World Jewish Congress Open Letter to President Obama

This letter will appear in both The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post today.  I don't think they are happy. 

Dear President Obama:



I write today as a proud American and a proud Jew.


Jews around the world are concerned today. We are concerned about the nuclear ambitions of an Iranian regime that brags about its genocidal intentions against Israel. We are concerned that the Jewish state is being isolated and delegitimized.


Mr. President, we are concerned about the dramatic deterioration of diplomatic relations between the United States and Israel.


The Israeli housing bureaucracy made a poorly timed announcement and your Administration branded it an “insult.” This diplomatic faux pas was over the fourth stage of a seven stage planning permission process – a plan to build homes years from now in a Jewish area of Jerusalem that under any peace agreement would remain an integral part of Israel.


Our concern grows to alarm as we consider some disturbing questions. Why does the thrust of this Administration’s Middle East rhetoric seem to blame Israel for the lack of movement on peace talks? After all, it is the Palestinians, not Israel, who refuse to negotiate.


Israel has made unprecedented concessions. It has enacted the most far reaching West Bank settlement moratorium in Israeli history.


Israel has publicly declared support for a two-state solution. Conversely, many Palestinians continue their refusal to even acknowledge Israel’s right to exist.


The conflict’s root cause has always been the Palestinian refusal to accept Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people. Every American President who has tried to broker a peace agreement has collided with that Palestinian intransigence, sooner or later. Recall President Clinton’s anguish when his peace proposals were bluntly rejected by the Palestinians in 2000. Settlements were not the key issue then. They are not the key issue now.


Another important question is this: what is the Administration’s position on Israel’s borders in any final status agreement? Ambiguity on this matter has provoked a wave of rumors and anxiety. Can it be true that America is no longer committed to a final status agreement that provides defensible borders for Israel? Is a new course being charted that would leave Israel with the indefensible borders that invited invasion prior to 1967?


There are significant moves from the Palestinian side to use those indefensible borders as the basis for a future unilateral declaration of independence. How would the United States respond to such a reckless course of action?


And what are America’s strategic ambitions in the broader Middle East? The Administration’s desire to improve relations with the Muslim world is well known. But is friction with Israel part of this new strategy? Is it assumed worsening relations with Israel can improve relations with Muslims? History is clear on the matter: appeasement does not work. It can achieve the opposite of what is intended.


And what about the most dangerous player in the region? Shouldn’t the United States remain focused on the single biggest threat that confronts the world today? That threat is a nuclear armed Iran. Israel is not only America’s closest ally in the Middle East, it is the one most committed to this Administration’s declared aim of ensuring Iran does not get nuclear weapons.


Mr. President, we embrace your sincerity in your quest to seek a lasting peace. But we urge you to take into consideration the concerns expressed above. Our great country and the tiny State of Israel have long shared the core values of freedom and democracy. It is a bond much treasured by the Jewish people. In that spirit I submit, most respectfully, that it is time to end our public feud with Israel and to confront the real challenges that we face together.


Yours sincerely,


Ronald S. Lauder


President


World Jewish Congress

Profile in Courage - Morgan Freeman on Racism

Things that make you say hmm - Income Tax Edition

Fiscal year 2008 7.75 billion hours spent filling out tax forms

$31.5 billion spent on tax software, photo copies, accounting services and other tax related services

For the fiscal year 2009, 1909 forms listed on IRS.Gov

$159.4 billion - the amount that corporations spent on tax compliance in 2008

24,000 - The amount of pages needed for General Electric to file its 2008 tax return

In 2009 45 countries streamlined or lowered coporate tax rates.  The U.S. was not among them

In 2009 it is estimated that 47% of U.S. households will pay no federal income tax

The top 5% of taxpayers contribute 60% of revenue

The top 10% of taxpayers contribute 75% of all revenue

Hmm, if this doesn't make someone to take a serious look at the flat tax I don't know what will. 

Also, Mr. President, exactly how is it that the "rich" are not paying their fair share? 

The Free Market System Cannot Sustain Itself - Caller to Mark Levin

Obama's Bowing Fetish

Yet again, President Obama bows to another world leader. While I understand that bowing is customary in the Chinese culture, he isn't Chinese. At least not yet anyway, with all the money we owe the Chinese, it may be just a matter of time.

I found this cartoon a while back, and he gave me the reason to use it. 

What The SEIU Really Thinks of It's Membership

This is the executive vice president of the SEIU talking about his membership.  This was done in public, it makes one wonder what he says about them in private. 

And they call Beck a hate monger. 

The video seems to skip a little bit, sorry about that.

And why is amnesty so important?  The below video will clear that right up.

Martin on the Confederacy - Southern Soldiers, al Qaeda, and Terrorists

Roland Martin of CNN denounced the proclamation from Virginia’s Governor Bob McDonnell making April Confederate History Month. Martin has decided that confederate soldiers were no better than al Qaeda terrorists. In order to do this one must make the leap that the civil war was only about Slavery; and it was not. There were many other factors that caused the civil war in this country.



Some of those factors include state rights as well as economic factors. The reality is that fewer than 5% of people in the south owned slaves. The other 95% of the south didn’t go to war to protect that 5%. Slavery was a despicable practice and no one is trying to defend it, but it is part of our history. Virginia has a great deal to offer to people who are history buffs. I actually live relatively close to one of the civil war battlefields, Bull Run. This particular battle was a real turning point in the war and as such drives a great deal of tourism for Northern Virginia. It also serves as a reminder of what could happen if we allow ourselves to be so divided.


One of the problems that we have in this country today is an effort to rewrite our history. We fought a civil war almost 150 years ago; slavery was part of the reason that we fought that war. But, it was not the only reason. Roland Martin can try a turn this into a racial argument all that he wants to, but it still will not make it so.

“As a matter of conscience, I will not justify, understand or accept the atrocious view of Muslim terrorists who view their actions as representing a just war. They are reprehensible, and their actions are a sin against humanity.”

“And I will never, under any circumstances, cast Confederates as heroic figures who should be honored and revered. No, they have been, and forever will be, domestic terrorists.”

There was an initial dust up with the proclamation because it didn’t mention slavery at all, then McDonnell made yet another mistake by saying that he was focusing on the issues that were important to Virginia, saying that slavery wasn’t important to Virginia. But, that being said, it still doesn’t excuse the mentality that Martin is portraying. We have a history, and not all of it is good.


It is time that we have the difficult conversations and study the history for what it is. The war was fought for a variety of reasons, not all of them had to do with racism or slavery. We cannot white wash our history for future generations. Teach them every side and allow the facts to guide the determination of what happened. By acting like the confederacy didn’t exist is nothing more than the liberal elitists turning our history into something that it is not.  The south has a very rich history, the confederacy, slavery, and the civil war are only small parts of that history; there is nothing wrong with celebrating and examining that history without resorting to calling southerners terrorists. 

She's Baaack, Tina Fey on Palin

Tina Fey made her Saturday Night Live return to parody insult Governor Palin last night.  I personally don't see the point of doing this now.  I will admit some of this funny, but ultimately, it is not necessary. 

I LOVE THIS MAN - Herman Cain at SRLC

I wish this man would run for office. 

Finding Our Way Back to Limited, Constitutional Government

An interesting conversation about the tea party and the constitution.  Bill Kristol and Liz Cheney get it.  This is a big part of the tea party movement.  Limited government is how this country was founded and we have gotten so far away from this, the Founding Fathers would be ashamed of what we have become. 

Could This Be Our Next President? - Mike Pence at SRLC

I saw Mike Pence give an amazing speech at CPAC.  While I was watching him speak all I could think it was a coming out speech for a run for the nomination in 12.  I don't feel all that differently with this one.  I will admit that I don't know a great deal about his voting record, but I do like watching him speak. 

12 is a long way off yet, but we need to get as many good candidates out there that we can.  I think him throwing his hat into the ring will make the candidates better.

Give a Girl a Hand - Help Re-elect Michele Bachmann

I had heard some rumors a few months back that Nancy Pelosi was bound and determined to see Michele Bachmann lose her re-election bid.  Turns out that rumors are true.  The DCCC spent more than $100,000 last week on ads in the Minneapolis market.  This market is in the top 20 in the country which makes it very expensive to advertise.  The congresswoman is going to need millions in order to stay competitive in this race. 

With all that is going on with the RNC right now, I think giving directly to candidates is the way to go.  If you want to keep a very strong conservative voice in the house and have a few extra dollars, she will need all that she can get.  You can donate here. 

Here is reminder of why she is wonderful

A Little Comuppance for David Letterman - Chris Rock Gives Dave Some of his Own Medicine

I thought this was pretty funny.  He made Dave very uncomfortable, now maybe he will realize that getting picked on for your mistakes is not such a pleasant experience. 

Alan Grayson - A Class Act Through and Through Interrupting Dinner and Republican Meetings

Congressman Grayson barged into a meeting that local republicans were having at a family restaurant.  He is under the impression that the republicans put a spy into an Organizing for America meeting.  How proud his district must be.

For some reason some of this video is sideways.

The Attacks on Glen Beck Continue

I ran across a website today, Stopbeck.com, the sole purpose is get Beck off the airwaves.  The comments on the page are pretty funny:

God Bless you for your efforts and I would say that the early withdrawals of sponsors is look like a wise decision. The hate mongering in the media is just out of hand and while the media continues this trend I am glad that some corporations have the conscience of the bottom line with values. All is not lost but the escalation of violence is directly proportionate to the media prompting. How the TEA party is perceived as a grass roots organization is only because the media teaches that. No organization assembles that fast nationally without a national conscience. The TEAs are not a ‘happening’. They walk around acting like republicans but they are only extremist conservatives, the far end of the spectrum being totalitarian in their behavior. If they start national riots for their new nationalism ideology, it will be a disaster we do not need. The hate media has to stop.

“THANK YOU FOR STARTING THIS PAGE”!! THIS MAN HAS TAKEN THE F AND S OUT OF FREE SPEECH!! HIS BRAIN IS WHAT ITS LIKE AFTER YOU’VE DRANK YOURSELF TO NEAR DEATH!!

Glenn Beck is a modern DAVID DUKE – watch the History channel special KU KLUX KLAN a secret history and it becomes clear that BECK is Speaking for the KKK the message is almost the same

I applaud the sponsors who have withdrawn their support from that hate crime of a man.

As far as the comment by “cj laughing”… this has little to do with Obama vs. Bush. This has to do with a complete whack job promoting hate over our airways. And yes, I do choose not to watch Fox. I wouldn’t tune into that low life programming for anything. Glen Beck is a liar. He is a racist. He is sexist. He is anti-semitic. He is the reason we need hate crime laws on the books. People who enjoy his show or relate to his show should really take a deep look in the mirror to see what a hateful person looks like.

Sniffle, sniffle…. it’s just that… sniffle… I love my country so much…. sniff, sniff… what an unbalanced (I’m talking mentally now) loser.

Hmm, the below picture was taken at an anti-war rally a couple of weeks ago.  I am going to go out on a limb here and say that this guy who wrote this doesn't watch Beck.

Here is my personal favorite:

Thank you. I appreciate the hard work you do. Propagating hate and calling it news is unacceptable and harmful to everyone. I’m glad someone is doing something to stop it.

And to Scott Evans- “with absolutely nothing to back it up”…really? Have you looked at this site? There are new examples of the harm Glenn Beck is doing every day. I hope you are right and the America we currently know will be gone- maybe when I open my eyes there will be a more loving, inclusive, and intellectual America than there is right

Kumbaya my lord, Kumbaya.  Kumbaya my lord, Kumbaya.  Dear Sweet Lord, Kumbaya.   Hey send me your address, I send you a check to help you move to some other country.  I mean why would you continue to live with a bunch of stupid and unfeeling people that us Americans are?

It's Official, Justice Stevens to Retire

Justice Stevens made it official, he wil be retiring from the court this summer.  Although Stevens was put on the court by a republican president, he is one of the most liberal members of the court.  For me, this isn't something that I am not going to get my knickers in knot over.  It is going to be a wash.  Of course, I need to leave that door open because who knows who he may come up with. 

President Obama no longer has 60 votes in the senate and has used up a great deal of capital with healthcare, so one would think he will put someone that will be relatively easy to confirm.  But, this is President Obama we are talking about, so I think that is unlikely.  It is going to be an interesting summer. 

Principles and Consequences - Stupak to Retire

Bart Stupak is due to officially announce his retirement from Congress.  On one hand Stupak never made any bones about the fact that he wanted to get healthcare passed; yet he kept saying that he wouldn't bend on his principles on the right to life.  But he did.  He sold out his own stated principles.  He knows that an executive order doesn't trump law.  If he doesn't know that, he certainly doesn't belong in the body that writes the laws. 

Reportedly, the White House reached out to Stupak to try and get him to stay in the race for re-election.  But, he was fighting an uphill battle, as the tea party and the pro-life movements in this country have already spent a half million dollars in his district on television advertising since his vote.  He is expected to say that he wants to spend more time for his family.  My advice to Stupak is he should really spend some time looking for his lost principles. 

Looks Like Tea Partiers Will Have Some Company Next Week

The numbers on their board is really quite pathetic, but I thought I would share it anyway. 

And I Am Called a Radical - Anti War Protest in Washington, DC

My only question is if they hate this country as much as they seem to, why don't they leave?  I bet conservatives could raise enough money to get them plane tickets to some place much more enlightened, say Sweden.  They can go live in Malmo, there must be room since many of the Jews have been forced out.

Funniest Line of the Day - Ali Bin Fajad al-Hajari Edition

The Ambassador to the Qatar Embassy in Washington, DC released a statement today about his third secretary and vice consul, Mohammed al-Modadi, 27, who made a joke about setting his shoe on fire after illegally smoking in the bathroom. 

"He was certainly not engaged in any threatening activity," the ambassador said. "The facts will reveal that this was a mistake, and we urge all concerned parties to avoid reckless judgments or speculation."

Nike, Tiger and The Use of a Dead Man Words - Earl Woods Scolds Son from the Grave

I am not too sure what to think about this. 

The New York Times Insincere Outrage - The Catholic Church and The ACLU

During Holy Week the Catholic Church was put under attack by The New York Times. The timing of the reporting seems more than a little dubious to me. Now, I am not Catholic, so I have no dog in this fight.


I will concede that the church was unwilling to deal with pedophiles priests that they had in their midst. There needs to be a price to pay for that unwillingness. In many ways that price has been paid in very large settlements with victims. Another price was the bad press and the difficulty of making up the ground they lost with some of the faithful.

My question is where is the Times' outrage at the ACLU. Obviously they rightly feel that people who molest young children should be called out and pay a price; they also feel anyone who helps cover it up should also pay a price. The ACLU has been very vigorous in their protection of North American Man Boy Love Association (NAMBLA). NAMBLA gives advice on how to lure children to older men who are looking to have sex with young boys. They also give advice on vacation spots around the world where Man/Boy sex is easy to find and very little chance of getting arrested. Shouldn't the Times' be just as outraged at this? The ACLU also has done work with people who appear on registered sex offenders lists, saying that their civil rights are being violated with all the rules about where they can live. Doesn't this help those offenders to continue with their sick obsession with having sex with unwilling underage participants?

So why is the Times outraged at the church but not the ACLU? One could easily conclude that it is because they are Christians.

Ariannna Gets a Smackdown

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Arianna Huffington got a smackdown when she appeared on the Joe Scarborough today.  She went after Rudy Giuliani for basically no reason, and she was called on it.  It is quite enjoyable to watch.

The Continued Delusion of Harry Reid

Harry Reid appeared On The Record last night.  At one point he said that his poll numbers are just fine:

They show former state GOP chairwoman Sue Lowden whacking Reid, 54 to 39; former state Assemblywoman Sharron Angle has boosted her lead and now beats Reid, 51 to 40, in a hypothetical race; while businessman Danny Tarkanian beats Reid, 49 to 42.

His disapproval levels in Nevada has increased 5% over the past month, and is now at 53%.  49% of Nevadans feel closer to the Tea Party Movement than to Congress.  President Obama has 58% disapproval rating although he won the state with 55%.  62% feel that incumbents losing will be a good thing for the country. 

During the latter part of the interview Harry then went into a discussion about the healthcare bill; saying that now that it has passed people are very happy with it.  Really?  62% of Nevadans back the repeal of the law. 

During the interview, he defends Ben Nelson's Cornhusker Kickback, then berates him for not sticking up for it.  In Harry's opinion, he should have been shouting it from the rooftops.  That is what he would have done. 

He was also asked if he was worried about the people scamming the healthcare system by purchasing insurance only when they get sick, and paying the fine the rest of the time.  Oh, no that won't happen.  Why would people do that?  After all it is not happening in MA under Romneycare. 

“These consumers come in and get their service, and then they leave because current regulations allow them to do it,’’ said Todd Bailey, vice president of underwriting at Fallon Community Health Plan, the state’s fourth-largest insurer. 


I almost feel sorry for him.  On second thought, not so much.

Source: Los Angeles Times

See more at Memeorandum

Duke Wins the Big Dance -

Duke wins the NCAA basketball championship tonight in Indianapolis.  61-59

Congrats to Duke. 

Butler has nothing to hang their heads about.  They played great game, just came up a little short. 

Bowing To Tehran - Ben Stein

Bowing to Tehran

By Ben Stein

There are words for national leaders who attempt to appease their enemies while at the same time shaming and humiliating their friends. One of the kindest of the words is "naive."

This comes to mind because of President Obama's recent overtures to the terrorist state of Iran, while shaming Israel.

In recent months and days, President Obama has, once again, reached out a supplicating hand to The Islamic Republic of Iran, only to be met by mockery, sarcasm, and rebuff. He has also agreed to only the most modest of sanctions against the Tehran regime to induce it to abandon its nuclear weapons program -- a program which Tehran's Ahmadinejad has said he will not abandon no matter what the rest of the world does.

These love notes go out to a nation that has brutally repressed its own people, is training our vicious Taliban enemies in Afghanistan, has long been aiding factions killing Americans in Iraq…the same nation that killed 244 American Marines and other fighting men in the Beirut bombing of 1983 and seized the U.S. Embassy and kept our Foreign Service personnel hostage there for over 400 days.

These roses are going out to a nation which has shown absolutely zero interest in making peace with the United States.

At the same time, Mr. Obama has done all he could to humiliate Benjamin Netanyahu, Premier of Israel, because Israel wants to build 1600 apartments for its citizens in Jerusalem. This is in Jerusalem, Israel's capital. Not a settlement. The capital of a sovereign state.

The humiliation included personal insults and slights to Mr. Netanyahu, who had flown to Washington to plead with Mr. Obama to understand why Israel is doing what it's doing. Just by the way, I do not see Ahmadinejad flying to D.C. to speak to Mr. Obama at all. In a nutshell, Barack Obama is more concerned about Jews building homes in Jerusalem than about Iran building a nuclear weapon. This is almost unbelievable.

I guess the idea is that if the U.S. treats Israel badly, the Moslems and Arabs will like the U.S. better. Why don't we tell that to the Russians, who were Israel's sworn foe and against whom the Moslems fought desperately in Afghanistan -- with our help. Is Israel the reason Sunnis and Shiites kill each other in Iraq by drilling holes into each other with electric drills? Does President Obama really believe that making Israel give up building on a few acres in Jerusalem will change the mood of a terrorist state pledged to annihilate all of Israel -- and to do whatever it can to bring down "the Great Satan…" The United States of America?

Western nations have tried bowing down to aggressive dictatorships before. It was called appeasement in the 1930s and it led to World War II. There is absolutely no sign it will work any better this time. Dictators do not respect weakness. Israel knows it. Mr. Obama doesn't, but let's hope he will learn.

The American Spectator

Virginia Tax Day Tea Party

tax day tea party

Saturday, April 10, 2010, Time 1000 am
Location stafford Virginia stafford courthouse



Bristol Tea Party
Thursday, April 15, 2010, Time 11:00 AM
Location Bristol Virginia Cumberland Park Across from courthouse


Tax Day Tea Party
Thursday, April 15, 2010, Time 5:30-7:30
Location Harrisonburg Virginia Court Square

Tax Day Tea Party
Thursday, April 15, 2010, Time 5:30-7:30pm
Location Staunton Virginia Gypsy Hill Park Bandstand


2010 Tax Day Tea Party - Washington Monument
Thursday, April 15, 2010, Time 6:00 pm/9:30 pm
Location Washington, D.C. Virginia Washington Monument
Tax Day Rally
Thursday, April 15, 2010, Time 6:30 pm -8:00 pm
Location Richmond Virginia Kanawha Plaza


Tax Day Tea Party (Staunton VA)
Thursday, April 15, 2010, Time 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Location Staunton Virginia Gypsy Hill Park Bandstand


Tax Day Tea Party
Thursday, April 15, 2010, Time 5-8 PM
Location Richmond Virginia Kanawha Plaza


Tax Day Tea Party- We're Still STEAMED!
Thursday, April 15, 2010, Time 4:00 - 7:00 PM
Location Norfolk Virginia Town Point Park



Tax Day Tea Party
Thursday, April 15, 2010, Time 5:30 - 7:30
Location Roanoke Virginia Elmwood Park Amphitheater 

North Carolina Tax Day Tea Parties - Locations and Times

The following is a list of CONFIRMED Tea Party Tax Revolts planned within the state of North Carolina. Please note that we ONLY list events happening on April 15th, and they MUST have a location and contact information in order to be fully confirmed and listed here.

City: Asheville

When: April 15, 4:30pm – 7:00pm

Where: Sidewalk in front of Asheville City Hall and Buncombe County Courthouse

City: Boone

When: April 15, 4:00pm – 6:00pm

Where: Hardees’s parking lot across from the Holmes Convocation Center

City: Charlotte

When: April 15, 2:00pm – 4:00pm

Where: Lawn at City Hall, 600 E. Trade St.

City: Currituck

When: April 15, 11:30 am – 1:00pm

Where: Currituck Judicial Center

City: Davidson

When: April 15, 5:30pm – 7:30pm

Where: North Harbor Club, exit 30 on I-77

City: Eden

When: April 15, 5:30 p.m. until …

Where: The Boat Landing, Bethlehem Church Road

City: Edenton

When: April 15, 5:30pm – 6:30pm

Where: Edenton Courthouse Green, Court and Water Streets

City: Elizabeth City

When: April 15, 5:30pm – 7:30pm

Where: Sidewalk in front of Pasquotank County Courthouse, 206 E. Main Street

City: Fayetteville

When: April 15, 12:00 pm

Where: Liberty Point Resolves Marker, Corner of Bow and Person Streets

City: Franklin

When: April 15, 12:00pm – 1:00pm

Where: Town Gazebo in Downtown Franklin

City: Goldsboro

When: April 15, 12:00 Noon

Where: City Hall

City: Greensboro

When: April 15, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Where: Downtown Greensboro, Governmental Plaza

City: Greenville

When: April 15, 3:00 pm

Where: Town Commons

City: Hillsborough, Orange County

When: April 15, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Where: Grounds of the Historical Orange County Courthouse, 104 E. King St.

City: Jacksonville

When: April 15, 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Where: Gibson’s Parking Lot/Beside Doug’s Car Care – Bell Fork Rd

City: Lincolnton

When: April 15, 11:00 to 1:00

Where: Lincoln County Court House.

City: Mooresville

When: April 15, 4:30pm – 7:00pm

Where: Sidewalk near the Post Office on Williamson Rd.

City: Morehead City

When: April 15, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Where: Parkway Shopping Center (near Kmart)

City: Morganton

When: April 15, 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm

Where: Downtown at the Old Courthouse Grounds

City: New Bern

When: April 15, 6:00pm – 8:00pm

Where: County Administration Bldg. 406 Craven St (marching to Union Point Park)

City: Newton (Catawba County)

When: April 15, 12:00 Noon

Where: Catawba County Justice Center (Courthouse) in Newton, NC


City: Outer Banks – Kill Devil Hills/ Kitty Hawk

When: April 15, 12:00 10:00 am

Where: Wright Brothers Memorial

City: Raleigh

When: April 15, 6:30pm – 8:30pm

Where: NC State Capitol, East Side Wilmington Street

City: Roanoke Rapids

When: April 15, 5:00pm – 8:00pm

Where: Colliers Harley Davidson

City: Rockingham

When: April 15, 4:00pm – 9:00pm

Where: in front of the Post office in Rockingham located at 119 W Washington St

City: Rutherford

When: April 15, 5:00pm – 6:00pm

Where: Rutherford County Courthouse Lawn,229 N. Main Street

City: Smithfield

When: April 15, TBA

Where: TBA

City: Southern Pines

When: April 15, 4:00pm – 7:00pm

Where: Post Office, Broad Street

City: Sylva (County Seat for Jackson County)

When: April 15, Noon – 7:00 pm

Where: Downtown Sylva

City: Statesville

When: April 15, Noon – 4:00pm

Where: in front of the Statesville Civic Center

City: Waynesville (Haywood County)

When: April 15, 1:00pm – 6:00pm

Where: Haywood County Courthouse

City: Wilmington

When: April 15, 5:00pm – 7:00pm

Where: at the intersection of College and Oleander

City: Winston-Salem

When: April 15, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Where: Winston Park Square, Between 4th St & 2nd St, next to Sawtooth

In Remembrance - Dr. King

Yesterday marked 42 years since Dr. King was shot and killed in Memphis, TN. We lost a man who believed in standing up for what he believed in, no matter how hard or unpopular it may seem. We lost a man who believed that we should judge a person by who they are instead of what they look like or where they come from.



We need more people in the world like Dr. King.


May you rest peace, Martin

Not Everyone Loves a Clown - Ronald McDonald Must Go!!!

People on the left have found their next target; Ronald McDonald.  That's right, the happy, redheaded clown from McDonalds.  Apparently, it is time for him to go.  Now, is it just the restaurant clown that needs to go?  Because I am thinking that we need charitable clown to hang around.  Ronald helps families have a free place to stay while their ill children are getting life saving treatments at the best medical facilities around the country.  Don't we want to keep that guy? 

“For nearly 50 years, Ronald McDonald has hooked kids on unhealthy foods spurring a deadly epidemic of diet-related diseases,”   How exactly can Ronald McDonald be at fault, when we didn't have the obesity problems 5 decades ago that we have today? 

Oh, no!!!  He is comforting a child. 

“Ultimately the report makes the case that it’s time that McDonald’s stop directing fast food to kids. Really, Ronald deserves a break and so do we.” 

Stop This Clown!!  He is reading to children. 

“vulnerable to manipulations to marketing” and turns them on to junk food at an age when childhood obesity rates have soared"  So, wait are they saying that five year olds take their own money and walk over the local McD's on their own? 
 
“We think of Ronald McDonald as a deep-fried Joe Camel for 21st century"  Really?  Smoking and eating a Bic Mac are the same thing? 

This is yet one more example of some organization saying that we need protection.  We don't need to take responsibility mind you, because they are on the case.  You see parents that are stopping through the drive thru on the way home from work will no longer do so if Ronnie just goes away, they will all of sudden have more time or more money.  Simply ridiculous. 

Ok, I just want people to leave me alone!  If I want a Angus Burger on occassion that is my business.  Where else can I buy large iced tea for buck? 

What's next?  Are they going to go after Barney because he is a wee bit on the tubby side? 
 

Sunrise Service at the Lincoln Memorial

For more than 3 decades Pastor Amos Dodge has been performing a sunrise service at the Lincoln Memorial, regardless of weather.  Luckily this year it was a beautiful morning, unlike the past two years that were below freezing.  If you are ever in DC over Easter this is a must do.  The music is wonderful, the pastor is a moving speaker, and even he describes it as a politically incorrect service.  There are no equivocations about his beliefs.  So I try and make this every year.  The service was beautiful, especially singing Christ the Lord is Risen Today as the sun was coming up over the Capitol Building. It was a much larger crowd today than last year, that may have something to do with the fact that is was 30 degrees warmer. 

Blessed Easter to you and yours

Going Mainstream? - Democrats Joining the Tea Party

An article on CNN.com featured democrats that have now aligned themselves with the tea party.  The recent poll by CNN showed that 4% of tea party attendees are democrats.  If the amount of democrats joining the movement continues to grow, the mainstream media will have to change it's narrative about them being "racists", "wingnuts", and "extremists"; at least one would think. 

"I was a card-carrying member of the ACLU, and I probably did inhale in college,"

"carried things to an extreme."

"I think we've gone too far on the side of government doing too much," Ducket said. "The Democratic Party is wanting to take care of everyone, instead of helping everybody stand on their own two feet."


A small business owner in Grand Junction, Lewis described herself as a lifelong Democrat and called the president a "phenomenal speaker." She voted for him because she "believed in what he was saying: change."

But, Lewis added, "I should've listened a lot closer when he talked about 'spreading the wealth.' "
Asked how she feels about having voted for the president, Lewis said "I feel lied to, cheated and raped."

"She regrets voting for Barack Obama,"

"A lot of the things he says sound good, until you look at the consequences of what they will do on the long term."

most of his family voted for the president but now support the Tea Party

Some Americans who say they have been sympathetic to Democratic causes in the past -- some even voted for Democratic candidates -- are angry with President Obama and his party. They say they are now supporting the Tea Party


I personally know three tea partiers who voted for President Obama; a decision that they truly regret.  They identify themselves as democrats, but feel that the democratic party has left them, not they have left the party. 

CNN contacted the DNC, they declined to comment. 

This is troubling to the democrats in an election year that could very well sway the control of congress.  I personally believe that Republicans have a very long road to hoe when it comes to the Senate, but they could very well take back the House.  This will be even more likely if Obama/Reid/Pelosi continue the by hook or by crook ways that they used to pass healthcare.  When the president's staff came out and said that Americans don't pay much attention to process, I believe this is proof that indeed they do. 

The Other Side to Washington, DC - Cherry Blossom Festival 10

With all the negative feelings that DC has generated of late, you will be happy to know that there is another side.  This week is the annual Cherry Blossom Festival.  Yesterday, I went down in the afternoon and today I went down for nighttime hours. 

The district really is beautiful; especially at night.  While I will admit that living here makes you not all that jazzed about the tourists.  Especially the ones who drive; DC is a city that has very odd streets.  Some you can't use during certain hours and there are quite a few one way roads.  So, when you have people that already don't know where they are going dealing with this it tends to annoy the natives.  But, it is nice to see some money pumped into our local economy. 

You really lose something with photos.  When you see these trees in person, you will see the beauty of them.

The Carousol ride is always a hit with the kids

The District has made quite the effort this year to look green.  They even have different garbage cans for recycleables. 

This is my favorite spot in DC; especially when it is all lit up at night.  Whenever I am upset, I come here.

A speech Lincoln gave in 1855; still very true today.

Look how much this is relevant to us today.

When you are on the steps of Lincoln Memorial, you can see all the way down to the Capitol Building.  A beautiful sight, and I love the reflecting pool. 

So for those that don't live here and are really annoyed at DC right now, I wanted to show the pretty side.  Enjoy

Funniest Line of the Day - Madonna Edition

Madonna on her 13 year old daughter Lourdes fashion choices. 

“If anything, I wish she’d dress more conservatively,”
“How’s that for irony?”

on the irony scale of 1 to 10, I would say that is an 100

Portrait of a Jack Ass - Congressman Hare

Congressman Hare at a town hall meeting:

"I don't worry about the constitution" 

Hmm, did the people who voted for you know that? 

Your Invited - Tax Day Tea Party Miami

Tax Day Tea Party

Main Post Office

2200 NW 72nd Avenue

Miami, Florida
4:00 PM

A Blessed Day - Good Friday's Meaning

Jesus is Tried by the Sanhedrin



After Judas betrayed Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, the mob took Jesus to the house of Caiaphas [KY uh fuhs], the high priest. Peter had vowed he would never desert Jesus. But Jesus said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." All of Jesus' disciples ran away in fear when Jesus was arrested. But Peter followed at a distance and came to the courtyard of the high priest. Three different people recognized him as one of Jesus' disciples, but Peter strongly denied it each time. Then a rooster crowed, and Peter remembered what Jesus had said. He felt very ashamed and began to cry.


The high priest, all the chief priests, the elders and the scribes were waiting at the high priest's house. This was an informal late-night meeting of the Sanhedrin [SAN hee drun], the Jewish ruling council. They had come together to put Jesus on trial, but it was not to be a fair trial. The religious leaders were looking for evidence that would justify putting Jesus to death, but they could not find any. They called many witnesses against Jesus, but the witnesses did not agree with each other.


Finally, the high priest demanded of Jesus, "Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God." Jesus replied, "I am, and you will see me, the Son of Man, sitting at God's right hand and coming back on the clouds of heaven." Then the high priest said, "You have just heard His blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? What is your verdict?" They all shouted, "He deserves death!" Then they spat in Jesus' face and started beating Him.


Jesus is Tried by Pilate


The religious leaders take Jesus to Pilate and accuse Him falsely.


In their mock trial, the religious leaders had agreed that Jesus should be put to death. But they did not have authority to put anyone to death under Roman law. So, as soon as morning came, they took Jesus to the the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate [PON chus PIE lat]. They falsely accused Jesus of treason against the Roman Empire for claiming to be the king of the Jews and for urging people not to pay their taxes.


Pilate saw that Jesus was not really guilty of anything and wanted to let Him go. But Pilate did not want trouble with the religious leaders. He asked Jesus, "Are you the king of the Jews?" Jesus replied, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my followers would have fought to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But my kingdom is from another place."


It was the governor's custom to release one prisoner at the Passover Feast - anyone the people wanted released. The Jewish leaders knew this and had persuaded the crowd of people gathered around Pilate's house to call for the release of a criminal named Barabbas [buh RAB bas] and to demand that Jesus be crucified.


Pilate asked the crowd of people, "Which do you want me to release, Barabbas or Jesus?" The crowd yelled for Barabbas to be released. Pilate asked, "Then what should I do with Jesus?", and the crowd yelled "Crucify Him, Crucify Him!" So Pilate ordered the Roman soldiers to crucify Jesus.


Jesus is Crucified


Crucifixion was a cruel form of death reserved for criminals and slaves. First, Jesus was beaten by Roman soldiers. Then he was made to carry His cross to the place of execution. Jesus must have been too weak from the beating to carry His cross all the way; the soldiers forced a man named Simon of Cyrene to carry it the rest of the way.


The cross was placed between two other men who were being crucified that day. The soldiers nailed Jesus to the cross and left Him to die. They put a sign on the cross to mock Jesus that said, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews."


About noon, strange things begin to happen. Darkness came over the land for three hours. Then Jesus cried out, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit," and then He died. The curtain of the temple was mysteriously torn in two, and there was a great earthquake.


It was Friday afternoon, and the Sabbath would start at sundown. It was also a very special Sabbath because it was Passover. The Jewish leaders wanted all the bodies buried before the Sabbath started because they were not allowed to do any work on the Sabbath.


One of Jesus' followers, a man from the town of Arimathea named Joseph, went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. He took Jesus' body and hastily put it in a new tomb that had been carved in rock. He rolled a large stone in front of the tomb to seal it.


Matthew 26-27, Mark 14-15, Luke 22-23, John 11-19

I've been thinking....

And that can be a dangerous thing.  But today I spent the day as a "tourist" in DC.  The cherry blossoms are in full bloom, and they are so pretty I couldn't resist the temptation.  While I was walking the really long distance back to my car, I was standing at a corner waiting for the light to turn.  Two joggers (for those who are not aware, DC has tons of joggers) were discussing the healthcare bill and kids being allowed to stay on insurance plans until the age of 26.  His son just graduated from college and is 23.  He has a job, but not in his field.  He asked his running buddy how long would his son want to stay on his insurance.  His friend answered until he has no other choice.  He didn't look happy.   They then ran off. 

I still had a way to go to get back to my car and the story of the 14 year old girl who was given an abortion (at no charge) in Washington State popped into my head.  It then hit me, we now live in a society that it is ok for a teenage girl to end a pregnancy without speaking to her parents; she is mature enough to make that decision on her own, but a 23 year old that has a college degree doesn't have to be responsible enough to provide for his own insurance.   

Is it just me, or is there something wrong with this picture? 

Liberal Logic - Bill Maher on Tea Partiers and Palin

Bill Maher made an appearance on Leno last night.  He, in his infinite wisdom, made comments on how the tea party actually helped pass health care legisilation. 
I'm sure they're saying, “What are you talking about, Bill? I was so against the health care bill, I marched on Washington with tea bags hanging from my hat, dressed up in my founding fathers costume with a picture of Hitler, you know, and Obama's face on him and, you know, screaming about his birth certificate.” And America saw that and said: “What loons. We're going with the calm black man.”

I guess he hasn't read the polls that the majority of Americans are for the lawsuits against the law. 



On Palin: “Sarah Palin screaming about death panels? You know what, Sarah, if we were killing off useless people, you'd be the first to know.”

Hey Bill, who is that you think has more relevance in America right now, you or Palin?