Charlie Chatter

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. 

            CBS News

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.”

            AFP

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.”

            FOX News

Spiegel:  Obama is Failing in Foreign Policy

            As they note an immense amount of travel and no results.

            Spiegel

ABC Gets 1500 Complaints over Gay Male Kiss

            And calls that “moderate.”

            AP

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.

            FOX News

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.

            WPTV

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.

            NY Post

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. 

            Washington Examiner

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.

            The Nation

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.

            Rolling Stone

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.

            TAG

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.

            FOX News

Senate Approves Radical Judge for Seventh Circuit

            Only one Republican, Richard Lugar, voted in favor of David Hamilton.

            NY Times

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.”

            NY Times

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.

            Spiegel

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.

             Guardian

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.”

             McCall

Democrats Vow to Push Obamacare Despite Obstacles

            Democrats are still debating the abortion issue in the bill and the battle could force Obama to get involved (FT).  From Senator Tom Harkin:  We’re going to be going long days — I’ve already talked to Leader Reid about this — long nights, weekends — constantly, from then until right before Christmas, when I think we’ll have the votes, hopefully, to pass the bill (The Hill). 

Obama Catching Heat for Bow to Emperor Akihito

            The story notes “The incident followed Obama’s dip to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia in April, which the White House said was not a bow despite the criticism that followed.”  Later:  Instead of denying the gesture, an administration official defended it, telling Politico.com that Obama “observes protocol” and that the greeting “enhanced both the position and the status of the U.S. relative to Japan” — where a bow is just another version of a handshake (FOX News).  More on the story (LA Times).  Bill Bennett said “We don’t defer to emperors. We don’t defer to kings or emperors. The president of the United States — this coupled with so many apologies from the United States — is just another thing” (AP).  This video shows other world leaders shaking Akihito’s hand (YouTube).  From Wesley Pruden:  This is not the way an American president impresses evildoers that he’s strong, tough and decisive, that America is not to be trifled with (Washington Times). 

New York Governor Criticizes White House for 9/11 Trial Plan

            The Democrat said “This is not a decision that I would have made. I think terrorism isn’t just attack, it’s anxiety and I think you feel the anxiety and frustration of New Yorkers who took the bullet for the rest of the country” (WCBS).  From Byron York:  Last January, several Republican legal stars wrote a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee supporting Eric Holder’s nomination to be attorney general. Now, in light of Holder’s decision to grant 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed full American constitutional rights and try him in federal court in New York, some of those veteran lawyers are having second thoughts (Washington Examiner).  Jonah Goldberg notes that Obama “made it clear that he doesn’t see the threat as an unconventional war but as a conventional law enforcement problem. The attorney general insists that 9/11 is a matter for civilian courts. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano says attacks such as 9/11 should be thought of as “man-caused disasters.” Her “No. 1″ priority after the Ft. Hood shootings was to bring Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan to justice — a fine answer for a law enforcement official but not from someone charged with protecting the homeland. The war on terror itself has morphed into “overseas contingency operations’” (LA Times).  From Thomas Sowell:  Tragically, this administration seems hell-bent to avoid seeing acts of terrorism against the United States as acts of war. The very phrase “war on terrorism” is avoided, as if that will stop the terrorists’ war on us (Townhall).  Meanwhile, Obama’s talk of sending Gitmo terrorists to Illinois isn’t thrilling all the residents.  Said one, “This would make us the No. 1 target on the terrorist list.  All of a sudden, we’re the bull’s-eye. How are we supposed to feel?” (USA Today). 

10-Year-Old Refuses to Say Pledge Because American Doesn’t Do Enough for Gays

            And this story, like many others, is treating him like a hero.  Perhaps someone should tell him what happens to gays in Iran.

            Parent Dish

Obama Struggling as Policies Fail

Bill Kristol on Obama:  It’s worse than most of us expected. His dithering on Afghanistan is deplorable, his appeasing of Iran disgraceful, his trying to heap new burdens on a struggling economy destructive. Add to this his sending Khalid Sheikh Mohammed for a circus-like court trial. The next three years are going to be long and difficult ones for our economy, our military, and our country (Weekly Standard).  From Dennis Prager:  There may be a major silver lining for conservatives and for America’s future thanks to the foreign and domestic policies of President Obama and the Democrat-controlled House and Senate: For the first time in their lives, millions of Americans are coming to understand the left (Townhall). 

Lawsuit Seeks to Strip National Motto From US Capital Visitors Center

            They want “In God We Trust” removed, along with “Under God” in the pledge.

             CNS News

  NFL Owner Fined $250,000 for Flipping Off Fans

            Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams showed a remarkable lack of class.

             FOX NY

Obamacare Bill Continues to Climb

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services finally issued their analysis of Pelosi’s version of Obamacare and it wasn’t pretty.  John Boehner explained “This report once again discredits Democrats’ assertions that their $1.3 trillion government takeover of health care will lower costs, and it confirms that this bill violates President Obama’s promise to ‘bend the cost curve.’ It’s now beyond dispute that their bill will raise costs, which is exactly what the American people don’t want” (The Hill)  From the Wall Street Journal:  As usual, the most dangerous parts of ObamaCare aren’t receiving the scrutiny they deserve—and one of the least examined is a new commission to tell Congress how to control health spending. Democrats are quietly attempting to impose a “global budget” on Medicare, with radical implications for U.S. medicine (WSJ).  Michael Barone asks “how Barack Obama and congressional Democratic leaders decided to make expensive health care legislation a No. 1 priority at a time when the nation was facing enervating unemployment, now at 10.2 percent and rising far higher than White House projections” (Townhall).  More on why the bill is in trouble (Townhall).  Meanwhile, now there’s word that Obama is pondering an actual spending cut.  Or at least talking about it (AP). 

Abortion Issue Taking Catholics from Democrats in 2010

            One more troubling sign for the left in the mid-term outlook.

Politico

Imam of Ft. Hood Shooter:  Attack Acceptable Under Islam

            From the story:  Al-Awlaki also denounced Muslims who condemned the attack. “They say American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan should be killed,” the imam argued, “so how can they say the American soldier should not be killed at the moment they are going to Iraq and Afghanistan?”

             FOX News

Republicans Offer Bill to Keep 9/11 Terrorists Off US Soil, Democrats Kill It

            Democrats didn’t even allow debate (CNS News).  Giuliani blasted Obama for deciding to try terrorists on US soil (Washington Times).  From Dick Morris:  Obama and his handlers know that the key to building favorable ratings is to control the agenda. And the more the national discussion centers on national security and terrorism, the more Republicans gain. So the Fort Hood terror attack comes at an awful time for an administration trying to turn the nation’s attention away from the terrorist threat.  As soon as the killing spree was over, Obama hastened to call it “an act of violence” — obscuring the obvious fact that it was the most serious terror attack on US soil since 9/11 (Washington Post).  From John McCain:  I am extremely disappointed with the Obama Administration’s decision to try in U.S. civilian courts the Al-Qaeda terrorists who planned, supported, and conducted the September 11^th attacks.  These terrorists are not common criminals.  They are war criminals, who committed acts of war against our citizens and those of dozens of other nations (McCain). 

Massachusetts Joins States Considering Anti-Bullying Legislation

            The bill “would require school districts to report bullying incidents and any discipline imposed to the state.”

             Boston Globe

A Gallup Poll First:  More in US Say Government Not Responsible for Health Coverage

            Gallup notes this is “a significant shift from as recently as three years ago, when two-thirds said ensuring healthcare coverage was the government’s responsibility.”  On the question of whether a government system should replace the current system, Americans say no by an astounding 29 percent. (Gallup). Hugh Hewitt looks at the Democratic Senators who must consider 2010 when they cast a vote on Obamacare (Townhall).  Byron York examines how Democrats snuck a $210 Billion bone to the AMA (Washington Examiner).  Meanwhile, two Democrats vying for Ted Kennedy’s seat are using the Obamacare legislation to argue who is most pro-abortion (FOX News).  This, as the abortion debate within Obamacare heats up (WSJ).  Even those favoring Obamacare see the danger in this massive spending (IBD). 

Outlets Debate Fort Hood Terrorism

            Over at ABC News, they did a feature on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder which they say “may or may not have played a role in Hasan’s case.”  Trouble is, Hasan never saw combat (ABC News).  From Charles Krauthammer:  Have we totally lost our moral bearings? Nidal Hasan (allegedly) cold-bloodedly killed 13 innocent people. In such cases, political correctness is not just an abomination. It’s a danger, clear and present (Townhall).  Hasan had business cards that called him a “soldier of Allah” (FOX News).  From Time Magazine:  What a surprise it must have been when Major Nidal Malik Hasan woke up from his coma to find himself not in paradise but in Brooke Army Medical Center, deep in the heart of Texas (Time).  A look at if this really is terrorism (Washington Times). 

Obama Court Nominee Under Fire

            David Hamilton has been nominated to the 7^th Circuit Court of Appeals.  From the story:  The two Hamilton decisions most often cited by critics are one that struck down the use of Christian prayer by Indiana state lawmakers, and another that struck down a segment of a state law requiring informed consent and a waiting period for women seeking abortions (NY Times).  From Investor’s Business Daily:  He is also another in a series of activist judges who believe the U.S. Constitution is not etched in stone but made of clay, ready to be molded into anything they want. He shares the beliefs of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and Edward Chen, nominee for the Northern District of California, that laws can be made from the bench and that empathy, not original intent, should be a judge’s guide (IBD).  More on Hamilton (Washington Times).

Obama Deficits Set New October Record of $176 Billion

            Considerably higher than what economists expected (FOX News).  From Newt Gingrich:  Last Friday, the unemployment rate jumped to 10.2 percent. The underemployment rate — including part-time workers who want full-time jobs and those who have simply quit looking for work — reached 17.5 percent.  How did Washington react? The next day the Democratic-controlled House passed a trillion-dollar increase in government disguised as a health care bill.  In the face of the worst jobless rate in 26 years, the Obama administration and congressional Democrats don’t seem to realize that adopting bad policies kills jobs (Washington Examiner).

ACORN Calls Funding Cuts “Unconstitutional,” Sues Government

            They claim “We have due process in this country, and our Constitution forbids lawmakers from singling out a person or group for punishment without a fair investigation and trial.”  So now it’s punishment when they don’t receive taxpayer dollars? (FOX News).   More on ACORN (Big Government). 

NY-23 Race Still Not Officially Over

            Even though Hoffman conceded and Owens was sworn in.  Turns out, a mistake misrepresented Owen’s lead on election night and there are still many absentee ballots to count.  Owens still leads, but Hoffman has an outside chance.

             Post-Standard

Scientist Attacked for Bucking Global Warming Hysteria

            The story notes geologist Ian Plimer “said the scientists “frightening people witless by following the party line” are motivated by politics and research funding’” (Telegraph).  Another story notes one more professor warning the world could be cooling (Irish Times).  And, quietly, congress continues toward a climate bill (IBD). 

 Science a Step Closer to Genetically Modified Children

            Including a three-parent child.

             Telegraph

CDC:  Swine Flu Outbreak “Unprecedented”

            And still far from its peak.

             USA Today

Democrat Ben Nelson:  House Bill Won’t Pass Senate

            He explained “Well, first of all, it has more than a robust public option, it’s got a totally government-run plan, the costs are extraordinary associated with it, it increases taxes in a way that will not pass in the Senate and I could go on and on and on” (ABC News).  Nelson is from Nebraska, which went for McCain in 2008.  Yet Nancy Pelosi insists her version of Obamacare is our Christmas Present (Townhall).  Meanwhile, Reid has his sights set on another tax increase to help pay for Obamacare (AP).   More seniors are realizing AARP is not looking out for them (One News Now).  A look at the AMA sellout (NY Post). 

Rove:  Why Democrats Should Fear 2010

            Rove also explains why Team Obama’s hope that 2010 could be like 2002 is not based on reality.  He concludes:  Maybe the Obama inner sanctum realizes that its agenda is unpopular and will cost many Democrats their seats next year but calculates that enough will survive to keep the party in control of Congress. Perhaps they have decided that Mr. Obama’s goal of turning America into a European-style social democracy is worth risking a voter revolt.  Many Democrats who will be on the ballot next year may come to a different conclusion. Nationalizing the elections over an unpopular agenda isn’t likely to repeat Mr. Bush’s feat of picking up congressional seats. It is, however, likely to lead to more Republican congressmen than are there now (WSJ).  Another poll, this one from Pew, indicates Democrats are in trouble in 2010 (CNN).  Obama’s numbers on handling the economy continue to sink (Rasmussen). 

Political Correctness May Have Allowed Fort Hood Terrorist to Act

            The story explains it may have “prevented officials from taking action and is still being used as a crutch in explaining the rampage after the fact.”  One investigator explained “Had we launched an investigation of Hasan we’d have been crucified” (FOX News).  The public is not so politically correct.  76 percent want immediate removal  of officers linked to terrorist groups (Rasmussen).  More on the mental state of Hasan.  On official said “Everybody felt that if you were deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, you would not want Nidal Hasan in your foxhole” (FOX News).  CNN has determined Hasan“fits the profile of a mass murderer better than that of a terrorist” (CNN).  A look at turning the killer into a victim (Washington Times). 

Obama on Afghanistan Plans:  Nope, Try Again

            The story begins:  President Barack Obama does not plan to accept any of the Afghanistan war options presented by his national security team, pushing instead for revisions to clarify how and when U.S. troops would turn over responsibility to the Afghan government, a senior administration official said Wednesday (Boston Globe).   From another story:  Obama’s stance comes as his own ambassador in Afghanistan, Karl Eikenberry, is voicing strong dissent about a U.S. troop increase, according to a second administration official (AP).  Americans are split on the issue (Gallup).  And Obama’s handling of Gitmo is getting bad grades (McClatchy). 

Obama to Break Overseas Record for President

            Not good for the environment, right?  Remember when Bush was criticized for not focusing on domestic issues?

             CBS News

Professor Punches Woman over Discussion on Race Relations

            Why isn’t this national news on every network?  The professor was black and the woman was white.  The professor, Lionel McIntyre of Columbia University, was allegedly angry over “white privilege” (NY Post).  Some say he should be charged with a hate crime (Examiner).  More on the racism front:  Fears in Chicago that a white candidate could win a congressional seat (Politico). 

School Fundraiser:  Selling Grades

            The beginning of the story reads like an Onion article.  The principal explained “Last year they did chocolates, and it didn’t generate anything.”  Heaven forbid she finds out how well drugs sell.

             News Observer

Prisoners Find Death Row a Good Way to Spend Time in Prison

            Knowing they’ll have decades to relax.  Until they meet eternity, that is.

           LA Times

Paris Holds “Divorce, Separation and Bereavement Fair”

            From the story:  There were workshops on “How to bounce back,” “How to love yourself in order to bounce back,” or, more prosaically, “The role of plastic surgery in reconquering one’s self-image.”

             AP

Man Goes to Reunion as Decorated Marine, Is Outed by Real Navy Commander

            Turns out, this costume is illegal.

             The Smoking Gun

House Bill Includes Jail Time for Those Without Insurance

            At a time when prisons are crowded (ABC News).  Also on the bill:  The Catholic Church lobbied hard to keep abortion out of Obamacare (FOX News).  California Democrat Lynn Woosley is so upset with the Catholic interference, she’s threatening the church’s tax exempt status (Politico).  Lieberman continues to rally against the public option (CNS News).  From John Stossel:  The 1,990-page bill is breathtaking in its bone-headed audacity. The notion that a small group of politicians can know enough to design something so complex and so personal is astounding (Townhall).  Dick Morris looks at the politics behind the House vote (Townhall). 

Obama:  “Twisted Logic” to Blame in Fort Hood Deaths

            He said “It may be hard to comprehend the twisted logic that led to this tragedy. But this much we do know — no faith justifies these murderous and craven acts, no just and loving God looks upon them with favor. And for what he has done, we know that the killer will be met with justice — in this world, and the next” (FOX News).  Transcript (FOX News).  Prior to the speech, Obama’s reaction was disconnected (Examiner).  Andrew McCarthy explains that if the FBI investigated Islam, “it might stumble onto all sorts of things we’d just as soon not know. We’d have to start acknowledging that Salafist ideology (the strain of Islam endorsed by the Muslim Brotherhood and Sunni terrorist organizations) is prevalent in American mosques. We’d have to concede that beliefs we optimistically call “radical” are actually quite mainstream among American Muslims and predominant among Muslims overseas — including the beliefs that sharia (the law of Islam) should govern the United States, that Muslims must resist American military and law-enforcement operations against other Muslims, that the U.S. military presence in Islamic countries renders American soldiers and those who support them legitimate targets of jihadist terror, and that Israel, America’s democratic ally in the Middle East, should not exist” (NRO).  From the Wall Street Journal:  The Pentagon said it was never notified by U.S. intelligence agencies that they had intercepted emails between the alleged Fort Hood shooter and an extremist imam until after last week’s bloody assaults, raising new questions about whether the government could have helped prevent the attack (WSJ).  More on Hasan (Washington Post).   From Jonah Goldberg:  For many people, the idea that he is a Muslim fanatic, motivated by other Muslim fanatics, was — at least initially — too terrible to contemplate. How else to explain the reflexive insistence after the attack that the real culprit was post-traumatic stress disorder? The fact that PTSD is usually diagnosed in people who’ve been through trauma (hence the “post”), and that Hasan had never seen combat, didn’t seem to matter much (Townhall).  Many in the mainstream media refused to cite the killer’s Muslim faith (FOX News).  Meanwhile, the struggle continues to figure out why this extremist remained in the US military (AP). 

Polls:  GOP Leads Democrats in Generic Congressional Ballot

            As Independents now prefer the Republican party by 22 points.  According to Gallup, it was nearly even back in July (Gallup).  Rasmussen also sees a sizeable edge for Republicans (Rasmussen).  And the GOP is targeting vulnerable Democrats for 2010 (Politico).  Michael Medved looks at often repeated myths on recent voting (Townhall). 

October Third Coldest Month on Record

            From the report:  Temperatures were below normal in eight of the nation’s nine climate regions, and of the nine, five were much below normal. Only the Southeast climate region had near normal temperatures for October (NOAA).  Another story notes the earth is absorbing a lot more carbon dioxide than many thought possible (Telegraph).  Regardless of all this, the cap and trade bill lurks (Heritage).  And Al Gore continued to fly around in a massive carbon-emitting jet plane to promote himself and his agenda (San Francisco Chronicle). 

College Officials Seek Recall of Student Body President for Not Stopping Pro-Life Group

            Once again, free speech goes one-way.

             ADF

Economist Magazine Happy Population is Falling

            Albert Mohler looks at the magazine’s take on a “reduction of fertility” including “a thankful nod to China’s notorious ‘one child only policy.’” 

             AlbertMohler

Against Public Opinion, Reid in Race to Pass Bill Quickly

            From the story:  Without Snowe and Lieberman, Reid is at least one vote shy of the 60 he needs, and he risks losing weeks to a fruitless push for the public option. Should work spill into next year, breaks in the schedule and looming elections may open the effort up to the same types of criticism that dogged Democrats during their August recess.  “The longer any bill is hanging in the winds, the harder it is to pass,” said Sean Spicer, a former aide for the House Republican conference. “When you have a 2,000-page bill, there is always something you can find to rally opposition around” (Bloomberg).  Meanwhile, this Rasmussen poll shows voters still oppose this legislation.  Particularly troubling for Democrats in 2010, 42 percent are “strongly” opposed (Rasmussen).  With average Americans against Obamacare, Democratic leaders hope Bill Clinton can convince fellow Senators to ignore the public (USA Today).  This opinion piece examines why Democrats would risk so much for this bill (WSJ).  Abortion is one of the key issues hampering the bill (Politico).  Some Democrats admit this bill does not fulfill Obama’s promise of slowing healthcare spending (NY Times).  A list of Democrats who voted against Obamacare (NRO).  Somewhat related:  Michael Barone examines the voting habits of the very fickle young (Townhall). 

What This 1990 Page Bill Does

            Among the many things:  when you file your taxes, you must include proof that you are in a qualified plan. If not, you will be fined thousands of dollars. Illegal immigrants are exempt from this requirement.

             WSJ

Obama’s Attorney General to Give Keynote to Controversial Muslim Group

            From the story:  Attorney General Eric Holder has agreed to give a keynote speech next week to a Michigan group which includes the local branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations even though the FBI has formally severed contacts with the controversial Muslim civil rights organization (Politico).  Quite troubling considering recent events at Fort Hood (NY Post). 

Terrorist’s Motives Were Crystal Clear

            Dorothy Rabinowitz examines the insanity of those who don’t understand this simple act of terrorism (WSJ).  From Thomas Sowell:  It was fascinating to see Barack Obama warning us not to leap to conclusions about the killings at Fort Hood, Texas– after the way he leaped to conclusions over the arrest of Henry Louis Gates, when he knew less about the facts than we already know about the massacre at Fort Hood (Townhall).  From Dennis Prager:  It is a given that the vast majority of American Muslims are loyal Americans. But that’s not the only given.

It is equally a given that a certain percentage of Muslims in and outside of the military are Islamists who want Americans dead (Townhall).  If the terrorist were to be put to death, Obama would have to make that decision (Telegraph).  This story about Muslims fighting for America reveals conflict our US troops don’t need, such as one who “returned from Iraq without ever pulling the trigger” (NY Times). 

Obama Still Indecisive on Afghanistan

            Many reported he was ready to send tens of thousands more in (FOX News). 

But the White House issued the statement “Reports that President Obama has made a decision about Afghanistan are absolutely false” (CBS News). 

25 Students Arrested for Food Fight

            They were charged with “misdemeanor reckless conduct.”  Who’s kids aren’t guilty of that every day?

             NBC

GOP Sweeps Governor’s Races

            The story notes “Exit polls results in both Virginia and New Jersey showed many reasons for Democrats to be concerned and for Republicans to be optimistic, particularly about independents – the crown jewel of elections because they often determine outcomes” (CBS News).  The independents went 2-1 for Christie (FOX News).  From the Associated Press:  Independents who swept Barack Obama to a historic 2008 victory broke big for Republicans on Tuesday as the GOP wrested political control from Democrats in Virginia and New Jersey, a troubling sign for the president and his party heading into an important midterm election year (AP).  From Gallup:  Obama’s approval ratings are middling, in the low 50s, suggesting he would not be able to minimize Democratic losses to a great degree if the elections were held today. Further erosion of Obama’s popularity between now and next November could prove damaging to the Democratic Party. First-term presidents who had sub-50% approval ratings at the midterms — including Harry Truman, Lyndon Johnson, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and Bill Clinton — saw their parties suffer large congressional seat losses (Gallup).  From Hugh Hewitt:  Of course the president is a huge factor in today’s voting, not only in his impact on those 2008 Obama voters who didn’t show up in 2009, but also in the impact of the intensity of the GOP ground game and donor base –an intensity that will continue to grow as the full extent of the radical nature of the Obama agenda becomes crystal clear to the country (Townhall).  From Politico:  The off-year elections were in two big races an unmistakable rebuke of Democrats, reshuffling Obama’s political circumstances in ways likely to have severe near-term consequences for his policy agenda and larger governing strategy.  Independents took flight from Democrats. They suffered humiliating gubernatorial losses in traditionally Democratic New Jersey, where Obama lent his prestige in a pair of 11th-hour campaign rallies Sunday, and in Virginia, which had been trending leftward and just last year was held up as an example of how Obama was redrawing the political map in his favor (Politico).  From Michael Medved:  GOP victories, in off year elections like those on Tuesday, and especially in the fateful Congressional elections of 2010, can save the country from Obama’s most radical and destructive schemes (Townhall).  In one of those do-you-really-think-we’re-that-stupid moments, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said Obama, who campaigned hard for the losing candidates, wasn’t watching the returns (Politico).  In Virginia, Republicans captured the top three jobs as Robert McDonnell won in a landslide (Washington Times).  From overseas:  Major Republican victories in two states last night left the fate of President Obama’s signature health reforms in doubt and Democrats licking their wounds a year before the 2010 mid-term elections (Times Online).  Another looks at the many Obama blunders in year one (Telegraph).  From RNC Chairman Michael Steele: “I think it’s a bellwether for the party … You look at where we were nine months ago” (Townhall).  Related audio (SONnetwork).

Liberal Maine Says No to Gay Marriage

            The story notes “Gay marriage has now lost in every single state — 31 in all — in which it has been put to a popular vote. Gay-rights activists had hoped to buck that trend in Maine — known for its moderate, independent-minded electorate — and mounted an energetic, well-financed campaign” (FOX News).  Less than a month ago, a poll showed the measure losing (Press Herald).  The Associated Press report from the losing side (AP). 

Democrats:  Obamacare Unlikely in 2009

            It’s stalled in the Senate as Reid decides which mammoth version to bring to vote.  The story looks back:  “I am absolutely confident that we are going to get health care done by the end of this year, and Nancy Pelosi is just as confident,” Obama said Oct. 27 at a fundraiser for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (ABC News).   The bill’s funding of abortion is also causing some Democrats to threaten a no vote (Washington Post). 

GOP Healthcare Plan:  230 Pages

            The story notes “It’s much shorter and focuses on bringing down costs rather than extending coverage to nearly all Americans.”  Tort reform is included.

             AP

Poll:  By 2-1, Americans Say Obama is Indecisive on Afghanistan

            And approval of his handling of the war has dropped below 50 percent.

             ABC News

Ford Winning the Hearts of Americans

            Increasing market share in 12 of the last 13 months as the manufacturer least dependent upon taxpayer help.

             WSJ

Writer Explains Why Animals are Better Than Humans

            A lot of really ignorant lines in the story, like “Humans routinely breed past the food supply. Most animals are too smart to do this.”  No, Rita, they starve to death because they’re too dumb to make food.

             CNN

New TV Drama Lead Sounds a Lot Like Obama

            But then they discover the person is “secretly a totalitarian space lizard who’s come here to eat us.”

             Chicago Tribune

GOP Hope to Send Message in Today’s Elections

            From the story:  “We will be looking very closely at the results in these three races and reminding Democrats of the message they send about the agenda that they are forcing on American taxpayers,” said Paul Lindsay, a spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, which coordinates GOP House races (WSJ).  Another story notes that “Intensity, as much as outcomes, may provide the best insight into national trends heading into the much more meaningful election in 2010” (WSJ).  Headlines at every major news outlet note that Obama’s political influence and/or popularity will be put to test (CBS News).  From Hugh Hewitt:  If New Jersey goes Corzine by a hair, it will still be bad news for the Democrats nationally.  If it goes for Christie, look for a run on security blankets in the House Democratic caucus on Wednesday morning (Townhall).  From another story:  A last-minute poll of New York’s suddenly significant 23rd District interim House race shows that with less than 12 hours before voting begins, the Conservative/Republican candidate Doug Hoffman has built a 5-point lead over Democrat Bill Owens.  But the newfound allies of Hoffman and the Republican National Committee had best hold off on the champagne purchases. The undecided voters there have doubled to nearly 1 in 5, making the final hours volatile (LA Times).  Controversial Republican Dede Scozzafava withdrew from the race and backed the Democrat (WSJ).  Biden was in New York voicing anger to a sparse crowd (Weekly Standard).  This could be the beginning of a shift right (IBD).  A breakdown of a New Jersey poll (Survey USA). 

Planned Parenthood Director Quits After Seeing Ultrasound of Abortion

            Also from the story:  Johnson said she became disillusioned with her job after her bosses pressured her for months to increase profits by performing more and more abortions, which cost patients between $505 and $695.  “Every meeting that we had was, ‘We don’t have enough money, we don’t have enough money — we’ve got to keep these abortions coming,’” Johnson told FoxNews.com. “It’s a very lucrative business and that’s why they want to increase numbers” (FOX News).  Planned Parenthood is suing to shut her up.  Video (Breitbart). 

Pelosi/Obamacare Bill at $1.2 Trillion

            The story notes it’s “far higher than the $900 billion cited by President Barack Obama as a price tag for his reform plan” (AP).  From Dennis Prager:  If the 1,990-page House Health Care Bill becomes law, the average American will receive worse health care, American physicians will decline in status and income, American medical innovation will dramatically slow down and pharmaceutical discoveries will decline in number and quality. And, of course, the economy of the United States will deteriorate, perhaps permanently (Townhall). 

Al Gore Getting Rich Acting as Environmental Investor

            Especially as he invests in businesses that miraculously get huge government contracts.

             NY Times

Dr. Albert Mohler Looks At the Marriage Index

            He notes “Clearly, the nation’s marital health is in a free fall. This raises a frightening question: How low can these indicators fall and the society continue to survive?”

             Albert Mohler

Matrix Producer to do Feel Good Picture about Mohammad

            The story notes “In accordance with Islamic law, the prophet will not actually be depicted on screen.” 

             Guardian

Fewer Down Syndrome Children as Abortions Continue

            The story notes “More Than 90 Percent of Women Carrying a Child With Down Syndrome” aborts (ABC News).  In an unrelated story, a beauty product is catching heat for using aborted baby cells in their products (Washington Times).

Obamacare:  Higher Taxes and Not Indexed for Inflation

            From the story:  As incomes rise over time because of inflation, more families — and more small business owners — would be hit by the tax (FOX News).  There’s more talk about the constitutionality of Obamacare, led by Orrin Hatch (CNS News).  The public is outright rejecting Nancy Pelosi’s version of the bill (Rasmussen).  Meanwhile, the motivation behind Harry Reid’s public option push is highly political as he caters to his far left base (CNN). 

GOP Set to Propose Smarter Health Care Plan

            From the story:  “What we do is we try to make the current system work better,” Boehner, of Ohio, said on CNN’s “State of the Nation.” The GOP plan would likely be less costly to taxpayers and involve less government intrusion into the private sector. Boehner said the bill would take “a step-by-step approach” to expanding coverage.  It also includes tort reform.

            FOX News

Democrats Scramble to Avoid Disastrous Election Tuesday

            As they worked to paint GOP candidates as extreme (FOX News).  Obama spent part of the weekend in New Jersey trying to motivate Democrats to vote (ABC News).  The Wall Street Journal notes “Mr. Obama had initially shied away from the off-year campaigns, as White House aides debated hoarding political capital to secure his own agenda. But Mr. Axelrod said ultimately, the president felt he had no choice but to jump in. Mr. Corzine is a personal friend and former Senate colleague, Mr. Axelrod said. Alliances with governors will be crucial to implementing much of the legislation the president wants to push through Congress” (WSJ).  One final poll shows New Jersey Republican candidate Chris Christie with a six point lead (Public Policy Polling). 

Democrats Quietly Pushing Through Far Left Legislation

            The story looks at a bunch of controversial legislation that is zipping through congress and getting quick signatures from Obama.

             WSJ

Gallup:  Public Heading Back to GOP for Congress

            In their generic balloting for Congress, where they poll registered voters, Dems lead by just two points.  Since Republicans are much more likely to vote, that leads to a nice GOP advantage (Gallup).  The Obama honeymoon is over (AFP).  A quick look at the disappearance of Obamamania from Michael Barone (Washington Examiner). 

Professors Reveal Own Racism in Atlanta Mayoral Battle

            Where they could have the first white mayor in 36 years.  The story notes a memo “written by political science professors William Boone and Keith Jennings, warned that black Atlantans need to act quickly to thwart a Norwood victory and maintain black political control of the top job in the city.”  But this is Atlanta, where race relations tend to be much friendlier than other big cities.  The two black candidates in the race “moved swiftly to distance themselves from the memo.”

             Washington Times

School Busing Based on Family Income

            The latest trend in integration.  What’s next?  Marriage?  Gays? 

             USA Today

Neighbor Suing Neighbor Over Cigarette Smoke

            A couple claims neighbors’ smoke is drifting into their back yard, making it unusable.

             Sacramento Bee

Actor Michael Cane:  Next Time, Voting Conservative

            The 76-year-old British actor says the Labor party has failed.

             Telegraph