The White House cancelled open bids, continuing their trend toward hypocrisy. In a tough economy, friends of Obama get rich.
Air America died today after a long bout with the belief that liberalism is worth talking about. Having tried for years to make imature arguments carry hour upon hour of talk radio, Air America finaly succomed to the reality that “I-know-you-are-but-what-am-I” is only funny when you’re six. And only funny once, even then.
In lieu of flowers, the family of Air America is requestion bankruptcy.
One year ago today, Rasmussen Reports was just beginning to track what they refer to as the “approval index” of President Barack Obama – a system that measures the difference between those who strongly approve and those who stronlgy dissaprove of the job he’s doing in office.
On January 22nd, 2009, he was at plus 30. Really, an astounding number.
Today, January 22nd, 2010, Obama has reached another asounding number: Minus 18. You don’t do that in one year without a tremendous amount of blind arrogance and terrible leadership.
Democrat Senator Jim Webb said it well: “In many ways, the campaign in Massachusetts became a referendum not only on health care reform but also on the openness and integrity of our government process” (CNN). Rasmussen examined the election night polling (Rasmussen). One story notes “Expectations the Brown victory could be the death knell for healthcare reform drove health insurance and drug company stocks higher on Tuesday, lifting the Dow and the S&P 500 to 15-month closing highs” (CNBC). The shock waves were felt as far west as California, where the very liberal San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsome said “this should be a gigantic wake-up call to the Democratic Party – that we’re not connecting with the needs, the aspirations and the desires of real people right now” (San Francisco Chronicle). They’re even worried in the state of Washington (Seattle PI). One columnist who refuses to believe health care and spending were central issues cited “lousy weather, an attempted terrorist attack, a never-ending war in Afghanistan and an earthquake that may have just killed 200,000 people” for voters’ “grumpy mood” (Washington Post). Over at Politico, an even sillier explanation for Coakley’s loss: “…an obstacle that received far less attention in her losing bid for the Senate: a glass ceiling that remains almost impenetrable” (Politico). The Wall Street Journal notes “at his rally for Mrs. Coakley on Sunday, Mr. Obama mentioned health care only by implication. The Commander in Chief did find time to deride Mr. Brown’s pickup truck—six separate times. Mrs. Coakley also didn’t mention health care in her final TV ad. The Democratic Party’s top priority had become such a political albatross that Democrats didn’t dare mention it lest it drive more votes to Mr. Brown” (WSJ). From Victor Davis Hanson: If a liberal senatorial candidate can be defeated in Massachusetts, eleven months after the Obama hope-and-change blitzkrieg, it is hard to believe that any liberal seat is necessarily safe anywhere (NRO). From the Washington Post: Tuesday’s loss triggered unsightly Democratic recriminations, a clear indication of the confusion, disappointment and disillusionment that have set in over the past few months as the party has lost gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia and now an almost sacred Senate seat in one of the most Democratic states in the nation (Washington Post). From Michael Gerson: It means a president who no longer inspires political fear. It means moderate Senate Democrats — such as Ben Nelson and Blanche Lincoln — who now feel nothing but fear from angry voters. It means that cap-and-trade legislation and immigration reform are on life support. It means that Rahm Emanuel’s “big bang” theory of legislative liberalism is the most foolish political strategy in recent memory. It means that spending political capital on health reform instead of economic recovery and growth was a dreadful error. It means that a crisis that Obama didn’t want to waste has largely been wasted.” He concludes “Obama now has the highest disapproval rating in the history of Gallup polling for a president entering his second year in office. He has been handed a series of political humiliations. If he takes all of this as motivation to “stay the course,” the humiliations have only begun” (Washington Post). National security also played a role (NRO). Patrick Kennedy joins the list of Democrats who don’t get it, insisting the voters are “wanting blood and they’re not getting it so they want to protest, and, you know, you can’t blame them. But frankly, the fact is we inherited this mess and it’s becoming ours” (Politico). From NRO: Liberals — some of the same people who chalked up Obama’s win to the public’s new zeal for progressivism — blame the economy for the public mood. But is it really high unemployment that has moved the public against the health-care legislation, abortion, and gun control? Remember that just a few months ago the conventional wisdom was that a weak economy would build public support for Obamacare. The Massachusetts race was as close to a referendum on that legislation as can reasonably be imagined, and it lost (NRO). But Lanny Davis almost gets it: Liberal Democrats might attempt to spin the shocking victory of Republican Scott Brown in Massachusetts by claiming that the loss was a result of a poor campaign by Martha Coakley. Would that it were so. This was a defeat not of the messenger, but of the message—and the sooner progressive Democrats face up to that fact, the better .“ But then he claims “The Democrats have a simple message on health care that has still not really gotten through: If our bill passes, you never have to worry about getting, or losing, health insurance for the rest of your life. How is it that so few people have heard that message?” (WSJ). Brown won with Independents (WSJ). Some foreign press takes: (Daily Express, BBC). City by city results (Boston Globe). Where Brown stands on issues (Ontheissues). The Brown speech transcript (NRO)
The cutsey Sandra Bullock, shortly before winning a Golden Globe Award, said of the real life woman she played in The Blind Side “I met this extraordinary family the Touhys (who the film was based on), who I wish I would have remembered to thank since they already did the extraordinary deed and Michael Oher did the most extraordinary thing in opening his heart and allowing himself to be enveloped by this family.” She continued: “They changed my life and I am so happy to call them friends. And they’re Republicans, and I’m okay with that and they’re okay with me being a Democrat!”
Note to Bullock: Republicans don’t hate Democrats like Hollywood Democrats hate Republicans. In fact, there’s pretty much no greater hatred in this world.
If hatred for Republicans made the Hate Crimes list, you’d all be in jail.
But it’s nice to see you’ve discovered that Republicans don’t have horns or drink blood. Might want to pass that information along to James Cameron.
Dems Continue to Mold Obamacare Behind Closed Doors
The story claims the expansion of Medicare may have been dropped (CBS News). The partisan effort pits Democrat against Democrat (AP). Public opposition to the plan remains very high (Rasmussen
Copenhagen: Gore Caught Spreading Global Warming Fantasy
The global warming poster boy said “there is a 75 percent chance that the entire north polar ice cap, during the summer months, could be completely ice-free within five to seven years.” Gore’s office later admitted he was incorrect (FOX News). Further adding to the entertainment, a story explains “The Copenhagen climate talks will generate more carbon emissions than any previous climate conference, equivalent to the annual output of over half a million Ethiopians, figures commissioned by hosts Denmark show” (Reuters). Elsewhere in Copenhagen, a story notes “Tempers flared Monday at the United Nations climate summit as poor nations staged a walkout to protest what they called inadequate aid offers from rich countries, and the U.S. and China jockeyed for position” (WSJ). Not much is going well in Copenhagen (Times Online).
Terrorists Heading for Illinois
The story broken by Big Government yesterday turns out to be true. The story notes “A prison complex 150 miles from Chicago will house Gitmo detainees, the Obama administration will announce Tuesday” (ABC News). Though opposition is barely mentioned in the press, this story manages to at least note “Some Illinois officials have not supported the idea. GOP Rep. Mark Kirk, who is seeking Obama’s old Senate seat, said he believes moving Guantanamo detainees to Illinois will make the state a greater threat for terrorist attacks. Kirk has lobbied other officials to contact the White House in opposition to using the facility” (FOX News).
Democrats Could Lose Biden and Obama Senate Seats
Polls are leaning Republican (Washington Times). Democrats also risk losing a number of swing seats (USA Today).
Budget Experts Warn: US Must Tame Debt Soon
Or risk a panic in financial markets (Reuters). That doesn’t stop the Democrats in DC, who are handing out bonuses like they were cupcakes (Washington Examiner). Obama, meanwhile, is blaming bankers (WSJ).
Document: Iran Closer than Ever to Nuclear Bomb
The story claims “A smoking-gun document has emerged that indicates Iran is closer than ever to developing a nuclear weapon. Top-secret technical notes leaked from deep within the Iranian nuclear program – and making the rounds of Western intelligence agencies – detail research on a neutron initiator, a device that sets off a nuclear detonation.”
Writer Figures it Out: America is Not Pro-Choice
Dr. Albert Mohler examines a story in which the writer reveals a pro-life country.
School “Holiday” Program Says “Allah is God”
It was the only mention of deity. After a protest, the line was dropped.
Poll: Americans Want Congress to Not Pass Obamacare
By a massive 57-34 margin from a FOX News poll (FOX News). And a similar 52-38 in Quinnipiac (Quinnipiac). Democrats want the world to believe they are close to a passable plan (FOX News). Hugh Hewitt wrote “Seniors especially have to hope that the new deal falls apart as it represents a savaging of Medicare” (Townhall). The Medicare buy in didn’t win over Olympia Snowe and has Lieberman leaning against it (Politico). The Senate version of the bill now includes a loophole to allow coverage limits, upsetting and confusing many (FOX News). According to this editorial, the plan will still leave 24 million people uninsured (NY Post).
Copenhagen: Latest Attempt to Redistribute Wealth
From Charles Krauthammer: Politically it’s an idea of genius, engaging at once every left-wing erogenous zone: rich man’s guilt, post-colonial guilt, environmental guilt (Townhall). There’s even talk of climate reparations (NY Times). Meanwhile, the Financial Post is calling for the world to adopt China’s one child policy (Financial Post). The writer of that article, Diane Francis, has two children. She doesn’t mention which of her children she is willing to eliminate. And the BBC is telling evangelicals to get on board the climate change train (Telegraph). But the Washington Times notes “Contrary to the whitewash job conducted by propagandists, there are 450 academic peer-reviewed journal articles questioning the importance of man-made global warming. The Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine has collected more than 30,000 American scientists urging the U.S. government to reject the Kyoto Treaty, which pushes draconian measures to reduce carbon emissions. Much hay is made of 2,500 United Nations scientists who back Kyoto, but there are many more scientists with Ph.D.s among the 30,000 skeptics than there are among the oft-cited 2,500, most of whom are government bureaucrats without advanced degrees” (Washington Times).
Obama EEOC Nominee Another Gay Rights Activist
She said “There can be a conflict between religious liberty and sexual liberty, but in almost all cases the sexual liberty should win” (FOX News). This comes as Obama’s safe schools czar is under fire for his advocacy of very unsafe and even illegal sexual activity (Washington Times).
Democrats Look to Raise Debt by $1,800,000,000,000
They want to do it now so you forget by the 2010 elections (Politico). As many Americans lose their jobs or face cuts in pay, as the deficit soars to unthinkable highs, federal workers see an explosion in six figure salaries (USA Today).
University of Colorado Bans Nerf Guns
And, according to the story, the students put down their weapons quietly. Since when to students give up any rights quietly?
Judge to Make State Pay to Cover Tattoos on Alleged Murderer
So the jury isn’t influenced.
Obamacare Won’t Help Middle Class, Will Hit Them with Big Tax
The story notes “a middle-class family of four making $66,000 would still have to pay about 10 percent of its income in premiums, not counting co-payments and deductibles” (FOX News). The Wall Street Journal notes “Reid is now rushing to pass a bill in a race against its rising unpopularity and President Obama’s falling approval ratings” (WSJ). With the way Democrats are turning on America, Karl Rove looks at the political landscape for 2010 (WSJ).
GOP to Obama: Don’t Commit the US at Copenhagen
From the story: Several dozen House Republicans have written a letter to President Obama warning him not to commit the United States to an emission reduction protocol at UN Climate Change Conference taking place in Copenhagen, Denmark. “Only a treaty ratified by the United States Senate or legislation agreed to by Congress may commit our nation to any mandatory emissions reduction program,” said the letter dated December 4 and signed by House Republican leaders John Boehner (Ohio), Eric Cantor (Va.) and Mike Pence (Ind.) and over 20 other House members (Human Events). Another story notes “If negotiators reach an accord at the climate talks in Copenhagen it will entail profound shifts in energy production, dislocations in how and where people live, sweeping changes in agriculture and forestry and the creation of complex new markets in global warming pollution credits” (NY Times). And now it’s revealed that some scientists were pressured to sign the statement defending the “scientific integrity” of global warming research (FOX News). A look at science as not so objective (IBD). Al Gore mistakenly (I’m being nice here) dismissed the emails as a decade old and, therefore, somehow too old to consider (Herald Sun). And here in the US, it remains very, very cold (Chill Map).
Hillary Pollster Gets $6 Million from Stimulus
Saves just three jobs.
House Panel Passes College Football Playoff Bill
From the story: The bill, which faces steep odds, would ban the promotion of a postseason NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision game as a national championship unless it results from a playoff. The measure passed by voice vote in a House Energy and Commerce Committee subcommittee, with one audible “no,” from Rep. John Barrow, D-Ga.
University Blames Teachers’ Lack of “Cultural Competence” for Low Grades among Minorities
And is forcing education students to buy into their left-wing belief system.
Even the Dalai Lama Admits Obama’s Nobel a Bit Premature
The story also notes “Some commentators have joked that the award was for “not being George Bush” (FOX News). The media continues to treat Obama as a hero, with this morning’s ABC News top headline: ‘Deep Gratitude, Great Humility’: President at War Accepts Peace Prize.” (ABC News). At MSNBC: Obama accepts Nobel with ‘great humility’ (MSNBC).
So-Called Christians in America Adopting New Age Concepts
The story claims “Elements of Eastern faiths and New Age thinking have been widely adopted by 65% of U.S. adults, including many who call themselves Protestants and Catholics, according to a survey by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life released Wednesday.”
Reid: Opponents of Obamacare Are Like Proponents of Slavery
The Democrat from Nevada, leader in the Senate, took the rhetoric to a new low. Reid said “When this body was on the verge of guaranteeing equal civil rights to everyone regardless of the color of their skin, some senators resorted to the same filibuster threats that we hear today” (FOX News).
Copenhagen Opens with Claim They Are Saving the Planet
With the Danish Prime Minister calling it “Hopenhagen” (AFP). But, from the Wall Street Journal: For months, the U.N. climate change summit that began yesterday in Copenhagen has been billed as the world’s last best hope to match the scientific consensus on global warming with a policy consensus. But now it turns out there is little of either, and Copenhagen looks like it will go down as one of the more remarkable cases of political hubris in recent memory (WSJ). Despite the exposure of the left’s effort to silence opposition and alter data, the summit is off and running with the claim that the world is on the brink of disaster (FOX News). As usual, dire warnings of global warming is met with frigid temperatures (CNN). Rich Lowry looks at the “church of warmism” (NY Post). From Byron York: Gibbs also said the Climategate email scandal will have no effect on Obama’s push in Copenhagen. When asked whether the scandal “should slow the momentum in any way, shape, or form?” Gibbs responded, “It shouldn’t, because the science is clear.” “And settled?” Gibbs was asked. “And settled” (Washington Examiner). From George Will: With 20,000 delegates, advocates and journalists jetting to Copenhagen for planet Earth’s last chance, the carbon footprint of the global warming summit will be the only impressive consequence of the climate change meeting (IBD). Obama’s favorability rating sank to a new low of 47 percent (Gallup).
Exposing Obama’s “Safe Schools Czar”
The story notes “Now revelations have surfaced that Mr. Jennings not only thought there was nothing wrong with boys having sex with older men (or girls having sex with older women), but he also played a role in promoting such relationships” (Washington Times). More on Jennings promotion of porn to kids (Gateway Pundit).
Obamanomics Cost per Job: $246,436
And that’s if their rosy numbers are to be believed.
EPA Prepares a Power Grab
From the story: In Monday’s much-anticipated announcement, the Environmental Protection Agency said that six gases, including carbon dioxide and methane, pose a danger to the environment and the health of Americans and that the agency would start drawing up regulations to reduce those emissions (Washington Post). Business leaders worry Obama will use the EPA finding to enact extreme environmental laws (WSJ). From Hugh Hewitt: The only solution to this and all the other power grabs –GM, the banks, Obamacare– will be a wholesale forced retirement of Democrats in 11 months, including Blanche Lincoln, Harry Reid, Chris Dodd, Arlen Specter, Evan Bayh, Ron Wyden and scores of Democratic Congressmen. The takeover of American industry like the takeover of American healthcare by the government will be reversed only when large majorities of free market proponents replace the Obama-Pelosi-Reid majorities which are presently in the saddle and riding the American economy into the ground (Townhall).
CBS Uses Shocking Porn Talk to Promote Frosty the Snowman Broadcast
Incredibly, the story notes “The video ad, “Frosty the Inappropriate Snowman,” takes authentic dialogue from CBS’ “How I Met Your Mother” and “Two and a Half Men” and dubs it on top of the cartoon classic, changing well-known “Frosty” scenes to contain suggestions that the snowman and his friends visit a “strip club.” The mash-up also discusses Frosty’s “porn collection” and contains repeated mentions of prior sexual conquests. The ad is intended to promote the network’s upcoming broadcasts of “Frosty the Snowman” and “Frosty Returns” (FOX News). The ads (CBS).
Town Skips Annual Reading of Christmas Story After One Question: Is It legal?
The wimpy mayor Tom Taylor said that was enough.
Obama Style School Supplies Sent Back
From the story: The design at issue includes a picture of pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters. Above the coins is the phrase: “CHANGE” and underneath it reads: “WE CAN BELIEVE IN.” Below the words is a circle used by Obama’s campaign, in which the top half is blue and the bottom is red with three white lines cutting through it. The designer claimed it was all just an amazing coincidence.
Obama, Democrats Continue Push on Obamacare
The abortion issues continue to heat up (FOX News). Obama gave what he called “a pep talk” to Democrats (FOX News). But one key Democrat, Harry Reid, is seeing the love of Obamacare slip in his home state (ReviewJournal). Many other organizations are just now starting to see what a disaster this bill is (WSJ).
Copenhagen: Limos, Private Planes and Caviar
The great hypocritical do-as-I-say not-as-I-do event begins (Telegraph). Another story notes “Researchers have estimated that the bill for the 12-day jamboree will top £130million – and will generate as much greenhouse gas as an entire Africa country” (Daily Mail). This LA Times article on Copenhagen barely notes the hacked emails and quickly dismisses them (LA Times). But the emails have received some attention in Copenhagen (FOX News). They continue to be an inconvenient truth to the Obama Administration (AP). A look at the left-wing who bring a bizarre spiritual element to the talks (USA Today). This, as the event organizers kill the Christmas trees (FOX News). A look at the dire warnings in 1975 of the coming ice age (Forbes). Meanwhile, more trouble as the UN panel on climate change prediction that Himalayan glaciers could melt to a fifth of current levels by 2035 turns out to be a “misunderstanding” (BBC). Despite it all, this sky-is-falling editorial demands swift, overwhelming action now (Guardian). And the effort continues to turn the focus from the content of the emails to the motive of those who hacked it (Times Online).
Why the Mainstream Media is Ignoring the Great Climategate Story
The story notes “ABC News hasn’t deemed the story newsworthy. Neither has CBS nor NBC. If Americans only got their news from the networks, they would not know about the global-warming fraud or would merely think there was a simple misunderstanding about what scientists meant in some vague e-mails.” The story concludes “The networks found plenty of airtime to cover rumored family problems plaguing professional golfer Tiger Woods. Yet, even though there is climate-regulation legislation pending in Congress that could cost Americans trillions of dollars, network producers don’t see anything newsworthy in a scandal exposing fraud in global-warming research. Such omissions make mainstream news complicit in the cover-up” (Washington Times). From George Will: The CRU materials also reveal paranoia on the part of scientists who believe that in trying to engineer “consensus” and alarm about warming, they are a brave and embattled minority. Actually, never in peacetime history has the government-media-academic complex been in such sustained propagandistic lockstep about any subject (Townhall).
9/11 Families Protest Holder’s Decision to Try Terrorist in US
From the story: Debra Burlingame, the sister of American Airlines flight 77 co-pilot Charles “Chic” Burlingame, warned the trials would serve as a platform from which the terrorists will preach jihad. Holder wants to give 9/11 plots “a stage in that federal court house,” she said. “We’re here to say, that is not going to happen.”
Remembering December 7th, 1941
As the “date that will live in infamy” quietly passes.
Obama Battles Congressional Black Caucus
As the radical group wants the administration to do more for black owned businesses.
Blind Side Back on Top of Box Office
The movie exceeds expectations again.
McCain to Seniors: Cut Up your AARP Cards
Noting that the senior citizen organization has turned on its members over Obamacare (FOX News). Behind closed doors, Democrats battle each other over the public option (FOX News). Hugh Hewitt got a dose of “verbal gymnastics” from the pro-Obamacare guests he hosted this week (Townhall).
Obama: Okay, Time to Help Economy
After concerning himself with a record number of trips overseas, Obamacare, the environment and an excruciatingly slow decision on Afghanistan, the President is demanding we take “action right now to help businesses create jobs right now, in the near term” (ABC News). Why a Jobs Summit now? Polling (Washington Examiner). John Stossel calls the Jobs Summit a “stunt” designed to “concoct special tax credits and handouts to the politically connected” (Stossel). According to the Cato Institute, Obama is killing business with taxes (CATO). Better economic numbers are expected today (AP).
Obama Approves Millions of Tax Dollars for Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Your tax dollars at work.
NASA Refuses to Reveal Climate Change Data
From the story: Chris Horner, a senior fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, said NASA has refused for two years to provide information under the Freedom of Information Act that would show how the agency has shaped its climate data and would explain why the agency has repeatedly had to correct its data going as far back as the 1930s. “I assume that what is there is highly damaging,” Mr. Horner said. “These guys are quite clearly bound and determined not to reveal their internal discussions about this.” The numbers matter. Under pressure in 2007, NASA recalculated its data and found that 1934, not 1998, was the hottest year in its records for the contiguous 48 states. NASA later changed that data again, and now 1998 and 2006 are tied for first, with 1934 slightly cooler (Washington Times). This, as the global warming enthusiasts experience a PR disaster (Globe and Mail). From the Washington Times: Global warming was an academic Ponzi scheme. Its leading proponents were mini-Madoffs, peddling a vision of global catastrophe to gullible activists, bureaucrats and policymakers. The vision was so vast, the fear it inspired so pervasive, that it seized popular imagination, aided ably by hucksters like former Vice President Al Gore and his science-fiction feature film “An Inconvenient Truth.” But like any Ponzi scheme, global warming only worked if everyone kept investing and no one looked at the books. Once the truth came out – of manipulated findings, phony data, rigged peer-review processes and intimidation of skeptics – the scheme began to collapse (Washington Times). And none of the lies and deception has changed Al Gore’s obsession – he’s demanding even more drastic government intervention (Times Online). Two Academy members want Al Gore’s Oscar taken back (LA Times). And there’s more today on Senator Boxer’s desire to go after those who exposed the fraud (FOX News). The fraud didn’t stop Arnold Schwarzenegger from using a global warming map that has much of San Francisco under water (Daily Mail).
Democrats Pushing to Eliminate Don’t Ask Don’t Tell
They want to grant temporary immunity so gays can testify about how the policy is bad.
Caucus Demands More from Obama
From the story: The CBC members laid out a series of policies they would like to see enacted: efforts to reduce foreclosures, including through principal write-downs; better access to credit for African-American-owned auto dealerships; more aid to small and community banks that lend to African-Americans; and more federal money going to support ad buys in minority radio stations and newspapers.
Story: Degrading Media Leading to Abuse of Teens
The story claims a jump in abuse in relationships is due to a world “where teens are constantly bombarded with pop culture images objectifying and degrading women.”
Another Homeowner Association Demands US Flag be Taken Down
This time the victim is a 90-year-old WWII veteran. Wounded three times, he’s up for the fight.
Abortion Issue Continues to Threaten Obamacare
From the story: Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., plans to unveil an anti-abortion amendment as early as Thursday that abortions rights supporters inside the Senate and out say they can’t support. Nelson says he won’t vote for the underlying bill without his strong abortion language. But opponents say his amendment doesn’t have the votes to pass. The outcome could be critical in determining the fate of President Barack Obama’s signature health overhaul agenda (AP). A look at the National Organization for Women website reveals an obsession with keeping abortion in Obamacare (NOW). And unions stand to haul in billions from Obamacare (Townhall). From Jon Kyl on the Hugh Hewitt Show: the Washington Post is one of the cheerleaders for the Democrat majority here. And one of the things they’re trying to do is create expectations and momentum, inevitability as it were. They’re wrong. The bill is not going to be done by Christmas. In fact, it won’t be done by the end of the year. Hopefully, it won’t ever be done. But in no event will it be done by Christmas (Townhall).
Obama Now Turns Focus on Economy
Must be an election year (USA Today). Some say it’s nothing more than a publicity stunt (ABC News). From Mitt Romney: Today’s White House jobs summit comes too late for millions of Americans who through no fault of their own have lost their jobs, their homes, their savings and, in many cases, the self-esteem and self-respect that come from work. Like other presidents before him, Barack Obama inherited a recession. But unlike them, he has made it worse, not better (USA Today). Tax cuts are near the top of the list in a Gallup poll asking how to help the economy. Stimulus funding is near the bottom (Gallup). One key Democrat (Waxman) wants tax payers to save newspaper jobs (AFP). And Bernanke is catching heat (FOX News).
Big Media Ignores Climategate
Many in the public found out through Jon Stewart (FOX News). Video of Stewart (YouTube). Barbara Boxer is more concerned with prosecuting the hackers than the fact that scientists lied and concealed key data (The Hill). Obama’s top science advisor, John Holdren, treated the lies and deception like jaywalking, saying “Scientists are human, and from time to time they display defensiveness and bias and even misbehavior of some kinds” (NPR). Many in the science world understand how troubling this is (Washington Times). Meanwhile, CNN has quickly jumped back on the sky-is-falling global warming bandwagon with a story claiming Alaska is melting (CNN). And MSNBC warns that global warming will cause global cooling (MSNBC).
Rove: Obama Was Good and Bad on Afghanistan
Rove noted Obama was gutsy, going against his VP and many in his party to increase troops (WSJ). Obama was blistered in Spiegel for the speech (Spiegel). From George Will: The war is in its 98th month, yet Obama’s “Mission Accomplished” banner will be unfurled 19 months from now — when Afghanistan’s security forces supposedly will be self-sufficient. He must know this will not happen (Townhall).
Sports Illustrated: Football Discriminates Against White Running Backs
The nations’ leading college running back, who’s white, was recruited as a fullback.
News: NY Senate is “Dysfunctional” for Not Approving Gay Marriage
The clearly biased reporting only gave one quote to those supporting traditional marriage.
National Security Advisor: Window is Closing on Iran
Like a parent who refuses to see the time outs aren’t working, the Obama administration essentially says “I told you guys to stop it. One…”
CNN Drops Even More Without Dobbs
From the story: After Dobbs announced his resignation on air on Wednesday November 11, CNN suffered a 25% decline among all viewers in Dobbs’ 7pm time slot, and a 26% decline among adults 25-54. Meanwhile – surprise, surprise – CNN’s competition in the 7pm slot at FOX News, The FOX Report with Shephard Smith, scored its highest rated month of the year in November with more than 2.1 million total viewers and just over 500,000 viewers in the A25-54 demo.
Paparazzi Seeing Hard Times
Not hard enough.
Obama Calls for More Troops, 2011 Pullout
From Hewitt: he telegraphed our enemies in the region that he will cut-and-run in 18 months, thus assuring their celebration tonight as they tell their troops that their victory is assured if they stay their course (Townhall). One former Marine said “We have to make sure that we are going go stay until the job is done. It ain’t going to be as easy as he thinks it is” (FOX News). From the LA Times: Obama’s assurance that the presence of U.S. troops in Afghanistan is not indefinite is just as worrisome for Pakistanis. A pullout that leaves the Taliban intact probably would lead to an Afghan civil war on Pakistan’s doorstep (LA Times). Democrats, many who ran against the war, were disappointed. From the story: Republicans who oppose Obama on almost everything else praised his decision, sometimes grudgingly, to deploy 30,000 additional U.S. troops. Democrats who are usually his most reliable allies expressed criticism, sometimes heatedly, over his failure to detail when the U.S. mission would end (USA Today). Obama may not get the troop help he’s expecting from other countries (IBD). From moveon.org: This is wrong. President Obama has ordered about 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan—escalating the war. But escalation only deepens our involvement in a quagmire. (Moveon.org). Where he once enjoyed a 22 point gap in approval on Afghanistan, Obama now sits with a 20 point deficit (Gallup). Speech fact check (AP). Transcript of the speech (FOX News).
Obamacare Covers Illegal Aliens
From the story: Republicans said that loopholes in the bill could allow coverage to just about any illegal immigrant who wants to cheat the system. “This is a complete cover-all-the-gaps federal health insurance for illegals, whether it be under Medicaid, the refundable tax credit or whether it be under their employers who would not be able to verify their employers unless we fix E-Verify,” said Rep. Steve King of Iowa, the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee’s immigration subcommittee.
Fellow Experts Turn on Climategate Perps
From the story: Some mainstream academics working in the area have distanced themselves from Mann, Jones, and other researchers whose correspondence has drawn allegations of impropriety. Aynsley Kellow, a professor at the University of Tasmania who was an expert reviewer for a U.N. global warming report, told ABC Radio there was evidence of a “willingness to manipulate raw data to suit predetermined results, you’ve got a resistance to any notion of transparency, an active resistance to freedom of information requests or quite reasonable requests from scientists to have a look at data so that it can be verified.” Hans von Storch, director of the Director of Institute for Coastal Research who was assailed by Mann in one e-mail message, calls the CRU axis a “cartel” and suggests that Jones and others avoid reviewing papers (CBS News). At least one scientist at CRU is stepping down (Washington Post). From another story: The shameless denial with which major newspapers and networks have treated “Climategate” layers even more scandal on top of the original one: Mainstream media now co-conspirators with scientific hacks and big government. The evolution of America’s dominant media from guardians of our freedoms to enablers of government growth has been a decades-long story, their biases copiously chronicled (IBD). Meanwhile, Australia votes down their version of cap and trade. No mention in the story of Climategate (CBS News).
Stars Continue Hypocrisy on Global Warming
Preaching tiny carbon footprints while creating a giant.
Town Orders Firemen to Take Down Merry Christmas Sign
A 50 year-old sign.
Murdoch Laments Internet Affect on News
Saying “We are allowing our journalism – billions of dollars worth of it every year – to leak onto the internet. We are surrendering our hard-earned rights to the search engines and aggregators, and the out and out thieves of the digital age. It is time to pause and recognize this – free costs too much.”
Washington Blames Arkansas for Cop Shooter Release
The story looks at emails between the two states prior to Clemmons’ release.
CBO: Obamacare Will Drive Up Costs
From Mitch McConnell “Most people, according to the Congressional Budget office, will end up paying more or seeing no significant savings. This is not what the American people are asking for. And it’s certainly not reform” (FOX News). A look at how good healthcare really is in America (WSJ).
Obama to Call for More Troops in Afghanistan
And the left is livid (FOX News). The left-leaning Democrats in Congress are nervous (Politico). From Byron York: Sending more troops will fulfill a key Obama campaign pledge, but it will also expose a deep rift in the party — and highlight its habit of dissembling on the war (Washington Examiner). From Cheney: Every time he delays, defers, debates, changes his position, it begins to raise questions: Is the commander in chief really behind what they’ve been asked to do? (Politico). Fred Barnes on what Obama should say tonight (Weekly Standard).
Whitehouse and UN Live by CRU, Won’t Die By Them
The UN is shrugging off the emails (Guardian). As is the White House (The Hill). Elsewhere, they seem to get it. The Telegraph called it “a major scandal” and then: But the question which inevitably arises from this systematic refusal to release their data is – what is it that these scientists seem so anxious to hide? (Telegraph). From the Financial Times: Science may be objective; scientists emphatically are not. This episode illustrates what too many universities, professional societies, and research funders have irresponsibly allowed their scientists to become. Shame on them all. The source of that shame is a toxic mix of institutional laziness and complacency. Too many scientists in academia, industry and government are allowed to get away with concealing or withholding vital information about their data, research methodologies and results. That is unacceptable and must change (FT). A look at the motives (WSJ). An interview with one man who changed his mind on global warming (Guardian).
Americans Trust GOP on Issues
Including on the economy by double digits.
A Look at Seven Stories Obama Doesn’t Want Told
Including: He thinks he’s playing with Monopoly money. You can likely think of 10 more stories.
University Refuses to Graduate Fat Students
Unless they take a fitness course.
Man Seeks to Ban Divorce in California
As a protest to prop 8, which the story claims “outlawed gay marriage in 2008.” It also outlawed polygamy and marrying your dog or rocking chair, but CBS News didn’t note that (CBS News). Meanwhile, a move to put gay marriage on the ballot in 2010 is failing (San Francisco Chronicle).
Obamacare Back on the Schedule Today
With trouble looming for Democrats as the story notes “Some Democratic senators say they’ll jump ship from the bill without tighter restrictions on abortion coverage. Others say they’ll go unless a government plan to compete with private insurance companies gets tossed overboard. Such concessions would enrage liberals, the heart and soul of the party” (FOX News). A look at state tax hikes under Obamacare (Townhall). According to the Cato Institute, the real cost of Obamacare is closer to $6 trillion (Cato).
Global Warming Scientists Tossed Key Data
Used to map warming (FOX News). Another story claims the group is promising more transparency (Telegraph). From Michael Barone: The more interesting question going forward is whether European and American governmental, academic and corporate elites, having embraced global warming alarmism with religious fervor, will be shaken by the scandalous CRU e-mails. They should be (Townhall). From the Wall Street Journal: The panel, which shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore, now faces the inconvenient truth that it relied on scientists who violated scientific process (WSJ). Meanwhile, some on the left are rather upset that global warming is getting bad press. From one: Stop hyperventilating, all you climate change deniers. The purloined e-mail correspondence published by skeptics last week — portraying some leading climate researchers as petty, vindictive and tremendously eager to make their data fit accepted theories — does not prove that global warming is a fraud. If I’m wrong, somebody ought to tell the polar ice caps that they’re free to stop melting (Sun News).
Death Penalty Not a Sure Thing for Terrorist Tried in New York
From the story: Some legal experts say President Obama was overly confident when he predicted that critics of trying Mohammed in a federal courtroom in Manhattan would be silenced “when the death penalty is applied to him.” A former New York prosecutor explained: “Obviously, the 9/11 crimes are as serious as you can get. But it is difficult to get 12 people in Manhattan to agree on a death penalty” (LA Times). Another poll shows Americans greatly oppose the Obama Administration’s decision to try Sheikh Mohammed in civilian court, including 63 percent of independents (Gallup).
Pirates Hijack Oil Tanker Heading for US
Unarmed, as they don’t like the idea of guns aboard such a flammable ship (FOX News). Another story notes “Pirates terrorising ships in the Indian Ocean, looting and taking hostages, are often given medical checks and fed after being caught, before being sent of their way.” Why? Politics (Telegraph).
Obamacare: Public Support at New Low, Dems Fight Each Other
There is now an astounding 18 point gap between those who want it and those who don’t (Rasmussen). Within the Democratic party, liberals and so-called centrists are battling for position (Financial Times). Senator Lieberman has again stated he will block anything that has a public option (WSJ). Those obsessed with abortion have stepped up their efforts to make sure it’s funded (WSJ). And the Catholic Church continues to put heat on Democrats who are pushing for abortion funding in the bill (FOX News).
Mammography Issue an Example of Obamacare Trouble to Come
The Wall Street Journal notes “the task force found a sneaky way to use clinical data to take costs into account without admitting it. It cites all sorts of harm associated with the problem of “overdiagnosis”—i.e., too many costly procedures. This is a reference to mammograms that lead to further tests and treatments that in hindsight are unnecessary.” Later: What’s really going on here is that the left knows its designs will require political rationing of care, but it doesn’t want the public to figure this out until ObamaCare passes. Then it will begin the campaign to instruct the rest of us that we must follow the guidance of Princeton professors about what medical care we can receive. Americans will simply have to accept that the price of government-run health care in the name of redistributive justice is that patients and their doctors must bow to the superior wisdom of HHS task forces. Just don’t admit it until after the White House signing ceremony (WSJ). A stunning 75 percent of women disagree with the new “advice” (Gallup).
Global Warming Scientists Caught Manipulating Data
As the saga over the hacked Climate Research Unit grows. From the story: One of the emails under scrutiny, written by Phil Jones, the centre’s director, in 1999, reads: “I’ve just completed Mike’s Nature [the science journal] trick of adding in the real temps to each series for the last 20 years (ie, from 1981 onwards) and from 1961 for Keith’s to hide the decline.” Lord Lawson, the former chancellor of Exchequer, is calling for an inquiry into the charges of manipulation (Telegraph). Senator Inhofe wants an investigation (Senate). The Wall Street Journal notes “these scientists feel the public doesn’t have a right to know the basis for their climate-change predictions, even as their governments prepare staggeringly expensive legislation in response to them” (WSJ). More on the deception (Washington Times). This Guardian article expresses more frustration with how CRU is handling the leaks and who did this than the content, complaining it will be used to “smear” global warming scientists (Guardian). Which is kind of like worrying that Watergate will be used to smear Nixon.
Obama Expected to Finally Reach Decision on Afghanistan
After Thanksgiving.
Iran: US and Israel Lack Courage to Attack
Ahmadinejad said “those you mention (Israel and United States) don’t have the courage to attack Iran. They’re not even thinking about it.”
ACORN Dumps Thousands of Documents During Probe
According to the story, a private investigator in California found the documents that “he believes point to illicit relationships between ACORN and a bank and a labor union — as well as confidential information that could put thousands at risk for identity theft.”
Spiegel: Obama is Failing in Foreign Policy
As they note an immense amount of travel and no results.
ABC Gets 1500 Complaints over Gay Male Kiss
And calls that “moderate.”
City Council Considers Removing “So Help Me God” From Police Oath
There were no complaints – just one rogue councilman who worried that there might be complaints.
ACLU Backs Rights of Students to Wear Anti-Islam T-Shirts in School
The school felt the shirts, which read “Islam is of the Devil” is disruptive and violates dress code.
Man Seeks Real Father, Finds Out It’s Manson
The confused man said “I’m an extremely non-violent, peaceful person and a vegetarian. I don’t even kill bugs.” Crazy comes in several forms.
Senate Democrats Vote to Begin Debate on Obamacare
The story notes “As well as Lincoln and Lieberman, Sens. Ben Nelson of Nebraska and Mary Landrieu of Louisiana are both considered moderates in the Senate and have suggested they could be no votes in the final analysis. But Democrats may also lose the support of liberals if a strong government-run health plan is not an option” (FOX News). And with the vote to debate, the setup for Democrat disaster in 2010 (Washington Examiner). More on the implications for 2010 (WSJ). This as a new poll shows Americans reject the legislation (FOX News). From the Wall Street Journal: At this stage of the legislative process, Democrats are at ramming speed, determined to pass this destructive legislation at whatever cost before more voters figure out what is being done to them. The designated role for the “moderates” is to protest and posture enough to claim to have “improved” the bill before they inevitably acquiesce in it becoming law (WSJ). A look at the trouble already created: In what wags have already dubbed the “Louisiana Purchase”, Mary Landrieu was offered at least $100m in extra federal money for her state. Ben Nelson won the omission of a provision that would strip health insurers of their anti-trust exemption. Blanche Lincoln won more time. The group’s disproportionate power in the debate has antagonised some liberal Democrats. “In the end, I don’t want four Democratic senators dictating to the other 56 of us and to the country, when the public option has this much support, that it’s not going to be in it,” said Sherrod Brown of Ohio on Sunday on CNN (Financial Times). The bill will force much higher state taxes (Townhall). You know how people have noted Government run health care will mirror the trouble at the DMV only with your life on the line? Well, the DMV has gotten worse (USA Today). According to Gallup, Obama’s approval rating has now dropped to 48 percent (Gallup).
Former CBO Director: Obamacare Dishonest and Disastrous
Douglas Holtz-Eakin explains “any combination of what is moving through Congress is economically dangerous and invites the rapid acceleration of a debt crisis (WSJ). From the New York Times: …the government faces a payment shock similar to those that sent legions of overstretched homeowners into default on their mortgages (NY Times).
Secretly, Climate Change Scientists Admit Effort to Quiet Opposition/Struggle with Cooling
The unethical practices were revealed when a climate change research center was hacked (WSJ). From another story: Some are malicious — in one, the head of Britain’s Climatic Research Unit, Phil Jones, says he is “cheered” by news of the sudden death of a prominent Australian climate sceptic, John L. Daly, who died of a heart attack at his Launceston home in 2004. Others show scientists referring to sceptical colleagues as “prats”, “charlatans” and “idiots”. The emails also acknowledge the frustration of trying to find evidence to “prove” man-made climate change (The Australian). Meanwhile, two Irish journalists have put together a video examining the damage done by global warming hysteria (FOX News).
Soon on Obama’s Agenda: Immigration
You knew it was coming.
Carter: Bush the Worst President, Obama Deserved Nobel
Carter claimed of Obama “He has announced an end to torture. He has announced his goal to do away with nuclear weapons. He has changed the image of my country among many people around the world.” Perhaps Mr. Carter hasn’t been reading the paper lately.
American Music Awards Features Gay Male Kiss
That’s putting the display mildly. Adam Lambert said if ABC cut the kiss it would amount to discrimination.
UNICEF Says Global Warming is Stomping on Rights of Children
They say it is causing children to die, live in poverty, become malnourished, and even miss school. Not necessarily in that order.
Reid’s Bill Includes Public Option, Abortion
A quick list of key provisions (CBS News). From John Boehner: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-NV) massive, 2,074-page bill would levy a new “abortion premium” fee on Americans in the government-run plan (House). The bill abandoned the effort to be business friendly (WSJ). To get Senator Mary Landrieu’s vote, the bill is throwing $100,000,000 her way (ABC News). Of the cost, one story notes “99 percent of the costs don’t kick in until the fifth year of that “10-year” period. The true 10-year costs are well over twice what Reid’s advertising: $1.8 trillion. (NY Post). A FOX News Poll shows the public disapproves of Obama’s policy on health reform 53-41 (FOX News). From the always nutty, always leftist Jesse Jackson: You can’t vote against healthcare and call yourself a black man (The Hill).
Public Shifting Blame of Recession to Democrats
The story notes “A CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey released Friday morning indicates that 38 percent of the public blames Republicans for the country’s current economic problems. In May, 53 percent blamed the GOP. According to the poll, 27 percent now blame the Democrats for the recession, up 6 points from May, and 27 percent now say both parties are responsible” (CNN). And from the Wall Street Journal: Why all the pessimism? The source appears to be a growing fear that the federal government is retreating from the free-market economic principles of the last half-century, and in particular the strong growth policies that began under Ronald Reagan. A review of the economic policies instituted by President Barack Obama and the Democratic-controlled Congress lends credibility to this concern (WSJ).
Obama, Holder Comments Could Jeopardize Khalid Sheikh Mohammed Trial
As their comments could lead to delays and even dismissed charges.
Muslim Nations Lobby UN for Ban on Blasphemy
From the story: The United States has declared it won’t accept international treaties that restrict the First Amendment right to free speech. But there are signs the U.S. is worried by the Islamic Conference campaign. Behind the scenes it has been lobbying hard to quash the proposal, dispatching a senior U.S. diplomat to Geneva last month for talks described as akin to trench warfare.
Senate Approves Radical Judge for Seventh Circuit
Only one Republican, Richard Lugar, voted in favor of David Hamilton.
Christian Groups to Sign Pact: No Compromise on Abortion or Marriage
Charles Colson explained “We argue that there is a hierarchy of issues. A lot of the younger evangelicals say they’re all alike. We’re hoping to educate them that these are the three most important issues.”
Story: Global Warming Takes a Break, Environmentalists Struggle to Explain it
From the story: This has prompted many a climatologist to treat the temperature data in public with a sense of shame, thereby damaging their own credibility.
2074 Pages of Spending and Taxing Later, Obamacare by Senate
Even longer than the 1990 pages out of the House (Politico). Senator Mitch McConnell noted it is loaded with “Higher premiums, tax increases and Medicare cuts to pay for more government. The American people know that is not reform” (FOX News). The bill includes a tax on cosmetic surgery (NY Times). The entire, gigantic mess (Senate). The NRCC is already targeting vulnerable Democrats who voted for the bill with television ads (CQ Politics). Hugh Hewitt looks at how Reverse the Vote is going after many other Democrats (Townhall). From Larry Elder: After spending trillions to “save” our financial system, signing an $800 billion spending package to “stimulate” the economy, and pushing government takeovers of financial firms, banks and car companies, the President stands — pen in hand — ready to enact a dangerous government takeover of one-sixth of the nation’s economy. President Clinton survived — not in spite of but, in part, because of his “failure” to “reform” health care. Obama will survive — and benefit — from this “failure,” as well. So, Senate, do the President, yourself and the country a favor. Stop him (Townhall). C. Everett Koop wrote a letter to Reid encouraging him to keep abortion out of Obamacare (Christianity Today). More tough polling news for Democrats obsessed with government takeover: More Americans are happy with health care as is (Gallup).
Lawyers Representing Terrorists Now Working for Obama
Leading some to question the conflict of interest as the administration looks to try a terrorist in US courts. Holder wouldn’t even commit to giving the names of those who have recused themselves (Washington Examiner). And Lindsey Graham grilled Holder with a series of tough questions, including: If we captured bin Laden tomorrow, would he be entitled to Miranda warnings at the moment of capture? Holder was surprisingly stumped (NPR).
Putin: Russian Defense at “Unprecedented” Level
Despite the economic downturn (AFP). As mentioned last month, Russia is violating the arms treaty (Washington Times). And it was just a few months ago that Obama announced the scrapping of the missile defense shield in Poland in an apparent appeasement to Russia. How’s that working? (Human Events).
Top Visitor to the White House: Union Boss/ACORN Friend
From the story: Among outsiders, Stern enjoys unrivaled access to the White House. And the more you know about him, the spookier that sounds. Later: The SEIU-ACORN link is deep and longstanding. At least one SEIU local, Chicago’s Local 880, was organized by ACORN and run by it for 20 years. An SEIU official recently testified that the local had severed its ACORN ties, but Chris Berg, a former special assistant at the Office of Labor Management Standards, says, “I’m very skeptical.” Keith Kelleher, who spent many years running ACORN in Chicago, is still the local’s head organizer. “They’ve been wed together for so long, I don’t think they can divorce,” says Berg. (NRO) The SEIU endorsed Obama in the primaries (CBS News).
California Bans Flat Screen Televisions
Unless they use fewer watts. Jason Oxman, a vice president with the Consumer Electronics Association, said “It will result in higher prices for consumers, job losses for Californians, and lost tax revenue for the state.” Head out of state for your Super Bowl party (FOX News). But watch out, the plan is to spread this disease to other states (AP).
Despite Economy, Prosperity Gospel Continues
Joel Osteen, of course, a big topic. From the story: Theologically, the prosperity gospel has always infuriated many mainstream evangelical pastors. Rick Warren, whose book The Purpose Driven Life outsold Osteen’s, told Time, “This idea that God wants everybody to be wealthy? There is a word for that: baloney. It’s creating a false idol. You don’t measure your self-worth by your net worth. I can show you millions of faithful followers of Christ who live in poverty. Why isn’t everyone in the church a millionaire?” In 2005, a group of African American pastors met to denounce prosperity megapreachers for promoting a Jesus who is more like a “cosmic bellhop,” as one pastor put it, than the engaged Jesus of the civil-rights era who looked after the poor (The Atlantic). From Dr. Albert Mohler: Prosperity theology is a False Gospel. Its message is unbiblical and its promises fail. God never assures his people of material abundance or physical health. Instead, Christians are promised the riches of Christ, the gift of eternal life, and the assurance of glory in the eternal presence of the living God. In the end, the biggest problem with prosperity theology is not that it promises too much, but that it promises far too little. The Gospel of Jesus Christ offers salvation from sin, not a platform for earthly prosperity. While we should seek to understand what drives so many into this movement, we must never for a moment fail to see its message for what it is — a false and failed gospel (Albert Mohler).
Canadian Parents Win Right to No Homework for Kids
The parents are lawyers. Their kids will not be.
Harvard Med School Dean: Obamacare Will Create a Giant Mess
He wrote “it appears that the people who favor the legislation are engaged in collective denial.” Later: “In discussions with dozens of health-care leaders and economists, I find near unanimity of opinion that, whatever its shape, the final legislation that will emerge from Congress will markedly accelerate national health-care spending rather than restrain it. Likewise, nearly all agree that the legislation would do little or nothing to improve quality or change health-care’s dysfunctional delivery system” (WSJ). And the GOP is encouraging AARP to actually support seniors by retracting their support of Obamacare (The Hill).
Abortion Splitting Democrats on Obamacare
From the story: The abortion issue has finally reared its head after years of taking a backseat to priorities like war and the economy, leaving both supporters and opponents of abortion rights feeling that the Democrats’ middle-ground approach is falling short. The so-called Stupak amendment, which uses the House health care bill to restrict insurance coverage for abortions, has split open the debate to reveal complex but divided opinions on the subject of abortion. And as the public reconsiders the issue, interest groups on both sides of the debate are demanding more from Democrats (CBS News). Democrat Bart Stupak says he has the votes to kill the bill if Obamacare covers abortion (The Hill). Pro-abortion groups seem confident they can put abortion back in, with help from the White House (ABC News). The bill could be revealed today – and is expected to include long term health care (WSJ).
More Democratic Trouble: Independents and Asians Bolt
From one story: Mounting evidence that independent voters have soured on the Democrats is prompting a debate among party officials about what rhetorical and substantive changes are needed to halt the damage (Politico). This as Michael Barone notes Asians appear to be heading toward Republicans (Washington Examiner). Rasmussen shows the GOP still holds their six-point edge in a congressional generic ballot (Rasmussen). Gallup again has Obama at his lowest approval rating (Gallup). A look at the vulnerable Democrats pushing Obamacare in an effort to defeat them (Reverse The Vote).
Government Wastes $98,000,000,000
The government blew through $98 billion in government waste and fraud. Imagine what they’ll do if they take over health care (FOX News). From Congressman Darrell Issa: The manifest inaccuracies in the data the Obama administration uses to justify its economic policies constitutes the promulgation of inaccurate and misleading information by the federal government. The American people deserve a straightforward accounting of the way the president spends their tax dollars, and they have the right to expect a return on their “investment.” So far, all they are getting is deceitful propaganda and a backbreaking trillion-dollar tax bill from the officials they elected to bring about change (Washington Examiner)
Top Issue on Minds of Americans: Economy
Better than two to one over health care. Notice the environment doesn’t even show up on the list (Gallup). Meanwhile, foreign press is increasingly hostile to Obama for not pushing the environmental issue (Spiegel). Another foreign story notes “After nearly ten months in office, however, the inescapable conclusion is that Mr Obama’s foreign policy is in real trouble” (Times Online). From Michael Barone: Barack Obama is beginning to encounter limits on his ambition to change the world. Even as he bowed to the king of Saudi Arabia last April and to the emperor of Japan last week, the world refuses to bow back (Washington Examiner).
Democrats Consider Another Stimulus
But, realizing the public sees the failure of the first, might use a different word (FOX News). The New York Times says this is due to Congressional Democrats being “in near-panic amid forecasts that unemployment will remain high through next November’s midterm elections” (NY Times). Meanwhile, more lies exposed on the current stimulus claims (ABC News). From Jim DeMint: The attempts to cover up the dismal failure of the president’s trillion-dollar stimulus have gone from comical to embarrassing (The State). As the Obama administration piles up record debt, Obama tells FOX News that high debt could “lead to a double-dip recession” (Reuters).
Associated Press Assigns 11 Reporters to Fact Check Palin Book
From the story: The organization did not review for accuracy recent books by the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, then-Sen. Joe Biden, either book by Barack Obama released before he was president or autobiographies by Bill or Hillary Clinton. The AP did more traditional news stories on those books (FOX News).
Union Considers Filing Grievance Over Boy Scouts Clearing Sidewalks
Because they only want union members doing the work. Good deeds are unwelcome. Sounding a lot like Mafia, the union rep said “We’ll be looking into the Cub Scout or Boy Scout who did the trails.”
