Obama

by

News/Politics 4-12-13

What’s interesting in the news today?

There’s a lot to choose from, that’s for sure.

We have some scary stuff, from TheCSMonitor

“That was the bombshell out of a House Armed Services Committee hearing Thursday.

It came when Rep. Doug Lamborn (R) of Colorado began quoting from what he said was an unclassified version of the DIA report, which has not yet been made public.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey, the nation’s top military officer, appeared caught off-guard. The Pentagon has in recent days sought to strike a balance between words of warning to the North and attempts to calm the situation. General Dempsey’s reaction suggested that he was not pleased to have the DIA assessment made public, as it could further stoke anxieties over what is already a enormously tense international standoff.”

Greaaaaaat….. 🙄

____________________________________________________

We have Dems pretending to be European Socialists by behaving badly….. from Heritage

“One would naturally think it impossible that anyone would hesitate – even for an instant – to honor the woman who tackled communism head on as prime minister of Great Britain. Lady Margaret Thatcher was a principled politician who helped to foster the special relationship between Great Britain and the United States that we all benefit from today.

A Senate resolution to honor Lady Thatcher was supposed to pass last night.  However, per well placed sources on the Hill, Democrats have a hold on the resolution.”

I’m not shocked at all. And they’re not pretending either I suspect.

____________________________________________________

The President’s Priorities, from TheWallStJournal

“President Obama is pitching his new budget proposal as a fiscal peace offering to Republicans, but the details suggest everyone should expect more conflict. The fiscal 2014 plan he released Wednesday is a very slightly modified version of his previous budgets that reduces the deficit by raising taxes and trading defense cuts for more domestic spending.

The real news is that his budget ratifies much of the spending increase of the first term and tries to lock it in. He wants the feds to spend $3.78 trillion next year ($11,944 per American), which would still be 22.2% of national output nearly four years into an economic recovery. Before the financial panic in 2008, the government was spending about $1 trillion less, or closer to $2.7 trillion a year and an average of 20% of GDP—and President Bush was no slouch as a spender himself.”

“On the other hand, debt held by the public as a share of the economy will continue to climb—to what the White House predicts will be a peak of 78.2% of GDP in 2014. As recently as 2008, U.S. debt was 40.5% of the economy. Mr. Obama has nearly doubled it. (See the nearby chart.) With a modicum of spending restraint and faster growth, the debt burden will start to decline. The danger is that there’s no room to avoid Southern European debt levels if we have another recession or an interest-rate spike.”

Good thing we don’t have a spending problem huh? 🙄

____________________________________________________

So how exactly did that bi-partisan gun deal come about? Why in typical DC fashion of course. From TheWashingtonTimes

“Sen. Mark Kirk says the real driving force  behind the gun deal that was hatched by bipartisan work was booze and boat  retreats.

The Illinois Republican said to reporters that visits to the Black Tie, a  yacht owned by Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin,  played a large role in the Democratic-Republican come-together over background  checks and other legislation related to gun control, Roll Call reported.”

“You guys really ought to go out to National  Harbor and see the Black Tie, which has been much of the reason for much of  the bipartisan cooperation around here,” he said, as quoted in Roll Call.”

You can look, but don’t touch it. They don’t like the commoners touchin’ their stuff.

____________________________________________________

Next we have a serious case of judicial, and I suspect liberal, stupidity. From FoxNewsBoston

“The illegal immigrant who was drunk driving when he hit and dragged a Milford man to his death has been ruled incompetent to stand trial.

Judge  Janet Kinton-Walker says Nicolas Guaman’s “unique cultural background” and language barrier means that he doesn’t understand the court process. The court  also said that he lacks the ability to consult with his attorney properly.”

“FOX 25’s Melissa Mahan asked Maloney whether she believes Guaman does not understand the court process in the United States because of his language  barrier.

“No, I don’t believe it,” said Maloney. “In the past, he’s had other run-ins with the law. He’s been in court multiple times on other charges prior to all this in August 2011 and a Spanish interpreter or no interpreter was used for those hearings and he’s always managed just fine.”

Sure. And does he keep breaking the law because he doesn’t understand it too? Oh well. Let’s face it, the DoJ and INS would probably just release him anyway, what with Sequester cuts and all. 🙄

____________________________________________________

These last 3 are all education/indoctrination related. We have some doozies today.

First, from the hallowed halls of higher learning we have the Clown Prince of Professors, from FoxNewsRadio

“For two years the University of Southern California student had listened to the classroom ranting of liberal professors. So it wasn’t much of a surprise when Darry Sragow, his political science professor, launched into an anti-Republican tirade on the first day of class.”

“The 20-year-old political science major bought a hidden camera disguised as a shirt button. And that’s how he was able to secretly videotape every single lecture delivered by Professor Sragow.”

““On the first day of class he talked about how Republicans prevent blacks from voting,” Talgo said. “He also said that he used to work for Democratic candidates and it was his job to kill Republicans.”

““They’re really stupid and racist,” Sragow said at one point. “The Republican party is increasingly the last refuge of old, angry white people who don’t like what’s going on in this country.””

And yes, there’s video at the link. But with a  CONTENT WARNING!!!  for some cussing.

____________________________________________________

Next we have the further indoctrination of public school kids, disguised as education of course. Gotta get ’em young. From NationalReview

“One doesn’t need to be a global-warming skeptic to be appalled by a new set of national K–12 science standards. Those standards, developed by educrats and science administrators, and likely to be adopted initially by up to two dozen states, put the study of global warming and other ways that humans are destroying life as we know it at the very core of science education. This is a political choice, not a scientific one. But the standards are equally troubling in their embrace of the nostrums of progressive pedagogy.

Students educated under the Next Generation Science Standards will begin their lifelong attention to climate change as soon as they enter school. Kindergartners will be expected to “use tools and materials to design and build a structure that will reduce the warming effect of sunlight on an area” (perhaps this is what used to be known as “building a fort”) and “develop understanding of patterns and variations in local weather and the purpose of weather forecasting to prepare for, and respond to, severe weather.” Things get even scarier by the third grade, when students should be asking such questions as: “How can the impact of weather-related hazards be reduced?” The standards don’t mention protesting the Keystone pipeline as a possible “real-world” answer to the question of how to reduce “weather-related hazards,” but rest assured that the graduates of America’s left-wing education schools will not hesitate to include such hands-on learning experiences in their global-warming-politics — oops, make that “science” — classes. By high school, students are squarely in the world of environmental policy-making, expected to “evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem based on prioritized criteria and trade-offs that account for a range of constraints, including cost, safety, reliability, and aesthetics, as well as possible social, cultural, and environmental impacts.””

____________________________________________________

And the last of the bunch is also from a public school, again, get the kids. From EAGNews

“Eighth-graders in Wisconsin’s Union Grove school district were assigned to fill out a “Liberalism vs. Conservatism” crossword puzzle, and they learned some new and very questionable “facts.”

Students learned conservatism is “the political belief of preserving traditional moral values by restricting personal freedoms … ”

Conversely, they learned liberalism is “the political belief of equality and personal freedom for everyone, often changing the current system to increase government protection of civil liberties.”

“On the back side of the crossword puzzle was a political survey students were required to fill out to identify their beliefs, something Varebrook believes is equally troubling.”

That’s how they figure out who the free-thinking trouble makers are. Can’t have ’em influencing the collective with their conservative values. You know how radical 8th graders are. Best to identify ’em early.

____________________________________________________

by

News/Politics 4-1-13

What’s interesting in the news today?

Open thread, as always.

Here’s a few to start off.

____________________________________________________

Ready or not, here comes amnesty, and with the borders left open.

From TheHill

“Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), one of the bipartisan “Gang of Eight” senators  working on an immigration-reform bill, said Sunday the group had agreed on a  deal to be unveiled soon and that he was confident the bill would eventually be  signed into law by President Obama.

“We’ve got a deal,” said Graham on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “2013 I hope  will be the year we pass bipartisan immigration reform, signed into law.””

“Sen. Charles Schumer, another member of the immigration group gave a similar  timeline. He said the final draft will be done this week, Senate Judiciary  Committee hearings would be in April, and the bill could hit the floor for a  vote as early as May.”

____________________________________________________

What is it with this guy and Pastors who make radical statements?

From TheBlaze

“The pastor at the Washington, D.C. church where the Obama family celebrated Easter on Sunday said members of the religious right want blacks “in the back of the bus,” women “back in the kitchen” and immigrants “back on their side of the border.”

“It drives me crazy when the captains of the religious right are always calling us back…for blacks to be back in the back of the bus…for women to be back in the kitchen…for immigrants to be back on their side of the border,” Rev. Dr. Luis Leon said in his sermon, according to the White House press pool report.”

More on the Pastor’s comments here, from TheWeeklyStandard

And a Hat Tip to Donna J 🙂

____________________________________________________

We have an interesting read here from FreedomWorks

“As a 15 year old, I never imagined my activism in politics would translate into controversy for me at school.

My name is Benji Backer and I attend a public high school in Appleton, Wisconsin. I have always supported the public school system and plan to do so for the rest of my life. Many Americans who stand up for the public school system and the unions believe there is no attempt to sway opinion or that students with opposing beliefs are singled out. Unfortunately, experiences I have had with harassment and bullying prove that wrong. This is a timeline of the most extreme cases of harassment and indoctrination I have had in the three different public schools I have attended over the last three years.

I am currently in my freshman year of high school and the incidents are happening more frequently and I believe are more severe.  As you can imagine, the ongoing pressure and bullying has been disturbing to me, my friends and my family.”

____________________________________________________

And as long as we’re on the subject of public schools….

From TheWashingtonPost

“The former superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools and nearly three dozen other administrators, teachers, principals and other educators were indicted Friday in one of the nation’s largest cheating scandals.

Former Superintendent Beverly Hall faces charges including racketeering, false statements and theft. She retired just days before a state probe was released in 2011 and has previously denied the allegations. The indictment represents the first criminal charges in the investigation.

The previous state investigation in 2011 found cheating by nearly 180 educators in 44 Atlanta schools. Educators gave answers to students or changed answers on tests after they were turned in, investigators said. Teachers who tried to report it faced retaliation, creating a culture of “fear and intimidation” in the district.”

____________________________________________________

And we’ll end with this story on the fiscal nightmare years of Democrat rule will get you. Detroit has nothin’ on Cali.

From TheSacrementoBee

“Were California’s state government a business, it would be a candidate for insolvency with a negative net worth of $127.2 billion, according to an annual financial report issued by State Auditor Elaine Howle and the Bureau of State Audits.

The report, which covers the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012, says that the state’s negative status — all of its assets minus all of its liabilities — increased that year, largely because it spent more than it received in revenue.”

____________________________________________________

by

News/Politics 3-28-13

What’s interesting in the news today?

Open Thread.

President Obama received some sharp criticism from conservative Justices yesterday.

From TheHill

“Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder decided in 2011 that the federal  Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional. They quit defending it in the  courts, but directed federal agencies to continue to comply with the law.

Conservatives on the Supreme Court criticized that approach Wednesday during  oral arguments over whether DOMA is constitutional.”

““I don’t see why he doesn’t have the courage of his convictions,” Chief Justice  John Roberts said of Obama’s decision to continue following the law, even though  he believes it is unconstitutional.

Justice Antonin Scalia said the legal system appears to be “living in this  brave new world” in which the Justice Department can simply opt out of its  traditional responsibility to defend federal laws in the courts.”

Just like with gun laws. They cry for more restrictions on guns, yet at the same time complain that enforcing existing ones is racist and harder on minorities. Enforce the laws, it’s not rocket science.

____________________________________________________

And speaking of refusing to enforce existing laws…….

From HotAir

“Janet Napolitano: We shouldn’t wait until the border is secure to legalize illegals”

“No worries. She says the border’s already “as secure as it’s ever been,” even though her department has given up trying to measure that. Marco Rubio recently claimed that 10 million new illegals would cross the border over the next decade if there’s no new guest-worker program in place. Maybe Napolitano could quantify border control that way. Are things secure enough now to ensure that only nine million of them would make it? Eight million?”

Of course they don’t want to have to secure it first. They’re not even trying. And they’re releasing criminal illegals already, which is another example of them chosing not to enforce the law.

We also had another example of our not so secure borders yesterday. She was apprehended, but you know she’ll be released. The only question is on which side of the border will she be released on?

“John McCain        ✔@SenJohnMcCain

Just witnessed a woman successfully climb an 18-ft bollard fence a few yards from us in pic.twitter.com/GnMwEeQwDB“

____________________________________________________

This one is disturbing, but sadly not surprising. Given our anything goes culture, consequences like this will continue to worsen. Just like abortion. Meanwhile groups like Planned Parenthood that promote and encourage this free love/if it feels good lifestyle are also the ones who benefit financially from the real life consequences of both.

From CNSNews

“According to new data released by the federal Centers for Disease Control  and Prevention, there were 19.7 million new venereal infections in the  United States in 2008, bringing the total number of existing sexually  transmitted infections (STIs) in the U.S. at that time to 110,197,000.”

“The STI study referenced by the CDC estimated that 50 percent of the new infections in 2008  occurred among people in the 15-to-24 age bracket. In fact, of the  19,738,800 total new STIs in the United States in 2008, 9,782,650 were  among Americans in the 15-to-24 age bracket.”

““CDC’s new estimates show that there are about 20 million new infections in the United  States each year, costing the American  healthcare system nearly $16 billion in direct medical costs alone,”  said a CDC fact sheet.”

20 million new infections a year. Obviously what these groups are teaching in schools isn’t working. I can’t help but think that’s by design.

____________________________________________________

Here’s an interesting read from RealClearPolitics.

“The University Utopia”

“Just after November’s election, I posed  three paradoxes of American politics, asking why certain demographic groups make  up reliable voting blocs for the left, even though the pro-free-market ideas of  the right have so much to offer them.

I have begun to revisit these paradoxes. In part  one of this series, I laid out the case for why the pro-free-market right  needs to reclaim these key demographic groups—young people, racial minorities,  and city dwellers—and why I regard these as natural constituencies for  the free market whose lockstep voting for the left is a paradox.

In this installment, I take up the first of the paradoxes: Why do the young  vote for dependency—when the essence of youth is a quest for independence?  My purpose for now is mostly just to solve the paradox, to explain the reason  for the apparent contradiction, and to indicate what this implies for how the  right should change its message and its sales tactics. When I am done looking at  all three paradoxes, I will look in greater depth at an agenda of reform for the  political strategy of the right.”

____________________________________________________

And we have a couple new ideas for wasteful things govt funds that should be cut, unlike White House tours.

From FoxNews

“A prime example of how slowly the federal government moves is a piece of prime  real estate in Washington’s tony Georgetown neighborhood — an old  steam-generating plant with a spectacular view of the Potomac  waterfront.

The government-owned building was finally sold to a private developer for  $19.5 million this month. But it sat there for 10 years — off the  market  and vacant — while taxpayers footed the bill for its upkeep.

A for-sale sign only went up the day before the House Committee on Oversight  and Government Reform dragged General Services Administration officials into the  musty structure for a hearing last summer. Rep. Jeff Denham, R-Calif., berated a  bewildered GSA official at that hearing, saying: “You can’t get your job done! I  don’t care if it’s a Republican or Democratic administration, the job is not  getting done!””

But that’s not even the worst we have today. For that, we go to CNSNews

” The National Science Foundation awarded a grant for $876,752 to the University of Iowa to study whether there is any benefit to sex among New Zealand mud snails and whether that explains why any organism has sex.

The study, first funded in 2011 and continuing until 2015, will study the New Zealand snails to see if it is better that they reproduce sexually or asexually – the snail can do both – hoping to gain insight on why so many organisms practice sexual reproduction.

“Sexual reproduction is more costly than asexual reproduction, yet nearly all organisms reproduce sexually at least some of the time. Why is sexual reproduction so common despite its costs,” the study’s abstract asks.”

A better question to ask is why is govt. waste like this so common despite it’s costs?

____________________________________________________

by

News/Politics 3-26-13

What’s interesting in the news today?

There’s a lot going on.

Let’s start with ObamaVote, just another “free” service ObamaCare provides. They even have community organizers on hand to help out! They’ve thought of everything. What could possibly go wrong?

And now you know what happened to ACORN. They sold out to the man and went legit.

From TheWashingtonExaminer

“The 61-page online Obamacare draft application for health care includes asking if the applicant wants to register to vote, raising the specter that pro-Obama groups being tapped to help Americans sign up for the program will also steer them to register with the Democratic Party.

On page 59, after numerous questions about the applicant’s identity and qualification for Obamacare, comes the question: “Would you like to register to vote?” The placement of the question could lead some to believe they have to register to vote to get health care.”

“Boustany, a Louisiana Republican, said the application raises two alarming issues: What does HHS plan to do with all the information it collects on each applicant and will pro-Obama groups like AARP and Families USA that might be tapped as “navigators” to sign people up to Obamacare, steer them to register as Democrats. Others have indicated that groups like Planned Parenthood and ACORN could also act as a navigator.”

And the worst part is it’s not even shocking. This is exactly the kind of behavior you’d expect.

____________________________________________________

More fun facts on ObamaCare here, from HotAir

“Remember when we were told that there was no way that Obamacare would result in driving up costs of healthcare, and in fact would lower it? Well, that ship has already sailed. But there was another popular “myth” which many of us were accused of falling for.  It was the prediction that government meddling in cost setting would drive health care professionals out of business resulting in less available services and a subsequent decline in quality of care. That was just a myth, right? Ah, good times… good times….

Unfortunately, the early projections show that precisely such a result is already kicking into gear.

“The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has recently triggered a debate within the medical community about both its potential impact on medical trainees and on practicing physicians. While the president of the American Medical Student Association has publicly supported the changes in a recent official memo, a recent survey indicates that 40 percent of medical students may not even be aware of the provisions of the act.

Institutional changes can often be double-edged swords, and this series of proposed changes is no different. There are both potential benefits and downsides to what is now widely seen as almost inevitable healthcare reform.”

____________________________________________________

So what can we do about it? First, we need to hang this albatross where it belongs, around the necks of Dems. This is all their doing.

From TheNYPost

“Democrats hope to retake the House of Representatives in next year’s elections. They won’t — and they’ll have themselves to blame, because 2014 is when ObamaCare kicks in.

With a vengeance.

The authors of the Obama health law postponed the pain until after the 2012 election. Some popular provisions went into effect immediately, such as allowing children to stay on their parent’s plan until age 26. And the White House granted 1,472 waivers to various companies and unions, exempting them from insurance reforms so they wouldn’t drop coverage for employees and members before the presidential contest.

Yet a majority of voters on Election Day still opposed the health law (though, obviously, it wasn’t the deciding issue in the presidential race). And opinion will only sour more as the law takes full force starting in January.”

Plenty of low info voters are still under the impression that it’s all free. Reality will not be kind to them. Let’s make sure they are reminded of who is responsible for it.

____________________________________________________

And on the gun issue we have this, from Politico

“Sens. Rand Paul, Ted Cruz and Mike Lee are threatening to filibuster  gun-control legislation, according to a letter they plan to hand-deliver to  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s office on Tuesday.

“We will oppose the motion to proceed to any legislation that will serve as a  vehicle for any additional gun restrictions,” the three conservatives wrote in a  copy of the signed letter obtained by POLITICO.”

“Reid plans to bring up a gun-control measure that focuses on broadening  background checks and cracking down on interstate gun-trafficking after the  current Senate recess.”

____________________________________________________

And it’s been one misstep after another from liberals on this issue. NY didn’t think to exempt police in their rush to pass something. Then they didn’t think through the magazine capacity issue either. They don’t even make the magazines they said were the only ones now legal to possess. Now we have Bloomberg, the next clown who knows little about guns acting like he’s an expert. Oh well, at least the 12 million he’s blown on this was his money. If this commercial is any indication, maybe we should just ban liberals from possessing guns, for the safety of others.

From TheWashingtonTimes

“Mike Bloomberg is spending $12 million on  attack ads designed to force U.S. senators to vote for national gun control laws  that will supposedly save lives. However, the New York mayor’s commercials  running in 13 states over the next two weeks could cause injury or death by  showcasing irresponsible handling of a firearm.

Mr. Bloomberg’s organization, Mayors  Against Illegal Guns, produced two ads featuring a man holding a shotgun,  wearing plaid flannel with a camouflage cap and sitting on the tailgate of a  pickup truck. While a child swings on a tire in the background, the man says, “I  support comprehensive background checks so criminals and the dangerously  mentally ill can’t buy guns.”

“The ad does not specify if the man is an actor, but the text accompanying it  says he is a “gun owner.”  Either way, the man violates all three gun  safety rules taught by the National Rifle Association (NRA).”

It’s Amateur Hour in NY. 🙄

____________________________________________________

Remember folks, we don’t have a spending problem. We have a revenue problem, as in not enough revenue for the elitists in charge. And sadly this isn’t new. Waste like this has been going on for years. But these people seem to have perfected it.

From CNN

“Official business took him last month to Europe, a trip that included a bill of $585,000 for his one-night stay in Paris.

Also on the receipt was $321,665 for a limousine company and $459,338.65 for a hotel stay in London.

And while Biden was only in each town for one night, the London hotel bill, for example, included 136 rooms for multiple nights for his advance team, according to the documents posted on the website for Federal Business Opportunities and unearthed by the conservative magazine, The Weekly Standard.

Whether or not the figures were posted online intentionally remain unclear, as similar reports for previous overseas trips could not be located on the same website.”

Oh I’d wager it was done intentionally. More than likely by someone who actually had to deal with Sequester cuts, unlike the VP and Vacationer in Chief and his family. No word yet on the cost for this year’s taxpayer funded Spring Break trip to Atlantis for the Obama girls, or if Mrs. O is joining them. And still no tours for the children of taxpayers. Priorities people!

____________________________________________________

by

News/Politics 3-22-13

What’s interesting out there today?

We can start with Pres. Obama’s Mid East trip.

From Politico

“On his stops in the Holy Land Thursday, President Barack Obama turned again and again to a subject not obviously connected to the current troubles in the mideast: the struggles of African Americans in the United States.

One of the parallels the president drew—comparing the plight of Palestinians to that of blacks in the U.S.—has drawn criticism in the past when he raised it in this region.”

“Obama’s comments—which invoked life under Jim Crow in the U.S. or perhaps even under slavery—seemed to give support to Palestinian narratives that describe Arabs and Palestinians as second-class citizens in Israel. That line of criticism deeply angers many Israelis. Some critics of Israel go so far as to use the word apartheid, a word that angers Israelis further.

But at stops in Jerusalem later on Thursday, Obama invoked the history of African-Americans in the U.S. in ways far more pleasing to Israelis and Jews generally.”

The race card? How original. 🙄

Also note his habit of just saying whatever he thinks his audience wants to hear. Always in campaign mode.

While he fiddles, others point out the obvious. From USAToday

“President Obama’s first journey to Israel as president comes amid earth-shattering change in Middle East, much of it for the worse. The Arab Spring, which once raised hopes of freedom and dignity, has diverged onto the dark path of Islamist authoritarian rule. In Syria, tens of thousands of people have died in a bitter civil war that might have recently seen its first use of chemical weapons. And Iran continues its march toward nuclear weapons capability, heedless of international condemnation. Obama’s effort to seek peace between Palestinians and Israelis is in tatters.

That’s why the White House has been lowering expectations for Obama’s trip to Israel all this week. He will announce no new peace plan, grand design or major foreign policy initiative. His advisers are calling the trip a “listening tour.” That is what you call a state visit when you have little to say.

Despite downgrading the trip, many see Obama’s arrival as the sequel to his 2009 visit to Cairo, where he announced a “new beginning” with the Muslim world. Four years later, that doesn’t auger well for renewed efforts in Israel and the West Bank. According to the latest survey by the Pew Research Center’s Global Attitudes Project, confidence in Obama in Muslim countries dropped from 33% to 24% in his first term. Approval of Obama’s policies declined even further, from 34% to 15%. And support for the United States in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Pakistan is lower today than it was in 2008 in the closing year of George W. Bush’s administration. That collapse of support has not happened elsewhere.”

Ouch. Lower than Bush. That’s gotta sting his ego a bit. So much for soft-power huh? Doesn’t seem to be working real well. Then again, it’s probably Bush’s fault. Most things are.

____________________________________________________

This bothers me. Sure it’s limited now, but you know it’s ever expanding.

From NBCNews

“The U.S. government is expanding a cybersecurity program that scans Internet traffic headed into and out of defense contractors to include far more of the country’s private, civilian-run infrastructure.

As a result, more private sector employees than ever before, including those at big banks, utilities and key transportation companies, will have their emails and Web surfing scanned as a precaution against cyber attacks.

Under last month’s White House executive order on cybersecurity , the scans will be driven by classified information provided by U.S. intelligence agencies — including data from the National Security Agency (NSA) — on new or especially serious espionage threats and other hacking attempts. U.S. spy chiefs said on March 12 that cyber attacks have supplanted terrorism as the top threat to the country.

The Department of Homeland Security will gather the secret data and pass it to a small group of telecommunication companies and cyber security providers that have employees holding security clearances, government and industry officials said. Those companies will then offer to process email and other Internet transmissions for critical infrastructure customers that choose to participate in the program.”

____________________________________________________

Looks like some officials are standing up to the promotion of sex on a college campus in their state. I’ll skip the details, but yeah, I’d have to agree. IMHO I don’t see much of educational value in it.

CONTENT WARNING!

From TownHall

“A group of Tennessee lawmakers is preparing to issue an ultimatum to the University of Tennessee-Knoxville – either defund the first-ever “Sex Week” or they will defund the university.”

“This is truly an offense to the people of Tennessee,” State Rep. Susan Lynn said on the House floor. “I am offended for the people of my district at the University of Tennessee having sex week.”

A university spokesperson confirmed to Fox News that the nearly $20,000 event is being funded by student fees and university money.”

____________________________________________________

Gee, do you think the promotion of stuff like the above in our learning centers has anything to do with this? I can’t help but think that promoting an “if it feels good do it” mentality leads to stuff like this, not to mention more abortions.

From CNSNews

“Calling it “The Great Crossover,” a report by academics and social activists shows that for the first time in history the median age of American women having babies is lower than the median age of marriage – 25.7 and 26.5, respectively.

These “dramatic changes in childbearing,” the report states, results in dramatic statistics about American children. Among them, 48 percent of first births are by unwed mothers, and by age 30 two-thirds of American women have had a child, typically out of wedlock.

Kay Hymowitz, an author of the report and a William E. Simon Fellow at the Manhattan Institute, said at an event to release the report on Wednesday at the Brookings Institution, that it reflects how the view of what marriage is about has changed.”

____________________________________________________

by

News/Politics 3-18-13

What’s interesting in the news today?

Open thread, as always.

Here’s some to start things off.

____________________________________________________

A growing number of states (28) are telling the Senate and Obama admin “No thank you” on the idea of new federal gun laws.

From CNSNews

“On March 12 and 14, the Senate Judiciary Committee passed both Sen. Charles Schumer’s (D-NY) “Fix Gun Checks Act,” which would criminalize all private firearm sales and Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s (D-CA) “Assault Weapons Ban.”

These bills have a long way to go before they become law – if they ever do – but states across the nation are introducing their own legislation to preemptively defeat any new federal gun laws.

In Ohio, two senators have introduced SB36, which would prohibit firearms seizures, registration and bans in their state.

____________________________________________________

A riot at the University of Dayton?

From DaytonDailyNews

“University of Dayton administrators will meet this week to evaluate a riot involving more than 1,000 people causing police from 10 jurisdictions to respond to the student campus housing area also known as the UD ghetto early Sunday morning.

After more than two decades without a major St. Patrick’s Day incident, the university had a violent “disturbance” that left broken beer bottles and 11 damaged cars, including a police cruiser, on Kiefaber Street, according to a university official.

“We would describe what happened as a disturbance, said Andy Booher, a lieutenant with the Dayton Police Department. “It was quickly contained because of the response by University police and other jurisdictions.””

____________________________________________________

And here’s a fun read on some Democrats who are starting to point out the obvious. Alternate title, “Obama is Bush II”

From ZeroHedge

“Even Democratic Party Loyalists Starting to Wake Up to the Fact that Obama Is As Bad As Bush … Or Worse”

It’s loaded with fun facts and lots of links, like these…..

“Glenn Greenwald notes that even Democratic party loyalists are getting fed up with Obama’s Bush-like actions:”

“Indeed, more and more Democrats are waking up the fact that Obama is doing a lot of the same stuff Bush did.”

“Income inequality has increased more under Obama than under Bush.”

“Obama has prosecuted fewer financial crimes than President Reagan, Clinton or either of the Bush presidents.”

“Obama has prosecuted more whistleblowers than all other presidents combined.”

And there’s lot’s more. They’re a little late to the party though.

____________________________________________________

So in closing, an old one, yet still fitting………..   “Same As It Ever Was” From PolitiZoid

____________________________________________________

by

News/Politics 3-13-13

What’s interesting out there today?

How about the Dueling Budgets? I guess it’s only fair to start with the Senate proposal, since it’s the first in 5 years. Slackers. And not surprisingly, it calls for a trillion dollar tax increase. Oh wait, I’m sorry, the new term is “increased revenues”. My bad. 🙄

From Politico

“Sen. Patty Murray’s new budget plan calls for raising tax revenues by nearly $1 trillion while  cutting spending by roughly the same amount over the next decade, according to  people familiar with the proposal.

The Budget Committee chairwoman briefed fellow Democratic senators over the  new proposal in a closed-door lunch Tuesday that President Barack Obama also  attended. Committee deliberations will begin Wednesday, and the panel expects to  vote on the plan Thursday before floor debate next week.”

____________________________________________________

The House plan, from Ryan, is nothing to get real excited about either. But at least it won’t increase taxes. Allegedly.

From TheWallStJournal

“America’s national debt is over $16 trillion. Yet Washington can’t figure out how to cut $85 billion—or just 2% of the federal budget—without resorting to arbitrary, across-the-board cuts. Clearly, the budget process is broken. In four of the past five years, the president has missed his budget deadline. Senate Democrats haven’t passed a budget in over 1,400 days. By refusing to tackle the drivers of the nation’s debt—or simply to write a budget—Washington lurches from crisis to crisis.

House Republicans have a plan to change course. On Tuesday, we’re introducing a budget that balances in 10 years—without raising taxes. How do we do it? We stop spending money the government doesn’t have. Historically, Americans have paid a little less than one-fifth of their income in taxes to the federal government each year. But the government has spent more.”

____________________________________________________

Meanwhile the White House finds time for more important things.  Who needs budgets anyway, when you can have “increased revenues”? I guess that’s how they plan on paying for increased entitlements.

From TheWashingtonExaminer

“President Obama policy aides attacked a Republican bill that would block the Department of Health and Human Services from waiving the work requirements associated with the 1996 welfare reform bill, even as the White House continued to deny that it had authorized such waivers.

“With respect to the provision in H.R. 890 to limit State flexibility to strengthen the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program, the Administration notes that this flexibility was requested by Governors on both sides of the aisle to allow States to test new, more effective ways to place more people on a path to self-sufficiency,” the White House Office of Management and Budget said in a policy statement today. “The Administration is disappointed that the bill includes this unnecessary bar to innovative welfare-to-work strategies.”

Rep. Dave Camp, R-Mich., introduced the bill. “Nothing in current law prohibits a State from strengthening its work requirements and moving more individuals from welfare to work,” Camp said during a hearing last week.  “Instead, a waiver would only be needed to weaken the work requirements, as the Administration wishes to do, pure and simple.”

And paying for yet another needless Czar and his staff.

From JudicialWatch

“Keeping with his race-based ideology, President Obama has named the nation’s first African American education czar to focus on improving the academic performance of black students and countering the discrimination that persists in public schools around the country.

The official title is Executive Director of White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans and the task is to reduce “racial isolation and resegregation of elementary and secondary schools.” Despite decades-old desegregation laws, “substantial obstacles” to equal educational opportunities still remain in America’s public school system, according to the president. Therefore the academic performance of black students has for decades lagged behind whites and other ethnic minorities.”

“So last summer the commander-in-chief issued an executive order to create a special White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans. The goal is to tackle a rampant crisis of perpetually low academic performance and high dropout rates among black students. African Americans lack equal access to highly effective teachers and principals, safe schools and challenging college-preparatory classes and they disproportionately experience school discipline and referrals to special education, according to the executive order.

President Obama also threw this often-cited statistic into his race-based educational excellence executive order: “African American males also experience disparate rates of incarceration.” Presumably, his new initiative will bring the numbers down. The effort includes the creation of a new President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans and a special “working group” consisting of senior officials from the departments of Justice, Education, Labor and White House Domestic Policy Council.”

I’m so glad we finally have a post-racial President. 🙄

____________________________________________________

And Sharyl Attkisson asks a good question over at CBS.

“Six months later, where are the Benghazi survivors?”

“Today marks six months since the September 11, 2012 terrorist attacks on the U.S. compounds in Benghazi, Libya in which four Americans were killed, including U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens. Some watchdog groups, members of the media and Republican members of Congress are asking: Where are the more than two dozen U.S. personnel who survived the attack but haven’t been seen nor heard from in public since? There were also an undisclosed number of witnesses at the U.S. compounds in Tripoli but they also have not spoken publicly.

In a recent press report, Secretary of State John Kerry said he visited one survivor at “Bethesda hospital,” and referred to him a “remarkably courageous person who is doing very, very well.” Kerry added, “I’ve called his wife and talked to her.” But the identities, condition and testimony of the survivors and witnesses have been closely held from the public.

Republicans demanded more information about Benghazi in recent weeks before they would agree to allow Obama Administration nominees to move forward in the Senate. A source familiar with material turned over to the Senate Intelligence Committee by the Obama Administration in response tells CBS News that long sought-after FBI transcripts of some survivors were included but had been “blacked out” or redacted. Three Senate Republicans including Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., say they want the survivors to be made available for interviews about what happened the night of the attacks.”

I guess the answer is “What difference does it make?”

____________________________________________________

by

News/Politics 3-8-13

What’s interesting out there today?

____________________________________________________

First an UPDATE to a story from yesterday. Senators Paul and Cruz, who also spoke during the filibuster, have introduced legislation to limit drone strikes against American citizens.

The civil war between conservatives and moderate/liberals in the Republican party will continue. They’re ignoring the leadership and doing what they believe to be right. Meanwhile, the old guard led by McCain and Graham whine about grandstanding by Paul (while grandstanding themselves), and how wonderful dinner with Obama was.

From CruzSenate.Gov

“U.S. Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Rand Paul (R-KY) today introduced legislation to prohibit drone killings of U.S. citizens on U.S. soil if they do not represent an imminent threat.

“Our Constitution restrains government power,” Cruz said. “The federal government may not use drones to kill U.S. citizens on U.S. soil if they do not represent an imminent threat. The Commander in Chief does, of course, have the power to protect Americans from imminent attack, and nothing in this legislation interferes with that power.”

Key bill text:   The Federal Government may not use a drone to kill a citizen of the United States who is located in the United States. The prohibition under this subsection shall not apply to an individual who poses an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury to another individual. Nothing in this section shall be construed to suggest that the Constitution would otherwise allow the killing of a citizen of the United States in the United States without due process of law.”

Some on the left are coming out in agreement with Paul’s way of thinking as well. Plus a video of tone deaf McCain, if you want to watch it.

From HotAir

“Erika already touched on this but watch the vid too to see one of the more memorably tone-deaf performances in modern political history. Whatever your feelings about Paul’s position on drones, there’s no denying the truth of what Philip Klein says here:

A lot of the outpouring of conservative support for Paul’s filibuster on Obama’s drone policy went beyond the libertarian and anti-interventionist blocs of the movement who were also deeply troubled by Bush era counter-terrorism policies. Even those conservatives who may not agree with all of Paul’s views on presidential war powers were supportive if for no other reason than they relished seeing a conservative win a messaging war with Obama. It was impossible to dismiss this as just a right-wing Tea Party attack, because a lot of liberals agree with the substance of Paul’s criticism. This filibuster had to get under Obama’s skin. As much as anything else, he was elected on a promise to turn the page on the Bush era and conduct the war against terrorism with greater concern for civil liberties. Watching Paul’s filibuster last night, I couldn’t help but think that this is how Obama imagines himself –  a principled crusader for justice. When Bush and Cheney were running the show, whatever could be said about them, at least they were consistent in supporting broad presidential powers in the realm of national security. But it’s hard to look back at the pre-2009 Obama and see him as anything other than an arrogant hypocrite now — somebody who thinks a muscular executive branch is okay so long as he’s running it.”

____________________________________________________

Here’s another Update to one of yesterday’s stories. The White House has pulled the planned International Woman of Courage Award for the anti-Semitic/anti-American remarks made by Samira Ibrahim.

From TheHuffingtonPost

“The Obama administration is postponing an award for an Egyptian activist who rallied worldwide attention against forced “virginity tests” on female protesters because of anti-American and anti-Semitic comments discovered on her Twitter account.

The State Department announced earlier this week that Samira Ibrahim would be among 10 recipients of the International Women of Courage award presented by Secretary of State John Kerry and first lady Michelle Obama on Friday.

But State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said Thursday the U.S. would hold off on awarding Ibrahim while officials investigate the tweets, which include support for attacks against U.S. diplomatic installations and praise for a terrorist assault against Israeli citizens in Bulgaria.”

Meanwhile, she doubles down. From TheWeeklyStandard

“Finally, Ibrahim herself has spoken, writing in Arabic on her Twitter page. Egyptian democracy activist Mina Rezkalla provides the translation: “I refuse to apologize to the Zionist lobby in America regarding my previous anti-Zionist statements under pressure from American government therefore they withdrew the award.”

This would seem to settle the question as to whether or not her page had been “stolen.” Now all that’s left is for the State Department to demand that Ibrahim reimburse American taxpayers for her trip to the United States.”

____________________________________________________

And while we’re on the subject of anti-Semites, it’s off to Harvard for the next one.

From IsraelNationalNews

“In Harvard University’s latest attempt to promote the delegitimization of the state of Israel, Jewish students in freshman and upper class dormitories received mock eviction notices in light of “Israel Apartheid Week”, which is currently being organized on college and university campuses worldwide.

The campaign, organized by the Harvard Palestine Solidarity Committee, distributed notices at the beginning of March which read, “We regret to inform you that your suite is scheduled for demolition in the next three days”, a reference to the group’s views regarding Israel’s treatment of the Arab population.

The Anti Defamation League (ADL) expressed outrage over the prestigious university’s latest attempts to daunt Jewish students and demonize the state of Israel saying, “This tactic is designed to silence and intimidate pro-Israel advocates at Harvard and campuses around the country.”

____________________________________________________

Hugo Chavez’s supporters are convinced foul play was involved. The implications are that the US was responsible. And like any good lefty, Chavez said we should blame George Bush. 🙄

From TheWashingtonPost

“Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez had been fighting cancer for two years when he died this afternoon at age 58, but some Venezuelans — including new President Nicolas Maduro — are convinced foul play is to blame.

Maduro promised on state television that a “scientific commission” would look into Chavez’s death and the possibility that his “historical enemies” had somehow induced his disease, reported El Diario. On social media and in several news outs, that “historical enemy” was interpreted as the United States.”

____________________________________________________

This is just disturbing. This is yet another indictment against the public school system. Throwing money at it has solved nothing. But that will be what they say they need to fix it.

From NYCBSLocal

“Nearly 80 percent of New York City high school graduates need to relearn basic skills before they can enter the City University’s community college system.”

“When they graduated from city high schools, students in a special remedial program at the Borough of Manhattan Community College couldn’t make the grade.

They had to re-learn basic skills — reading, writing and math — first before they could begin college courses.”

“In sheer numbers it means that nearly 11,000 kids who got diplomas from city high schools needed remedial courses to re-learn the basics.”

And that’s just one major city, and it’s not the only one.

____________________________________________________

And this one I’m putting up because all too often we hear rich people, mostly liberals, talking about the rich paying more. The problem is, they never volunteer more of their money to help out. Well this one is, and no, he’s not a liberal. Warren Buffet could learn a lot from this guy. And unlike Warren, I bet this guy doesn’t own millions in back taxes either.

From HotAir

“The White House’s transparently petty decision to inflict sequester’s pain on America’s middle-schoolers (as if those years aren’t tough enough) revealed its sequestration doomsaying as silly and its post-doomsaying behavior as spiteful. In a rare good PR turn for Republicans, what was meant to make them look like heartless meanies has held the White House up for ridicule for its utter unwillingness to prioritize. Upon hearing the estimates that the White House’s cancellation of tours might save the administration $18,000-$72,000 a week, Fox News anchor Eric Bolling— I’m sure they’re fans at the White House— decided to come to the aid of The Children.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, anchor Eric Bolling announced that he will offer to personally pay the costs to keep the tours at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue open for a week.

During Thursday evening’s episode of “The Five,” Bolling elaborated. “I will absolutely write the check if they open the doors next week.”

“I’ll make you a deal Mr. President…Let these families take their White House tours next week and I’ll cover the added expenses. Word is it will cost around $74,000.”

by

News/Politics 3-6-13

What’s interesting in the news today?

We’ve got lot’s to choose from today.

____________________________________________________

UPDATE

Kentucky Senator Rand Paul is pulling a good ol’ fashioned fillibuster. He’s holding up the cloture vote for CIA nominee Brennan until he gets answers on the Obama drone program. He plans to keep it up until he can’t speak any more. Other Republicans are joining in. You can watch live at CSPAN 2 at the link below.

http://www.c-span.org/Live-Video/C-SPAN2/

____________________________________________________

Since I pointed out the allegations against Senator Menendez, it’s only fair to point out this one too. This one alleges the prostitute has recanted her story.

From TheWashingtonPost

“An escort who appeared on a video claiming that Sen. Robert Menendez  (D-N.J.) paid her for sex has told Dominican authorities that she was instead paid to make up the claims and has never met or seen the senator, according to court documents and two people briefed on her claim.

The woman said a local lawyer had approached her and a fellow escort and asked them to help frame Menendez and a top donor, Salomon Melgen, according to affidavits obtained by The Washington Post.”

“Daily Caller Editor Tucker Carlson did not reply to phone calls and e-mails requesting comment.”

Now I included that last line for a reason. The Daily Caller says the Post story is inaccurate. The Post has the wrong prostitute. They also point out a discrepancy with the last line there from the Post.

From TheDailyCaller

“The Washington Post mistook one prostitute for another Monday in a report that  initially seemed to debunk a November 2012 Daily Caller exposé of New  Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez.”

“While the Post said it had an affidavit from a woman in the Dominican Republic  admitting she fabricated claims Menendez paid her for sex, that woman was not  one of the two prostitutes TheDC interviewed for a Nov. 1 report.”

Politico  get’s in on the act, as referee.

“ORIGINAL STORY: The Washington Post and the Daily Caller remain at odds over whether or not WaPo reporter Carol Leonnig reached out to TheDC for comment prior to reporting about the outlet’s involvement in a story pertaining to Dominican prostitutes and Democratic Sen. Robert Menendez.

The Daily Caller has now provided POLITICO with what it says is the first email Leonnig sent to Daily Caller editor Tucker Carlson on Monday night. According to the email as it was provided by TheDC, Leonnig sent her first email to Carlson at 5:35 p.m., more than half an hour after the Post posted its original story online. Her email — again, as provided by TheDC — includes an introduction and a link to the already-live story.”

“UPDATE (1:07 p.m.): The Washington Post’s Carol Leonnig did not report that she had reached out to The Daily Caller for comment in her initial report. She later updated her story after reaching out to Carlson, noting that Carlson did not return requests for comment. But updated versions of the story did not — and, so far, do not — mention that the story was updated.

UPDATE (2:38 p.m.): The Daily Caller now points out that the Post has changed its story — again, without noting that the post has been updated — so that it no longer claims definitively that the Dominican prostitute who recanted her allegation against Sen. Menendez was the same one who appeared in a video posted by The Daily Caller. The Washington Post has yet to comment on why it does not note updates to its story.”

Hmmmm…….

____________________________________________________

We also have some new developments in the Trayvon Martin case. You probably won’t hear much about this though. Doesn’t fit the meme.

From TheOrlandoSentinel

“Trayvon Martin’s girlfriend, the state’s most important witness in the George Zimmerman murder case, was caught in a lie Tuesday.

It was not the first piece of misinformation tied to her, but it was the most damaging to date and left prosecutors in a very awkward position.

They had to publicly acknowledge that their star witness had lied under oath and had to answer questions about what they intend to do about it.”

OK, now I’ll ask the obvious. Was she coached to lie by Al Sharpton, like he did with Tawana Brawley? It seems to be similar in that one case fell apart when it went to court, and this one seems to be faring just as poorly. The truth comes out.

____________________________________________________

Looks like Democrats have some explaining to do. They won’t of course, and the media is still on his side and will continue to carry his water so he doesn’t have to. But he should. Here’s further proof of what a fraud this whole Sequester thing has been. All of it orchestrated by the man who signed it into law.

From TheWashingtonTimes

“The Obama administration denied an appeal  for flexibility in lessening the sequester’s effects, with an email this week appearing to show officials in Washington that because they already had promised  the cuts would be devastating, they now have to follow through on that.”

“In the email sent Monday by Charles Brown,  an official with the Animal  and Plant Health Inspection Service office in Raleigh, N.C., Mr. Brown asked “if there was any latitude” in how to spread the sequester cuts  across the region to lessen the impacts on fish inspections.”

“He said he was discouraged by officials in Washington, who gave him this reply: “We have gone on record with a notification to Congress and whoever else that ‘APHIS would eliminate assistance to producers in 24 states in managing wildlife damage to the aquaculture industry, unless they provide funding to cover the costs.’ So it is our opinion that however you manage that reduction, you need to make sure you are not contradicting what we said the  impact would be.””

““This email confirms what many Americans have suspected: The Obama administration is doing everything they can to make sure their worst  predictions come true and to maximize the pain of the Sequester cuts for  political gain,” said Rep. Tim Griffin, Arkansas Republican.”

And they paraded out a bunch of flunkies to lie as well.

From TheTelegraphUK

“Ms Napolitano said today that major airports were seeing lines “150 to 200 percent as long as we would normally expect” as result of the federal spending cuts that went into force on Friday.”

“However, when contacted by The Daily Telegraph, spokespeople for both O’Hare and LAX, as well as representatives from the travel industry, denied that airports had been hit by delays.”

“Arne Duncan, the secretary of education, was widely criticised last month for saying that teachers were already being laid off because of the cuts, a claim without evidence. The Washington Post‘s Fact Checker blog awarded the claim four Pinocchios – its highest rating for falsehood.”

It’s a disaster of their own making. Just like they intended.

And even with all of this out and exposed, they just double down on the lies and intentionally inflicted pain.

From TheHill

“Members of the Congressional Black Caucus said Monday night that the $85 billion in cuts to federal spending, known as the sequester, will disproportionately affect blacks and other minorities, in part because they are more likely to work  for the government.

“Sequestration will impact everyone, but it will have  a particularly harmful effect on communities of color who were hit first and  worst by the great recession, and have yet to significantly feel the effects of  the recovery,” Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) said Monday.”

“”Federal budget cuts under sequestration would quickly mean cuts to federal, state and local public-sector jobs, which disproportionately employ women and African-Americans.””

And it’s only disproportionate because of reverse discrimination and sexism, which the govt is fine with and enables thru affirmative action.

____________________________________________________

by

News/Politics 3-1-13

What’s interesting in the news today?

Open thread, so feel free to chime in.

____________________________________________________

The Scarequester nonsense continues. The Democrat proposed bill was as bad as you’d think. How does adding to the deficit solve anything, other than just maintaining the status-quo? It deserved to fail.

From NationalReview

“The sequester replacement bill proposed by Senate Democrats, and endorsed by the White House, would add $7.2 billion to the federal deficit over ten years, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

“CBO estimates that S. 388 would increase direct spending by $62.4 billion and revenues by $55.1 billion over the 2013–2023 period. Thus, the cumulative deficit would increase by $7.2 billion from those changes,” CBO wrote in a report.

The Democratic bill would replace the $85 billion in automatic cuts scheduled to take effect on Friday with a mixture of tax increases and spending cuts to defense programs and farm subsidies. However, those spending cuts would be phased in over a ten-year period, whereas the sequestration cuts would occur this year.”

____________________________________________________

The Republican bill which would keep the sequester in place, but allow Obama discretion in implementing the cuts, failed as well.

From IBTimes

“A sequester will go into effect Friday, after a Republican measure to offset the automatic, across-the-board spending cuts associated with the budget act was rejected by Senate leadership Thursday. A Democratic proposal also fell short of the 60 votes needed.”

“The GOP’s bill that would have given President Barack Obama the flexibility to implement the $85 billion in spending cuts was rebuffed 38 to 62. The measure was struck down by both Democrats and tea party members. On the other hand, the Democrats’ proposal failed 51 to 49 and wasn’t popular among Republicans, as expected.”

____________________________________________________

Meanwhile, the fear-mongering and scare tactics continue.

From CNSNews

“Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Md.) said that if the  sequester goes into effect, women who are victims of domestic violence  will be “forced to stay in their homes with their abuser” at the “hands  of the GOP.””

““The harm is real,” Edwards said.  “230,000 victims will be calling  crisis hotlines and those calls will go unanswered.  230,000 calls to  crisis hotlines around the country.”

“So can you imagine that in the middle of the night a woman is being  battered, she has her two children, she wants to get to safety, she  places a phone call to a hotline and that line goes unanswered,” she  said.  “That’s what sequestration means to victims of domestic  violence.””

There’s plenty that can be cut without touching stuff like this. Unless Dems and Obama chose to do it. This doesn’t need to be near as painful as they make it sound. Waste is everywhere, start there and with redundant programs.

____________________________________________________

Stuff like this is a good place to start, along with Cowboy Poetry.

From TheWashingtonTimes

“The White House budget office has told  federal agencies to slow down new hiring, curtail travel and conferences, and to stop doling out bonuses unless absolutely required to by law, according to a new memo released late Wednesday.

Budget office controller Danny Werfel  also warned agencies not to use outside contractors to try to get around the new limits on hiring.

The  limits on bonuses and trips are unlikely to make a big dent in   the $85  billion that agencies will be required to cut over the rest of   this year. The  Asbury Park Press, a New Jersey  newspaper, reported  last  year that the  federal  government paid out $439 million in  employee  bonuses in 2011.  Meanwhile,  the House oversight committee  said that   big-dollar  conferences amounted to $267.6 million in 2012.

But federal travel is a bigger cost, totaling $14.8 billion in 2012, the  oversight committee said.”

Next we can have the President and his wife stop taking separate and numerous vacations on the taxpayer dime. That’ll save millions a year.

This isn’t nearly as hard as they’re making it.

____________________________________________________

You won’t find much sympathy for these folks I’m guessing. And really, 5-7 days of furlough is the end of the world? Just be thankful you still have a job. Maybe they should have thought of the costs when hiring 16,ooo new IRS agents to enforce ObamaCare.

From TheWallStJournal

“The Internal Revenue Service plans to require  five to seven days of unpaid leave for many of it employees through September, but it won’t begin the furloughs until the summer  in an effort to avoid disruptions in the April tax filing deadline.”

““If sequestration occurs, we will continue to operate under a hiring freeze, reduce funding for grants and other expenditures, and cut costs in areas such as travel, training, facilities and supplies,” IRS Acting Commissioner Steven Miller wrote employees Thursday. “In addition, we will need to review contract spending to ensure only the most critical and mandatory
requirements are fully funded.””

Shouldn’t that be the norm instead of the exception? Critical and mandatory requirements should be all they do.

____________________________________________________

And while Democrats and liberal members of the press attack Woodward for telling the truth, others have come forward.

From WeaselZippers

“First Bob Woodward, then Lanny Davis.

Now Ron Fournier of the National Journal reports being verbally abused and threatened by a “senior advisor”.”

“USA Today also contributed to the tide today :

It’s almost like there’s a pattern or something. 🙄

They don’t like it when the truth gets out.

____________________________________________________

This one? Well sure it’s nice that we could, but should we? Sure it starts with something small, like with a pigeon, but then somebody does something stupid and dinosaurs are all over the place. I’ve seen Jurassic Park. I know how this ends. 😦

From SanFranCBSLocal

“Speaking from the prestigious TED Conference in Long Beach Wednesday, Sausalito activist Stewart Brand said scientists are developing the ability to reassemble an extinct animal’s genome, and even recreate the animal itself.

Brand, who gained fame after he campaigned to have the original NASA space photos of earth published, and subsequently created the Whole Earth Catalog, said Wednesday that “de-extinction” could be used to help restore organisms and habitats damaged human activity, according to a report in the Marin Independent Journal.

A team of Harvard geneticists are currently working to bring back the passenger pigeon, which has been extinct since 1914, according to the TED website. The passenger pigeon is considered a keystone species because it aided the survival of the buffalo, according to TED. Researchers believe it may now be possible to alter the genetic makeup of a close relative, the band-tailed pigeon, to re-engineer the passenger pigeon.”

____________________________________________________