Various And Sundry

Be still my beating heart.

Look what Jeffrey Goldberg of the Atlantic says Castro said.

Castro's message to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the President of Iran, was not so abstract, however. Over the course of this first, five-hour discussion, Castro repeatedly returned to his excoriation of anti-Semitism. He criticized Ahmadinejad for denying the Holocaust and explained why the Iranian government would better serve the cause of peace by acknowledging the "unique" history of anti-Semitism and trying to understand why Israelis fear for their existence.

Cough, cough.


Not me. Not us. It's them.

The WSJ's Jonathan Weisman has the story.

President Barack Obama, in a combative, campaign-like speech in Parma, Ohio, conceded that his policies have "fed the perception that Washington is still ignoring the middle class," even as he castigated Republican opponents for "riding…fear and anger all the way to Election Day."

The Democrats have control of the House, the Senate has a filibuster proof number, and they are in the White House. And......it's the GOP's fault. As the Lost In Space robot would say, "it does not compute".

It's not like Obama can say, "look at the good we have done". Can't say that. So the only thing he can do is blame the GOP who has not controlled Congress for four years now, and the WH for two.

It's not like anything looks like it has stabilized or halted its skid downward. So when you have nothing good to say about yourself, it stands to reason you must blame and tear down those who disagree with the path you want to go on. It's not like anyone can say socialism has done any good yet, so this is their only hope.


Time to grow up.

Time to get real here...... and I mean everyone involved too. 

1. It may be protected speech, but it doesn't make it wise. She'll get no credit of course, but Sarah Palin is against it.

2. Muslims need to stop whining. Muslims burn Bibles and churches. They persecute other religions (especially Christianity and Judaism), but cannot tolerate the same treatment of their holy book or the same nasty comments directed towards themselves. Time to man up and realize that just because someone burns a book that can be reproduced, it does nothing to hurt anyone.

In fact, this is best ignored so as not to reinforce the behavior in either light. Then more press it gets, the more time gets wasted dealing with stuff like this.

Various And Sundry Controversial Opinions

I know my readers are on top of things. So it is surely known by now that the DHS is banning federal employees' access to sites that the government thinks is controversial. Someone (with an office, a desk, and a pen) will sign off on what can be cut off and what cannot. There will be a censor.

On one hand, I cannot think of any reason a federal employee should be reading PYY on the taxpayer's nickel. They should be doing their job. Unless, their job is to read PYY.



In other controversial opinions, there's this guy called Charley Bolden, he's the big cheese at NASA, and he's a doozy. He thinks his most important objective is to reach out to Muslims and get them involved with the space programs.

Folks, that's just what we need.... an opportunity for extremists to study delivery systems up close. This is getting scarier by the day.



We now have testimony that what we all suspected was true. J. Christian Adams now says publicly that the DOJ used racial bias when they dismissed the case against the club-wielding Black Panthers at the Philadelphia polling station, in 2008.

A black AG, who works for a black President that sat in Jeremiah Wright's church for 20 years, guilty of racial bias? Who can honestly say they are surprised?

Various And Sundry Items

NYT: Snowstorms Proof Of Global Warming

They don't use these exact words. But if you read today's daily climate piece, one gets the distinct impression that this is indeed the message.

As the first blizzard howled last weekend, the Virginia Republican Party put up an advertisement on the Web — titled “12 Inches of Global Warming” — criticizing two Virginia Democrats, Representatives Rick Boucher and Tom Perriello, who voted for the federal cap-and-trade legislation last year. The advertisement urges voters to call Mr. Boucher and Mr. Perriello to ask if they will help with the shoveling.

Speculating on the meaning of severe weather events is not new. Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and a deadly heat wave in Europe in the summer of 2003 incited similar arguments about what such extremes might — or might not — say about the planet’s climate.

But climate scientists say that no single episode of severe weather can be blamed for global climate trends while noting evidence that such events will probably become more frequent as global temperatures rise.

This isn't a single episode. Two years in a row government meetings on global warming were postponed by ice storms. This year, two major blizzards within a week shut down the entire government.

As I have said before, I am not an overly religious man. But we must consider that there is a message in all of this. Someone is trying to tell somebody, something.


Former Indiana Senator Coats Seeks To Unseat Bayh

He says he's getting encouragement from national Republican leaders. This statement alone would make me nervous, since he is telling us all that he is the favorite of the current Republican establishment. I don't know about you all, but I don' think that makes a compelling case for why I should support him. The establishment is what got us into this mess.

That's strike one.

Then there is this little problem with carpetbagging, he hasn't lived in Indiana for years. He has been working for lobbying firms in Washington.

That's strike two and three.

I think it will be up to the tea party movement to let him know that we appreciate the time he spent representing us, but his candidacy is not what we need right now. We need someone that will reform Washington not take us back into the past, and establisment cadidates are those who seek the same old thing that failed before---the reassertion of the GOP establishment.


Rand Paul Working Hard To Win Kentucky Senate Nomination

Speaking of anti-establishment campaigns, Rep. Ron Paul's son is running a hard-nosed primary campaign against the current GOP establishment candidate. The last poll I can find was from Public Policy Polling back in December and shows Dr. Paul way ahead.

Paul is up 44-25 on Grayson. 39% of likely primary voters have a favorable opinion of him to 13% unfavorable while 22% view Grayson positively to 15% unfavorable.

Paul is winning the votes of conservatives by a 47-20 margin, while Grayson holds a 36-34 lead with moderates. Paul is having a particularly good amount of success with folks who think that the Republican Party in Washington has become too liberal- his lead with them is 54-18. Paul’s support is universal across demographic lines, as he is up with men, women, voters in every region of the state, and every group of the GOP electorate broken down by age.

Business as usual is not what this country needs, not from Dems or the GOP. In my view, the GOP is every bit as guilty of the mess we are in right now. They have been Dem Lite for way too long. It's time to get government out of our lives and into the issues that affect us as a nation. Hopefully Kentucky will see this and send a message to this effect, by nominating and electing Dr. Paul to the U.S. Senate.


TEA Party: What It Is, What It Isn't

This is an excellent essay that summarizes the objectives and make-up of the TEA Party and seems to validate much of what I said in my Progressively More Confused post, from yesterday. The primary misconception is that the progressives want people to believe is that we are a bunch of whackos, hell-bent on destroying the republic and initiating anarchy. That is the lie that they are advancing because they are scared.

Read this essay over a RCP. It's not very long and very much to the point.

Various And Sundry Items

If you have read this blog very long, you know about the features I called News In Brief (And The Usual Opinionated Commentary) and Recommended Reading. Well, I have decided to combine them into a new feature, as named above.

1) I thought Recommended Reading was too redundant and maybe in some ways, superfluous.. If I am linking to something it only stands to reason that I am recommending that you read it.

2) I thought The News In Brief title was too wordy. And since it was brought up by a certain person who shall remain nameless (Mustang) that I am a verbose bastard, I thought I'd make the effort to improve myself, and correct all deficiencies before I am inspected again. Soon.

(It's a good thing I am self-actualized or I would get a complex.)

Anyway, here is the first installment of the new feature that I will be writing -- when I:

1) am too tired to write something reasonably coherent

2) just want to half-ass it, because I am a dying cockroach.



Our hypocrite of the week is Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN).

Last week I blogged on the rumor that Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) was supposed to be mulling over a possible U.S. Senate bid against him. But now it has been reported here that he will not be.

Even with this news, Bayh is in some trouble. He is even trying to back pedal on the healthcare bill.

I voted for him twice for governor and twice for Senator, but I am not supporting him this time. I wish Mr. Pence had run, as he would have beat Bayh handily. But there is another who could beat him. And even though he doesn't poll as well against Bayh as Pence, John Hostetler does well enough to give Bayh a good run. He's going to need to run a common sense campaign and it won't be easy. But it can be done.


State Of The Union: Erratic

Damage control and other forms of BS will be flowing today. The pundits will be speculating and then analyzing Obama's first State Of The Union Address, during the current 24-hour news cycle.

He has to do something. Because contrary to the propaganda artisans he has hired to promote his empty sales pitches, he is in trouble. After just one year, he went from 65% approval rating down to 47% in the highly esteemed Rasmussen Poll.

But don't worry, there's more coming down the pike that is purely designed to re-mesmerize the masses. It will be formed and fashioned to trick the people into thinking that he has changed.....without actually saying that he has changed....without actually having changed at all.

I know, it's hard to follow. But that's the way they like it so you will think you know what's what.

It's the same hook, just different bait.


Stone: Hitler Created By Western Bankers

Ollie thinks he's telling us something here. I have known this for many years, because they used to teach history accurately when I was in school. They also taught us that Castro and Che were not heroes, but cold-blooded killers.

In the same new film, Ollie also attempts to put Stalin in the proper context. If we are lucky, maybe he will tell us more about Mao in his next film? No?


And The Winner Is.......

Robert L. Gibbs, White House Press Secretary. The award is the Baghdad Bob Award, issued for superior accuracy of statements in a press conference and/or interview. He has had so many qualifying performances during the past. But here is the performance that clinched it for Mr. Gibbs:



Runner up was Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano for her motherly reassurance that "the system worked" immediately after the attempted terrorist attack on a plane landing in Detroit, on Christmas Day.

News In Brief (And The Usual Opinionated Commentary)

Back from a tour of the South. Fighting the traffic in Atlanta for several days, a wedding in the mountains of Georgia, and some peaceful coexistence with nature in the North Carolina mountains have made Mr. and Mrs. Sunsett very tired. But here are a couple of things that I have found unfolding at the news desk upon my return:

Brazil's President Facing Mounting Criticism For Handling Of Honduras

He should be criticized, he should be openly castigated.

Lula is allowing a man who wanted to circumvent the Honduran constitution for the specific purpose of making himself dictator for life, to use the Brazilian embassy as headquarters for his subversion. If that's not enough, the Brazilian leader has allowed himself to be goaded into this by another man, who has already performed such a feat in Venezuela.

Remember when the the class agitator would coerce one of the more passive kids into doing something that he (himself) didn't have the guts to do, only to get the normally good kid in trouble?


Whoopi Steps In It...As Well As Rosie Did

First, Rosie finds a way to discredit the entire show, known as The View with her daily quips of stupidity. Now, her replacement seems to have found a knack for saying the stupidest things and getting away with it.

To say that she knows that Polanski didn't really commit rape indicates she was either there and has firsthand knowledge of the act in question, or she is shooting her mouth off about something she knows absolutely nothing about. I'd say it's the latter.

This was a 13-year old girl at the time. He entered a guilty plea to having sex with an underage minor, which meets the definition of Statutory RAPE. So, maybe Whoopi can do us all a service by drawing a distinction between the different kinds of rape, on an upcoming show. But I doubt it, because she obviously does not have the brains that God gave a tick.

Maybe she should consult her friend Oprah on this one.

News In Brief (And The Usual Opinionated Commentary)

Obama Poll Numbers Continue To Fall

This is a pretty quick fall from grace we have going on here. Maybe Obama's team would do well to listen to the people who are not happy, and actually consider what they have to say for a change. With each passing moment, leftists are demeaning those who disagree with the President and Congress, instead of using some critical thinking skills to properly analyze why things are tanking on them. But stubborn is as stubborn does.

With that in mind, get ready for another round of hearing about those "teabagging Republicans and swastika-carrying Nazi sympathizers who want Obama to fail". Get ready. Because it won't be long before we are saturated with more hateful rhetoric like, "what a shame it is that so much misinformation is causing America to revert back to its racist roots".


New York Governor David Paterson is already using his race card to excuse his incompetence and professional failures. But who can really blame him when it has worked in so many other instances. And what a valuable lesson it is to all Black-Americans, when adversity knocks on their door. When they fail, just proclaim how the white man is keeping the black man down and it all goes away.


More Information On Release Of Lockerbie Terrorist

Details are emerging about a possible deal that was made that included the release of the criminal responsible for sending 270 innocent people to an early death, a little over 20 years ago.

If I were the people of Britain, I would be calling my MP and demanding his resignation and new elections. Evidently, gross incompetence is not merely an American government trait.


Annie Liebowitz Faces Financial Ruin

In what now appears as a disastrous decision to raise funds, Leibovitz took a 24-million-dollar loan from Art Capital Group (ACG) -- in effect a high-end pawn broker -- in December 2008 using her own photographs as collateral.

That debt is due September 8 and if she can't pay up, she could lose her life's work.

As I read this article, I desperately tried to care. But as I thought about how she took advantage of a 15 year-old minor child without her parents around, I found that I just didn't have it within me.


Reid Trails Likely GOP Candidates.

It's the highest stakes ever for a Nevada election, and former boxer Sen. Harry Reid is on the ropes early. Either Republican Danny Tarkanian or Sue Lowden would knock out Reid in a general election, according to a recent poll of Nevada voters.

The results suggest the Democratic Senate majority leader will have to punch hard and often in order to retain his position as the most accomplished politician in state history, in terms of job status.

Nevadans favored Tarkanian over Reid 49 percent to 38 percent and Lowden over Reid 45 percent to 40 percent, according to the poll.

Reid's status makes him an icon of the Democratic Party and ties him to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and President Barack Obama, both of whom are losing ground among centrist and right-leaning voters in the country.

If Nevada didn't have a 13 percent unemployment rate and the Obama bunch highly discouraging conventions in Vegas, maybe Harry would have a chance. But as it stands now, the most inept and spineless Senate leader of all time is toast.

News In Brief (And The Usual Opinionated Commentary)

Here are some things the PYY news team is watching right now:


Biden/Foot/Mouth/Again

It's apparent that he can't keep his mouth shut. He is like herpes, he is the gift that keeps on giving.

This time, he irritates Russia further than they already are.

I don't care much about Russia or what they think, mind you. But once again, Biden has managed to communicate a different message than his boss, and his boss wasn't really too well received the last time he was there.

It's these little nuances....


Gatesgate Hanging Around

The link is to an essay you may have missed on the subject. As many well know, this was a defining moment in Obama's presidency. His policies are his policies and they are bad enough, but this event gave us a good look at the underlying (but not latent) attitude of our President and how he views justice. He merely validated what many have been thinking and saying, all along.

There is a general attitude of entitlement which some have adopted now that Obama is in the White House. It is their belief that they can conduct themselves anyway they wish and use race as a justification. But that's not enough, nor is it a new thing under the sun.

Nothing is more insulting to my intelligence, than to have a race baiting bigot try to turn this into a "teachable moment". I have no need to be taught by such an arrogant individual and categorically reject any any attempt to do so. I have never based an opinion on anyone because of the color of his/her skin. My opinions are formed as a result of their behavior, which is indicative of their motives and intentions. Skin color is not a factor, character is.

Think this story is not important? Just look at the traffic that was generated from a link by CNN at AC's place over the weekend. There are some whack jobs there. But overall, the CNN readers that made the trek over were not happy. (Good job there, AC.)


Speaking Of Arrogance....

Here is a piece you won't want to miss. If the teleprompter told the truth, what do you think it would be saying during an Obama speech? Take a look at it, when you get a second. It's hilarious.


It's Not Getting Any Better For Dodd

Think people in Connecticut aren't getting fed up with Christopher Dodd? He's not doing well in the polls, for sure.

The reason?

Just get a load of the linked story. Old news, yes. But it is pinning him into a corner, where he deserves to be. Keep denying Chris, the people are sending you back into the private sector next year. See you around.


More On Global Warm...Er Uh, Climate Change

We read of 3000 low temps this summer in North America. What about the southern hemisphere? It seems an unusual winter storm has occurred this season.

But does anyone think this is enough to stop the cult from further attempting to deceive the world?

Nope, not this time.

It seems that someone thinks it is nature responsible for GW. That's it, let's alter nature for no reason to save the planet.

News In Brief (And The Usual Opinionated Commentary)

Well, we are back up and running here at PYY. The trip was a comedy of errors, but overall it was a nice getaway with Mrs. Sunsett and not to be regretted in anyway, shape, or form. Peace, rest, and recreation are always items to be coveted in a crazy world that demands so much.

As I seek to get back into the news cycle, here are some things I have found to be hot off the press. And as is usually the case around here, I cannot resist putting my two-cents worth into the mix along with the usual mix of healthy skepticism and sarcasm. We will divide these stories into two categories, things that matter and things that don't.


First, the important stuff:


Sarkozy Seeks Ban On Burqas

Last week, the story was about Scientology and how certain sectors of French society are wanting to ban it. This week, it's about the burqas and how certain secular elements are wanting to ban it.

While I do not agree with many of the teachings of Scientology (or the cultish nature its leadership imposes on its members) and almost none of the doctrines of Islam (or the oppressive nature), I am not a fan of government interference in any religion. I do not live in France, so I guess I have no real vested interest in this. But, as many of the old regulars know here, we used to have some French commenters who liked to proclaim just how tolerant French society was/is, attempting to contrast it with what they percieved to be American intolerance. I can't help but wonder what they think of this and how they would go about defending it.


Iranian Revolutionary Guard Warns Protestors

On one hand, we wonder if this is a bluff. From what we have gathered, these are some huge rallies and would be very difficult to control without massive bloodshed at the hands of those who have the guns. On the other hand, we are dealing with an oppressive regime that already has blood on its hands and is quite desperate to keep the reins of power. They do not seem to care about innocent people's lives and may opt for action that will make Tiananmen Square look like a frolic in the park.


North Korea Accusing Obama Of Nuclear War Plans

Yeah, that's it. Why didn't I see it sooner? Obama is a war monger. He frees Gitmo detainees, takes forever to make a statement on Iran, wants to speak unconditionally with the Iranian leadership, visits nations hostile to the US and Israel, and is secretly wanting a nuclear conflict with NK. Makes a lot of sense, doesn't it?


Now, let's look at the things that we could all live well, without knowing and caring:


Perez Hilton Attacked

The man who made such a big deal out of Carrie Prejean's answer at the Miss Universe pageant, an answer she had every right to, has opened his obnoxious mouth one too many times. Like I say, this is usually a non-story here at PYY, but it just goes to show that what goes around comes back around, or you reap what you sow. Like any cheap gossip columnist these days, the man has said some really nasty things about a lot of people, some true and some not true. Now, Perezy-Poo has finally come to realize that not everyone thinks he's very important.

News In Brief (And The Usual Opinionated Commentary)

Durbin Cashes Out Stock After Fed Meeting

The Chicago Sun-Times is reporting this. Of course it's premature to say there was any insider trading going on. But as is usually the case, another corrupt Illinois politician is seen as giving "the appearance" of impropriety.

You can bet that nothing will come of this, while Dems are in control.


Moussavi Says He Will "Pay Any Cost"

If he is this determined, we all know what that cost will eventually be. If he follows through with this noble endeavor, it may facilitate more unrest that will eventually force and extremely bloody crackdown by the government. I say the man must love his country and has more guts in his little finger than the rest of the world leaders, to include the US President.

Continued silence on Obama's part just further demonstrates what we already know about him. He is weak and it may backfire on him in more ways than one.


French Prosecutor Seeks To Dissolve Scientology

Bad move.

Anytime a government outlaws a church of any kind, you have to ask, which one will be next?

News In Brief (And The Usual Opinionated Commentary)

US Debt, Dollar Making China Nervous

Wait a minute, didn't Tim Terrific the Tax Cheat just go to China, and say they had confidence in us?

Now we have a discrepancy. Timmy says one thing, US Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL) is saying another. Obama's team will not like this, look for them to dig up dirt on Kirk to divert attention from his claims.


California To Do Away With Welfare?

Yeah, right.

There will be riots in the streets of LA, SD, and SF, not to mention Oakland and Fresno. Crime will raise exponentially. Phoenix and Las Vegas will become the largest cities in the country. There are many people in California who know no other way of life.


WSJ: Media Falling For Obama Rhetoric

Say it isn't so.

I know the official start of summer isn't until the weekend after next. But the kids are now out of school, pools are open, summer festivals and activities are in full swing, and we still see no results from the stimulus package. That package was only designed to pay off political favors, nothing more.

Any of you that believe otherwise, I know of a mountain cabin in Central Florida at the base of Mt Dora, that you can buy for the right price.


Stay Issued In Chrysler Deal

I wonder why more actions like this haven't been taken, with all of the trashing of the US Constitution we have seen in the last five months. As we would expect, Chrysler is playing the fear card. They claim that delay will cause Fiat to back out.

I am no economic scholar, but it seems to me that Fiat is getting Chrysler for next to nothing. With that kind of factory pricing, I think they'll wait.

News In Brief (And The Usual Opinionated Commentary)

Here are some of the things making the rounds in the news and the talk shows:



One Quarter Of Overseas Votes Go Uncounted

Not surprising. Logistics make it hard sometimes, when troops are moving. But there really has to be a better way to coordinate this in the information age. E-mails, text messages and faxes are all real time communications, it seems ridiculous that this is even an issue.

Not that this would have made a lot of difference in the Presidential race, but may have had some effect on some congressional races.



Obama Opposes Photo Release

In a reversal, President Barack Obama said on Wednesday he would fight the release of dozens of photographs showing the abuse of terrorism suspects, over concern the images could ignite a backlash against U.S. troops.

Unlike the Bush Derangement Syndromers did with Bush, I said when Obama took office that I would give him credit when he did something right. In this case he did. The BDS crowd can just move on and find something else to harp on, it's a done deal. Nothing good can come from releasing these pictures now. Maybe in 20 years they will, but not now.



Providence Mayor Wants To Tax Students

The mayor of Providence wants to slap a $150-per-semester tax on the 25,000 full-time students at Brown University and three other private colleges in the city, saying they use resources and should help ease the burden on struggling taxpayers.

That's about $7.5 million per year that can be raised. But that's not the ironic part. If you read the entire article, you will see that is doesn't set well with students. These are people who generally want the federal government to tax rich people inordinately, for expensive social programs hatched up in some university, which generally do not work.

News In Brief (And The Usual Opinionated Commentary)

From the Hartford Courant comes a scathing review of their worthless crook of a Senator. From the sounds of things, he's not so popular these days. Rumor has it that Dodd will not run for re-election. If he does, he's toast. If only we could get someone in the 4th Congressional District of Massachusetts mad enough at Barney Frank to vote him out.


The CBO is projecting a $1.8 trillion budget deficit.

The Congressional Budget Office's projected deficit for the 2009 fiscal year ending on Sept. 30 would amount to 13.1 percent of expected gross domestic product -- a level not seen since World War Two. In January, the budget office had forecast a $1.2 trillion deficit for fiscal 2009.

Get used to it. As long as the government keeps spending money, it's going to get worse.


I watched the CBS 60 Minutes interview with Obama last evening. I found most of the questions to be of the softball nature, except for this little exchange:

"You're sitting here. And you are laughing. You are laughing about some of these problems. Are people gonna look at this and say, 'I mean, he's sitting there just making jokes about money.' How do you deal with, I mean, explain the…mood and your laughter," Kroft asked. "Are you punch drunk?"

"No, no. There's gotta be a little gallows humor to get you through the day," Obama explained. "You know, sometimes my team talks about the fact that if you had said to us a year ago that the least of my problems would be Iraq, which is still a pretty serious problem, I don't think anybody would have believed it. But we've got a lot on our plate. And a lot of difficult decisions that we're gonna have to make."

Several times he blamed Bush, several times he had no real answers for the questions. One was how he planned to handle Afghanistan. Although he answered the question with his usual tap dancing rhetoric, he still doesn't know just how he is going to win this thing or what exactly he is going to do.


Hamas is hailing Obama. Why not? They contributed to his campaign and probably want in on this stimulus package, like AIG and countless others that have benefited from their contributions.


Meanwhile, Chavez called him an ignoramus. Brother Hugo doesn't realize that he just irritates this nation more and more, every time he opens his mouth. Obama may be an ignoramus (in some areas), but he is OUR ignoramus.

Things We Are Supposed To Tolerate?

GOP Earmarks

One of the problems that has been addressed (apparently to no avail) is the need to lead by example. The Dems are running roughshod with earmarks in the upcoming, this is a given when it comes to spending taxpayer money. But for the GOP to be effective on this as a valid issue, it is going to distance itself from officials like Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL).



Lyndon Baines Obama

This is a commentary from Pat Buchanan. I don't always agree with Buchanan's views, but sometimes he gets it right. And I believe this essay is one of those times.



Subsidizing Bad Decisions

As Thomas Sowell does so well, this is a very poignant indictment. Many of us are being billed for the poor decision making of others and it's no secret that most of us are not happy about it. Most of us are not in over our heads, we are keeping up, and many of us are just trying to get to retirement (so out kids do not have to take care of us).



Abuse Of Power

Not surprising. After all, it is Nancy Pelosi we are talking about here. Records are showing that she thinks the Air Force is her personal airline. I can understand if she needs to fly to and from her district. But not to gallivant. If it is her desire to gallivant, she needs to use private airlines at her own expense.



The Cost Of Congress

Interesting. In the days since this Congress began, crunching the numbers gives us a good feel for just what has just transpired. It comes to $1 billion per hour. This means that each member of Congress spent $1.8 million per hour in this year's session. And they are talking about spending more.

News In Brief (And The Usual Opinionated Commentary)

I apologize for not having written anything of any marginal value lately. As it turns out, some things beyond my control have garnered much of my attention. So, as it turns out, this is an optimal moment in time for the usual trusted standby feature, in which I can half-ass my way through the post.


Obama Attends Conservative Dinner Party; Causes Media Whispers

I swear, sometimes I think there is nothing better to do in the world of the press, than to drum up controversy when there is none. If this is true and Obama did visit the home of George Will for a gathering, what's the big deal?

Personally, I see it as a positive. But let there be no doubt, there will be many on the left who might be a bit worried about this development. On the same token, some on the right may be tempted to read further into this than is required for basic comprehension and understanding.

The only way we are going to know how Obama is going to govern is going to come after he is inaugurated and starts signing or vetoing the ham, sausage, and bacon sandwiches that Congress will be delivering to his desk. But what a slap to the face of his base of supporters it will be, if he compromises with the right. Those who hate conservatives with every ounce of their beings will feel betrayed, and the same group may turn on him in the future.


Extortion: Russian Style

We've all been reading the news concerning the dispute between Russia and the Ukraine over natural gas prices. It seems this is becoming an annual event and every year we see the same old tired outcome.

The problem is that cutting off gas supplies to the Ukraine also causes those in Western Europe to suffer. Those that are paying the prices set by thuggish capitalists in Moscow must bear the burden, along with those for whom the action is originally intended. Simply put, Russia's way is to apply undue pressure through the EU.

Since this is becoming an annual occurrence, it would seem that the EU will need to form some strategies for the future. Ukraine's economy may not be able to bear the price hikes from their malevolent neighbors as easily as its western counterparts. So it would make sense for the EU to be the humanitarians they often chide the Americans for not being enough of, and help the Ukrainians make the payments. This would ensure the flow of gas for the short-term.

For the long term, maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea for the EU countries to support a massive conversion to electric heat. It will be costly and may not be easy. But in the bigger scope of things, it will make Europe less dependent on Russia and decrease their ability to extort money from others.

News In Brief (And The Usual Opinionated Commentary)

Burris Still Unseated; Harry's Folly

It's becoming apparent Harry Reid has stepped into something, and it isn't good. Leave it to Harry to shoot his mouth off without knowing the law. As events unfold in this saga, it is becoming clearer that Reid has no legal basis in which to deny the seating of this guy, despite the fact a crooked governor under indictment appointed him. I predict he will be seated before too long and may cause some in Sen. Reid's party to privately question his ability to lead. This could lead to a new majority leader, which I have been calling for since he took that position.


Al Qaeda Vows Revenge
What a surprise! Al Qaeda is vowing revenge for the Israeli invasion of Gaza. Their entire existence has been based on revenge, why would we think anything different?


Obama To Talk To Chavez?

Sounds like it. But as troubling as it is, it shouldn't come as any big surprise. He said he would do it, now he plans to do it. Consider it done.


Tax Cuts The Way To Go

Hey, I like tax cuts as much as anyone. But I just read this op-ed from the Dallas Morning News and not one word was said about cutting spending. They alluded to it, in a roundabout way. But otherwise, the words "spending cuts" were not used. Again, no surprise here. All Obama and Congress have done since the election is talk about how they need to spend, spend, spend. Common sense should dictate that you cannot continue to spend into oblivion and reach any measurable goal, for the long term. No one is listening, no one cares.

Oil Prices Putting Squeeze On Chavez

Demand is low, supply is up, prices are low. This is precisely why Obama shouldn't engage with Brother Hugo. He is quickly becoming irrelevant. As his oil revenues go down, so does his ability to influence. In fact, now that prices are low, all oil-producing states are in a crunch. Good job, America. Conserve and keep the demand low. And remember, never ever buy Citgo gas.


And finally, here's an interesting essay on the propaganda component in the Gaza situation.

HT on this one: The Moral Compass

News In Brief (And The Usual Opinionated Commentary)

Dow Continues To Drop

Stocks are mostly priced on speculation, with perceptions of the buyers as one of the driving forces. The prospect of an Obama presidency must not be setting well with speculators, right now. Not that the office of the President can single-handedly effect it, but confidence in the new economic policies can certainly stabilize things enough, at least for a period. But this doesn't appear to be happening right now.



Hillary Reportedly Still Weighing Sec'y Of State Opportunity

I am still having trouble believing she wants this. She surrenders an awful amount of autonomy, as a subordinate in an Obama cabinet. Senators answer to no one, except the people of the state they represent. (And even that is a joke, because the worst of them keep getting re-elected.)



Inauguration Could Break DC

At a time when the economy is not sound and costs of nearly everything have risen exponentially, one would think prudence would reign supreme. But apparently we must show the world how grand this occasion, by making a grandiose and histrionic statement. This says much, right here.

News In Brief (And The Usual Opinionated Commentary)

Sen. Boxer Accuses White House Of Climate Change Cover-Up

A leading U.S. Senate Democrat accused the Bush administration on Tuesday of a "cover-up" aimed at stopping the Environmental Protection Agency from tackling greenhouse emissions.

"This cover-up is being directed from the White House and the office of the vice president," said Sen. Barbara Boxer, the California Democrat who chairs the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

We've come a long way, baby. Before this, there were accusations about WH cover-ups on WMDs, the WTC attacks, and the Valerie Plame affair. Now we have this. But that's not the funny part to all of this. The irony here lies with the fact that Boxer is a member of an institution which is currently pulling in only a whopping 9% favorability rating, in a recent Rasmussen performance poll.

With the ironic part out of the way, we can feel free to consider the sad part of this tragic tale: Most of these clowns will be re-elected.


Iraq Insists On Time Tables For Withdrawal

Iraq's national security adviser said Tuesday his country will not accept any security deal with the United States unless it contains specific dates for the withdrawal of U.S.-led forces.

Assuming this bozo has any authority in this area, I say fine. If that is what they want, let them have it.

I wouldn't make the specifics public, but if they want time tables for withdrawal, I say give it to them. In fact, pull the damn troops out now for all I care. And when their country comes under siege from Iranian-backed insurgents, don't come crying to us. If Al Qaeda or other such outfits become emboldened and begin wreaking havoc on the Iraqi people and, killing their children again, they can solve the crisis themselves.

Personally, I am sick of helping people that do not appreciate it. Let them milk the EU for assistance, let them see how far that gets them. The US needs to start negotiating from a position of power, and that includes tactics like calling other nations' bluffs.


Obama To Give Acceptance Speech At Mile High Stadium

Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) will leave the hall of the Democratic National Convention in Denver and deliver a rock-star-style acceptance speech at nearby Invesco Field at Mile High, quadrupling his live audience, the party announced Monday.

The speech, in the stadium that is home of the Denver Broncos, will be on the fourth and final night of the convention, Aug. 28.

Adding to the historic resonance of the first nomination of an African-American for president, that date is the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream Speech.”

The move means additional expense for the television networks, where executives are having a conference call Monday to discuss the logistics of moving their cameras and anchors to the new location after months of planning for a finale in the smaller Pepsi Center, where the rest of the convention will be held.

Delusions of being the next JFK aside, Obama is now convinced that by showing 75,000 screaming fans he can further use the media to paint an exaggerated image of his support base. This is a base that may become more disenchanted with him for triangulating toward the center before the convention ends.

Will he pack the stadium? Probably. Will it win him the election? Maybe, maybe not. It's too early to tell right now.

The real question (come November) will be, can he articulate a coherent plan to implement the grandiose ideas he and his campaign have been fervently promoting throughout the campaign, thus far? So far he hasn't. And until he learns to take hard questions from not so enamored journalists, he will be nothing more than a straw man that the media has built. But unfortunately, this may be just enough to sway weak-minded individuals that cannot see through the rhetoric and empty words he uses, to mesmerize the dumb masses.

News In Brief (And The Usual Opinionated Commentary)

Here's how it went down, according to this BBC report.

For months it has been reported by Hugo Chavez that he was working hard to secure the release of these people. Notice how Chavez had nothing to do with any of this. Hard work and perseverance from Colombians and Americans got this job done.



It's the market, stupid.

With all of the buzz about the Fairness Doctrine, the reported $400 million deal that Rush Limbaugh just pulled down must really be rankling proponents of that bogus proposal. I do not listen to Rush, but great for him if someone is willing to pay that much to him. It shows he is generating some revenue, somewhere. Other than Ed Schultz's liberal show, none of the previous attempts could not generate the amount needed to ensure their longevity. So the liberals, in desperate moves to get their message, out must circumvent the market to force networks and stations to equalize things.

Put on a show that will generate listeners and they too can draw this kind of money.

News In Brief (And The Usual Opinionated Commentary)

Rezko Guilty On 16 Of 24 Counts

A prominent fundraiser for Sen. Barack Obama and Gov. Rod Blagojevich was convicted Wednesday of fraud and money laundering after a high-profile federal trial provided an unusually detailed glimpse of the pay-to-play politics that has made Illinois infamous.

"A prominent fundraiser for Sen. Barack Obama" means that he raised money for Obama. Why? Influence peddling, which is nothing new to those familiar with Chicago politics. It is one of the most corrupt systems in the nation.

It's crystal clear to me that Obama is not offering a new kind of politics, unless you count the change from the Washingtonian to Chicagoan. The only difference there is the spelling.


Al Qaeda Claims Pakistani Attack

At least six people were killed and 30 injured in the attack in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad.

The statement said the attack was to exact revenge over the reprinting of a cartoon depicting the Prophet Muhammad in Danish newspapers in February.

The naysayers will use this as a chance to deny that Al Qaeda has been severely weakened, as the vast majority of terrorism experts maintain. But when we consider this attack was confined locally and was relatively weaker than past attacks, we must see that AQ has been contained in a huge way. This does not mean they are completely destroyed (nor does it mean other groups are not hellbent on wreaking death and destruction), but their status as a worldwide entity has been crippled.


Marine Acquitted On Cover-Up Charge

A military jury acquitted a Marine intelligence officer yesterday of charges that he tried to help cover up the killings of 24 Iraqis.

Meanwhile, the Marines are still waiting on apologies from Murtha and Kerry.


Go LA!!

No, I am not cheering myself in shameless self promotion. Tonight is Game One in the renewal of the biggest rivalry in the history of the NBA, the Lakers vs. the Celtics. Chamberlain vs. Russell, West vs. Havlicek, and Johnson vs. Bird have been classic battles of the ages. Now, it's time for a new generation to pick up the gauntlet.

I am not the biggest NBA fan, since the punks and the thugs have permeated the culture. But both of these teams have a more mature veteran base. And although Boston has never been my favorite team due to this rivalry which dates back to my boyhood days as a Laker fan, they are better than many people think and I have always had respect for them.

The Lakers are favored, but I see them as evenly matched. It's anyone's series and it will go to the one that plays best on the court. Naturally, I hope it's LA and I am sure my friend Greg will disagree. But, we cannot agree on everything; now, can we?.

;)

News In Brief (And The Usual Opinionated Commentary)

Klaus Wants Debate With Gore.

Czech President Vaclav Klaus said Tuesday he is ready to debate Al Gore about global warming, as he presented the English version of his latest book that argues environmentalism poses a threat to basic human freedoms. "I many times tried to talk to have a public exchange of views with him, and he's not too much willing to make such a conversation," Klaus said. "So I'm ready to do it."

They should offer this on pay-per-view, I'd buy it. He's been offering for months now.

Al? Ball's in your court.


Wexler: McClellan Must Face Judiciary Committee

Gas is $4.00 a gallon and this bozo is still in the Bush lied, people died mode. And McClellan? Can't wait to hear why he defended for so long (if this stuff was going on).

But more than anything, we can thank old Scotty for giving Congress one more excuse to spend barrels of cash, while wasting valuable time on doing nothing. These people already spend more time investigating, than legislating, so what's a few more million dollars shot down the tube?


John Bolton Escapes Citizen's Arrest

Security guards blocked the path of columnist and activist George Monbiot, who tried to make the arrest as Mr Bolton left the stage.

Is it just me? Or does his name look like Moonbat, in French?


Michigan And Florida Cannot Be Seated

A Democratic Party rules committee has the authority to seat some delegates from Michigan and Florida but not fully restore the two states as Hillary Rodham Clinton wants, according to party lawyers.

Democratic National Committee rules require that the two states lose at least half of their convention delegates for holding elections too early, the party's legal experts wrote in a 38-page memo.

Well of course they can't be counted. When it hurts the Dems' anointed, votes can be suppressed and not counted. It's in the rules, silly.