Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Congress' Secret Plan to Pass Obamacare; It will cover illegal immigrants; Garrison Keillor: Deny healthcare to GOP

1) Congress’s Secret Plan to Pass Obamacare (by next Thursday) President Obama and liberals in Congress seem intent on passing comprehensive health care reform, even though polls suggest it is unpopular with the American people. And despite the potential political risks to moderate Democrats, the President and left-wing leadership in Congress are determined to pass the measure using a rare parliamentary procedure.   The Senate plans to attach Obamacare to a House-passed non-healthcare bill. Ironically, nobody knows what that legislation looks like, because it has not yet been written. Yet many members plan to rubber-stamp Obamacare without reading or understanding the bill.   The Senate Finance Committee worked furiously last week to mark up a “conceptual framework” of health care reform. The committee actually rejected an amendment by Sen. Jim Bunning (R.-Ky.) to mandate that the bill text and a final cost analysis by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) be publicly available at least 72 hours before the Finance Committee votes on final passage.   …Step 3: Now, Obamacare will be ready to hitch a ride on an unrelated bill from the House. Sen. Reid will move to proceed to H.R. 1586, a bill to impose a tax on bonuses received by certain TARP recipients. This bill was passed by the House in the wake of the AIG bonus controversy and is currently sitting on the Senate Legislative Calendar.   The move to proceed needs 60 votes to start debate. After the motion is approved, Sen. Reid will offer Obamacare as a complete substitute to the unrelated House-passed bill. This means that the entire healthcare reform effort will be included as an amendment to a TARP bill that has been collecting dust in the Senate for months.   …Adopting this secret plan will not strike most Americans as a transparent, bipartisan, effective way to change how millions of Americans get their health care. Do ya’ think? See: http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=33740 RUSH: This is how Harry Reid's going to drive the whole legislation back to the House, and this is essentially what reconciliation is all about. In one move -- and they're targeting next week to get this done -- in one move the US Congress will take over hospitals, will take over laboratories, will take over the medical profession, will take over the insurance companies. What they are planning, let me point it out to you in an even more understandable fashion. What they are plotting and hope to pull off by next week will make the takeovers of General Motors and Chrysler look like a joke. See: http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_093009/content/01125106.guest.html 1a) Senators turn back ID requirement for immigrant healthcare (Wilson was right) Senate Finance Committee Democrats rejected a proposed a requirement that immigrants prove their identity with photo identification when signing up for federal healthcare programs. Finance Committee ranking member Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said that current law and the healthcare bill under consideration are too lax and leave the door open to illegal immigrants defrauding the government using false or stolen identities to obtain benefits. Grassley's amendment was beaten back 10-13 on a party-line vote. See: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/60939-senators-turn-back-id-requirement-for-immigrant-healthcare 1b) Garrison Keillor says deny healthcare to Republicans …one starts to wonder if the country wouldn't be better off without them and if Republicans should be cut out of the health-care system entirely and simply provided with aspirin and hand sanitizer. Thirty-two percent of the population identifies with the GOP, and if we cut off health care to them, we could probably pay off the deficit in short order. Fine with me! We’ll set up our own system and you can have yours. Only don’t be disappointed when 45% of your doctors defect and come to the side of common sense.  See: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-oped0930keillorsep30,0,1198390.column 2) Bad Dreams, the French Sting and the World’s Nuclear Realities You know something is amiss when the French take a harder line on national security than the United States. At the United Nations last week, French President Nicolas Sarkozy chided President Obama for his “dream” of ridding the world of nuclear weapons, reminding him that “we live in a real world, not a virtual world.” Ouch. The French like to sting American presidents, but this is different. It’s not the normal Gallic jab at America for being a “hyper power,” but a French leader reminding an American president of his responsibilities as a world leader. The sting hurts because it rings so true—and because it comes from France, of all places. Sarkozy is right. We may want a nuclear free world, but we will no more eliminate all nuclear weapons in the world with arms control than we will all tanks, artillery or any other major weapon of war. We can control the spread of nuclear weapons, but it is downright foolish to pretend that we can free the world of all of them by signing agreements. …Why do I say this? Because Obama’s rhetorical fancy about disarmament comes on the heels of three very real and unfortunate decisions. One was to abandon the “third site” of missile defenses in Europe, which no matter what the excuse, was done to appease the Russians. Another was to reject the first draft of the Pentagon’s Nuclear Posture Review—a statement of U.S. nuclear strategy and policy issued by his own Secretary of Defense—because it didn’t go far enough in reducing American nuclear weapons. The third was to seek ratification of the Senate rejected and discredited Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). What will be the likely outcome of these policies and decisions? • The Russians (and Chinese) will continue to modernize their nuclear weapons while we stop or slow down. We will unilaterally disarm while they continue to build. …• Russia will continue to press the United States to give up defensive strategic programs (like the missile defense sites in Europe) in the name of arms control, while we leave ourselves more defenseless against their missiles and those of Iran and North Korea. See: http://blog.heritage.org/2009/09/29/bad-dreams-the-french-sting-and-the-worlds-nuclear-realities/ 3) Strong Indonesia quake kills hundreds, traps more PADANG, Indonesia – A powerful earthquake that struck western Indonesia trapped thousands of people under collapsed buildings — including hospitals, a hotel and a classroom, officials said. At least 200 bodies were found in one coastal city and the toll was expected to be far higher. The temblor Wednesday started fires, severed roads and cut off power and communications to Padang, a coastal city of 900,000 on Sumatra island. Thousands fled in panic, fearing a tsunami. The undersea quake of 7.6 magnitude was followed by a powerful, shallow inland earthquake on Thursday morning with a preliminary magnitude of 6.8, the U.S. Geological Survey said. It hit about 150 miles (240 kilometers) south of Padang at a depth of just 24 kilometers (under 20 miles). See: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091001/ap_on_re_as/as_indonesia_earthquake 4) Democrat lesbian charged with embezzling $6 million Accused of stealing from insurance firm, donating to Obama, Clinton, MoveOn.org A lesbian political activist who donated thousands to Democrats and homosexual causes is suspected of embezzling nearly $6 million from one of the world's largest insurance firms.  Despite her $40,000 a year salary as an insurance compensation specialist, Phyllis Stevens purchased two homes valued at more than $550,000 and gave thousands of dollars in donations to Democratic Party political candidates and homosexual groups.  The 58-year-old chairs the Midwest Chapter of Marriage Equality USA, a homosexual "marriage" advocacy group. She is accused of embezzling the money from health insurer Aviva over a period of five years. A civil complaint filed in federal court accuses Stevens of manipulating a computer system intended to give commission to insurance agents. She allegedly made payments to non-existent agents and deposited the commission into a bank account she shared with her lesbian partner, Marla, policy director for LGBT Fairness PAC. …Stevens and her lesbian partner donated at least $82,000 to Democratic congressional candidates from Iowa; Democratic presidential candidates such as Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, Dennis Kucinich and Bill Richardson; and groups such as ActBlue, MoveOn.org and the homosexual "marriage" advocacy group One Iowa. On the website eQualityGiving, Stevens wrote, "Marla and I are very careful about whom we give money to (especially when we decide to max out on a candidate.) As a couple, we refuse to max out on a candidate who doesn't support marriage equality." See: http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=111512

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

"Deliver us, Obama"?!?!?; Khadafy share's Obama vision; Empire State building to honor Chinese

1) Creepy O-cult video of the day: “Deliver us, Obama!” I didn’t think you could top those schoolchildren substituting Obama for Jesus in their public school praise hymn. Now, thanks to Naked Emperor News and Breitbart TV, we have video of community organizers led by the “Gamaliel Foundation” praying to The One as they lobby for “social justice” and health care for all. “HEAR OUR CRY, OBAMA!” “DELIVER US, OBAMA!” And no, this is not an Onion parody… See: http://michellemalkin.com/2009/09/29/creepy-o-cult-video-of-the-day-deliver-us-obama/ More on this…The "leaders" enter a room chanting, "Everybody in, nobody out," apparently referring to health care.  Then the chanter leads: "We are here for the healing of the nation," to which the crowd responds, "Yes."  "With the prophet Jeremiah we cry out, 'Is there no balm in Gilead?'" continues the chanter. "Is there no physician here. Why then has the health of thy poor people not been restored?"  The crowd responds: "Hear our cry Obama."  The chanter references the "prophet Martin Luther King Jr.," to which the crowd responds, "Here our cry Obama."  The chanter then intones: "From health care systems and industries that place profit over people," and the people respond, "Deliver us Obama."  The chanter then references "lobbying efforts" and "freed and fear," to which the crowd responds, "Deliver us Obama." I couldn’t make this stuff up if I tried! See: http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=111399 1a) More indoctrination in schools: September this year, Asheville, North Carolina, at the Sand Hill Venable Elementary School PTO meeting. Here's a group of skulls full of mush reciting a poem in honor of Obama, at a PTO meeting.  Change has come. Change has come. Hope! Uniting blacks and whites. Hope! Being both, Obama cannot take sides. Hope! "Don’t worry," said hope. "I will be your bridge." In time, hope will be the bridge for all of us. Hope will last enough for you to make a difference. Change has come. Change has come. Go now, fly free! Study! Watch! Learn! Keep your eyes open! Education is the key! Education is the secret! Education is the way! Education is the path! Can I make America better? Can I make America better? Can we make America better? Yes! Yes we can! Yes! Yes we can! RUSH: Another scripted song poem in praise of our Dear Supreme Leader, Barack Hussein Obama. Again that's from September 2009, Asheville, North Carolina, Sand Hill Venable Elementary School PTO meeting. See: http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_092909/content/01125110.guest.html 2) Liberal #1 Criticizes Obama: Time to Act Like a President Sooner or later it is going to occur to Barack Obama that he is the president of the United States. As of yet, though, he does not act that way, appearing promiscuously on television and granting interviews like the presidential candidate he no longer is. The election has been held, but the campaign goes on and on. The candidate has yet to become commander in chief.  Take last week's Group of 20 meeting in Pittsburgh. There, the candidate-in-full commandeered the television networks and the leaders of Britain and France to give the Iranians a dramatic warning. Yet another of their secret nuclear facilities had been revealed and Obama, as anyone could see, was determined to do something about it -- just don't ask what. …The supposedly secret installation had been known to Western intelligence agencies -- Britain, France, the United States and undoubtedly Israel -- for several years. Its existence had been deduced by intelligence analysts from Iranian purchases abroad, and it was pinpointed sometime afterward. What had changed was that news of it had gone public. This happened not because Obama announced it but because the Iranians beat him to it after discovering that their cover was blown. They then turned themselves in to the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna and, as usual, said the site was intended for the peaceful use of nuclear energy. These Persians lie like a rug. …For a crisis such as this, the immense prestige of the American presidency ought to be held in reserve. Let the secretary of state issue grave warnings. When Obama said in Pittsburgh that Iran is "going to have to come clean and they are going to have to make a choice," it had the sound of an ultimatum. But what if the Iranians don't? What then? A president has to be careful with such language. He better mean what he says. The trouble with Obama is that he gets into the moment and means what he says for that moment only. He meant what he said when he called Afghanistan a "war of necessity" -- and now is not necessarily so sure. He meant what he said about the public option in his health-care plan -- and then again maybe not. He would not prosecute CIA agents for getting rough with detainees -- and then again maybe he would. …Obama is our version of a Supreme Leader, not given to making idle threats, setting idle deadlines, reversing course on momentous issues, creating a TV crisis where none existed or, unbelievably, pitching Chicago for the 2016 Olympics. Obama's the president. Time he understood that. See: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/28/AR2009092802484.html 2a) Liberal #2 Criticizes Obama: The Limits of Charisma Mr. President, please stay off TV. If ubiquity were the measure of a presidency, Barack Obama would already be grinning at us from Mount Rushmore. But of course it is not. Despite his many words and television appearances, our elegant and eloquent president remains more an emblem of change than an agent of it. He's a man with an endless, worthy to-do list—health care, climate change, bank reform, global capital regulation, AfPak, the Middle East, you name it—but, as yet, no boxes checked "done." This is a problem that style will not fix. Unless Obama learns to rely less on charm, rhetoric, and good intentions and more on picking his spots and winning in political combat, he's not going to be reelected, let alone enshrined in South Dakota. The president's problem isn't that he is too visible; it's the lack of content in what he says when he keeps showing up on the tube. See: http://www.newsweek.com/id/216210 3) Mr. Policy Hits a Wall "In one policy area after another," Schambra writes, "from transportation to science, urban policy to auto policy, Obama's formulation is virtually identical: Selfishness or ideological rigidity has led us to look at the problem in isolated pieces . . . we must put aside parochialism to take the long systemic view; and when we finally formulate a uniform national policy supported by empirical and objective data rather than shallow, insular opinion, we will arrive at solutions that are not only more effective but less costly as well. This is the mantra of the policy presidency."  Historically, that approach has not worked. The progressives failed to gain more than brief ascendancy, and the Carter and Clinton presidencies were marked by striking policy failures. The reason, Schambra says, is that this highly rational, comprehensive approach fits uncomfortably with the Constitution (Well, no kidding! - Comment mine), which apportions power among so many different players, most of whom are far more concerned with the particulars of policy than its overall coherence. See: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/23/AR2009092303676.html 4) Senate panel rejects gov't-run insurance option WASHINGTON – In a long-anticipated showdown, liberal Democrats twice failed on Tuesday to inject a government-run insurance option into sweeping health care legislation taking shape in the Senate, despite bipartisan agreement that private insurers must change their ways. The two votes marked a victory for Montana Democrat Max Baucus, the Senate Finance Committee chairman, who is hoping to push his middle-of-the-road measure through the panel by week's end. It also kept alive the possibility that at least one Republican may yet swing behind the overhaul, a key goal of both Baucus and the White House. See: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090930/ap_on_go_co/us_health_care_overhaul 5) 16-year-old boy beaten to death in Roseland But this place of refuge became the scene of a deadly melee Thursday when dozens of teenage boys converged in a vacant lot next to the community center, beating one another with fists, feet and 2-by-4s. When it was all over, 16-year-old Derrion Albert lay on the gravel, his body dented and damaged from the pummeling. A youth worker at the center dragged Derrion's slight frame into the center, but it was too late. He died a short time later. This is very sad and angering. But I have to make this comment: Maybe we should outlaw 2-by-4s? Or maybe some 2-by-4 control should be in order. How about making it illegal to buy a 2-by-4 unless you get your picture taken, answer a mental health questionnaire, and get finger-printed? After all, 2-by-4s seem to have killed this boy.   See: http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/09/boy-16-found-slain-on-far-south-side.html 6) Khadafy: I Share Obama Vision RUSH: So last night on Larry King Alive there's huge news made here as a certifiable terrorist whack job, Moammar Khadafy says that his views are identical to our president's. Now, in a normal, sane media world that would be news and then somebody would track down Obama and say, "Mr. President, Moammar Khadafy appeared on Larry King Live last night and said his views are identical to yours and he agrees with everything you say, that you've said, and thinks you should be president forever. What's your reaction?" Of course that will not happen. See: http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_092909/content/01125112.guest.html 7) Andy Williams accuses Barack Obama of following Marxist theory …"Don't like him at all," he said, "I think he wants to create a socialist country. The people he associates with are very Left-wing. One is registered as a Communist. "Obama is following Marxist theory. He's taken over the banks and the car industry. He wants the country to fail." See: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/6241196/Andy-Williams-accuses-Barack-Obama-of-following-Marxist-theory.html 8) Military to get mandatory swine flu shots soon WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. military troops will begin getting required swine flu shots in the next week to 10 days, with active duty forces deploying to war zones and other critical areas going to the front of the vaccine line, a top military commander said Tuesday. …The Pentagon has bought 2.7 million vaccines, and 1.4 million of those will go to active duty military. National Guard troops on active duty are also required to receive the vaccine, as are civilian Defense Department employees who are in critical jobs.  As a result, the military is expected to provide health officials with an early assessment of the vaccine.  "Because I can compel people to get the shots, larger numbers will have the vaccine," said Renuart, commander of U.S. Northern Command. "They will, as a percentage of the population, be vaccinated more rapidly than many of us. So we may see some objective results, good or not, of the vaccinations." So, what you’re saying, Mr. Renuart, is that you’re running a human experiment without the consent of the people being experimented on…how constitutional of you. See: http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D9B1838G2&show_article=1&catnum=-1 9) Empire State building to glow communist red, yellow Skyscraper to blaze Chinese colors in honor of 60th anniversary of regime New York's Empire State Building will light up red and yellow tomorrow to honor the 60th anniversary of communist China, according to the skyscraper's official website. …As WND reported, the flag of the communist Chinese regime was raised over festivities near the White House honoring the restrictive nation's 60th anniversary, according to videos posted on YouTube as well as reports from the Chinese Central television network's English-language report.  WND also reported earlier when plans were announced for the White House events, drawing a response from columnist Chuck Baldwin, who said the idea "challenges my vocabulary.  "Words such as UNBELIEVABLE, UNREAL, HORRIFIC, OBSCENE, even TRAITOROUS quickly come to mind," he wrote in a column. "Remember, the communist leaders of Mao's China are not called the 'Butchers of Beijing' for nothing. Since seizing power in 1949, it is estimated that the communist government in China has murdered more than 50 million people (some reports say the number is over 70 million)." See: http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=111400’ 10) State to mom: Stop baby-sitting neighbors' kids IRVING TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Each day before the school bus comes to pick up the neighborhood's children, Lisa Snyder did a favor for three of her fellow moms, welcoming their children into her home for about an hour before they left for school. Regulators who oversee child care, however, don't see it as charity. Days after the start of the new school year, Snyder received a letter from the Michigan Department of Human Services warning her that if she continued, she'd be violating a law aimed at the operators of unlicensed day care centers. See: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090930/ap_on_re_us/us_baby_sitter_backlash_mich 11) Quake triggers tsunami in the Samoas, killing 39 PAGO PAGO, American Samoa – A powerful Pacific Ocean earthquake spawned towering tsunami waves that swept ashore on Samoa and American Samoa early Tuesday, flattening villages, killing at least 39 people and leaving dozens of workers missing at devastated National Park Service facilities. …The ramifications of the tsunami could be felt thousands of miles away, with federal officials saying strong currents and dangerous waves were forecast from California to Washington state. No major flooding was expected, however.  In Los Angeles, lifeguards said they will clear beaches around 8 p.m. in response to a tsunami advisory for possible dangerous currents. “and there will be earthquakes in various places…” See: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090930/ap_on_re_au_an/as_pacific_earthquake

Monday, September 28, 2009

Sarkozy calls Obama naive; Iran has FIVE nuclear sites; Healthcare support at new low; The Apostate Church

"No nation can or should try to dominate another nation." - Obama "Did a professional speechwriter write that? Or did you outsource it to a starry-eyed runner-up in the Miss America pageant? Whether or not any nation "should try" to dominate another, they certainly "can," and do so with effortless ease, all over the planet and throughout human history." - Mark Steyn 1) Iran says advanced missiles can target any threat TEHRAN, Iran – Iran tested its longest-range missiles Monday and warned they can reach any place that threatens the country, including Israel, parts of Europe and U.S. military bases in the Mideast. The launch capped two days of war games and was condemned as a provocation by Western powers, which are demanding Tehran come clean about a newly revealed nuclear facility it has been secretly building. …In the latest exercise, the powerful Revolutionary Guard, which controls Iran's missile program, successfully tested upgraded versions of Iran's medium-range Shahab-3 and Sajjil missiles, state television reported. Both can carry warheads and reach up to 1,200 miles, putting Israel, U.S. military bases in the Middle East and parts of Europe within striking distance. The launchings were meant to display Iran's military might and demonstrate its readiness to respond to any military threat. "Iranian missiles are able to target any place that threatens Iran," said Abdollah Araqi, a senior Revolutionary Guard commander, according to the semiofficial Fars news agency. See: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090929/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iran 1a) Netanyahu to U.S.: Time is now for action on Iran nukes Now is the time to act to halt the Iranian nuclear program, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Senators and Congress members over the weekend.  The prime minister's message, which he made in telephone conversations, came a day after evidence of a clandestine Iranian nuclear facility was presented by U.S. President Barack Obama and the leaders of Britain and France at the G-20 economic summit in Pittsburgh.  "If not now, then when?" Netanyahu reportedly asked in the conversations with American officials.  Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said on Saturday that the newly exposed nuclear facility in Iran was built for military purposes and was proof that the Islamic Republic is seeking atomic weapons. See: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1117106.html 1b) 5 more nuke plants spotted in Iran Intel agents describe guarded operations buried in mountains LONDON – Deep-cover MI6 agents who have described the workings of the once-secret underground uranium enrichment plant near the Iranian city of Qom now have discovered a staggering five more similar operations, according to a report from Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin.  They, like the Qom facility, are buried deep inside the mountains of north Iran and are guarded by divisions of Revolutionary Guards.  The details were sent this weekend to some G20 leaders who met in Pittsburgh when the Qom facility was revealed to the world. See: http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=111334 1c) U.S., Allies Seek New Ways to Sanction Iran UNITED NATIONS -- The Obama administration and its Western allies are looking at new ways to constrict Iran's energy, transportation and financial sectors in the wake of last week's revelation that Tehran had secretly developed a second nuclear-fuel facility. But the White House will still face numerous challenges matching its rhetoric on sanctions with real international action, said American and European officials involved in the process. That makes the U.S. Treasury -- and not the United Nations -- the main focus of the West's financial campaign against Iran for now, said U.S. and European officials. …China and Russia are still seen as only half-hearted partners in any effort to push forward expansive new financial penalties… …Despite U.S. sanctions on goods, there is virtually no U.S. export that can't be bought there, from General Electric refrigerators to Apple laptops and Levi's jeans. The goods typically are smuggled in via the Persian Gulf from places such as Dubai. The U.S. restrictions on companies doing business with Iran have largely isolated American firms, especially in the oil and gas sector, and opened the door for Russian, European and Asian companies. It has not brought projects to a halt. …I.e., sanctions don’t work and Iran is going to continue doing what it has been doing unless acted on by an outside force… See: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125417342102747375.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_LEFTTopStories 1d) Sarkozy calls Obama a cheese-eating surrender monkey I never thought I’d see the day when an American President makes the French look hawkish. Canada’s National Post: Obama: “We must never stop until we see the day when nuclear arms have been banished from the face of the earth.” Sarkozy: “We live in the real world, not the virtual world. And the real world expects us to take decisions.” The rest of Sarkozy’s remarks were, well, remarkable: “President Obama dreams of a world without weapons … but right in front of us two countries are doing the exact opposite. “Iran since 2005 has flouted five security council resolutions. North Korea has been defying council resolutions since 1993. “I support the extended hand of the Americans, but what good has proposals for dialogue brought the international community? More uranium enrichment and declarations by the leaders of Iran to wipe a UN member state off the map,” he continued, referring to Israel. The sharp-tongued French leader even implied that Mr Obama’s resolution 1887 had used up valuable diplomatic energy. “If we have courage to impose sanctions together it will lend viability to our commitment to reduce our own weapons and to making a world without nuke weapons,” he said. Mr Sarkozy has previously called the US president’s disarmament crusade “naive.” Bravo, Mr. Sarkozy! See: http://polipundit.com/?p=21335 2) Jewish tourists attacked in Temple Mount clashes  Palestinians hurl stones in suspected pre-planned aggression JERUSALEM – The Palestinian Authority was behind violent clashes on the Temple Mount today that left 24 people wounded hours before the start of the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, according to both Israeli security sources and a source inside the PA. …According to multiple witnesses as well as to Israel's police spokesman, Shmulik Ben Ruby, the clashes began as soon as the Jewish group entered the site.  Immediately, about 150 Palestinian worshipers hurled rocks at the Jewish group and at policemen who were escorting them, slightly wounding two policemen. Police responded with stun grenades while whisking the Jewish visitors away.  Palestinians at several areas in Jerusalem's Old City also began hurling rocks at Jews today. Yeah, it’s a religion of peace alright… See: http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=111253 3) U.S. commander in Afghanistan talked with Obama only once The military general credited with capturing Saddam Hussein and killing the leader of al Qaeda in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, says he has spoken with President Obama only once since taking command in Afghanistan. "I’ve talked to the president, since I’ve been here, once on a VTC [video teleconference]," Gen. Stanley McChrystal told CBS reporter David Martin in a television interview that aired Sunday. "You’ve talked to him once in 70 days?" Mr. Martin followed up. "That is correct," the general replied. This revelation comes amid the explosive publication of a classified report written by the general that said the war in Afghanistan "will likely result in failure" if more troops are not added next year. Yet, the debate over health care reform continues to dominate Washington’s political discussions. See: http://www.washingtontimes.com/weblogs/back-story/2009/sep/28/us-commander-of-afghanistan-only-talked-to-obama-o/ 4) Health Care Reform Support for Health Care Plan Hits New Low Just 41% of voters nationwide now favor the health care reform proposed by President Obama and congressional Democrats. That’s down two points from a week ago and the lowest level of support yet measured.  The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 56% are opposed to the plan. See: http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/current_events/healthcare/september_2009/health_care_reform 4a) In Canada, a move toward a private healthcare option In British Columbia, private clinics and surgical centers are capitalizing on patients who might otherwise pay for faster treatment in the U.S. The courts will consider their legality next month. While Canada is starting to come to its senses, we are losing ours… See: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-healthcare-canada27-2009sep27,0,5111855.story 5) World Bank says don't take dollar's place for granted WASHINGTON (Reuters) – World Bank President Robert Zoellick said the United States should not take the dollar's status as the world's key reserve currency for granted because other options are emerging. In excerpts released on Sunday from a speech that he is to deliver on Monday, Zoellick said global economic forces were shifting and it was time now to prepare for the fact that growth will come from multiple sources. "The United States would be mistaken to take for granted the dollar's place as the world's predominant reserve currency," he said. "Looking forward, there will increasingly be other options." See: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090927/bs_nm/us_worldbank_zoellick 6) Bank suspends dealings with ACORN housing entity WASHINGTON – Bank of America Corp. is suspending its work with the housing affiliate of embattled community organizing group ACORN. The decision comes as three Republicans in Congress ask Bank of America and 13 other financial institutions to give Congress a complete accounting of their dealings with the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now or its affiliates. BUT, if you recall Bank of America GAVE ACORN $2 million back in February, just after it had received a taxpayer bailout…a little too late, don’t you think? See: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090929/ap_on_go_ot/us_acorn_banks 7) Gadhafi strengthens relationship with Chavez PORLAMAR, Venezuela – Moammar Gadhafi and Hugo Chavez are strengthening their relationship and finding common ground as two radical former military men who both want to challenge the "imperialism" of wealthy nations and aspire to speak for many poor nations. The Libyan and Venezuelan leaders were expected to meet one-on-one on Monday, although no public events were announced. Chavez and Gadhafi led a weekend summit where South American and African leaders pledged to deepen links between the continents. Chavez made diplomatic inroads while offering African countries Venezuela's help in oil projects, mining and financial assistance. Gadhafi, who is making his first visit to Latin America, said the two regions should unite to wield more influence and form a defense alliance, a "NATO for the South" — calling it "SATO." Hmmm…bears a striking resemblance to the incarnate of evil himself… See: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090928/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_venezuela_gadhafi 8) ‘Safe School Czar’ Ignored Statutory Rape A teacher was told by a 15-year-old high school sophomore that he was having homosexual sex with an "older man." At the very least, statutory rape occurred. Fox News reported that the teacher violated a state law requiring that he report the abuse. That former teacher, Kevin Jennings, is President Obama’s "safe school czar." …In this one case in which Mr. Jennings had a real chance to protect a young boy from a sexual predator, he not only failed to do what the law required but actually encouraged the relationship.  According to Mr. Jennings’ own description in a new audiotape discovered by Fox News, the 15-year-old boy met the "older man" in a "bus station bathroom" and was taken to the older man’s home that night. When some details about the case became public, Mr. Jennings threatened to sue another teacher who called his failure to report the statutory rape "unethical." Mr. Jennings’ defenders asserted that there was no evidence that he was aware the student had sex with the older man.  However, the new audiotape contradicts this claim. In 2000, Mr. Jennings gave a talk to the Iowa chapter of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, an advocacy group that promotes homosexuality in schools. On the tape, Mr. Jennings recollected that he told the student to make sure "to use a condom" when he was with the older man.  See: http://sweetness-light.com/archive/safe-school-czar-ignored-statutory-rape 9) NBC Producer Accused of E-mailing Anti-ACORN Group 'Bite Me Jew Boy' A group called Americans for Limited Government on Thursday accused a producer for NBC's "Dateline" of sending them an anti-Semitic e-mail message in response to the organization's request for Congress to defund the controversial group ACORN. The mass e-mail in question, sent by ALG's Alex Rosenwald to many members of the media including NBC's Jane Stone, said: “The only way Congress can unravel all of the various funding measures in the ‘stimulus,’ in the ‘Foreclosure Prevention Act,’ and other measures is to pass the ‘Defund ACORN Act’ immediately. They should do it now. Before ACORN spends it all.” -- ALG President Bill Wilson  According to ALG, Stone responded: “Bite me Jew boy!” The Capital Research Center's Matthew Vadum, who is also a contributor to NewsBusters, posted a screen-cap of the e-mail message at Andrew Breitbart's website Big Government. See: http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2009/09/25/nbc-dateline-producer-anti-acorn-group-bite-me-jew-boy 10) Feds Target Yard Sales Thinking of having a fall yard sale to clean out some of the clutter from your house? Be careful, or it could get you in trouble with the Feds, and cost you up to $15 million in fines. Its no joke: the Consumer Product Safety Commission has launched a new enforcement campaign, which it calls “Resale Round-up,” targeting the resale of potentially harmful children’s toys and other consumer products. Potential violators, the CPSC warns, include “thrift stores, consignment stores, charities, and individuals holding yard sales and flea markets.” Even e-bay sales are at risk. See: http://blog.heritage.org/2009/09/25/feds-target-yard-sales/ 11) Why can't Christians unite to change America? Study finds faithful can't agree on Bible, government, social responsibility The commonly referenced "God gap" between Republicans and Democrats is disappearing.  Polls released before the 2008 election demonstrated America's Christian voters are no longer synonymous with the political right: a George Barna survey showed born-again Christians evenly split between John McCain and Barack Obama, and a Public Religion Research study found that even among white Evangelicals, touchstone issues like abortion and same-sex marriage weren't in their top five voting considerations. Welcome to the apostate Church… See: http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=111154

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Financial Armageddon; Iran fires missles, helps Venezuela; Cops warned about right-wing 'terrorists'

1) U.S. "pay czar" Feinberg using formulas, not caps NEW YORK (Reuters) - President Barack Obama's "pay czar" said on Friday he was using formulas and data analysis to determine executive compensation rather than relying on pay caps. Yeah, that makes it better. The government is STILL “determining executive compensation”, something it has NO business doing. See: http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE58O3KP20090925 2) US May Face 'Armageddon' If China, Japan Don't Buy Debt The US is too dependent on Japan and China buying up the country's debt and could face severe economic problems if that stops, Tiger Management founder and chairman Julian Robertson told CNBC. "It's almost Armageddon if the Japanese and Chinese don't buy our debt,” Robertson said in an interview. "I don't know where we could get the money. I think we've let ourselves get in a terrible situation and I think we ought to try and get out of it." Robertson said inflation is a big risk if foreign countries were to stop buying bonds. No kidding! Really? …Robertson said while he doesn’t think the Chinese will stop buying US bonds, the Japanese may eventually be forced to sell some of their long-term bonds.  “That's much worse than not buying,” he said. “The other thing is, they're buying almost exclusively short-term debt. And that's what we are offering, because we can't sell the long-term debt. And you know, the history has been that people who borrow short term really get burned.” See: http://www.cnbc.com/id/33004753/ 2a) US credit shrinks at Great Depression rate prompting fears of double-dip recession Both bank credit and the M3 money supply in the United States have been contracting at rates comparable to the onset of the Great Depression since early summer, raising fears of a double-dip recession in 2010 and a slide into debt-deflation. Professor Tim Congdon from International Monetary Research said US bank loans have fallen at an annual pace of almost 14pc in the three months to August (from $7,147bn to $6,886bn).  "There has been nothing like this in the USA since the 1930s," he said. "The rapid destruction of money balances is madness."  The M3 "broad" money supply, watched as an early warning signal for the economy a year or so later, has been falling at a 5pc annual rate.  Similar concerns have been raised by David Rosenberg, chief strategist at Gluskin Sheff, who said that over the four weeks up to August 24, bank credit shrank at an "epic" 9pc annual pace, the M2 money supply shrank at 12.2pc and M1 shrank at 6.5pc. "For the first time in the post-WW2 [Second World War] era, we have deflation in credit, wages and rents and, from our lens, this is a toxic brew," he said. See: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financetopics/recession/6190818/US-credit-shrinks-at-Great-Depression-rate-prompting-fears-of-double-dip-recession.html 3) Democrats jarred by drop in fundraising WASHINGTON - Democratic political committees have seen a decline in their fundraising fortunes this year, a result of complacency among their rank-and-file donors and a de facto boycott by many of their wealthiest givers, who have been put off by the party's harsh rhetoric about big business. …summer, the three national Republican committees combined to bring in $1.7 million more than their Democratic counterparts in August. The pair of Democratic committees tasked with raising money for House and Senate candidates -- and doing so at a time when the party holds its strongest position on Capitol Hill in a generation -- have watched their receipts plummet by a combined 20 percent with little more than a year to go before the November 2010 midterm elections. See: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33017055/ns/politics-washington_post/ 3a) Dem campaign anxiety: Vulnerables say they lack cover from Pelosi Politically vulnerable Democrats say Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other House leaders aren’t offering them the protection from tough votes that they did in the last Congress. …Between a tough vote on a climate change bill that many don’t expect to become law and a leftward push on healthcare legislation, Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) critics within her caucus say she’s left the so-called “majority makers” exposed.

“She keeps trying to push an unpopular package,” said Rep. Gene Taylor (D-Miss.), a centrist Blue Dog Democrat, referring to healthcare. “I think it’s fair to say they were better at it before.”

Another Blue Dog lawmaker put it more bluntly. “They’re seriously endangering their majority,” said the Blue Dog, who requested anonymity. “With the increased margin and a [Democratic] president, there seems to be a different feeling.” See: http://thehill.com/homenews/house/60109-dem-campaign-anxiety 4) Wilson to Dems: You "mislead"! …Dear Fellow Republican,  There has been a lot of debate on what is true in the debate over government-run healthcare. But Democrats continue to spin and mislead the public in an attempt to stifle honest and open debate about what this bill will do, what it will cost and how it will change your healthcare. To remedy this, my Republican colleagues have introduced legislation requiring Nancy Pelosi to post all major legislation online for a minimum of 72 hours before it can be brought to a vote. While this seems like common sense, Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats have continually rushed major legislation to a vote to ensure little to no public scrutiny. This means, you as a taxpaying citizen, cannot read the legislation before your representatives vote on it.  Posting major legislation online for all to read seems like a no-brainer, but with Nancy Pelosi in charge the odds of this bill reaching the House floor for debate and consideration are slim to none. See: http://www.politico.com/blogs/glennthrush/0909/Wilson_to_Dems_You_mislead_.html 5) Under pressure for nukes, Iran test fires missiles TEHRAN – Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard said it successfully test-fired short-range missiles Sunday in drills meant to show Tehran is prepared to crush any military threat from another country. The display of force comes days after the U.S. and its allies warned Iran over a newly revealed nuclear facility it was secretly constructing. Gen. Hossein Salami, head of the Revolutionary Guard Air Force, said Iran had perfected its short range missiles to make them more accurate in tactical battlefield situations and defend the country from any attacks. "We are going to respond to any military action in a crushing manner and it doesn't make any difference which country or regime has launched the aggression," state media quoted Salami as saying. He said the missiles successfully hit their targets. …The missiles tested weren't the kind that can carry a nuclear warhead. Iran is developing such ballistic missiles, but the U.S. believes that effort has been slowed. But the timing of the missile tests has been widely interpreted as an Iranian show of force in the face of the international storm of criticism over the secret facility. See: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090928/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_iran 5a) Report: New Iran nuclear facility will be operational soon Iran's newly disclosed nuclear fuel facility will soon become operational, an aide to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was quoted as saying on Saturday.  The statement came a day after U.S. President Barack Obama demanded that Iran come clean about its nuclear program or face "sanctions that bite" after the disclosure of the new uranium enrichment plant under construction south of Tehran.  "This new plant, God willing, will soon become operational and will make the enemies blind," Mohammad Mohammadi-Golpayegani, who heads Khamenei's office, said, according to the semi-official Fars News Agency. See: http://haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1117083.html 5b) Venezuela seeking uranium with Iran's help PORLAMAR, Venezuela – Iran is helping to detect uranium deposits in Venezuela and initial evaluations suggest reserves are significant, President Hugo Chavez's government said Friday. Mining Minister Rodolfo Sanz said Iran has been assisting Venezuela with geophysical survey flights and geochemical analysis of the deposits, and that evaluations "indicate the existence of uranium in western parts of the country and in Santa Elena de Uairen," in southeastern Bolivar state. "We could have important reserves of uranium," Sanz told reporters upon arrival on Venezuela's Margarita Island for a weekend Africa-South America summit. He added that efforts to certify the reserves could begin within the next three years. The announcement came as revelations that Iran has secretly been building a uranium-enrichment plant provoke concerns among countries including the U.S., Russia, France, Britain, Germany and China. See: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090925/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_venezuela_iran 6) Cops, deputies warned again about right-wing 'terrorists' A private activist organization apparently is picking up where the federal government left off when the Department of Homeland Security issued its "Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment" warning that returning veterans and people in a long list of other categories were potential terrorists.  Only the new warning, delivered recently to police officers, sheriffs and other law enforcement personnel across the country, is lumping those dedicated to the constitutional principles on which the nation was founded together with crazed killers.  The fall 2009 "Intelligence Report" was issued recently by the Southern Poverty Law Center, where officials confirmed to WND it was published specifically for and delivered to law enforcement personnel across the nation. The SPLC did not respond to a WND request for other comment …But the article groups members of various organizations such as Oathkeepers – whose mainly military and law enforcement members pledge to uphold their constitutional duties, including the duty to question and refuse what appear to be illegitimate orders – with a man "said to be interested in joining a militia" who is accused of killing two deputies in Florida. …The warning from the SPLC echoes the alarmism from the earlier federal report. WND has posted the report online.  It warned of potential terrorism threats from those who: Oppose abortion -Are returning veterans -Oppose same-sex marriage -Oppose restrictions on firearms -Oppose lax immigration laws -Oppose the policies of President Obama regarding immigration, citizenship, and the expansion of social programs -Oppose continuation of free trade agreements See: http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=111078

Friday, September 25, 2009

The new leader of the free world; $25,000 or 1 year in jail if you don't pay health care fine; NJ principal unapologetic

1) The New Leader of the Free World: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to the UN General Assembly Nearly 62 years ago, the United Nations recognized the right of the Jews, an ancient people 3,500 years-old, to a state of their own in their ancestral homeland.  I stand here today as the Prime Minister of Israel, the Jewish state, and I speak to you on behalf of my country and my people. The United Nations was founded after the carnage of World War II and the horrors of the Holocaust. It was charged with preventing the recurrence of such horrendous events. Nothing has undermined that central mission more than the systematic assault on the truth (emphasis mine). Yesterday the President of Iran stood at this very podium, spewing his latest anti-Semitic rants. Just a few days earlier, he again claimed that the Holocaust is a lie. …And what of the Auschwitz survivors whose arms still bear the tattooed numbers branded on them by the Nazis? Are those tattoos a lie? One-third of all Jews perished in the conflagration. Nearly every Jewish family was affected, including my own. My wife's grandparents, her father?s two sisters and three brothers, and all the aunts, uncles and cousins were all murdered by the Nazis. Is that also a lie? …Yesterday, the man who calls the Holocaust a lie spoke from this podium. To those who refused to come here and to those who left this room in protest, I commend you. You stood up for moral clarity and you brought honor to your countries.  But to those who gave this Holocaust-denier a hearing, I say on behalf of my people, the Jewish people, and decent people everywhere: Have you no shame? Have you no decency (emphasis mine)?  A mere six decades after the Holocaust, you give legitimacy to a man who denies that the murder of six million Jews took place and pledges to wipe out the Jewish state.  What a disgrace! What a mockery of the charter of the United Nations (emphasis mine)! Perhaps some of you think that this man and his odious regime threaten only the Jews. You're wrong.  History has shown us time and again that what starts with attacks on the Jews eventually ends up engulfing many others.  This Iranian regime is fueled by an extreme fundamentalism that burst onto the world scene three decades ago after lying dormant for centuries.  In the past thirty years, this fanaticism has swept the globe with a murderous violence and cold-blooded impartiality in its choice of victims. It has callously slaughtered Moslems and Christians, Jews and Hindus, and many others. Though it is comprised of different offshoots, the adherents of this unforgiving creed seek to return humanity to medieval times. The struggle against this fanaticism does not pit faith against faith nor civilization against civilization.  It pits civilization against barbarism, the 21st century against the 9th century, those who sanctify life against those who glorify death (emphasis mine). See: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1116884.html 1a) Netanyahu Condemns U.N. for Allowing Ahmadinejad to Deliver Address Holding aloft evidence of Hitler's Final Solution, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday railed against Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for his denial of the Holocaust and scolded the United Nations for allowing Ahmadinejad to speak during its opening session of the 64th U.N. General Assembly.  With detailed reminders in hand of the war that sent 6 million Jews to their deaths in concentration camps, including construction blueprints for Auschwitz, Netanyahu took his turn at the dais to recall the agreement within the world body to create the Jewish state and express astonishment at what he witnessed a day earlier in that organization's great hall.  …The day before, President Obama also drew heavy applause when he declared that "America does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements." Obama called for Palestinians to end their "incitement of Israel" as well, but that line did not trigger a response from the audience.  Beware, rulers of the world! He Who defends Israel will neither slumber nor sleep! See: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/09/24/netanyahu-condemns-allowing-ahmadinejad-deliver-address/ And: http://www.breitbart.tv/netanyahu-slams-u-n-for-giving-ahmadinejad-forum-have-you-no-shame/ 1b) Sarah Palin: Best Wishes for the Jewish High Holidays A speech was given at the United Nations General Assembly yesterday that was full of hateful anti-Semitic rhetoric. It was a shameful display before a body whose very charter is premised on the need for co-operation and harmony in pursuit of peaceful co-existence between nations. Such talk was especially abhorrent coming as it did during the Jewish High Holidays. The world community must speak with one voice in declaring anti-Semitism and all forms of intolerance and racism utterly unacceptable. There is no place in the community of peace-loving nations for those who traffic in hate or deny the terrible atrocity of the Nazi Holocaust. In this holy season, we join the Jewish people in the struggle to promote justice, harmony, and peace. May God bless them. See: http://www.marklevinshow.com/goout.asp?u=http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=139552073434 2) Obama, other leaders: Iran has secret nuke site PITTSBURGH – Bluntly confronting Iran, President Barack Obama and the leaders of France and Britain accused the Islamic republic Friday of clandestinely building an underground plant to make nuclear fuel that could be used to build an atomic bomb. "Iran is breaking rules that all nations must follow," Obama declared. "The size and configuration of this facility is inconsistent with a peaceful program," he said of the formerly secret site, warning of severe consequences if Iran does not come clean about its nuclear efforts and intentions. What “severe consequences”, Mr. Obama?   See: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090925/ap_on_go_pr_wh/g20_summit_obama_iran 2a) Obama knew of Iran plant before U.N. assembly The Obama administration reportedly knew about the second secret Iranian uranium enrichment program prior to the United Nations meeting, yet the president chose to say nothing about the revelation, either during his address to the General Assembly or yesterday, when he chaired a Security Council session. A meeting between Iran and the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council – the U.S., Britain, France, China and Russia – plus Germany is scheduled for Oct. 1 in Geneva.  The success of that meeting is now called into question by the U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency's announcement today confirming the existence of Iran's new enrichment plant after receiving a letter from Iran Monday that confirmed the facility's existence. …Obama first learned of the plant as president-elect, before his inauguration Jan. 20, the officials said.  That Obama said nothing about the second Iranian enrichment plant gave the impression the administration was surprised by the disclosure, as suggested by a top headline on the Drudge Report that proclaimed under a photo of Obama, "Caught by surprise: Iran has second nuke plant."  Iran's second nuclear facility is reportedly built underground on a military base near Qom and is capable of handling up to 3,000 centrifuges. See: http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=111027 3) $25,000 or 1 year in jail for failing to pay $1900 fine for not buying health insurance Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) received a handwritten note Thursday from Joint Committee on Taxation Chief of Staff Tom Barthold confirming the penalty for failing to pay the up to $1,900 fee for not buying health insurance. Violators could be charged with a misdemeanor and could face up to a year in jail or a $25,000 penalty, Barthold wrote on JCT letterhead. He signed it "Sincerely, Thomas A. Barthold." See: http://www.politico.com/livepulse/0909/Ensign_receives_handwritten_confirmation_.html?showall 3a) Openness and transparency go by the wayside: Democrats nix putting pre-vote health bill online WASHINGTON — Senate Finance Committee Democrats have rejected a GOP amendment that would have required a health overhaul bill to be available online for 72 hours before the committee votes. Republicans argued that transparency is an Obama administration goal. They also noted that their constituents are demanding that they read bills before voting. See: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jlMpJGn28kqCcgU-aGcYE_ZHW-ywD9AT460O0 3b) House Democrats considering insurance tax WASHINGTON – House Democrats are considering an insurance tax to help pay for their health care overhaul plan, even though such a funding scheme is bitterly opposed by labor unions that are among the party's most loyal constituencies. …The House Democratic plan calls for raising income taxes on upper-income people to pay for covering the uninsured. Baucus has instead proposed a tax on high-cost insurance plans worth more than $8,000 for an individual policy and $21,000 for family coverage. Proponents of the insurance tax, which President Barack Obama has endorsed, say it would help to lower health care costs by encouraging people to become more cost-conscious health care consumers. See: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090925/ap_on_go_co/us_health_care_overhaul 3c) GOP to block HHS confirmations until 'gag order' lifted Republicans are now threatening to block confirmation votes on key Health and Human Services nominees unless the department again allows Medicare plan providers to disseminate information about possible cuts to the program. The political standoff began Friday when the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced it would investigate Humana, a leading provider of the Medicare Advantage program. At issue was whether the firm violated federal laws when it mailed letters to beneficiaries urging them to press their lawmakers to vote against possible plan cuts, which the Senate Finance Committee's healthcare reform bill might authorize. Humana quickly cooperated with the investigation, but by Monday, CMS had directed all plan providers to cease and desist similar information campaigns. That move enraged Republicans, who quickly labeled the new rule a "gag order." See: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/60237-gop-to-block-hhs-confirmations-until-gag-order-lifted 4) NYC terror attack apparently was set for Sept. 11 DENVER – An Afghan immigrant wanted to carry out a New York City terror attack involving hydrogen peroxide bombs to coincide with the Sept. 11 anniversary before federal authorities foiled the plan, a U.S. prosecutor said Friday. Tim Neff told a federal judge that Najibullah Zazi "was in the throes of making a bomb and attempting to perfect his formulation." "The evidence suggests a chilling, disturbing sequence of events showing the defendant was intent on making a bomb and being in New York on 9/11, for purposes of perhaps using such items," Neff declared in arguing for Zazi's transfer to New York. See: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090925/ap_on_re_us/us_nyc_terror 5) Afghan war commander submits troop request WASHINGTON – The Pentagon's top military officer flew to Europe to talk to the commander in the Afghanistan war about how many troops he needs to turn around the faltering campaign. Two defense officials say Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen met Gen. Stanley McChrystal for a half day of talks Friday at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. The U.S. commanders for NATO and the Middle East region also attended. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private conversation. The officials say Mullen received McChrystal's report on how many troops he thinks he needs to defeat the insurgency. They declined to confirm what others have said privately for weeks — that McChrystal wants some 40,000 more troops. The officials say Mullen wanted a face-to-face talk with McChrystal to better understand what the warfront commander wants and why he wants it. See: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090925/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_us_afghanistan 6) N.J. Principal Unapologetic for Videotape of Kids Praising Obama, Parents Say The principal of a New Jersey elementary school where young students were videotaped singing the praises of President Obama is making no apologies for the videotape and says she would allow the performance again if she could, according to parents who spoke with her Thursday night. See: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/09/25/principal-nj-school-long-obama-supporter/

Thursday, September 24, 2009

School kids sing Obama's praises; America remarkable only last "nine months"; Ayers wrote Obama's book

After Obama's shameful speech at the UN yesterday, in which he apologized for the umteenth time for America, below was the reaction of Libyan leader Qadhafi. That should make us all feel nice and safe that he's making world dictators and terrorists so happy…(Kim Axiotis) Qadhafi railed against the United Nations for giving the United States and a few other countries veto power over its actions. But he had surprisingly warm words for Obama. “We Africans are happy, proud, that a son of Africans governs the United States of America,” the Libyan leader said. “This is a historic event. ... This is a great thing.” “Obama is a glimpse in the darkness after four or eight years,” said Qadhafi, who referred to Obama as “my son.” “We are content and happy if Obama can stay forever as president of the United States.” (See: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0909/27485.html). 1) Morning Bell: Hubris, Weakness, and Naivete at the U.N. The United States elected 43 presidents before the current occupant graced the office with his presence. We fought, and won, two world wars, liberated millions of people worldwide from tyranny, and worked cooperatively with other sovereign nations to rebuild entire continents. Some might even say the character of our nation is well established considering we have been a democracy for just over 230 years now. Not President Barack Obama, who told the United Nations General Assembly yesterday, “For those who question the character and cause of my nation, I ask you to look at the concrete actions we have taken in just nine months.” 230 years versus just nine months. No wonder, the New York Times reports, were UN delegates not only applauding Obama, but snapping photos of their hero like tourists. …But the audacity of self-promotion was not the most troubling part of Obama’s speech.  …According to media reports, President Obama is considering implementing a plan supported by Vice President Joe Biden to scale back the American military presence in Afghanistan and focus on targeting al-Qaeda cells primarily in western Pakistan. This strategy would be insufficient to curb the terrorist threat emanating from the region. Ceding territory to the Taliban in Afghanistan would embolden international terrorists in the region, including in nuclear-armed Pakistan. See: http://blog.heritage.org/2009/09/24/morning-bell-hubris-weakness-and-naivete-at-the-un/ 1a) Obama-led UN council backs broad nuclear agenda UNITED NATIONS – With President Barack Obama presiding, the U.N. Security Council on Thursday unanimously endorsed a sweeping strategy aimed at halting the spread of nuclear weapons and ultimately eliminating them, to usher in a world with "undiminished security for all." Eliminating nuclear weapons will not result in “undiminished security for all”, John Lennon. …The lengthy document was aimed, in part, at the widely denounced nuclear programs of Iran and North Korea, although they were not named. It also reflected Obama's ambitious agenda to embrace treaties and other agreements leading toward a nuclear weapon-free world, some of which is expected to encounter political opposition in Washington. (Well, I should hope so.) See: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090924/ap_on_re_us/un_un_nuclear_summit 2) Did Obama call on Israel to vacate Temple Mount? Israeli politicians accuse president of 'misrepresenting history' in U.N. speech JERUSALEM – Did President Obama yesterday adopt U.N. and Palestinian phraseology while calling on Israel to give up the biblical West Bank and eastern sections of Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount?  Some members of the Israeli government here reacted angrily to Obama's strongly worded demand – expressed during his speech to the U.N. General Assembly – for the creation of a "viable, independent Palestinian state with contiguous territory that ends the occupation that began in 1967."  The term "occupation" routinely is used by the Palestinians as well as some countries hostile to the Jewish state in reference to Israel's presence in the West Bank and Jerusalem. It is unusual for U.S. presidents to use the term, although Jimmy Carter once famously called Israel's presence in the West Bank and eastern Jerusalem "illegal."  "Occupation that began in 1967" is a specific reference to the lands Israel retained after the Six Day War of that year, particularly the West Bank and eastern Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount. The Palestinians never maintained any official capacity in either territory, lands in which Jews have been present for thousands of years. The territories came under Jordanian rule from 1948 until Israel captured them in 1967 after Jordan's King Hussein ignored Israeli pleas for his country to stay out of the Six Day War. Most countries rejected Jordan's initial claim on the area, which it formally renounced in 1988. Commenting on Obama's speech during a WND interview today, Tzipi Hotovely, a Knesset member for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party, accused the U.S. president of "misrepresenting history."  "Obama is misrepresenting Mideast history," she said. "The Jewish people's right to live in Judea and Samaria is firstly rooted in the Bible and God's promise 2,000 years before 1967."  "I really believe the whole 16-year process since the Oslo Accords (in which Israel gave up land in exchange for promises of peace) has proven the settlements are not the obstacle for peace. The main obstacle is the Palestinians' continued rejection of Israel as a Jewish state even within the borders of 1967." See: http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=110896 3) G-20 leaders near banker-pay limits amid protests PITTSBURGH – As police clashed with protesters in the streets, world leaders on Thursday closed ranks on pay limits for bankers whose risky behavior contributed to the global financial meltdown.  The propaganda is incredible. The “global financial meltdown” was NOT caused by bankers’ risky behavior. But I digress… In a historic shift recognizing the rising influence of China, Brazil and India, the leaders of the world's top 20 wealthy and developing nations decided that the G-20 will take over the role of preeminent council on global economic cooperation, a function that for more than three decades had been performed by a smaller club of leading industrial countries known as the G-8. The G-8 will continue to meet on matters of common importance such as national security. President Barack Obama initiated the move, which was to be announced Friday. …Geithner said the G-20 countries had reached a consensus on the "basic outline" of a proposal to limit bankers' compensation by the end of this year. He said it would involve setting separate standards in each of the countries and would be overseen by the Financial Stability Board, an international group of central bankers and regulators. One World Government, anyone? See: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090925/ap_on_go_pr_wh/g20_summit 4) ACORN Vows 'Serious' Internal Probe, Sues Filmmakers ACORN, in response to an undercover expose of potential wrongdoing by some employees, pledged Wednesday to follow through on plans to conduct a thorough internal review of its practices -- on the same day that the organization filed a lawsuit against the filmmakers whose hidden-camera sting brought the community organization to its knees. See: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/09/23/attorney-vows-holds-barred-probe-acorn/ 5) School Kids Sing President's Praises Public school officials in Burlington, New Jersey are being accused of indoctrinating their students following the Internet posting of video showing the children being taught songs overflowing with praise for President Obama. The superintendent of schools sent a letter to parents Thursday saying the songs were related to Black History month last February. He did not say whether parents were told at the time or if children could opt out of the activity. The president of the local parent-teacher organization said she was "numb" when she saw the video. See: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,555220,00.html More on this…School children in New Jersey have been taught to both chant and sing praises to President Obama, with a YouTube video revealing them singing, "Mr. President, We Honor You Today" to the tune of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic." THAT IS BLASPHEMY! The children also are seen being taught the chant: "Barack Hussein Obama." Columnist Michelle Malkin identified the children as students at B. Bernice Young Elementary School in Burlington Township, N.J.  The children are lined up in front of a stage, and an adult is teaching them the chant: Uhm, uhm, uhm, Barack Hussein Obama He said all should lend a hand to make the country strong again Uhm, uhm, uhm, Barack Hussein Obama He said we must be fair today, equal work means equal pay Uhm, uhm, uhm, Barack Hussein Obama He said take a stand, make sure everyone gets a chance Uhm, uhm, uhm, Barack Hussein Obama He said red, yellow, black and white, all are equal in his sight Uhm, uhm, uhm, Barack Hussein Obama YEAH. Barack Hussein Obama "OK, now let's do the song," says the adult leader. …Such adulation of Obama is not new, even among school children. During the campaign, a video appeared showing a drill team of students marching to Obama's praise, chanting "Alpha, Omega." See: http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=110898 AND, More on this: GLENN: He says Barack Hussein Obama, he said we must be fair today; equal work means equal pay, mmm. GLENN: Barack Hussein Obama, he said we must take a stand to make sure everyone gets a chance, mmm.  GLENN: Barack Hussein Obama, he said red, yellow, black or white, all are equal in his sight.  PAT: Wow.  GLENN: Wow.  PAT: That used to be kind of sung about Jesus. (Not “kind of”. That WAS sung about Jesus).  See: http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/198/31058/ 6) Man accused of plotting to bomb Springfield courthouse (and a Texas skyscraper) CHICAGO – A man who idolized American born Taliban soldier John Walker Lindh and a Jordanian national who frequented extremist Web sites are charged in unrelated cases after attempting to detonate what they thought were bombs outside an Illinois courthouse and a Texas skyscraper. …According to federal charges filed in Springfield, Finton, thinking he was working for Al Qaeda, twice made a cell phone call that he believed would set off a mass-casualty bomb Wednesday in a van he had just parked outside the courthouse and near the office of a U.S. Congressman. See: http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/09/man-accused-of-plotting-to-bomb-springfield-courthouse.html?track=email-alert-breakingnews And: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090925/ap_on_re_us/us_bomb_plot_arrest 6a) Triangle terror suspects face new charges Raleigh, N.C. — Two men charged with plotting terrorist acts overseas face additional charges that they conspired to kill military personnel in the U.S., authorities said Thursday. Daniel Patrick Boyd, 39, and Hysen Sherifi, 24, planned an attack on the Marine Corps base in Quantico, Va., according to an indictment handed down Thursday. Boyd scouted out the base and obtained maps of it, and he had armor-piercing ammunition "to attack the Americans," the indictment states. See: http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/6071534/ 6b) Feds: Suspect hit beauty shops for bomb items  Afghan immigrant bought large quantities of chemicals, authorities charge NEW YORK - An Afghan immigrant who received explosives training from al-Qaida went from one beauty supply store to another, buying up large quantities of hydrogen peroxide and nail-polish remover, in a chilling plot to build bombs for attacks on U.S. soil, authorities charged Thursday.  Najibullah Zazi, a 24-year-old shuttle driver at the Denver airport, was indicted in New York on charges of conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction. Investigators said they found bomb-making instructions on his computer's hard drive and said Zazi used a hotel room in Colorado to try to cook up explosives a few weeks ago before a trip to New York. See: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33002562/ns/us_news-security/ 6c) FBI: Man Arrested Trying To Bomb Dallas Building The FBI says it has arrested a Jordanian citizen for trying to bomb a Dallas skyscraper. As we were first to report here on CBS11TV.com, 19-year-old Hosam Maher Husein Smadi was arrested Thursday afternoon. The FBI says agents arrested Smadi after he placed what he thought was a bomb at the base of Fountain Place, a 60-story skyscraper located at 1445 Ross Avenue in downtown Dallas. See: http://cbs11tv.com/breakingnewsalerts/fbi.attempted.bombing.2.1206859.html 7) Author confirms Bill Ayers helped Obama write 'Dreams' New release on president's marriage verifies work of WND's Jack Cashill pointing to ex-terrorist's role Confirming the literary detective work of WND columnist Jack Cashill prior to the 2008 election, author Christopher Andersen says in a newly released book that former domestic terrorist William Ayers helped Barack Obama write the president's highly acclaimed memoir "Dreams from My Father." …But since July 2008, Cashill has unveiled in nearly two dozen columns his compelling evidence that the unrepentant co-founder of the radical Weather Underground group – dismissed by Obama during the campaign as just "a guy who lives in my neighborhood" – shaped and refined the book with his exceptional writing skill and radical ideas. Cashill, who acquired a copy of Andersen's new book today, told WND the author "lays out the scenario just as I envisioned it."  Andersen, in "Barack and Michelle: Portrait of a Marriage," writes that Obama was faced with a deadline with the Time Books division of Random House to submit his manuscript after already having canceled a contract with Simon & Schuster. Confronted with the threat of a second failure, his wife, Michelle, suggested he seek the help of "his friend and Hyde Park neighbor Bill Ayers."  Obama had taped interviews with relatives to flesh out his family history, and those "oral histories, along with a partial manuscript and a truckload of notes, were given to Ayers," writes Andersen. …Andersen concludes, "Thanks to help from the veteran writer Ayers, Barack would be able to submit a manuscript to his editors at Times Books." …In an interview last night with the Fox News Channel's Sean Hannity, Andersen was asked to comment on his assertion that Ayers helped Obama write "Dreams." Hannity pointed to Andersen's observation that "the literary devices and themes" of the book "bear a jarring similarity to Ayers own writings."  "They were good friends," Andersen affirmed, recalling that during the campaign Obama denied that fact.  "There was a literary cabal there in Chicago," Andersen continued. "They were all giving each other quotes, blurbs to promote their respective books."  Hannity concluded rhetorically: "So (Obama) lied to the American people."  Andersen appeared hesitant to concur, but conceded, "Well, you know, I think, well, let's face it, during that campaign I think he was doing some backpedaling, I'll be honest. And I think that, you know, Michelle probably recommended that he not emphasize the relationship with Ayers (emphasis mine)." See: http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=110784 …Why is this latest development so significant?  Because, if it is true – and I believe it is – it confirms Obama lied boldly and blatantly about something so significant during the campaign. It would also confirm Obama as a close associate and trusted friend to one of the most despicable America haters on planet Earth (emphasis mine). See: http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=110789 7a) White House Pulls Guest from CNN over New Obama Book A White House senior adviser was scheduled to appear on CNN's "American Morning" this week, but the White House rescinded the offer after the network booked author Christopher Andersen. Andersen's new book "Barack and Michelle: Portrait of an American Marriage," is out today. …During her interview with Anderson this morning, CNN's Kiran Chetry said, "We reached out to the White House for a response to the book. They declined comment and made it known that they weren't happy. In fact, they pulled an interview they had with a senior adviser once they learned you were on the show." See: http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/politics/white_house_pulls_guest_from_cnn_over_new_obama_book_136603.asp 8) GOP challenges Kirk appointment to Kennedy seat Massachusetts governor picks ex-DNC chief to replace late senator BOSTON – Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick has used his authority to respond to emergencies to appoint Paul Kirk, the former Democratic National Committee chairman and Sen. Edward Kennedy staffer, temporarily to fill the seat vacated by Kennedy's death. …But the Massachusetts Republican Party doesn't believe the situation is an emergency and has filed a request for an injunction in the Suffolk Country Superior Court to keep the appointment from taking effect. See: http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=110916 9) New York Magazine links WND to murder! Rush, Savage, Bachmann also implicated in death of Census worker WASHINGTON – New York Magazine today implicated WND in the murder of a Census worker in Kentucky.  The article also linked Rush Limbaugh, Michael Savage and Rep. Michele Bachmann with the crime.  The four are suspected of creating an anti-government climate that led directly to the attack. This is the first in a coming chorus of idiot voices who will claim the same thing… See: http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=110924 10) Holdren: Sterilize welfare recipients Obama boss suggested ways to save planet, said fetus not a person Obama science czar John Holdren stated in a college textbook that compulsory, government-mandated "green abortions" would be a constitutionally acceptable way to control population growth and prevent ecological disasters, including global warming, because a fetus was most likely not a "person" under the terms of the 14th Amendment. See: http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=110768 11) Diversity boss: Whites must 'step down' Obama appointee declares positions of power should go to 'people of color, gays With former Obama green jobs czar Van Jones gone, along with his views about whites directing poisons to minorities, focus is now shifting to race-based views of "diversity czar" Mark Lloyd, who has suggested "white people" step down from positions of power to allow "more people of color, gays" and "other people" to take those positions.  Lloyd, the Federal Communications Commission chief diversity officer appointed to the newly created position by President Obama in early August, has talked about issues such as a 100 percent tax on broadcast outlets to collect money to provide alternative viewpoints, mandatory diversity in station ownership and the idea of requiring broadcast businesses to cater to the demands of local activism committees. See: http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=110775 12) Next step in H1N1 scare: Microchip implants Company developing under-the-skin devices to detect 'bio-threats' A Florida-based company that boasts selling the world's first and only federally approved radio microchip for implanting in humans is now turning its development branch toward "emergency preparedness," hoping to produce an implant that can automatically detect in its host's bloodstream the presence of swine flu or other viruses deemed a "bio-threat." …But VeriChip has also turned its attention to other uses for the technology, including microchips that be used to tag and log human remains after a disaster and implants the company hopes will be able to warn if their host is infected with the H1N1 swine flu virus, the H5N1 bird flu virus or other pandemic agents deemed to be a "bio-threat." See: http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=107588