Month: November 2014
Rants! and Raves! 11-22-14
It’s Saturday, so you know what that means….
Rants! 😦
and
Raves! 🙂
News/Politics 11-22-14
What’s interesting in the news today?
Open Thread Weekend
Our Daily Thread 11-21-14
Good Morning!
It’s Friday!!!
On this day in 1620 the Mayflower reached Provincetown, MA. The ship discharged the Pilgrims at Plymouth, MA, on December 26, 1620.
In 1783 the first successful flight was made in a hot air balloon. The pilots, Francois Pilatre de Rosier and Francois Laurent, Marquis d’Arlandes, flew for 25 minutes and 5½ miles over Paris.
In 1953 British Natural History Museum authorities announced that “Piltdown Man” was a hoax.
In 1979 the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan, was attacked by a mob that set the building afire and killed two Americans.
And in 1980 – 87 people died in a fire at the MGM Grand Hotel-Casino in Las Vegas, NV.
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Quote of the Day
“Get eight hours of sleep regularly. Keep your weight down, run a mile a day.”
Stan Musial
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Today is Steven Curtis Chapman’s birthday.
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Anyone have a QoD?
Prayer Requests 11-21-14
It’s Friday, so don’t forget to pray for Mumsee, Mike, and the young folks at the Nest.
Anyone else care to share something?
Psalm 138
¹I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.
2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
3 In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.
4 All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O Lord, when they hear the words of thy mouth.
5 Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord: for great is the glory of the Lord.
6 Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.
8 The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.
News/Politics 11-21-14
What’s interesting in the news today?
1. 12 minutes. That’s all I could take. It was laugh out loud funny at times, although unintentionally, but sad too, that the President could lie about so much in such a short time.
From Reuters “President Barack Obama imposed the most sweeping immigration reform in a generation on Thursday, easing the threat of deportation for some 4.7 million undocumented immigrants and setting up a clash with Republicans who vow to fight his moves.
In a White House speech, Obama rejected Republican arguments that his decision to bypass Congress and take executive action was tantamount to amnesty for illegal immigrants.
It was his biggest use of executive actions in a year in which they have become his signature way of working around congressional gridlock.”
“With 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States, Obama’s plan would let some 4.4 million who are parents of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents remain in the country temporarily, without the threat of deportation.”
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2. An upside down Pinocchio.
From TheWashingtonPost “Politicians generally hate to say they have changed their minds about something. With President Obama poised to take executive action to address immigration, perhaps as early as this week, he was challenged by a reporter to explain why he believed he could take this action now, after years of saying his hands were tied. The president responded with a Pinocchio-laden straw man, saying that the questions had a distinct focus: “their interest was in me, through executive action, duplicating the legislation that was stalled in Congress.”
“The president has certainly been consistent on this issue—until he saw that the path through Congress was blocked. It’s clear from the interviews that the president was not being asked about executive orders that would have provided comprehensive immigration reform, but about specific actions that ended deportations of a subset of illegal immigrants—precisely the type of action he will shortly unveil.
Previously he said that was not possible, using evocative language that he is not a “king” or “the emperor.” Apparently he’s changed his mind. The president earns an upside-down Pinocchio for his flip-flop.”
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3. Just a reminder……
From HotAir “Liberals in the media (but I repeat myself) have been having great fun mocking the idea that various Republicans may seek a legal remedy in response to tonight’s executive amnesty announcement. It’s all political theater, they say. These are just conservatives thinking of running for President themselves and posturing for the base. But as we move forward, it’s probably worth taking a moment to wipe the chalkboard clean and get back to basics.
According to the Constitution, upon taking office the President will swear an oath, and it shall include the phrase, to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. Inside that document, in Article II, it directs that the President, shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed. The President took that oath, and as a noted constitutional scholar and professor, I feel safe in assuming that he is familiar with that directive.”
“Here’s another section of that pesky Constitution thing again, this time from Article I. The Congress shall have the power:
Only Congress is vested with the power to make new laws or amend or repeal existing ones. The President has no such authority. And I find it difficult to see how any court could look at this proposed power grab and find it to be within the powers described in the Constitution. In fact, the order to stand down would be precisely the opposite of taking care that the laws be faithfully executed.”
He’s failed at least one of his most basic duties, and now grabs power from the legislature which isn’t his to take.
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4. Now about those ObamaCare numbers….
From Bloomberg “The Obama administration said it erroneously calculated the number of people with health coverage under the Affordable Care Act, incorrectly adding 380,000 dental subscribers to raise the total above 7 million.
The accurate number with full health-care plans is 6.7 million as of Oct. 15, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services confirmed today, saying the U.S. won’t include dental plans in future reports.
“The mistake we made is unacceptable,” Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell said on her verified Twitter account. “I will be communicating that clearly throughout the department.”
The error was brought to light by Republican investigators for the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, using data they obtained from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.”
Just an honest mistake I’m sure…. 🙄
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5. Here’s some more of that Obama “smart diplomacy” at work.
From TheWashingtonTimes “The Pentagon is under fire for making a ransom payment to an Afghan earlier this year as part of a failed bid to win the release of Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, according to U.S. officials.
Sgt. Bergdahl was released in May after nearly five years in captivity as part of a controversial exchange for five terrorists held at the U.S. military detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
The ransom payment was first disclosed by Rep. Duncan Hunter in a Nov. 5 letter to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel. Mr. Hunter stated in the letter that Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) made the payment covertly as part of a release deal. But the money was stolen by the Afghan intermediary claiming to represent the Haqqani terrorist network.”
““Given the significance of this matter, as well as the fact that Pentagon officials have denied that a payment was even considered — and you also said you were unaware of any such attempt — I ask you to immediately inquire with JSOC to determine the specific order of events,” said Mr. Hunter, California Republican and member of the House Armed Services Committee.”
And of course, more lies exposed.
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6. Another major Democrat donor bites the dust. Maybe Harry Reid should worry less about the Koch Bros. and spend some time cleaning up his own house.
From TruthRevolt “A national “power player” for the Democratic party and the gay rights movement was arrested Wednesday on charges of sex abuse of a minor.
Terry Bean, a Portland-based fundraiser for Democratic causes, is being charged with sex abuse and two counts of sodomy involving a 15-year-old boy. Bean’s attorney claims that his client is the victim of an “extortion ring” and expressed full confidence that his name would be cleared.
The Willamette Week reports that law enforcement sources say Bean, 66, will be charged with two counts of sodomy in the third degree (a felony) and sex abuse in the third degree (a misdemeanor). The arrest followed a six-month investigation concerning a concealed video camera over Bean’s bed that accuser Kiah Lawson says was used to illegally film him and at least half a dozen other men “in a state of nudity engaged in intimate acts with [Bean].”
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Peter’s Pack of Pickled Pigskin Picks- Week 13
13. Some consider it unlucky. But I don’t believe in luck, good or bad. So, you can try your luck at guessing the winner of these ten eleven games, or test your skill, whichever you prefer.
Just get your guesses in by Saturday @ high noon! (That’s 12 EST, the beginning of the 13th hour of the day.)
Editors Note – As you can see below, I’ve added an 11th game this week because it’s a special occasion in the college football world. Saturday at Yankee Stadium, the longest running rivalry in college football will play their 150th game.
Here are your games (no apologies for the extended commentary):
1. #25 Minnesota @ #23 Nebraska – Can the Cornhuskers overcome their problems against the Gophers? At least they are at home in Lincoln.
2. Fordham @ Army – The Black Knights are 3-7 and have lost to some good teams, and some bad ones. They’ve beaten some bad teams. But Fordham is 10-1 this season. You do the math.
3. Boston College @ #3 Florida State – The Seminoles almost lost to an unranked team on the road last week. The Eagles are a sacred bird to Native Americans. Think the Seminoles will let their Sacred Bird fly away with a win? I doubt it. They wouldn’t want the embarrassment at home.
4. #24 Louisville @ Notre Dame – The Fighting Irish have become the Fading Irish. Crushed in Arizona, then defeated by Northwestern at home! The Cardinals (a bird, not a religious leader) don’t stand a chance.
5. #15 Arizona @ #17 Utah – The Wildcats still have an outside chance at getting their first ever PAC-12 Championship and a trip to the Rose Bowl. Watch out, Utes!
6. #19 USC @ #9 UCLA – These two, and Arizona State, are the other PAC-12 South teams vying for the championship game. Too bad they all can’t lose. (Yes, I want Arizona to go for the Roses. We Wildcat fans have been waiting for 35 years.)
7. #8 Ole Miss @ Arkansas – Too bad the Rebels had to play Auburn. But they still have Mississippi State on the schedule. Perhaps their dream season has ended. The Razorbacks better tread carefully.
8. #20 Missouri @ Tennessee – The Tigers are in the lead in the SEC East. Unless they blow it against the Vols and the Razorbacks, they’ll play in the SEC Championship for the second time. So they miss the Big 12? No.
9. Boise State @ Wyoming – Broncos vs. Cowboys. It looks like the horses could win this rodeo.
10. South Alabama @ South Carolina – 6-4 Jaguars visiting 5-5 Gamecocks. Sun Belt vs. SEC. I think a .500 SEC team that plays a harder schedule shouldn’t have to worry about a .600 team from a less challenging conference (They have not faced any ranked team other than Mississippi State). But this is college football. Remember, it’s Chas’ team hosting this one.
11. Editors choice- Lafayette vs. Lehigh – Playing game number 150 at a neutral field, Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. Guess the winner and final score.
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As an added bonus this week I’ve decided to give the people what they want, a shiny red sports car! (picture). If you guess the winner and final score of the Lafayette-Lehigh game exactly, you’ll win this….. A picture of a shiny red sports car. I’d love to buy you a real one, but this is kind of a low no budget operation we have running here. 🙂
I’ll even autograph it if you like. 🙂
Our Daily Thread 11-20-14
Good Morning!
On this day in 1789 New Jersey became the first state to ratify the Bill of Rights.
In 1901 the second Hay-Pauncefoot Treaty provided for construction of the Panama Canal by the U.S.
In 1947 Britain’s Princess Elizabeth married Philip Mountbatten, Duke of Edinburgh in Westminster Abbey.
And in 1993 the U.S. Senate passed the Brady Bill and legislation implementing NAFTA.
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Quote of the Day
“Music is the soundtrack of your life.”
Dick Clark
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Today is the birthday of two of the 70’s best rock guitarists.
First up, Duane Allman.
Then it’s Joe Walsh.
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Anyone have a QoD?
Prayer Requests 11-20-14
It’s Thursday, so please remember to pray for Jo and the folks in PNG.
Anyone else have something?
Psalm 136:1-9
¹O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
2 O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.
3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.
4 To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.
5 To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.
6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.
7 To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:
8 The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:
9 The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.
News/Politics 11-20-14
What’s interesting in the news today?
I’m a little behind on the news today, so mostly this is an Open Thread, but here’s a few that caught my eye.
1. Tonight the President will announce his amnesty plan for illegals. Funny thing though, other than the news channels, none of the networks are broadcasting it. That seems odd. One network that will air it is Univision, the Spanish language network.
Gee, I wonder why? 🙄
I guess they want to make sure their target audience hears the news, the folks against it…. not so much.
From TheWashingtonPost “President Obama’s announcement Thursday night of his plans to overhaul the nation’s immigration system is scheduled to happen at an opportune time — at least if the White House is hoping to reach a captive audience of Hispanic television viewers.”
“Univision says it will postpone part of the awards show to air Obama’s speech, while the big four TV networks, ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC, currently have no plans to air the address.
Told about the scheduling coincidence by a pack of reporters, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.) the second-ranking GOP senator, said, “Talk about a major pander.””
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2. In a not at all shocking development, DHS thinks there may be another surge of illegals at the border. I’d pretty much guarantee it after Obama announces more amnesty.
From TheWashingtonTimes “Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson warned Wednesday that the country could face another spike in illegal immigration as the U.S. economy picks up and as seasonal patterns change, though he said they have made major progress in combatting the surge of illegal immigrant children that wrong-footed his department earlier this year.
“We’re determined that we need to do more ourselves for border security,” Mr. Johnson said in a speech at the National Press Club sponsored by Democratic group NDN. “I’m concerned about the possibility of another rise in illegal migration.”
“This summer’s surge of illegal immigrant children and families from Central America exposed flaws in the current immigration enforcement system — particularly U.S. agencies’ inability to quickly deport many of them.”
Sure, it’ll be the booming economy causing it and not the promise of amnesty. Riiiight….. 🙄
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3. And here I thought liberals were all about the separation of church and state. Apparently that only applies when you won’t shill for their causes. Sadly it seems many churches are fine with being shills for the govt.
From TheDailyCaller “Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley made national news last year when he fought to pass and signed a tax bill that levied a tax on Marylanders, businesses and churches for the amount of “impervious surface” they have on their property.
Roofs, driveways, sidewalks, and parking lots qualify for the “rainwater remediation fee” to “protect the Chesapeake Bay.”
Though the O’Malley administration calls it a “fee,” it is commonly called the “rain tax” throughout the state. It is wildly unpopular and the promise to fight to repeal the tax was a large factor in Maryland electing Republican Larry Hogan governor this month.
Now Prince George’s Country is offering a way for churches to avoid paying the tax, which is estimated to be an average of $744 per year for them — preach “green” to their parishioners.
So far 30 pastors have agreed to begin “‘green’ ministries to maintain the improvements at their churches, and to preach environmentally focused sermons to educate their congregations” to avoid being hit with the tax, The Washington Post reports.”
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Wandering Views 