What’s interesting in the news today?
1. Your tax dollars at work. Or not, there really doesn’t seem to be much actual work involved. But anyway, your tax dollars going to groups with terror ties. Not in some foreign land, but right here in the US. And these aren’t the only parasites milking the system either.
From FoxNews “An Islamic organization once listed by the Justice Department as a co-conspirator in a high-profile terror case is among many groups that have received thousands in federal farm subsidies, without producing any crops.
The subsidies to the North American Islamic Trust are just a slice of the questionable payments that, as has been well documented, go to millionaires and non-farmers every year. But as Congress moves to rein in the program, these subsidies stand out considering the group’s involvement in the Holy Land Foundation case of 2008. During the trial, the group’s farm subsidies stopped, only to be reinstated after a federal judge cleared them.
Records show that since 1998, the North American Islamic Trust has received over $10,000 across 34 separate taxpayer-funded programs. NAIT’s two relatively small land plots are tax-zoned as “agricultural” — but they aren’t developed.
The group has been able to obtain farm subsidies legally without producing any crops because it is a nonprofit “charity group” landowner — so it received subsidies on top of being tax-exempt.”
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2.. This will not make car owners happy. More unintended consequences from the “Green” crowd.
From HotAir “It seems to be a growing trend that motorists are shopping around for gas stations which offer ethanol free gas, even if they have to pay a bit more per gallon to get it. Distributors are noticing, and more and more stations are featuring this option. I noticed this myself during a recent trip in New York, and now it’s showing up further south as well.”
“The repeating theme among customers is repeated here. Drivers have become more and more aware that not only is the higher corn gas bad for engine components, it actually costs you money by cutting down on your mileage.”
“But one factor which some auto shoppers may not be aware of is that the industry is aware of these dangers and they aren’t going to honor warranties on vehicles guzzling the latest 15% ethanol blend unless you’ve got a brand new car or one that is specifically rated as a “flex fuel vehicle.”
“Five manufacturers — BMW, Chrysler, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen — stated their warranties will not cover E15 claims, the automobile association warned. And eight others — GM, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo — said that E15 may void warranties.”
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3. At least someone is doing something about it. The White House and DoJ won’t, because they support it.
From TheIndependentJournalReview “The Obama Administration might be trying to sweep the IRS controversy under the rug, but House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Rep. Dave Camp (MI) isn’t letting up on stopping the agency from targeting conservative groups.
In a letter to Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew and IRS Commissioner John Koskinen, Camp has requested all the documents which pertain to section 504(c)(4) of the tax code. This specific section has been used as a fundraising vehicle for grassroots conservative political action committees.
Under proposed regulations, these groups cannot engage in voter registration drives or get-out-the-vote efforts without risking their tax-exempt status.
Camp is seeking to challenge these rulings, especially as the IRS allows liberal groups – like labor unions – to use these exact same methods to advance their own political causes.”
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4. Here’s a look at what happens when govt. runs healthcare. Folks who support ObamaCare like to point to the VA as proof that they can effectively run healthcare. This shows what a joke that idea is. And once the Independent Payment Advisory Board starts rationing care and delaying treatments, this will be the norm, not the exception.
From FoxNews “The Department of Veterans Affairs has linked the recent deaths of at least 19 vets diagnosed with cancer in 2010 and 2011 to appointment backlogs and delays at VA hospitals and clinics and resulting hindrances in care, according to an internal document.
Specifically, those 19 deceased veterans are reportedly part of a larger group of 82 vets who have either died, are now dying or have sustained serious health consequences from the VA’s failure to conduct medical screenings like colonoscopies and endoscopies in a timely, or prompt, fashion.
CNN reported as much after obtaining an internal U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs document revealing the appointment backlogs – and potentially lethal repercussions – is national in scope.”
“The Florida Republican reportedly added the VA has not only thus-far failed to the name those responsible for the deaths and injuries, but also refused to internally discipline or fire anyone regarding the problem.”
No one is ever held accountable for anything in this administration.
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5. This last one is with a CONTENT WARNING!!!! for adult subject matter.
I’m sure everyone is familiar with the sordid Woody Allen story. The details are disgusting, with allegations of him abusing children.
Of course in Hollywood, that’s not really a disqualifier, sad as that is. Hollywood just awarded him the Golden Globe lifetime achievement award.
Well a victim of his is standing up and saying enough. And I applaud her for it. These are pretty serious accusations and it took a great deal of courage for her to speak out about it.
It’s hard to read, she is blunt about what happened, and it’s obvious she is still hurting and scarred from these acts. But I agree with Mr. Kristof, she deserves to be heard.
From TheNYTimes “(A note from Nicholas Kristof: In 1993, accusations that Woody Allen had abused his adoptive daughter, Dylan Farrow, filled the headlines, part of a sensational story about the celebrity split between Allen and his girlfriend, Mia Farrow. This is a case that has been written about endlessly, but this is the first time that Dylan Farrow herself has written about it in public. It’s important to note that Woody Allen was never prosecuted in this case and has consistently denied wrongdoing; he deserves the presumption of innocence. So why publish an account of an old case on my blog? Partly because the Golden Globe lifetime achievement award to Allen ignited a debate about the propriety of the award. Partly because the root issue here isn’t celebrity but sex abuse. And partly because countless people on all sides have written passionately about these events, but we haven’t fully heard from the young woman who was at the heart of them. I’ve written a column about this, but it’s time for the world to hear Dylan’s story in her own words.)”
“When I asked my mother if her dad did to her what Woody Allen did to me, I honestly did not know the answer. I also didn’t know the firestorm it would trigger. I didn’t know that my father would use his sexual relationship with my sister to cover up the abuse he inflicted on me. I didn’t know that he would accuse my mother of planting the abuse in my head and call her a liar for defending me. I didn’t know that I would be made to recount my story over and over again, to doctor after doctor, pushed to see if I’d admit I was lying as part of a legal battle I couldn’t possibly understand. At one point, my mother sat me down and told me that I wouldn’t be in trouble if I was lying – that I could take it all back. I couldn’t. It was all true. But sexual abuse claims against the powerful stall more easily. There were experts willing to attack my credibility. There were doctors willing to gaslight an abused child.
After a custody hearing denied my father visitation rights, my mother declined to pursue criminal charges, despite findings of probable cause by the State of Connecticut – due to, in the words of the prosecutor, the fragility of the “child victim.” Woody Allen was never convicted of any crime. That he got away with what he did to me haunted me as I grew up. I was stricken with guilt that I had allowed him to be near other little girls. I was terrified of being touched by men. I developed an eating disorder. I began cutting myself. That torment was made worse by Hollywood. All but a precious few (my heroes) turned a blind eye. Most found it easier to accept the ambiguity, to say, “who can say what happened,” to pretend that nothing was wrong. Actors praised him at awards shows. Networks put him on TV. Critics put him in magazines. Each time I saw my abuser’s face – on a poster, on a t-shirt, on television – I could only hide my panic until I found a place to be alone and fall apart.
Last week, Woody Allen was nominated for his latest Oscar. But this time, I refuse to fall apart. For so long, Woody Allen’s acceptance silenced me. It felt like a personal rebuke, like the awards and accolades were a way to tell me to shut up and go away. But the survivors of sexual abuse who have reached out to me – to support me and to share their fears of coming forward, of being called a liar, of being told their memories aren’t their memories – have given me a reason to not be silent, if only so others know that they don’t have to be silent either.”
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Wandering Views 
So much to comment on…where to start. For the sake of time I will comment on the Goverment handing out money and the VA. I am married to a Disabled Veteran. We have been married 16 months now. He was supposed to receive a pay increase of a whopping $100 per month to support his spouse. There is a backlog of paper work so he has not yet received it. It is a minor irritation for us, but in the larger picture there are veterans out there who haven’t been processed nor are receiving their benefits. I can’t imagine how they feel that the government can give billions to special interests and overlook routine care for those who served their country.
On the Woody Allen thing…I can’t…I just can’t find the words in the time I have. If you are ever going to err in a situation like this, it is better to err on the side of the child.
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Woody Allen. Roman Polanski. When you depart from Biblical standards on sexual morality, there are no standards.
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A friend of mine works at the VA hospital in KY. She says it’s so interesting to see the differences in attitude between those who “really fought” and those who had desk jobs and have carpal tunnel problems.
The warriors, no surprise, are stoic about their treatment. The carpal tunnel guys are usually the loudest complainers who get the most service to get rid of them faster.
A “retired” Navy wife, she’s got real mixed emotions about what she sees at her job, but is grateful for all the WWII veterans she’s had the privilege to serve.
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#5 made me cry. I pray her husband has the opportunity to show her what a real father, husband, and man is. Woody Allen is none of those things.
#4 makes me angry. There are few things our govt does that the constitution actually allows. Defense is a big one. A govt that doesn’t honor it’s promises and commitments to veterans has failed it’s most basic duties. Cutting Tri-care, cutting retirement, and denying them promised medical care is a disgrace. I’m ashamed of our govt, at all levels. Congress went along with this too and holds no one accountable as well. Yet we have billions for terrorists and the connected thru scam food programs.
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Re” the ethinol thing. If the price difference isn’t too great, the extra might be economically worthwhile. Chuck says ethanol burns only 80% as hot as gasoline. You should increase gas mileage by 20% with regular gasoline. I don’t know of any real gasoline stations around here.
In any case, it’s really dumb to use food for fuel.
But that’s what you expect from the wise guys in Washington.
The farm conglomerates have money and influence.
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Anybody see the O’Reilly interview with Obama?
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2014/02/obama-does-oreilly.php
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“If you are ever going to err in a situation like this, it is better to err on the side of the child.’
Maybe in the case of safety, but not in the case of justice. Imagine being falsely accused of such a terrible crime. This crime deserved the same burden of proof as any other crime.
Having said that, I usually take the side of innocent until proven guilty with any accusation, but I’ll admit it is harder with this guy.
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1 and 2 are prime examples of corrupt corporatism.
4. Veterans rarely are treated properly by any admin. In the heat of war and patriotism promises are made but years later the short attention spans of those seeking electoral advantage and donations will turn their attention elsewhere. Its a lesson young people considering a military career should take note.
5. Now I know why I don’t like Woody Allen — his films are interesting but I can’t take his acting/voice. Innocent before proven guilty but ……
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