CRUEL KEV'S SCUTTELBUTT

Reagan Schools Obama In "I Want Your Money"

2012-01-15T19:32:00.000-06:00

US Presidential Hopeful Promises Every American A Pony

2012-01-14T20:20:00.004-06:00

A man with a gumboot on his head and promises of free ponies for all Americans is hoping to take out President Barack Obama in the race to the White House. While Mr Obama is certain to represent the Democrat Party in the Presidential Election later this year, a host of little known politicians are nonetheless competing to get their name on the ballot. The incumbent claimed an overwhelming 82 percent of the vote (48,970 votes) in this week's hardly reported New Hampshire Democrat Party primary - a race which was all but over before it began. After Obama was Republic candidate Ron Paul, whose name was written on ballots by 2273 voters, followed by Ed Cowan, who got just 2 percent of the vote. However close on Mr Cowan's heels was Vermin Supreme, a self-declared "friendly fascist", who reeled in 831 votes. Campaigning before the New Hampshire vote, Mr Supreme promised to enact a mandatory tooth brushing law. "Some people will tell you this mandatory tooth brushing law is about the secret dental police kicking down your door at 3am to make sure you've brushed. Friends, it is not."It's not about the government-issued toothpaste containing an addictive yet harmless substance. No friends, it is not even about DNA gene splicing to create a race of winged monkeys to act as tooth fairies. What this mandatory tooth brushing law is about is strong teeth for a strong America." Mr Supreme, who ran for the Republican Party in 2008, also advocates giving each American a free pony, "one of the most overlooked issues in America today". He says the policy would create jobs and is good for the environment. "And of course the important thing to realise is that it is a federal pony identification program where you will need your pony with you at all times." He also says zombies could be used to turn turbines as an alternative energy supply. "I am a tyrant that you can trust, and you should let me run your life because I do know what is best for you." Supreme's campaigning is reminiscent of the unconventional politics of the now-defunct McGillycuddy Serious Party here in New Zealand, or the Monster Raving Loony Party of Britain. Whether he will be on the ballot standing for the Democrats in November, only time will tell.

2012-01-03T21:07:00.000-06:00

Marine Says He Plugged Gunshot Wounds With Fingers

2012-01-02T10:52:00.003-06:00

A U.S. Marine Corps officer who was shot during a robbery attempt and used his fingers to plug three bullet wounds is being released from a Florida hospital. Doctors said Friday that Lt. Col. Karl Trenker is recovering well from the Dec. 21 attack. Trenker was shot multiple times after meeting two men who supposedly wanted to buy a gold necklace his fiancee advertised on Craigslist.Trenker chased the men on foot after they grabbed the necklace and ran. He says he reacted as any Marine would, even using his fingers to plug bullet holes in his body after the shooting. Trenker served tours of duty in both Iraq and Afghanistan and is stationed in Miami. The two suspects are both jailed without bail on attempted murder and robbery charges.

'Mischief' Voters Push Paul To Front Of GOP Race

2011-12-27T11:37:00.004-06:00

Ron Paul is surging in the Republican presidential race. Just not among Republicans. The Texas congressman is leading some polls in Iowa and is in a tie for second in New Hampshire. A candidacy once dismissed as sideshow is now being taken very seriously; the front page of Monday's Des Moines Register featured a huge spread under the headline "COULD RON PAUL WIN?" Given Paul's views on the Fed, the gold standard and social issues, not to mention his isolationist foreign policy, the polls have left some politicos wondering whether Republican voters have somehow swerved off the rails. But there's another question that should be asked first: Who are Ron Paul's supporters? Are they, in fact, Republicans? In an analysis accompanying his most recent survey in Iowa, pollster Scott Rasmussen noted, "Romney leads, with Gingrich in second, among those who consider themselves Republicans. Paul has a wide lead among non-Republicans who are likely to participate in the caucus." The same is true in New Hampshire. A poll released Monday by the Boston Globe and the University of New Hampshire shows Paul leading among Democrats and independents who plan to vote in the January 10 primary. But among Republicans, Paul is a distant third -- 33 points behind leader Mitt Romney. In South Carolina, "Paul's support is higher among those who usually don't vote in GOP primary elections," notes David Woodard, who runs the Palmetto Poll at Clemson University. In a hotly-contested Republican race, it appears that only about half of Paul's supporters are Republicans. In Iowa, according to Rasmussen, just 51 percent of Paul supporters consider themselves Republicans. In New Hampshire, the number is 56 percent, according to Andrew Smith, head of the University of New Hampshire poll. The same New Hampshire survey found that 87 percent of the people who support Romney consider themselves Republicans. For Newt Gingrich, it's 85 percent.So who is supporting Paul? In New Hampshire, Paul is the choice of just 13 percent of Republicans, according to the new poll, while he is the favorite of 36 percent of independents and 26 percent of Democrats who intend to vote in the primary. Paul leads in both non-Republican categories. "Paul is doing the best job of getting those people who aren't really Republicans but say they're going to vote in the Republican primary," explains Smith. Among that group are libertarians, dissatisfied independents and Democrats who are "trying to throw a monkey wrench in the campaign by voting for someone who is more philosophically extreme," says Smith. Paul tops the field when pollsters ask Republicans which candidate they are certain not to support. "When you ask people which candidate they are least likely to vote for, Ron Paul is pretty high, because most Republicans here really don't want to vote for him," says Smith. "His support is not coming, by and large, from Republican voters." What's true in New Hampshire is also the case in South Carolina, where Paul is 28 points behind Gingrich in the most recent Palmetto Poll. "The economic positions of libertarians are popular here, but Paul's positions on gay marriage, abortion, illegal immigration, and national defense are all antithetical to South Carolina's conservative culture," says Woodard. "About 13 percent of the GOP primary electorate are military veterans, and they don't want to bring everyone home. We have a strong pro-life network, and it is knit into the Republican Party at its roots, and the amendment declaring marriage to be something between a man and a woman won with over 70 percent of the vote in South Carolina." Non-Republicans are sure to vote in all three early GOP contests. Iowa requires that caucus participants be registered Republicans, but anyone can show up on caucus night, register, and vote. In New Hampshire, so-called "undeclared" voters of any stripe can participate in the GOP primary. And South Carolina's GOP contest is open to all. Wherever Paul's final total, it will reflect lots of non-Republican votes. Of course, next November's general election is open, too, and the Republican nominee will needs significant non-GOP support. But if Paul were the nominee, he would likely lose lots of Republicans, along with independents, and all of the Democrats who cast mischief votes on his behalf. Even his own supporters don't view him as having the best chance to beat Barack Obama. There will be a lot written in coming weeks about Paul's role in the Republican Party. It's important to remember that a large part of his support isn't coming from Republicans.

Tea Party Express Boosts Michele Bachmann

2011-12-27T10:43:00.002-06:00

The Tea Party Express today offered its “support” to Rep. Michele Bachmann, but the leading conservative activist group stopped short of officially endorsing the Minnesotan in her long-shot bid for the Republican presidential nomination. The Sacramento, Calif.-based Tea Party Express said in a statement that while it has not endorsed any candidate, it remains committed to backing the conservative candidate best-positioned to beat President Barrack Obama in 2012. The group advocated for a competitive primary, beginning with the Iowa caucuses on Jan. 3 and including all of the states that follow, to jump-start that process. Therefore, they said they did not want Bachmann, or any other candidates, prematurely pushed out of the primary.“While the Tea Party Express has not endorsed a presidential candidate at this time, Michele Bachmann garners strong Tea Party support because of her work and commitment to restoring fiscal responsibility to Washington, D.C.,” Tea Party Express Chairman Amy Kremer said. “Let’s let the voters in Iowa choose the leading candidates to go forward from the many excellent candidates we have.” Kremer continued, “The Tea Party Express is committed to finding and endorsing the strongest conservative candidate to take on President Barack Obama next year. In order to develop the best candidate, we must allow for a competitive process in Iowa and the early primary and other caucus states. Let’s let the voters in Iowa choose the leading candidates to go forward from the many excellent candidates we have.”

Gingrich, Romney and Climate Policy

2011-12-27T09:58:00.004-06:00

Jay Bookman’s (Atlanta Journal Constitution ) December 4 column “U-turn is GOP pair’s best pal” decries presidential candidates Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich having to recant global warming is caused by burning fossil fuels to satisfy Republican primary voters. Present government policies are to replace our abundant, economical fossil fuels with renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, ethanol from corn, battery-powered cars, etc. All of these energy sources are uneconomical, impractical, and unreliable as shown by recent bankruptcies of companies such as Evergreen Solar, Spectra Watt, Solyndra, Southwest Georgia Ethanol, etc.Present energy policies are adding to the national debt, destroying creation of high-paying jobs, and causing energy inflation. Most Republican voters will not vote for a Republican candidate that allows these policies to continue.

Syrian Protesters

2011-12-20T09:53:00.003-06:00

Bachmann's Debate Performance Could Boost Campaign

2011-12-11T20:41:00.001-06:00

Since the start of her campaign, Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann has been clear that Iowa would be critical to her success. She went into Saturday night's GOP debate at Drake University in Des Moines in fourth or fifth place in most Iowa polls. After going on the attack against front runners Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney she might have boosted her standing in the state just three weeks before the Iowa Caucuses.

My Moderation

2011-12-05T08:43:00.000-06:00

Bachmann: Former Cain Backers Moving Her Way

2011-12-04T10:15:00.003-06:00

GOP presidential candidate Michele Bachmann says many people who had supported Herman Cain in the race are getting behind her candidacy. With Cain now out of the race, Bachmann says Republican voters see her as the tea party candidate and the "most consistent conservative" in the contest.The Minnesota congresswoman tells reporters that Cain's supporters considered him as an outsider and that her conservative positions are most reflective of his. Cain abandoned his White House bid on Saturday under the weight of sexual misconduct allegations.

Gaddafi Sodomized With Stick Before Execution

2011-10-24T13:55:00.002-05:00

Muammar Gaddafi Dead

2011-10-20T09:41:00.001-05:00

Occupy Orlando -- Muslim Brotherhood EXPOSED!

2011-10-20T08:49:00.001-05:00

Nazi Party Endorses Occupy Wall Street

2011-10-17T21:56:00.003-05:00

The American Nazi Party has officially backed the Occupiers in a statement on its website. The ANP, which also calls itself a National Socialist party, writes that the Occupy Wall Street movement is “TAYLOR MADE for National Socialists,” and urges its members to join in. “Produce some flyers EXPLAINING the 'JEW BANKER' influence—DON’T wear anything marking you as an ‘evil racist’—and GET OUT THERE and SPREAD the WORD!”The Daily Caller notes that the Communist Party USA also backs the Occupiers, and voiced its support in a conference call last Tuesday. A board member visited Saturday’s Occupy Chicago protest , and told the crowd, “I bring greetings and solidarity from the Communist Party. We are here, marching side-by-side. We’ll sleep here. We’ll be with this movement ’til the very—’til we make all the changes that we know we have to make.” His comments were met with "hoots and applause," reports the Daily Caller.

Detention And Abuse Are The Reality Of The New Libyan Regime

2011-10-16T21:09:00.005-05:00

The new authorities in Libya must stamp out arbitrary detention and widespread abuse of detainees, says Amnesty International in a new briefing paper. In 'Detention Abuses Staining the New Libya', the global human rights organization reveals a pattern of beatings and ill-treatment of captured al-Gaddafi soldiers, suspected loyalists and alleged mercenaries in western Libya. In some cases there is clear evidence of torture in order to extract confessions or as a punishment. "There is a real risk that without firm and immediate action, some patterns of the past might be repeated. Arbitrary arrest and torture were a hallmark of Colonel al-Gaddafi's rule," commented Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Amnesty's Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa. "We understand that the transitional authorities are facing many challenges, but if they do not make a clear break with the past now, they will effectively be sending out a message that treating detainees like this is to be tolerated in the new Libya," added Sahraoui. Since late August 2011, armed militia have arrested and detained as many as 2,500 people in Tripoli and al-Zawiya. Amnesty said detainees were almost always held without legal orders and mostly without the involvement of the General Prosecution. They were held by local councils, local military council or armed brigades – far from the oversight of the Ministry of Justice. Approximately 300 prisoners were interviewed by Amnesty International in August and September. None had been shown any kind of arrest warrant and many were effectively abducted from their homes by unidentified captors carrying out raids of suspected al-Gaddafi fighters or loyalists. At least two guards - in separate detention facilities - admitted to Amnesty International that they beat detainees in order to extract “confessions” more quickly.The NGO found a wooden stick and rope, and a rubber hose, of the kind that could be used to beat detainees, including on the soles of their feet - a torture method known as falaqa - on a detention centre floor. In one detention centre they heard the sound of whipping and screams from a nearby cell. Amnesty said that detainees appear to suffer beatings and torture particularly at the start of their detention, being given a "welcome" on arrival. Sub-Saharan Africans suspected of being mercenaries made up between a third and a half of those detained. Some have been released after no evidence was found to link them to fighting. A man from Niger, initially presented to Amnesty International as a "mercenary and killer", broke down and explained that he had "confessed" after being beaten nearly continuously for two days. He denied being involved in fighting. Black Libyans - particularly from the Tawargha region, which was a base for al-Gaddafi forces in their efforts to regain control of Misratah - are also particularly vulnerable. Dozens of Tawarghans have been taken from their homes, checkpoints, and even hospitals. The human rights organization also found that children have been held together with adults and women detainees have been supervised by male guards. A 17-year-old boy from Chad accused of rape and being a mercenary told Amnesty International he was taken from his home in August by armed men who held him in a school where they punched him and beat him with stick, belts, rifles and rubber cables: "The beatings were so severe that I ended up telling them what they wanted to hear. I told them I raped women and killed Libyans."Amnesty International has called on the National Transitional Council (NTC) to ensure that people are not detained without orders from the General Prosecution, and to bring detention facilities under the control of the Minister of Justice. It said that those being held must be allowed to challenge the lawfulness of their detention or should be released. Trial proceedings in western Libya have been suspended since the NTC took control. In eastern Libya, which fell under their control in February, they remain suspended. In meetings with Amnesty International in September, NTC officials acknowledged concerns over arbitrary detention and ill-treatment, and vowed to do more to get a grip on armed militias and ensure that all those detained enjoy equal protection of the law. “The NTC has to act urgently to translate their public commitments into action, before such abuses become entrenched and stain the new Libya’s human rights record,” declared Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui. "These detainees have in most cases been arrested without a warrant, beaten - and sometimes worse - on arrest and arrival in detention. They are vulnerable to abuse by armed militias who often act on their own initiative," he said. "The authorities cannot simply allow this to carry on because they are in a 'transitional' phase. These people must be allowed to defend themselves properly or be released," Sahraoui concluded. Findings in Amnesty's briefing are based on visits to 11 detention facilities in and around Tripoli and in al-Zawiyah, and other fact-finding visits conducted in Libya, by an Amnesty International delegation between 18 August and 21 September 2011.

Heckler To Obama: You Are The Anti-Christ

2011-09-27T08:34:00.002-05:00

Well, it's not every day the president gets heckled as the Antichrist at his own fundraiser. That happened last night to President Obama at the House of Blue in West Hollywood, Calif. -- from the front row, no less. "Christian God is the one and only true living God!" the man shouted at Obama as security moved in. "The creator of Heaven and the Universe!" As guards dragged the man out -- and the crowd chanted, "four more years! Four more years!" -- the protester yelled out: "Jesus Christ is God, Barrack Obama is the Antichrist!"Obama said, "I agree Jesus Christ is the Lord," then expressed concern about a jacket thrown onto the stage. "Is that his jacket?" Obama asked. "Make sure he gets his jacket." Turns out, however, that the jacket belonged to a non-heckler. "Oh, wait that's hers," Obama said. "Somebody's car keys are in there too." "We're having all kinds of confusion here. Oh, goodness gracious. Don't leave your jacket around like that." Obama turned back to his speech. "Alright where was I?" he said. "It is good to be back in LA."

2011-09-26T20:38:00.000-05:00

Texas Gov. Perry Bilderberg’s Ace in the Hole?

2011-09-16T13:09:00.004-05:00

(May 31, 2011)

Is Texas Gov. Rick Perry the Bilderberg group’s Republican candidate-in-waiting in the 2012 presidential race? The shadowy globalist group is scheduled to meet secretly behind locked doors over the weekend of June 9-12 in St. Moritz, Switzerland, and AFP will be on location to cover it. It is not without precedent to tap state governors for broader vistas. Bill Clinton at one time was the obscure governor of Arkansas—a land with strong Rockefeller influence since the days of Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller. As governor, Clinton attended his first Bilderberg meeting in 1991 and was elected president about a year later. Like Clinton, Perry has attended a Bilderberg meeting. In June 2007 Perry attended the Bilderberg confab in Istanbul, Turkey, making the mandatory promise of secrecy and to follow orders. At the time, Perry was chastised in the newly aroused independent press. Speculation that Perry is the Bilderberg group’s ace card was prompted by the current political climate, which can largely be gleaned from the fact that Perry is a longtime, unwavering supporter of the NAFTA Superhighway and related infrastructure projects. These pave the way for the Bilderberg-supported North American Union (NAU) proposal that would merge the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The word is that Bilderberg is concerned about the boring field of Republican presidential candidates. One of the current GOP candidates, former Georgia Rep. Newt Gingrich, once told AFP, eyeball to eyeball, that he never had participated and never would participate in Bilderberg or Trilateral Commission meetings, although Gingrich is still a fervent globalist, nonetheless. President Obama, as AFP has reported, is a tool of Bilderberg. He had been sought out at the 2008 Bilderberg meeting in Chantilly, Va., just before winning the 2008 Democratic nomination. While receiving his instructions from Bilderberg, the dutiful Obama appeared to be bobbing for apples. But just owning the Democratic nominee won’t do, as Bilderberg likes to own both horses in a two horse race for the White House. Bilderberg’s GOP favorite, such as he is, is starchy Mitt Romney, but the former Massachusetts governor keeps tripping over his mouth trying to explain his health reform positions. As governor, he imposed the kind of topdown mandatory healthcare reform that Bilderberg likes. As a presidential candidate, Romney is suddenly trying to explain how he opposes it. So, he is unlikely to be nominated. The rest of the field is also weak, but any nominee could be elected if the country remains in recession—something Bilderberg has engineered.So enter Perry to “save the day” for internationalism. In 2007, when confronted by the local press on his return from Turkey, Perry insisted that the Bilderberg boys do good work and Americans should be grateful. But Perry appeared confused when asked about the Logan Act, which outlaws meetings of government officials with private citizens to make public policy unless they are held in public, not behind locked and guarded doors as is the case at the annual Bilderberg meetings. Foes of the Logan Act argue that it passed in 1789, so it’s “out of date.” To this, Rep. Ron Paul (R-Tex.) responds that unless it’s repealed, it remains the law. And it has been amended and strengthened over the years, including in the 20th century. Paul has called for a criminal investigation into Perry’s Bilderberg trip. “This information about him going over there and violating the Logan Act and getting involved . . . I’m just impressed that that’s in the ordinary media—I think that’s encouraging, too,” he said on a talk radio show, adding that Perry’s attendance was “a sign that he’s involved in the international conspiracy.” Perry has repeatedly denied that he is running for president, but several campaigns have been put forth to draft the three term Texas governor. In addition, Perry keeps pushing himself as a Bilderberg wild card. At Republican events, he has described the type of nominee the GOP needs (like himself) without naming himself. The Bilderberg backed NAU that he supports would erase the boundaries between Mexico, the United States and Canada. The plan is to expand the “union” throughout the Western Hemisphere, resulting in an “American Union,” similar to the European Union that is draining Europe dry of its former prosperity, with Switzerland— the location of the 2011 Bilderberg meeting—faring better because it’s neither an EU nor a NATO member. His support of the Trans Texas Corridor within the state’s boundaries has been unflinching, since that is Texas’s part of the greater NAFTA Superhighway network to connect the NAU nations physically. Bilderberg, true to form, wants the U.S. recession to continue throughout 2012 and for oil prices to remain high and increase further. This could make Obama a one-term president. But at this point it appears Bilderberg’s “other horse” is headed for the stable, to be groomed as their ace in the hole.

I Love Amurca.

2011-09-09T21:41:00.002-05:00

2011-08-31T11:15:00.000-05:00

Beware “Agenda 21″

2011-08-31T09:34:00.004-05:00

2011-08-24T19:05:00.001-05:00

Cops Confiscate Cameras at Ohio Congressman’s Town Hall

2011-08-24T18:54:00.002-05:00

A congressman from Ohio had cops grab the cameras of constituents during a town hall meeting. Steve Chabot, a Republican, had cell phones and cameras confiscated in order to “prevent an embarrassing Youtube video from making the rounds,” according to Carlos Miller, who runs a blog documenting efforts by the state to stifle the First Amendment rights of photographers. Police said the cameras were taken “to protect the constituents.” A local television station, however, was allowed to videotape the meeting and the brazen move by Chabot and the cops.Think Progress, the Soros-funded media operation, also reported the incident, primarily because Chabot is an establishment Republican and protesters outside the event called for more taxes. The Democrat blog reported: Media were permitted to record the event, making the ban on citizen cameras all the more baffling. Clearly no “security” threat existed; rather, as one of Chabot’s staffers told ThinkProgress, they wanted to “prevent” people from “making a show” of the event. Indeed, Chabot and his staff were worried enough about citizens voicing their anger at his policies that they only accepted pre-screened questions chosen by the congressman’s staff.This should not be perplexing – the controlled corporate media can be trusted to not embarrass Rep. Chabot, at least not on points that matter, while citizens cannot. It is also interesting that Think Progress attributes the current economic implosion to Chabot and the Republicans when Democrat Obama is in the White House and allegedly in control. In fact, neither Obama or the Republicans control the economy. It is controlled by a Federal Reserve that has doubled the monetary base since last August.

Philadelphia, Mayor Michael Nutter Schools Youth Over Flash Mob Violence

2011-08-24T00:04:00.000-05:00

Ahmed & Salim: Ahmed Kills Justin Bieber

2011-08-24T00:03:00.000-05:00

Ahmed & Salim: iPhone 5

2011-08-23T15:36:00.000-05:00

2011-08-22T09:10:00.000-05:00

Vanilla Ice Digs Herman Cain

2011-08-14T00:03:00.000-05:00

Alright stop, collaborate and listen. Vanilla Ice has some political insight to share. The former rapper watched Thursday’s Republican presidential debate and shared his reactions on Twitter. His favorite GOP candidate so far? Herman Cain, Cain baby. He tweeted: “I was impressed with Cain in the debate ? But not really convinced yet by anyone ??? 15 months to go ???”

Bomb Squad Checks Out Suspicious Device At Fort Snelling

2011-08-01T07:57:00.002-05:00

The bomb squad was called out to Fort Snelling after someone found a suspicious device. The device was found in the dock area of the Henry Whipple Federal Building around 11 p.m. Sunday. Parts of Highway 5 were closed during the investigation.The bomb squad determined the package was red road flares, which they say were harmless.

Welcome To My Shutdown

2011-07-11T08:55:00.001-05:00

CRAZY DAYTON EYES

2011-07-11T08:53:00.000-05:00

Ray Stevens - Obama Budget Plan

2011-06-29T21:41:00.001-05:00

Explosive Devices Found in Denver-Area Bookstore

2011-06-26T10:59:00.003-05:00

Authorities say two explosive devices were found inside a Borders Bookstore at a suburban Denver mall in a case that's now being investigated by the FBI. Officials detonated the devices safely early Saturday, and no one was injured. Additional detail on the devices was not available.The discovery was made at the Colorado Mills Mall in Golden, Colo., after police responded to a report of a break-in. The Jefferson County Bomb Squad detonated the devices. Damage to the store was minimal. Police made no arrests, but the FBI is investigating. The mall opened as usual Saturday, though the bookstore was shuttered.

Bilderberg 2011 Attendee List

2011-06-11T11:08:00.002-05:00

It’s incredible. Non-stop Anthony Weiner nonsense. Meanwhile the Bilderberg group meets privately to plan further wars and genocide, with practically no main stream media news coverage. These “24/7 main stream media news channels” Are at the heart of the matrix. The REAL news gets covered by those with the heart and soul to tell the truth.

Thanks to the fantastic work of Bilderberg activists, journalists and the Swiss media, we have now been able to obtain the full official list of 2011 Bilderberg attendees. Routinely, some members request that their names be kept off the roster so there will be additional Bilderbergers in attendance. Reporters will be on the scene identifying other attendees not on the list.

Belgium
Coene, Luc, Governor, National Bank of Belgium
Davignon, Etienne, Minister of State
Leysen, Thomas, Chairman, Umicore

China
Fu, Ying, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs
Huang, Yiping, Professor of Economics, China Center for Economic Research, Peking University

Denmark
Eldrup, Anders, CEO, DONG Energy
Federspiel, Ulrik, Vice President, Global Affairs, Haldor Topsøe A/S
Schütze, Peter, Member of the Executive Management, Nordea Bank AB

Germany
Ackermann, Josef, Chairman of the Management Board and the Group Executive Committee, Deutsche Bank
Enders, Thomas, CEO, Airbus SAS
Löscher, Peter, President and CEO, Siemens AG
Nass, Matthias, Chief International Correspondent, Die Zeit
Steinbrück, Peer, Member of the Bundestag; Former Minister of Finance

Finland
Apunen, Matti, Director, Finnish Business and Policy Forum EVA
Johansson, Ole, Chairman, Confederation of the Finnish Industries EK
Ollila, Jorma, Chairman, Royal Dutch Shell
Pentikäinen, Mikael, Publisher and Senior Editor-in-Chief, Helsingin Sanomat

France
Baverez, Nicolas, Partner, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
Bazire, Nicolas, Managing Director, Groupe Arnault /LVMH
Castries, Henri de, Chairman and CEO, AXA
Lévy, Maurice, Chairman and CEO, Publicis Groupe S.A.
Montbrial, Thierry de, President, French Institute for International Relations
Roy, Olivier, Professor of Social and Political Theory, European University Institute

Great Britain
Agius, Marcus, Chairman, Barclays PLC
Flint, Douglas J., Group Chairman, HSBC Holdings
Kerr, John, Member, House of Lords; Deputy Chairman, Royal Dutch Shell
Lambert, Richard, Independent Non-Executive Director, Ernst & Young
Mandelson, Peter, Member, House of Lords; Chairman, Global Counsel
Micklethwait, John, Editor-in-Chief, The Economist
Osborne, George, Chancellor of the Exchequer
Stewart, Rory, Member of Parliament
Taylor, J. Martin, Chairman, Syngenta International AG

Greece
David, George A., Chairman, Coca-Cola H.B.C. S.A.
Hardouvelis, Gikas A., Chief Economist and Head of Research, Eurobank EFG
Papaconstantinou, George, Minister of Finance
Tsoukalis, Loukas, President, ELIAMEP Grisons

International Organizations
Almunia, Joaquín, Vice President, European Commission
Daele, Frans van, Chief of Staff to the President of the European Council
Kroes, Neelie, Vice President, European Commission; Commissioner for Digital Agenda
Lamy, Pascal, Director General, World Trade Organization
Rompuy, Herman van, President, European Council
Sheeran, Josette, Executive Director, United Nations World Food Programme
Solana Madariaga, Javier, President, ESADEgeo Center for Global Economy and Geopolitics
Trichet, Jean-Claude, President, European Central Bank
Zoellick, Robert B., President, The World Bank Group

Ireland
Gallagher, Paul, Senior Counsel; Former Attorney General
McDowell, Michael, Senior Counsel, Law Library; Former Deputy Prime Minister
Sutherland, Peter D., Chairman, Goldman Sachs International

Italy
Bernabè, Franco, CEO, Telecom Italia SpA
Elkann, John, Chairman, Fiat S.p.A.
Monti, Mario, President, Univers Commerciale Luigi Bocconi
Scaroni, Paolo, CEO, Eni S.p.A.
Tremonti, Giulio, Minister of Economy and Finance

Canada
Carney, Mark J., Governor, Bank of Canada
Clark, Edmund, President and CEO, TD Bank Financial Group
McKenna, Frank, Deputy Chair, TD Bank Financial Group
Orbinksi, James, Professor of Medicine and Political Science, University of Toronto
Prichard, J. Robert S., Chair, Torys LLP
Reisman, Heather, Chair and CEO, Indigo Books & Music Inc. Center, Brookings Institution

Netherlands
Bolland, Marc J., Chief Executive, Marks and Spencer Group plc
Chavannes, Marc E., Political Columnist, NRC Handelsblad; Professor of Journalism
Halberstadt, Victor, Professor of Economics, Leiden University; Former Honorary Secretary General of Bilderberg Meetings
H.M. the Queen of the Netherlands
Rosenthal, Uri, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Winter, Jaap W., Partner, De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek

Norway
Myklebust, Egil, Former Chairman of the Board of Directors SAS, sk Hydro ASA
H.R.H. Crown Prince Haakon of Norway
Ottersen, Ole Petter, Rector, University of Oslo
Solberg, Erna, Leader of the Conservative Party

Austria
Bronner, Oscar, CEO and Publisher, Standard Medien AG
Faymann, Werner, Federal Chancellor
Rothensteiner, Walter, Chairman of the Board, Raiffeisen Zentralbank Österreich AG
Scholten, Rudolf, Member of the Board of Executive Directors, Oesterreichische Kontrollbank AG

Portugal
Balsemão, Francisco Pinto, Chairman and CEO, IMPRESA, S.G.P.S.; Former Prime Minister
Ferreira Alves, Clara, CEO, Claref LDA; writer
Nogueira Leite, António, Member of the Board, José de Mello Investimentos, SGPS, SA

Sweden
Mordashov, Alexey A., CEO, Severstal
Schweden
Bildt, Carl, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Björling, Ewa, Minister for Trade
Wallenberg, Jacob, Chairman, Investor AB

Switzerland
Brabeck-Letmathe, Peter, Chairman, Nestlé S.A.
Groth, Hans, Senior Director, Healthcare Policy & Market Access, Oncology Business Unit, Pfizer Europe
Janom Steiner, Barbara, Head of the Department of Justice, Security and Health, Canton
Kudelski, André, Chairman and CEO, Kudelski Group SA
Leuthard, Doris, Federal Councillor
Schmid, Martin, President, Government of the Canton Grisons
Schweiger, Rolf, Ständerat
Soiron, Rolf, Chairman of the Board, Holcim Ltd., Lonza Ltd.
Vasella, Daniel L., Chairman, Novartis AG
Witmer, Jürg, Chairman, Givaudan SA and Clariant AG

Spain
Cebrián, Juan Luis, CEO, PRISA
Cospedal, María Dolores de, Secretary General, Partido Popular
León Gross, Bernardino, Secretary General of the Spanish Presidency
Nin Génova, Juan María, President and CEO, La Caixa
H.M. Queen Sofia of Spain

Turkey
Ciliv, Süreyya, CEO, Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri A.S.
Gülek Domac, Tayyibe, Former Minister of State
Koç, Mustafa V., Chairman, Koç Holding A.S.
Pekin, Sefika, Founding Partner, Pekin & Bayar Law Firm

USA
Alexander, Keith B., Commander, USCYBERCOM; Director, National Security Agency
Altman, Roger C., Chairman, Evercore Partners Inc.
Bezos, Jeff, Founder and CEO, Amazon.com
Collins, Timothy C., CEO, Ripplewood Holdings, LLC
Feldstein, Martin S., George F. Baker Professor of Economics, Harvard University
Hoffman, Reid, Co-founder and Executive Chairman, LinkedIn
Hughes, Chris R., Co-founder, Facebook
Jacobs, Kenneth M., Chairman & CEO, Lazard
Johnson, James A., Vice Chairman, Perseus, LLC
Jordan, Jr., Vernon E., Senior Managing Director, Lazard Frères & Co. LLC
Keane, John M., Senior Partner, SCP Partners; General, US Army, Retired
Kissinger, Henry A., Chairman, Kissinger Associates, Inc.
Kleinfeld, Klaus, Chairman and CEO, Alcoa
Kravis, Henry R., Co-Chairman and co-CEO, Kohlberg Kravis, Roberts & Co.
Kravis, Marie-Josée, Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute, Inc.
Li, Cheng, Senior Fellow and Director of Research, John L. Thornton China Center, Brookings Institution
Mundie, Craig J., Chief Research and Strategy Officer, Microsoft Corporation
Orszag, Peter R., Vice Chairman, Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.
Perle, Richard N., Resident Fellow, American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research
Rockefeller, David, Former Chairman, Chase Manhattan Bank
Rose, Charlie, Executive Editor and Anchor, Charlie Rose
Rubin, Robert E., Co-Chairman, Council on Foreign Relations; Former Secretary of the Treasury
Schmidt, Eric, Executive Chairman, Google Inc.
Steinberg, James B., Deputy Secretary of State
Thiel, Peter A., President, Clarium Capital Management, LLC
Varney, Christine A., Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust
Vaupel, James W., Founding Director, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research
Warsh, Kevin, Former Governor, Federal Reserve Board
Wolfensohn, James D., Chairman, Wolfensohn & Company, LLC

Secret Bilderberg Agenda Leaked

2011-06-09T10:08:00.002-05:00

Alex Jones and Infowars.com have received inside information regarding the Bilderberg agenda now unfolding in the idyllic Swiss countryside. According to AFP journalist and legendary Bilderberg sleuth Jim Tucker’s inside sources, the agenda now under review includes a number of critical issues at the top of the elite’s to-do list. These breakdown as follows: The elite are concerned that the American Congress may soon turn against the illegal and immoral invasion under humanitarian cover by NATO and the UN against the north African dictator Moammar Gaddafi. As columnist Patrick Buchanan noted yesterday, Congress is rising in opposition to bogus wars launched by the executive branch in violation of the Constitution. “Last week, House Speaker John Boehner had to scramble to cobble up a substitute resolution to prevent half his GOP caucus from joining with Democrats to denounce President Obama’s war in Libya as unconstitutional and to demand a total U.S. pullout in 15 days,” Buchanan wrote. More than a third of House Republicans voted to pull out of the NATO coalition attacking Gaddafi’s forces, in essence forcing a NATO withdrawal from the color revolution engineered civil war in that country. In January, former oil industry pastor Lindsey Williams revealed that his inside sources said oil prices will skyrocket – a fait accompli with gas prices at the pump now at historically high levels – as the global elite work behind the scenes to take take down national economies. Williams appeared on the Alex Jones Show to talk about new revelations that deal with the death of the dollar, exploding energy prices, and the engineered onset of order out of chaos revolution worldwide. The elite now meeting behind closed door in the Switzerland are pushing for a wider war and incalculable suffering in the Middle East. The money masters have long profited from war and mass murder. Nathan Rothschild made a financial bet on Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo and while also funding the Duke of Wellington’s peninsular campaign against Napoleon. The House of Rothschild financed the Prussian War, the Crimean War and the British attempt to seize the Suez Canal from the French and also financed the Mexican War and the Civil War in the U.S.In addition to worrying about Congress waking up to the Libyan scam, the global elite is also concerned about a diverse liberty movement that has grown exponentially with the help of an open and free internet. In response, the pocketed pawns in Congress have introduced a raft of bills over the last few months designed to take down the internet and blunt its impact as a medium for alternative news and information. On April 1, 2009, the Senate introduced two bills, endangering a free and open internet: S. 773: Cybersecurity Act of 2009 and S. 778 to establish a White House cybersecurity czar. In addition, on September 20, 2010, S. 3804: Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act (COICA) was introduced. Early last month, an especially ominous bill was introduced in the Senate. Entitled Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property Act of 2011, PROTECT IP for short, this legislation would use copyright infringement as a smoke screen to take down web domains and institute rolling censorship. On the international front, the European Commission gave a nod toward implementing the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), a draconian measure that will subvert national sovereignty, trash Net Neutrality, consumer privacy, and civil liberties. In the United States, the corporate media has virtually ignored ACTA, but then key players in the Mockingbird media are often Bilderberg attendees and privy to aspects of the agenda. The above represent a small sampling of legislation and treaties that will be used to shut down the opposition under the cover of protecting copyright and preventing terrorism. Hyperventilating over exaggerated threats of cybersecurity, Senator Jay Rockefeller mused during a congressional meeting on cyber crime and terrorism in 2009: “It really almost makes you ask the question would it have been better if we had never invented the internet.”
The globalists are not opposed to the internet, especially as a corporatized money-making instrument. They are, however, opposed to an open, free, and unregulated by government internet where alternative media opposed to their globalist devices are allowed to thrive. In addition, we can expect minions of the global elite who parade around as our elected representatives and appointed government officials to continue their propaganda efforts to convince the American people that the internet will be used as a terrorist weapon of mass destruction and as such needs to be tightly regulated – for our own safety, of course, and that of the children. Finally, the Bilderbergers will work on an effort to sucker an already economically besieged American public into further fantastic debt producing bankster bailouts, specifically for Greece, Ireland, Portugal, and other member EU nations sliding toward bankruptcy and social disruption on a monumental scale. In late 2010, the U.S. Treasury, now operating as a liaison between the government and the bankster owned private Federal Reserve, indicated it was ready to fork over billions more to the European black hole. “There are obviously some severe market problems,” said a faceless bureaucrat, speaking on condition of anonymity. “In May, it was Greece. This is Ireland and Portugal. If there is contagion that’s a huge problem for the global economy.” As of late 2010, the IMF, whose biggest single “shareholder” (read: parasitical host) is the United States, has committed 250 billion euros to the bankster engineered black hole. “Why should American taxpayers be on the hook because a foreign government cannot cover its debts?” asked Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, at a House subcommittee hearing last May. Because the plan is to take down national sovereignty, impose drastic austerity measures, hold fire sales on national assets, consolidate wealth and power, and use an endless economic crisis as an excuse to usher in world government, a one-world currency, and a sprawling high-tech police state.

Still Snow On The Ground In St. Paul MN

2011-06-04T22:21:00.002-05:00

Why Is Obama's Name Different On Passport?

2011-06-03T21:13:00.005-05:00

In this era of tight airport security, the Transportation Safety Administration typically will not allow a passenger to board an airplane if the name printed on the ticket differs from the way it appears on government-issued identification. Now that the White House has released President Obama's purported long-form birth certificate, a question arises as to why the name on that document does not match the name on his State Department passport.As shown below, the long-form birth certificate issued by the White House April 27 listed his name as Barack Hussein Obama II:This matched how his name was listed on the short-form Certification of Live Birth released during the 2008 presidential campaign, as first presented by DailyKos.com June 12, 2008:
Below is a close-up screen-capture of Obama's passport taken from the White House website:Note that Obama’s name on his passport is listed as "Barack Hussein Obama," without the "II" the Hawaii documents list to indicate Obama was named after his father. As seen below, U.S. State Department passport regulations require first-time applicants to submit an embossed birth certificate, complete with registrar's stamp, that lists the applicant's full name. Presumably, the State Department intends to use the full name presented on the birth certificate as the name presented on the passport. Since Obama has refused to release his passport records, it is impossible to determine what documents were submitted to the State Department to obtain the passport.

Florida To Start Drug Screening Welfare Recipients

2011-06-02T08:04:00.005-05:00

Florida Govenor Rick Scott has signed a bill that will require anyone on welfare to pass a drug test to receive benefits. It’s something that's been considered in Georgia but never took hold. “I think a person on drugs doesn't need to take taxpayers money and buy more drugs,” said Albany citizen Pinky Modeste. It seems that a majority of southwest Georgians are in favor the bill. “If they're out applying for welfare they need to be doing the right thing. They need to be applying for jobs. They need to be living the right life,” said James Stalvey. The measure would mean people who fail a test are denied benefits for a year, a second failed test would result in a three year ban. That's the one criticism that southwest Georgians seem to have on the measure; it does too much to cut people off and not enough to rehabilitate. “That's a good idea but first give them a warning to make sure that it is from drugs,” said Roosevelt Cuffie. “I think if they refuse the welfare because of drugs they should get a time limit to get themselves in order so that they can come back and apply again,” said Modeste.There's at least one state legislator that will be paying close attention to what's going in Florida. “The main thing is to make rehab available for these people, because what’s the point in finding they have drug problems, but then not stepping up to the plate and having them remedy the problem,” said Rep. Jimmy Pruett (R- Eastman). Rep. Pruett actually introduced a similar bill in the Georgia house about three years ago. His was centered on drug testing for people getting unemployment benefits. But he says if Florida’s measure goes off without a hitch it puts more pressure on Georgia to pass a similar bill. “If that sticks and holds in Florida, honestly I’m going to tell you we have a serious problem in Georgia. Because what's going to happen is that those people in Florida who are on welfare and are abusing the system and they will just leave the state, and where will they come? To the nearest state which is Georgia, which will escalate the cost of our welfare program,” said Pruett.

‘Malintent Detection’ Technology Tested In the Northeast United States

2011-05-31T15:53:00.003-05:00

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has begun field testing new technology designed to identify people who intend to commit a terrorist act. Nature reported that the DHS has been conducting tests of Future Attribute Screening Technology (FAST) in the past few months at an undisclosed location in the northeast. The technology uses remote sensors to measure physiological properties, such as heart rate and eye movement, which can be used to infer a person's current mindset. According to a Privacy Impact Assessment (PDF) released by the DHS in 2008, the technology is intended to measure a person's malintent -- the intent to cause harm. "Behavioral scientists hypothesize that someone with malintent may act strangely, show mannerisms out of the norm, or experience extreme physiological reactions based on the extent, time, and consequences of the event," the report stated."The FAST technology design capitalizes on these indicators to identify individuals exhibiting characteristics associated with malintent." The DHS has claimed accuracy rates of around 70 percent, but some scientists have questioned the results. "Even having an iris scan or fingerprint read at immigration is enough to raise the heart rate of most legitimate travellers," Tom Ormerod, a psychologist in the Investigative Expertise Unit at Lancaster University, told Nature. John Verrico, a spokesman for the DHS, said he could not comment on the performance of FAST because the results were still being analyzed and that additional tests would continue to be conducted.

New York Power Company Charges Town Honoring War Hero Flag Fee

2011-05-24T15:20:00.004-05:00

A New York community that displayed American flags on utility poles to honor a fallen hero is outraged after the Long Island Power Authority sent them a bill – for using their poles. “I was pretty shocked,” said Peter Reich, a councilman in the Long Island community of Shelter Island. “It’s the most ludicrous thing.” The flags were hung last year for the funeral of Army 1st Lt. Joseph Theinert. The Shelter Island native was killed while on active duty in Afghanistan. He sacrificed his life to save his platoon and was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart for his actions. Last week, Theinert’s platoon gathered in Shelter Island for a reunion. To welcome the troops, the American Legion, along with the owner of the local hardware store, decided to once again line the parade route with American flags. Local residents donated the $8,000 needed to purchase the flags, and the town’s superintendent of highways posted them on the utility poles. But someone from the power company reportedly saw a story about the flags in a local newspaper and informed town officials of the $5-per-flag fee. “This is done by the Legionnaires who have served the country for the right for us to display Old Glory and here the state wants to make a profit on it,” Reich told Fox News Radio. “At some point common sense has to prevail with these people.”Mike Loriz, the commander of American Legion Post 281, said he, too, was disturbed by the fee. “It seems like it’s kind of crazy that state law requires that we pay $5 to stick an American flag on a public utility phone pole for patriotic purposes,” Loriz said. A spokesperson for the Long Island Power Authority did not respond to repeated requests for a comment and instead demanded to know, “Why is this a story?” Michael Hervey, LIPA’s chief operating officer, told Newsday that his company was just following state law. “I don’t think anyone expected this to apply to flags on poles, but if you read the language there’s no way around it,” he told the newspaper. “We welcome any amendment to state legislation that would allow for American flag attachments to our poles without fees.” Hervey even volunteered to personally pay the fees, but Reich said that’s not the point. “It’s not the fee,” he said. “It’s the principle of the thing. Getting that money out of us is going to be like getting blood out of a stone.” Flags were also posted on poles owned by Verizon. However, a spokesman for the company said it typically waives fees for commemorative ceremonies and “we intend on waiving it in this case.”

Barack Obama's First Ad Of 2012

2011-04-03T08:27:00.003-05:00

Ron Paul's $3M Pot Of Gold

2011-04-02T17:48:00.003-05:00

Ron Paul raked in roughly $3 million during the first quarter through his various political organizations. Though not all of that money can be transferred to a potential presidential campaign, the big haul demonstrates Paul’s continuing force as a grassroots-powered online fundraiser. The Texas congressman raised $1 million through his federal PAC and $2 million through Campaign for Liberty, a 501C(4) which cannot transfer funds directly to political organizations. Paul’s fundraising documents, to be filed later Thursday with the FEC, will also show he has $1.7 million on hand in his congressional campaign account.“Dr. Paul's fundraising comes almost exclusively from individuals, not special interests,” LibertyPAC director Jesse Benton told reporters. “He received contributions from all 50 states, and his average gift this quarter was under $70, demonstrating his broad grassroots support. “Dr. Paul's grassroots fundraising prowess is unmatched, and any 2012 political endeavor on which he embarks will have the financial backing it takes to win,” Benton added. Much of Paul’s funds came via a Presidents' Day money bomb that netted $700,000 for his federal PAC. The money bomb was promoted through Paul’s Facebook page and libertarian websites promising his fans that “if we show him enough support, he will announce his official candidacy for 2012.”

SPOTTED AT A SHOPPING MALL

2011-03-24T14:58:00.001-05:00

Libyan Leader Praises US President: 'He Is Of Muslim Descent'

2011-02-24T19:28:00.003-06:00

Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi considers the US president a blessing to the Muslim world. In a speech published in London-based al-Hayat newspaper on Saturday, Gaddafi praised Barack Obama, called him a "friend" and said there is no longer any dispute between his country and the US. Speaking in the Libyan city of Sirt at an event marking the 24th anniversary of an American attack on Libya, he said, "At the time, we were the target of the American cannon, the American navy challenged us in the gulf of Sirt and attacked us all along Libya's shores. America tested Libya, and the Libyan people resisted the large country, but today, thank God, the difference is great." He said, "Now, ruling America is a black man from our continent, an African from Arab descent, from Muslim descent, and this is something we never imagined – that from Reagan we would get to Barakeh Obama." Gaddafi stressed that Obama's presidency is "a major historical gain" and said, "He is someone I consider a friend. He knows he is a son of Africa. Regardless of his African belonging, he is of Arab Sudanese descent, or of Muslim descent. He is a man whose policy should be supported, and he should be assisted in implementing it in any way possible, since he is now leaning towards peace."He continued, "I urge all peoples to give him this chance and to support this policy, because America is a country that, when its policy is bad – harms the world, and when it is good – it helps the world." The Libyan leader also expressed hopes that, "the dream that Obama has for a world free of nuclear weapons will come true. This is something that no previous American president has proposed. Obama is a man who opposes wars that previous American presidents were entangled in; he has declared that he will withdraw from Afghanistan and Iraq – something which has never been proposed before." Despite the warm sentiments towards the American leader, he stressed, "The Arabs hate America, there is no doubt. There is not an Arab that loves America, and even the leaders who the United States considers allies or friends – hate it. The external love is merely hypocrisy or pragmatism. The reason for this is clear – Palestine." In this context he said, "The Palestinians today are like the Jews of the past – dispersed in exile and persecuted. Now the Palestinians are at a point where they deserve to have the United States on their side and not on the side of the Israelis." He reiterated his demand to allow the millions of Palestinian refugees around the world to return to the land where, according to his vision, a nuke-free democratic state by the name of Isratine should be established.

Ahmed & Salim: Ahmadinejad Is A Cock-Pirate

2011-02-05T07:47:00.001-06:00

S. Korea, US To Expand Anti-WMD Program In Joint Military Drills

2011-02-05T00:03:00.000-06:00

South Korea and the US plan to expand a program that simulates removing weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in this year's joint military drills to deter threats from North Korea, Yonhap News Agency reported Friday, citing a military sources. "During the Key Resolve joint drill to be held in March, the two nations' forces will jointly conduct exercises to remove North Korea's nuclear weapons and WMDs," the source was quoted as saying. "Although this exercise first began in 2009, (the military) will strengthen the program this year." Forces of the two countries have annually carried out joint war games, with last year's 11-day Key Resolve and Foal Eagle exercise involving some 18,000 American troops and about 20,000 South Korean soldiers.The move came after the North last November revealed its uranium enrichment facility, adding to international concerns about the communist nation's nuclear capabilities. Uranium, if highly enriched, can be used to make weapons, providing Pyongyang with a second way of building atomic bombs after its existing plutonium-based program. About 28,500 US troops are stationed in South Korea as a deterrent against North Korea, which is technically still at war with the South as the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce rather than a peace treaty.

Mocked U.K. Forecaster Who Predicted Snowy Winter Speaks Out

2010-12-28T12:47:00.001-06:00

2010-11-26T09:57:00.001-06:00

Rush Limbaugh: 'Impostor' is serving in White House

2010-11-24T07:07:00.002-06:00

US Lawmaker Lifts Hold On Lebanon Military Aid

2010-11-13T11:27:00.004-06:00

A key US lawmaker lifted his hold Friday on 100 million dollars in US military aid to Lebanon, saying he was reassured Lebanese troops would try to prevent flare-ups along the border with Israel. House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Howard Berman said he was satisfied with a "thorough" inter-agency review by Barack Obama's administration of its military assistance program to Lebanon, initiated after his hold in August. "As a result, I am convinced that implementation of the spending plan will now have greater focus, and I am re-assured as to the nature and purposes of the proposed package," Berman said, noting he had been fully briefed about the review. But he cited ongoing unrest in Lebanon amid simmering tensions with its Jewish neighbor in the wake of a 2006 war between Israel and Lebanon's Shiite movement Hezbollah that killed 1,200 Lebanese, mainly civilians, and 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers. Lebanese Sunni Prime Minister Saad Hariri is also in a standoff with Hezbollah over a UN-backed probe into the assassination of his father, former premier Rafiq Hariri. "I continue to be concerned about developments in Lebanon, and I will continue my ongoing discussions with State (Department) regarding the optimal contours of future military assistance for Lebanon," Berman said.The California Democratic representative said he had received reassurances that US assistance to the Lebanese armed force has not fallen into the hands of Hezbollah, and Lebanese and US authorities were working to ensure that would not happen. He noted that the Lebanese military has taken "important steps to prevent recurrence of dangerous and provocative actions." In an interview with Lebanese newspaper An-Nahar, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the Lebanese people "deserve lasting peace and an end to political violence once and for all." "The United States is committed to that goal, and we will continue supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces to ensure they have the capacity to protect Lebanon?s security from threats both internal and external," she added. "We also work hard to avoid actions or statements that would raise temperatures higher or inflame tensions further." She also expressed disappointment with actions taken by neighboring Syria, saying it pursues policies "outside established international norms" and vowing to hold the country "accountable" for its behavior. The United States has accused Syria of illicitly arming Hezbollah and other militias and showing "flagrant disregard" for the country's independence, charges Damascus has rejected.

League of Women Voters Refuse To Allow Pledge Of Allegiance

2010-10-31T13:49:00.000-05:00

Ahmadinejad Calls For US Leaders To Be 'Buried'

2010-10-03T17:38:00.003-05:00

Iran's president Sunday called for U.S. leaders to be "buried" in response to what he says are American threats of military attack against Tehran's nuclear program. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is known for brash rhetoric in addressing the West, but in a speech Sunday he went a step further using a deeply offensive insult in response to U.S. statements that the military option against Iran is still on the table. "May the undertaker bury you, your table and your body, which has soiled the world," he said using language in Iran reserved for hated enemies. Several top U.S. officials including Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff have said in recent months that the military option remains on the table and there is a plan to attack Iran, although a military strike has been described as a bad idea. The crowd of military men and clerics in the town of Hashtgerd just west of the capital chuckled at the president's insult and applauded. The speech was broadcast by both state television and the official English-language Press TV, but the latter glossed over the insult in the simultaneous translation.Ahmadinejad's remarks come in sharp contrast to ones he made to Al-Jazeera Arabic news channel in August in which he offered the U.S. Iran's friendship. In Sunday's speech, Ahmadinejad also questioned once more who was behind the Sept. 11 attacks in the U.S. and said they gave Washington a pretext for seeking to dominate the region and plunder its oil wealth. During his speech in front of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, he said a majority of people in the U.S. and around the world believe the American government staged the attacks, drawing a strong rebuke from President Barack Obama. Ahmadinejad often resorts to provocative statements to lash out enemies. He has already compared the power of Iran's enemies to a "mosquito," saying Iran deals with the West over its nuclear activities from a position of power and he has likened the United States to a "farm animal trapped in a quagmire" in Afghanistan. Iran also condemned the latest U.S. sanctions slapped on eight Iranian officials Wednesday, saying they show American interference in Tehran's domestic affairs. Washington this week imposed travel and financial sanctions on the eight Iranians, accusing them of taking part in human rights abuses during the turmoil following Iran's June 2009 presidential election.

Minister Wants Obama To Become Ameer-ul-Momineen

2010-09-10T09:18:00.003-05:00

In a development that could be duly termed as one and only of its kind, an incumbent Government’s Minister has urged US President Barrack Obama to offer Eid prayers at Ground Zero Mosque and become “Ameer-ul-Momineen” of Muslim Ummah. Minister of State for Industries and former member Pakistan Ideological Council Ayatullah Durrani called TheNation on Wednesday to register his demand made to President Obama. “The coming Eid would expectedly be observed on 9/11, this a golden opportunity for President Obama to offer Eid prayers at Ground Zero and become Amir-ul-Momineen or Caliph of Muslims. In this way, all the problems of Muslim World would be solved,” he thought.Durrani argued that Muslim World was in “dire need” of a Caliph and the distinguished slot of Caliphate would earn President Obama the exemplary titles of what he termed, “Mullah Barrack Hussain Obama” or “Allama Obama.” “The time is approaching fast. Barrack Hussain Obama must act now. This is a golden opportunity, Muslims badly need it,” he added, saying that the elevation of President Obama to Muslim’s Caliphate would be the “key to success.”

Black Conservatives Blast Liberal Theologists

2010-09-05T16:59:00.002-05:00

2010-08-30T11:07:00.001-05:00

Honorable James David Manning Is Willing To Die To Expose That Devil Obama.

2010-08-29T00:03:00.001-05:00

Dr. James David Manning Calls For Congress To Arrest Mr. Obama.

2010-08-28T16:20:00.001-05:00

Permit Denied For Mosque In West Rogers Park

2010-08-27T18:26:00.004-05:00

It is an empty restaurant in the West Rogers Park neighborhood. Some wanted to turn into a mosque. Business leaders and the city apparently don't agree. Local Chicago news reports. It sounds a bit like the controversy over the proposed mosque in New York near where the Twin Towers fell. Perhaps at first glance, but not when you scratch beneath the surface. We're hearing from the local chamber of commerce and alderman's office that the city has denied a special use permit that would allow a mosque to replace a shut down hot dog grill. It's based on the need to generate tax revenue on the former site of the original Fluky's and later U Lucky Dawg, at 6821 N. Western Ave. But at a time when opposition to mosques in general is making headlines, the particulars here, for some, sound disturbing. It's one of Chicago's more diverse communities, with a strong Muslim presence; where for some opposition to a proposed mosque is frustrating at best. "Angry is not our religion. Our religion is respect," said one man. "This is a religious freedom country. You are not supposed to deny right to build a mosque," said another man. It's the same neighborhood where the former hot dog restaurant along busy Western Avenue has sat vacant for two years - and where the Faizan e Madina community wants to locate a mosque. "We are planning to educate people about Islam, a misunderstood religion," said Rashid Mopiwala, Faizan e Madina. Amie Zandel is president of the area's West Ridge Chamber of Commerce.Islam, A Misunderstood Religion"Our neighborhood is probably one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the city of Chicago," said Zandel. Zandel says the organization's 200 members include a strong Muslim presence. "Our membership is probably made up between 30 and 40 percent Muslim," she said. Yet in spite of that, the chamber is opposing construction of the mosque on the site. "We want to see our community thrive, and we need more economic development to come in, first and foremost," Zandel said. The chamber says the mosque's tax exempt status in that commercial location would eliminate much needed tax dollars and halt growth. But some fear opposition to the mosque is opposition to Muslims in general. "That's not the case. We have many Muslims already in the community. We celebrate the diversity," Zandel said. "If it's a religion, they have to respect religion first," said one man. It's a position not all here understand, but mosque members, who say they live in an accepting community, know in Chicago economics and politics can sometimes trump religion. Rashid Mopiwala says he does not think the decision was based on bigotry and racism. "There's not any racism involved," he said. "There are some politics maybe, but not religious." Members of the congregation say they are still formulating a plan on what to do next. It is the holy period of Ramadan for Muslims, and when reporters spoke to them tonight they said in spite of the area's many mosques, there is need for more.

Obama's White House Mosque

2010-08-24T13:28:00.000-05:00

OBAMA INC

2010-08-07T09:00:00.002-05:00

Ahmed & Salim: Salim's New Face

2010-07-30T00:03:00.000-05:00

Obama Calls African-Americans A ‘Mongrel People’

2010-07-29T19:31:00.003-05:00

Barack Hussein Obama waded into the national race debate in an unlikely setting and with an unusual choice of words: telling daytime talk show hosts that African-Americans are “sort of a mongrel people.” Barack Hussein Obama appeared on ABC’s morning talk show “The View” Thursday, where he talked about the forced resignation of Agriculture Department official Shirley Sherrod, his experience with race and his roots. When asked about his background, which includes a black father and white mother, Obama said of African-Americans: "We are sort of a mongrel people." "I mean we're all kinds of mixed up," Obama said. "That's actually true of white people as well, but we just know more about it." The president's remarks were directed at the roots of all Americans. The definition of mongrel as an adjective is defined as "of mixed breed, nature, or origin," according to dictionary.com. Obama did not appear to be making an inflammatory remark with his statement and the audience appeared to receive it in the light-hearted manner that often accompanies interviews on morning talk shows. The race debate was reignited after Sherrod’s firing. Obama also addressed the issue in his speech to the National Urban League 100th Anniversary Convention in Washington on Thursday morning. But in his interview on “The View,” which was taped Wednesday but aired Thursday, Barack Hussein Obama said the Sherrod story was prompted when the media "generated a phony controversy." "A lot of people overreacted, including people in my administration," he said. Obama called Sherrod last week after Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack apologized for her firing. Obama noted "there's still a reptilian side of our brain" that leads people to not trust others "if somebody sounds different or looks different." Barack Hussein Obama stressed that what's "important is how you treat people." Obama discussed a wide range of issues as the first sitting president to appear on a daytime talk show. He was challenged by Elisabeth Hasselbeck, the conservative voice on the all-women panel, about his claim to have saved 2.5 million jobs with his recovery act and his inability to unite the country.On the latter, Obama said that "right after the election there was a sense of hopefulness and unity," but "the politics of the economic recovery" and steps he took to save the auto companies created a partisan divide. "My hope is that I've tried to set a tone in the debate that says, 'Look, we can disagree without being disagreeable,'" Obama said. On the economy, Obama told Hasselbeck that she was "absolutely right" that enough jobs have not returned, but he brushed her back on her assertion that saving jobs is not as important as adding jobs. "Well, it makes a difference, though, if your job was one that was saved," Obama said. While Barack Hussein Obama conceded that "we are not bouncing back as quick as we need to," he said he does think the American economy will get its "mojo back over the next several months. "Don't bet against American workers," Obama said. "Don't bet against American ingenuity." Obama responded to questions from Barbara Walters and Joy Behar about his tough critics in the conservative media by saying he is more worried about the American people than himself. "You said it's been tough for me, but the truth is it's not tough for me," Obama said. "I don't spend a lot of time worrying about me. I spend a lot of time worrying about them." Behar, a vocal liberal, teed up Barack Hussein Obama to talk about his critics on the right, asking Obama "where's your attack dog?" But Obama didn’t take the bait, responding "we shouldn't be campaigning all the time. There's a time to campaign, and there's a time to govern." "I'm not perfect. My administration's not perfect," Obama said. "A lot of this criticism I listen to, and it's fair, I try to correct it." Obama taped the interview Wednesday when he was in New York City for two Democratic National Committee fundraisers. He also spent Wednesday in New Jersey talking about the economy.

Ahmadinejad's Mission: Save America from Obama

2010-07-06T12:55:00.003-05:00

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has offered to save the American people from their own president. In a speech replying to a message by U.S. President Barack Obama to Iran’s opposition Green movement, Ahmadinejad explained that he was on a mission to “liberate” Americans from Obama’s “dictatorship.” The speech was translated by MEMRI, the Middle East Media Research Institute. One year ago, Ahmadinejad's own “re-election” to the presidency was marred by the protests of hundreds of thousands of Iranians who accused him of rigging the polls. The demonstrations, which lasted weeks, were brutally suppressed with the assistance of the Basij presidential militia, which violently arrested hundreds of protestors, some of whom were murdered and many of whom were jailed. Hundreds of others were wounded in the process, and some simply “disappeared” and were not heard from again.The speech also followed by one week a decision by the United Nations Security Council to impose another round of increased economic sanctions against the Islamic Republic in a new effort to persuade Iran to abandon its nuclear development program. “It is God-given that all the anti-human plans in the world, and all the crimes and bloodshed are being carried out under U.S. government supervision, but that the demand [to stop them] comes only from our nation…” declared Ahmadinejad. “Today the most brutal dictatorship is being implemented against the American nation, which is subject to the worst suffocation – the press is not free to depict the crimes of Israel and America, nor can demonstrations in response to these crimes be held freely… “I hereby announce that from this point forward, one of the Iranian nation’s main aspirations will be to deliver the American people from [its] undemocratic and bullying government,” he added.

"Hey America, Where's Barack Obama's Real Birth Certificate?"

2010-06-29T07:42:00.001-05:00

Peggy West, Milwaukee Board Of Supervisors Member. Doesn't know Arizona Is A Border State!

2010-06-26T10:24:00.002-05:00

Recession Victims Not Minorities, But 'Good Americans' ‎

2010-06-26T10:09:00.003-05:00

Republicans criticized Rep. Paul Kanjorski for what they said were remarks suggesting minorities are not "average, good American people." The 13-term Pennsylvania Democrat vigorously denied the charge, saying Republicans were taking his words out of context to score political points. In remarks Wednesday night defending a program to help homeowners facing foreclosure stay in their homes, Kanjorski said: "We're giving relief to people that I deal with in my office every day now unfortunately. But because of the longevity of this recession, these are people — and they're not minorities and they're not defective and they're not all the things you'd like to insinuate that these programs are about — these are average, good American people."Republican Lou Barletta, the mayor of Hazelton, Pa. who hopes to unseat Kanjorski this fall in a rematch, called on the congressman to apologize. "This is outrageous and shows how out of touch Kanjorski is with the real world," Barletta said in a statement. A Kanjorski spokeswoman said the congressman was defending people who get government help from those who unfairly criticize them.

Oil On The Water

2010-06-20T08:30:00.000-05:00

Hawaii Elections Official: Obama Not Born Here!

2010-06-17T08:24:00.001-05:00

Million Dollar Questions

2010-06-09T08:00:00.001-05:00

Reuters Admits Cropping Photos Of Ship Clash

2010-06-08T15:22:00.003-05:00

The British-based Reuters news agency has been stung for the second time by charges that it edited politically sensitive photos in a way that casts Israel in a bad light. But this time Reuters claims it wasn’t at fault. The British-based Reuters news agency has been stung for the second time by charges that it edited politically sensitive photos in a way that casts Israel in a bad light. But this time Reuters claims it wasn’t at fault. The news agency reacted to questions raised by an American blogger who showed that Reuters' photo service edited out knives and blood traces from pictures taken aboard the activist ship Mavi Marmara during a clash with Israeli commandos last week. Nine people were killed and scores were injured in the clash. The pictures of the fight were released by IHH, the Turkish-based group that sponsored the six-ship fleet that tried to break Israel's blockade of Gaza. In one photo, an Israeli commando is shown lying on the deck of the ship, surrounded by activists. The uncut photo released by IHH shows the hand of an unidentified activist holding a knife. But in the Reuters photo, the hand is visible but the knife has been edited out. The blog “Little Green Footballs” challenged Reuters' editing of the photo. “That’s a very interesting way to crop the photo. Most people would consider that knife an important part of the context. There was a huge controversy over whether the activists were armed. Cropping out a knife, in a picture showing a soldier who’s apparently been stabbed, seems like a very odd editorial decision. Unless someone was trying to hide it,” the blog stated.In a second photo the unedited print issued by IHH showed blood along the ship's railing and a hand holding a knife as an Israeli soldier lies on the deck. Both the blood and the knife were missing in the photo that Reuters released. Reuters on Tuesday denied it intended to alter the political meanings of the photographs. “The images in question were made available in Istanbul, and following normal editorial practice were prepared for dissemination which included cropping at the edges," the news agency said in a statement. "When we realized that a dagger was inadvertently cropped from the images, Reuters immediately moved the original set as well." Reuters has yet to respond to charges about the second photo. This is the second time Reuters has been accused of manipulating photos. In 2006 a Reuters photographer, Adnan Hajj, doctored several photos of the destruction caused by Israel's bombing of Beirut. In one he added smoke to a panoramic picture of South Beirut to make the damage look more severe than it was. In a second photo, he showed a woman whose home had supposedly been destroyed in the same raid, but an investigation revealed that the woman's house had been destroyed prior to the Israeli strike. Reuters later removed all of Hajj's more than 900 photos from distribution and severed its relationship with him. A photo editor also was fired. What happened on the Mavi Marmara and who was responsible for the killing and bloodshed on the ship is still a matter of debate. Activists charge that Israeli commandos fired first and provoked the skirmish. Israeli commandos say they were compelled to use deadly force after they were attacked by people on board the ship.

Demonizing Arthritic Tea Partiers

2010-06-08T13:22:00.000-05:00

Student Falls Asleep at Commencement Speech

2010-06-08T12:07:00.002-05:00

Bilderberg Group 2010: World Secret Government Get Together

2010-06-05T00:03:00.000-05:00

I Can Plug Oil Leak, Says NY Genius

2010-06-03T07:21:00.004-05:00

BP's engineers can't stop the gushing oil spill, but a young genius from Long Island says she found the solution in less time than it takes most people to finish a crossword puzzle. Since the "top kill," "junk shot" and "top hat" techniques failed to end the environmental nightmare, Alia Sabur -- who started her engineering Ph.D. at age 14 -- is pushing for a more radical idea. The Northport native, who started reading before she could walk and who at 18 broke a 300-year-old record to become the youngest-ever college professor, proposes surrounding a pipe with deflated automobile tires, inserting it into the leaking riser, and then inflating the wheels to form a seal. She calls the plan the "seabed retread." "It's not completely out there, considering that tires are used for everything and they're expected to withstand a lot," Sabur, 21, told The Post. The idea came to her while watching television reports of the failed attempts to plug the hole last week, she said. And she had it all worked out in a just a few minutes, sketching it out on paper. "I can't believe that at this point, with all our technology, that something like this can happen and devastate an entire area," she said. "Even at the smallest estimate, it's still a lot of oil." Since BP's Deepwater Horizon rig exploded on April 20, more than 40 million gallons of crude have spilled into the Gulf. Sabur, who is finishing her doctorate in engineering at Drexel University in Philadelphia, said it frustrated her that none of BP's solutions seemed to have any success. The oil company has tried to drop containment domes over the leaks, but one missed its mark and the other got clogged with an icy mix of methane gas and water. It has also tried pumping mud, golf balls, tire scraps and other objects into the well to stop the flow.Alia Sabur"I figured experts would know more about it than I did but their ideas didn't work," she said. "So I started thinking about it." The prodigy, who has received awards and fellowships from NASA and the Department of Defense, decided to take a different tack from BP's latest strategy, the "lower marine riser package," in which the riser pipe is cut and a housing is placed over it to collect the oil. "This was a thought experiment," she said. "They tried covering it and now they're trying to block it, and it seems they are trying things that go on it or around it. "I started thinking of something that goes inside it." The tires might not be able to fully inflate inside the pipe, but the resulting seal would be able to stem the flow of oil and redirect it into a new pipe, she said. A valve in the pipe could be closed to block the oil or open to allow it to flow, presumably to a ship on the surface. Sabur admitted that she's not certain the inflated tires would be enough to hold the new pipe in place. "But if it works, then it might be possible to then put something on top of it -- to brace the inserted pipe -- to do something more permanent," she said. "Obviously, I hope that what they're doing now works. It's just absolutely terrible." Even if her idea fails to stave off further catastrophe, Sabur has an amazing history. At the age of 2, she started reading novels, and at 11 she played the clarinet with the Rockland Symphony Orchestra. She hasn't yet been able to get her idea to BP, but thinks they should consider it if other efforts fail.

3 Charged With Stealing Identities Of Soldiers Killed In Iraq

2010-06-03T00:03:00.000-05:00

Police say two men and one woman from Wisconsin printed checks with the names of fallen Wisconsin soldiers. The three then used those checks to buy several items at stores in Oneida County, just north of Wausau.Investigators found computers, software and torn up checks in the suspect's car. All three were arrested and are now in jail.

Porn Actor Goes On Rampage

2010-06-02T20:07:00.001-05:00

A pornographic actor who was threatened with losing his job went a on a rampage at a Van Nuys, Calif. production facility Tuesday night, killing one co-worker and injuring two, the Los Angeles Times reported. Stephen Hill, 30, who had been working and living at the offices of Ultima DVD Inc. for several months, lashed out when he was told by employees of the business that he would be losing his job and needed to make other living arrangements. Hill reportedly attacked one co-worker in the office with a “machete-like” weapon around 10:20 pm local time Tuesday night.Two other employees who came to the defense of their co-worker were also injured by Hill. One of them later died in a local hospital. The extent of the other two employees' injuries is unclear, though police said both are expected to survive. Following the attack, Hill fled the scene in a SUV and is still on the run. Police are looking for a blue Toyota RAV4 with license plate 5YTC423. Hill had acted in several porn movies, according to Los Angeles police.

U.S. Border Security Alert

2010-05-26T00:03:00.000-05:00

The United States Border Patrol is asking citizens to keep on the lookout for a red 1951 Chevy that they suspect is being used to smuggle illegal immigrants across the border from Mexico and into points along the U.S. Border. If you see the vehicle pictured below and have reason to believe that it is the suspect vehicle, you are urged to contact your local police department or the U. S. Border Patrol.

Playboy Publishes Its First 3-D Centerfold

2010-05-11T08:07:00.004-05:00

Playboy readers will get an extra eyeful in June when the magazine publishes its first 3-D centerfold. The magazine, which comes out Friday, will come equipped with 3-D glasses to better focus on Playmate of the Year Hope Dworaczyk. "What would people most like to see in 3-D?" asks Playboy founder Hugh Hefner. "Probably a naked lady." The magazine has turned increasingly to gimmicks (such as Marge Simpson on a recent cover) to try to boost circulation, which has tumbled from 3.5 million in 2006 to 1.5 million today."The 3-D centerfold is also part of a tie-in with HBO, which is promoting it's show True Blood. The key question: Do the glasses work? "Well, it does kind of look like Dworaczyk is handing you the wine glass she's holding," "And she says the photograph makes everything a little, well, bigger." "It's kind of like it says on the rear view mirror," Dworaczyk jokes. "Things may appear larger." Alas, the 3-D glasses apparently are of little help in reading the articles.

Demonizing Arthritic Tea Partiers

2010-05-10T00:03:00.000-05:00

Great Quote. Too Bad We Don't Know Who Wrote It.

2010-03-29T08:43:00.001-05:00

The current danger to America is not (primarily)Barack Obama but a citizenry capable of entrusting a man like him with the presidency. It will be easier to limit and undo the follies of an Obama presidency than to restore the necessary common sense and good judgment to an electorate willing to have such a man for their president. The problem is much deeper and far more serious than Mr. Obama, who is a mere symptom of what ails us. Blaming the prince of the fools should not blind anyone to the vast confederacy of fools that made him their prince. The republic can survive a Barack Obama. It is less likely to survive a multitude of fools such as those who made him their president."

Health Bill Fails The Country

2010-03-21T22:12:00.001-05:00

House Republican leader John Boehner says congressional health care legislation fails the country and says Congress has failed to listen to America. Boehner drew hisses from Democrats as he criticized the Democratic overhaul of health coverage. He asked for Democrats to conduct a rare roll call vote on the bill. Democrats did not immediately agree.Not a single Republican is expected to vote for the bill, a priority of President Barack Obama. Democratic leaders appear to have secured the votes to pass it. Boehner said the vote "disgraces" the values of history's lawmakers. And he said voters will hold House members to account for passing the bill.

2010-03-20T08:06:00.000-05:00

Demand For Obama Wanes Among Democrats

2010-03-15T00:03:00.001-05:00

Moderate House Democrats facing potentially difficult reelections this fall have a message for Barack Obama: Don’t call us; we’ll call you. Interviews with nearly a dozen congressional Democrats on the ballot this year reveal a decided lack of enthusiasm for having Obama come to their districts to campaign for them — the most basic gauge of a president’s popularity. Some cite the president’s surely busy schedule. Others point to a practice of not bringing in national politicians to appear on their behalf. While these members aren’t necessarily attempting to distance themselves from the administration, there is nevertheless a noticeable reluctance to embrace the president among a certain class of incumbent, now that Obama’s approval rating has fallen to a new low — 46 percent in the latest Gallup survey. It’s not an unusual development — President George W. Bush suffered a similar fate. As his popularity dipped and he became a more polarizing figure, few moderate Republicans wanted to be seen with him in their states for fear the association would be used against them by their rivals. The difference, however, is that Bush was narrowly elected twice in a country divided between red and blue states, while Obama shredded that map.With his success in the interior West and upper South, Obama was thought to be such a political asset that he could play almost anywhere in the country. But the sense of uncertainty over what to do with Obama seen last year in Virginia — in which Democratic gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds wrestled with whether to run with or from the president before ultimately embracing him in the campaign’s final weeks — now seems to be evolving into a firmer feeling among many centrist Democrats that they’d be better off without Obama appearing in their districts with them. The White House got a taste of the awkwardness to come last week in Missouri, when Democratic Senate candidate Robin Carnahan and Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-Mo.) were both no-shows at a fundraiser Obama keynoted in suburban St. Louis. (Sen. Claire McCaskill, an early Obama supporter who received some of the event’s proceeds for her 2012 reelection campaign, did attend.) Other Democrats want to spare Obama the trouble. “This will be my second election with a Democratic incumbent president, and what I’ve found is that their schedules are usually booked full — and so I don’t expect him,” said North Dakota Rep. Earl Pomeroy, whose campaign for a 10th term is shaping up as his most difficult yet.

Arizona Town Bans Bible Study

2010-03-13T20:15:00.003-06:00

The pastor of the seven-member Oasis of Truth Church in Gilbert, AZ was ordered by a cease and desist letter to terminate religious meetings in his home, no matter the size or frequency, based on zoning regulations. The small church, which had held meetings in various members’ homes on a weekly rotation, met for just a few hours each week. The town cites its zoning codes which it contends prohibit churches from holding home meetings of any size. This includes Bible studies, potluck dinners or even three person church leadership meetings. The defense of the ban cites traffic, parking, and building safety concerns, yet doesn’t specifically prevent the likes of Cub Scout Meetings, football or business parties. In November, the church was ordered by letter from a Gilbert code compliance officer to terminate the church meetings in Pastor Joe Sutherland’s home. Although no complaints were cited, the termination order was a response to signs about the meetings near Sutherland’s home. In response, Sutherland ceased the meetings in December and requested clarification of the zoning code from the town’s zoning administrator. He was answered first with an informal response to his questions.The reply offered a more detailed and formal response in the form of a zoning interpretation, provided at a fee of $305, upholding the alleged basis for the ban. Attorneys for the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) have filed an appeal in the past week to overturn the decision. “Christian church groups shouldn’t be singled out for discrimination and banned from meeting in their own homes. The interpretation and enforcement of the town’s code is clearly unconstitutional. It bans 200,000 Gilbert residents from meeting in their private homes for organized religious purposes-an activity encouraged in the Bible, practiced for thousands of years, and protected by the First Amendment,” said ADF Litigation Counsel Daniel Bloomberg. The appeal argues, in part, that the Constitution’s Free Exercise Clause doesn’t permit a ban on church meetings where other meetings are permitted, and Arizona’s Free Exercise of Religion Act (FERA) protects “Arizona citizens’ right to exercise their religious beliefs free from undue government interference.” Meanwhile, the church holds a weekly meeting at a local school. Due to the rental costs and the size of the group, they’ve scaled back to meeting once a week on Sunday.

Business Groups Launch Ad against Health Care Bill

2010-03-10T00:03:00.000-06:00

Major business groups Tuesday announced a multimillion-dollar ad campaign to stop President Barack Obama's health care overhaul as it approaches a make-or-break vote in the House. The ad buy, costing between $4 million and $10 million, will start Wednesday on national cable outlets. Later in the week, the campaign shifts to 17 states home to moderate and conservative Democrats. Their votes are critical to Obama's endgame for passing legislation to expand coverage and revamp the health insurance market. The timing of the ads comes as Obama is building up momentum in his final health care drive. But congressional Democratic leaders are still short of the votes to pass the bill, and they're courting many of the same lawmakers targeted by the business groups. Health insurance companies, excoriated by Obama over a recent spate of double-digit premium hikes, are helping to pay for the ads, said Bruce Josten, a top lobbyist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, coordinating the campaign. "Health care costs will go even higher under this bill, making things even more difficult for business," said Josten. "We are trying to tell Congress to stop with this bill and start over, and get it moving in a direction that makes it more affordable."In addition to the Chamber of Commerce, other groups in the coalition include the National Association of Manufacturers, the National Retail Federation, and groups representing the construction and food service industries. The business groups refused to release a list of the lawmakers they are targeting. Jeri Kubicki, an employee benefits expert with the manufacturing group, said employers are putting off hiring new workers because of concerns that the bill's passage would raise their costs. "There is too much uncertainty," she said. The script for the ad says, "Health care costs will go even higher, making a bad economy worse." It urges viewers to tell their lawmakers: "Stop this health care bill we can't afford to pay." Obama's plan would not require companies to provide coverage to their workers, but it would slap a hefty fee on firms whose workers end up getting taxpayer-subsidized policies through a new health insurance marketplace. Companies with 50 or fewer workers would be exempt. Small businesses with up to 25 workers would be eligible for federal assistance to provide coverage. Josten said the new requirements and penalties add up to a bad deal for business, and he predicted that fees on insurance companies, drug makers and other health industry players would be passed on to employers who provide coverage for most American workers and their families.

Northfield Arson Suspect Caught With Pants On Fire

2010-03-09T18:26:00.003-06:00

The suspect in two arson fires, one of which damaged the Northfield City Hall, was caught with his pants on fire, according to police. Northfield police said Mark Cole, 43, set fire to his home on College Street, drove to city hall, parked between two vehicles and set his van on fire. The van fire destroyed the two other vehicles and caused smoke and water damage to city hall.Mark ColeAccording to police, a Rice County deputy saw Cole running away from city hall with his pants on fire. Cole was arrested. Police said Cole told them he was unemployed, behind on his mortgage payments and frustrated with the state and federal government. Police said he told them he set the fires wanted people to notice his problems. Cole is in jail and will likely be charged with arson.

Obama Now Selling Judgeships for Health Care Votes?

2010-03-04T00:03:00.000-06:00

Barack Obama hosted ten House Democrats who voted against the health care bill in November at the White House; he's obviously trying to persuade them to switch their votes to yes. One of the ten is Jim Matheson of Utah. The White House just sent out a press release announcing that today President Obama nominated Matheson's brother Scott M. Matheson, Jr. to the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. “Scott Matheson is a distinguished candidate for the Tenth Circuit court,” President Obama said. “Both his legal and academic credentials are impressive and his commitment to judicial integrity is unwavering. I am honored to nominate this lifelong Utahn to the federal bench.” Scott M. Matheson, Jr.: Nominee for the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. Scott M. Matheson currently holds the Hugh B. Brown Presidential Endowed Chair at the S.J. Quinney College of Law, University of Utah, where he has been a member of the faculty since 1985. He served as Dean of the Law School from 1998 to 2006. He also taught First Amendment Law at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government from 1989 to 1990. While on public service leave from the University of Utah from 1993 to 1997, Matheson served as United States Attorney for the District of Utah. In 2007, he was appointed by Governor Jon Huntsman to chair the Utah Mine Safety Commission. He also worked as a Deputy County Attorney for Salt Lake County from 1988 to 1989.Prior to joining the University faculty, Matheson was an associate attorney from 1981 to 1985 at Williams & Connolly LLP in Washington, D.C. Matheson was born and raised in Utah and is a sixth generation Utahn. He received an A.B. from Stanford University in 1975, an M.A. from Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes Scholar, and a J.D. from Yale Law School in 1980. So, Scott Matheson appears to have the credentials to be a judge, but was his nomination used to buy off his brother's vote? Consider Congressman Matheson's record on the health care bill. He voted against the bill in the Energy and Commerce Committee back in July and again when it passed the House in November. But now he's "undecided" on ramming the bill through Congress. "The Congressman is looking for development of bipartisan consensus," Matheson's press secretary Alyson Heyrend wrote to THE WEEKLY STANDARD on February 22. "It’s too early to know if that will occur." Asked if one could infer that if no Republican votes in favor of the bill (i.e. if a bipartisan consensus is not reached) then Rep. Matheson would vote no, Heyrend replied: "I would not infer anything. I’d wait to see what develops, starting with the health care summit on Thursday." The timing of this nomination looks suspicious, especially in light Democratic Congressman Joe Sestak's claim that he was offered a federal job not to run against Arlen Specter in the Pennsylvania primary. Many speculated that Sestak, a former admiral, was offered the Secretary of the Navy job.

Israeli DM: No Need to Coordinate With US on Attacking Iran

2010-03-01T00:03:00.000-06:00

Suspected al-Qaida-linked militants raided a village in the southern Philippines early Saturday, killing 11 people in the country's worst militant attack on civilians in nine years. Gunmen from the extremist Abu Sayyaf group backed by renegade Muslim separatist rebels fired grenade launchers and automatic rifles on houses while residents were asleep, killing one government-armed militiaman and 10 civilians in the village of Tubigan on Basilan Island, said deputy regional police commander Sonny David. "The villagers were sleeping when the Abu Sayyaf came with their guns blazing. They spared no one, not even the children," David said. The attack came in the wake of the recent killing of an Abu Sayyaf commander and the arrest of two key members. Government forces had been told to be on alert for reprisal attacks. "It's a normal thing for them to retaliate," David said. "We're not lowering our guards, particularly at soft targets like markets, schools, churches, piers and public utility terminals." Four children were among those killed, said armed forces spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner. He corrected an earlier report that the target of the attack was the village's militia detachment. "They really attacked the villagers," he said. One of the villagers, who are mostly citrus farmers, told police he was awakened by the sound of gunfire and saw blood oozing from his body, David said. The gunmen strafed and torched at least 10 houses before escaping, David said. A 32-year-old woman and her 1-year-old daughter burned to death in their house, he said. At least 11 who suffered burns and gunshot wounds were taken by boat to two hospitals in the nearby port city of Zamboanga, hospital staff said. David said about 70 Abu Sayyaf gunmen backed by rogue elements of the Muslim separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front were involved in the attack.Mohagher Iqbal, the chief rebel negotiator in peace talks with the government, said his group's local cease-fire committee reported no members of the Moro front were involved. It was the worst attack on civilians since 2001, when militants seized dozens of villagers and later beheaded nine farmers and shot to death another in Basilan's Lamitan township. Basilan Island is about 550 miles (880 kilometers) south of Manila. It is one of several islands where the Abu Sayyaf is active. Abu Sayyaf commander Albader Parad - wanted for murder and kidnappings, including last year's abduction of three Red Cross workers - was killed last weekend during a raid on his camp on Jolo Island farther south of Basilan. A day earlier, police captured Mujibar Alih Amon, an alleged Abu Sayyaf logistics officer who took part in the 2000 abduction of American Muslim convert Jeffrey Schilling, who later escaped, and 21 Western tourists and staff of a Malaysian resort earlier that year. Last week, security forces captured Jumadali Arad, who allegedly operated the speedboat used in the abduction of 20 hostages snatched from a southwestern resort in 2001. The hostages included three Americans, two of whom were later killed. In the last six years of U.S.-backed counterterrorism strikes, Philippine security forces have killed or arrested more than 800 suspected militants, including 12 in February alone, said Justice Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor. The Abu Sayyaf, which is fighting to create an Islamic state in the predominantly Christian nation, still has about 400 fighters. It is on the U.S. list of terrorist organizations. Saturday's attack came a day after security forces rescued two Chinese nationals in nearby Sumisip township. The two men were abducted by suspected militants from a plywood factory in Maluso in November. A Filipino worker who was seized along with them was earlier beheaded by the kidnappers.

Evan Bayh: Leftist Hypocrite

2010-02-28T00:03:00.000-06:00

Toyota: Democrats 'Not Industry Friendly'

2010-02-22T00:03:00.000-06:00

Internal Toyota documents derided the Obama administration and Democratic Congress as “activist” and “not industry friendly," a revelation that comes days before the giant automaker's top executives testify on Capitol Hill amid a giant recall. According to a presentation obtained under subpoena by the House Oversight and Government Relations committee, Toyota referred to the “changing political environment” as one of its main challenges and anticipated a "more challenging regulatory" environment under the Obama administration's purview. This document, in addition to piles of other records, will be front and center this week as the Japanese automaker girds to face lawmakers hungry for answers about a recall that has the company teetering. Upwards of 8 million cars have been recalled in the U.S. and worldwide, amid reports of Toyota's vehicles accelerating rapidly. The problems have turned political, as the company has shuttered some American factories, potentially resulting in layoffs. The oversight committee, which is led by Democrat Ed Towns of New York and Republican Darrell Issa of California, will seek to discover if Toyota was forthright in disclosing problems with rapid acceleration – and if the government was responsible and quick in investigating such complaints. Toyota has launched an image rehabilitation campaign on Capitol Hill, and its top lobbyist has sent emails to Congressional aides in an attempt to shape its image amid this crisis.Committee aides say the presentation, which was obtained by POLITICO, gives the clearest view into the minds of Toyota executives. Aides believe the presentation was an explanatory slideshow prepared to explain the inner-workings of Toyota’s Washington lobbying operations. It includes a responsibility flow chart, in addition to resources the office calls upon, including The Brookings Institution and the Chamber of Commerce. The slideshow is titled “Toyota Washington, DC” and the cover sheet is labeled “Yoshi Inaba” – the president of Toyota North America, who is slated to testify. It is a peek into how Toyota executives view the American political environment. The “Activist Administration & Congress – increasing laws & regulations” is listed as one of “Toyota Challenges,” as is “Massive government support for Detroit automakers.” The July 2009 presentation also says the Department of Transportation and National Highway Transportation Safety Administration “under Obama administration” is “not industry friendly,” and anticipates a “more challenging regulatory and enforcement environment.” It says the NHTSA “new team has less understanding of engineering issues and are primarily focused on legal issues.” “While the administration may have changed, the bureaucracy itself has not and we must ensure that government regulators give every possible consumer concern its due diligence,” said Republican Oversight spokesman Kurt Bardella.

Glenn Beck Keynote Speech At CPAC

2010-02-21T10:02:00.004-06:00

Ahmed & Salim In: Hide and Seek

2010-02-21T00:04:00.000-06:00

Michele Bachmann At CPAC

2010-02-21T00:03:00.000-06:00

Ron Paul Wins CPAC Presidential Straw Poll

2010-02-20T19:42:00.004-06:00

Rep. Ron Paul, hero of a fervant band of libertarians, unexpectedly won the presidential straw poll at the Conservative Political Action Conference today, claiming 31% of the votes cast. Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, who has carried the survey for the past three years, was second at 22%. The straw poll is unscientific but is sometimes seen as a show of organizational strength among presidential hopefuls. However, Paul, who made a longshot bid for the Republican nomination in 2008, has given no indication he plans to run again. "It is clear that Paul brought a lot of people" to CPAC, said Republican pollster Tony Fabrizio, who ran the straw poll. Fabrizio said 2,395 of a reported 10,000 attendees voted. It was the most votes in the history of CPAC -- about 40% higher than last year, he said.Fabrizio noted that Romney's support was about the same as in last year's straw poll but that support for former Alaska governor Sarah Palin and former House speaker Newt Gingrich was cut by about half. Palin was at 7%, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty at 6%, Indiana Rep. Mike Pence at 6% and Gingrich and former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee at 4%. Romney, Pawlenty, Pence and Gingrich had addressed this year's CPAC, but Palin had not. In the straw poll, a majority also said they were dissatisfied with the field of contenders for the 2012 nomination against President Obama. The announcement of the results brought gasps, cheers and a round of boos from a packed ballroom. The annual three-day conclave, hosted by the American Conservative Union, ended tonight with an address by Glenn Beck.

Alexander Haig Dead At 85

2010-02-20T09:59:00.004-06:00

Former U.S. secretary of state, Republican stalwart, general and businessman Alexander Haig died Saturday. He was 85. Haig's family said he died in a Baltimore hospital from complications from an infection. He had been ill for some time. Haig, who served in the U.S. army for 20 years before moving to the White House staff in 1968, was famous for his response after a gunman shot then-president Ronald Reagan in March 1981. "As of now, I am in control here in the White House, pending the return of the vice-president," Haig said on television. He said he was intending to reassure Americans amid the crisis — Reagan survived the shooting — but Haig's comment is remembered as a huge gaffe.Haig was actually fourth in line to succeed to the presidency; ahead of him were the vice-president, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the president pro-tempore of the Senate (usually the longest-serving senator of the majority party). John Hinckley, Jr., was found not guilty by reason of insanity in the shooting of the president and three other people. Haig was a top adviser to three presidents. As Richard Nixon's chief of staff in 1973, he helped the president prepare his defence for his role in the Watergate scandal. After Nixon resigned, president Gerald Ford appointed Gen. Haig as supreme allied commander of NATO forces in Europe and commander-in-chief of U.S. forces in Europe. In 1979, he retired from the army to become president of United Technologies Corp. He was secretary of state in the Reagan administration in 1981 and 1982.

Sexy Preteen Samba Queen Stirs Controversy

2010-02-07T10:44:00.001-06:00

Democrats Seek Distance From Obama

2010-02-04T00:03:00.000-06:00

As Congress begins picking through President Obama's vast election year budget, many Democratic incumbents and candidates seem to be finding something they love — to campaign against. A Democratic Senate candidate in Missouri denounced the budget's sky-high deficit. A Florida Democrat whose district includes the Kennedy Space Center hit the roof over NASA budget cuts. And an endangered Senate Democrat denounced proposed cuts in farm subsidies. A headline on the 2010 campaign website of Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), blares her opposition to Obama's farm budget: ``Blanche stands up for Arkansas farm families,'' it says. Heading into an election season in which Republicans are trying to tie Democrats to Obama's unpopular policies, Obama's budget gives his fellow Democrats an unlikely campaign tool — a catalogue of ways to establish their distance from controversial aspects of his administration. It is a time-tested campaign tactic for politicians to declare their independence of party leaders. But the tactic is particularly important for Democrats this year, because their party dominates Washington, and being an insider is a political liability in an anti-incumbent climate. Underscoring that dynamic, Obama held a question-and-answer session with Senate Democrats on Wednesday, drawing polite challenges from a procession of incumbents up for reelection. Sen. Arlen Specter (D-Pa.), a recent party-switcher, questioned trade policies battering the steel industry. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) asked about health care for first responders involved in the Sept. 11attack. The message from Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Ca.): ``California is hurting.'' All that underscores a potential gap between Obama's governing agenda and congressional Democrats' political interest in the election. While Democrats on the ballot encounter stiff headwinds, Obama is asking them look at the big picture on the budget, take on tough issues, and let the politics take care of themselves. ``If anybody's searching for a lesson from Massachusetts, I promise you, the answer is not to do nothing," Obama told the Senate Democrats. "We've got to finish the job on health care. We've got to finish the job on financial regulatory reform. We've got to finish the job, even though it's hard." Since his State of the Union address last week, Obama has offered a spirited defense of his agenda, his feisty demeanor an implicit promise of support for those Democrats who work with him. At a time when some might be thinking about parting ways with his agenda, Obama is pressing his case that now is not the time to abandon the ideals that swept him into office. While Democrats agree with Obama's broad goals, they do not agree with all it takes to achieve them – especially in his budget, which makes little short-term progress in deficit reduction yet calls for spending cuts in many programs.Lincoln is a dedicated proponent of fiscal responsibility. But she sharply denounced the cuts in farm subsidies that are so important to her state. That is not only good constituent service, but good 2010 politics in a state that voted heavily against Obama in the 2008 election. Wednesday's meeting with Obama gave Lincoln a televised opportunity to challenge Obama on a broader question. As one of eight Democrats hand-picked by party leaders to question the president, all but one up for re-election this year, Lincoln urged Obama to ``to push back against people in our own party that want extremes.'' Then, in short order, her campaign website featured a news report: ``Lincoln challenges Obama on liberal `extremes.'" Elsewhere around the country, Rep. Suzanne Kosmas — a freshman Democrat from a Republican leaning part of Florida — minced no words in complaining about Obama's proposed cuts to the NASA budget. The space industry is one of the largest employers in her district. ``The president's proposal lacks a bold vision for space exploration and begs for the type of leadership that he has described as critical for inspiring innovation for the 21st century,'' said Kosmas. In the swing state of Missouri, Democratic Senate candidate Robin Carnahan wasted no time this week denouncing Obama's budget as profligate. ``I'm disappointed in the president's budget recommendation,'' she said. ``Missouri families have to balance their checkbooks and our government is no different.'' Democrats trumpet that split between their candidate and Obama as Carnahan tries to run as an outsider. But Republicans have tagged her ``Rubberstamp Robin'' for supporting Obama's health care bill and other congressional initiatives. Probably no vulnerable Democrat has more of a burden in defending Obama's budget than Rep. John Spratt (D-S.C.), the House Budget Committee Chairman who is facing a strong opponent in his Republican-leaning district. The National Republican Congressional Committee has already run an ad attacking him for his record in handling deficit-laden budgets. But Spratt has not shied from his association with the volatile issue. When Obama's budget was delivered to Capitol Hill Monday, Spratt joined in a ``photo op'' for its reception. The photo was run on a conservative blog under the headline: ``Budget now in Spratt's liberal hands.''

White House Offers 1.4% Pay Raise In 2011

2010-01-28T00:03:00.000-06:00

The White House will propose a 1.4 percent military pay increase in 2011, which if approved would be the smallest since the start of all-volunteer military in 1973. That figure represents a steep drop from the 3.9 percent boost troops saw earlier this month. White House officials said the 1.4 percent figure, which will be included in the fiscal 2011 budget to be unveiled Monday, is based on projected private sector wage increases for next year. By law, the administration’s pay increase proposal is resrticted to no more than the Employment Cost Index, which for 2011 is the lowest in more than a decade. But officials also note that housing allowance increases, new retention bonuses and specialty pays will drive troops’ actual compensation up about 4.2 percent next year. They admitted the pay raise figure islow, but said they’re confident troops will be satisfied with the full compensation package, especially considering the country’s continued economic difficulties. News of the diminished pay raise proposal came before First Lady Michelle Obama addressed military spouses at Bolling Air Force Base on Tuesday, touting a series of efforts to improve the quality of life for military families.The 2011 budget will also include a 3 percent increase in spending for family support programs, including $1.3 billion to cover child care shortages and $1.9 billion to provide more family counseling options. The budget plan also calls for the replacement or renovation of 103 Defense Department schools by 2015 -- many of which are overseas, officials said -- and $262 million for veterans employment and training programs, $6 million more than in the last budget. “We’ve seen the huge burden of eight years of war on our troops: tour after tour, year after year, missing out on moments every parent treasures,” she said. “We’ve seen sacrifices of families on the home front. ... That’s why my husband and his administration have worked to do right by our armed forces and their families, to be there like you have been for us, to lighten your load as you have lightened ours.” Officials also said that the first lady played a key role in setting military family priorities in the budget, calling attention to the complaints and needs of spouses and wounded troops whom she met with over the course of the last year.

Republicans Say Nation Can't Afford Democratic Policies

2010-01-27T19:54:00.001-06:00

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell says in the Republican response to the State of the Union address that the nation cannot afford the spending Democrats have enacted or the tax increases they propose. McDonnell, in excerpts of his speech released in advance, said Democratic policies are resulting in an unsustainable level of debt. He said Americans want affordable health care, but they don't want the government to run it.McDonnell is to deliver the Republican response after President Barack Obama's speech Wednesday evening. McDonnell will speak live from the Virginia House of Delegates in Richmond before a friendly audience of about 300.