What’s interesting out there today?

Open Thread, what have you got?

Here’s a few to start with.

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Not one dime…….

He was right, not one dime. Try 62,000,000,000,000 dimes.

From NationalReview

“Obamacare will increase the long-term federal deficit by $6.2 trillion, according to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report released today.

Senator Jeff Sessions (R., Ala.), who requested the report, revealed the findings this morning at a Senate Budget Committee hearing. The report, he said, “confirms everything critics and Republicans were saying about the faults of this bill,” and “dramatically proves that the promises made assuring the nation that the largest new entitlement program in history would not add one dime to the deficit were false.”

President Obama and other Democrats attempted to win support for the health-care bill by touting it as a fiscally responsible enterprise. “I will not sign a plan that adds one dime to our deficits — either now or in the future,” Obama told a joint-session of Congress in September 2009. “I will not sign it if it adds one dime to the deficit, now or in the future, period.”

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And don’t forget, Nancy Pelosi called it “the greatest deficit reduction effort in 2 decades”.

Here’s more from Senator Jeff Sessions (R., Ala.), who points out all the lies, and how Republicans were correct about it.

Good thing we had to pass it to find all this out huh?

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All this explains why Dems would whine about this.

From TheDailyCaller

“Some members of Congress apparently don’t like to be reminded about how much  debt the country continues to rack up.

During a House Financial Services Committee hearing Tuesday on the budget, two Democrats complained after  House Financial Services Committee chairman Jeb Hensarling instructed that two  monitors in the hearing room display a real-time running national debt  clock.

California Rep. Maxine Waters and Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison both issued complaints about the  displays, according to video of the hearing.

Can’t have anyone pointing out the facts now can we?

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This one I can’t help feeling was a set-up. They were wanting to do this anyway, this just gave them a convenient excuse.

From TheLATimes

“Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials have released “several hundred” immigrants from deportation centers across the country, saying the move is an effort to cut costs ahead of budget cuts due to hit later this week.

Announcing the news Tuesday, ICE officials said that the immigrants were released under supervision and continue to face deportation. After reviewing hundreds of cases, those released were considered low-risk and “noncriminal,” officials said.

The releases took place over the last week and were an effort “to ensure detention levels stay within ICE’s current budget,” said ICE spokeswoman Gillian Christiansen, citing uncertainty caused by a budget standoff in Washington.”

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What’s interesting in the news today?

Open Thread, you decide.

Here’s a few I found interesting.

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Let’s start with a video, and some honesty for a change in the gun control debate.

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Here’s more from CNSNews

“CNSNews.com asked: From what was said today, it seems in fact that gun control hurts the African American community.

“It absolutely does, there’s no doubt about it,” Hutcherson said. “It began that way with history. You see why there was so much gun control earlier in life–in American life–because it controlled African Americans.

“Gun control is about controlling people,” he said. “We need to understand that those who need to be trained, who need to be armed is the African American community, and I don’t understand why any African American that is there in Congress right now would have the slightest thought about taking guns away from African Americans. We need them.””

While I agree with what the Rev. has to say, some have other variations of this theme that don’t sound as appealing. The idea of people being able to arm themselves for protection is fine. Taking gang members and training them to become military grade gang members isn’t as appealing. These are after all the type of people that folks are arming themselves to protect against.

From TheBlaze

“The Minister Louis Farrakhan, 79, delivered his annual Saviors’ Day sermon on Sunday. As is usually the case, the three-hour address covered a variety of topics ranging from current events to the faith leader’s contentious views on race relations. Of particular note was an economic plan he posited — one in which African Americans would come together to invest in land — and a pledge to reach out to gang leaders to ask them for assistance in protecting the Nation of Islam’s interests.”

“But the more intriguing portion of the speech focused upon gangs and efforts to seek leaders and members of these groups out for the sole purposes of protecting the Nation of Islam. Here’s how DNAInfo.com describes Farrakhan’s framing of the proposal:

Instead, Farrakhan had a different idea for how to address gun violence. In addition to sending letters to black military leaders, Farrakhan said he planned to contact the city’s gang leaders to recruit gang members to “protect” any land the Nation of Islam may buy in the future.

“All you gang bangers, we know you love to shoot, but you’re killing yourselves,” Farrakhan said.

Rather than killing one another, Farrakhan spoke directly to gang leaders, telling them, “We want to make you a defender of the territories that your nickels, dimes and dollars and hours will buy.” He continued, explaining that gang bangers have much to teach the National of Islam about self-defense, while simultaneously condemning them for needless violence.”

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The end of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act? That’s the one Holder and Obama use to justify their attempts to block Voter ID laws in the South.

From HotAir

“The Voting Rights Act gave the federal government greater powers to prevent racial discrimination. For the past 48 years, the Justice Department has routinely monitored elections and reviewed changes to any voting rules, ranging from poll locations and hours, to registration and identification requirements and the redrawing of legislative district lines.

The issue before the Supreme Court in next Wednesday’s oral arguments in “Shelby County v. Holder” is just one part of the Voting Rights Act – Section 5 – which requires 9 states and parts of 7 others to obtain Justice Department approval, known as “preclearance,” before changing voting laws or maps.

Some of the states covered in full by the Act, like Alabama, where the plaintiff’s case originated, contend that Section 5 is an outdated burden, because racial discrimination is “scattered and limited.””

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And yes Your Honor, we can force your wife to violate her religious beliefs, if you’ll let us.

From CNSNews

“While presenting an oral argument in the U.S. District Court for the  District of Columbia last fall, a lawyer for the U.S. Justice Department  told a federal judge that the Obama administration believed it could  force the judge’s own wife—a physician—to act against her religious  faith in the conduct of her medical practice.

The assertion came in the case of Tyndale House Publishers v.  Sebelius, a challenge to the Obama administration’s regulation requiring  health-care plans to cover sterilizations, contraceptives and  abortion-inducing drugs.”

“In the face of this argument, Judge Walton asked an interesting  question. His wife, a graduate of Georgetown Medical  School, is a  physician. She has incorporated her medical practice. Does that mean,  according to the Obama administration’s argument, that the federal  government can force her to act against her religious faith in the  conduct of her medical practice?

Berwick effectively answered: Yes.”

No wonder the judge granted Tyndales request for an injunction.

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What’s interesting in the news today?

There’s quite a collection to choose from today.

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Well’ start with the “29ers”, from TheWallStJournal

“Here’s a trend you’ll be reading more about: part-time “job sharing,” not only within firms but across different businesses.

It’s already happening across the country at fast-food restaurants, as employers try to avoid being punished by the Affordable Care Act. In some cases we’ve heard about, a local McDonalds has hired employees to operate the cash register or flip burgers for 20 hours a week and then the workers head to the nearby Burger King or Wendy’s to log another 20 hours. Other employees take the opposite shifts.”

“Welcome to the strange new world of small-business hiring under ObamaCare.”

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And also related to ObamaCare ….

From the SunSentinel

“Brace yourself for longer lines at the doctor’s office.

Whether you’re employed and insured, elderly and on Medicare, or poor and covered by Medicaid, the Florida Medical Association says there’s a growing shortage of doctors — especially specialists — available to provide you with medical care.

And if the Florida Legislature goes along with Gov. Rick Scott’s recommendation to offer Medicaid coverage to an additional 1 million Floridians — part of the Affordable Care Act that takes effect next January — the FMA says that shortage will only get worse.”

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It’s the Clinton Administration all over again.

From FoxNews

“A four-year FBI investigation into the transfer of classified weapons  technology to China and other countries from NASA’s Ames Research Center is  being stonewalled by government officials, sources tell FoxNews.com.

Documents obtained by FoxNews.com, which summarize these and other  allegations and were given to congressional sources last week by a  whistle-blower, described how a “secret grand jury” was to be convened in  February 2011 to hear testimony from informants in the case, including a senior  NASA engineer. But federal prosecutor Gary Fry was removed from the case, which  was then transferred from one office in the Northern District of California to  another where, according to the documents, “this case now appears to be  stalled.”

“The information is staggering,” the whistle-blower told FoxNews.com.”

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This next one, I agree with, to a point. While I agree that homeschoolers are shunned by the public school systems, I don’t think the point of the piece is how you win the overall argument. I don’t see it as relevant, but that’s just MHO.

First the link to Breitbart

But at the same time, I take issue with the public school officials and their lame excuses, like this one.

“These “professionals” love to lecture about the notions of “fairness,” of “equal access,” and of “a commitment to united excellence” in education, yet circle the wagons year after year to deny 14 and 15 year old homeschoolers the opportunity to tryout for the high school basketball or debate team. What exactly are these “professionals” dedicated to? Do they seek to promote a safe and healthy environment to educate and develop every child, or only those students who attend “their” public schools?

In view of current exemptions, people’s overwhelming support, and legislative provisions, arguments against the “Tebow Bill” appear small and punitive. For example, in a 2010 article, Tilley said “By playing by a different set of rules it’s inequitable and unfair to public school students.” He added “the parents of homeschooled students have voluntarily chosen not to participate in the free public school system in order to educate their children at home. That’s fine, but in making that choice they have also chosen to forgo the privileges incidental to public education. One of which is the opportunity to play athletics.””

To him, my reply is this. Fine, I forego the so-called privileges. Now return my public school taxes, since you’re not educating my kid. A voucher would be fine thanks. But no, we can’t let the dollars follow the students. If we did, you guys would have a lot less students, and a lot less money to waste on things that have little to do with educating a child.

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I saved this for last. Some people might find some of these 20 debatable. Some are wounds that still fester to this day, and I can certainly understand that. Opinions will vary. I’ll give you the first 3.

From TownHall

“20 Of The Most Embarrassing Moments In The History Of The Democrat Party”

“1) The Trail of Tears (1838): The first Democrat President, Andrew Jackson and his successor Martin Van Buren, herded Indians into camps, tormented them, burned and pillaged their homes and forced them to relocate with minimal supplies. Thousands died along the way.

2) Democrats Cause The Civil War (1860): The pro-slavery faction of the Democrat Party responded to Abraham Lincoln’s election by seceding, which led to the Civil War.

3) Formation of the KKK (1865): Along with 5 other Confederate veterans, Democrat Nathan Bedford Forrest created the KKK.”

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What’s interesting out there today?

Open Thread, so what have ya’ got?

Here’s a few from me.

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This one I find disturbing. There seems to be a complete lack of due process here, not to mention infringements on their rights.

From RedFlagNews

“How would you feel if you received a letter from the U.S. Government informing you that because of a physical or mental condition that the government says you have it is proposing to rule that you are incompetent to handle your own financial affairs? Suppose that letter also stated that the government is going to appoint a stranger to handle your affairs for you at your expense? That would certainly be scary enough but it gets worse.

What if that letter also stated: “A determination of incompetency will prohibit you from purchasing, possessing, receiving, or transporting a firearm or ammunition. If you knowingly violate any of these prohibitions, you may be fined, imprisoned, or both pursuant to the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, Pub.L.No. 103-159, as implemented at 18, United States Code 924(a)(2).”?”

“The letter provides no specifics on the reasons for the proposed finding of incompetency; just that is based on a determination by someone in the VA. In every state in the United States no one can be declared incompetent to administer their own affairs without due process of law and that usually requires a judicial hearing with evidence being offered to prove to a judge that the person is indeed incompetent. This is a requirement of the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that states that no person shall “… be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law…”.”

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Illinois has had it’s appeal rejected. They had sought a rehearing of the decision declaring their gun ban unconstitutional.

From TheWashingtonPost

“A federal appeals court on Friday narrowly rejected Illinois’ request to reconsider a ruling that found the state’s concealed carry weapons ban unconstitutional, leaving lawmakers in the only state that still prohibits concealed carry more certain than ever they must come up with a new law.

The 5-4 ruling by the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals gave state Attorney General Lisa Madigan the option of appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court — a move that could affect gun laws in other states. It also came on the same day that state lawmakers held a hearing on the issue in Chicago — a city that’s drawn national attention for its gun violence and rising homicide rate, including last month’s death of a 15-year-old honor student a mile from President Barack Obama’s home.”

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Bob Woodward has pointed out the obvious, one of the few press members to do so.

Also from TheWashingtonPost

“The White House chief of staff at the time, Jack Lew, who had been budget director during the negotiations that set up the sequester in 2011, backed up the president two days later.

“There was an insistence on the part of Republicans in Congress for there to be some automatic trigger,” Lew said while campaigning in Florida. It “was very much rooted in the Republican congressional insistence that there be an automatic measure.”

The president and Lew had this wrong. My extensive reporting for my book “The Price of Politics” shows that the automatic spending cuts were initiated by the White House and were the brainchild of Lew and White House congressional relations chief Rob Nabors — probably the foremost experts on budget issues in the senior ranks of the federal government.

Obama personally approved of the plan for Lew and Nabors to propose the sequester to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). They did so at 2:30 p.m. July 27, 2011, according to interviews with two senior White House aides who were directly involved.”

Uh, Mr. President, your pants are on fire.

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The best half-court shot ever?

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What’s interesting in the news today?

Lots of stuff to choose from today. By the time you’re finished, your eyes will have rolled out of your head too. 😉

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Let’s start with the 10 shocking items from Texas school books.

From TheDailyCaller

“CSCOPE is the acronym-sounding name — that is not actually an acronym — for  the oft-criticized, all-embracing K-12 educational curriculum that is used in 80  percent of the school districts in Texas.

“CSCOPE’s high quality curriculum, assessment, and instructional components  assist schools in meeting the high standard of rigor and relevance” ostensibly  required by various assessments administered by the Lone Star State, touts the nonprofit entity’s website.

Most — though not all — of the critics of CSCOPE are politically  conservative. They charge that the controversial curriculum is a radical,  backdoor way for progressives to circumvent both the Texas legislative process  and the desires of local school boards and communities. They also charge that  the creators of the curriculum operate secretly and do not make it easy for  parents or even school board members to see the material.”

Just to give you an idea of what they mean…..

1. Islam is awesome

2. Christianity is a cult

Yeah. 🙄

Don’t worry though, there’s useful stuff too. Even I learned something. The Boston Tea Party was a terrorist attack. Who knew? And who doesn’t want the chance to make their own communist flag?

Again, 🙄

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This one? Sure, why not. What could possibly go wrong?

From LasVegas/CBSLocal

“Researchers have developed mammalian “zombie” cells that can actually function more effectively after dying.

By replicating a near-perfect version of a living mammalian cell, University of New Mexico researchers have created cells that not only look identical, but are also more apt to survive adverse conditions than the living organisms they were modeled after.”

You do realize that every zombie movie ever made starts with scientists doing stuff like this right? 😦

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And again, what could possibly go wrong? And we better get our 22 billion back quick, before these clowns crash and burn, again. 🙄

From TheWFB

“Bailout recipient General Motors leads the world in car sales thanks in part to subprime auto lending that may cause a fiscal calamity, financial and auto industry observers fear.

“You have the government trying to sell the bailout and this recovery and they’ve allowed, encouraged GM to revive itself off the back of subprime lending,” said Ed Niedermeyer, auto industry consultant.”

“Delinquent contracts at GM now represent 8.5 percent of all auto loans—higher than delinquencies at Ford, Toyota, and Honda combined.”

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Next up, the gift that keeps on giving.

From USNews

“Vice President Joe Biden might want to have a talk with his son, Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden, before he makes another public statement about guns.

In a Facebook “chat” Tuesday, the vice president said that he had advised his wife, Jill, to fire a shotgun in the air from their Delaware home’s porch if she was concerned for her safety.”

“However, Delaware law would likely make his suggestion illegal—unless the shots were fired in self-defense in a truly life-threatening situation.”

I like the first comment. “Good thing this guy isn’t in charge of any task force on gun control laws or anything like that.  Now THAT would be just irresponsible.”

🙂 and a 🙄

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The more I see, the more I like. This one at least will make you smile. 🙂

From TheDailyCaller

“Kentucky  Sen. Rand Paul says he will send a $600,000 check to the U.S.  Treasury, returning the part of his operating budget as a senator that was not spent.

Paul made the announcement at press conference in Kentucky on Wednesday.  According to a press release from Paul’s office, the sum is over 20 percent of  the total operating budget.

Last year, he returned $500,000 worth of unspent funds to the Treasury.”

Gee, maybe he can show Senate Dems how math is done. Maybe show Reid how to do a budget and not waste so much too. That’d be good.

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And finally, a couple videos. The first, your tax dollars at work. More of that sensitivity training from the USDA. We have to re-educate all these racist govt. workers, for the good of all, of course.

Yes, again, 🙄

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And a rare truthful comment from a Democrat on the impending sequester. I’m sure the White House has already scolded him.

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What’s interesting in the news today?

Let’s start with this.

Scientists believe they have discovered why women talk more than men.

From ScienceWorldReport

“You know all the times that men complain about women talking too much? Apparently there’s a biological explanation for the reason why women are chattier than men. Scientists have discovered that women possess higher levels of a “language protein” in their brains, which could explain why females are so talkative.

Previous research has shown that women talk almost three times as much as men. In fact, an average woman notches up 20,000 words in a day, which is about 13,000 more than the average man. In addition, women generally speak more quickly and devote more brainpower to speaking. Yet before now, researchers haven’t been able to biologically explain why this is the case.