What’s news today folks?

I’d like to start with this. Say what you want about the man, (and I have) but you must admit, he’s always stuck to his beliefs. He was always a servant of the people, in his medical career and as a Representative. He’s been a strong voice for the pro-life movement, and a good servant of his constituents. He will be missed by many, and remembered by all. I tip my hat to the Gentleman from the great state of Texas.

Via CSPAN, The Ron Paul Farewell Speech

The President finally got around to a press conference with actual questions.

Here’s the transcript, via the NYTimes

“I hear you have some questions for me — (laughter) — but let — let me just make a few remarks at the top and then I’ll open it up.

First of all, I want to reiterate what I said on Friday. Right now our economy is still recovering from a very deep and damaging crisis, so our top priority has to be jobs and growth. We’ve got to build on the progress that we’ve made because this nation succeeds when we’ve got a growing, thriving middle class. And that’s the idea at the core of the plan that I talked about on the campaign trail over the last year — rewarding manufacturers and small businesses that create jobs here, not overseas; providing more Americans the chance to earn (sic) the skills that businesses are looking for right now; keeping this country at the forefront of research, technology and clean energy; putting people back to work rebuilding our roads, our bridges and our schools; and reducing our deficit in a balanced and responsible way.

Now, on this last item, we face a very clear deadline that requires us to make some big decisions on jobs, taxes and deficits by the end of the year. Both parties voted to set this deadline and I believe that both parties can work together to make these decisions in a balanced and responsible way.”

Well, some had actual questions. Others just wanted to kiss up.

From TheHill

“”Thank you, Mr. President,” Parsons said. “And congratulations, by the way.”

Obama then noted Parsons was there “when I was running for state Senate.”

“That’s right, I was,” Parsons replied, adding that she had “never seen you lose. I wasn’t there that one time.”

I wish I knew how to do a gagging smiley face.

Next up, we’ll hear from Mitt Romney, via the NYTimes/CaucusBlog

“Saying that he and his team still felt “troubled” by his loss to President Obama, Mitt Romney on Wednesday attributed his defeat in part to what he called big policy “gifts” that the president had bestowed on loyal Democratic constituencies, including young voters, African-Americans and Hispanics.

In a conference call with fund-raisers and donors to his campaign, Mr. Romney said Wednesday afternoon that the president had followed the “old playbook” of using targeted initiatives to woo specific interest groups  — “especially the African-American community, the Hispanic community and young people.”

“In each case, they were very generous in what they gave to those groups,” Mr. Romney said, contrasting Mr. Obama’s strategy to his own of “talking about big issues for the whole country: military strategy, foreign policy, a strong economy, creating jobs and so forth.””

This one? Well, this is just for fun.

Don’t sugar coat it Charles, tell us how you really feel.

Via Newsbusters With a Mild CONTENT WARNING!

“I mean, after all, what she said was absolutely and  completely misleading either inadvertently, in which case is complete  incompetence, or on purpose in which case it’s deception. And he basically he  took the bait on that and said, “Look, that wasn’t her speaking. That was me  speaking. If you want to pick on somebody, pick on me.”

Well how can anybody pick on him or even question him if  he hasn’t had a press conference in eight months? You know, he clearly hasn’t  been out there. He’s been hiding behind inquiries, behind investigations, and  now behind Susan Rice.

But now I think he’s out there, and he’s vulnerable on  this. I think he may regret having said that.”

Catholic Bishops are vowing to fight on against the HHS requirements.

From the StarTribune

“A top American bishop said Tuesday the Roman Catholic church will not comply with the Obama administration requirement that most employers provide health insurance covering birth control.

New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said church leaders are open to working toward a resolution with federal officials, but will meanwhile press ahead with challenges to the mandate in legislatures and in court.

“The only thing we’re certainly not prepared to do is give in. We’re not violating our consciences,” Dolan told reporters at a national bishops’ meeting. “I would say no door is closed except for the door to capitulation.””

And lastly, does this woman have a point? There does seem to be a tendency toward this.

From TheDailyBeast

“The more things change: one of the world’s most powerful men stepped out on his marriage, yet much of the public attention and opprobrium has focused on the far-less-powerful woman who was drawn to him, media critics and other observers charged Tuesday—with several comparing the coverage of CIA Director David Petraeus and Paula Broadwell to that of President Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky.”

“As with Lewinsky, much of the coverage of Broadwell has focused on her exchange with another women. Even an intelligence community source described emails Broadwell sent to Petraeus family friend Jill Kelley (who’s also the woman whom General Allen reportedly had “inappropriate communication” with over email) as “kind of cat-fight stuff.”

What’s news today?

Told ya, The Campaign continues.

And we can’t campaign without some good old fashioned, union organized, grassroots astroturf outrage! Coming soon to a city near you! And aimed at Republicans, of course.

From Google/AP

“Labor leaders said Tuesday that President Barack Obama remains committed to preserving tax cuts for middle class families and ensuring the wealthy pay more in taxes, outlining plans for a public campaign to pressure Republican lawmakers.”

“According to participants, White House aides said the president intends to hold campaign-style events across the country after Thanksgiving to drum up support for his proposed solution to the fiscal cliff. It would build upon more than 100 rallies organized by labor unions last week urging members of Congress to avoid cuts to entitlement programs.”

Speaking of unions……..

If you’re a Hostess fan, you better stock up quick, while supplies last.

From DallasNews

“Late Friday, the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union went on strike against Irving-based Hostess to protest cuts and give-backs in the company’s last, best, final contract offer. The contract, which was rejected by 92 percent of the union members who voted, called, in part, for 8 percent pay cuts, a company hiatus from contributions to a multi-employer pension plan and changes in work rules.

As of Monday, bakers had set up picket lines at about 23 of the 36 bakeries and production plants operated by the bankrupt snack maker. Hostess said the strike “has prevented the facilities from producing and delivering products.”

“Our customers will not be affected because we will continue to serve them from other Hostess Brands bakeries, but sadly this action will result in the permanent closure of three facilities and the loss of 627 jobs,” said Gregory Rayburn, Hostess Brands’ chief executive.

“We deeply regret this decision, but we have repeatedly explained that we will close facilities that are no longer able to produce and deliver products because of a work stoppage — and that we will close the entire company if widespread strikes cripple our business.””

😯

Gov. Perry is just no fun.

From CBSHouston

“Texas Gov. Rick Perry has one message for the tens of thousands of Texans calling for secession from the United States: The state will not secede.

More than 76,000 people have signed a petition on the “We the People” White House website for Texas to withdraw from the Union and start a new government after President Barack Obama was re-elected.”

Yesterday there was some talk on the rights of women in Muslim countries. Sadly, this is another setback for the rights of women in Eygpt.

Women’s Equality Article Removed From Egyptian Constitution

The deficit is up, way up.

From YahooNews/Reuters

“The budget deficit rose in October, the first month of fiscal year 2013, as looming negotiations over expiring tax cuts and imminent spending reductions dominated the post-election political landscape.

The Treasury said on Tuesday the October deficit was $120 billion, larger than economist forecasts for a $114 billion gap and up from $98 billion in October of 2011.

Growth in expenditures outpaced rising receipts, deepening the deficit. Outlays grew to $304 billion from around $262 billion in the same month last year while receipts rose to $184 billion from $163 billion.”

The market is down.

From TheWallStreetJournal

“U.S. stocks fell to a more than three-month low as concerns about the fiscal cliff and Greece’s debt woes outweighed optimism about Home Depot’s better-than-expected earnings report.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average added fell 58.90 points, or 0.5%, to 12756.18. The benchmark reversed intraday gains of as much as 83 points to finish at its lowest level since July 25.”

Welcome to the Revolution Evolution?

From Politico

“Welcome to the Rand Paul evolution”

“He’ll push to loosen marijuana penalties, legalize undocumented immigrants and pursue a less aggressive American foreign policy.”

“In the wake of Barack Obama’s reelection win and ahead of a possible 2016 White House bid of his own, the Kentucky Republican plans to mix his hard-line tea party conservatism with more moderate policies that could woo younger voters and minorities largely absent from the GOP coalition. It’s the latest tactic of the freshman senator to inject the Libertarian-minded views shared by his retiring father into mainstream Republican thinking as the party grapples with its future.”

Well, what do you think?

What’s news today?

Let’s start with this.

I had thought some of this would die down after Pres. Obama won re-election. It hasn’t, although the targets have changed from Romney, to anyone who disagrees with Obama’s policies. One need look no further than the treatment of the Papa John’s founder, his only crime being he can do math, and sees first hand the disaster Pres. Obama has layed on the already struggling economy. I won’t link it because it’s vile, but Twitchy has numerous examples. Left leaning Twitter users have gone from calling for riots and Romney’s death, to the same treatment of this man. Anyone successful is now the Enemy. The campaign rancor has shifted and there’s a coordinated reason for that. The same media is now being used for a new purpose.

From WhiteHouseDossier

“The White House is pulling a tactic out of its campaign playbook – and President Obama’s own community organizing past – using the organs of government to enlist average Americans to help Obama advocate for his priorities.

In an email sent to people who signed up to receive official updates from the White House, recipients are told to forward the message to their friends, asking them to help promote what is in effect White House propaganda. The White House email list, which government officials began compiling earlier in Obama’s term, is separate from the famed Obama campaign email list, but recipients are nonetheless being asked to engage in partisan political activity.”

“The email is part of a larger campaign by Obama to gin up support outside the Beltway for his position on cutting the deficit. According  to several news outlets, Obama will travel outside Washington trying to convince Americans to back him.”

The Campaign continues.

Some say it’s time for Pres. Obama to reward supporters. Jesse “Why yes, my son is a corrupt politician” Jackson said so.

From CBSChicago

““We voted early, we voted long. Our votes won,” he said.

Rev. Jackson, who spoke longer, louder, and more forcefully than he has in some time at the Saturday morning Rainbow/PUSH meeting, asked the crowd, “What do we want? We want, we want, we want, we deserve, we deserve … a return on our investment.

“What’s good for us is good for everybody. What’s good for blacks is good for everybody.,” he said. “We bled too much, we died too young, we cried too much, we prayed too long, now we want a return on our investment.””

The White House seems to have obliged?

From InverstorsBusinessDaily

“President Obama intends to close “persistent gaps” between whites and minorities  in everything from credit scores and homeownership to test scores and graduation  rates.”

“Under this broad interpretation of civil-rights law, virtually any  organization can be held liable for race bias if it maintains a policy that  negatively impacts one racial group more than another — even if it has no racist  motive and applies the policy evenly across all groups.

Equal Outcomes

This means that even race-neutral rules for mortgage underwriting and  consumer credit scoring potentially can be deemed racist if prosecutors can  produce statistics showing they tend to result in adverse outcomes for blacks or  Latinos.”

So it’s Franny/Freddie loans for all, regardless whether you qualify or not, all over again. But in all financial areas affected by your credit score? Or we sue your racist butts.

Sure, why not? What could possibly go wrong?

Setting people up for failure financially, because of their skin color, isn’t exactly what I’d call a reward.

Other supportive groups will meet with the President Wednesday to discuss their demands.

From Politico

“•Mary Kay Henry, SEIU •Lee Saunders, AFSCME •Dennis Van Roekel, NEA •Rich Trumka, AFL-CIO •Neera Tanden, Center for American Progress •John Podesta, Center for American Progress •Bob Greenstein, Center for Budget and Policy Priorities •Laura Burton Capps, Common Purpose Project •Max Richtman, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare •Justin Ruben, MoveOn •Deepak Bhargava, Center for Community Change

This list hits many of the major unions and liberal organizations that are urging the president to hold firm on his commitment to end tax cuts for wealthier families and to protect major entitlement programs.”

And the Teacher’s Unions want their reward too. And I’m sure they’ll get it.

From HotAir

“It is easy to forget that teachers’ unions are private entities, with income, expenditures and bottom lines that ultimately determine their health and effectiveness. Their revenues, however, are almost the entirely the result of the dues payments of public employees. If unions increase dues, the onus is on the  members. It is much better for them to increase the public education workforce, thereby bringing in new revenue and easing the burden on the existing rank-and-file.

It will be a high priority for the teachers’ unions to put a stop to layoffs and reignite the hiring binge that gave them the power they enjoy today. Teachers’ unions experienced decades of non-stop growth, and the recent economic downturn put them in an internal budget situation they were not used to dealing with. Whatever the effects of the November 2012 election on education policy, the larger issue is whether education policy will play second fiddle to the internal imperatives of the teachers’ unions – more members and less red ink.”

Here’s an interesting turn in the Benghazi incident.

Here’s a good summary from TheNYDailyNews

And this one we’ll call John F. Kerry, reporting for duty.

From the WaPo

“President Obama is considering asking Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) to serve as his next defense secretary, part of an extensive rearrangement of his national security team that will include a permanent replacement for former CIA director David H. Petraeus.

Although Kerry is thought to covet the job of secretary of state, senior administration officials familiar with the transition planning said that nomination will almost certainly go to Susan E. Rice, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.”

Did you know he was in Vietnam?

Maybe Kerry will act on this, since he’s a vet.

From TheGreenRoom

“It was one of the simplest, most poignant promises Barack Obama made in 2008 in his first campaign for the White House: He would fulfill “a sacred trust with our veterans” by significantly reducing the government’s lengthy backlog of pending claims for disability coverage. The goal: All veterans could get a decision on disability claims within 125 days.

The results:

Records obtained by the Washington Guardian show that as of Nov. 5, the day before Mr. Obama won re-election, 558,230 of the 820,106 veterans seeking disability coverage had their claims pending for more than the 125-day target. That’s 68.1 percent, or nearly double the 36 percent rate in the summer of 2010.

And there are tens of thousands more cases pending in various forms of appeal, where decisions can take months or years to resolve. For instance, the average time it takes to resolve a case before the Veterans Appeals Board is 883 days, or almost 2½ years.”

So what’s the weather like in Texas?

From theDailyCaller

“With more than 28,600 signatures collected since Nov. 9, a White House  website petition from an Arlington, Texas man has  attracted enough support to trigger an automatic review by the Obama  administration.

Petitions submitted through the Obama White House’s “We the People” program “require a response” from the administration  after they have attracted 25,000 signatures.

The Daily Caller reported Monday morning that since the day after President  Barack Obama’s re-election, citizens from 20 states had submitted petitions  asking for peaceful separations from the United States.”

It’s up to 25 states now. Heh.

🙂

UPDATE

It. Just. Gets. Worse.

From WaPo

“The FBI probe into the sex scandal that prompted CIA Director David Petraeus to resign has expanded to ensnare Gen. John R. Allen, the commander of U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan, the Pentagon announced early Tuesday.

According to a senior U.S. defense official, the FBI has uncovered between 20,000 and 30,000 pages of documents — most of them e-mails — that contain “potentially inappropriate” communication between Allen and Jill Kelley, the 37-year-old Tampa woman whose report of harassment by a person who turned out to be Petraeus’s mistress ultimately led to Petraeus’s downfall.

Allen, a Marine, succeeded Petraeus as the top allied commander in Afghanistan in July 2011. He also served as Petraeus’s deputy when both generals led the military’s Tampa-based Central Command from 2008 until 2010.”