:31:00.000-07:00

By Jeff Crouere

www.ringsidepolitics.com

September 1, 2008…Once again a major hurricane is hitting the New Orleans area. Once again, I have evacuated my family along with millions of harried Gulf Coast residents. We are worried about our family members, friends, property, and pets. It is stressful time for all of us in this region of the country.

It was just three years ago that Hurricane Katrina devastated our area creating horrendous damage and killing over 1,600 people. Unfortunately, there are tens of thousands of people who have not been able to return home. Thousands of homes remain damaged and unoccupied. Sadly, our community has not recovered from Katrina; yet, now we have to face another killer storm. It is a tragic situation that is more than nerve wracking for all of us in the New Orleans area and throughout the Gulf Coast.

In the midst of this tragedy, liberal propagandist Michael Moore, a bloated blowhard, has insulted every resident of the threatened region. Moore told fellow Republican hater and lunatic liberal MSNBC host Keith Olbermann, that Hurricane Gustav was proof that there “is a God in Heaven.” Moore crowed that it was delicious irony that President Bush was scheduled to speak to the GOP convention at the same time the devastating hurricane would be rampaging across the northern Gulf Coast.

By celebrating the political ramifications of Gustav, Moore and Olbermann were displaying more concern about partisan politics than the well being of millions of Americans. It was a disgusting display of nasty partisanship at a time of national crisis. Any decent human being should be more worried about the safety of fellow Americans than scoring political points.

Of course three years ago, Hurricane Katrina devastated the New Orleans area and the federal response was lame and delayed. Yet, the local and state response was equally inadequate. This time, the federal government has been proactive and very aggressive in evacuating local residents and preparing for this hurricane. The actions of Louisiana state government led by new Republican Governor Bobby Jindal has been the antithesis of what happened during Katrina. At that time, Democrat Governor Kathleen Blanco was overwhelmed, overly emotional and ill-prepared. She clearly was not able to convey any leadership or inspire any confidence in state government. In contrast, for this emergency, Governor Jindal has acted quickly and confidently and certainly saved lives by his leadership during this crisis.

Regrettably, several leading Democrats are using this tragedy to score political points. Former DNC Chairman Don Fowler said that the hurricane demonstrates that “God is on our side.” A shocking video captured a heartless Fowler laughing about this tragedy and saying that it would negatively impact the Republican convention. In another example of horrible insensitivity, liberal Fox News contributor and Temple University professor Marc Lamont Hill said that Republicans must be “praying for tornadoes” so that President Bush will skip the convention. This type of disgusting partisanship is why many people are tired of politics.

Let me be clear to these liberal Democrats, no sane Republican official is praying for tornadoes. In fact, Republican leaders gathered for the convention are very concerned about the impact of the storm and will lead an effort to assist in the recovery of the area. For example, President Bush did not attend the convention so that he could manage the federal response to Hurricane Gustav.

It is time to remind these callous Democrats that God did not send a hurricane to help one party or to harm people to score political points. The God that I worship is a merciful and loving God that watches over all of his flock, regardless of political affiliation.

This tragedy should be an opportunity for people to put aside political labels and pull together to insure a quick recovery from this disaster. The last thing anyone should be doing at this point is to try to take political advantage of this tragedy. The comments of these leading Democrats are incredibly cruel and show complete insensitivity to the plight of their fellow Americans. Now is not the time to play partisan politics, there will be plenty of time for that once this threat passes.

Hateful Democrats

2008-08-30T20:51:00.000-07:00

Some crank that calls herself a Democrat (of course she may be "transgendered" - who can tell in the modern Democratic Party) had this to say about Sara Palin. These are desperately hateful people who are already reacting to their inevitable loss in the presidential election.

Horny old man: Could Sarah Palin actually be THAT desperate?

I just got an e-mail from my friend Joe Thompson. Joe used to work in the Louisiana oil patch back in the day and has apparently seen it all. "Jane," wrote Joe, "You aren't the only one shaking your head over John McCain's choice of a running mate. From my point of view he is a horny old man, who selected a horny young woman and intends to screw America all the way to the White House and beyond."

This part is classic. Democrats are so moral and upstanding they would never think about dirty politics.

Whoa, Joe! You gotta stop thinking like that! You're a Democrat. Democrats fight fair. Making nasty innuendos and spreading disgusting rumors is Karl Rove's job. You're out of your league.

Then I got an e-mail from my friend Hanna. "C'mon, guys," she wrote me and Joe. "Nobody would actually voluntarily touch that repulsive old geriatric case John McCain .... not even Palin... for a Vice Presidency ... would she?"

Perhaps Palin might not eagerly jump at the chance to become John McCain's next Cindy -- and I bet that even Cindy herself is currently letting said opportunity slide (perhaps she's too busy right now mourning the fact that Austin Kutcher is married?) -- but I imagine that there are whole bunches of desperate octogenarian ladies living in rest homes in Florida who still think that John McCain is a BABE.

Damn they are angry. Of course I guess I would be too if I was going to lose to John McCain.

Clinton supporters for John McCain

2008-06-10T08:20:00.000-07:00

It's still unclear who many of Hillary Clinton's voters are going to support. Either they are so pissed off at her losing and will vote for McCain (or just stay home) or they will stick with their party and figure Obama is the lesser of two evils. Only time will tell but for now, there seem to be a growing movement moving in the direction of McCain. Here are two groups:

Hillary Clinton Supporters for John McCain

Hillary Clinton Supporters Count Too

"Some would say that point was passed months ago"

2008-06-02T08:08:00.000-07:00

That was the comment of a MSNBC "News" caster in response to a guests comment that at some point the Clinton campaign is going to be seen as whining. Fair and balanced as always from the good folks at MSNBC.

Those Awarded the Medal of Honor

2008-05-26T06:50:00.001-07:00

MICHAEL P. MURPHY
Lieutenant, United States Navy

"27 and 28 June 2005. While leading a mission to locate a high-level anti-coalition militia leader, Lieutenant Murphy demonstrated extraordinary heroism in the face of grave danger in the vicinity of Asadabad, Konar Province, Afghanistan.

"On 28 June 2005, operating in an extremely rugged enemy-controlled area, Lieutenant Murphy's team was discovered by anti-coalition militia sympathizers, who revealed their position to Taliban fighters. As a result, between 30 and 40 enemy fighters besieged his four-member team.

"Demonstrating exceptional resolve, Lieutenant Murphy valiantly led his men in engaging the large enemy force. The ensuing fierce firefight resulted in numerous enemy casualties, as well as the wounding of all four members of the team. Ignoring his own wounds and demonstrating exceptional composure, Lieutenant Murphy continued to lead and encourage his men. When the primary communicator fell mortally wounded, Lieutenant Murphy repeatedly attempted to call for assistance for his beleaguered teammates.

"Realizing the impossibility of communicating in the extreme terrain, and in the face of almost certain death, he fought his way into open terrain to gain a better position to transmit a call. This deliberate, heroic act deprived him of cover, exposing him to direct enemy fire. Finally achieving contact with his Headquarters, Lieutenant Murphy maintained his exposed position while he provided his location and requested immediate support for his team.

"In his final act of bravery, he continued to engage the enemy until he was mortally wounded, gallantly giving his life for his country and for the cause of freedom."

JASON L. DUNHAM
Corporal, United States Marine Corps

"(O)n 14 April 2004. Corporal Dunham's squad was conducting a reconnaissance mission in the town of Karabilah, Iraq, when they heard rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire erupt approximately two kilometers to the west. Corporal Dunham led his Combined Anti-Armor Team towards the engagement to provide fire support to their Battalion Commander's convoy, which had been ambushed as it was traveling to Camp Husaybah.

"As Corporal Dunham and his Marines advanced, they quickly began to receive enemy fire. Corporal Dunham ordered his squad to dismount their vehicles and led one of his fire teams on foot several blocks south of the ambushed convoy. Discovering seven Iraqi vehicles in a column attempting to depart, Corporal Dunham and his team stopped the vehicles to search them for weapons. As they approached the vehicles, an insurgent leaped out and attacked Corporal Dunham.

"Corporal Dunham wrestled the insurgent to the ground and in the ensuing struggle saw the insurgent release a grenade. Corporal Dunham immediately alerted his fellow Marines to the threat. Aware of the imminent danger and without hesitation, Corporal Dunham covered the grenade with his helmet and body, bearing the brunt of the explosion and shielding his Marines from the blast. In an ultimate and selfless act of bravery in which he was mortally wounded, he saved the lives of at least two fellow Marines."

MICHAEL A. MONSOOR
Master-At-Arms Second Class, United States Navy

"(O)n 29 September 2006. As a member of a combined SEAL and Iraqi Army Sniper Overwatch Element, tasked with providing early warning and stand-off protection from a rooftop in an insurgent held sector of Ar Ramadi, Iraq, Petty Officer Monsoor distinguished himself by his exceptional bravery in the face of grave danger.

"In the early morning, insurgents prepared to execute a coordinated attack by reconnoitering the area around the element's position. Element snipers thwarted the enemy's initial attempt by eliminating two insurgents. The enemy continued to assault the element, engaging them with a rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire. As enemy activity increased, Petty Officer Monsoor took position with his machine gun between two teammates on an outcropping of the roof.

"While the SEALs vigilantly watched for enemy activity, an insurgent threw a hand grenade from an unseen location, which bounced off Petty Officer Monsoor's chest and landed in front of him. Although only he could have escaped the blast, Petty Officer Monsoor chose instead to protect his teammates. Instantly and without regard for his own safety, he threw himself onto the grenade to absorb the force of the explosion with his body, saving the lives of his two teammates.

"By his undaunted courage, fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of certain death, Petty Officer Monsoor gallantly gave his life for his country, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

PAUL R. SMITH
Sergeant First Class, United States Army

"4 April 2003. On that day, Sergeant First Class Smith was engaged in the construction of a prisoner of war holding area when his Task Force was violently attacked by a company-sized enemy force. Realizing the vulnerability of over 100 fellow soldiers, Sergeant First Class Smith quickly organized a hasty defense consisting of two platoons of soldiers, one Bradley Fighting Vehicle and three armored personnel carriers.

"As the fight developed, Sergeant First Class Smith braved hostile enemy fire to personally engage the enemy with hand grenades and anti-tank weapons, and organized the evacuation of three wounded soldiers from an armored personnel carrier struck by a rocket propelled grenade and a 60mm mortar round. Fearing the enemy would overrun their defenses, Sergeant First Class Smith moved under withering enemy fire to man a .50 caliber machine gun mounted on a damaged armored personnel carrier.

"In total disregard for his own life, he maintained his exposed position in order to engage the attacking enemy force. During this action, he was mortally wounded. His courageous actions helped defeat the enemy attack, and resulted in as many as 50 enemy soldiers killed, while allowing the safe withdrawal of numerous wounded soldiers."

Obama=Big fat baby

2008-05-23T18:10:00.000-07:00

Far be it from me to defend Hillary Clinton, but she's a oak compared to whiner extraordinaire B. Hussein Obama.

Clinton said this:

"My husband did not wrap up the nomination in 1992 until he won the California primary somewhere in the middle of June, right? We all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California," she said.
"I don't understand it," Clinton said, referring to calls for her to pull out of the Democratic nominating race, which ends on June 3 with primaries in South Dakota and Montana.

And this is pussy boys response:

"Senator Clinton's statement before the Argus Leader editorial board was unfortunate and has no place in this campaign," said Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton.

Why exactly? Because Obama, in his fantasy land, wants to think he is under constant treat of assassination? What is the liberal fascination with the idea that he will be shot?

Still think you didn't benefit from the Bush tax cuts?

2008-05-18T10:31:00.000-07:00

According to the Tax Foundation, here is the savings of middle-class taxpayers under the Bush tax cuts compared to the Clinton years - the tax code Democrats want to return to.

Comparing Income Taxes under Bill Clinton and George Bush

Individual Income Tax Due in 2008, Bush Law versus Clinton Law
For taxpayers who take the standard deduction and have no children
Taxpayer	Tax That Would Have Been Owed under Clinton-Era Tax Law	Tax Owed under Current Law, with Bush Tax Cuts
Single, income of 30,000	$3,157.50	$2,756.25
Single, income of 50,000	$7,262.50	$6,606.25
Married, income of $50,000	$5,085.00	$4,012.50
Married, income of $60,000	$6,585.00	$5,512.50
Single, income of $75,000	$14,262.50	$12,856.25
Married, income of $75,000	$9,426.50	$7,762.50
Single, income of $125,000*	$29,378.50	$26,472.25
Married, income of $125,000*	$23,426.50	$19,462.50
*This chart does not take into account the Alternative Minimum Tax

Pete Stark is insane

2008-05-17T08:03:00.000-07:00

Seriously, seriously insane.

An anti-war Democratic congressman backed off complaints about Defense Department personnel watching a House vote after the Pentagon told him they were students from the Army War College.

Northern California Rep. Pete Stark wrote to Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Friday demanding to know what the uniformed personnel were doing in a public gallery Thursday as the House debated and voted on an Iraq war spending bill. Stark claimed he saw some 20 Army generals or other officers there for a couple of hours.
"If they were here on official duty, this was an abhorrent misallocation of our military resources at a time of war," said the letter from Stark, an 18-term incumbent known for his liberal positions and outbursts of temper.

Stark's office released that letter around noon Friday. About four-and-a-half hours later came a shorter release in which Stark said he'd been informed that the onlookers weren't generals, but a class from the war college in Carlisle, Pa.

"I appreciate the swift response," Stark said in his follow-up statement, without retracting or apologizing for his earlier complaints. "However, if these officers were hoping for a lesson in how Congress ought to work, then perhaps the Iraq supplemental wasn't the best debate for them to witness."

In the course of the somewhat chaotic House action Thursday, the war spending bill fell to defeat after Republicans withheld their votes to punish Democratic tactics — probably as good as an example as any of how the House operates.

Who says the press is biased?

2008-05-16T06:27:00.000-07:00

This is a collection of the top political headlines from AP this morning:

* Florida, Michigan delegates cannot save Clinton
* Obama warns Republicans about critical ads
* McCain believes Iraq war can be won by 2013
* Tenn. GOP mocks Michelle Obama's 'proud' remark
* Obama says Bush falsely accused him of appeasement

I wonder who the AP is supporting for President?

Vietnam vets admire McCain, may not vote for him

2008-04-06T14:27:00.000-07:00

That was the actual headline of an AP article that then went on to discuss how most Vietnam Vets will vote for McCain. It leads off, of course, talking about the one person who is undecided. It takes until the 8th paragraph that we read the truth.

At their monthly meeting, a group of veterans in Republican candidate McCain's home town of Phoenix discussed his candidacy as they smoked cigarettes and drank beers on the terrace of their clubhouse.

Most are firmly behind the Arizona senator. All felt regret at losing the Vietnam War and looked to McCain to find victory in the unpopular war in Iraq.

Here's a little advice to the AP: Try and make the headline reflect the actual content of the story and reality. Maybe this would have worked:

Vietnam vets admire McCain, most will vote for him

Then there is this nugget:

Analysts say most veterans and military personal tend to vote Republican though the only previous Vietnam veteran to run for president as the nominee of a major party was Democrat John Kerry, who lost to George W. Bush in 2004.

Um, no. Don't they remember the last Democrat who lied about his service in Vietnam? It was no other than Al Gore who like to pretend he was in the thick of the fight. They also conveniently forget the questions swirling around Kerry's service and the fact he was sure to bring a movie camera with him everywhere he went.

What do we defend ourselves with when they take our socks and marshmallows?

2008-03-28T14:07:00.000-07:00

The sheer lunacy of this issue really doesn't rate much comment from thinking people. So let me say something instead.

The University might hamper the second round of BG Undead's game play after the announcement was made last week to place an immediate ban on the use of Nerf guns on campus.

The goal of the humans is to survive the zombie attack by not being "bitten" and turned into a zombie. The human's main form of defense used to come in the form of Nerf guns, but is now being downgraded to balled up socks and marshmallows.

Nerf has donated weapons to the group for use before and is in support of BG Undead, but they are not an official sponsor.

"Weapons"???? Umm, aren't they actually "toys"?

The Right to Nipple Piercings

2008-03-28T06:14:00.000-07:00

OK, I hate TSA as much as the next guy (my Leatherman got through security just last week - yes, that's a knife). But this is just stupid. A "civil rights" complaint? The Constitution now gives us the right to have nipple piercings? First there was the ho with the short skirt who felt she had the God-given right to show her wares to the world, now this sheer silliness.

A Texas woman who said she was forced to remove a nipple ring with pliers in order to board an airplane called Thursday for an apology by federal security agents and a civil rights investigation.

"I wouldn't wish this experience upon anyone," Mandi Hamlin said at a news conference. "My experience with TSA was a nightmare I had to endure. No one deserves to be treated this way."

Hamlin, 37, said she was trying to board a flight from Lubbock to Dallas on Feb. 24 when she was scanned by a Transportation Security Administration agent after passing through a larger metal detector without problems.

You're 37 years old. Maybe it's time to get rid of the piercings? They aren't helping you pick up men at that age. Good Lord, this is sure high drama. It's one press conference I'm sure sorry I missed.

Applying pliers to the torso of a mannequin that had a peach-colored bra with the rings on it, Hamlin showed reporters at the news conference how she took off the second ring.

Murderer-rapist looking for Pen Pals

2008-03-25T09:45:00.000-07:00

Of course the Supreme Court made the right decision in deny a new hearing for Jose Ernesto Medellin. But he still has those who want to lend him a helping hand, including finding friends to correspond with. In his intro biography, though, he seems to gloss over a small part of his history.

I was born in Mexico, but at the age of 9 years old I came to live with my parents in Houston. I went to school there till the tenth grade, after that I dropped out of school and went to work for a construction company till I was 18 years old. At that age is when I got arrested and a few months later I was sitting here on death row. I really hope this fact won't discourage you from writing me and getting to know me better

Maybe he could fill us in a bit more on the period before he got arrested. But I'm guessing he won't. So if you have a strong stomach, read what Jose and his gang-member friends did to two innocent little girls.

The gang members ran and grabbed Elizabeth (16) and pulled her down the incline, off of the tracks. Testimony showed that Jenny (14) had gotten free and could have run away but returned to Elizabeth when she cried out for Jenny to help her.
For the next hour or so, these beautiful, innocent young girls were subjected to the most brutal gang rapes that most of the investigating officers had ever encountered. The confessions of the gang members that were used at trial indicated that there was never less than 2 men on each of the girls at any one time and that the girls were repeatedly raped orally, anally and vaginally for the entire hour. One of the gang members later said during the brag session that by the time he got to one of the girls, "she was loose and sloppy." One of the boys boasted of having 'virgin blood' on him.

The 14-year-old juvenile later testified that he had gone back and forth between his brother and Peter Cantu since they were the only ones there that he really knew and kept urging them to leave. He said he was told repeatedly by Peter Cantu to "get some". He raped Jennifer and was later sentenced to 40 years for aggravated sexual assault, which was the maximum sentence for a juvenile.

When the rapes finally ended, the horror was not over. The gang members took Jenny and Elizabeth from the clearing into a wooded area, leaving the juvenile behind, saying he was "too little to watch". Jenny was strangled with the belt of Sean O'Brien, with two murderers pulling, one on each side, until the belt broke. Part of the belt was left at the murder scene, the rest was found in O'Brien's home. After the belt broke, the killers used her own shoelaces to finish their job. Medellin later complained that "the bitch wouldn't die" and that it would have been "easier with a gun". Elizabeth was also strangled with her shoelaces, after crying and begging the gang members not to kill them; bargaining, offering to give them her phone number so they could get together again.

The medical examiner testified that Elizabeth's two front teeth were knocked out of her brutalized mouth before she died and that two of Jennifer's ribs were broken after she had died. Testimony showed that the girls' bodies were kicked and their necks were stomped on after the strangulations in order to "make sure that they were really dead."

And just in case anyone wants to argue how all those immigrants who come to this country want to become Americans, Mr. Medellin puts that fairytale to rest.

I am a Mexican national. I came to Texas as a young boy along with the rest of my family. Not like many that are not proud of their country and want to get away. But just took a chance and opportunity at a brighter future. I am a Mexican through and through !

I had a plan, get my GED and go home to join the Mexican military, would have joined here, but I'm a Mexican, not a traitor :- )

And he added the smiley face. How cute.

A little Orwellian Double-Speak anyone?

2008-03-25T09:19:00.000-07:00

The studies are pretty conclusive that requiring hands-free cell phone devices in cars doesn't do anything to save lives. Passing such laws is just a way for politicians to show they are doing something. It's also another useless law they can use to squeeze money out of law-abiding citizens by fining us.

But get a load of this quote from the clown who pushed the law in California:

"There isn't a study in the world that says you're safer driving with a cellphone clutched to your ear than when you are driving with both hands on the wheel," he said.

I see, now we have to pass laws for everything we CAN'T prove isn't safer than the alternative some nanny wants to foist on us. The burden of proof is now on citizens to prove the law is useless.

From the "Thank God" Department

2008-03-20T11:46:00.000-07:00

This is a good thing.

Recruiting Arabs still tough for Army

The billboard displays a phone number and only two English words: "Call Mona." The rest is in Arabic. But if you can read it, the Army wants you.

The sign, erected to help recruit translators from Detroit's large Middle Eastern population, urges Arabic speakers to consider joining the military.

"In the land of different opportunities," it says, "this is one you might not have heard before: job opportunities with the U.S. Army."

Five years after the invasion of Iraq, the Army says it is meeting or exceeding its goals for recruiting Arabic translators. But despite growing acceptance of the military among Arab immigrants, recruiters acknowledge that much of the immigrant community remains deeply suspicious of the Army.

"At first, it was more hostile from the community. It was at the peak of the invasion," said Mona Makki, a community liaison and language specialist with a company that helps the Army with recruitment. "They perceive us now in a positive way."

Hassan Jaber, executive director of the Dearborn-based Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services, said the Army has built some credibility in the community, but it is not fully embraced....

What the headline should have been

2008-03-06T10:25:00.000-08:00

Terrorist bombs U.S. Military Recruiting Center

Instead, the AP says the Police are investigating "Times Square blast." Of course, Berkeley is partially responsible for this. The fascists have made it OK to attack recruiting stations with no consequences.

Because 20 million people don't know any better...

2008-03-04T06:10:00.000-08:00

A group of seven people will decide they know what's best for us. Never mind the people of California spoke quite clearly in 2000 when they decided marriage was between a man and a woman.

It now falls to the seven justices of the California Supreme Court to resolve the matter, and they have 90 days from the hearing to issue an opinion. With six of the judges appointed by Republican governors and one appointed by a Democrat, the panel is considered politically moderate.

This is the only way liberals can win on this issue. And don't get me started on this one.

The court has made a rare exception to its one-hour total limit on oral arguments and will hold a three-hour session.

Communists are fun!

2008-02-24T16:57:00.001-08:00

Oh, you may complain that Communists have killed millions of people over the years but you must be a right wing extremist who does not understand the struggle of the third world proletariat against the evil Americans. They worship Fidel Castro and his new totalitarian dictator brother Raul as saviors. So you think you are going to be allowed to say something about the thousands who have been murdered in his prisons or the thousands of political prisoners or the hundreds of thousands who have risked their lives escaping the Castro Brother's totalitarian dictatorship? No dice. Raul is actually protecting the nation from the hard line communists. Thank God for Raul!!!

Oh how happy we all are! He's a "former"hardliner. "Former"? That must mean he believes in freedom now! I wonder what has made him see the error of his ways of exterminating people who disagreed with him? Maybe it's because anyone who disagreed with him is already DEAD.

Raul Castro, 76, a former hardliner feared for his ruthlessness against his brother's enemies but who has adopted a softer tone in recent years, nodded and smiled as legislators applauded his election by the rubber-stamp National Assembly.

It's strange how they never refer to either Castro as a dictator. That word is reserved to someone who ruled the county 50 years ago. Of course, he was a "U.S.-backed" dictator. Fidel, as we all know, was an "icon."

A leftist icon in his army fatigues, cap and beard but oppressor of his people to his foes, Fidel Castro overthrew U.S.-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista in 1959.

You've got to be kidding me

2008-01-31T09:39:00.000-08:00

OK, what's happening in Kenya is a tragedy for what was one of Africa's most stable and prosperous nations. But this is ridiculous.

African leaders also voiced alarm. Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade said the continent's image was at stake.

Which image is that exactly? The image of ethnic clensing in Rwanda? The image of goverment initiated starvation in Ethiopia? Maybe it's the image of the killing of Christians in Somolia?

This is what Zogby calls an unbiased poll

2008-01-28T17:34:00.000-08:00

Candidate A is against all these good thing, Candidate B supports all these good thing. So sad.

Blind Biography descriptions

Candidate A (Sen. Saxby Chambliss) is a sitting U.S. senator and former four-term Congressman. This candidate has been a supporter of President George W. Bush and the war in Iraq, has proposed a national sales tax to replace the current income tax, voted against the expansion of the child health care program known in Georgia as "Peach Care" and opposes the creation of any kind of national health insurance system. This candidate opposes a voluntary public financing of elections and accepts contributions from Political Action Committees. This person is married with two children. 45%

Candidate B (Josh Lanier) is a former staff member in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, and a former national association executive and businessman. This candidate is an Army veteran of the Vietnam War. This candidate has opposed the policies of President George W. Bush, supports ending the war in Iraq, is opposed to a national sales tax and supports the expansion of the child health care program known in Georgia as "Peach Care" and supports the creation of an optional, national, single-payer health care system. This candidate supports the creation of voluntary public financing of elections and does not accept campaign contributions from Political Action Committees or any contribution higher than $100 This person is married with four children. 47%

Democrats don't seem to be defending this psycho anymore

2007-12-10T08:21:00.000-08:00

What a crack-pot. Even now the final chapters on the life of Hugo Chavez are being written.

Venezuelans turned their clocks back 30 minutes Sunday in the latest measure by President Hugo Chavez to revolutionize their lives.

The time change is intended to optimize use of daylight hours and keep schoolchildren from having to wake up before dawn, according to Chavez.

But critics called it an arbitrary move by a socialist leader who has already redesigned the national flag, renamed the country the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, after independence hero Simon Bolivar, and plans to launch a new currency, the ''strong bolivar,'' in 2008.

The change ''affects even the biological functioning of the body, which is scientifically proven,'' he said Sunday.

Street vendor Maria Luz Garcia, 74, said she doesn't see much sense to the 30-minute adjustment and that it's being done simply ''because that man likes to change things like that.''

What's next? Rants about our precious bodily fluids?

Now that's what I call gun control

2007-12-10T08:08:00.000-08:00

Of course the media at the press conference this morning with the Sr. Pastor seemed to be trying to get him to say they did something wrong by having armed guards at the chruch.

More than 12 hours later, at New Life Church in Colorado Springs, a gunman with a high-powered rifle entered the church's main foyer and opened fire, Colorado Springs Police Chief Richard Myers said.

One church member was killed, and another who was badly wounded died later Sunday at Penrose Community Hospital in Colorado Springs, said hospital spokeswoman Amy Sufak. Their identities were not released.

The gunman was killed by a member of the church's armed security staff before police arrived, Myers said. Officers also found several smoke-generating devices on the church campus; their intended purpose wasn't clear.

Huckabee on taxes

2007-12-07T11:32:00.000-08:00

"There's a lot of support for a tax at the wholesale level for tobacco, and that's fine with me; I will very happily sign that. Others have suggested a surcharge on the income tax; that's acceptable; I'm fine with that. Others have suggested perhaps a sales tax; that's fine. Yet others have suggested a hybrid that would collect some monies from any one or a combination of those various ideas, and if that's the plan that the House and Senate agree upon, you will have nothing but my profound thanks."

- Then-Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, 2003, in a video clip the Club for Growth has converted into a TV commercial debuting this weekend

Who is the real traitor here?

2007-12-01T11:51:00.000-08:00

Anti-anti illegal immigration radicals just don't get it. A mayor favors screwing the law-abiding, taxpaying citizens of his city and he claims they are the ones who turned on him.

Tom Selders is still baffled at how quickly the city he served for years turned on him.
"I really feel betrayed by my community," said Selders, 61. "There's a big contingent of people in this community who are just full of anger and hate about illegal immigration, and that anger and hate has been transferred to me."

You ought to be in pictures

2007-11-29T03:14:00.000-08:00

But this might not be what they meant.

A missing Kansas college student believed to be the victim of foul play apparently led a double life as an Internet porn star by the name of Zoey Zane.

Nude photos of 18-year-old Emily Sander appeared on a Zoey Zane Web site before she vanished, and investigators are looking into whether her modeling had anything to do with her disappearance last Friday.

"She enjoyed it. She is a young teenage girl and she wanted to be in the movies and enjoyed movies. She needed the extra money," Nikki Watson, a close friend of Sander's at Butler Community College, told The Associated Press on Wednesday. "Nobody in El Dorado knew besides her close friends."

Baby Bombing: Coming to a Muslim Country Near You

2007-11-23T07:14:00.000-08:00

How nice. They may be taking this whole "Pro-Choice" thing a bit too serious.

Investigators from Ms Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party said yesterday they believed the bomb, which killed 170 people and left hundreds more wounded, was strapped to a one-year-old child carried by its jihadist father.

They said the suicide bomber tried repeatedly to carry the baby to Ms Bhutto's
vehicle as she drove in a late-night cavalcade through the streets of Karachi.

"At the point where the bombs exploded, Benazir Bhutto herself saw the man with the child and asked him to come closer so that she could hug or kiss the infant," investigators were reported as saying. "But someone came in between and a guard felt that the man with the child was not behaving normally. So the child was not allowed to come aboard Benazir's vehicle."

More from that religion of Peace

2007-11-21T12:42:00.000-08:00

Yup, this makes perfect sense.

The Saudi judiciary on Tuesday defended a court verdict that sentenced a 19-year-old victim of a gang rape to six months in jail and 200 lashes because she was with an unrelated male when they were attacked.

Racist denies 1st Amendment Rights to Petition Circulators

2007-11-16T12:17:00.000-08:00

This is what has happened to political discourse in this nation thanks to wackjob liberal racists. So sad that this is what they have come to. Someone should have had her arrested for a hate crime.

Black gang invades home, assualts innocent people - which proves white people are racist

2007-11-15T15:21:00.000-08:00

That's the gist of this story from the AP. Everyone is finding some excuse for the home invasion and baseball bat beating of innocent victims. The writer is so obviously biased, she wants us to think the homeowner should have been charged instead. This is how she starts the story:

Three young black men break into a white man's home in rural Northern California. The homeowner shoots two of them to death — but it's the surviving black man who is charged with murder.

We don't find out until the 13th paragraph the extent of the torture inflicted
on the family.

Edmonds' stepson, Dale Lafferty, suffered brain damage from the baseball bat beating he took during the melee. The 19-year-old lives in a rehabilitation center and can no longer feed himself.

You have to love the homeowner/victims response. Of course, under a different administration he would probably be facing federal hate crime charges by now.

"I didn't do anything wrong. All I did was defend my family and my children's lives," said Edmonds, 33. "I'm sad the kids are dead, I didn't mean to kill them."

He added: "Race has nothing to do with it other than this was a gang of black people who thought they were going to beat up this white family."

Read the rest if you can stomach it.

2 Convicted for Ohio Vote Fraud, Media Forgets Theyre Democrats

2007-11-10T10:57:00.000-08:00

By Warner Todd Huston

We have seen over and over again how the MSM (and the AP in particular) can’t seem to force themselves to mention the party affiliation of some elected official accused and/or convicted of a crime if that official happens to be a Democrat. Now the MSM has expanded that from elected officials even to party workers. The AP reports a story on two Democrat election officials convicted of recount rigging and neglect of official duties for their actions during the 2004 elections but, for some hard todetermine reason, few if any news sources are mentioning that these two are Democrats.

Jacqueline Maiden and Kathleen Dreame have pleaded guilty to the charges after an aborted conviction from last January, the original trial having been granted a retrial on grounds not connected with the pair’s actions.

Their crime is a bit hard to explain, but what it comes down to is that they committed fraud with the 2004 ballot recount procedures that amounted to their attempt to get out of following the proper procedure to conduct the recount.

Most of the news reports take great pains to say that the convicted operatives’ actions “weren’t for political purposes,” but even if that were true does that make legitimate not mentioning that they are Democrat Party election officials in Cuyahoga County, one of Ohio’s most Democratic counties?

Again, we have to ask, what would these news sources do if these two guilty officials were Republican election workers? Who can doubt that the party affiliation would have led the reportage of this crime?

So, no party affiliation for Maiden and Dreame from either UPI, the AP, or the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

The closest we get is an oblique reference to the claim that the pair’s actions didn’t help John Kerry in 2004.

Special prosecutor Kevin Baxter did not claim the actions affected the outcome of the election. Democratic Sen. John Kerry Kerry gained 17 votes and President Bush lost six in the county recount.

The fact that Kerry gained 17 votes in the recount would not have been mentioned had these two not been Democrat Poll workers, the suspicion being that they fraudulently created Kerry’s gain out of thin air. But surmising this point takes some thought and is not obvious on its surface. So, even the recitation of this point does not explain in a straightforward manner that these two women were Democrats.

No, what we have here is another game of hide-the-Democrat from the readers. Another in a long list of stories that will seemingly never end.

Warner Todd Huston is a staff writer for the New Media Alliance, Inc. The New Media Alliance is a non-profit (501c3) national coalition of writers, journalists and grass-roots media outlets.

Take your pick of what pisses you off in this story

2007-10-22T15:55:00.000-07:00

Driver's alcohol level twice the limit in officer's death
The Oakland Press

INDEPENDENCE TWP. The illegal immigrant accused of running over and killing an offduty Flint police officer in Independence Township had a blood alcohol content twice the legal limit, blood test results showed.

His attorney said Friday that second-degree murder is not an appropriate charge for the Mexican national, Ramon Felix Pineda, who has lived in the United States for more than a decade.

Attorneys on both sides pointed to the blood results Friday morning as the preliminary examination for Pineda, 25, was adjourned until Sept. 28 by 52nd-2nd District Judge Kelley Kostin.

Pineda of Clarkston is charged with second-degree murder in the Aug. 26 crash that killed Flint police Officer Vincent Owen D'Anna, 26, who died the following morning at Genesys Health Park in Grand Blanc.

Prior testimony revealed that Pineda drank seven beers before driving the 1992 Camaro that struck D'Anna's 2007 Suzuki motorcycle from behind on southbound Sashabaw Road near Clarkston Road.

The blood tests showed that Pineda's blood alcohol content was 0.16, double the legal limit of 0.08 grams per 100 milliliters of blood.

"It is a pretty significant blood alcohol level," Assistant Oakland County Prosecutor Rob Novy said.

Part of the reason for the higher charge is that witnesses reported Pineda kept driving, going over D'Anna, who was underneath the Camaro. Witnesses then tackled and held Pineda as he tried to flee.

Defense attorney Arthur Greenstone disputed what he said were portrayals of Pineda as a monster.

"He is anything but that," Greenstone said. "This was a tragic accident, and that's the key word - accident. I understand the anger. They paint him as an uncaring devil, but after people know what was in his mind, maybe they'll understand."

Greenstone said panic drove Pineda to run, both at the accident and at his status as an illegal immigrant, but he said that Pineda initially tried to help and then became frightened by angry witnesses.

"In the beginning, right after, my understanding is that he was one of the people who was trying to help," Greenstone said. "He was in a panic. There were people cursing at him, screaming at him. He thought he was going to get the hell beaten out of him."

Greenstone also said Pineda is haunted by the death.

"He said he dreams about it," Greenstone said. "It is with him all the time."

Greenstone said that it appears Pineda was drinking and did strike D'Anna's motorcycle, but he said he believes the appropriate charge should be operating under the influence of alcohol causing death, a potential 15-year felony.

To prove second-degree murder, a potential life felony, prosecutors must show that Pineda acted in a willful and wanton disregard for life, previous cases have shown.

D'Anna's family wore black Tshirts with his picture and name, followed by, "May justice be served." They declined further comment.

The difference between the two charges can mean years, or even decades, of additional prison time.

The Michigan Supreme Court has allowed the tougher charge to apply in cases where the accused had to have known that death or serious injury was a likely outcome of their driving, something that typically involves several examples of dangerous driving accompanying the drinking.

Oakland County Prosecutor David Gorcyca has taken a hardline approach to drunken drivers who kill, charging numerous people since 2004 with seconddegree murder.

Currently, two cases charged with second-degree murder are pending - Pineda's and that of 18-year-old Daniel Chase, who was a Lake Orion High School senior when involved in a crash that killed 24-year-old Sherry Burke of Oxford on Dec. 16.

Prosecutor Novy said Chase's charges are appropriate because Chase was allegedly driving the wrong way and had been arrested for drunken driving in the same area of Lapeer Road just two weeks prior to the fatal accident.

Chase's defense attorney, Kirsten Nielsen Hartig, disputes that, arguing that the prior arrest did not put Chase on notice for the dangers of drunken driving because he had not even appeared in court yet.

The results of prior cases have varied, with some resulting in convictions for lesser charges and others leading to prison terms of up to 25 years for the minimum.

The Muslim Honor Killing Hollywood Doesn't Want You to See (Anti-Semitic Scenes Remain); Did ICE Movie Writer/Director Lie to Get U.S. Citizenship?

2007-08-16T10:43:00.000-07:00

By Debbie Schlussel

To update an old Mark Twain (and Benjamin Disraeli) quote, there are lies, damned lies, and Hollywood scripts.

Sometimes the lies are not what is in the script, but what is removed under pressure from whining, politically correct interest groups. These days, those groups are primarily Muslim and Middle Eastern.

Muslim groups have successfully gotten scenes--accurately depicting them as terrorists and murderers--removed from scripts or changed to another, more acceptable nationality. Brilliant blogger Sultan Knish drew my attention to the latest such cave-in: "Crossing Over," starring Harrison Ford and Sean Penn and produced by the Weinstein Brothers. I've been writing extensively about this movie and have a copy of the original script.

Muslim Iranians were upset that a scene portrays them committing an honor killing. Late last week, they succeeded in getting it removed from the film. No worries, though, about the anti-Semitic scenes in the movie. Those remain. The Weinsteins and Writer/Director Wayne Kramer are Jewish, and we can't expect them to cave on those the way they did for the "more worthy" Muslims. It's politically correct to attack Jews, not so--these days in Hollywood--to attack those who attacked us before and on 9/11 and repeatedly try to again.

In the movie--about immigration, illegal aliens, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents--Hamid Baraheri is a Muslim Iranian ICE agent in his early forties. Predictably, he is Hollywood's version of a kind, decent, hard-working, loyal American agent, much unlike the real-life Muslim federal agents, many of whom have been the subject of insubordination and tipping off targets in federal terrorism investigations. Read more

A LOUISIANA POLITICAL DISGRACE

2007-08-14T23:25:00.000-07:00

By Jeff Crouere

August 14, 2007…..Each day brings a new revelation about a disgraced Louisiana politician. In June, Congressman Bill Jefferson (D-New Orleans) was hit with a 16-count indictment on charges including bribery, racketeering and money laundering. In July, U.S. Senator David Vitter (R-LA) admitted involvement with the D.C. Madam and is going to be called as a witness in the upcoming federal trial. He was also linked to a prostitution ring being operated by the Canal Street Madam in New Orleans, a charge he denies. However, the embarrassments are not confined to the state’s congressional delegation, for today, the longest serving member of the New Orleans City Council, at-large representative Oliver Thomas, pleaded guilty on federal bribery charges for demanding payments from a vendor that was hired to operate three parking lots in New Orleans. The charge carries a jail sentence of 10 years, although Thomas has been cooperating with federal prosecutors and will likely receive a lighter sentence. Due to this guilty plea, Thomas will resign his council position in shame, bringing another unfortunate spotlight on our political scene.

As Thomas divulges more information about local political corruption, it is quite possible that more politicians become ensnared in this criminal case. As more corrupt politicians are identified, it will help clean up the rotten political arena, which is certainly a positive development. However, in the long recovery process, the image of the city and state will continue to suffer.

No other state has so many prominent politicians in trouble with the law. The lawbreakers are not confined to New Orleans, it is a statewide epidemic. The former Governor of Louisiana is still in jail serving a ten year sentence; the former Elections Commissioner was convicted of crimes including money laundering; three Insurance Commissioners in a row were sent to jail; the Agriculture Commissioner has been indicted on bribery charges and the former President of the State Senate is still in jail on charges including insurance fraud and money laundering. In addition, numerous state legislators have been sent to jail on a variety of charges, including former gubernatorial candidate and KKK leader David Duke on tax fraud charges.

In the New Orleans area, in recent years, a very successful Wrinkled Robe investigation has netted the conviction of two Jefferson Parish judges. There has been an active investigation into the activities of the Orleans Parish School Board and several convictions have been received, including former board President Ellenese Brooks-Simms who pleaded guilty to accepting $100,000 in bribes from a consultant working for a vendor. The consultant was reported to be none other than Mose Jefferson, the brother of the indicted congressman. Another scandal involved the girlfriend of Mose Jefferson, former Councilwoman Renee Gill-Pratt, who improperly used donated vehicles that were sent to the city post-Katrina for her own personal benefit.

Of all the local investigations, the one that has netted the most prominent convictions involves the administration of former Mayor Marc Morial. Several administration allies, including Morial’s uncle, his good friend Stan “Pampy” Barre and his administration’s property manager have all been admitted to crimes. It was this case that resulted in the discovery of bribery by Thomas, when Barre started talking to the federal government in the hopes of earning a lesser jail sentence.

This development has shocked the New Orleans political community. Thomas was seen as the heir apparent to Ray Nagin as Mayor. In contrast to Nagin, Thomas was viewed as a bridge builder and a more responsible elected official who did not “shoot from the hip” or embarrass the city he represented. Of course, today, with his guilty plea, Thomas has not only embarrassed himself, but his family and all of his constituents in New Orleans. Now, he becomes just another in a long line of Louisiana politicians who have run afoul of the law.

It is time for voters to demand more from politicians and seek out those who are reputable and trustworthy. Voters must insist that tougher ethics laws are passed on both the local and statewide levels. For many years, it has been apparent that the deals at City Hall have been questionable and possibly illegal. It is common knowledge that insiders and politicians profit from the city contracts and that smelly practice must end immediately. It should be mandatory that no council member be allowed to receive “consulting fees” from any companies doing business with City of New Orleans or have an ownership role in those entities. On the state level, no legislator should be allowed to do business with state government or profit from their public service. In most states, these are elementary ethics requirements, but in Louisiana, they involve a whole new way of thinking.

For politicians, public service should be a sacrifice, not a way to line their pockets. Everyone in Louisiana has seen too many politicians supposedly receiving only a minimal salary driving around in fancy cars and wearing expensive clothes. Where do they get the money since it certainly does not come from their minimal salaries? Tragically, all too often, the lucrative perks come from underhanded dealings.

Just as the state is asking for more federal assistance, another one of our supposedly pro-reform politicians is nabbed in a corruption probe. This does not give the rest of the nation any confidence that hurricane recovery dollars will be spent wisely and not squandered on politicians looking for payoffs.

It is no longer entertaining to see so many politicians in trouble. It is disheartening and very disturbing and, of course, damaging to the state’s already tarnished reputation.

Jeff Crouere is a native of New Orleans, LA and he is the host of a Louisiana based program, “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 8:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 5 till 9 a.m. weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. For more information, visit his web site at www.ringsidepolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com.

Only in Vegas

2007-07-06T09:34:00.000-07:00

No, not the shooting. The fact the casino stayed open. I love Vegas.

The man entered the casino from the walkway connecting the New York-New York to the MGM Grand a little before 1 a.m., and randomly fired several times at people
on the casino floor below, said Denby. "Investigators are still collecting bullets," he said.

Denby said the casino remained opened, and investigators were interviewing witnesses.

Bail? How about summary execution?

2007-05-17T07:19:00.000-07:00

This is the problem with the war on terror. Liberals have made it impossible to treat these animals like they deserve. They should already have been shipped off to Guantanamo.

Of the six men charged last week with plotting to attack soldiers at Fort Dix, Agron Abdullahu had the smallest role — and did not intend to kill anyone, prosecutors say. But, the U.S. Attorney's Office argues, he should still be held in a detention center until his case is decided.

A judge on Thursday was to decide whether he should be freed on bail. Abdullahu, 24, is charged with helping illegal immigrants obtain weapons, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

Authorities said Abdullahu kept weapons for the others, taught them how to hold guns and told them about how to make bombs.

But according to a government legal brief filed Wednesday, he told an FBI informant he did not intend to kill anyone but wanted to learn about bomb making "just in case somebody pushes me to the limits."

At least it's a reliable source

2007-05-13T17:05:00.000-07:00

Why would the media feel the need to report something so ridiculous? According to Reuters:

An anti-U.S. Afghan rebel leader said he had information that Osama bin Laden is alive but keeping a low profile by not issuing statements, according to a video aired on Sunday.

"Based on information I have, I believe Osama is alive," said Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, whose forces operate in southeastern Afghanistan near Pakistan, in the undated video broadcast on Al Arabiya television. His remarks were dubbed into Arabic.

"I also believe that it is good that he ... does not appear in the media, and that it is wise that no statements or tapes are issued even after a long while," said Hekmatyar, without elaborating.

AP Headline: L.A. marchers demand immigration rights

2007-04-08T07:40:00.000-07:00

No. They are demanding ILLEGAL immigration rights. Big difference.

This should teach Senor Bush a lesson: You can't please people once you tell them it is OK to break the law.

Many were angry about a White House plan that would grant illegal immigrants work visas but require them to return home to apply for U.S. residency and pay a
$10,000 fine.

"Charging that much, Bush is going to be even more expensive than the coyotes," said protester Armando Garcia, 50, referring to smugglers who transport people across the Mexican border.

Yes, they are comparing the man who wants to give them citizenship to coyotes who regularly abandon people to die in the desert or just murder them for the little amount of money they have.

Last WWI Navy Vet Dies

2007-04-04T03:45:00.000-07:00

Lloyd Brown, the last known U.S. Navy veteran to fight in World War I, has died. He was 105.

Brown died Thursday at the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home in Maryland, according to family and the U.S. Naval District in Washington.

His death comes days after the death of the last known surviving American female World War I veteran, Charlotte L. Winters, 109. Their deaths leave three known survivors who served in the Army, and a fourth who lives in Washington state but served in the Canadian army, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

There they go again

2007-04-03T07:38:00.000-07:00

The "experts" are predicting a worse than normal hurricane season. You will recall the enviro-wackos predicted a bad hurricane season last year and were grossly mistaken. Now they have all sorts of excuses as to why it wasn't as bad as 2005. You probably don't recall the predictions in 2004 that 2005 would be a bad season. That's because they didn't predict it even though they already knew about so-called man-induced global warming. The bottom line is they don't know. They guess and when they guess right they are seen as prophets. When they are wrong, they are never called on it.

Does Obama go to a racist church?

2007-03-17T09:50:00.000-07:00

I truly don't care if this is really Barak Obama's church or if he believes such drivel. All I want to know is what the hell does "Disavowal of the Pursuit of "Middleclassness"" mean?

In case you didn't get the email yet, this is the nutty "value system" this church follows. Now substitute White wherever it says Black and tell me what people would say about that.

Trinity United Church of Christ adopted the Black Value System written by the Manford Byrd Recognition Committee chaired by Vallmer Jordan in 1981. We believe in the following 12 precepts and covenantal statements. These Black Ethics must be taught and exemplified in homes, churches, nurseries and schools, wherever Blacks are gathered. They must reflect on the following concepts:

Commitment to God
Commitment to the Black Community
Commitment to the Black Family
Dedication to the Pursuit of Education
Dedication to the Pursuit of Excellence
Adherence to the Black Work Ethic
Commitment to Self-Discipline and Self-Respect
Disavowal of the Pursuit of "Middleclassness"
Pledge to make the fruits of all developing and acquired skills available to the Black Community
Pledge to Allocate Regularly, a Portion of Personal Resources for Strengthening and Supporting Black Institutions
Pledge allegiance to all Black leadership who espouse and embrace the Black Value System
Personal commitment to embracement of the Black Value System.

The saddest Dem apology for protecting America yet

2007-03-15T19:30:00.000-07:00

So we all know how Democrats are falling all over each other to come up with the most "sincere" apology for voting for the war. But this takes the cake. Now Edwards' advisers are saying they pushed him into supporting the war resolution. His own instincts were to vote against it.

Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards was skeptical about voting for the Iraq war resolution and was pushed into it by advisers looking out for his political future, according to an upcoming book by one of his former consultants.

Democratic strategist Bob Shrum writes in his memoir to be published in June that he regrets advising Edwards to give President Bush the authority to go to war in Iraq. He said if Edwards had followed his instincts instead of the advice of political professionals, he would have been a stronger presidential candidate in 2004.

This, of course, contradicts his own statements on why he has now backtracked on his support of Bush. He claims he supported the war because he was lied to. He can't seem to remember any of the lies, but he's sure he was lied to. Now compare all this to Edwards' own statement on Iraq on October 10, 2002.

"Saddam Hussein's regime represents a grave threat to America and our allies, including our vital ally, Israel. For more than two decades, Saddam Hussein has sought weapons of mass destruction through every available means. We know that he has chemical and biological weapons. He has already used them against his neighbors and his own people, and is trying to build more. We know that he is doing everything he can to build nuclear weapons, and we know that each day he gets closer to achieving that goal."

Now doesn't that sound like he was lied to or talked into something he didn't believe. Hypocrites: Thy name is Democrat.

At least the public agrees there is a liberal bias in the media

2007-03-15T14:13:00.000-07:00

According to a Zogby poll.

Nearly two-thirds of those online respondents who detected bias in the media (64%) said the media leans left, while slightly more than a quarter of respondents (28%) said they see a conservative bias on their TV sets and in their column inches. The survey, which focuses on perceptions of the “old” and “new” media, will be released today at the PoliticsOnline Conference 2007 at GWU. It is also featured in the March issue of Zogby’s Real America newsletter, now available on www.zogby.com.

Rosie O'Donnell defends admitted terrorist

2007-03-15T10:15:00.000-07:00

This is unbelievable, inexplicable and just plain disgusting. Americans torture people and it's Americans who treat people wrong. Never does she say a word about his long history of ties to other terrorists and his long involvement with killing innocent civilians. She speaks with complete and utter contempt for the US and her brave service members. She is also shocked...SHOCKED!!...that reporters were not allowed to be present during the interrogations. Tell me you don't want to just punch her in the mouth after watching her smug performance on the View.

http://hotair.com/archives/2007/03/15/video-rosie-dismisses-ksm-says-he-is-not-be-all-end-all-of-terrorism/

6 kids on the way...with 6 different women

2007-03-13T12:31:00.000-07:00

You can't make this up. A "music producer" who claims to have a $2 million deal on the way defrauded a bank for less than $4,000. The story doesn't say, but I think we could guess what kind of music he produces.

When Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Melba Marsh asked Lackey during sentencing Friday on a charge of attempted theft how many children he had, the 25-year-old said, "None, but I have six on the way."

A stunned Marsh tried to clarify. "Are you marrying a woman with six children?" she asked. "No, I be concubining," he said.

Prosecutors said Lackey is the expectant father of six children with six different women. The women all are expected to deliver in August, September and October.

Ecuador moves closer to dictatorship

2007-03-10T09:11:00.000-08:00

If you call what they have now a democacy. This guy, is of course, an ally of Hugo Chavez, the other budding South American furher.

Police surrounded the National Congress on Thursday to keep out 57 Ecuadorean lawmakers who were fired a day earlier by four electoral judges the legislators had sought to impeach.

The four judges of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal accused the legislators of interfering with a referendum on whether to rewrite the constitution.

Ecuador's new leftist president, Rafael Correa, sided with the court and was pressing ahead with the referendum, a step the lawmakers have called illegal.

Ann Coulter is in trouble now

2007-03-10T09:07:00.000-08:00

Three major papers are dropping her problem because she told a gay joke. How will she pay her bills now?

The Mountain Press in Sevierville, Tennessee, The Oakland Press in Michigan and the Lancaster New Era in Pennsylvania said they would stop running Coulter's syndicated column because of the comment she made last week.

Republicans and Democrats have lambasted Coulter for using the gay slur in reference to Edwards, a former U.S. senator, during a speech March 2 at the American Conservative Union's Political Action Conference.

Just for those who wonder about these things, the only people you can publicly use as the punchline of a joke are fat people and Christians. You can secretly make jokes about Jews at Democratic events because we really know Democrats resent Jews.

Does anyone not realize bin Laden is dead?

2007-03-10T08:56:00.000-08:00

Well he is. The Democrats certainly believe it. Otherwise we would be hearing about him every other day. This, incidentally, points to another of Bush's failing in the WOT. He should be reminding people of bin Laden. But this Administration has done very little right since winning the war in Iraq.

The al Qaeda leader's long silence has fueled speculation that the world's most-wanted fugitive may have died, though many in the international intelligence community reckon Islamist militant Web sites would circulate word of his death.

Why Stupid People Shouldn’t Get Things or Do Stuff

2007-03-05T07:59:00.000-08:00

Stupid #1: Stand-In Mistress Beating in China

According to Reuters on February 26, 2007, a Chinese businessman advertised on a popular online job forum for a stand-in mistress that his wife could beat up. Apparently, the wife found out that the husband had a mistress and insisted on beating her up in order to vent her frustration at the situation.

The best part is that people have actually applied for this job. According to the Beijing Youth Daily, more than 10 people have already applied for the position. The winning (or losing, really) candidate will be paid 3000 Yuan ($400) for every 10 minutes that she lasted in the ring (aka – living room).

This really happens in civilized culture? Of course, there are those who would think that this guy is a genius. In this case, the ‘stupids’ could be both the wife and the job applicants. This guy gets to keep his mistress, watch his wife wail on some chick (who, by the way, must be 35 and originally from Northeastern China) and he’s only out around $400. I checked, and a reserved seating ticket to the 911 Slugfest in Indianapolis, IN is worth $35 (plus that nagging Ticketmaster surcharge). If this guy was REALLY smart, he’d sell a few tickets and popcorn and maybe come out even.

Stupid #2: Dog and Man with Matching Degrees

According to the Associated Press on March 1, 2007, attorney Gene Murray is questioning the credentials of both the police chief in Fostoria, Ohio and his K-9 coworker. One might ask why an attorney would bother with doggie credentials. Well, the fact is that both the police chief and the department’s police dog hold the same criminal justice degree from the same online school.

The entire matter is being brought to light because Murray is seeking to have Ohio courts dismiss a drug charge against a client. Murray is accusing Chief John McGuire of lying on his job application and thereby not being legally employed at the time that he issued the drug charge.

Both McGuire and Rocko (that's the dog), who was cleverly listed as John I. Rocko on his diploma, are recorded as graduating from Concordia College and University.

In this story, the real ‘stupids’ are the upstanding citizens of Fostoria who looked passed the internet college degree when hiring their police chief. According to the AP, the Fostoria City leaders have said that McGuire's hiring was not influenced by his college degree.

Stupid #3: Check from God

Again from the AP on March 1, 2007, a man unsuccessfully tried to cash a check from God. 21-year-old Kevin Russell of Hobart, Indiana was arrested after he attempted to cash a check for $50,000 at a Chase Bank. Apparently the check was signed “King Savior, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Servant,” and written on an invalid Bank One check that didn’t have an imprint.

In all honesty, I think that the bank should honor the check for a few reasons. First, if you are that nuts, you probably need the money to pay for drugs or liquor or something. Second, if you have the guts to let other people know that you are that nuts, by showboating it in public, you need the money because you’ll never work again in your whole life. Finally, I find it to be nearly an act of God to fit 39 letters, eight spaces, and three commas onto a line that is only about two inches long. My name is only 16 letters (and one space) and fills the entire signature line.

Russell has since been charged with one count of attempted check fraud, and one count of intimidation (these are both felonies), and one count of resisting law enforcement (only a misdemeanor).

In this instance, there are many ‘stupids’ to laugh at. First, obviously, the unbelievable Mr. Kevin Russell. He even had the guts to put up a fight when the officers came to arrest him in the bank, and then proceeded to threaten the police as they transported him to the Police Department. Additionally, I think attention should be drawn to the fact that Russell was charged with one account of intimidation. No seriously. You would think the Hobart Police Department would be a little too embarrassed to charge the God-check-guy with anything even close to intimidation. Let's show some dignity.

Dunkin Huntter for Prezedint

2007-03-02T11:44:00.000-08:00

I love Duncan Hunter and I think he would make a great president. I even lived in his district for a time while I was in San Diego. But jeez, find someone who can write a press release. How many typos can you find?

For immediate release:

Too Close To Call: Hunter and Giuliani Neck and Neck for First
Place in South Carolina Straw Poll

California Congressman Duncan Hunter strong second with several precincts still out
(Spartanburg, SC) Rudy Giuliani leads by six votes in a tight straw poll vote in Spartanburg, SC
March 1. The Nation¹s Mayor edged out California Congressman Duncan Hunter for the top spot. Hunter¹s surprisingly strong finish has given conservatives a clear-cut choice in the 2008 presidential race. He is within a few votes of upsetting Giuliani in the Spartanburg County polling. McCain and Brownback are third and fourth
respectively.

This is the second surprise Hunter has handed his fellow Republicans contenders. In January, Hunter defeated John McCain by a two-to-one margin in McCain¹s home state of Arizona. The strong finish in South Carolina has proven Hunter¹s true strength in the primaries. Republicans nationwide have been seeking a true Conservative to support in the Presidential contest, and Hunter¹s exhibited strength may have answered their [Conservatives] call. He has fought for a strong US-Mexican border with no amnesty for illegals, an overhaul of the trade agreements especially with the Chinese, and a strong national defense. As Spartanburg Republican Gerald Emory commented, ³Now we have a true Ronald Reagan conservative that we can support. This is a proud night for the Grand Ole Party.²

Hunter¹s success surprised some political pundants. The successful drive was headed with an all-volunteer staff fueled by Hunter's family and a cadre of inspired South Carolina volunteers. He spent far less money than the so-called favorites of Giuliani, McCain, and Romney. Hunter has served26-years in the House of Representatives, and is the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee.

The last reported poll results were: Giuliani 158; Hunter 152; McCain 116;Brownback 87; Romney 80; Huchabee 21; Tancredo 7; Cox 4; Paul 4; Thompson 1 ;Gillmore 0.
((For clarification or additional information, call Roy Tyler
(928)941-1079))

The Hunter for President Website is www.gohunter08.com))

Paid for by Hunter for President, Inc. Bruce Young Treasurer FEC#COO431411

The modern marriage

2007-02-28T06:25:00.000-08:00

This just proves that the economic, moral and social stability that marriage has afforded the world is soon to be over. It is no longer about finding that special someone. The time of soul mates has vanished. The goal now, for many modern adults is to find someone stable and, if nothing else, tolerable.

While I understand the human need for companionship, these window-shopped brides will not, most likely, enjoy a loving relationship with the drive-through husbands. They will then pass on similar ideals to their children and we can kiss the stable family unit goodbye.

Pick your vices carefully

2007-02-26T15:39:00.000-08:00

There is some recent news on the street, and I’ll be honest with you, it’s kinda disturbing. Apparently, there is a 107-year-old Hong Kongian who has credited his long life to his abstinence from sex. Chan Chi, who is acclaimed as one of Hong Kong’s oldest people, was quoted:

"I don't know why I have lived this long. Maybe it has to do with the fact that I have lived a sex-less life for many years -- since I was 30." Apparently, Chi has remained abstinent since his wife died during the Japanese invasion in World War II.

Mr. Chi is also an occasional smoker, and mentioned, "Now I want to quit … Maybe the government should ban cigarette sales so I can give it up,"

Well, Mr. Chi, they haven’t yet outlawed fornication and you were able to forgo that vice! I suppose we all must chose which avenue our will power is most applicable.

We won't see a Barack! campaign anytime soon

2007-02-26T15:34:00.000-08:00

The real genius in Mrs. Clinton’s approach is that it can absolutely trump Senator Barack Obama. There is no way for him to win with a “Barack for President” site. The only catchphrase that could be less persuasive would be a site that employed his middle name: “Hussein for President.”

Hillary! is a winner

2007-02-26T11:10:00.000-08:00

Sad to see you don't agree, Joe. But I love the new Hillary campaign. She is leaping onto the coattails of numerous first-namers like Madonna and Oprah. This tactic worked for her Senate campaigns, and I believe that it will be strong for the Presidential election as well.

It's just Hillary! now

2007-02-25T13:31:00.000-08:00

Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, that presidential hopeful doormat, has decided to drop the surname that has soiled her life. Correct – you will not vote for Hillary Clinton, but instead just Hillary(!)

On Hillary!’s website, her 1,937-word biography only contains the name “Clinton” one time. It is located halfway in (“she followed her heart and a man named Bill Clinton to Arkansas”). That’s it. “Hillary” appears 38 times.

Conservatives are stuck in the past

2007-02-22T22:15:00.000-08:00

Joe, your problem is you are so stuck in the past you just don't understand modern relationships.

This just proves that the economic, moral and social stability that marriage has afforded the world is soon to be over. It is no longer about finding that special someone that makes you feel all twitterpated. The time of soul mates has vanished. The goal now, for many modern adults is to find someone stable and, if nothing else, tolerable.

While I understand the human need for companionship, these window-shopped brides will not, most likely, enjoy a loving relationship with the drive-through husbands. They will then pass on similar ideals to their children. I know this bothers conservatives, but it is the reality they must learn to accept.

The shape of marriage to come

2007-02-22T20:13:00.000-08:00

The New York Times recently reported on an excellent love trend that is rising in Asia. It has become somewhat common for South Korean men to travel abroad to pick young foreign wives and hold weddings in a matter of days. I am all for it!

This article detailed the marriage of Mr. Kim, a high school graduate, who lives with his mother and his sister, and works on the assembly line of a small manufacturer of car keys. The label that I have chosen: WINNER!

Mr. Kim was introduced to 20-some potential Vietnamese wanna-be brides. Young women, typically from poor or rural families, register with the broker with the hopes of finding a better life. The practice, according to the editorial, is overseen by a marriage broker whom the hopeful husband contacts and pays (typically around $10,000).

The best part of the whole thing was when Mr. Kim asked his final two lucky choices whether they had any questions, the first, Bui Thi Thuy, said she had none. But the other girl asked, “If I marry you, will you love me and take care of me forever?” Mr. Kim’s response was “Of course,” and then he quickly decided to marry Ms. Thuy.

Dixie Chicks - American Heroes

2007-02-14T05:54:00.000-08:00

Joe, don’t get ahead of yourself. You started liking country music because of the boots. How many pairs do you have now?

We should commend the Dixie Chicks for upholding their beliefs. They didn’t give up on what they believed, and it paid off. Those five decisions by the Recording Academy clearly reflect their appreciation that the Chicks have made a public stand against the Bush Administration, and the monotony of war that we’ve found ourselves in.

Congratulations to the Dixie Chicks. Thanks for your public service.

Letting Iran have nukes is a bad idea

2007-02-14T05:44:00.000-08:00

Mario, is that statement really so alien to you and your kind?

Yes, I suppose that technically, I also find it “unfair” (to look at this issue in uber-juvenile terms) that power-nations are allowed to maintain and produce nuclear weapons, while restricting those of other smaller nations. However, the practical side of my brain is screaming loud exclamations of protection and prevention. In all honesty, it makes a lot of sense to keep weapons that are capable of immediate and absolute decimation out of the hands of volatile nations such as Iran.

The concern held by the EU is that a nuclear armed Iranian state could lead to the destruction of the state of Israel (not to mention any other mid-east state that does not cow to Iranian demands). This, justifiably, comes in light of recent controversial remarks made by Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, in which he called for Israel to be 'wiped off the map' and described the Holocaust as a "myth". All of this, and Ahmadinejad maintains that he respects Jews and is not anti-Semitic. Yeah right. Give this guy some nukes, trust me, it’s a great idea!

America and EU trying to bully the world

2007-02-14T04:14:00.000-08:00

Last week, 27 European Union nations announced that they will impose a ban on selling materials and technology that are nuclear-related to Iran, and additionally will put a freeze on the assets of 10 Iranian organizations and 12 individual people. This restriction comes after the confirmation by international inspectors that Iran is proceeding to equip its uranium enrichment plant at Natanz, and Iran’s capital city, Tehran's, refusal to suspend uranium enrichment.

Iran signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty, and has not technically violated its terms by resuming the development of their uranium enrichment program. Uranium enrichment is allowable under the NPT as it is a step towards a civilian nuclear energy program. The debate enters when the European Union accused Iran of using their energy program to help develop nuclear weapons, which would be in violation of the NPT.

This all sounds well and good, until we get to the exceptions. According to the NPT, five states are permitted to own nuclear weapons. These countries are: France, the People’s Republic of China, the Soviet Union (now, obviously Russia), the United Kingdom, and, of course, the United States.

To me, it seems awfully inconsistent to allow nuclear weapons, and the use of those weapons to the five power nations of the world, and to mandate the absence of weapons for the rest of the world. Who is America and the EU to decide which nations are allowed power? We are all players in the game of world-wide warfare (or in this case, peace), and it is therefore inappropriate to let players mandate restrictions onto other players without making some concessions ourselves.

Dixie Chicks rewarded for Anti-Americanism

2007-02-14T02:40:00.000-08:00

I don’t know how it is possible. The Dixie Chicks, those commie ladies of country fire, won five Grammy awards on Sunday. This comes after the group was (rightfully) shunned by country music fans and the entire country music establishment due to the group's hate-filled, anti-Bush comments surrounding the Iraq invasion.

I absolutely agreed when radio chose to abstain from playing the records of the newly-dubbed Commie Chicks, but this "thumb in the eye" of country music fans just proves, as I had suspected, that all of the music business adheres to that same disgusting pro-terrorist mentality of the liberal establisment. Once again, Hollywood proves they are out of touch with middle America.

France Stinks

2007-02-11T21:43:00.001-08:00

As if over-the-top snobbery and the quickest white flag in the west isn’t enough, I do believe that the French have out done even themselves in idiocracy. France announced plans to spend a whopping $9 million this year alone with the goal of improving public awareness regarding trouble sleeping. According to the health minister, one in three French people suffer from sleeping troubles. I guess that I would have trouble sleeping too if I was French, if not from the cowardice, from those stupid berets for sure.

The Health Minister is proposing an after-lunch nap for those tired French workers. The plan is to introduce the naps to be tested out by volunteer firms and studied for results. Once their effectiveness has been proven to the scrupulous French Ministry of Health, the naps can be recommended for all employees.

Frankly, I’m pleased for the French people. After all, they already are forced to drag themselves through an arduous 35-hour work week, generous vacations, and there are the women to contend with too.

Xavier Bertrand, France’s Health Minister had a few pearls of wisdom to share with the class.

"Sleep must not be trivialized"

"Why not a siesta at work? The question must not be taboo," Mr Bertrand added. "But let's not get carried away. The siesta would be limited to 15 minutes. But if the study enables us to confirm the positive effects on concentration and quality of work, we must not hesitate to promote the concept."

No wonder the French suck.

Now I will leave you with some French jokes from http://www.i-hate-france.com/

Q. How do you say "Give me liberty or give me death!" in French? A. I give up.

Q. How many Frenchmen does it take to defend Paris? A. Nobody knows. It's never been tried.

Q. What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up? A. The French Army.

Q. Why was the Chunnel built under the English Channel? A. So the French government could flee to London.

Q: Did you hear about the new French tanks? A: They have 5 gears...4 in reverse, and one forward gear just in case they're attacked from behind!

Q: Why don't they have fireworks at Euro Disney? A: Because every time they shoot them off, the French try to surrender.

Q: Why do they have trees in Paris? A: So the Germans can march in the shade instead of the sun

Q: Why is good to be French? A: You can surrender at the beginning of the war, and US will win it for you.

Q: What is the first thing you are taught when joining the French army? A: To say "I surrender" in German

Q: Why was Jesus not born in France? A: Because they couldn’t find three wise men or a virgin.

What happend to the whole gay marriage thing

2007-02-06T07:55:00.000-08:00

Gavin Newsome, the Mayor of San Francisco, is best know for authorizing gay marriages in Frisco (they hate it when you call it that) a few years ago. He is widely credited with kicking off the anti-gay marriage backlash that helped propel Bush to a second term.

You would think, now that he is embroiled in a sex scandal and is seeking alcohol counseling, that might have come up in the stories. No, that would reflect poorly on the gay movement.

Mayor Gavin Newsom said Monday that he plans to seek counseling for alcohol use, following the disclosure that he had an affair with the wife of a veteran aide.

The revelation came less than a week after Newsom publicly apologized for his affair with Ruby Rippey-Tourk, 34, his former appointments secretary and the wife of his campaign manager.

The "Ick" Party

2007-02-04T08:17:00.000-08:00

It's amazing how the Democrats (or is that Democratics - I wouldn't want to offend anyone) get the media to make such big stories out of what they perceive to be some sort of Republican plan to belittle the name of their party. Remember the DemocRATS story that the media dragged on for a couple of weeks?

Democrats found it demeaning when the president, in his State of the Union address last month, referred to the "Democrat majority," as opposed to the "Democratic majority."

Besides, it's only fitting that "ick" is back in the party name.

Hate crimes rate probation

2007-02-02T17:01:00.000-08:00

At least if the victim is white and the thug is black.

One of nine black teenagers convicted in the racially charged beating of three white women on Halloween was sentenced to probation Friday.

Punishment could have ranged up to confinement in a California Youth Authority lockup until age 25 for the 18-year-old, who was 17 at the time the crime took place. He was ordered to serve 250 hours of community service and to go nowhere but home, school or church during 60 days of house arrest.

Ooooo, house arrest. How's terrible for him.

Nanny state run amok

2007-02-01T10:41:00.000-08:00

Recently, New York Assemblyman Jose Rivera (of course he's a Democrat) proposed that a weight standard be established for the fashion and entertainment industries. We don't want them becoming too thin it seems. That makes kids want to be thin also, leading to...less obesity? Wait, isn't that what we want? Anyway, according to the AP,

“The proposed board would include health experts, industry representatives, models and entertainers. It would report to the state Labor Department on the need for employment restrictions, weight or body mass index requirements, medical screenings, protocols to refer people for treatment and educational programs on eating disorders.”

Great. Models and entertainers deciding what is a proper weight. I guess they are as qualified as anyone. My only question is if the standard would only apply to those stick-thin examples of self control and dedication, or if we could also expand the legislature to limit the weight at which entertainers could practice their craft. On second thought, I’m sure that Rosie O’Donnell would surly put a long, painful and drawn-out end to that particular piece of legislation, so maybe it’s better to just let self-contempt and Paris Hilton be in charge of that end of the issue.

Little Hitler

2007-01-31T09:38:00.000-08:00

It sure is fun to get to watch a little Hitler being born right before our eyes. And all with barely a mention by the press. Reuters gives it one paragraph.

Venezuela's Chavez gets powers to rule by decree

Venezuela's Congress on Wednesday granted President Hugo Chavez powers to rule by decree for 18 months as he tries to force through a package of nationalizations key to his self-styled leftist revolution.

You've gotta love the AP's headline.

Chavez gets powers to remake Venezuela

Remake? Is that what we call it now? They wait until the last line of the story to mention that, just maybe, some think dictators are a bad thing.

His critics are calling it a radical lurch toward authoritarianism by a leader with unchecked power.

Bush stays true to form - all talk, no action

2007-01-26T15:50:00.000-08:00

Let me begin by saying that one of the biggest successes during Bush’s State of the Union address had to have been his, for the first time, addressing a Madam Speaker of the House.

Bush also pledged to work with Democrats. Most quotably, he said "Our citizens don't much care which side of the aisle we sit on, as long as we are willing to cross that aisle when there is work to be done." He managed to work successfully with Democrats in the past, when he was governor of Texas, I suppose that time will tell if he will ever be able to do it as President.

I was grateful for his various bipartisan nods on some issues, even though many points were left un-supported by specific action plans. Namely, Bush talked about reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil and re-thinking foreign policy in Africa.

The most frustrating aspect of the entire shindig was Bush’s reliance on fear to propel his Iraqi agenda. The president is interested in furthering the war in Iraq (and only in Iraq) at any cost, whether it me monetary or human, and under any name that will work.

Bush's State of the Union

2007-01-26T13:42:00.000-08:00

Record audiences and a lackluster, yawn-inspiring borefest. Oh well. After all this time, who is really surprised. President Bush’s seventh State of the Union address ended up almost favorable for Republicans (well, as strong as this president can be, anyway), but also seemed to give enough nods to those lousy Donkeys to keep the Congress happy. Bush was even nice enought to touch on a few topics that particularly interest Republicans across the country, namely the economy.

In a major departure from his first 6 years in office, the President is suggesting we should not grow government larger - instead relying on free enterprise. Additionally, he reiterated his support of keeping health care private, and also suggested that states redistribute federal funds in order to make it more affordable for the uninsured to purchase private health care.

Unfortunately, Bush continues to squish out on immigration. His biggest flaw during the address was to offer his support to a temporary worker program. The president actually said:
“When laws and borders are routinely violated, this harms the interests of our country.... Yet we cannot fully secure the border unless we take pressure off the border -- and that requires a temporary worker program."Honestly, you’ve got to be kidding me. What sense does it make to ease immigration laws in order to secure the border? What a joke.

AP defends John Kerry

2007-01-25T22:08:00.000-08:00

Personally I think the insinuations that Obama is a Muslim are less than honorable. But that doesn't excuse the AP for this paragraph.

Sen. Barack Obama fought back Wednesday against an allegation that he was educated at a radical Islamic school as a child in Indonesia, determined to avoid being tripped up by unsubstantiated charges like those that undermined John Kerry in 2004.

"Unsubstantiated"??? They never quite get around to saying which charges were unsubstantiated other than to say it involved the Swift Boat ads - all of which were true.

Joe should try a little tree-hugging

2007-01-25T18:00:00.000-08:00

Joe, I agree with your political solution, but resent your name calling. You’d hug trees if there were any in that concrete jungle in which you choose to reside! An interesting idea (and one that may actually work - unlike your president's ideas) that has been thrown around is rearranging the Middle East priorities a bit. That is, to send troops to Afghanistan, where their need is obviously in defending against a resurgence of the Taliban.

By adding over 20,000 troops, Iraq will only grow in their dependence on American forces. When will Iraq be prepared to stand strong, sans American support? The answer is: as soon as America is prepared to curtail its power-hungry agenda.

A war that has only been consistent in its mismanagement will not be benefited by more troops. We have watched the war rationale shift from “imminent threat” to “spreading liberty,” but it will be choices in the direction of Iraqi independence that will aide in a graceful exit from Iraq.

Iraq: Where are your hippies?

2007-01-25T14:55:00.000-08:00

One of the hottest debate issues facing Americans today is one of follow-through: Should the United States send more troops into Iraq? The Senate Foreign Relations Committee (Democratic-controlled) maneuvered through a calculated snub of President Bush on Wednesday when they dismissed plans for a troop buildup in Iraq. The committee deemed the proposed surge as "not in the national interest" of the United States. (It will be interesting to see if they put their money where their mouths are and deny funding for the effort.).

While troop surging is getting a sour rap currently, the bottom line is that it has worked in the past. The Pentagon surged troops three times for Iraqi elections: a transition assembly; a constitution and a permanent parliament in December 2005. The purpose of each of these surges was to improve security pre-election, and to provide a safe voting atmosphere. Bottom line: The strategy worked. All three elections were deemed successful by international observers. Unfortunately, these surges have had a limited impact on long-term violence.

It is certain the solution to Iraq is political as well as military. Here's an idea: First of all, those guys need to channel the teensy tiny hippy within, and make a conscious choice towards life. Personally, I recommend tree-hugging. I know that Mario has tried it before in his back yard, with positive results. Whether America supports freedom in Iraq with 50 or 500,000 troops, the violence will continue until the population is ready to embrace one another in hippy non-killing love.

Hugo hates whitey

2007-01-21T10:34:00.000-08:00

This is what happens when liberals empower the myriad of crackpots and dictators across the world.

"That is a sacrosanct legal authority of Venezuela, go to hell gringos! Go home! Go home!" Chavez said during his weekly Sunday broadcast. "We're free here, and every day we'll be more free."

Allow a few despots to build nuclear weapons and next thing you know they will saying they want to wipe whitey off the face of the Earth. So far they all want to do that to is Israel.