Vice President Joe Biden said Thursday that he would not recommend taking any commercial flight or riding in a subway car “at this point” because swine flu virus can spread “in confined places.” A little more than one hour later, Biden rushed out a statement backing off.
“I would tell members of my family – and I have – I wouldn’t go anywhere in confined places now,” Biden said on NBC’s “Today” show.. “It’s not that it’s going to Mexico. It’s [that] you’re in a confined aircraft. When one person sneezes, it goes all the way through the aircraft. That’s me. …
“So, from my perspective, what it relates to is mitigation. If you’re out in the middle of a field when someone sneezes, that’s one thing. If you’re in a closed aircraft or closed container or closed car or closed classroom, it’s a different thing.”
That contradicted more restrained advice from President Barack Obama and the federal government - and the last thing the White House wants to do right now is shut down the airline industry and big city subways out of mass panic.
The White House quickly arranged for Biden to make this statement through a spokesperson.
“On the Today Show this morning the Vice President was asked what he would tell a family member who was considering air travel to Mexico this week. The advice he is giving family members is the same advice the Administration is giving to all Americans: that they should avoid unnecessary air travel to and from Mexico. If they are sick, they should avoid airplanes and other confined public spaces, such as subways. This is the advice the Vice President has given family members who are traveling by commercial airline this week. As the President said just last night, every American should take the same steps you would take to prevent any other flu: keep your hands washed; cover your mouth when you cough; stay home from work if you're sick; and keep your children home from school if they're sick.”
Host Matt Lauer had asked the vice president: “This is by no means a ‘gotcha’ type of question. … But if a member of your family came to you … and said, ‘Look, I want to go on a commercial airliner to Mexico, and back within the next week,’ would you think it’s a good idea?” Biden made it unmistakably clear he would not want his family make any trips on planes or subways.
(Way to go Joe, keep on talking, completely bring down the airline industry with one statement! VN8)
Longtime GOP Sen. Specter Intends to Switch Political Parties Republican voters had sent Arlen Specter to the Senate five times, but faced with the prospect of a strong challenge from conservative Pat Toomey in the GOP primary and the state trending Democratic, Specter jumped ship.
Veteran GOP Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania intends to announce Tuesday he will switch political parties and run in the Democratic primary in 2010.
Republican voters had sent him to the Senate five times. But faced with the prospect of a strong challenge from conservative Pat Toomey in the GOP primary and the state trending Democratic, Specter jumped ship.
"I deeply regret that I will be disappointing many friends and supporters," Specter said in prepared remarks to be delivered at a news conference on Tuesday.
"I can understand their disappointment," he continued. "I am also disappointed that so many in the party I have worked for for more than four decades do not want me to be their candidate. It is very painful on both sides."
The switch puts Democrats within one vote of a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate. Democrats currently hold 56 seats in the Senate, and two independents typically vote with the party. Republicans have 41 seats, and there is one vacancy.
Specter was facing a tough primary challenge from Pat Toomey, head of the conservative Club for Growth, who almost defeated Specter in a 2004 GOP primary.
Specter said he is acting now because he needs to prepare for the state primary that is less than 13 months away.
"Upon request, I will return campaign contributions contributed during this cycle," he said in the prepared remarks.
Despite the change in political stripes, Specter vowed to remain an independent voice in the Senate.
"My change in party affiliation does not mean that I will be a party-line voter any more for the Democrats that I have been for the Republicans," he said in the statement.
"Whatever my party affiliation, I will continue to be guided by President Kennedy's statement that sometimes party asks too much," he continued. "When it does, I will continue my independent voting and follow my conscience on what I think is best for Pennsylvania and America."
Specter was under heavy fire from conservatives for his support of President Obama's $787 stimulus bill earlier this year. Specter helped negotiate a compromise that was approved by Congress with the support of only three Republicans.
After Obama was notified of Specter's decision Tuesday morning during his economic daily briefing ,Obama reached out to Specter and said "you have my full support" and that Democrats are "thrilled to have you," a senior administration official told FOX News.
Political experts in Pennsylvania note that Specter has alienated the Republican base over the years with his support for abortion rights and gay rights, and other more hard-core conservative issues. His approval ratings among Republicans hovered dangerously in the 30s, according to a handful of polls conducted this year.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., praised Specter's decision and noted that he has always been willing to work in a bipartisan manner.
"I welcome Sen. Specter and his moderate voice to our diverse caucus, and to continuing our open and honest debate about the best way to make life better for the American people," he said in a statement.
Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., said Tuesday that he was notified of Specter's decision that morning and that he got the impression that "a great party left him, not the other way around."
He added that he is not surprised by the decision and expects Specter to remain as independent as ever.
(This is no loss to Conservatives. Good riddance Senator Specter! Yeah, I said it, you are entitled to my opinion. VN8)
The Obama administration has declared a public health emergency as a result of the increasing number of Swine Flu cases being reported around the country and the danger that the virus could become a pandemic.
Meanwhile, the Democrats are blaming Republicans. And the president went golfing.
For those of us who are somewhat rational and take reality seriously, we might ask how in the name of all that is good and holy can the Democrats blame Republicans?
Because no Republicans voted for the president's stimulus bill which, as Don Surber of the Daily Mail blog explains, contained $900 million for flu preparedness:
Actually, Republicans voted against the entire spending bill, which was 874.44 times as large as that single appropriation.
If we follow this silly Democratic talking point, then for every dollar spent on fighting swine flu will cost taxpayers $874.44 using Nichols example.
What is more, Republicans were right. An emergency appropriation could be made after the fact - as we do every disaster be it hurricanes, tornadoes or blizzards. Is he saying by not appropriating money for these certain disasters that Democrats favor hurricanes, tornadoes and blizzards?
Nichols is just mouthing the White House words.
Indeed. This tactic is being used to cover up the gross negligence of the White House in naming people to posts who are desperately needed to deal with this crisis.
On Monday morning, one of the 747s used to ferry around the U.S. president was dispatched to the Statue of Liberty, escorted by a fighter jet. Assignment: Get some fresh glamor shots of the plane.
The Air Force said the flight needed to remain confidential. So while New York police knew about it, as did at least one person in the mayor's office, regular New Yorkers remained in the dark.
As a result, to onlookers Monday all across downtown Manhattan -- where the World Trade Center once stood -- the photo shoot looked like a terrorist attack. People watched in horror as a massive aircraft, trailed closely by an F-16 fighter jet, banked and roared low near the city, in a frightening echo of the events of Sept. 11, 2001.
Fearing the worst, thousands of people streamed out of the skyscrapers and into the streets. Some buildings ordered evacuations. "Oh God, it was mayhem in here, just mayhem," says Rubin Shimon, manager of Styling Haircutters, a barbershop near Ground Zero. Many people took shelter in the shop to call loved ones on their cellphones.
It was all over in a half-hour or so. Then the finger-pointing began. "I'm annoyed -- furious is a better word -- that I wasn't told," said New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg at a news conference. He'd been scheduled to talk about a swine-flu outbreak at a Queens school, but also sounded off at the federal government for its "badly conceived" flyover plan.
He chastised his own office for its role in keeping the flyover secret. On Thursday night, city officials say, a junior mayoral aide had been alerted to the flyover by the Federal Aviation Administration, which requested that it be kept secret. Someone in City Hall alerted the New York Police Department, but no public announcement was made.
Marc Mugnos was reprimanded for not apprising the mayor, and a disciplinary letter was placed in his file, a spokesman said. Mr. Mugnos couldn't be reached for comment.
A low-flying airplane escorted by military jets sent worried workers fleeing offices in the New York City area. The FAA said it was a "photo op" conducted by a unit of the Air Force.
The email sent to City Hall describes a "flying photo op" -- government-speak for a publicity photo -- to include two or possibly three passes over the area. The email, sent by an FAA official and reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, lists flight patterns and specifies a photo-op altitude of 1,000 to 1,500 feet.
The email specifies that the information "only be shared with persons with a need to know" and "shall not be released to the public." It also says that, "Due to the possibility of public concern regarding [Department of Defense] aircraft flying at low levels, coordination with Federal, State and Local law enforcement agencies...has been accomplished."
The email's author, James J. Johnston, of FAA air traffic, declined to comment.
An Obama administration official said the mission was "classified" by the military and that the FAA, which controls much of the airspace over Manhattan, did what the military asked. "The mission was to send [the aircraft] up to get a picture of it flying around the Statue of Liberty," this person said. "They said they needed to update their photo files." President Obama wasn't aboard. More
The New York photo shoot wasn't the only one planned. The White House had scheduled a follow-up session on May 5 or May 6 in Washington, D.C., according to two government officials. The D.C. flyover has now been canceled, a government official said.
Louis Caldera, a former Secretary of the Army who runs the White House Military Office, took the blame. "While federal authorities took the proper steps to notify state and local authorities in New York and New Jersey, it's clear that the mission created confusion and disruption," he said. "I apologize and take responsibility for any distress that flight caused."
Mr. Caldera met Monday afternoon with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and Deputy Chief of Staff Jim Messina "to hear the president's displeasure," an official said.
It was a beautiful spring day in the Big Apple -- perfect for picture taking. The aircraft, painted in White House livery, was trailed by one F-16 fighter jet. The aircraft had flown from Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, across New Jersey, down the Hudson River and then circled the Statue of Liberty before heading off.
For many who witnessed the maneuver, it stirred dark memories. Andrew Wybolt, who works for Barclays PLC in a skyscraper that borders the Hudson, said people rushed for the windows when they heard the planes. "They just started sprinting and freaking out," he said. [Louis Caldera photo in 2006] Associated Press
Louis Caldera, pictured in 2006, took blame for the flight.
Thousands of workers from Merrill Lynch, American Express and other companies in the buildings that ring the former World Trade Center site hustled for the exits. Many stood outside their offices, nervously looking up into the sky, while hundreds of others walked north, along the West Side Highway, as thousands of people had done the morning of Sept. 11, 2001.
"To do something like this to all these people who have already been through 9-11 is just wrong," said Greg Forman, a broker at the New York Mercantile Exchange, which is located in a building along the Hudson river, across the street from the World Trade Center site.
One block north, construction workers on the 43-story Goldman Sachs Group Inc. tower said they had a close-up view of the low-flying plane. "I saw that thing coming and ran down the stairs," said Eddie Navedo, who was clearing construction debris on the 23rd floor of the new building when he spotted the plane flying low over the river, then banking sharply to the west. "Everybody was saying, it's a terrorist attack."
Not everyone lost his cool. Mr. Shimon, the manager of the barbershop where people fled on Monday, was present for the attacks in 2001, and in fact at that time worked in a shop even closer to the World Trade Center than his current one. He watched the towers fall that day.
So did the events of Monday scare him? "To tell you the truth, not really," Mr. Shimon said. "I didn't think it was such a big deal. I'm a New Yorker." —Jonathan Weisman, Alex Frangos and Michael Corkery contributed to this article.
This is the Obama administration at work. Hmmm, I'm thinking a warning might have prevented this terror from occurring! How ignorant could they be? Where were the people in the administration on September 11, 2001? Yeah, I said it, you are entitled to my opinion! VN8
President Obama’s speech at the National Academy of Sciences Monday morning hit a brief snag when Obama got ahead of his script.
Laying his plan for a President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, Obama began to name the members of PCAST listed in his prepared remarks – before realizing he’d already introduced them, earlier in his speech.
“In addition to John – sorry, the – I just noticed I jumped the gun here,” Obama said, pausing for several seconds as he looked at the prompter. “Go ahead. Move it up. I had already introduced all you guys.”
The audience, which gave the president a warm reception, responded with a quiet laugh.
WASHINGTON — DEVELOPING: David Kellermann, the acting chief financial officer of Freddie Mac, was found dead at his home Wednesday morning in what broadcast reports said was an apparent suicide.
WUSA-TV and WTOP Radio reported that David Kellermann was found dead in his Northern Virginia home. The 41-year-old Kellermann has been Freddie Mac's chief financial officer since September.
Sabrina Ruck, a Fairfax County police spokesman, confirmed to The Associated Press that Kellermann was dead, but she could not confirm that he committed suicide.
Kellermann's death is the latest blow to Freddie Mac, a government controlled company that owns or guarantees about 13 million home loans. CEO David Moffett resigned last month.
McLean, Va.-based Freddie Mac and sibling company Fannie Mae, which together own or back more than half of the home mortgages in the country, have been hobbled by skyrocketing loan defaults and have received about $60 billion in combined federal aid.
Kellermann was named acting chief financial officer in September 2008, after the resignation of Anthony "Buddy" Piszel, who stepped down after the September 2008 government takeover.
The chief financial officer is responsible for the company's financial controls, financial reporting and oversight of the company's budget and financial planning.
(What do you think? Supposedly people typically do not committ suicide in the home when their families are present. His wife and five year old child were in the home and his wife found his body. Very curious. VN8)
Miss North Carolina Kristen Dalton was crowned Miss USA on Sunday, but the big story to come out of the normally politics-free telecast was Miss California's comments regarding gay marriage.
When asked by judge Perez Hilton, an openly gay gossip blogger, whether she believed in gay marriage, Miss California, Carrie Prejean, said "We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite. And you know what, I think in my country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there, but that's how I was raised."
Keith Lewis, who runs the Miss California competition, tells FOXNews.com that he was "saddened" by Prejean's statement.
"As co-director of the Miss California USA, I am personally saddened and hurt that Miss California believes marriage rights belong only to a man and a woman," said Lewis in a statement. "I believe all religions should be able to ordain what unions they see fit. I do not believe our government should be able to discriminate against anyone and religious beliefs have no politics in the Miss California family."
This is the judge Perez Hilton on his own website. How vulgar could he have been? You have to see this. He doesn't have any more respect for her opinion than he is accusing her of! Perez Hilton gets my "Imbecile" award.
Check out the video from his website: http://perezhilton.com/t
(I have never really understood the fascination with beauty pageants. Differences make the world go around and if we all liked the same things, it would be a dull world, but what confuses me even more and maybe someone can fill me in, what is the fascination with gay men and beauty pageants? I have gay friends that I dearly love, I'm no different than Meghan McCain with her "open mind" and remember I'm one of those right wing, bible clinging, gun toting extremists. I'm actually a member of the Log Cabin Republicans, I believe the Republican party is big enough for everybody! If anyone believes in less government and more freedom, sign them up, but I'm digressing! The issue for me is why would they ask what they knew would be a very divisive question? Did they know well in advance that she was a Christian and knew what her answer would be? I personally think he's a media whore, yeah, I said it, you are entitled to my opinion!)
I've seen George Jones three times. He is Country Music! If you don't like George Jones, you really don't like real country music! They wouldn't let him sing the song in it's entirety on the CMA Awards and Alan Jackson didn't sing what he was suppose to, he stopped his band and sang Choices. He was interviewed later and explained if George had been killed in the car crash they would be honoring him. By denying him to sing the song in it's entirety they showed no respect! Rock on George!
This is the official re-cap video of the Atlanta Tea Party, April 15th, 2009. For more information about this and future Tea Parties go to www.atlantateaparty.net
(Less Tax, More Freedom, Less Tax, More Freedom! VN8)
On April 15th 2009, approx 20,000+ citizens gathered in downtown Atlanta to express our dissatisfaction with our Congress and President. This "Tea Party" was just one of hundreds across our nation that brought hundreds of thousands of concerned citizens into activism.
The sleeping giant has been awoken! Visit Free Republic.com and join us in protecting our freedoms, defending our Constitution, and defeating socialism!
John went to USC to witness and ask questions about Katie Couric getting the Walter Cronkite journalism award for her interview of Sarah Palin. He intended to also give away copies of his film but was literally prevented from doing so. He did not go there hoping for or expecting any sort of confrontation, especially with law enforcement. He was simply shocked and horrified by what happened there, as should every freedom loving American. He did absolutely nothing wrong and was handcuffed, detained and literally abused by law enforcement at the event. The video speaks for itself, John will have plenty to say about this very disturbing episode.
This video was shot and edited by Orange County Films. John Ziegler was not involved the the production or editing of this video in any way.
(Wow, talk about documenting your abuse for your court case! I'll keep you posted on this ridiculous event! Praying for John Ziegler! VN8)
Just an FYI, MSM is now starting the rumor mill that the "Tea Party" movement is being subsidized by someone or some group that has something against the current administration. Nothing could be further from the truth! (Sounds like liberals are scared that they may have awakened a sleeping Giant.) This has been a grassroots effort by Americans who think we have been "TAXED ENOUGH ALREADY"! Join the revolution, join the Tea Party Patriots while we still have a chance to save this great Nation! The Nation that our founding Fathers established so that you and I could experience, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, to experience representation for our taxation, to experience freedom of Religion and be personally responsible.
The Portuguese water dog will be arriving at the White House within days! I understand from sources that "BO" has received a "bailout" from POTUS! The story circulating is that he was living with someone else for the past six months and they couldn't keep him. Hmmmm, sounds pretty suspect since the dog was apparently a "gift" from Senator Ted "Chapaquiddick" Kennedy.
No matter where he's been or where he's going as soon as I saw the photo I couldn't get this catch little tune out of my head, tell me if you remember this song.
The ink is black, the page is white Together we learn to read and write A child is black, a child is white The whole world looks upon the sight, a beautiful sight
I wish "BO" tremendous success! Maybe it will take a little pressure off of TOTUS! VN8
Professional golfers prepare everyday of their lives for this day! The azaleas were in bloom and the sun was shining bright and the wind was blowing around 10 mph.
Angel Cabrera has won the 2009 Master's Golf Tournament in a playoff! It was a nail biter!
Ángel Miguel Cabrera (pronounced /ˈɑnhɛl kəˈbrɛrə/ in English[1]) (born September 12, 1969) is an Argentine professional golfer who plays mainly on the European Tour. Known affectionately as "El Pato" Cabrera (The duck), he is the 2007 U.S. Open champion and won the 2009 Masters in the second hole of sudden-death playoff. First Argentine champion at Augusta National since 1968.
The idea for Augusta National was first thought by Bobby Jones, who had the desire to build a golf course after his retirement from the game. He sought advice from Clifford Roberts, who later became the Chairman of the club, and they both came across a piece of land in Augusta, Georgia. Jones said of the property:
"Perfect! And to think this ground has been lying here all these years waiting for someone to come along and lay a golf course upon it."
Jones hired Alister MacKenzie to design the course, which began in 1931. The course formally opened in 1933. Tragically, MacKenzie died before the first Masters Tournament began.
From 1934 to 2008 there were only three years that the Master's Golf Tournament was not played. 1943, 1944 and 1945 due the World War II. To assist the war effort, cattle and turkeys were raised on the Augusta National grounds.
Tradition
In addition to a cash award, the winner of the tournament is presented with a distinctive green jacket, awarded since 1949, and highly coveted among professional golfers. The green sport coat is actually the official attire worn by members of Augusta National while on the club grounds; each Masters winner becomes an honorary member of the club. Winners keep their jacket for the first year after their first victory, then return it to the club to wear whenever they visit.
What hot dogs are to baseball, the Pimento Cheese sandwich is to the Masters’ at Augusta. There are eight types of sandwiches sold at the Master’s but the Pimento Cheese is the one to get. Although the exact recipe is a secret akin to the secret formula for Coke, it’s made of pimento cheese and smeared on white bread. It's simple, it's inexpensive and it's tradition.
The Master's Golf Tournament is not without controversy.
Augusta National Golf Club has about 300 members at any given time. Fees are reported to range between $250,000 and $500,000.[citation needed] Membership is strictly by invitation; there is no application process.
After much criticism of exclusive and discriminatory admissions, Augusta finally accepted a black member in 1990.
There are currently no female members of Augusta, although women are able to play the course as guests of a member. The club's lack of female membership received national attention in 2002 when Martha Burk, chairperson of the National Council of Women's Organizations, publicly challenged the club's stance.
(Much of the information in this blog was taken from Wikipedia)
Prayers have been answered on Easter Sunday! This is a brave man! Apparently he jumped ship a second time and the Navy was able to do their job!
The best thing about this hostage crisis is that three of the four SOB's that held this man hostage are deader than door nails and not a moment too soon!
Thank you to the United States Navy! Let the pirates know that we aren't going to put up with their shenanigans!
God Bless you Captain Phillips, you have been in my prayers! Hope you get a fabulous book deal! God Speed! VN8
Learn more about the "Tea Party Patriots", if you believe that "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing", check out this link, it just might suit your fancy.
As conservatives we have stood by and prayed and hoped that the worst would not happen, I believe that the time has come to take action. Let's take our Nation back for all those Patriots who have come and gone before us!
I'll be at a Tea Party on Wednesday, April 15th, how about you? VN8
OK, newsflash, Take Back the Land (check out their blog)and several other grassroots organizations are encouraging people take back their foreclosed property. I'm scratching my head over this one. Have you guys heard this story? Squatters are taking over foreclosures.
In the video the woman refers to her Mother who apparently "owned" the home, ok, I'm just saying, all those people were living with their, Mother, Grandmother, whatever, in that one house and they couldn't figure out how to keep "their" home out of foreclosure. Come on, give me a break, they were living off of a relative and can't figure out that they can't live somewhere for free? In the words of John Stossel, "Give me a break."
Foreclosure doesn't happen over night does it? The woman in the video goes on to say that having a home is a right, having a job is a right, having utilities is a right. (Oh and get this, after further research, since moving back into the house they have "internet service", ok, #1 who is paying for it? and #2, if they are internet savvy, Google, "how to keep your home from going into foreclosure".)
Before all of the compassionate, bleeding heart liberals come out of the wood work, I'm sorry this family is having a hard time, but my first thought when I saw all of those children was, hello, it's 2009, do they know about birth control. (I mean, do some internet research!) Do not expect me to feel sorry for you because you brought those poor little children into this world knowing that you probably would expect someone else to take care of them. I feel sorry for the children, but will they learn from this experience? Maybe, but realistically, probably not, that is the sad fact.
Oh and the kicker of this story, the woman in the video stated that the "home" is something to be cherished! If they cherished this home, doesn't it seem rational to think that they would have done anything to keep from losing it?
Here's more on this family:
MIAMI - When the woman who calls herself Queen Omega moved into a three-bedroom house here in December, she introduced herself to the neighbors, signed contracts for electricity and water and ordered an Internet connection.
What she did not tell anyone was that she had no legal right to be in the home.
When the last sane American leaves Miami, turn out the lights and bring the American flag. Realistically we started losing Miami in the 70's. VN8
Only 53% of American adults believe capitalism is better than socialism.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 20% disagree and say socialism is better. Twenty-seven percent (27%) are not sure which is better.
Adults under 30 are essentially evenly divided: 37% prefer capitalism, 33% socialism, and 30% are undecided. Thirty-somethings are a bit more supportive of the free-enterprise approach with 49% for capitalism and 26% for socialism. Adults over 40 strongly favor capitalism, and just 13% of those older Americans believe socialism is better.
Investors by a 5-to-1 margin choose capitalism. As for those who do not invest, 40% say capitalism is better while 25% prefer socialism.
There is a partisan gap as well. Republicans - by an 11-to-1 margin - favor capitalism. Democrats are much more closely divided: Just 39% say capitalism is better while 30% prefer socialism. As for those not affiliated with either major political party, 48% say capitalism is best, and 21% opt for socialism.
(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls.) Rasmussen Reports updates also available on Twitter.
The question posed by Rasmussen Reports did not define either capitalism or socialism
It is interesting to compare the new results to an earlier survey in which 70% of Americans prefer a free-market economy. The fact that a “free-market economy” attracts substantially more support than “capitalism” may suggest some skepticism about whether capitalism in the United States today relies on free markets.
Other survey data supports that notion. Rather than seeing large corporations as committed to free markets, two-out-of-three Americans believe that big government and big business often work together in ways that hurt consumers and investors.
Fifteen percent (15%) of Americans say they prefer a government-managed economy, similar to the 20% support for socialism. Just 14% believe the federal government would do a better job running auto companies, and even fewer believe government would do a better job running financial firms.
Most Americans today hold views that can generally be defined as populist while only seven percent (7%) share the elitist views of the Political Class.
The Nationwide Tea Party Coalition is group of organizations trying to facilitate and promote the Tax Day Tea Party events. It consists of American Solutions, Don't Go Movement, Smart Girl Politics (SGP), and Top Conservatives on Twitter (TCOT).
Starting Monday - PJTV will be hosting a daily (weekday) show of the Coalition - "countdown to tax day" until April 15th.
PJTV will be have a pre-coalition show at 6:30 Eastern and 3:30 Pacific covering other aspects of Tea Parties and the awakening of America.
I woke up this morning and this was the first music video I saw on TV, God I've always thought he was so sexy and his voice just the finest, I'm so glad I could find a video embed on this video! Do you think he knows I have a "thing" for cowboys? LOL
I still feel 25, most of the time. I still raise a little cain with the boys. Honky tonk and pretty woman. Lord I'm still right there with them. Singing above the crowd and the noise.
(Chorus) Sometimes I feel like Jesse James, Still trying to make a name. Knowing nothings gonna change what I am. I was a young troubadour, when I rode in on a song. and I'll be an old troubadour, when I'm gone.
Well, The truth about a mirror, It's that a damn old mirrow. Don't really tell the whole truth, It don't show what's deep inside. Oh read between the lines, it's really no reflection of my youth.
(Repeat Chorus)
I was a young troubadour, when I rode in on a song. and I'll be an old troubadour, when I'm gone. I'll be an old troubadour, when I'm gone.
on a Blog "Obama is Killing America". I think it's pretty insightful. Sometimes it helps to listen to someone who speaks from experience. VN8
Angelika Ilina said... I was born in Siberia in the former USSR. When I was 13 years old, my family moved to the U.S. That was in 1989. So I know what it's like to live in a socialist country.
Socialized medicine created a perfect black market: anyone who could afford to pay "under the table" did, just to get better care and faster service.
The government, forever inefficient, absolutely ignored basic supply and demand principles: people needed shoes, toothpaste, and underwear, which you couldn't find, but there was plenty of canned fish no one wanted to buy. So, the black market flourished here, too, with people being desperate for choices in goods.
We had a joke: "people are pretending to work and the government is pretending to pay". People had no incentives to perform well. The government kept printing money to pay for all of these under-performing workers. Until the whole thing collapsed. Then hyperinflation took over. People brought their paper money to banks in bags and threw it on the floor because it was worthless.
So, when I see what is happening to this country, I tell my friends that it scares the heck out of me to see the U.S. continuously moving in a socialist direction. And they laugh me off.
I don't understand how so many people can't think logically. This is simple stuff - you don't reward people and companies when they overspend and under-perform. You don't punish people and companies that don't overspend and under-perform by taxing them and taking away opportunities from them to gain market share from badly performing competitors who otherwise would be going out of business.
You don't take away incentives for companies to innovate, compete on price and service, and create more jobs.
Somehow when it comes to politics and economics, people tend to get so emotional and entirely illogical. Hence the ObamaMania.
And not many are screaming at the top of their lungs in opposition to the bailout, more government control, socialized medicine plans, more taxes, etc.
The Soviet Union was a perfect, real life example of where socialism can lead. I hope this never happens here. But people better wake up to what's going on and do something about it. The great thing about this country is that you can still speak up without being thrown into jail (or shipped off to Siberia).
"Don't think we're not keeping score, brother." That's what President Barack Obama said to Rep. Peter DeFazio in a closed-door meeting of the House Democratic Caucus last week, according to the Associated Press.
A few weeks ago, Mr. DeFazio voted against the administration's stimulus bill. The comment from Mr. Obama was a presidential rebuke and part of a new, hard-nosed push by the White House to pressure Congress to adopt the president's budget. He has mobilized outside groups and enlisted forces still in place from the Obama campaign.
Senior presidential adviser Valerie Jarrett and her chief of staff, Michael Strautmanis, are in regular contact with MoveOn.Org, Americans United for Change and other liberal interest groups. Deputy Chief of Staff Jim Messina has collaborated with Americans United for Change on strategy and even ad copy. Ms. Jarrett invited leaders of the liberal interest groups to a White House social event with the president and first lady to kick off the lobbying campaign.
Its targets were initially Republicans, as team Obama ran ads depicting the GOP as the "party of no." But now the fire is being trained on Democrats worried about runaway spending.
Americans United is going after Democrats who are skeptical of Mr. Obama's plans to double the national debt in five years and nearly triple it in 10. The White House is taking aim at lawmakers in 12 states, including Democratic Sens. Kent Conrad, Ben Nelson, Mary Landrieu, Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor. MoveOn.Org is running ads aimed at 10 moderate Senate and House Democrats. And robocalls are urging voters in key districts to pressure their congressman to get in line.
Team Obama is also ginning up the Democratic National Committee. A special group at the DNC has been created called "Organizing for America." It is headed by Mr. Obama's campaign manager, David Plouffe, and is lobbying for the administration's spending proposals.
Organizing for America's first effort has not been terribly effective. It emailed 13 million Obama election workers, recruited 1,200 neighborhood canvassers, and, after a couple of weeks and more email pleas to the Obama list, produced 642,000 signatures. Having less than 5% of your own activists sign a petition is unimpressive and perhaps evidence that adding $9.3 trillion to the deficit alarms even some of Mr. Obama's most fervent supporters.
Every White House is faced with finding ways to nudge Congress without antagonizing it. But this overt campaign could infuriate members who won't appreciate being targeted by a president of their own party. They could react by becoming recalcitrant. Should that happen, team Obama will have to recalculate its efforts, especially as the public sours on big spending plans.
In March, a Gallup Poll found that positive impressions of the Obama budget dropped five points. Only 39% now harbor supportive views of it. A CNN/Opinion Research Poll in mid-March found that support for the stimulus bill Mr. Obama signed into law shifted 11-points against the bill in five weeks, with 66% of Americans opposed to a second stimulus bill.
Support continues to decline for the proposition that a big boost in government spending will lead America to prosperity. A NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll early last month found that 61% of Americans were concerned that "the federal government will spend too much money" (up 12 points from December), and only 29% were concerned "it will spend too little money to try to boost the economy." About Karl Rove
Karl Rove served as Senior Advisor to President George W. Bush from 2000–2007 and Deputy Chief of Staff from 2004–2007. At the White House he oversaw the Offices of Strategic Initiatives, Political Affairs, Public Liaison, and Intergovernmental Affairs and was Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, coordinating the White House policy making process.
Before Karl became known as "The Architect" of President Bush's 2000 and 2004 campaigns, he was president of Karl Rove + Company, an Austin-based public affairs firm that worked for Republican candidates, nonpartisan causes, and nonprofit groups. His clients included over 75 Republican U.S. Senate, Congressional and gubernatorial candidates in 24 states, as well as the Moderate Party of Sweden.
Karl writes a weekly op-ed for The Wall Street Journal, is a Newsweek columnist and is now writing a book to be published by Simon & Schuster. Email the author at Karl@Rove.com or visit him on the web at Rove.com.
Or, you can send him a Tweet @karlrove.
This growing skepticism will not be assuaged by White House Budget Director Peter Orszag's bewildering response when asked by a reporter last week about increasing federal debt. He said, "I don't know what spiraling debt you're referring to."
Members of Congress should also worry about how Mr. Obama is "keeping score." He is steeped in the ways of Chicago politics and has not forgotten his training in the methods once used by Saul Alinsky, the radical Chicago community organizer.
Alinsky's 1971 book, "Rules for Radicals," is a favorite of the Obamas. Michele Obama quoted it at the Democratic Convention. One Alinsky tactic is to "Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it." That's what the White House did in targeting Rush Limbaugh, Rick Santelli and Jim Cramer. (The president's press secretary, Robert Gibbs, went so far as to lash all three from the White House press podium.) It may also explain Mr. Obama's comments to Mr. DeFazio.
After all, Alinsky's first rule of "power tactics" is "power is not only what you have but what the enemy thinks you have." Team Obama wants to remind its adversaries it has plenty of power, and it does. The question is whether the White House will wield it responsibly. The jury is still out, but certain clues are beginning to emerge. "Don't think we're not keeping score, brother," even if said with a wink and a smile, isn't quite the "new politics" we were told to expect.
Mr. Rove is the former senior adviser and deputy chief of staff to President George W. Bush.
The late Dr. Adrian Rogers (1931-2005) offered the following observation several years ago and it bears poignant significance today: You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the rich out of freedom. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything the government does not first take from somebody else. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend is about the end of any nation. You cannot multiply the wealth by dividing it."
This blog is dedicated to my Mama, she instilled in me the importance of FREEDOM and the love of Our Country! RIP Mama, our time together was far too short. 12/24/2009
