Quote:  

On MARCH 23, 1775, Patrick Henry spoke to the 2nd Virginia Convention, which was meeting in Richmond's St. John's Church due to British hostilities:
"I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery...
We have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated...We have prostrated ourselves before the throne...
Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence."
Patrick Henry continued:
"There is a just God who presides over the destines of nations...who will raise up friends to fight our battle for us.
The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave...
Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God!
I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death."  

'Hundreds' of 'Soldiers of Hezbollah' Inside the U.S., Says Homeland Security Chairman

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)

Monumental

In Search of America's National Treasure 

On Tuesday, March 27, 2012, at 7:30 p.m. (local) in more than 450 major movie theaters, audiences will come together for a live, one-night only theatrical event called MONUMENTAL: IN SEARCH OF AMERICA¹S NATIONAL TREASURE, hosted by Kirk Cameron.

The two-hour show will include special guests, live music, and a showing of Kirk's new documentary film MONUMENTAL.

Audiences will be inspired as they come together at the same time in cities across the country to rediscover the people and the principles that made America the strongest, most free and prosperous nation on earth.

Kirk Cameron will take audiences on a journey through live conversations with special guests, live music from top artists, and his new documentary MONUMENTAL. Trace the heroic and harrowing travels of the early Pilgrims. Encounter the unlikely men and women who risked everything for liberty. Experience the stories of faith that guided education, government, and civic life. Hear from inspiring leaders on simple and practical ways to keep America's ideals alive, beginning at home. A high-energy patriotic event, MONUMENTAL will unite audiences in a celebration of America's unique story of faith and freedom.

OFFICIAL SITE - http://www.monumentalmovie.com  

Monumental Trailer

Mr. Denton's talk will reveal the inner workings of The Times newspaper in London and, most of all, the mind of Editor Geoffrey Dawson during the age of appeasement, from Hitler's reviving of Conscription in Germany in March 1935 to Lord Halifax being sent as Ambassador to Washington in December 1940. Mr. Denton will also discuss how Dawson used The Times to manipulate public opinion and influence government policies to promote an accord with Hitler and Nazism.

Hear Ye! Hear Ye!

Save the Date: Saturday, April 14, 2012 The Kitchen Table Patriots will be holding a "Red, Right and Blues" Liberty Fest FUNdraiser party   Click on the image to see the full flyer We have the venue: Central Bucks Senior Center We have a band: Flamin' Harry Pricing: $25/Person paid in advance, $30/Person at the Door Make checks payable to: Kitchen Table Patriots PAC (non-tax deductible) Mail to: Kitchen Table Patriots, P.O. Box 3 - Doylestown, PA 18901 If you can help, please send us an email. One of the highlights of our fundraisers are the clever and fun raffle baskets assembled by our team and consisting of generous gifts and items donated by many local patriots and businesses. Please review the list of theme baskets and contact Mariann Davies (267) 981-9017 or via e-mail: msbdavies@aol.com, if you wish to donate items, or gift cards for the baskets. Deadline: April 12th, 2012. Here the list of baskets: 1. The Well-Read Patriot: 2. Fourth of July Basket: 3. American Beauty: (Beauty/spa items, jewelry, accessories) 4. Obama's Early Retirement Party: (wine, spirits, goodies, set-ups for the celebration on Nov. 6th, 2012!) 5. School Choice: (for the kids, educational books, games, DVDs, back-to-school supplies) 6. Acts of Valor: (a salute to our military, gifts, t-shirts, books, DVDs, accessories) 7. Don't Tread on Me!: (Gadsden flag items) 8. "Made in America": (gift items made in the U.S.A.) 9. Time for TEA!: ice tea glasses, tray, ice tea, towels, pitcher, tea-pots, etc. 10. Baseball: America's Favorite Pastime! (Phillies items)

Ready for another bus trip to Washington DC? The Kitchen Table Patriots is joining with Americans For Prosperity and coordinating a bus from Doylestown to The Supreme Court in Washington, DC to tell them to STOP THE OBAMA HEALTHCARE TAKEOVER! Tuesday, March 27, 2012 9AM - Doylestown Library 150 South Pine Street, Doylestown, PA 18901 Send an email to us to let us know that you are willing to come. Your cost for the trip is on $10.00

Saturday, March 31, 9AM-6PM The Kitchen Table Patriots will be participating in Nullify Now Philadelphia! (Click the image above for additional details and to register) Thomas Jefferson: "Whensoever the general government assumes undelegated powers.... a nullification of the act is the rightful remedy." But what IS nullification? How does it happen and work? Since September 2010, the Tenth Amendment Center has been hosting a national tour to educate and activate people on this topic. People are learning the constitutional basis, when it's been used in history, and how it is happening around the country and how YOU can stop DC right in your own state.

The Kitchen Table Patriots co-chairs and two other KTP members are running for Delegates to the Republican National Convention Thank you so much to all of those who signed our petition. We are on the ballot! Anastasia Przbylski, Ana Puig, Jack Merritt and Dan McCabe will be campaigning county wide. Please send them an email if you would like to help in their effort: TheKitchenTablePatriots@GMail.com

 The Kitchen Table Patriots are joining with a confederation of other Pennsylvania Tea Party, libertarian, conservative, Constitutional, Patriot, and 9-12, organizations to have a consensus on a single candidate that reflects the passion, principles, values and commitment of the grassroots as well as has the acumen and gravitas to beat Senator Bob Casey in November.  All the groups would then commit to supporting this one candidate in the primary.

 The Kitchen Table Patriots were at the Pennsylvania Leadership Conference and interviewed many of the leaders and candidates in Pennsylvania and the nation.

Most of the videos were streamed via out UStream.tv channel.
Here's a short, but special one:

Newt Gingrich interviewed by The Kitchen Table Patriots at the PLC

• 

  2012 PLC Roger Howard Candidates for State Senate District 9 

• 

  2012 PLC Robert Allan Mansfield PA-4 Congressional Candidate 

• 

  2012 PLC Ted Waga PA-4 Congressional Candidate 

• 

  2012 PLC Frank Pinto Candidate for Auditor General 

• 

  2012 PLC Scott R Davis of PA Revolution 

• 

  2012 PLC Jessica Anderson from Heritage Action 

• 

  2012 PLC PA-18 Republican candidate Evan Feinberg 

• 

  2012 PLC PA State Senator Mike Folmer discusses School... 

• 

  2012 PLC David Taylor - Pennsylvania Manufacturers... 

The Loyal Opposition of Philadelphia                     

Young Republicans of Philadelphia

Temple University College Republicans

Philadelphia Republican Leadership Council

Invite you to

A CONVERSATION WITH THE CANDIDATES

2012 PENNSYLVANIA SENATE RACE

                         Tom Smith           Steve Welch        Marc Scaringi         David Christian           Sam Rohrer

MODERATOR - DOM GIORDANO

WPHT

Wednesday April 4^th, 6:30-9:00pm

Union League - Lincoln Room

140 South Broad Street

Philadelphia, PA

RSVP: pamelawarren1@comcast.net 

CALLING ALL PATRIOTS!!

VALLEY FORGE PATRIOTS MONTHLY MEETING

FRIDAY, APRIL 13^TH, 6:00 pm

PHOENIXVILLE COUNTRY CLUB

355 COUNTRY CLUB ROAD

Come on out and help us make plans to Get Out The Vote (GOTV) for the primary election on April 24.

We need everyone to participate leading up to the most important presidential & senate election of our life time.

We are also honored to have William E. Been author of "Masters of Audacity and Deceit" discuss the important elements of his book including: Progressivism's Threat to America, the New World Order and George Soros, Wall Street, Mainstream Media and the Democrat Party, and Housing Crisis, Financial Crisis and the Great Recession.

Don't miss this chance to get together with your fellow Patriots and participate in a stimulating discussion.

You can sign up at www.meetup.com/vfp-teaparty09/ or at www.vfpatriots.com

Dear Fellow Patriot,

We have a choice in this years Pennsylvania Senatorial election that will have far reaching consequences for Pennsylvania. 

Roger Howard is challenging Dominic Pileggi in the 9th district. Dominic has never been challenged and with the lack of any reformative legislation coming from Harrisburg along with the redistricting fiasco, he is very vulnerable. Can you imagine replacing the third most powerful Republican in Harrisburg? 

Right now what stands in our way is the ability to get the message out. We are ordering yard signs and if we had an extra $1000.00 we could double what we are ordering. 

Can you make a small donation of $10, $25 or $50. It would make a big difference. Please go to the web site now

www.roger4pa.com

Constitution 101:
The Meaning and History of the Constitution

Available to you, your family, your friends,
and all Americans.

Weeks One & Two Now Available - Sign Up TODAY!

Dr. Larry P. Arnn

Over the years, many friends of Hillsdale, those who never attended college here, have said to me: "Dr. Arnn, I wish I could take Hillsdale's Constitution course!"

In response to these requests, this past year, for the first time ever, Hillsdale College offered the "Introduction to the Constitution" lecture series at no charge. Frankly, I wasn't sure what sort of a response a course like this would have.

That's why I was excited to see that YOU and almost 200,000 other people from all over the United States registered for "Introduction to the Constitution."

Thank you very much for registering and participating. I hope you learned a lot from the series.

I was thrilled, not only by the response, but at what it indicates: Americans are willing and eager learn about the Constitution and to defend the principles of liberty that made America so prosperous!

And this re-awakening of national interest in the Constitution comes not a minute too soon.

Now, for the first time ever, Hillsdale College is offering a no-cost 10-week online Constitution course based on the class Hillsdale College students must complete for graduation:

"Constitution 101: The Meaning and History of the Constitution"

This course on the U.S. Constitution is available online at no charge to anyone who wants to understand and defend the timeless principles of liberty upon which our nation was founded!

I am proud to be teaching part of our NEW "Constitution 101" course and hope YOU will be one of my students again!

"Constitution 101" begins on February 20, 2012, and concludes the week of April 30. It will cover such topics as the Declaration of Independence and its connection to the Constitution, how the Constitution is structured to protect individual liberty and ensure good government, the crisis of constitutional government faced by Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War, and modern challenges to the Constitution during the "Progressive" era.

It is my honor to teach the first class, "The American Mind," and the final class, "The Recovery of the Constitution." All of the classes will be taught by Hillsdale College professors - the top teachers in their field and the same ones who instruct our students here on Hillsdale's campus.

Classes listed in Blue have been posted on YouTube and can be viewed by clicking on the link for each class below. 

The U.S. Constitution

A Reader 

Editorial Note: Just received a couple of copies of the reader.   Not just a short course pamphlet this; with the heft of 'Atlas Shrugged', it is well worth getting whether or not you choose to take the course. 

Hillsdale College is a private, coeducational, residential, liberal arts college with approximately 1,400 students. Founded in 1844, the College remains, in the words of its Articles of Association, "grateful to God for the inestimable blessings resulting from the presence of civil and religious liberty and intelligent piety" in our nation, and dedicated to "the diffusion of sound learning" that is "essential to the perpetuity of these blessings."

Hillsdale College is distinguished by its rigorous core curriculum, by its principled rejection of federal and state taxpayer funding, and by the pledge of its Board of Trustees to resists any attempts by the government to regulate its internal affairs.

Hillsdale College promotes the principles of liberty nationwide through its national speech digest, Imprimis, which has a monthly circulation of over 2 million, and through several outreach programs. In 2008, Hillsdale launched its Allan P. Kirby, Jr. Center for Constitutional Studies and Citizenship in Washington, D.C. The College will also launch the Hillsdale Graduate School of Statesmanship in fall 2012.

UNITEPA912 & The 912 Gazette is proud to announce our endorsement of the

"Only Choice"...Sam Rohrer!

Mike Souders-Organizer

www.unitepa912.com

+God Bless America+

SamRohrer

Dear Patriots,

I would encourage you to go and meet Sam. Please listen very closely to what and why he thinks like he does. I know he is a moral man.

{ For Ticket Information } 

You've made history! On Friday, March 23, 2012, Verify The Recall submitted recall signature eligibility reports (created by True The Vote) directly to the Government Accountability Board, setting a new precedent in direct citizen interaction with their government! The GAB now has a choice to make: will they freely consider the information presented by VTR, or will they force the citizens of Wisconsin to pursue legal action? The ball is in the GAB's court, but one thing is sure: VTR remains fully committed to ensuring that the people's findings are considered by their own government.

The information below was submitted to the GAB in both paper and digital copies. True The Vote created all reports and is responsible for the information therein. Questions related to the reports, or to the report creation process, should be submitted directly to True The Vote here.

(Note that "Complete Data Reports" are large. They may take a while to open.)

Introduction

• Introduction Letter to Mr. Kevin Kennedy, Director of the GAB 

Governor Scott Walker

• Executive Summary 
• Project Summary and Final Counts 
• Duplicate Name Report (GAB received digital copy only)
• Complete Data Report 
• Raw Data (.csv file, GAB received digital copy only)

 State Senator Scott Fitzgerald

• Executive Summary 
• Project Summary and Final Counts 
• Duplicate Name Report (GAB received digital copy only)
• Complete Data Report 
• Raw Data (.csv file, GAB received digital copy only)

State Senator Pam Galloway (resigned)

• Executive Summary 
• Project Summary and Final Counts 
• Duplicate Name Report (GAB received digital copy only)
• Complete Data Report 
• Raw Data (.csv file, GAB received digital copy only)

State Senator Terry Moulton

• Executive Summary 
• Project Summary and Final Counts 
• Duplicate Name Report (GAB received digital copy only)
• Complete Data Report 
• Raw Data (.csv file, GAB received digital copy only)

 State Senator Van Wanggaard

• Executive Summary 
• Project Summary and Final Counts 
• Duplicate Name Report (GAB received digital copy only)
• Complete Data Report 
• Raw Data (.csv file, GAB received digital copy only)

From July 16 through July 18, 2012, Christians United for Israel will be holding its 7th Annual Washington Summit. We're going back to stand with Israel in our nation's capital. This year - more than ever - we need you to join us!

In the coming months, critical decisions are going to be made about Iran, Israel and the world. Finally, Washington is beginning to focus on the issue of a nuclear Iran. Many of our leaders want to confront this looming threat. But others want to keep kicking the can down the road. The debate is far from over.

• We know that when thousands of CUFI activists arrive in DC and on Capitol Hill, we can change the conversation.
• We can remind our leaders that a nuclear Iran is not only a threat to Israel, but to the US as well. And we can demonstrate to our elected officials that their constituents care enough about this issue to show up at their DC offices.
• We know that we can create a sense of immediacy that's otherwise lacking.
• We know that the more of us who show up and speak out -- the louder our voice and the greater our impact.

We stand at a critical juncture in history. Don't be silent! Don't miss your chance to make a difference! Don't pass up your opportunity to defend America and bless Israel!

Our leaders need to remember that we are watching them and we need to remember that God is watching us.

LISTEN LIVE TO REPATRIOT RADIO

"BETTER THAN EVER"

(all times are eastern)

Monday 3-4pm "Bordering on Insanity" - Sue Payne and Frosty Wooldridge

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

Read more: 

The Washingon Times has posted my comment under a health care article by Allen West - 3/23/12:

It's frightening to see that what passes for a "liberal' today includes those who root for government coercion of individuals and companies, and even churches, to buy what the government wants them to buy, and to pay for things that violate their conscience.

Oddly enough, they have something in common with conservatives, who consistently advocate competition: they are most likely to oppose monopolies by companies in the private sector. Yet the same "liberals" are fully supportive of the most extreme of all monopolies, i.e., government.

Don't look for any logic in that; they operate on emotion.

Such were the personalities that embraced the various 'isms' and Jonestown-style cults of the Twentieth Century. Seeming to lack much knowledge of history, they appear to find comfort in mindless submission of their will and freedom to an all powerful government. It's almost like they seek a strong father they never had.

One guess is that the livelihood of many of them directly depends on taxes, who knows? To me, it's sad to see their voluntary surrender of freedoms; it seems an awful way to live.

WEST: Why Obamacare is bad for America's health

Expensive overreach could prove fatal if not struck down

RedState Morning Briefing

For March 26, 2012

1. The Left No Longer Finds Dissent Patriotic

Workforce Fairness is releasing a series of videos chronicling left-wing intimidation, including showing up at people's houses to harass them and their families. We're pleased to debut the first of the videos here at RedState. The videos document a growing trend in American civic discourse - the use of intimidation against private citizens to punish dissent.

Listen to Media Matters For America and other outlets on the left and they claim they are outraged at Rush Limbaugh for using the word "slut."

They're OK with it when the left does it. Routinely, conservative activists are targeted for harassment, subject to degrading comments, etc. from the left and they are okay with that. Bill Maher gets invited to keynote Democratic dinners.

Archbishop Chaput of Philadelphia, in a Lenten Letter to his pastoral flock, said that evil preaches tolerance until it is dominant and then tries to silence good. The secular left, having preached tolerance for years, is proving the Archbishop true with their new found intolerance for opposing views. Witness opponents to Proposition 8 in California actively targeting for harassment supporters of Proposition 8. Witness union goons showing up on the doorsteps of private citizens to scare them into submission. Witness Media Matters For America targeting American supporters of Israel and attacking them as "Israel Firsters," questioning their loyalty to the United States.

The left is trying to shut down the opposition. When they were out of power, dissent was patriotic. Now that they are in power, they want to use both the state and intimidate in the public square to shut down opposing views. It goes beyond boycotts to financially intimate those who disagree with them. Now, the left is showing up at the private homes of American citizens they disagree with to intimidate them, threaten them, harass them, and make them pay for daring to have a different view.

2. MSNBC's Karen Finney Says the Koch Brothers Killed Trayvon Martin

Trayvon Martin's death in Florida is a terrible tragedy made even worse by a police department that seemingly bungled the investigation. There are multiple eyewitnesses, some who saw the shooter, George Zimmerman, yelling for help. Others saw Trayvon Martin yelling for help.

It shouldn't be a partisan issue.

But MSNBC decided to make it one. According to Karen Finney on MSNBC, the Koch Brothers, NRA, and other conservatives are responsible for Trayvon Martin's death.

3. PTA Assaulting School Choice in South Carolina

As a mother of four, the first of which entered public school last year, keeping up with my children's education is extremely important to me. I've heard the stories of children fearing the end of the world due to global warming and seen the history books that exclude any Republican or Conservative from the important events that have shaped our country. My husband and I moved to a small town in South Carolina due in part to the notoriety of the schools. I immediately joined the PTA, looking forward to communicating and working with other parents to help our children achieve the high standards to which we hold them accountable.

Unfortunately, as is so often the case, this PTA had an agenda and used its access to my email address to push that agenda.

4. And Now for a Postal Bailout

It's another week in Washington, and it's yet another bailout. This time, taxpayers will be tapped for another $41 billion to subsidize the healthcare retirement benefits of postal workers - benefits that are quite scarce in the private sector.

Democrats have a serious problem with creative destruction and advancements in technology. For self-described progressives, they are quite regressive when it comes to efficiency in markets and use of technology. They exhibit nostalgia for 14th century energy technology and 20th century banking technology. Hence, they don't care too much for market progression. In concerted drives to hold back the tide of technology, they are quick to offer a helping hand to a dying industry. One such industry is the mail delivery.

It's no secret that the United States Postal Service is on its way out. The transition to electronic communication, in conjunction with the success of private mail carriers, has dramatically reduced the demand for their service. Consequently, they no longer generate enough revenue to function as a self-sufficient entity, particularly when it comes to paying employee retirement benefits. In recent years, the USPS has patched the annual losses with borrowed money from the Treasury. However, it is now in such dire straits that it's expected to hit the $15 billion borrowing cap later this year. It needs extra taxpayer cash to fill in the gaps.

5. Evan Feinberg in Pennsylvania

The Republican Primary in Pennsylvania is one month away. I have documented just how terrible Congressman Tim Murphy is.

I'd like to encourage you to support his opponent, Evan Feinberg. Evan is endorsed by Senators Tom Coburn and Rand Paul. He is a solid conservative and a great fit for Tim Murphy's district. Conservatives lost a primary with Don Manzullo's defeat last week. What conservatives are seeing is conservative activists not opening their checkbooks. I realize people don't have a lot of money to give these days, but the cruel reality is that conservatives need money to get elected and our opponents are opening their checkbooks up while we are not.

Heritage Hotsheet

Experts on the Day's Hottest News

Items for March 26, 2012

3 epic days: Health care law reaches high court
USA Today

Can Obamacare Be Undone?   

National Review Online

Special forces are special, not magical

The Washington Examiner

Why Socialist Cuba Prohibits Social Media   

The Wall Street Journal

Latest Heritage Research:

Obamacare in the Supreme Court 101: Deliberations, Rulings and Impacts 

BACKGROUNDER 
Department of Energy Budget Cuts: Time to End the Hidden Green Stimulus

ISSUE BRIEF 
U.S. Should Allow South Korea to Extend Its Missile Range

BACKGROUNDER 
The 2013 Homeland Security Budget: Misplaced Priorities

ISSUE BRIEF 
Whitfield Stands Up to EPA for Lower Gas Prices

Tell a joke:  

Q: What do you get if you cross a crooked politician with a crooked lawyer?

A: Barack Obama.  

Global Warming Fun.  

NO. 4.

Pick a cold day in April to remind all the liberals you know how miserable the weather still is. Ask: "Do you think there's a single person left out there who's still stupid enough to believe in global warming?" If the liberal tries explaining to you the difference between "weather" and "climate," laugh darkly and cynically and go, "Yeah, right. When it's hot, the eco-nuts will tell you it's proof of dangerous climate change. But when it's cold, they tell you it's just 'weather'? How dumb do those tree-huggers think we are?"  

Read more: 

Featured Posts 

Killing Spree in France Reminds World of Disparate Terror Threat 

'Hunger Games' Taps the Desire for Freedom 

Obama's Rush to Approve Keystone Segment Won't Speed Construction 

Exclusive Interview: Sen. Marco Rubio Talks Cuba, Budget and Obamacare 

QUICK HITS

New rules issued by the Obama Administration will empower the U.S. intelligence community to store information about Americans with no ties to terrorism for up to five years. The new authority is a response, in part, to the government's failure to connect the dots on intelligence that led to the Christmas Day bombing attempt in 2009.

Conservatives in the House yesterday voiced support of House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan's (R-Wis.) budget proposal, which is due for a vote on the House floor next week.

European Union foreign ministers have imposed a travel ban and asset freeze on the wife of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad and other family members as part of sanctions against the regime for its ongoing violence against anti-government protesters.

A Future for Britain Free from Islamization: An Interview with British Freedom Party Chairman, ...   Mar 24, 2012 10:20 pm

The Charles Whitman Precedent   Mar 24, 2012 09:12 pm

The Obamacare Challenge: The Questions Before the Supreme Court and Their Portents for Congress   Mar 24, 2012 07:45 pm

Cut the Crap - Take One For The Team   Mar 24, 2012 02:30 pm

Keeping Terrorism in Perspective   Mar 24, 2012 01:34 pm

French Killings Show the Path from Crime to Prison to Jihad   Mar 24, 2012 12:55 pm

Islamist Massacres Toulouse Children   Mar 24, 2012 12:36 pm

Don't Stay the Course   Mar 24, 2012 12:01 pm

FBI's Top Ten News Stories for the Week Ending March 23, 2012   Mar 24, 2012 07:19 am

Obama Energy Plan: Delay, Deny, Deceive   Mar 24, 2012 06:00 am

10 Reasons Why Nothing You Do On The Internet Will Ever Be Private Again   Mar 24, 2012 06:00 am

"Critical Race Theory" and the Indoctrination of School Children   Mar 23, 2012 11:00 pm

Friday Afternoon Roundup - The Big Three Thousand   Mar 23, 2012 09:45 pm

Obama's Energy Policy: More to the Story   Mar 23, 2012 05:06 pm

The Most Feared Radio Network in America   Mar 23, 2012 04:06 pm

BENADOR: Toulouse Massacre and International Conspiracy for Muslim World Domination   Mar 23, 2012 12:16 pm

H-1B Visas Take American Jobs   Mar 23, 2012 11:27 am

Iranian Website Describes How Iran Will Repulse a Ground Attack   Mar 23, 2012 11:02 am

Gaza's Modern Day Philistines   Mar 23, 2012 10:00 am

There Can Be Only One: The Russian Bear Loosed ... Again   Mar 23, 2012 09:20 am

When in Doubt, Kill a Jew   Mar 23, 2012 09:15 am

NYPD's Ray Kelly vs. LA Sheriff Lee Baca   Mar 23, 2012 09:10 am

Report Claims ICNA Imam Facing Indictment   Mar 23, 2012 02:16 am

The Insanity of Carbon Capture   Mar 22, 2012 11:03 am

The Mainline Protestant Churches and Israel   Mar 22, 2012 10:54 am

The New Nazis   Mar 22, 2012 10:40 am

* VIDEOS * TODAY'S HOT PICKS *  1. VIDEO: O'Reilly: Media Matters anti-Limbaugh campaign 'very fascist' (Rush Limbaugh in Liberal crosshairs: First Amendment rights be damned)  2. VIDEO: Is Hezbollah positioned for attack inside US? - Former UN Ambassador John Bolton praises Rep. Pete King's Iran terror hearing. 3. Take a Guess - How Many Texts Does the Average Teen Send Each Day? 4. Nearly 1,000 Pakistani women 'killed for honor' 5. VIDEO: These are the various ways conservative women are described by liberals in the media  6. VIDEO: Obama on Solyndra Loan: 'This Was Not Our Program' (Blames 'Congress' and 'the Chinese' for firm's failure)  7. VIDEO: 'October Baby' Tells Tale of an Abortion Survivor  8. VIDEO: Pelosi speech connects the healthcare law and the Declaration of Independence 9. VIDEO: Soldier To Be Charged With Murder In Afghan Deaths 10. VIDEO: Ancient Hatred: Understanding Iran's War on Jews  Obama's Secret War-making for the U.N. Cliff Kincaid  Plans are underway by the Obama Administration to use some of what's left of our military to operate on behalf of the United Nations and the ICC. Is the "fundamental transformation" of the United States now underway at the Department of Defense? READ MORE   The New Nazis Daniel Greenfield  There was a time when Jewish children were hunted down and killed in France. Their killers believed they were members of a superior group destined to rule the world and enslave or exterminate members of inferior groups. What was then, is now again. READ MORE   Attacking Paul Ryan, But Not the National Debt Alan Caruba    Voters in 2010 returned control of the House to Republicans. If the same had happened in the Senate, we might have had a budget, but Harry Reid, the Senate Majority Leader, has ensured that every effort to address the fiscal mess fails. READ MORE       A Tale of Two Worlds Patrick Dunleavy      Radical Islamists have a two-pronged strategy for defeating the West. One is ideology and the other is violence. Should we have a defense that addresses both and, if so, how would that be done? READ MORE          Time is Up in Afghanistan Gregory D. Lee    All the good Americans have done in Afghanistan is unappreciated because no Afghan believes it will last. Their culture of corruption, insurgency, illiteracy, religious fanatics, opium production and crime will unravel it all. Why don't we recognize this? READ MORE     The Mother of Toulouse Terrorist -- Accomplice to the Crime Nancy Hartevelt Kobrin, PhD    Given the fact that the Toulouse Terrorist's mother will not cooperate with law enforcement, she is collaborating with her son. Should she be brought up on charges for being an accomplice to his unspeakably horrific crimes? READ MORE   Today's Hot Topics 1. ISSA: Job creators brace for Obamacare impact - Companies plan to pay for health care mandate by shedding workers 2. Al Qaeda says it killed American teacher in Yemen 3. Radio campaign next step against Rush Limbaugh 4. GOP leaders racking up 'yes' votes on Ryan budget measure 5. Report: Al-Qaida was saddened by Keith Olbermann's MSNBC firing 6.Rep. Allen West offers sweeping vision for keeping America secure in the new century 7. Obama Mocks Critics As Gas Prices Go Up 8. Egypt Designates Israel Its Top Enemy - Obama Restores Military Aid 9. Regulations Eliminate More Than 1,850 Jobs 10. Nearly 250 members of Congress directed money toward members of their own families READ MORE The Obamacare Hydra Michelle Malkin    Another multi-billion dollar bureaucracy within Obamacare is the "Innovation Center", another pipeline for political payoffs and Chicago-style boodle to result in less patient autonomy, fewer health care choices, more government intrusion and lower-quality care. READ MORE     Hezbollah's Propagandist Bloggers Defend Assad Iran, through its proxy Hezbollah, is engaged in a global fear and intimidation campaign against U.S. public officials and private citizens not only in the United States but around the world. Now we will name the guilty ones involved in this effort. READ MORE

Outing the Progressives and Liberal Democrats on the Ryan Budget

by Frank Salvato

The Ryan budget reforms the tax code, making it flatter and fairer, while eliminating tax breaks for a privileged few, and it throws a lifeline to Medicare and Medicaid without service disruption. So why are the libs ratcheting up the smear machine to kill it?

March 23, 2012
  Get the latest news and info-and these "early bird" benefits  

Register for our 2012 National Conference & Legislative Briefing by April 20th and you'll receive three "early bird" benefits:

Click here to see the latest information on our annual event, which will be held this year June 27 - 29 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC. Click here to register.

  Join us for two and a half days that will inform you, inspire you, encourage you and empower you!

Memories of Communist Romania: Madeleine Simon Interviews Ion Mihai Pacepa

March 24, 2012, by Roger L Simon

Vladimir Lenin on 1970 Communist Romanian postage stamp.

What follows is not my writing. It is an interview conducted by my daughter Madeleine Simon with Ion Mihai Pacepa for Madeleine's eighth grade Global Studies Class at her Los Angeles school. Her class assignment was to do a report on a particular foreign country and to interview someone from the country. Madeleine's choice was Romania.

Normally, such an eighth grade assignment would not merit publication at PJ Media or anywhere other than, perhaps, the school paper. But the man Madeleine interviewed, through my help and others, is no ordinary Romanian. He is Ion Mihai Pacepa, the highest ranking intelligence official ever to defect from the former Eastern bloc (also the author of many books, including the best-selling Red Horizons, and a contributor to PJ Media). Mr Pacepa defected from the
Ceausescu regime by walking into the American Embassy in Bonn, Germany, in July 1978.

As the reality of communism and what it was like begins to diminish from the public memory, I think you will understand why we have chosen to publish this remarkable interview here.

INTERVIEW WITH ION MIHAI PACEPA:

1. What effect does the prominent Gypsy population have on Romania as a country? 
In my other life, in Romania, one of my best friends was Ion Voicu, a prominent violinist (a pupil of David Oistrakh), and at first I had no idea that he was a Gypsy. Even if I had known, I wouldn't have cared. I had many thousands of people working for me, and all I cared about was what they could do. One day, however, I suspected that Voicu was a Gypsy. It happened in the mid 1960s, when I attended a superb rendition of Paganini's "First Violin Concerto." Voicu was recalled to the stage nine times, and the audience was still clapping frenetically when a dusky-skinned old lady wearing a flowery dress and hat jumped up from her seat in the front row and screamed with all her lungs: "Quiet! Quiet! Don't scare him!" After pausing for a moment, she burst into tears: "He's my only son."

Voicu returned to the stage, closed his eyes when his bow touched the string, as he usually did, and kept them closed until the last note. To a faultless technique he added a warmth that engulfed my body - and the whole concert hall with it. When Voicu played the last note of "La Campanella," the audience exploded again. Nobody remembered the dusky-skinned old lady. Soon after that, Voicu became director of the Romanian Philharmonic, and he transformed it into a major European orchestra. During those years, I never heard anyone even suggesting that Voicu might be a Gypsy. He was just the Grand Maestro. That remained the case, until Voicu's best friend - that was me - broke with Communist Romania and began exposing its crimes. From one day to the next, the Romanian government suddenly remembered that Voicu was a Gypsy, and it began wielding that weapon of the emotions called racism, which had so successfully been used by Nazism and Communism. The Gypsy Voicu was replaced as director of the Romanian Philharmonic, and he disappeared into anonymity. After Communism collapsed in Romania, one of Voicu's sons, Mădălin (also a musician), became a member of the Romanian Parliament and dedicated his life to defending Romania's Gypsy community.

Read more: 

Friend --

I know you're going to want to see this speech that I gave today. I just spoke to a massive crowd against Obamacare in front of the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, DC.

The speech I gave received such a tremendous response from the crowd. It was exhilarating to see so many freedom-lovers united! There's a hunger in our country to change the direction we're going where the government is taking over our lives.

At one part of the speech where I received such a loud response, I told them that my vehicle's insurance doesn't pay for someone to tune-up their car, so why does my health insurance have to pay for someone's abortions?

After you watch it, please tell me your thoughts. I always love reading your responses.

Thank you so much for your previous support.  It's because of you that I'm able to tell my story to such large crowds. 

If you like what I said today, please consider financially contributing $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000 or even $2,500 so that I can continue spreading this message of freedom across the country.

Imagine what we can do if we can get others to hear this message. That's why we must spread our message of small government and religious liberty to defeat Obamacare!

WATCH STAR PARKER PROTEST OBAMACARE!

Your foot-soldier for freedom,

Subverting America's Legal System

Posted By Mark Tapson On March 21, 2012

THE INTERFAITH TASKFORCE FOR AMERICA AND ISRAEL (ITAI)

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

Friday, March 23, 2012

Dear ITAI Members and Donors:

ITAI ON THE MOVE...The ITAI Mission to Capitol Hill has been tentatively scheduled for May 23, 2012. ITAI's Congressional Advocacy team will present to select members of the U.S. Congress requests pertaining to Egypt. ITAI will suggest conditioning continued military and economic aid to Egypt on 1) its adherence to human rights and religious and political freedom for the Coptic-Christian community, and 2) on the Egyptian government maintaining a genuine peace with Israel, that excludes incitement against the Jewish State and the prevention of terrorist infiltration into Israel through the Sinai Peninsula...ITAI welcomes to its ranks Al Longenecker of Lewisburg, PA, and Dr. Paul Adler of Mt. Laurel, NJ.

By: Joseph Puder

The despicable murders in Toulouse, France, on Monday, March 19, 2012 that took the lives of Rabbi Yonatan Sandler (30), his two small children, Aryeh (3) and Gavriel (6), and Miriam Monsonego, the eight-year-old daughter of the Ozer Ha'Torah school's principal by Mohammed Merah (24), an Arab-Muslim French citizen, has raised anew the question of whether France is a safe place for Jews.   

When this writer asked Lyda Peltz, a French citizen born to Jewish parents who came from North Africa, if France is safe for Jews, her response was fast and furious, "France is no longer a safe place for Jews."  Lyda, who moved to Israel several years ago, joined thousands of other French Jews whose accented voices fill the streets of Netanya, Ashkelon, and Eilat. She contends that the influx of millions of Muslims into France enabled the anti-Semitism that already existed to rise above surface and become legitimatized.

A spate of violent anti-Semitic attacks on Jews throughout France during the 2008-2009 "Cast Lead" Israeli operation in Gaza, aided in great measure by the French media's anti-Israel posture, prompted the exodus of thousands of Jews from France. In the aftermath, terrorists crashed two vehicles, one loaded with firebombs, into the façade of a synagogue in Toulouse, France January 6, 2009, while a lecture was going on. Fortunately, there was only physical damage and no one suffered any injuries. This attack was, however, the second serious terrorist attack on Jewish targets in France in less than a week.

A 29-year old Jewish man was attacked on January 4, 2009 at a Paris subway station by a gang of 20 people who yelled "Palestine will win." They hit the man in the face and filmed the scene. Three days later, a 15-year-old Jewish girl in suburban Paris (Villiers-le-Bel) accused a gang of ten which included three of her classmates, of an anti-Semitic assault. She had been thrown to the ground, kicked, punched, and the attackers told her that they were "avenging Palestinians."  On January 8, 2009, "Death to the Jews" was spray-painted outside a primary school in Nice. On that same day, the ORT Bramson High School in Marseille was attacked by vandals who threw aerosol cans soaked with flammable liquid at the school building.

Prior to last Monday's calculated murders, the brutal murder of Ilan Halimi, a 23-year-old Parisian Jew in 2006, was the country's most shocking.  Halimi had been lured to an apartment by a female gang member, and sadistically tortured to death by Arab and African Muslim Frenchmen. One gang member admitted to having put out a cigarette on Halimi's face "because he did not like Jews."  The anti-Semitism of this gang of barbarians went much further.  According to one witness the torturers recited verses from the Koran while Halimi was tortured.

On August 9, 1982, during the First Lebanon War, Arab terrorists used grenades and machine guns in an attack that targeted Chez Jo Goldenberg, the famous Jewish establishment located in the Marais district of Paris.  Six people were killed and 22 wounded.

The work of the French media and academia reveals that a majority of members are not only leftist in their outlook, but anti-American and anti-Israel as well and, elements are allied with radical Islamists. Official policies of the French government since 1967 show they have sought cooperation with the Arab world at the expense of Israel. The actions of the media, academia and the government have all contributed to the rise of anti-Semitism.  However, the multi-cultural and political-correct French elites, who have looked the other way rather than face the violent excesses of many of the Arab Muslim immigrants, and have not spoken out against the radical Islamic imams who preach hatred against all non-Muslims and Jews in particular, are ultimately responsible for the harvest of anti-Semitism being reaped in today's France.

Maria Sliwa's May 17, 2003 article France and its Jews written during the period when the Second Intifada was being waged against Israel, asserted that of the approximate Jewish population in France of 650,000 (there are 6 million Muslims in France) a quarter "Are considering leaving (France) in the wake of the attacks targeting the country's Jewish community." Sliwa quoted Daniel Pipes of the Middle East Forum as saying, "Anti-Semitism is not new in France. France never purged itself of anti-Semitism, it just hid it."

The murder of the Jewish children and rabbi on Monday, March 19, 2012, made headlines throughout Europe and the world this week, and the French ambassador to Israel, Francois Bigot addressed the Israeli Knesset's (Parliament) Absorption and Diaspora Affairs Committee last Tuesday declaring that "France will not rest until the perpetrator of the atrocity in Toulouse is found."  Bigot added that "Hate crimes went against the larger trend in France, which has seen a drop in local anti-Semitism over the past couple of years. He said that in 2011 there were 380 anti-Semitic incidents as opposed to 900 in 2001."

On the day of the attacks MK Yaakov Katz (National Union) called on Jews to leave France, declaring "there is no Jewish future in France." Katz added that only in Israel is there a future for the Jewish people, and that Jews should not entrust their fate to Sarkozy, Obama or other world leaders.

During WWII the pro-Nazi Vichy government of France helped deport 75,000 French Jews to their death in Nazi concentration camps.  The French political right that included the Catholic clergy and monarchists persecuted Jewish Captain Alfred Dreyfus in the famous 1894 trial. Numerous expulsions and forced conversions of Jews occurred during the Middle Ages in addition to Jews in certain French provinces being forced to wear a badge following the edict of the Fourth Lateran Council in 1215.   With these events as a partial background, it is no surprise that Jews are sensitive to acts of anti-Semitism in the land of Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite (France's national motto). And, to reaffirm Jewish suspicions, the March 21, 2012 Los Angeles Times referenced results from an ADL survey that compared 2009 and 2012 attitudes towards Jews in France which indicate that nearly half of the French people surveyed hold "classical anti-Semitic notions."

Former French president Jacque Chirac was reported by Israel Insider to have said on March 1, 2002 that "I would like to say clearly there is no upsurge in anti-Semitism in France."  Similar assurances have been recently made by President Sarkozy. Protecting the Jews of France requires however, the protection of the Jews of Israel. And, as long as Israel is vilified in the French media, abused in academia, and betrayed by the French government, anti-Semitism will not abate, and Jews will continue to be vulnerable to such despicable attacks such as has occurred this week. And as long as Muslim radicals in France are not dealt with in the severest way, violence against Jews will continue, and France will not be safe for Jews.  

The Crisis of Jewish Leftist Islamism

Every now and then the left discovers someone who tells them what they already think, but puts a glossier edge on it, and elevates him to the status of "Serious Thinker". This is the office for which Peter Beinart has been briefly nominated.

 

The chief prerequisite for becoming a serious thinker on the left is to state what is obvious to the left without actually seriously considering its obviousness. This is what Peter Beinart delivers by providing an indulgence for leftist Israel bashing by telling the bashers that they aren't bad Jews, it's the Israelis who are bad Jews, bad Democrats and bad people all around.

As ideas go, this is about as original as old lefties reassuring each other that all the Kulaks had it coming or Bund members telling themselves that the Jews brought this on themselves. It's the feeble mutterings of bad people trying to convince themselves that they are good people because their victims have it coming. And what's a few more dead Jews in Tolouse, when Peter Beinart has a book deal.

There are two basic ways to resolve the "crisis" of liberal Zionism. One is to question liberalism, the other to question Zionism. The people most likely to screech "Israel Firster" at dinner parties and op-ed pieces have chosen their side. "Israel Firster" isn't their denunciation of disloyalty to America, but disloyalty to progressive ideals. It's an old charge delivered by Lenin and repeated by the left in its long crusade against Zionism.

Is there really a crisis of liberal Zionism? Beinart insists that there is a split between a conservative and liberal Zionism. It would be more accurate to say that there is a split within liberalism between the left and more traditional liberals. There is no crisis of liberal Zionism, there is a civil war among liberals, particularly Jewish liberal who are being edged out by the radical Anti-Jewish left.

There is no crisis of Liberal Zionism. There is a crisis of Jewish Leftist Islamism, that horrible chimeric beast which insists that cheerleading for the Muslim terrorists is somehow the essence of Jewish values, while supporting Israel is a betrayal of those values. That is the crisis which is being articulated by serious Jewish liberal thinkers. That is the crisis that Peter Beinart is covering up under a cloud of Israel bashing.

 

And We're Back

On Tuesday I spoke at the Skirball, the evening of the next day I was back home and glancing at the number next to my latest article, "The New Nazis" saw that it was my 3000th article.

It's been an interesting ride and it was a reminder of how I got into this, by writing day in and day out and connecting with more and more people. At the event and the Chai program with Adam Taxin, I was asked how I write so much. The simple answer is that writing perpetuates itself. Words are bricks and if you put enough of them together, you build something. Initially they may be small humble abodes but as the construction continues, they become places to live in and invites others into.

The video from Skirball will be up at next week and I want to thank everyone who came to the event, those I spoke to and those I didn't get a chance to speak to, and of course all the regular readers, Doris Wise Montrose of Children of Jewish Holocaust Survivors and the David Horowitz Freedom Center.




You Can't Spell Friendship Without...

"Don't tell me French Muslims appreciate Jews - 50 percent of them hate Jews," Rabbi Michel Sarfati said on Thursday. The rabbi created the Jewish-Muslim friendship group and has traveled across France for several years preaching moderation.

As the leader of a friendship group he's clearly taking a conservative estimate.




The Million Cap March

In Oklahoma, Bob and Nancy Strait, who had been married for 65 years, had their home broken into by a black teenager unarmed except for a BB gun. The teenager beat and raped the 85 year old Nancy Strait to death. Her husband, a veteran of the 101st Airborne in WW2, is in the hospital struggling to make it.


There will be no million cap march for Bob and Nancy, two mere Americans, whose deaths cannot educate us on the evils of racism. Their killer will have pro bono lawyers and innocence projects helping him until he's finally set free again.

Certainly Obama will make no statement on how Nancy Strait could have been his grandmother or how Bob Strait could have been that uncle who "liberated Auschwitz". Mitt Romney did not pop up to call for a "thorough investigation", reminding us of why Santorum kinda had a point about him.

What's the real difference between Tyrone Woodfork and Trayvon Martin? It will take a lot of work to make Woodfork look like the martyr that the media has already turned Trayvon into. Instead we'll get Hour 24 of screeching coverage about Trayvon Martin and white racism because a Hispanic neighborhood watch captain with black family members shot a black teenager.  

Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.), a former Army lieutenant colonel, sends THE WEEKLY STANDARD an email commenting on the Marines' video, and has given us permission to publish it.

"I have sat back and assessed the incident with the video of our Marines urinating on Taliban corpses. I do not recall any self-righteous indignation when our Delta snipers Shugart and Gordon had their bodies dragged through Mogadishu. Neither do I recall media outrage and condemnation of our Blackwater security contractors being killed, their bodies burned, and hung from a bridge in Fallujah.

"All these over-emotional pundits and armchair quarterbacks need to chill. Does anyone remember the two Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division who were beheaded and gutted in Iraq?

"The Marines were wrong. Give them a maximum punishment under field grade level Article 15 (non-judicial punishment), place a General Officer level letter of reprimand in their personnel file, and have them in full dress uniform stand before their Battalion, each personally apologize to God, Country, and Corps videotaped and conclude by singing the full US Marine Corps Hymn without a teleprompter.

"As for everyone else, unless you have been shot at by the Taliban, shut your mouth, war is hell." KEEP READING - TEA PARTY  

March 25, 2012 

Dick Cheney Gets New Heart  

After spending 20 months on the heart transplant waiting list, former Vice President Dick Cheney received what his family has called a "lifesaving gift." Get all the latest details HERE.  

CNN Is Caught Changing Its 'Green Jobs Report'  

The Blaze spotted something strange on CNN Money's website yesterday. It appeared that a story about lackluster employment in the government-subsidized Green Energy sector had been changed to make the data sound less distressing. See the "before" and "after" evidence HERE.  

As Expected, Santorum Scores A 'Big Easy' Win In Louisiana  

Rick Santorum won his fourth primary victory on Saturday with a strong showing in Louisiana. But he was expected to win the Bayou State. Does this change the race for the GOP nomination? Get the details HERE.  

Televangelists Accused Of Looting Ministry Of $50 Million  

Accusations of "financial shenanigans" have rocked the Trinity Broadcasting Network. Televangelists Paul and Jan Crouch have been hit with multiple lawsuits from family members demanding explanations for their lavish lifestyle. Did Jan Crouch really spend $100,000 on a mobile home for her dogs? Find out more HERE.  

VIDEO: Danish TV Mocks Obama's Repeated Use Of The Same Line To World Leaders   

The Blaze Goes Inside An Atheist Training Session  

It's no secret that Atheists have launched an effort to organize and have their voices heard in Washington. The non-believers and non-religious Americans have declared, "We're going to invade Capitol Hill." This weekend, Faith Editor Billy Hallowell was in DC and attended some of their training sessions and meetings. Read Billy's firsthand observations HERE.   

Dems Don't Like Santorum's New Ad 'Welcome To Obamaville'  

Rick Santorum's campaign just launched the first in a series of eight ads dedicated to showing what America would look like if President Obama is re-elected. Many on the Left are not pleased with this "cautionary tale." Watch the first chapter HERE.  

Jesse Washington of the Associated Press is the father of a 12-year-old son. He is also a black American. In the wake of the tragic death of Trayvon Martin, parents all across America are likely to be dealing with many different questions from their children. Washington shares the conversation he had with his son and his explanation of "The Black Male Code" HERE.

 Caught On Video: College Student Melts Down

During a lecture on the subject of Natural Selection, one Florida Atlantic University student flipped out. The woman's hate-filled and obscene tirade was captured by smartphone cameras in the classroom. You can see it HERE. 

Man Pulls Gun On News Crew

A TV reporter and cameraman in Arkansas had a heart-stopping encounter this week. While investigating a local murder, the pair was visited by a gun-toting neighbor who ordered them to leave. Watch the video HERE.

Michelle Obama: America's Marie Antoinette has a $1.5 million budget for her staff salary

Mar 25, 2012 06:13 am | Coach Collins

By George Spelvin, staff writer

As our government is buying 7 million tons of ammonia laced pink slime to serve our beloved school children, a credit card receipt which, allegedly, Michelle Obama signed right before the 2008 election for a $450 room service snack is just showing up.

 She ordered 2 whole steamed lobsters costing $100; 2 lobster hors d'oeuvres at $50 and one serving of delicate Iranian Osetra caviar at $150 and washed down her snack in her suite  #29m, allegedly at NY's Waldorf-Astoria on Park Ave. with one Bollinger Champagne service costing $44 to bring her total bill to $447.39 after paying a $68 service charge and $34.59 in NY taxes.

   Word coming out of a Canadian press outlet is revealing American taxpayers are shelling out a staggering total of $1,591,200 annually for the First Lady's 22 member personal staff.  She has deputy assistants to the President and Policy and Projects, ... Continue Reading:Michelle Obama: America's Marie Antoinette has a $1.5 million budget for her staff salary

comments | read more

American Minute March 24

Mar 24, 2012 06:13 pm | Coach Collins

By Bill Federer, staff writer

William Jay, son of the First Supreme Court Chief Justice, helped found New York City's Anti-Slavery Society in 1833.
His son, John Jay, was manager of the New York Young Men's Anti-Slavery Society in 1834.
Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story helped establish the illegality of the slave trade in the Amistad case, 1844.
Salmon P. Chase, appointed Chief Justice by Lincoln, defended so many escaped slaves in his career that he was nicknamed "Attorney-General of Fugitive Slaves."
Cassius Marcellus Clay, diplomat to Russia for Lincoln and Grant, founded the anti-slavery journal True American in 1845 and helped found the Republican Party in 1854.
Rufus King, born MARCH 24, 1755, was one of the youngest signers of the U.S. Constitution, only 32 years old. A Harvard graduate, Rufus King was an aide to General Sullivan during the Revolutionary War. Rufus King later served as U.S. Minister to England and a ... Continue Reading:American Minute March 24

comments | read more

Holder and DOJ hoping Justice Scalia will find ObamaCare Constitutional

Mar 24, 2012 12:40 pm | Coach Collins

by Doug Book,  staff writer

On Monday oral arguments will begin for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, a case which will demand arguably the most important ruling the Supreme Court will make in a century. And the Court's decision on the Constitutionality of ObamaCare's individual mandate will indeed be that important, for a finding that it is Constitutional and may therefore be implemented would provide the federal government unlimited, dictatorial power over the lives and actions of the American people.

The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals found the individual mandate unconstitutional, ruling quite correctly that the Article I, Section 8 Commerce Clause powers of Congress upon which Obama's handlers had depended for the authority to force certain Americans to purchase unwanted healthcare did NOT provide such authority after all.  (1)

And as the argument made by the 11th Circuit in its 305 page decision was brilliant and almost certain to influence the thinking of the 5 members ... Continue Reading:Holder and DOJ hoping Justice Scalia will find ObamaCare Constitutional

comments | read more

The new Cold War

Mar 24, 2012 06:13 am | Coach Collins

By Jim Emerson, staff writer

The Syrian uprising has brought back the cold war with the Middle East as the current battle ground. The sides consists of  a Pro-Syrian President cartel consisting of Russia, China, North Korea and Iran verses the Pro-Rebel backers consisting of  United States, European Union,, Saudi Arabia and the Arab League. Neither side is openly involved in the rebellion, of course, but they are both busy supplying the combatants.

Syria and Russia

Syria has been a loyal Russian ally since the 1973 Yom Kippur War when she used ( or should that be misused?) Soviet manufactured weapons against the American backed Israelis. In an effort to discourage Western Nations from imposing a Libyan type no-fly zone/air strikes plan over Syria, the Russians have been building up Syria's air defense and anti-shipping capability.  Improvements to Syria's long range radar system will allow the rouge nation to alert Iran to any impending air ... Continue Reading:The new Cold War

comments | read more

American Minute March 23

Mar 23, 2012 06:13 pm | Coach Collins

By Bill Federer, staff writer

The Declaration of Independence accused the King of giving his assent to acts of "pretended legislation."
Britain imposed the
1764 Currency Act,
1764 Sugar Act,
1765 Stamp Act,
1765 Quartering Act,
1766 Declaratory Act,
1767 Townshend Act,
1773 Tea Act,
1774 Boston Port Act,
1774 Justice Act,
1774 Massachusetts Government Act,
1774 Quartering Act,
1774 Quebec Act, and
1775 Proclamation of Rebellion.

On MARCH 23, 1775, Patrick Henry spoke to the 2nd Virginia Convention, which was meeting in Richmond's St. John's Church due to British hostilities:
"I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery...
We have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated...We have prostrated ourselves before the throne...
Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced ... Continue Reading:American Minute March 23

comments | read more

How long will it take for Detroit's City government to make its failures a racial issue?

Mar 23, 2012 01:13 pm | Coach Collins

 By Kevin "Coach" Collins

Remember Clint Eastwood's insulting Super Bowl commercial about Detroit's comeback?  Using the voice we have come to recognize as a source of "truth justice and the American way" he tried to fool us into believing Detroit was "too tough to die" and all that Democrat wishful thinking.

Clearly Dirty Harry didn't do his homework because Detroit is sinking faster than the Titanic and Democrat fantasies can't change that reality. The Democrat infected Motor City is more on course to become "Greece" than a new "grease monkey's" paradise.

All of the make believe about Detroit's recovery will come to a crashing end on Monday when the Republican controlled State of Michigan will be forced to start the process of taking over  the day to day operations of the city. 

As of today the city doesn't have enough sustainable income sources to fund its basic services and large sections of the town get no municipal ... Continue Reading:How long will it take for Detroit's City government to make its failures a racial issue?

comments | read more

More on why Republicans should not waste time courting Hispanics or African Americans

Mar 23, 2012 06:13 am | Coach Collins

By Kevin "Coach" Collins

Republican candidates for President, take heed: Do not waste time and energy campaigning to Hispanics or African Americans. Their minds are made up; and their candidate is Barack Hussein Obama: PERIOD.    

New information clearly indicates that neither of these voting blocs is interested in even helping themselves out of the hole they're in, let alone help America regain our position as the world's leading economic power. They are so invested in Obama that their own unemployment numbers mean nothing to them - "Blame everything on Bush - Obama's the man!"

Not long ago African Americans were told their unemployment had gone DOWN by more than 2%! That a claim like that didn't squared with reality meant nothing to Black Americans. They will vote for Obama because he is Black, just ask Samuel L. Jackson a man who has probably not been out of work except by choice for many years.

Today ... Continue Reading:More on why Republicans should not waste time courting Hispanics or African Americans

comments | read more

American Minute March 22

Mar 22, 2012 06:13 pm | Coach Collins

By Bill Federer, staff writer

 On MARCH 22, 1758, Princeton University President Jonathan Edwards died from a smallpox inoculation.
Valedictorian of his class at Yale, Jonathan Edwards' preaching began the Great Awakening, a revival so widespread history credits it with uniting the colonies prior to the Revolution.
Of the awakening, Ben Franklin wrote:
"It was wonderful to see...From being thoughtless or indifferent...it seemed as if all the world were growing religious, so that one could not walk thro' the town in an evening without hearing psalms sung in...every street."
Jonathan Edwards' grandson was Yale President Timothy Dwight.
On July 4, 1798, Timothy Dwight explained how Voltaire's atheism inspired the French Revolution's Reign of Terror, 1793-1794, where 40,000 people were beheaded:
"The...ends proposed by the Illuminati...are the overthrow of religion, government and human society...
Murder, butchery and war...are declared by them to be completely justifiable...
No villainy...can be named which was not ... Continue Reading:American Minute March 22

comments | read more

Republican congressman accuses Party elders of cowardice

Mar 22, 2012 01:00 pm | Coach Collins

by Doug Book,  staff writer

Texas Congressman Louie Gohmert has admitted what most Republican voters have known for a very long time-that the Republican Party leadership is more concerned with the dictates of political correctness and scorn from a liberal press corps than with fighting for the rights of the American people.  

Though Gohmert maintains Republican big-wigs like John Boehner and Mitch McConnell really are committed to the defeat of Barack Hussein Obama, he stated in a January interview with Rush Limbaugh that Party elders believe the only way to accomplish it is "by being nice." (1)

That's why Republicans were told to "handle [Nancy Pelosi] with kid gloves," said Gohmert. "She's the first female Speaker of the House," he and other Republican congressmen were warned by the Republican leadership. So naturally she had to be above criticism and insulated from rebuke in SPITE of her Marxist leanings, lavish spending of taxpayer dollars and ludicrous treatment ... Continue Reading:Republican congressman accuses Party elders of cowardice

comments | read more

Stock market volatility remains one of the primary objections to switching from the current pay-as-you-go method of funding Social Security benefits to a system of prefunded personal retirement accounts. However, three Texas counties that opted out of Social Security 30 years ago have solved the risk problem.

Galveston County opted out of Social Security in 1981, and Matagorda and Brazoria counties followed suit in 1982. County employees have since seen their retirement savings grow every year, including during the recent recession. Today, county workers retire with more money, and have better supplemental benefits in case of disability or early death. Moreover, the counties face no long-term unfunded pension liabilities.

If state and local governments -- and Congress -- are really looking for a path to long-term sustainable entitlement reform, they might consider what is known as the "Alternate Plan."

A Different Model
The Alternate Plan does not follow either of the traditional defined-benefit or defined-contribution models. Rather, employee and employer retirement contributions are pooled and actively managed by a financial planner -- in this case, First Financial Benefits, Inc., of Houston, which originated the plan and has managed it since inception.

Like Social Security, employees contribute 6.2 percent of their incomes, which the counties match. (Galveston has chosen to provide a slightly larger share.) Once the county makes its contribution, its financial obligation is finished. As a result, there are no long-term unfunded liabilities.

Digest · March 23, 2012

The Foundation

"There is a just God who presides over the destines of nations ... who will raise up friends to fight our battle for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. ... Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death." --Patrick Henry on this day, 1775

Government & Politics

Getting Serious About the Debt Bomb

How's this for a comparison?

George W. Bush was a spendthrift president whose budgets drove up the national debt to unprecedented levels. Over his two terms in office, federal debt increased by $4.899 trillion. But Bush is a piker compared to Barack Obama. In just a little more than three years in office, Obama's fiscal recklessness raised the national debt by an astonishing $4.939 trillion -- already more than Bush's eight years. Of even graver concern, our national debt is approaching $16 trillion and now exceeds 100 percent of gross domestic product.

While on the campaign trail in 2008, Obama called Bush's spending "irresponsible" and "unpatriotic." Where does that put him?

The Congressional Budget Office recently scored Obama's latest budget as adding $3.5 trillion to annual deficits over the next 10 years, contrary to administration claims that it would reduce deficits by $3.2 trillion. Math is hard. Of Obama's spending, CBO said that "the resulting deficits will push federal debt to unsupportable levels." In fact, when Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner was asked how much the debt ceiling would need to be increased to cover all current and future obligations, he actually admitted, "It would be a lot. It would make you uncomfortable."

Enter Paul Ryan, chairman of the House Budget Committee. The Wisconsin Republican released version two of his Path to Prosperity budget blueprint this week, and it provides a more viable way forward. It's not perfect, as we will see, but it's a responsible start. Naturally, that means Democrats will fight it tooth and nail.

Ryan's plan is primarily pro-growth, meaning he focuses on tax reform and targeted spending cuts to enable the economy finally, after four years of malaise, to get off the ground again. He calls for eliminating the current six tax brackets in favor of just two -- 10 percent and 25 percent -- though he's not specific on where the income break would be. Many deductions also would be eliminated, though, once again, specifics are absent. He would reduce the corporate rate from 35 percent to 25 percent, which is far more competitive with the rest of the world. Without action, it will be the highest in the world when Japan's cut takes effect on April 1.

CBO's static scoring shows that Ryan's tax cuts would reduce federal revenue by $4 trillion over the next decade, but that's unrealistic given that a healthier economy would yield more revenue. Also according to that scoring, Ryan's plan would cut spending by $5.3 trillion compared to Obama's budget, though it would shield the military from cuts laid out in last year's debt ceiling deal. CBO also says the budget won't be balanced under the plan until 2040, but Ryan rightly contends that it would take just 10 years under "more reasonable projections of the economy."

Ryan would repeal ObamaCare and tackle Medicare. His Medicare reforms would leave it untouched for people 55 and over, contrary to Democrat ads depicting him literally dumping grandma off a cliff, the "Mediscare" metaphor they have used since Newt Gingrich proposed mild reforms in 1995. DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who has a penchant for overstating things, declared, "The Romney-Ryan budget would be devastating to seniors and older Americans. It is a Republican path to poverty that would pass like a tornado through America's nursing homes." It would be funny were it not so disingenuous.

For those younger than 55, Ryan puts forward a premium-support model, which would offer a fixed amount from the government to recipients each year that they would use to pick from various insurance options, including one public fee-for-service option. National Review's Yuval Levin offers more details on proposed Medicare changes.

There are shortcomings to Ryan's plan. For example, he took a pass on Social Security, which is already becoming a major driver of public debt -- not to mention massive wealth redistribution. Even his reductions to federal spending leave levels too high, and, more important, countless unconstitutional expenditures remain. In general, it doesn't go far enough, and definitely not as far as the plan recently released by five Tea Party senators to balance the budget in five years with spending cuts of $11 trillion.

On balance, though, Ryan's plan is a bold and much-needed way to defuse Obama's debt bomb, and it is the plan that could gain the best traction. Meanwhile, House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer summed up the Democrats' plan by saying, "The fact is, you don't need a budget." We'll give him one thing: To call anything proposed by Obama and the Democrats a "budget" is an insult to the English language.

Post your opinion on the Ryan plan.

On Cross-Examination

Barack Obama has taken to promoting his so-called "Buffett Rule." Named for billionaire investor Warren Buffett, the rule says that no millionaire should pay less than 30 percent in income taxes. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) dutifully drafted legislation to make it so, and the Joint Committee on Taxation analyzed it to see what the revenue result would be. To call it underwhelming would be an understatement. Best case scenario, the Buffett Rule would increase federal revenue by just $1.1 billion this year, or one-tenth of one percent of Obama's budget deficit. Of course, Obama's proposal is nothing more than class warfare rhetoric for the campaign stump, but his real tax plan includes increasing taxes on everyone -- not just Warren Buffett, but his poor secretary, too.

Hope 'n' Change: More ObamaCare Mandates

The White House used last week's regularly scheduled Friday afternoon document dump to double down on its plan to offer free contraception for all women regardless of conscience issues. The "Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking" lists a number of ways that ObamaCare will provide all women free access to contraceptives, sterilization procedures and drugs that induce early abortion. It also specifically states that all student health plans must cover these so-called preventive services free of charge. This is the administration's latest response to outrage over ObamaCare's trampling of religious freedom with its contraception mandate. It doesn't address concerns of conscience for religious organizations or private employers; instead it retrenches the administration's position that those organizations supposedly won't have to pay for "preventive" coverage, because the cost will be pushed onto insurance companies. Unfortunately, those insurance companies will simply raise their premiums, forcing everyone to pay for "free" contraception anyway.

Barack Obama celebrated the announcement by taking his family to church. The Obamas are not regular churchgoers, but their attendance at St. John's Episcopal Church, the "Church of the Presidents," was noteworthy -- St. John's has publicly supported the ObamaCare mandate and has denounced Roman Catholic bishops and others who oppose it.

This Week's 'Braying Jenny' Award

"After 100 years of trying, finally we passed health care for all Americans as a right for all -- not just a privilege for a few. It honored the vows of our Founders: Of life, a healthier life; liberty; the freedom to pursue our own happinesses. ... We knew that ... this bill was ironclad constitutionally." --House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) on ObamaCare

The Supreme Court will hear arguments on ObamaCare beginning Monday.

Campaign Trail: Romney Wins; Top Aide Shoots Him in Foot

Mitt Romney enjoyed a good week on the campaign trail, handily winning the Illinois and Puerto Rico primaries. His double-digit win in Illinois over second-place finisher Rick Santorum pushed Romney's delegate total to 563, almost half way to the magic 1,144 needed to secure the Republican nomination. Santorum has settled into a distant second place with 263 delegates, although his campaign advisers maintain that the spread between Santorum and Romney is tighter than reported. Santorum might have performed better in Illinois if he hadn't wasted two days campaigning in Puerto Rico, which Romney won with more than 70 percent. Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul, with 135 and 50 delegates respectively, plan to continue their campaigns, but both candidates are drifting into obscurity. Louisiana's primary is Saturday.

The trouble for Romney came Wednesday, when his chief adviser, Eric Fehrnstrom, set off a whirlwind of mockery with his comments about the difference between the primary and general election campaigns. "I think you hit a reset button for the fall campaign," he said. "Everything changes. It's almost like an Etch a Sketch. You can kind of shake it up and restart all over again."

This, of course, was already the prevailing perception of Romney -- an Etch a Sketch that changes with every shake. Romney's rivals certainly picked up on the theme, and it will be hard for him to erase. He did his best, explaining that the comment was about strategy, not the candidate or campaign themes, but the damage was done. Romney is very likely to be the nominee, but episodes like this one don't inspire confidence.

(Read Mark Alexander's essay, Who Will Elect the Next President?, on the role of women voters.)

From the Left: Obama Struggles to Raise Money

The Obama re-election campaign is rolling in the bucks, but not nearly at the pace necessary to meet its billion-dollar boast. Obama is raising more total cash than any of the Republican candidates and has more than 1.4 million donors, but most of those are small donors who have pledged as little as $2. Mitt Romney has more donors above $2,000 than Obama, though, and the president's fundraising totals are lower than at this time in his 2008 campaign or George W. Bush's 2004 re-election bid, despite the fact that he has held more than twice the number of fundraisers as his predecessor. The Obama campaign remains publicly optimistic, and advisers have claimed that part of the reason for not meeting fundraising expectations may be due to the poor economy. This may be a fair admission, but it undermines the reason Obama claims he deserves to be re-elected -- namely that the economy is improving.

There was certainly enough cash to produce a 17-minute puff piece about Obama's first term. "The Road We've Traveled" features narration by Hollywood lefty Tom Hanks and revisits the story of Obama's mother, who, he claimed in the 2008 campaign, died of cancer due to trouble with insurance companies. However, this was not the case -- the insurance dispute Ann Dunham was fighting on her deathbed was over disability coverage, not health insurance, which in fact covered much of her treatment. The White House didn't deny the reported correction, but the campaign video continues to push Obama's original and disingenuous claim.

The hagiographic film, which was directed by another Hollywood lefty, Oscar-winner Davis Guggenheim, misleads viewers in other areas, too, including its claim that the bailed-out auto companies have "repaid their loans." Nor is there a word about Obama's broken promises, such as the job-producing claims of his massive stimulus, or his now-laughable promise to cut the deficit in half by the end of his first term. "And the Oscar for Most Shamelessly Lavish and Long-Winded Political Campaign Ad goes to..."

New & Notable Legislation

The House voted 223-181 Thursday to repeal a small part of ObamaCare by abolishing the Independent Payment Advisory Board, the 15-member panel of "experts" that would have the power to cut Medicare payments independently of Congress. It was what Sarah Palin infamously and rather accurately described as a "death panel," as its job would be to ration care. Obviously, the repeal won't go any further until Republicans retake the Senate and the White House.

Senators John Thune (R-SD) and David Vitter (R-LA) introduced the Respecting States' Rights and Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, S. 2213 -- their version of the House concealed carry reciprocity bill. The Thune-Vitter bill is superior to another bill introduced in the Senate by Democrats Mark Begich (AK), Joe Manchin (WV) and Max Baucus (MT) because it allows carry reciprocity for all citizens, not just those who live in states that actually issue permits. Some states allow "constitutional carry," which requires no permit.

The Senate passed the JOBS Act Thursday 73-26, finally doing something with the numerous bills geared toward job creation passed by the House. Senators made one change to the House bill, making it easier to fund small businesses through social media and the like. The bill now goes back to the House for reconciliation.

Gun-Tracking Suspect Catch-and-Release

CBS reporter Sharyl Attkisson, one of the precious few Leftmedia reporters to do any actual investigation on Operation Fast and Furious, reports on a new development: "The prime suspect in the botched gun trafficking investigation known as 'Fast and Furious' -- Manuel Acosta -- was taken into custody and might have been stopped from trafficking weapons to Mexico's killer drug cartel early on. But the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) let him go, according to new documents obtained by CBS News." Terrific. The one time the operation might have done some good, and ATF took a pass.

Acosta was stopped on May 29, 2010, and investigators found an "AK type, high capacity drum magazine loaded with 74 rounds of 7.62 ammunition underneath the spare tire." The Border Patrol found that he was already under investigation in Fast and Furious, so they contacted ATF Agent Hope MacAllister, who questioned Acosta and sought cooperation from him in exchange for his release. When he agreed, he was released. Shockingly, despite having written her contact information on a $10 bill for him with instructions "not to participate in any illegal activity unless under her direction," Acosta didn't call her the next morning and continued to engage in illegal activity. He was arrested eight months later after some 2,000 weapons walked across the border to Mexican drug cartels. ATF had no comment.

Some enlightenment regarding Fast and Furious, as well as the Obama administration's incomprehensible actions, comes from a 1995 quote from now-Attorney General Eric Holder, who said he was on a campaign to "really brainwash people into thinking about guns in a vastly different way." That does explain a lot.

Economy

Gas Prices and November's Election

If there's one thing that seems to take a chunk out of Barack Obama's approval ratings, it's the price of gasoline. As average pump prices edge closer to $4 per gallon (exceeding that in many areas), the pressure is on for Obama to "do something." While the administration has repeatedly claimed that there's no "silver bullet" solution, that doesn't mean Obama won't take advantage of photo-ops or beat up oil companies to create the desired narrative.

The president visited Cushing, Oklahoma, this week to promote his decision to "expedite" the approval of the southernmost part of the Keystone XL pipeline. While the planned stretch from Oklahoma to refineries on the Gulf Coast will be helpful, it leaves us 1,179 miles short of tapping Canadian supplies.

Obama trotted out the tired refrain, "With only 2 percent of the world's oil reserves, we can't just drill our way to lower gas prices -- not when we consume 20 percent of the world's oil." This is true if one counts only proven reserves, or oil for which drilling is currently under way, but he disingenuously ignores trillions of barrels of recoverable reserves in areas he has placed off limits. In fact, if only permitted to access it, the U.S. has enough oil to provide for its needs for centuries.

Blame won't fill a gas tank, though, so minimizing the damage by headlining, as CNN Money did this week, "Rising gas prices aren't as bad as you think," is another weapon in the Obama propaganda arsenal. Meanwhile, back in the real world, prices of everything are affected by surging gas prices, and this may be the summer of our discontent.

This Week's 'Alpha Jackass' Award

"[D]o not tell me that we're not drilling. We're drilling all over this country. I mean, I guess there's some -- there are a few spots where we're not drilling. We're not drilling in the national mall. We're not drilling at your house. I guess we could try to have like, you know, 200 oil rigs in the middle of Chesapeake Bay." --Barack Obama

Share your thoughts: What should Obama do about gas prices?

Income Redistribution: The Joys of Alternative Energy

We have all heard Obama's speeches on the evils of corporate America, but our fearless leader has never been shy about funneling money into corporations that fit his "green" agenda. For example, First Solar is an Arizona-based solar panel manufacturer. After receiving nearly $40 million in government subsidies, the company was approved for an additional $455.7 million loan to sell their panels to two Canadian wind farms. Yet both farms are wholly owned First Solar subsidiaries, so in other words the company is being given federal money to sell products to itself. Who approved the loan? None other than the Export-Import Bank, better known perhaps for its similar funding of the ill-fated Enron.

Recently, the administration was saved from a faux pas involving another funneling operation. Daniella Gibbs Léger may not be a household name, but as the director of White House messaging events, she may be the hardest working person in DC. The White House was considering seating executives from Solyndra with First Lady Michelle Obama during the State of the Union address until Léger pointed out that, due to Solyndra's "issues," this might not be the best idea. The Department of Energy was in the process of restructuring Solyndra's $535 million government loan; these negotiations resulted in the company receiving an additional $75 million subsidy. The bump was approved after the State of Union, demonstrating once again this administration's willingness to thumb its nose at taxpayers as long as they think they can get away with it.

To cover his backside, Obama did what he does best -- shift blame. "This was not our program, per se," he said of Solyndra. "Congress -- Democrats and Republicans -- put together [that] loan guarantee program." Gee, here we thought they were a "do-nothing Congress." Up until it failed, Obama was glad to take credit.

The news is not all bad, however. In a related story, the seven windmills constructed in Reno, Nevada, have already begun saving taxpayers money. Built in 2010 as part of an energy-saving package, they have saved the city of Reno a whopping $2,785. The downside is they cost $1 million to build. But hey, we're creating a "sustainable" future, right? According to estimates, that future will arrive when the windmills have finally paid for themselves -- in the year 2551.

Regulatory Commissars: Hotels Receive a Stay

Trial lawyers will have to lick their chops a little longer. Last week, the Justice Department allowed hotels and other places of accommodation 60 more days before a rule goes into effect mandating their pools or spas have two accessible means of entry -- with one being a ramp or wheelchair lift. Chair lifts can cost up to $6,000, but the hotel industry, which boasts roughly 51,000 facilities with at least one pool or other "water feature," had the choice of forking out the money for the lifts, paying stiff penalties, or waiting for the inevitable lawsuits from trial lawyers who specialize in lawsuits over the Americans With Disabilities Act -- and who just happen to be big Democrat supporters.

As Investor's Business Daily writes, "Regulation supporters will argue that every paying customer has an equal right to hotel pool access. But such a right requires the violation of the hotel owners' right to the money they have earned in peaceful, voluntary transactions."

The deadline was set based on a 2010 expansion of the original 1991 ADA regulations, and while South Carolina Republican senators Jim DeMint and Lindsey Graham were trying to write legislation to lift the mandates, it wasn't completed before the original deadline. DeMint promised to keep working on the bill, which a spokesman said would provide the "flexibility to work directly with people with disabilities." That's more flexibility than the government is generally known for.

Security

Warfront With Jihadistan: Soldier Faces Murder Charges

The U.S. soldier accused of murdering 17 Afghan civilians last week was finally identified. Army Staff Sergeant Robert Bales, 38, spent last weekend in isolation as military lawyers prepared their prosecution in a case that may carry the death penalty. Bales also met with his lawyers this week, including defense attorney John Henry Browne, who has a history with cases of multiple homicide, including those of Ted Bundy and Benjamin Ng.

While Bales supposedly turned himself in to U.S. authorities after his alleged killing spree, that story is now changing, as is the number killed. Browne says that not only did Bales not confess during their meeting, but he has no memory of the event. "He has an early memory of that evening and he has a later memory of that, but he doesn't have memory of the evening in between," Browne said, leaving unanswered the question of why Bales turned himself in if he didn't remember doing anything. Browne also claims that Bales is in shock and that, "He's fixated on the troops left on the ground and what they're accusing him of and how that might have negative ramifications on his friends and compatriots. And he's concerned that there would be retaliation that would be caused by what people think he's done."

It appears that the defense will hinge on Bales' mental state, with recent reports reflecting his family financial stress and his professional disappointment, apparently missing out on promotions after a tour in Iraq and then being sent to Afghanistan after thinking his deployments were finished.

By comparison, let us also recall that Major Nidal Malik Hasan is the sole suspect in the Nov. 5, 2009, Fort Hood, Texas, shooting. Hasan, a Muslim, reportedly shouted "Allahu Akbar!" ("god is great") and then opened fire in the Soldier Readiness Center killing 14 people (including an unborn child) and wounding 29 others. On Feb. 2, 2012 a military judge ruled that Hasan will stand trial on June 12, 2012. His defense attorneys have asked for another delay, making it likely that three years will have lapsed from the time of the shooting until he appears in court. In the meantime, Hasan continues to receive full military pay and benefits.

Elsewhere, General John Allen, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, told Congress Tuesday that the U.S. is "on track" to achieve its military goals in Afghanistan and that the capabilities of Afghan forces are "better than we thought" as they move toward securing their own country. We tend to think that the probability of a good outcome for the U.S. in Afghanistan, based on current plans, is poor at best.

From the 'Non Compos Mentis' File

"You can go back 500 years. You cannot find a more audacious plan. Never knowing for certain. We never had more than a 48 percent probability that he was there. Do any one of you [sic] have a doubt that if that raid failed that this guy would be a one-term president? This guy is willing to do the right thing and risk losing." --Joe Biden, on Obama's ordering the Navy SEAL mission that killed Osama bin Laden

Not to take anything away from the importance of killing bin Laden, but apparently Biden has never heard of Ia Drang, Normandy, Fort Sumpter or Bunker Hill, just to name but a paltry few audacious battle plans in American history.

Post your opinion: Help Joe remember a few other audacious battles.

The All-New Speedy Airport Security Line

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has introduced a new plan to help airport travelers navigate security lines quickly. For $100, passengers may register with "Precheck," a program that allows a traveler to pass a background check and be pre-approved for boarding an airplane. No more taking off shoes, belts and jackets, no more full-body scans. So far, the program is still in pilot testing and is available at only nine airports. Fliers must meet undisclosed TSA criteria and receive an invite from participating airlines, but the TSA says it wants as many people as possible to sign up for Precheck.

On the surface, this seems to be a reasonable idea -- one allowing regular people to avoid the invasive and usually unnecessary scrutiny at airport security checkpoints. But will travelers decide that it is worth $100? We are sure that it shouldn't cost $100 to avoid having your toddler in a wheelchair subjected to a thorough TSA pat-down.

Share your thoughts on the TSA's new idea.

About That Executive Order...

We have received a fair number of emails asking about an executive order (EO) signed by Barack Obama last Friday titled "National Defense Resources Preparedness." However, other than the fact that it was signed and released Friday afternoon, which is the usual time for dumping bad news, there is little of note here. The EO merely updates a previous one signed by Bill Clinton in 1994, which was updated numerous times by both Clinton and George W. Bush. In fact, the original national defense resources preparedness EO dates back to 1939. Granted, we don't trust Obama, but there doesn't seem to be an extraordinary power grab here. For more, Hot Air's Ed Morrissey has a technical, boring and also excellent detailing of the amendments.

Culture

Village Academic Curriculum: Vetting the Opposition

A class of 8th grade students at Liberty Middle School in Fairfax County, Virginia, recently received training to be Leftmedia operatives for the Obama campaign. According to the Daily Caller, "The assignment was for students to research the backgrounds and positions of each of the GOP candidates for president and find 'weaknesses' in them. ... From there, students were to prepare a strategy paper to exploit those weaknesses and then to send their suggestions to the Obama campaign." Predictably, "No similar assignment was given to research Obama's history, identify his weaknesses or pass them along to the Republican candidates."

Parents were understandably outraged. "This assignment was just creepy beyond belief -- like something out of East Germany during the Cold War," said one father. A spokesman for the school said the principal, who refused comment, admitted that students should have been given their choice of candidate from either major party. No kidding. And who knows? If given the chance, they might have found this old 1995 Obama quote: "In an environment of scarcity, where the cost of living is rising, folks begin to get angry and bitter and look for scapegoats. Historically, instead of looking at the top 5 percent of this country that controls all the wealth, we turn towards each other, and the Republicans have added to the fire."

What do you think about this assignment?

Faith and Family: Supreme Court Rejects Religious Challenge

San Diego's namesake may have been a Catholic Saint, but San Diego State University apparently has no problem telling students that practicing their faith is simply not permissible. Sadly, the Supreme Court has agreed. On Monday, the High Court declined to hear an appeal by two Christian groups at the school who were told their policy of accepting only Christians as members violated the school's rules prohibiting officially recognized campus groups from discriminating on the basis of religion or sexual orientation. In 2005, the groups filed suit, saying that the school's policy violated their First Amendment right to religious freedom. A federal appeals court disagreed, and now, by its silence, so has the Supreme Court.

As Alliance Defense Fund Attorney David Cortman notes, however, the standard is a double one: "The university did not tell the Democratic club it must be led by a Republican, or the vegetarian club it must be led by a meat-eater, but it did tell Christian groups that they must allow themselves to be led by atheists." The university and the courts are blatantly discriminating against the Christian groups while hypocritically hiding behind the guise of "nondiscrimination."

Don't Feed the Homeless

Feeling charitable in New York City? Well, don't try donating food to a homeless shelter. In his ongoing quest to eradicate the Great Satan of Salt, Mayor Michael Bloomberg has instructed all government-run shelters to reject any food items lacking certain nutritional information. Bloomberg is more concerned with slashing the city's sodium content than with feeding the hungry. As The Blaze reports, "[T]he mayor is so dedicated to the cause that his administration has produced an interagency document that specifically outlines what can and can't be served, appropriate serving sizes, what content is permissible, fiber minimums, and condiment recommendations."

As if running a city of eight million isn't sufficient work, Bloomberg now wants to cook for everyone, too. And his "thanks, but no thanks" regulation has told many generous New Yorkers that their help is no longer welcome. Typical of the Left, Bloomberg puts genuine compassion and charity at the bottom of the agenda -- far below its most favorite "virtue:" Rules.

And Last...

The Left may prevent people from doing good when it suits their purposes, but never let it be said that leftists lack a keen eye for "social justice." The latest exhibit comes from the South-By-Southwest Interactive conference in Austin, where geeks and nerds of all stripes gather to see all things technical. One company, BBH Labs, made known its beta tests for experimental "homeless hot spots." The idea was to give "MiFi" devices to homeless people, which would then transmit 4G wireless to people nearby. When people stumble across one of these homeless hot spots, they would make a donation in exchange for an access code. Homeless people on display at the conference wore T-shirts that said, "I'm a 4G hotspot." Not everyone was pleased with the data plan, however, and the firm is putting its plans on hold after public outrage. It would never have worked, anyway. All the leftist malcontents living in tents in cities around the nation would have "occupied" the bandwidth.

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

Axelrod Blames G.O.P. for DEMOCRAT Senate Not Producing a Budget in 3 Years!  

See video here: 

Today's Headlines:  Friday, March 23, 2012

U.S. Silent on Top Saudi Cleric's Call to 'Destroy Churches'

Mexican Cartels in 'Very Close' Contact With Islamic Terrorists, Posing Threat to U.S., Says Ex-DEA Chief

Please make a much-appreciated donation to CNSNews.com. We pledge to make every dollar count.

Obama: 'If I Had a Son, He'd Look Like Trayvon'

Pelosi: Obamacare Allows You to Quit Your Job and Become 'Whatever'

Helping Ex-Cons Get a Job Is 'A Priority for the Administration'

Ann Romney: 'We Didn't Know a Single Republican'
   Poll: Egyptian Negativity Toward U.S. Surges, As U.S. Prepares to Send Egypt $1.5 Billion

Obama Administration Urged to Ditch 'Anti-Israel' U.N. Human Rights Council

Senate Democratic Whip Durbin Plans Judiciary Committee Hearing to Examine NFL Bounties

Several Executives Leave Komen After Planned Parenthood Controversy

Obama Claims Credit for Southern End of Keystone Pipeline

GOP Senators to Obama: 'Lead, Follow, or Get out of the Way' on Energy

Sen. Sanders: 'Excessive Speculation,' Not Supply and Demand, Responsible for High Gas Prices

Boehner: 'The Senate's Done Nothing' to Pass a Budget - 'Three Years' and Running

McCain: 'If We Quit Afghanistan' Consequences 'Will Be Disastrous

COMMENTARY:

Putting the Bull in 'Bully'
By L. Brent Bozell III
If "Bully" were truly the most socially important film of 2012, then the filmmaker should want to double the audience by insisting parents accompany their children. It makes no sense for him to argue the movie is so crucial that it must be seen by unaccompanied children.

Toulouse: The Dark Side of Diversity
By Patrick J. Buchanan
As Europe's native citizens age and die and immigration goes on and on - with 5 million Muslims already in France - issues of national identity will bedevil Europe, even as they will bedevil us, forever.

The Obamacare Hydra
By Michelle Malkin
Obamacare is a real Washington monster whose countless hidden bureaucracies keep sprouting forth, even after they're rooted out. As soon as combatants lop off one of the law's unconstitutional agencies, another takes its place.

Gasoline
By Rich Galen
Rising gasoline prices are a regressive tax on poorer Americans. They affect most those who can afford higher prices least.


NEWSPAPER ROUNDUP:

Getting Past the "Bought and Paid for Hispanic Leadership" - Otis Graham on the Beam  There was a time when Hispanic political leaders and the Hispanic labor leadership reflected the true sentiment of the Hispanic community in supporting border controls and employer sanctions.
Full Story

Rep. Lamar Smith - The Truth About the DREAM Act  The DREAM Act has become a rallying cry for President Obama, members of his administration, and liberal Democrats everywhere.
Full Story

Border 'Insecurity' Puts Americans in Danger  I had the wonderful opportunity last week to visit our law enforcement friends down in Pinal County, Arizona. There, I was able to witness the problems of illegal immigration and drug trafficking with my own eyes.
Full Story

Border Patrol Numbers Suspect, Says Congressman  Recently published reports have focused on a letter submitted on March 1st by Congressman Darrel Issa to Secretary of Homeland Security.
Full Story

Foreign Workers Continue to Gain Jobs at a Higher Rate than the Native-born  The Pew Hispanic Center has released a new report that found that 'Foreign-born workers are...experiencing a faster rate of growth in employment than native-born workers.'
Full Story

Friday, March 23, 2012

To: Friends & Supporters

From: Gary L. Bauer


COUNTDOWN TO VICTORY: 228 DAYS TO THE 2012 ELECTIONS


ObamaCare Turns Two

Today is ObamaCare's second birthday. You might think that President Obama would be celebrating the legislative achievement that bears his name. But he's not. He spent the last few days on the campaign trail talking about gas prices, not health care. In fact, it seems like Obama is trying to get as far away from ObamaCare as possible -- he's headed to South Korea today!

It's not hard to understand why. Two years after Obama signed the Democrats' socialized medicine scheme into law, ObamaCare remains deeply unpopular. Consider the polling data:

• 56% of likely voters want ObamaCare repealed.
• 57% of Americans oppose forcing religious institutions to pay for services that violate their core values. (By the way, if the government can force churches and religious institutions to pay for services they find morally objectionable, how much longer until the government tries to force churches and religious institutions to perform services they find morally objectionable -- whether it's same-sex marriages or abortions in Catholic hospitals? This unprecedented assault on religious liberty must be defeated!)
• 62% of likely voters fear ObamaCare will cause companies to drop health coverage for their employees. That fear is justified given the law's perverse incentives. 
• 72% of Americans, including 56% of Democrats, believe ObamaCare's individual mandate is unconstitutional. 

Last week the Congressional Budget Office reported that by 2022, ObamaCare is estimated to cost $1.76 trillion. That is nearly twice the $900 billion price tag that President Obama proposed in a 2009 address to a joint session of Congress.

Americans know we can't afford ObamaCare. They don't like the way ObamaCare is being used to attack religious liberty. They fear ObamaCare will take away their current health insurance. They don't like ObamaCare's big government mandates telling them what they must buy. And they want ObamaCare repealed.

No wonder Barack Obama is leaving the country today! Come November 6th, we need to make sure he leaves the White House.


House Repeals ObamaCare Rationing Board

Dr. Donald Palmisano, the former president of the American Medical Association, recently wrote an op-ed calling for the repeal of ObamaCare's Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB). The former AMA chief referred to the IPAB as "one of the most egregious aspects of the law."

The IPAB board consists of 15 unelected bureaucrats with the power to decide which services get paid for and which ones are denied. Here's how Dr. Palmisano described the board:

"IPAB will essentially mean rationed care for our nation's seniors. The 15 officials who will make up the board will not only be empowered to make what is expected to be billions of dollars' worth of cuts to Medicare every year, but will be required to do so when spending exceeds targeted rates. IPAB's recommended cuts will become law unless a supermajority in Congress vetoes the board's proposal and creates its own cost-cutting proposal of equal size -- an unlikely scenario even in the most harmonious of political times. ... Now, years later, more seniors are beginning to understand that IPAB's creation and the $500 billion in cuts to the Medicare program meant to help pay for the law were anything but helpful to them."

The IPAB was a way for Democrats to avoid taking responsibility for creating entitlements we can't afford. Rather than making tough choices, why not just pass the buck to some unelected board and let them cut off grandma's medicine?

Thankfully, the House of Representatives yesterday voted 223-to-181 to repeal the IPAB. Seven Democrats voted with the overwhelming majority of House Republicans to kill Obama's rationing board, proving once again that the only bi-partisan aspect of ObamaCare is the opposition to it!


Hands Off My Health Care!

The fight to repeal ObamaCare kicks into high gear next week when the Supreme Court begins its historic marathon hearing. Whatever the court does, the debate doesn't end there. The most important decision regarding the fate of ObamaCare will be made by the American people at the polls on November 6th. In the meantime, it is important that politicians on both sides of the aisle know just how strongly we feel about it.

That is why I am proud to co-sponsor the "Hands Off My Health Care" rally in Washington, D.C., on March 27th. Thousands of Americans are coming to the nation's capital next Tuesday to remind our lawmakers that ObamaCare is contrary to the Constitution and the will of the people. If you would like to join this rally, visit www.HandsOffMyHealthCare.com.


Children At Risk

That was the title of a book I co-authored years ago with my good friend Dr. James Dobson about how liberal cultural influences were undermining the values parents taught their children at home. I was reminded of that title this week reading about an outrageous assignment given to a class of middle school students in the Washington, D.C., suburb of Fairfax County, Virginia.

According to the Daily Caller 8th grade students at Liberty Middle School were instructed to research the weaknesses and vulnerabilities of the Republican presidential candidates and then identify the appropriate person or department of the Obama campaign to receive this information. Just think of the mindset of the teacher who thought this was a legitimate assignment!

Having done battle with the NEA over the years, including during my time in Ronald Reagan's Education Department, I know just how left-wing the teachers' unions are. Some of the parents were shocked that this teacher was trying to brainwash their kids, but I'm not.

Moreover, this isn't the first questionable partisan incident involving a Virginia school. Last month, Obama campaign workers were discovered registering voting-age high school students in the Norfolk area.

And once again, the media's double standard is on full display. If the GOP were going onto school campuses in swing states, or if a teacher in Florida or Ohio had asked students to do a similar assignment on Barack Obama weaknesses, that would be national news. But I bet a classroom of 8th grade kids could do a more thorough job of vetting Mr. Obama than did our national media elites!