Quote of the Day

"It is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth - and listen to the song of that siren, till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty?"   

---

Brainwashing is not, as some anti-Christian educators and students contend, the Biblical  process of training our children to love and follow God. The word "brainwashing" refers to a planned, step-by-step attempt to "wash" family-taught beliefs from the minds of those who oppose government ideology. In America, it would mean replacing the old Biblical values and world view with a new way of thinking that would support a totalitarian agenda. In other words, every child must become a peace child, a willing and active servant of a new world order.  

 

Read more: 

You may want to wrap your head with Duck tape before reading this!  

Occupy Chicago Protester: Tea Party 'Stole' the 'Don't Tread on Me' Symbol 

Anyone who has seen pictures or video of a Tea Party rally is familiar with the Gadsen flag - that yellow piece of fabric with a snake that says "Don't Tread on Me." It's become a Tea Party staple, and some Tea Partiers in Texas, Virginia, and Arizona have lobbied their states to get the image on their license plates. So when blogger Rebel Pundit recently caught up with an Occupy Chicago marcher who was wearing a "Don't Tread on Me" hat, he was intrigued and decided to ask the marcher and his partner about it. Surprisingly, it's not what you think.

"It's a revolutionary war," the man's female partner explains. "And they [the Tea Party] took it, stole it."

   Watch the Video Here . . .

Did You Know Feds Will Temporarily Cut Off All TV and Radio Broadcasts on Nov. 9?

If you have ever wondered about the government's ability to control the civilian airwaves, you will have your answer on November 9th.

On that day, federal authorities are going to shut off all television and radio communications simultaneously at 2:00PM EST to complete the first ever test of the national Emergency Alert System (EAS).

This isn't a wild conspiracy theory. The upcoming test is posted on the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau website.

Only the President has the authority to activate EAS at the national level,

Read More . . . 

The State Can 'Seize Control' and 'There Is Nothing I Can Do': Glenn Weighs in on Nov. 9th Emergency Broadcast Test 

The Blaze recently reported that at 2 p.m. EST on Wednesday, November 9th, The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Communications Commission will conduct the first-ever national test of the Emergency Alert System, where radio and televised broadcasts across the country will be disrupted for roughly...three-and-half minutes:

"In essence, the authority to seize control of all television and civilian communication has been asserted by the executive branch and handed to a government agency," wrote Buck Sexton in our earlier report.

 Read More . . .

I urge you to stand with me and co-sponsor my new legislation, "American and Pennsylvania Laws for Pennsylvania Courts." This legislation protects the individual constitutional rights of the people of Pennsylvania from the incursion of foreign laws, in cases in which the application of a foreign law or foreign legal doctrine would violate someone's constitutional rights. 

Go here to see the full document . . .: 

CALLING ALL PATRIOTS - PLEASE SEE MESSAGE BELOW AND PLEASE MAKE THESE CALLS!!!!

PHONE LIST AND TALKING POINTS - HB 934 VOTER ID

PASSED BY THE HOUSE, STUCK IN THE SENATE!!

 IT IS SITTING IN THE STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE

WE HAVE A REPUBLICAN SENATE, A REPUBLICAN HOUSE, AND A REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR BUT NOTHING MUCH IS GETTING DONE. WHY??

VOTER ID WILL ASSURE THAT YOUR VOTE WILL COUNT AND HELP ELIMINATE  MULTIPLE VOTES, DEAD PEOPLE VOTING,  AND OTHER ILLEGAL VOTING. 14 OTHER STATES HAVE PHOTO VOTER ID AND 14 STATES HAVE VOTER ID (NO PHOTO).  WE KNOW THAT IN BOTH GEORGIA AND ALABAMA VOTER PARTICIPATION INCREASED SINCE PHOTO VOTER ID PASSED. WE ARE ONE OF THE ONLY DEMOCRACIES IN THE WORLD WITH NO UNIFORMLY REQUIRED VOTER ID. THE UNIONS DO NOT WANT IT AND THE ACLU DOES NOT WANT IT.  YOU HAVE TO ASK YOURSELF WHY WOULD ANYONE NOT WANT VOTER ID?

EVERY ILLEGAL VOTE STEALS THE VOTE OF A LEGITIMATE VOTER.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE ALL CALL THESE KEY SENATORS AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK EVERY WEEK.  PUT THE PRESSURE ON TO PASS IT!!

Charles McIlhinney, Bucks County, Chairman, State Government Committee

(717) 787-7305  (We are working on getting a meeting with McIlhinney.)  

Mike Brubaker, Vice Chairman, State Government Committee

(717) 787-4420 

Joseph Scarnati, President Pro Tempore of PA Senate

(717) 787-7084 

Dominic Pileggi, Senate Majority Leader (sets the Senate agenda)

(717) 787-4712 

Majority Leaders on the State Government Committee:

Jake Corman, (717) 787-1377             Mike Folmer (717) 787-5708 

John Pippy (717) 787-5839                 Donald White (717) 787-8724 

Minority Leaders on the State Government Committee:

Andrew Dinniman (717) 787-5709    Christine Tartaglione (717) 787-1141 

LeAnna Washington (717) 787-1427 

The Kitchen Table Patriots

are proud to join with

The Philadelphia Loyal Opposition

and Eagle Forum in support of

Al Schmidt (Only) for City Commissioner on Nov. 8th!

I am reaching out to you in hopes of gaining your support.  I have taken the liberty of attaching a PDF recounting a compelling story which I contributed to with the team at the Chester County Hero Fund (501c3).

For the last year, I have been training for the Marine Corps Marathon, which I will run on October the 30th (just shy of my 68th--birthday) in D.C.

I'm running to raise money to build an accessible home for Jay Raffetto a wounded Marine.  Jay graduated from Conestoga H.S. with my daughter Jennifer in 2000.  I always gave him positive encouragement through his parents about the virtues of military service.  Jay became a medic with special operations (Force Recon, USMC) and unfortunately, last August he became a triple amputee-while on patrol in Afghanistan.

I'm asking for a donation to support his cause and I'm asking consideration for a Corporate Sponsorship as well---if possible.  I think this is a compelling cause.

Please see attached PDF with instructions on the bottom of the sheet.  

100% of your donation will go Jay and his wife Emily, Thanks in advance for your support of Jay, his family and our men and women in the Military.

Also please feel free to use this email and PDF to send to others you Feel might want to support this effort.

P.S. I know I can count on your help! 

Vr,

Sal

Richard (Sal) Salcido, M.D.

The William Erdman Professor of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Senior Fellow, Institute on Aging, Associate, Institute for Medical

Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania

AAMC Scholar in Residence for Diversity Policy and Research

Class of 2013, Penn GSE, Executive Doctorate in Higher Education

Management

U.S. Army, Medical Corps (Ret.)

Cellular (610).331.6898

Home (610)578.9019

See the flyer Here . . . 

 You Are Cordially Invited! 

Lafayette statue sketch, copyright 2011

To the 1^st Bucks County Patriotic Art Exhibition!

Friday, November 4, 2011

6:30-9:30 P.M.

The Historic Moland House

1641 Old York Road

Hartsville, Pennsylvania

Enjoy refreshments and live music, while

viewing Marra's Bucks County inspired works of art

Admission $5 per person

25% of art sales will be donated towards the Lafayette statue

Donations are accepted at the show and through the website lafayettestatue.blogspot.com

RSVP to Gregory Marra

610-294-8658

gwmarra@gmail.com

Welcome to Washington's Headquarters at the Moland House

1641 Old York Road, Hartsville, PA  18974

In the early evening of 10 August 1777, eleven thousand Continental and militia soldiers are marching up York Road towards the Cross Roads with Bristol Road [Hartsville, PA] on their way to Coryell's Ferry [New Hope, PA] to camp four miles across the Delaware River.  General George Washington receives a dispatch from John Hancock, President of the Second Continental Congress, placing the 260-vessel British fleet, hauling 17,000 troops under General William Howe, fifty miles south of the Delaware Capes [May & Henelopen] on 7 August. Unsure and wary of Howe's intentions, Washington immediately halts his force to encamp around the bridge over the Little Neshaminy Creek in Warwick Township, Bucks County.  Knowing the area and having ridden through only ten days earlier, he selects the substantial stone dwelling of Widow Moland as his Head Quarters on the farm north of the bridge.  

See & Download the Flyer Here . . . 

Patriots,

Attached is a suggested list of items for the troops.  We will also need Money for shipping & boxes - we have some boxes & I think flat rate is the way to go.  A form must be filled out w/ details about what is in each box & approx. value. 

PLEASE bring items to our next VFP meeting Nov. 11th at the Phoenixville Country Club. Lets show our troops we care !!! 

Here's a list of preferred items to donate.

CANDY

Candy (hard candy/heat resistant)
Gum
Throat Drops
Twizzlers

CORRESPONDENCE
Journals
Padded Envelopes
Pens/Pencils
Writing Paper and Envelopes

DRINK
Coffee (instant)
Coffee Creamer
Gatorade
Hot Cocoa
Kool-Aid bursts- to freeze
Powdered Drink Mixes
Tea Mixes (sweet)

ELECTRONIC
CD Fanny Packs
CDs (music, books on CD)
DVDs (comedy, American travel)
Hand held electronic games
MP3 Players
Tapes

FOOD (including dry goods, snacks)
Beef Jerky
Canned Food (cheese, meats, etc)
Canned Fruit (pop top cans)
Cereal (in small boxes)
Chips
Cookies (including Girl Scout)
Crackers
Energy Bars (Cliff or Balance)
Granola Bars
Oatmeal (instant)
Pistachios and other nuts
Pop-Tarts
Popcorn
Ramen Noodles/Cup of Soup
Ravioli (pop top cans)
Salsa & Bean Dip
Snack Mix & Fruit Roll ups
Sugar packets
Sunflower & Pumpkin seeds
Tuna Kits

GAMES
Board Games
Checkers (travel size)
Chess (travel size)
Crossword Puzzles
Drawing pads/art pencils
Playing Cards
Sudoku books

PRINTED MATERIALS
Books (novels, short stories, history)
Comic Strips/Joke Books
Magazines
Newspapers (local)
Post Cards from Home

SPORTING EQUIPMENT
Baseballs/Gloves/Bats
Dart Board
Footballs
Golf Balls
Hacky Sacks
Soccer Balls

TOILETRIES/HYGIENE
Baby/Wet Wipes
Callous Removers
Dental Floss
Deodorant (gel or solid)
Eye Drops
Eyeglass Wipes
Facial Scrub
Femine Hygiene Products (for female soldiers)
Foot Powder
Hairbrushes
Hand Sanitizers (waterless)
Lip Balm with SPF 15+
Lotion (hand/body/face)
Mouthwash
Nail Clippers
Nose spray
Powder (Gold Bond)
Q-Tips
Razors (disposable)
Shampoo/Conditioner
Shower Shoes
Sunscreen
Tissues (heavy duty - i.e. Puffs)
Toilet Paper (name brand)
Toothpaste/Toothbrushes
Travel size body wash
Tweezers
Tylenol/Motrin (individual packets)

OTHER
American Flags (small)
Baggies (with zip lock)
Batteries (AAA, AA, C, D, 9V)
BBQ cooking supplies/tools
Boot laces (brown/tan)
Bowls (large for Ramen noodles/popcorn)
Bug Spray (must be packaged in zip-lock bag)
Cameras (digital, disposable, Polaroid)
Camping Items/Equipment
Chair (folding camping chair)
Duct Tape (olive green)
Dust pan (for sand)
Fans (battery powered - small - with extra batteries)
Flashlights (mini/mag lite, extra bulbs, lots of batteries)
Fly Strips & Swatters
Fly/Ant/Mouse Traps
Foot Massager
Gloves (Nomex Aviator's)
Hand and Foot Warmers
Hometown stuff
Instant Ice-Packs
Letters from veterans & citizens
Neck Scarf/Gator
Patch Kit
Phone Cards (pre-paid, AAFES)
Photo Albums
Pinch Lights
Plastic spoons
Shoe Insole Cushions
Socks (cushioned white calf high)
Socks (moisture-wicking boot socks)
Spray Bottle (for water)   

Nullify Now! Philadelphia

If you see a story that you believe would be useful and important to our readers, simply respond to this email with a link and a brief description of why it is important.  (Even if it may be obvious)

LISTEN LIVE TO REPATRIOT RADIO

"BETTER THAN EVER"

(all times are eastern)

Tuesday 3-4pm "American Freedom Watch" - Karen Schoen with John Estabrooks and Mike Lawson

Tuesday 5-6pm "LaRossa & Gallagher" - N.J.State Senator Richard LaRossa and Art Gallagher

Dear Patriot,

Please join Americans for Prosperity Foundation and thousands of grassroots activists for the 5th annual Defending the American Dream Summiton Friday and Saturday, November 4-5 at the Washington Convention Center in downtown Washington, DC.

Last year, more than 2,600 of our best activists descended on Washington for the Summit to demonstrate to elected officials, government bureaucrats, and the national media that the grassroots movement is alive and well.  We focused on reining in out-of-control spending and taxation, advancing sound free market public policy, and in a very real way, defending the American Dream.

Right now we are offering $100 off to anyone from PA -- all they have to do is use the code: PABUS100 (or they can just call me and I'll do it for them).

And..., Americans for Prosperity Foundation will send for FREE to the Summit (including bus, hotel, tickets to all venue and $50 for food), any person who books 15 or more people (including themselves).

Here are the details:

Americans For Prosperity Foundation is excited to announce that businessman and GOP presidential hopeful Herman Cain will be joining Mark Levin, John Fund, Grover Norquist and many more at the 2011 Defending the American Dream Summit on November 4th & 5th at the Washington Convention Center.

Act now and register for one of our bus packages from your state (For PA: $259 single occupancy and $179 double occupancy [with the discount])! These packages include bus transportation, hotel accommodations, and Summit registration for one low price.

Simply click here to register.

Summit Highlights Include:

• Friday "Tribute to Ronald Reagan" Dinner
• General Session with Keynote Speakers
• Continental Breakfast on Saturday morning
• Special Interactive Sessions for Teens & College Students
• Movie Night featuring Entertaining Films By Liberty-Loving Filmmakers
• Seminars for Youth On Why Freedom Matters and How they Can Make a Difference
• Bloggers Row
• Free-Market Job Fair
• State-Specific Strategy Meetings
• Network With Leading Activists From Across The Country

Also, learn about public policy issues, grassroots activism, new media strategies, foundations of economic freedom ...and much more!

Click here to register today and help defend the American Dream! Use the online discount code "PABUS100" on the registration page to get the $100 off all bus packages. Give your children the gift of freedom and bring the whole family to the Defending the American Dream Summit this year.

Please join Herman Cain, Mark Levin, John Fund, and Grover Norquist, along with thousands of fellow freedom fighters, and send a message that the American Dream is alive and well in this great country!

 2012 Presidential Candidate Selector
or Obama, His Allies & Critics Matching Quiz

Politicians have already indicated their 2012 presidential aspirations. This matching quiz includes President Obama, top members of his administration, Obama's most vocal critics (Boehner, Cantor, etc.) and likely White House prospects (Palin, Pawlenty, Jindal, etc.). You may select a position for every issue, or just select issues important to you. The political figures' positions are based upon their voting records, special interest group ratings and their statements in the public record. In cases where there is no known public record or statement, these politicos are not given a score on that issue. We add candidates, revise their views and include new issues as they become known or change. Check back often for updates.   

 Read more: 

RedState Morning Briefing

For October 25, 2011

1. Americans For Cain Fires Up in Iowa

Capitalizing on the discord and acrimony at the last debate between Perry and Romney, Americans for Cain is kicking off a new ad with a heavy online push geotargetted to Iowa.

Herman Cain is running a novel campaign without a lot of internal campaign organized ground game operations in the early states. But Americans for Cain intends to supplement the efforts of the Cain camp with its own ground game operation, volunteers, and advertisements.

You'll be seeing a lot of this one, which we've been given a sneak peak of. It'll officially launch later today.

2. I'm Afraid I Have to Call Bulls*** on Paul Burka

I know Paul Burka is highly regarded and respected for his journalism, but I have to call bulls*** on him over this post his blog at Texas Monthly.

According to Mr. Burka, as of 3:00 p.m. yesterday afternoon - that would be Sunday, October 23, 2011 - "there was no economic plan, even though it was scheduled for a rollout in the immediate future." The "economic plan" to which Mr. Burka is referring is the Perry campaign's economic plan.

I know that is not true. I know it is not true because I have, these days, become so busy with this website, my radio show, and my television appearances that I can no longer afford to suffer through the little briefings and strategies and what not so many feel so compelled to invite me to sit through.

If you want to tell me all about your economic plan, send it to me in an email and let me read it. And thus it was with the Perry campaign. They offered me a preview of the plan and I told them to just send me the plan, not some vaporware version of the plan. And so they did. Last week.

Printing it out, I found dozens of pages of an economic plan complete with a flat tax of 20%, a generous per person deduction of $12,500.00, all the language to make it optional, and a few other surprises I'm not yet allowed to share until the candidate himself announces it. It had more than 70 footnotes along with it.

Later today it will unveiled to the nation.

3. Barack the $15 Trillion Man

Amidst the hype concerning the so-called era of austerity and budget cuts, the national debt is rapidly marching towards the $15 trillion milestone. As of late last week, the national debt stood at $14.94 trillion. For those of you keeping score, that number has grown by $646 billion since the debt ceiling was raised on August 2, as part of the great bipartisan Budget Control Act of 2011. In other words, the debt has increased by over $8 billion per day during the past 11 weeks.

Let's put these numbers in historical perspective.

4. The Perry Camp Shakes Up

Governor Rick Perry's campaign is making news today in anticipation of his flat tax release tomorrow. He's adding national staff, but not just any staff - staff that led insurgent bids against the GOP establishment.

Nelson Warfield is known among conservatives as the guy who went in and helped Doug Hoffman against Dede Scozzafava. Warfield was one of the guys who made the necessary decision to keep Doug Hoffman out of his own commercials. It was a smart trick. Heh.

Nelson Warfield will be joined by Tony Fabrizio, a well respected pollster, and Curt Anderson. The three of them helped Governor Rick Scott in Florida upset the national and Florida GOP establishment in the Republican Primary last year.

5. Karma's a Botch.

Last week, we heard about the Fisker Karma, the new electric vehicle being built in Finland using a $529 million loan from U.S. taxpayers. Beneficiaries of this deal include one Albert Gore, partner in the "green" venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers.
Now Forbes contributor Warren Meyer weighs in with an analysis of the Karma's true energy efficiency, rate in miles-per-gallon equivalent according to a DOE formula.

6. AFL-CIO Vows To Be #OccupyWallStreet Protesters' 'Get Out Of Jail Free' Card

Remember just a few days ago when AFL-CIO boss Richard Trumka told C-Span viewers that his federation was only providing support, places to meet, water, food, but NO money?

Well, it turns out the AFL-CIO has vowed to provide legal support and is also encouraging people to be arrested...

Heritage Hotsheet

Experts on the Day's Hottest News

Items for October 24, 2011

White House to Announce Major Home Lending Revamp

Fox News

Libya's next tests-Big expectations, power plays

Reuters

Obama heads west to campaign. push jobs bill

CNN

US pulls envoy out of Syria over security concerns

Associated Press

Democrats duck President Obama

Politico

Key General: Iraq pullout plan a 'disaster'

The Washington Times

Celebrate the 1995 repeal of the 55 mph federal speed limit

by taking a liberal for an 80 mph spin through Texas and Utah-the highest speeds currently allowed anywhere in the United States, though of course there really should be no limits at all. As the wind blows through your hair, laughingly quote Ralph Nader who said at the time of the repeal, "History will never forgive Congress for this assault on the sanctity of human life." In fact, as Stephen Moore of the Cato Institute demonstrated, the average fatality rate dropped-even in states that raised speed limits. In 1997, there were 66,000 fewer road injuries than in 1995. So in fact it's not speed that kills; it's ignorant safety Nazis like Nader. 

The Tyrant is Dead, Long Live the Tyrant

The tyrant is dead, and the head of Libya's Transitional National Council, Mustafa Abdul-Jalil,  (who was also Gaddafi's former Justice Minister), has declared that Libya has been liberated.

What a glorious day it is when a country is liberated from its justice minister by its justice minister. If only Gaddafi had been quicker on the ball, he could have staged a revolution against himself and liberated the country from himself.

We mustn't laugh. Now that American troops are leaving Iraq and Afghanistan has declared that it will back Pakistan in any conflict with the United States, we must have the highest hopes for Libyan democracy. Didn't we declare an undeclared war on Gaddafi to have a fallback position? Even if Egypt and Tunisia go down the tubes, and Yemen declares an official Bin Laden day, we'll always have Libya.

But don't pop the champagne corks just yet. Mustafa Abdul-Jalil, who liberated Libya from himself, has also declared that it will be governed under Islamic law and that laws which contradict Islam will be abolished. So expect to see fewer female bodyguards and more women in need of bodyguards. Out with the uniforms, in with the Burqas. And the champagne is most definitely against Islam.

What can the Libyan people look forward to? In Egypt, a fellow who said something about Islam on Facebook got sentenced to three years of hard labor. Egypt, lest we forget, is a moderate Muslim state. How can you tell Egypt is a moderate Muslim state? He didn't get the death penalty, the way he would have in Pakistan.
 

Netanyahu: Enforce Law in Arab Sector Too

By Gil Ronen, INN

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said at Sunday's Cabinet session that police must enforce the law in Arab and other minority sectors just as they do in the Jewish sector.

"There are not two states," the Prime Minister said. "There is no state within a state. We live in one state - the State of Israel is Jewish and democratic."

Using unusually emotional language, Netanyahu said: "I am crying out against the inegalitarian enforcement from both the positive angle - which necessitates making police services available - and from the aspect that requires stricter enforcement."

"There is a feeling in the public that the level of enforcement among these populaces is much lower. I am committed to change this. I demand equal enforcement in all parts of the state of Israel."
Netanyahu instructed the Minister of Public Security, Yitzchak Aharonovich, to come up with a plan for equalizing the level of...

Read the whole entry »

The ignominious end to the US/Iraq War

The US invaded Iraq in 2003 to remove a dictator and now she is leaving Iraq with nothing to show for it except thousands of American casualties and a trillion dollars in debt. In a years time Iraq will be a worse enemy of the US than it was under Hussein. You would think she would learn. Now she removed two other dictators from Libya and Egypt who were friends of the US relatively, and the new governments will be less friendly. Where will it end? Ted Belman

DEBKAfile Exclusive Analysis October 23, 2011,

On their way out 

Ten days have gone by since President Barack Obama accused Iran of instigating a foiled plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to Washington last April. Yet neither the US nor Saudi Arabia has done anything about it - even at the UN.

Friday, Oct. 21, Obama reaffirmed that all US soldiers will be brought home from Iraq by the end of the year. Two days later, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pledged in Tajikistan: "To countries in the region, especially...

Read the whole entry »

Greenfield gets to the heart of the Shalit matter

No Victory But Defeat

By Daniel Greenfield

The most common justification for the Shalit deal is to wear it as a perverse badge of moral nobility. "What other country would exchange a thousand terrorists for one man." This is a close cousin of the argument that says the United States treating terrorists with kid gloves proves that it is nobler than them. Both of these insufferable arguments are symptoms of the moral decline of civilization.

If the life of a single soldier is more important than the battle, then why have battles or soldiers at all? We don't send soldiers out to fight because we think that their lives are worthless, but because the objective of war is to save even more lives than those that will be lost in fighting it. Or to preserve that liberty and independence from enemy oppression which are the qualities that make life worthwhile.

Read the whole entry »

Tatiana Soskin - Jailed by Israel for insulting Islam!

The Tatiana Soskin Case Critically Examined  by Zev Golan

When 26 year old Tatiana Soskin was brought before a judge, he recorded her personal details. No, she has no job, replied the new immigrant from Russia. No, her parents are not in Israel, she is alone. No, she does not even have a telephone.

The Israeli press described Tatiana as tall, thin and pale, "a Barbie doll," in the words of Israel's largest daily. But this young woman has been sitting in solitary confinement for four months.

At a time when a Tel Aviv museum is displaying photographs of naked men...

Read the whole entry »

Yaalon: Israel is strong

By Ted Belman

Boogie Yaalon, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Strategic Affairs, gave a talk last evening in the Great Synagogue in Jerusalem I was there. He appeared to be talking about the government's position rather than his own.

In point form he said;

- Time is not working against us, as many say. It is working in our favour because me make use of time. We build, we develop. we grow, we invent, we have babies. Time works for those who make use of it

- Israel will continue to build in Jerusalem and the settlements

- We keep emphasizing our security needs to the exclusion of our rights. This must change.

- The Arabs are not going to agree to our basic requirements, so their is no solution. Not all problems have a solution. That's OK. Our policy is to manage the problem. In this regard, [I got the feeling, that Israel's policy is to play the game while managing the problem and using time, rather than to abort the peace process. The later course would just...

Read the whole entry »

  VIDEOS * TODAY'S HOT PICKS 

Hezbollah and CAIR Attacks on U.S. Jihad Experts are Synchronized

The Editors 

So Much for Middle East Democracy

Gadi Adelman 

Occupy Wall Street: An Axis of Enemies

Edward Cline 

Pamela Geller has a hotel room booking cancelled, lest she offends Islam, while leftists and anti-Semites are allowed to take over city property with impunity.

Gilad Shalit: Shining a Light on Hamas' Darkess

Nancy Kobrin, PhD, Joan Lachkar, PhD 

Understanding Hamas's Mainstream Koranic Jew-Hatred

Andrew Bostom 

Today's Hot Topics

We choose, you peruse.

Muammar, Dead at Last

Alan Caruba 

Moral Responsibilities are Linked to Fiscal Responsibility

Star Parker 

According to this author, disrespect for life and disrespect for property go hand in hand. We can't divorce our sexual promiscuity from our fiscal promiscuity.

Gaddafi: May he Never Rest in Peace!

Lt. Colonel James Zumwalt, USMC (ret) 

Featured Posts 

Politics Trumps Security in Obama's Bungled Troop Negotiations with Iraq

Cash for Clunkers Gimmick? Former Obama Adviser Wouldn't Do It Again

Big Labor Steps Up Its Material Support for 'Occupy' Protests

Solyndra to Auction Assets, But Taxpayers Won't See a Dime

Steve Jobs to Obama in 2010: 'You're Headed for a One-Term Presidency'

QUICK HITS

Unable to muster support for his latest round of stimulus, President Obama is circumventing Congress and announcing initiatives this week on mortgage refinancing and student loans.

Libya's leaders officially declared "liberation" following the death of former dictator Muammar Qadhafi. Islamic Sharia is to be the country's main source of legislation, according to the chairman of the National Transitional Council.

Vice President Joe Biden is sticking to his claim that the President's jobs bill will stop rapes and murders. "If [cities] don't get help, crime is going to continue to go up," he said.

Some 270 people are dead and dozens more are trapped in crumpled buildings following a 7.2-maginitude earthquake in eastern Turkey on Sunday.

Big labor is stepping up its support for the Occupy Wall Street protesters. They're providing office space, meeting rooms, food, and other services to the movement.

Robert Zubrin

Read more: 

Monday, October 24, 2011

To: Friends & Supporters

From: Gary L. Bauer


Obama In Full Campaign Mode

President Obama, fresh off his campaign bus tour through North Carolina and Virginia, is headed to Las Vegas, Nevada for -- you guessed it -- more campaigning. Today Obama will announce yet another plan designed to help homeowners refinance their mortgages in the hopes of jumpstarting the economy. Later this week, Obama is reportedly going to announce a new policy on student loans.

Like the rest of his economic agenda, thus far his mortgage refinancing programs have been total failures. Consider these dueling headlines from the Washington Post: "Obama's Efforts To Aid Homeowners Fall Short" and "Government Announces New Program To Help 'Underwater' Homeowners."

There are distressed housing markets all over the country, but Obama is going to Nevada. Why not California or Florida? Why not just make an announcement from the White House? Why rack up another huge travel tab at taxpayer expense?

The answer is obvious. Like everything else coming out of this White House, there is only one goal in mind: Get Obama reelected.

Nevada -- just like North Carolina and Virginia -- is a key state in Obama's reelection calculus. It has voted for the Republican candidate in seven of the last ten presidential elections. Bush carried it in 2000 and 2004, but Obama won the Silver State in 2008.

Just in case you think I'm being overly cynical, even the Washington Post acknowledges, "Doing more to address the housing crisis may be crucial not only for an economy flirting with another recession but also for a president running for reelection." And NBC political reporters wrote, "So,economically, it's unlikely that this new policy will have a big impact. But, politically, it could be more successful."

In addition, there is a disturbing theme coming out of the Obama White House now. According to various news reports, Obama's actions on housing and student loans stems from the conclusion that "we can't wait" for Congress to act, so Obama has to act unilaterally.

We have seen this president act unilaterally in the past -- dropping charges against the New Black Panther Party, ordering immigration officers to use "discretion," granting waivers without legal authority, refusing to defend laws protecting normal marriage, committing U.S. forces in Libya without authorization or clear objectives, etc.

These latest actions seem to be legally permissible within the president's executive authority. But we will be watching very closely.


Will Foreign Policy Help Obama?

As Obama struggles to win reelection with the economy hanging around his neck like an albatross, today's New York Times asks whether Obama can be helped by foreign policy. On CNBC this morning, John Harwood, who has an uncanny ability to put a positive spin on any Obama disaster, tried to argue the same point. Let's consider some of Obama's foreign policy "successes."

• Bin Laden's death and other Al-Qaeda assassinations: In these instances, the only thing that the president has to do is authorize the missions. And there is only one right decision in each case -- DO IT! President Bush initiated the policy of drone attacks and Obama has simply followed in his footsteps.
• The Arab Spring that Obama promoted is quickly turning out to be an American nightmare. The Associated Press reports that initial results from the elections in Tunisia indicate "a once-banned Islamist party is leading in the country that unleashed uprisings across the Arab world." In Libya, the rulers of the transitional government just announced the reintroduction of polygamy in accordance with Sharia law. And the Muslim Brotherhood is poised to take over Egypt.
• As happy as we all are to have the troops home from Iraq, top military experts say Obama's withdrawal is a strategic mistake that surrenders the country to Iran. Retired Army Brigadier General Mark T. Kimmitt, a former deputy operations chief in Baghdad, said, "Strategically, it's obvious. This is a big win for Tehran."
  
  Retired Army General John Keane said, "I think it's an absolute disaster. We won the war in Iraq, and we're now losing the peace. ...We're losing the peace because the No. 1 strategic enemy we have in the region is Iran. And as a result of us pulling away from Iraq, we're losing our influence in Iraq. And the Iranians are gaining influence in Iraq. And that strategically should be unacceptable to us."

Obama Bows To Islamists

In an unbelievable bow to Islamists, The Daily Caller reports that the Obama Administration has ordered law enforcement and national security communities to "eliminate all references to Islam" in their counterterrorism training materials. The action was reportedly taken in response to complaints from CAIR and other Muslim apologists. In fact, the president of the Muslim Public Affairs Council recently published an op-ed in the Los Angeles Times demanding a "clear and unequivocal apology to the Muslim American community" from the FBI and the Justice Department.

This is more evidence of the widespread denial and political correctness that infects our elites. This is not a war or terrorism. Terrorism is a tactic of war, but a war requires an enemy. If we are fighting a war on terrorism then World War II was a war on blitzkriegs and kamikazes. It is ludicrous to refuse to identify the enemy.

There are, no doubt, many Muslims who simply want to live peaceful lives. Most Muslims are not terrorists. But there were also many Germans who were not Nazis and simply wanted to live peaceful lives. With all due respect to the moderate Muslims, the Muslims who matter most are the ones trying to kill us. And it is vital that we understand what is motivating them to "kill the infidel."


Fact Checking Biden

In my report last week, I blasted Joe Biden's over-the-top rhetoric for suggesting that rapes and murders would go up if Congress did not approve Obama's latest $450 billion stimulus bill. Biden made those remarks in Flint, Michigan, saying that rapes and murders had spiked as the city was forced to lay off police. Guess what? As usual, Biden has his facts wrong.

According to FactCheck.org, rapes and murders in Flint are down. Consider this excerpt:

"Speaking in Flint on Oct. 12, Biden said murder and rape statistics skyrocketed in that city from 2008 to 2010 (even though, as we reported, FBI data show rapes in Flint declined during that period). Biden then added: 'God only knows what the numbers will be this year in Flint.' Actually the Michigan State Police know, for at least the first six months of the year, because the city is required to report instances of crime. And rather than supporting Biden's argument, the evidence we found undercuts it."

But if Biden really is worried about spiking crime rates, he might want to reconsider his support of the Occupy Wall Street movement. According to the New York Post, thefts are plaguing the protestors (who, ironically, are protesting greed) and shootings have skyrocketed 154%.


The Limits Of States' Rights

States' rights became a flashpoint in the campaign again last week when Herman Cain offered confusing statements on abortion and traditional marriage. I've always believed that the government that's closest to the people governs best.  But the definition of society's most vital institution and the protection of its most vulnerable persons are so basic to our understanding of democracy that they must be taken up nationally. Read more in my latest column at humanevents.com.
 

* * * * *

RJC Rejects ADL/AJC Pledge:
"We will not be silenced" on Israel

Washington, D.C. (October 24, 2011) -- The Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) responded today to a call from the Anti-Defamation League and the American Jewish Committee, asking Jewish groups to pledge not to use Israel as a "political wedge issue" or, in the words of ADL's Abe Foxman, to "avoid polarizing debates" and refrain from questioning "the current administration's foreign policy approach vis-à-vis Israel".

RJC Executive Director Matt Brooks stated in response:

"An open and vigorous debate on the questions confronting our country is the cornerstone of the American electoral process. Allowing the American people to see where candidates stand, pro and con on critical issues, is the hallmark of our free and democratic political system. For this reason, the RJC will not be a signer to this pledge.

"This effort to stifle debate on U.S. policy toward Israel runs counter to this American tradition. Accordingly, the RJC will not be silenced on this or any issue."

Background:

ADL/AJC joint statement and the text of the pledge. 

# # #

This statement appears on the RJC web site at

http://www.rjchq.org/Newsroom/newsdetail.aspx?id=77664150-9a04-4dc6-a6a5-5be2905c8a8c 

The RJC is the national grassroots organization of Jewish Republicans.
Learn more at our web site, www.RJCHQ.org. 

Fellow patriots,

I held back on saying anything about Gadhafi's capture and death till now because events were flowing so rapidly that it was clear it would take a few days for things to settle down enough to make a statement about them.

I'm no friend of Moammar Gadhafi, but I AM a fan of orderly justice, and the vicious manner in which Moammar Gadhafi was captured alive, beaten, paraded on the hood of a Jeep, and summarily shot in the head is an ominous sign of what's to come.  If this is how the new power brokers in Libya do things, prepare to jump out of the frying pan and into the fire.

Never thought I'd say this, but Gadhafi's wife was right in her demand for an investigation into her husband's death. --> http://news.yahoo.com/gaddafis-wife-asks-u-n-investigate-death-tv-131839349.html

Another thought comes to mind: Isn't it strange that Gadhafi's body is being publicly displayed in contempt in a Misrata vegetable freezer ( http://cnsnews.com/news/article/iranians-win-4453-diversity-visa-applications-immigrate-us ), and yet Osama bin Laden's body could not be displayed, and had to be given a respectable Muslim burial, for fear of a Muslim backlash?  We need to think long and hard about this fact and what it says about popular Muslim sympathies.

As for the rest of the Libya story and its ramifications so far, see the headlines below and, if you have the time, the stories themselves.  Looks like an Islamist regime is about to take over, and that's the best-case scenario.  It's altogether likely that the warlike Islamist factions of Libya will soon be at each others' throats, as happened in Afghanistan after the ouster of Russia and is still happening in Somalia.  And the chaos is likely to spread.

Across region, Qaddafi's bloody demise shifts focus to Arab Spring's 'hard road' --> http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44985993/ns/world_news-the_new_york_times/

Libya NTC head Jalil pledges to uphold Islamic law --> http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45004684/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa/

Syrian protesters after Gadhafi's death: 'It is your turn now, Bashar' --> http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44987236/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa/

Obama: All US troops out of Iraq by end of year --> http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44990594/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa/

Iraqis fret about security after U.S. withdrawal--> http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44994341/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa/

Walid Phares says, "Barack Obama has essentially given half of the Middle East to Iran and half to the Muslim Brotherhood" --> http://www.mfs-theothernews.com/2011/10/walid-phares-says-barack-obama-has.html

US "Ally" Turkey says it doubts alleged Iranian plot in US--> http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44991186/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa/

Turkey invades Northern Iraq with support of the US --> http://www.economist.com/node/10766808

Clinton warns Pakistan: 'You can't keep snakes in your backyard'--> http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44988355/ns/world_news-south_and_central_asia/

The bottom line is that Gadhafi's death didn't mark the end of anything.  The hostilities and chaos have only just begun.

Dave

Bleeding Moammar Gadhafi's last words: 'Do you know right from wrong?'

UN human rights office calls for full investigation into ex-dictator's death

msnbc.com staff and news service reports October 21, 2011  http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/44986347/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa/

Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi's burial was delayed Friday after bloody images of his last moments raised questions over how exactly he died after being captured wounded, but alive.

Video on Arab television stations showed a crowd of fighters shoving and pulling the goateed, balding Gadhafi, with blood splattered on his face and soaking his shirt after he was dragged from hiding in a drainage pipe, begging for his life.

Gadhafi struggled against them, stumbling and shouting as the fighters pushed him onto the hood of a pickup truck. One fighter held him down, pressing on his thigh with a pair of shoes in a show of contempt.

Fighters propped him on the hood as they drove for several moments, apparently to parade him around in victory.

"We want him alive. We want him alive," one man shouted before Gadhafi was dragged off the hood, some fighters pulling his hair, toward an ambulance.

According to a translation by Britain's Sky News, Gadhafi yelled at the revolutionaries. "What you are doing is not allowed in Islamic law," he reportedly said. "What you are doing is forbidden in Islam!"

'Shut up, dog'
 Celebratory gunfire is heard in the video aired by Sky News and and at one point a gun is pointed at the dictator's head.

"Do you know right from wrong?" Gadhafi added on the video shortly before he appears to lose consciousness.

"Shut up, dog," one of the former rebels responded.

The video on Sky News later shows a dead Gadhafi being photographed and filmed in the street.

Other footage showed fighters rolling Gadhafi's lifeless body over on the pavement, stripped to the waist and a pool of blood under his head.

His body was then paraded on a car through Misrata, a nearby city that suffered a brutal siege by regime forces during the eight-month civil war that eventually ousted Gadhafi, as crowds in the streets cheered.

Gadhafi's body was being kept in an old meat store in Misrata on Friday. Reutersreported that a bullet wound was visible through his long, curly hair and bruises and scratch marks were also evident.

'Very disturbing'
 The United Nations human rights office called for a full investigation into Gadhafi's death.

"It is unclear how he died. There is a need for an investigation," U.N. human rights spokesman Rupert Colville told reporters in Geneva.

"It is a fundamental principle of international law that people accused of serious crimes should if possible be tried. Summary executions are strictly illegal. It is different if someone is killed in combat," he added.

Referring to separate cell phone images showing a wounded Gadhafi first alive and then later dead amidst a jumble of anti-Gadhafi fighters after his capture on Thursday, he added: "Taken together, they were very disturbing."

Mohamed Sayeh, a senior member of the governing National Transitional Council, later said that Gadhafi's burial had been delayed until his death can be examined by the International Criminal Court.

Sayeh told The Associated Press that Gadhafi will be buried with respect according to Islamic tradition and will not have a public funeral.

Thunderous celebratory gunfire and cries of "God is great" rang out across Tripoli well past midnight, leaving the smell of sulfur in the air. People wrapped revolutionary flags around toddlers and flashed V for victory signs as they leaned out car windows.

Martyrs' Square, the former Green Square from which Gadhafi made many defiant speeches, was packed with revelers.

The death, two months after Gadhafi's ouster, finished off the nearly 42-year regime that had turned the oil-rich country into an international pariah and his own personal fiefdom.

It also thrusts Libya into a new age in which its transitional leaders must overcome deep divisions and rebuild nearly all its institutions from scratch to achieve dreams of democracy.

The governing National Transitional Council said interim leader Mustafa Abdul-Jalil will formally declare liberation on Saturday in the eastern city of Benghazi, where the revolution against Gadhafi's rule began in mid-February.

The NTC has always said it will form a new interim government within a month of liberation and will hold elections within eight months.

Acting Prime Minister Mahmoud Jibril, who confirmed Gadhafi's death on Thursday, said he will step down to make way for others to guide the oil-rich North African nation toward democracy.

"The forming of the new government is subject to the NTC and I myself will not be part of that new government," Jibril said at a news conference in Tripoli. "I would like to call on Libyans to put aside the grudges and only say one word, which is Libya, Libya, Libya."

Other leaders have fallen in the Arab Spring uprisings, but the 69-year-old Gadhafi is the first to be killed. He was shot to death in his hometown of Sirte, where revolutionary fighters overwhelmed the last of his loyalist supporters Thursday after weeks of heavy battles.

President Barack Obama told the Libyan people: "You have won your revolution."

Cigarette burns
 Also killed in Sirte was one of Gadhafi's feared sons, Muatassim. An AP reporter saw cigarette burns on Muatassim's body. The fate of Gadhafi's one-time heir apparent Seif al-Islam was unclear.

The outpouring of joy reflected the deep hatred of a leader who had brutally warped Libya with his idiosyncratic rule.

After seizing power in a 1969 coup that toppled the monarchy, Gadhafi created a "revolutionary" system of "rule by the masses," which supposedly meant every citizen participated in government but really meant all power was in his hands.

He wielded it erratically, imposing random rules while crushing opponents, often hanging anyone who plotted against him in public squares.

Abroad, Gadhafi posed as a Third World leader, while funding militants, terror groups and guerrilla armies.

His regime was blamed in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, and the downing of a French passenger jet in Africa the following year, as well as the 1986 bombing of a German discotheque frequented by U.S. servicemen that killed three people.

Three-hour battle
 On Thursday, the final battle began with revolutionary forces bearing down on the last of Gadhafi's heavily armed loyalists who in recent days had been squeezed into a block of buildings of about 700 square yards.

A large convoy of vehicles moved out of the buildings, and revolutionary forces moved to intercept it, said Fathi Bashagha, spokesman for the Misrata Military Council, which commanded the fighters who captured him.

At 8:30 a.m. local time, NATO warplanes struck the convoy, a hit that stopped it from escaping, according to French Defense Minister Gerard Longuet.

Fighters then clashed with loyalists in the convoy for three hours, with rocket-propelled grenades, anti-aircraft weapons and machine guns. Members of the convoy got out of the vehicles, Bashagha said.

Gadhafi and other supporters fled on foot, with fighters in pursuit, he said. A Gadhafi bodyguard captured as they ran away gave a similar account to Arab TV stations.

Gadhafi and several bodyguards took refuge in a drainage pipe under a highway nearby.

After clashes ensued, Gadhafi emerged, telling the fighters outside, "What do you want? Don't kill me, my sons," according to Bashagha and Hassan Doua, a fighter who was among those who captured him.

Hatred
 Within the hour he was dead, but not before jubilant Libyans had vented decades of hatred by pulling the eccentric dictator's hair and parading his bloodied body on the hood of a truck.

Bashagha said Gadhafi died in the ambulance from wounds suffered during the clashes.

Abdel-Jalil Abdel-Aziz, a doctor who accompanied the body in the ambulance during the 120-mile drive to Misrata, said Gadhafi died from two bullet wounds - to the head and chest.

A government account of Gadhafi's death said he was captured unharmed and later was mortally wounded in the crossfire from both sides.

Amnesty International urged the revolutionary fighters to give a complete report, saying it was essential to conduct "a full, independent and impartial inquiry to establish the circumstances of Col. Gadhafi's death."

In other developments Friday:

• NATO's governing body was due to meet to decide when and how to end the seven-month bombing campaign in Libya, a military operation whose success has helped reinvigorate the Cold War alliance. NATO warplanes have flown about 26,000 sorties, including over 9,600 strike missions. They destroyed Libya's air defenses and over 1,000 tanks, vehicles and guns, as well as Gadhafi's command and control networks.
• Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd said the international community needed to work with the governing transitional council to ensure Libya "does not become another Iran."
• China, which initially refused to support the rebels or to criticize Gadhafi, moved to embrace the new government - updating its references to Gadhafi in state media from the "strongman" who defied the West to the "madman" whose time ran out.

The Associated Press, Reuters and msnbc.com staff contributed to this report.

So Gadhafi is dead - what does Libya do now?

Fragile coalition may struggle to survive demise of dictator, the glue that held it together

Show transcript

msnbc.com and NBC News updated 10/20/2011 7:39:42 PM ET http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44980950/ns/world_news-mideast_n_africa/2011-10-20T23:39:42

The council that has ruled Libya since the ouster of Col. Moammar Gadhafi is deeply fractured and faces a difficult task reuniting and rebuilding the country now that it is in complete control following Gadhafi's death, Libyan officials and international affairs experts said Thursday.

The U.S. and other Western powers recognized the National Transitional Council as Libya's official government earlier this year as it became increasingly clear that anti-Gadhafi rebels were likely to succeed in driving the eccentric colonel from power after 42 years of dictatorial rule.

The head of the council, Mahmoud Jibril - in effect, Libya's prime minister - has said free elections would be held eight months after the last vestiges of Gadhafi's regime had been defeated. That clock started ticking Thursday when Gadhafi was killed in his hometown, Sirte, the last major city to fall to the rebels.

Elections on a rushed timetable
 The timeline would put the elections in April - a potentially oppressive deadline in a country that "starts really from zero," said Richard Haass, director of policy planning for the State Department during the administration of President George W. Bush.

"There are no international institutions," said Haass, now the president of the Council on Foreign Relations, the nonpartisan policy institute in New York that publishes the influential journal Foreign Affairs. "There's not really a functioning political system or an economy."

When the elections are held, they will bring in an entirely new slate of leaders, because Jibril and the rest of the NTC are barred from serving in the next government under its interim constitution. Jibril - a U.S.-trained economist and former professor at the University of Pittsburgh - reinforced that message Tuesday during a news conference with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton when he said, "I will not be part of the upcoming government."

That lack of continuity will further hamper efforts to "transform this anti-Gadhafi movement into pro-Libya progress," said Marc Ginsberg, a senior foreign policy adviser during the Carter and Clinton administrations.

"There are 41 tribal leaders, all of whom probably want to get their hands" on the country's wealth - billions of dollars in overseas bank accounts and untold riches in oil still in the ground - Ginsberg said.

Kamran Bokhari, director of Middle East analysis for Strategic Forecasting, a widely followed international affairs and intelligence company in Austin, Texas, identified the factions as coalescing around two primary forces: the NTC and the Tripoli Military Council, a coalition of rebel forces led by Abdelhakim Belhadj.

Belhadj is the former head of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, which was listed as a terrorist organization after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. He was detained at a secret prison by the CIA in 2004 before he was returned to Libya.

"We have a very complex landscape that will somehow need to come together," Bokhari said in an analysis issued by Stratfor.

Haass said that until now, the factions had been held together by just one thread: their opposition to Gadhafi.

"Can they agree on what kind of Libya they want to bring about?" he asked. "That will be a real test."

Libyan ambassador asks for U.S. help
 Ali Aujuli, the Libyan ambassador to the U.S., acknowledged the difficulties ahead, saying, "We need to work hard for reconcilation."

That will require continued assistance from the U.S. and other foreign governments, Aujuli said, because "we still need help (to) establish our democratic institutions; we need help (for) our injuries to be treated. We need them to help us to help the Libyans to be trained to take care of their country."

Vali Nasr, who until earlier this year was the Obama administration's senior adviser on Afghanistan and Pakistan, strongly agreed, saying he feared that "the killing of Gadhafi could be some form of closure for the NATO countries, and they could wash their hands of Libya very quickly."

"The NTC that overthrew Gadhafi is highly fractured," said Nasr, who now teaches international politics at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy of Tufts University. "It doesn't have very strong central leadership.

"This is a country that literally has to build its political and economic systems from scratch, and that requires a lot of outside support and ongoing support," he said.

In fact, Nasr said, the death of Gadhafi could be irrelevant in the long run, saying, "It remains to be seen whether Libya will actually disintegrate into the same kind of chaos we saw in Iraq or if it is able to claw its way back to stability."

Haass concurred, saying it was far too early to project whether Libya would be able to make the transition to democracy.

Gadhafi's death will be seen as a victory only "if, several years from now, Libya is a viable state in which people enjoy freedom and economic opportunity," he said.

But Michael Leiter, former director of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center, told NBC News' Brian Williams that while the death of Gadhafi wasn't the expressed goal of U.S. policy, it was still a welcome development.

"Without Gadhafi gone, there really wasn't going to be progress in Libya, and this was a critical step in that regard," Leiter said.

It's still "going to be hard for Libya," he cautioned, saying that in addition to political and economic challenges, "they've got potentially, still, problems with terrorist organizations in the south of their country."

Aujuli, the NTC's ambassador in Washington, said skepticism greeted the rebels when they started the civil war in February, and "I am very happy to tell the world that Libya did not disappoint you."

"We've been waiting for this moment a very long time, more than 40 years," he said. "We are proud of ourselves. We are proud of our people.

"They open a new chapter with greater dreams for a democratic country, a democratic regime, and (will) enjoy for the first time in 42 years to elect their own leader."

By Alex Johnson of msnbc.com with Andrea Mitchell of NBC News and Martin Bashir and Tamron Hall of MSNBC-TV.

© 2011 msnbc.com

The Tea Party's Surprise

The conservative movement has helped elect blacks and Hispanics who faced resistance from the Republican establishment.

By Kevin Brennan and Sean Sullivan 

Updated: October 21, 2011 | 8:10 a.m.
October 20, 2011 | 4:00 p.m.

AP Photo/Mike Carlson

On the up and up: The tea party is diversifying the GOP.

Read more: 

October 24, 2011
 
  OBAMA SET TO BYPASS CONGRESS   Several news sources are reporting that President Obama is planning to announce sweeping changes to federal student loan programs and home mortgages. These initiatives are allegedly going to be revealed during campaign stops in Las Vegas and California later this week. See the details HERE.
  FEDS TO SHUT OFF ALL TV AND RADIO ON 11/9  Is there reason to be concerned about the planned government takeover of radio and TV scheduled for November 9th? The action will only be temporary, as it is part of a test of the Emergency Alert System. Discover all of the details HERE.
  DID THE VATICAN JUST THROW IN WITH OWS?  The Vatican's Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace has just released a proposal calling for "the redistribution of wealth and the regulation of world economies by international agencies." Watch the video explaining it all HERE.
  LOBBYISTS SWARM SUPERCOMMITTEE, LABOR SWARMS OWS, & DEMS DUCK OBAMA  Why should you visit the daily "Must-Read" section on the Blaze? As Sir Francis Bacon would say, "Knowledge is power." Check out the Monday morning Must-Reads HERE.

 Video of SEIU's Plans to Attack   

SEIU's Stephen Lerner Leaks Plan to Terrorize Corporate Executives

Posing As Banker, O'Keefe Finds Anti-Capitalist Protesters Looking For Some Venture Capital At #OccupyWallStreet

Occupy Wall Street Solicits Wall Street Banker

 Former Soviet Citizen Confronts Socialists At #OccupyWallStreet

See video here: 

October 23, 2011

DHS Job Fair for Illegals

Ellis Island and Other Myths  

Read more:  

No Victory But Defeat  

There is nothing to be proud of in a moral confusion that puts the soldier before the battle. Even less in a country whose commanders and politicians think nothing of sacrificing soldiers in order to preserve the lives of enemy civilians.

All the kvelling over Gilad Shalit would be a trifle less dishonest if the pundits, politicians and generals did not believe that sending a dozen boys like Shalit into battle without air and artillery support to avoid harming enemy civilians was also evidence of moral superiority.

If the moral equations say that the life of Gilad Shalit is worth a major national defeat and that the life of a Gilad Shalit is worth less than that of an enemy civilian, then it's no wonder that the terrorists are thriving. Israel's own idiot elites have laid out a formula under which the IDF must lose every battle to preserve the nation's morality. It's Masada as practiced by left-wing lunatics.

Read more:  

Constitutional Convention Can Not Be Controlled  

The Chairwoman's Effort to Compel UN Reform  

Former member of Congressional Black Caucus finally understands why we need voter ID laws

Oct 24, 2011 06:13 am | Coach Collins

 By Kevin "Coach" Collins

 In  2010 Alabama Democrat Artur Davis left Congress taking his 7% American Conservative Union (ACU) voting record with him. As a member of the Congressional Black Caucus he was a reliable knee jerk  liberal who voted for and against Bills that would either help America's enemies or hurt America's people.  

 While in a state of total delusion Davis believed his lifetime 22% ACU rating could get him elected governor of Alabama. When reality tapped him on the shoulder, Davis left elective politics and went off to be a Washington D.C, lawyer. Given his record, it is a refreshing surprise to note his 180 degree change of heart on the question of stricter voter ID laws.

 Some excerpts from a Davis wrote to the Montgomery Advertiser follow.

 "I've changed my mind on voter ID laws - I think Alabama did the right thing in passing one - and I wish I ... Continue Reading:Former member of Congressional Black Caucus finally understands why we need voter ID laws

comments | read more

American Minute for October 23rd

Oct 23, 2011 05:13 pm | Coach Collins

Coachisright.com is pleased to announce American history scholar; nationally known speaker and best selling author William J Federer's daily American Minute column will be part of CiR's afternoon update.  Bill Federer is a tireless and meticulous researcher whose daily history lessons reflect the relationship between God and our nation. Bill is a regular guest on radio and television shows when getting American history right is essential.

 We're sure you will enjoy Bill's daily columns and want to share them with your friends and families. Bill Federer is an American patriot whose message needs to be heard by all.

  By Bill Federer, staff writer

  President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed a Day of Thanksgiving, stating:
"The season is at hand in which it has been our long respected custom as a people to turn in praise and thanksgiving to Almighty God for His manifold mercies and blessings to us as a nation...
In the year that has just passed...we ... Continue Reading:American Minute for October 23rd

comments | read more

Republican elites may hope for a "second coming" of McCain in 2012, but don't bet on it

Oct 23, 2011 02:13 pm | Coach Collins

By Doug Book, staff writer

  No group had less influence on the 2008 nomination of John McCain than the conservative base of the Republican Party.

Throughout the second term of the Bush presidency,  Democrats and their media flacks attacked and maligned the Administration and by extension the entire Republican Party.  And as Karl Rove and George Bush had so completely and irresponsibly bought into the leftist-touted  "new tone of D.C.  civility,"  no response was made to this perpetual and disingenuous assault though it severely damaged GOP chances of retaining the White House.

As a result,  the only sort of nominee given a chance by Party elders of reclaiming the Oval Office would be a  "non-Republican Republican,"  that is,  a candidate far removed from the bedrock principles of conservatism so closely identified with the Party base.

And the logical choice for such an  "unprincipled",  non-Republican was,  of course,  John McCain.

To the apparent glee of Party elites,  John the ... Continue Reading:Republican elites may hope for a "second coming" of McCain in 2012, but don't bet on it

comments | read more

Brief · October 24, 2011

The Foundation

"I am for doing good to the poor, but I differ in opinion of the means. I think the best way of doing good to the poor, is not making them easy in poverty, but leading or driving them out of it." --Benjamin Franklin

For the Record

Gaga, Woods and Oprah -- not exactly living in the poor house

"According to Forbes' Celebrity 100 list for 2010, Oprah Winfrey earned $290 million. Even if her makeup person or cameraman earned $100,000, she earned thousands of times more than that. Is that fair? Among other celebrities earning hundreds or thousands of times more than the people who work with them are Tyler Perry ($130 million), Jerry Bruckheimer ($113 million), Lady Gaga ($90 million) and Howard Stern ($76 million). According to Forbes, the top 10 celebrities, excluding athletes, earned an average salary of a little more than $100 million in 2010. According to The Wall Street Journal Survey of CEO Compensation (November 2010), Gregory Maffei, CEO of Liberty Media, earned $87 million, Oracle's Lawrence Ellison ($68 million) and rounding out the top 10 CEOs was McKesson's John Hammergren, earning $24 million. It turns out that the top 10 CEOs have an average salary of $43 million, which pales in comparison with America's top 10 celebrities, who earn an average salary of $100 million. When you recognize that celebrities earn salaries that are some multiples of CEO salaries, you have to ask: Why is it that rich CEOs are demonized and not celebrities? ... It's not about the amount of money people earn. If it were, politicians and leftists would be promoting jealousy, fear and hate toward multimillionaire Hollywood and celebrities and sports stars, such as LeBron James ($48 million), Tiger Woods ($75 million) and Peyton Manning ($38 million). But there is no way that politicians could take over the roles of Oprah Winfrey, Lady Gaga and LeBron James. That means celebrities can make any amount of money they want and it matters not one iota politically. The Occupy Wall Street crowd shouldn't focus its anger at wealthy CEOs. A far more appropriate target would be the U.S. Congress." --economist Walter E. Williams

Essential Liberty

"Non-leftists who cherish the American value of liberty over the left-wing value of socioeconomic equality, as well as those who adhere to Judeo-Christian values, do not regard the existence of economic classes as inherently morally problematic. If the poor are treated equally before the law, are given the chance and the liberty to raise their socioeconomic status and have their basic material needs met, the gap between rich and poor is not a major moral problem. Of course, if the rich got rich through deceitful or violent means, they must be prosecuted. But America is a place where the way in which 'poor' is defined renders most poor Americans materially equivalent to much of Europe's middle class. America is also a place where the rich by and large legally acquired their wealth through hard work and entrepreneurial enterprise. So here, the existence of rich and poor is not a problem that demands governmental action." --radio talk-show host Dennis Prager

What do you make of income disparity?

Culture

"Call it an occupational hazard, but I can't look at the Occupy Wall Street protesters without thinking, 'Who parented these people?' As a culture columnist, I've commented on the social and political ramifications of the 'movement' -- now known as 'OWS' -- whose fairyland agenda can be summarized by one of their placards: 'Everything for everybody.' Thanks to their pipe-dream platform, it's clear there are people with serious designs on 'transformational' change in America who are using the protesters like bedsprings in a brothel. Yet it's not my role as a commentator that prompts my parenting question, but rather the fact that I'm the mother of four teens and young adults. There are some crucial life lessons that the protesters' moms clearly have not passed along. Here, then, are five things the OWS protesters' mothers should have taught their children but obviously didn't, so I will: Life isn't fair. ... Nothing is 'free.' ... Your word is your bond. When you demonstrate to eliminate student loan debt, you are advocating precisely the lack of integrity you decry in others. ... A protest is not a party. ... There are reasons you haven't found jobs. The truth? Your tattooed necks, gauged ears, facial piercings and dirty dreadlocks are off-putting. Nonconformity for the sake of nonconformity isn't a virtue. Occupy reality: Only 4 percent of college graduates are out of work. If you are among that 4 percent, find a mirror and face the problem. It's not them. It's you." --columnist Marybeth Hicks

Re: The Left

"Another day, another jobs bill/economic stimulus. And another presidential tour to promote it. This time our president and partisan-in-chief chose North Carolina for the setting, and who can blame him? Who wouldn't want to drive through its mountains and vistas these beautiful fall days -- instead of actually working out a compromise with those tiresome types in Congress? The kind who are always raising irritating questions, like whether the president's programs will actually work. Unlike those that have succeeded mainly in raising the country's unemployment rate to 9 percent or more. No matter how many times his presidential prescriptions have failed to do much for the economy, Dr. Obama assures us that the same old approach (spend still more) will work this time -- if we'll just increase the dosage and suspend disbelief. ... It strikes some of us as passing strange that Mr. Obama should now be campaigning in a part of the country and culture whose people he used to describe/deride as hopelessly bitter types. Their only response to hard times, he claimed at one point, is to 'cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations.' ... [I]t's not what a president says that matters so much in this always practical-minded country, but what he does. And this president is not doing well." --columnist Paul Greenberg

Government

"Following a series of failed votes on a number of President Obama's jobs proposals, Senate Democrats plan to keep pushing. The Senate is on recess [this] week, but when they return, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.) plans to hold another vote on the 'infrastructure' portion of the president's plan. The legislation would allocate $50 billion for 'investment' in transportation and infrastructure projects -- e.g., highway restoration, airport development, Amtrack, high speed rail, etc. -- and establish a federal infrastructure bank as a 'wholly owned government corporation' that would hand out federally-backed loans for infrastructure projects. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood predicted that the legislation would create about 800,000 jobs at a cost of $75,000 per job. Which is perplexing, given that a recent Bloomberg survey of 34 leading economists yielded a median estimate of 288,000 jobs 'kept or added' over the next two years. And that's based on the entirety of the president's $450 billion proposal, which works out to a rate of about $1.6 million per job. Democrats plan to cover the cost the infrastructure 'investment' with a 0.7 percent surtax on household earning more than $1 million a year. The measure isn't any more likely to succeed that the others before it, but the bill's inevitable failure will provide Democrats with at least another week's worth of class-warfare talking points. And that's leadership you can believe in." --National Review's Andrew Stiles

Insight

"I am in favor of cutting taxes under any circumstances and for any excuse, for any reason, whenever it's possible. The reason I am is because I believe the big problem is not taxes, the big problem is spending. The question is, 'How do you hold down government spending?'   

Government spending now amounts to close to 40% of national income not counting indirect spending through regulation and the like. If you include that, you get up to roughly half. The real danger we face is that number will creep up and up and up. The only effective way I think to hold it down, is to hold down the amount of income the government has. The way to do that is to cut taxes." --economist Milton Friedman (1912-2006)

The Gipper

"We are a nation that has a government -- not the other way around. And this makes us special among the nations of the Earth. Our government has no power except that granted it by the people. It is time to check and reverse the growth of government which shows signs of having grown beyond the consent of the governed. ... Government can and must provide opportunity, not smother it; foster productivity, not stifle it." --Ronald Reagan

Political Futures

"Moammar Gaddafi got what was coming to him. Of course, the concern now is the jihadist and al-Qaeda elements that are positioned to replace him. Years ago, Ronald Reagan called Gaddafi the 'mad dog of the Middle East' and said that his goal was a worldwide 'Muslim fundamentalist revolution.' Many others besides Gaddafi shared that goal, including those who opposed him, and with Gaddafi's death, that goal is closer than ever to being realized. Here we are, thirty years after Reagan made these remarks, in the throes of a worldwide Muslim fundamentalist revolution. Reagan said that those who wanted this 'Muslim fundamentalist revolution' were enemies of the United States -- for them it was 'like climbing Mount Everest, because we are here.' And in a sense, that is exactly the reason why ... Reagan's warning of a worldwide 'Muslim fundamentalist revolution' was prescient. Can you imagine the Muslim Brotherhood stooge in the White House ever uttering those words? ... Reagan spoke before there was a significant Muslim presence in Europe. Now the threat and intimidation by Muslims throughout the countries of the European Union is growing at every level. And now Gaddafi is gone, but the threat of a worldwide 'Muslim fundamentalist revolution' remains, and is stronger than ever, thanks to Barack Obama." --author and columnist Pamela Geller

Faith & Family

"Egyptian violence against Christians is intolerable. When peaceful demonstrators demanding only protection of the law are attacked, we see a complete breakdown of civil order. More than that, the fact that Egypt's Christians are being killed with impunity means there is no Arab Spring. ... Obama is building an unenviable record in foreign policy. He is the most anti-Israel president in our history and also, de facto, the most anti-Christian. He is washing his hands of the fate of millions of minority Christians in the Mideast. This cannot be beneficial to the United States or to the countries involved. ... Is this what we are fighting for? ... Has the U.S. Department of State forgotten who we Americans are? Millions of Americans disbelieve and abhor what is being taught in Afghan schools, what is being done on the streets of Cairo, and what is likely to be done in Syria when Assad is toppled. Isn't it time for a total reassessment of U.S. foreign policy and aid?" --columnists Ken Blackwell & Bob Morrison

Reader Comments

"Regarding Mark Alexander's essay, Memo to GOP Contenders: Cut the Crap, the media has set up the debates and the format which are designed to pit candidates against each other. Why do we need another 12 debates? This is an unprecedented format and allows liberal news commentators to bait candidates to attack each other by the choice of questions. Why do we allow the left-leaning news media to control the process of selecting a Republican presidential candidate?" --Crawford

"Mark Alexander offered an excellent analysis of the errors of too many of the Republican candidates. Too bad they can't detect wisdom when it is offered." --Brad

"In Friday's Digest you outlined Ron Paul's plan to cut $1 trillion in federal spending. I don't know if Paul's cuts are all in the right places, but I bet a lot of them are. Our government wastes more money than the GDP of most countries. Whoever is elected should get Paul's plan and go over it with a fine tooth comb. This nation will not survive if we don't act quickly." --Kenneth

"Unfortunately Ron Paul's plan makes too much sense for the Marxists currently running the country, as demonstrated by the 'Occupy Wall Street' crowd. I have no problem with his plan, and I'm sure many others would agree. But at this point in time, I have difficulty believing Mr. Paul could gain enough support to win the nomination, let alone the presidency." --Bob N.

"Ron Paul is overly simplistic. He simply will not be able to accomplish what he says he wants to do. And his willingness to throw Israel under the bus means I will NEVER be able to support him." --Seth

The Last Word

"Although, as a rule, I prefer avoiding using words in my articles that will send most normal people scurrying for their dictionary, I only recently came across 'anosognosia' and I felt I should share it because it so perfectly describes the mental condition of liberals. It is the total unawareness of one's own disease, disability or defect. So when we find ourselves asking why leftists think and act as they do, apparently living in a fantasy world totally disconnected from reality, at least we now know there's a word that defines it." --columnist Burt Prelutsky

Semper Vigilo, Fortis, Paratus et Fidelis!
Nate Jackson for The Patriot Post Editorial Team

Jindal wins re-election in landslide

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal on Saturday easily coasted to a second term, winning in a landslide election after failing to attract any well-known or deep-pocketed opposition.

The 40-year-old Republican overwhelmed nine competitors in the open primary, where a candidate wins the race outright if he or she receives more than 50 percent of the vote. With 99 percent of precincts reporting, Jindal had received about 66 percent of the total vote.

His closest competitor, Tara Hollis, a Democrat from north Louisiana, garnered nearly 18 percent of the total vote. All of the other candidates were in single digits.

Jindal ... attracted no Democratic challengers with statewide name recognition or fundraising heft. He's had consistently high approval ratings since taking office in 2008.

His win comes amid the virtual collapse of the Democratic Party's clout in the state. In the current term, Republicans have gained control of all seven statewide elected posts and both chambers of the legislature...

 Dear Patriots,
  More disturbing truth is oozing to the surface on the  Solyndra solar scandal.
  Numerous sources are now reporting that California-based  solar panel company, Solyndra donated $7,500 to the  California Democratic Party and company employees had  also contributed  more than $20,000 to Democratic candidates...
  No doubt payback to Democrats for handing over half-a-billion  of your hard-earned tax-dollars!
  Even worse, the Detroit News reported that the Obama  administration was so eager to give Solyndra taxpayer  money, energy Secretary Steven Chu "personally approved  more cash even though they had already defaulted on one loan."
  And this is likely just the tip of the "green energy"  iceberg!
  + + Emergency Petition Delivery Thursday, Oct. 27
  Since launching our national petition calling for a full and  thorough investigation into the Solyndra mess, more than  43,000 taxpayers have responded to Obama's latest attack  on American taxpayers.
  Right now, Grassfire Nation is preparing to hand-deliver  petitions to each of the two House subcommittees demanding  answers from those responsible for bilking more than $5  billion from taxpayers.
  Patriot, Obama's assault on the American worker and taxpayer  compels a strong citizen response. That's why we are working  quickly to mobilize at least 50,000 citizen signers before  Thursday's petition delivery.

  Please take a moment to sign our petition calling for a full  investigation into "Solargate" so that we may include you  in this delivery:
  http://www.grassfire.com/172/petition.asp?Ref_ID=500064
  Left unchecked and unchallenged, Obama will continue his  jobs-killing assault on the American people while turning  the treasury into his own private venture capitalist firm.
  Take immediate action by clicking below:
  http://www.grassfire.com/172/petition.asp?Ref_ID=500064
  After signing, forward this message directly to 30-40  friends and family members urging them to join the growing  chorus of citizen outrage by clicking below and signing  our petition:
  http://www.grassfire.com/172/petition.asp?Ref_ID=500064
  Thank you for turning to Grassfire Nation and Patriot Action Network.
  Grassfire Nation and Patriot Action Network

Today's Headlines:  Monday, October 24, 2011

Hillary Clinton Extols Obama's 'Smart' Leadership in 'Complex, Dangerous World'

Obama: My 'Drawdown in Iraq Allowed Us' to Get Bin Laden

Biden: 'Nobody Can Look You in the Eye and Tell You the Recovery Act and the Stimulus Did Not Create Jobs' 

CNSNews.com isn't funded by the government as NPR is. We rely on you! Please make a tax deductible gift today.

In Iraq, 'Moral Support' for Israel 'Punishable by Death,' Says State Dept.

Gallup: Only 1 Percent of Democrats Say Creating 'Green Jobs' is Answer to Unemployment

Iran Should Not 'Miscalculate' U.S. Commitment to Iraq, Clinton Warns

Rationing: States Limiting Hospital Stays for Medicaid Patients

Obama's Not the Only One: Republicans Say 'We Can't Wait,' Either

How Many MPGs Does Obama's Bus Get? Secret Service Keeps it Secret

Media Watchdog Calls for Defunding Public Broadcasting

COMMENTARY:

The 'Fair Share' Farce
By Ed Feulner
The "Occupy Wall Street" protesters may think they're taking a swing at the people at the top, but it's people at the bottom who could wind up bruised.

Rules of Engagement
By Rich Galen
Rules of engagement are not set in stone; they are written in sand. An economic wave or political wind will easily erase them and he who owns the sand can write new rules, any time he wants, to suit his changing needs.

NEWSPAPER ROUNDUP:

More states limiting Medicaid hospital stays
Transitional leader calls for sharia law as Libya celebrates liberation
Karzai says Afghanistan would back Pakistan if U.S. attacks
Early sign of strong Islamist vote in Tunisian elections
Key general calls Iraq pullout plan a 'disaster'
Outdoor 'sleepover' teaches high school students about homelessness
Ron Paul calls for end to federal student loan program
Biden not ruling out a 2016 presidential run
Texas politicians fight to stop Confederate flag license plate
Harrisburg's 'trash into energy' incinerator blamed for capital city's financial crisis
Bachmann to Iraq: Reimburse us
Marijuana and opium poppy production climb to record levels in Mexico
GOP efforts to cut gov't spending interfere with GOP fundraising

Napolitano Defends Back-Door Amnesty before Senate

Appearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano defended her Department's recent announcement to administratively close pending and incoming deportation cases for illegal aliens deemed a "low-priority" by the Administration. "[These policies] make common sense, and they reflect the reality that we've never had enough resources to remove everyone who's in the country illegally. And so you've got to have priorities..." she stated.

Read the full article

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Deportations and Deception Hit New Highs in 2011

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) last Tuesday proudly announced its fiscal year 2011 deportation numbers set a new record for the agency. In FY 2011, ICE removed 396,906 illegal aliens from the United States, which - if accurate - represents a 2 percent increase from FY 2010.

Read the full article

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Santa Clara County Votes to Ignore Immigration Detainers

On October 18, the Santa Clara County (CA) Board of Supervisors voted 3-1 to stop using county funds to honor ICE detainers, except in limited circumstances. According to the Associated Press, the measure was the result of "a year of work with a coalition of immigrants rights' advocates, members of the legal community and civil rights groups."

Read the full article

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Mayor Orders D.C. Police to Disregard Immigration Laws

District of Columbia (D.C.) Mayor Vincent C. Gray issued an executive order Wednesday to prevent district police from enforcing U.S. immigration law. Among other things, the order would prohibit all public safety agencies from inquiring about an individual's immigration status or from contacting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) if there is no nexus to a criminal investigation.

Read the full article

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ICE Authorities Blame Locals for Missing Witness

The decision to release an illegal alien may lead to another illegal alien going scot-free after the death of a 23-year-old man. Matthew Denice of Milford, Massachusetts, was struck and killed while riding his motorcycle this summer. The suspect, Nicolas Guaman, is an illegal alien who officials say was driving drunk when his car plowed into Denice and dragged him for a quarter mile. Luis Acosta, also an illegal alien, was a passenger in the truck that killed Denice and is considered a key witness in the case against Guaman.

Did you know you're paying more than in property taxes than you should, thanks to a law that was passed in 1961--a law that hasn't been updated to benefit taxpayers since? Well you are, and now is the time to tell your legislator that it's time we updated the Prevailing Wage Laws.

Click here to email a letter to House members asking them to pass the entire Prevailing Wage Reform Packet. (http://www.kintera.org/c.6oJCLRPAJhJUG/b.6646115/k.8B5D/Action_Center/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx?c=6oJCLRPAJhJUG&b=6646115&aid=516730)

These bills will modernize the Prevailing Wage Laws which will help Pennsylvanians, like you, keep more of your hard earned money in your own pocket. Current prevailing wage laws mandate that contractors must pay wages based on the average union worker's rate of pay. This makes public works projects in townships and school districts cost-prohibitive. Prevailing Wage reform will allow local government to opt out of such mandates, thereby reducing the cost of projects, and laying the ground work for reduced property taxes as well.

For more information about prevailing wage and the specific bills, and to read our letter of support, click here (http://www.americansforprosperity.org/102411-letter-support-prevailing-wage-reform-package).

Again, please email a letter asking House members to vote YES on the full Prevailing Wage Reform Package. Tell him or her that their YES vote will ease the financial burden on our schools, our towns and most importantly, our families.

(http://www.kintera.org/c.6oJCLRPAJhJUG/b.6646115/k.8B5D/Action_Center/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx?c=6oJCLRPAJhJUG&b=6646115&aid=516730)

It's time for our politicians to give Pennsylvania families a path to lower property taxes and well-maintained schools and towns, and the Prevailing Wage Reform Package is a very solid step in that direction.

In Liberty and Solidarity,

Jennifer Stefano

Director of Labor and Energy

Americans for Prosperity-Pennsylvania

 Susan's Paul Ryan Medicare Pamphlet - please print this and give it to your contacts