Quote: 

 "If, from the more wretched parts of the old world, we look at those which are in an advanced stage of improvement, we still find the greedy hand of government thrusting itself into every corner and crevice of industry, and grasping the spoil of the multitude. Invention is continually exercised, to furnish new pretenses for revenue and taxation. It watches prosperity as its prey and permits none to escape without tribute."

Clear Channel radio blocked this gun control ad from airing

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)

Gun Manufacturers Refuse To Sell To Government Agencies

NRA Stand and Fight: Media Ignorance

The Blaze | Jason Howerton | Feb. 18, 2013 5:35pm  

With each proposed anti-gun bill put forth by Democrats across the U.S., the demands appear to be getting more and more restrictive on gun owners. While the Obama administration pushes for a ban on so-called "assault weapons" and universal background checks, Democrats in both California and Missouri have proposed legislation that would result in possible confiscation of semi-automatic rifles.

Now, Democratic lawmakers in Olympia, Wash. last week introduced legislation that would allow county sheriffs to inspect the homes of semi-automatic rifle owners once a year. Seattle Times columnist Danny Westneat describes the move as "Orwellian."

Read More . . . 

The Blaze | Jonathon M. Seidl | Feb. 18, 2013 9:22am  

A father protecting his home and his 2-year-old son opened fire on a trio of suspected armed robbers in Virginia on Sunday killing two of them. The third man escaped and is still at large.

Read More . . .  

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Amnesty for All and Jobs for None

Posted by Daniel Greenfield @ the Sultan Knish blog

Like stray dogs drawn to an open sewer, after a bitter election, the Democrats and Republicans have found themselves drawn together to illegal alien amnesty.

Amnesty has an obvious appeal for both Democrats and Republicans. It's a means of putting a lot of cheap votes on the table. The Democrats have been using immigrants as cheap votes before the invention of the telephone. And the Republicans think that they can begin scoring 39 percent of the Hispanic vote in all their elections again without considering what 11 percent of 11 million will do to their margins in even the reddest red states.

Big business has always supported cheap labor, which is why the Republican establishment has always been eager to dash away from its base to back the latest amnesty gimmick. Illegal alien amnesty however is even more damaging to the voting base for the Democrats, but that hasn't stopped the AFL-CIO and the NAACP, organizations whose members will take a severe beating from an illegal alien amnesty, from joining the amnesty parade.

After a decade, illegal alien amnesty that leads to citizenship and family reunification will kill the ability of the Republican Party to win national elections. But it will also kill the ability of black men under 30 to find a job. Black unemployment is already staggeringly high and throwing in millions of new low-skilled workers will make urban centers more blighted and dangerous than they are now.

But nobody in D.C. cares about that, even though many of the blighted neighborhoods are not all that far away from the gilded centers of power.

Read more:

13 States, and Counting, with Bills to Nullify Federal Gun "Laws  

Return Petitions to Representative Daryl Metcalfe's office:

P.O Box 202012, Harrisburg, PA 17120-2012  

Hello Patriots on this Day!

We need to make daily calls to Washington to stop infringement on our 2nd Amendment rights!!

Senator Casey 1-866-802-2833 www.casey.senate.gov/contact

Rep. Fitzpatrick (R-8) 215-579-8102 www.fitzpatrick.house.gov

Rep. Meehan (R-7) 610-690-7323 www.meehan.house.gov

Rep. Schwartz (D-13) 215-517-6572 www.schwartz.house.gov

Rep. Chaka Fattah 215-871-4455

Rep. Bob Brady 610-874-7094

Important Dates:

• February 15 - March 27, 2013 - Debt Ceiling:  Sometime in this date range we are expected to reach the debt ceiling (Technically we have already hit the debt ceiling, but this is the date range when we will reach a point where the Treasury can no longer implement "extraordinary measures" to meet our spending obligations.
• February 28, 2013 - Sequestration: The "fiscal cliff" bill created a new manufactured crisis that will happen sometime at the end of February. This is when the sequestration can was kicked down the road.
• March 31, 2013 - Continuing Resolution: The current Continuing Resolution that the government is operating under expires on March 31. This means that they will have to pass a CR between now and then.
• April 15, 2013 - Budget Resolution: This is the date by law in which both Houses should have a budget resolution passed. We are already hearing that the President is late in submitting his budget, the House is reporting that they will not meet their deadline for a budget, and the Senate... well they haven't passed a budget in over 1,350 days.

Any questions, holler.

Lil 

Rob Boysen                                                                                 Lil Boysen                      Bill Harper

Tea Party Patriots PA State Coordinator, S.E. Region          Co-Coordinator             Co-Coordinator

Philadelphia Tea Party Patriots Group Coordinator                Communications
Coordinator, Philadelphia Tea Party Patriots-Lower Bucks

Email:        Lil:    patriot1944@gmail.com

                   Rob: freedomwatcher1949@comcast.net

                   Bill:   uspatriot741776@yahoo.com

Twitter:        Rob: @pennpatriot1949

                     Lil:    @gypsypatriot

Rob & Lil Home:               215-547-6136

Rob's Cell:                         267-278-0827

Lil's Cell:                            267-278-1656

Bill's Cell:                           215-431-8438

CALLING ALL PATRIOTS!  JOIN US AT THE VALLEY FORGE PATRIOTS MARCH 8^TH MEETING.

FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2013 AT THE PHOENIXVILLE COUNTRY CLUB, 6PM.

Our main speaker will be Matt Brouillette, Director of the Commonwealth Foundation in Harrisburg.

Matt will discuss Governor Corbett's new budget and the major issues in it including privatization

of liquor stores, pension reform, Medicade stabilization, and lowering the corporate income tax.

All of these issues are of great importance to the citizens of PA.

Also joining us will be Matt Hissey of Americans for Prosperity who will update us on the near term activities of AFP.

One of their recent successful projects was working to stop healthcare exchanges in PA that many of us helped with.

And very important, will be an open mic' discussion of VFP's focus for 2013. Please give this some serious thought and bring your ideas to the meeting. One big issue is Voter Fraud and how and with whom we should address this. Some members have signed up to work with True the Vote as well as Club for Growth who helped elect Senator Toomey.

We look forward to seeing you all on March 8^th.

From your Steering Committee, Joe Panas, Jeff Morgan, Mark Driver, Betty Dunkel

Fellow Conservatives,

Have you registered for CPAC 2013, the 40th annual political action conference March 14-16, 2013, at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center? Grab your friends, spread the word, and don't miss your chance to be present and be involved in making a difference for our country's future! Register TODAY at conservative.org/cpac2013.

With a renewed focus on engaging our country's youth and empowering this next generation of shining conservative stars, you won't want to miss this historic event! You, too, can join national and regional conservative leaders, including Governors Scott Walker and Jeb Bush, Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Rand Paul, and U.S. Representative Paul Ryan, along with thousands of patriots and conservatives from across the country. This must-attend event offers three full days of blockbuster speeches, policy discussions and networking opportunities - all celebrating the shared principles of smaller government, a strong national defense and traditional American values.

This year, on CPAC's 40th anniversary, we are placing a renewed focus on engaging our country's youth and empowering the next generation of shining conservative stars. The CPAC 2013 theme, America's Future: The Next Generation of Conservatives, and tagline, New Challenges, Timeless Principles, reflects a bright outlook for growth in our movement.

Recognizing CPAC as America's largest gathering of conservative leaders and activists, ACU is also pleased to announce some exciting opportunities to help you enjoy your time at CPAC even more this year!

• For the first time in our 40 years, we will be offering a free shuttle bus service to and from CPAC.
• Stay tuned for the cutting-edge CPAC App, sponsored by The Washington Examiner. At your fingertips you will have the latest speaker updates, straw poll results and more.

For more information about CPAC 2013 and our other confirmed speakers, please visit our website at conservative.org/cpac2013, or check us out on Facebook at facebook.com/CPACNews or Twitter at @cpacnews and #CPAC2013.

Don't forget, register TODAY by logging on to conservative.org/CPAC2013. We look forward to seeing you in March!

The American Conservative Union

For Tickets:  Contact Us:  215.269.6912                        

                                               

           

http://www.choiceonesupport.org

February 14, 2013

Your First Amendment right to express an opinion about Islam is under attack.

Not just from those who have no recourse but to call you an "Islamophobe."

But from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)-and our very own State Department.

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/radical-islam-how-it-threatens-free-speech

& Legislative Briefing!

The National Conference & Legislative Briefing will begin on Wed. evening, June 19th, and conclude on Friday, June 21st at noon, with additional optional training sessions Friday afternoon.

Go here:  

I spoke with someone recently regarding web sites/groups and subscriptions to information/news feeds.  This is a listing of many such which may be of use to folks.

The number of emails can get overwhelming at times, so check out the sites and see what suits your need. I recommend, though to be sure to subscribe to at least #1 Tea Party Patriots and #2 Americans for Prosperity.

Groups/web sites for keeping up on issues, events, etc.

1. Tea Party Patriots (National)    http://www.teapartypatriots.org
Dot's note ► From this site, you can get to state and local group sites. Basically, this is our "Home page" for information on the national level.  Great site to keep up with issues within the "realm" of the Tea Party's core values: Fiscal Responsibility, Free Markets and constitutionally limited Government. They have many citizen journalists who contribute. Also, information on events, etc.

From the site:
ABOUT TEA PARTY PATRIOTS
The Tea Party movement spontaneously formed in 2009 from the reaction of the American people to fiscally irresponsible actions of the federal government, misguided "stimulus" spending, bailouts and takeovers of private industry. Within the first few weeks of the movement, Tea Party Patriots formed to support the millions of Americans seeking to improve our great nation through renewed support for fiscal responsibility, constitutionally limited government, and free market economic policies.

Tea Party Patriots is a national grassroots organization that exists to serve and support the thousands of local organizations and millions of grassroots Patriots throughout our nation. We provide logistical, educational, networking and other support to thousands of community-based tea party groups around the country. Tea Party Patriots state and national coordinators serve your local grassroots groups, support you with the tools and technology you need to address your local issues, listen to your voices, gather your ideas, and together help shape the overall direction of our national movement. Working in a truly grassroots fashion, we have already changed the political landscape of America.
TEA PARTY PATRIOTS IS 100% GRASSROOTS, 100% OF THE TIME.
Tea Party Patriots is made up of, and funded by, millions of regular Americans just like you, who believe there is a better way forward for America. We are a non-profit 501(c)(4) organization that does not support any political party nor do we endorse candidates. If you support fiscal responsibility, constitutionally limited government, and free market economic policies, we encourage you to sign up for Tea Party Patriots today.

2. Americans for Prosperity (AFP)    http://americansforprosperity.org/
Dot's note ► Great organization, super info. they sponsor/organize many events in the area and DC. Jennifer Stefano is the PA State Director. You've most likely seen her on Fox News Channel.
From the web site: OUR MISSIONS
Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is committed to educating citizens about economic policy and mobilizing those citizens as advocates in the public policy process. AFP is an organization of grassroots leaders who engage citizens in the name of limited government and free markets on the local, state, and federal levels. AFP grassroots activists advocate for public policies that champion the principles of entrepreneurship and fiscal and regulatory restraint. To that end, AFP supports:
    Cutting taxes and government spending in order to halt the encroachment of government in the economic lives of citizens by fighting proposed tax increases and pointing out evidence of waste, fraud, and abuse.
    Removing unnecessary barriers to entrepreneurship and opportunity by sparking citizen involvement early in the regulatory process in order to reduce red tape.
    Restoring fairness to our judicial system.
WHO WE ARE
The heart and soul of AFP is our citizen activists. They organize events, write letters to the editor, and petition their lawmakers to uphold freedom and prosperity. Americans for Prosperity has more than 1,800,000 activists in all 50 states and 34 state chapters and affiliates. More than 90,000 Americans in all 50 states have made a financial contribution to AFP or our sister organization, AFP Foundation.
WHAT WE DO
AFP's network of organized and influential citizen leaders in a growing number of states throughout the country is working to change the nation one state at a time.
    AFP mobilizes citizens to effectively make their voices heard in public policy issue campaigns.
    AFP educates citizens about where their elected officials stand on our issues.
    AFP combines "best-in-class" capabilities built once at the national level with local knowledge from our state staff and on-the-ground grassroots to create economies of scale that win.
    AFP leverages our comparative advantages with those of other groups by building coalitions of local, state, and national grassroots organizations fighting for a common cause.

3. Freedom Connecter    http://connect.freedomworks.org/
Dot's note ► A great site to connect with others. Register, then browse for folks who are near your residence or elsewhere who share your views. I have connections in CA, NY, NC, AL, TX, MO and FL.

4. FreedomWorks for America (FWFA)     https://www.freedomworksforamerica.org/
From the web site:
FreedomWorks for America (FWFA) is focused on spearheading bottom-up grassroots campaigns on behalf of candidates who will promote economic freedom. Unlike other PACs and organizations, FreedomWorks for America will aggressively support candidates who will defend freedom, even in political primaries against establishment or incumbent Republicans. And instead of spending funds on traditional methods like TV and radio advertisements, our financial resources will primarily be spent mobilizing our over a million-strong volunteer base to promote candidates who are champions of freedom. We are the only group with the grassroots base and the campaign expertise to make a real impact on the ground in races across the country.
WHAT WE DO
FreedomWorks for America utilizes its over a million-strong grassroots volunteer base to elect candidates who fight for lower taxes, less government, and more freedom.
WHY WE DO IT
FreedomWorks for America believes individual liberty and the freedom to compete increases consumer choices and provides individuals with the greatest control over what they own and earn. FreedomWorks for America aims to elect real champions of freedom who will stand up for these principles in the face of Washington establishment pressure, and who will be standard bearers for the grassroots to rally behind.
HOW WE DO IT
FreedomWorks for America's aggressive, real-time campaigns activate a growing and permanent volunteer grassroots army to show up and demand that our elected officials stand up for freedom. Our decentralized approach means that we have the capability to directly impact elections across the country through citizen action on the local level.

5. Constitutional Organization of Liberty (COOL)    http://reclaimliberty.com/
Dot's note ► Great educational offerings. Sign up for email.
Ruth & I bumped into each other at one of these events:
From the web site:
    Liberty Breakfast
   The Liberty Breakfast is a new presentation format that allows participants to enjoy a casual meal with other like-minded individuals, and then engage in an interactive review and discussion of a specific topic related to the Constitution, the Founding Fathers or relevant historic documents.
    The Liberty Breakfast is held on a rotating basis across Pennsylvania, and topics and instructors may vary from location to location.  Participants are responsible for the cost of their meal.  (Duration: 2-3 HR)
A Project Of The Alexander Hamilton Institute For Constitutional Studies
Education is the critical service that COOL provides to participants in order to develop a more well rounded understanding of the documents critical to the founding of this nation.  Currently, COOL offers a variety of different fee-based courses and is constantly seeking out new material for presentation.
Mark Thomas, Chairman, P.O. Box 822, Lebanon, PA 17042
reclaimliberty@verizon.net
1-717-228-7524

6. The Blaze   http://www.theblaze.com/
Dot's note ► Glenn Beck's media corporation. This is news site. They send reporters out and get some good videos. Sign up for emails.
From the web site:
The Blaze is a news, information and opinion site brought to you by a dedicated team of writers, journalists & video producers.
Our goal is to post, report and analyze stories of interest on a wide range of topics from politics and culture to faith and family.
Email: contact@theblaze.com

7. PJTV  http://www.pjtv.com/
Dot's note ► Some really good interviews
From the web site:
About PJTV
    PJTV launched at the 2008 Republican National Convention, where it was the first online news organization accorded a full television booth along with the old media networks.
    Since then it has evolved into the premier center-right online news and commentary television network, broadcasting over the Internet from its headquarters in Los Angeles, CA. PJTV studios are also located in Washington, DC, New York City, Knoxville, TN & Denver, CO.
    Besides covering the political and economic issues of the day, PJTV has been covering the Tea Party movement from its inception. PJTV viewers have found a new voice in the media via opinion commentators like Glenn Reynolds, Bill Whittle, Tony Katz, Allen Barton, Joe Hicks, Andrew Klavan, Alfonzo Rachel, Al Sonja Schmidt, Stephen Kruiser, Scott Ott, Stephen Green and others.  PJTV is under the direction of PJ Media CEO Roger L. Simon.

8. The Heritage Foundation   http://www.heritage.org/
Dot's note ► Great resource for information on and analysis of issues.
From the web site:
Founded in 1973, The Heritage Foundation is a research and educational institution-a think tank-whose mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense.

9. Glenn Beck   http://www.glennbeck.com/
Dot's note ► Audio of radio shows and commentary. Other programs require a paid subscription.

10. National Center for Policy Analysis   http://www.ncpa.org/
From the web site:
Daily Policy Digest - NCPA's Daily Policy Digest brings you the most wide-ranging public policy findings five times a week at no charge.
12770 Coit Road, Suite 800
Dallas, TX 75251-1339
1-972.386.6272

11. PoliticsPA   www.politicspa.com
From the web site:
Online political community features news briefs, editorials, and links to sites of interest to Pennsylvania voters.
900 19th Street NW, 8th Floor
Washington, DC 20006

12. PAIndependent   http://paindependent.com/
Dot's note ► great news of PA
From the web site:
Pennsylvania Independent is a public interest journalism project dedicated to promoting open, transparent, and accountable state government by reporting on the activities of agencies, bureaucracies, and politicians in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
225 State Street, Suite 300
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone 717.350.0963

13. 912 Patriots of Lower Bucks  http://patriotsoflowerbucks.com
Dot's note ► MUCHO information from multiple sources!
From the web site:
Your Daily Updates ALL in ONE Place
PO Box 2122
Warminster, PA 18974
215-274-5415

14. Rasmussen Reports    http://www.rasmussenreports.com/
Dot's note ► also commentary regarding what's in the news.
From the web site:
"If it's in the News, it's in our Polls. Public opinion polling since 2003". 625 Cookman Avenue
Asbury Park, NJ 07712

15. Town Hall    http://townhall.com/                http://townhall.com/columnists/
Dot's note ► you'll recognize many of these conservative columnists. Sign up for Town Hall daily and you get, again, MUCHO commentary.
From the web site:
Townhall is the top source for conservative news, political cartoons, breaking news, election news and commentary on politics and the media culture.
Townhall Spotlight
1901 N. Moore St - Suite 701
Arlington, VA 22209

16. Tea Party Nation    http://www.teapartynation.com/
Dot's note ►  Great discussions on numerous issues.
From the web site:
A HOME FOR CONSERVATIVES!!!
Tea Party Nation is a user-driven group of like-minded people who desire our God-given individual freedoms written out by the Founding Fathers. We believe in Limited Government, Free Speech, the 2nd Amendment, our Military, Secure Borders and our Country.
Judson Phillips

17. Daily Caller    http://dailycaller.com/    http://dailycaller.com/wp-login.php?action=register
Dot's note ► Several editions including: The DC Morning and The DC Links.
From the web site:
Daily Caller is a news and opinion website based in Washington, D.C., United States, with a focus on politics, original reporting and breaking news, founded by journalist and political pundit Tucker Carlson and politician Neil Patel.

18. Cowboybyte    http://cowboybyte.com/
Dot's note ► Cowboybyte has a BITE to it as well. Most entries link to original information/articles. I really like it!
From the web site:
Ronald Reagan... John Wayne... Charlton Heston... These men were rugged individualists, conservatives, and patriotic Americans - the very qualities that make up a true Cowboy. CowboyByte.com is dedicated to bringing the cowboy out in all of us. 
While the mainstream media is lying to you and covering up the truth, CowboyByte.com will inspire and inform you. At CowboyByte.com, you'll be the first to know about any threats to our Constitutional right to bear arms. We'll tell you about the effects of bills introduced and passed regarding our air, water, and food supply. You have the right to know how your government is affecting you and our family. That's why CowboyByte.com will be there to tell you what is really going on behind the scenes.

19. Conservative Daily    http://conservative-daily.com/
Dot's note ► Good articles and links. A big part is their "action alerts". They also charge for sending faxes to Congress.
From the web site:
Conservatives Daily Alerts

20. Conservative Daily News - (different than the one above)    www.conservativedailynews.com/
From the web site:
"News for the People, By the People" - CITIZEN JOURNALISTS.
Rich Mitchell - Managing Editor
Conservative Daily News
PO Box 42
Bahama,
North Carolina 27503

21. Freedom Outpost    http://freedomoutpost.com/
Dot's note ► Good variety of articles and videos.

22. Atlas Shrugs http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/
Dot's note ► Pamela Geller pulls no punches on this site. Some somewhat incendiary articles. Pam was a speaker in DC at the Independence Hall Tea Party Association Independence Day event.

The group who was having a statewide tour selling the Agenda 21 "Smart Towns" concept...
http://www.strongtowns.org/

On our side of the Agenda 21 issue..
John Anthony - Sustainable FREEDOM Lab, L.L.C.
http://sustainablefreedomlab.org/

For ACTION in Pennsylvania....
Americans for Prosperity - Pennsylvania
http://americansforprosperity.org/pennsylvania/

The Pennsylvania version of the Drudge Report...

http://keystonereport.com/

Go around the Main Stream Media...
https://twitter.com/

--

Barbara Dahdah-Anderson

Managing Director 

Ignite, Inc.

267-291-4337

www.IgniteURCareer.biz

"God Bless America "

"Entrepreneurs and their small enterprises are responsible for almost all economic growth in the United States."

Federal Workers Made to Chant: 'The Pilgrims Were Illegal Aliens'

By Joe Schoffstall | February 15, 2013

Judicial Watch has released videos showing the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) holding required "Cultural Sensitivity Training" sessions created by diversity awareness trainer Samuel Betances - at a cost to taxpayers of $200,000.

 

Judicial Watch reports: 

"The sensitivity training sessions, described as 'a huge expense' by diversity awareness trainer and self-described 'citizen of the world' Samuel Betances, were held on USDA premises. The diversity event is apparently part of what USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack described in a memo sent to all agency employees as a 'new era of Civil Rights' and 'a broader effort towards cultural transformation at USDA.'

"In 2011 and 2012, the USDA paid Betances and his firm nearly $200,000 for their part in the "cultural transformation' program."

Within the videos, Betances has the audience repeat after him in a brainwashing fashion. Among the chants repeated are:

• "Thank you, black folks,"
• "The pilgrims were illegal aliens" and
• "The pilgrims never gave their passport to the Indians."

In another clip, Betances states he doesn't like the word "minorities" and prefers "emerging majorities."  

The obvious question is: why is the USDA holding "Cultural Sensitivity Training" sessions on "cultural transformation?"

See video here . . . 

George Washington's Example on Religious Liberty

RedState Morning Briefing

For February 19, 2013

1.  The Ted Cruz Roadblock

The media has started attacking Ted Cruz so much Mike Allen is whining about it in hilarious fashion.

Ruth Marcus started it on the morning of Valentine's Day.

Jonathan Weisman did a story the next day on Cruz.

Between Marcus and Weisman came an overnight Manu Raju piece in the Politico that caused Mike Allen's tantrum.

What reporters should be noting is (A) the herd mentality of the media - the Washington Post, Politico, and New York Times all seized on the same story within 24 hours with Ruth Marcus kicking it off as an editorial; and (B) much of the focus on Cruz comes from within Senate Republican ranks.

The second point no doubt led to the first point and leads to a bigger question - why are Senate Republicans attacking Ted Cruz?

2.  Colorado Democrat: Women Don't Need Guns If They 'Feel Like They're Going To Be Raped' 

Chill, women, says Colorado Democrat Rep. Joe Salazar. While arguing for the disarmament of college students, Salazar says that even if women feel like they're going to be raped, they may not, so who needs a firearm for protection?  . . . please click here for the rest of the post →

3.  Kasich Administration Presents a False Choice on Medicaid Expansion

Governor John Kasich has falsely insisted that if Ohio does not expand Medicaid eligibility, federal Medicaid expansion funds for Ohio will be sent to other states. With some Ohio legislators hesitant to worsen America's $16.5 trillion national debt, the Kasich administration has inaccurately claimed that rejecting Medicaid expansion would not prevent federal spending.

Contrary to February 14 Ohio House of Representatives testimony from the Republican governor's staff and previous statements from Kasich himself, Ohio's refusal to expand Medicaid eligibility as called for in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) would have no impact on other states' PPACA Medicaid expansion funding. . . . please click here for the rest of the post → 

4.  How To Win in Virginia in 2013

As the eyes of the nation turn to key state races in 2013 - New Jersey and Virginia - the issues of fiscal responsibility and economic growth will be a yardstick for how voters measure candidates. This year, Virginia will play a critical role in the ongoing national discussion of how we reverse the massive growth of the federal government and begin to solve the problem of out-of-control government spending.

One thing is certain: we need strong, principled, innovative new leaders not only in Washington, but also in our state capitals-leaders who will attack fiscal problems head-on by reforming faulty tax codes and broken spending mechanisms, not just nibble around the edges. We need leaders who will take the fight directly to the political establishment and disrupt the ruling class which has failed our country so badly.

In 2012, American Majority Action and Ending Spending - non-partisan advocacy groups dedicated to reducing excessive government spending and waste, and restoring responsible spending practices in government - went to great lengths to support Governor Scott Walker and Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch in Wisconsin. As we said during the Wisconsin recall elections, "courage" was on the ballot. . . . please click here for the rest of the post → 

5.  Mobilization: How to Put the Roots Back Into Grassroots Activism

Have you ever wondered why the Right is seemingly 20 years behind the Left in terms of activism?

Very simply, it is because the Left's playbooks were, in fact, written decades ago and the Left has had years to practice, adjust, and adapt their tactics.

When speaking to individuals and groups about activism and I reference how the Right is 20 years behind, I am being literal. Here's why:

Heritage Hotsheet

Experts on the Day's Hottest News

Items for February 19, 2013 

How to Stop Innovation in Higher Ed
  SeeThruEd.com   

Study New E15 gas can ruin auto engines
  Washington Examiner  

US Economy Unexpectedly Contracts in Fourth Quarter
  Wall Street Journal  

National School Choice Week Artur Davis School Choice Is About Basic Principles 

February 19, 2013   

Today's Articles:

How the Left Dupes Conservative Voters
J. R. Dunn
As far as electoral politics in the United States is concerned, the progressive political machine has figured out how to manipulate conservatives in order to get the political results that they desire. They will continue to do so as long as they are allowed to get away with it. More

Total Destruction of the U.S.: An Interview with Larry Grathwohl
Daren Jonescu
This may sound like science fiction, but it's a true story...and we have a man from the inside who knows all about it. More

Dr. Ben Carson and the Responsible Self
Christopher Chantrill
It's not that the 47 percent couldn't wake up from the sleep of ages and take responsibility for their lives. It's just that liberals think they shouldn't have to More

Without Serious Spending Cuts, the Conservative Base Will Walk Away
Jon N. Hall
Conservatives, libertarians, and Tea Partiers should not be disappointed with Speaker Boehner. The lachrymose leader of the House may well be a master strategist. More

Getting Gored: Michael Mann's Apocalyptic Prophecies and Al Jazeera's Green Jihad
Mark Musser
What's the real agenda when a news network funded by Middle Eastern oil barons buys a green zealot's TV station? There's definitely something "green" about it. More

Obama at Ramallah
Shoshana Bryen
Are unhappy Palestinians going to be pleased with U.S. support for their dictator on behalf of Israel? Will they be encouraged to support Hamas and its rejection of both the U.S. and the Jewish State? More

Global Warming Believers March in D.C.
Norman Rogers
On, February 17th, a very chilly and windy Sunday afternoon, the big guns of global warming activism gathered with their true believer followers in a park adjacent to the Washington Monument. More

American Thinker Blog

Liberals, Get Over It: Police Heroes. Dorner Scum!
February 19, 2013
Am I saying that police brutality does not exist? Absolutely not. I am saying that I reject the lie that white cops relish opportunities to abuse and kill blacks. More

Why are we making it so easy for illegal aliens to get food stamps?
February 19, 2013
This is not about poverty or hunger. More

The Obama Bankruptcy Curse Strikes Again!
February 18, 2013
When Obama visits or supports a business, the plaque should read "Because of Barack Obama the business you didn't build will soon be out of business." More

Hezb'allah fighters killed in clash with Syrian rebels
February 18, 2013
Iran ups the ante in Syria. More

Rubio raises $100,000 selling water bottles
February 18, 2013
Making a virtue out of the media's insanity More

Gas prices soaring
February 18, 2013
Not a bug - a feature. More

McCain charges 'massive cover-up' on Benghazi
February 18, 2013
Senator John McCain yesterday escalated his rhetoric on the Obama administration stonewalling over Benghazi, and said a lot of important things. Then, in the manner that has maddened conservatives over the years.... More

Should South Carolina voters give Mark Sanford a second chance?
February 18, 2013
How to judge if a politician's infidelity is a game breaker. More

President Obama has set in motion forces that he can't handle
February 18, 2013
We are heading for a chaotic and violent period in this country the likes of which no one alive today has ever witnessed. More

SCOTUS to hear challenge to Voting Rights Act
February 18, 2013
Has the Act outlived its usefulness? More

Greens march on Washington to oppose pipeline
February 18, 2013
"Windmills, not oil spills!" More

Chavez returns to Venezuela in the dead of night
February 18, 2013
Immediately whisked away to a military hospital. More

Russia Meteor Compilation and explosion Meteorito Russia Compilation

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February 15, 2013

Belgistan? Sharia Showdown Looms in Brussels

Suzanna Hupp's Powerful Testimony on the Importance of the Right to Keep and Bear Arms - 02/12/2013

Mark Levin on Obama's SOTU Address: A Castro-Like Speech in English

Muslim Brotherhood Expose'

21 Signs That U.S. Public Schools Have Become Training Centers For Sexual Deviancy

Comprehensive Immigration Reform is Not a Solution

Lawmakers Introduce Parental Notification Bill on Abortion

The Truth About Hamas' Smuggling Tunnels

Massacres, Gun Control Studies and Social Change

Internet Sales Tax Myths and Facts

According to Cal Thomas, well-known nationally syndicated columnist, Dr. Ben Carson owes President Obama an apology.

Carson spoke at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC this past week - a bi-partisan annual event held since 1953, attended by members of Congress and usually the President.

President and Mrs. Obama were present this year and Thomas feels that Dr. Carson was out of line for including in his remarks comments about areas considered public policy - our national debt, our tax system, our publics schools, and health care.

According to Thomas: "Our politics have become so polarized and corrupted that a president of the United States cannot even attend an event devoted to drawing people closer to God and bridge partisan and cultural divides without being lectured about his policies."

Dr. Carson is an African American physician, Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital, who rose out of poverty in a ghetto in Detroit. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Bush in 2008 and is a role model for every American of every background.

I'm also proud that he serves on the national advisory board of my organization, CURE.

Although Carson did mention these various aspects of how we manage - or mismanage - our national affairs, he never once referred to the president or associated his comments on these issues with any political party.

To the extent to which President Obama might have taken Dr. Carson's remarks as personal criticism, it would only be in the sense of "If the shoe fits, wear it."

To the contrary, Dr. Carson began his remarks with citations from Proverbs and Chronicles, and tied the issues he spoke about to his broader theme about the moral crisis of our nation today. He talked about the moral decay of ancient Rome and how "they destroyed themselves from within."

And he then expressed optimism about Americans being able to solve our problems because "we are smart" and that "we have some of the most intellectually gifted people leading our nation."

No, if President Obama was offended by Dr. Carson's penetrating remarks, it is because the president had to be the one losing perspective of the moral tone of the event and Dr. Carson's observations.

What seems to offend Cal Thomas is that Dr. Carson has not fallen victim to the Washington disease that Thomas himself seems to have contracted as result of too many years in our nation's capital.

Read more: 

Why Is Mexico Asking the U.S. Senate for a Registry of U.S. Gun Owners?

 

Mexican lawmakers will ask the U.S. Senate to create a registry of all commercialized firearms in border states, which includes California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Mexico says it will make it easier to trace guns used in violent attacks.

 

The measure was reportedly approved on January 9 by Mexico's Permanent Commission, a government entity that meets when Mexico's Senate and the Chamber of Deputies is in recess. Gun owners in Arizona are calling the proposal "foolish" and an "invasion of privacy."

Monday Brief

Overcoming Adversity

The Foundation

"The value of liberty was thus enhanced in our estimation by the difficulty of its attainment, and the worth of characters appreciated by the trial of adversity." --George Washington

Inspiration

13-year-old Anna with daughter Josey Ann

"I received an amazing email from Anna, who gave me permission to post her story and her name. ... 'When I was little I was molested for eight years by my stepfather. ... I got pregnant the first time when I was 12. I was scared and told him. He hit me and then loaded me up on drugs, telling my mom that I had been injured while out playing with some other kids. He killed my baby. ... When I was 13, I became pregnant again. This time I did not say anything to him. My mom noticed that my body was changing, even though I was only about two months along at the time, and asked me about it. ... I finally got the courage and told her everything. She immediately packed up my brother, sister, and I and took us to our Aunt's house. From there she called the police. ... In the end, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for molesting not only me but my sister. ... I was told by therapists, friends, teachers, family, and even strangers, that it would probably be best if I had an abortion; but I couldn't. ... It was harder than I have words to describe. But there are some things in life that are worth fighting for, and she was one of them. ... I decided to name her Josey Ann, after a character in a book I had read. On Friday, July 28, 1995, roughly six weeks before my due date, I went into labor. ... Words cannot express the joy I felt when we got to bring her home the day before I started the 7th grade. ... My mom was amazing, she watched my daughter so that I could finish school. I did graduate and was my class historian. I met a wonderful man who loves both me and my daughter, and we now have four children. ... It wasn't until I was 26 that I truly found a relationship with Jesus Christ. A wonderful neighbor of ours showed me how much Jesus loves me. Because He loves us, He gave us free will. My stepfather abused that gift when he abused me. But like Romans 8:28 says, God used something horrible to bring me one of the greatest blessings in my life. ... To anyone who is where I was, please hold on. You can make it, and your child will bring you more joy than you can imagine. It will be hard, but it is worth it.'" --LifeNews' Jill Stanek 

When hate crimes aren't hate crimes: In Obama's America some comrades are more equal than others

Feb 18, 2013 05:13 am | Coach Collins

By Derrick Hollenbeck, staff writer

In Barack Obama's Department of Justice, "hate crimes" where the perpetrator is Black are ignored and those where Whites or Hispanics stand accused are rocketed through the federal courts.

Of course this is not a novel observation, but a recent case coming out of Compton, California in which an Hispanic gang committed an "interracial hate crime" underlines the ridiculous disparity in how "hate crimes" are handled by the DoJ.

Last Friday two members of a street gang calling itself the "NKs" which stands for N%%^#$ Killers were indicted for chasing an African-American juvenile through the streets for the "crime" of living in "their territory." This took place on December 31, 2012. They "yelled racial slurs, demanded the youth and his friends move away and broke a window. There is no more to these "charges."

Describing this dastardly crime, an FBI agent (doubtlessly speaking in somber tones) said, "No one should ... Continue Reading:When hate crimes aren't hate crimes: In Obama's America some comrades are more equal than others

comments | read more

• West Coast Retreat 

Appreciating Bobby Jindal  Posted: 18 Feb 2013 11:58 AM PST (Paul Mirengoff) Recently, Republicans have exhibited a fascination with the "flavor of the month" in presidential politics. Flavors have included Marco Rubio, Chris Christie, Herman Cain, and now Dr. Benjamin Carson. The tendency towards such infatuation is understandable, especially given the Party's tendency to nominate stale candidates like Robert Dole, John McCain, and (many would say) Mitt Romney. Unfortunately, though, a few speeches and appearances on conservative talk shows provide a dramatically insufficient basis for judging a person's suitability for the presidency. We need to see a potential presidential candidate circle the track at least once before making such judgments. In Chris Christie's first full trip around the track, he over-indulged in a show of bipartisanship with President Obama on the eve of the presidential election, to the detriment of his own party's candidate. In Marco Rubio's first full trip around the track, he may prove to be the vehicle through which liberal Democrats (e.g., Chuck Schumer) and unreliable Republicans (e.g., McCain and Lindsey Graham) push through immigration reform that provides a path to citizenship for 10 million or more illegal immigrants. Would conservatives have swooned for Rubio with such unanimity in 2009 if he had advocated such legislation then? I doubt. Bobby Jindal was once a flavor of the month Republican. But now that he's circling the track the second time, we're in a better position to assess his leadership skills, his potential electoral appeal, and his conservative bona fides. As to the latter, there's much to like in Jindal's record. As this report in Politico observes, after a fairly cautious first term, Jindal (having been reelected overwhelmingly) has pushed an aggressive conservative agenda: His education reform plans last year, which drastically expanded the state's voucher system and reformed the teacher tenure process, established Jindal as a national leader on the issue. This year, Jindal made news with his rejection of the Medicaid expansion in the national health care law. And in perhaps his boldest proposal yet, Jindal announced he wants to eliminate the state income tax. The details of the plan, which will be taken up by the Louisiana Legislature this spring, haven't been announced yet. Viewing Jindal's overall record, Phil Musser, former executive director of the Republican Governors Association, concludes that "by any objective measure, Gov. Jindal has set the standard for policy accomplishments from the perspective of a forward-thinking conservative." I agree. Politico speculates that Jindal is pushing this agenda in anticipation of a presidential bid in 2016. Certainly, that's a possibility. But Politico fails to provide any evidence (other than its own view that Jindal should accept the Medicaid expansion) to support the notion that Jindal's actions are not in line with his beliefs. Right now, for what it's worth, Rubio and Rand Paul are the most widely mentioned prospective Republican presidential candidates for 2016. Right now, for what it's worth, I think I prefer Jindal.

Arab Spring, Libya Edition  Posted: 18 Feb 2013 11:00 AM PST (John Hinderaker) In Benghazi, four alleged Christian missionaries-from the U.S., Egypt, South Korea and South Africa-have been arrested for distributing extracts from the Bible, and may face the death penalty: Four foreigners have been arrested in Libya on suspicion of being missionaries and distributing Christian literature, a charge that could carry the death penalty. The four - a Swedish-American, Egyptian, South African and South Korean - were arrested in Benghazi by Preventive Security, an intelligence unit of the defence ministry, accused of printing and distributing bible pamphlets in the city. ... "Proselytising is forbidden in Libya. We are a 100% Muslim country and this kind of action affects our national security," security official Hussein Bin Hmeid told Reuters. Human rights activists in Libya aren't quite what we are used to here: Benghazi lawyer and human rights activist Bilal Bettamer said Libya was a wholly Muslim country and Christians should not be trying to spread their faith. "It is disrespectful. If we had Christianity we could have dialogue, but you can't just spread Christianity," he said. "The maximum penalty is the death penalty. It's a dangerous thing to do." I like that Orwellian formulation: if we had Christianity we could have dialogue, but we don't have Christianity, so... The anti-proselytizing law dates to the Gaddafi era, but the current enforcement agency dates from the Islamic uprising: Preventive Security is a unit created from several rebel formations during the 2011 uprising, although until now it has had a low profile, and this is Libya's first known arrest on proselytising charges since Libya's Arab spring revolution. There are a handful of Christian churches in Libya, but they are tolerated only as long as they restrict their services to foreigners: Tripoli's Anglican Church of Christ the King held its normal Sunday service on Sundaywith the priest, Reverend Vasihar Baskaran, saying that, as during the Gaddafi era, the authorities placed no restrictions on worshippers. But he said the five Christian churches in Tripoli have a tacit agreement with the authorities not to proselytise. "We don't distribute literature, so we don't have any problems," he told the Guardian. "It is better not to indulge in these activities because we respect Libyans. We respect their religion." The Anglican church, present in Tripoli for more than 200 years, has no Libyans in the congregation, and Revd Vasihar said he had yet to meet a Libyan Christian. Not exactly a profile in courage. Whither Libya? "On Sunday, Libya's de facto head of state, speaker of congress Mohammed Magariaf, pledged that Libya would incorporate sharia law into its future constitution, during a speech in Benghazi to mark the second anniversary of the 2011 revolution." I suppose that means that in the future, Libya won't be so tolerant of religions other than Islam.   Images courtesy of Shutterstock.

The Weekly Winston: Chuck Hagel as Thomas Inskip  Posted: 18 Feb 2013 10:34 AM PST (Steven Hayward) The woeful Hagel nomination brings back memories of the 1936 appointment of the "entirely unsuited" (Richard Langworth's phrase) Sir Thomas Inskip to be the Minister for the Coordination of Defense in the British government-a post that everyone thought Churchill should fill. William Manchester pointed out that "a search of The Times files reveals that his only notable public effort had been a successful campaign to suppress revisions of the Anglican prayer book. . . Fleet Street and Parliament were incredulous." Churchill's friend Prof. Eric Lindemann called Inskip's appointment "the most cynical thing that has been done since Caligula appointed his horse consul." Harold MacMillan said that Inskip lacked "the slightest glimmer of that ruthless determination, by which alone such an office could have been made effective at such a time." The appointment occurred shortly after Hitler began remilitarizing the Rhineland. It would seem Obama has found in Hagel his own version of Inskip to help him deliver peace in our time. Similar to Hagel, the design of the Inskip appointment seemed to be intended to degrade and delay defense preparations while pretending to do the opposite. There's been lots of commentary about how Obama chose the Inskipian Hagel because he wants GOP fingerprints on a contraction of the defense budget and an American withdrawal from the world stage. Churchill's public comments about Inskip were slightly muted at the time for various reasons, but included this analysis, which, adapted slightly to our context, applies fairly well to what Obama is up to with Hagel: He [Inskip] has an office so absurdly constructed that the very conditions of his commission reveal a confusion of mind and a lack of comprehension in those who have defined it. He has allowed himself to become the innocent victim of responsibilities so strangely, so inharmoniously, so perversely grouped, endowed with powers so crabbed and restricted, that no one, not even Napoleon himself, would be able to discharge them with satisfaction.

Bartender: Give Me a Fracking Martini!  Posted: 18 Feb 2013 07:10 AM PST (Steven Hayward) That was my first reaction this morning to seeing the news that Colorado's Democratic Governor John Hickenlooper recently drank a glass of fracking fluid to demonstrate that it is safe. From the Washington Times account: Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper went to unusually great lengths to learn firsthand the strides the oil and gas industry has made to minimize environmental harm from fracking. The first-term Democrat and former Denver mayor told a Senate committee on Tuesday that he actually drank a glass of fracking fluid produced by oilfield services giant Halliburton. The fluid is made entirely "of ingredients sourced from the food industry," the company says, making it safe for Mr. Hickenlooper and others to imbibe. "You can drink it. We did drink it around the table, almost rituallike, in a funny way," he told the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. "It was a demonstration. ... they've invested millions of dollars in what is a benign fluid in every sense." B.T. Collins This story brought back some fond long-ago memories of the great B.T. Collins, one of the legends of the California political scene who died of a heart attack 20 years ago at the too-soon age of 52. B.T. had lost both legs and one arm in Vietnam, but that never slowed him down a bit. "Bold, profane, and utterly outrageous" was one characterization of him. What else could you say about someone who asked that he be remembered at his alma mater by having a urinal in the men's room dedicated to him? (See photo.) A conservative Republican who was a state legislator at the time his death, he nevertheless did a bizarre turn as Jerry Brown's chief of staff late in Brown's (first) second term in 1981. It was then that B.T. did perhaps his most remarkable deed. In 1981 California was compelled by the federal government (under threat of otherwise slapping a full quarantine on California's agricultural products) to begin an aggressive program of aerial spraying of malathion to kill off a Mediterranean fruit fly infestation. Environmentalists and paranoid fruit juice drinkers went bonkers of course, and mounted street protests and 24/7 panic-fests. That's when B.T. (everyone knew him by his initials) called a press conference and poured a glass of spray-strength malathion from a canister. And then drank the whole glass. The enviro panic campaign started to collapse at that moment. What no one ever knew was that about a half hour or so later B.T. threw up violently, as you might expect. No word yet on whether Governor Hickelooper is, um, passing gas in strange new ways from his fracking fluid cocktail. I have no doubt that if B.T. were with us today, he'd belly up to the bar and yell, "Bartender-give me a fracking martini!" Though he might not say "fracking." He'd say something else. By the way, isn't "Hickenlooper" a great name? I'm glad to see unusual names making a comeback in politics. One of my favorites from the early 1960s was the Republican senator Leverett Saltonstall. Sounds straight out of Trollope or something. UPDATE: Powerline reader Wayne Van Heuvelen of Urbandale, Iowa writes in to note: "Unusual names are indeed being recycled. In fact, Bourke Hickenlooper was the governor of Iowa in the 1940's and was an Iowa Senator from the 1940's to 1969. Given the unusual surname, I imagine the current governor of Colorado and the late Senator Hickenlooper are related." JOHN adds: I used to do quite a bit of work on behalf of manufacturers of agricultural chemicals, defending them against claims of phytotoxicity or nonperformance. In that capacity, I learned that it used to be rather common practice for ag chem salesmen to demonstrate the safety of their company's herbicide products by drinking them at meetings with groups of farmers. The practice was severely frowned on by the chemical companies, but the salesmen never seemed to come to any harm. However, note that I said herbicides. Plants aren't very much like people, so it is not surprising that drinking a liquid that is fatal to certain plants may not be toxic to humans. However, insects are quite a bit like humans, and I never heard of anyone trying to drink an insecticide, many of which are extremely toxic to humans (and some of which have even been used to commit murder on occasion). I think a person would be crazy to drink malathion or any other insecticide.

West Coast Retreat  Posted: 18 Feb 2013 05:06 AM PST (Scott Johnson) I'll be at the David Horowitz Freedom Center West Coast Retreat in Palos Verdes this weekend. They call it a retreat, but I think of it as group therapy. The retreat features an unbelievable lineup of speakers including Senators Jeff Sessions and Ron Johnson, Rep. Michele Bachmann, Victor Davis Hanson, Andy McCarthy, Bill Whittle, Bill Voegeli and Ben Stein, among others. The retreat kicks off with dinner on Friday and continues through early Sunday afternoon. I'll be speaking on a panel with David Horowitz and Ralph Reed addressing where we go from here. I would love to find a few friendly Power Line readers in the audience at the retreat. Please think about joining us if you can.

Tonight's Primetime Lineup on TheBlaze TV

• 5pm ET - The Glenn Beck Program: Author Amity Shlaes joins Glenn to discuss her new book about Calvin Coolidge.
• 6pm ET - Real News: Who is playing politics with immigration reform?
• 7pm ET - Wilkow!: Liberal Hypocrisy - Unions pushed for Obamacare and now they don't want it.
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