Some Interesting Poll Numbers

PPP will be releasing some in depth polling tomorrow on the Republican cast of potential presidential nominees. 

While it is no secret that they are left leaning this particular poll only used republicans.  The numbers are interesting:

Most Republicans don't like Ron Paul.  He has his very fervent followers, but in general the run of the mill republican is not interested. His approval rating is at 30%. 

Republicans are not overly impressed with Donald Trump's decision to run for president.  His approval rate is at 29%.  Since everyone knows him, his numbers don't have much chance for improvement. 

Most republicans feel that Sarah Palin wouldn't be a bad vice president, but don't feel she is qualified for the #1 seat.  While she has high approval ratings among republicans, they just don't see her as presidential material.  Only 29% feel she is qualified for president, while 46% say she would make a good VP. 

Full poll will be released tomorrow. 

Send Some Valentine's Day Cards

If you would like to see the rest go here

How Low Can The Dems Go? - It Seems Pretty Darn Low

The controversy over Walmart building stores in D.C. is continuing.  The protests by the activists continue.  But, here comes the real low point. 

young people would get criminal records when they couldn't resist the temptation to steal.

Nice to know this is what they really think of themselves and each other.  This is what the dems really feel about the people who live in poor, urban, minority communties.  This is a quote from one of the commissioners on the city board

Apparently, even the residents feel the same way:

"There'll probably be a lot of shoplifting going on. They'll need a lot of security,"

Walmart is planning on opening four stores in the District.  These four stores will create 1200 jobs, the stores will be in lower income areas, they will be on bus routes that will allow the people in the area not to have to travel to Maryland or Virginia to go shopping. 

What I find most frustrating about this article is that they are saying horrible things about the residents of the area, they then slam Walmart:

"I'll believe it when I see it," Mya Harris, 24, said skeptically. "Sure, you can put the store here, but what are they going to put inside it?"

It seems to me that you just can't make these people happy.  They scream that there are not jobs for the poor of the community and no affordable available shopping.  You give them the options to get those and they still complain about it.  I am no fan of Walmart so this isn't sticking up for them.  But this could be good for the community.  None of the areas of that the stores will be placed in have a great deal of small mom and pop businesses that are normally driven out of business by the larger Walmarts that they can't compete with. 
. 

Jonah Goldberg of NRO

Jonah Goldberg was given a journalist award at CPAC yesterday.  Sadly, he was unable to make the conference due to the accidental death of brother Joshua.  Say a prayer for the Goldberg family. 

Rich Lowry came to accept the award on his behalf.  Under the circumstances it was a very funny speech.  I can't find an embeddable video, so here is the link that allow you to watch.  You will enjoy some of the stories, and he makes some very important points about American exceptionalism. 

http://video.cpac.org/video/show/rich-lowry-2011

RIP Joshua and I hope that his wife finds some comfort in her time of sorrow. 

CPAC - My Experience

CPAC 11 has come to end.  We spent the weekend listening to many so called presidential hopefuls and others within the conservative movement.  We also listened to Donald Trump of all people, who no one there thinks is a conservative.  He said the right things in some cases, but I doubt it fooled many people.  Don't get me wrong, I liked the speech but it wasn't convincing in any way. 

We all know there was controversy surrounding this year's conference.  Mainly due to the inclusion of GOProud as a sponsor.  Many social conservative groups and politicians decided to forgo attending.  As you may know I questioned if it was a good idea for these groups to forgo, the answer to bad speech is more speech.  I firmly believe that. 

Even though I don't like to, I will admit when I am wrong.  This is one of the times.  GOProud shouldn't have been allowed to be a sponsor.  The question of homosexuality aside, the real problem with them being there is identity politics.  Conservatives don't particularly care for putting people into groups.  This is exactly what they were trying to do, and they did it aggressively, too aggressively.  They also went way too far and started a dust up on Friday of the conference.  Did they really expect that there wouldn't be people in attendance that were against them being there?  Did they really expect that those people wouldn't protest it?  Protest is part of our political process and part of the American lexicon.  How they handled this was disgraceful and can't be tolerated.  I have this feeling that controversy won't be an issue next year.  No one is saying that they can't attend the conference, or can't vote republican.  But, stop trying to get the republican party to accept identity politics.  We want no part of that, if we did we may as well be liberals. 

I had the honor of meeting fellow blogger Right Klik and his beautiful family.  His little daughter is just too cute and she was very well behaved during our lunch.  I know of another little girl just about the same age who wouldn't have been too happy to be sitting in a restaurant for that period of time. 

Jill over at Pundit and Pundette came across something that said that the issue of abortion of was being made passe at CPAC.  I and others who attended have assured her that is not the case with the people who were there.  That is still a very important issue among conservatives and regardless if you personally agree with or not, it won't be going away anytime soon.  Virtually every major speaker brought up the issue of life and got huge applause when they did.  Many of the exhibitors and sponsors were solidly pro life. 

I had a funny incident happen after the final speech.  I was having dinner with some fellow Smart Girls and needed to use the ladies room.  I go and the stalls are towards the back of the room and around a corner.  I just went to the closest stall, the door was open and because of the angle I couldn't see anything.  I open the door and to my surprise Bill Schutlz of Red Eye fame was in there doing his business.  I think I am scarred for life.  He was so drunk he didn't even know I was there.  I just turned around and went to the next stall. 

The Straw Poll results came as no shock to me.  I knew before the conference started that Ron Paul would win.  Truly, I have found Ron Paul to be the SEIU of the right.  He buses in his fans and sells tickets at Campaign for Liberty's website at much lower prices than anyone else.  Which I don't think is right, but it is out my control.  Although with the new leadership at CPAC this may very well change.  My understand is that the new president is far less libertarian leaning than the outgoing one.  CPAC is meant to be a conservative gathering and Paulites in many ways are not conservative.  They are almost cult like in some respects.  That is why Ron Paul can't win.  People may agree with many parts of message, but he has many followers who are anti-Semitic and 9/11 truthers.  They didn't do themselves any favors when they couldn't help themselves and called the former Vice President a war criminal.  That smacks of the same vitriol that we hear from the likes of the Code Pink ladies.  You are not going to ingratiate yourselves to the right when you are saying and doing things like that.  If you are one of those people who think that Paulites are somewhat cult like, just wait until you see them travelling in packs like they do at CPAC.  Out of nowhere they just yell "Ron Paul", it is freaky.  Personally, I find them even scarier than the Obamanonts. 

A few people told me that they felt that Allen West giving the Keynote Speaker on Saturday night was anti-climantic since in the past they have had such names as Glenn Beck, Rush, and others.  While Allen West isn't the name that most of the keynote speakers of the past have been, he may very well be in the future.  Allen West is the future of the conservative movement.  So maybe CPAC can one day say, I knew him when. 

A Speech Worth Hearing

My understanding is that Gov. Barbour has said that until he says he is not running, don't count him out.  He has issues and will be a tough sell.  Sadly, his looks and his accent will be a hurdle.  It shouldn't be, but it will be.  He will be painted as the stereotypical southern racist. 

This was a good speech and his words were very wise indeed.  I think he made some fans.  This man knows how to raise money.  So he may be able to make it to Super Tuesday.   He also has many friends within the party. 

Join Me In A Dream - Allen West Gives Keynote At CPAC 11

Sadly, CSPAN cut off the end of his speech because of Obama's weekly address or some such thing.  He knocked it out of the park. 

I will give a wrap up tomorrow, because I am little pooped. 

Also, his introduction took forever.  Put it up to about the 7 minute mark. 

I think he missed his plane. 

Ann Coulter At CPAC

I love her snark.  There virtually is no one better.  But, during the Q&A she kind of lost me.  I really wonder how many people agree with her view on Egypt and Mubarak.  I think the fact that we are willing to stick up for a brutal dictator and say to the people who live under that person Hey Sucks to Be You is one of the reasons that they hate us.  But, there are no easy answers in the middle east, so I guess she is saying dance with the devil you know.  I am not sure what we can do differently, but to hear it put so bluntly was a little shocking to me. 

Mitch Daniels at Ronald Reagan Dinnner at CPAC 11

This is a very dense speech, he didn't really leave room for applause lines.  But, if you really listen to what he is saying, you will see it is good stuff. 

I have to be honest there are things that are wrong with him, but he has many good qualities as well.  He has been a very good governor, if he wasn't term limited he would win re election in a walk.   I think this was one of the highlights of the day. 

Enjoy...........  Again it is audio only.  You can watch the full video on the CPAC page, but I can't figure out how to get the embed codes. 

The American Dream is Under Attack - We Are Fighting Back Herman Cain at CPAC

I am telling you, I love this man.  This is just audio, but I can find a full one that will give you both audio and visual.  You need to hear this speech. 

Now, tell me why I shouldn't love this guy.  Again, he is a long shot.  But for now, I don't see many better options out there. 

CPAC Day One Recap

It was quite the day in Woodley Park Today.


Rumors started early on in the day that The Donald would be coming to speak. He was not on the original schedule that we received. I actually liked his speech. Don't get me wrong, I won't support him, but it was a good speech. That is until he bashed Ron Paul. The Paulites (which dominate the CPAC crowd) booed him. It was quite amusing.

Donald Rumsfeld was given the Defender of the Constitution award and he was introduced by his very close friend VP Dick Cheney. The Paulites didn't take too kindly to this either. They were called war criminals. Kinda rude I thought. But, I was not surprised.

I met Herman Cain this morning. I am even more smitten now. He is so charming and kind. He stood in the bar lobby and was willing to shake the hands and talk to anyone that wanted to talk to him. He was not surrounded by a bunch of handlers like most politicians are. He will be giving his speech Friday at I think it is 4:30 EST. He also hosted the blogger bash after today's session ended.

I was willing to give GOProud a chance. And while I still feel that allowing speech is important in our country, the people who were against it were right. There is an agenda. I don't know what the agenda is, but an agenda it is. They were trying to plaster everyone with stickers and had placards everywhere.

The Muslim group that was there kept a very low profile and while I didn't pay too much attention as I had other things to attend to, I think they were ok. They were way in the back and you really had to look for their booth. They stayed in their booth and engaged the people who went to speak with them. None of the woman were veiled.

I also got to meet Bridgette Gabriel today. Oddly we ran into each other in the ladies room. She was more than willing to answer my questions while were washing up. She is very lovely, articulate, and smart. I have travelled through the Middle East and I love Jordan. It is a beautiful country. We talked about my experiences as an American and she told me my experiences were what she expected, as they are kind and giving by culture. She also told me that the vast majority of Muslims just want to live their lives like I do, but since we can't tell who is who, we must pay attention to the dangers. She told me something very, very disturbing. Something like 90% of Egyptian woman have genital mutilations performed as children. That is amazing. She is not optimistic that the Brotherhood will be held off for long after Mubarak leaves. She also explained that Mubarak needs to save face and he will leave the country for medical treatments and that is how she believes it will end. At this point we were still under the impression that he would step down today.

I spent some time volunteering at the Smart Girl Politics booth. It was great to see that a group that is barely more than two years old to have such name recognition. We signed up some new people and did make a few bucks for a worthy organization.

I ran into Joe Klein. I guess he wants to go on MSNBC or Meet the Press and mock us.

I ran into Richard Dreyfuss of all people. I have no idea what he was doing there as we don't seem to be his type of crowd. I walked by a poster for him but again, I was in hurry to get to my next place and didn't read it. My biggest surprise was that he didn't try to perform a citizen arrest on Cheney. He agrees with the Paulities on that front, at least.

I really heart Paul Ryan. His speech was a little policy wonk, but I personally like that. If he does want to run for president one day, he needs to work on that. He will only fire up a small segment of the voters with his current style.

The morning started off with none other than Michele Bachmann. She of course got the crowd going. She made a funny joke about making sure she was looking at the right camera. You may not realize it, but she is tiny. And for me to say that, she is really tiny. Because I am very petite.

I missed most of Rand Paul. I was doing my volunteer work at the time.

Tomorrow features Mitt Romney. I am not going to that. I do want to hear what John Thune has to say. He is at 1 pm EST. I also would suggest catching Mike Lee who follow Thune. I saw him speak the other night at the Tea Party Townhall and he is very engaging. The ever so exciting Tim Pawlenty will also be speaking tomorrow afternoon. For me, besides Cain of course, the highlight of the day will be the seminar on school choice. They are rightly pushing the notion that it will help grow the conservative movement. I firmly believe that to be true. Education is topic that we can all agree we have to do better on. The home schooling, vouchers, and charters are becoming more popular within the inner cities. This is a chance for us to do outreach to those communities to spread the conservative message. Many minorities are more conservative than they think they are. They just don't know what republicans/conservatives are. They have an image in their heads that is simply wrong. It is up to us to try to show them we are not what Pelosi and Co. have told them we are. Ron Paul will be speaking mid afternoon. Not going to make that; not a fan. Gov. Perry's name is being brought out as a GOP presidential hopeful yet again. He has said he won't run, but who knows. And yes, Herman Cain is the final speaker of the day. LOVE HIM.

I took no pictures today. I wanted to enjoy the day and just absorb everything.

CSPAN 3 is televising it. If you don't have that channel it is being live streamed over the web.

Oh, there is no chance that anyone other Ron Paul will win the Straw Poll. The only question will be who comes in second.

Where's the Love for the SAHM?

There is all this blow up due to a Politco story about Rick Santorum and Sarah Palin.  Politico wrote the story in the guise that Santorum was taking a swipe at Palin and Politico said he "inferred" that she was making speeches for money.  There are rumors that she turned down the keynote speaking slot on Saturday night due to the money not being there.  Only the people involved in the negotiations know what the truth is.  But, it is well-known that she and the leader of CPAC don't get along.

His comments in part:

“I have a feeling that she has some demands on her time, and a lot of them have financial benefit attached to them,”

“I don’t live in Alaska and I’m not the mother to all these kids and I don’t have other responsibilities that she has,”

Regardless of what you think of Santorum and his voting record, the one thing that you cannot question is his social conservative cred.  He is staunchly socially conservative.  He and his wife have had eight children, one of which that passed away at birth.  His children range in age from 19 to 2.  His youngest child is special needs and was not expected to survive.  While she has many issues, she was a very happy addition to his family.  Since leaving congress he has been working as an attorney and his wife is a stay at home mom. 

Palin was interviewed yesterday by Sean Hannity and was asked about the Politico story.  Her response:

“I think the reports were much worse than what he really said. I think some things were really taken out of context. So I will not call him the knuckle dragging neanderthal that perhaps others would want to call him. I’ll let his wife call him that instead.”

She then went on to say that her children have never stopped her from doing anything. 

Santorum, as a special needs parent, has a unique perspective on the demands of the parents of a special needs child. Again, he is a social conservative and very strict Catholic.  Is it really so crazy that he views motherhood and care giving as the most important role that a woman plays in her life?  I don't think that it is.  Palin has three children at home.  Two of which are very young and one is special needs.  The demands of that are real.  It isn't something that he is making up or just throwing out there for no reason.   

For those who have not spent a great deal of time around a special needs child you may not be aware of those demands.  Change is not something that these kids handle well.  They depend on scheduling.  I once read a book written by the wife of a famous athlete and a line in that book has always struck me.  I may be paraphrasing here, but basically she said that they don't learn to live in your world, you learn to live in theirs.  It is something that has stuck with him ever since.  To give an example of what I am talking about, I know a mom who has masking tape on both her kitchen and dining room table.  The tape is labeled for where the plate, glass, fork go.  If they are not in the exact place that they are expected to be in, the child won't eat, he also won't eat if his food touches on the plate.  Special needs kids have a difficult time with time zone changes, they are not always good with strangers and are not comfortable with new situations.  They find going outside of their comfort zone difficult to handle.  Of course every child is different, but these are generalities that are pretty standard with special needs kids. 

Families of special needs kids have a much more difficult time travelling and simple things like going out to dinner can sometimes be a brutal experience.  I am in no way diminishing the gifts that these kids bring into the lives of their families, but it is a different experience than raising children without disabilities.  The point that Sarah was trying to make is that just because she is a mom doesn't mean she can't accomplish other things.  Which is a true statement. 

I came across an article written back in November.  Apparently this isn't the first time that Palin has used the word Neanderthal when commenting on what women can do.  She made this statement shortly after the 08 campaign came to an end. 

There are still the Neanderthals out there who pick on the petty, little, superficial, meaningless things – like looks, like whether you can or can’t work outside of the home if you have small children – all those type of things where I would so hope that at some point those Neanderthals will evolve into something a bit more with it, a bit more modern, and a bit more understanding that, yeah, women can accomplish much.

No one is saying that every working mother is a bad mother.  But, it wasn't all that long ago that being a SAHM was looked down upon by the "liberal elite".  I do believe that has tampered down some, but many far left woman look at almost everything in their life through the prism of being a woman and are constantly talking about fairness and get very upset when woman were not promoted.  I just recently read some comments on how the left is more than a little upset that Obama's administration doesn't have enough women, and were especially upset by the new press secretary not being female.  I personally don't view the world in this manner.  I want the most qualified person to be hired for a job.  If that person happens to be a white man or a Latino woman than so be it.  I am not believer in quotas and I certainly don't think that Obama is anti-woman simply based on the fact that his latest hire happened to be a man. 

I may be wrong, but I think that most conservatives views are similar to mine.  But, if that is so who are those statements being made to?  Political people have a tendency to talk in sound bites and usually are very careful to craft their conversation and talking points trying to reach out to certain segments of the voting public.  Palin is a politician.  She may be different than many politicians, but she is still a politician.  Because if she is trying to reach out to the people who think that woman can have it all, I think that may be a losing strategy.  Especially if it can be construed as insulting the very people who are her base supporters. 

I remember when the election was in full swing and Palin was being accused of being a bad mother simply based on the fact that Bristol was pregnant out of wedlock at the time.  I would ask the people that said that around me if their mother was responsible for every mistake that they made?  One of the people who said that actually is a single mother.  Her justification was that her mother wasn't espousing conservative values on a national stage.  I felt like saying if she had espoused them in her home she obviously didn't listen to them, but I didn't want to be rude.  But, my point is these woman aren't going to listen to this message anyway. 

It isn't that I don't believe that women can do many things, because I do.  But, what I do question is can women have it all?  I find this to be a lie that has been passed down to young women.  While we can do many things across the entirety of our lifetimes, but can we have it all at the same time?  I think that as women we have to stretch it over longer periods of time than men do.  Is that necessarily fair?  No.  But, I have found that to be true.  Some women have no choice but to go out and work, they can't survive without the additional income.  Others choose to put off having children to get their career on track and have a hard time letting go of the career track in order to raise their children.  Then we have the families that put things over the benefits of having a mom at home.  The Wii, the ipad and the larger home become more important than staying home with little Jimmy.   Gov. Palin, I don't think it is a bad thing that you would be stopped from doing different things because of issues with your children.  I actually would respect it. 

Cross posted at Pot Luck
 

Off to CPAC

They finally announced the keynote speaker after Gov. Palin backing out last week.  It is going to Congressman Allen West.  So, I am really looking forward to hearing him speak again.  Yes, I just heard him speak the other night, but that is OK with me. 

I will check in when I can.  Have a good weekend all, and let me know if you are in town.  You can get me through twitter at shoegal90

You can watch it live here

The Retirement Train Picking Up Steam

We have had two more retirements from the senate announced within the last 24 hours.  Jim Webb's announcement came earlier today.  This came as no surprised to me, I looked up his balance from last quarters FEC filing and he had very little money and no fundraising events planned as far as I could tell. 

Webb is tough nut to crack.  His first high profile government job was in the Reagan administration as Sec. of the Navy.  He is also is a decorated military man.  I am not sure exactly what year he became a democrat, but it was later in life.  His announcement states that he wants to return to the private sector, and he has written several books so I am sure we will be seeing another. 

If you are not from Virginia, Webb has not been in the national spotlight all that often.  But you may remember three times that he was.  The most recent being he was one of the last democrats to announce if he would support Obamacare or not.  Which really made me PO'd because he didn't get Virginia anything in return.  I have yet to figure out of that means he is principled or just a cheap date.  The next was that he was on the short list for the VP slot two years ago.  The last being a few years back he was very rude to President Bush.  While that isn't any surprise for a senator to not be happy with a sitting president of another party, but Webb was so classless that he decided to bring this into the White House.  Webb has been an outspoken critic of the Iraq war, which I believe helped him get elected and to win the nomination for the seat.  One of Webb's sons was stationed in Iraq and President Bush asked after him, and Webb told him it was none of his business. 

"That's between me and my boy, Mr. President"

Now, anyone that reads my blog on a regular basis knows that I treat the office of the Presidency of the United States with respect.  I don't care what you feel about the person, but the office should be revered.  Regardless of who is in it.  You don't insult the President to his face inside the White House.  You just don't.  I don't care what party you are from.  As far as I can tell Webb has never held a townhall meeting, so I was never able to ask him personally if he didnt' respect the president should I believe that he respects me.  He was there to represent my interests, so I think it was a fair question.  I called his office about it a few times and never got an answer, or one that I thought was satisfactory anyway.  I was told that was a private conversation.  If I read about it in the newspapers how private could it have been? 

Another issue is the fact that he is no liberal either.  He voted along party lines on the big things, but he didn't exactly make the party faithful happy when he wrote an OP-ED on how affirmative action has long since outlived it usefulness.  Not a popular position within the left.  He also has been pretty outspoken about southern culture, which does include Virginia's history with the confederacy.  Another position that hasn't made the liberal elite very happy.  I don't see that the DNC would be pouring a boatload of money into his race.  They would have made a show of it, but the hearts and the big checkbook wouldn't have been there. 

Another rumor floating around about Webb's decision is the fact that George Allen, who beat 5 years ago, has announced that he will be seeking to get his old job back.  George Allen is another name you may not know immediately, but you have heard of.  George Allen was on everyones list to be a contender for the GOP nomination for president in 08 until he made an unfortunate comment at a senate campaign stop in 06.  He used the word Meccaca, which apparently is some sort of slur; one that I never heard before.  A Webb campaign supporter showed up at all his events and videotaped him saying this, it then went viral.  That was pretty much it for Allen, his campaign never fully recovered and he lost by the narrowest of Margins.

What is one of the interesting points of this is that everyone is making the assumption that Allen is going to get the nomination, and totally overlooking the fact that he has a primary opponent.  A very interesting opponent at that.  Jaime Radtke was the head of The Virginia Tea Party Association, who also worked for the former senator.  Jamie knows his underbelly in a manner of speaking; she worked for him for quite a while.  She also will have the support of good part of The Virginia Tea Party's.  Allen will get some, but certainly not all.  This is going to be an interesting primary to watch folks.  This is truly a test for the establishment and tea party candidates.  The party of course will back Allen.  But it is going to be a fun time in Virginia during the primary season.  I will be supporting Jamie in the Primaries.  I have met her and she is the real deal.  I actually spoke with her last night and told her I would be emailing her some questions to help get her name out there.  Every time I see a post about Allen I remind the author that Jaime is running, she is being all but dismissed, I hope to try and change that.  Overlooking her is a mistake. 

Tea Party Town Hall

Tonight was a town hall held at The National Press Club for the tea party movement.  Mike Lee, Steve King, Allen West, Michelle Bachman, Orin Hatch, and Rand Paul were in attendance. 









Yes, most of my videos are of Allen West.  I am not going to upload everything.  But feel free to go to my you tube page.  There are plenty more to see.

Reason #10593 To Home School

While this incident did happen a while ago, we all know that sometime the wheels of justice in our country move slowly. Back in May 2007 a substitute teacher decided to show the movie Brokeback Back Mountain to a sixth grade math class. That's right a math class.


A 12-year-old girl filed a lawsuit claiming severe emotional distress which the jury rejected. While I think that the lawsuit looking for $40,000 was not the best of ideas, I do agree that the family needed to make a big deal of the issue. Sadly, in the highly litigious world we live in, a lawsuit is sometimes the only way to get the proper attention to the issue. In what twisted world is it ok to show a rated R movie that has graphic homosexual love scenes to a bunch of 12 year-olds who are they to learn math? This movie was not approved by the school let alone by the parents.


The kids in the classroom have said that the teacher told them "What happens in Ms. Buford's class, stays in Ms. Buford's class". Are they in Vegas or a classroom? What else does this woman think is appropriate for her classroom that the students don't tell their parents about? She came out with the typical liberal talking point; I am only trying to teach them about tolerance. Well, you know what lady, I will teach my kid about tolerance, that is not your job. You were being paid to teach math, not gay cinema.


Like I said, this didn't reach the legal standard of severe emotional distress but it does make one question why this teacher did not lose her job? All that happened was that she was "disciplined" and the typical union response is that they just "pass the trash" onto a different school. So, if you live in the Chicago area and your kid comes home and tells you that their teacher's name is Ms. Buford, you may want to consider having them moved into a different classroom. She obviously feels that she has the right to teach your children just about anything but math.

Is this going to lower Obama's approval rating even further?

Someone actually said this was the best ever halftime show.  Huh?  This was God awful.  Even if I were not a conservative and found the shout out to Obama's Stimulus to be insulting and showing a lack of intelligence, I would have still hated it. 

If you don't know what I am talking about put it at about 9:50 and you will see what I mean.  This was horrible. 

My snarky question is how much lower is this going to push Obama's approval ratings, because they are starting to drop again.  Apparently, we are not liking his handling of Egypt much. 

Quote of the Day - President Obama Edition Part 4

"I'm here in the interest of being more neighborly, maybe if we would have brought over a fruit cake when I first moved in, we would have gotten off on a better foot. But I'm going to make it up."

President Obama today to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. 

Do you know many people that actually like fruit cake?  I have never met one.  So, it would seem to me that if this is what you are using as a sweetner, what does that say?  Maybe that you don't really like them that much? 

The Minions Speak Up about a Sucess Story

PJ Mom posted about a letter written in The Washington Post about the school voucher program.  Anyone who reads my blog regularly knows that I have written about school choice many times and about the scholarship program in DC in particular.  This is an issue that I am very passionate about.  My feelings are that there is not point in saving our country if the next generation is a bunch of idiots.  Our failing public school systems is a issue of both national and economic security.  We cannot stay competitive on the world stage if our young are not educated. 

Let's take a look at the comments to this very thoughtful letter of a proud mom and her newly confident daughter.  A daughter that is now applying for college, something that her family didn't think was possible only five short years ago:

Great. Now what about those kids who are left behind, in schools with even less money and even less support? Parents who are working three jobs just to get by, and can't afford to send their kids to private schools even with the vouchers? Kids who are atheists or of minority religions in an area where the only private schools are religious? Are those kids less important, less deserving than Jerlisa?


How about we try to make education work for EVERY kid, not just those fortunate enough to get a voucher and to be able to make up the difference between the voucher and the private school's tuition?

The children remaining in public schools are not losing money, they don't need money for students that are not there.  The public schools still get just as much money per student as they would without the voucher program.  My answer is close down every failing public school in DC and give them all vouchers.  We would save money and give these kids a better education.  What this woman is really saying is that no one deserves a better education.  All the kids in the DC public school system should fail.  I guess with liberal logic that is fair. 

The government is in the business of supporting the government. Any diversion of funds to the people is wrong and immoral. Those $7500 should have been given to the teachers union where it would have been properly spent on political contributions to keep the whole game going. Any expenditure of education funds on children is a complete waste and probably illegal

I am hoping that this is snark. 

These voucher schemes are nothing more than an attempt to starve public education.


At at time when our public schools (as well as state and local governments nationwide) are facing unprecedented cutbacks and budget slashings, we should be focused on how to provide more resources for our public schools and our children, not less.

Public education is to provide education to ALL students - not just a few. It is time for home schoolers, private schoolers, right-wingers, and other Anti-public school zealots to stop their full-scale assault on public schools and to stop trying to rob public schools of much needed funds and students.

See, I think it is time that union leaders and far left liberals stop forcing children into bad school systems and failing them at every level.  Why do we have teenagers that only read at elementary school levels?  The public school system is not working in every area of the country.  They just don't.  Instead of throwing good money after bad, lets fix the problems.  How many kids are we going to fail with this logic?  We gave the unions and the department of education 4 decades to improve our schools.  They are not getting better, matter of fact we are falling further behind.  How many more decades to keep to a failing plan in order to make the unions happy?  I guess forever to some. 

Superbowl Commerical Winners

These two tied for favorites of the game.  The second one was my favorite:





This was a fail to me:

Groupon.com's Superbowl Commercial Fail

Wow, nice way to exploit a tragedy.  I don't think that Groupon made many friends today, but I bet they got some traffic on their website. 

My Favorite Superbowl Halftime Tweets

The Tweeters were not overly impressed with the Black Eyed Peas Halftime Show

Polamalu's hair beats Matthews' hair any day of the week.



Black Eyed Peas will finally solve my perennial Super Bowl conundrum: When to take a bathroom break.



This is painful



That half time show did more to crush the morale of the rebellion in 30 minutes than I ever did.



I think we need to start a petition to show this year's halftime show at GTMO.



Repeal and replace the Black Eyed Peas.
 

If Steeler fans weren't already discouraged, the half-time show probably has 'em suicidal. Course, am sure it depressed Packer fans, 2.

Anybody remember the Indiana Jones halftime show? Now THAT was the worst. If you don't remember, you're not a real fan

I think a call to action by the Black Eyed Peas in the Superbowl halftime show could be one of the low points of Obama's presidency

Seriously considering joining al Qaeda right now. #blackeyedpeas #sb45

Dallas hasn't seen a tragedy this bad since 1963.




I wonder if Fergie knows all the lyrics to the national anthem

That made me long for Janet Jackson's breast. Middle-aged NFL execs, please check with me first before you book your next halftime artists.


If mubarak was smart he'd have gotten the Black Eyed Peas to empty out Tahrir Square two weeks ago



I'm afraid if the Superbowl is being broadcast into space, aliens will interpret this Black Eyed Peas performance as an act of war


Judging by that half time show, we aren't winning the future



The good news is that the #sb46 halftime show will be better, no matter who they get.



 At what point in the creative process do you decide “hey, let’s put boxes on the backup dancers’

People who complained about The Who last year should now be ashamed of themselves!

It. Just. Keeps. Getting. Worse! What's next...a stuffed Patrick Swayze mationette-dancing on the 50 yard line??

These dancers look like sperm. I'm sorry. But they do

Why won't the Black Eyed Peas just tell us what their demands are so we can end the torture??!?!

Hey usher you're wearing your Depends pants

I think the left and right are finding common ground tonight in the level of atrociousness that is music at the Super Bowl

Obama's approval will take another dip after the shout out from the #blackeyedpeas

Is it me or did they just sing about Obama's failed stimulus? 


Shut up Fergie and let Slash play

You my dear are no Axl Rose


Re halftime "show"-- Forget "where is the love?" Where is talent?

OOPS - Christina Aguilera Fubs the National Anthem

Don't Worry Christina only about a billion people were watching, but not all of them know the words anyway.  No Biggie

Hey Planned Parenthood Have You Met AG Ken Cuccinelli?

If not, I have this feeling you will be getting to know him very well.  Three of the videos released about child sex rings took place in Virginia.  Cuccinelli is a like a dog with a bone once he sets his sights on something.  Those sights are now on you. 

Happy Valentines Day from the Heartland - Planned Parenthood Wishes You Happy Casual Sex Day

This is the way that Planned Parenthood of the Heartland is helping us celebrate the day of love.

This Valentines Day Message is Booty Call Approved

But Lets Not Multiply Like Rabbits

Stay Safe and Sexy This Valentine's Day

Lets Get in the Mood

That's why I want to stay safe and sexy with you

It's just the right size

Boy, I hope I get on of these, don't you?  I just want this organization to stop saying that they are not promoting promiscuity.  It seems pretty obvious that they are.  This organization is not about woman's health, it is about approving of a culture of free sex and giving the illusion that there are not prices to pay for that sex. 

Dick Cheney Gives Keynote at Reagan Ranch

The former Vice President Cheney gave the keynote at The Reagan Ranch last night.  I found the most interesting part to really be the Q&A at the end.  I can't find a stand alone video of his speech, so here is a link to the CSPAN video.  Cheney doesn't start until about minute 27, so it isn't as long as it seems on first glance. 

Enjoy:

Senator Rand Paul's Floor Speech

This man is principled and disciplined.  Exactly what this country needs to get us out of the financial mess we are in. 

Palin Speaking at Reagan Birthday Celebration

One for the Gipper

As we celebrate what would have been his 100th birthday this weekend here are some memorable moments of President Ronald Wilson Reagan:


Tear Down This Wall:



Slipped the surly bonds of earth' to 'touch the face of God.



Oppennents Youth and Inexperience:



His Humorous Side:





Morning in America:



Shining City on a Hill:



The Final Goodbye:

Quote of the Day - Ron Reagan Edition

"Sarah Palin is a soap opera, basically,"

Ron Reagan Jr. on people comparing Sarah Palin to his Father.

He doesn't think the middle aged daughter of a president taking her clothes off for playboy, her changing her last name and telling people she didn't want children because she didn't want to pass on her parents genes doesn't give his family a soap operaesque feel to it? 

Christie on Public Service Union Benefits and Costs

You can watch the whole interview here. 

The Left Justifies Planned Parenthood Videos

Comedy Break - Reagan and Obama

With all that is going on in the world at the moment I thought a little humor may be in order.

Ingraham V. Planned Parenthood

As usual she never answered the question.  She also said that Planned Parenthood has a zero tolerance policy.  The woman that was fired was able to answer the questions without thinking about them at all.  If she was able to answer those questions very easily, it would not be a stretch to think she has answered them before.  She then goes to the same old left meme on abortion.  What about the rape victims?  Please that is less than 3% of all abortions.  My other question for her would be now that we passed Obamacare what excuse are going to use now?  People won't be without insurance anymore right? 

I know for a FACT that Planned Parenthood raises millions of dollars per month.  They do not our tax payer dollars.  How stupid do they think that we are?  They have only one budget, to say that my money is not funding abortion is an outright lie. 

Just Askin'

Are people that are showing up at protests on camels really looking for modern democracy? 

I mean no disrespect as these people are living through something horrifying.  But, it is a question that has to be put into the mix.  Especially when I hear that the Code Pink Ladies were in town.  Somehow I don't think anything good is going to come out of this for people in Egypt who are looking for true reform, and especially for the Coptic Christians who are 10% of their society. 

Heaven help those people. 

At Least He Can Take A Joke - Muppet Steele and Michael Steele

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Michael Steele Pt. 1
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog</a> The Daily Show on Facebook

You Cut Week 2

Week 1 winner was to stop spending federal funds on elections.  The bill passed 239-160 10 Democrats voted yea 1 Republican voted nay. 

Current Choices:

Obtain Refund of Funds Owed to the U.S. by the U.N. Tax Equalization Fund

Approximate $180 million in one time savings
As of December 31, 2009, the United Nations reported that it was holding almost $180 million that the U.S. had overpaid into the U.N.’s Tax Equalization Fund (TEF). It appears that the U.N. is still holding the U.S. funds because the Administration has not instructed the U.N. on how it wishes to dispose of them. By instructing the U.N. to return those funds to the U.S. we can generate savings for American taxpayers. In addition, the Administration should also demand that the process for Tax Equalization Fund withholdings be revised to prevent (or at least reduce) future discrepancies leading to such large surpluses.






Obtain Refund of Unspent Contributions to International Peacekeeping Activities

Approximately $86 million in one-time savings
The United Nations has been holding approximately between $210 and $240 million in cash reserves from closed peacekeeping operations. These funds have been accumulating since the early 1990s. Successive U.N. Secretaries-General have requested authority to maintain these unspent funds in a Peacekeeping Reserve Fund, which allows them to cover shortfalls in peacekeeping and, at times, the general budget. However, U.N. regulations require that unspent funds from liquidated missions be returned to Member States within 12 months (with a potential extension to four years in order to meet receipts submitted by troop contributing countries). The U.S.-share of these unspent funds currently totals approximately $86 million. The U.S. should act to demand the reimbursement of these unspent funds.




Prohibit Economic Assistance to Countries Who Hold More Than $50 Billion in U.S. Debt

Savings of potentially $46 million over ten years
Of America's $14 trillion national debt, approximately $4.3 trillion is held by foreign countries. Over the past year, foreign holding of U.S. debt has increased by over $650 billion. Ironically, we actually provide economic assistance in the form of foreign aid to some of our largest creditors. For example, in 2010 U.S. taxpayers provided approximately $4.7 million in economic assistance for countries, including China, that hold in excess of $50 billion in U.S. government debt (this excludes funds for environmental programs). In short, Congress is borrowing money from foreign countries and turning around using some of that money to provide them with economic grants. This proposal would prohibit any economic foreign aid to a country that holds $50 billion or more in U.S. debt.

Seriously?  We borrow money from China to give them aid?  Is it me, or is there no logic in this? 

As far as the UN goes, this comes as no shock.    They have gotten so far away from their original mission that they may as well be disbanded.  I would love to see them leave the U.S.  We get nothing out of them being here anymore.  They vote against us more often than not.  The majority of the voting blocks hate Jews.  They put human rights abusers on human rights committees.  What's not to like? 

Yes, this is small potatoes.  But we have to start somewhere. 

Go here to vote

Chris Christie on the New Reality - We Cannot Afford Union Benefits Anymore

I am not saying I want this man to run for president, but I do love how he just tells it like it is.   The gravy train is over.  It doesn't matter if you are in union or not, we all have to pay our share to get out of this mess.  While this police officer has put his life on the line to protect the people of New Jersey and for that we all should be grateful, but welcome to the real world.  The rest of us are paying more for insurance and many of us have not gotten a raise at all.  Some of us don't even have a job.  We cannot keep paying these high cost benefits to public service unions without them pitching to help with the costs.  Like I said, the gravy train is over.  The unions got so greedy and the sadly the states went along with it so now it is time to pay the piper. 

It is Time to Question our Morality - 13 Year Old Beaten and No One Helped

Nadin Khoury is a 13 year old boy who was beaten.  Many are calling this bullying, but this goes way beyond bullying.  This was seven bigger kids jumping and beating a smaller younger boy.  Luckily, he wasn't badly hurt.  Nadin's mother is an immigrant that escaped war, repression, and abuse in the country of Liberia.  She came here to give her family a better life.  What is especially disturbing is the fact that this poor kid can't go back to school, he is being told that they can't protect him. 

What is even more disturbing is the fact this family is now receiving threats and had to flee their home.  Seven kids beat her child and she has to move?  What does this say about our morality.  Every time a case like this comes up, we say no more.  But, they keep coming up, so obviously we are willing to accept this as a society.  These kids put the video of this beating on You Tube (I can't find the video), so it stands to reason that they believed that nothing would happen to them.  We continually allow children to believe that their are no consequences to their actions. 

These kids are being charged with some very serious crimes, but as juveniles.  As such, they can't be put in jail past their 21st birthdays.  They are being charged with kidnapping as this beating took more than twenty minutes to occur.  This poor boy was put into a tree and hung on a steel post by his coat.  It is a miracle that he was not badly injured.  He could have easily been killed.  A similar situation happened outside of Atlanta not too long ago and sadly, that young man was killed. 

We need to ask ourselves why we keep allowing this to happen in our society.  I am not stupid, you can legislate morality, nor can you make someone be a parent to their children.  But, we can make this type of behavior to be something to be shunned and ashamed of.  Not only has none of the parents of these 7 kids contacted this mother, she is the one that is being threatened for calling the police.  A woman actually walked by while this beating was taking place and this boy was calling out for help.  Only one person helped this boy.  She shooed the kids away and drove him home to his mother.  The woman who walked by and didn't call 911 is just as guilty as the boys who did the beating. 

I love my technology, but YouTube and Cell Phone Cameras are part of the problem.  But, of course the biggest problem is that these kids were never taught about consequences.  Maybe they will learn that lesson while sitting in juvie. 

Bullies' Teen Victim Talks To Fox 29: MyFoxPHILLY.com

Herman Cain on the Issues

Since Pence has announced he will not run, I have decided that I need to back Herman Cain.  At least for now.  Here are some of his views on the issues of the day.


Immigration



Spending Cuts



Energy Independence



Stimulating the Economy



And Finally, how to tell if your a liberal

Obama Speaks on Mubarak's Announcement He is Retiring

President Mubarak announced today he will not be seeking re-election in September.  This seems to be good news as it will give some time for a peaceful transition.  While there are some pit falls since elections are not seven months there is time for bad elements to plan.  But, we can hope that it will also give some time for other forces to do the same.  I spoke with some friends last night who are Coptic Christians who immigrated here to the US two years ago.  They told me that the military is revered, and the leader may come from there and will more than likely not be overly militant if that is the case.  The military is much trusted by the majority of the population, unlike the police or the government. 

From the pictures I have seen the protests did include women who were not veiled, and most of the men didn't have the full beards that are common among militants.  Nor do we see the burning of American and Israeli flags so we may get a reasonably good outcome from this, and more importantly, maybe the Egyptian people will get a government that is more committed to human rights and will help lift the country out of poverty.  One would think with all the tourism there, they can find ways to generate an economy that creates some jobs and bring more people into the middle class if they choose to. 



I do have one question though, why do protesters in Egypt get a big shout out for wanting a more representative government and the Tea Party get called ungrateful?  I seem to remember him saying that I should be thanking him instead of protesting.  I also seem to remember his DHS sec. releasing a report saying I may be a domestic terrorist.  Just askin'. 

Allen West's First Townhall as Congressman of FL 22

LOVE this man.  This was released by the congressman's office, so it is kind of like a campaign video.  If I can find more video I will post. 

Quote of the Day - Ann Coulter Edition

"By the way, if this is constitutional, Republicans should turn around and mandate all citizens be forced to purchase a gun. And a Bible. There's a lot more evidence that owning a gun and a Bible is better for society than everyone having to own health insurance"

Ann Coulter on Mandates. 

Seriously, can you image the leftie response if they were mandated to buy a gun?  Talk about a demonstration at the Capitol building.  The republicans should put this legislation out there just for the reaction.  I also think it will help the squishy middle understand what the mandate really means.  Healthcare for all pulls at heart strings, it is easy to lose the argument in the emotion, people don't generally get emotional about guns.  (I know, I know, some of you do). 

The Western Version of Tiger Mothers

This woman is now under investigation for child abuse.  She forces him to hold hot sauce in his mouth while she is screaming at him.  She then forces him to undress and put him into a cold shower, while he is screaming.  This little boy was adopted from Russia.  There has been talk that older children from Russia sometimes have behavioral problems.  But, that certainly doesn't make what she is doing OK.

Apparently, it doesn't seem that this behavior rises to the point of criminal child abuse, and child social services have left him and the other five children in the home with her.  She has four biological children and twins that have been adopted from Russia.  She has been charged, but most experts agree that she will not be found guilty. 

She also has admitted to spanking him and forcing him to do jumping jacks until he drops from exhaustion.  Wow, she sounds lovely.   Wish I had mom like that!!

Obviously these things are not working with this child, it is very possible he needs more hugs rather than Tabasco or cold showers.  If you are doing these types of things and it isn't changing behavior, it is time to get professional help, not continuing to burn the inside of your kids mouth.  Seriously, what is wrong with people?