The Right View Wisconsin

Tea Party is not racist: Black Tea Party members

"Black members of the tea party movement on Wednesday rejected charges that the group's activists are racist, saying they oppose President Barack Obama because of his policies not his skin color.

The black members said the racism that has been attributed to the tea party movement came from outsiders who infiltrated the groups to discredit their work and it should be rejected."

Read the entire AP article.

The voters be damned

Once again, an activist judge strikes.

This time, it was a George H.W. Bush appointee.

But nowhere in the story does it mention that the judge is gay.

Stop the Mosque!

Sign the petition!

From a plain old American:

"Calls for an investigation into the questionable funding of the mosque have been made, but New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg said such a probe would be an 'insensitive' and 'un-American' display of intolerance to a religious group.

How dare we be insensitive to a faction of Islam that has issued a global jihad (a call for deadly war against all non-Muslims), seeks to impose its will on all of us, and has taken down American buildings and human lives to underscore its point?"

Read the entire column.

If President Bush had said...

If President Bush had said...

I "have a bunch of ideas" for deficit reduction - and failed to elaborate - how would the mainstream media have responded?

...lambasted him for sounding like an idiot?

...called him a bumbling fool?

...wrote story after story about how Bush was making empty promises? or lying?

...called Bush out for not providing any details?

...demanded that Bush explain?

How about:  all of the above.

Well, over this past weekend, the current occupant of the White House - President Barack Hussein Obama -  came out and promised to have "a bunch of ideas" for deficit reduction.  (Now he really DOES sound like a man-child!).   However, Mr. Obama failed to mention what any of  his ideas actually were...

And the mainstream media has let this slide.  No big deal.  Nothing to see, move along.  The President of the United States sounds like a five year old - but since Obama made this statement and NOT Bush, they'll let it go...

Of course, maybe the media was feeling sorry for Obama.  After all, Obama had a rough week.  He may have been a bit upset over getting harshly criticized (even by some Democrats and libs - including Rosie O'Donnell - the lefties female version of Michael Moore)  for continuing to demean the Office of the Presidency by appearing on a fluffy talk show called  "The View" .  Or maybe Obama was disappointed that he was not  invited to Chelsea Clinton's multi-million dollar wedding...  Or even worse, was Obama's teleprompter broken?  Did Obama REALLY say "a bunch of ideas" all on his own?  And given that Obama's popularity and poll numbers are down, guess the press has cut him some slack...once again.

Think the media would have done the same for President Bush?  Me neither.

Recommended Reading (08/01/10)

Here are, in my view, interesting, noteworthy columns and articles from the past week that I highly recommend: 

Arizona ruling: Ripe for appeal

“The radical advocates for illegal immigrants and open-borders zealots didn’t score a wholesale legal victory.  Most of the lawyers and experts I have spoken with consider the preliminary injunction to be ripe for appeal.”


Behind the leaked documents

“The man behind the torrent of leaked documents wants to end the war in Afghanistan, and he doesn’t care how much damage he does to the troops on the ground in that hostile environment. Now hailed by anti-war liberals as some kind of a hero, Australian computer hacker Julian Assange is part of an international cabal dedicated to doing mischief that endangers U.S. national security. The viciousness displayed by Assange against the U.S. forces in Afghanistan was shown in sickening detail when he published the Social Security numbers of U.S. servicemen and women, exposing them all kinds of dangers.“


A Democrat walks into a psychiatrist’s office…

“Come in. Make yourself comfortable. What's that? You are a congressional Democrat? Relax. Here, wipe your tears. The wizards at the Democratic National Committee have the answer.”


Liberals? Progressives? Just call them control freaks

“As they attempt to move the country on a trajectory toward greater government control of our lives, liberals are also pushing the country away from two great constants consistently advocated by the Founding Fathers: the principles of limited government chartered in the Constitution and the natural moral law enshrined in the Declaration of Independence.”


Our bloated government can’t fight obesity

“Enthusiasm for Mrs. Obama's obesity agenda is causing some folks to apply the typical, knee-jerk government solutions to a problem that government cannot solve. Ironic, too, since our government is even more bloated than our citizenry.”


Seven deceptive mainstream media techniques

“Objective journalism is for all intents and purposes now dead in the United States. What that means is that you not only have to pay attention to the story the mainstream media's giving you, but you've also got to try to figure out how they're spinning the story. If you don't understand the story AND the slant, you don't understand the story. So, with that in mind, here are just some of the mainstream media's favorite tricks.”


Two out of three at the DMV

"If the government can't get your driver's license right, how will it ever handle your health care?"

Recapping our top story of the past week...

 

 

A tale of two responses to last week's storms

This past weekend, countless Milwaukee households grappled with what to do next to put their very existence together following life-threatening rain storms last Thursday. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, still battling the severe injuries he suffered when he singlehandedly took on a weapon-wielding fanatic gone berserk last August managed to somehow on his rare day off from Milwaukee City Hall reject spending time with his family so he could survey the damage to the city he loves more than freedom itself.

Barrett emerged from his home early Saturday morning while the overwhelming majority of his constituents slept safely in their warm beds thanks to the mayor’s ongoing efforts that have stifled violent criminals in Milwaukee, The mayor saw a young woman walking a parched poodle down the street. Without hesitation, Barrett ran to his outdoor hose, and grabbing it with his still injured hand, turned the water on and hustled back to quench the animal’s thirst, the dog now lying on its side from the early morning July heat.

Aides to Barrett repeatedly asked the mayor if he wanted to drive him to the damaged areas. Barrett stoically replied, “No. I’ll walk.”

Along his path, Barrett encountered numerous constituents. One young boy, wearing knee braces and with a tear in his eye asked the mayor, “Could you help me, someday?” Barrett, choking back tears of his own replied, “Son, when I’m governor, the sick, the ill, the fragile couldn’t ask for a better friend in the state Capitol than me.”

“Thank you, Mayor,” the young boy responded.

Barrett smiled and winked to the young lad who looked happier than he's been in months.

Before arriving at his first stop of what would be many to see the havoc Mother Nature caused, the mayor thought it best to enter a nearby church and pray for the victims and their recovery. While inside, some nuns who gathered to recite the Rosary, normally unflappable, found themselves overcome, unable to hide their emotions and show how impressed they were with Barrett.

“God bless you, sir,” said one of the nuns.

“All in a day’s work, Sister,” said Barrett.

On his route, Barrett passed four children’s lemonade stands and bought drinks at all four, offering to come to each child’s classroom in September to discuss how each and every one of them deserves a great school.

In the absence of crossing guards, Barrett also escorted nine elderly men and women, six with canes, three in wheelchairs across busy intersections.

During one stretch of his walk, Barrett encountered at least a half dozen gang members congregating on a busy street corner. Completely forgetting  and ignoring the peril that struck him last year when he courageously stood up to a mad man armed with a tire iron, Barrett stopped, and after first asking the gang members if their mothers knew what they were doing, implored the young men to give up their life of crime before he enthusiastically handed them schedules to Milwaukee’s summer ethnic and church festivals.

Despite being urged by aides to pick up his pace and get to the scene of storm-ravaged homes, Barrett insisted that these were necessary stops for the good of the community and all mankind.

Barrett would, indeed, conduct his own personal assessment of the damage, visiting over 175 homes personally before the sun completely set.

Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, the right-wing conservative candidate who stands in the way of a fine gentleman like Tom Barrett becoming governor and whose party has often been characterized as mean-spirited had a slightly different weekend.

Having watched the 10:00 news on all local TV stations the night before and having been advised by staff that a tour of the mass destruction in Milwaukee County Saturday might be a good idea, Walker slept in until at least 10:00 the next morning.

Upon finally waking up as thousands of Milwaukee County residents feverishly worked to clean up their basements, Walker ate two rather unhealthy bowls of Captain Crunch that have caused many Wisconsinites of voting age to become obese while watching an hour of the Cartoon Network. Too much Tv viewing has also been said to contribute to obesity.

Walker then called his bookie, believed to be located in Las Vegas, and placed at least three bets against the Milwaukee Brewers, the most beloved team in our city, the team that drew three million fans the past two seasons at Miler Park, many of whom vote.

After taking a two-minute shower, Walker briefly toweled himself off, got dressed and went to Potawatomi to play some slots.

“I just love the second-hand smoke,” Walker was overheard saying to a fellow gambler. “Annoys those damn liberals.”

Upon leaving Potawatomi, a casino that has, by its very existenece destroyed numerous lives, Walker was met by a young Indian child soliciting donations for blankets. Walker refused to contribute after the girl couldn’t come up with a large campaign donation in return.

Most of the afternoon, Walker spent reading the National Review in his hammock on his outdoor patio while snacking on liver pate, crab legs, and caviar.

“Hell, it’s the weekend. Screw the brown bag crap,” said Walker.

When asked by an aide if he might want to take a personal look at the storm damage for great shots with struggling families, Walker became indignant. “This is Milwaukee. We’re a hearty bunch. Don’t they have shop vacs?”

The rest of the afternoon, Walker spent time envisioning his very first state budget as governor that would end all state aid to hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

Saturday night, Walker sat on his front porch, throwing rocks at senior citizens walking by.
###

Folks, this has been a satirical look at how the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported how Tom Barrett and Scott Walker acted this past weekend following last week’s storms.

Here is the actual article the paper published.

Milwaukee's daily, that so desperately wants Barrett to defeat Walker, may as well have gone with what I just blogged.

A $438 billion dollar deficit looks pretty good right now.

In the Milwaukee Urinal/Sentinel on Saturday, July 24th, on page 2,  was a small four paragraph blurb:  "Record $1.47 trillion U.S. deficit predicted."  (This information came from the White House and is supported by the Office of Management and Budget.)

The tiny column stated that "the government is borrowing 41 cents of every dollar it spends."  Borrowing - as in getting money from other sources.  Money that will eventually have to be paid back.  What the government is taking in from overtaxed taxpayers is NOT enough to satisfy or curb this government's spending habits.  Our government is spending WAY more than it is taking in.  Way more then ever before.  At a speed never witnessed before.

And just how IS our economy?  Any recovery in sight job-wise?  No.  Unemployement is still at 9.5%   And  "the new estimates paint a grim unemployment picture as the economy experiences a relatively jobless recovery."  (Just what is a "jobless recovery?").   Oh yeah, it must be all those unemployment checks that the government will be handing out for up to 99 weeks.  (Who with any amount of self-respect could sit around for almost two years doing nothing???and getting paid for it???)  Oh, but that's right!  Queen Pelosi had declared that unemployment benefits create jobs!!!!   Let's not forget Nancy's thoughtful words on handing out more unemployment checks:

"This is one of the biggest stimuluses to our economy.. economists will tell you this money is spent quickly it injects demand into the economy and is job creating.. it creates jobs faster than almost any other inititative that you can name."

Wow - that's some scary stuff.   Almost as scary as the recently passed  "Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act"  crafted by two of the biggest crooks in government - Christopher Dodd and Barney Frank.  Frank, Dodd, and the Democrats - the most fiscally-challenged and spend-happy bunch -  telling others that they must be fiscally responsible (excluding Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, tho....)!!! - the hypocrisy is priceless.

Our government needs to become fiscally responsible if we are to survive as a nation.  What Obama and the Democrats are doing is simply shameful.  Spending us into oblivion with reckless abandon.  Passing stimulus bills that do nothing.  Bailouts of companies that should have declared bankruptcy.  Obama's monstrous socialized medicine legislation that is just another entitlement program designed to soak taxpayers even more and make people dependent on Uncle Sam for health care...   Stop the madness! 

(Imagine if President Bush had run up a budget deficit like this.  The media went crazy when Bush's deficit in 2008 was $438 billion and unemployment hovered around 6.9%!  That was big news - more ammo to bash Bush.   So why is this little tidbit just four paragraphs buried on page 2?)

Less than one hundred days to go until the foot hits the brake...

Recommended Reading (07/25/10)

Here are, in my view, interesting, noteworthy columns and articles from the past week that I highly recommend: 


Throwing others under the bus and patting ourselves on the back on race

“Do we not see the irony in this mad rush to lionize Shirley Sherrod because she was falsely depicted as a racist by someone who took her comments out of context, when that very same Shirley Sherrod seems to be, in effect, unfairly and categorically demonizing people as racists? How about the irony in the castigation of Breitbart for smearing someone as a racist by people who routinely smear an entire group of people (conservatives) as racists?”


Finger-pointing at Fox in Shirley Sherrod firing

“But for all the chatter -- some of it from (Shirley) Sherrod herself -- that she was done in by Fox News, the network didn't touch the story until her forced resignation was made public Monday evening, with the exception of brief comments by (Bill) O'Reilly. After a news meeting Monday afternoon, an e-mail directive was sent to the news staff in which Fox Senior Vice President Michael Clemente said: ‘Let's take our time and get the facts straight on this story. Can we get confirmation and comments from Sherrod before going on-air. Let's make sure we do this right’."


NPR and TIME protect their liberal reporters

“Spitz openly expresses her vile dislike for conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh. ‘I never knew I had this much hate in me,’ she wrote in the emails obtained by The Daily Caller. ‘But he deserves it.’

Her hate language rises to the level of openly wishing for Limbaugh’s death. She wrote that if Limbaugh were having a heart attack, she would ‘laugh loudly like a maniac and watch his eyes bug out’.”


Don’t give the press a bailout


“Those who call for keeping newspapers and other old media alive with injections of public funds are really saying that if people won’t support those forms of journalism voluntarily, they should be made to do so against their will.”


Liberal tax revolt

"There's nothing like the prospect of an electoral rout to concentrate the incumbent mind, and so all of a sudden rank-and-file Democrats in Congress are saying maybe they shouldn't let the 2003 tax rates expire after all. Now if they can only persuade their Speaker of the House, the Treasury Secretary and President Obama."


Hollywood shocked as family films flourish

“It happens over and over again. And still the ‘executives’ are caught off guard. It shouldn't be that hard to figure out. Nobody needs a graphing calculator. Bring out the whole family, and you bring out a bigger audience. It's summertime, and the kids are bored. If the whole family doesn't go, the driving-age teenager gets assigned to take the young ones to the movies, sometimes more than once.”


Missing Mick Jagger in music muck

“Staying on top of pop culture, especially music and lyrics, gets more difficult as I get older. For one thing, much of it just sounds like noise. Compared with the music from my era, today's songs are the soundtrack to a headache. (Wow. My fingers moved across the keyboard and out came my parents.)”

Here a mosque, there a mosque...

"Islam isn't in America to be equal to any other faith, but to become dominant.  The Qur'an should be the highest authority in America, and Islam the only accepted religion on earth."

      -  Omar Ahmed, Chairman of the Board of CAIR (Council on America-Islamic Relations)

In a 2008, a survey was begun by the Washington-based Center for Security Policy.  Named the  "Mapping Sharia in America Project," the investigation was designed to infiltrate mosques and Islamic Centers throughout the United States in an effort to bring to attention those that posed a threat to the national security of the country.  Agents- consisting of former FBI, CIA, and U.S. military counterintelligence and counterterrorism personnel -  discovered that out of the initial 100 (mosques and Islamic  centers) mapped, 75 were preaching sermons calling for insurrection and jihad.  Such places also had Saudi-trained Imams.   In addition, anti-Western literature, videos and textbooks were available for purchase. This study was not sponsored by the United States government.  Instead, it was a major undertaking by a group of concerned former law enforcement types wishing to bring to our attention what they felt is a major threat. 

One of the agents had this to say regarding the project:  "The first thing I learned was that the political ideology of winning over the West and the world for an Islamic Caliphate is NOT specific to some extremist group of Muslims. This is mainstream Islam and Shari’a. Historical, traditional and authoritative Islamic law mandates every Muslim to work to that end through personal development (or internalized Jihad), and outreach (or dawa), and external Jihad or war.  It is certainly true that not all Muslims are faithful to their full calling, but any Shari’a faithful Muslim, meaning any Muslim who accepts Islamic law as authoritative (even if he himself does not live up to its standards) strives for or at least dreams of the day when his country and the world will live under the mandates of Islamic law.

Given the almost universal respect Muslims give to Shari’a (even if they fail to live up to its standards), it should be apparent we have a real problem in this country. What makes matters worse, is that one of the most radical and virulently violent sects of Islam, the Salafists or more derogatorily referred to as Wahhabi’ists (named after the sect’s founder as if to suggest his approach was an innovation and that he was not appropriately submissive to Allah, Mohammed and the traditions which developed subsequently), principally situated in Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf States, are financing and providing the leadership for the vast majority of the mosques and Islamic day schools in the US."

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) made the following remarks on the second anniversary of the 9/11 attacks:

"Wahhabism is known throughout the Muslim world for its puritanical and severe approach to the teachings of the Muslim prophet Mohammed. It preaches violence against non-believers or infidels and serves as the religious basis for Osama Bin Laden and al Qaeda.

Experts agree that Saudi Arabia is the epicenter of Wahhabist belief and its extremist teachings. Unfortunately, there is mounting evidence that Saudi sponsored groups are trying to hijack mainstream Islam here in the United States – in mosques, in schools, and even in prisons and the military – and replace it with Wahhabism."

Schumer went on to state:

"... the most disturbing news is that Wahhabism – backed by truckloads of Saudi oil money – is now making inroads here in the United States. Saudi Arabia boasts of directly supporting over 18 mosques and schools across the country, including Islamic Centers in Washington and New York.  Experts who we heard from at the previous hearing suggest the real number is much higher, reaching into the hundreds, as intermediary organizations like the Saudi-sponsored World Assembly of Muslim Youth, provide financial support to American mosques and schools. In exchange, they demand that these mosques and schools toe the Wahhabi line. Saudi textbooks that preach violence against infidels can be found in some American Muslim schools.   The Council on American Islamic Relations – perhaps the most famous of these groups – reportedly received financial support from Saudi-funded organizations to build its $3.5 million headquarters here in Washington.  This may explain why in April 2001, the Council released a survey saying that 69% of Muslims in America say it is “absolutely fundamental” or “very important” to have Wahhabi teachings at their mosques."

As the years have passed, the strong words and warnings from Senator Schumer have fallen on deaf ears.  The  current President and Administration have opted to once again return to the pre-9/11 days and minimize or ignore the reality of  terrorist threats within our own borders.  This includes the building of mosques and Islamic Centers across America.

Of course not all Muslims in America are radical Islamic terrorists.  Many mosques in our country began with benign intentions.  However, once a mosque or Islamic Center is established, a pattern is set into place.  The mosque or Islamic Center becomes a target for nefarious elements.  From "The Boston mosque's Saudi connection" by Jeff Jacoby (2007):  "Muslim immigrants to the United States came with a good heart...Kabbani(Muhammad Hisham Kabbani - Sufi sheik and leader of the Islamic Supreme Council in 1999) told the Middle East Quarterly... and they wanted a place to pray.  They collected money and they built mosques in their community.  Slowly, certain Middle Eastern groups seized these mosques, promoting political and ideological agendas rooted in their home countries' problems...Slowly, such groups took over many mosques either directly or by unseen pressure on the moderate board members, and now an antagonistic mentality controls them.  The extremists - not ordinary believers - changed the use of American mosques into centers of intolerant political dogma."   

With those chilling words in mind, a reader - who wishes to remain anonymous, but would like to be identified as an "ActForAmerica" member (their website is:  http://www.actforamerica.org)   -  sent me  information regarding a mosque which is scheduled to be built shortly in Brookfield, Wisconsin.  Given the times we live in, and the dangers of terrorism, the construction of a single mosque should serve as a red flag to at least arouse some curiosity and questions.  Mosques, of course, are associated with the religion of Islam.  Islamic radicals ARE the terrorists who want to murder those who do not adhere to their religious principles.  And, as previously stated, many mosques have indeed been discovered to be promoting jihad and anti-American views.  Yet,  the building of this mosque in Brookfield seems to have somehow snuck in under the radar screen - ignored by the local media as no big deal.  Why?   

Contrast this story to the outrage over a mosque proposal in Sheboygan County.  The mosque in that area met with strong opposition and was the subject of several news articles. Click on:   http://www.sheboyganpress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20107150412  to view one such story on the subject.  Over the course of debate, there were many other columns pertaining to this written in Sheboygan.  People in Sheboygan were concerned - and rightly so.  One line from an earlier article sums up the views of many citizens:   "Recent public forums have drawn hundreds of people, with some concerned that a mosque will attract Islamic fundamentalists with connections to terrorist organizations." 

Yet very little has been written in the Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel about the soon-to-be-constructed mosque in Brookfield.  The paper did have a small blurb in the "Religion Briefing" section of the paper on May 7, 2010.  This was under the heading "Islamic Society to build Waukesha County Mosque."   The story is as follows:

The Islamic Society of Milwaukee hopes to break ground as early as September on a new mosque in Brookfield.  The proposed building at 16730 W. Pheasant Dr. would accommodate Muslims from Milwaukee's western suburbs and relieve crowding at the Islamic Society on W. Layton Ave., where attendance has grown significantly in recent years, said Mushir Hassan, a Brookfield physician and member of the committee working on the project.

The Islamic Society plans to raise about $700,000 to $1 million for the project, he said.

The society has been working to build a mosque in Waukesha County for more than a decade, according to Hasan.  He estimated that 100 Muslim families live within a 5 mile radius of the 1.7 acre property the society purchased last year.

"It's within biking distance of my house and within walking distance from my office," said Hassan.  "Trying to get to ISM from Waukesha County, especially for Friday prayers, can be very difficult."

(In addition, the ActForAmerica member who sent me the information on this particular mosque included these two links: : http://ismwest.org/  and this:  http://ismwest.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/task-force-update-february-2010.pdf.  Both of the links connect to the Milwaukee Islamic Society.) 

Why so little media attention to the proposed Brookfield mosque?  And when one reads through this story, it is rather upbeat and positive.  No questions asked.  Questions that any journalist worth his or her salary could have posed.  With a little digging, it was easy to discover The Milwaukee Islamic Society is the initiator of the  Brookfield mosque and the Islamic Society actually owns the property on which this particular mosque is to be built. One of the key figures in the Milwaukee Islamic Society is Zulfiquar Ali Shah -   who came here from Florida.  Shah is also the Religious Director of the Milwaukee Islamic Society.  Previously, Shah had been the Southeast Asia Director for the Kind Hearts charity.  The Kind Hearts charity was shut down for funneling millions of dollars to the terrorist organization, Hamas.  In addition,  Shah is also the ex-president of the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) - the Universal Heritage Foundation's parent organization.  According to counterterrrorism experts, the ICNA has close ties to the notorious terror organization, the Muslim Brotherhood - the ideological forebearer of all radical Islamic movements - including Hamas and al Qaeda.  One would think that the Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel might actually do some real investigative reporting on a mosque being build in Waukesha County.  After all, many mosques have been found to be breeding grounds for radical extremists - preaching a deadly, anti-American message. 

Aside from mosques and Islamic Centers being used by to promote radical jihadist views, a report presented to the Senate sub-committee on terrorism on October 14, 2003, found that Muslim chaplains in the military and United States prison systems use their roles to further extremist radical views.

Are we our own worst enemy when it comes to policing and allowing mosques to pop up without question?   In our quest to offend no one, are we putting ourselves at risk?  Our own government seems to ignore the potential danger, simply because of  political correctness and  the laws and regulations which prohibit “profiling” Arabs or Muslims even when one is looking for Islamic Jihadists.  We have people in this country protesting where wind turbines will be constructed because they may kill a few birds and make some noise!  Yet, when a mosque is built, a small blurb in the paper almost begs people not to notice.  (Nothing to see here!  Move along!  Islam is a wonderful religion of peace!)  We wouldn't want to give people more information which may motivate them to ask questions or protest the construction of such building!  We have all witnessed too many violent acts carried out in the name of Allah, which have taken root behind the walls of mosques. 

"Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, of the People of the Book, until they pay with Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued."  -  The Qur'an, Sura 9:29  

Radical factions within Islam demand the killing of infidels.  Infidels who do not follow the same Muslim teachings and beliefs of its radical followers.  We are witnessing two wars right now in which we are fighting terrorists.  The terrorists know how to use our own "rules of engagement" against U.S. soldiers on the battlefield, just as the same people promoting terrorism know how to use  the laws and legal system in our own country to protect their radical extremism in mosques and Islamic centers.

"Soon shall we cast terror into the hearts of unbelievers."  - Qur'an, 3:151

What other religion demands it's followers murder those who do not adhere to the same beliefs?  Do priests in Catholic churches tell parishioners to go out and shoot those who refuse to kneel during a mass or don't follow the teachings of Catholicism?  Do Reverends of the Lutheran faith try to stir up  followers to do the same?  Or do the elders of the Jehovah's Witnesses tell their people to strap bombs on themselves to blow themselves up in by people who won't accept a copy of "The Watchtower" when they travel from neighborhood to neighborhood?  Do the Mormon leaders send out their young people on missions, equipped with AK-47's or bombs if people refuse to listen to their message?  No. 

And yes, as stated before,  there ARE many Muslims who are not radicals or extremists.  Many who do not want to kill anyone.  Many who would never kill anyone.  Yet, even the peaceful Muslims and Imam's in the United States rarely speak out against what the violent sects of Islam are up to.  They seldom express outrage or anger when Muslim terrorists achieve their goals and kill innocent people in the name of Allah.  According to a Pew Research Poll,  almost 25% of Muslims in America between the ages of 18 - 29 believe that suicide bombings can be justified.  

An FBI counterterrorism had this to say about the majority of Imam's who promote jihad in their mosques:    "Those who actively support extremist causes say America is evil and deserves what it gets, and celebrate the death of soldiers, know they may come to our attention, so they don't do it as openly now.  Before 9/11, there was much more of that because all of it was considered by the Justice Department guidelines to be purely protected speech.  We do not have incitement laws in America, but once an Imam facilitates someone else taking action, he has crossed the line into material support and becomes our business."  Within the past ten years, 40 episodes of extremists and terrorists with connections to mosques in the United States have been discovered.  Most recently, some of the 9/11 terrorists received aid and counsel from the Dar al-Hijrah Islamic Center in Washington, D.C.    The FBI has even established outreach programs to try to help the Muslim community call out would-be terrorists in their community.  FBI agents, however, admit that few Muslims are very receptive.  They state that many Muslims are in denial that many Muslims ARE terrorists and they are a very tight culture - preferring to settle their own problems in their own way. 

Note how the media is quick to interview Catholic priests when one of their flock murders an abortion doctor.  The priest - and other Catholics - speak out vehemently AGAINST the murderer - condemning their actions.  Yet, when the terrorist known as Nidal Malik Hasan murdered people at Fort Hood, did ANY Imams speak out against his actions?  Condemn what Hasan did?  (Reprehensibly, an Imam, who used to preach in the United States, but now resides in Yemen, went on the Internet to praise Hasan's killing spree.)  Have any peace-loving Muslims or Imam's within our borders ever been vocal and/or critical of those killing in the name of Islam?

And right now we have a President and Administration that refuse to admit that terrorism exists.  That terrorists are evil.  They don't even say the words "radical Islam."   That's a no-no.   Might offend some Muslim that wishes to kill Americans!  The "war on terror" has become the "overseas contingency operation."  We are told over and over - the Obama mantra - that Islam is a religion of peace.  Sure, parts of it are.  But some of it IS NOT.  Radical Muslims have already established strongholds in France and the United Kingdom, wreaking violence and havoc within those countries.  Via the building of mosques.  Mosques which recruit and stir up radicals in the name of their religion.  Several European countries are finally starting to fight back - passing legislation aimed at abolishing certain aspects of Sharia law and Islamic culture. 

When will the United States wise up and realize that we have an enemy - an enemy that uses mosques and Islamic Culture Centers like a Trojan Horse.   Under the guise of a place of religion and worship, followers are instead listening to a radical and hate-filled agenda within the walls of these sacred buildings.  The UK and France have had their fill of mosques and the terrorism they promote.  They've taken steps that the United States is reluctant to take - that is, the European Union security analyzes every mosque, examines the training of the Imams, and - most importantly - looks into where their funds are coming from.  They follow the money.  The mosques and Imams are closely monitored.  Imagine if our Homeland Security did the same.  Imagine if our news media filmed Imams in action - spouting jihad.  We Americans MUST take the necessary steps to weed out the extremist radicals within our own borders from the benign people of the Muslim faith.  Representative Pete King (R-NY), the top Republican on the House Home Security Committee,  said in 2007 "We have too many mosques in this country that don't cooperate with law enforcement.  There are too many who are sympathetic to radical Islam.  We should be looking at them more carefully." 

And right now, a mosque is planned for Ground Zero in New York City.  Two blocks from the World Trade Center site, where 2,751 innocent people were murdered by Muslim terrorists.  This is a real "in your face" slap at Americans.  Imam Feisal Adbul Rauf, the founder of ASMA (American Society for Muslim Advancement) is the key figure leading the mosque and future Islamic Culture Center.  In regards to establishing a mosque and Islamic culture center on the 9/11 site, Rauf said:  "It was almost obvious that something like this had to arise from the ashes of 9/11.  In some way, this has the hand of the divine written over it.  It's almost as if God wanted to be involved."  

 This is the same Imam Rauf who, in Sydney, Australia in 2004 stated that "the United States and the West must acknowledge the harm they've done to Muslims before terrorism can end."  Rauf also said that the West must understand the terrorists' point of view - and he blamed Christians for starting mass attacks on civilians. Also in 2004, the Times reported that Rauf said he believes Islamic terrorists do not come from another moral universe - that they arise from oppressive societies that he feels Washington had a hand in creating.

(Interestingly enough, very little has been reported on the huge protests taking place in New York City at the site of this mosque.) 

Some profound comments and reactions were mentioned in the article on Imam Rauf and the mosque at the 9/11 site:

1)  "Muslims are doing this only to see if they can get away with it.  It's the way Islam spreads in every country these days, like a cancer - through incremental totalitarianism.  In this case, they'll quietly open the mosque, then, as they get away with it, they'll ramp up their outrages until someone finally points it out.  At that time, their lawyers, backed by the ACLU and various liberal organizations, will pounce."

2)  "This is not different than allowing the Nazis to establish their headquarters and propaganda office in NYC in 1938.  How come people could tell right from wrong then and not now?"

3)  "Who wants to bet this place becomes a "tourist attraction" for Muslims?  This mosque will become one of Islam's holiest shrines as it sits upon the site of their greatest modern military victory."

4)  "Good idea.  Maybe terrorists will be less likely to bomb this area if there's a mosque there."  

5)  "Building a mosque at Ground Zero is like building a memorial to Hitler at Auschwitz."

6)  "You can build a mosque at Ground Zero when we can build a synagogue in Mecca."

In closing, we must not sit quietly by and allow every Islamic organization to do whatever they please within our own borders.  We are at war.  And those we are fighting embrace a radical, extremist agenda which is being allowed to grow from within.  Our national security is at risk - not just from illegal intruders that stream across our borders every day, but from those who take advantage of America's laws and rights - and know how to use such to achieve their goals.  When their goal becomes the killing of infidels - supported by the teachings of their faith -  we must pay attention.  We cannot continue to look the other way and pretend such things are not going on - because they are. 

9/11 occurred because we, as a nation, had our heads buried in the sand.  We did not take the threats of terrorism seriously.  We had a president who, for eight long years, treated terrorism as a criminal matter.  After 9/11, President Bush stepped forward as a true leader and said "no more."  He went after the terrorists and the countries that provided them with safe havens.  His leadership resulted in no more terror attacks within our country for the remainder of his terms in office.

 Unfortunately, we now have a president who has reverted backwards, forgetting history, ignoring the past.  And we have seen several terror attacks occur within our own borders, with several more being thwarted only due to the ineptitude of the terrorists themselves.    We have a president who is choosing to ignore the threats of terrorism and is half-heartedly fighting a war against them.  And sadly, we have a president who is more sympathetic to the enemy and less supportive of our own troops.  We must remember the past.  We must remember the type of enemy we are fighting.  And we must be very careful in allowing mosques and Islamic Cultural Centers to be erected within the United States without thoroughly examining their intent and  what is going on within their walls.  Check out and monitor their Imams. Listen to their messages.  Watch what is transpiring.  And check out where their money is coming from.  If necessary, shut them down!

Sure, the future terrorists and those preaching jihad within our own borders know exactly what rights they have - but we have rights too - the right to be protected from evil being allowed to fester in our own backyard. 

"NOT the 'whiteman's bitch' " and "Election fraud is alive"

As I listened to Wednesday's Government Accountability Board (GAB) meeting at the state Capitol over the speakers in my office that dealt with contesting access to the ballots for certain candidates, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Normally a dull affair, this meeting generated two big news items:

1)  A candidate for state Assembly from the city of Milwaukee was denied the use of  the slogan “NOT the 'whiteman's bitch' " under her name on the ballot. She will be identified as an Independent as she requested. Some of the five GAB members actually voted in favor of her slogan request.

Read the Journal Sentinel story that is already gaining national attention.

2) At the end of the meeting, Milwaukee Alderman Jim Witkowiak told the GAB in no uncertain terms how he was victimized by voter fraud. Witkowiak represent a near south side district in the city with a predominantly Hispanic population. He lost to a Hispanic in 2000, but later defeated the man he lost to after being persuaded to run again. I commend my friend and fellow parishioner, Alderman Witkowiak for making this important presentation to the GAB. The information he sahred, despite the attention the media gave elsewhere, was the most important development at the meeting.

I encourage you to watch as both stories unfolded. Click Watch below, and then scroll in 1:10:50 for Story #1, running until 1:39:00 or so.

Then scroll to 1:50:50 through 2:06:35 for Story #2.

Watch

Preparations for Chelsea Clinton's wedding

How soon before the hateful left...

Jumps on this?

NRA Opposed To Kagan Nomination To U.S. Supreme Court

Call Your Senators and Ask them to vote "NO"on Elena Kagan
202-224-3121

So now Obamacare IS a tax?

Remember just a few short months ago, when Obama, Pelosi, and Reid were trying to sell the American people on their plans for health care reform? 

We were told over and over how health care was NOT a tax.   That the Democratic Party in charge was NOT going to be creating a new tax.   From September of 2009 on "This Week" with George Stephanopoulous, Obama stated:  "For us to say you have to take responsibility to get health insurance is absolutely not a tax increase. Nobody considers that a tax increase."   Stephanopoulous told Obama that he thought the penalty for not purchasing health care insurance sure seemed to fit the definition of a tax.  Obama's response:  "I absolutely reject that notion." 

In addition, Obama said:

"What it's saying is ... that we're not going to have other people carrying your burdens for you any more than the fact that right now everybody in America, just about, has to get auto insurance.  Nobody considers that a tax increase. People say to themselves, that is a fair way to make sure that, if you hit my car, that I'm not covering all the costs.  My critics say everything is a tax increase."

On September 12, 2009, Obama also stated:

‘Under my (health care) plan, no family making less than $250,000 a year will see any form of tax increase. Not your income tax, not your payroll tax, not your capital gains taxes, not any of your taxes.  You will not see any of your taxes increase one single dime.’”

Now, since more than 20 states are challenging the constitutionality of Obamacare in court, suddenly the Obama Administration IS calling health care a tax.   From the Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel (7/18/2010)*:   "In a brief defending the law, the Justice Department says the requirement for people to carry insurance of pay the penalty is "a valid exercise" of Congress' power to impose taxes."

Flip flop?  Lie?  Intentionally misleading  the American people? 

All of the above. 

Obama flip-flopped, lied, and misled the American people in order to force socialized medicine upon us.  And remember, the majority of Americans did NOT want this bill.  (And even more oppose it as time goes by!)   But Obama and the Dems knew better - they did not listen. And most of us realized that Obama WAS indeed lying.    And now that the bill has been passed, the truth - like the oil in the Gulf - has started to spill out.

What else has Obama lied about in regards to health care reform?   Remember, Obama said that his bill calls for expanded health coverage at lower costs for all.  Obama said that federal (taxpayer) dollars would not be used to fund abortions.   He told us we'd all be able to keep the health care coverage we have.  We'd get better care and pay less.  Obamacare would not provide health care coverage for illegal intruders... Gosh, looks like there's a lot more "truths" about to come out...  

Joe Wilson was oh, so prophetic. 

Mr. Obama - You lie! 

(*In yet another profound example of media bias, this story - which should be considered quite important and revealing, was not even front page news for the Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel.  A small column on how Obamacare - major health care reform -  has suddenly become a "tax" appeared on page 3A of Sunday's paper.  Just imagine if a Republican president had been telling the American people for months how his health care bill was NOT a tax and then, after the bill finally passes, he says it is indeed a tax.  Chances are that the story would have been front page/headline news...for days...weeks...)

Let's play Guess the Columnist!

OK, gang. What nationally syndicated columnist wrote the following:

“For the NAACP to call the Tea Party a bunch of ‘racists’ is like Rosie O’Donnell complaining that Chelsea Handler is a bit flabby in the arms, sometimes snacks too much, is not as pretty without her makeup, and really isn’t all that funny.

I believe, via personal experience and watching extensive TV coverage, that I’ve seen way more blacks, browns, yellows (and one green dude) at Tea Parties than I have white devils at NAACP rallies.

Yep, I’m pretty certain that’s been the case, especially at the Tea Party I emceed that had Lt. Col. Allen West as the keynote speaker. I believe he’s black … either that or he has a smokin’ tan. I also believe he should be our next President. So much for my cracka racism, eh? Allen West & Michelle Bachmann 2012. Yahoo!”

Any ideas?

It could only be one person.

Recommended Reading (07/18/10)

Here are, in my view, interesting, noteworthy columns and articles from the past week that I highly recommend: 

The Charge of Racism: It’s Time to Bury the Divisive Politics of the Past

“I am saddened by the NAACP’s claim that patriotic Americans who stand up for the United States of America’s Constitutional rights are somehow ‘racists.’ The charge that Tea Party Americans judge people by the color of their skin is false, appalling, and is a regressive and diversionary tactic to change the subject at hand.

Having been on the receiving end of a similar spurious charge of racism (in a recent frivolous lawsuit which was finally dismissed by a federal judge), I know how Tea Party Americans feel to be falsely accused. To be unjustly accused of association with what Reagan so aptly called that ‘legacy of evil’ is a traumatizing experience, and one of which the honest, freedom-loving patriots of the Tea Party movement are truly undeserving.”


The war on Arizona

“Rather than work with Arizona to secure the border and send the illegals home, the Obamaites are taking Mexico's side against Arizona, and against the faithful execution of U.S. law.”


David Cameron, don’t follow Barack Obama

“In the middle of an economic crash, and in the middle of record-breaking federal budgets and budget deficits, Mr. Obama started a new entitlement. This struck people, by which I mean almost everyone, as off-point. We are in a crisis, part of the crisis involves spending money we don't have, and our answer is to spend more? It wasn't a policy, it was a non sequitur.

Moreover, the President's decision to focus his entire first year on health care, when the voters were focused on the economy, on unemployment, on deficits, demonstrated, in the end unhappily for him and frustratingly for his fellow citizens, that he simply wasn't thinking about what they were thinking about.”


Let me know when you get it

“That there are no patriots or statesmen in Congress blowing more whistles and raising more hell is more frightening than the violations of the President and his gang. With a soulless, unprofessional, grossly irresponsible lapdog media kow-towing to such egregious acts by the government which they are supposed to be watch-dogging, is as anti-American as it gets. That it has gotten this bad and this far without a meaningful response from anyone in government or the mainstream media is the worst-case scenario.”


100 days of health-care reform

“According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), premiums for millions of American families in 2016 will be 10-13 percent higher than they otherwise would be. This represents a $2100 increase per family, compared with the status quo....

This is not the only bad news.”


Do the 13 keys to the presidency mean Obama is destined to be re-elected?

“First off, you may be asking: Is there anything to this? The answer: Yes, there is. This list of factors can be used to correctly predict the outcome of every presidential election in history.”


Have we the will to cut spending?

“The rule should be that if you can find a product or service in the Yellow Pages, see if the private sector can do the job government has been doing at lower cost and higher efficiency. Doesn't that make more sense than the state doing a job at greater cost with less efficiency?” 


Rove: My biggest mistake in the White House

“The attacks on Mr. Bush poisoned America's political discourse. Saying the commander-in-chief intentionally lied America into war is about the most serious accusation that can be leveled at a president. The charge was false—and it opened the way for politicians in both parties to move the debate from differences over issues into ad hominem attacks."


Should the U.S. adopt compulsory voting?

“In Australia, it's against the law for citizens age 18 or older not to vote.

Brookings Institution Senior Fellow William Galston has proposed that America adopt the same system to increase voter participation. In the 2008 presidential election, 61.7 percent of eligible Americans voted, according to George Mason University.”

Jim Klauser, a man who once ran the state with Tommy Thompson, destroys Mark Neumann's claim that spending went up faster under Scott Walker than under Jim Doyle

July 14, 2010 - Mr. Mark Neumann

Dear Mark:

It has been more than five weeks since I wrote to you requesting that you return the contributions Shirley and I made to your campaign.  I asked for the return since you had assured us that you would run a positive campaign focusing on the Doyle-Barrett record.  You haven’t done that.  Even in these last weeks you have expanded your negative attacks beyond your primary opponent to everyone else.

Your campaign treasurer, your son Matt, told me that you would return my contribution if I refuted your claims about your opponent’s record as County Executive.  You echoed those comments as well.  The numbers you cite for Milwaukee County include capital bonding of $251 million which is expended over a three year period and paid-off over 15-20 years.  (This was done to obtain better interest rates) Your analysis of Jim Doyle’s spending did NOT include bonding (which is considerable under Doyle).

You should know, but apparently don’t, that much of what a county government does is mandated and partially funded by either the federal or state government.  County government has no control over increases/decreases in such funding.  A care management organization is funded at $256 million entirely with state-federal Medicaid dollars.

You fail to mention the substantial reduction in the number of county employees under Walker’s watch.  In 2000 county employees on an FTE basis numbered 7,263; in 2010 the number is 5,256.  This substantial reduction indicates increased efficiency in Milwaukee County government and a savings to taxpayers.

The bottom line is you aren’t comparing apples to apples; rather your analysis is somewhat akin to fruit salad.  By the way you should know, but apparently choose to ignore, that the county executive vetoed increased spending every year; these vetoes were overridden by the county board with the result of increasing spending.

You have used these misrepresented figures to claim that the county budget has increased 26% since 2006 while the state budget has increased 19%.  In reality, Milwaukee County’s budget has increased 9% below the rate of inflation of 9.6% which gives Milwaukee County residents a spending reduction in adjusted dollars.

Please return our contributions.

James R. Klauser

DA Investigates Taxpayer-Funded Political Blogger

CRG Network

PO Box 371086 Milwaukee, WI 53237 414-801-0800 www.crgnetwork.com crg@crgnetwork.com

Wisconsin Waste Watchers Alert

PRESS RELEASE

July 12th, 2010

 

For Immediate Release

 

DA Investigates Taxpayer-Funded Political Blogger

Finds Evidence of “extensive political blogging”

 

MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee County District Attorney’s office concluded its investigation into the misuse of county resources for political purposes finding that Milwaukee County employee Christopher Liebenthal engaged in “extensive political blogging” from his taxpayer-funded computer.

 

Liebenthal has been active in Milwaukee County First and AFSCME Local 48.  He has blogged or maintained web pages for those groups as well as his own.  Blogging under the name “Capper,” Liebenthal writes for two political blogs called Cognitive Dissidence and Whallah!

 

The District Attorney had earlier seized the Liebenthal computer from his county office based on a complaint issued by Orville Seymer of Citizens for Responsible Government.  Despite the findings of “extensive political blogging” by the County DA’s technical forensic expert, the DA’s office declined to issue criminal charges citing a narrow interpretation of state statutes that would require such online activity to solicit a direct campaign contribution or service.

 

CRG spokesperson Chris Kliesmet added, “It is now clear and unequivocal that, despite his earlier claims to the contrary, Mr. Liebenthal is a prolific political blogger who “extensively” used a county computer to engage in this political activity.”

 

“After discussing the situation with the District Attorney’s office, it is also clear that they would prefer to see this handled as a county personnel matter rather than a criminal matter,” said Kliesmet.  “The ethical standard and consequences of this manner of workplace misconduct has been established and Mr. Liebenthal’s actions constitute an extreme example.”

 

Liebenthal took taxpayer resources meant to care for those most in need and spent them on his own political crusades,” said Kliesmet.  “He should own up to his illicit use of taxpayer property and time and resign.”

 

CRG continues to follow this matter and will publish additional facts and data as they become available.

 

For further information contact Chris Kliesmet at 414-429-9501 or visit www.crgnetwork.com

General “betray us” Petraeus

MoveOn Scrubs “General Betray Us” Page From Website

 

http://weaselzippers.us/2010/06/23/moveon-scrubs-general-betray-us-page-from-website/

 

Let’s give Obama some credit: He just picked Petraeus to lead the efforts in Afghanistan.  Hmmm, will the left take out a full pg ad titled "Betray-Us" now?

Golf or Gulf?

What do you think of Obama Golfing during the Gulf spill?

 

Stop on by the GOP site and let your thoughts be known.

 

http://actnow.gop.com/golforgulf/

 

Which 5 of the President's leisure activities or missteps during this

environmental disaster have made you the most angry?

 

From the list on the left, drag and drop your Top 5 to the right.

When you're done, hit save to create a personal page to share with your friends.

 

From Public Policy Polling: Wisconsin GOP Primary Numbers

Wisconsin appears likely to have competitive races for both Governor and the Senate this fall.  What it doesn't appear likely to have is closely contested primaries for who the Republican candidates will be in those contests.  Scott Walker and Ron Johnson are both well ahead in their respective races.

Walker leads Mark Neumann 58-19 in the Gubernatorial primary.  He is both better known and a lot better liked than Neumann is.  64% of GOP primary voters have a favorable opinion of him to only 10% with a negative one.  There's considerably more division in how voters feel about Neumann, with 33% rating him positively and 27% saying they see him unfavorably.  40% of Republicans have not yet formed an opinion about Neumann compared to only 26% who are ambivalent toward Walker.

Walker's lead is built on overwhelming support from conservative voters.  He and Neumann are running basically even among moderates, but Walker has a 65-13 lead with conservatives.  If Tom Barrett's going to win this fall one place he may have an opportunity is trying to sway the moderates who are planning to vote for Neumann in the primary to come over to the Democratic side when their candidate more than likely is defeated.

Neither of the candidates on the Senate side are particularly well known yet but Ron Johnson has made a much more positive first impression on Republican primary voters than Dave Westlake and consequently holds a 49-11 lead.  Westlake is completely obscure with 80% not offering an opinion about him and those who do breaking down negatively with 7% seeing him favorably and 13% negatively.  Johnson is also an unknown to a majority of those planning to vote in the primary but he's showing appeal to those who are familiar with him- 39% have a positive opinion to only 8% who see him negatively.

It's a pretty safe bet the matches in Wisconsin this fall will be Tom Barrett against Scott Walker for Governor and Russ Feingold against Ron Johnson for Senate.

Has common sense triumphed for once?

Interestingly enough, in Monday's July 5th, 2010 edition of the Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel, a letter of mine ran regarding a story on  the homeless and Voter ID. After receiving several phone calls from people very supportive of what I had to say, I was puzzled by two things.  Number one:   I have not received any nasty phone calls nor unsigned letters in the mail full of anger and hate directed at yours truly because of my letter - at least not yet!  And secondly, what is VERY shocking is that the Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel has not printed a single rebuttal in their "Letters to the Editor" section!

Having been a frequent writer to the "Letters to the Editor," it has been my experience that the Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel ALWAYS prints at least one liberal response to any letter with a conservative viewpoint - and my letters are no exception to this rule.   Sometimes the paper has even printed two rebuttals in response to something I had written.   This usually occurs within a day or two of the original piece being published.  It's a given.  It's almost as reliable as the fact that the sun will rise every morning and it will set in the evening. 

In this case, however, it's been almost a week and not a peep! What gives?  The lefties at the Journal/Sentinel must be besides themselves. No 'Letters to the Editor' to publish making a case AGAINST Voter ID?  Could it be that no one was able to argue against the point I made?   Could it be because there IS NO REAL COMMON SENSE ARGUMENT for making people provide an ID to prove who they are?  Especially at the polls during an event as important as a political election?  Guess if you need a state ID to get into the Rescue Mission - as pointed out in the article referenced in my letter - you cannot come up with a real defense as to how the "poor and minorities" would be disenfranchised" by requiring a state ID for voting purposes! 

Ya think???

Here's my original letter which ran on the 5th of this month:

----------------------------------------------------------------------

VOTER ID

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel editorial writer and columnist James E. Causey's column regarding homelessness in Milwaukee, "72 hours on the streets and thousands of stories" on June 27 was very interesting.

Two sentences in particular really stood out. Causey wrote: "My most eye-opening experience was my stay at the Rescue Mission's men's shelter. You need a state ID to get a bed."

Excuse me, but doesn't the Democratic Party in our state continue to block every effort to require a voter ID to make our political elections honest? They defend this belief by stating that requiring a photo ID will disenfranchise the poor and minorities.

Who does the Democratic Party think shows up at rescue missions?

This just proves that there is no common-sense argument against voter ID.

Amy L. Geiger-Hemmer
Hartland

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

The only reason I am publishing this on my blog site is because I have faith that  the same liberal suspects who can - amazingly - continue to defend everything Obama does (including his new mission for NASA to focus on improving the self-esteem of Muslims)  can somehow come up with a defense of why our state should still allow people to vote with no identification!  

C'mon - give it your best shot. Here's your opportunity.  This should be interesting.  I cannot wait to hear the usual twisted logic that is so representative of the liberal mindset.  Here's the question: 

 If the Rescue Mission* requires a state ID in order to get a bed for the night, how come we cannot expect people to produce an ID to vote?!?!?!

(*Just an FYI:  The Rescue Mission does receive some government funding.   Families who participate in the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program and send their children to "Cross Training Academy" will have their children's tuition paid for by the state if their income falls below levels pre-determined by the state.)

Just for fun, after trying to think like a liberal (very difficult, I know) the only two reasons I could come up with to truthfully defend NOT requiring voter ID in Wisconsin are as follows:

1)  With ACORN in trouble, the number one "get out and cheat" voter organization is under the microscope.  Their ability to influence elections may be stifled - at least until they regroup under other names...The Democrats will not be able to rely on them for much help - at least for the time being.

2)  With the New Black Panthers on the hot seat for having a leader that "wants to kill crackers,"  the Black Panthers may not be used by the Dems to intimidate voters at the polls like they were in the past election.  I mean, threatening to "kill crackers" may actually be someday defined as "hate speech!!!"  Do the Dems really want to enlist these guys again to scare voters at the polls?

The Dems simply cannot allow Voter ID to become a requirement at the polls.  Without ACORN and the Black Panthers,  Voter ID becomes an even bigger roadblock to stealing elections.

Given this it is very likely that our next governor will be a Republican who supports Voter ID, Dems will face even more challenges come election time.  Voter ID has a great chance of finally becoming a reality.  Voter ID will help put an end to those "get out and cheat" groups.   Voter ID will put an end to enabling some people to vote multiple times.  Voter ID will not allow people to steal someone else's vote.  Voter ID will restore integrity and honesty at the polls.

Face it, there is NO good argument against voter ID.  None.  Nada.  If one needs a state ID to bed down at the Rescue Mission, how does requiring a voter ID at polling places "disenfranchise the poor and minorities?"  That argument just went down in flames.

And once Voter ID becomes law,  Democrats will face a new, real challenge in upcoming elections.  Like the  Republicans have been doing for years  - the Democrats will have to rely on winning based on their merits...  

Recommended Reading (07/11/10)

Here are, in my view, interesting, noteworthy columns and articles from the past week that I highly recommend.


The Massachusetts Health-Care “Train Wreck”

“President Obama said earlier this year that the health-care bill that Congress passed three months ago is ‘essentially identical’ to the Massachusetts universal coverage plan that then-Gov. Mitt Romney signed into law in 2006. No one but Mr. Romney disagrees. As events are now unfolding, the Massachusetts plan couldn't be a more damning indictment of ObamaCare. The state's universal health-care prototype is growing more dysfunctional by the day, which is the inevitable result of a health system dominated by politics.”


Whitewashing Black Racism

“If a tea-party activist threatened to kill the babies of his political opponents, it wouldn’t just be front-page news. It would be the subject of Democrat-led congressional investigations, a series of terrified New York Times columns about the perilous “climate of hate,” a Justice Department probe by Attorney General Eric Holder, a domestic terror alert from Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, and another Important Teachable Moment Speech/Summit from Healer-in-Chief Barack Obama. But with the racism shoe on the other foot, Team Obama and its media water-carriers are exhibiting the very racial cowardice Holder once purported to condemn.”


Ringo and the Politics of ‘Hope’

“What with Democrats unable thus far to deliver job growth, assertion becomes the White House's mode of discourse: first, that Democratic recovery strategies ‘are working’; second that we're in charge of this show -- we, your government.”


Illegal Immigration Costs US $113 Billion a Year

“The single largest cost to the government of illegal immigration, according to the report, is an estimated $52 billion spent on schooling the children of illegals. ‘Nearly all those costs are absorbed by state and local governments,’ the report states. Moreover, the study’s breakdown of costs on a state-by-state basis shows that in states with the largest number of illegals, the costs of illegal immigration are often greater than current, crippling budget deficits.”


The new frontier: ‘Covering’ conservatives

“For a few days at the end of June, Beltway pundits were consumed with the ballad of David Weigel, a blogger for The Washington Post, briefly assigned to cover the ‘conservative beat.’

And just what is the conservative beat?

Well, according to many of the nation's leading editors, it's that shadowy, often-sinister world where carbon based-life forms of a generally humanoid appearance say and do things relating to, and supportive of, conservative causes and the Republican Party. These strange creatures have been observed using complex tools, caring and nurturing their young and even participating in complex social rituals. Most worship an unseen sky god that traces its roots back to the ancient Middle East. Even more astounding, these creatures are having a noticeable impact on American politics.

And that is why many of our leading journalistic enterprises have found it worthwhile to assign full-time reporters to the task of spelunking through the dark caves of conservatism to better understand these fascinating, if vaguely worrisome, beings.”


The Whoreification of Miley Cyrus

“What has happened to the little ‘Hannah Montana’ star? What is it about young female Disney stars whoring themselves out in order to prove they’ve reached adulthood? Since when does having sex or being sexy qualify one as an adult? And, where is Billy Ray Cyrus? Too busy whoring out his daughter in order to rejuvenate and advance his own long-forgotten career?”


A Modest Proposal for Improving a Dull Game

“Use your hands, dummies. Also, add body slams, get rid of useless nil-nil ties and play on an extremely steep slope. With a few modifications, soccer could become hugely popular world-wide.”

NASA - no longer "The Right Stuff"

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, otherwise known as NASA, is an important program of the United States government.  For decades, NASA's mission has been to "pioneer the future in space exploration, scientific discovery, and aeronautics research."  And for decades, our country accomplished great things in outer space.    Things are about to change, folks!

Charles Bolden,the current NASA administrator, went on one of those television stations similar to CNN or MSNBC  -  Al Jazeera - to tell viewers that the "foremost" task President Obama assigned to him was"to find a way to reach out to the Muslim world and engage much more with predominantly Muslim nations to help them feel good about their historic contribution to science, math, and engineering."   The other two assignments Obama gave to Bolden were to "re-inspire children to want to get into science and math" and "expand our international relationships."

 

 

No mention was made of space exploration, scientific discovery, or aeronautics research.

Under Obama's "leadership," NASA's prime objective is to make other countries feel better about themselves.  (It is sad that this isn't just a bad skit on Saturday Night Live.)  Imagine, the president of the United States has directed NASA with the number one goal of improving the self-esteem of Muslims! 

NASA has now become another social program.  Instead of the Right Stuff, we get the Left Stuff.  One more useless "feel good" project.  Clearly, Obama disdains America's status as a great nation - one that achieves great things and accomplishes goals other countries cannot.  What Obama is doing to the United States space program is disgraceful, although not surprising,  coming from a community organizer and socialist.   

Michael Griffin, who had once been the NASA administrator, blasted Obama's plans.  From "Ex-NASA Chief Slams "Muslim Outreach" Mission:"

"The former head of NASA says the idea that the space exploration agency's priority should be outreach to Muslim countries is “deeply flawed” after current Administrator Charles Bolden made that assertion in an interview last month.

"NASA ... represents the best of America. Its purpose is not to inspire Muslims or any other cultural entity," Michael Griffin, who served as NASA administrator during the latter half of the Bush administration, told FoxNews.com."

Syndicated columnist and frequent FOX News contributor Charles Krauthammer really said it best:

 

 

To repeat Krauthammer's key observation:  "This is a new height in fatuousness.  NASA was established to get America into space and to keep it there.  This idea to (make Muslims) feel good about their past and to make achievements is the worst combination of group therapy, psycobabble, imperial condescension and adolescent diplomacy."

Wouldn't it be interesting to find out what Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, or any of the other former NASA astronauts think about the new goals established for NASA by the president of the United States?

"Republicans believe every day is the Fourth of July...

...but the Democrats believe every day is April 15." 
Ronald Reagan.

Recommended Reading (07/04/10)

Here are, in my view, interesting, noteworthy columns and articles from the past week that I highly recommend:


President Barack Magoo’s ‘The Economy is headed in the right direction’

“Fresh from his over-hyped pratfall from the Oval Office that left Americans not only wondering if the president actually cared about the Gulf oil spill more than cap-and-tax but also worried that even his teleprompter skills were failing him, President Obama rushed to Racine Wisconsin Wednesday to deliver what must have been the test drive for his stump speech between now and November.

It crashed, and with it, hopes of Americans for some common sense on the faltering economy and of Democrats for a theme on which to build or even a paragraph of talking points for the fall's contests.

‘The economy is headed in the right direction,’ the president told his gathering of usual suspects in a city where unemployment hovers at 14%.

No, really, he said that.”


Obama concedes loss of US House

“Obama is sinking in the polls. The White House can do the Bloody Mary ‘Happy Talk’ song from ‘South Pacific.’ But, the reality is 15 million people are looking for work and there is nothing the Administration has proposed which is dealing with that.”


Running on Empty

“The Obama presidency is nearly out of gas. So are the Democratic majorities in the Senate and House. Yet the White House and congressional Democrats aren’t surrendering. They’re still intoxicated with their ‘historic majorities’ and bent on enacting more landmark liberal legislation this year, including cap and trade, a value-added tax (VAT), and who knows what else.

Are they fantasizing? Not entirely. The odds—and the political climate—are against them. But their ideological ambitions are undiminished and they have a sense of urgency. They know their majorities will be crippled (if not eliminated) in the midterm elections on November 2, which means they must enact the remaining parts of the agenda in 2010 or put them back in the cupboard of liberal dreams, maybe for decades. So it’s now or never.”


Obama’s Oil Spill To-Do List

“Here are the first ten actions President Obama can take immediately to help solve the crisis in the Gulf.”


Get ready for the tanning tax

“The tanning industry is just the latest victim of government paternalism, putting it in the same category as cigarettes, alcohol, gambling, sodas, trans fats, junk food and other targets of so-called ‘sin taxes.’

Desperate for revenue and lacking the guts to curtail big special-interest tax breaks such as the employer-provided health insurance exclusion or the mortgage interest deduction, congressional leaders and the president have singled out a politically vulnerable target. Kind of like a pride of lions singling out the weakest wildebeest.”


Team USA Loses, Lets MSM, Barack Hussein Obama, Entire World Down

“We’ve blown it once again, another great opportunity to win the biggest sporting event on the planet and America comes away empty handed in the World Cup. I thought this was our year. The world was supposed to love us. We were told that during the 2008 Presidential election that all we had to do was put Barack Hussein Obama in office, and the world would love us. Instead, what do we get? We get horrible calls where goals are being taken away from us by World Cup officials who are either blind, or they haven’t heard that Obama is now our President.”

AND SOME OLDIES BUT GOODIES... 


This July 4^th, remember the founders

“Certainly the United States would not be here without the Founders, the greatest generation in American history, but perhaps a better way of answering the questions is by simply considering whether the United States is the federal republic of the Founders’ design or has it been “remade” as Barack Obama continues to suggest.”


4^th of July dialogue

“A 4th of July conversation between Dude - a teenager - and his Uncle Sam...

Yo, Uncle. Wasup?

Good morning, Dude. What am I doing? I'm getting into my suit for the parade.

What're you gonna be in a parade for? They gonna have a lot of hot chicks and cool floats?”


What's great about America

"The immigrant is in a good position to evaluate American society because he is able to apply a comparative perspective. Having grown up in a different society—in my case, Mumbai, India—I am able to identify aspects of America that are invisible to people who have always lived here. As a 'person of color,' I am competent to address such questions as what it is like to be a nonwhite person in America, what this country owes its minority citizens, and whether immigrants can expect to be granted full membership in this society. While I take seriously the issues raised by the critics of America, I have also developed an understanding of what makes America great, and I have seen the greatness of America reflected in my life. Unlike many of America's homegrown dissidents, I am also acutely conscious of the daily blessings that  I enjoy in America."


Out of failure, the American Dream

"I am going to have a hard time forgetting a long, cinder-block corridor in a small Wisconsin town that led to a bare, large room where eight girls sat on folding chairs facing a television set. No accident had befallen these girls. No one had died or gone to jail or been shot. What had happened to them, instead, is just about the worst thing that can happen to a person in this country."

Will July 4th eventually become "Dependence Day?"

Our nation celebrates Independence Day as a federal holiday, recognizing the Declaration of Independence from July 4th, 1776  which declared our freedom from Great Britain.  All across America,  people come together to watch fireworks, enjoy parades, cook-outs and celebrate other activities recognizing this wonderful day in the history of our country.  Politicians give speeches and others express their gratitude and admiration for all that the United States represents.

However, since January 20th, 2009, our "independence" has been under assault.  From an enemy within.  President Barack Obama and his socialist followers are seeking to undermine our Constitution and our liberties.  On a daily basis, they continue to chip away at the very foundation that has made our country great. 

Need proof?

*  The president and his cronies in Washington D.C. have embarked on the most massive spending spree ever seen before.  We are trillions in debt.  The economy of the United States is headed towards ruin.  And what is Barack Obama doing to stop it?  Nothing.  In fact, he wants to introduce even MORE spending going forward.  When will it end?  When we are in total financial ruin?  When China owns us?  When the dollar is worthless?

*  We now have a president more intent on giving rights to terrorists and illegal aliens than U.S. citizens.

*  We have a president seeking to fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court with a clone of himself.  Elena Kagan has done a great job of having a limited paper trail and record of her liberal views (similar to Obama and his penchant for voting "present" while a senator).  However, what few glimpses we have of Kagan show a woman who doesn't like the military,  disdains the Constitution and would work to manipulate the laws  (hmmmm....also sounds like the President!)  to follow Obama's plan for destroying America and rebuilding it as a socialist or communist country. Another activist judge.  Not surprising.

*  We have a Commander-in-Chief unwilling to secure our borders to the flood of illegal intruders streaming over daily.  Illegal intruders that represent a clear and present danger to U.S. citizens.  And when a state like Arizona makes a law - mirroring the federal law already on the books concerning illegal intruders - and plans to enforce such a law, the president and his cronies join together to sue the state.  Incredible.  Now the talk of "amnesty" is beginning - just in time to garnish a potential voting bloc in an effort to save the Democratic politicians who are rapidly falling out of favor with the public. 

*  We have a  president more concerned about the comforts and safety of terrorists (oops!  that should read "infidel-challenged individuals" if we want to follow Obama-speak!)  residing at Club Gitmo than our own soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Our soldiers who had to wait months for reinforcements in Afghanistan - months for troops that were requested by Obama's own hand-picked General.  And Obama dithered - wondering if he should send additional troops to help save lives or not.  To help win a war or not.  (Lest anyone has forgotten,  the words "win" and "victory" are notably absent from Obama's vocabulary.)  And let's not forget those "rules of engagement" that give our enemies an advantage over our troops.  Terrorists - (oops!   slipped again!) - Infidel-challenged individuals are also grateful to Obama for giving them a "heads-up" as to when American troops will be leaving the region...

*  We have a president quick to jump to conclusions on national television dissing our police - saying our law enforcement people acted "stupidly" when they arrested his friend, Henry Louis Gates Jr. in what had been deemed a possible break-in.  Obama didn't know the facts, yet his first reaction was to bash the police.  This coming from the President of the United States.

*  We have a president shoving a socialized medicine bill down our throats via nefarious means - Chicago-style thug politics at it's finest.  Skipping the usual voting procedures because the votes just weren't there.  Making people reliant on the government for health care.  Forcing people to buy health insurance whether they want to or not - or facing jail and/or fines!  Totally against what the Constitution stands for.

*  Next up, Barack Obama using strong-arm tactics to seize the monies of a major corporation to the tune of  $20 billion dollars to pay for those hurt by the major oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Granted, BP DOES share the a majority of the blame for the Gulf Oil spill.  And they are paying - billions- to repair the damage.  And they are losing money daily.  And their stock value is falling.  However, left to their own devices, BP may have made the efforts on their own to offer monetary assistance to those affected by the Gulf Oil spill.  A government official such as Obama should never have been allowed to use thug tactics to extract billions from a company (private funds, if you will).  In real terms - the U.S. government just demanded $20 billion dollars from a private company.  And they got it.  Who is to say they won't do the same to other companies in the future?  After all, most liberals hate big corporations - especially those that make big profits.  They are always portrayed as evil, yet the liberals fail to understand that big corporations provide jobs to millions and a way of life.  They keep the economy going.  Government jobs do not. 

*  Along that same line of thought, we have a  president intent on destroying the private sector, while the government continues to grow.  First Obama went after the banks - then the auto industry.  Wall Street is in his sights, with a new "Financial Reform Bill"  already approved by the House.  Hopefully the Senate will not allow yet another government power-grab to go through - crafted by two politicians who got us into the Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac meltdown - Barney Frank and Chris Dodd. (How these two criminals were even allowed to write a bill on Finance Reform is a joke.)  Toyota was on the hot seat for a long time.  Now BP has a target on it's back (not to mention a boot on it's neck) - as well as most "big oil."  And to make matters worse in the Gulf, Obama wants to shut down more oil drilling - thereby creating huge job losses in the Gulf region.  A region already decimated by the oil spill.  What is this guy thinking?  In addition,  Obama wants to destroy many energy-producing companies via his "Cap and Tax" legislation.  Obama stated himself that coal companies in the United States  would go out of business.  Obama's own words:  ""So if somebody wants to build a coal-powered plant, they can; it's just that it will bankrupt them because they're going to be charged a huge sum for all that greenhouse gas that's being emitted."  We need look no farther to our own Bucyrus Erie for the job losses that could have occurred due to that garbage carbon footprint gobbledygook.  The federal government via the U.S. Import/Export Bank,  was willing to let  a major company in Racine lose 1,000 jobs just because they didn't want a coal company in India to receive several million in loan guarantees, allowing them to purchase from Bucyrus Erie.  After protests from many of the folks in Wisconsin - politicians like Scott Walker, (and even labor unions) pointed out how devastating this would be, the Democrats in power eventually backed down and OK'd the deal.  Interesting to note that U.S. Senator Russ Feingold did not weigh in on helping to save these jobs.  Guess protecting the size of those "carbon footprints' was more important to that good ole' maverick from Wisconsin!  (Remember that at election time). 

*  Witness a president and administration who WANT people dependent upon the government.  The economy stinks.  Unemployment is on the rise - except for those government jobs!!!  (Nancy Pelosi even stated that extending unemployment benefits  CREATES jobs.  The stimulus at work!  Incredible - is the woman a complete moron?  So paying people NOT to work - for as long as 99 weeks -   somehow "helps" the economy???)  Socialized medicine may become a reality - making everyone dependent upon the government for their health care.  And don't forget how the government is slowly replacing the role of the parent in families - a perfect example in our own state is the Milwaukee Public Schools providing breakfast, lunch, and dinner to students in poor areas - and celebrating such like it's a triumph!   Remember how MPS offered free breakfasts to school children and when not enough kids showed up, they were disappointed?  So what did they do?  They offered iPods to kids who showed up for the free breakfast - only to increase the numbers in order to receive more federal dollars.  Is this insanity or what?  Is it too much to ask that parents provide meals for their own children?  Guess so.  The federal government has taken over that role in many cases - the role of the parent - which is frightening.  

*  On this 4th of July, remember what this country is all about.  Remember our freedoms.  Remember our liberties.  Remember our ability to pursue happiness.  The government doesn't OWE anyone a living.  And our neighbors DON'T owe us a living, either.  We, as individuals, are free to chose how we live.  How we make a living.  Our choices in life are up to us, as are our goals.  What is important to us.  Not everyone makes the best choices.  That is their prerogative.  It does not mean that every one of us must bail out everyone else who either makes bad choices or doesn't abide by the law. 

America IS still  the land of opportunity.  Everyone has a chance to do what they want.  Become what they want.  All it takes is effort.  And many people are too lazy or have been brought up to believe that the government will take care of them.  How sad.  So continue to celebrate the 4th of July as Independence Day.  Eventually this holiday may disappear if Obama continues to steer our country down the path to socialism.  Independence is a quality that our current Administration frowns upon.  They WANT the American people to become dependent upon the government.  Because they know best - they want the power. 

Here are five sentences that are so appropriate in this time in our history.  .

1)  You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity, by legislating the wealth out of prosperity.

2)  What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving.

3)  The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else.

4)  When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work, because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is the beginning of the end of any nation.

5)  You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.   -  Dr. Adrian Rogers 1931-2005 

It doesn't seem that long ago when we had presidents that were actually proud to represent our country.  They were proud of our military. They were proud that America was the greatest nation on the face of the earth.  They were proud of our freedoms.  They were proud and respectful of the people they represented. 

Now we have a president who is ashamed of our country.  Not too keen when it comes to our military.  Very eager to apologize to any foreign leader who will listen as to all the faults of the United States.  Siding with our enemies when they mock and criticize us.  Arrogant.  Disrespectful of the very people who elected him.  He knows best and listens to no one but his socialist buddies that form his inner sanctum.  He does not value "independence" - he wants the American people dependent upon the government.  For everything.  Complete control.  And this is happening, folks.

So on this fourth of July, be very thankful that we can still call the holiday "Independence Day."  If Obama is allowed to continue on the path he is on, we may very well soon be celebrating "Dependence Day" instead.

However, as always, the American people are beginning to stand up and say "no."  In November, 2012, and beyond, we have the chance to right the many wrongs this president has inflicted upon us in so short a time.  Remember that.  And be sure to celebrate our countries freedom on July 4th, 2010.

"Independent" has a much nicer ring to it than "dependent," doesn't it? 

Obama More Disrespect to the American Flag

It's a quandary that would make Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., chuckle: A presidential-ordered tribute to the late senator conflicts with the Federal Flag Code.

President Obama ordered flags to fly half-staff until the evening of Byrd's burial next week -- but that order is contrary to the code section requiring Old Glory to fly at full staff on Independence Day, one of 14 days a year the flag must fly atop a flagpole, The Washington Post reported Friday.

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2010/07/02/Byrd-would-enjoy-code-conflict-on-flags/UPI-55401278073927/

 

Wisconsin's own version of "Joe the Plumber"

Remember during the 2008 presidential campaign, when then-Senator Barack Obama was confronted by a man who asked a simple question: 

 Joe Wurzelbacher - aka "Joe the Plumber" - later found himself under intense media scrutiny.  The Obama Fan Club (otherwise known as the mainstream media) immediately went into full attack-mode,  dumpster-diving and scouring  every nook and cranny to get some dirt on this guy.   After all, Joe the Plumber succeeded in exposing the true goal of  Barack Obama - socialism. Therefore, Mr. Wurzelbacher needed to be discredited, smeared,  destroyed, and  punished!!!  (Sounds very similar to the same methods the press likes to continually use on Sarah Palin or anyone else that they view as a threat to Obama's anti-American agenda...) 

 Now enter Milwaukee's own "Joe the Plumber" - better known as "Scott the Kopp's Store Manager":

 

VP Biden was in town for a speaking engagement on behalf of Russ Feingold.  During his visit, Biden went to a Kopps Custard Shop in Glendale.  Seems that the store manager,  Scott,  made the major mistake of asking the Vice-President to lower taxes.  Hmmm.  For this remark, Biden walked away, fumed for a bit, then returned to tell the manager to stop being a "smart ass."  This little espisode was NOT reported on most television news channels, nor in the newspaper. 

Biden's nasty retort came at the heels of his earlier address to Feingold fans, in which Biden told the crowd: 

“there’s no possibility to restore 8 million jobs lost in the Great Recession.”

And:

“We inherited a godawful mess."

Maybe Biden was just in a bad mood by the time he arrived at Kopps because his overall message at the Feingold event was such a downer.  Here he is -in town helping Feingold save his job AND trying to tout the stimulus bill (which is a very difficult task in itself - how do you promote something that didn't work?  Didn't create any jobs? Didn't help the economy?  Was a total disaster?)    And very revealing is the fact that Biden refused to take any questions during his brief stop at Kopp's (last time he was in town Mr. Biden called it "Koops.")  Biden also didn't realize that Kopp's is a custard shop, not an ice cream parlor...but that is besides the point.  Just Biden being Biden.

As to why Biden didn't take any questions, a GOP spokesperson had this comment:

“Vice President Biden probably decided not to take questions today because he didn’t want to fess up as to why Wisconsin has lost over 73,000 jobs since the stimulus was enacted.”

Next up, expect to hear more about "Scott the Kopp's Store Manager."  We'll soon be privy to every dirty detail from his entire life.  The press, if they hold true to form,  will set out to vilify this guy.  Hope he doesn't have a lot of skeletons in his closet... 

Isn't it amazing how the media can find out every little fact about anyone who challenges the current Administration's goals, but is totally inept at discovering anything about Obama's background?  Such as his college transcripts, or who financed his education, or his sordid collection of communist and radical friends???  You'd think since the media does such a great job investigating Obama's challengers  that they'd be able to piece together the missing gaps that we, the public, are not allowed to know about the current occupant of the White House...

After all, what IS more important? 

Recommended Reading (06/27/10)

Here are, in my view, interesting, noteworthy columns and articles from the past week that I highly recommend: 


Let investigators work

"Until a cause is determined, officials and citizens should withhold judgment and refrain from idle speculation."


Let the Big Dogs Run

“I read the Rolling Stone piece at an airport bookstore. When finished, I put the ultra-leftist hippie magazine back on the rack for some dreadlocked wandering idiot wearing a Che shirt to purchase. Indeed, a fool and his money will soon part.

One has to seriously question the otherwise brilliant Gen. McChrystal's judgment to allow an anti-war, biased reporter from the Rolling Stone magazine access to him and his staff for 30 days. Th bulk of writing in this goofy magazine is at the best suspicious and more often than not simply hardcore leftwing propaganda.

Gen. McChrystal had to know the hack from Rolling Stone would portray him and his staff in a negative light. For McChrystal to believe otherwise is analogous to me believing that Rolling Stone magazine would give me or the National Rifle Association a fair shake. Not happening.”


Obama and the Woes of the Democrats

“Democrats are acknowledging they'll lose ground in the midterms. The only question is how much. Today, the evidence points to quite a lot. The most important indicator is…..:


Political neophyte challenges Feingold

“Another reason Republicans have been attracted to Johnson’s candidacy is that he has the financial resources to self-fund his campaign.

‘Over 31 years of very hard work, I’ve tucked away, outside of business, enough money to get my message out,’ he said. ‘If I have to, I’ll spend it all’.”


The instrument of crime remains only an instrument

“When someone uses a car to carry out a crime, nobody proposes stringent new curbs on car sales. Nearly 50 homicides in Massachusetts were committed with knives in 2008, according to FBI data, but no lawmaker introduced legislation making it harder for citizens to buy knives. And though dog bites man (or woman or child) nearly 5 million times a year, sometimes fatally, anyone can buy a dog. Yet when guns are used with tragic results, cries for tougher gun control routinely follow."


The handouts just keep coming

“When Congress says, ‘Hey, pay them for 39 weeks. No, we changed our minds, pay them for 52 weeks. No, no, for 78 weeks,’ do they send the actuaries scrambling back to increase the premiums now being charged employers of existing workers, so that the income drawn from those premiums will now cover 78 weeks of unemployment benefits?

I don’t think so. I don’t think they’re ‘extending unemployment benefits,’ at all. I think these are just cash handouts — income transfers from the taxes of those still working, without regard to the premiums collected in the past.

I think the government is just printing money as fast as it can, and sending it anywhere it can think of, to keep everybody off their backs while they try to figure out which wacky new bailout or slush fund to try next.”

Obama's War

For those of you who might need to be reminded, George W. Bush is no longer president.  Sure, Bush continues to  be blamed for all the screw-ups of the current occupant of the White House. The media is partially responsible for keeping up the "blame Bush" mantra.   Barack Obama himself never hesitates to point a finger at his predecessor and pout "it's all HIS fault!  I inherited this mess!"

Well, that really doesn't hold water anymore, Mr. Obama.  Especially in regards to the war in Afghanistan.  This war is now Obama's war.    However, since Obama became president, the war efforts in the Middle East have been on a downward spiral, much like the United States economy.  Much like Barry's  own popularity, for that matter.  More American troops are being killed.  The war efforts seem to be in a real honest-to-goodness  "quagmire."  (How come we NEVER hear that word anymore?)

So General Stanley McChrystal - Obama's own hand-picked general to lead the war efforts in Afghanistan, seems to have come up short.  In doing so, McCrystal spoke out against the president's lack of commitment to the war efforts.  McChrystal talked about Obama's own cluelessness and lack of focus when it came to being a commander-in-chief.  McChrystal criticized Obama's  policy in Afghanistan (yes, Obama's  policy -not Bush's), the horrific "rules of engagement" that tie the hands of our soldiers so that they are sitting ducks, and the stupidity involved by giving the enemy a timetable of when America will leave Afghanistan.    And Obama didn't like the fact that McChrystal had him pegged.  Much like Joe Wilson of "you lie" fame. 

Here's a really funny quote:  "Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the commander's comments in Rolling Stone magazine were "distractions" to the war in Afghanistan."  Can anyone tell me when Obama HAS been focused on the war efforts in Afghanistan?

Guess the truth hurts.

So McChrystal is gone.

Enter General David Petraeus.

Yes, you read that correctly.  Yes,  hard to believe.  After all, Petraeus is "Bush's general."  Yes, this is the same General Petraeus that Obama and liberals hated years ago.  Why, Moveon.org even took out an ad in the New York Times calling Petraeus "General Betrayus." 
 

Anyone remember in 2007 how Senator Barack Obama spoke out against the troop surge and General Petraeus:

"We cannot impose a military solution on what has effectively become a civil war.  And until we acknowledge that reality, we can send 15,000 more troops, 20,000 more troops, 30,000 more troops, I don't know any expert on the region or any military officer that I've spoken to privately that believes that that is gonna make a substantial difference on the situation on the ground."

Anyone remember the same year - Joe Biden's response to General Petraeus's assessment that the surge was indeed working?:

 "I think he's dead-flat-wrong.  The fact of the matter is that this idea of these security gains we made have had no impact on the underlying sectarian dynamic, none, none whatsoever."

Remember Hillary Clinton calling Petraeus a liar when he testified before the Senate Armed Forces Committee to talk about the achievements made in the Middle East?:

"You have been made the de facto spokesman for a failed policy.  The reports that you provide to us really require the willing suspension of disbelief."

Lefties couldn't stand Petraeus!  He was just a puppet, with Bush pulling the strings.  He supported Bush's policies and war efforts.  He was evil!  He was a liar!  Liberals like Obama, Pelosi, Clinton, and Harry "the war is lost"  Reid questioned Petreaus's integrity.  They hated him.   He was...he was....almost as bad as Bush!!!

Incredible.  Now President Obama is being patted on the back and praised by the media and other liberals for replacing General Stanley McChrystal...

 ...with General David Petraeus.  Hypocrisy doesn't get any better than this.

My only hope is that Petraeus can get the job done.  That Petraeus can go to bat for our soldiers and abolish the "nation building" garbage and let our soldiers fight.  In war, the number one goal is to win.  The president - who cannot bring himself to mention the word "victory" - should take note.  If we do not strive for victory, why are we even in the Middle East?   We do not need to make sure the Afghan people like us and want to be nice to our soldiers - that is not the priority in war. 

No.  The United States needs to go after the Taliban and defeat them.  We need to relax the "rules of engagement" that only serve to aid the enemy.  We need to allow our soldiers to fight.  To do what they have been trained to do.  

We do not need to tell the enemy when they can expect us to leave the region.  How idiotic is that?  All the Taliban has to do is sit back and wait.  

Maybe General David Petraeus can make Obama pay attention to Afghanistan and get down to business.  After all, this IS now Obama's War...and he has yet to act like a real commander-in-chief. 

The Left has such a lock on family values

Oh how the left likes to rub it in the right’s face when something of family values happens.  Here is another prominent left figure having issues.

Portland Police Bureau report on Al Gore
The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office confirmed today that a woman who alleged unwanted sexual contact by Al Gore reported it to police

A Portland massage therapist gave local police a detailed statement last year alleging that former Vice President Al Gore groped her, kissed her and made unwanted sexual advances during a late-night massage session in October 2006 in a suite at the upscale Hotel Lucia

http://www.scribd.com/doc/33472914/Portland-Police-Bureau-report-on-Al-Gore

Tom Barrett is just like Jim Doyle, only worse

Tom Barrett is just like Jim Doyle, only worse

The New Champion from Republican Governors Association on Vimeo.

Jim Doyle 2.0 aka Mayor Tom Barrett

 

http://mayortombarrett.com/

BP Chief goes to yacht race...while President Obama golfs.

Funny how the mainstream media is choosing to ignore the fact that yes, while BP CEO Tony Hayward did indeed visit a yacht race over the weekend, President Barry Obama was hitting the links...all while oil continued to spew into the Gulf of Mexico...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37798557/ns/disaster_in_the_gulf/?ns=disaster_in_the_gulf?GT1=43001

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2010/06/20/sunday-talk-shows-all-start-bp-haywards-yachting-ignore-obamas-golfing

...and this clueless, arrogant,  man-child is out playing golf?  OK, we've got two wars going on, the economy stinks, jobs are being lost (except those taxpayer-funded government jobs!), illegals are streaming into our country, our Constitution is being trashed,  the government is suing the state of Arizona for enforcing a federal law, socialized medicine may become a reality, Iran and North Korea are building nuclear weapons without hesitation, Obama has angered our closest allies in Israel and the UK - not to mention Poland and the Czech Republic, and there is a bit of an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.  Imagine for one moment if President Bush was in charge. He'd have been impeached by now...

Didn't President Bush give up his golf game after lefties hooted and hollered about how cold and mean-spirited it was of Bush - playing golf while our soldiers were dying during a time of war!  How could the president be golfing???  Yet, already Obama has played more golf during his short time as Prez than Bush did his entire two terms!

So why did the mainstream media only report on the CEO of BP visiting a yacht race? 

Tony Hayward isn't the President of the United States. From "Obama goes golfing again:"  "And besides that, Mr. Hayward was not the one who took an oath to uphold the constitution and defend the county against all enemies both foreign and domestic.  It was not a republican who was sworn in either.  Obama is a democrat, right?  When will the media stop trying to protect The One from honest scrutiny?  These same journalists (and I use the term very loosely)  wouldn't have hesitated for one moment to report on President Bush if he had gone golfing during the Gulf Oil crisis.  And if Bush's golf game coincided with the CEO of BP attending a yacht race, the two would have been linked - no question.  Why,  these "oil men" - out enjoying themselves while the Gulf Oil spill is still in crisis mode!   What juicy headlines and stories those would have been!

Instead,  the public is only treated to reports on how cold and callus the CEO of BP is for attending a yacht race on his day off.  As one Louisiana business owner put it:  "I don't think he has any feelings."  Although this gulf resident was referring to Tony Hayward,  perhaps this same person would have used the identical words to describe Barry Obama - if the media would have reported on how the Prez was spending HIS free time.. 

Can't wait to hear how anyone defends this clown...

Observation

I have been silent for a while.  I as many people lost my job due to the economy and the policies of our wonderful President.  I didn’t just get a few furlough days to whine and cry about, but a full job loss.  I had to find a new job and I did.

 

I have noticed a pattern on may lefty blogs, they are now moderating their comments.  Zack does it on blogging blue and now Capper (King of hate) is doing it.

 

“I will be trying to approve comments as I can tonight and over the weekend, but don't know how often I will get to it, so please be patient.”

 

http://cognidissidence.blogspot.com/2010/06/for-those-following-along.html

 

Can it be they are soft and thinned skinned and cannot handle what they dish out?

Additional Data on Suspicious Blog Activity

Due to requests from various interested parties we are publishing additional data related to allegations of potentially improper use of public resources.  The table below details a substantial subset from a prolific pattern of blog posting made under the pseudonym "Capper" on multiple blogs during times that could legitimately be construed as working hours.  Additional information will be published on this site as it is received and processed.

 

Year Month Date Time  Blog

2009 9  7  8:40a  Milwaukee County First
2009 9  18  2:50p  Milwaukee County First
2009 9  25  11:13a  Milwaukee County First
2009 10 2  12:33p  Milwaukee County First
2009 10 2  12:34p  Milwaukee County First
2009 10 8  4:09p  Milwaukee County First
2009 10 8  8:55a  Milwaukee County First
2009 10 9  8:58a  Milwaukee County First
2009 10 9  9:21a  Milwaukee County First
2009 10 9  9:24a  Milwaukee County First
2009 12 9  3:53p  Milwaukee County First
2010 1  7  11:56a  Milwaukee County First
2010 1  7  3:50p  Milwaukee County First
2010 1  7  11:51a  Whallah!
2010 1  7  11:04a  Whallah!
2010 1  7  11:48a  Whallah!
2010 1  15  3:08p  Cognitive Dissidence
2010 1  15  12:35p  Cognitive Dissidence
2010 1  15  12:25p  Cognitive Dissidence
2010 1  15  12:02p  Cognitive Dissidence
2010 1  15  3:15p  Whallah!
2010 1  18  4:20p  Cognitive Dissidence
2010 1  18  3:48p  Cognitive Dissidence
2010 1  18  4:11p  Whallah!
2010 2  19  11:26a  Milwaukee County First
2010 2  19  1:44p  Milwaukee County First
2010 2  19  11:38a  Cognitive Dissidence
2010 2  19  9:43a  Cognitive Dissidence
2010 2  19  1:07p  Whallah!
2010 2  19  12:54p  Whallah!
2010 2  26  4:15p  Milwaukee County First
2010 2  26  4:15p  Milwaukee County First
2010 2  26  4:17p  Cognitive Dissidence
2010 3  5  1:37p  Milwaukee County First
2010 4  14  8:14a  Milwaukee County First
2010 4  15  2:43p  Milwaukee County First
2010 4  15  2:29p  Milwaukee County First
2010 4  15  1:38p  Milwaukee County First
2010 4  15  1:57p  Cognitive Dissidence
2010 4  15  2:38p  Whallah!
2010 4  15  2:51p  Cognitive Dissidence
2010 4  15  1:57p  Cognitive Dissidence
2010 4  16  9:01a  Milwaukee County First
2010 4  16  11:11a  Cognitive Dissidence
2010 4  16  10:30a  Cognitive Dissidence
2010 4  16  9:55a  Whallah!
2010 5  10  12:45p  Milwaukee County First
2010 5  14  1:35p  Milwaukee County First
2010 5  14  2:28p  Cognitive Dissidence
2010 5  14  1:50p  Cognitive Dissidence
2010 5  14  2:28p  Cognitive Dissidence
2010 5  14  1:50p  Cognitive Dissidence
2010 5  31  11:42a  Milwaukee County First
2010 6  1  9:07a  Cognitive Dissidence
2010 6  4  8:14a  Cognitive Dissidence

DA Investigates Taxpayer-Funded Political Blogger

The Milwaukee County District Attorney is investigating a Milwaukee County health department employee suspected of operating three political internet blogs during work hours based on a complaint filed by CRG Network Director of Field Operations Orville Seymer.

Wisconsin law prohibits public employees from using taxpayer resources for political purposes.  A government employee running political blogs at work is clearly seem to be a taxpayer-funded political activity.

The Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office has taken possession of the government computer used by Christopher Liebenthal, a Milwaukee County employee who operates the three political blogs. Computer records show he was posting to his blog during work hours and possibly from taxpayer-funded computers.

Liebenthal has been active in Milwaukee County First and AFSCME Local 48.  He has blogged or maintained web pages for those groups as well as his own. Blogging under the name “Capper,” Liebenthal writes for two political blogs called Cognitive Dissidence and Whallah! Numerous political columns by “Capper” [Liebenthal] were posted during working hours.

The following are links to documentation in support of the allegation.

CRG Network press release

Examples of Cognitive Dissidence posts during work hours

Examples of Wallah! posts during work hours

Obama's Infomercial on the Gulf Oil Spill

"Never let a serious crisis go to waste."  - Rahm Emanuel

How true!  President Obama obviously has taken these words to heart.  It appears as though Obama really doesn't have a vested interest in solving the Gulf Oil spill.  No, rather Obama has seized upon this situation as a political opportunity.  An opportunity to revive his once-dead legislation known as "cap and tax."  That is, Obama's only solution to the Gulf Oil Crisis is to enact legislation designed to lose more jobs and increase taxes.  That's it, folks.

As with most Obama speeches, lots of platitudes were tossed around.  No substance anywhere to be found.  And no specifics about how to do anything were mentioned. 

And where was Joe Wilson when we needed him yet again?  The Obama infomercial was full of lies.  For example, Obama was touting China - yes, China - as leading the way towards clean energy.  Say what?  Doesn't China open up new coal mines just about every other day?  Here's a great example of an Obama statement which would cause Pinocchio's nose to grow a foot or two:   "After all, oil is a finite resource. We consume more than 20 percent of the world's oil, but have less than 2 percent of the world's oil reserves. And that's part of the reason oil companies are drilling a mile beneath the surface of the ocean -- because we're running out of places to drill on land and in shallow water."

What?  We only have 2%?  How do you know, Mr. President?  Our oil companies are so restricted as to where they can drill, we have vast reserves all over that are untapped - just waiting.  Vast reserves buried out west, off our many coasts, in Alaska.   Why do we continue to tie our own hands when it comes to being self-sufficient on energy?  And the real reason that oil companies are forced to drill far offshore in deep waters is because of federal and state regulations that prohibit them from drilling on land and/or close to shore!  I sure wish the media would do their jobs and mention these little annoying facts once in a great while...

As for oil being a "finite" resource, it sure seems that that hole in the Gulf just keeps on spewin'!  Wonder when it will stop - if ever.  Here's the best solution yet to fixing the problem in the Gulf - and no, President Obama - it doesn't involve your only solution of taxing Americans even more by passing bogus energy legislation:

Obama is clearly no leader.  Never has been and never will be.  His speech last night was pathetic.  The only good thing I saw last night while The Dear Leader pontificated was that he actually had an American flag behind him in the Oval Office!  As most of us have noticed, this same president usually holds press conferences in which the American flag is noticeably absent.  Kudos to you, Barry, for once allowing the symbol of our great country to be in the same room as you!

Mark Neumann Loses His First Big Endorser: Jim Klauser says, "Drop out"

June 7, 2010

Mr. Mark Neumann; Nashotah, Wisconsin, 53028 (by post and e-mail)

Dear Mark:

The last time I wrote you I stated it was time to coalesce around the Republican candidate best able to be elected governor in November 2010.  While I appreciate you may have a different view, time has validated my judgment.  Earlier in 2009 when I considered your candidacy you told me that you would conduct a positive campaign with ideas that could address Wisconsin’s problems.  You assured me that you would run a positive campaign; that you would adhere to Ronald Reagan’s 11th commandment not to attack a fellow Republican.

Today I write to you as I am aghast at where your campaign has gone.  You are violating the Reagan commandment.  The event you "staged" at the Republican convention was phony and hollow.  I watched in amazement your shallowness and contrivance.  You well know, since you were the Republican candidate in 5 elections (2 you won, 3 you lost), that guests are allowed "inside" if they register and pay the appropriate fee.  At this convention, I arranged for several people to so observe.  Your claim of outsider, not being allowed in, was staged and phony.  Now I see you are holding press conferences to attack your primary opponent.  As a math teacher you know that your criticism is contrived. All this for media attention; to mislead the voters.

My dad always told me to sell myself; not to knock down the other fellow.  I expect yours did as well.  You’re not following that sage guidance I hope you stop; you are only helping the democrats.  It is time for you to leave the field before your integrity is permanently besmirched.  In any event I must ask you to return the contributions which Shirley and I have made to your campaign.  You obtained them under the false pretense that you would run a positive campaign focusing on the Liberal Democrats. You haven’t done that.

Sincerely,

James R. Klauser

25 quotes from this weekend's Wisconsin Democrat Party Convention in Middleton

25) “Hear ye! Hear ye! Hear ye! The 2010 Wisconsin State Democratic Party Convention will come to order! Do NOT smoke ‘em if you got ‘em!”

 

24) “Hey, that flag, standing up right next to the stage, get rid of it.”

 

23) State Treasurer Dawn Marie Sass: “Hey, Mayor Barrett, what the hell did I ever do to you?”

22) “Viva la France!"

21) “I stop for hybrids.”

20) “There’s no government like more government.”

19) Herb Kohl: “Read the bill? Can’t. I think I have a game to get to.”

18)  “Who is the short, grey-haired stranger there, Feingold is the name. Hey, can I just tell ya? I woulda beat that Tommy!”

17) “Government health care will save money, just like all those other federal government programs we love.”

16) “My, those are lovely earth shoes you’re wearing.”

15) “Why thank you. Can’t wear sandals all the time!”

14) “Sure property taxes are up. But isn’t it great that darn QEO is gone?”

13) Jim Doyle: “OK, so we ran into a leeeeeetle problem or two with Wisconsin Shares."

12) “Next, BadgerCare Super Size It XIV.”

11) “Wisconsin is not a Tax Hell! Purgatory, maybe…..”

10) “Free cellphones if you’re on welfare! If that doesn’t work, free Viagra….you know, for your self-esteem.”

9) “Job creation? Jobs? We’ll get back to you on that.”

8) “I can’t figure out why the guy would commit another crime. I mean, after all we were nice enough to let him out ahead of time.”

7) “So we didn’t get global warming passed, we couldn’t ram through voter fraud legislation, and that RTA thing didn’t quite work out, but we jacked up those car insurance rates, didn’t we guys?”

6) To our base, remember, ‘su voto es su martillo,’ your vote is your hammer, no matter how you get the damn thing cast.”

5) Tom Barrett: “And when I’m elected governor, state Division of Tourism brochures for every gang member in Wisconsin!"

4) “Jobs, schmobs…..how ‘bout that new mascot law!”

3) “Our state budget raised a whole bunch of taxes and a whole bunch of fees, but still made tough cuts and tough choices.”

2) Jim Doyle: “Uhh, WEAC, can we cut these strings once and for all?”

1) “We’ve got our own TEA party: TAX ‘EM AGAIN! TAX ‘EM AGAIN! TAX ‘EM AGAIN!”

Recommended Reading (06/13/10)

Here are, in my view, interesting, noteworthy columns and articles from the past week that I highly recommend:


Now is the Worst Possible Time for Tax Hikes

“With the economy still in a precarious position, this is no time to raise taxes on anyone. Yet that is just what Congress and President Obama plan to do.”


Our Hero Barbara Boxer

“However, it's hard to argue with the lady's results. Her resolute leadership has torpedoed two major climate bills -- so far. While we continue to disagree with Boxer vehemently, her record of unmitigated failure is a "platform' around which we can rally.”


Hooked on Gadgets, and Paying a Mental Price

“This is your brain on computers. Scientists say juggling e-mail, phone calls and other incoming information can change how people think and behave. They say our ability to focus is being undermined by bursts of information. These play to a primitive impulse to respond to immediate opportunities and threats. The stimulation provokes excitement — a dopamine squirt — that researchers say can be addictive. In its absence, people feel bored. The resulting distractions can have deadly consequences.”


D-Day: When Dems and the New York Times Prayed for America

“If President Bush had invoked the kingdom of Almighty God, the radicals at the contemporary N.Y. Times would have savaged him mercilessly. But on D-Day, the left’s greatest icon prayed for the grace of God on page one of the N.Y. Times.”


So, I Understand There’s Some Sort of Soccer Thing Going On?

“Nothing against soccer, but if I wanted to be bored to sleep, I'd still be working for someone else and falling asleep in meetings (Yes, really). What can I say? I'm really just not cut out for handling tedium...and let's be honest, I'm pretty sure soccer is a tedious sport.”

The party of "no" supports the Constitution. Democrats cannot say the same.

Recently on the Jay Weber Show (1130 WISN), Weber was discussing an article by Republican Senator Jim DeMint (South Carolina).  DeMint wrote a column for the National Review called  "The Constitution of No,"  6/8/2010. 

I checked out what DeMint had to say and wanted to share it with my readers.  Following is the direct link to the article, as well as a few highlights that I found to be particularly interesting and true. 

Click on:  The Constitution of No - by Jim DeMint

A few key excerpts:

"When a reporter asked House speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) during a press conference last year where the Constitution granted Congress the authority to enact an individual health-insurance mandate, she answered, “Are you serious? Are you serious?” Speaker Pelosi then dismissed the question and moved on to the next reporter.
This exchange illustrates the way “yes we can” liberals treat the Constitution: They simply ignore it when it gets in the way of their big-government bailouts and takeovers.

Democrats have always been the “party of go,” bent on transforming America with their “living Constitution,” which changes to suit the political whims of the day. That’s why Republicans shouldn’t flinch when they are criticized as being the “party of no.” Saying no is necessary to uphold the freedoms on which our nation was founded.

Thanks to President Obama, every American will soon be required to buy Washington-approved health insurance. This is the first time Congress has used its power to make an individual person purchase something from a private company for no other reason than that the citizen is alive. This flies in the face of the Constitution.

Progressives like Obama believe government has limitless ability and power. Remember what Obama said the night he secured the Democratic presidential nomination: “This [is] the moment when the rise of the oceans began to slow and our planet began to heal.” Only a liberal would believe that tinkering with the levers of government could ever accomplish such planetary change.

If President Obama’s motto is “Yes, we can,” the Constitution’s is “No, you can’t.” Obama may have once been a constitutional scholar, but he’s no constitutionalist."

Those are just a few of the key points DeMint makes.  Please read the article in it's entirety - it sure brings to light what we must continue to do to protect our country and keep America great.   November cannot come soon enough! 

DeMint ends his column with a great statement: 

 "In the era of unlimited government, saying no is an act of patriotism, and being a member of the “party of no” should be a badge of honor."

Welcome Democrats, welcome to Madison!

Wisconsin Democrats hold their annual state convention in the perfect place this weekend, Liberaltown, USA, Berkeley East, Madison, Wisconsin.

Can you imagine that scene? Stale popcorn and pretzels on every table. Everyone badly dressed, 20 or more years out of style. Dylan music pouring through the speakers. One aging hippy after another patting each other on the back about how Socialist America has become.

Given that Wisconsin Republicans are a warm, loving bunch, they wanted to give Democrats riding into Madison for the convention in their hybrids and beads and sandals a nice welcome. So thye put a billboard up greeting motorists on the westbound beltline near Rimrock Road:






Madison waiters, waitresses, and bartenders, get ready for the absolute worst tippers you've ever seen in your life.

Recommended Reading (06/06/10)

Here are, in my view, interesting, noteworthy columns and articles from the past week that I highly recommend: 

Versus America

"The sense of alienation between the United States and its Democrat Party grows steadily deeper. If you ask someone on the right side of our political spectrum whether they believe America is the greatest country on earth, you would most likely receive instant agreement.  Ask the same question of someone from the Left, and the answer will probably be negative, or at least heavily qualified.  If they agree at all, they’ll probably need at least five or ten minutes to get all the disclaimers and caveats out of the way… followed by the angry insistence they love their country."


In a welfare state, how  much is ‘enough?'

"The average federal worker earns over 70 percent more than the average private-sector worker, writes Arthur Brooks in his new book, The Battle: 'To find this acceptable, you must agree that the average federal worker is much more productive or deserving than the average person in the private sector.'

Show of hands: Who thinks that’s true?

Yet the Democrats want more. More what? More everything. Even as the economy is starting to grow and many experts think we should trim debt and spending, Democrats want yet another stimulus bill, to extend jobless benefits. (They call them 'jobs bills' now.) It turns out that all of that talk of a 'temporary' stimulus was just that: temporary talk."


What Part of ‘No Law’ Doesn’t Michigan Understand?"

"A Michigan state senator has introduced an Orwellian bill that would provide for the licensing of journalists. There is no doubt that this thing is aimed squarely at delegitimizing the New Media, silencing bloggers, and creating a protected class of state approved 'journalists.'

State Senator Bruce Patterson is the brains behind this flouting of the U.S. Constitution and outrageously enough, this Patterson fellow claims to be a 'constitutional lawyer.' Pair him with the “constitutional scholar” we have as president and we have a matched set of revisionists out to steal as much power for themselves as one can find in any tinpot dictatorship." 


Anti-Blogger Rhetoric: A Sign of What the Blogosphere Is Doing Right

“If success breeds contempt, then bloggers are finally making it big. On the other hand, despite such inroads, 'bloggers' in general have increasingly become scapegoats and bogeymen for the mainstream press and politicians.

Ultimately, bloggers must establish their own credibility if they are to be trusted. As such, they have an incentive to strive for accuracy. But should the accurate and honorable ones face constant criticism that should rightly be aimed at the irresponsible ones?”


Not dead yet

"Readers are fleeing newspapers. …..One bright idea isn’t going to solve the problems of the American newspaper industry, but it’s one bright idea more than the American newspaper industry has had in 40 years. What I propose is 'Pre-Obituaries'—official notices that certain people aren’t dead yet accompanied by brief summaries of their lives indicating why we wish they were."  


Until death do us part

"The announcement this week that former vice president Gore and his wife, Tipper, are separating after 40 years of marriage deeply saddened me. There were certainly more momentous events — the struggle to contain the Gulf oil spill, an Israeli commando raid on a ship that resulted in more than 10 deaths, North Korea's increasingly erratic and bellicose actions — but the Gore story nonetheless hit a nerve. And in its own way, the Gore split says something profound about a cultural shift that has taken place in our society. No marriage is safe."


First comes the baby carriage

"Reaching a new high, the NSFG found that the percentage of teenage males who agree or strongly agree with the statement, 'It is OK for an unmarried female to have a child,' has risen from 50 percent to 64 percent since 2002. The percentage of teenage girls agreeing with the statement was even higher, nearly 71 percent."

The United States should support and defend Israel, not terrorist organizations.

To read the recent headlines and stories regarding Israel's justified attack on a flotilla - a flotilla specifically designed by pro-Palestinian activists to provoke such a response - one would think Israel is the bad guy and terrorist organizations like Hamas or Hezbollah are innocent victims - deserving of our compassion.

Israel had every right to attack the flotilla.  Yet,  many journalists in the United States and abroad were quick to condemn Israel's actions without asking ANY questions.  Easy questions that anyone could learn in Journalism 101 at any university.  Even non-journalists, for that matter, have opined more about what happened and why.  And many are people who may respect and truly support Israel.  Here's just a few: 

1)  Why did Israel attack the flotilla?  The Gaza blockade was in effect.  The flotilla was well aware of this fact.   The ships did not respond to Israel's numerous requests to be searched in a designated port.

2)  Why didn't the flotilla respond to Israel's requests for an inspection?  Because the purpose of the flotilla was to elicit a combative response from Israel.  Several days prior to sailing, the flotilla commander was quoted as saying that the flotilla desired a confrontation - they were counting on their ships being boarded and they wanted to provoke Israeli soldiers into violence.  He also stated that there was "nothing humanitarian about their mission at all."  The people on board were Turkish activists, with ties to terrorist organizations,  with a plan.  They hoped to achieve martyrdom in their mission.  See the clip from Hamas TV: 

 

 

 3)  Did the ships attempt to run through Israel's blockade?  Yes.

4)  Were the ships really on a "humanitarian mission?"  No.  Although there were humanitarian supplies on board, there were several caches of weapons, too.  Weapons that eventually would have been used against Israel.

5)  Did Israel have a right to defend itself?  Yes.  Israel has a blockade in effect that surrounds the Gaza strip.  Surrounding countries know about this.  They know that certain arrangements are required ahead of time before being allowed to sail through Israel's blockade.  Flotilla's are routinely boarded and searched for weapons. Many times, weapons ARE discovered, with the intent being to sneak them to the Palestinians.  Most people know that  Palestinians do not want peace - they want to annihilate Israel and have demonstrated such in words and actions.  Israel could not allow the ships through.  Dangerous weapons, delivered to Palestinians, could have been delivered and later used on Israeli civilians.  Israel has every right to protect itself.  Just as the Israeli soldiers had every right to protect themselves when they boarded one of the ships and were promptly attacked with metal poles and baseball bats. 

Sadly, many news outlets continue to ignore the entire story as well as the facts.  Why does the media here and abroad refuse to acknowledge that Israel was justified in boarding the flotilla and fighting back to defend itself?  Because, for some reason, aside from the liberal media and others,  the President of the United States seems to view Israel with disdain.  Palestine is always somehow the victim, even when Israel is simply trying to defend itself.   Obama has shown himself to be no friend to Israel, and this stance becomes more apparent as time goes on.  His limp-wristed response, voicing his "deep regret" over the Israeli incident, sure isn't very supportive of our democratic partner.  Doesn't Obama realize that Israel has been a friend to the United States in the Middle East for many years?    A country that we - the United States -  can count on?  United States and Israel are both freedom-loving democracies.  And Israel is the sole functioning democracy right now in the Middle East.  Israel used to be able to depend upon the United States as a friend, partner, and allie.  That doesn't seem to be the case anymore, not with President Obama in charge. 

(As a side note:  How come Obama and his Administration aren't angry and voicing "deep regret" over the North Korean sub that  torpedoed and sunk a South Korean ship in March, killing 46 South Korean sailors?   Nary a peep from "The One" about "The Dear Leader'"...)

Maybe Obama will form another "investigative committee" about the incident,  since that's all he seems to be able to do about anything....

This President sure has a nasty habit of dissing and snubbing our friends.  But Obama sure likes to cozy up to our enemies!    Come next week, President Obama will be playing host to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.  One can already picture Obama, rubbing his hands together in anticipation of yet another chance to criticize the United States with a fellow comrade.  Probably do a bit of fist-bumping with  the leader of a terrorist state, while they rip on Israel.  Think for a moment Obama will rudely leave Abbas sitting, while he goes off to have dinner with Michelle and the girls? - which is what he did to Israeli Prime Minister Netenyatu when Netenyatu was foolish enough to meet with Obama.  Don't worry - Obama won't.  After all, Abbas has ties to terrorists.  Gotta respect that!  Maybe they'll invite Jimmy Carter to join in and he can buss Abbas on the cheek....

Is there anyone with ANY foreign policy experience in the Obama White House?  Anybody concerned about how the United States is being viewed by both our friends and enemies?   Anyone?  Is Hillary still locked in the basement with Joe?  Only able to see the sun when The One deems it necessary?  Hello? 

 

Recommended Reading (05/31/10)

Here are, in my view, interesting, noteworthy columns and articles from the past week that I highly recommend.


The Problem With Having an Olympian God for a President

"’Plug the damn hole.’ So spake The Great Obama from hight atop Mount Olympus, looking down upon the mere mortals struggling below. Those pitiful human beings were covered in oil, their bodies slick with it; they were weeping as they looked over the vast panoramic sea, which shone grimily in great rainbow smears, dead animals floating on the surface. The executives of British Petroleum sat on the beaches, heads in their hands, gazing gloomily at the hazy horizon.

And then, they heard the Great Obama's words from on high. ‘Why didn't I think of that?’ asked BP CEO Tony Hayward. ‘What a magnificent idea!’ shouted Doug Suttles, BP's chief operating officer.”


Barack Obama in Crisis: Zzzz

"President Bush's harshest critics often described his look during moments of crisis as 'deer in the headlights.' After two years of Hope and Change, America has grown accustomed to Presdient Obama's crisis face: eyes glazed over."


HuffPo: BP oil spill proves we should all live in huts, ride horses, and burn our own feces for warmth

“Everyone else recognizes that without oil, we'd all be living in  huts, riding horses, and burning our own feces for warmth. So, our attitude is more like, "Let's get the leak stopped, clean it up, fix the problem, and drill, baby, drill to get more of that sweet, sweet  crude."


Extreme Prejudice: How The Media Is Getting Worse…If That’s Even Possible

"The media aren’t just lapdogs, they are slobbering morons walking the plank for the Democrat and Obama agenda. Just when I think it can’t get worse or more superficial or more insane, it does. And I expect that as the Democrats see power leaching away will turn into psychotic demonizers and the press will happily carry the narrative, no matter how inane, because they love the Democrat ideology and love selling it."


When a peeping tom poses as a journalist

“It is unconscionable that Random House is essentially paying a peeping tom to stalk Sarah Palin and her family. These actions cross many ethical lines of true journalism. One reporter who claims to be a conservative himself at the Washington Post actually accused Sarah Palin of being 'despicable' for breaking the story on her own Facebook page. So Sarah Palin is despicable for being upset that a journalist moved next door for the sole purpose of stalking her family?”


Going "Green"

"We're constantly urged to 'go green'-- use less energy, shrink our carbon footprint, save the Earth. How? We should drive less, use ethanol, recycle plastic and buy things with the government's Energy Star label. But what if much of going green is just bunk?"


In ultrasound, abortion fight has new front

"Over the last decade, ultrasound has quietly become a new front in the grinding state-by-state battle over abortion. With backing from anti-abortion groups, which argue that sonograms can help persuade women to preserve pregnancies, 20 states have enacted laws that encourage or require the use of ultrasound. ........a number of women at the Birmingham clinic, which was the site of a fatal bombing in 1998, said they simply did not want to subject themselves to images that might haunt them. 'You almost have to think of it as an alien,' said Carmen, 28, who was there for her second abortion in three years."


As morally serious as a root canal

"We’ve heard it many times. Abortion is an 'agonizing personal choice.' Women struggle with the decision. Well, some doubtless do agonize, but, let’s face it, many do not. Feminist writer Naomi Wolf admitted in 2004, 'I used to think of abortion as being somewhat trivial; the moral equivalent of serious root canal dentistry.' A recent survey by the Allan Guttmacher Institute found that 50 percent of women undergoing abortions each year have had at least one abortion in the past. If the process of deciding on abortion were truly that wrenching, repeat abortions would not be nearly as common."


Memorial Day Remembrance

"Regardless of when they served, all interred in these cemeteries sacrificed the comforts of home and absented themselves from the warmth and affection of loved ones. Since 1776, more than 1.5 million Americans have lost their lives while in uniform."

Obama makes the right decision on Memorial Day

Unlike how many veteran's groups, politicians, soldiers, and others feel, Obama's decision not to attend the Memorial Day services at Arlington National Cemetery this year shouldn't be looked upon with anger or outrage.  Quite the opposite.

The truth is, what Obama is doing is unprecedented.  For a sitting President to NOT go to Arlington National Cemetery to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during a time of war is unheard of.  The United States is currently engaged in two battles - one in Iraq, the other in Afghanistan.  Soldiers are being killed or wounded in the line of duty each day.  Our country has also witnessed two deadly terrorist attacks on our own soil during Obama's watch.  The Fort Hood massacre and the slayings in Little Rock, Arkansas, were the first attacks within our own borders since 9/11.  Many soldiers and civilians were murdered or wounded.  One would think that most Presidents would jump at the chance at this time in history to honor our nation's fallen soldiers at Arlington.  They would WANT to go to pay their respects.  But Obama isn't like most presidents.

Sure, some will say that past presidents chose not to attend services at Arlington National Cemetery at various times during their terms.  Ronald Reagan, for example, missed services at Arlington during 1981, since he was at his ranch in California recuperating after being shot in an assassination attempt six weeks prior.  He also did not attend services in 1983, since he was in a Summit at the time in Williamsburg, Virginia.  However, Reagan also exhibited a deep love for America and it's soldiers.  An attribute sadly lacking from the current Commander-In-Chief.

George H.W. Bush never attended a service at Arlington.  However, Bush was a decorated World War II veteran - a hero.  He did attend services other years during his term in office - closer to his home of Maine.  And in 1989 he was in Rome, where he led a military service on Memorial Day.  Again, here was a president who exhibited a true love of country and respect for it's soldiers.

George W. Bush missed a service at Arlington in 2002, while he was out of the country.  Bush was in Normandy, France to honor those who gave their lives on D-Day.  Bush truly put America first during his terms in office, and his admiration and respect for America and the military was well-known.

Even Bill Clinton, who wasn't exactly a big fan of the United States military, never missed a service at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day while president.  (Some say it was the least Slick Willy could do, after all he did become Commander-In-Chief even after his earlier years spent avoiding the draft...)

Maybe Obama is opting out of going to Arlington National Cemetery in an effort to avoid another embarrassing gaffe like last year's teleprompter-less moment.  Obama confused Memorial Day with Veteran's Day.  Who can forget this little blunder:

"On this Memorial Day, as our nation honors its unbroken line of fallen heroes — and I see many of them in the audience here today – our sense of patriotism is particularly strong."

(This comment led some to believe that Obama could see dead people.  After all, he is "The One"...)

Obama later continued to confuse Memorial Day with Veteran's Day on his radio broadcast to Americans, stating the following:

"...people can honor veterans by sending a letter or care package to troops overseas, volunteering at health clinics or taking supplies to a homeless veterans center....  We have a responsibility to serve all of them as well as they serve all of us.  And yet, all too often in recent years and decades, we, as a nation, have failed to live up to that responsibility. We have failed to give them the support they need or pay them the respect they deserve."

President Obama is a president whose patriotism IS very questionable.  President Obama is a president whose respect for America IS very questionable.  President Obama is a president whose love of country IS very questionable.  Every chance he gets, Obama bashes the United States for what he perceives it's misdeeds to be.  He takes every opportunity, especially when he is on foreign soil, to criticize America or apologize for it.  In regards to our military, Obama has shown the same attitude.   Obama has also cut the budget for military defense to pre-9/11 figures.  He has demonstrated an unwillingness to support our troops - both in his speeches and his actions.   

In addition, Obama's  Administration is well-known for bending over backwards to accommodate terrorists - the very people trying to kill us - such as providing them every comfort while in prisons like Club Gitmo.  Three hots (food made to order per religious specifications) and a cot.  Free Korans.  Air conditioning.  Exercise yards.  Obama and his people allow the enemy every freedom while fighting, yet curtail what our troops can and cannot do while out on the battlefield.  Our soldiers have to abide by so many rules - which the enemy is aware of - that to say they are sitting ducks in many instances is not far from the truth. 

Under Obama, the "War on Terror" has disappeared.  We now have an "Overseas Contingency Operation."  Under Obama, the United States Attorney General refuses to even utter the words "radical Islam."  Under Obama, we are extending every civil right to terrorists, attempting to try them in criminal courts - treating them as United States citizens with all the rights of honest Americans.  Under Obama, fighting terrorism seems to be of little importance in the big scheme of things. 

So Obama has chosen to finally be honest AND transparent.  He has decided NOT to go to Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day.  He will not be laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  And that is the right thing to do - for Obama.   Were Obama to go, he would be demonstrating the utmost hypocrisy.  Obama does not belong at Arlington and he knows it.  So we must give him credit, even if that credit is somehow warped.

Instead, Obama and his lovely wife Michelle (the woman who once stated that she was never proud of her country until Barry was running for President) will be kickin' back in Chicago for what the media describes as a "casual weekend."   Maybe they'll go out to see a show and visit some upscale, trendy restaurants.  Perhaps they may have a backyard cookout with their neighbors, the Ayers...   Oh, they will take time out of their "casual weekend" to go to the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery on Memorial Day.  Whether this is due to the convenience of location OR an honest desire to honor the nation's fallen is suspect...Never mind that our country is involved in two wars, we've had numerous terrorist attacks at home, the economy is in the pits, unemployment rates remain very high, Iran and North Korea are working on their nuclear weapons, and there is a bit of an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. No, all that matters is that Barry and Michelle get out and have some fun!  The personal gratification of the Obama's sure seems to be more important than doing what is best for the country. 

 And if thing go as planned, Obama will only have two more opportunities to snub Arlington on Memorial Day as president. 

As for the rest of the nation, please be sure to give thanks and prayers to those who gave their lives in service to their country this Memorial Day - and every day. 

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Update as of 5/31/10:  The Red State web site has a column today on how liberals are defending Barack Obama's decision to skip going to Arlington National Cemetery this Memorial Day.  Seems they claim that if Obama were to attend, he'd be "using dead soldiers as political props."  You read that correctly. 

That comment came from the same group that frothed at the mouth,  when Bush was president,  to allow photos of dead soldiers caskets to be printed in news publications or shown on television.  The same group that wanted the body count of America's dead broadcast and in print - when Bush was president.  

So now the excuse for "The One" NOT to attend services at Arlington is because dead soldiers are just "political props?"  How shameful.  Read the entire article at:  The Red State:  In Defending Barack Obama, the Left Calls Dead Soldiers "Political Props." 

The best excuse for Obama not to attend the Memorial Day services at Arlington National Cemetery is the one pointed out in my blog:  Obama doesn't deserve the honor of being there.  Period.

What’s wrong with this pathetic Press Release from Jim Doyle’s office?

“Today’s announcement by Polaris is difficult to accept, particularly admit reports the company is moving jobs to Mexico.  The state of Wisconsin is committed to providing the resources necessary to help the community with services and assistance to workers and their families.  We will pursue new possibilities for the facility and do everything possible to keep jobs in Osceola.”
 
It is intentionally misleading. 

The Wisconsin Polaris jobs are going to be farmed to Minnesota and Iowa.  They are not going to Mexico, and Doyle knows it.  He and his people only put out this press release because they are trying to deflect blame by turning Polaris into the bad guy.  They don’t want Wisconsinites to ask, ‘Why can’t Wisconsin even compete for jobs with Minnesota and Iowa anymore?”  They don’t the question asked, because the answer is: Because Doyle and the Democrats have been on a three year rage against business, and it has led to a hostile Wisconsin business climate.  We’re going to continue to lose jobs to neighboring states, unless the next governor and legislature repeal some Doyle-era tax increases and regulations and pass a package of pro-business initiatives.