May 21, 2012
FSM HOT TOPICS
Exclusive: Oval Office Watch – Saturday, August 8
by OVAL OFFICE WATCH August 8, 2009
How the VA — ObamaCare For Vets — Almost Killed Me
An injured Navy vet spent nine years on painkillers — destroying his kidneys, liver, and pancreas — waiting for the VA to pay for an operation. They never did. READ MORE HERE.
The End Game of the Left
Andrew Thomas, American Thinker.com
Within the world of the far left, individuals have no value. Only the state matters. That is why the modern American statist devalues individual achievement and wealth. If, as in the socialist world of Marx, Engels, and Adolf Hitler (yes, Hitler, as I will explain later), God does not exist and humans have no souls, then the state determines the value of a human life. This philosophy leads to an ominous conclusion.
In my never-ending quest to understand the statist mind, I have attempted to use the principles of objective observation, or phenomenology, to analyze their intentions based on their behavior. Statists, it appears, have two proclivities: One, they are perpetually unhappy and dissatisfied with the current political and social environment, no matter what it happens to be. Two, they are viscerally angry at whoever stands in their way to the next level of progressive utopia. They do not tolerate alternate points of view. An objective individual might classify this behavior as classic immaturity. But there is much more darkness to the statist soul than mere boorish behavior.
Concessions to the fantastic demands of statists lead to more dissatisfaction and anger, and increasingly fantastic demands. This is similar to the strategy of the radical Islamists living in Western countries. In fact, you can phenomenologically observe many attitude similarities between the statist and Islamist. Intolerance of divergent opinions, hatred toward "non-believers", the obsession to dominate and control every aspect of others' lives, and a dogmatic attitude guided by emotion rather than logic, are some examples. Of course, Islamists are just statists with a state religion. To the Islamist, the end game for the Infidel is conversion or death. Read article.
The Anti-American President - Barack Obama, Unmitigated Mayhem
Joy Tiz, CFP.com
A little over six months into it and the Barack Hussein Obama presidency has been unmitigated mayhem. Obama-caused disasters befall the nation on a near daily basis that one can scarcely keep track anymore. We have endured his offensive schmoozing with the slave owners’ tour in the Arab states; punctuated by his contemptible speech in Cairo, in which the president spouted flagrant falsehoods about the charms of Islam while berating the United States for being a bit churlish about radical Muslim ideology after 9/11. As anticipated, Obama made apocryphal pledges to Muslims about the United States’ ability to constrain Israel.
While apologizing for America at every opportunity, Obama has resisted all demands that he produce acceptable documentation of his eligibility to be president. Common sense dictates that Obama’s willingness to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees rather than produce a valid birth certificate should give us pause.
Our Founders put nothing in the Constitution about vetting a future president, leaving that serious and difficult task to the people.
The most slapdash review makes it manifestly clear that Obama would have been subject to considerable scrutiny if he were required to apply for the most basic security clearance⎯something that is not required of the United States President. Obama’s mysterious past, experiences abroad, and nihilistic friends would have mandated more than a casual review of his application.
In actuality, nobody vetted Obama. Read article.
The ultimate resting place of socialized medicine?
Paul Jacob, Townhall.com
My wife and I disagree about some of the key end-of-life issues. When such morbid subjects arise, as they must and as they have with increasing frequency as the debate over medical care rages on, she remains adamant that she does not want to linger in pain, holding on to those final months, weeks, days or moments through any extraordinary medical intervention.
On the other hand, I want to live for every additional second modern medicine or Providence might permit. Dylan Thomas summed up my feelings in his most famous poem:
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
As President Barack Obama and Congress discuss health care legislation, and we citizens worry over the ramifications of possible policy outcomes, there arises the haunting specter of euthanasia. My wife and I may disagree on what end-of-life decision to make, but we agree that it should be our decision, not the government's. Read article.
Don’t Punish Seniors for Health-Care Reform: Denying care options to retirees is necessarily a part of the Democrats’ plan.
Sam Brownback, NRO.com
In addition to being fiscally unsustainable, the health-care-reform plan emerging from Democrats in Congress raises disturbing questions for our nation’s seniors. If President Obama pushes through proposed “reforms,” seniors could very well face rationed care as the result of a raid on the coffers of a Medicare program that’s already nearly bankrupt.
One particular provision in the Democratic bill has seniors worried, and rightly so. A new “Center for Health Outcomes Research and Evaluation” could ration access to medicines and treatments based on the government’s assessment of the value of a human life and the “cost-effectiveness” of treatment.
This became abundantly clear when Senator Mike Enzi (R., Wyo.) introduced an amendment designed to ensure that the new center could not put a value on life-saving treatment by using “quality of life” and “cost-effectiveness” measures “for the denial of Medicare benefits to patients against their wishes.” Because Democrats rejected the amendment in a party-line vote, the proposed new entity would be able to impose restrictions on access to treatment, as is common in European countries with socialized medicine. Elderly, disabled, and medically dependent patients would be at greatest risk of being denied necessary care. Read article.
Eric Holder's Justice Department - It's all politics, all the time.
Jennifer Rubin, Weekly Standard.com
In the litany of criticisms leveled at President George W. Bush none was repeated more often than the accusation that he had "politicized the administration of justice." In endless television show appearances and congressional hearings, Democratic lawmakers like Senator Chuck Schumer railed against the politicization of the Justice Department, lecturing all who would listen about how Justice "is different than any other department. In every other department, the chief cabinet officer is supposed to follow the president's orders, requests, without exception. But the Justice Department has a higher responsibility: rule of law and the Constitution."
Democrats loved to berate the often hapless Alberto Gonzales, who they claimed failed to uphold this standard as attorney general. Although the alleged offenses occurred primarily on the watch of Gonzales (who served only two and a half of Bush's eight years), the criticism stuck and lingered long after Gonzales departed. Inspector general investigations and oversight hearings maintained the drumbeat of accusations. And when the distinguished federal judge Michael Mukasey was nominated to replace Gonzales, he was peppered by Senators Joe Biden, Russ Feingold and Patrick Leahy, among others, with questions about just how badly the department had been "politicized." The average American couldn't help but conclude that something had gone terribly awry.
It is therefore surprising that in the first seven months of the Obama administration, a series of hyper-partisan decisions, questionable appointments, and the inexplicable dismissal of a high-profile voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther party have once again fanned suspicions that the Justice Department is a partisan pawn in political battles. Read article.
Will Obama's presidency be saved through failed initiatives?
Jonathan Schlackman, American Thinker.com
Obama's presidency is spiraling down. The more he attempts to implement previously failed initiatives (nationalized healthcare, immigration reform) as well as harmful new ones (Cap and Trade) instead of concentrating on unemployment and the economy, the more he continues to falter with the American people. But his failures may be just the thing that could save his presidency -- and even land him a second term.
We've seen this before. When Bill Clinton ascended to high office, he did so with a whirlwind of new, radical ideas: healthcare reform, gays in the military, the luxury tax. The first two failed to be implemented; the last was repealed following disastrous results. His failure as a leader and liberal reformer allowed Republicans to take control of both the Senate and the House following the next election cycle.
After this, Bill Clinton told the nation he "got the message". Caring more about his poll numbers than his efficacy, he laid low (more or less policy-wise) for the next 6 years, and it saved him. In time, he was even able to take credit for Republican successes like Welfare Reform, even claiming that the government was operating at a "surplus". Although his hedonistic tendencies (and hubris) proved to be his undoing as a moral exemplar of a president, his tenure in the White House is not looked upon with the disdain of his Democrat predecessor Jimmy Carter -- a complete disaster in every respect.
Obama is starting to experience the same sort of Clinton moment. How will he react once his initiatives fail to come to fruition? Read article.
Palin's Poll Numbers Falling! But What About Obama's?!
Larry Elder, JWR.com
Stop the presses (or the tweets)! Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's numbers are falling! Why not concern ourselves with that as 2012 nears. What about Obama's numbers right now? They are tanking — big-time. A recent "news" article stated, "While the president remains personally popular …"
Is he?
Certainly the Gallup Poll — the go-to polls for most cable news shows — put Obama's "favorability ratings" among "adults" fairly high. There is, however, another prominent and respected polling firm: the Rasmussen Reports.
Look at CNN, the organization that markets itself as real, nonpartisan news. In a recent three-month period, there were 26 instances in which a CNN newscast used the words "Obama" and "approval" and "Gallup." But the words "Obama" and "approval" and "Rasmussen" appeared in only one CNN news show.
What's the diff?
Gallup samples "adults." Read article.
Probe finds new clues in AmeriCorps IG scandal
Byron York, Washington Examiner.com
After seven weeks of trying, investigators looking into President Barack Obama’s abrupt firing of AmeriCorps Inspector General Gerald Walpin are still unable to answer the most basic question of the whole affair: Why did the president do it?
Republicans on the Judiciary Committee want to know why a U.S. attorney was touting his own actions in bringing stimulus money to the city. That’s not the normal role of prosecutors. “We need to hear whether the settlement in this case was tainted in any way by political influence or political factors,” says the senior Republican aide.
So far, Brown has refused to answer any questions. In June, Rep. Darrell Issa, the ranking Republican on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, sent a list of 20 questions to Brown and received no response. A follow-up in July was similarly ignored. “Your unwillingness to be cooperative with our investigation raises further questions about your role in this matter,” Issa wrote Brown.
Adding to the suspicions is the fact that the only person who objected to the Johnson deal, who said it shouldn’t be done, was Gerald Walpin. And for his efforts, he was fired.
A growing number of lawmakers want to know why. Read article.
Sympathy for Devils - Obama's overseas blind spot
Ralph Peters, NY Post.com
When it comes to dealing with America's adversaries, rhetorical "empathy" may get the Obama administration points with the media, but stone-cold-sober analysis of the enemy's view of the world would get better results.
There are plenty of problems with this administration's Pollyanna approach to butchers, fanatics and dictators, but its fundamental foreign-policy weakness -- even with allies -- is its refusal to put itself in the other guy's place.
Well, things look a lot different from Kandahar or Caracas than they do from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
If you're a Harvard-educated member of our ruling class, insulated from violence, poverty and the passions of faith, it's all too easy to convince yourself that al Qaeda "isn't about religion," or that Iran's hard-liners "don't really mean" what they say about longing for Israel's destruction. Read article.
An old dog keeps his teeth
Wesley Pruden, Washington Times.com
No wonder the Democrats are dazzled, frazzled and confused. Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi are sitting on enormous majorities, but they're at the mercy of an obscure conservative congressman from rural Arkansas and a tiny band of Democratic dogs, some blue and some ol' yaller posing as the more fashionable blue. Bow, wow.
The Democrats are trying to stuff a health care scheme down the throats of Americans who clearly don't like it, don't want it and can't pay for it, and Mr. Ross and his Blue Dogs have stalled it, forcing changes that might make it palatable, or at least less toxic. But now that maybe it's not as bad as it could be, the liberals - who want to be called "progressive," having ruined the label "liberal" - say they don't want it, either.
President Obama, who insisted for months that he had to have his health care "reform" by Aug. 7 or Saturn would collide with Pluto, suddenly insists that there was never anything magic about a date in August. Everybody is free to toil at leisure. Any time in October will be perfectly OK with him. But his leige men in Congress are singing hymns in a different key. Harry Reid, the leader of the Democratic majority in the Senate, met reporters Thursday and risked bustin' his galluses, such was the chemical purity of his dudgeon.
"That is a deadline that you created," he told the reporters, his face weary with worry, fatigue and frustration. "It's not like we don't have a product . the mere fact that this wasn't done by last Friday or by 5 o'clock doesn't mean we're not going to get a quality product."
For her part, Nancy Pelosi, who a fortnight ago mocked the Blue Dogs with a boast that "we've got the votes," rails that "the insurance companies are the villains."
Sen. Richard Durbin, a Reid deputy, dutifully agreed. "There are people out there with a lot of money at stake in this debate," he said, darkly. "The health insurance companies are some of the most profitable businesses in America. By fighting 'change' they're protecting the bottom line." (A business making a profit is practically un-American this season.)
Her handsome Democratic majority has flushed and scattered completely out of Mzz Pelosi's control. Read article.
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Occupy Chicago freakout: The LRAD is coming, the LRAD is coming!
May 21, 2012 00:57 AM
Here is an LRAD. It’s a Long Range Acoustic Device better known as a sound cannon and it’s used to disperse unruly crowds. Here is an Occupy Chicago freakout over the LRAD (led by the same livestreamer who freaked out last night over a brief police stop): Two #LRAD s spotted heading to march.— Tim [...]
Michael Moore spreads hysterical, anti-police fable from his Occupy comrades
May 21, 2012 00:37 AM
The crockumentary film-maker should have read Twitchy first. As we told you Saturday night, the trio of Occupy Chicago livestreamers who freaked out over a brief, Chicago police pullover didn’t have their apartment raided, didn’t have any of their equipment damaged, were not “held at gunpoint,” and had none of their high-priced cameras, phones, and [...]
It will rain: Awww, Occupy Chicago's all wet; finally, free showers for all!
May 20, 2012 11:09 PM
Mother Nature is Chicago law enforcement’s best friend. Tonight, the rabble-rousers’ plans for anarchy got spoiled by rain. Twitter had fun as the Occupiers and their fearless livestream crews ran for cover, while a few of the mobsters hung around to harass officers on duty and break out in senseless chants: Fkin Streamers afraid of [...]
Marion Barry has change of heart after being saved by Filipino hospital staff
May 20, 2012 10:00 PM
In what reads like a bad Hollywood movie script Marion Barry has changed his mind about Filipino nurses. Just a few weeks after complaining about how many Filipino nurses work in Washington DC Barry's life was saved by Filipino nurses. That's right, the same people he wanted to push our of DC hospitals ended up treating his potentially life threatening blood clot.
May 20, 2012 06:15 PM
Violence erupts at the end of the NATO Summit protests. Earlier today, members of Black Bloc were arrested for plotting to attack police stations, Mayor Emanuel's home and President Obama's campaign headquarters. Their violence then turned to the protest; police in riot gear move in, wearing gas masks. Protesters are throwing things at police according to video, live photos and reports from on the ground in Chicago.
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