What’s news today?

Let’s start with the story that’s constantly changing.

From the NYPost

“The White House yesterday denied it edited talking points about the terrorist attack that killed the American ambassador to Libya — contradicting remarks made a day earlier by disgraced ex-CIA chief David Petraeus.

“The only edit that was made by the White House and also by the State Department was to change the word ‘consulate’ to the word ‘diplomatic facility,’ since the facility in Benghazi was not formally a consulate,” Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes told reporters aboard Air Force One.

“Other than that, we were guided by the points that were provided by the intelligence community. So I can’t speak to any other edits that may have been made.””

Somebody is lying.

And speaking of things the Obama admin seeks to hide…….

From the WashingtonTimes

“A House committee has launched an  investigation into whether EPA Administrator Lisa  Jackson used an email alias to try to hide correspondence from  open-government requests and her agency’s own internal watchdog — something that  Republican lawmakers said could run afoul of the law.

The science committee has asked Ms. Jackson to turn over all information  related to an email account under the name of “Richard Windsor,” which is one of  the aliases identified by a researcher looking into the EPA.

The committee has also asked the White House’s lawyer and EPA’s  inspector general to look into the matter and report back by the end of this  month, saying that the secret email accounts could have been used to keep key  information from official watchdogs as well as the public.”

Say it with me now, “The most transparent administration EVAH!”

Now to the Republicans. Already? Really?

From the DailyCaller

“As the Republican Party regroups after Mitt Romney’s defeat, the message  Saturday night at Iowa Republican Gov. Terry Branstad’s birthday fundraiser was “turn the page” and “look to the future” — and what that future apparently holds  is Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, the event’s featured speaker.”

“Even before they heard him speak on Saturday, Iowans were attracted to Rubio.  Branstad said the fundraiser generated more than $600,000, a total he said was  greater than he had raised before in any single event.”

I’ve always liked Rubio, but I can’t help but think this is just pandering for minority votes from the party bosses.

But he’ll need a running mate, preferably one with an established “ground game”. And maybe as an added bonus a re-unification of the party. That’d be good. Say, maybe Rand Paul? And what better way to start an effective “ground game” than this. Have his Dad help.

From TheHill

“Retiring Rep. Ron Paul plans to deliver speeches on college campuses next year and beyond, continuing his message of liberty and reducing the size of the federal government.

In an interview with The Hill, the Texas Republican clearly indicated that he isn’t ready for the rocking chair.

The 77-year-old physician-politician said, “I’m excited about spending more time on college campuses, not less. College campuses will still be on my agenda. That’s where the action is.”

He added, “The young people don’t like the debt they are inheriting, the violation of their civil liberties. They don’t like the war and it’s a fertile field.”

Hmmmmmm………. This could work.

Another Union is about to do something stupid.

From CBS

“Employees at Los Angeles International Airport were considering plans Friday to walk off the job ahead on what is traditionally the busiest traveling day of the year.

A coalition of Southland labor and community leaders are calling for the protest of alleged violations by LAX contractor Aviation Safeguards (AVSG) after breaking their contract with the airport earlier this year.

Andrew Gross-Gaitan, the director of the Southern California Airports Division of SEIU, told KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO that AVSG left more than 400 LAX workers without affordable family health care when it failed to comply with the city’s Living Wage Ordinance.”

And when you are aware of the consequences, but you do it anyway, well what other word but stupid applies?

From RedState

“With the demise of 18,000 jobs weighing on their shoulders (though certainly not their consciousness’) and just in time for the Sunday morning talk shows union bosses are now trying desperately to point fingers at the victim (and Mitt Romney) for the union’s strike that ultimately destroyed Hostess and its 18,000 jobs. This blame game is going on despite the fact that the bakers’ union knew that its strike could, ultimately, lead to the company’s closure.

Ranging from the AFL-CIO’s Big Daddy Rich Trumka to the bakers’ union bosses who pulled the trigger by calling the strike that killed Twinkie the Kid, unions are now in full spin mode to make America believe that it was the company and Wall Street–not the union that called the strike that caused the company to go out of business.”

And score another one for the good guys.

From LifeNews

“A federal court today stopped enforcement of the Obama administration’s abortion pill mandate against a Bible publisher which filed a lawsuit against it.

The mandate has generated massive opposition from pro-life groups because it forces employers, regardless of their religious or moral convictions, to provide insurance coverage for abortion-inducing drugs, sterilization, and contraception under threat of heavy penalties.

The Obama administration opposed the order, arguing that Tyndale House Publishers isn’t religious enough for an exemption from the mandate, a component of ObamaCare that forces employers, regardless of their religious or moral convictions, to provide insurance coverage for abortion-inducing drugs, sterilization, and contraception under threat of heavy penalties.”

“The court’s order is the third nationwide against the mandate and the second obtained by Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys.”

What’s news today?

First we go to Oklahoma, for a good display of patient centered healthcare.

And no, it ain’t nothing like ObamaCare. This will actually work.

“What Free-Market Healthcare Looks Like”

From Reason.com

But we get this nonsense instead.

From HotAir

“Embedded within the shadowy depths of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (sometimes, I like to use its official name just to re-appreciate the irony of “patient protection” and “affordable”) is a 2.3 percent excise tax on the sale of taxable medical devices by the manufacturer/importer — and it’s no small thing. Happening now:

Medical device executives will descend on Capitol Hill today to press members of Congress to address the 2.3% medical device tax before it takes effect in January. …

“Without action from Congress, implementation of the medical device tax will cost our economy thousands of high paying jobs,” MITA executive director Gail Rodriguez said in prepared remarks. “These job losses will directly impact patient access to the most advanced, life-saving medical technologies available.” …

The letter includes support from physician groups, venture capital firms and other organizations asking the Senate to repeal the 2.3% levy on medical device sales, which device makers will start paying in at the start of next year.”

More here from Politico

“Every day, America’s medical technology community gets up and goes to work,  focused on improving the lives of patients throughout the world. Whether  manufacturing pacemakers, CT scanners or catheters, our passion for innovation  and ingenuity is why this proud American industry continues to lead the world in  these challenging times.

Unfortunately, in fewer than 60 days, a new medical device tax will hit this  innovative industry, and it threatens patient care and U.S. jobs.”

“This onerous policy — which is expected to cost more than $30  billion — is already having a real-world, everyday impact on our health care  system and our economy. Even though it doesn’t take effect until Jan. 1, medical  technology companies are already announcing job cuts and canceling plans to  build plants to pay for the tax. Others are trimming budgets in important areas  like research and development.

Put simply, this is a tax on innovation, and it is going to hurt American  workers and patients most. Congress can and should repeal it immediately.”

Throw in a Primary Care Doctor shortage as well?

From Yahoo

“The United States will require at least 52,000 more family doctors in the year 2025 to keep up with the growing and increasingly older U.S. population, a new study found.

The predictions also reflect the passage of the Affordable Care Act — a change that will expand health insurance coverage to an additional 38 million Americans.

“The health care consumer that values the relationship with a personal physician, particularly in areas already struggling with access to primary care physicians should be aware of potential access challenges that they may face in the future if the production of primary care physicians does not increase,” said Dr. Andrew Bazemore, director of the Robert Graham Center for Policy Studies in Primary Care and co-author of the study published Monday in the Annals of Family Medicine.

Stephen Petterson, senior health policy researcher at the Robert Graham Center, said the government should take steps — and quickly — to address the problem before it gets out of hand.”

Even Obama supporters are forced to deal with this monstrosity, and yet they still supported him.

From Breitbart

“Stryker Corporation has announced that it will close its facility in Orchard Park, New York, eliminating 96 jobs next month. It will also counter the medical device tax in Obamacare by eliminating 5% of their global workforce, an estimated 1,170 positions.

Jon Stryker is heir to the Stryker Corporation, one of the largest medical device and equipment manufacturers in the world. Stryker’s grandfather was the surgeon who invented the mobile hospital bed. The company now sells $8.3 billion worth of hospital beds, artificial joints, medical cameras, and medical software every year.

Stryker, a member of the Forbes 400 list, was one of the top five donors to the Obama campaign. Having donated $2 million to the Priorities USA Action super PAC, Stryker also gave $66,000 in contributions to Obama and the Democrat Party.”

More layoffs at Stimulus-backed solar companies. Shocking huh?

From Heritage.org

“A pair of foreign-owned solar companies that benefited from a combined $84 million in Energy Department tax credits have announced they will lay off employees.

One of the companies, German-owned SolarWorld, was integral in the fight for tariffs against the importation of Chinese photovoltaic solar panels. The other, Chinese company SunTech, blamed those tariffs for its own layoffs.”

“SolarWorld received a credit worth $82 million, while SunTech’s was worth $2.1 million.”

A reason for Patraeus to resign that I hadn’t heard before.

From TheWeek

“When he admitted having an extramarital affair with Paula Broadwell, CIA Director David Petraeus, as a senior civilian in the presidential chain of command should something go catastrophically wrong in Washington, violated special behavior codes for officials who might one day be forced to execute nuclear strikes.

In classified presidential emergency action documents, the CIA director is among the dozens, if not hundreds, of officials who are listed as National Command Authority successors in the event that higher-ranking officials are no longer able to do their jobs.

Because under certain circumstances he’d have ready access to the nuclear satchel, Petraeus was indoctrinated into the Personnel Reliability Program, which evaluates and monitors the lifestyle and behavior of Americans with access to nuclear command and control mechanisms. Adultery is not a minor sin under the PRP rules.”

The Campaign continues. Now you know what the meeting with Obama was about.

From CNN

“Several major labor unions are banding together to launch an ad campaign next week urging members of Congress to raise tax rates on the wealthiest Americans and to protect entitlement programs from major cuts as a solution to the looming fiscal cliff, a source with knowledge of the effort told CNN Friday.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the Service Employees International Union and the National Education Association are banding together for this campaign, which will be launched next week.”

“The effort will include a “six figure” buy of television ads, as well as ads online, the source told CNN.”

I love the smell of bailouts in the morning.

I told you about this one at the FHA already.

From TheLATimes

“The Federal Housing Administration, which has played a crucial role in stabilizing the housing market, said it ended September with $16.3 billion in projected losses — a possible prelude to a taxpayer bailout.

The precarious financial situation could force the FHA, which has been self-funded through mortgage insurance premiums since it was created during the Great Depression, to tap the U.S. Treasury to stay afloat.”

And now it looks like we may have another.

From the AP

“The federal agency that insures pensions for more than 40 million Americans last year ran the widest deficit in its 38-year history.

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. said Friday that its deficit grew to $34 billion for the budget year that ended Sept. 30. That compares with a $26 billion shortfall in the previous year.

Pension obligations grew by $12 billion to $119 billion last year. Assets used to cover those obligations increased by only $4 billion to $85 billion.

The agency has now run deficits for 10 straight years. The gap has grown wider in recent years because the weak economy has triggered more corporate bankruptcies and failed pension plans.

If the trend continues, the agency could struggle to pay benefits without an infusion of taxpayer funds.”

🙄

What’s news today?

The hits to their story just keep on coming.

From CBS

“CBS News has obtained the CIA talking points given to U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice on Sept. 15 regarding the fatal attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, four days earlier. CBS News correspondent Margaret Brennan says the talking points, which were also given to members of the House intelligence committee, make no reference to terrorism being a likely factor in the assault, which left U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans dead.

Rice, who was considered a likely nominee to replace Hillary Clinton as secretary of state, has been attacked by Republican lawmakers for saying on “Face the Nation” (video) on Sept. 16 that all indications were the attack “began spontaneously” – suggesting it likely sprang from a protest against an anti-Muslim video found on the Internet. Protests of that nature had been seen in other Muslim nations in the days and weeks before the Benghazi attack.”

Budgets? BUDGETS! We don’t need no stinkin’ budgets!

From TheHill

“Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) confirmed Thursday that she will seek the chairmanship of the Senate Budget Committee next year but told The Hill that she cannot commit to doing a budget. This opens up the possibility that Senate Democrats will avoiding passing a budget resolution for the fourth year in a row.”

“Sessions said. “It is very distressing to me that Sen. Reid has, for political reasons, not allowed Senate Democrats to be on record for anything.”

“They don’t need a single Republican vote to pass a budget,” he said.

Unlike most bills, the budget resolution cannot be filibustered on the floor and it takes only 51 votes to pass. Democrats will control 55 seats next year.”

GOP leaders are backing Allen West’s calls for a recount. Shocking right?

From TheWashingtonTimes

“State and national Republican Party officials are getting behind Rep. Allen B.  West’s call for a recount of all early votes in St. Lucie County, Fla., saying it would be “unconscionable” not to answer lingering questions about the  results, which show the outspoken GOP lawmaker trailing Democratic challenger Patrick Murphy.”

“The congressman has gone to court to ask for the full recount, and his case  is slated for a hearing on Friday.

“The supervisor of elections owes it to the people that elected her to count  all of their votes that were cast early in the 2012 election cycle,” Florida  Republican Party Chairman Lenny Curry  said in a statement Thursday. “She has already admitted there was a problem with  the counting process and announced she would count all the votes. It makes no  sense to arbitrarily cut off the counting process before it was finished.”

Jobless claims spiked last week. Also not shocking.

Bloomberg blames Hurricane Sandy.

“More Americans than forecast submitted claims for unemployment insurance and factory production declined in the northeastern U.S. after superstorm Sandy struck the region.

Applications for jobless benefits surged by 78,000 to 439,000 in the week ended Nov. 10, the most since April 2011, the Labor Department said today in Washington. Indexes of manufacturing in the New York and Philadelphia areas showed contractions this month.

The reports add to evidence of the economic toll taken by Sandy, which killed more than 100 people in the U.S., disrupted rail and subway service, left more than 8 million homes and businesses without power for days and caused insured losses estimated at $20 billion. Many of those who lost their jobs were unable to immediately file claims because of the disruption caused by the storm, swelling the numbers last week.”

OK, sounds reasonable. Except this says it was PA. and Ohio that caused the spike.

From Breitbart

“From the Department of Labor press release this morning: In the week ending November 10, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 439,000, an increase of 78,000 from the previous week’s revised figure of 361,000. The 4-week moving average was 383,750, an increase of 11,750 from the previous week’s revised average of 372,000.

Some of the new claims, especially in New Jersey, were due to Hurricane Sandy–but these were offset by a decline in claims filed in New York. The highest numbers of new filings came from Pennsylvania and Ohio, where there were thousands of layoffs in the construction, manufacturing, and automobile industries.

Both states had been targeted by the presidential campaigns. President Obama highlighted his record of job creation in Ohio in particular, focusing on the automobile industry. The state reported 6,450 new jobless claims in the week after the election–second-highest after Pennsylvania, which recorded 7,766 new claims.”

Here we go again. Move over Fannie and Freddie, we’ve got a new housing bailout coming.

From ZeroHedge

“A very important article came out from the Wall Street Journal yesterday titled “FHA Nears Need for Taxpayer Funds,” and it outlines the serious financial problems facing the Federal Housing Administration.  For those that are unaware or need a refresher, the FHA has been the key element to the phony “housing recovery” the government has been trying to create.  In the wake of the collapse of 2008, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac blew up and what was left to pick up the pieces was the FHA.  No private player would issue loans with down payments of 3%, but this was no problem for the FHA!

Interestingly enough, a lot of the subprime borrowers that blew up the housing market the last time became the primary customers of the FHA.  Let’s see, 3% down and subprime borrowers…what could possibly go wrong?!  From the WSJ:

The Federal Housing Administration is expected to report this week it could exhaust its reserves because of rising mortgage delinquencies, according to people familiar with the agency’s finances, a development that could result in the agency needing to draw on taxpayer funding for the first time in its 78-year history.

Together with Fannie and Freddie, federal agencies are backing nearly nine in 10 new mortgages.”

Housing market recovery? No.

Insanely doing more of what got us here? Yes.

So what exactly is fitting punishment for an employee who walks off the job, in a planned protest, on your biggest day of the year?

From ClickOrlando.com

“A group of Wal-Mart workers are planning to stage a walkout next week on Black Friday, arguably the biggest holiday shopping day for the world’s largest retail store.

The walkout builds on an October strike that started at a Wal-Mart in Los Angeles and spread to stores in 12 other cities. More than 100 workers joined in the October actions.”

I’d want to fire every single one, but I’m a great big meany, so…..

😡