This is WAR' Congressional Black Causes' Travels American Cities Using Dangerous Violent Rhetoric: Declares 'War' on Racist Tea Party, Says Tea Party Wants To Lynch Blacks, Calls for Bank Runs, Civil Unrest in Their Neighborhoods and Homes
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
New Presidential Election 2012 Voter Posters released.
I had a bit of time today so I created these VOTE ABO posters.
Feel free to copy, use, link to these images in your blog, Facebook, etc. Click image for a larger version. High rez versions are available, contact me.
Feel free to copy, use, link to these images in your blog, Facebook, etc. Click image for a larger version. High rez versions are available, contact me.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Huffington Post "Chimp Al Sharpton.
An eagle eyed blogger screenname "rwext"brought this to my attention on the Fox Nation website. He wrote:
===
seems the HuffHatePost has a picture of Al Sharpton
With a caption directly under,,,,"Chimp Victim's New Face"
Imagine the outrage if FOX did this
===
I had to go to the Huff n' puff website to see this for myself and took a screen
capture because I'm sure they'll change it and pretend it never happened.
Here is the screen capture taken on Aug11 2011 at about 4.36pm EST:
Unbelievable!
===
seems the HuffHatePost has a picture of Al Sharpton
With a caption directly under,,,,"Chimp Victim's New Face"
Imagine the outrage if FOX did this
===
I had to go to the Huff n' puff website to see this for myself and took a screen
capture because I'm sure they'll change it and pretend it never happened.
Here is the screen capture taken on Aug11 2011 at about 4.36pm EST:
Unbelievable!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Opinion Why Don't We Hear About Soros' Ties to Over 30 Major News Organizations?
Prominent journalists like ABC’s Christiane Amanpour and former Washington Post editor and now Vice President Len Downie serve on boards of operations that take Soros cash. This despite the Society of Professional Journalists' ethical code stating: “avoid all conflicts real or perceived.”
This information is part of an upcoming report by the Media Research Centers Business & Media Institute which has been looking into George Soros and his influence on the media.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Romney Launches 2012 Presidential Campaign
Romney announces bid: "Obama has failed America"
Thursday June 2, 2011
It's official: Mitt Romney is running for president. Here are some of the highlights of his speech.
Thursday June 2, 2011
It's official: Mitt Romney is running for president. Here are some of the highlights of his speech.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
US Pentagon to treat cyber-attacks as 'acts of war'
 |
| US retaliation for cyber-attacks could take many forms |
The US is working on a plan to categorise cyber-attacks as acts of war, says the New York Times newspaper.
In future, a US president could consider economic sanctions, cyber-retaliation or a military strike if key US computer systems were attacked, officials have said recently.
The planning was given added urgency by a cyber-attack last month on the defence contractor, Lockheed Martin.
A new report from the Pentagon is due out in a matter of weeks.
"A response to a cyber-incident or attack on the US would not necessarily be a cyber-response. All appropriate options would be on the table," Pentagon spokesman Colonel Dave Lapan told reporters on Tuesday.
'All necessary means'
The Pentagon's planning follows an international strategy statement on cyber-security, issued by the White House on 16 May.
The US would "respond to hostile acts in cyberspace as we would to any other threat to our country", stated the White House in plain terms.
"We reserve the right to use all necessary means - diplomatic, informational, military, and economic - as appropriate and consistent with applicable international law, in order to defend our nation, our allies, our partners and our interests."
The strategy will classify major cyber-attacks as acts of war, paving the way for possible military retaliation, reported The Wall Street Journal after interviewing defence officials.
Sophistication of hackers
One of the difficulties strategists are grappling with is how to track down reliably the cyber-attackers who deliberately obscure the origin of their incursions.
And it is not clear how the Pentagon proposes to deal with cyber-attackers, such as terrorists, who are not acting for a nation state.
The sophistication of hackers and frequency of the attacks came back into focus after an attack on arms-maker Lockheed Martin on 21 May.
Lockheed said the "tenacious" cyber-attack on its network was part of a pattern of attacks on it from around the world.
The US defence department estimates that more than 100 foreign intelligence organizations have attempted to break into American networks.
Source BBC
Monday, May 23, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
Black Chamber of Commerce CEO: Obama Administration 'Might as Well Put on the Brown Shirts and Swastikas'
Friday on The Laura Ingraham Show, Harry Alford, president and CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce, blasted President Obama's anti-business administration in an explosive interview.
Alford, a 2008 Obama supporter, labeled the administration "Marxist" and "fanatical." "They might as well put on the brown shirts and swastikas," he said.
He also admitted he voted for Obama simply because he was black.
Source: Fox News
Alford, a 2008 Obama supporter, labeled the administration "Marxist" and "fanatical." "They might as well put on the brown shirts and swastikas," he said.
He also admitted he voted for Obama simply because he was black.
Source: Fox News
Monday, April 25, 2011
Liberals’ Ten Commandments (Post-9/11)
1. Freedom of speech is so important that we must allow burning of symbols, even symbols considered sacred to an entire country or culture…well, unless that symbol is the Koran.
2. One must speak out against all acts of hatred and violence towards homosexuals…well, unless such acts are committed by Muslims.
3. The more criticism of religion, the better…well, unless the religion you are criticizing is Islam.
4. Subjugation, abuse, and unequal treatment of women will not be tolerated…well, unless…well, you know.
5. War is never the answer…well, unless the question is, “How can we help Al Qaeda and the Muslim Brotherhood bring about a more Islamically correct government in Libya while telling the world our purpose is to prevent a tyrant from attacking his own people?”
6. The more traditions one can break with, the better…well, unless they are traditions the Islamic Hadith tells us must be practiced, in which case we must accommodate them at taxpayer expense.
7. Separation of Church and State is an essential principle of our nation’s founding…but a little bit of Sharia never hurt anyone.
8. Tolerance is an essential virtue, one that should be possessed by all in civilized society…well, unless…oh hell!
9. Pedophilia is abhorrent and those who commit acts of pedophilia should be shunned, prosecuted, disgraced or boycotted…well, unless they happen to be Mohammed…or Roman Polanski.
10. Slavery is terrible. So terrible in fact that we must frequently remind Americans that, hundreds of years ago, the founders of their nation held slaves…But if slavery is found to still exist somewhere today, condoned by Islamic law, it should be largely ignored.
Source: http://dontletitgo.com
2. One must speak out against all acts of hatred and violence towards homosexuals…well, unless such acts are committed by Muslims.
3. The more criticism of religion, the better…well, unless the religion you are criticizing is Islam.
4. Subjugation, abuse, and unequal treatment of women will not be tolerated…well, unless…well, you know.
5. War is never the answer…well, unless the question is, “How can we help Al Qaeda and the Muslim Brotherhood bring about a more Islamically correct government in Libya while telling the world our purpose is to prevent a tyrant from attacking his own people?”
6. The more traditions one can break with, the better…well, unless they are traditions the Islamic Hadith tells us must be practiced, in which case we must accommodate them at taxpayer expense.
7. Separation of Church and State is an essential principle of our nation’s founding…but a little bit of Sharia never hurt anyone.
8. Tolerance is an essential virtue, one that should be possessed by all in civilized society…well, unless…oh hell!
9. Pedophilia is abhorrent and those who commit acts of pedophilia should be shunned, prosecuted, disgraced or boycotted…well, unless they happen to be Mohammed…or Roman Polanski.
10. Slavery is terrible. So terrible in fact that we must frequently remind Americans that, hundreds of years ago, the founders of their nation held slaves…But if slavery is found to still exist somewhere today, condoned by Islamic law, it should be largely ignored.
Source: http://dontletitgo.com
Friday, April 22, 2011
Happy Easter from the Communists
The Communist Party USA has put out a special Easter message, emphasizing the “revolution” and pretty much ignoring the resurrection. The authors of the message claims to be a Catholic, but Glenn wondered how any person of faith could get behind the blatant propaganda.
Glenn read:
Easter isn’t about Easter bunnies or even about going to church and Easter bonnets. The real message of Easter speaks powerfully to everyone, whatever their religious belief or unbelief. I’m just, that’s starting to shake apart here just a little bit. Easter got started after the revolutionary preacher Jesus was executed by the forces of an empire. Some of his disciples had powerful experiences that convinced them that he had beaten death and was still present with them and that Jesus’ victory over death was a new start of a new world in which all oppression and injustice would be defeated.
Some might argue that those experiences were fantasy or hallucination, but what those disciples did was certainly no hallucination. He they went on to build a movement, especially among the poor and oppressed that shook the Roman Empire to the point that its rulers ultimately felt compelled to take it over and co-opt it.
Yet even through all centuries that ruling classes have tried to suppress the revolutionary element of the Easter message, the people’s forces have time and time again reclaimed it. Just look at the peasants revolt in medieval Europe, liberation theology in Latin America and Martin Luther King and the civil rights and other people’s movements in our own country.
People of any faith or no faith should look beyond the bunnies and the eggs and the flowers to that original revolutionary Easter message, that another world is possible. It’s already on its way. Easter should spur us on to the struggle to bring that new world to birth.
“This Easter message brought to you by the Communist Party USA,” Glenn said.
How does a practicing Catholic write something so critical of the Holy Roman Empire? Glenn wasn’t too sure about that either.
“These people that claim to be strong members of faith kill me, especially when they will say the Easter message got started after the revolutionary preacher was executed by forces of the empire,” Glenn said.
“Some of his disciples had powerful experiences that convinced them that he had beaten death. I believe all of his disciples did.”
Glenn also didn’t understand how a person of faith could call the resurrection a hallucination.
“And I’m sorry – you’re missing the whole Easter message and that is death can be conquered.”
Source: Glennbeck.com
Thursday, April 21, 2011
How much is a Million? Billion? Trillion?
What's the difference between a million, a billion, a trillion?A million seconds is 12 days.
A billion seconds is 31 years.
A trillion seconds is 31,688 years.
A million minutes ago was – 1 year, 329 days, 10 hours and 40 minutes ago.
A billion minutes ago was just after the time of Christ.
A million hours ago was in 1885.
A billion hours ago man had not yet walked on earth.
A trillion dollars is so large a number that only politicians
can use the term in conversation... probably because they
seldom think about what they are really saying. I've read that
mathematicians do not even use the term trillion!
Here is some perspective on TRILLION:
Trillion = 1,000,000,000,000.
The country has not existed for a trillion seconds.
Western civilization has not been around a trillion seconds.
One trillion seconds ago – 31,688 years – Neanderthals stalked the plains of Europe.
Million: 1,000,000
Billion: 1,000,000,000
Trillion: 1,000,000,000,000
Quintillion: 1,000,000,000,000,000,000
Sextillion: 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000
Nonillion: 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000
Centillion: 1 followed by 303 zeros
Sources:
Clock: blogsfollowme.com
Math: tysknews.com
Mississippi Shows How You Handle Westboro Freaks
On Saturday, USMC Staff Sgt. Jason Rogers, who was killed in action in Afghanistan April 7, was buried in Brandon, Mississippi...Why weren’t there protestors?
Planning ahead by the locals, as it turns out.
From an Ole Miss sports message board, a tidbit of information…
A couple of days before, one of them (Westboro protestors) ran his mouth at a Brandon gas station and got his arse waxed. Police were called and the beaten man could not give much of a description of who beat him. When they canvassed the station and spoke to the large crowd that had gathered around, no one seemed to remember anything about what had happened.
Rankin County handled this thing perfectly. There were many things that were put into place that most will never know about and at great expense to the county.
Most of the morons never made it out of their hotel parking lot. It seems that certain Rankin county pickup trucks were parked directly behind any car that had Kansas plates in the hotel parking lot and the drivers mysteriously disappeared until after the funeral was over. Police were called but their wrecker service was running behind and it was going to be a few hours before they could tow the trucks so the Kansas plated cars could get out.
A few made it to the funeral but were ushered away to be questioned about a crime they might have possibly been involved in. Turns out, after a few hours of questioning, that they were not involved and they were allowed to go on about their business.
Source: Fox News
Monday, March 14, 2011
How Long Before Christians Are Actively Persecuted in England?
 |
| Eunice and Owen Johns |
The Judges insisted that this did not represent a “blanket ban” on the fostering of children by religious believers. There was no issue involved of religious liberty – no precedent being set for wider discrimination by the authorities. It was simply a matter of child welfare. You can read all this for yourself on the BBC website.
Abortion Activists Exposed: Like Starbucks, I Want Planned Parenthood on Every Corner
A new video CatholicVote.org has produced exposes some of the extremist views of the most hardcore abortion advocates. The video shows pro-abortion activists at a rally supporting abortion until birth and forcing taxpayers to pay for abortions.
The footage has interviews and comments interspersed featuring pro-abortion activists promising to have an abortion if getting pregnant and gloating about past abortions. Two women brag that they are medical students who will do abortions after graduation.
Source: Fox Nation
The footage has interviews and comments interspersed featuring pro-abortion activists promising to have an abortion if getting pregnant and gloating about past abortions. Two women brag that they are medical students who will do abortions after graduation.
Source: Fox Nation
Union Myths
The biggest myth about labor unions is that unions are for the workers. Unions are for unions, just as corporations are for corporations and politicians are for politicians.
Nothing shows the utter cynicism of the unions and the politicians who do their bidding like the so-called "Employee Free Choice Act" that the Obama administration tried to push through Congress. Employees' free choice as to whether or not to join a union is precisely what that legislation would destroy.
Workers already have a free choice in secret-ballot elections conducted under existing laws. As more and more workers in the private sector have voted to reject having a union represent them, the unions' answer has been to take away secret-ballot elections.
Under the "Employee Free Choice Act," unions would not have to win in secret-ballot elections in order to represent the workers. Instead, union representatives could simply collect signatures from the workers until they had a majority.
Why do we have secret ballots in the first place, whether in elections for unions or elections for government officials? To prevent intimidation and allow people to vote how they want to, without fear of retaliation.
This is a crucial right that unions want to take away from workers. The actions of union mobs in Wisconsin, Ohio and elsewhere give us a free home demonstration of how little they respect the rights of those who disagree with them and how much they rely on harassment and threats to get what they want.
It takes world-class chutzpah to call circumventing secret ballots the "Employee Free Choice Act." To unions, workers are just the raw material used to create union power, just as iron ore is the raw material used by U.S. Steel and bauxite is the raw material used by the Aluminum Company of America.
The most fundamental fact about labor unions is that they do not create any wealth. They are one of a growing number of institutions which specialize in siphoning off wealth created by others, whether those others are businesses or the taxpayers.
There are limits to how long unions can siphon off money from businesses, without facing serious economic repercussions.
The most famous labor union leader, the legendary John L. Lewis, head of the United Mine Workers from 1920 to 1960, secured rising wages and job benefits for the coal miners, far beyond what they could have gotten out of a free market based on supply and demand.
But there is no free lunch.
An economist at the University of Chicago called John L. Lewis "the world's greatest oil salesman."
His strikes that interrupted the supply of coal, as well as the resulting wage increases that raised its price, caused many individuals and businesses to switch from using coal to using oil, leading to reduced employment of coal miners. The higher wage rates also led coal companies to replace many miners with machines.
The net result was a huge decline in employment in the coal mining industry, leaving many mining towns virtually ghost towns by the 1960s. There is no free lunch.
Similar things happened in the unionized steel industry and in the unionized automobile industry. At one time, U.S. Steel was the largest steel producer in the world and General Motors the largest automobile manufacturer. No more. Their unions were riding high in their heyday, but they too discovered that there is no free lunch, as their members lost jobs by the hundreds of thousands.
Workers have also learned that there is no free lunch, which is why they have, over the years, increasingly voted against being represented by unions in secret ballot elections.
One set of workers, however, remained largely immune to such repercussions. These are government workers represented by public sector unions.
While oil could replace coal, while U.S. Steel dropped from number one in the world to number ten, and Toyota could replace General Motors as the world's leading producer of cars, government is a monopoly. Nobody is likely to replace the federal or state bureaucracies, no matter how much money the unions drain from the taxpayers.
That is why government unions continue to thrive while private sector unions decline. Taxpayers provide their free lunch.
Source: Real Clear Politics
Nothing shows the utter cynicism of the unions and the politicians who do their bidding like the so-called "Employee Free Choice Act" that the Obama administration tried to push through Congress. Employees' free choice as to whether or not to join a union is precisely what that legislation would destroy.
Workers already have a free choice in secret-ballot elections conducted under existing laws. As more and more workers in the private sector have voted to reject having a union represent them, the unions' answer has been to take away secret-ballot elections.
Under the "Employee Free Choice Act," unions would not have to win in secret-ballot elections in order to represent the workers. Instead, union representatives could simply collect signatures from the workers until they had a majority.
Why do we have secret ballots in the first place, whether in elections for unions or elections for government officials? To prevent intimidation and allow people to vote how they want to, without fear of retaliation.
This is a crucial right that unions want to take away from workers. The actions of union mobs in Wisconsin, Ohio and elsewhere give us a free home demonstration of how little they respect the rights of those who disagree with them and how much they rely on harassment and threats to get what they want.
It takes world-class chutzpah to call circumventing secret ballots the "Employee Free Choice Act." To unions, workers are just the raw material used to create union power, just as iron ore is the raw material used by U.S. Steel and bauxite is the raw material used by the Aluminum Company of America.
The most fundamental fact about labor unions is that they do not create any wealth. They are one of a growing number of institutions which specialize in siphoning off wealth created by others, whether those others are businesses or the taxpayers.
There are limits to how long unions can siphon off money from businesses, without facing serious economic repercussions.
The most famous labor union leader, the legendary John L. Lewis, head of the United Mine Workers from 1920 to 1960, secured rising wages and job benefits for the coal miners, far beyond what they could have gotten out of a free market based on supply and demand.
But there is no free lunch.
An economist at the University of Chicago called John L. Lewis "the world's greatest oil salesman."
His strikes that interrupted the supply of coal, as well as the resulting wage increases that raised its price, caused many individuals and businesses to switch from using coal to using oil, leading to reduced employment of coal miners. The higher wage rates also led coal companies to replace many miners with machines.
The net result was a huge decline in employment in the coal mining industry, leaving many mining towns virtually ghost towns by the 1960s. There is no free lunch.
Similar things happened in the unionized steel industry and in the unionized automobile industry. At one time, U.S. Steel was the largest steel producer in the world and General Motors the largest automobile manufacturer. No more. Their unions were riding high in their heyday, but they too discovered that there is no free lunch, as their members lost jobs by the hundreds of thousands.
Workers have also learned that there is no free lunch, which is why they have, over the years, increasingly voted against being represented by unions in secret ballot elections.
One set of workers, however, remained largely immune to such repercussions. These are government workers represented by public sector unions.
While oil could replace coal, while U.S. Steel dropped from number one in the world to number ten, and Toyota could replace General Motors as the world's leading producer of cars, government is a monopoly. Nobody is likely to replace the federal or state bureaucracies, no matter how much money the unions drain from the taxpayers.
That is why government unions continue to thrive while private sector unions decline. Taxpayers provide their free lunch.
Source: Real Clear Politics
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Liberal media cover up Obama's HUGE flip flop on Camp Gitmo!
The three evening newscasts on Monday and the morning shows on Tuesday mostly ignored Barack Obama's abandonment of a campaign pledge to close Guantanamo Bay and end trials of detainees there. NBC's Today, CBS's Early Show and ABC's Good Morning America all covered the story only in news briefs. Yet, when President Bush was in the White House, the networks obsessed over the issue.
Today's Ann Curry called the move to resume military trials there a "stunning reversal," but the network allowed just two brief anchor reads during the four hour program. ABC almost completely ignored the development. Monday's World News skipped the topic entirely.
On Tuesday's Good Morning America, Juju Chang offered a single mention, explaining, "And an about-face from President Obama on Guantanamo Bay. He is resuming military trials for terrorism suspects held in Cuba, two years after he pledged to close the prison."
Chuck Todd on Monday's Nightly News managed to shove the news into the end of a story on another topic. He added, "Now, Brian, I've got one other important note here from the White House. No issue's bedeviled this President more than trying to keep his promise of shutting down the prison at Guantanamo Bay." Yet, for a problem "bedeviling" the President, NBC didn't seem terribly interested.
CBS's Katie Couric blandly related the development in a news brief.
Yet, when George W. Bush was President, the coverage was far different. According to a 2006 study by the MRC's Rich Noyes, between September 11, 2001 and August 31, 2006, the nightly newscasts on the three networks devoted 277 stories to Guantanamo Bay. Noyes explained:
Most of the network coverage of Guantanamo Bay focused on charges that the captured al-Qaeda terrorists were due additional rights or privileges (100 stories) or allegations that detainees were being mistreated or abused (105 stories). Only 39 stories described the inmates as dangerous, and just six stories revealed that ex-detainees had committed new acts of terror after being released.
Network reporters largely portrayed the Guantanamo inmates as victims, with about one in seven stories including the word "torture." The networks aired a total of 46 soundbites from Guantanamo prisoners, their families or lawyers, most professing innocence or complaining about mistreatment. Not one report about the Guantanamo prisoners included a comment from 9/11 victims, their families or lawyers speaking on their behalf.
On the May 19, 2006 CBS Evening News, guest anchor Bob Schieffer complained, "Has the U.S. prison for terror suspects at Guantanamo become more trouble than it's worth? Even those who created it have to be asking that question tonight. It has generated reams of bad publicity for the United States, today a UN committee said it ought to be shut down because it violates the Geneva Convention..."
Additionally, Politifact, which is keeping track of Barack Obama's broken promises, has yet to update its Guantanamo section.
This is how the Barack Obama campaign described the then-candidate's promise:
Close the Guantanamo Bay Detention Center. Guantanamo has become a recruiting tool for our enemies. The legal framework behind Guantanamo has failed completely, resulting in only one conviction. President Bush's own Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates, wants to close it. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, wants to close it.
The first step to reclaiming America's standing in the world has to be closing this facility. As president, Barack Obama will close the detention facility at Guantanamo. He will reject the Military Commissions Act, which allowed the U.S. to circumvent Geneva Conventions in the handling of detainees. He will develop a fair and thorough process based on the Uniform Code of Military Justice to distinguish between those prisoners who should be prosecuted for their crimes, those who can't be prosecuted but who can be held in a manner consistent with the laws.
Transcripts of the scant coverage can be found below:
Story Continues Below Ad ↓
JUJU CHANG: And an about-face from President Obama on Guantanamo Bay. He is resuming military trials for terrorism suspects held in Cuba, two years after he pledged to close the prison. His plan to try terror suspects here in the U.S. has run into strong opposition in Congress.
Today
03/08/11
7:15
ANN CURRY: In a stunning reversal President Obama signed an executive order to resume military trials in Guantanamo, just two years after vowing to close the controversial facility. The order also creates a formal system to keep detainees in prison there indefinitely.
9:01
CURRY: In a stunning reversal, President Obama signed an executive order to resume military trials at Guantanamo just two years after vowing to close the controversial facility. The order creates a formal system to keep detainees in prison there indefinitely.
Early Show
03/08/11
JEFF GLOR: President Obama has reversed his decision on military trials at Guantanamo Bay. Two years ago, Mr. Obama stopped the trials of suspected terrorists and promised to close Gitmo in a year. The President wanted to try suspects like alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in civilian court, but those plans were opposed by many in Congress. For the prisoners not being tried, their status will be revealed in a year and then every three years after that.
Nightly News
03/07/11
CHUCK TODD: Now, Brian, I've got one other important note here from the White House. No issue's bedeviled this President more than trying to keep his promise of shutting down the prison at Guantanamo Bay. So today the President ordered the Pentagon to reinstitute the military tribunals in order to deal with detainees still in Guantanamo, including the 9/11 conspirators like Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. The White House said today that they were forced to do this because it was clear Congress would not fund any program that was going to bring those detainees onto American soil to be tried in federal courts, Brian.
Evening News
03/07/11
KATIE COURIC: In other news, military trials will resume for terror suspects held at Guantanamo. President Obama today lifted the ban he imposed two years ago. And 172 detainees are still being held at Guantanamo, and the president has promised to close the prison. But Congress has blocked his efforts to have them tried in civilian courts here in the U.S.
Source: Newsbusters.com
Today's Ann Curry called the move to resume military trials there a "stunning reversal," but the network allowed just two brief anchor reads during the four hour program. ABC almost completely ignored the development. Monday's World News skipped the topic entirely.
On Tuesday's Good Morning America, Juju Chang offered a single mention, explaining, "And an about-face from President Obama on Guantanamo Bay. He is resuming military trials for terrorism suspects held in Cuba, two years after he pledged to close the prison."
Chuck Todd on Monday's Nightly News managed to shove the news into the end of a story on another topic. He added, "Now, Brian, I've got one other important note here from the White House. No issue's bedeviled this President more than trying to keep his promise of shutting down the prison at Guantanamo Bay." Yet, for a problem "bedeviling" the President, NBC didn't seem terribly interested.
CBS's Katie Couric blandly related the development in a news brief.
Yet, when George W. Bush was President, the coverage was far different. According to a 2006 study by the MRC's Rich Noyes, between September 11, 2001 and August 31, 2006, the nightly newscasts on the three networks devoted 277 stories to Guantanamo Bay. Noyes explained:
Most of the network coverage of Guantanamo Bay focused on charges that the captured al-Qaeda terrorists were due additional rights or privileges (100 stories) or allegations that detainees were being mistreated or abused (105 stories). Only 39 stories described the inmates as dangerous, and just six stories revealed that ex-detainees had committed new acts of terror after being released.
Network reporters largely portrayed the Guantanamo inmates as victims, with about one in seven stories including the word "torture." The networks aired a total of 46 soundbites from Guantanamo prisoners, their families or lawyers, most professing innocence or complaining about mistreatment. Not one report about the Guantanamo prisoners included a comment from 9/11 victims, their families or lawyers speaking on their behalf.
On the May 19, 2006 CBS Evening News, guest anchor Bob Schieffer complained, "Has the U.S. prison for terror suspects at Guantanamo become more trouble than it's worth? Even those who created it have to be asking that question tonight. It has generated reams of bad publicity for the United States, today a UN committee said it ought to be shut down because it violates the Geneva Convention..."
Additionally, Politifact, which is keeping track of Barack Obama's broken promises, has yet to update its Guantanamo section.
This is how the Barack Obama campaign described the then-candidate's promise:
Close the Guantanamo Bay Detention Center. Guantanamo has become a recruiting tool for our enemies. The legal framework behind Guantanamo has failed completely, resulting in only one conviction. President Bush's own Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates, wants to close it. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, wants to close it.
The first step to reclaiming America's standing in the world has to be closing this facility. As president, Barack Obama will close the detention facility at Guantanamo. He will reject the Military Commissions Act, which allowed the U.S. to circumvent Geneva Conventions in the handling of detainees. He will develop a fair and thorough process based on the Uniform Code of Military Justice to distinguish between those prisoners who should be prosecuted for their crimes, those who can't be prosecuted but who can be held in a manner consistent with the laws.
Transcripts of the scant coverage can be found below:
Story Continues Below Ad ↓
JUJU CHANG: And an about-face from President Obama on Guantanamo Bay. He is resuming military trials for terrorism suspects held in Cuba, two years after he pledged to close the prison. His plan to try terror suspects here in the U.S. has run into strong opposition in Congress.
Today
03/08/11
7:15
ANN CURRY: In a stunning reversal President Obama signed an executive order to resume military trials in Guantanamo, just two years after vowing to close the controversial facility. The order also creates a formal system to keep detainees in prison there indefinitely.
9:01
CURRY: In a stunning reversal, President Obama signed an executive order to resume military trials at Guantanamo just two years after vowing to close the controversial facility. The order creates a formal system to keep detainees in prison there indefinitely.
Early Show
03/08/11
JEFF GLOR: President Obama has reversed his decision on military trials at Guantanamo Bay. Two years ago, Mr. Obama stopped the trials of suspected terrorists and promised to close Gitmo in a year. The President wanted to try suspects like alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in civilian court, but those plans were opposed by many in Congress. For the prisoners not being tried, their status will be revealed in a year and then every three years after that.
Nightly News
03/07/11
CHUCK TODD: Now, Brian, I've got one other important note here from the White House. No issue's bedeviled this President more than trying to keep his promise of shutting down the prison at Guantanamo Bay. So today the President ordered the Pentagon to reinstitute the military tribunals in order to deal with detainees still in Guantanamo, including the 9/11 conspirators like Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. The White House said today that they were forced to do this because it was clear Congress would not fund any program that was going to bring those detainees onto American soil to be tried in federal courts, Brian.
Evening News
03/07/11
KATIE COURIC: In other news, military trials will resume for terror suspects held at Guantanamo. President Obama today lifted the ban he imposed two years ago. And 172 detainees are still being held at Guantanamo, and the president has promised to close the prison. But Congress has blocked his efforts to have them tried in civilian courts here in the U.S.
Source: Newsbusters.com
Gallup: Obama job approval hits 2011 low
Barack Obama had enjoyed the longest Gallup winning streak of his presidency in 2011, buoyed in part by a lame-duck compromise on taxes and an impressive speech in Tucson. His approval ratings showed growth or held steady for seven weeks, three longer than any other period since taking office in January 2009. Now, however, with an incoherent response to unrest sweeping the Arab world and an abdication of leadership on the budget, his approval rating in Gallup polling have hit its lowest mark since mid-December:
President Barack Obama averaged 46% job approval the week of Feb. 28-March 6, his lowest weekly average since mid-December. Obama’s weekly approval rating had steadily improved from mid-December to late January, peaking at 50% during the final two weeks in January, before dropping below that mark in February.
Obama is now essentially back to where he was in the immediate post-election phase of 2010. The decline could be due to a number of issues the administration is dealing with, including the popular uprisings in the Middle East, the resulting higher gas prices, and disagreements with the Republicans in Congress about the best way to rein in federal spending.
Once again, Obama is losing support from independents and his own base:
Last week, an average of 79% of Democrats approved of Obama, down from 84% in late January. The president’s 43% approval rating among independents is down from 47% in late January, while his approval rating among Republicans is essentially the same (15% in late January and 14% now).
Andrew Malcolm gives a summary of the good news and the bad news:
There’s still plenty of time for a miraculous Obama recovery. An incumbent president’s reelection chances are usually tied closely to voters’ economic perceptions, centering on unemployment and gas prices. A separate Gallup survey finds Americans’ economic optimism dipping again in recent weeks, at the same time that gas prices began increasing significantly.
The good news for the Obama White House is that the 2010 approval averages show he remains wildly popular in the District of Columbia (84.4% approval) and in his home state of Hawaii (65.9%). That’s seven of the 270 electoral votes he needs to keep living in the White House with his mother-in-law.
The bad news is that last year Obama’s job approval went down in all 50 states.
A 46% approval rating isn’t exactly a number that guarantees re-election, but it’s not low enough to make it out of the question, either. As Andrew points out, the next election will focus on the same economic and financial issues as the midterms. Obama’s ability to win re-election depends on (a) the economy improving significantly, (b) demonstrating leadership on fiscal reform, and (c) the candidate the Republicans nominate to challenge him. Obama can’t control (c), but he can control the other two factors. And let’s face it — if the economy roars back to life under Obama and the jobless rate drops below 7% and Obama takes the lead on significant budgetary reform, he’ll win no matter who runs against him in 2012.
But that’s the rub. Obama’s only real option to grow the economy is to reduce the regulatory burden on the private sector, especially in the energy sector, and Obama is determined to go in the opposite direction. The White House could have triangulated on budgets after the midterms — after all, what says “changing the way Washington works” better than taking away the blank checks on which it operates? — but they have strangely ceded the field entirely. Obama won’t directly engage himself, and sent Joe Biden in for a bungee meeting before sending the Veep to the other side of the world in the middle of the budget impasse.
If Obama continues at this pace, a 46% from Gallup will look like a standing ovation by the time Obama has to start campaigning for re-election, and it won’t matter who the Republicans nominate to challenge him.
Source: Hotair.com
President Barack Obama averaged 46% job approval the week of Feb. 28-March 6, his lowest weekly average since mid-December. Obama’s weekly approval rating had steadily improved from mid-December to late January, peaking at 50% during the final two weeks in January, before dropping below that mark in February.
Obama is now essentially back to where he was in the immediate post-election phase of 2010. The decline could be due to a number of issues the administration is dealing with, including the popular uprisings in the Middle East, the resulting higher gas prices, and disagreements with the Republicans in Congress about the best way to rein in federal spending.
Once again, Obama is losing support from independents and his own base:
Last week, an average of 79% of Democrats approved of Obama, down from 84% in late January. The president’s 43% approval rating among independents is down from 47% in late January, while his approval rating among Republicans is essentially the same (15% in late January and 14% now).
Andrew Malcolm gives a summary of the good news and the bad news:
There’s still plenty of time for a miraculous Obama recovery. An incumbent president’s reelection chances are usually tied closely to voters’ economic perceptions, centering on unemployment and gas prices. A separate Gallup survey finds Americans’ economic optimism dipping again in recent weeks, at the same time that gas prices began increasing significantly.
The good news for the Obama White House is that the 2010 approval averages show he remains wildly popular in the District of Columbia (84.4% approval) and in his home state of Hawaii (65.9%). That’s seven of the 270 electoral votes he needs to keep living in the White House with his mother-in-law.
The bad news is that last year Obama’s job approval went down in all 50 states.
A 46% approval rating isn’t exactly a number that guarantees re-election, but it’s not low enough to make it out of the question, either. As Andrew points out, the next election will focus on the same economic and financial issues as the midterms. Obama’s ability to win re-election depends on (a) the economy improving significantly, (b) demonstrating leadership on fiscal reform, and (c) the candidate the Republicans nominate to challenge him. Obama can’t control (c), but he can control the other two factors. And let’s face it — if the economy roars back to life under Obama and the jobless rate drops below 7% and Obama takes the lead on significant budgetary reform, he’ll win no matter who runs against him in 2012.
But that’s the rub. Obama’s only real option to grow the economy is to reduce the regulatory burden on the private sector, especially in the energy sector, and Obama is determined to go in the opposite direction. The White House could have triangulated on budgets after the midterms — after all, what says “changing the way Washington works” better than taking away the blank checks on which it operates? — but they have strangely ceded the field entirely. Obama won’t directly engage himself, and sent Joe Biden in for a bungee meeting before sending the Veep to the other side of the world in the middle of the budget impasse.
If Obama continues at this pace, a 46% from Gallup will look like a standing ovation by the time Obama has to start campaigning for re-election, and it won’t matter who the Republicans nominate to challenge him.
Source: Hotair.com
Flip-Flopper In Chief!
U.S. President Barack Obama backtracks on Guantanamo Bay, signing a new executive order that seems to agree with and vindicate the actions of former president George W. Bush on the same subject.
With a spectacular backtrack, U.S. President Barack Obama reneged on a campaign promise to close down the Guantanamo Bay detention center and restart trials of detainees. The military prison, which holds suspected terrorists, will now stay open indefinitely, with Obama’s executive order to create a system for holding the terrorist suspects at the infamous prison.
In a statement, Obama attempted to quell backlash against the reversal of his stated pre-presidency intentions:
"Today, I am announcing several steps that broaden our ability to bring terrorists to justice, provide oversight for our actions and ensure the humane treatment of detainees," the President's statement said. "I strongly believe that the American system of justice is a key part of our arsenal in the war against al-Qaeda and its affiliates, and we will continue to draw on all aspects of our justice system - including [federal] Article III Courts - to ensure that our security and our values are strengthened," he said.
Administration officials continue to contend that this is not the breaking of a campaign promise, and that the president is still committed to closing down the Guantanamo Bay prison. However, many are questioning how endorsing the continuation of the facilities could indicate Obama’s continuing commitment to closing the facility. In fact, many observers of the situation believe that the Obama action follows the Bush-era stance on counter terrorism.
Some are stating that the growing bipartisan opposition to the proposed U.S. dentention center for holding and prosecuting terrorists held in Guantanamo Bay has forced the president to face the reality of the situation and backtrack. "The executive order recognizes the reality that some Guantanamo Bay detainees will remain in U.S. custody for many years, if not for life," the Washington Post said.
The American Civil Liberties Uniion (ACLU) publicly criticized the president’s actions. “The best way to get America out of the Guantanamo morass is to use the most effective and reliable tool we have: our criminal justice system. Instead, the Obama administration has done just the opposite and chosen to institutionalize unlawful indefinite detention – creating a troubling ‘new normal’ – and to revive the illegitimate Guantanamo military commissions," ACLU Executive Director Anthony D. Romero said. According to the ACLU, President Obama has now institutionalized what the ACLU believes to be unlawful, indefinite detention of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, and accused the president of going back on his word regarding Guantanamo.
"It is virtually impossible to imagine how one closes Guantanamo in light of this executive order," said Romero. "In a little over two years, the Obama administration has done a complete about-face."
Republican lawmakers praised the president’s order on Guantanamo, and claiming that the new executive order vindicated the much-maligned President George W. Bush. Rep. Peter T. King (R-N.Y.), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, stated, "I commend the Obama Administration for issuing this Executive Order," the Post reported. "The bottom line is that it affirms the Bush Administration policy that our government has the right to detain dangerous terrorists until the cessation of hostilities."
The new executive order applies to a minimum of 48 of the current 172 detainees at Guantanamo Bay, who are not able to be tried in a regular court, but who are too dangerous to move to another country, such as the U.S., for detention. Each detainee is to receive a written, unclassified review of his situation within 12 months. Those who continue to fight against the Guantanamo Bay detention do not believe that there are legal grounds for holding these prisoners indefinitely, but the new executive order asserts the Obama administration's apparent agreement with the Bush administration that the detainees at Guantanamo can be legally held under the laws of war—an assertion that has been upheld in federal courts.
A moment of Clarity? A moment of SANITY? Who knows... Mr Fiip-Flopper strikes again!
Don't expect the MSM to report this in detail! Their love affair with NObama in incurable! Sadly!
I do know that if I was a dedicated leftist... I mean, a real heartfelt socialist like Obama... I'd feel totally and utterly betrayed and used by Nobama! I'd feel disgusted and outraged at this flip flop on something so dear to my socialist leftist leaning heart!
Will THEY let him know they are outraged... I doubt it... They are "useful idiots" unthinking, obeying, and moronic play things for him to exploit... Sadly, they are not clever enough to realise they are being played...
... And America continues to suffer because of it!
With a spectacular backtrack, U.S. President Barack Obama reneged on a campaign promise to close down the Guantanamo Bay detention center and restart trials of detainees. The military prison, which holds suspected terrorists, will now stay open indefinitely, with Obama’s executive order to create a system for holding the terrorist suspects at the infamous prison.
In a statement, Obama attempted to quell backlash against the reversal of his stated pre-presidency intentions:
"Today, I am announcing several steps that broaden our ability to bring terrorists to justice, provide oversight for our actions and ensure the humane treatment of detainees," the President's statement said. "I strongly believe that the American system of justice is a key part of our arsenal in the war against al-Qaeda and its affiliates, and we will continue to draw on all aspects of our justice system - including [federal] Article III Courts - to ensure that our security and our values are strengthened," he said.
Administration officials continue to contend that this is not the breaking of a campaign promise, and that the president is still committed to closing down the Guantanamo Bay prison. However, many are questioning how endorsing the continuation of the facilities could indicate Obama’s continuing commitment to closing the facility. In fact, many observers of the situation believe that the Obama action follows the Bush-era stance on counter terrorism.
Some are stating that the growing bipartisan opposition to the proposed U.S. dentention center for holding and prosecuting terrorists held in Guantanamo Bay has forced the president to face the reality of the situation and backtrack. "The executive order recognizes the reality that some Guantanamo Bay detainees will remain in U.S. custody for many years, if not for life," the Washington Post said.
The American Civil Liberties Uniion (ACLU) publicly criticized the president’s actions. “The best way to get America out of the Guantanamo morass is to use the most effective and reliable tool we have: our criminal justice system. Instead, the Obama administration has done just the opposite and chosen to institutionalize unlawful indefinite detention – creating a troubling ‘new normal’ – and to revive the illegitimate Guantanamo military commissions," ACLU Executive Director Anthony D. Romero said. According to the ACLU, President Obama has now institutionalized what the ACLU believes to be unlawful, indefinite detention of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, and accused the president of going back on his word regarding Guantanamo.
"It is virtually impossible to imagine how one closes Guantanamo in light of this executive order," said Romero. "In a little over two years, the Obama administration has done a complete about-face."
Republican lawmakers praised the president’s order on Guantanamo, and claiming that the new executive order vindicated the much-maligned President George W. Bush. Rep. Peter T. King (R-N.Y.), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, stated, "I commend the Obama Administration for issuing this Executive Order," the Post reported. "The bottom line is that it affirms the Bush Administration policy that our government has the right to detain dangerous terrorists until the cessation of hostilities."
The new executive order applies to a minimum of 48 of the current 172 detainees at Guantanamo Bay, who are not able to be tried in a regular court, but who are too dangerous to move to another country, such as the U.S., for detention. Each detainee is to receive a written, unclassified review of his situation within 12 months. Those who continue to fight against the Guantanamo Bay detention do not believe that there are legal grounds for holding these prisoners indefinitely, but the new executive order asserts the Obama administration's apparent agreement with the Bush administration that the detainees at Guantanamo can be legally held under the laws of war—an assertion that has been upheld in federal courts.
A moment of Clarity? A moment of SANITY? Who knows... Mr Fiip-Flopper strikes again!
Don't expect the MSM to report this in detail! Their love affair with NObama in incurable! Sadly!
I do know that if I was a dedicated leftist... I mean, a real heartfelt socialist like Obama... I'd feel totally and utterly betrayed and used by Nobama! I'd feel disgusted and outraged at this flip flop on something so dear to my socialist leftist leaning heart!
Will THEY let him know they are outraged... I doubt it... They are "useful idiots" unthinking, obeying, and moronic play things for him to exploit... Sadly, they are not clever enough to realise they are being played...
... And America continues to suffer because of it!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Watch Glenn Beck - Restoring Honor (3 hours)
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Fat Cat Union Salaries Exposed!
Highlights followed by complete article after jump:
These are the 10 largest unions, noting the number of employees who earn more than $200,000, leadership salaries and campaign contributions to federal candidates in 2009-2010.
Union: National Education Association
Membership: 3.2 million
Assets: $216 million
The NEA, representing most of the nation’s teachers, has 31 headquarters officers and employees who earn over $200,000. The president, Dennis Van Roekel, received $397,721 in salary and benefits. Of the $3.7 million NEA spent on political activities in the last election cycle, 98 percent went to Democratic candidates. The NEA has 98,000 members in Wisconsin. Before taking the helm in 2008, Van Roekel received pay increases averaging more than 4 percent a year as NEA vice president. In 2009, public school teachers were paid a national average of $54,319 and received raises ranging from 2 percent to 4 percent over the previous five years.
Union: Service Employees International Union
Membership: 1.8 million
Assets: $187 million
The SEIU, whose membership has increased in recent years, has been organizing hospital, home care and nursing home workers, along with local and state government employees, janitors and security officers. The union has nine headquarters officers and employees who earn over $200,000. The former president, Andy Stern, was paid $306,388 in salary and benefits from the union in 2009. In his final year, Stern got a 5 percent pay boost, which came on the heels of the union growing by more than 88,000 members. Stern resigned in 2010 and was replaced by Mary Kay Henry, formerly the executive vice president. Over the past two years, SEIU gave almost $2 million to Democratic candidates and $8,500 to Republicans. It has 18,000 members in Wisconsin.
Union: United Food & Commercial Workers
Membership: 1.3 million
Assets: $157 million
The UFCW, whose members work in meatpacking, food processing and retail grocery stores, has 17 headquarters officers and employees who earn over $200,000. The president, Joseph T. Hansen, received $360,737 in pay and benefits in 2009. Of the $1.9 million the union donated to political candidates over the past two years, 99 percent of it went to Democrats. The union drew criticism from members in 2004 for paying outgoing president Douglas Dority $709,000 in salary and benefits and for keeping retired officers on the payroll with six-figure salaries. At the time, more than 250 UFCW employees across the country were being paid more than $100,000.
Union: International Brotherhood of Teamsters
Membership: 1.3 million
Assets: $175 million
The Teamsters, whose origins date to the horse- and mule-team drivers of the late 1800s, represents truck drivers and a wide array of blue-collar and government workers. Eight headquarters officers and employees received more than $200,000 in 2009.
The president, James P. Hoffa, was paid $362,869 in pay and benefits. Over the past two years, the Teamsters have donated $2.3 million to Democratic candidates and $46,500 to Republicans. Racketeering charges were filed against the union in 1989 after a Justice Department investigation that accused the Teamsters of being a “wholly owned subsidiary of organized crime.” Since 1992, the Teamsters have been overseen by an Independent Review Board.
Union: American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees
Membership: 1.5 million
Assets: $97 million
AFSCME, one of the fastest growing unions in the United States, was founded in Wisconsin almost 80 years ago. At union headquarters in Washington, 10 officers and employees receive more than $200,000 a year. Gerald McEntee, who was first elected union president in 1981, was paid $479,328 in salary and benefits in 2009. Over the past decade, his salary has increased at almost 4 percent a year. Over the past two years, AFSCME has donated $2.3 million to Democratic candidates and $13,000 to Republicans. In the 2010 elections in Wisconsin, AFSCME gave almost $83,888 to Democratic candidates. Half that amount went to the campaign of Tom Barrett, whose top 10 donors were unions. Barrett lost to Republican Scott Walker, who promised during the campaign to take on the organized labor if elected.
Union: Laborers' International Union of North America
Membership: 633,000
Assets: $134 million
The Laborers represent mostly construction workers in 500 locals in the U.S. The headquarters in Washington has 18 officers and employees who earn more than $200,000 a year, including 11 who earn more than $300,000. Terence O’Sullivan, union president since 2000, received $618,000 in salary and benefits in 2009. Of the $1.7 million donated to political candidates over the past two years, 95 percent went to Democrats. In 2006, the Laborers broke from the AFL-CIO to join a new, rival labor federation. In 2010, the Laborers rejoined the AFL-CIO.
Union: American Federation of Teachers
Membership: 887,000
Assets: $115 million
AFT is the smaller of the two teacher unions and also represents school support staff, higher education faculty and staff, health care professionals and state and municipal employees. At AFT’s headquarters in Washington, nine officers and employees earn more than $200,000 a year. Randi Weingarten, who was elected president in 2008, received $428,284 in salary and benefits. Of the $2.4 million donated to political candidates in the past two years, the union gave all but $10,000 to Democrats. In 1998, a proposal to merge the AFT and the much larger NEA was rejected by NEA members.
Union: International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Membership: 685,000
Assets: $482 million
IBEW represents electricians, linemen and other public utility employees, along with some computer, telecommunications and broadcasting workers. Sixteen of the IBEW’s officers and employees in Washington earned more than $200,000 in 2009. Edwin D. Hill, the union president since 2001, received $375,767 in pay and benefits. Hill and other top officials received salary increases averaging at least 4 percent each in the past several years, even as membership declined by 5 percent. Membership peaked at about 1 million in 1972. The IBEW says a chief reason for the decline was a loss of union jobs when the Bell System was broken up and deregulation of the utility industry.
Union: International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
Membership: 613,000
Assets: $147 million
IAM, which grew out of a secret meeting of 19 machinists in a Georgia rail yard in 1888, represents machinists and aerospace workers in over 200 industries. At the union’s Maryland headquarters near Washington, 34 officers and employees earn over $200,000 in salary and benefits. Robert Buffenbarger, who became president in 1997, received $284,975. Over the past two years, the IAM donated $1.98 million to Democratic candidates and $34,000 to Republicans. Popularly known as the machinists union, IAM is affiliated with the AFL-CIO. Its membership jumped in the 1950s and 1960s with the growth of the airlines and aerospace industries. More than 1 million belonged to the union in 1968. In the early 1970s, membership began declining, a change the union blames on layoffs in the defense industry.
Union: United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America
Membership: 538,000
Assets: $1.2 billion
The UAW, founded in 1935 by automobile plant workers, currently represents workers at General Motors, Ford and Chrysler, along with workers in the aerospace and agriculture industries. None of the officers or employees at the UAW headquarters in Detroit earn over $200,000 a year. Ronald Gettelfinger, who resigned as UAW president in 2010, was paid $173,065 in salary and benefits. Elected to replace Gettelfinger was Bob King, a bargaining member at Ford’s plant in Dearborn, Mich. Over the past two years, the UAW donated more than $1.6 million to political candidates, and all but $3,000 went to Democrats. Union membership hit 1.5 million in the late 1970s, but a decline in the U.S. auto industry and opening of non-union plants in the South took its toll on membership. The UAW’s success over the years at negotiating higher pay and benefits, including one of the wealthiest pension and health plans for retired autoworkers, was blamed by domestic automakers and conservatives in Congress for the industry’s crisis in 2008 and 2009.
These are the 10 largest unions, noting the number of employees who earn more than $200,000, leadership salaries and campaign contributions to federal candidates in 2009-2010.
Union: National Education Association
Membership: 3.2 million
Assets: $216 million
The NEA, representing most of the nation’s teachers, has 31 headquarters officers and employees who earn over $200,000. The president, Dennis Van Roekel, received $397,721 in salary and benefits. Of the $3.7 million NEA spent on political activities in the last election cycle, 98 percent went to Democratic candidates. The NEA has 98,000 members in Wisconsin. Before taking the helm in 2008, Van Roekel received pay increases averaging more than 4 percent a year as NEA vice president. In 2009, public school teachers were paid a national average of $54,319 and received raises ranging from 2 percent to 4 percent over the previous five years.
Union: Service Employees International Union
Membership: 1.8 million
Assets: $187 million
The SEIU, whose membership has increased in recent years, has been organizing hospital, home care and nursing home workers, along with local and state government employees, janitors and security officers. The union has nine headquarters officers and employees who earn over $200,000. The former president, Andy Stern, was paid $306,388 in salary and benefits from the union in 2009. In his final year, Stern got a 5 percent pay boost, which came on the heels of the union growing by more than 88,000 members. Stern resigned in 2010 and was replaced by Mary Kay Henry, formerly the executive vice president. Over the past two years, SEIU gave almost $2 million to Democratic candidates and $8,500 to Republicans. It has 18,000 members in Wisconsin.
Union: United Food & Commercial Workers
Membership: 1.3 million
Assets: $157 million
The UFCW, whose members work in meatpacking, food processing and retail grocery stores, has 17 headquarters officers and employees who earn over $200,000. The president, Joseph T. Hansen, received $360,737 in pay and benefits in 2009. Of the $1.9 million the union donated to political candidates over the past two years, 99 percent of it went to Democrats. The union drew criticism from members in 2004 for paying outgoing president Douglas Dority $709,000 in salary and benefits and for keeping retired officers on the payroll with six-figure salaries. At the time, more than 250 UFCW employees across the country were being paid more than $100,000.
Union: International Brotherhood of Teamsters
Membership: 1.3 million
Assets: $175 million
The Teamsters, whose origins date to the horse- and mule-team drivers of the late 1800s, represents truck drivers and a wide array of blue-collar and government workers. Eight headquarters officers and employees received more than $200,000 in 2009.
The president, James P. Hoffa, was paid $362,869 in pay and benefits. Over the past two years, the Teamsters have donated $2.3 million to Democratic candidates and $46,500 to Republicans. Racketeering charges were filed against the union in 1989 after a Justice Department investigation that accused the Teamsters of being a “wholly owned subsidiary of organized crime.” Since 1992, the Teamsters have been overseen by an Independent Review Board.
Union: American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees
Membership: 1.5 million
Assets: $97 million
AFSCME, one of the fastest growing unions in the United States, was founded in Wisconsin almost 80 years ago. At union headquarters in Washington, 10 officers and employees receive more than $200,000 a year. Gerald McEntee, who was first elected union president in 1981, was paid $479,328 in salary and benefits in 2009. Over the past decade, his salary has increased at almost 4 percent a year. Over the past two years, AFSCME has donated $2.3 million to Democratic candidates and $13,000 to Republicans. In the 2010 elections in Wisconsin, AFSCME gave almost $83,888 to Democratic candidates. Half that amount went to the campaign of Tom Barrett, whose top 10 donors were unions. Barrett lost to Republican Scott Walker, who promised during the campaign to take on the organized labor if elected.
Union: Laborers' International Union of North America
Membership: 633,000
Assets: $134 million
The Laborers represent mostly construction workers in 500 locals in the U.S. The headquarters in Washington has 18 officers and employees who earn more than $200,000 a year, including 11 who earn more than $300,000. Terence O’Sullivan, union president since 2000, received $618,000 in salary and benefits in 2009. Of the $1.7 million donated to political candidates over the past two years, 95 percent went to Democrats. In 2006, the Laborers broke from the AFL-CIO to join a new, rival labor federation. In 2010, the Laborers rejoined the AFL-CIO.
Union: American Federation of Teachers
Membership: 887,000
Assets: $115 million
AFT is the smaller of the two teacher unions and also represents school support staff, higher education faculty and staff, health care professionals and state and municipal employees. At AFT’s headquarters in Washington, nine officers and employees earn more than $200,000 a year. Randi Weingarten, who was elected president in 2008, received $428,284 in salary and benefits. Of the $2.4 million donated to political candidates in the past two years, the union gave all but $10,000 to Democrats. In 1998, a proposal to merge the AFT and the much larger NEA was rejected by NEA members.
Union: International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Membership: 685,000
Assets: $482 million
IBEW represents electricians, linemen and other public utility employees, along with some computer, telecommunications and broadcasting workers. Sixteen of the IBEW’s officers and employees in Washington earned more than $200,000 in 2009. Edwin D. Hill, the union president since 2001, received $375,767 in pay and benefits. Hill and other top officials received salary increases averaging at least 4 percent each in the past several years, even as membership declined by 5 percent. Membership peaked at about 1 million in 1972. The IBEW says a chief reason for the decline was a loss of union jobs when the Bell System was broken up and deregulation of the utility industry.
Union: International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
Membership: 613,000
Assets: $147 million
IAM, which grew out of a secret meeting of 19 machinists in a Georgia rail yard in 1888, represents machinists and aerospace workers in over 200 industries. At the union’s Maryland headquarters near Washington, 34 officers and employees earn over $200,000 in salary and benefits. Robert Buffenbarger, who became president in 1997, received $284,975. Over the past two years, the IAM donated $1.98 million to Democratic candidates and $34,000 to Republicans. Popularly known as the machinists union, IAM is affiliated with the AFL-CIO. Its membership jumped in the 1950s and 1960s with the growth of the airlines and aerospace industries. More than 1 million belonged to the union in 1968. In the early 1970s, membership began declining, a change the union blames on layoffs in the defense industry.
Union: United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America
Membership: 538,000
Assets: $1.2 billion
The UAW, founded in 1935 by automobile plant workers, currently represents workers at General Motors, Ford and Chrysler, along with workers in the aerospace and agriculture industries. None of the officers or employees at the UAW headquarters in Detroit earn over $200,000 a year. Ronald Gettelfinger, who resigned as UAW president in 2010, was paid $173,065 in salary and benefits. Elected to replace Gettelfinger was Bob King, a bargaining member at Ford’s plant in Dearborn, Mich. Over the past two years, the UAW donated more than $1.6 million to political candidates, and all but $3,000 went to Democrats. Union membership hit 1.5 million in the late 1970s, but a decline in the U.S. auto industry and opening of non-union plants in the South took its toll on membership. The UAW’s success over the years at negotiating higher pay and benefits, including one of the wealthiest pension and health plans for retired autoworkers, was blamed by domestic automakers and conservatives in Congress for the industry’s crisis in 2008 and 2009.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Black Churches Blast Obama
The Rev. Anthony Evans, who heads the National Black Church Initiative, says Obama "has violated the Christian faith" by failing to uphold Jesus' teaching that marriage is between a man and a woman.
The Justice Department announced Wednesday that, at Obama's direction, it would not defend the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act in a court case where it's being challenged.
As a result, Evans says black churches must "reassess their extraordinary support for him."
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney says Obama is still "grappling" with his personal views on same sex marriage, but has long opposed the federal law as unnecessary and unfair.
Source: ABC News
Pro-Union Rallies Simmering with Violence and Hate Speech
The Boiling Over of the Liberal Mind is on full display these days, and it is not a pretty sight.
Union protesters in Wisconsin compared Gov. Scott Walker to former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and other tyrants. A sign showed him in a Nazi salute and screamed, "Heil Walker." Another said, "Hitler, Stalin, Walker." Still another showed a swastika next to his name.
New York unions also reached back to World War II, although with a twist. "Wisconsin: Our Pearl Harbor," wrote John Samuelson, president of the local Transport Workers Union, which represents transit workers. He railed against "enemies of labor and democracy."
But Paul Krugman proved himself the master of disaster comparisons. The bid to trim union power reminds the excitable New York Times columnist of the invasion of Iraq.
His argument, as best I can follow it, is that privatizing services and weaning people off government is exactly what Iraq was about, and we did it in Chile 40 years ago, too. Or something.
Wherever you look, the bile runneth over. Beyond making fools of themselves with juvenile comparisons, the "social justice" crowd is inadvertently proving that public-sector unions are a privileged class. Touch them and you die from a thousand insults.
Source: Fox Nation
Union protesters in Wisconsin compared Gov. Scott Walker to former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and other tyrants. A sign showed him in a Nazi salute and screamed, "Heil Walker." Another said, "Hitler, Stalin, Walker." Still another showed a swastika next to his name.
New York unions also reached back to World War II, although with a twist. "Wisconsin: Our Pearl Harbor," wrote John Samuelson, president of the local Transport Workers Union, which represents transit workers. He railed against "enemies of labor and democracy."
But Paul Krugman proved himself the master of disaster comparisons. The bid to trim union power reminds the excitable New York Times columnist of the invasion of Iraq.
His argument, as best I can follow it, is that privatizing services and weaning people off government is exactly what Iraq was about, and we did it in Chile 40 years ago, too. Or something.
Wherever you look, the bile runneth over. Beyond making fools of themselves with juvenile comparisons, the "social justice" crowd is inadvertently proving that public-sector unions are a privileged class. Touch them and you die from a thousand insults.
Source: Fox Nation
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Gingrich Warns of Constitutional Crisis if Obama Isn't Stopped
In an exclusive interview with Newsmax.TV Friday, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said President Barack Obama’s decision not to fully enforce the Defense of Marriage law eventually could lead to a constitutional crisis, as he has directly violated his constitutional duties by arbitrarily suspending a law.
Gingrich even suggested that, if a “President Sarah Palin” had taken a similar action, there would have been immediate calls for her impeachment. Asked directly whether President Obama could be subject to articles of impeachment, Gingrich said, “Clearly it is a dereliction of duty and a violation of his constitutional oath and is something that cannot be allowed to stand.”
(A Gingrich spokesman stressed after the interview that we are not currently in a constitutional crisis, nor was Gingrich calling for the direct impeachment of the president. His statements were meant to illustrate the hypocrisy of the left and the mainstream media.)
Source: Fox Nation
Friday, February 25, 2011
The Lamestreams Strike Again — This Time in Madison
Some thoughts about the demonstrations in Madison and why liberals in the media are held in such low regard.Let’s first take a trip down memory lane. Remember when journalists covered those tea party rallies and couldn’t help but notice that most of the people who showed up were white? They made it sound like an indictment. I was never quite sure why race was significant, but since the lamestreams brought it up, let me bring up a question: Since almost all the demonstrators in Wisconsin are white, why have the media, ever alert to skin color, not said a word about the crowd’s complexion?
Answer: Because they gratuitously bring race into the story if their real purpose is to make conservatives look bad. Telling us that most of the tea partiers were white was a way of saying they’re probably racists, without actually saying it.
Point number two: If one moron at a tea party carried a sign saying “Obama is Hitler” it was big news – proof that the tea partiers, generally, were hate-mongers. Cut to Madison, where there are lots of signs linking Governor Scott Walker to Hitler, Mussolini, Mubarak and al qaeda.
According to the conservative media watchdog group, the Media Research center, on a Thursday morning, right after the demonstrations began, none of the network morning shows aired even one picture of any of those signs.
Since then, some of the placards have made it on the air. But I got the impression that the “mainstream” media weren’t nearly as passionate about showing – or commenting about – the many nasty signs that were aimed at a Republican governor as they were about showing the few ugly placards aimed at President Obama.
Point number three: NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams opened his newscast the other night with these words:
“Good evening. From the Mideast to the American Midwest tonight, people are rising up. Citizens uprisings are changing the world. … Tonight, we’re going to begin in Wisconsin. The state capitol has been taken over by the people.”
Get it? The good guys in the Middle East were the courageous demonstrators. The good guys in the Middle West are the courageous demonstrators. The bad guys in the Middle East were the monsters running the government. The bad guys in the Middle West …Get it now?
ABORTION = BLACK GENOCIDE
A pro-life group, Life Always, has displayed a huge billboard in the SoHo section of New York City that shows a picture of a young black girl with the inscription, "The most dangerous place for an African American is in the womb." It has created a firestorm in New York City.
The organization responsible for the billboard has the strong backing of prominent African Americans; they chose to display their message during Black History Month. Rev. Stephen Broden, an African American who heads Life Always, says he wants to protest abortion as black genocide.
Catholic League president Bill Donohue commented on the critics of the billboard today:
Obama Administration Won't Enforce Defense of Marriage Act
OBAMA REFUSES TO DEFEND MARRIAGE
buy microsoft office 2010 home and professional oem download Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments on the decision of the Obama administration not to defend the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act:
buy microsoft office 2010 home and professional oem download Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments on the decision of the Obama administration not to defend the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act:
President Obama does not want to defend marriage anymore. He never really did, and here's the proof: 15 years ago this month, while running for the Illinois state Senate, Barack Obama said, "I favor legalizing same-sex marriage, and would fight efforts to prohibit such marriages."
But when Obama decided to run for the U.S. Senate in 2004, he knew that his support for homosexuals crashing the institution of marriage was too extreme, so he decided to endorse civil unions. He said at the time, "I think that marriage, in the minds of a lot of voters, has a religious connotation."
Monday, February 21, 2011
Taxes for Dummies - The tax system explained.
Suppose that every evening, 10 men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:
The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.
The fifth would pay $1.
The sixth would pay $3.
The seventh would pay $7.
The eighth would pay $12.
The ninth would pay $18.
The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.
So, that's what they decided to do. The 10 men drank in the bar every evening and were quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner said "Since you are all such good customers, I'm going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20." Drinks for the 10 men would now cost just $80.
The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes. So the first four men were unaffected, they would still drink for free, but what about the other six men, the paying customers? How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his fair share?
They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33, but if they subtracted that from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer.
So, using the principle of our tax system, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by a higher percentage based on how poor he was, and he proceeded to suggest the amounts that each should now pay.
Therefore, the fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing.
The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33% saving).
The seventh now paid $5 instead of $7 (28% saving).
The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% saving).
The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% saving).
The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% saving).
Each of the six was better off than before, and now half of the men continued to drink for free.
But, once outside the bar, the men began to compare their savings.
"I only got a dollar out of the $20 saving," declared the sixth man. He pointed to the tenth man, "But he got $10!"
"Yeah, that's right," exclaimed the fifth man. "I only saved a buck too. It's unfair, he got 10 times more benefit than me!"
"That's true!" shouted the seventh man. "Why should he get $10 back, when I got only $2? The wealthy always win!"
"Wait a minute," yelled the first four men in unison, "we didn't get anything at all. This new tax system exploits the poor!"
The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up!
The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks, so the nine sat down and had their beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn't have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!
And that, boys and girls, journalists, labor unions and government officials, is how the tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes will naturally get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start drinking overseas, where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.
Source: Various Internet sources
The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.
The fifth would pay $1.
The sixth would pay $3.
The seventh would pay $7.
The eighth would pay $12.
The ninth would pay $18.
The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.
So, that's what they decided to do. The 10 men drank in the bar every evening and were quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner said "Since you are all such good customers, I'm going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20." Drinks for the 10 men would now cost just $80.
The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes. So the first four men were unaffected, they would still drink for free, but what about the other six men, the paying customers? How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his fair share?
They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33, but if they subtracted that from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer.
So, using the principle of our tax system, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by a higher percentage based on how poor he was, and he proceeded to suggest the amounts that each should now pay.
Therefore, the fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing.
The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33% saving).
The seventh now paid $5 instead of $7 (28% saving).
The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% saving).
The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% saving).
The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% saving).
Each of the six was better off than before, and now half of the men continued to drink for free.
But, once outside the bar, the men began to compare their savings.
"I only got a dollar out of the $20 saving," declared the sixth man. He pointed to the tenth man, "But he got $10!"
"Yeah, that's right," exclaimed the fifth man. "I only saved a buck too. It's unfair, he got 10 times more benefit than me!"
"That's true!" shouted the seventh man. "Why should he get $10 back, when I got only $2? The wealthy always win!"
"Wait a minute," yelled the first four men in unison, "we didn't get anything at all. This new tax system exploits the poor!"
The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up!
The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks, so the nine sat down and had their beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn't have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!
 |
| Cheers! |
Source: Various Internet sources
Soros: Rupert Murdoch and Fox are Like Nazis, Tea Partiers are Being Deceived and Misled
George Soros on Sunday likened Fox News and Rupert Murdoch to Nazis while claiming that Tea Partiers are being deceived and misled by a force they can't understand.
Appearing on CNN's "Fareed Zakaria GPS," the financier of far-left propaganda outlets such as the Center for American Progress, Media Matters for America, and MoveOn.org was not shy about his distaste for conservatives (video follows with transcript and commentary):
Appearing on CNN's "Fareed Zakaria GPS," the financier of far-left propaganda outlets such as the Center for American Progress, Media Matters for America, and MoveOn.org was not shy about his distaste for conservatives (video follows with transcript and commentary):
FAREED ZAKARIA, HOST: George, I want you to look at a piece of video we have here.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
Americans Say Reagan Is the Greatest U.S. President
Lincoln and Clinton next on the list; Washington fifth
PRINCETON, NJ -- Ahead of Presidents Day 2011, Americans are most likely to say Ronald Reagan was the nation's greatest president -- slightly ahead of Abraham Lincoln and Bill Clinton. Reagan, Lincoln, or John F. Kennedy has been at the top of this "greatest president" list each time this question has been asked in eight surveys over the last 12 years.
Friday, February 18, 2011
House Votes to Defund Planned Parenthood
The House has approved a Republican proposal to block federal aid for Planned Parenthood.
The 240-185 vote on Friday is a victory for anti-abortion forces led by Indiana GOP Rep. Mike Pence. He says taxpayer money should not go to groups that provide or promote abortion.
Democrats say Planned Parenthood provides contraception and other valuable family planning services, and that cutting off the money will make it hard for women to get such basic help.
Planned Parenthood provides services in hundreds of clinics around the country. Pence aides say the group reported receiving $363 million in federal money in its latest report.
The proposal is part of a bill that seeks to cut government spending this year.
The Democratic-run Senate has stronger abortion rights views than does the House, making it unlikely the House proposal will survive.
Planned Parenthood has came under heavy scrutiny recently. The group Live Action released a series of undercover videos this month showing Planned Parenthood workers advising a fake pimp on how to circumvent abortion laws and even how to run an underage sex ring.
Source: The Blaze
The 240-185 vote on Friday is a victory for anti-abortion forces led by Indiana GOP Rep. Mike Pence. He says taxpayer money should not go to groups that provide or promote abortion.
Democrats say Planned Parenthood provides contraception and other valuable family planning services, and that cutting off the money will make it hard for women to get such basic help.
Planned Parenthood provides services in hundreds of clinics around the country. Pence aides say the group reported receiving $363 million in federal money in its latest report.
The proposal is part of a bill that seeks to cut government spending this year.
The Democratic-run Senate has stronger abortion rights views than does the House, making it unlikely the House proposal will survive.
Planned Parenthood has came under heavy scrutiny recently. The group Live Action released a series of undercover videos this month showing Planned Parenthood workers advising a fake pimp on how to circumvent abortion laws and even how to run an underage sex ring.
Source: The Blaze
House Votes to Defund 'ObamaCare'
 |
| In this Feb. 9, 2011, file photo House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, center, with House Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Va., right, and House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy of Calif., speaks to reporters outside the White House in Washington. (AP) |
The House voted to defund President Obama's health care overhaul on Friday during a sustained burst of floor activity on a temporary spending bill.
The House passed the health care measure, 239-187, as an amendment to a bill that would keep the government lights on through the end of the fiscal year but also impose deep cuts on domestic programs.
Among the other actions the House took was to reject a controversial plan to end the Pentagon's sponsorship of a NASCAR team. Another measure, banning federal aid to Planned Parenthood, was passed.
The proposals were among more than 120 amendments remaining for the House to vote on as Republican leaders wind down a week of frenzied action on the spending bill.
Silencing Conservative Voices
Catholic League president Bill Donohue looks at attempts to silence conservative voices:
We recently learned that 74 Democrats have asked U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas to recuse himself if the health care bill comes before the high court. The reason? His wife supports the Tea Party and it is against the health care law. On Monday, disciplinary hearings will start against former Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline. The reason? He should have recused himself from investigating George Tiller, the infamous late-term abortionist, because he holds pro-life views and was allegedly "obsessed" with Tiller.
If this is the standard for recusal, then the following need to recuse themselves from all cases involving abortion: U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Ninth Circuit Judge Stephen Reinhardt and New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.
Ginsburg's obsession with abortion is uncontested: she co-founded the Women's Rights Project at the ACLU.
Reinhardt is married to Ramona Ripston, who retired last year as the executive director of the Southern California ACLU; she has been obsessed with abortion rights for decades.
Schneiderman's father is the former treasurer of NARAL, the most radical pro-abortion organization in the nation; this connection has already led the AG to recuse himself in a case involving Kelli Conlin, the former NARAL New York president. Conlin is accused of ripping off NARAL for meals, a summer rental in the Hamptons, clothes, and more than $100,000 on car services. Schneiderman should now pledge to recuse himself from all future cases involving abortion.
What's good for the goose, should be good for the gander.
Source: catholicleague.org
Thursday, February 17, 2011
The Damage Obama had done - Dick Morris
The mainstream media does not cover the full extent of the damage the Obama Administration has inflicted on this country. Even FoxNews often doesn’t have the time to go into sufficient depth to explain what is happening.
From our friend Ruth S. King comes a chart which all of us should read and absorb, sobering though it may be:
Just take this last item: In the last two years we have accumulated national debt at a rate more than 27 times as fast as during the rest of our entire nation’s history. Over 27 times as fast! Metaphorically, speaking, if you are driving in the right lane doing 65 MPH and a car rockets past you in the left lane 27 times faster . . . it would be doing 1,755 MPH!
(1) U.S. Energy Information Administration; (2) Wall Street Journal; (3) Bureau of Labor Statistics; (4) Census Bureau; (5) USDA; (6) U.S. Dept. of Labor; (7) FHFA; (8) Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller; (9) RealtyTrac; (10) Heritage Foundation and WSJ; (11) The Conference Board; (12) FDIC; (13) Federal Reserve; (14) U.S. Treasury
In our new book, Revolt! (Due out March 1 – you can pre-order autographed copies now at DickMorris.com) we explain how Obama has wrecked our economy and chart a path to reverse the damage and defeat him in 2012.
Source: dickmorris.com
From our friend Ruth S. King comes a chart which all of us should read and absorb, sobering though it may be:
| January 2009 | Today | % chg | Source | |
| Avg. retail price/gallon gas in U.S. | $1.83 | $3.104 | 69.6% | 1 |
| Crude oil, European Brent (barrel) | $43.48 | $99.02 | 127.7% | 2 |
| Crude oil, West TX Inter. (barrel) | $38.74 | $91.38 | 135.9% | 2 |
| Gold: London (per troy oz.) | $853.25 | $1,369.50 | 60.5% | 2 |
| Corn, No.2 yellow, Central IL | $3.56 | $6.33 | 78.1% | 2 |
| Soybeans, No. 1 yellow, IL | $9.66 | $13.75 | 42.3% | 2 |
| Sugar, cane, raw, world, lb. fob | $13.37 | $35.39 | 164.7% | 2 |
| Unemployment rate, non-farm, overall | 7.6% | 9.4% | 23.7% | 3 |
| Unemployment rate, blacks | 12.6% | 15.8% | 25.4% | 3 |
| Number of unemployed | 11,616,000 | 14,485,000 | 24.7% | 3 |
| Number of fed. employees, ex. military (curr = 12/10 prelim) | 2,779,000 | 2,840,000 | 2.2% | 3 |
| Real median household income (2008 v 2009) | $50,112 | $49,777 | -0.7% | 4 |
| Number of food stamp recipients (curr = 10/10) | 31,983,716 | 43,200,878 | 35.1% | 5 |
| Number of unemployment benefit recipients (curr = 12/10) | 7,526,598 | 9,193,838 | 22.2% | 6 |
| Number of long-term unemployed | 2,600,000 | 6,400,000 | 146.2% | 3 |
| Poverty rate, individuals (2008 v 2009) | 13.2% | 14.3% | 8.3% | 4 |
| People in poverty in U.S. (2008 v 2009) | 39,800,000 | 43,600,000 | 9.5% | 4 |
| U.S. rank in Economic Freedom World Rankings | 5 | 9 | n/a | 10 |
| Present Situation Index (curr = 12/10) | 29.9 | 23.5 | -21.4% | 11 |
| Failed banks (curr = 2010 + 2011 to date) | 140 | 164 | 17.1% | 12 |
| U.S. dollar versus Japanese yen exchange rate | 89.76 | 82.03 | -8.6% | 2 |
| U.S. money supply, M1, in billions (curr = 12/10 prelim) | 1,575.1 | 1,865.7 | 18.4% | 13 |
| U.S. money supply, M2, in billions (curr = 12/10 prelim) | 8,310.9 | 8,852.3 | 6.5% | 13 |
| National debt, in trillions | $10.627 | $14.052 | 32.2% | 14 |
Just take this last item: In the last two years we have accumulated national debt at a rate more than 27 times as fast as during the rest of our entire nation’s history. Over 27 times as fast! Metaphorically, speaking, if you are driving in the right lane doing 65 MPH and a car rockets past you in the left lane 27 times faster . . . it would be doing 1,755 MPH!
(1) U.S. Energy Information Administration; (2) Wall Street Journal; (3) Bureau of Labor Statistics; (4) Census Bureau; (5) USDA; (6) U.S. Dept. of Labor; (7) FHFA; (8) Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller; (9) RealtyTrac; (10) Heritage Foundation and WSJ; (11) The Conference Board; (12) FDIC; (13) Federal Reserve; (14) U.S. Treasury
In our new book, Revolt! (Due out March 1 – you can pre-order autographed copies now at DickMorris.com) we explain how Obama has wrecked our economy and chart a path to reverse the damage and defeat him in 2012.
Source: dickmorris.com
Democrats: Emboldening America's Enemies & Terrifying Her Allies Since 1976
The Middle East is on fire again, and crazy Muslims with funny names aren't helping things -- Mahmoud, ElBaradei, al-Banna, Barack...
The major new development is that NOW liberals want to get rid of a dictator in the Middle East! Where were they when we were taking out the guy with the rape rooms?
Remember? The one who had gassed his own people, invaded his neighbors and was desperately seeking weapons of mass destruction? The guy who emerged from a spider hole looking like Charlie Sheen after a three-day bender?
Liberals couldn't have been less interested in removing Saddam Hussein and building a democracy in Iraq. So it's really adorable seeing them get all choked up about democracy now. Say, as long as liberals are all gung-ho about getting rid of out-of-touch, overbearing dictators, how about we start with Janet Napolitano?
Why did they want to keep Saddam Hussein in power again? Yes, that's right -- because he didn't have stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction. Their big argument was that Saddam was five long years away from developing them.
By my calculations, that means as of March 2008, Israel would have been gone and Saddam would have been in total control of the Middle East.
Thanks, liberals!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Video: Obama unveils surreal, catastrophic new budget
How bad is it? Try to guess who wrote the following:
That’s Andrew Sullivan, formerly Obama fan numero uno in the blogosphere, now coping for the second time in eight years with crushing disappointment from a president he ardently supported. Ed’s already written a bunch about the budget today so I won’t belabor it, but have a look at Andrew Stiles’s bullet-point list of the lowlights if you missed it. $26.3 trillion in new debt — repeat, new debt — alone over the next decade. Says Jake Tapper, summing things up in a single harrowing line, “At no point in the president’s 10-year projection would the U.S. government spend less than it’s taking in.”
[Senators] have to lead, because this president is too weak, too cautious, too beholden to politics over policy to lead. In this budget, in his refusal to do anything concrete to tackle the looming entitlement debt, in his failure to address the generational injustice, in his blithe indifference to the increasing danger of default, he has betrayed those of us who took him to be a serious president prepared to put the good of the country before his short term political interests. Like his State of the Union, this budget is good short term politics but such a massive pile of fiscal bullshit it makes it perfectly clear that Obama is kicking this vital issue down the road.
To all those under 30 who worked so hard to get this man elected, know this: he just screwed you over. He thinks you’re fools. Either the US will go into default because of Obama’s cowardice, or you will be paying far far more for far far less because this president has no courage when it counts. He let you down. On the critical issue of America’s fiscal crisis, he represents no hope and no change. Just the same old Washington politics he once promised to end.
That’s Andrew Sullivan, formerly Obama fan numero uno in the blogosphere, now coping for the second time in eight years with crushing disappointment from a president he ardently supported. Ed’s already written a bunch about the budget today so I won’t belabor it, but have a look at Andrew Stiles’s bullet-point list of the lowlights if you missed it. $26.3 trillion in new debt — repeat, new debt — alone over the next decade. Says Jake Tapper, summing things up in a single harrowing line, “At no point in the president’s 10-year projection would the U.S. government spend less than it’s taking in.”
WaPo, Boston Globe, Others Laughably Trumpet Obama Budget's 'Deep' Cuts to 'Rein in Deficits'
With the unveiling of Obama's 2012 budget, some newspapers around the country framed the $3.7 trillion proposal as a serious attempt to slash the federal deficit.
The February 15 editions of The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, the Daily Herald, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and the DC Express all couched the administration's massive budget as a fiscally responsible plan that makes "deep" and "big" cuts to "rein in deficits."
"Obama budget makes deep cuts, cautious trades," trumpeted the Post's A-1 headline, even though the federal government is expected to run a $1.1 trillion deficit for fiscal year 2012.
The Globe echoed the Post with an above-the-fold headline that could have been ripped out of a White House press release: "Deep cuts, chance of gains for state in Obama budget."
A hyperbolized Express headline read, "BURNED BY THE BUDGET." Express, a local DC paper owned by The Washington Post, attacked Obama's plan from the Left, lamenting that the proposed cuts would "spread the pain to just about every American."
"Obama budget makes deep cuts, cautious trades," trumpeted the Post's A-1 headline, even though the federal government is expected to run a $1.1 trillion deficit for fiscal year 2012.
The Globe echoed the Post with an above-the-fold headline that could have been ripped out of a White House press release: "Deep cuts, chance of gains for state in Obama budget."
A hyperbolized Express headline read, "BURNED BY THE BUDGET." Express, a local DC paper owned by The Washington Post, attacked Obama's plan from the Left, lamenting that the proposed cuts would "spread the pain to just about every American."
US Gun Statistics. Are doctors more dangerous than guns?
- (A) The number of physicians in the U.S. is 700,000.
- (B) Accidental deaths caused by Physicians per year are 120,000.
- (C) Accidental deaths per physician is 0.171.
- (Statistics courtesy of U.S. Dept. of Health Human Services)
- Guns
- (A) The number of gun owners in the U.S. is 80,000,000.
- Yes, that is 80 million.
- (B) The number of accidental gun deaths per year, all age groups, is 1,500.
- (C) The number of accidental deaths per gun owner is 0.000188.
- Statistically, doctors are approximately 9,000 times more dangerous than gun owners.
- Remember, "Guns don't kill people, doctors do."
Monday, February 14, 2011
Diane Sawyer rigs mass shooting experiment on 20/20
Slanted information filled the report, seemingly pulled from the press releases of the Brady Campaign, with not a single dissenting opinion. The most egregious slight of hand was a rigged experiment that struggled to show why having a gun would do you no good in a Virginia Tech style mass shooting.
The scenario played out in a classroom filled with ABC employees and police posing as students. At the far end sat the "victim," a young, wide-eyed man whose experience consisted primarily of shooting pop cans with an Airsoft gun in his back yard.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Remember the Alamo (in a PC and neutral way only)!
Glenn doesn’t hide his love for Texas, but he had a couple of issues with the state on radio this morning. His concern came with schools in Texas starting to teach Arabic and culture classes, as well as a shift in the way the history of the Alamo is being taugh.
“ Some middle school parents were shocked this week when they found out that two schools in their Mansfield, Texas school district will soon be requiring Arabic language and culture courses. How about we do American culture courses, what do you think? Could we do that?” Glenn asked.
“Forcing it in their schools. The foreign language assistance program grant was awarded to Mansfield ISD last summer by the U.S. Department of Education. As part of the $1.3 million grant, Arabic classes would be mandatory at Crosstimbers Intermediate School and Kenneth Davis Elementary School,” Glenn read.
“Parents were caught off guard by the program, were surprised by the district telling them only in a meeting on Monday night between parents and superintendent. DOE has identified Arabic as a language of the future.”
“ The language of the future. And so they are going to learn about the Arabic language and its culture, similar to the way kids are now learning about Spanish and the Mexican culture,” Glenn said.
The Media's Selective Race Outrage
For over a year, the liberal media recited "the Tea Party is racist". They did so for hours on end without any clear proof. What do I mean by proof? Knowing this bunch as we do, had there been video of one clearly racist sign at a Tea Party, we'd be seeing that video as often as we did that of Rodney King. It would be their smoking gun. They could single-handedly discredit the Tea Party and possibly have salvaged the midterm elections for the left.
Alas, there was no proof, but when video released showed progressives desirous of putting the black Supreme Court justice back in his place (either in the fields or swinging from a tree), the networks didn't touch it.
Alas, there was no proof, but when video released showed progressives desirous of putting the black Supreme Court justice back in his place (either in the fields or swinging from a tree), the networks didn't touch it.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Muslim Students in Britain Reportedly Taught to Chop Off Hands of Thieves, Hate Jews
Islamic schools across Britain are reportedly teaching their students how to cut off thieves’ hands and that Jews are plotting to take over the world.
One textbook given to 15-year-old students outlines physical punishments for violating Shariah law, according to BBC.
“For thieves their hands will be cut off for a first offence, and their foot for a subsequent offence,” the book says.
Diagrams are given to teenagers detailing where the amputations should be made, The Telegraph reports.
Investigative TV show “Panorama” on BBC One will reportedly present evidence Wednesday night that the textbooks were uncovered at a network of 40 private schools that teach a Saudi Arabian national curriculum.
Textbooks claiming Jews were transformed into pigs and apes have been distributed to up to 5,000 students at weekend schools across England, according to The Telegraph. Another book for 6-year-olds says that people who don’t believe in Islam will suffer “hellfire” in death.
The TV show also found that some private Muslim schools are promoting extremist sentiments on their websites.
Britain’s Education Secretary Michael Gove said such sentiments would not be tolerated. But researchers warn the education system is “not equipped” to handle threats from extremist organizations. The country’s new “free schools” – run by parents, teachers and charities – can be used to indoctrinate students, according to Policy Exchange, a conservative think tank based in London.
BBC says it has uncovered evidence that links the schools to the Saudi embassy, but the embassy vehemently denies any connection.
Click here to read more on this story from The Telegraph.
One textbook given to 15-year-old students outlines physical punishments for violating Shariah law, according to BBC.
“For thieves their hands will be cut off for a first offence, and their foot for a subsequent offence,” the book says.
Diagrams are given to teenagers detailing where the amputations should be made, The Telegraph reports.
Investigative TV show “Panorama” on BBC One will reportedly present evidence Wednesday night that the textbooks were uncovered at a network of 40 private schools that teach a Saudi Arabian national curriculum.
Textbooks claiming Jews were transformed into pigs and apes have been distributed to up to 5,000 students at weekend schools across England, according to The Telegraph. Another book for 6-year-olds says that people who don’t believe in Islam will suffer “hellfire” in death.
The TV show also found that some private Muslim schools are promoting extremist sentiments on their websites.
Britain’s Education Secretary Michael Gove said such sentiments would not be tolerated. But researchers warn the education system is “not equipped” to handle threats from extremist organizations. The country’s new “free schools” – run by parents, teachers and charities – can be used to indoctrinate students, according to Policy Exchange, a conservative think tank based in London.
BBC says it has uncovered evidence that links the schools to the Saudi embassy, but the embassy vehemently denies any connection.
Click here to read more on this story from The Telegraph.
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