Now Call Me Jaded

(Just don’t call me Shirley) but do you think that if this fine American exercising his 2nd Amendment Right

had been, say, oh, I don’t know, let’s be really hypothetical here and say…caucasian…that the CNN headline would have been different?

Man carries assault rifle to Obama protest — and it’s legal

PHOENIX, Arizona (CNN) — A man toting an assault rifle was among a dozen protesters carrying weapons while demonstrating outside President Obama’s speech to veterans on Monday, but no laws were broken. It was the second instance in recent days in which weapons have been seen near presidential events.
A man is shown legally carrying a rifle at a protest against President Obama on Monday in Phoenix, Arizona.

Video from the protest in Phoenix, Arizona, shows the man standing with other protesters, with the rifle slung over his right shoulder.

Phoenix police said authorities monitored about a dozen people carrying weapons while peacefully demonstrating.

“It was a group interested in exercising the right to bear arms,” police spokesman Sgt. Andy Hill said.

This Is The Central Scrutinizer

It is my responsibility to enforce all the laws that haven’t been passed yet. It is also my responsibility to alert each and every one of you to the potential consequences of various ordinary everyday activities you might be performing which could eventually lead to *The Death Penalty* (or affect your parents’ credit rating). Our criminal institutions are full of little creeps like you who do wrong things…and many of them were driven to these crimes by a horrible force called MUSIC!

Our studies have shown that this horrible force is so dangerous to society at large that laws are being drawn up at this very moment to stop it forever! Cruel and inhuman punishments are being carefully described in tiny paragraphs so they won’t conflict with the Constitution (which, itself, is being modified in order to accommodate THE FUTURE).

(written by Frank Zappa in 1979 when he saw us going down the road that has brought us to flag@whitehouse.gov)

Gwyneth Paltrow

…on chicken cooking.

Czary, Czary Night

Pay your traders what you may,
But look out on a summer’s day,
You might just lose your bonus in the whole.

Kenneth Feinberg, the Obama administration’s pay czar, said on Sunday he has broad and “binding” authority over executive compensation, including the ability to “claw back” money already paid, and he is weighing how and whether to use that power.

…Feinberg said he hasn’t looked at [Citigroup energy trader Andrew] Hall’s contract, which reports have said could pay him as much as $100 million this year.

“Whether I have jurisdiction to decide his compensation or not, we will take a look and decide over the next few weeks,” Feinberg said after speaking at a public forum in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, part of a newsmaker series hosted by the Martha’s Vineyard Times newspaper.

Note to Mr. Hall: Don’t “cash for clunkers” your old Lamborghini just yet.

Insurance Co-ops?

As the Administration stages a tactical retreat

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama is willing to embrace insurance cooperatives over a government-run plan as the White House faces mounting opposition to its broad overhaul of the nation’s health care system.

Bowing to Republican pressure and offering political cover to fiscally conservative Democrats, Obama’s administration signaled on Sunday that it is ready to abandon the idea of giving Americans the option of government-run insurance. The shift leaves open a chance for compromise with Republicans that probably would enrage Obama’s liberal supporters but could deliver a much-needed victory on a top domestic priority.

Officials from both political parties are looking for concessions while Congress is on an August recess. Facing tough audiences, lawmakers and the White House are looking for a way to cover the nation’s almost 50 million uninsured while maintaining political standing.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said that a government alternative to private health insurance is “not the essential element” of the administration’s health care overhaul. The White House would be open to co-ops, she said, a sign that Democrats want a compromise so they can declare a victory.

Under a proposal by Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., consumer-owned nonprofit cooperatives would sell insurance in competition with private industry, not unlike the way electric and agriculture co-ops operate, especially in rural states such as his own.

With $3 billion to $4 billion in initial support from the government, the co-ops would operate under a national structure with state affiliates, but independent of the government. They would be required to maintain the type of financial reserves that private companies are required to keep in case of unexpectedly high claims.

Now I love how the first thing they mention is “Republican pressure.” Again, unless my math is mistaken, the Democrats have majorities in both houses so the Republicans have no pressure to exert; this is a sop to try and bring in the sensible Democrats who are objecting to this crap sandwich.

Now, is it me or does it seem like this idea sound a lot like Congress trying to do to/for the insurance industry what they did with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for the mortgage industry?

And we know how well that turned out.

major dad Pointed This Out to Me Just Now

Here’s the picture with the caption as it appears in today’s NYT:

Sgt. Theresa Lynn Flannery during an attack in April 2004 near Najaf, Iraq.

Schmaybe it’s just us, but the guys behind her don’t look all that concerned. Matter of fact they look downright complacent ~ chillin’ with their water bottles and corn nuts. Probably could have come up with a better, less dramatic line describing the scene. But the article’s good, for the most part.

Happy Birthday, Bangla-cola!!!

She doesn’t look bad for 4 and a half centuries. We’ll be downtown all day for the party.

MADOFF Had

…a MISTRESS!??!?!

Now that she has no visible means of support, it’s book time!!

Hadassah, the Jewish volunteer organization, knew it had invested $40 million with Bernard L. Madoff by the late 1990s. It also knew it had taken more than $130 million from its Madoff accounts and still had millions on the books when the vast Ponzi scheme was revealed in December.

What the charity says it did not know, however, was that Sheryl Weinstein, its chief financial officer when it made those investments, was having an affair with Mr. Madoff.

I Am Sure It Sucks to Be the Secret Service Right About Now

And, really. When you’ve got Gramma (wearing her newest, prettiest fluffy kitty t-shirt) screaming in your face, it means what the guy at the top is trying to do is not popular.

That bolsters the normal things folks despise presidents for, not to mention the garden variety whackjobs who spend their lives despising pretty much everyone. And then there’s the Hinckleys and the Frommes, who noone could see coming. The Secret Service has a lot on their hands, no doubt.

But you know what worries me ~ considering the current Precedent’s own rhetoric and that of his toadies ~ about this headline?

Obama’s Safety: Fear Grows for President as Hate Groups Thrive on Racial Backlash

These stories are appearing more and more, as if some sort of groundwork is being laid. What worries me is the definition of “hate group”. Per the viciousness our Precedent and his party in Congress are displaying toward the normally malleable, average American citizen, who now has the temerity to forcefully question Obama’s wisdom/intent/veracity, I find myself wondering if the definition has morphed to include… us?

And if, in typical Obama/Axelrod/Emanuel/liberalprotestispatriotic fashion, we won’t find out until it’s too late.

I really can see a bewildered fellow, being zipstripped by security, asking,

“What do you mean, ‘HATE‘?!?! All I did was ask a question!”

Being answered with,

“You refused to use your inside voice, sir.”

…right before they haul him off for a seat at the Hate Crimes Czar Bar.

There’s a difference between harangue and hate, pissed and potentially lethal, being mad and being malevolent. The former rights should never be confused or conjoined with the latter evils to suit an agenda, but this administration seems to willfully blur the distinction, encouraging all manner of vitriol in return. They’re classless (and not in the “we’re all brothers” way). And scary.

Here’s Some Exclusive Video of Obamacare

Inspired by this post at HotAir where they note this bit of rhetoric by the Greatest Smartest Speaker Ever

Now, when we pass health insurance reform, insurance companies will no longer be able to place some arbitrary cap on the amount of coverage you can receive in a given year or a lifetime. And we will place a limit on how much you can be charged for out-of-pocket expenses, because no one in America should go broke because they get sick. (Applause.)
And finally — this is important — we will require insurance companies to cover routine checkups and preventive care, like mammograms and colonoscopies — (applause) — because there’s no reason we shouldn’t be catching diseases like breast cancer and prostate cancer on the front end. That makes sense, it saves lives; it also saves money — and we need to save money in this health care system.

Now we all know how many prostate cancers are found by colonoscopies…but leave it to Barry to try and “catch something on the front end” by sticking his big ‘ol Government Paw up your rear end

Boot Them All

We need to remember things like this next fall

Hypocrisy: Rep. Gene Green has voted against bills that require people to present a photo ID before they vote. But don’t show up at one of his public gatherings without a driver’s license. You won’t get in.

On his Web site, Green, a Democrat who represents working-class Houstonians, says that “due to a coordinated effort to disrupt our town hall meetings, we will be restricting further attendance to residents of the 29th congressional district and verifying residency by requiring photo identification.”

Green’s position isn’t wholly unreasonable, particularly when crowds are too big for the venues in which meetings are held. In that case, constituents should be given priority. But by requiring attendees to produce a photo ID, he has exposed himself as inconsistent at best and hypocritical at worst.

Thanks to Tom Blumer, from whose Newsbusters.org blog we learned about Green’s plan, we know that in 2005 and 2006 the congressman opposed legislation requiring voters to show photo identification at the polls.

Now, what’s more important to the current and future health of our republic? Trying to hold clean elections or excluding “outsiders” from public meetings?

We need to vote out all of these people.

It’s our only hope.

Just Horrible

The controller was on the phone with his girlfriend

WASHINGTON – The air traffic controller at Teterboro Airport was on the phone with his girlfriend during the mid-air collision over the Hudson River.

His supervisor had wandered off and wasn’t even in the tower.

Horrified officials called their actions “unacceptable,” even though they were not blamed for Saturday’s crash.

Both controllers – who were not immediately identified – have been suspended and will likely be fired.

There’s also a link to an actual video of the collision…which to my untrained eye sure looks like the pilot of the plane should have been able to see and avoid. Sure, he’s flying a low-wing aircraft, which severely restricts your view at things that may be coming up from below, but he should have known that and taken extra precautions to look ahead and below when he could to foresee any potential incidents.

Just horrible.

My, This Sounds Yummy

Cart food in NY, kids.

I Have to Say

…I agree wholeheartedly.

…Michael “I Kill Dogs Cause It’s Hilarious” Vick was in Chicago today speaking at a Humane Society event about the unethical treatment of animals.

I’m sad for the good-hearted people who participate in these events because they actually care for the cause. Along comes this punk bitch who is only taking part because it’s part of his probation, and they’re supposed to buy that he means it cause he has seen the light and is now advocating for animal welfare?

Please! Gimme a LARGE f-cking break. Make the guy volunteer at a homeless shelter, clean some parks, or show kids how to throw a football (even though he can only run it). At least that would be half-believable as a sincere effort to pay his dues to society. But this? Next they’ll be sending paroled pedophiles to serve ice cream at kiddie pools so they can show they’re rehabilitated.

There isn’t much in this world you can do to keep these assholes from reclaiming their gazillion dollar salaries once the prison doors open, be they dog killers, wife beaters, just plain vicious thugs…any of which would make you or me putting food on the table a challenge for the rest of our lives.

I don’t care how long it takes him to land a gig, because I know he WILL land a gig. And when he does, I’ll fire off my pissed little letter to the GM for what it’s worth.

Politicians and play-yahs got different rules, baby.

UPDATE: Well, that answers that.

Michael Vick Lands Job With Philadelphia Eagles

Knock-Knock…Who’s There?

This is your brain on drugs

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — A man suspected of appearing nude at homes and ringing doorbells is being held on $60,000 bail after pleading not guilty to a series of charges.

Peter Allen Steele, who is 6 feet 7 inches tall and weighs 250 pounds, entered his not guilty pleas Tuesday after being charged with seven counts, including driving under the influence, evading a peace officer, indecent exposure and entering a house without permission.

I’m shocked this occurred in California.

The Stimulus Plan Sets A New Record

…for foreclosures

NEW YORK (Reuters) – U.S. home loans failed at a record pace in July despite ongoing federal and state programs to avoid foreclosures, which have severely strained housing and the economy.

Foreclosure activity jumped 7 percent in July from June and 32 percent from a year earlier as one in every 355 households with a loan got a foreclosure filing, RealtyTrac said on Thursday.

Has there been a single thing, just one, that The One and his Smartest Team Evuh have gotten right?

I See Dead People

…so I can relate.

…And there are sea monsters in Lake Michigan.

I can feel them when I’m boating.

Oh! And, Hey Swillers! Take a Note

No longer will we be referring to the ObamaCare debate as “health reform”, “OgabeCare” or “death boards”. The White House (Linda Douglass wrote me personally) (did not) wants us to use the non-fishy, gender-neutral, pick-a-bad-guy “HEALTH INSURANCE REFORM” instead. Got that?

“HEALTH INSURANCE REFORM”

For like, you know, when we don’t have any anymore. There. I have discharged my duty.

Now, there’s a piece over at HotAir (“Obama would rather risk America coming apart than not get his way“) that brings me to my second point. Anyone up for the latest rumor out of the bayous of Mississippi? Okay, here goes: Those trailer parks FEMA’s been building and securing “in case of emergency”?
Actually detention centers, a la the Japanese internment camps, for when we all lose our collective cool.

Whoa-sers.
Considering everything raging about our heads anymore, even the most outrageous bullshit carries a whiff of credence for the split second before reason sets in. Earnest in his delivery, all I could think was, “If CAJUNS are coming up with this stuff all by their lazy faire loneselves, I cannot imagine what the professional whackjob tinfoil hat boys are thinking.” I mean, JEEZ. (Nor do I want to.)

And I CAN’T believe this tool of a Precedent has folks country-wide at this point after only 6 months. SIX MONTHS! I guess he can claim he really has “brought the country together”, but daggum.

That used to mean everyone had a Coke.

As The Song Goes…

It was twenty years ago today…

I love you more and more, my sweet Bride!

Quote of the Day

…”I’m not going to complain about being organized. They have a right to speak,” he said, “but I think we have to explain…

…they’re not necessarily representative of America.

It’s great to be an Ivory Tower kinda guy.

Wonderful. ObamaCare Doctors

…could well be educated thanks to the color of their skin, vice the amount of functioning grey matter in their skulls.

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights says some little-noticed provisions in the House health care bill are racially discriminatory, and it intends to ask President Obama and Congress to rewrite sections that factor in race when awarding billions in contracts, scholarships and grants.

…In a draft of a letter the commission approved Friday, the group raises constitutional questions about giving preferential treatment to minority students for scholarships, and about favoring medical schools and organizations that have a record of sending graduates to areas with inadequate health care services.

“These programs are unlikely to reduce health care disparities among racial and ethic groups,” according to the draft letter obtained by The Washington Times. “A growing body of evidence indicates that increasing access to high-quality physicians – whatever their racial or ethnic ancestry – is the best way to mitigate such disparities.”

Thanks to Gabriel over at Ace’s.

Well, I think “thanks”. Some things I’d rather not know, you know?

I Am Watching the Precedent’s Town Hall at This Moment

Or:

How Sister Suffers for Her Swillers

The first question is a pandering softball of epic proportions, not to mention all the adoring cheers, etc., while he was spewing the party line. Now, CNBC says they were told by the WH that all the tickets went out to whomever.

All signs point to: NOT.

So, I’m not thinking a legit forum, being the fishy un-American contrarian I am. Being ever hopeful, I’m waiting for the audience to change that initial impression.

But I’m not sure I can handle any more, since the second question is as sickening as the first.

Dear God: An adorable 9 year old asks about all the signs she sees outside and why are people soooooooooooo against healthcare for e’vrybody…and the man’s a sputtering fool trying to answer. Are there no heros in the audience????

Fox just cut out and said “For our audience, if you want to continue to watch him…”

I don’t. They sanitized this, since many tickets were apparently given out “via Congress people”. Pulled in Stepford wives and the Children of the Corn (Tucker Carlson says, “There’s no WAY that this isn’t a screened audience!”). I can tell you from here at work, we viewers can be classified as a SCREAMED audience.

The Party of Empathy, Apology and Wise Latinas

…has gotten all crankypants lately.

…Democrats from the cosseted life in the House and Senate, accustomed to getting the deference at home so often denied in Washington, are suddenly having to deal with inconvenient old folks at home. President Obama insists that the War on Terror is over, ended by his ultimate weapon, the Apology Bomb. But to listen to delicate congressmen whose feelings are hurt, al Qaeda has merely moved terror operations to their congressional districts.

Darned if they all aren’t just downright rude sometimes.

…Sen. Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas calls the dissenters “un-American.”
…Rep. David Scott…scolded everyone with a hysterical screed about the “hijacking” of his meeting.

…Rep. Steve Cohen treated his Memphis constituents with similar contempt: “Take two aspirin and come back in the morning.”

Etc., ad nauseum. I expect that little regard out of, like, a Navy doctor if I’m a LCPL, but certainly NOT out of someone who WORKS for ME.

I hope folks are seriously thinking about hiring someone …

…after this love fest twixt voter and constituent plays out.

Now The Chess Game Begins

With these naive fools as the pawns

TEHRAN (Reuters) – A leading Iranian lawmaker said on Monday the illegal entry of three detained U.S. citizens into the country may have been related to unrest that erupted after Iran’s June presidential election.

Iran detained the three Americans more than a week ago after they strayed across the border from Iraq, according to Iraqi officials.

“Their illegal entry cannot be altogether unrelated to the post-election unrest … What mission were the three pursuing in Iran? Why did not they apply for Iran visas?” said Mohammad Karamirad, a member of parliament’s Foreign Affairs and National Security Committee, the official IRNA news agency reported.

“In the most optimistic scenario, we think that the three had plans to interfere in Iran’s internal affairs,” Karamirad said.

That’s rather chilling, isn’t it?

Somehow I think it’s going to take more than a visit from Slick Willy to get these folks free.

My New Favorite Bumper Sticker

Daughter and I drove down the Shore on Saturday to visit an old college friend of mine, and we had the distinct pleasure of being stuck in traffic for 30 minutes or so from mile 80 down to mile 65 behind an SUV that had the following stickers on it:

1) a USMC sticker
2) an NRA sticker
and 3) a sticker that said “Stop Global Whining”

Of course, I instantly gave her my blessing to marry any of the occupants of said vehicle.