The Wit Hits the Fan

This is it... the criminal activities of ACORN caught on tape

2009-09-10T06:38:00.000-07:00

This is where $1 billion of our tax dollars have been allocated. For this -- advice on how to skirt the law on prostitution, child prostitution and paying taxes.

Caught on video:

http://www.biggovernment.com/

Thomas Sowell: Listening to a Liar

2009-09-08T08:33:00.000-07:00

http://townhall.com/columnists/ThomasSowell/2009/09/08/listening_to_a_liar

Obama: public option off the table

2009-09-02T05:34:00.000-07:00

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0909/26672.html

This from the guy who promised no lobbyists in his cabinet, a tax cut for 95% of Americans and complete disclosure on legislation. Take it for what it's worth.

Bill in the Senate would give president power to control the internet

2009-08-28T09:09:00.000-07:00

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10320096-38.html

Yea, that's a good idea. Obama would never abuse power.

Confirmed: Liberals have no shame, exhibit B. Hypocrisy abound as Dem's try to reverse their own open Senate seat law

2009-08-28T06:01:00.000-07:00

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/08/28/push-kennedy-successor-stirs-political-storm/

Actually, it's not so much hypocrisy as it is short-sighted and poor law-writing. The law that they should have passed would just say, "All open legislative seats should be filled the way Teddy would have wanted."

Confirmed: Liberals have no shame. Pelosi begins using the deceased Senator Kennedy as a prop to push socialized health care

2009-08-26T10:01:00.000-07:00

It's a fitting health care ploy, since it makes me sick.

From Michelle Malkin:

http://michellemalkin.com/2009/08/26/the-wretched-excess-begins/

John Stossel on Obama and health care reform

2009-08-26T05:48:00.000-07:00

Succinct and to the point. Leave it to John Stossel to cut right to the core of Obama and health care reform.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/johnstossel/2009/08/competition-.html

"Choice, competition, reducing costs -- those are the things that I want to see accomplished in this health reform bill," President Obama told talk-show host Michael Smerconish last week.
Choice and competition would be good.
They would indeed reduce costs. If only the President meant it. Or understood it.
In a free market, a business that is complacent about costs learns that its prices are too high when it sees lower-cost competitors winning over its customers. The market -- actually, the consumer -- holds businesses accountable and keeps them honest. No "public option" is needed.
So the hope for reducing medical costs indeed lies in competition and choice. Today competition is squelched by government regulation and privilege.
But Obama's so-called reforms would not create real competition and choice. They would prohibit it.
In place of the variety of products that competition would generate, we would be forced "choose" among virtually identical insurance plans. Government would define these plans down to the last detail. Every one would have at least the same "basic" coverage, including physical exams, maternity benefits, well-baby care, alcoholism treatment, and mental-health services. Consumers could not buy a cheap, high-deductible catastrophic policy. Every insurance company would have to use an identical government-designed pricing structure.
Prices would be the same for sick and healthy.
In this respect, it wouldn't matter whether or not Congress created a "public option," a government insurance plan. In either case, bureaucrats would dictate virtually every aspect of the health-insurance business. What Obama says in favor of a public option -- as of today, at least -- tells us how little he understands competition.

Who says union jobs are down? Democrats planning 1,000 health care events across the country

2009-08-25T08:19:00.000-07:00

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/08/25/democrats-planning-1000-health-care-reform-events/

Per CNN:

Organizing for America, Obama's campaign operation now housed at the Democratic National Committee, is coordinating the "Health Insurance Reform Now: Let's Get it Done" events that are scheduled to kick off on Wednesday. Health Care for America Now, an umbrella organization of unions and other progressive groups, will be involved in helping to get people out to the events.

Good. At least there's no fake and contrived astroturfing going on here.

Dems looking for bipartisanship? Only if bipartisanship means talking, amending and voting like a Democrat

2009-08-25T07:56:00.000-07:00

http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=656824

Democrats blocking Republican mailings:

Democrats on the bipartisan Commission on Congressional Mailing Standards have been blocking Republicans from sending out franked mailings to constituents that refer to the cap-and-trade bill as "cap and tax," the stimulus bill as the "so-called stimulus," and the healthcare reform bill as "socialized medicine."

Democrats barring Republicans from providing legislative input on bills:

Franks says for the first time in decades, Republicans have not been able to offer amendments to some of the most critical bills being considered. He points out that Democrats are even trying to create a rule on appropriations bills that would prevent Republicans from offering their amendments.

Obviously, the Democrats are trying to be bi-partisan, but those evil Republicans keep disagreeing with them. It's a sad thing when Americans' God-given freedoms get in the way of taking away Americans' God-given freedoms.

Is he lying or just incompetent? Obama misinformation on healthcare

2009-08-24T08:28:00.000-07:00

From the American Thinker Blog:

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2009/08/now_there_you_go_again_more_wh.html

He claims, "...coverage for abortions would be mandated under reform. Also false." The bill does not exclude payment for abortions, and the sponsors specifically defeated amendments that would have prohibited it, Obama has already declared that he believes that "reproductive healthcare" is basic to healthcare, and the bill would allow the government to define "healthcare". So do you believe him when he says "no", or when he says "yes", to the same question. The answer depends on whether its and odd day or an even day.

Don't be fooled. Public option is not off the table -- at least not yet

2009-08-17T06:26:00.000-07:00

As soon as I heard the news that the Obama administration is considering taking the public option out of the health care reform plan, I was skeptical. The administration has faked right and gone left waaay too many times. Remember these golden oldies?

-no lobbyists in the administration -- now 3/4 of his upper advisers are former lobbyist;

-full disclosure with legislation on the Internet -- in reality every major piece of legislation has been rammed through without so much as the lawmakers reading it;

-open health care debate on C-span -- actually, billion dollar taxpayer funded deals were cut in back-door, secret meetings with drug companies.

It is no time to let up on Washington.

Michelle Malkin seems to agree.

http://michellemalkin.com/2009/08/17/white-house-public-option-ploy-a-trial-balloon-not-a-white-flag/

Breaking news from Michelle Malkin: Senate Finanace Committee to drop end of life provisions (death panel)

2009-08-13T12:51:00.000-07:00

http://michellemalkin.com/2009/08/13/breaking-finance-committee-to-drop-end-of-life-provision/

Here's the first result of all the brave Americans who have been letting their lawmakers know we don't want Obama's health care reform -- as he has proposed it.

The Senate has removed what Sarah Palin has called the "death panels." As recently as yesterday, Barack Obama denied these provisions were even in the legislation.

Way to go America!

Video of Obama's rent-a-mob arriving by bus from out of town

2009-08-12T09:03:00.000-07:00

http://hotairpundit.blogspot.com/2009/08/obama-town-hall-supporters-in-new.html

From the Hotairpundit Blog:

I love this. The smoking gun showing the SEIU is the real astroturf, angry mob organizing entity -- in favor of Obamacare

2009-08-11T10:31:00.000-07:00

From Mary Katharine Ham of the Weekly Standard The Blog:

http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/SEIU%20memo.asp

I quote from the official union communication (which has now been pulled from their site, but screen shots have been saved and are now being displayed throughout the web):

Action: Opponents of reform are organizing counter-demonstrators to speak at this and several congressional town halls on the issue to defend the status quo. It is critical that our members with real, personal stories about the need for access to quality, affordable care come out in strong numbers to drown out their voices.

Mary Katharine's blog entry on the subject:

http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2009/08/seiu_recruits_obamacare_suppor.asp

I love it when the bad guys get caught in their own web of lies and deception.

Finally, exclusive behind the scenes footage of the highly funded, brutally organized and dangerously enraged mob

2009-08-11T08:02:00.000-07:00

I don't know how much longer Obama can allow these renegades to operate out in the open. This video is just dripping with fury and rage. Watch at your own risk.

Did I miss the open negotiations with drug companies on C-Span?

2009-08-11T07:23:00.000-07:00

Who are the masters of rent-a-mob astroturf? Obama health care supporters

2009-08-10T09:26:00.000-07:00

From the Gateway Pundit:

http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2009/08/figures-dems-now-advertizing-for-rent.html

From the ad:
Now is the time to work for changeWe need people like you—lots of people like you—to go out in communities around the country this summer and help make change happen. And you can earn money doing it. Earn $4,000-$6,000 this summer. Get skills. Learn vital campaign skills including how to fundraise, run a news conference and mobilize activists.Know the issues. Learn about the issues from some of the nation's top advocates, organizers and experts. Be part of a winning team. Work alongside other motivated staff who share your passion for change. Make lasting friendships.

You might be an un-American, astroturf, swastika-carrying tool of the insurance companies if...

2009-08-10T06:03:00.000-07:00

According to Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer:

You might be an astroturfer...

-If you've ever dared to question your lawmaker when he or she wants to create a system leading to single-payer socialized medicine, more expensive utility costs or mountains of federal debt...

you might be an astroturfer.

-If you've ever read the Constitution...

you might be an astroturfer.

-If you've ever wondered why it's OK for members of Congress to buy and use luxury private jets at taxpayer expense, but executives of private industry are ridiculed for doing the same with their own money...

you might be an astroturfer.

-If you've ever watched Fox News...

you might be an astroturfer.

-If you've ever asked why it takes 6 months for the President to pick out a puppy, but less than 24 hours to debate the spending of $1 trillion in future tax revenues...

you might be an astroturfer.

-If you know who John Galt is...

you might be an astroturfer.

-If you've ever wondered why the President has time for a photo-op beer at a picnic table, but just can't get around to reading the health care bill he is pushing...

you might be an astroturfer.

-If you ever thought you know better how to spend your money, educate your kids and help your neighbor...

you might be an astroturfer.

-If you do belong to a church, but don't belong to a union...

you might be an astroturfer.

-If you believe Democrats in power should be held to the same standard they demanded of Republicans in power...

you might be an astroturfer.

-If you've ever wondered, if government-run health care works so well, why do people from socialized medicine countries flock to the U.S. for medical care...

you might be an astroturfer.

-If you assemble to make your views heard, but you aren't bussed in from another part of the country, paid to be there by the SEIU, the DNC, or George Soros and were not recruited by ACORN or any other community organizing group...

you might be an astroturfer.

My apologies to Jeff Foxworthy.

Carl Rove in the WSJ: Obama can't be trusted with numbers

2009-07-09T06:31:00.000-07:00

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124709502661214861.html

Second stimulus? National health care? Cap and Trade as a jobs bill? Government Motors? If you find yourself being convinced that Obama's statism is the answer, pull out this column by Rove.

Obama's promises have been so far off, you have to ask yourself, "is he lying or just clueless?"

As of 4:25, Cap and Tax legislation is on life support. It's gonna be close

2009-06-26T13:21:00.000-07:00

Republicans are hammering the Dem's about not having read the new 300 page amendment of which no one can seem to get a hard copy.

"Catholics United" launch radio ad to pressure Congressman Joe Donnelly on cap and trade

2009-06-25T11:59:00.000-07:00

A group calling themselves "Catholics United" has launched a pressure ad against South Bend Democratic Congressman Joe Donnelly. Donnelly, a Roman Catholic, represents a largely Roman Catholic district that includes Notre Dame University.

The ad airing today features Sister Sharon Dillon, a supposed Franciscan nun with South Bend ties. Here is the complete text of the audio:

This is Sister Sharon Dillon, and I'm a Franciscan from South Bend. My family has lived in South Bend for four generations, and I know times have never been tougher. I understand the frustration and the fear of so many in our community.
But there's hope for the future.
Congress will soon vote on The American Clean Energy and Security Act, which reduces our dependence on foreign oil, protects our environment, and creates thirty-eight thousand clean energy jobs here in Indiana - jobs building wind farms and solar panels, which can never be outsourced.
Together, we can create a healthier and more prosperous world. For me, it's not about partisan politics. It's about values and families, human dignity and the common good.
Please, call Congressman Joe Donnelly at (202) 225-3915 and ask him to support the energy bill. Because when it comes to jobs, the environment, and a future for our families, we are all in this together.
Paid for by Catholics United

Wow.

The bill is called The American Clean Energy and Security Act. Clean energy? Clean energy is good. Security? Security is good. The bill must be good.

A Catholic nun is in favor of this bill. Nuns are good, so the bill must be good.

The Catholic nun (who we've already established is good) says this bill will reduce dependence on foreign oil, keep the environment clean and create thousands of jobs right here (nuns would never lie--it's part of the job, right?). All that stuff is good. The bill must be good.

The ads were paid for by Catholics United. Catholics are good. Being united is good. The bill must be good.

But, just to be safe, let's take a closer look at the bill and at Catholics United.

Hmm. The American Clean Energy and Security Act is the nice name for the cap and trade bill: the legislation creating the single highest energy tax in American history. This legislation targets the production economy of the Midwest so hard, which Indiana is a part, it would put thousands out of work and hike utility costs for everyone. (Sorry, Sister).

But don't take my word for it, here's the analysis from The Heritage Foundation:
http://www.heritage.org/Research/EnergyandEnvironment/wm2504.cfm

An analysis of the Waxman-Markey bill (as reported out of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce) by The Heritage Foundation found that unemployment will increase by nearly 2 million in 2012, the first year of the program, and reach nearly 2.5 million in 2035, the last year of the analysis. Total GDP loss by 2035 would be $9.4 trillion. The national debt would balloon as the economy slowed, saddling a family of four with $114,915 of additional national debt. Families would also suffer, as the bill would slap the equivalent of a $4,609 tax on a family of four by 2035.[1]

And that group that contains the words "Catholic" and "United" in the title? Well, it seems that is yet another George Soros front group.
http://michellemalkin.com/2008/10/22/soros-funding-pro-obama-catholic-groups/

The group's web site contains statements of support for pro-abortion HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Obama's controversial candidate as ambassador to the Holy See, Miguel Diaz. And in a statement about the tragic murder of Kansas abortionist, George Tiller this group writes the following:

http://www.catholics-united.org/

We fear, however, that this murder is a byproduct of increasingly hateful and intolerant language on the part of some militant opponents of legal abortion...

As for Sister Sharon Dillon, who has chosen to do the work of George Soros, I leave the words of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, one of the most revered and iconic people of her calling:

"The greatest destroyer of peace is abortion because if a mother can kill her own child, what is left for me to kill you and you to kill me? There is nothing between. "

So tell me, is Sister Dillon being the "pencil in the hand of God" as Mother Teresa called all of us to be?

National Review Online: Obama admits life begins at conception

2009-06-24T05:53:00.000-07:00

http://media.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MjYxM2Y2Y2Q0MWI5MmU2M2NhNTRiZDE5NjUzNmZmNDg=

Logic, consistency and intellectual honesty? Way above his paygrade.

Nice "follow the money" rundown of the artificial Obama healthcare groundswell

2009-06-24T05:37:00.000-07:00

http://michellemalkin.com/2009/06/24/who%e2%80%99s-funding-the-obamacare-astroturf-campaign/

Soros and ACORN involved? Shocker!

From the "You Have Got To Be Kidding Me" Department: Obama says illegal firing of Inspector General was an act of political courage

2009-06-18T13:30:00.000-07:00

What kind of "political courage" does it take to fire AmeriCorps IG, Gerald Walpin, the above pictured grandpa figure? From Byron York in the Washington Examiner:

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/White-House-Firing-AmeriCorps-IG-an-act-of-political-courage-48538447.html

According to first-hand reports from a Congressional aide regarding a conversation with White House lawyers,

[White House Special Council, Norman] Eisen said he knew that removing Walpin might be seen as an action that would raise questions. "But [Eisen] said that what they did in trying to fix the situation was an act of political courage -- and 'political courage' is the phrase they used," says the aide.

The American Spectator: A Trillion Dollars in Incompetence

2009-06-17T06:42:00.000-07:00

http://spectator.org/archives/2009/06/16/a-trillion-dollars-in-incompet

Bonaparte famously said to "never ascribe to malice that which can adequately be explained by incompetence."
Thus stands the Kennedy health care bill, placeholder for the hard left dream of a government takeover of the American health system. The bill is a taxpayer-supported monument to the lethal stupidity of this statist objective that will leave Americans with fewer choices, more government control over medical decisions, higher taxes, and a smaller private health insurance market (mostly union health plans paid for by taxes on the health benefits of non-union workers) that punishes efforts to reward healthy behavior.

Washington Times Editorial: Obama's attempts at firing AmeriCorps Inspector General questionable

2009-06-17T06:12:00.000-07:00

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jun/17/walpin-gates-egregious-stuff/?feat=article_related_stories

Now it appears that the White House's ace in the hole is actually a joker. News organizations have tied the dismissal of Inspector General Gerald Walpin to a flap over Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson's misuse of AmeriCorps funds. The acting U.S. attorney in Sacramento, Lawrence G. Brown, filed a complaint against Mr. Walpin involving that same investigation. The White House seems to think the U.S. attorney's complaint makes Mr. Walpin look bad and thus excuses the firing. One major problem: the U.S. attorney's complaint has more holes in it than a 10-year-old sock.

Senator Tom Coburn dares to question Obama's stimulus spending

2009-06-16T07:07:00.000-07:00

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090616/D98RI8302.html

We're spending $3.4 million in Florida for an underpass for turtles (yes, the reptile). I thought Slow Joe Biden was personally overseeing how our extorted tax dollars were being spent. Remember, Barack Obama said "Nobody messes with Joe."

Coburn also criticized:
_A Bureau of Land Management project to study the impact wind farms have on the sage grouse population in Oregon. The proposal calls for hiring people to tag sage grouse in areas where wind farms may be built, to help determine where turbines could be located.
_$1.5 million in stimulus money for a $5 million new wastewater treatment plant in Perkins, Okla., his home state. Coburn said the stimulus money came with strings that will increase the costs. With a new total cost of $7.2 million, the city will be forced to borrow money and, as a result, utility taxes have increased by 60 percent this year, the senator said.
_Grants and loans totaling $1.3 million to Solon Township in Leelanau County, Mich., to help pay for construction of a wastewater treatment plant. Local opposition killed the project. The money will now be used for a future treatment plant, for which there is no plan and questionable local support.
_Road signs costing $300 each, being placed at construction sites to alert motorists that the project is being paid for by the stimulus money. Transportation Department spokesman Jill Zuckman said each state decides whether to use stimulus money for signs, and the cost would vary in each state.
_A $3 million project to repair taxiways at Hanscom Field, Mass., which Coburn said is for corporate jets. Richard Walsh, a spokesman for the independent state agency that runs the airport, Massport, said only 18 percent of the traffic at the airport is for corporate jets. Most of the use, 70 percent cent, is for flight students, he said.
_Montana's state-run liquor warehouse, to receive $2.2 million in stimulus cash to install skylights. The project is part of the $27.7 million the state has been awarded for energy programs.

5 Myths the Left Has Created About Itself

2009-06-16T06:56:00.000-07:00

I loved this...

http://townhall.com/columnists/JohnHawkins/2009/06/16/5_myths_the_left_has_created_about_itself

Via Hollywood, the mainstream media, and the school systems, the Left has created a number of positive myths about their ideology, none of which stand up to the slightest amount of informed scrutiny.

Oh, how times have changed. Today, the host of the Late Show is a bitter, crusty old man and the Vice President is a hilarious comedian

2009-06-11T07:13:00.000-07:00

The Wit Hits the Fan's favorite Joe Biden moments

Slow Joe tries to make the wheelchair-bound walk: "Stand up, Chuck"

VP candidate Biden promises an international crisis within six months, if Barack Obama is elected:

J-O-B-S is a three letter word according to four-letter J-O-E:

Biden says Hillary would be more a more qualified VP candidate:

Thinking of picking up a Bidenberry Blast Slurpee? Better have a slight Indian accent:

Joe Biden's wife: drop dead gorgeous, doctorate degree, poor taste in husbands:

Three and a half years to go. Stay tuned for more.

The Republican energy alternative: clean, efficient nuclear energy and domestic fuel sources

2009-06-11T05:59:00.000-07:00

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124467604217304035.html#printMode

No hidden cap-and-trade energy tax. Decreased reliance on foreign countries. Create (not just "save") American jobs.

The American Energy Act establishes a national goal of licensing 100 new nuclear reactors over the next 20 years. With 31 announced reactor applications already in the pipeline, this goal can be achieved -- and it will revitalize an entire manufacturing sector, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs. The bill also streamlines a cumbersome regulatory process by offering a two-year, fast-track approval program for power-plant applications that employ safe reactor designs already approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

The American Energy Act allows for exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and for environmentally sound leasing of oil and natural gas fields in the outer continental shelf and on federally owned lands with oil shale in the West. Revenues generated by the leases would fund development of technologies to increase clean, renewable and alternative energy sources such as wind and solar.

Top 10 utterly immeasurable and unprovable accomplishments thus far of the Barack Obama presidency

2009-06-09T08:50:00.000-07:00

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported the national unemployment rate has climbed to 9.6 percent--the highest in 25 years. This comes despite the billions of dollars the administration has spent in order to stimulate the economy. Barack Obama has desperately tried to divert focus from the fact that these numbers are much worse than he projected.

One laughable way he is doing so is by claiming (without releasing any supporting data) that despite the net loss, he has "saved 150,000 jobs." In addition, he has pledged to ramp up the government spending in order to "create and save 600,000 jobs."

Inspired by the rather nebulous concept of saved jobs, here is the official top ten list of utterly immeasurable and unprovable accomplishments thus far of the Barack Obama presidency:

10. The number of angels able to dance on the head of a pin has increased by 35%.

9. It has become 8.35 times less likely that Rosie O’Donnell and Barney Frank will ever conceive a child together.

8. A tree falling in the woods without anyone around to hear it makes 1.75 decibels less sound.

7. Conversely, the sound of one hand clapping has actually doubled.

6. The number of crimes not committed has increased to 21,357,687,562.

5. The pen has become increasingly mightier than the sword by a factor of 18%.

4. The universe is now slightly less infinite.

3. The mathematical value of Pi is now even more irrational.

2. Lucky Charms cereal is now 10% more magically delicious.

1. The number of Barack Obamas it takes to change a light bulb has been reduced to one. He simply lifts the bulb in place and the world revolves around him.

More evidence of the voting undead -- this time in Minnesota

2009-06-08T06:31:00.000-07:00

http://www.minnesotamajority.org/Home/tabid/112/EntryID/187/Default.aspx

Minnesota Majority employed a data enhancement service to flag potentially deceased individuals on Minnesota’s voter registration file. Over 2,800 individuals who voted in the 2008 general election were flagged as being “deceased” prior to the election. Minnesota Majority then selected a sample of a dozen records for additional investigation. A representative drove to addresses listed on voter registration records. Interviews conducted with residents or neighbors confirmed that at least 5 individuals from the sample were deceased, the latest having died in March 2007.

What's scarier -- zombies voting or Al Franken in the U.S. Senate?

And now a word from the people who will be running GM and want to take over our health care system

2009-06-05T08:04:00.000-07:00

My father-in-law forwarded this to me.

Here is a congressional hearing in which the Federal Reserve Inspector General, Elizabeth Coleman, is asked to account for the trillions of tax dollars that have been spent since September. This deer in the headlights doesn't know where it went and doesn't seem to be motivated to find out.

Congressman Alan Grayson is not asking her to produce an obscure dry cleaning receipt from five years ago. We're talking TRILLIONS of your dollars (Look at your pay stub. That's where it came from.) which have been spent JUST SINCE SEPTEMBER.

Here is the Bloomberg article Congressman Grayson is referring to:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=washingtonstory&sid=aGq2B3XeGKok

Among the lowlights:

Only the stimulus bill to be approved this week, the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program passed four months ago and $168 billion in tax cuts and rebates enacted in 2008 have been voted on by lawmakers. The remaining $8 trillion is in lending programs and guarantees, almost all under the Fed and FDIC. Recipients’ names have not been disclosed.
“We’ve seen money go out the back door of this government unlike any time in the history of our country,” Senator Byron Dorgan, a North Dakota Democrat, said on the Senate floor Feb. 3. “Nobody knows what went out of the Federal Reserve Board, to whom and for what purpose. How much from the FDIC? How much from TARP? When? Why?”

Outraged? I hope so. Act on it. And pass it on.

Ready to take back our electoral system from the corrupt? Here's a good first step

2009-06-05T06:08:00.000-07:00

Help Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann prevent ACORN from accessing federal tax dollars. Sign the petition.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/TaxDollars/

Related -- In today's headlines: 4 ACORN ex-workers to face fraud trial in Pennsylvania.

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D98KJNH80&show_article=1

Investor's Business Daily: Obama's Justice Department undermining American free and fair elections

2009-06-04T07:04:00.000-07:00

http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=328920251728142

Where is Jimmy Carter to oversee our elections when we need him?

The Washington Times says that "political appointees" at Justice "overruled career lawyers and ended a civil complaint." Federal authorities had charged King Samir Shabazz, who carried a nightstick at the voting precinct, Malik Zulu Shabazz and Jerry Jackson of violating the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
That same Justice Department told Georgia last week that it cannot check Social Security numbers and driver's license data to confirm U.S. citizenship of prospective voters. The department reasoned that the state's system was often inaccurate and has a "discriminatory effect."

Thomas Sowell: empathy vs the rule of law

2009-06-03T06:31:00.000-07:00

http://townhall.com/columnists/ThomasSowell/2009/06/02/out_of_context

Dr. Thomas Sowell puts the Sotomayer nomination in perspective.

I loved this line:

It would be considered a disgrace if an umpire in a baseball game let his "empathy" determine whether a pitch was called a ball or strike. Surely we should accept nothing less from a judge.

Exposing the Snake Oil Salesman-In-Chief: The White House "Jobs-Saved" Deception

2009-06-02T12:01:00.000-07:00

http://www.cnbc.com/id/31063979

After nearly twenty years in Washington I thought I've seen every trick ever conceived, but the White House claims of "jobs saved" attributed to the stimulus bill is unrivaled. What causes the jaw to drop is not just the breathtaking deception of the claim, but the gullibility of the Washington press corps to continue reporting it.

Top 10 changes now that General Motors is owned by the Obama administration

2009-06-02T08:58:00.000-07:00

Top 10 changes now that General Motors is owned by the Obama administration:

10. There will be no difference in the way a standard oil change is preformed as long as a simple environmental study is done and the applicable permits are obtained.

9. NASCAR advertising decals on race cars will be focus grouped to ensure they contain nothing offensive like tobacco, alcohol or American flags.

8. Pine tree air fresheners will be banned because they shockingly resemble Christmas trees.

7. Car radio station presets must contain an equal number of NPR stations as conservative talk radio stations. In addition, liberal talk credits may be obtained by listening to Alan Colmes for every minute listened to Rush Limbaugh.

6. Gone are elitist models like Buick Park Avenue and Chevy Malibu. Instead, welcome the Buick Main Street and Chevy Compton. Good bye Olds Achieva. Hello Olds Doyourbest-a. And, of course, the Pontiac LeMans will be replaced by the Pontiac LePersons.

5. Roofs of all cars will be painted white to reflect heat and reverse global warming. An exception will be made, however, if the car will be within 100 miles of a protected arctic wildlife refuge. In this case, roofs must be painted orange so as not to be mistaken as tundra by polar bears or penguins.

4. Road kill first aid kits will become a standard option on all models.

3. Teenage driver’s education must now be expanded to include a showing of Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth, a reading of Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species, and free condoms, courtesy of Planned Parenthood.

2. Auto bodies will be made of high-density foam to prevent the bark and branch carnage which often occurs when a car strikes a tree.

1. Everyone buys a Ford.

Obama Dept of Justice forces Chicago-style voting in Georgia

2009-06-01T07:12:00.000-07:00

http://gretawire.blogs.foxnews.com/2009/06/01/georgia-non-citizens-registering-to-vote/

Atlanta - “The decision by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to deny preclearance of Georgia’s already implemented citizenship verification process shows a shocking disregard for the integrity of our elections. With this decision, DOJ has now barred Georgia from continuing the citizenship verification program that DOJ lawyers helped to craft. DOJ’s decision also nullifies the orders of two federal courts directing Georgia to implement the procedure for the 2008 general election. The decision comes seven months after Georgia requested an expedited review of the preclearance submission.
“DOJ has thrown open the door for activist organizations such as ACORN to register non-citizens to vote in Georgia’s elections, and the state has no ability to verify an applicant’s citizenship status or whether the individual even exists. DOJ completely disregarded Georgia’s obvious and direct interest in preventing non-citizens from voting, instead siding with the ACLU and MALDEF. Clearly, politics took priority over common sense and good public policy. "

Tune in next time when the DOJ will forbid states from requiring proof of actually being alive in order to be eligible to vote.

Sorry, Arlen. Your new friends aren't playing along. Sestak to challenge Specter in PA Dem primary

2009-06-01T06:26:00.000-07:00

http://www.examiner.com/x-6434-Baltimore-Political-Buzz-Examiner~y2009m5d30-Sestak-to-challenge-Specter-in-Pennsylvania

Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA), confirmed to Talking Points Memo earlier this week that, pending the approval of his family, he would challenge Sen. Arlen Specter in the Democratic Primary in 2010. Sestak was considering a run before Specter announced that he would be switching parties, which made his involvement much murkier. Democratic activists and the more liberal wing of the Democratic base have been advocating Sestak's run, even though Sestak is a moderate to conservative member of the House Democratic Caucus, and a member of the Blue Dog Caucus. Both President Obama and Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell have pledged to campaign for Specter.

Looks like Arlen is running out of political parties.

Michelle Malkin: The truth about ObamACORN

2009-05-29T05:46:00.001-07:00

http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=48818

At a closed-door powwow hosted Thursday at the left-leaning Center for American Progress, activists discussed how to combat a relentless stream of corruption charges from ACORN/Project Vote whistleblowers. But it’s too late for a reputation bailout. Former Project Vote official and whistleblower Anita MonCrief has harnessed the Internet to crowd-source a massive cache of documents showing ties between Obama staff members and the supposedly “nonpartisan” ACORN operations.

Could Sotomayer be Obama's Souter? Probably not, but we can hope

2009-05-28T05:55:00.000-07:00

Republican President George H.W. Bush nominated outgoing Justice David Souter to the Supreme Court. Counter to his nominating President, Souter subsequently took his place on the bench and became a solidly and reliably liberal voice on the court.

Now liberal Democrat President Barack Obama has nominated Sonia Sotomayer to take Souter's seat. Blogs and columns are aflutter with the potential irony that Sotomayer may turn out to be a conservative surprise, the mirror image of the justice she is replacing. They quote the following statement from LifeNews:

"Despite 17 years on the bench, Judge Sotomayor has never directly decided whether a law regulating abortion was constitutional," the pro-life group Americans United for Life noted in a recent analysis of potential Supreme Court candidates. Sotomayor participated in a decision concerning the Mexico City Policy, which President Obama recently overturned and which prohibits sending taxpayer dollars to groups that promote and perform abortions in other nations.

Writing for the Second Circuit, Judge Sotomayor upheld the Mexico City Policy, but AUL says the significance of the decision "may be minimal because the issue was largely controlled by the Second Circuit's earlier opinion in a similar challenge to the policy." AUL notes that Judge Sotomayor also upheld the pro-life policy by rejecting claims from a pro-abortion legal group that it violated the Equal Protection Clause.

Sounds pretty good, huh? Not so fast, my friend. Unlike David Souter, Sotomayer has a well established liberal track record. She has sung the praises of legislating from the bench. In 2005 she is quoted,

"All of the legal defense funds out there, they are looking for people with court of appeals experience because the court of appeals is where policy is made. And I know this is on tape and I should never say that because we don't make law. I know. Okay, I know. I'm not promoting it. I'm not advocating it. I know."

Also problematic is her record of opinions being overturned by the Supreme Court. Of the five majority opinions written by Judge Sotomayor and later appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, three of them have been reversed. There is a sixth case involving minority preferences in career advancement currently being considered by the high court. If the Supreme Court sides with the New Haven firemen in this case, as many believes it will, her reversal record will be four out of six.

Why is this problematic? If she is seated on the Supreme Court, there is no higher authority to overturn her. Once she's there, she becomes a deliberating member of the body that reversed her so many times.

Is Sotomayer the conservative version of Souter? I don't see it. Should Republican Senators filibuster? Probably not, as her appointment is a liberal for liberal replacement and doesn't represent a net change on the court. Should the minority party roll over and give her a free pass? No. GOP members of the Senate need to ask the tough questions about her view of judicial activism and expressed role of racial and cultural bias in the law.

Raise the objections. Articulate the concerns. Live to fight another day.

Remember those evil GM bondholders who President Obama said were looking for a free handout? You may be one of them

2009-05-27T05:14:00.000-07:00

One of Obama's class warfare straw men speaks out. From the Wall Street Journal opinion page:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124338330278956585.html

First, let's set the record straight about who owns GM's bonds. We are hardworking families, individual investors and retirees who purchased billions of these bonds in $25, $50 and $100 increments. Many bonds were bought directly and others are held in our pension funds, 401(k) plans and other retirement programs.

I am a retired dye-making trade worker and even worked in the auto industry during my career. I don't understand why the government is penalizing people like me just for having funded my retirement with GM bonds. Bondholders, especially small bondholders, are being ignored in negotiations and singled out to bear the greatest share of the cost of restructuring GM.

Catholic News Service: Cardinal calls on Obama to make good on his "conscience clause" promise

2009-05-22T19:15:00.000-07:00

http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0902381.htm

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The president of the U.S. bishops' conference and two members of Congress have called on President Barack Obama to make good on something he said in his May 17 speech to University of Notre Dame graduates, namely that he wished to "honor the conscience of those who disagree with abortion."In a May 22 statement, Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago said he was grateful for Obama's promise to support conscience clauses.

Republicans propose real choice and quality-based healthcare reform without gouging taxpayers or providers

2009-05-20T07:23:00.000-07:00

http://spectator.org/archives/2009/05/20/the-republican-health-care-alt

Today, the leading Republican health care reform alternative, The Patients' Choice Act, will be introduced in the Senate by Senators Tom Coburn (R-OK) and Richard Burr (R-NC), and in the House by Reps. Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Devin Nunes (R-CA). The bill would assure essential health coverage and health care to every U.S. citizen, without increased federal spending and taxes, and without the federal government taking over your health care. For precisely those reasons, today's left wing Democrats will not support it.

NY Times admits to spiking "game changing" Obama-Acorn story, but is the real issue being buried?

2009-05-20T05:17:00.000-07:00

From Michelle Malkin's column in the NY Post today:

http://www.nypost.com/seven/05202009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/times_election_gift_to_team_o_170070.htm

The Times acknowledged this weekend that it had spiked a story on possible illegal coordination between left-wing activist groups ACORN and Project Vote and the Obama campaign just before Election Day. The charges involved Team Obama sharing top campaign-donor lists with ACORN's supposedly nonpartisan canvassing arm, Project Vote (the same group Obama worked for as a community organizer).

New York Times Public Editor Clark Hoyt tried to spin it as a "tip that didn't pan out." He airily dismissed the charges by ACORN whistleblower Anita MonCrief as "nonsense" and quoted Times national editor Suzanne Daley, who shrugged, "You have to cut bait after a while." It was an all-too-convenient judgment that just happened to be made as Election Day loomed. (Contrast this with the doggedness of the Times' editors in pursuing insinuations that GOP presidential candidate John McCain had carried on an affair with lobbyist Vicki Iseman.)

Outrage is running rampant from the PR arm of the Obama left (the NY Times) and their refusal to print the story. That is correctly placed, but shouldn't the real outrage lie with the hand-in-hand relationship between our current president and the corruption-plagued community action group ACORN?

Let's not be distracted by the quarter being pulled from our ear, while our wallets are being pilfered with the other hand.

And just in case you haven't seen it yet, here's the Heritage Foundation's analysis of the Bush and Obama budget deficits:

WSJ: When state tax policy loots the rich, the rich hit the road

2009-05-18T05:54:00.000-07:00

Great read on the real effect of soaking the rich in the name of "fairness." From the Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124260067214828295.html

Updating some research from Richard Vedder of Ohio University, we found that from 1998 to 2007, more than 1,100 people every day including Sundays and holidays moved from the nine highest income-tax states such as California, New Jersey, New York and Ohio and relocated mostly to the nine tax-haven states with no income tax, including Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire and Texas. We also found that over these same years the no-income tax states created 89% more jobs and had 32% faster personal income growth than their high-tax counterparts.

Perhaps more governors need to add Atlas Shrugged to their summer reading list.

And just for good measure, here is the Heritage Foundation's analysis of recent and projected federal budget deficits:

Whoops. Democrats' interrogation hearing backfires

2009-05-15T07:35:00.000-07:00

http://www.thebulletin.us/articles/2009/05/15/top_stories/doc4a0d50c77ab25804345330.txt

Wednesday’s Senate hearing about the use of enhanced interrogation techniques
(EIT) by the Bush administration on terrorists backfired. Democrats attempted to
impugn the Bush administration. But their own witnesses did not cooperate. One
witness actually validated Republicans’ claims.

At least they had a good exit strategy.

Sen. Graham concluded the hearing by saying it was time to move on.

And just for good measure, here is the Heritage Foundation's analysis of recent and projected federal budget deficits:

Michelle Malkin: Big labor's investment in Obama is paying off

2009-05-13T05:34:00.000-07:00

http://jewishworldreview.com/michelle/malkin051308.php3

Within two weeks of moving into the White House, Obama signed a series of executive orders championed by union bosses. The new rules authorized sweeping powers for the labor secretary that essentially blackball nonunion contractors targeted by labor organizers and blacklist nonunion employees in the private sector from working on taxpayer-funded projects. Such regulatory favoritism limits freedom in the workplace and raises the cost of doing business.

And just for good measure: The Heritage Foundation budget deficit analysis:

The disingenuous national healthcare debate: $2 trillion savings?

2009-05-12T07:03:00.000-07:00

http://spectator.org/blog/2009/05/11/the-mystery-of-the-2-trillion

But when it came time for questions, she could offer little in the way of details about the so-called savings.

One reporter wanted to know what the pharmaceutical industry would do to contain the rising cost of prescription drugs.

"Well actually today was not an opportunity to talk to each of the groups in the room about their specific plans, but what I can tell you is that they were all urged to and made a commitment to put together a very specific list and to report back," Sebelius said. "We didn’t have time at this morning's meeting to go around and get the top three or four things they're each going to do."

And just for good measure: The Heritage Foundation budget deficit analysis:

April 15: Tea Party Day (aka tax day)

2009-04-15T05:12:00.000-07:00

http://spectator.org/archives/2009/04/15/the-tea-party-revolution

Congratulations to the hundreds of spontaneous grassroots organizers who have successfully organized the over 300 tea party events that will take place today across the country. Such events have already been widespread, and highly successful, with sudden big crowds: 2,000 in St. Louis, 3,000 in Cincinnati, 6,000 in Orlando, as recently reported by Peter Roff in a Fox News blog.
Because these events are highly decentralized, with no significant institutional organization or funding behind them, they represent a genuine outpouring of grassroots opinion with enormous political importance. For every person out in the streets today, there are undoubtedly many more who didn't make it who share the same opinions. The bigger the demonstrations today, the bigger the rest of the iceberg under water. Moreover, this movement represents genuine grassroots organization, as names and contact information are collected, and this will be valuable for future political activity.
These people are both against and for something. They are against the left-wing extremism of the current political leadership in Washington, from Barack Obama to Nancy Pelosi, to Barney Frank, to Henry Waxman, and on and on. No wonder Newsweek (soon going out of business)thinks we are a nation of socialists now, as it admitted in a recent cover story.

Top 10 more believable explanations for the Obama bow

2009-04-10T08:16:00.000-07:00

"Pay no attention to man behind the curtain. The powerful Obz has spoken!"

The White House press machine is at it again. They're telling us the bending at the waist clearly seen on video is not a bow. They say the gargantuan US President was simply reaching for the munchkin hand of Saudi King Abdullah, who also represents the Lollipop Guild.

You be the judge:

It doesn't matter to me if he bowed or not. What does matter is the White House attitude that they can feed us feces and tell us it's fillet. In that vein, I thought I'd compose a list of 10 more believable explanations for Barack Obama's bow.

Top 10 more believable explanations for the Obama bow

10. He was stretching his sore back after bowling a few frames with the royal family.
9. King Abdullah was playing a late April Fools Day joke, telling him his fly was down.
8. He was asking, "Is my bald spot getting bigger?"
7. He dropped a contact lens.
6. He thought he heard his top-secret shoe phone ringing.
5. It's Rush Limbaugh's fault.
4. The square dance caller shouted, "Bow to your partner and promenade left."
3. He was reaching to turn on the teleprompter.
2. He saw it done in that Aladdin DVD he and Gordon Brown watched together.
1. He was demonstrating the position in which American tax payers have been placed under his economic plan.

The Wit Hits the Fan's favorite Barney Frank moments

2009-04-08T07:42:00.000-07:00

The airwaves are again aflutter with the graceful and soothing tone of a Barney Frank hissyfit as he is asked exactly what responsibility, if any, he has for the financial crisis. As is his usual mode of operation, he tries to evade the question by demeaning the questioner and accusing him of being part of some sort of right-wing conspiracy.

This brings to mind some of our favorite moments from the man who 60 Minutes named "the smartest man in Congress."

There are "plenty of rich people that we can tax"

"Fanny Mae and Freddie Mac are not in a crisis."

Barney Frank calls Supreme Court Justice a "homophobe"

Barney Frank rules with an iron gavel

And, Barney Frank's famous hissyfit with Bill O'Reilly

The GOP Alternative Budget -- less debt, strong defense, individual freedom, optimistic future

2009-04-01T07:33:00.000-07:00

From the Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123854083982575457.html

House Republicans will offer an alternative plan. This too is no ordinary budget. As the opposition party, we believe this moment must be met by offering the American people a different way forward -- one based on our belief that America is an exceptional nation, and we want to keep it that way. Our budget applies our country's enduring first principles to the problems of our day. Rather than attempting to equalize the results of peoples' lives and micromanaging their affairs, we seek to preserve our system of protecting our natural rights and equalizing opportunity for all. The plan works to accomplish four main goals: 1) fulfill the mission of health and retirement security; 2) control our nation's debts; 3) put the economy on a path of growth and leadership in the global economy; and 4) preserve the American legacy of leaving the next generation better off.

More embarassing Presidential amateurism: on-again/off-again funding for embryonic stem cell research

2009-03-31T06:05:00.000-07:00

Remember when Obama unilaterally lifted the ban on federal funding on embryonic stem cell research by executive order? Remember all the pomp and ceremony involved in removing that "archaic" ban? Remember when our intellectually brilliant leader said he was allowing federal taxpayer dollars to fund embryonic stem cells because "medical miracles do not happen simply by accident"?

Well, apparently the ban can be reinstated by accident. Here's what happens when you sign legislation without reading it: (from the blog Feed Your ADHD)

http://feedyouradhd.blogspot.com/2009/03/top-10-wtf-of-march-2009.html

In a story that could only come out of Washington, Obama made a great public display of his ethical and scientific obligations for rescinding former President George W. Bush’s 2001 ban on federal funding for stem cell research. Then two days later, while signing the $410 billion omnibus bill (with 9,000 earmarks Obama promised during the campaign to never allow), the president knowingly (supposedly) approved the Dickey-Wicker amendment, an inclusion in the annual appropriations bill for the Department of Health and Human Services every fiscal year since 1996 that bans federal funding for stem cell research. Obama later said he’d leave it to Congress to come up with the law of the land on the matter. Political high drama with zero results at its best…and this is “change” how? FAIL!

From the mainstream media boneyard of unreported Obama administration gaffes abroad:

2009-03-30T06:57:00.000-07:00

http://www.calcatholic.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?id=52e59ab3-761b-4913-a9ea-64c040c89ee7

"Who painted it?"

-Secretary of State Hillary (or is it Hilarity) Clinton while observing the miraculous imprint of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Catholics believe the imprint was placed on the cloak of St. Juan Diego in the 16th century as a sign to the world that the Virgin Mary's appearance and message was authentic. To this day, the image remains unfaded or decayed by the hundreds of years of exposure. In addition, the reflection in Mary’s eyes contains the image of those present in the room when Diego presented the cloak to the local bishop, who was skeptical up to that point.

Where's that reset button when you need it?

Nice Heritage Foundation analysis of Bush's deficit vs Obama's deficit

2009-03-25T07:03:00.000-07:00

http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=90323501320&h=B6TTk&u=e62IL&ref=nf

President Barack Obama has repeatedly claimed that his budget would cut the deficit by half by the end of his term. But as Heritage analyst Brian Riedl has pointed out, given that Obama has already helped quadruple the deficit with his stimulus package, pledging to halve it by 2013 is hardly ambitious. The Washington Post has a great graphic which helps put President Obama’s budget deficits in context of President Bush’s.

Self-proclaimed "god" George Soros: Obama will listen to me

2009-03-25T05:43:00.000-07:00

http://moneynews.newsmax.com/streettalk/soros_obama/2009/03/23/194923.html

Let's see, he spent millions on drug legalization. He crippled the British economy in 1992 by short selling sterling. He's an antisemitic atheist. In a his 1987 book, The Alchemy of Finance, he wrote, "To put it bluntly, I fancied myself as some kind of god or an economic reformer like Keynes, or, even better, like Einstein."

He sounds like just the kind of nut job Obama should have as an advisor.

A touching video on the nation's most famous bromance

2009-03-23T07:48:00.000-07:00

Good editorial on Obama teaming up with ACORN for the census

2009-03-20T06:36:00.001-07:00

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/mar/20/acorn-to-count-heads-for-census/

We could write a book on the false voter registrations submitted by ACORN. There are bizarre stories, such as one from Cleveland, where ACORN employees reregistered the same individual 77 times, even though the individual kept on telling the ACORN workers that he was already registered. But ACORN's people kept offering to bribe him with cigarettes or money to get him to fill out another form. Similar examples from across the United States are too numerous to count.

What happens when Obama leaves the teleprompter at home?

2009-03-20T06:08:00.000-07:00

I actually don't find that as offensive as his clueless "throw everything against the wall and see what sticks" economic policy.

I'm glad he's got the time to make NCAA bracket picks and practice his bowling game. He certainly didn't have the time to read his bailout legislation which allowed taxpayer-funded AIG executive bonuses.

Amateur hour continues.

WSJ: The Real AIG Outrage

2009-03-17T13:07:00.000-07:00

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123725551430050865.html

The politicians also prefer to talk about AIG's latest bonus payments because they deflect attention from Washington's failure to supervise AIG. The Beltway crowd has been selling the story that AIG failed because it operated in a shadowy unregulated world and cleverly exploited gaps among Washington overseers. Said President Obama yesterday, "This is a corporation that finds itself in financial distress due to recklessness and greed." That's true, but Washington doesn't want you to know that various arms of government approved, enabled and encouraged AIG's disastrous bet on the U.S. housing market.

Amateur hour continues in the White House: Obama's AIG bailout specifically allowed contractual bonuses

2009-03-17T12:34:00.000-07:00

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/16/AR2009031600640_pf.html

Said Dear Leader Obama:

"How do they justify this outrage to the taxpayers who are keeping the company afloat?" he said, declaring the bonuses an "outrage" that violate "fundamental values."

Not so fast, my friend. Obama signed the legislation that specifically allowed these "outrageous" bonuses: (from Fox Business)

http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/markets/industries/finance/dodd-cracks-aig---time/

While the Senate was constructing the $787 billion stimulus last month, (CT Democratic Senator Chris) Dodd added an executive-compensation restriction to the bill. That amendment provides an “exception for contractually obligated bonuses agreed on before Feb. 11, 2009” -- which exempts the very AIG bonuses Dodd and others are now seeking to tax.

Fox News commentator and former candidate for president to film in Elkhart, Indiana

2009-03-17T06:07:00.001-07:00

According to local reports, Mike Huckabee will be filming his Fox News show from the home town of this blog: Elkhart, Indiana.

Just weeks ago President Obama made the trip for a town hall meeting. Now Huckabee is set to visit. None of this occurred before The Wit Hits the Fan began publishing the truth on the blogosphere.

Just sayin'.

Cheney disputes Obama's pass the buck strategy

2009-03-16T05:29:00.000-07:00

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Cheney-Dont-blame-Bush-team-apf-14643316.html

Thank you, Mr. Vice President.

No cost stimulus plan? Now you're talking

2009-03-13T08:03:00.000-07:00

http://cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=44957

Rejecting the Trojan Horse. Texas Governor Perry refuses stimulus money

2009-03-13T07:40:00.000-07:00

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6307951.html

Texas just says no. Look for even more states to follow.

Here's the reason for the past couple of positive days on Wall Street: a plan to potentially suspend mark-to-market accounting

2009-03-12T11:52:00.000-07:00

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123687695524209423.html

Finally, here's a good idea that will help the banks. The simple hint of a possible change has buoyed the markets.

Will the man 60 Minutes labeled "the smartest man in Congress," Barney Frank, allow a change? He has publicly said he doesn't want to touch it (which makes me like the idea even more).

Let's see if President Obama is willing to let our banking woes get better. He may not be done making sure he doesn't waste this crisis -- you never know when another one may come along.

Companies leaving the US for low-tax Switzerland. What were you saying about saving American jobs, President Obama?

2009-03-12T06:30:00.000-07:00

Is "I told ya so" appropriate yet?

http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssEnergyNews/idUSL312427120090312?feedType=RSS&feedName=rbssEnergyNews&rpc=22

Nice rundown of the Obama strategy for forcing the country to the left

2009-03-11T05:58:00.000-07:00

From the American Thinker blog:

http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/03/obamas_tactic_shock_and_awe.html

Top 10 gift-giving excuses from Barack Obama

2009-03-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

Last week, the British press was up in arms over the international relations gaffe Barack Obama committed while hosting Great Britain’s first couple.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/03/06/2009-03-06_london_aghast_at_president_obama_over_gi.html

The President presented Gordon Brown with a package of 25 classic DVDs as a gift. This after the visiting Prime Minister of America’s strongest ally gave Obama a thoughtful gift of a pen holder crafted from the timbers of the 19th century British warship HMS President -- whose sister ship, HMS Resolute, provided the wood for the Oval Office's desk.

As we have become accustomed, there is always an excuse at the ready for the American media to take at face value. Here at The Wit Hits the Fan, we have compiled a list to help those working in the West Wing Office of Excuse Making. So without further adieu:

Top 10 gift-giving excuses from Barack Obama:

10. What’s wrong with 25 DVDs as a gift? He thought they were great before he re-gifted them.
9. The Shamwow! wouldn’t have been delivered in time.
8. DVDs can be a vital public policy tool. The Titanic was the inspiration for Obama’s economic policy.
7. The White House gift shop was all out of Abe Lincoln beards.
6. It was a fiscally responsible gift. By giving the British Prime Minister 25 DVDs, he is saving their nation from potential late fees from Blockbuster.
5. Rush Limbaugh told him DVDs would be an appropriate gift.
4. They were in that socially awkward stage of their relationship. Is it too soon for roses and jewelry? Would lingerie be too presumptuous? Would a sweater say “I’m your ally, but not in that way?”
3. The President was caught off guard. He thought Brown, Putin, Ahmadinejad, Castro, and Kim Jong Il all agreed to draw names instead of buying a gift for everyone.
2. England is a long way away. Maybe ET and Star Wars haven’t made it to their theaters yet.
1. Maybe the UK should get the hint that Obama is just not that into them.

Ah, yes. More "governing from the center" from Dear Leader Obama: lifting the ban on taxpayer support for embryonic stem cell research

2009-03-10T06:07:00.000-07:00

Why bother with public debate and careful consideration when you can rule with the stroke of a pen.

http://www.adw.org/news/News.asp?ID=619&Year=2009

Baghdad Bob chimes in on the Omnibus Spending bill

2009-03-05T07:28:00.000-08:00

Once again, in deference to the Fairness Doctrine, we have agreed to apply some "cap and trade" policies to the truth. Here is the latest from our friend Baghdad Bob, the Minister of Propaganda.

From the pen of Baghdad Bob:

Yes. It is once again being a pleasure to me to be writing to you this glorious day. I come here to defy the stinking, lying pigs that have multiplied upon the internets like stinking pigs – who lie… and multiply. (Did I already say that?)

Today I am wishing to speak out the truth about Glorious Leader Obama’s Omnibus Spending plan. It must be passed now and it must be passed without debate or examination. Transparency? Ha!

The spending plan will be passed. It is useless to resist – surrender.

Do not look to the strategy of holding fast to such outdated and mindless theories as letting capitalist American pigs keep more of their extravagant wages. Do not profess the antique virtues of less government spending. Those ideas are as useless as soap or cologne.

Who can know better how to distribute the fruits of America’s meager labors? Of course the answer is faceless, unaccountable government bureaucratic agents. You must trust!

Do not pay heed to the precipitous polling drop in approval and trust. Look not at the stinking collection of capitalism which you call Wall Street. Do not look to the infidel Democrats like Evan Bayh who have bent to the power of evil Rush Limbaugh in joining the obstructionists in the GOP. Blah!

You must trust what Dear Leader Obama says, not what he does. He says there is not a single earmark in this spending plan. Barack the Great has said he will go through each bill line by line to ensure there is no wasteful spending. Do not believe those who point out over 9,000 special handouts including funds for tattoo removal and pig fragrance. You must believe!

And even if there are earmarks in the bill (which there are not!) this is not his bill. It is merely a bill that was written before he was president. So it is the fault of George Bush, by way of Rush Limbaugh. There is nothing Dear Leader can do.

Do not resist my words. It is no use.

Sincerely,

Baghdad Bob

The Minister of Propaganda

Is Obama cooking the books in his budget plan?

2009-03-04T07:38:00.001-08:00

From the New York Post:

http://www.nypost.com/seven/03042009/news/politics/gop__bam_cooks_the_budget_books_157906.htm

Tired of the Dems painting the GOP as obstructionists with no plan? Here's the Republican answer to the bad economy

2009-03-04T05:27:00.000-08:00

From the Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123595257066605147.html

Some quick thoughts from the past few days

2009-03-02T06:01:00.000-08:00

-The Obama administration's strategic response to those who question them on the almost incomprehensible vastness of their proposed budget deficit became clear after this week's Sunday shows. They point to the deficits of the previous administration. As a father of three, I recognize it as the "He did it, too" defense. As far as I can tell, no one employed the standard "if they jumped off a bridge, would you do it, too?" rebuttal that is taught in parent school.

-With an enormous backlash developing over the free-spending, tax hiking policies being put in place, Obama has begun characterizing his opponents as "special interests and lobbyists." The problem with that is, polls show over half the nation is opposed to these big government policies. Is Obama trying to say the majority of Americans are lobbyists?

-The market continues to tank. As of this morning, the Dow is expected to dip below 7,000 for the first time in 12 years despite the aggressive hands-on approach of the Democrats. They blame the policies of the past 8 years. The problem is, stock market fluctuations are caused by expectations of the economic future, not policies of the past.

-Obama promised there would be no lobbyists in his cabinet and then blatantly appointed or nominated a dozen current or former lobbyists. He promised openness and clarity by putting legislation on line for 5 days so the public can scrutinize it before it becomes law. He then pushed through the costliest spending plan in history without giving Congress even 12 hours to study it before forcing a vote. He said his spending plans contained no earmarks, yet we have unearthed billions of dollars in liberal special projects and set asides. When he says he will cut the budget deficit in half during his time in office and opposes the Fairness Doctrine to censor his critics, do you believe him?

Senate Republican leader: Obama's federal spending spree could stimulate the GOP

2009-03-02T05:53:00.000-08:00

http://www.cnsnews.com/public/Content/Article.aspx?rsrcid=44260

I've always said, there would never be a Reagan Revolution without Carter. The Republicans would not have become a majority party without Clinton. Could Obama bring vitality back to the GOP?

Pet Peeve: The herd/group-think effect on major national addresses

2009-02-25T08:30:00.000-08:00

Barack Obama's address before Congress last night? A masterful, positive, Reagan-esqe soliloquy, right? Barack Obama? This generation's premier orator, right?

Bobby Jindal's GOP response? Dry, boring and wonkish, right? It was unfortunate for him he had to follow Obama, right? Poor guy just didn't have a chance, but he has plenty of time recover to resurrect his political future, right?

If you caught any of the coverage last night that was your opinion. It was your opinion because it was the opinion of everyone else -- Republican or Democrat; right or left; elephant, donkey, rino or blue dog. If you don't have the same opinion, obviously there is something wrong with you.

I didn't watch either speech -- on purpose. It took some discipline, because coverage was everywhere. I found myself switching between college basketball and Family Feud reruns. It's not that I wasn't interested. I just wanted to form my own opinion instead of being neatly herded into the corrals set up well before the speeches had been delivered.

This is how it works. The person giving the speech (in this case President Obama) withholds the speech from the public until perhaps 1 hour before it is delivered. In the mean time, Obama's press crew lay the subliminal message foundation of what they want you to hear by leaking abstract observations to the press. The press then hits the airwaves with their "insider information." This creates the group-think of what you will take from the speech. All that's left is finding and quoting verbatim lines that backup your predetermined opinion of the speech.

Yesterday, how many times did you hear this speech was going to be positive and Reagan-esque? How many times did you hear that Obama was a wonderful orator? How did the pundits find the speech after delivery? I'm sure they received it as a positive, Reagan-esque speech delivered wonderfully.

I have become a fan of reading transcripts. I recommend you do the same in order to remove the media pundit filter and personally evaluate the emperor's clothing.

Transcripts:

President Obama:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/24/sotn.obama.transcript/

Governor Jindal:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/24/sotn.jindal.transcript/

I love this guy's rant. CNBC's Rick Santelli in 2012!

2009-02-20T05:24:00.000-08:00

Obama to sign death warrant for Democratic majority

2009-02-17T06:23:00.000-08:00

Today, President Obama will burn 20,000 gallons of tax-payer funded jet fuel in order to created a spectacle in signing the mile-high pork bill. Where the nearly $800 billion "stimulus" plan was stocked full of liberal pet projects and payoffs (a high-speed rail system between LA and Vegas, a couple billion dollars set aside for community activism with ACORN), it lacked in debate and transparency.

As we move forward on this Democratic over-reach of historic proportions, it makes me wonder whether those who voted in favor of it will still think it worthwhile when they run for re-election. Will $13 per week in tax savings be enough to save their seat? Some lawmakers who voted in favor are already backpedaling. Indiana's Evan Bayh is already trying to soften the backlash by saying he was not in favor of earmarks, like those set aside for "the arts", but the package was needed and needed to be put in place quickly.

The economy will recover. The American economy always does, despite the muck the government makes us trudge through in order to do so. When it does, the Democrats will claim it was the stimulus, with its ATV parks, condoms and livestock insurance, that caused it. What will not save those who voted in favor of it is the overwhelming price tag and the scant tax relief Americans will see on their pay stubs.

Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter doesn't have a ghost of a chance to survive what will surely be a strong primary challenge. That is assuming he even chooses to run for reelection. Will he attempt a Joe Lieberman independent run? Possibly, but he doesn't have the reputation as a statesman that Lieberman has earned.

In 1994, Bill Clinton blamed his retroactive tax hike for the bloodbath Democrats took when Republicans gained majority control of Congress. He called the defeated Dems "courageous" for putting tax hikes ahead of their popularity. Look for President Obama to make the same statements after the 2010 elections, when he finds a much less friendly Congress moving to Washington.

Here's a nice perspective on this stimulus madness

2009-02-16T10:08:00.000-08:00

http://www.claytoncramer.com/weblog/2009_02_08_archive.html#6075529645504368465

I came across this link from Ann Coulter's blog.

Obama's stimulus package and socialized medicine: Here comes the camel's nose!

2009-02-10T06:45:00.000-08:00

"If the camel once gets his nose in the tent, his body will soon follow."

You have heard the President tout his effort to create an electronic clearing house for medical records. Just last night in his press conference he mentioned this initiative as a way to eliminate paperwork and "help nurses to read doctor's handwriting on prescriptions." Well, some are finding an insidious byproduct of this and they see it as the entry point of Big Brother socialized medicine.

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=88457

This from World Net Daily:

The former lieutenant governor of New York is warning that the $50 billion that President Obama expects to spend in the next few years on a nationwide digital health records system for every individual easily could, and probably will, result in rationed medical care.

WND recently reported on a little-discussed provision in Obama's plan that would demand every American submit to a government program for electronic medical records without a choice to opt out, raising alarms for privacy advocates.
Privacy advocates said patients might be startled to discover personal information could be shared electronically with, perhaps, millions of people, including
documentation on abortions, mental health problems, patient non-compliance, lawsuits against doctors and sexual problems.

Sue A. Blevins, president of the Institute for Health Freedom, said unless people have the right to decide "if and when" their health information is shared, there is no real privacy.

Indiana Republican Congressman Mike Pence is currently leading the charge to bring this to light.

Alleged comedian and attempted election thief, Al Franken, admits to owing $50,000 in back taxes

2009-02-09T09:54:00.000-08:00

Add another to the Democratic tax-cheating epidemic. It was an honest mistake. He didn't know you still have to pay income tax on comedy appearances when no one laughs at the jokes.

http://www.newsmax.com/kessler/al_franken_taxes/2009/02/06/179148.html

Welcome to Proptown U.S.A.

2009-02-09T05:12:00.000-08:00

Elkhart, Indiana is the "white-hot center of the meltdown of the American economy" according to an October 12, 2008 Jennifer Steinhauer New York Times article. The piece painted Elkhart as a crime-ridden, desolate wasteland of hopelessness and desperation. Reading Steinhauer's article, you envision the bread and soup lines common during the food rationing times of the Soviet Union. Elkhart was the perfect prop for the Times to demonstrate to the country why "change we can believe in" was necessary.

What was Elkhart really like on October 12, 2008? It was bad. Not chaos and Marshall Law bad, but it was bad. It became bad because of 25 years of aggressive expansion in the RV industry which turned into overproduction and market saturation. This created a slowdown that began in late spring of 2008 and turned into complete stoppage by late October 2008, when bank financing dried up across the country.

Today, Elkhart has slipped even further. One person out of six is unemployed. Of those working, many have taken pay cuts to help their employer weather the storm. Manufacturing plants are experiencing cash crises as no sales in December meant no cash collected in January. The refusal of banks to loosen the credit reigns has contributed to increase bankruptcies and layoffs. Once again, Elkhart has become the perfect prop.

This time, Elkhart is putting a face to the need for government action the way that an emaciated child puts a face to the African charities advertised on late-night television.

But unlike the late-night charities that feed a family of four annually with 87 cents per day, the President is selling a plan to help the families of Elkhart with “a proposed $20 million minor league baseball museum in Durham, North Carolina; $6.1 million for corporate jet hangars at the Fayetteville, Arkansas airport; $20 million for renovations at the Philadelphia Zoo; and a $1.5 million program to reduce prostitution in Dayton, Ohio.” (taken from a recent CNN article)

A CBS News poll showed public support for the $1 trillion (when adding accrued interest and fees) stimulus has waned to 51%, down 12 points from January 11-15. The longer debate continues, the more details begin coming to light. President Obama knows this. When he says if we don't act quickly, irreversible damage could be done, he is more accurately speaking about the earmarks and pork contained in his initiative, not the American economy.

If you have heard the man-on-the-street interviews, you know those who speak out in favor of the bill are actually saying, "We need to do something." None of them are saying, "We need to spend $4.8 million for a polar bear exhibit at the Providence, RI zoo and $1.5 million for a water ride in Miami, FL."

Those things, along with the millions earmarked for STD's and ATV parks, may have merit, but they need to be debated in stand-alone legislation, not hidden in this emergency economic bill.

There are things the Federal Government can do to rev up the economy. The good people of Elkhart, Indiana do need help. It's shameless to use them as a prop to gain support for political payoffs and welfare handouts. Unfortunately, there is very little in this stimulus plan that will actually bring them back to work.

breaking Obama to visit The Wit Hits the Fan home city

2009-02-06T11:31:00.000-08:00

Inside sources hint that Barack Obama has scheduled a town hall meeting to be held Monday in Elkhart, Indiana, the home city of this blog. Some say it is coincidence. You be the judge.

I don't know what this now $950 Billion package is going to do for the economy, but it's stimulating the GOP's White House chances in 2012

2009-02-06T08:13:00.000-08:00

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/obama_administration/daily_presidential_approval_index

Is President Obama left-wing like a fox?

2009-02-05T06:09:00.000-08:00

Ok, things are becoming much more clear to me now. This Obama guy really is a genius. Wow, how could I have missed it all this time? Much like the righteous man who goes to the strip bars in order to minister to the young lady providing the lap dance or the thief who steals in order to save his victims from the evils of materialism, President Obama is truly improving this country.

First, he is attacking budget deficits. Just look at how much more full the federal coffers are in just the past few weeks. By appointing tax cheats to his administration and making them pay their back taxes, he has successfully raked in many thousands in delinquent tax dollars. Man, this guy is good.

Government corruption? He's on it. He obviously had a major role in bringing justice to the people of Illinois through Governor Blago's impeachment. Just look at the number of his close advisers who are being compelled to testify under oath in Blago's corruption case: David Axelrod, Valerie Jarrett, Rahm Emanuel, and of course his real inside man, Tony Rezko.

Out of control government spending? He is doing the classic oratory tactic of illustrating the absurd by being outrageously absurd. That now $900 billion behemoth stimulus package -- brilliant! Do you really think he wants millions upon millions of our children's future income to go to ATV tracks, Frisbee parks, condoms, smoking cessation activities, office furniture for bureaucrats, and tax breaks for Hollywood movie producers? Do you think he really believes all those things will jump start the economy? Ha! He is just making a point. Look at the nosedive American support for this legislation is taking since the specifics have come to light. Pure genius.

I'm afraid I had this guy all wrong. I thought his election to office would be a bad thing for conservatives. If things keep going the way they are, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid will be picking out drapes for the minority leader offices in no time. Now THAT is change I can believe in.

Obama on lobbyists, ethics and pork: promises made, staus quo kept

2009-02-02T07:50:00.000-08:00

Remember the days when Barack Obama had us all filled with hope and change? Stadiums were filling, children were singing and supporters were fainting. A new presidency was on the horizon.

http://www.barackobama.com/issues/ethics/

Remember when an Obama presidency meant:

-No lobbyist would be appointed to the Obama Administration.

Ahhh, but not so fast, my friend. ABC News reports yet another lobbyist to his administration:

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=6735898

-Bills would contain no pork.

Enter $825 Billion of the other white meat, according to the Wall Street Journal:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123310466514522309.html

-Political appointees would undergo the most far-reaching and extensive vetting process in the history of the civilized world.

Now we know there is yet another cabinet appointee who needs to apologize for untoward "carelessness":
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090131/ap_on_go_pr_wh/daschle_taxes

This "presidency, the likes of which we have never seen" is starting to look all too familiar.

Michael Steele selected RNC Chair

2009-01-30T13:07:00.001-08:00

Congratulations, Mr. Lt. Governor! Let's get to work.

Bye bye, Blago! Illinois Senate votes 59-0 to remove their Governor

2009-01-30T06:09:00.000-08:00

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/blagojevich/index.html

Michelle Malkin: ACORN still set to get more than $2 Billion in Obama stimulus package

2009-01-29T07:51:00.000-08:00

http://michellemalkin.com/2009/01/29/obamacorn-payback-its-still-in-there/

Everyone's favorite subversive voter fraud organization, ACORN, could get more than $2 billion if the Senate passes the newly House-passed Obama stimulus package. Call your Senator and ask him how $2 billion of your money going to an organization plagued with embezzlement, FBI raids and multiple instances of voter registration fraud will boost your business, strengthen our economy or help you get or keep a job.

House Democrats reject tax cutting stimulus plan. Approve $850 Billion Obama plan

2009-01-29T05:10:00.000-08:00

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090128/D960EHJ00.html

The Democrats in the US House of Representatives rejected a supply side economics centric plan designed to invigorate struggling businesses and put more money in the pockets of tax payers. The Republican-sponsored legislation was modeled after the historic tax policies of JFK, Ronald Reagan, and George W. Bush. In each of these cases, the national economy boomed and government revenue actually increased.

Instead the historically-large, $850 billion Obama stimulus plan was passed -- without a single Republican vote.

From the AP:

The party's leader, Rep. John Boehner of Ohio, said the measure "won't create many jobs, but it will create plenty of programs and projects through slow-moving government spending." A GOP alternative, comprised almost entirely of tax cuts, was defeated, 266-170, moments before the final vote.

Focus now shifts to the upper chamber, where debate on the companion legislation could begin this week.

Top 10 rejected PR stunts by Illinois Governor Blagojevich

2009-01-28T12:05:00.000-08:00

This week, the halls of the legislature in the Land of Lincoln have echoed with the FBI phone taps of their executive. Instead of defending himself at the impeachment trial, embattled Illinois Governor Blagojevich has taken his case to the airwaves.

The investigative wing of The Wit Hits the Fan has obtained strategic, top-secret public relations information from the Blago camp. Without further delay, we present:

Top 10 rejected PR stunts by Illinois Governor Blagojevich

10. Star in an independent film in which he plays an over the hill professional wrestler trying to relate to his estranged daughter.

9. Vow publicly to help OJ Simpson find the real killer.

8. File a legal request to have his impeachment trial held in front of the American Idol judges.

7. Introduce evidence that there may have been a second corrupt governor, selling the open Senate seat from behind a grassy knoll.

6. Save hundreds of airline passengers from immanent death by performing a complicated emergency splash landing in the Chicago River.

5. Announce to the press that he considered appointing Oprah Winfrey for Obama’s Senate seat – sorry, he actually did this one.

4. Offer to shave his head at a pep rally in the Illinois House Chamber if he is allowed to stay in office.

3. Leak a sex tape to the press and act outraged when it’s sold on late-night infomercials.

2. Accuse Illinois legislators of trumping up the charges because they oppose his “free puppy for every sick child” initiative.

1. Three words: Blame Rush Limbaugh.

Stimulus package debate begins today. Let's put the proposal in the light of day. Here's the searchable text

2009-01-28T06:42:00.000-08:00

There's so much raw pork in this thing, it's suggested you wash your hands thoroughly after browsing.

http://senateconservatives.com/2009/01/27/searchable-text-of-the-stimulus-bill/

Warning: do not read while operating heavy machinery.

edit: Here's another really good site to check out what Obama and the Democrats are trying to push through:

http://readthestimulus.org/

Billions in stimulus dollars could go to ACORN? Republicans say no

2009-01-28T05:53:00.000-08:00

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/2009/01/27/republican-leaders-raise-concerns-acorn-stimulus-dollars/

...money was previously limited to state and local governments, but that Democrats now want part of it to be available to non-profit entities. That means groups like ACORN would be eligible for a portion of the funds.

Sen. David Vitter, R-La., told FOX News Tuesday that the money could be seen as "payoff" for groups' political activities in the last election. ACORN generally supports Democratic candidates and actively backed President Obama last year.

Contraceptives for the poor may be cut from Obama's stimulus plan

2009-01-27T07:18:00.000-08:00

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090127/D95V83N81.html

Nancy Pelosi's family planning provisions may be pulled from President Obama's $850 billion economic stimulus plan after Republicans and pro-family groups questioned if there would be any actual economic benefit.

According to the AP:

The provision has emerged as a point of contention among Republicans, who criticize it as an example of wasteful spending that would neither create jobs nor otherwise improve the economy.

Under the provision, states no longer would be required to obtain federal permission to offer family planning services - including contraceptives - under Medicaid, the health program for the low-income.

House Republicans seem to be leading the charge on this:

"How you can spend hundreds of millions of dollars on contraceptives how does that stimulate the economy?" House Republican Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio said on Friday after congressional leaders met with Obama at the White House. "You can go through a whole host of issues that have nothing to do with growing jobs in America and helping people keep their jobs."

To be honest, the idea of economic benefits of birth control is kind of growing on me. Just think how much better the economy would be if Pelosi's parents practiced contraception.

Just sayin'.

Contrite tax-cheat, Timothy Geithner, confirmed as Treasury Secretary

2009-01-27T06:11:00.000-08:00

By a vote of 60-34, Timothy Geithner was confirmed by the Senate.

The vote broke down this way:
http://senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=1&vote=00015

Here's the thing: I'm trying to give President Obama an open mind. But when such a double standard exists between the treatment given to average citizens and to the "privileged" as well as what is acceptable in a Republican administration and in a Democrat administration, it's hard not to speak out.

Geithner was negligent on his Federal taxes for four separate years, despite numerous reminders and notices. To make things worse, he was actually given the money by his employer (the IMF) to pay those taxes -- and he didn't. When the IRS discovered two of these years, he paid the back taxes for only those years, knowing full well he was in default on the other two. Does that sound like an honest mistake?

Geithner did pay the remaining taxes due -- without penalty or interest -- the exact day before he was nominated as Secretary of Treasury. Now he has been confirmed after apologizing. Would any average citizen get the same non-penalty courtesy from the IRS? Would this same Senate confirm a Republican under the same circumstances?

Perhaps under the new administration, the IRS will waive all penalties and interest to anyone if a simple IR475-A apology form is filled out and corroborating tears are enclosed.

What network does Obama choose for his first TV interview? The Arabic network Al-Arabiya, of course

2009-01-27T05:44:00.000-08:00

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090127/D95VFH581.html

How do you say "tingly feeling up my leg" in Arabic?

McCain gettin' all mavericky on Obama's stimulus plan

2009-01-26T06:26:00.000-08:00

McCain actually speaks out against Obama and Congressional Democrats on Fox News Sunday. He says he won't vote for the current stimulus plan as written, calling it just another huge spending spree.

It's hard not to like this guy. Blago shuns impeachement trial for big-time media blitz

2009-01-26T06:08:00.000-08:00

http://wcbstv.com/cbs2crew/blogejevich.impeachment.trial.2.917537.html

The embattled Governor of Illinois is taking a break from reciting poetry, telling cowboy stories and jogging through the snowy streets of Chicago in order to tell "his side of the story" on national television.

In addition to the appearance on "Good Morning America," Blagojevich also was scheduled to appear on "The View" and "Larry King Live." An interview he did with NBC's "Today" show also aired Monday morning.

How long before he's the featured guest on Saturday Night Live?