Chelsea Clinton Gets Married

Doesn't look like she went to the chapel, but she did get married today.  We have all watched her grow up, I wish her and her new husband every happiness. 

The dress isn't at all my taste, but I am sure he thought she looked beautiful. 

Washington DC Tea Party Press Conference

Tea Party Express Press Conference

Fights Back Against Attempts to Discredit

the Tea Party Movement

National Black Conservatives Rally to Take Back America

The Tea Party Express, (website: http://www.TeaPartyExpress.org) one of the nation’s largest tea party organizations with over 400,000 members, is conducting a press conference regarding the unrelenting attacks on the tea party movement in an effort to dissuade Americans from rebelling at the ballot box in the November 2010 elections.






“From the very beginning when Rick Santelli’s famous on-air rant helped rally millions of Americans to the tea party movement, the establishment media and liberals across the country have tried to head off the growing citizen involvement in opposing the reckless spending in Washington and the growing intrusiveness of the federal government,” said Lloyd Marcus, Tea Party Express spokesperson and leader.






“First, they called us all Astro-turf and not real, but the crowds kept getting bigger. Then they said we were being paid by the Republican Party, which became obviously false as we took on establishment Republicans as well as Democrats. Then they tried to say we were all a bunch of nuts, but when millions of people kept coming, they couldn’t claim everyone was a nut. Now, they are trying to say that we are racist, which is yet another desperate fabrication. We are going to stand up and call on the Left to start sticking to the issues, and stop the name calling,” added Marcus.






“In light of the NAACP resolution accusing the millions of Americans who attend Tea Parties of embracing racists, the Tea Party Express is hosting a National Black Conservative Press Conference to speak out against all of the bogus, false and malicious charges leveled against the American people who have rallied to take their country back from the big spending and irresponsible and unconstitutional growth of the federal government. Apparently the NAACP and other groups are afraid to acknowledge the fact that the tea party welcomes people of all races, and is a much bigger and more diverse group than they’re willing to admit,” stated Marcus.






Black conservative leaders, organization spokespersons, authors, entertainers and activists from across America will gather in Washington DC to introduce themselves and their individual roles in fighting the good fight promoting conservative principles, values and patriotism within the tea party movement.






“As a black singer/songwriter performing my “American Tea Party Anthem” and traveling with Tea Party Express, I have attended over 200 tea parties across the U.S. The attendees are not racists. They are decent hard working Americans who love their country. Tea Party patriots oppose President Obama's policies, not his skin color.”


Lloyd Marcus, Black Conservative, Tea Party Express Spokesperson, Entertainer & Press Conference Organizer.






National Black Conservative Press Conference






Date: Wednesday, August 4, 2010


Time: 8-11am


Place: National Press Club, Washington DC






INVITED SPEAKERS INCLUDE: Ambassador Alan Keyes-Chairman of Conservative Majority PAC, Star Parker, President, Center for Urban Renewal and Education, Lloyd Marcus-Tea Party Express/ NAACPC, author of Confessions of a Black Conservative, Kevin Jackson, author of Amazon best-selling book, The BIG Black Lie, President of the Black Conservative Coalition and The Black Sphere, LLC, Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson, Founder and President of BOND Action, Ted Hayes-NABS (National America's Black Shield), William & Selena Owens-Higher Standard Publishers, Mychal S. Massie Chairman Project 21-The Nation Leadership Network of Black Conservatives, Frantz Kebreau-National Director, NAACPC (National Assoc. For the Advancement of Conservative People of ALL Colors), Timothy F. Johnson, Ph.D.-The Frederick Douglass Foundation, Ron Miller, president of Regular Folks United and author of “SELLOUT: Musings from Uncle Tom's Porch”, C. Mason Weaver, President Mason Media Company Author of "It's Ok to Leave the Plantation/Motivational Speaker, Emery W. McClendon Dr., Amateur Radio Military Appreciation Day, Ruth Bryant White, Editor In Chief of BreakingNewsJournal.Net, Leader on Conservative Moms For America and author of "Life Through The Eyes Of An Interracial Couple", John Felix, President/CEO/founder of the Caribbean-American Cultural Association, Inc. of North America, Bob Parks, Member, National Advisory Council, Project 21; Video Producer, Media Research Center, Bishop Harry Jackson, Pastor of Hope Christian Church and Chairman of the High Impact Leadership Coalition.

Help Stogie if You Can

The Other McCain has put the word out that a fellow conservative blogger is in some trouble.  He lost his job and is having a heck of time finding something and he is getting periously close to losing his home.  If you can help out at all, please do so. 

Home Foreclosures: The Viscous Brown Stuff Hits The Fan


Home foreclosures are continuing at a brisk pace, according to an article by McClatchy News. Many of the first foreclosures that began three years ago, when the housing bubble began to burst, were for subprime mortgages. Now, however, a fresh batch of foreclosures is occurring because people have lost their jobs and can't pay them. I am now in that category. I didn't pay my July mortgage payment and probably will miss August as well. I haven't been answering the phone, which rings constantly from bill collectors.



Our savings kept us afloat for a year. When it was gone, I borrowed the equity out of my life insurance. That's gone too. We were hoping to ride out this recession, to survive until it was over. However, it is the longest lasting and deepest recession I have ever seen. And I remember when Eisenhower was president, to give you some perspective. (Okay, okay, I actually remember when Truman was president, but I was VERY young. Practically a fetus, mind you.)



It's just a matter of weeks before I lose my home. I never, ever thought I'd be in such a predicament. This happened to other people, sure, but not to me. I am a college graduate and a CPA. Accountants were supposed to be immune from unemployment. Not any more. The fact that I am well past 50 doesn't help. Seniors and new grads are the hardest hit.



I am not feeling sorry for myself. I am pissed, but have entered a phase of my life where nothing surprises me anymore. If one could get jaded to bad news, political malfeasance and power-grabbing, I am about there. No outrage now seems to surprise me. The neo-Marxists now running the country are capable of the most outrageous usurpations of the Constitution, which in effect, is no longer the law of the land. It is merely a quaint old parchment kept under glass in the museum of history, for people to gawk at. The economy is being destroyed by fools, mostly Democrat fools, but with the assistance of RINO Republicans who haven't the sense or the gonads to resist.



I have come to the conclusion that it is futile to look for a traditional job. Somehow I have to think differently, act differently. I have to have a plan, and I don't have one right now. This weekend I will try to think of workable scenarios: what to do and where to go, when.


To donate go here

Obama Says Rangel Should End Career with Dignity

"I think Charlie Rangel served a very long time and served-- his constituents very well. But these-- allegations are very troubling,"
"And he'll-- he's somebody who's at the end of his career. Eighty years old. I'm sure that-- what he wants is to be able to-- end his career with dignity. And my hope is that-- it happens. "

President Obama to Harry Smith on The Early Show

The President and Nanny Pelosi keep talking about how they are not worried about the dems losing control of the house in November.  Hmm, the above statement seems like that is not the case.  No one can believe that Obama would be saying this had the ethics committee not come out with charges yesterday.  Rangel's seat could easily be lost if the trial gets ugly and is drawn out as the elections draw closer.  One would think that the people of Harlem are not going to be happy about the fact that Rangel is not only using a rent controlled apartment for his headquarters for re-election, but actually has 4 apartments in that building.  Those are homes that are needed by the people who live in that district, a rent controlled apartment in one of New York's poorest community is a valuable thing to a low income family. 

Also, how does a man who only makes $175,000 per year have a brownstone in Manhattan, and a vacation home in the Carribean?  Oh, I guess those rent controlled apartments did serve a purpose.

America By Heart - Sarah Palin's New Book

Gov. Palin will be releasing her new 224 page book in November.  The book is called America by Heart, it contains her favorite poems, speeches, and stories that have inspired her and are uniquely American. 

Going Rogue sold 2.2 million copies, and I am sure that this will do very well.  Love her or hate her, she has quite a following. 

Quote of the Day

I interviewed Shirley Sherrod last Thursday. And in the course of that interview, I failed to do something that I should have. I believe in admitting my mistakes. I looked at the interview again today, and Ms. Sherrod said during that interview that she thought Mr. Breitbart was a racist. She said, quote, "I think he would like to get us stuck back in the times of slavery." She went on to say she believed his opposition to President Obama was based on racism. Now, she, of course, is free to believe whatever she wants, but I didn't challenge her that night and I should have.


I don't want anyone on my show to get away with saying things which cannot be supported by facts. I should have challenged her on what facts she believes supports that accusation. That's my job, and I didn't do it very well in that interview, and I'm sorry about it. If I get a chance to talk to her again, I will.

I think the chances of you interviewing her again is next to nill. 

Ten Bucks Friday - And the Winner Is

Patricia Sullivan is this weeks winner. 






If Patricia Sullivan wins, she will be going up against Alan Grayson.  You remember him, the one who thinks that the republican health care plan was for you to die.  Grayson is also the man who just this week spent $90,000 of your money, to send out a CD of himself to his district. 

I also had a personal run in with the Congressman on the night of the final vote. 

Click here to donate to Sullivans campaign and get that disgrace of congressman out of office.  Please don't forget to mark your donation as Ten Bucks Friday

Quote of the Day

"The one thing that frustrates me sometimes is the sense that we shouldn’t be campaigning all the time, there is a time to campaign and there is a time to govern. What we have tried to do over the past 20 months is govern."

President Barack Obama -

He makes this statement while appearing on The View.  It must be me, because I didn't think that appearing on daytime TV was part of governing.  Silly me.

Be Careful What you Wish For - Basil for Governor

The Tea Party is very vocal about having more citizen legislators instead of established politicians. Well, I don't think this is what we have in mind. 

Fact Checking Howard Dean

On Sunday Howard Dean made a statement that Fox News' coverage of the Shirley Sherrod Story was racist, although the facts just don't back up his statements.  Even after being corrected, he goes out the next day and continues his falsehoods. 



The racist card is losing steam as more and more liberals speak up and prove the point that victim card is way overused by the left.  Even The New York Times has now admitted that there is no proof that a tea party member used the N word at the obamacare protest in March.  Shirley Sherrod and her husband have proven themselves to continue to look at themselves as victims instead of people living in a country where if you work hard you have the same chances as everyone else.  The reality remains if we were such a racist country either John McCain or Hillary Clinton would be president right now.  The left needs to accept that and move on.  The racist card is no longer going to work.  We have seen the game that they are playing and we refuse to go along.

We Could All Use Some Grace

Quote of the Day

Tainting the tea party movement with the charge of racism is proving to be an effective strategy for Democrats. There is no evidence that tea party adherents are any more racist than other Republicans, and indeed many other Americans. But getting them to spend their time purging their ranks and having candidates distance themselves should help Democrats win in November. Having one’s opponent rebut charges of racism is far better than discussing joblessness.

Mary Frances Berry Former Chairwoman U.S. Commission on Civil Rights

Has she no shame? 

Chris Christie Standing by His Tough Choices

Gov. Christie appeared on The Today Show with Matt Lauer.  He stands by his choices and explains why.

Right Online Highlights

Michele Bachmann at RightOnline 2010 from AFPhq on Vimeo.




Rep. Mike Pence at RightOnline from AFPhq on Vimeo.

Tuesday Toons

Hey Oliver, Context This..........Putting Hitler In Context

Pictures from the David G. Briggs Collection, courtesy of USHMM Photo Archives.

Shirley, Shirley Where For Art Thou Shirley? Sherrod's Uncle Tom

I think that we, as conservatives, need to encourage the media to keep talking to Shirley Sherrod.  Let's put a bug in the ear of Larry King to get her and husband for the full hour.  The more this woman and her husband talk the more they prove the point that Breitbart was making.  Because after all, the white man is stealing the vote. 

I really have to wonder if these people have read Uncle Tom.  Because Uncle Tom was no race traitor. 





H/T to The Other McCain

Charity and Dirty Politics - Allen West & The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Every year the South Florida Cystic Fibrosis Foundation holds a charity gala, at which they nominate couples to for South Florida's Finest Couple.  This year Ltc Allen West and his wife Angela were given the honor to be nominated, that is until politics apparently started to play a hand.  The executive director of the foundation called him and asked him to withdraw due to pressure he was receiving.  The pressure apparently is coming from political opponents families, most notably the wife of Ron Klein, his democratic challenger for the congressional seat they are both running for, as well close friends of the Klein family.

Andrea Levy, a close enough friend of the Klein's that she was invited to see Obama speak during the health care debate, released a statement that says in part:

I have cystic fibrosis and my family has been supporting the foundation for 20 years now. We are dedicated to foundation in their efforts to improve my quality of life and the lives of 30,000 others. … Allen West is speaking lies about my family and it hurts me deeply. As someone who is directly dealing with the disease, my family would NEVER I repeat NEVER withdraw their support for (the foundation) for any reason EVER. The truth is (the foundation) asked that he step down from being honored since he is a political candidate and the election is 6 weeks after the event. As a nonprofit organization, they are not suppose to involve themselves in politics and it gives the impression that the foundation is endorsing a candidate. Don't believe everything you read! My family and Congressman Klein have done nothing wrong. The foundation simply asked Allen West to kindly step down and this is the maturity that he shows!

Another statement released:

"Let me be clear, no threats, financial or otherwise, were made by me, or my friend Dori Klein, against the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. None. What I did do was express my concern about an upcoming event that I felt had been unnecessarily politicized. As a mother, I have zero patience for anyone attempting to make a political issue out of what is, quite simply, a life-and-death matter. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is a nonprofit, not a political organization, and it is my strong feeling that no current candidates for office should be honored at Foundation events."

The problem with the above statement is that in the recent past the following people have been honored:

Governor Charlie Crist
Angel Gomez - Weston City Commissioner
Florida Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp



read article here

Howard Dean V. Fox News Sunday

Howard Dean gets his facts wrong again.  I can watch this clip over and over again. 

Some Nice Words to End the Weekend

Ten Bucks Fridays - Vote Up Folks

Below is the poll for this week.  Anyone who reads my blog regulary will probably be able to figure out who I am voting for.  But, there are some very deserving candidates here.  A couple of things to remember when making your choices:

The alternative to Marco Rubio is Charlie Christ (yuck)
The alternative to Sharon Angle is Harry Reid (double yuck)
Christine O'Donnell's campaign is starting to get a great deal of media attention. 

Remember, we can see November from our houses!! 

Sunday Funnies

Quote of the Day

“This is a rich country. We have plenty of money, and if you don’t believe me, ask Haliburton, There’s plenty of money out there; don’t fall into the trap of this whole deficit argument.”

“The only question is how to spend it,”
Van Jones

He is an educated man, but obviously he never took an accounting course.

Seriously Rethinking that Apology to Shirley Sherrod

I, like most other conservatives, felt that Shirley Sherrod was owed an apology after the full tape was released. She was labeled a racist and lost her job for a statement that was edited. At first glance, it seemed that she was treated unfairly, both by conservatives and by Andrew Breitbart.



I posted an apology as well as a warning of what can happen when the race card is used. It is an insidious way of dealing with people. So, the media has decided to turn Ms. Sherrod into some sort of hero. Well, her comments that she has made this week prove that she is no hero. Even during the full speech she says things that are, at very least, race baiting.


She says that God had changed her heart and made her see that it wasn’t about skin color; it was about helping the poor. But, she went on to talk about how the republicans were against Obama due to his skin color. Again, I really want someone on the left to look me in the face and tell me that I, a fiscal conservative, would like the exact same policies if Obama happened to be white. You wont find one, because they all know that it isn’t true. But sadly, the insults and the accusations keep on coming.


No one can say for sure if Breitbart made an honest mistake or he did it on purpose. Your point of view on that will more than likely rest on what side of the aisle you happen to fall politically. But, I think we can all agree he made a mistake releasing the video the way he did.


None of that excuses the remarks that Ms. Sherrod has made since then. She has called the people who are fans of Breitbart of being racists. She also blamed her firing on Fox News. Fox News didn’t run the story until after her resignation had been already announced. So, what exactly is FNC guilty of? I would have to say nothing. Howie Kurtz of CNN and The Washington Post did an article on the timeline of the events of that day and Fox can in no way be blamed.


She has further embarrassed herself by saying that Breitbart wants to go back to the days of slavery. Where in the world is the evidence of that? The chances of him getting to the position he is in at this point in his professional career with that level of racism in his heart is not very good. I am not saying it is impossible, but it indeed unlikely.


There are now many in media that have turned this woman into a hero. A title she in no way deserves. Some are even suggesting that she should be promoted, which just blows my mind. A woman who has made public statements this week that proves that she does indeed still view life through the prism of race doesn’t deserve to be promoted because those views have been exposed. I am willing to say that she is not a racist, having issues with race and being a racist are two different things, but indeed she has issues with race. Is she willing to say that I am not a racist? I think not, after all I am a republican, a tea party member, and I happen to like to Breitbart. Those are three very serious strikes against me as far as she is concerned.




Hey Shirley, you want to see a man that really has gotten past looking at black and white take a look at him:



I guess all the white people in the audience are just faking the love they are showing to Allen West. 

And The Signs Just Keep On Comin'

Manahattan, Kansas knows how the free market works.

Go West - What Are You Going to Do? A Call to Action

If you are truly worried about the direction of this country, then you have the responsibility to get off your couch and do something.  Yelling at your television is no longer enough. 

The Days of Quotas Should End

Normally, I don't find myself agreeing with Senator Jim Webb all that often.  There are some exceptions.  He is retired military, so he is a strong supporter of our troops.  That is something that is near and dear to my heart, as it is with most conservatives.  Webb also served in the Reagan administration, before officially becoming a democrat. 

Today, Webb penned a op-ed piece in The Wall Street Journal about diversity and the myth of the white privilege.  The piece seems to be very well researched. 

Generations of such deficiencies do not disappear overnight, and they affect the momentum of a culture. In 1974, a National Opinion Research Center (NORC) study of white ethnic groups showed that white Baptists nationwide averaged only 10.7 years of education, a level almost identical to blacks' average of 10.6 years, and well below that of most other white groups. A recent NORC Social Survey of white adults born after World War II showed that in the years 1980-2000, only 18.4% of white Baptists and 21.8% of Irish Protestants—the principal ethnic group that settled the South—had obtained college degrees, compared to a national average of 30.1%, a Jewish average of 73.3%, and an average among those of Chinese and Indian descent of 61.9%.

It is time that many in this country face the facts that people of color and all ethnic backgrounds have made great strides and have virtually the same opportunities as everyone else.  The real disparities lie within the economic levels.  The poor are the ones that tend to get left behind.  If you happen to be white and poor your life is not going to be much easier than if you happen to be someone of color. The one question I would have of Sen. Webb, if you believe this, why then did you vote yea for the financial reform bill that put yet more quotas into existence? 

Tweets of Interest

Geithner: economic crisis due to people "living beyond their means". Yup, that's why those people won't get re-elected in 2010. #ftrs #tcot


Pelosi: Bush tax cuts "did not create jobs". Sure. Low unemployment rate was from all those temporary census workers Bush hired. #ftrs #tcot

Geithner: "every business better off now than 18 months ago." Wonder if that includes the ones that aren't in business any more? #ftrs #tcot

Rangel charged w/ violating House ethics rules. No doubt accusing him of not having enough violations to meet his quota. #ftrs #tcot


Fred Thompson

Ten Bucks Friday - And the Winner Is

Chip Cravaack

Minnesota 8th

Go here to contribute to his campaign.  Please remember to mark your donation as Ten Bucks Fridays. 

Check back on Sunday for the next poll. 

Sales Taxes for Thee, Not For Me

Senator John Kerry and his wife Teresa have bought a new yacht that they have named Isabel.  The ship was built in New Zealand and designed by a company based in Rhode Island. 

Isabel - Kerry’s luxe, 76-foot New Zealand-built Friendship sloop with an Edwardian-style, glossy varnished teak interior, two VIP main cabins and a pilothouse fitted with a wet bar and cold wine storage - was designed by Rhode Island boat designer Ted Fontaine.

The Kerry's will be docking the ship in Rhode Island instead of Nantucket, where they summer.  Why, you may ask?  Well it seems that back in 1993 Rhode Island rescinded the luxury sales tax on yachts.  By keeping his expensive toy in Rhode Island instead of in mooring it in Massachusetts he is saving $437,500 in sales tax and around $70,000 per year in excise taxes. 

It seems that Kerry is perfectly fine in voting for new taxes for thee, but finds ways to avoid paying them for "me".  Kerry's chief of staff denies that the ship is being moored in Rhode Island to avoid the taxes.  Because after all it makes perfect sense to moor your ship in Rhode Island when your home is in Nantucket. 

Quote of the Day

“Barack and I are realists, Government is not the answer. But we also know we can plant seeds. These seeds that have been planted have generated whole new industries.”

Vice President Joe Biden

What new industries are those Joe? 

Michele Bachman's Tea Party Caucus - I Say No

Nancy Pelosi has given her seal of approval for the Tea Party Caucus in the house. That is wonderful, right? I think not. I don’t in any way think that Michele Bachmann is not committed to conservative principles; I truly believe that she is. That is not the issue. The issue is does the Tea Party want to become just another lobbying type group?



The beauty of the Tea Party as I see it is the grassroots movement of it all. I am not naïve enough to believe that there are not corporate sponsors and some people pulling strings behind the scenes. But, for the most part the movement is about people who are worried about the type of country we are leaving for our children and grandchildren. People who put up their own money to travel to different events, buy books on the constitution and the founding of our country, and have informed themselves on legislation and how the congress works.


Being located in the DC area, I have had the pleasure of attending virtually all the tea parties about the healthcare reform law. I personally met Michele Bachmann on two occasions. I believe that she is very committed to ridding our government of big spending policies that fall outside the prevue of the constitutional powers of the federal government, and would like to see more power returned to the states where they rightly belong.


One of the things that attracted me to the Tea Party movement is the fact that people are standing up and saying no to an out-of-control federal government. So many of us have been screaming at our televisions for years now, but didn’t do much else. We actually got up off our couches and have started doing things about it.


The Tea Party movement needs to stay away from too closely aligning itself to any one politician and to one party. I realize that democrats are not, for the most part, willing to align themselves to neither movement nor do they really care about the same issues that we do, but that isn’t a good enough reason to align ourselves to politicians that have not proven to stand by these principles once they have the majority. 


One of the main reasons we have this far left trifecta is because of the irresponsible behavior of the republicans when President Bush was spending money like a drunken sailor. So why should we trust them now? I am still not so sure that they have learned the lessons and the entire country is suffering due to their own overspending. I don’t think we should so easily allow the republican party to hi-jack this movement, they have yet to earn it.

Liberal Logic - Ann Arbor, Michigan Edition

Aah, you just have to love government.  In a time when people are still losing jobs, are under employed, unemployed, and just plain struggling to keep their heads above water, Ann Arbor has found the money to fund a three piece water sculpture. 

The sculpture is going to cost $850,000.  Not really a very large sum of money in the terms of government, but when they are laying off fireman and are millions in the red, the context of what they are doing is quite different. 

Michigan is not all the different than California.  The liberal policies are just digging them in deeper and deeper. 

This would be funny if it weren't so sad.  Not only are real people losing jobs, but vital public services are being put behind a sculpture to make the courthouse look pretty.  Only a liberal could justify this.

You Cut Week 8 Winner

Prohibit "First-Class" Subsidies on Amtrak


Potential savings of $1.2 billion over ten years

While only 16 percent of Amtrak long-distance passengers opt for "sleeper class" travel, as opposed to coach class, federal taxpayers provide substantial extra subsidies for this first class travel. Passengers in long-distance first class travel are provided a sleeping room, many with a private toilet and shower, turn-down service, and complimentary entertainment and pre-paid food. Yet, Amtrak loses more than twice as much per passenger (an average of $396) for first class service as compared to coach class service. These losses are made up by taxpayers. This proposal would eliminate subsidies for first-class service and require Amtrak to provide any first class service at cost.
 
Currently, this has not allowed to come to an up and down vote. 
 
Week 9
 
Bipartisan Proposal to Terminate the Advanced Earned Income Tax Credit


Saves $1.1 billion over ten years

On July 20th, four Democrat Congressmen launched a working group to focus on deficit reduction. Among the savings put forward by the lawmakers was endorsement of a proposal advocated by the Administration to terminate the Advanced Earned Income Tax Credit (AEITC) because it "has a high error rate and is not widely utilized by eligible taxpayers." Under the program, eligible taxpayers may receive a portion of their EITC throughout the year in their paychecks. A government audit revealed that some 80 percent of recipients did not comply with at least one program requirement; 20 percent had invalid Social Security numbers and thus may not have been eligible for the credit; 40 percent failed to file the annual tax return required to reconcile the credit; and of the 60 percent of recipients who did file a return, two-thirds misreported the amount received. As a result, this program is particularly susceptible to waste, fraud, and abuse.


Refocus the National Park Service on Administering Federal Parks

Saves $1.1 billion over ten years

In addition to maintaining nearly 400 national parks, the National Park Service also operates two programs to fund preservation efforts for local projects not connected to federal parks. The two programs—the National Heritage Area Grants program and the Statutory Aid program—have been described by the Park Service itself as "secondary to the primary mission of the National Park Service." The Administration has proposed eliminating funding for the Statutory Aid program, generating savings of $5.85 million next year. Going a step farther and eliminating the National Heritage Area Grants program would save an additional $18 million a year.


Terminate Funding for the DOD Innovative Readiness Training Program

Saves $200 million over ten years

The Innovative Readiness Training program deploys military resources in support of civilian construction, health care and other non-DOD programs. Through the program, federal funds are used for such things as the construction of rural roads, airplane runways, small building, and warehouse construction. Described as training for National Guard units, this program, which was only created in the early 1990s, is a ironically a use of military funds for non-military projects.


Prohibit Taxpayer Funding for Campaigns in Foreign Countries and Recoup the Misspent Funds

Saves $23 million

Recent Congressional Republican oversight efforts have uncovered that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is spending over $23 million on activities related to ratification of the proposed Kenyan constitution, including campaign activities to specifically encourage a "yes" vote. The constitution, among other things, would gut Kenya's current pro-life laws. Tax dollars should not be used to run political campaigns in foreign countries or to attempt to directly influence the outcome of foreign democratic elections. This proposal would prohibit funding for such activities and recoup funds already spent by reducing the USAID administrative budget by an equal amount.


Eliminate Duplicative Federal Physical Education Program

Saves $790 million over ten years

This program, which even the Administration describes as "narrowly targeted," provides grants to local educational agencies and community-based organizations to pay up to 90% of the costs of initiating, expanding, and improving physical education (PE) programs. Funds are often used to purchase equipment. The Education Department’s own measure of success for this program (measured in terms of increasing physical activity amongst students), revealed that the program costs taxpayers $168 per student who achieved the desired level of physical activity. But this isn’t the only PE program run by the federal government. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) also operates their own programs to fund physical education initiatives. Traditionally, physical education has been the responsibility of state and local governments.
 
 
Vote here

Quote of the Day

"One thing I learned during this, is that maybe I talk too much"

Rod Blagojevich


Ya think? 

Sherrod and a Lesson in Using the Race Card

Apparently Shirley Sherrod is not a racist woman who was using her position of power to block people from getting equal treatment under the law.  The full video has been released and apologies have been made.  But it shouldn't be the end of the story. 

The story really isn't about Sherrod, she just got caught in the middle of it.  The story is about people who are all too willing to label someone a racist and the fear that it brings out in people.  This happened because the NAACP is starting a fight unnecessarily with the Tea Party movement. 

Sherrod's side of the story is that the Obama administration pressured her into resigning; a charge they deny.  She also said that the NAACP never contacted her before releasing it's original statement condemning her statements of not helping a white man save his farm.  Both of these things are just as disturbing as Andrew Breitbart releasing a video without the full context, and not reporting it in such a way that made that clear. 

Calling someone a racist or even implying it can have very damaging results.  This woman has been publicly ridiculed across the blogoshpere and national television.  She has lost her job (something that should be corrected immediately), and she has been thrust into  a spotlight that she neither asked for or deserved.  This is a lesson in why using the race card should only be done with careful consideration and more than just a single soundbite. 

If you take a look around the conservative blogosphere, you will see the apologies to the unnecessary interruption to Ms. Sherrod's life.  I am still waiting for the left to apologize for the non existent N word incident at the Tea Party Protest in March. 

Look at New Jersey Now - Chrisitie's first Six Months

This is exactly what New Jersey needed and what the country needs for our future. 

Something to make you smile

Quote of the Day

"Therefore, if the NAACP's preoccupation with white racism reflects the thinking of most or even many blacks, it means that there is nothing white America can do to undo the ongoing perception of endemic racism in this country -- a perception that is now considerably more destructive to blacks than to American society as a whole."

Dennis Prager


read article here

A Sign of Things to Come - Why Romney Cannot be GOP Nominee

The health care law that has been in existence in MA since 2006 is the only really clear road map we have of Obamacare.  The road is going to a rocky one.  The statistics of what is going on there are quite stunning and more than a little scary. 

One of the latest examples of why we, as a nation, are in big trouble is that small businesses are electing to pay the fine as opposed to offering benefits to their employees.  Sadly, the government penalties are even less than what MA requires.  Most of these businesses that are doing this are lower wage jobs, so people will indeed qualify for state funded insurance. 

The rates for insurance in MA have skyrocketed since the law has taken effect.  They now have the highest rates in the country, and a full 50% of the uninsured are still uninsured.  People as well have chosen to pay the fines instead of the very rates for insurance.  Insurance companies are also finding that people have chosen to pay for the insurance when a medical problem arises, then drops it as soon as the company has laid thousands more than the fees that they have taken in.  No business can survive with this model.  Therefore, they have to raise their rates even higher in order to stay profitable.  As with Obamacare, MA requires a level of liquidity for the insurance companies.  The state is also not paying their mandated payments to many of the hospitals, putting them on the verge of bankruptcy, forcing them to sue the state for the money that is owed to them.  They have operating expenses that must be met. 

Romney has said on many occasions that he was fooled and this is not the package that he was hoping for.  The reality remains he signed it into law.  That is fact that he cannot get around, and the republicans in this country cannot accept that lame excuse.  It is too bad that he didn't push for the same type of market based solutions that Governor Mitch Daniels did.  A success story in lowering costs by using market based solutions and giving people more choice and more control over the costs and decisions of their health care. 

The Washington Post also had an interesting article on this same topic.  Read it here

Tuesday Toons

Write This Name Down - Herman Cain For President?

For those who don't know who he is, write this name down.  He may not be able to get the nomination in 2 years, but I think he will make all the other candidates better.  Just imagine, two black men going toe to toe for the presidency of The United States.  It would be a sight to see. 

I have blogged him about him in the past and I have seen him speak in person about a year ago.  He is great American who has a compelling story.  Well worth a look for president. 

The Continued Hypocrisy of the NAACP

It is abundantly clear that the NAACP has long outlived it usefulness.  Shirley Sherrod, an employee of the USDA bases her decisions on who will get farmer loans based on color.  First, she is a government employee, so her admitting this is totally unacceptable.  Second, she is giving this speech at a meeting for the NAACP.  If any person in this country is treated differently based on skin color, it is an affront to us all.  We cannot move forward as a society until we let go of all the bull that surrounds race. 

Does she have a point that many black farmers are losing their land?  Maybe.  I am very much against farmer subsidies, because they are mainly going to large corporate farmers as opposed to small family farmers.  How much of that is based on skin color is not something that I know that much about, except for the fact that she just admitted that she does that.  She has resigned her position as of today.  She should not have been allowed to resign, she should have been fired for cause.  She is government employee, will she be able to keep her benefits? 

What is the most disturbing part of this video, is the fact that if you listen carefully, you can hear people agreeing. 

I'm Not Quite That Good

Bob Schieffer interviewed Eric Holder last week on Face the Nation.  He had a full half hour interview and never asked the Attorney General about the Black Panther Case.  Here is his explanation:




And people wonder why conservatives don't trust the media. 

Ten Bucks Fridays - Vote Up Folks

Herman Cain Calls Out the NAACP

This is another man I just love.  I am waiting and hoping that he throw his hat into the ring and run for office.  He is business man who understands making payrolls and he is a patriot.  He is adorable too!!

Go West - Allen West on the NAACP

Everyday I love this man more.  The good news is that he is ahead in the polls.  It is a very slight lead, but a lead all the same.  Please give to his campaign if you can.  There is a donate button on the sidebar.

Sunday Funnies

Must See TV - Arizona Senate Debate

Here is a portion of the first debate between McCain, Hayworth, and Deakin.  This is about foreign policy and border security.  There were many good zingers throughout the debate. 

If you would like to see more go here

Liberal Policy Irony of the Day

This union is striking and protesting.  They don't have enough people to fill the picket lines, so they have hired non union help that they pay minimum wage.

Sheila Jackson Lee's Geography Lesson

What map has she been looking at?  Umm, it is Korea that is divided into two countries. 

Are You A Racist? A 35 Second Test

Every Cent You Make

I couldn't resist sharing this one. 

BS Removal Kit

A little humor for you.  Enjoy.

The Food Police Are Coming

It seems that President and Mrs. Obama had a private chef even before coming president.  His name is Sam Kass.  He is young man who after Obama took office relocated to Washington to become one of the chefs for the President. 

He has recently been promoted to Senior Policy Advisor for Healthy Food Initiatives.  I am not 100% certain what it means, except for the fact that we becoming more and more of a nanny state everyday.  I am person who believes that eating healthy is important.  I had very bad eating habits as a child and it took me a long time to get myself to eat better.  Which I did over time. 

There is no soda in my house. I rarely drink anything that is carbonated.  I love veggies that you get from your own garden.  Fresh zucchini is one of my all time favorite things to eat.  I have many recipes, including one for muffins. These muffins are a sneaky way to get kids to eat vegetables.  They don't realize that they are eating something that is healthy and you are giving them a taste for it.  Which will make it easier to get them to eat it with dinner, put fresh veggies in ground turkey and grill a burger. 

At my house, fast food is the Whole Foods salad bar.  I try to live by a 80/20 rule.  I can eat junk on occasion because I overwhelmingly eat good foods.  For example, tonight I went to Baskin Robbins and had a three scoop hot fudge sundae.  I don't feel bad about because I had skinless chicken breast and corn for dinner.  This is how I choose to live my life.  I don't do this because anyone else has told me to.

I am not a big believer in using a television and video games as a babysitter.  When I was young we stayed outside playing until it got dark.  We even went out in the snow and the cold.  Over the summers we went swimming everyday.  I grew up on the water and Jet Skiing and water skiing was just part of the routine.  We played hide and seek and had these huge neighborhood games of Kick the Can.  Again, I realize that the world is different, you don't let your kids run around outside in the same way that I did as a child.  But, parents can take their kids to the local playground, the local school yard or whatever else they may have in their area.   One of the reasons that kids are so fat these days is because they don't play baseball anymore, they are sitting in the house using their X Boxes instead.  If you can afford to pay for these video games you can afford the Wii that will have some games that will at least give their child some sort of exercise. 

I am sick and tired of the federal government trying to tell me what to do.  If people don't realize that eating at McDonald's on a regular basis is bad for you, then we have bigger problems than the government can solve.  They are either willfully blind, or just plain stupid.  Neither of these things can be cured by the federal government. 

Even if you don't have the room for a garden, like I do, you can still buy vegetables.  They sell them in the can in almost every store across America.  They are not as healthy for you when they come out of a can, but it sure as heck better than eating chips.  Even if you are on a tight budget, you can eat things like beans and rice. This not only contains healthy things for you, it is also very filling.  It can go a long way when you don't have much money. 

Many people are obese because of genetics and/or medical problems.  Some people are obese simply because they are to lazy to eat well.  They don't want to cook, they would rather go through the Burger King drive through because it is easier.  The federal government can not and should not do anything about that.  Anytime you buy something in the grocery store it has the nutriental information listed.  If people choose to ignore this, there is nothing the federal government can do.  Although, they want to try.  Nanny Pelosi and her ilk have decided that putting the info on the front of the package is going to make all the difference in the world.  Somehow if they don't have to turn the box around they won't buy it.  It is further proof that Obama truly believes that I am too stupid to make good choices for myself and I am in desparate need to have him make those choices for me.  Well, I say no thank you.  I know all one my own if I eat at McDonald's I am eating something that is unhealthy, I know for myself that you need to get up and do something in order to stay in shape, I know for myself that if you don't buy chips and soda you severally limit the amount of junk that your kids are eating.  I know for myself that if you give them healthy snacks they start asking for them.  I know for myself if you give them juice and water instead of soda they won't ask for it over time.  I know for myself that you can give them apples and dried fruit as snacks instead of chips and ice cream. 

What Have You Done for Me Harry?

Karl Rove's  pac is putting out some ads for the upcoming election.  Love him or hate him, Karl Rove has a brilliant mind when it comes to election strategy. 

Ten Bucks Friday - And the Winner Is

Van Irion won with slightly under 43% of the vote.  His vision of America:

I envision an America where individuals are able to determine their own destiny without the shackles of overgrown government and oppressive taxes.



I envision an America where the people look to themselves, family, friends and neighbors to solve problems, not a bureaucratic and bloated government.


I envision an America where greatness is celebrated, not punished. I envision an America where we encourage each other to seek excellence in all our endeavors; where we understand that success for one is success for us all.

He attended the 9/12 march in Washington DC, he is a dad of two young girls, a husband, a volunteer fireman, a constitutional attorney, he has a degree in Biochemistry, and was a small business owner that researched treatments for stroke victims.  He has a record of public service and understands how to make a payroll and create jobs. 

Please give as much as you can to his campaign.  Be sure to mark your donations as Ten Bucks Friday.