Quote: 

"Democracy and socialism have nothing in common but one word: equality. But notice the difference: while democracy seeks equality in liberty, socialism seeks equality in restraint and servitude."   

 -Alexis de Tocqueville

Adam Bellow hopes to give voice to the tea party with new conservative imprint at HarperCollins

By Julia Duin, Published: December 30

NEW YORK - Attention, conservatives: Adam Bellow says this is your moment.

The intellectual left, he contends, is in a vacuum. The right is where there are ideas, variety, excitement. And Bellow, a former liberal who has made a career of pushing conservative writers and controversial issues to the forefront of American publishing, wants to hear from you.

As an editor at the Free Press and then Doubleday, Bellow, son of the late novelist Saul Bellow, guided such provocative voices as Dinesh D'Souza ("Illiberal Education"), David Brock ("The Real Anita Hill"), Jonah Goldberg ("Liberal Fascism"), and Charles Murray and Richard J. Herrnstein ("The Bell Curve") to the top of the bestseller lists.

Now he thinks he can do the same with representatives from the tea party, the decentralized protest movement that has energized conservatives, dismayed liberals and spooked presidential candidates with its focus on free markets, limited government, fewer taxes and balanced budgets.

Bellow, 54, is editorial director of Broadside Books, HarperCollins's conservative imprint, launched a year ago. Its mission, he says, is to "attack the intellectual roots of liberalism, and find and publish a lot of new thinking on the right."

And it shouldn't be hard, the New Yorker contends over coffee at the Metro Diner, a working person's eatery at 100th and Broadway that is a favorite haunt. "There is zero fresh air coming from the left," he says. "There is more genuine intellectual ferment on the right. Conservatives are better educated, if only to know what the left is saying and how to defend themselves."

http://www.supremecourt.gov/Search.aspx?FileName=/docketfiles/08a407.htm

Is Joe Biden going to be our interim President before the end of this year?

December 29, 2011

VERY QUIETLY OBAMA'S CITIZENSHIP CASE REACHES THE SUPREME COURT

AP - WASHINGTON D.C. -

In a move certain to fuel the debate over Obama's qualifications for the presidency, the group "Americans for Freedom of Information" has Released copies of President Obama's college transcripts from Occidental College ... Released today, the transcript school indicates that Obama, under the name Barry Soetoro, received financial aid as a foreign student from Indonesia as an undergraduate. The transcript was released by Occidental College in compliance with a court order in a suit brought by the group in the Superior Court of California. The transcript shows that Obama (Soetoro) applied for financial aid and was awarded a fellowship for foreign students from the Fulbright Foundation Scholarship program. To qualify, for the scholarship, a student must claim foreign citizenship.

This document would seem to provide the smoking gun that many of Obama's detractors have been seeking. Along with the evidence that he was first born in Kenya and there is no record of him ever applying for US citizenship, this is looking pretty grim. The news has created a firestorm at the White House as the release casts increasing doubt about Obama's legitimacy and qualification to serve as President article titled, "Obama Eligibility Questioned," leading some to speculate that the story may overshadow economic issues on Obama's first official visit to the U.K. In a related matter, under growing pressure from several groups, Justice Antonin Scalia announced that the Supreme Court agreed on Tuesday to hear arguments concerning Obama's legal eligibility to serve as President in a case brought by Leo Donofrio of New Jersey . This lawsuit claims Obama's dual citizenship disqualified him from serving as president.. Donofrio's case is just one of 18 suits brought by citizens demanding proof of Obama's citizenship or qualification to serve as president.

Read more:

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)

Southern NH 9.12 Project 

& Temple University Students for Intellectual Freedom (TUSIF)

This is a really good chart with all the candidates positions on issues....note especially, please, those that support agenda 21   

Get the PDF Document Here . . .   

DEAR PATRIOTS,

THERE WILL BE NO JANUARY Valley Forge Patriots Tea Party MEETING !!!

MEETINGS WILL RESUME IN FEBRUARY

 3rd WITH A FORUM ON THE PA SENATE RACE TO UNSEAT BOB CASEY.  SAM ROHRER,STEVE WELSH,AND MARK SCARINGI HAS CONFIRMED  ATTENDANCE.  MORE INFORMATION TO FOLLOW.

OUR BEST WISHES TO YOU ALL FOR A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY, HEALTHY NEW YEAR!!

The VFP steering committee,

Mark, Betty, Joe, Jeff & Tom

Nullify Now! Philadelphia

THE INTERFAITH TASKFORCE FOR AMERICA AND ISRAEL (ITAI)

123 S. Broad Street, Suite 1832, Philadelphia, PA 19109

HOLD THE DATE

ITAI is pleased to invite you to attend our program titled "Christians in the Middle East: Endangered Species."

With Samir Asad (an Egyptian Coptic-Christian), Wafa Mikhail, and Joseph Puder, and Charles Kahn Jr.,

Our panel will discuss the current situation in Egypt, the Palestinian Authority and Gaza, and more...

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012, 7:30PM

At

St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church

1989 Rt. 70 East, Cherry Hill, NJ

Admission is free, tax-deductible contributions to ITAI are encouraged.

LISTEN LIVE TO REPATRIOT RADIO

"BETTER THAN EVER"

(all times are eastern)

Remember January 3rd, 2007 The Day The Democrats Took Over!

The Case Against Obamacare: Health Care Policy Series for the 112th Congress

For Tea Parties, this can be used as basic ammunition for letters to the editor, columns for your local news outlet, handouts at public events, emailing the pdf to our elected reps as well as to members, friends and neighbors.

This appears to be an excellent resource; let's make use of it.

Lou Flanagan

The General Wayne Tea Party

The first contests in the race for the Republican nomination are just around the corner. To better inform you, we looked beyond the rhetoric to the candidates' actual records on the issues important to families.

This voter guide outlines candidate stances on issues that are important to the family. We researched the candidates' statements and votes on the ten issues that best give voters an understanding on if the candidates match your values. Please use this resource as you think about who you would like to see be the nominee to challenge President Barack Obama.

Download the free guide and be sure to share this resource with your friends and family before the 2012 primary season begins next month.

A values voter is an informed voter.

Sincerely,

Tony Perkins
President

Brief · Monday, January 2, 2012

The Foundation

"No country upon earth ever had it more in its power to attain these blessings than United America." --George Washington

A New Outlook for a New Year

The Liberty Bell

Now that 2011 is behind us and 2012 dawns, we have much for which to be thankful, but also much work to do. Liberty is under assault from many directions and our mission at The Patriot Post is to stand with you on the frontlines against that assault.

The New Year will bring one of the most important elections in our lifetimes -- one that will decide the course of our great nation. Either we will continue down the road to tyranny, or we could break the Fatal Cycle of Democracy.

Truth be told, it will take several election cycles of electing constitutional conservatives to high office in order to undo the damage and the "fundamental transformation of America" wrought by Barack Obama and his cadre of socialists. Daunting though it may be, the fight for Essential Liberty is our duty. We hope you will not only join us this year but encourage family, friends and coworkers to do the same. Together, we can pass on the Liberty we have enjoyed to the next generation of Patriots.

As for our 2011 Year-End Campaign, we're still sorting through the receipts and the mail, but we should be close to reaching our goal. Our sincerest thanks to all those who answered the call and supported us in 2011.

How do you see 2012 unfolding?

The Gipper

"I've always thought New Year's Day was an especially American tradition, full of the optimism and hope we're famous for in our daily lives -- an energy and confidence we call the American spirit. Perhaps because we know we control our own destiny, we believe deep down inside that working together we can make each new year better than the old. ... Let us renew our faith that as free men and women we still have the power to better our lives, and let us resolve to face the challenges of the new year holding that conviction firmly in our hearts. That, after all, is our greatest strength and our greatest gift as Americans." --Ronald Reagan

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

(To submit reader comments click here.)

(Please pray for our Armed Forces standing in harm's way around the world, and for their families -- especially families of those fallen Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, who granted their lives in defense of American liberty.)

1. Vice President Biden will say something goofy. (This has probably already been proven true.)
2. No matter who gets the GOP nomination, all those running will have self-inflicted gunshot wounds in their feet.
3. Bill Maher will say something dumber than he did last year - and the press will love it.
4. Obama will tell us he created lots of jobs - and then blame the Republicans for the continuing high unemployment.
5. More companies and unions will get wavers from Obamacare.
6. Democrats will blame the public's poor opinion of Obama on racism.
7. Iran will adamantly claim its nuclear program is only for energy - and many fools will believe it.
8. Riots will occur in England when another government freebie is rescinded.
9. ICE will pretend to enforce immigration laws by ignoring illegal immigrants.
10. The 1%ers will continue to be productive, tax-paying members of society while those who are not will continue to blame them for their own failure.

David J. Hentosh

RedState Morning Briefing

For January 3, 2011

Good Morning From Iowa.

Objectively on the ground here, it is doggone cold. Also, it seems the Santorum surge has ended, or at least stalled. On CNN last night, Mary Matalin noted that a number of people unconnected to campaigns say the surge is stalled out.

The caucuses will be tonight. For years the media has treated Iowa as the Super Bowl, but this year, with proportional delegates, it really is more the pre-season. This could go on a while. My guess is that Mitt Romney and Ron Paul are first and second. Rick Santorum or Rick Perry will probably be third. Santorum because of his late surge. Perry because of organization.

If Iowans want to see the second coming of John McCain, they'll support Rick Santorum like they supported Huckabee and we'll get a moderate named Romney who won't really fight in the general election.

As Dan McLaughlin notes in the top post this morning, if Iowans hand third place to Rick Perry, they've not only given him a guaranteed life line (one he'd probably get in fourth place too), but they have also ensured he will be the GOP nominee.

I'll be bringing you updates throughout the day from the ground in Des Moines, IA both here and on radio from 9am to 1:00 p.m. ET. You can listen here. Tonight, I'll be on CNN starting at 6pm ET.

1. The Conservative Race In Iowa

There are 2,286 delegates awarded in the GOP primaries and caucuses; the nomination thus requires wrapping up 1,143 delegates. Between them, Iowa and New Hampshire award 10 delegates; South Carolina and Florida, the other two states voting later this month, award 75. By contrast, three states (California, Texas and New York) award a combined 422 delegates, more than a third of the total needed to win. So, the race is far from over after New Hampshire, and as long as there is credible opposition, it can go on for quite a while after South Carolina and Florida as well.

That said, the early states are traditionally a test of strength that helps winnow the field to the more serious contenders, especially those with the fundraising ability and appeal beyond a narrow niche to make a serious effort to win the nomination. But three of the seven candidates now in the race are pretty much guaranteed to go beyond Iowa. First, Mitt Romney: Romney would like to win Iowa, and could be embarrassed if he finishes third (lower is very unlikely), but no matter what happens, Romney's money, his appeal to the moderate wing of the party, and his establishment support will carry him to New Hampshire, where he is heavily favored to win easily. Second, Ron Paul: Paul could do well in Iowa as a protest vote if there are a lot of independents and Democrats re-registering tomorrow on caucus day, but his hard core of support and idosyncratic appeal guarantee that he will be in the race as long as there's a race, regardless of how he does in any contest, yet with no chance of ever winning. And third, Jon Huntsman: Huntsman has placed all his chips on New Hampshire and already plans on finishing a distant seventh in Iowa. The only effect Iowa has on Huntsman is indirect: if Romney looks weak coming out of Iowa, Huntsman can ratchet up his efforts to convince New Hampshire moderates that Romney is fatally flawed.

Where Iowa could matter a lot, however, is in sorting out the four candidates running as the field's conservatives: Rick Perry, Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum and Michele Bachmann. (Let's leave aside for the moment the arguments over who can claim the term "conservative"; clearly this is the role in the field all four are pursuing). They represent a caucus-within-a-caucus, and even though they are likely to be separated 1-4 by a relatively small number of votes, their order of finish could have an outsized impact on the race, eliminating anywhere from 1-3 of them from the field.

2. Quash the Ethanol Beast in Honor of Iowa Caucuses

As the clock struck 12 am January 1, one of the most anti free market government interventions expired without renewal and without fanfare. In honor of the Iowa Caucuses, we can now declare that the ethanol subsidies and tariffs are finally dead. However, before we celebrate this rare piece of good news, we must remember that in order to deracinate the ethanol beast from our midst, we must destroy its third leg; the 10% blenders mandate.

Over the past decade, ethanol has been the poster child for the worst aspects of big-government crony capitalism. The ethanol industry has used the fist of government to mandate that fuel blenders use their product, to subsidize their production with refundable tax credits, and to impose tariffs on more efficient sugar-based ethanol from Brazil.

3. Univision Chairman Calls Rubio "Anti-Hispanic"

Haim Saban is an Egyptian born Israeli-American and Chairman of Univision, the Hispanic television station. For the past several months, Univision has tried to get Marco Rubio to come on Univision for an interview and offered to kill or run a negative story on Marco Rubio's brother-in-law depending on what Rubio did.

Senator Rubio would not be bought and Univision ran the story on his brother-in-law. Subsequently, all of the Republican candidates refused to participate in a debate on Univision, opting instead for a debate with Univision's competitor Telemundo.

The New Yorker has a big story on what Univision did or did not do to Marco Rubio. It's fully pro-Univision spin. The Miami Herald has reviewed it. About all you need to know is that Haim Saban, Chairman of Univision, claims that Marco Rubio is "anti-Hispanic."

The New Yorker piece is written by liberal writer Ken Auletta who once claimed that Rubert Murdoch imposes his political preferences on Fox News and other Newscorp holdings, but for some reason can't seem to believe Haim Saban, who has a long history of supporting left-leaning causes, would do the same.

Heritage Hotsheet

Experts on the Day's Hottest News

Items for January 03, 2011

Iran threatens U.S. Navy as sanctions hit economy
Reuters

Campaigning over, Iowa Republicans prepare to caucus
CBS News

North Korea holds rally, shows young Kim meeting troops
Associated Press

Eyes turn to Virginia as state weighs voter ID law
The Washington Times

Defense Secretary Panetta faces tough choices on national security in 2012
The Washington Post

Media mogul Rupert Murdoch marks the new year by opening a Twitter account
The Washington Post

Prefer "chairman" to "chair," "chairperson," or "chairwoman"; "fireman" to "firefighter"; etc.

Conservative women are quite robust and sensible enough not to worry about PC nonsense like our language's in-built "phallocentrism." However, when trying to give offense, "actress" is perfectly acceptable since liberal actresses who take themselves seriously much prefer the term "actor."  

The Genocide Doctrine

Whether or not Ron Paul actually said that he would not intervene to stop the Holocaust, there is nothing particularly extraordinary about this position. The United States has never intervened to stop a genocide. Not in WW2 and not since when several genocides have taken place, most notably in Africa, without any military intervention.

 

The United States did participate in two NATO wars justified with phony claims of genocide, but the only  ethnic cleansings that have taken place have been of Serbs from Kosovo and of Africans from Libya. Which is to say the closest thing to a genocide in either case was perpetrated by our allies against the people we were bombing on their behalf in two civil wars. And neither of those rise anywhere near the level of genocide.

We have maintained close ties with two genocidal Muslim states, Turkey and Indonesia. The latter conducted genocide against Christians in East Timor on our watch and with our weapons. Obama's Indonesian stepfather was a likely participant in that genocide, his former Director of National Intelligence helped keep it going. And Obama has been on record opposing any intervention in Sudan.

It is doubtful that any American president would have intervened militarily to stop the Holocaust, with the possible exception of George W. Bush, and there is no reason to pretend otherwise. Ron Paul can't be given credit for much, but his response is honest if nothing else. Or at least partly honest. It's more likely that he is actually sympathetic to another party in the conflict. His newsletter where he blames Churchill for prolonging WW2 by not letting the USSR and Nazi Germany "fight it out" suggests as much. It's an echo of similar themes put out by Pat Buchanan and other fellow travelers.

But this really isn't about him. The question of whether we should be intervening to stop genocide is virtually irrelevant because it's not something we do. Holocaust education has very little to do with the mass murder of the Jews of Europe and a great deal to do with teaching tolerance. The genocide doctrine employed by modern administrations has nothing to do with the Holocaust either, it has a great deal to do with dressing up the wars that our leaders decided they wanted to fight anyway.

WWI had enough grandiose claims made about it to make you think that it was the ultimate war against evil. WWII where there actually were monsters on the side, not just Prussian stuffed shirts with curled mustaches, must have caught the propagandists by surprise. But had Hitler's minions practiced eugenics and killed ethnic minorities, there would have been no war. The initial response to Hitler was that he was stabilizing an unstable country. It was only when Hitler insisted on destabilizing the region with grandiose ambitions that war became inevitable.

Stability is the reason why we began bombing Libya. Not because Gaddafi was guilty of genocide, but because Western diplomats and the assorted grab bag of elites had decided that democracy was the way forward in the Middle East. And the dictators who were blocking the way forward had to go. Gaddafi's crime wasn't that his troops were raping and murdering their way through the opposition. Raping and murdering your way through the opposition is a time honored practice of Muslim rulers.
 

The Genocide Doctrine
Jan 02, 2012 12:11 pm

The Gentlewoman from Minnesota: A Salute to Michele Bachmann
Jan 02, 2012 05:00 am

Happy Gay Year
Jan 02, 2012 05:00 am

Obama Recruits Qaradawi
Jan 01, 2012 04:31 pm

Washington's "Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians"
Jan 01, 2012 04:26 pm

China's Future Deconstructed: Holmes vs. Chang
Jan 01, 2012 03:58 pm

Year in Review: Digging into Potash Stocks
Jan 01, 2012 03:51 pm

15 Predictions for 2012
Jan 01, 2012 03:10 pm

Enhancing Israel-Asia relations

By COLIN RUBENSTEIN, JPOST 

President Shimon Peres's groundbreaking visit to Vietnam in November with a delegation of more than 60 prominent Israelis, including two government ministers and leading figures in finance, industry, agriculture and defense was a landmark event. The delegation was given a rousing welcome, including a dinner with all the members of the Vietnamese government in which Peres's hosts surprised him with a group of Vietnamese singers who had prepared renditions of Israeli songs in excellent Hebrew.

The visit is a symbol of the many opportunities for Israel and the wider Jewish world in Asia, not only in Vietnam, but also in Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, India, China and even Indonesia. In all these countries, democratic "start up nation" Israel - excelling in water, irrigation, agriculture, medicine, communications and hi-tech - retains an aura of fascination.

Israeli experts and businessmen across a wide spectrum of industries are...

Read the whole entry »

Ron Paul Defends Iran

Laura: Ron Paul is shilling for the genocidal Iranian terror regime, defending its threat to close the Straight of Hormuz. So Paul's opposition to the use of military force against Iran cannot be explained away by the concern over the risks that would pose to us, since the scoundrel is also against even economic sanctions. This means that Ron Paul actually wants Iran to be able to obtain nuclear weapons unimpeded.

 Paul: Iran justified in closing Strait of Hormuz

NewsCNS News by: Patrick GoodenoughFriday, December 30, 2011

Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, suggests Iran would be justified in closing the Strait of Hormuz in response to economic sanctions. Photo Credit:AP As Iran ratcheted up its rhetoric Thursday about closing the Strait of Hormuz, Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul revisited his earlier criticisms of Western policy towards Tehran, adding that Iran would be justified in cutting off the strategic waterway in response to sanctions. ...

At a campaign event in...

Read the whole entry »

PA to take issue of settlement building to UNSC

The PA totally distorts reality. The reason the peace process is not going anywhere is not because of the settlement activity on less than 2% of the land but because the PA doesn't want to negotiate. If the UNSC supports their request, it will be violating its own Res 242 which is the basis of the peace process. They cannot alter it without destroying the peace process once and for all. Ted Belman

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH AND TOVAH LAZAROFF, JPOST 

PLO Secretary-General Yasser Abed Rabbo said after the meeting that in the wake of the increased "settlement campaign," the Palestinian leadership had decided to file a complaint with the Security Council against Israel.

Abed Rabbo said the goal of the Israeli settlement activities was to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state and to impose a "canton" solution on the Palestinians.

He also complained that Israel's measures were aimed at isolating east Jerusalem from the West Bank.

The Palestinian leadership called...

Read the whole entry »

Opposition leaders in Syria preparing for post-Assad era

Israel Hayom 

Syrian opposition groups, already planning for the day after Syrian President Bashar al-Assad either steps down or is pushed out, met in London on Saturday and agreed that a post-Assad Syria would be both democratic and secular, according to Arab media.

Details of the agreement, seen by Reuters, point to the group's opposition to Western military intervention in Syria, but not that of Arab military intervention. According to the document, the leading groups "reject any military intervention that harms the sovereignty or stability of the country, though Arab intervention is not considered foreign."

Assad's forces have been launching a vicious crackdown against pro-democracy forces, who have been calling for Assad's exit since March. The U.N. estimates that more than 5,000 civilians have been killed since the protests began, and videos and eyewitness reports point to the use of snipers, tanks and helicopter gunships against protesters....

Read the whole entry »

If I Forget Thee, O Jerusalem ......

By Ted Belman

Daniel Seidemann, the author of "The Myth of Undivided Jerusalem," published by The Atlantic, is the founder of Terrestrial Jerusalem, an "Israeli" non-governmental organization that works to prevent developments, even if good for the city's residents, from taking place if said developments leave the city indivisible.  The top three donors of this NGO are The Norwegian Foreign Ministry, The Swiss Foreign Ministry, and The British Foreign Ministry - all of whom want Jerusalem divided - according to the organization's own website.

The article is part of the effort of The S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace to "help reach a just and comprehensive peace that will bring an end to the Arab-Israeli conflict."

As laudable as the search for peace is, many would argue, as I do, that agreeing to the terms of the PA - or the EU, for that matter, not to mention Hamas - would not result in peace in our time any more than such...

Read the whole entry »

"Who is wise? He who learns from everyone." - Talmud

By Ted Belman

I received an email today from Aaron Minsky, the author of "Beyond Faith". He uses information from his book to explain how the goal of Zionism is world peace.

He advises that A guy came to one of my You Tube videos and wrote:

"You sick minded Jew pig, you pigs are a cancer on? this world. Fuck you & your Satan worshipping psychopath zoinist ways."

If interested, you can see the video and his post here:

He comments

I was going to ignore him but decided to respond. We got into an exchange of emails over many days. Finally he sent me the letter that I have copied below! It just goes to show how important it is for us to reach out to each other, even to those who seem beyond reach. This guy was in gangs since his teens and was in jail for over a decade. He never got a college education, yet he understood what I had to say better than some of my highly educated friends. He learned from me and I learned from him.

Here is the...

Read the whole entry »

The "Arab Spring" and Its Impact on Israel

Barry Rubin, Rubin Reports 
The "Arab Spring" is the name given to the tumultuous political events of 2011. In three countries-Egypt, Libya, and Tunisia-the regimes that had been in power for between 40 and 60 years were overthrown. In Syria and Yemen the governments were seriously challenged and internal conflicts continue with the outcome not yet clear. And in Bahrain, a major challenge to the monarchy was put down by force.

What is the meaning of these events for the future of these countries and also to their relationship to Israel and that country's security? This article addresses the shorter- and longer-term strategic and geopolitical implications of the "Arab Spring."

In the three countries where power has changed hands-Egypt, Libya, and Tunisia-Islamists have emerged as powerful political forces. In Egypt, where elections are not yet completed, the Muslim Brotherhood received just under 40 percent of the vote and even more radical Salafists...

Read the whole entry »

How did Bradley Manning ever get into a position to control 700,000 secret military files?

Jan 02, 2012 05:13 am | Coach Collins

By Kevin "Coach" Collins

Contrary to what Ron Paul says, Bradley Manning is neither a hero nor a patriot. He is a traitor who has placed our fighting men and women in great danger. He is also deeply disaffected and confused homosexual who has serious misogynistic tendencies. He can't stand women. The Army's folder of reports about his conduct proves it.

A source quoted in militarycorruption.com who has attended his treason trial in Fort Meade Maryland, says Manning thinks of himself as a woman in a man's body, and even created his own female persona he calls Breanna Manning. Moreover he is given to fits of hysteria and is prone to violence toward female supervisors. The official records include a description of Manning having punched his female supervisor in the face.

In spite of his flighty and unacceptable conduct the army's poster boy for ending Don't Ask Don't Tell was put in charge of 700,000 sensitive and ... Continue Reading:How did Bradley Manning ever get into a position to control 700,000 secret military files?

comments | read more

Ron Paul's "What if China had bases in Texas" ad is dangerously misleading

Jan 01, 2012 01:12 pm | Coach Collins

By Kevin "Coach" Collins

It is hard to say who, other than our Islamist enemies, benefits from Ron Paul's slick ad asking, "What if China had bases in Texas?" Paul uses it to promote his delusional view of the world and certainly fools some well-meaning but ill-informed Americans. Those who don't want us to fight with our hands tied behind our back are easy prey for the gibberish Paul is selling because this ad blurs the lines between the frustrating manner we have prosecuted the war on terror and the very valid reasons for entering into it to begin with.

Many Americans who understand the appallingly halfhearted way the war in Viet Nam was "fought" have an understandable predisposition toward believing we are fighting a "civil war" or "meddling in the affairs of other countries" when we take proactive measures in fighting our war on terror. Paul knows this and shamelessly plays on it for votes.

 Nevertheless, implying ... Continue Reading:Ron Paul's "What if China had bases in Texas" ad is dangerously misleading

comments | read more

2011: Year-end review of Islam's most incredible fatwas

Is it the inbreeding? Some of the Islamic world's most fantastic fatwas include a ban on Muslim women eating phallic-shaped food like bananas as well as a fatwa giving Muslim men permission to have sex with their recently deceased wives.

al-Arabiya  The first mention of the year 2011 would automatically bring to mind revolutions, ousted regimes, and disgruntled people. However, a closer look would reveal that another different feature distinguishes 2011: a whole spat of peculiar fatwas that swept through different countries in the region.

One of the weirdest and most controversial fatwas in 2011 was one issued by an Islamist preacher who lives in Europe. According to this preacher, women are prohibited from eating phallic-shaped fruits and vegetables like cucumbers, bananas, and carrots. Touching or consuming those, he argued, are bound to turn women on and make them engage in sinful fantasies.

Read more: 

When Journalism Becomes Propaganda 

Posted: 02 Jan 2012 08:22 AM PST

(Steven Hayward)

One of the clichés of popular science is that the very act of observing changes the phenomenon being observed. This is obviously not literally true of all physical phenomena; it would seem to apply more to social science than the hard sciences. But it surely applies to journalism. We're long past the point where we note with any surprise that journalists are part of the stories they cover, especially election campaigns. At some point, though, journalism crosses the line and becomes part of a propaganda campaign.

There were a few reported instances back in the late 1960s and early 1970s where TV crews showed up at college campuses with anti-war signs to pass out to students to make sure they got the right visuals. And then there's this devastating expose by a young Italian journalist named Ruben Salvadori about how photojournalists have become not merely part of the story of Palestinian unrest on the West Bank, but the instigators of it.

Suzy Bogguss toasts Chet Atkins 

Posted: 02 Jan 2012 06:32 AM PST

(Scott Johnson)

If you take a look through the catalogue of country/folk/pop artist Suzy Bogguss, as I did after seeing her perform live last year, there are a few items that stand out. One of them is surely Suzy's 1994 collaboration with the late Chet Atkins on Simpatico. Suzy says that even today she still brags constantly about the recording.

In her December newsletter Suzy notes that when the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum set up an exhibition in honor of Atkins, the folks at the hall invited her to appear this past December 10 in a performance supporting the exhibition. Her set included three songs from her collaboration with Atkins: "I Still Miss Someone," "When She Smiled at Him," and "One More for the Road."

Museum staffer Ali Tonn interviewed Bogguss for about 30 minutes early in the program. Most interesting to me, Suzy recalls that Atkins tried to discourage her when she asked him to make the album with her, thinking it was unwise to associate herself with an older musician at a time when young country was hot. One can infer that Bogguss has been pursuing her own muse now for quite a while.

Playing parts Atkins originally played on songs such as the Beatles' "All My Loving," Atkins acolyte Pat Bergeson took his usual place at Suzy's side. Joining Bergeson in the ensemble were drummer Harry Stinson, bassist Charlie Chadwick, and fiddler and mandolinist Fred Carpenter. Suzy also featured selections from her new American Folk Songbook recording, among them "Froggy Went a Courtin,'" "Shenandoah," "Wayfaring Stranger," and the show-closing sing-along, "Red River Valley." The hall has posted the entire concert/interview in the video below. For some reason the synchronization between the audio and video is slightly off, but this is worth a look if you have any interest in the music.

NOTE: I have freely adapted this post from the hall's account of the event here.

A shocker at Old Trafford 

Posted: 02 Jan 2012 05:13 AM PST

(Scott Johnson)

A long-time reader and soccer fan reports on a stunning English Premier League result:

In one of the biggest upsets in recent English soccer history, Blackburn Rovers defeated Manchester United 3-2 on Saturday, at Old Trafford in Manchester. United entered the match tied for first place on points (though second to Manchester City on goal difference). Blackburn sat at the very bottom of the Table.

 

Moreover, Man U had crushed Blackburn 7-1 in last season's corresponding match. With United coming off of back-to-back 5-0 wins, and hoping to provide manager Sir Alex Ferguson with a suitable 70th birthday present, it was reasonable to expect the Mancs to administer a similar hiding on Saturday.

 

Yet Blackburn jumped out to a 2-0 lead early in the second half. To no one's surprise, United promptly leveled the score and went searching for the winner. But Sir Alex's side seemed to run out of ideas, and Blackburn scored the winner in the 80th minute.

 

In fairness to United, they were not at full strength. Top-scorer Wayne Rooney was omitted from the side due to "fitness reasons" or as punishment for a "boozy night out," depending on whom you believe. More importantly, injuries forced Man U to rely on the unusual central defensive partnership of midfielder Michael Carrick and 19 year-old Phil Jones, whose best position at this stage of his career may also be midfield.

 

But Blackburn too played at less than full strength. Beleaguered manager Steve Kean found himself relying on a back-up goalkeeper, a 17 year-old left back, and three other players under the age of 21. One of the youngsters, Grant Hanley, scored the winning goal.

 

The real key to the match, though, was the poor goalkeeping of Man U's David De Gea. The Spaniard was clearly to blame for Blackburn's late winner, and probably should have saved the second goal.

 

Man-of-the match honors went to Yakubu, who contributed two goals. The well-traveled Nigerian forward spent the last four seasons at Everton, and is probably the best natural finisher the Toffees have had in the decade or so that I've been able to watch Everton matches regularly. Yet somehow he was deemed surplus to requirements and sold for a song to Rovers this past off-season.

 

Half a season later, the Yak has scored 12 Premier League goals in 13 matches. Meanwhile, Everton's forwards have a combined total of 5 goals in 18 matches, and team's total scoring output stands at just 19.

 

At Everton, the crowd used to sing "feed the Yak and he will score," a reference to Yakubu's prowess in the front of net and, perhaps, at the dinner table. Unfortunately, the Yak is now being fed by Blackburn. In return, he is keeping them afloat.

More On Romney's Record 

Posted: 01 Jan 2012 04:14 PM PST

(John Hinderaker)

A few days ago, I endorsed Mitt Romney. In the course of that endorsement, I noted that he had "a solid record of conservative accomplishment as governor of Massachusetts," but didn't elaborate. This post explains why I think Romney's record in office was solidly conservative.

First, here is Romney himself discussing, briefly, his term as Governor of Massachusetts.

01/02/2012 

New Year's Resolutions for Conservatives 

Featured Posts 

Chart of the Week: U.S. Presidents Ranked by Budget Deficits 

Scandal-Tainted MF Global President Still Serving as EPA Financial Adviser 

2011 in Review: Who's Been Naughty, Who's Been Nice? 

Police Union Blames Occupy D.C. for City's Rising Crime Rate 

Voters in Iowa, New Hampshire Say Federal Budget Deficit Is No. 1 Issue 

QUICK HITS

Did you hear about Obama's Christmas tree tax? How about how Libya's draft constitution cited Sharia as its 'Principal Source of Legislation'? Those stories were among our Top 10 Foundry blog posts of 2011.  

From Obamacare to the economy, federal regulations to poverty, Heritage's experts analyze some of the biggest issues facing America. Find out our Top 10 Heritage papers of 2011.  

Last year, we busted gas price myths, interviewed Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, and celebrated Ronald Reagan's 100th birthday. Watch the 10 most popular Heritage videos of 2011.  

Just how high is America's tax burden? How bad is the entitlement crisis? Find out in Heritage's Top 10 charts of 2011.

The Unions Rule Rule, the Chill the Economy Regulation, and the Plumbing Police Rule were among the Top 10 worst federal rules of 2011. Find out which others are on the list. 

Teachers' union reportedly plans to 'liberate' children's 'identity' with 'gender liberation'

 

A key attorney in the fight for Christian and family values in California's trend-setting school system warns his state's teacher's union is about to begin its "next major push" in the cultural battle over homosexuality in schools.

 

"'Gender liberation' will likely be the new vogue term used to describe the tidal wave that is fast approaching the shores of the California public school system," writes Robert Tyler, founder of Advocates for Faith & Freedom, a non-profit law firm dedicated to protecting religious liberty. "And you can be sure that it won't stop there. It will spread throughout the nation and have disastrous consequences on the innocent.

 

"In other words," Tyler explains of what "gender liberation" means, "male-female distinctions must be eliminated in order to 'liberate' children from unnecessary 'stereotypes.' This is not a movement seeking 'equal rights,' but a movement seeking to obliterate our God-given distinctions between male and female."

Read more: 

Video: UFC Ultimate Fighter, Obama Has Head Up His A-

Jan 02, 2012 04:55 pm

Watch the Video and Comment: Video: UFC Ultimate Fighter, Obama Has Head Up His A-


 

Video: Joe Miller's New Year's Message

Jan 02, 2012 04:49 pm

Watch the Video and Comment: Video: Joe Miller's New Year's Message


 

Cartoon of the Day: Goodbye 2011 (and Good Riddance)

Rep. Louie Gohmert: 'We Haven't Cut Squat'

Dear growing community of patriots -

Time Magazine's feature of the Occupy Wall Street protesters confirmed to me that there are, at least, two very different worlds in the political square. My ears and eyes are focused on the hope of the tea party movement and people like Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX), one of my favorites in the House of Representatives.

He was one of 22 members who voted against the Boehner debt deal and raising of the debt limit that gave us the failed "super committee." A congressman since 2005 and a passionate defender of founding principles with his deep personal faith, he has been a mentor to many of the new freshmen. I had the chance to interview Rep. Gohmert recently.

See what he says about how Washington's elites influence the Republicans to be less bold on spending reductions.

Watch here.

Next week: Charles Krauthammer

Happy New Year and may we all do more than put on our seatbelts for 2012!

Cheers,
Ginni

Fiery Debate: Rich Lowry Takes Alan Colmes to Task for Comments About Santorum

When Alan Colmes criticized the way Rick Santorum handled the death of his child, Rick Lowry blasted back, calling the comments "contemptible."