Remember yesterday's unemployment rate?
9.1% of American workers are currently unemployed and only 54,000* were hired last month. The news was so bad and uninspiring that President Obama completely ignored the numbers, which saved everyone from another speech touting the "job growth."
Economic eggheads have somehow found a way to make the news even worse.
Somewhere between 25,000 to 30,000 of last month's jobs came from only one private sector employer: the national fast-food chain McDonalds - which hired tens of thousands of new employees in April - after the May employment survey was completed and was subsequently reflected in yesterday's report.
America's unemployment situation was bad yesterday, but now it is absolutely horrible.
What say you?
* - The lowest in months.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Lawrence Eagleburger Dead at 80
Lawrence Eagleburger, who served briefly as President George H.W. Bush's Secretary of State, died earlier today after a short illness. He was eighty.
The former Secretary of State served beneath five different President's (two Democrat & three Republican) in various foreign policy assignments, including three years as Ambassador to Yugoslavia under Carter. In fact, he was actually dubbed "Lawrence of Serbia" by European press because of his strong ties with the Balkan nation.
He was a loyal Republican who often appeared on Neil Cavuto's Fox News show to criticize President Obama on foreign policy.
I do not know much about his thoughts on most subjects, but he did serve his country for almost four decades - and for that he deserves credit and respect.
The former Secretary of State served beneath five different President's (two Democrat & three Republican) in various foreign policy assignments, including three years as Ambassador to Yugoslavia under Carter. In fact, he was actually dubbed "Lawrence of Serbia" by European press because of his strong ties with the Balkan nation.
He was a loyal Republican who often appeared on Neil Cavuto's Fox News show to criticize President Obama on foreign policy.
I do not know much about his thoughts on most subjects, but he did serve his country for almost four decades - and for that he deserves credit and respect.
Bipartisan Congress Delivers "Stunning Rebuke" of Obama on Libya
Finally, Congress is telling the President that his extra-constitutional actions (at least in Libya) are enough:
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Crossing party lines to deliver a stunning rebuke to the commander in chief, the vast majority of the House voted Friday for resolutions telling President Obama he has broken the constitutional chain of authority by committing U.S. troops to the international military mission in Libya.
In two votes — on competing resolutions that amounted to legislative lectures of Mr. Obama — Congress escalated the brewing constitutional clash over whether he ignored the founding document’s grant of war powers by sending U.S. troops to aid in enforcing a no-fly zone and naval blockade of Libya.
The resolutions were non-binding, and only one of them passed, but taken together, roughly three-quarters of the House voted to put Mr. Obama on notice that he must explain himself or else face future consequences, possibly including having funds for the war cut off.
“He has a chance to get this right. If he doesn’t, Congress will exercise its constitutional authority and make it right,” said House Speaker John A. Boehner, the Ohio Republican who wrote the resolution that passed, 268-145, and sets a two-week deadline for the president to deliver the information the House is seeking.
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Booyah- Ilyas Kashmiri, Possible bin Laden Successor, Blown to Hell
Kashmir is probably having a nice, warm beer in hell with bin Laden as we speak:
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DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan – A top al-Qaida commander and possible replacement for Osama bin Laden was killed in an American drone-fired missile strike close to the Afghan border, a fax from the militant group he heads and a Pakistani intelligence official said Saturday.
Ilyas Kashmiri's apparent death is another blow to al-Qaida just over a month after bin Laden was killed by American commandos in a northwest Pakistani army town. Described by U.S. officials as al-Qaida's military operations chief in Pakistan, the 47-year-old Pakistani was one of five most-wanted militant leaders in the country, accused of a string of bloody attacks in South Asia, including the 2008 Mumbai massacre, as well as aiding plots in the West. Washington had offered a $5 million bounty for information leading to his location.
His death was not confirmed publicly by the United States or Pakistani officials. Verifying who has been killed in the drone strikes is difficult. Initial reports have turned out to be wrong in the past, including one in September 2009 that said Kashmiri had been killed. Sometimes they are never formally denied or confirmed by authorities here or in the United States.
But a fax from the militant group he was heading — Harakat-ul-Jihad al-Islami's feared "313 Brigade" — confirmed Kashmiri was "martyred" in the strike at 11:15 p.m. Friday in South Waziristan tribal region. It was sent to journalists in Peshawar.
"God willing, America, which is the 'pharaoh' of this, will soon see a revenge attack, and our real target is America," it said. The statement was handwritten written on a white page bearing name of the group, which has not previously communicated with the media.
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Friday, June 3, 2011
Flashback- Biden: ObamaNomics will Create Up to "500,000 Jobs a Month"
With the United States economy stalling under the policies of President Barack Obama, a flashback is required to remember the broken promises made by his Administration.
This one comes from April of 2010. Vice President Joe Biden was inflating his boss's ego, explaining to a group at a fundraiser (yes, a fundraiser in early 2010) how well Mr. Obama was handling his job.
Mr. Biden explained that "in a couple months" the U.S. economy would not only come back, but come roaring back:
"All in all we're going to be creating somewhere between 100 and 200,000 jobs next month, I predict," he began. "Even some in the White House said, 'Hey, don't get ahead of yourself.' Well, I'm here to tell you, some time in the next couple of months, we're going to be creating between 250,000 jobs a month and 500,000 jobs a month."
Instead, over a year later, the economy added a mere 54,000 this May, approximately one tenth of what Mr. Biden had hoped. The unemployment rate also rose to 9.1%.
In his statements from 2010, Mr. Biden continued, "We caught a lot of bad breaks on the way down. We're going to catch a few good breaks because of good planning on the way up."
This statement also came one month after Senator Harry Reid said this:
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This one comes from April of 2010. Vice President Joe Biden was inflating his boss's ego, explaining to a group at a fundraiser (yes, a fundraiser in early 2010) how well Mr. Obama was handling his job.
Mr. Biden explained that "in a couple months" the U.S. economy would not only come back, but come roaring back:
"All in all we're going to be creating somewhere between 100 and 200,000 jobs next month, I predict," he began. "Even some in the White House said, 'Hey, don't get ahead of yourself.' Well, I'm here to tell you, some time in the next couple of months, we're going to be creating between 250,000 jobs a month and 500,000 jobs a month."
Instead, over a year later, the economy added a mere 54,000 this May, approximately one tenth of what Mr. Biden had hoped. The unemployment rate also rose to 9.1%.
In his statements from 2010, Mr. Biden continued, "We caught a lot of bad breaks on the way down. We're going to catch a few good breaks because of good planning on the way up."
This statement also came one month after Senator Harry Reid said this:
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History Doesn't Repeat It Rhymes
A series of imperial wars fought by the Kings of England culminating in the French and Indian War almost bankrupted England. At the end of the war England was paying to maintain 10,000 troops in the North American colonies as well as fleets to protect America’s maritime trade.
Americans had fought in the war including the first shots fired, under George Washington at Fort Necessity in Ohio. With the people of England already restive under crushing taxes, the English politicians decided they would tax the American colonists to help pay off the massive war debt and to bear the cost of the colonies future defense.
First they tried the Stamp Act requiring the use of approved or stamped government-issued paper for all legal documents such as will, deeds and diplomas. This brought our ancestors out into the streets. They marched in protest. The Governor of New York, where the first shipment of officially stamped paper was to arrive, was burned in effigy. They attacked the home of a British officer who had boasted he would collect the stamp tax by force of arms if necessary. The Americans organized the states to act in unison calling the Stamp Act Congress to coordinate a boycott and to decide upon other measures of resistance to “Taxation without representation.” In the face of this heroic opposition the British Government repealed the Stamp Act.
By this time the level of taxation in England produced riots and political turmoil, so the government once again tried to balance the budget on the backs of the Americans with the Townsend Acts. These Acts included reprisals for the recent resistance to the Stamp Act such as: restraints upon the colonial assemblies, new courts to enforce the laws, troops quartered in private homes, and once again taxes, custom fees, and import duties enforced by the British military.
Once again our ancestors stood against the tyranny of taxation without representation and eventually forced the British to also repeal these offensive measures. Not giving up on the idea of raising the money they needed from the colonies these disconnected leaders, far removed from the people, next passed the Tea Act. This Act was designed to help the English East India Company avoid bankruptcy by giving them a monopoly on the importation of tea into the colonies.
The Company was able to sell at a lower price including the required tax than any tea smuggled in without the tax. The British reasoned the Americans would willingly pay the tax if they were able to pay it and still get tea for a lower price than without it. But they reckoned without the strength of our principles. This was still taxation without representation and our ancestors would have none of it.
When two ships arrived in Boston Harbor filled with the Company’s tea Samuel Adams vowed it would never be unloaded. Adams held a series of public meetings in the Old South Meeting House. Not able to fit in the building, crowds as large as 5,000 filled the surrounding streets. They demanded that the ships leave. When the agents of the Company refused Adams led a group of men, disguised as Mohawk Indians, to Griffin’s Wharf. The vessels were boarded; the Patriots took the cargo of 342 chests, and threw them into the harbor to the encouragement of a cheering crowd on the dock. This “Tea Party” was repeated in other ports throughout America.
Taxation without representation was the burden too evil to bear for our ancestors. They faced tax burdens that never neared 1 or 2 % and we, their descendants, meekly line up to pay many times that to a government which no longer hears us as we petition them in every way we know to stop the over-the-top spending and return to financial reality.
Today many have forgotten that the “TEA” in the modern Tea Party stands for “Taxed Enough Already!” Millions express frustration and the belief that our elected representatives no longer pay any attention to us once they get to Washington. Our newly elected conservative majority joins the insider parade reaffirming the Patriot Act and passing continuing resolution after continuing resolution. Are we about to learn that if History doesn’t exactly repeat itself it sure does rhyme?
To a generation who have watched our beloved nation fall from the greatest creditor to the greatest debtor, from the greatest manufacturer to an open market for Chinese expansion “Taxed Enough Already” and “No Taxation Without Representation” are starting to sound close enough for blank verse.
Dr. Owens teaches History, Political Science, and Religion for Southside Virginia Community College. He is the author of the History of the Future @ http://drrobertowens.com View the trailer for Dr. Owens’ latest book @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ypkoS0gGn8 © 2011 Robert R. Owens dr.owens@comcast.net Follow Dr. Robert Owens on Facebook.
Watch Obama Economy Speech at Chrysler Plant Live
The President is making a speech at a Chrysler Plant in Ohio about the May economic numbers, which were not good.
Free video streaming by Ustream
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Free video streaming by Ustream
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Dipprasad Pun Received Conspicuous Gallantry Cross for Action in Afghanistan
The British government has bestowed its highest military honor on a true hero. Dipprasad Pun of Nepal single handedly fought back 30 Taliban fighters after being surrounded.
Pun fired over 400 rounds and over a dozen grenades, pushing the Taliban back. He is receiving the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross for his actions.
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Pun fired over 400 rounds and over a dozen grenades, pushing the Taliban back. He is receiving the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross for his actions.
Pun fired more than 400 rounds, launched 17 grenades and detonated a mine to repel the Taliban assault on his checkpoint near Babaji in Helmand Province, southern Afghanistan, last September.A true hero.
Surrounded, the enemy opened fired from all sides and for 15 minutes Pun remained under continuous attack, including from rocket-propelled grenades and AK47 guns.
At one point, unable to shoot, he used his machine gun tripod to knock down a militant who was climbing the walls of the compound.
Two insurgents were still attacking by the time he ran out of ammunition, but he set off a Claymore mine to repel them.
Pun was given his medal in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace in London on Wednesday.
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Dr. Kevorkian Dies
Dr. Jack Kevorkian, made famous for his efforts with euthanasia (mercy killing) died today from heart failure. He was 83. He served jail time for the practice, but defended it until his death.
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Eleven years earlier, he was sentenced in the 1998 death of a Lou Gehrig's disease patient — a videotaped death shown to a national television audience as Kevorkian challenged prosecutors to charge him.
"The issue's got to be raised to the level where it is finally decided," he said on the broadcast by CBS' "60 Minutes."
Nicknamed "Dr. Death," Kevorkian catapulted into public consciousness in 1990 when he used his homemade "suicide machine" in his rusted Volkswagen van to inject lethal drugs into an Alzheimer's patient who sought his help in dying.
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John Edwards Indicted
Noted phony and 2004 Democratic Vice Presidential nominee John Edwards has had a difficult time since leaving politics in 2008. He came in third in the 2008 primaries, it became apparent that he had fathered a child while cheating on his cancer-stricken wife (who then died) and now may be going to jail.
He spent almost $1 million to cover up his affair and love child.
Send him away!
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He spent almost $1 million to cover up his affair and love child.
The grand jury's indictment in the case of USA v. Johnny Reid Edwards contained six counts, including conspiracy, four counts of receiving illegal campaign contributions and one count of false statements.
The indictment said the payments were a scheme to protect Edwards' White House ambitions. "A centerpiece of Edwards' candidacy was his public image as a devoted family man," the indictment said.
"Edwards knew that public revelation of the affair and the pregnancy would destroy his candidacy by, among other things, undermining Edwards' presentation of himself as a family man and by forcing his campaign to divert personnel and resources away from other campaign activities to respond to criticism and media scrutiny regarding the affair and pregnancy," the indictment added.
Send him away!
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Saleh Injured in Rocket Attack
Just a day after al Qaeda seized another city in Yemen the situation is falling off the cliff. Yemeni dictator Ali Abdullah Saleh, who is refusing to step down despite agreeing to earlier, was injured in a rocket attack in the capital Sa'ana.
It appears that tribesmen launched the rocket attack. There was heavy fighting in the capital yesterday between the government and the tribes.
The attack almost decapitated the government:
Yemen is now in a civil war.
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It appears that tribesmen launched the rocket attack. There was heavy fighting in the capital yesterday between the government and the tribes.
The attack almost decapitated the government:
A volley of three rockets hit Saleh's presidential compound Friday as he and other officials were praying at a mosque inside, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation. Six presidential guards were killed, according to a medical official.
Seven top officials were wounded, including the prime minister, the deputy prime minister, the parliament speaker and the governor of Sanaa, the official said. The most serious injuries were to Sanaa's governor Nooman Dweid, and Deputy Prime Minister Rashad al-Alimi, who is also the president's top security adviser and who remained unconscious from his wounds, the official said.
Yemen is now in a civil war.
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Unemployment Rises to 9.1%
America's unemployment rate rised "unexpectedly" in today's Bureau of Labor Statistics report to 9.1%, which we have not seen since earlier this year, because 105,000 folks left the workforce last month - due to continuing discouragement about the country's economic situation, which no-one can really blame them for having.
54,000 jobs were added last month, but that figure was influenced by the 28,000 local government workers that were cut. Accounting and bookkeeping services added 18,000 jobs; health care services added 17,000 jobs; computer services added 8,000 jobs and mining added 7,000. Manufacturing lost 5,000.
There is some good news in this monthly report, but the fact our unemployment rate has gone up the past two months and over 100,000 Americans have left the workforce, once again, tells me that economic hardship is far from being over.
What say you?
P.S. - After 22 months of searching, I was hired by a seasonal tourist attraction in Upstate, New York. Keep looking everyone - there's a job out there for you.
54,000 jobs were added last month, but that figure was influenced by the 28,000 local government workers that were cut. Accounting and bookkeeping services added 18,000 jobs; health care services added 17,000 jobs; computer services added 8,000 jobs and mining added 7,000. Manufacturing lost 5,000.
There is some good news in this monthly report, but the fact our unemployment rate has gone up the past two months and over 100,000 Americans have left the workforce, once again, tells me that economic hardship is far from being over.
What say you?
P.S. - After 22 months of searching, I was hired by a seasonal tourist attraction in Upstate, New York. Keep looking everyone - there's a job out there for you.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Al Qaeda Seizes Second Yemeni City
As if the news from Yemen wasn't distressing enough, it now appears that it could be getting worse. Just two days after al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula captured a city in the protest-riddled country they have done it again. Meanwhile, about 100 people have been killed in protests over the last several days.
Reportedly, the city of Shazzan in the southern part of the country has fallen to the terrorists. This comes as the dictator, Ali Abdullah Saleh, refuses to step down.
It's becoming worse than Libya.
Cross-posted at WorldThreats.
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Reportedly, the city of Shazzan in the southern part of the country has fallen to the terrorists. This comes as the dictator, Ali Abdullah Saleh, refuses to step down.
"Following fierce battles with government forces, fighters of al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) managed to seize the whole city of Azzan in the southeast province of Shabwa on Wednesday, announcing that the city of Azzan joins in their Islamic emirate," one local official told Xinhua.
Some tribal leaders and residents confirmed the news in phone conversations with Xinhua.
The tribal leaders said the AQAP militants were enjoying high- level activities nowadays because of the weak presence of security forces, which were pulled out to major cities to curb the four- month-long anti-government protests as well as to secure the government and foreign interests from sporadic riot acts.
It's becoming worse than Libya.
Cross-posted at WorldThreats.
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Five Shot Dead in Yuma, Arizona, June 2, 2011
Breaking:
YUMA, Ariz. -- Yuma police say five people have been killed in a shooting that has forced authorities to close schools and the courthouse.
Details about the shooter and victims were not immediately clear.
Yuma police Sgt. Clint Norred tells The Associated Press that five people were killed in the Yuma area. It's unclear if there were others who were injured.
Norred says police originally responded to a shooting call around 9:30 a.m. Thursday.
The Yuma Sun reports the Yuma County Courthouse and schools in the area have been placed on lockdown.
Romney Announcement Video
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney officially launched his campaign today:
Hat tip: Hot Air.
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Hat tip: Hot Air.
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Dems Turning on Weiner: "Like Watching a Charlie Sheen Meltdown"
Anthony Weiner, who is now embroiled in a Twitter controversy in which he allegedly sent a picture of an aroused man (wearing underwear) to a woman, is now losing support from his staunchest supporters: Democrats.
After nearly a week of bumbling about and starting more questions than answering them, Democrats have become weary of the Congressman from New York.
"Watching Anthony Weiner's twitter and press blitz is like watching a Charlie Sheen meltdown. It's amusing, uncomfortable, and not necessary," said one high-ranking Democratic aide. "If Weiner really wants to get beyond this, he'll shut up and let Democrats get back to their Medicare message."
When asked about the controversy surrounding Mr. Weiner, one Democratic staffer stated bluntly: "How much schadenfreude is happening because of this? A lot."
Ed Koch, former New York City mayor, echoed these statements, saying, "I think he's in trouble…I think he has a problem."
With his most ardent supporters leaving him, it is no surprise that Republicans are slamming Mr. Weiner for his alleged actions.
“I think the American people are sick of seeing their elected officials tied up in scandals like this,” House Majority Leader Eric Cantor stated. “Come clean and clean it up," he added. "Perhaps he’s trying, but there’s a lot of explaining going on without a lot of clarity."
Even worse for Mr. Weiner is that he himself is fueling the controversy with vague, ambiguous statements. For example, when asked if the picture was of him, he stated, "I'm reluctant to say anything definitively about this because I don't know to what extent our system was hacked."
Will this controversy sink the Congressman or will he survive? Only time will tell.
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After nearly a week of bumbling about and starting more questions than answering them, Democrats have become weary of the Congressman from New York.
"Watching Anthony Weiner's twitter and press blitz is like watching a Charlie Sheen meltdown. It's amusing, uncomfortable, and not necessary," said one high-ranking Democratic aide. "If Weiner really wants to get beyond this, he'll shut up and let Democrats get back to their Medicare message."
When asked about the controversy surrounding Mr. Weiner, one Democratic staffer stated bluntly: "How much schadenfreude is happening because of this? A lot."
Ed Koch, former New York City mayor, echoed these statements, saying, "I think he's in trouble…I think he has a problem."
 |
| Mr. Weiner |
“I think the American people are sick of seeing their elected officials tied up in scandals like this,” House Majority Leader Eric Cantor stated. “Come clean and clean it up," he added. "Perhaps he’s trying, but there’s a lot of explaining going on without a lot of clarity."
Even worse for Mr. Weiner is that he himself is fueling the controversy with vague, ambiguous statements. For example, when asked if the picture was of him, he stated, "I'm reluctant to say anything definitively about this because I don't know to what extent our system was hacked."
Will this controversy sink the Congressman or will he survive? Only time will tell.
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Shocker: Obama Spent Majority of First Two Years in Office Outside of Washington, 3 Months on Vacation
It's an amazing thing to watch liberals stumble all over themselves to defend President Obama's actions and failures. One is his inordinately high vacation time.
The left will scream that President Bush spent so much time on vacation. They'll say that President Obama plays much less golf than Mr. Bush did (even though President Bush gave up golf in 2003). But here's something they cannot deny: from January of 2009 to January of 2011, President Obama spent a mere 48% of his time in Washington, D.C.
This timetable is specifically from January 20, 2009, the day Mr. Obama assumed office, and January 3, 2011, the day Mr. Obama returned from a vacation in Hawaii. That's 713 days, and the President spent 342 of them in our capital.
From 2009-January of 2011, President Obama enjoyed 70 days of foreign travel, 176 days on domestic "trips," 35 days at Camp David and 61 days on vacation. On top of that, he played 57 rounds of golf (which the MSM calls "mini-vacations"), which took up approximately half of a day each and therefore constitutes almost another month of vacation time. Add them together and President Obama enjoyed 371 days away from his job in Washington.
In fact, the number may actually be higher, as it does not count fundraisers nor correspondent/private dinners that Mr. Obama attended in Washington.
Can you imagine a job where you could choose not to go for most of the days? Apparently, the leader of the free world can.
Even worse, President Obama has decided that his time as a hard-working President is going to be over for some time now. Today he announced that he's aiming for $60,000,000 in fundraising in the coming economic quarter. That means a lot more time campaigning and getting money and much less time doing his job.
The numbers for 2011 haven't been tabulated quite yet, but the trend will almost certainly continue and will likely increase. But then again, it might not be all bad: at least when he's out of Washington, he can't screw as many things up.
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The left will scream that President Bush spent so much time on vacation. They'll say that President Obama plays much less golf than Mr. Bush did (even though President Bush gave up golf in 2003). But here's something they cannot deny: from January of 2009 to January of 2011, President Obama spent a mere 48% of his time in Washington, D.C.
This timetable is specifically from January 20, 2009, the day Mr. Obama assumed office, and January 3, 2011, the day Mr. Obama returned from a vacation in Hawaii. That's 713 days, and the President spent 342 of them in our capital.
From 2009-January of 2011, President Obama enjoyed 70 days of foreign travel, 176 days on domestic "trips," 35 days at Camp David and 61 days on vacation. On top of that, he played 57 rounds of golf (which the MSM calls "mini-vacations"), which took up approximately half of a day each and therefore constitutes almost another month of vacation time. Add them together and President Obama enjoyed 371 days away from his job in Washington.
In fact, the number may actually be higher, as it does not count fundraisers nor correspondent/private dinners that Mr. Obama attended in Washington.
 |
| Hard at work |
Even worse, President Obama has decided that his time as a hard-working President is going to be over for some time now. Today he announced that he's aiming for $60,000,000 in fundraising in the coming economic quarter. That means a lot more time campaigning and getting money and much less time doing his job.
The numbers for 2011 haven't been tabulated quite yet, but the trend will almost certainly continue and will likely increase. But then again, it might not be all bad: at least when he's out of Washington, he can't screw as many things up.
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Libya Rebels Will Recognize Israel
Benghazi has sent Jerusalem a message: we will recognize Israel's right to exist.
The rebels National Transitional Council had French philosopher Bernard-Henri Levy pass the message to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today. Levy said that the rebels "will maintain normal relations with other democratic countries, including Israel." Prime Minister Netanyahu did not immediately comment on the visit. Perhaps out of shock.
This would represent the most significant and dramatic shift in Libyan foreign policy if Muammar Qaddafi's government is overthrown by the spirited rebels, because the country has refused to acknowledge Israel's right to exist for four decades.
If the United States, United Kingdom and NATO really needed another reason to launch absolute War on Libya and overthrow Qaddafi's regime - they just got it. The Western world must do everything possible to eliminate Israel's enemies and secure new friends.
What say you?
The rebels National Transitional Council had French philosopher Bernard-Henri Levy pass the message to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today. Levy said that the rebels "will maintain normal relations with other democratic countries, including Israel." Prime Minister Netanyahu did not immediately comment on the visit. Perhaps out of shock.
This would represent the most significant and dramatic shift in Libyan foreign policy if Muammar Qaddafi's government is overthrown by the spirited rebels, because the country has refused to acknowledge Israel's right to exist for four decades.
If the United States, United Kingdom and NATO really needed another reason to launch absolute War on Libya and overthrow Qaddafi's regime - they just got it. The Western world must do everything possible to eliminate Israel's enemies and secure new friends.
What say you?
High School Year Book: Bush, Cheney worse than Pol Pot, Stalin, Ahmadinejad, Mao
I am ashamed of my generation sometimes. This is one of those times:
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Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Wikileaks: Mexican Gangs Being Armed With US Weapons
And you thought all that Gunrunner stuff was a vast right wing conspiracy to undermine the Obama Administration and remove Eric Holder from the Justice Department? Think again!
Read All About It!
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Gasland Director Admits Not Being Completely Truthful in Oscar-Nominated Documentary
The controversy surrounding hydrofracking for natural gas heated up after Josh Fox released Gasland, an Oscar nominated documentary. The most dramatic aspect of the film occurs when a faucet with running water was set alight. Many have argued that this phenomenon has been documented years before fracking began and now Josh Fox is seen on record stating he was aware of this history before producing the final cut of the film.
It is unfortunate that he would withhold key elements of the story to prove a political point. It is equally unfortunate that many would jump aboard this bandwagon (politicians included) with both feet without due diligence in investigating the facts of the matter.
In this video expose, Mr Fox initially denies the existence of a 1976 report documenting a "troublesome amount of methane in fresh water aquifers, but ultimately admits that there have been reports of "flammable water" in the US since at least 1936.
He states such scientific data were not relevant to his documentary because.......well, because it didn't fit the narrative he was seeking to create.
"The point is this...The citizens [in Colorado]reported the could not light their water on fire before the drilling. And after the drilling they could light their water on fire. (.....) I don't care about reports from 1976, there are reports from 1936 that people said they could light their water on fire in New York City, but that's no bearing on the situation at all."
Really, potentially exculpatory information has no bearing on the events at hand?
This is Michael Moore revisited! Journallists and filmmakers showing half the story and ignoring information that would proscribe the intended agenda. Josh Fox owes it to the americans across the country that he has terrified into submission to reveal all the facts. He should let it be know that some water across the country has methane it it and likely always has. He knew about these reports and chose not to report them. This is not journalism, it is propaganda!
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Report: Iran Has Acquired Nuclear-Capable Warheads
Keep in mind that this is not a confirmed report but is from FoxNews. It also comes as the possibility of Iran having enough highly-enriched uranium for the bomb may still be low. However, when a report this serious comes from a reputable news source, it must be taken seriously. The news comes from an Iranian dissident group and may be part of a multi-national attempt to build nuclear warheads.
This comes from a former CIA spy that could be part of a very, very interesting chapter in Iranian nuclear history. This also comes after Iranian threats of a mystery program.
This also comes as Iran is prepping these missiles for deployment:
If this report is accurate, there will be a major repercussion in the Middle East. The report places the blame for the acquisition not only on Iran but their partners in the Chinese, Pakistani, North Korean, and Ukrainian governments. Pakistan has already sheltered bin Laden and now could have pushed Iran over the top.
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This comes from a former CIA spy that could be part of a very, very interesting chapter in Iranian nuclear history. This also comes after Iranian threats of a mystery program.
Other sources in Iran also verified the delivery of the warheads. On February 17th of this year when Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari, the Chief Commander of the Guards, promised the Guards forces that “in the near future we will witness the ‘miraculous project,’ which will shock the world,” he was indeed referring to the fact that the Revolutionary Guards will be armed with nuclear weapons. This has been authorized by Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
This also comes as Iran is prepping these missiles for deployment:
The same report pointed out that the missiles are directed toward several potential and pre-designated targets, among them: U.S. military bases in the Middle East and in Europe, such as the ones in Hungary and Italy.
It is also stated that the nuclear and military industries in Iran are scheduled to weaponize at least two of the warheads with a nuclear payload no later than March, 2012.
If this report is accurate, there will be a major repercussion in the Middle East. The report places the blame for the acquisition not only on Iran but their partners in the Chinese, Pakistani, North Korean, and Ukrainian governments. Pakistan has already sheltered bin Laden and now could have pushed Iran over the top.
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Utah 2012 Senate: Chaffetz vs. Hatch
HT: Salt Lake Tribune
Delegates to the 2012 Utah Republican Convention will once again have to decide between sticking with the tried and true U.S. Senator or going with the ideological and untested challenger, because Representative Jason Chaffetz almost definitely will attempt to knock off Orrin Hatch next year.
After months of speculation, mostly fueled by supporters, the two-term Tea Party favorite has called several Utah political insiders and informed them of his plans to run against Senator Hatch, who has served for thirty-five years in Congress and briefly ran for President in 2000.
This comes only one year after Utah's Tea Party movement ousted Senator Robert Bennett at last year's Republican Convention, which was followed very closely by political bloggers and pundits, for Constitutional law attorney Mike Lee.
I don't who will win next year, but I absolutely support Senator Hatch's bid for re-election. His decades of principled Conservatism and honorable service are the only reasons I need to proudly proclaim: vote Hatch 2012.
One thing is for certain: Utah will once again be fun to watch next year.
What say you?
Delegates to the 2012 Utah Republican Convention will once again have to decide between sticking with the tried and true U.S. Senator or going with the ideological and untested challenger, because Representative Jason Chaffetz almost definitely will attempt to knock off Orrin Hatch next year.
After months of speculation, mostly fueled by supporters, the two-term Tea Party favorite has called several Utah political insiders and informed them of his plans to run against Senator Hatch, who has served for thirty-five years in Congress and briefly ran for President in 2000.
This comes only one year after Utah's Tea Party movement ousted Senator Robert Bennett at last year's Republican Convention, which was followed very closely by political bloggers and pundits, for Constitutional law attorney Mike Lee.
I don't who will win next year, but I absolutely support Senator Hatch's bid for re-election. His decades of principled Conservatism and honorable service are the only reasons I need to proudly proclaim: vote Hatch 2012.
One thing is for certain: Utah will once again be fun to watch next year.
What say you?
Shootings in Yuma, Arizona; 5 Dead
Breaking:
YUMA, Ariz. -- Yuma police say five people have been killed in a shooting that has forced authorities to close schools and the courthouse.
Details about the shooter and victims were not immediately clear.
Yuma police Sgt. Clint Norred tells The Associated Press that five people were killed in the Yuma area. It's unclear if there were others who were injured.
Norred says police originally responded to a shooting call around 9:30 a.m. Thursday.
The Yuma Sun reports the Yuma County Courthouse and schools in the area have been placed on lockdown.
US Job Market Drops, Dow Tumbles over 200
American job producers cut payrolls more than expected and almost landed the jobs market back into the red. In an unofficial report from ADP Employer Services it appears that the job market is cooling.
According to their May report, less than 40,000 jobs were created that month. This is a drop of well over 100,000 from April and well below the numbers needed to bring unemployment down. To make matters worse, ADP's numbers are usually higher than the government numbers.
This also came as the estimated job gains were between 100,000 and 200,000.
In response, the Dow has fallen over 200 points, led by the financial sector. This comes after a drop last month:
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According to their May report, less than 40,000 jobs were created that month. This is a drop of well over 100,000 from April and well below the numbers needed to bring unemployment down. To make matters worse, ADP's numbers are usually higher than the government numbers.
“It is a warning shot across the bow that job growth is also weakening along with the other high frequency numbers,” Eric Green, chief market economist at TD Securities Inc. in New York, said in an e-mailed note to clients. “The weakness reflects a general slowdown and turn in sentiment that set in with the sharp rise in energy prices, disruptions from Japan, and to a lesser extent risk aversion stemming from the Greek fiasco.”
This also came as the estimated job gains were between 100,000 and 200,000.
In response, the Dow has fallen over 200 points, led by the financial sector. This comes after a drop last month:
Stocks hit their session lows Wednesday, led by financials and industrials, following several economic reports that pointed to a weakening recovery and ahead of the closely watched government jobs report on Friday.Yikes.
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Interview with Verum Serum
Pundit Press is proud to present interview number 37 in our ongoing interview series. Today we're interviewing John, the editor of Verum Serum. Verum Serum is one of the finer conservative blogs out there and has broken many stories (including getting a picture on Drudge!). Please check them out!
1. When and why was Verum Serum created?
Co-blogger Scott Ragan and I had a little blog on our church’s website back in 2004. After a couple of our posts made folks there nervous, we finally sprung for our own hosting and changed the name to Verum Serum, i.e. Truth Serum. That was October 2005. With that added freedom to say whatever we wanted, we became a lot more political.
2. What is the best part about running the site?
At the moment it’s mostly me and Morgen Richmond, who joined the blog in 2008. The best part, honestly, is the discussions we have behind the scenes and the people we’ve met along the way. I’ve met some great people because of the blog, both other bloggers at events and people who stop by to comment at different times. We had a space shuttle pilot stop by recently. Another blog I like (Power Line) had a visit from Buck Dharma of Blue Oyster Cult a couple years ago. You can’t beat that.
And it’s pretty exciting when you see something you know you contributed change the national debate in some way. That’s happened to us several times now but it’s still a little amazing to us each time.
3. Has President Obama been better or worse than expected/feared?
In terms of foreign policy, I actually think he’s been better than expected (apology tour aside). He didn’t close Gitmo, reneged on the NY trial of KSM, upped our commitment to Afghanistan and, let’s give credit where due, ordered the strike that got Bin Laden.
In terms of domestic policy, about as expected which is to say pretty awful. To choose a current example, there’s a real chance Medicare could be insolvent in as little as five years (and probably no more than ten). This will lead to a downgrading of our debt, making it very expensive to keep the entire system afloat. The financial disaster that follows could be on a scale that dwarfs what we’ve seen the last two years. And where is the President on all of this? Planning to use the Dems tried-and-true Mediscare campaign to win a second term. We need someone in office who will get serious about the debt in 2012.
4. Any favorites for 2012 yet?
Slightly-downbeat/realistic take on things: Like Ann Coulter said at CPAC this year, it’s Chris Christie or we lose. Sure, Romney has money and backing but for me Romneycare is a huge stumbling block I can’t get over.
Sunny/upbeat take: Pawlenty has a pretty good record. I was impressed with him when I met him about a year ago. He could still surge. I like Herman Cain though I think he’s not as qualified as, say, Pawlenty or even Palin. He’d make a great VP choice for someone.
5. What would happen in the press if WeinerGate involved a prominent Republican?
See Chris Lee and/or Mark Foley. By contrast, the press was deathly silent all this weekend. And now that we know Weiner is refusing to have the authorities investigate or even to deny he’s the person in the photo, I think every sane person is thinking he sounds guilty. But unless the media decides to do its job, i.e. treat him like a Republican, we’ll never really know.
6. Anything else you'd like to add?
Blogging is a lot of work. We’ve invited several people to write for the blog and usually after one or two posts they’re spent. Folks who can write well, research well, correct their own html, and keep it up week after week, not because they’re paid to but because they love it, are a special breed. I’m pretty proud to know a bunch of those people and even call some of them friends.
Please bookmark!
1. When and why was Verum Serum created?
Co-blogger Scott Ragan and I had a little blog on our church’s website back in 2004. After a couple of our posts made folks there nervous, we finally sprung for our own hosting and changed the name to Verum Serum, i.e. Truth Serum. That was October 2005. With that added freedom to say whatever we wanted, we became a lot more political.
2. What is the best part about running the site?
At the moment it’s mostly me and Morgen Richmond, who joined the blog in 2008. The best part, honestly, is the discussions we have behind the scenes and the people we’ve met along the way. I’ve met some great people because of the blog, both other bloggers at events and people who stop by to comment at different times. We had a space shuttle pilot stop by recently. Another blog I like (Power Line) had a visit from Buck Dharma of Blue Oyster Cult a couple years ago. You can’t beat that.
And it’s pretty exciting when you see something you know you contributed change the national debate in some way. That’s happened to us several times now but it’s still a little amazing to us each time.
3. Has President Obama been better or worse than expected/feared?
In terms of foreign policy, I actually think he’s been better than expected (apology tour aside). He didn’t close Gitmo, reneged on the NY trial of KSM, upped our commitment to Afghanistan and, let’s give credit where due, ordered the strike that got Bin Laden.
In terms of domestic policy, about as expected which is to say pretty awful. To choose a current example, there’s a real chance Medicare could be insolvent in as little as five years (and probably no more than ten). This will lead to a downgrading of our debt, making it very expensive to keep the entire system afloat. The financial disaster that follows could be on a scale that dwarfs what we’ve seen the last two years. And where is the President on all of this? Planning to use the Dems tried-and-true Mediscare campaign to win a second term. We need someone in office who will get serious about the debt in 2012.
4. Any favorites for 2012 yet?
Slightly-downbeat/realistic take on things: Like Ann Coulter said at CPAC this year, it’s Chris Christie or we lose. Sure, Romney has money and backing but for me Romneycare is a huge stumbling block I can’t get over.
Sunny/upbeat take: Pawlenty has a pretty good record. I was impressed with him when I met him about a year ago. He could still surge. I like Herman Cain though I think he’s not as qualified as, say, Pawlenty or even Palin. He’d make a great VP choice for someone.
5. What would happen in the press if WeinerGate involved a prominent Republican?
See Chris Lee and/or Mark Foley. By contrast, the press was deathly silent all this weekend. And now that we know Weiner is refusing to have the authorities investigate or even to deny he’s the person in the photo, I think every sane person is thinking he sounds guilty. But unless the media decides to do its job, i.e. treat him like a Republican, we’ll never really know.
6. Anything else you'd like to add?
Blogging is a lot of work. We’ve invited several people to write for the blog and usually after one or two posts they’re spent. Folks who can write well, research well, correct their own html, and keep it up week after week, not because they’re paid to but because they love it, are a special breed. I’m pretty proud to know a bunch of those people and even call some of them friends.
Please bookmark!
North Waziristan Has To Be Attacked
Ever since the SEAL Team Six raid that took out Osama bin Laden last month - our relations with Pakistan have been strained at best and downright hostile at worst. Although, the Pakistan authorities have picked up the pace on attacking dozens of Taliban within their borders, even to the point of using fighter jets.
But it isn't enough.
Americans understand the difficult balancing act that Pakistan has to play when dealing with the War on Terror and their own involvement. However, we expect more attacks from our ally and we demand them in the Jihadist hotbed of North Waziristan, which is used to launch strikes against NATO forces in Afghanistan.
After years of intense fighting we have pushed the Jihadists out of Afghanistan, but without either constructing a controversial border wall or planning a large offensive against their hideouts across the border, we will be unable to achieve victory in the Afghan-Pak theater of America's ongoing War on Terror.
We have long pushed for Pakistan to lead the assault because we're busy enough with fighting/killing the Jihadists that come over their porous border regularly and hide among the innocent in remote areas, but we cannot wait any longer for action.
Our military needs to send their Pakistan counterparts a message: clean up your own mess, or else we will do more than send SEAL Team Six in next time.
We will win this War in Afghanistan and Pakistan will not stop us in anyway.
What say you?
But it isn't enough.
Americans understand the difficult balancing act that Pakistan has to play when dealing with the War on Terror and their own involvement. However, we expect more attacks from our ally and we demand them in the Jihadist hotbed of North Waziristan, which is used to launch strikes against NATO forces in Afghanistan.
After years of intense fighting we have pushed the Jihadists out of Afghanistan, but without either constructing a controversial border wall or planning a large offensive against their hideouts across the border, we will be unable to achieve victory in the Afghan-Pak theater of America's ongoing War on Terror.
We have long pushed for Pakistan to lead the assault because we're busy enough with fighting/killing the Jihadists that come over their porous border regularly and hide among the innocent in remote areas, but we cannot wait any longer for action.
Our military needs to send their Pakistan counterparts a message: clean up your own mess, or else we will do more than send SEAL Team Six in next time.
We will win this War in Afghanistan and Pakistan will not stop us in anyway.
What say you?
19-Year-Old Stoned to Death by Muslims after taking part in Beauty Contest
And liberals say that Sharia law isn't that bad:
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A teenage Muslim girl was stoned to death under 'Sharia law' after taking part in a beauty contest in Ukraine.
Katya Koren, 19, was found dead in a village in the Crimea region near her home.
Friends said she liked wearing fashionable clothes and had come seventh in a beauty contest.
Her battered body was buried in a forest and was found a week after she disappeared.
Police have opened a murder investigation and are looking into claims that three Muslim youths killed her, claiming her death was justified under Islam.
One of the three - named as 16-year-old Bihal Gaziev - is under arrest and told police that Katya had 'violated the laws of Sharia'. Gaziev has said he has no regrets about her death.
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Nice: Want Welfare in Florida? Get a Drug Test
The Republican-led legislature and Florida Governor Rick Scott have made a common-sense move to help clean up that state's welfare policy. Scott signed a new law that requires all that would enter welfare to submit to a drug test.
Of course, the ACLU is not happy:
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Of course, the ACLU is not happy:
The law is expected to be quickly challenged. The Florida chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union issued a release criticizing it and noting that a previous attempt to test welfare recipients for drugs in Michigan was ruled unconstitutional.Nice work, Florida!
“The wasteful program created by this law subjects Floridians who are impacted by the economic downturn, as well as their families, to a humiliating search of their urine and body fluids without cause or even suspicion of drug abuse,” said Howard Simon, executive director of the ACLU of Florida. “Searching the bodily fluids of those in need of assistance is a scientifically, fiscally, and constitutionally unsound policy. Today, that unsound policy is Florida law.”
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Seriously? US Considering Negotiating with Mullah Omar
The United States may have killed Osama bin Laden one month ago, but is now looking at talks with his biggest ally. This is not conjecture, but instead apparently coming from the White House.
Mullah Mohammed Omar was and is the leader of the Afghani Taliban from before September 11, 2001. He was an active ally of Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda and under his wing the 9/11 atrocities were planned. The United States would be making a dear mistake believing that this war criminal is a legitimate target for negotiation.
If anything, Omar may consider some sort of "conditional" talks in which the US withdraws some (or most) of its forces for a Taliban cease-fire. Then when the US, ISAF, and Afghan government are weak, launch a Tet-style offensive to finish off international involvement.
Furthermore, even if Omar was a legitimate partner (which he certainly is and will not be) he does not control every cell of the Taliban. The decentralized nature of the Islamist group does not allow one leader to control every aspect of the organization. Even if it did, independent cells or individuals would not adhere to any peace plan and would attack ISAF and Afghan forces.
This is a terrible plan, attempted as a fig leaf for "withdrawal." The White House is attempting a peace with honor plan by "negotiating" with the most dishonorable (and bloody) man in Afghanistan.
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Mullah Mohammed Omar was and is the leader of the Afghani Taliban from before September 11, 2001. He was an active ally of Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda and under his wing the 9/11 atrocities were planned. The United States would be making a dear mistake believing that this war criminal is a legitimate target for negotiation.
Earlier this month the German weekly Der Speigel reported that Germany had helped U.S. officials contact Mullah Omar's personal secretary, Tayyab Aga. He was the last public voice of the Taliban before fighters fled southern Kandahar province in December 2001, shortly after U.S.-led invasion. While Germany has been involved, opening of contact with Aga was an American initiative, a western diplomat in the region told The AP.
If anything, Omar may consider some sort of "conditional" talks in which the US withdraws some (or most) of its forces for a Taliban cease-fire. Then when the US, ISAF, and Afghan government are weak, launch a Tet-style offensive to finish off international involvement.
Furthermore, even if Omar was a legitimate partner (which he certainly is and will not be) he does not control every cell of the Taliban. The decentralized nature of the Islamist group does not allow one leader to control every aspect of the organization. Even if it did, independent cells or individuals would not adhere to any peace plan and would attack ISAF and Afghan forces.
This is a terrible plan, attempted as a fig leaf for "withdrawal." The White House is attempting a peace with honor plan by "negotiating" with the most dishonorable (and bloody) man in Afghanistan.
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Chris Christie: Not Running
Chris Christie, the Republican dream candidate for many, has again insisted that he is not running for President in 2012. This time the statement came to a group of Iowa donors that pushed for the New Jersey Governor to jump in the race.
It follows other denials, including at a press conference. This again cements the existing Republican field, barring any major entries.
I guess all eyes will be on Sarah Palin next.
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It follows other denials, including at a press conference. This again cements the existing Republican field, barring any major entries.
"Those reasons are the commitment he made to New Jersey, the fact of how large a decision like this is in terms of his readiness and how hard it is to be running for president when you are governing a state and you have young children," said Christie's chief political adviser Mike DuHaime.
"I did not hear anything from Gov. Christie that I have not heard before," added Christie's longtime friend, Bill Palatucci.
I guess all eyes will be on Sarah Palin next.
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US/Canada Border 'Mostly Insecure'- GAO Report
Looking north into Saskatchewan from the Whitetail, MT border crossing. A GAO report says that just over 30 miles of the Canada/US border is considered 'secure'- Photo: Mike Stebelton/Daniels County LeaderWith all the attention (not to mention pandering and lame jokes) focused on the US/Mexican border and the bloody narco-insurgency south of the border recently, the Government Accountability Office issued a rather disturbing report back in February which determined that less than 35 miles of the nearly 4000-mile border with Canada was considered 'secure'.
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration has failed to adequately reinforce almost all of the US border with Canada to ensure against smuggling of weapons, drugs, illegal immigrants, and currency, a congressional report said.These significant gaps in security are already being exploited by smugglers and organized crime, moving Ecstasy, hydroponic marijuana and illegal aliens into the USA and untaxed tobacco or liquor, illegal firearms and cocaine into Canada.
The government has established an “acceptable level of security’’ for just 32 of the 4,000 miles that separate the United States from its northern neighbor, the Government Accountability Office said in a report yesterday.
Congress’s auditing agency cited a lack of coordination among federal law enforcement officials and said the Department of Homeland Security should take the leading role.
Because of the public outcry against illegal immigration from the south, the Obama administration, like its predecessors, has focused much of its efforts on the US border with Mexico. The neglected northern border may be a more likely entry for terrorists because there are fewer agents spread over a vast area of terrain that includes forests, waterways, and urban areas, according to the GAO.
“These findings should sound a loud alarm to the Department of Homeland Security, the Canadian government, and our committee,’’ said Joe Lieberman, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee chairman.
The head of Customs and Border Protection told a Senate subcommittee earlier this month that he considers the gaps in the US/Canada border a "more significant threat" than that of Mexico.
And just like reports of Hezbollah operating in Mexico using the same smuggling routes and connections as the cartels, there are concerns that terrorists would once again attempt to cross into the USA from Canada.
Akwesasne/St Regis Mohawk Indian Reservation and environs- Syracuse Post-StandardThe Akwesasne Indian Reservation which abuts the St Lawrence River and straddles the border between New York, Quebec and Ontario has been popular with smugglers since Prohibition and remains active to this day. Further west, drug traffickers are taking advantage of small, rural airports that are often unstaffed after dark to move contraband between the two countries.
And it's not as though it hasn't occurred to Islamic terrorists to attempt to enter the USA from Canada to stage attacks. In December 1999, an Algerian national was arrested in Port Angeles, WA after a search of his vehicle coming off a ferry from Victoria, BC turned up explosives and home-made timers in the compartment that was supposed to house the spare tire. 32-year old Ahmed Ressam was later convicted by federal prosecutors of attempting to blow up a passenger terminal in Los Angeles International Airport on New Year's Eve 1999 in the failed Millenium bombing plot.
In October 2010, brush-cutting crews on Vancouver Island discovered an anti-tank weapon with live ammunition abandoned in vegetation by the side of the Trans-Canada highway.
This doesn't get quite as much attention as the goings-on in Mexico in part because we're not seeing the utter collapse of law and order like we are south of the Rio Grande coupled with the fact that the Canadian border isn't considered as important to some politicians when they attempt to pandering for votes.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
I Did Not Have Twitter Relations With That Woman...
Well it is technically the wrong scandal, but it brings back so many memories.
Consider me skeptical, but this is not the response of an innocent man seeking to clear his good name.
Why is it politicians are only interested in getting back to work for the people when they are looking to deflect inquiry into their misdeeds. True, Wienergate remains alledged, but more interviews like this will only add fuel to the fire. If he were so interested in the work of the people he would have been discussing Clarence Thomas conflict of interest instead of dropping his drawers and playing the role of unofficial congressional photographer.
The Month in Review
After a busy April, we at Pundit Press had an exciting May. We started off with a blast (and so did Osama bin Laden to the skull). We're at 184 subscribers, 123 Twitter subscribers, and 113 followers. So without further ado...
Number of articles written in April: 369 articles
Most written in one day: 57 (May 2)
Most articles by author-
Thomas Ferdousi- 146 articles
Aurelius- 123 articles
Mr. K- 54 articles
Unlikely Hospitalist- 35 articles
Danny R Butcher- 4 articles
Kaptain Krude- 4 articles
Dr. Owens- 4 articles
Dr. White- 2 articles
Eric Dondero- 1 article
Fenway_Nation- 1 article
Joe C.- 1 article
In the month of April, Pundit Press received 163,555 pageviews, a 21% increase and our biggest moth yet!
The top articles of the month:
1. Obama Speech Transcript, May 1st about Osama bin Laden Death, by Thomas with 19,569 views, or 12% of the views
2. Unconfirmed: Osama bin Laden Death Photo (WARNING, EXTREMELY GRAPHIC) | UPDATE: Confirmed to be FAKE, by Aurelius with 8,031 views, or 5%
3. Death Photo of Osama bin Laden's Son Hamza (GRAPHIC), by Aurelius with 6,957 views or 4.3%
4. Photos of Osama bin Laden Mansion Hideout, by Thomas with 6,738 views, or 4.1%
5. Watch Obama Speech Live, May 1, 2011, by Aurelius with 6,259 views, or 3.8%
6. Death Photos of Unidentified Men in Osama bin Laden Compound Leaked (WARNING, GRAPHIC), by Aurelius with 6,219 views, or 3.8%
7. EPA to Use New Regulations to Prohibit Hydraulic Fracturing?, by Unlikely Hospitalist with 5,915 views, or 3.6%
8. California DoT Nixes Public Display of American Flag, Calls it "Impermissible Public Expression," by Aurelius with 5,449 views, or 3.3%
9. Video- LSU Student Attempting to Burn Flag Chased Away by Patriots Chanting "Go to Hell, Hippie," by Aurelius with 4,646 views, or 2.8%
10. Where Was Osama bin Laden Killed?, by Aurelius, with 4,514 views, or 2.8%
11. Liberal Commenters on ThinkProgress: Allen West a "Lawn Jockey," "Uncle Tom," "Token Black Bagger," by Aurelius with 4,012 views, or 2.5%
12. Arnold Schwarzenegger Divorce, by Thomas with 3,728 views, or 2.3%
13. Article on Lara Logan Rape, by Aurelius with 3,592 views, or 2.2%
14. Vote in Our Poll: 2012 GOP Nomination, by Thomas with 2,801 views, or 1.7%
15. Obama Speech on Middle East Transcript, May 19, 2011, by Aurelius with 2,187 views, or 1.3%
16. Osama bin Laden Shot in Head by CIA, by Thomas with 2,090 views, or 1.3%
17. Live Video: Watch Netanyahu Speech to Congress, by Thomas with 2,026 views, or 1.2%
18. Full Obama Speech Video on Osama bin Laden's Death, May 1, 2011, by Aurelius with 1,531 views, or .9%
19. YES! Osama bin Laden Dead, by Aurelius with 1,522 views, or .9%
20. Why is Arnold Schwarzenegger Getting a Divorce?, by Aurelius with 1,506 views, or .9%
21. Fake Osama bin Laden Picture Leaked (With Picture), by Aurelius with 1,413 views, or .9%
22. Video- Netanyahu's Entire Speech to Congress, May 24, 2011, by Aurelius with 1,406 views, or .9%
23. Watch Obama Speech in Ireland Live (Streaming), May 23, 2011, by Aurelius with 1,392 views, or .9%
24. Bin Laden Killed by Navy Seals, by Thomas with 1,382 views, or .8%
25. NY-26 Special Election Results, by Mr. K with 1,344 views, or .8%
26. NASA-Funded Group Caught Doctoring Global Warming Data, by Aurelius with 1,297 views, or .8%
27. Pictures of Japanese Earthquake, Tsunami March 11, 2011, by Aurelius with 1,292 views, or .8%
28. Picture of "Water Gun" Behind Dead Man in Osama bin Laden Compound (Graphic), by Aurelius with 1,154 views, or .7%
29. Video: Stephen Harper Victory Speech, by Thomas with 1000 views, or .6%
Top Contributor of the Month-
For coming in a solid third in articles written, Mr. K is the top contributor in the month of May
Those that linked to Us:
Instapundit
Hot Air
Michelle Malkin
Ann Coulter
Gateway Pundit
Linkiest
Director Blue
WCBM
Pirate's Cove
Tomb of the the unknown blogger (for anyone we missed)
Notes-
- Pundit Press welcomes Danny R. Butcher, from the acclaimed site High Plains Pundit, to the team
- Joe wrote an entire article
- This month contained the highest number of articles with 1,000+ hits
- Ann Coulter was gracious enough to link to us twice this month
- Osama bin Laden is dead!
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Number of articles written in April: 369 articles
Most written in one day: 57 (May 2)
Most articles by author-
Thomas Ferdousi- 146 articles
Aurelius- 123 articles
Mr. K- 54 articles
Unlikely Hospitalist- 35 articles
Danny R Butcher- 4 articles
Kaptain Krude- 4 articles
Dr. Owens- 4 articles
Dr. White- 2 articles
Eric Dondero- 1 article
Fenway_Nation- 1 article
Joe C.- 1 article
In the month of April, Pundit Press received 163,555 pageviews, a 21% increase and our biggest moth yet!
The top articles of the month:
1. Obama Speech Transcript, May 1st about Osama bin Laden Death, by Thomas with 19,569 views, or 12% of the views
2. Unconfirmed: Osama bin Laden Death Photo (WARNING, EXTREMELY GRAPHIC) | UPDATE: Confirmed to be FAKE, by Aurelius with 8,031 views, or 5%
3. Death Photo of Osama bin Laden's Son Hamza (GRAPHIC), by Aurelius with 6,957 views or 4.3%
4. Photos of Osama bin Laden Mansion Hideout, by Thomas with 6,738 views, or 4.1%
5. Watch Obama Speech Live, May 1, 2011, by Aurelius with 6,259 views, or 3.8%
6. Death Photos of Unidentified Men in Osama bin Laden Compound Leaked (WARNING, GRAPHIC), by Aurelius with 6,219 views, or 3.8%
7. EPA to Use New Regulations to Prohibit Hydraulic Fracturing?, by Unlikely Hospitalist with 5,915 views, or 3.6%
8. California DoT Nixes Public Display of American Flag, Calls it "Impermissible Public Expression," by Aurelius with 5,449 views, or 3.3%
9. Video- LSU Student Attempting to Burn Flag Chased Away by Patriots Chanting "Go to Hell, Hippie," by Aurelius with 4,646 views, or 2.8%
10. Where Was Osama bin Laden Killed?, by Aurelius, with 4,514 views, or 2.8%
11. Liberal Commenters on ThinkProgress: Allen West a "Lawn Jockey," "Uncle Tom," "Token Black Bagger," by Aurelius with 4,012 views, or 2.5%
12. Arnold Schwarzenegger Divorce, by Thomas with 3,728 views, or 2.3%
13. Article on Lara Logan Rape, by Aurelius with 3,592 views, or 2.2%
14. Vote in Our Poll: 2012 GOP Nomination, by Thomas with 2,801 views, or 1.7%
15. Obama Speech on Middle East Transcript, May 19, 2011, by Aurelius with 2,187 views, or 1.3%
16. Osama bin Laden Shot in Head by CIA, by Thomas with 2,090 views, or 1.3%
17. Live Video: Watch Netanyahu Speech to Congress, by Thomas with 2,026 views, or 1.2%
18. Full Obama Speech Video on Osama bin Laden's Death, May 1, 2011, by Aurelius with 1,531 views, or .9%
19. YES! Osama bin Laden Dead, by Aurelius with 1,522 views, or .9%
20. Why is Arnold Schwarzenegger Getting a Divorce?, by Aurelius with 1,506 views, or .9%
21. Fake Osama bin Laden Picture Leaked (With Picture), by Aurelius with 1,413 views, or .9%
22. Video- Netanyahu's Entire Speech to Congress, May 24, 2011, by Aurelius with 1,406 views, or .9%
23. Watch Obama Speech in Ireland Live (Streaming), May 23, 2011, by Aurelius with 1,392 views, or .9%
24. Bin Laden Killed by Navy Seals, by Thomas with 1,382 views, or .8%
25. NY-26 Special Election Results, by Mr. K with 1,344 views, or .8%
26. NASA-Funded Group Caught Doctoring Global Warming Data, by Aurelius with 1,297 views, or .8%
27. Pictures of Japanese Earthquake, Tsunami March 11, 2011, by Aurelius with 1,292 views, or .8%
28. Picture of "Water Gun" Behind Dead Man in Osama bin Laden Compound (Graphic), by Aurelius with 1,154 views, or .7%
29. Video: Stephen Harper Victory Speech, by Thomas with 1000 views, or .6%
Top Contributor of the Month-
For coming in a solid third in articles written, Mr. K is the top contributor in the month of May
Those that linked to Us:
Instapundit
Hot Air
Michelle Malkin
Ann Coulter
Gateway Pundit
Linkiest
Director Blue
WCBM
Pirate's Cove
Tomb of the the unknown blogger (for anyone we missed)
Notes-
- Pundit Press welcomes Danny R. Butcher, from the acclaimed site High Plains Pundit, to the team
- Joe wrote an entire article
- This month contained the highest number of articles with 1,000+ hits
- Ann Coulter was gracious enough to link to us twice this month
- Osama bin Laden is dead!
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What If Weiner Is Guilty?
Everyone has written about the "Weinergate" scandal this past Memorial Day weekend, with the exception of me, because I was actually working and all the aforementioned articles contain nothing but pure political speculation by both sides.
So what am I writing about right now?
On what the consequences should be if Congressman Weiner is guilty.
Voters expect their Representatives and Senators to not only represent them in Washington, but to do so with no personal, or political scandals. Florida's 16th congressional district punished two consecutive Representatives for disturbing sexual scandals, and rightfully so.
We don't expect angels in Congress, but we do demand fidelity.
The Queens area Congressman, if guilty of what he's accused of, should follow the example of Congressman Chris Lee (R-NY) by resigning immediately and sparing his constituents of further embarrassment because of his own immoral pursuits on Twitter.
There's nothing more or less to add to the debate.
What say you?
So what am I writing about right now?
On what the consequences should be if Congressman Weiner is guilty.
Voters expect their Representatives and Senators to not only represent them in Washington, but to do so with no personal, or political scandals. Florida's 16th congressional district punished two consecutive Representatives for disturbing sexual scandals, and rightfully so.
We don't expect angels in Congress, but we do demand fidelity.
The Queens area Congressman, if guilty of what he's accused of, should follow the example of Congressman Chris Lee (R-NY) by resigning immediately and sparing his constituents of further embarrassment because of his own immoral pursuits on Twitter.
There's nothing more or less to add to the debate.
What say you?
Gates: Obama Keeping bin Laden Pictures Secret Because of "Photoshop" Fear
Defense Secretary Robert Gates stated today that one of the main reasons why President Barack Obama has decided not to release death photos of terrorist Osama bin Laden is because he fears that the pictures will be photoshopped and used against the United States.
Mr. Gates stated that the President believes that, should the photos be released, they will quickly be "misused" in order to drive anti-American sentiment in the Middle East and elsewhere.
Gates stated:
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| Mr. Gates |
Gates stated:
"One of the things that I think concerns Secretary [of State Hillary] Clinton and I is the risk not only of the pictures themselves inflaming people who were bin Laden's adherents and radical extremists, but we were also worried about the potential for manipulation of those photos and doing things with those photos that would be pretty outrageous in terms of provoking a reaction that might in fact put our troops at greater risk in both Iraq and Afghanistan."He continued later:
"The primary reason I think that the president made the decision he did was not only to protect our troops, but also to protect other Americans who are living abroad -- our civilians, our diplomats and others -- because if these photos were misused, then the danger of them inflaming reaction we considered to be very real. I think it was the right decision. I realize the desire for closure on the part of a lot of folks who...suffered losses on 9/11, and since then at the hands of this guy, and before. But I think this was the right decision in this case."Gates further added:
"I have gotten from friends all over the country copies of the picture that was this iconic picture taken in the Situation Room while we were watching the operation. And they have been photoshopped in every way you can imagine, including putting you know, coming after the royal wedding, one of these had all of us in one of these big, wide-brimmed hats from the wedding. Another had various football players seated at the table that had been photoshopped in."Whether or not the pictures will be leaked or released remains to be seen, even though the President has assured Americans that the pictures will not get out. These new statements by Gates add a new layer of depth to the conversation.
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Watch Obama Speech/Announcement Live (Streaming Video), May 31, 2011
Update- The speech is apparently over.
President Obama reportedly is about to make a "personnel announcement" at around 1:15EST. Watch below:
Streaming live video by Ustream
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President Obama reportedly is about to make a "personnel announcement" at around 1:15EST. Watch below:
Streaming live video by Ustream
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VA Pastor Told to Remove Jesus' Name at Memorial Service or Else be Banned
Pastor Scott Rainey planned to deliver a prayer at a Memorial Day ceremony yesterday. There was only one problem: that prayer mentioned Jesus.
To the vast majority of Americans, saying the name Jesus during a prayer would not only be all right, but almost required. However, the Dept. of Veterans Affairs and the Houston National Cemetery, and cemetery director Arleen Ocasio, found the name offensive and moved quickly.
“Our national cemeteries are places for all veterans of all beliefs,” Ocasio wrote in a letter to Mr. Rainey. “We cannot be exclusive at a ceremony meant to be inclusive for all our nation’s veterans.” She added that he had to remove the name of Jesus, "or he would not be allowed to pray."
She wrote in reference to the last line of Rainey's prayer: “in the name of Jesus Christ, the risen Lord.”
Rainey was shocked by the letter and Ocasio's demands. “I have never said a prayer in my life where I didn’t end it by saying ‘in the name of Jesus Christ, I pray, amen,’” he stated.
Mr. Rainey quickly got an attorney, Jeff Mateer, to defend his right to free speech. Mr. Mateer stated:
She wrote that such an order violated the First Amendment.
Yet there are lawyers out there who support the cemetery's actions. Attorney Geoff Berg stated, “Asking him to be more inclusive is exactly what she should do. That’s the American way. This is a country without a specific religion.”
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To the vast majority of Americans, saying the name Jesus during a prayer would not only be all right, but almost required. However, the Dept. of Veterans Affairs and the Houston National Cemetery, and cemetery director Arleen Ocasio, found the name offensive and moved quickly.
“Our national cemeteries are places for all veterans of all beliefs,” Ocasio wrote in a letter to Mr. Rainey. “We cannot be exclusive at a ceremony meant to be inclusive for all our nation’s veterans.” She added that he had to remove the name of Jesus, "or he would not be allowed to pray."
She wrote in reference to the last line of Rainey's prayer: “in the name of Jesus Christ, the risen Lord.”
Rainey was shocked by the letter and Ocasio's demands. “I have never said a prayer in my life where I didn’t end it by saying ‘in the name of Jesus Christ, I pray, amen,’” he stated.
Mr. Rainey quickly got an attorney, Jeff Mateer, to defend his right to free speech. Mr. Mateer stated:
“It is very clear that a pastor has a right as a private citizen to speak his mind freely and not have the government censor or edit the content of his speech. Our veterans fought and many died for our religious freedom and to have it stripped away under the façade of inclusiveness is the height of offense to those who have served our country.”In the short term, U.S. District Judge Lynn Hughes has ruled that the Dept. of Veterans Affairs and the Houston National Cemetery cannot order Mr. Rainey to remove the name of Jesus from a religious ceremony.
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| Deemed Offensive |
Yet there are lawyers out there who support the cemetery's actions. Attorney Geoff Berg stated, “Asking him to be more inclusive is exactly what she should do. That’s the American way. This is a country without a specific religion.”
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Kloppenburg to Concede Wisconsin Supreme Court Race
And now for the day that we've all been waiting for, it appears that JoAnne Kloppenburg finally got the memo that she was losing in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race. She is expected to concede about this time today.
Kloppenburg had called for a recount after the election results showed he 7,000 votes behind incumbent justice David Prosser. This is just under the maximum vote percentage to allow a state-funded recount. Kloppenburg's campaign expected to gain votes in one particular county that never materialized.
Now Politico is reporting that Kloppenburg is going to leave the race, despite her earlier calls to continue the recount. This would leave the conservative/Republican faction on the Wisconsin Supreme Court with a majority. This will be important in the court case sure to follow regarding the public sector union law.
Game over.
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Kloppenburg had called for a recount after the election results showed he 7,000 votes behind incumbent justice David Prosser. This is just under the maximum vote percentage to allow a state-funded recount. Kloppenburg's campaign expected to gain votes in one particular county that never materialized.
Now Politico is reporting that Kloppenburg is going to leave the race, despite her earlier calls to continue the recount. This would leave the conservative/Republican faction on the Wisconsin Supreme Court with a majority. This will be important in the court case sure to follow regarding the public sector union law.
A Democratic source emails that the long aftermath of a charged judicial race in Wisconsin is finally ending today.
JoAnne Kloppenburg will announce at 11 a.m. Central that that she's not going to contest the results of the recount in court, the source says.
Democrats had initially seen the recount as a remedy to doubts about one county's late results, but as those doubts faded it was increasingly seen as a costly distraction from intense recall campaigns on both sides of the aisle.
Game over.
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Go Figure: Obama Played Golf on Memorial Day, Utterly Disrespecting our Fallen Soldiers
In 2003, President George W. Bush gave up his beloved game of golf. His reasoning was simple:
Is his choice to play golf while we are at war the wrong one? Probably, but it is certainly up for debate. However, his choice to play golf this Monday, Memorial Day, the day that the United States of America honors the hundreds of thousands that have died in service of our country, is most certainly the wrong one. Worse, it is utterly disrespectful and shockingly unpresidential.
Consider where President Obama was yesterday morning: at Arlington paying his respect to troops. It was, and always is, a solemn occasion. Now tell me, how could the President conceivably think that hopping a plane from Arlington to a golf course was the right way to honor our troops?
So while ceremonies where taking place across the country, while battle-hardened veterans were weeping for their lost friends, while prayers were given at tombstones and 21-gun salutes were sounding in all 50 states, our Commander in Chief was screaming, "Fore!"
Utterly shameful.
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"I think playing golf during a war just sends the wrong signal. I don't want some mom whose son may have recently died to see the commander-in-chief playing golf. I feel I owe it to the families to be in solidarity as best as I can with them."Fast-forward eight years. The United States is still in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as being involved in a "non-kinetic" conflict in Libya. President Obama, however, doesn't mind as much as his predecessor. In fact, he's played golf 70 times in his two-and-a-half years as President.
Is his choice to play golf while we are at war the wrong one? Probably, but it is certainly up for debate. However, his choice to play golf this Monday, Memorial Day, the day that the United States of America honors the hundreds of thousands that have died in service of our country, is most certainly the wrong one. Worse, it is utterly disrespectful and shockingly unpresidential.
Consider where President Obama was yesterday morning: at Arlington paying his respect to troops. It was, and always is, a solemn occasion. Now tell me, how could the President conceivably think that hopping a plane from Arlington to a golf course was the right way to honor our troops?
So while ceremonies where taking place across the country, while battle-hardened veterans were weeping for their lost friends, while prayers were given at tombstones and 21-gun salutes were sounding in all 50 states, our Commander in Chief was screaming, "Fore!"
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Qaddafi Appears on TV: 'I Will Not Leave'
Rumors have swirled around Libyan dictator Muommar Qaddafi that he may be ready to seek a peace deal with the rebels. However, if his public comments are any indication, he may not be.
This comes as he meets with the President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, and appeared on Libyan state television:
And with the news he's hiding in hospitals, his time is running out.
Cross-posted at WorldThreats.
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This comes as he meets with the President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, and appeared on Libyan state television:
"Col. Gaddafi called for an end to the bombings to enable a Libyan dialogue," Zuma's office said in a statement. "He emphasized that he was not prepared to leave his country, despite the difficulties."
Zuma also said Gaddafi's personal safety "is a concern" -- a reference to NATO strikes which have repeatedly hit the Libyan leader's Bab al-Aziziyah compound and other locations used by the Libyan leader and his family.
And with the news he's hiding in hospitals, his time is running out.
Cross-posted at WorldThreats.
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Extend Robert Mueller's Term
Washington is debating today whether FBI Director Robert Mueller's ten-year term, which is currently due to expire on September third, should be extended another two years to maintain continuity in America's national security team.
Most Senators, who have the final word over all Presidential appointments and nominations, are supporting the call to extend Mr. Mueller's extension because we're living "in extraordinary times," while others are unsure whether its really a good idea to give Mueller an exemption that was put in place for a reason.
So what should lawmakers do?
With the vital positions of Secretary of Defense; Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Director of the CIA all turning over to brand new men within the next couple of months, I believe we cannot afford to have our entire national defense aparatus staffed with four new guys on top.
One guy has to stay. And who better than Robert Mueller; the man who came in the exact same week as the 9/11 attacks and who transformed America's leading domestic crime fighting agency into one that operates across the entire world in order to prevent future terrorist attacks on our nation.
Mueller's term should be extended by two years. He has earned it.
What say you?
Most Senators, who have the final word over all Presidential appointments and nominations, are supporting the call to extend Mr. Mueller's extension because we're living "in extraordinary times," while others are unsure whether its really a good idea to give Mueller an exemption that was put in place for a reason.
So what should lawmakers do?
With the vital positions of Secretary of Defense; Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Director of the CIA all turning over to brand new men within the next couple of months, I believe we cannot afford to have our entire national defense aparatus staffed with four new guys on top.
One guy has to stay. And who better than Robert Mueller; the man who came in the exact same week as the 9/11 attacks and who transformed America's leading domestic crime fighting agency into one that operates across the entire world in order to prevent future terrorist attacks on our nation.
Mueller's term should be extended by two years. He has earned it.
What say you?
Fifty Killed in Yemen Protest
At least fifty people have been killed since Sunday in the deteriorating situation in Yemen. The country at the tip of the Arabian Peninsula has seen increasing violence, including the takeover of one town by al Qaeda-linked extremists.
Now it appears that the situation is boiling out of control:
The situation is one step away from a civil war.
Cross-posted at WorldThreats.
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Now it appears that the situation is boiling out of control:
The UN said reports indicated that those in Taiz had been killed by "Yemeni army, Republican Guards and other government-affiliated elements who forcibly destroyed the protest camp in Horriya Square using water cannons, bulldozers and live ammunition".
Navi Pillay, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, has urged all parties to find a peaceful solution to the conflict, saying that the "bloodshed must stop".
"Such reprehensible acts of violence and indiscriminate attacks on unarmed civilians by armed security officers must stop immediately. Further violence will only yield more insecurity and move the country further away from a resolution to this political crisis," she said.
The situation is one step away from a civil war.
Cross-posted at WorldThreats.
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The Jewish Vote In 2012
With President Obama's endorsement of returning Israel's borders to 1967 levels, which has infuriated our Jewish allies, political analysts are attempting to figure out what impact, if any, this will have in the upcoming 2012 Presidential election.
I believe next year's election could be very good for Republicans.
The Democratic Party has won the Jewish vote in twenty-two straight elections, even though the Republican Party has historically been friendlier to Jewish interests than Democrats, who have run candidates like Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama.
In fact, the Presidency of Jimmy Carter left such a bad taste in the mouth of Jewish voters, that Reagan came within points of winning a plurality in 1980.
Which is what I believe will happen next year.
President Obama's history of hostility towards Israel and Jewish interests is bad enough, but his endorsement of the 1967 borders in coordination with the rightward drift of younger Jews will help the next Republican for President gain, and I firmly believe this, close to 30% of the vote.
Start watching for signs, because Jewish voters are going to mass exodus into the GOP.
What say you?
I believe next year's election could be very good for Republicans.
The Democratic Party has won the Jewish vote in twenty-two straight elections, even though the Republican Party has historically been friendlier to Jewish interests than Democrats, who have run candidates like Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama.
In fact, the Presidency of Jimmy Carter left such a bad taste in the mouth of Jewish voters, that Reagan came within points of winning a plurality in 1980.
Which is what I believe will happen next year.
President Obama's history of hostility towards Israel and Jewish interests is bad enough, but his endorsement of the 1967 borders in coordination with the rightward drift of younger Jews will help the next Republican for President gain, and I firmly believe this, close to 30% of the vote.
Start watching for signs, because Jewish voters are going to mass exodus into the GOP.
What say you?
Battle of the Douchebags: KKK Counters Westborough Soldier Funeral Protests
I'm not sure who I hate more. This interesting video comes via Breitbart:
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Monday, May 30, 2011
Video- Hamza Ali al-Khateeb Tortured, Killed, and Mutilated by Syrian Gov't
You want proof that Syrian "leader" Bashar Al-Assad is a monster? Just take a look at what his thugs did to a thirteen-year-old (warning, graphic):
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Shale Gas: Will France Hold Sway?
Last week Governor Cuomo issued an executive order requiring the Department of Environmental Conservation to take into account the the natural gas well blowout that occurred in April resulting in chemical laced water contaminating a Pennsylvania Creek. This has been highly touted in the media. What was overlooked by many was the additional requirement that the Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement (SGEIS) be released on July 1st.
In the memo sent Friday to Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joseph Martens, Director of State Operations Howard Glaser ordered the department to complete an on-site inspection of the Bradford County, Pa. gas well, and to include any information from the site in the DEC's environmental review of hydrofracking.
Glaser also asked for a second draft of that review, called the Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement, to be "completed for issuance by July 1, 2011," marking the first hard deadline placed on the DEC's hydrofracking study since it was launched in July 2008.
Newly appointed Commissioner Martens previously said the new draft guidelines would be completed “by the end of summer,” but it seems Cuomo was not happy with that squishy deadline and has decided to give the DEC a metaphorical kick in the rear. No one really knows where Cuomo comes down on the issue of drilling, but this is certainly a good omen for those who support drilling in the state.
This comes on the heels of a statement by EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, whose report is expected this month and the UK Parliament Energy and Climate Committee report supporting the development of natural gas drilling in the UK stating, among other things, that natural has did not pose a significant threat to the safety of fresh water aquifers.
In the end it is irrelevant what the NY DEC has to say about hydrofracking. The report from the UK Parliament means nothing when it comes to the veracity of the opposition. There is nothing, it seems that will be able to assuage the doubts and skepticism of the anti-fracking crowd. Except, perhaps, France.
France has a very significant shale gas reserve estimated at 28 trillion-30 trillion cubic meters. Initially very excited about exploiting this energy source, under pressure from environmental groups have placed a moratorium on shale gas exploration and drilling that is set to expire in June when two studies are expected to be made public regarding the safety and economic impacts of shale gas exploration. The preliminary information is promising!
For a remarkable astute observation see the post by Nick Grealy who operates the blog No Hot Air and will be introducing a new blog ShaleGasinfo.euon June 1st. He sees it as increasingly obvious "that France is going to play a big role in gaining public acceptance of shale in Europe."
France is held in high regard in places like Bucks County PA, upstate New York, the Upper West Side of Manhattan etc, where the opposition to shale has been loudest. On places like West 96th Street, a few blocks from Josh Fox of Gasland's main residence, they hold up France's shale ban as vindicating.
He raises some question's to those who see French shale as being dead and asks them to think again.
A report from the French Senate, written by Senator Houel, who represents the Seine-et-Marne, where the Paris Basin gas is located raises some pointed questions regarding the current ban in place.
Celui-ci souligne ainsi que l’enjeu énergétique, qui entre dans les trois piliers du développement durable (protection de l’environnement, développement économique, progrès social), n’est pas suffisamment pris en compte par le texte tel qu’adopté par l’Assemblée nationale.
This underlines how the energy issue, which involves three pillars of sustainable development (environmental protection, economic development, social progress), is not sufficiently taken into account by the text as adopted by the National Assembly.
Mr. Grealy adds in scathing commentary:
Wise words that we should use. Environmental protection and carbon reduction are only one of the three pillars. Gas can reduce carbon by 50 to 70%, but not by 100%, and even nuclear, CCS and renewables don't do that either. Gas does have substantial advantages however in economic development and social progress. Social progress is certainly the Achilles Heel of the NIMBY brigade. Much of the opposition in places like Pennsylvania comes from the weekend residents or drop ins who choose to act like organic goatherd/ peasants compared to the local permanent population who have never had an option but to live like peasants. (emphasis mine)
As I read this I wonder if he has visited the Cooperstown or Finger Lakes region of upstate New York? These are the specious arguments that dominate local town boards in the area.
The summer of 2011 will be bring to a head the arguments both for and against hydraulic fracturing. Will our elected representatives be willing to trump political pressure and do what is right? The actions of Sen Jim Seward (R/C/I-Oneonta) would argue otherwise.
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