Charlie Chatter

District Judge Declares National Day of Prayer Unconstitutional

            From the story:  U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb wrote that the government can no more enact laws supporting a day of prayer than it can encourage citizens to fast during Ramadan, attend a synagogue or practice magic.  An appeal is on the way (USA Today).  She was appointed by Jimmy Carter (Judgepedia). 

Obama: Tea Party Members Should Thank Me

            Because so few people pay taxes.  He still doesn’t get it (FOX News).  Americans do get it, with the majority knowing their taxes are about to go up (Gallup).  It might help Obama to read the Contract from America (The Contract).  From Larry Kudlow:  What’s so significant to me about this tea-party Contract from America is the strong emphasis on constitutional limits and restraints on legislation, spending, taxing, and government control of the economy. Undoubtedly, the emphasis is there because no one trusts Washington (Townhall). 

Obama Orders Hospitals to Give Gays Marital Visitation Rights

            And if they don’t, no Medicare or Medicaid money.

            LA Times

Biden Charitable Giving for 2009:  $4,820

            A paltry 1.44 percent of his income.  Unfortunately, the story doesn’t say where the money went (Washington Times).  But this is not unusual for Biden, who gave less than $4,000 over a ten year period (NRO). 

Democrats Eye Vote on Cap and Trade

            From the story:   A long-awaited compromise bill to reduce U.S. emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases blamed for global warming will be unveiled by a group of senators on April 26, sources said on Thursday.  Later:  The White House is also eager to show the rest of the world the United States is ready to take a leadership role on global warming, including to help kick-start stalled international efforts to tackle the problem.  Despite vocal climate change skeptics in the United States, leading scientific groups have been hoping the United States, the biggest emitter of greenhouse gases after China, would take action.

            Reuters

Wrong Twin Baby Aborted

            Dr. Albert Mohler explains:  A doctor in the city has lost his license because he aborted what is now described as the “wrong” baby. Back in 2006, Dr. Matthew Kachinas had been asked to perform an abortion on a baby that had been identified as having Down syndrome and other congenital defects. Instead, the doctor aborted that baby’s healthy twin.  Later:  The situation with Dr. Kachinas reveals the horribly confused morality that marks modern America and, in far too many cases, the practice of medicine.

            Albert Mohler

Crash the Tea Party Founder Under Investigation

            The story explains “The investigation by Oregon’s teacher licensing agency comes in response to a public outcry over Jason Levin’s public statements that he’ll do anything short of throwing rocks to bring down the Tea Party.”  Here’s the great irony/hypocrisy:  At the moment, the Beaverton School District is officially defending Levin’s actions as the district’s public information officer, Maureen Wheeler, told FoxNews.com “What this teacher does in his private time is his private personal business. So when he’s not in school, that’s his personal time and there’s just not a lot we can do.”  Yet they’re telling their teachers not to talk to the press about Levin’s actions.

            FOX News

ACLU Helps Man Profit by Flipping Cop the Bird

            The man did so in front of his kids.  The ACLU believes flipping off cops is your right.  They sued and the city settled.

            NBC

CBO Head:  US Debt Unsustainable

            Doug Elmendorf said it “cannot be solved through minor tinkering.”  And the story notes he was echoing “the recent sentiments of a pair of Federal Reserve chiefs — the current head, Ben Bernanke, and former Chairman Paul Volcker.”

            Politico

Netanyahu Cancels Trip to Washington

            From Reuters:  He made the decision after learning Egypt and Turkey intended to raise the issue of Israel’s assumed atomic arsenal at the meeting (Reuters).  According to AP, he feared “Israel would be singled out over its own nuclear program” (FOX News).  From the Jerusalem Post:  Army Radio reported that US sources informed Israel that a group of participating Arab countries led by Turkey and Egypt plan to use the summit to demand that Israel sign the NPT (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty) and allow its alleged nuclear capabilities to be placed under international inspection (Jerusalem Post).  One story notes “Obama won 78 percent of Jews in 2008, more than John Kerry before him. In fact, despite a string of stories hinting otherwise, Obama was never really at risk of losing Jews in 2008. No Republican has won Jews since 1920 (and that was due to a third-party candidate). Only blacks are a more loyal bloc of the Democratic Party.”  Later:  Most US Jews don’t view Israel as a top issue partly because of America’s strong support, despite periodic flare-ups, of the Jewish state. Western Europe tells another story. In recent decades, the rise of considerable anti-Israeli sentiment on the European left pushed many Jews rightward.  Finally:  Obama attempts to thread the needle: pressure Israel for diplomatic gain without risking significant domestic political loss. Obama is gambling that the ends might justify the means. But he is also unlikely to dramatically escalate those means and risk too much political cost. After all, like so many before him, the ends will likely escape this president as well (RCP). 

Obama: “Last I Checked, Sarah Palin’s Not Much of an Expert on Nuclear Issues”

            The president gave that attack-the-accuser response to ABC News when informed of criticism of his nuclear policy (ABC News). Video (RCP).  From Charles Krauthammer:  A nuclear posture is just that — a declaratory policy designed to make the other guy think twice.  Our policies did. The result was called deterrence. For half a century, it held. The Soviets never invaded. We never used nukes. That’s why nuclear doctrine is important.  Later:  Under President Obama’s new policy, however, if the state that has just attacked us with biological or chemical weapons is “in compliance with the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT),” explained Gates, then “the U.S. pledges not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against it.”  Imagine the scenario: Hundreds of thousands are lying dead in the streets of Boston after a massive anthrax or nerve gas attack. The president immediately calls in the lawyers to determine whether the attacking state is in compliance with the NPT. If it turns out that the attacker is up-to-date with its latest IAEA inspections, well, it gets immunity from nuclear retaliation (Townhall).  From Linda Chavez:  Obama has made the critical mistake of signaling to our enemies our willingness to hold back if we are attacked by a weapon of mass destruction. And you can bet they’ve taken notice (Townhall).  From Senators Jon Kyl and John McCain: “Under the treaty, Russia and the United States have reduced the number of warheads and verification procedures significantly. Both of these changes will have ramifications on our force structure and intelligence that we will need to evaluate” (Townhall).  Once again, Obama is going against the wishes of Americans (Rasmussen). 

Poll:  Democrat Party Favorable Ratings Hit Record Low

            Down to 41 percent.  GOP, traditionally below Dems, is up to 42 (Gallup).  And the public anger about the force feeding of Obamacare has Democrats dodging the issue (AP).  Democrats fear they could lose a congressional seat in a special election in Hawaii, one that seemed very secure pre-Obamacare (US News). 

Goldberg:  As We Become Europe, Who Will Be America?

            From Jonah Goldberg:  We can’t become Europe unless someone else is willing to become America.  He later makes the point:  Europe is a free-rider. It can only afford to be Europe because we can afford to be America.  The most obvious illustration of this fact is national defense. Europe’s defense budgets have been miniscule because Europeans can count on Uncle Sam to protect them (Townhall).  Newt Gingrich said Obama is “The most radical president in American history has now thrown down the gauntlet to the American people: ‘I run a machine. I own Washington and there’s nothing you can do about it”‘ (FOX News).

NY Times:  Economy “Gaining Strength” “Accelerating”

            9.7 percent unemployment suddenly looks good to the Times (NY Times).  Jobless claims saw an unexpected rise last week (FT). 

Now Cows Might Actually be Good for Environment

            From the story: “…a new study found that cattle grazed on the grasslands of China actually reduce another greenhouse gas, nitrous oxide.”  Who’ll be the first to create the bumper sticker:  Save the Planet, Eat Beef. 

            Telegraph

Animal Rights Activists Upset over Donkey Basketball

            Among other things, the activists worry donkeys will find the game “confusing.”  That takes donkey chess off the table.

            KOMO

Obama Cuts Religious Terms from National Security Strategy Document

            So key factual phrases like “Islamic extremism” are axed due to political correctness.

            FOX News

GOP Continues Strength Against Democrats

            A New Gallup poll notes “While it is too early to predict voter turnout by party this November, Republicans continue to show much greater enthusiasm than Democrats about voting in the 2010 elections” (Gallup).  Rasmussen has the GOP up by nine (Rasmussen).  Arkansas Democratic Senator Blanche Lincoln is in big trouble with deep double-digit deficits against any Republican candidate (Rasmussen).  Despite all this, a story from The Hill claims “Democrats feel they have grabbed political momentum.”  Then the story notes “Democratic strategists and independent political experts identify roughly five stumbling blocks that the party must overcome to avert big losses: history, jobs and the economy, an apathetic base, ethics and anti-Washington sentiment” (The Hill).  While some worry the Republicans are peaking too early, Dick Morris argues that isn’t the case (Townhall). 

Black Tea Party Members Catching Heat

            For not following the rest of the crowd.  It doesn’t help that this FOX News/AP story, like so many others, refers to  the Tea Party as “mostly white,” a label they wouldn’t dare pin on themselves or network news anchors (FOX News).  Meanwhile, Thomas Sowell continues his series on race and politics (Townhall). 

Obama Economic Advisor Suggests VAT Tax

            To help pay for Obama’s out of control spending.

            NY Post

Nebraska Bill Could Challenge Roe v Wade

            From the story:  If the legislation passes, Nebraska will be the first state to ban abortions based on the controversial notion that a fetus can feel pain at 20 weeks. State law now has a post-viability ban on abortion but defines viability on a case-by-case basis.

            ABC News

LA Times Deems Questionable Shows “Family Friendly”

            And that caught the attention of the Parents Television Council.  The Editor-in-Chief of TV Guide claims “it all depends how you define family, and each family can define that on their own. Family television has changed, just as the notion of ‘the family’ has changed.” (FOX News).  The LA Times article (LA Times). 

Danger as Co-Ed Dorms Spread

            From Dr. Mohler:  The rise of co-ed dorms is the inevitable result of a breakdown in all rationality about sex, gender, and sexuality. In this case, the movement is being pushed by activists who are all too clear about their agenda.  Later:  All of this adds up to a perfect jumble of moral confusion. Consider all that is mixed-up here. First, we have schools collapsing under the logic of gender rebellion. Instead of respecting boundaries, they remove them as a gesture of supposed tolerance and sensitivity. Second, we have students insisting that there is nothing remotely odd or sexualized about two heterosexual students of opposite genders living in the same small space. That is both unbelievable and deeply sad. Third, we have activists and administrators lecturing parents that they have no right to resist all this. When Jeffrey Chang insists that college students are adults who “have every single right to choose the person they feel most comfortable living with,” he assumes, probably rightly, that many parents will just accept that argument at face value.

            Albert Mohler

Obesity Activists Latest Target:  Ronald McDonald

            According to the story they say “the venerable spokes-clown… has hooked kids on unhealthy food, spurring an epidemic of diet-related diseases.”  But he makes great fries.

            ABC News

Obama to Limit US Nuclear Defense

            Remarkably, even in self defense (NY Times).  Rich Lowry looks at Obama’s disastrous game with Iran (NY Post).  And another story looks at the man Obama nominated as associate director of national security and international affairs in the Office of Science and Technology Policy (Politico). 

US Debt has Nation Flirting with Disaster

            From the story:  Lost amid last month’s passage of the new health care law, the Congressional Budget Office issued a report showing that within this decade, President Obama’s own budget sends the U.S. government to a potential tipping point where the debt reaches 90 percent of gross domestic product.  UC Berkeley economist Alan Auerbach explained “The real problem is not just current deficits but where we’re heading.  We’re on a trajectory where the deficit’s going to go down a little and then go up again. And we have no solution for that” (San Francisco Chronicle).  The Washington Times called Obama “the most fiscally irresponsible president in American history” (Washington Times). 

54 Percent Still Want Repeal of Obamacare

            Including 57 percent of unaffiliated voters (Rasmussen).  Byron York examines the dangerous Obamacare concept of redistributing wealth (Townhall).  Hugh Hewitt looks at Obama’s plummeting popularity (Washington Examiner).  And Harry Reid continues to be despised back home (LA Times).  Victor Davis Hanson calls Obama a postmodern president and explains:  For 14 months we have tried to use abstract benchmarks like “did Obama contradict himself?,” “did Obama break another promise?,” “did Obama really think borrowing another $2 trillion won’t help to bankrupt us?,” “did Obama indeed think another entitlement ’saves’ money?,” “did Obama snub another ally and court another enemy?,” “did Obama apologize again?” — when, in fact, such linear thinking, such artificially constructed “norms,” such “facts” are nothing of the sort at all. To Obama, our first postmodern president, such facts and truth are mere signatures of privilege, and so he is offering us another — a postmodern — way of looking at the world (Pajamas Media). 

Tennessee Democrat Compares Tea Party to KKK

            Steve Cohen said they show a “hardcore angry side” of the country, only “without robes and hoods.“  He was also shockingly disrespectful to John McCain and his service to America (FOX News)

Los Angeles Four Weeks from Being Unable to Pay Bills

            From the story:  City Controller Wendy Greuel declared an “urgent financial crisis” and said the only way to continue paying bills in the short term was to begin to drain the city’s already limited emergency reserve (LA Times).  In one city, the mayor cut trash pickup to every other week and the garbage is piling up (Examiner). 

Obamacare Forbids Doctors from Owning Hospitals

            One of the many favors in exchange for support.  The story notes “A group of lawyers can own a hospital. A group of hedge fund managers can own one. But doctors, who would presumably know the most about starting a hospital, won’t be able to after this year when the bill kicks in” (Forbes).  Another story explains that under Obamacare, you are forced to buy health care or your tax refund could be confiscated (Daily Caller). 

Woods at Masters, Apologies to Fellow Golfers

            So far, the fans seem to be forgiving (AP).  Audio of his press conference (SONnetwork).

Women in Portland March Topless, “Enraged” by Men Watching

            They were protesting the topless “double standard.”  The what-were-you-expecting moment from the story:  Ty McDowell, who organized the march, said she was “enraged” by the turnout of men attracted to the demonstration. The purpose, she said, was for society to have the same reaction to a woman walking around topless as it does to men without shirts on.  However, McDowell said she plans to organize similar demonstrations in the future and said she would be more “aggressive” in discouraging oglers.

            Press Herald

CBS Poll Shows Obama Approval at New Low

            Down to 44 percent.  The story also notes “When it comes to health care, the President’s approval rating is even lower — and is also a new all-time low. Only 34 percent approved, while 55 percent said they disapproved” (CBS News).  From Hot Air:  Small wonder Obama has taken to campaigning again for health care; he’s getting buried by it.  Obama might do better to change the subject, but the next most pressing issue is another which Americans don’t like the job he’s doing.  He only gets 42% approval on the economy, sinking closer to his all-time low of 41% in January (Hot Air). 

White House:  Economic Recover Kinda Slow After All

            From the story:  Obama’s chief economic adviser Lawrence Summers said on a pair of talk shows that a year after the passage of the stimulus bill, the U.S. economy still has “a long way to go.”  Summers said pushing the unemployment rate down from its current 9.7 percent level won’t be easy (FOX News).  Michael Barone notes “a nation with an ever-larger public sector and an inhibited-growth private sector is a nation with fewer openings for people who want work that will benefit others. Fewer opportunities for young people who want to choose their future, just as they choose their iPod playlists and Facebook friends. Change, maybe, but not much hope” (Townhall).  Meanwhile, Obama meandered for 17 minutes when asked if it’s a “wise decision to add more taxes to us with the health care” package when “we are over-taxed as it is” (Washington Post). 

Greenspan Asks what Media Refuses:  What if CBO Numbers are Wrong on Obamacare?

            As he notes “our buffer between our capacity to borrow and our actual debt is narrowing, for the first time, I think, in the American history, there’s a question, supposing we are wrong on the cost estimates, and, indeed, they are actually much higher than the best estimates can generate, the consequences are very severe,…” (ABC News).  Scott Brown has vowed to continue the fight against Obamacare (FOX News). 

Polls Show Tea Party has Independents and Democrats, Too

            The story notes “The national breakdown of the Tea Party composition is 57 percent Republican, 28 percent Independent and 13 percent Democratic” (The Hill).  And another poll, with the Indy/Dem makeup 43/8, reveals they aren’t undereducated and poor, as those on the left want you to believe (Gallup).  A close-up of some of the Americans who call themselves Tea Partiers (FOX News).  The Tea Party is outpolling Obama (Rasmussen). 

7.2 Quake Strikes Baja California

            Few deaths or injuries reported as of early this morning (ABC News).  One group which assists victims isn’t far from the quake (Team Rubicon).  Data on the quake and aftershocks (USGS)

78 Percent Believe Jesus Rose from the Dead

            A pivotal moment in Christian history (Rasmussen).  Dr. Albert Mohler notes “The cross and the empty tomb stand at the center of the Christian faith. Without these, there is no good news — no salvation” (Albert Mohler). 

Gore Turns Away Media at Duke Speaking Engagement

            The former VP only allows recording for the first 5 minutes of his 45 minute speech.  The media seem okay with this.

            WRAL

School Suspends Girl for Touching Pill

            She turned down the drug, but the school stuck to its policy of considering this drug possession and suspended her for five days.

            NBC

Gallup:  Republicans Surge Ahead in Generic Ballot

            Though Rasmussen has had this for quite some time, this is a rare finding for Gallup.  The story notes “The shift toward Republicans raises the possibility that the healthcare bill had a slightly negative impact on the Democrats’ political fortunes in the short run” (Gallup).  From the LA Times:  According to Gallup’s interpretation, this new finding would indicate an even stronger GOP outcome if November’s midterm elections were held now because Republicans tend to vote at higher rates than members of the president’s party (LA Times).  From the Wall Street Journal:  …the current edition of the Democratic Party has disconnected itself from the average American’s sense of political modesty. The party’s members and theorists now defend expanding government authority with the same arrogance that brought Progressive Era reforms down upon untethered industrial interests.  In such times, this country has an honored tradition of changing direction. That time may be arriving (WSJ).  Meanwhile, a poll shows voters put the economy ahead of environmental concerns.  And once again, Independents are on the side of the GOP (CNN). 

            Poll:  Americans Increasingly Blame Obama for Economic Trouble

            And a year and a half into his first term, the majority says he doesn’t deserve reelection (USA Today).  His approval track looks a lot like Jimmy Carter’s (USA Today). 

Some Democrats Working to Sell Obamacare at Home

            While one story claims key Democrats are avoiding the discussion of Obamacare (Reuters) another says some are pushing it hard (USA Today).  Obama is still trying to convince voters it’s something they want and need (CNS News). 

Catholic Actor Rejects Sex Scene, is Fired

            Neal McDonough was allegedly tossed from the new series Scoundrels for rejecting a sex scene.  Will SAG do anything about it?

            Deadline

From the story:  Maybe instead of a public health option, we’ll next get a “public salary”— a fair and reasonable amount of money every America should earn to alleviate income envy and unfairness?  The president and his administration spend an inordinate amount of time attacking the rich and, by extension, achievement.  But it’s rare for Mr. Obama to promote  “economic success” or “wealth creation.” 

            Weekly Standard

Vatican Blisters the NY Times over Attack on Pope

            From the story:  Cardinal William J. Levada, the former Archbishop of San Francisco and a close aide to the pope, attacked the newspaper’s main story on the abuse scandal last week and an editorial as “deficient by any reasonable standards of fairness” and defended the way the Church and the Vatican had handled the Murphy case.  “I ask the Times to reconsider its attack mode about Pope Benedict XVI and give the world a more balanced view of a leader it can and should count on,” said a 20-paragraph statement written by Levada (FOX News).  Hugh Hewitt spoke with the priest in charge of the Church’s prosecution (Townhall). 

            Pence:  Obama Drilling Talk a “Smokescreen”

            The Indiana congressman explained “As usual the devil is in the details.  Only in Washington, D.C., can you ban more areas to oil and gas exploration than you open up, delay the date of your new leases and claim you’re going to increase production.”

             Washington Times

Democrat:  We’re Leveling the Field

            Democrat Max Baucus, Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, admitted Obamacare is “an income shift, it is a shift, a leveling to help lower income middle income Americans” (Townhall).  Not surprisingly and plenty related, communist dictator Fidel Castro, called a “revolutionary leader” by the Associated Press, dubbed the accomplishment “a miracle” (AP).  Speaking of miracles, Nancy Pelosi claimed Obamacare would somehow save the US $1.3 trillion (CNS News).  Charles Krauthammer looks at the massive out-of-control cost of Obamacare (Townhall).  Another story notes “Senate Democrats voted almost unanimously Wednesday night to ensure the right of rapists and child molesters to have guaranteed access to government-subsidized Viagra under the president’s health care plan. Only Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana broke ranks with his Democratic colleagues.  Sen. Tom Coburn, Oklahoma Republican, put the Senate’s majority party on the spot by offering an amendment denying convicted sex offenders coverage for erectile-dysfunction medications” (Washington Times).  A look at one doctor who will be forced to retire under Obamacare (WXYZ). 

Obama Dares GOP to Repeal

            With the maturity you’d expect from a Chicago Democrat, Obama said “Go for it” and “Be my guest.” Obama spent a considerable amount of time insulting the majority of Americans who oppose the bill (FOX News).  From William Kristol:  Republicans should take up the president on his dare. They should say, “Thank you Mr. President, we are going for it. And we’re going to win” (Weekly Standard).  As Obama spoke, hundreds protested (Daily Iowan).  And as for the threats to Stupak, Neil Cavuto notes “The Media were quite properly all over that, but oddly silent over the just as scary and threatening calls the congressman said he was receiving when he was against the health care plan and life, as he put it, had become a “living hell” (FOX News). 

The Israel-Obama Strain Continues

            From the Times of London:  For a head of government to visit the White House and not pose for photographers is rare. For a key ally to be left to his own devices while the President withdraws to have dinner in private was, until this week, unheard of. Yet that is how Binyamin Netanyahu was treated by President Obama on Tuesday night, according to Israeli reports on a trip viewed in Jerusalem as a humiliation (Times Online).  From another story:  Barack Obama reached out to skeptical Jewish political activists immediately after nailing down his presidential nomination in 2008, promising he would “never compromise” in his support for Israel. Now president, he risks alienating a core Democratic constituency by ratcheting up a public feud with Israel’s prime minister (AP).  More from leaders critical of Obama’s actions (Jerusalem Post).  According to CBN, “Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was warmly greeted when he returned home from Washington on Thursday after standing up to unprecedented pressure and humiliating treatment from the Obama administration” (CBN).  From Frank Gaffney:  Barack Obama has had a longstanding enmity towards Israel.  Under the influence of his one-time fellow University of Chicago professor Rashid Khalidi, the future president honed a sympathy for the Palestinian cause assiduously promoted by his colleague.  Indeed, as far back as 2004, Mr. Obama was letting it be known that he had to subordinate public expression of his anti-Israel sentiments in order to advance politically.  In a report published in March 2008, a similarly minded pro-Arab activist in Chicago, Ali Abunimah, quoted the then-Senate candidate as saying four years before, “Hey, I’m sorry I haven’t said more about Palestine right now, but we are in a tough primary race. I’m hoping when things calm down I can be more up front.”  Since entering the White House, Mr. Obama has been more “up front” – at least in his actions.  He has pressed Israel relentlessly for territorial, political and strategic concessions to the Palestinians.  He has reportedly denied Israel access to weapons, including bunker-busting bombs, even as sales of advanced arms to others in the Middle East – all of whom have tried to destroy Israel in the past – continue apace.  The effect is to diminish the qualitative edge so vital to the survival of the outnumbered Jews and their state (Center for Security Policy). 

Personal Income Drops in 42 States

            If this were a Republican president, that would be a big deal.

            WSJ

Gas Quietly Up $1 per Gallon on Obama’s Watch

            And many still seek domestic oil exploration.

            Washington Times

Half of All Modified Loans End in Second Default

            From the story:  Modifications are “clearly not working well and it’s not a surprise,” said Sam Khater, a senior economist at First American CoreLogic in Tysons Corner, Virginia. “It’s pointless to rewrite these loans because they’re underwater” (Bloomberg).  But uncle Obama is here to help.  From another story:  The Obama administration plans to overhaul how it is tackling the foreclosure crisis, in part by requiring lenders to temporarily slash or eliminate monthly mortgage payments for many borrowers who are unemployed, senior officials said Thursday (Washington Post). 

Military Softens Stands on Don’t Ask Don’t Tell

            Removing most of the “don’t tell” issue.  Note the story begins “Gays and lesbians serving in the military can now breathe a little easier” taking the sympathetic to gays angle instead of the sympathetic to men who now have to live with gay men angle.

            ABC News

Judge Rules Father Can’t Take Daughter to Mass

            Because, prior to the divorce, the couple agreed to raise the child Jewish.  In a sign of the times, the man received “a temporary restraining order …to stop him from exposing her to other religions.”

            Fox Chicago

NPR Makes it Official:  Verbal Bias Against Pro-Lifers

            From the story:  The folks at National Public Radio understand the power of words. Managing Editor David Sweeney announced yesterday that the station would no longer refer to people in the abortion debate as “pro-choice” and “pro-life.” Instead, the station will say “abortion rights advocates” and “abortion rights opponents,” according to a memo circulated to NPR staff (Newsbusters).  The memo (NPR). 

California Could Legalize Pot Smoking Come November

            Note to stoners:  We may soon have a place to put you.  The taxes are high, but what do you care?

            AP

Leading Democrat:  Obamacare Will “Control the People”

            Dingell is Chairman Emeritus of the Committee on Energy and Commerce (Breitbart)  Not surprisingly, the Communist Party USA is thrilled, as they wrote “We join with those who hail this legislation both as a measure that will save lives now and begin curbing the insurance industry, and as a giant first step to further reforms that will provide quality, affordable health care for every person in the United States” (People’s World).  Larry Elder notes “Communism collapsed under the romantic but bankrupt notion of “from each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs” (Townhall).  And Nancy Pelosi held up the bitter, forceful way they shoved through Obamacare as a “model” for future legislation (RCP). Pelosi gave a thanks to AARP for their support in passing Obamacare (AMAC).  The head of the United Nations’ World Health Organization praised Obamacare (Reuters). 

CBS Poll:  2 in 3 Americans Want GOP to Fight Obamacare

            From the story:  And another poll shows 55 percent of Americans want the legislation repealed (Rasmussen).  Yesterday’s Rasmussen tracking poll shows, while Obama gained among Democrats, he’s still down big among the critical Independents (Post-vote, the Los Angeles Times has suddenly discovered that California will take a “big hit from” Obamacare (LA Times).  A few things in the bill didn’t make it past the Senate Parliamentarian and will need to be voted on in the House again (ABC News).  And in another odd Biden moment, the Vice President said without passage of the health care bill the administration would be “absolutely done” (FOX News).  A look at the hypocrisy in Obamacare (FOX News). 

Social Security Payouts to Exceed Revenue

            Six years earlier than expected. 

            CBS News

Pro-Abortion Groups Back Stupak Reelection

            A telling sign of whose side he really chose in the Obamacare flap.  The story also claims “neither his Democratic nor Republican challengers stand much chance of unseating him in Michigan.”  Similar talk came out of Massachusetts not long ago.

            CNN

A Look at the States’ Challenge to Obamacare

            And why it just might work (Washington Times).  Minnesota may soon join the list of states suing (Star Tribune). 

Republican Leads in Ohio Senate

            As Obama’s popularity drops.

            Public Policy Polling

Reconciliation Act is an “Anti-Growth Tax Hike”

            A look at the economic damage the bill will cause.

            FOX News

Obama Softens Stance on Iran

            From the story:  The U.S. has backed away from pursuing a number of tough measures against Iran in order to win support from Russia and China for a new United Nations Security Council resolution on sanctions, according to people familiar with the matter (FOX News).  At the same time, things aren’t going well between Obama and Israel (Times Online). 

School Whisks Girl Away for Secret Abortion

            Hiding it from her parents.

            Life Site News

James Cameron Rants Against Critics, Beck, Global Warming Questioners

            Spewing hatred toward those he accuses of spewing hatred.  Then the hate-filled director accused those who question the religion of global warming “boneheads.”

            The Hollywood Reporter

            A number of shocking polls came out in the last 24 hours – one of which shows 55 percent of the public wants the bill knocked of its feet.  More damaging to Democrats:  the number jumps to 59 percent of Independents (Rasmussen).  Then comes this from a CBS poll:  The poll finds that 62 percent want Congressional Republicans to keep challenging the bill, while 33 percent say they should not do so. Nearly nine in ten Republicans and two in three independents want the GOP to keep challenging. Even 41 percent of Democrats support continued challenges (CBS News).  More bad news for Dems:  while the bill appeased Democrats, Independents dislike Obama even more than before (Rasmussen).

States File Suite Against Obamacare

            Explained an attorney representing 13 states:  “We are convinced that this legislation is fundamentally flawed as a matter of constitutional law, that it exceeds the scope of proper constitutional authority of the federal government and tramples upon the rights and prerogatives of states and their citizens” (ABC News).  Details on the battle in Tennessee (Knox News).   From another story:  Florida, Texas and Pennsylvania are among 14 states that filed suit after the president signed the bill over the constitutionality of the burden imposed by the legislation. The health-care overhaul will make as many as 15 million more Americans eligible for Medicaid nationwide starting in 2014 and will cost the states billions to administer (Bloomberg).  Republican state senators in California want the far left Jerry Brown to join in, though he’s quite unlikely.  Brown is running for governor.  The story notes “Republicans seeking their party’s nomination for governor, Steve Poizner and Meg Whitman, opposed the health care package and supported a state lawsuit” (San Francisco Chronicle).  More of the public support the suits than do not (Rasmussen). 

Anger Against Obamacare

            According to Gallup, Democrats like the bill, Republicans don’t and Independents are split.  But here’s the sentence that should worry Democrats:  Independents are twice as likely to be angry as enthusiastic, and Republicans 10 times as likely (Gallup).  From Jim DeMint:  There is no fixing President Obama’s healthcare takeover that was jammed through on a partisan vote with secret deals, kickbacks and carve-outs.  This Mediscam bill must be repealed.  Later:  This process has been an insult to our democracy and threatens our nation’s prosperity and freedom (Human Events).  From Jonah Goldberg:  Congratulations to President Obama and the Democratic leadership. You won dirty against bipartisan opposition from both Congress and the majority of Americans. You’ve definitely polarized the country even more, and quite possibly bankrupted us, too. But hey, you won. Bubbly for everyone (Townhall).  Michael Medved looks at Obama’s attempt to convince the public that this giant expense somehow saves the country money (Townhall).  From Michael Barone:  Democrats wary of voting for the health care bill may have been soothed by the Congressional Budget Office’s report that it would reduce federal deficits over the next 10 years. But bond buyers know that the Democrats gamed the CBO system to get a good score (Washington Examiner).  From the New York Times:  The bill that President Obama signed on Tuesday is the federal government’s biggest attack on economic inequality since inequality began rising more than three decades ago (WSJ).  Maggie Gallagher warns despite Obama’s promises, “You will be forced to buy the kind of insurance that the secretary of HHS decides you must buy. The rules will vary whether you are rich or poor, over 30 or under 30. It’s complex. And the rules will be permanently unknowable with any certainty” (Townhall).  Obama is expected to sign the abortion executive order today (FOX News).  And he’ll do so quietly (NY Times).  Stupak defended himself, though not very well (Life News).  And the congressman who yelled “baby killer” is receiving an enormous amount of support (Politico). 

In Europe, the US was mocked for joining the party (and becoming like everyone else) so late (Time). 

Obama and Fellow Elite Democrats Exempt from Obamacare

            Though, as noted before in Topics, Sen. Chuck Grassley offered an amendment that would force members of congress to live under the same health care system they’re forcing on us.  Democrats quickly rejected it (NY Post).  From the Washington Times:  The special exemptions slipped into the health care law are another example of how those statists who rule consider themselves a privileged class, imposing burdens on the country that they will not accept themselves (Washington Times). 

Woman Explains How Gender Neutral Upbringing Failed Miserably

            A girl is a girl and no amount of liberalism can stop it.  From the story:  “We all thought that the differences had to do with how you were brought up in a sexist culture, and if you gave children the same chances, it would equalize,” my mom says. “It took a while to think, ‘Maybe men and women really are different from each other, and they’re both equally valuable.’ ”

            Newsweek

Coulter Speech Cancelled at U of Ottowa

            As the left shuts her down with threats (FOX News).  Coulter said she’ll be filing a complaint with the Human Rights Commission (Vancouver Sun).  Another story notes “In an unusual move, the University of Ottawa had sent her a warning before her speech, cautioning Ms. Coulter to watch her words lest she face criminal charges for promoting hatred in Canada.” Sounds like something you’d hear out of Iran or North Korea (Globe and Mail). 

Biden Uses F-Word On Mic

            And the classless White House is okay with it as Press Secretary Gibbs tweeted in response “And yes Mr. Vice President, you’re right…”

            CNN

Small Businesses Prepare for Pain of Obamacare

            From the story:  “It’s going to create huge uncertainty and the potential for another downtick in the economy fed by that uncertainty,” said Keith Ashmus, a partner at Frantz Ward LLP, a law firm in Cleveland. He said the bill will “almost certainly” lead to increased health insurance costs for businesses with more than 50 employees — like his.  “And it’s going to result in a lot of people looking at the structure of their business to see how they can structure themselves to avoid horrendous penalties,” Ashmus told FoxNews.com (FOX News).  From another story:  Indoor tanning salons will charge customers a 10 percent tax beginning today in just one of the changes Americans will see as a result of the U.S. health-care overhaul signed into law by President Barack Obama (Bloomberg). 

Judge Rules School Violated Lesbian’s Rights

            By not allowing her and her lover to come to the prom.  But the judge did not force the school to have the prom, regardless.  Parents have decided to hold a prom off site and the lesbian has not been invited.

            CNN

Scientist Challenges Cattle/Global Warming Claim

            And he appears to be a global warming believer, otherwise (FOX News).  Meanwhile, France scrapped their controversial carbon tax after Sarkozy experienced big losses in the elections (FT). 

Somali Pirates Hijack Ships Further from Home

            And why not?  They’re being rewarded.

            Straits Times

 A group of environmental scientists and the United Nations has discovered the sun is causing much of the global warming we experience today.  “We’ve suspected this for some time,” said IPCC regular contributor Gordy Columbo.  “But there was no way to prove it.  Now we can.”

 The scientists checked the temperature of the atmosphere in the daylight, when the sun was shining, and at night, when the sun was not.  Amazingly, they found the daylight temperatures to be much warmer.

 “The difference is sizable” said Columbo.  In a statement released by the UN, the scientists noted the sun is second only to man in “the devastating way it causes global warming.”

The body of nations will now draft a resolution to force rich countries, mostly the United States, to pay for a study to determine how to best discourage the sun from shining so brightly. 

 “We must shut it down incrementally” Columbo explained.  “And we’re simply running out of time.  If we don’t do something now, our children will be forced to deal with the heat that comes from that ball of fire.  If there are any children left.”

Reached aboard his spacious jet, souring above the rest of the population, Vice President Al Gore said he “knew it played a role.  I just wasn’t sure how much.  Clearly, man causes more heat than the sun and it’s man’s fault the sun is so hot to begin with.”  After a 35 second pause, Gore then went on, “We must stop the sun from shining.”

CNN Poll:  Americans Dislike Obamacare 59 Percent to 39 Percent

            And the public isn’t buying Obama’s fuzzy math as the story notes “70 percent of respondents said they believed deficits would go up because of the bill” (CNN).  Another CNN poll shows Obama’s numbers have sunk to a new low, with 51 percent disapproval (CNN).  Only 11 percent of the public have a favorable view of Pelosi, 8 percent have a favorable view of Reid (CBS News).  The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee wants you to send a thank you to Nancy Pelosi (DCCC).  We’ll see if they feel that way in November.  From the Wall Street Journal:  The truth is that Democrats never had any intention of working with Republicans, except to pick off two or three Senators and calling it “bipartisanship.” This worked for Democrats on the stimulus, and they had hoped to do it again on health care (WSJ).  Some of the timeline details of the bill (WSJ).  

Prager:  This is a Civil War

            Of the non-violent sort.  From Dennis:  We must single-mindedly work to repeal the government health plan. We all know that it is difficult to repeal entitlements because they are like drugs and it is very difficult to wean people off drugs. But it is not impossible. We need to warn our fellow Americans that entitlements will do to America what drugs eventually do to addicts.  He concludes:  After Sunday’s vote, for the first time in American history, one could no longer confidently believe that the American system will prevail. And if we don’t fight for it, we don’t deserve it (Townhall). The GOP is drafting bills to repeal Obamacare, none of which are likely to see the light of day (The Hill).  From Thomas Sowell:  With the passage of the legislation allowing the federal government to take control of the medical care system of the United States, a major turning point has been reached in the dismantling of the values and institutions of America (Townhall).  From Lamar Alexander:  The Obama Administration’s philosophy seems to be: “If you can find it in the Yellow Pages, the government ought to be doing it” (Senate).  From Mitt Romney:  President Obama has betrayed his oath to the nation — rather than bringing us together, ushering in a new kind of politics, and rising above raw partisanship, he has succumbed to the lowest denominator of incumbent power: justifying the means by extolling the ends. He promised better; we deserved better (Boston Globe). 

Obamacare to Cost Jobs and Innovation in the Private Sector

            A look at how one company, the nation’s leading manufacturer of heart defibrillators, will be devastated by the new taxes.

            Washington Examiner

The End of Pro-Life Democrats

            From the Wall Street Journal:  By caving at the last hour, he discredited all who stood with him. (What does it say about Ohio’s Marcy Kaptur and Pennsylvania’s Chris Carney that they had already agreed to vote yes even before the fig leaf of the executive order had come through?) In addition to undermining an encouraging partnership with pro-lifers across the congressional aisle, Mr. Stupak signaled that, in the end, you can’t count on pro-life Democrats.

            WSJ

More States Prep Lawsuits to Fight Obamacare

            Of Virginia, a story notes “Attorney General Kenneth Cuccinelli, a Republican, said on Monday that Congress lacks authority under its constitutional power to regulate interstate commerce to force people to buy insurance. He said the bill also conflicts with a state law that says Virginians cannot be required to buy insurance” (Reuters).  Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum said “The health care reform legislation passed by the U.S. House of Representatives last night clearly violates the U.S. Constitution and infringes on each state’s sovereignty” (Reuters). 

Democrats Now Eye Forcing Through Global Warming Legislation

            Funny, the story says “Environmentalists hope Obama will seize on new political momentum.”   Forcing through an unpopular bill is momentum? (AP).  Environmental wackadoodles are now claiming global warming is causing flowers to loose their scent (Asia One).  And they also insist it causes violence (NewsWise).  Does nothing good come from warm temperatures?  Why not just blot out the sun altogether?

Acorn to Shut Down

            Acorn spokesman blamed, among other things, “right wing activists.”

            FOX News

California Legislature Votes to Ban Smoking at Beaches and Parks

            The Governator so far hasn’t said if he’ll sign it.  One of the reasons cited for the ban:  Second hand smoke.  What about second hand loud music?

            LA Times

Pelosi Forces Through Obamacare Against Public Wishes

            The Washington Times begins:  The government takeover of health care will go down in history as the worst piece of legislation to emerge from a Congress held in general disdain by the American people (Washington Times).  The public is against the bill 54 percent to 41 (Rasmussen).  Just before the vote, a CBS poll discovered “76 percent – the highest figure ever – said they disapprove” of how congress is handling its job (CBS News).  John Boehner’s speech in opposition (YouTube).  From FOX News contributor Andrea Tantaros:  It is the biggest abuse of power and demonstration of arrogance ever shown by Washington, and it surely is the most gigantic and life-altering legislative move of my generation. In short, its impact can’t be underestimated (FOX News).  From a FOX financial columnist:  The ugly battle has cost the president his popularity and his credibility, and has undermined the country’s confidence in our legislative process. It has distracted from efforts to right our economic ship and put our citizens back to work. Worst of all, just as Baby Boomers came to distrust government during the Vietnam War, so will a new generation now be forever skeptical of our country’s body politic (FOX News).  How everyone voted (Washington Post).  The Democrats who voted no (NRO).  With all this mess, the Washington Post notes “as many as 23 million people could still be without insurance by 2018” (Washington Post).  From Kimberly Strassel:  It was dirty deals, open threats, broken promises and disregard for democracy that pulled ObamaCare to this point, and yesterday the same machinations pushed it across the finish line. She looks at many of those deals (WSJ).  Michael Barone looks at the massive spending increase this will cause and the deception to hide it (Townhall).  From Rich Lowry:  Democrats forced through their signature initiative in an act of ideological heedlessness that will cost them seats and perhaps their majorities in the fall, and will remain a source of poisonous contention in American politics for years to come (NY Post).   From Chuck Norris:  One-sixth of our economy’s gross national product will be controlled by the federal government – and we’re supposed to blindly accept that’s not a socialistic tendency (WND).  From Carol Platt Liebau:  The President has revealed a ruthless arrogance – and the complete absence of any decent respect for the opinions of a majority of his fellow Americans – that will prove costly to him in the long run (Townhall).  From Victor Davis Hanson:  …the bill was about assuming a massive portion of the private sector, hiring tens of thousands of loyal, compliant new employees, staffing new departments with new technocrats, and feeling wonderful that we “are leveling the playing field” and have achieved another Civil Rights landmark law. (NB: do the math: add higher state income taxes in most states; the new Clinton-era federal income tax rates to come; the proposed lifting of limits on income exposed to FICA taxes; and now new health care charges — and I think you can reach in some cases a bite of 65%to 70% of one’s income.) (Pajamas Media).  A look at why each of the five Oklahoma House members voted against it (The Oklahoman). 

Stupak, Soft on Conviction, Caved

            A look at why Stupak may have held out for what many to believe is a meaningless executive order (Slate).  The Susan B. Anthony List, which CNN called “anti-abortion rights,” rescinded a pro-life award they planned to give Stupak Wednesday.  Stupak’s response was surprisingly rude: “I didn’t seek the award… I stood on my principle. I don’t need an award.” (CNN).  A flashback video of Stupak admitting he’ll vote for the bill no matter the abortion outcome (Ideocrat)  And hey, what do you know, Stupak just so happens to get a $726,000 gift from the fed (House).  Stupak’s opponent in November is quickly gaining steam (Washington Examiner).  NOW is upset with the compromise (NOW).  Despite the headlines, NOW and NARAL clearly aren’t as upset as pro-lifers (Washington Post).  From Phyllis Schlafly:  “Any formerly pro-life Democrat who casts a ‘Yes’ vote for this Senate health care bill tonight will be forever remembered as being among the deciding votes which facilitated the largest expansion of abortion services since Roe v. Wade” (Yahoo). 

GOP Plans to Continue Battle

            DeMint immediately announced an effort to repeal what he called an “unconstitutional” bill (DeMint).  From the Heritage Foundation:  The Obama health care legislation is universal in scope and will profoundly impact the personal lives of more than 300 million Americans. It will restrict our personal freedom while undercutting the independence and authority of the several states.  They conclude: Fortunately, there are no permanent victories or defeats in Washington.  For millions of Americans and for Heritage, Round One of this fight is over. Tomorrow morning, we are answering the bell (Heritage).  From the Washington Examiner:  Never before in American history has a measure of such importance been imposed on the country by the majority party over the unanimous opposition of the minority.  The story also looks at the legal challenges sure to come (Washington Examiner). From the Wall Street Journal:  This week’s votes don’t end our health-care debates. By making medical care a subsidiary of Washington, they guarantee such debates will never end. And by ramming the vote through Congress on a narrow partisan majority, and against so much popular opposition, Democrats have taken responsibility for what comes next—to insurance premiums, government spending, doctor shortages and the quality of care. They are now the rulers of American medicine The editorial also noted “Democratic pro-lifers sold themselves for a song, as they usually do” (WSJ).  From National Review:  It is quite possible that the majority of America that rejects this legislation will get its way in the next few years — if it is given the right leadership. And it is worth the effort to try (NRO). 

Obama Off to Sell Unpopular Bill

            Obama is immediately heading on a look-what-I-did-for-you tour because he knows the public hates this (Washington Post).  The eerie Government-is-your-momma victory email from Obama (BarackObama). 

States File Suit Against Fed Over Obamacare

            Florida joined in.

            ABC. 

Poll:  Americans Support Nuclear Power

            A new high of 62 percent.

            Gallup

ACORN Near Bankruptcy

            The story notes they are “suffering from mismanagement along with a severe loss of government and other funds.”

            NY Times

Woman Wins $9 Million from Husband’s Mistress

            She sued under a “centuries-old North Carolina case law.”

            ABC News

Obama/Pelosi Target Passage This Weekend

            The political murder-suicide may come Sunday.  From the Wall Street Journal:  Capitol Hill resembles nothing so much as that movie’s farcical coup d’etat in San Marcos as Democrats try to assemble the partisan minimum of 216 House votes—if only for an hour or so at some point on Sunday—and no bribe is too costly, no deal too cynical, no last-minute rewrite too blatant (WSJ).  Republicans are trying to warn fence-sitting Democrats against voting for the bill (USA Today).  Details on all the uncommitted Democrats (CBS News).  Mr Alice in Wonderland, Joe Biden is trying to convince Democrats that passing the massive, unpopular bill won’t hurt them in November (ABC News).  From Hugh Hewitt:  More and more House Democrats are glimpsing the end of their political careers as the overwhelming opposition to this bill crashes into and destroys the spin from Nancy Pelosi (Townhall).  Hugh includes a contact list (Townhall).  Obama is trying to tell Democrats they can’t save themselves by opposing the bill (FOX News).  Pelosi gained two votes but also lost two votes (Politico).  From Rich Lowry:  Obama supports the leftmost plausible bill. It’s as expansive and expensive as possible without getting so big it’s utterly impossible to stuff through Congress. He has blessed the unsightly procedural contortions necessary to pass the bill — the reconciliation rules in the Senate, the “deem and pass” in the House — to avoid going back in the Senate and budging another inch to the center (NY Post).  Stupak has been receiving threats from the pro-abortion camp.  Notice The Hill uses the blatantly biased phrase of “anti-abortion-rights” to describe Stupak.  A key moment from the story:  Stupak claims while Democratic leaders have peeled off a few of his group, he always had more than 12 and he stresses he still has 12 now.  But then you get a feel for the lack of depth in his conviction with this:  The ideal outcome, Stupak said, might be for the House Democratic leadership to get the votes they need without him and for the bill to pass. “You know, maybe for me that’s the best: I stay true to my principles and beliefs,” he said, and “vote no on this bill and then it passes anyways. Maybe for me is the best thing to do.”  So he wants to be known as pro-life but doesn’t care if babies die at the hands of taxpayers? (The Hill).  Obama’s hard push didn’t peel away Stephen Lynch (Boston Globe).  From Senator Tom Coburn, a doctor:  The numbers Congress gave to the Congressional Budget Office include 10 years of tax increases but only six years of benefits at the back end. This is unjust and deceptive Enron-style accounting. No homeowner would allow a bank to tell them they have to make mortgage payments for four years before they can move into their new home. Yet that is precisely what Congress is telling the American people (Yahoo).  Democrats are even willing to abandon their 72 hours before voting on legislation promise (WSJ).  All this masks news of the tax hike brought on by Obamacare (FOX News). 

Obamacare Would Expand IRS

            From the story:  Assuming it becomes law, the Congressional Budget Office expects the IRS will need roughly $10 billion over the next 10 years and nearly 17,000 new employees to meet its new responsibilities under health reform.   Earlier:  Ranking member Dave Camp (R-Mich.) said many Americans have already rejected the call for health care reform for other reasons and an expansion of the IRS should only add to call to “kill the bill” (The Hill).   From another story:  A new analysis by the Joint Economic Committee and the House Ways & Means Committee minority staff estimates up to 16,500 new IRS personnel will be needed to collect, examine and audit new tax information mandated on families and small businesses in the ‘reconciliation’ bill being taken up by the U.S. House of Representatives this weekend (Washington Examiner). 

Senate Democrat Calls Slaughter Solution “Disingenuous”

            From the story:  Lynch, who serves as one of Pelosi’s key vote counters, said he also can’t support a proposed “deem and pass” procedure that would allow Democrats to vote to strip out controversial portions of the Senate bill and then “deem” that the entire package has passed without a second, direct vote.  “It’s disingenuous,” said Lynch, who considers unfair a Senate provision to tack a surcharge on higher-end health plans. “It would really call into question the credibility of the House”

            Boston Herald

Obama’s Poll Dive Continues

            Gallup has him at 46 percent approval, 48 percent disapproval.  Congress is also taking a dive (Gallup).  Obama is also sinking in Rasmussen’s tracking poll, tying his low (Rasmussen).  Half of all voters say they are less likely to vote for a congressman who votes in favor of Obamacare.  Devastating for Democrats:  That includes 51 percent of independents (Rasmussen). 

Peggy Noonan:  Obama Trip Cancellation “Bush League”

            From Peggy Noonan:  Excuse me, but it is embarrassing—really, embarrassing to our country—that the president of the United States has again put off a state visit to Australia and Indonesia because he’s having trouble passing a piece of domestic legislation he’s been promising for a year will be passed next week. What an air of chaos this signals to the world. And to do this to Australia of all countries, a nation that has always had America’s back and been America’s friend.  How bush league, how undisciplined, how kid’s stuff (WSJ).  This from the president who broke travel records in his first year (CBS News).  Another story notes “The rare cancellation of a presidential trip abroad underscored how Obama’s political challenges at home have begun complicating his life overseas, stirring debate on whether he may have to scale back some of his foreign policy goals” (Reuters). 

Krauthammer:  Clinton/Biden Mishandled Israel

            He details why it is an insult that Hillary insisted Israel show it is serious about peace.

            Townhall

GOP Congressional Candidate to California:  Drill to Fill Budget Gap

            A logical solution that has received almost no press.

            Sacramento Bee

ABC News Paid Accused Murderer $200,000 for Interview

            Casey Anthony is believed to have killed her own daughter. 

            FOX Orlando

Why is it that the writers of House can’t seem to create a single believable relationship?  It seems they either have the ick factor (that would be anybody kissing Gregory House) they clearly have no chemistry or the relationship itself is implausible. 

Is there not a single writer on staff who gets relationships?  Hello? 

Then there’s the hit comedy The Office where, no matter how goofy the storyline, they understand the relationship between Pam and Jim.  They are us.  A well written, adorable couple that just makes you smile.

On House?  Nobody.  Every high profile relationship has you scratching your head asking the question:  Do Jr. High boys write these relationships?

FOX News Grills Obama over Health Care

            Video (FOX News I, FOX  News II) Audio (SONnetwork). In one odd moment in the interview, Obama said the health care bill’s “Louisiana Purchase” will help with the earthquake in Hawaii (Breitbart). Hawaii hasn’t had earthquake issues in decades (USGS).  From Hot Air:  Obama is either completely making things up, living in an alternate reality, or really, really confused.   Actually, my guess is that’s it’s probably a combination of all three (Hot Air). The President also said he’s okay with the Slaughter Solution (FOX News).  In another talk, Obama claimed Ted Kennedy is somewhere closely monitoring the health care debate (ABC News). 

The Obamacare Count So Far:  209 No, 204 Yes

            With 18 undecided.  It takes 216 votes to give Obamacare a thumbs up or down (Washington Examiner).  Two California Democrats, Dennis Cardoza and Jim Costa, suddenly got what they wanted from Obama and appear to be switching to yes votes (NRCC).  The CBO numbers are delayed until today and a Saturday vote now looks unlikely (The Hill).  The CBO is overwhelmed with Obama number crunching (Washington Times).  But the numbers don’t matter to Democrats (Townhall). 

Former Democrat Authors Resolution to Vote on Slaughter Solution

            From the story:  Parker Griffith, M.D. (R-Ala.) switched parties recently to escape the far-left policies of the House Democratic leadership.  The newly-minted Republican is set to lead efforts to force an up-or-down vote on a resolution requiring an up-or-down vote on the Senate health care bill (Human Events).  The Slaughter Solution will be fodder come November (IBD).   While it will devastate the Democratic party, the party leaders aren’t at risk (Townhall).  And the lawsuit to stop it is ready to go (Washington Examiner).  The Slaughter Solution explained (WSJ).  Republicans would have only 30 minutes to debate the Slaughter Solution before Democrats could force through the massive legislation (CNS News). 

Obama Approval Continues to Sink

            For the first time, Gallup has him upside down with 46 percent approval, 47 percent disapprove (Gallup).  A related story notes “The deteriorating approval rating comes as the president struggles to push his increasingly unpopular health care plan across the finish line with a controversial maneuver that would avoid a GOP filibuster by allowing Congress to pass and adjust the Senate’s bill with a simple majority.  The plunging rating threatens to weaken the president’s influence beyond the health care debate to pass a largely ambitious agenda that includes immigration overhaul, climate change legislation and education reform” (FOX News). 

States Prepare to Sue Fed Over Health Care

            Idaho was the first to sign a law “requiring the state attorney general to sue the federal government if residents are forced to buy health insurance” (AP).  More on the Idaho decision (Idaho Statesman). 

Obama Rejects Drilling, Russia Happy to Fill the Void

            Obama turns away jobs, an increase to the GDP and lower gas prices.

            Washington Times

Up Next for Obama: Controversial Immigration Reform

            From Victor Davis Hanson:  …even as the number of illegal arrivals temporarily lessens due to stricter enforcement and the recession, the impatience of uncompromising activists increases — especially calls for amnesty as a reward for Hispanic bloc support in the 2008 election. If the administration is foolish enough to go along with their demands for such a blanket amnesty, President Obama may gain probable new registered voters, but it would be a political disaster that dwarfs the failed Bush administration attempt at addressing illegal immigration.

            Townhall

Biden’s Latest Gaffe – Blesses Living Woman as Though Dead

            The gaffe prone Vice President asked for God’s blessing for the mother of Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen during a White House celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, saying “God rest her soul.”  Turns out, she’s alive.

Jerry Brown Tells Union to “Attack” Meg Whitman

            The gubernatorial candidate told a labor group “We’re going to attack whenever we can, but I’d rather have you attack.  I’d rather be the nice guy in this race. We’ll leave [the attacks] to … the Democratic Party and others.”

            LA Times

Maggie Gallagher:  Adultery Shouldn’t Be a Pathway to Commercial Success

            As she notes the Rielle Hunter GQ spread.  From the story: “You can’t legislate morality,” we are always told. Maybe not, but perhaps we could come up with a way to encourage a little common decency. On behalf of the injured wives, is there really nothing we can do to throw a little sand on the wheels of their marketing machines?”

            Townhall

Group:  Writing “Mr and Mrs” is Sexist

            The traditional man before woman has them upset.

            Daily Mail

Democrats:  We Have the Votes

            Rep. John Larson of Connecticut, the Democratic Caucus chairman, said “I think the votes are there. I always believed that.”  Nancy Pelosi also said “When we bring the bill to the floor, we’ll have the votes”” (FOX News).   This may be talking points, as Obama also said “I believe we are going to get the votes, we’re going to make this happen” (ABC News).  And the president is stepping up the pressure on Democrats who are realizing they will face wrath in November if they vote to pass this massive, unpopular legislation (CBS News). Democratic leaders and their liberal friends are stepping up the underhanded tactics to pressure potential no votes. From the story:  MoveOn.org has been raising money to finance liberal challengers to vulnerable House Democrats who vote against the bill. Rep. Bart Stupak of Michigan, leader of pro-life House Democrats who oppose the Senate’s abortion funding language, tells Robert Costa of National Review that he has even been threatened with ethics complaints (WSJ).  A look at the Democrats on the fence and who needs a phone call (FiveThirtyEight).  Another story notes part of the White House strategy is “publicly creating a sense of inevitability around its passage” (Roll Call).  But if the Democrats are so sure they have the votes, why does this story note Pelosi “might attempt to pass the measure without having members vote on it”?  More:  The tactic — known as a “self-executing rule” or a “deem and pass” — has been commonly used, although never to pass legislation as momentous as the $875 billion health-care bill. It is one of three options that Pelosi said she is considering for a late-week House vote, but she added that she prefers it because it would politically protect lawmakers who are reluctant to publicly support the measure. (Washington Post).  The concept again breaks the Democrat promise of transparency (Roll Call).  From Hugh Hewitt:  If Obamacare passes this week, every American will rightly blame every problem they have with American medicine in the future on the Democrats.  Every inability to get an appointment with a specialist or even a general practitioner. Every increase in insurance rates. Every incomprehensible bill received. Every pharmacist’s refusal to fill a prescription without charge or with the drug called for with the pill actually prescribed by the doctor (Washington Examiner).   And the Democrats won’t stop there (Washington Examiner).  Thomas Sowell examines the fantasy of Obamacare not breaking the budget (Townhall). 

Obamacare to Greatly Expand Government Funded Abortions

            See Mohler commentary below.  Another story notes “Democratic congressional leaders showed signs of progress Monday in winning anti-abortion Democrats” (AP).  And Pelosi seems unwilling to budge (Politico). 

HIV Grows Among Gays Worldwide

            According to the UN, it’s because of laws that “criminalize the practice,” not the practice itself. 

            FOX News

Study:  Obama Falls Well Short of Transparency Promise

            And the public knows it.

            FOX news

Green People are Mean People

            The story looks at the results of green self righteousness.

            Guardian

Global Warming Drops to Bottom of Environmental Concerns

            As Gallup sees a drop in all environmental issues (Gallup).  Meanwhile, Gore gets an honorary doctorate (IBD). 

LA County to Raise Cost of Power

            To cover deficits?  No.  For “conservation and a solar plan.”

            LA Times

Democrats Short on Obamacare Votes, Pelosi Vows to Get Them

            As the White House openly admits putting pressure on fence sitting Democrats (FOX News).  And those same House Democrats are being led to believe after Obama signs the bill into law, they will get the changes they desire (FOX News).  Pelosi claims they are “on the verge of making history” (AP).  And in one of are-you-kidding-me rants, White House Press Secretary Robert  Gibbs said “We’re happy to have the 2010 elections be about the achievement of health care reform. That’s a debate I think we’re obviously comfortable having” (FOX News).  A startling study shows “Seven in 10 would vote against a House member who votes for the Senate health-care bill with its special interest provisions. That includes 45% of self-identified Democrats, 72% of independents and 88% of Republicans” (WSJ).  Senator Lamar Alexander called Obamacare “the most brazen act of political arrogance that I can remember since the Watergate years” as he explained “No big piece of social legislation has been jammed through by a partisan vote” (ABC News).  From Brian Darling, director of U.S. Senate Relations at The Heritage Foundation:  This action to thwart the will of the American people is an affront to the consent of the governed. Furthermore, it’s a testament to the fact that President Barack Obama is a liberal extremist who will take any action necessary to get his way on health care (Human Events). 

Obamacare Reconciliation: 2309 Pages

            The bill from the House.

            House.gov

Moderate Democrats Steer Clear of Obama

            From the story:  Interviews with nearly a dozen congressional Democrats on the ballot this year reveal a decided lack of enthusiasm for having Obama come to their districts to campaign for them — the most basic gauge of a president’s popularity.
            Politico

Story:  US-Israel Relations at 35-Year Low

            From the story:  Top U.S. officials have lined up in recent days to condemn the Israeli plan to build 1,600 apartments in east Jerusalem, the sector of the holy city that the Palestinians claim for their future capital (FOX News).  From another story:  In unusually blunt language, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called Israel’s behaviour “insulting” (Reuters).  Just a few weeks ago, a poll showed support for Israel at a near record high (Gallup). 

Obama Wants DNA Sampling Upon Arrests

            Not convictions or even charges.  The story notes “Obama is not the civil-liberties knight in shining armor many were expecting.”

            Wired

Burlingame:  Gitmo Lawyers Indefensible

            The sister of the pilot of American Airlines flight 77 is a former attorney.  She looks at the questionable tactics employed by Gitmo lawyers, as some of them now work for the Department of Justice.  Later:  The attorney general has the right to select whomever he chooses to work in his department, and to set policy as he sees fit. He does not, however, have the right to do it in the dark. The policies he advances must face the scrutiny of the American people, his No. 1 client.

            WSJ

Chavez Thanks Buddy, Sean Penn, for Backing

            That says it all.

            AP

Global Warming Enthusiasts Upset with Cocaine Users

            As, according to the story, “the drug was devastating Colombian rainforests because trees are knocked down to grow coca plants.”  Amazingly, this has British police determined to “get tougher on users.”

            Mirror

Pelosi Claims Democrats are Close to Getting Obamacare

            As Obama demands a vote before the public gets the details (CBS News).  But several pro-life Democrats say the Senate version of the bill is DOA (FOX News).  From Michael Barone:  Are there enough votes in the House to pass the Senate’s health-care bill? As of today, it’s clear there aren’t.  While he notes “analysts close to the Democratic leadership tell me they’re confident the leadership will find some way to squeeze out the 216 votes needed for a majority” he details why that’s unlikely to happen (WSJ).  A second Barone article looks at the pending disaster for Democrats as he notes “There’s a reason it’s hard to pass unpopular legislation on party-line votes. It’s not the Senate rules. It’s called democracy” (Townhall).  A look at the tactics used to sway votes (NY Post).  From the New England Journal of Medicine:  …health reform could be the proverbial “last straw” for physicians who are already demoralized, overloaded, and discouraged by multiple issues, combining to form the perfect storm of high malpractice insurance costs, decreasing reimbursements, increasing student loan debt, and more (NEJM).  From the Washington Times and a relative of Obama:  Imagine if, like physicians, politicians were personally held to the incredibly high level of scrutiny that includes civil and financial liability for any unintended consequence of their decisions. Imagine if they were forced to spend tens of thousands of dollars each year on malpractice insurance and still faced the threat of multimillion-dollar lawsuits with every single decision they made. If so, a government takeover of health care would be the furthest thing from their minds (Washington Times). 

 Obama Approval Index Ties Low

            At minus 21, as Rasmussen tracks the difference between “strongly approve” and “strongly disapprove.”  The minus 21 came out Wednesday and the update should be out by the time you read this (Rasmussen Reports). Another story notes “Liberal and progressive organizations that helped propel him to the White House are turning on him now, little more than a year after he took office. Their collective discontent, on issues from health care to nuclear energy to the handling of terrorism suspects, could mean bad news for Democrats during this fall’s congressional elections” (USA Today).  As Obama campaigned in Missouri, prominent Missouri Democrats avoided being seen with him (Washington Times).  Obama acknowledged that Americans have lost faith in government, but doesn’t seem to realize he’s a big part of the reason (AFP). 

 Democrat Bill in New York would Ban Use of Salt in Restaurant Cooking

            The bill states “No owner or operator of a restaurant in this state shall use salt in any form in the preparation of any food for consumption by customers of such restaurant, including food prepared to be consumed on the premises of such restaurant or off of such premises.”  Once again, it is the far left which seeks to control what we do and ingest.

            FOX NY

Obamanomics:  Record Deficit in February

            An astounding $220.9 billion in just one month.  And yet, as the story notes, the “unemployment rate … remained stuck in February at 9.7 percent.”

             AP

 Pelosi Knew of Messa’s Sexual Harassment

            Some now believe she knew before she admitted and did nothing.

            FOX News

 ACLU Pressure Forces School to Cancel Prom

            You’ll notice most, if not all, headlines neglected to mention the ACLU involvement, including the one on this FOX News/AP story which said “Miss. School Axes Prom After Lesbian Date Request.”  The story does note “The American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi had given the district until Wednesday to change that policy and allow 18-year-old Constance McMillen to escort her girlfriend, who is also a student, to the dance on April 2.”

            FOX News

Poll:  American’s Aren’t Buying Global Warming Hype

            48 Percent say it’s exaggerated in the media.  The story also notes “The average American is now less convinced than at any time since 1997 that global warming’s effects have already begun or will begin shortly” (Gallup).  A USA Today story revealed angst among the Global Warming clergy.  The story downplayed if not outright mislead on the climategate controversy, saying it “showed some of the scientists sharing doubts about just how fast the Earth’s temperature is rising, questioning the work of other researchers and refusing to share data with the public” (USA Today).  But some get it.  Australian Broadcast Corporation chairman Maurice Newman said “Climate change is a further example of group-think where contrary views have not  been tolerated, and where those who express them have been labelled and mocked.  In his ABC Online blog last October Chris Uhlmann wrote a piece called In praise of the sceptics.  ‘“Climate science we are endlessly told is “settled”’ he wrote.  “But to make the, perfectly reasonable, point that science is never settled risks being branded a “sceptic” or worse a “denier”…one of those words, like “racist”, which is deliberately designed to gag debate…You can be branded a denier if you accept the problem and question the solutions.”  This collective censorious approach succeeded in suppressing contrary views in the mainstream media, despite the fact that a growing number of distinguished scientists were challenging the conventional wisdom with alternative theories and peer reviewed research” (The Australian). 

 Los Angeles County Supervisors Live Big as City Struggles

            One shocking detail from the story:  Each supervisor receives $3.4 million a year to spend as he or she sees fit, without any public vote or scrutiny.  So what do they do with all that money?  While some give to “charities,” others get cars, chauffeurs, whatever (LA Times).  Meanwhile, Los Angeles has an unemployment rate of 12.5 percent (LA Times).   

 Corey Haim Smoked Marijuana as a Teen While Filming Lost Boys

            A minor detail in the story of his death.  The story glossed over it with the short statement that “he tried marijuana for the first time while filming “The Lost Boys.”  When Corey filmed Lost Boys, he was just 16.  So how did a 16-year-old, a minor, obtain pot on a movie set?  Who was in charge of the kids as they were being introduced to drugs?

            LA Times

The White House cancelled open bids, continuing their trend toward hypocrisy.  In a tough economy, friends of Obama get rich.