Friday, January 30, 2009

The Dead Horse

Young Chuck in Montana bought a horse from a farmer for $100. The farmer agreed to deliver the horse the next day.

The next day he drove up and said, "Sorry son, but I have some bad news... the horse died."

Chuck replied, "Well, then just give me my money back."

The farmer said, "Can't do that. I went and spent it already."

Chuck said, "Ok, then, just bring me the dead horse."

The farmer asked, "What ya gonna do with him?"

Chuck said, "I'm going to raffle him off."

The farmer said, "You can't raffle off a dead horse!"

Chuck said, "Sure I can, Watch me. I just won't tell anybody he's dead."

A month later, the farmer met up with Chuck and asked, "What happened with that dead horse?"

Chuck said, "I raffled him off. I sold 500 tickets at two dollars a piece and made a profit of $998."

The farmer said, "Didn't anyone complain?"

Chuck said, "Just the guy who won. So I gave him his two dollars back."

Chuck grew up and now works for the government. He was the one who figured out how to "bail us out".

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Stop the Stimulus: Info from NetRight Nation

We need to take immediate action on the Stimulus bill. The bill will most likely be voted on in the House later this afternoon. I have put together a list of all the information that has been posted on NetRight Nation about the stimulus bill. We need to alert everyone we can over the next few hours to see this bills defeat! Let's get blogging on this!

Call Your Congressman Now: Click here for a full list of phone numbers for Representative district offices. Tell them that you want them to "Vote NO on the Stimulus".

A 40 Year Wish List: This story ran in today's edition of the Wall Street Journal. This story shows just what type of "pork" projects are inside of the stimulus package.

Congress Must STOP the 'Stimulus': The $825 billion economic “stimulus” plan now being proposed by President Barack Obama and Congressional Democrats could well result in a federal deficit in excess of $2 trillion for 2009. Which means that it is now up to Senate and House Republicans to make certain that the American people are not consigned to a future of permanent serfdom to foreign creditors.

Putting the Pig Before the Bacon: President Barack Obama may be serious about banning pork in the new “stimulus” bill. And, perhaps, no individual members of Congress will insert “pet projects” (i.e. earmarks) into the legislation that is ultimately passed by Congress and presented for his signature.

200 Economists Against the Stimulus: A list of over 200 economists that are against the stimulus package.

Geithner names ex-lobbyist as Treasury chief of staff

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner picked a former Goldman Sachs lobbyist as a top aide Tuesday, the same day he announced rules aimed at reducing the role of lobbyists in agency decisions.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-01-27-lobbyist_N.htm?csp=34

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Malkin: Contraceptive funding thrown under Obama’s bus

Love it! You see, all our yelling and screaming and hissy fits CAN have an affect. Now, let's throw a BIG tantrum about the entire unstimulating stimulus package!

Contraceptive funding thrown under Obama’s bus
By Michelle Malkin • January 26, 2009 11:27 PM
Goody. Panicky President Obama wants the Dems to eliminate Pelosi’s pet contraceptive funding from the Generational Theft Act of 2009. Only $800 billion more in needless, unstimulating stimulus spending to kill.
http://michellemalkin.com/2009/01/26/contraceptive-funding-thrown-under-obamas-bus/

Top 20 Fast Facts About the House Democrats' Trillion Dollar Spending Plan

Read My Lipstick Network just zapped this to me, she rec'd from @PabloMac (Twitter). I signed up for updates from House Republican Leader John Boehner while I was on the site.

http://republicanleader.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=109402
Washington, Jan 26 - Earlier this month, when then-President-elect Obama met with Democratic and Republican congressional leaders, he laid out a vision of crafting a bipartisan economic recovery package focused on creating jobs and fast-acting tax relief. However, in the weeks since that meeting, Democratic leaders in Congress have taken that vision and turned it upside down, crafting a plan loaded with hundreds of billions in spending on programs and projects – most of which will not impact our ailing economy for many years, if ever, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

Rather than working with Republicans on a proposal that lets families, small businesses, entrepreneurs, and the self-employed keep more of what they earn to create jobs and help fix our economy, it seems congressional Democrats are prepared to barrel ahead with the same-old, same-old – more and more aimless spending – at a time when the American people expect so much more out of their elected officials in Washington. For a taste of just how badly Capitol Hill Democrats have strayed from the vision of a bipartisan plan to get our economy moving again, take a look at these 20 fast facts about their bloated plan:
http://republicanleader.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=109402

Monday, January 26, 2009

Stop the Stimulus

From Read My Lipstick Network:

I don't normally send out group emails, but this one is SO critical. Let's make this viral! We only have TWO days left to stop the stimulus. Visit www.readthestimulus.org for details on the bill then be sure to go to www.nostimulus.com and sign the petition. Don't stop there, call Congress, write letters, post blogs, send emails, send faxes! If enough people call and voice their opinion we CAN stop the stimulus.

Join me in taking a stand in the first major policy battle of President Obama's Administration.

You've seen the coverage of the approximately $1 trillion debt scheme pushed by Speaker Pelosi and President Obama that's being called the "Stimulus Package."

Sadly, many politicians in Washington, DC really believe that driving our nation even deeper into debt and using our money for wasteful government spending boondoggles is the way to get us out of the current recession.

These political leaders don't realize that massive deficits, higher taxes, wasteful spending and heavy-handed regulation are primary reasons for the current recession.

You can fight back today by visiting www.NoStimulus.com and joining the growing army of taxpayers saying NO by signing Americans for Prosperity’s petition to stop this disastrous trillion-dollar debt scheme, known as the “Stimulus Package.”

It is critical that we send a loud and clear message to DC politicians that ordinary citizens simply cannot afford the crushing burden and devastating consequences of this initiative.

Please act now to make your voice heard -- and encourage your friends and family to do the same -- by signing AFP’s petition at www.NoStimulus.com.

Kennedy's go after Patterson

Whoa, the Kennedy's are saying they're going after Patterson for the Caroline Kennedy situation.

Geithner Confirmed

Vote 60-34.

Ethics Committee Member Investigating Rangel Gives Back $20K

Vermont Representative Peter Welch (D), who is on the House Ethics Committee investigating Charlie Rangel, gave back close to $20,000 he received from Rep. Rangel. He returned the money to "avoid any appearance of impropriety" when Nancy Pelosi named him, along with four other Democrats, to the panel.

Rangel is being investigated for a number of alleged ethics violations.

My reaction? No, no, no, no, NO. How can you accept $20,000 from someone and then be impartial when investigating them?

Yes, I realize the whole investigation is a sham to begin with, but pu-leeze, don't assume we're stupid. At least try to pretend you're giving a good effort.

Sure, the guy is giving the money back that he received from Rangel. Big deal. Welch has already used the money to win his seat, what does he need with it now? Besides, what's to say Rangel won't fork over double the amount once he's let off the hook?

I know that money goes back and forth between elected officials all the time. I also know Rangel has been in office for a long, long time and he has built up a lot of loyalty points. However, isn't there someone Pelosi can pick who doesn't owe something to Rangel?

Can you imagine what kind of uproar there would be in the media if a Republican tried this kind? I am getting more than fed up with obvious double-standards in the minds of Congress, the media and some of the public. I'm also getting really tired of our elected officials flaunting their disdain for their voting public.

Welch gives back Rangel contributions
By Susan Crabtree
Posted: 01/26/09 04:43 PM [ET]
Rep. Peter Welch (Vt.), a new Democratic member of the House ethics committee, gave back nearly $20,000 in donations he received from Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.), who is under investigation by the panel for an array of ethics charges.
Welch received a total of $19,000 from Rangel’s reelection committee and leadership political action committee over the last four years.
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/welch-gives-back-rangel-contributions-2009-01-26.html

This from Fox News Jan. 5th:

Ethics Wrangle
The ethics investigation into House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charlie Rangel still is not done — despite promises from Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Rangel is being investigated in at least four areas — including his failure to report income taxes on a Caribbean villa and the use of rent-controlled apartments in New York. Pelosi said in November, "The report will be completed by the end of this session... which concludes January 3, 2009."

The Hill newspaper reports the investigation will be further delayed because the ethics committee is currently without a chairman.

And Cybercast News reports Rangel will likely hold onto his Ways and Means chairmanship because the House voted Tuesday to eliminate term limits for committee heads. Michael Steel, House Minority Leader John Boehner’s press secretary, says "There's no limit whatsoever on the amount of time Chairman Rangel can remain chairman, despite the ethical questions he faces."

Here's a list of some of the stories on Charlie Rangel:

Rep. Rangel, AIG Sought Favors From Each Other New York Times, 1/5
Rangel Pays Parking Tickets With Campaign Funds CQ Politics, 12/30
This Year in Scandals: Congressmen Behaving Badly ProPublica, 12/24
Trips to Caribbean Appear to Have Broken House Rules The Hill, 12/17
Madoff’s Political Contributions Capital Eye, 12/16
Rangel Investigation Expanded Politico, 12/10
Rangel Disputes Ethics Violations Wall Street Journal ($), 12/9
Rangel Steered Campaign Cash to Son’s Business Politico, 12/5
This Week in Scandals ProPublica, 12/5
NY Times Rebuts Rangel’s Claims on Meeting With Donor Politico, 12/4
Pols’ Trip to the Caribbean Skirted Rules New York Post, 12/3
Rangel Takes on The New York Times Politico, 12/2
Pelosi: Rangel Ethics Probe Will Be Done By Early Jan. Politico, 12/1
Republicans Question Rangel’s Tax Break Support New York Times, 11/26
Rep. Rangel Rebukes ‘Inflammatory’ Media Report CNN, 11/26
Investigations Hamper Rangel’s Sway Politico, 11/25
Rep. Rangel Helped Protect Tax Shelter for Big Donor New York Times, 11/25
Rep. Rangel Reaped DC Home Perk While Renting in NYC New York Post, 11/24
Rep. Rangel (Finally) Hires Forensic Accountant Roll Call ($), 11/13
House Ethics Committee Stymied By ‘Truce’ Reason, 11/12
Rep. Rangel Pays Law Firm With Campaign Funds New York Post, 11/3
Rep. Rangel’s Attorney: Auditor Yet to Be Hired Roll Call ($), 10/28
Rangel’s Beach Trip Got Ethics Thumbs-Up The Hill ($), 10/1
Dem Calls for Rangel to Step Down Politico, 9/29
House Ethics Committee Votes to Investigate Rep. Rangel Politico, 9/24
Rangel Now Faces Losing Low-Rent Apts. New York Post, 9/23
Senate Candidate Refuses to Return Funds from Rep. Rangel Rocky Mountain News, 9/22
Rangel Pays IRS, Complains of ‘Guerilla War’ AP, 9/22
Ethics Committee Moves Toward Rangel Probe AP, 9/19
Rangel Deflects Blame in Open Letter Politico, 9/19
Rangel’s Illegal Free Parking May Be New Tax Woe New York Post, 9/18
Parties Spar over Convicted Donors Politico, 9/18
Rangel to Stay on Tax Committee AP, 9/17
Rangel Could Face $100K Tab for Audit Roll Call ($), 9/17
Rangel Says He Won’t Leave Ways and Means Post Wall Street Journal ($), 9/16
Rangel, Pressured, Meets With Leaders New York Times, 9/16
Rangel Failed to Report Profit on Condo Sale Roll Call, 9/15
Rep. Rangel to Hire Forensic Accountant to Investigate His Finances The Washington Post, 9/15
More Errors for Rangel; Hires New Accountant The Associated Press, 9/15
Rangel’s Papers in Disarray Roll Call, 9/15
This Week in Scandals ProPublica, 9/12
Dems Stand Up for Rangel Politico, 9/11
Watchdog Names the 20 Most Corrupt Members of Congress CREW, 9/10
Rangel Tries to Explain Back Taxes on Villa New York Times, 9/10
Rangel Admits ‘Mistakes,’ Lands on Scandal Watch ProPublica, 9/10
Pelosi: Rangel Won’t Be Forced to Step Aside Politico, 9/10
Rangel to Amend Taxes, GOPers Want Him Removed From Tax Panel Chair ProPublica, 9/9
House Republicans Call on Rangel to Step Aside Politico, 9/9
Rep. Rangel to File Amended Tax Returns Wall Street Journal ($), 9/9
Rep. Rangel Asks for an Inquiry Roll Call ($), 9/9
Rep. Rangel Says He Didn’t Known of Loan Terms Washington Post, 9/8
Interest Was Waived for Rangel On Loan for His Caribbean Villa New York Times, 9/5
Rep. Rangel Failed to Report $75,000 in Income New York Times, 9/5
Rep. Rangel’s Shady Filings on Beach Villa Rental Income New York Post, 9/1
House Defeats GOP Bid to Censure Rep. Rangel AP, 8/1
Real Estate Developers Are Major Rangel Donors New York Times, 7/28
Rep. Rangel Acknowledges Seeking Gifts Washington Post, 7/24
Rep. Rangel’s Letters to Potential Donors Washington Post, 7/18
House Ethics Manual Shows Rule Rangel May Have Broken Washington Post, 7/18
Rangel Says He’ll File Ethics Complaint – Against Himself The Wall Street Journal ($), 7/17
Watchdog Seeks Ethics Probe of Rep. Rangel’s Fundraising for NY Center Washington Post, 7/16
Rep. Rangel to Move Office from Low-Rent NYC Apt AP, 7/15
Rep. Rangel Seeks Funds for Pet Project From Firms with Business Before his Panel Washington Post, 7/15
Rep. Rents Apartments at Bargain Rates The New York Times, 7/11

Call Your Senator, Urge Them to Vote Against Geithner

American Solutions: Late this afternoon the United States Senate will vote on Tim Geithner's nomination for Treasury Secretary.

Last week, we asked you what you thought of his nomination in light of his tax mistakes. With more than 83,000 people responding, an overwhelming 98% of you voted to oppose Geithner.

Please call your Senators right now at 202-224-3121 and urge them to vote against Tim Geithner.

Tell them it would be wrong for someone who failed to pay $34,023 in taxes to become Treasury Secretary in charge of getting taxes from the rest of us. This is not about party, it is about principle. If Geithner is approved, he will be a symbol of favoritism and rich politicians getting a different deal than the rest of us.

Our economic future is at stake, so please call your Senators now and then click here to report back to us on your call.

Sincerely,
Dave Ryan
PresidentAmerican Solutions

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Great Pro-Life Commercial from CatholicVote.org

While I am not Catholic, I support CatholicVote.org (and .com) in their fight against abortion. I signed up for updates a while back and encourage you to do the same if you are pro-life. They started running this commercial on Tuesday I believe. I think it's powerful. It doesn't go over the top, it's rather subtle in its message but it does make the point their intending I think. If not, many of those who don't get it may end up checking out the website... then they'll get it .

Your tax dollars to now fund abortions around the world

Whether you are pro-abortion or pro-life, this one is hitting everyone in the pocket-book and should have your wondering about Mr. Obama's priorities if nothing else.

At a time when we're being asked to swallow stimulus packages and Obama initiated plans with price tags too large for us to comprehend, the new President has chosen to start sending millions and millions of our tax dollars around the world to fund abortions.

He did it with no fanfare and no press late Friday night. In the dark of the night, with the stroke of a pen, he opted to fund the taking of lives around the world with our hard-earned tax dollars. Those dwindling dollars we're doing everything we can to hold onto at the moment.

How can he justify sending our money, our children's money, to fund abortions in other countries at a time when we're hearing from his lips that things are going to get a lot worse before they get better? Pro-life or pro-choice, this one should raise your ire.

From the AP article linked below (emphasis mine):
"For too long, international family planning assistance has been used as a political wedge issue, the subject of a back and forth debate that has served only to divide us," Obama said in a statement released by the White House. "I have no desire to continue this stale and fruitless debate."

He said the ban was unnecessarily broad and undermined family planning in developing countries.

"In the coming weeks, my administration will initiate a fresh conversation on family planning, working to find areas of common ground to best meet the needs of women and families at home and around the world," the president said.

Obama issued the presidential memorandum rescinding the Bush
policy without coverage by the media, late Friday afternoon.
The
abortion measure is a highly emotional one for many people, and the quiet signing was in contrast to the televised coverage of Obama's announcement Wednesday on ethics rules and Thursday's signing of orders on closing the Guantanamo Bay prison camp and banning torture in the questioning of terror suspects.
His action came one day after the 36th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court ruling in Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion.

From the Family Research Council:
'Planet' Parenthood
After granting a 24-hour stay on the execution of the unborn, President Obama delivered today on his promise of taxpayer-funded promotion of abortion. This afternoon, the new administration inked the order overturning the "Mexico City policy" and unleashing millions of federal dollars to international abortion groups. Of course, it was no accident that the new president postponed the act until the last possible minute on Friday, knowing the repeal would be buried in the weekend headlines. Issuing it now means that even the presidential blackberry will get more media coverage than his international abortion bailout. The end of "Mexico City" is nothing less than a tragedy for the world's poor. For more on this and other events of this week, watch the video I've recorded which can be seen at www.frcblog.com. (video posted at the end of this blog)

Obama reverses abortion-funding policy
CNN - USA
"By signaling his intention to restore US funding for UNFPA, the UN Population Fund, President Barack Obama is signaling his re-engagement with the...

Obama Reverses Bush Abortion-Funds Policy
ABC News - USA
By MATTHEW LEE and LIZ SIDOTI AP Writers
AP President Barack Obama, walks through the kitchen area of the Brady press briefing room at the White....

The Times Ignores March for Life for Second Year Running
A few dozen left-wing activists protesting Rev. Rick Warren were worthy of a Times story plus a large photo. But when tens of thousands marched in D.C. at the pro-life March for Life, they were completely ignored by the Times for the second year in a row.

Obama reverses Bush abortion-funds policy
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama on Friday struck down the Bush administration's ban on giving federal money to international groups that perform abortions or provide abortion information - an inflammatory policy that has bounced in and out of law for the past quarter-century. Obama's move, the latest in an aggressive first week reversing contentious Bush policies, was warmly welcomed by liberal groups and denounced by abortion rights foes. http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090124/D95TDP100.html

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Say NO to the un-"Fairness Doctrine", Sign the Petition

With the election of Barack Obama for President of the United States, and the Democrats controlling both the House of Representatives and the Senate, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is pushing to re-install the "Fairness Doctrine", a policy enforced by the FCC that called for issues to be debated in an equitable manner.

However, this policy is being reintroduced by Democrats to stifle conservative talk radio shows, like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and others.

By signing this petition, you are pledging your support for conservative talk radio. Please engage family, friends and colleagues to sign this as well and tell Congress NO to the "Un"Fairness Doctrine.

We (Facebook group) plan to have 1,000,000 signatories on this petition and send it to House Speaker Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and President-elect Barack Obama.

The link is: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/NoToFairnessDoctrine/

Friday, January 16, 2009

White House Press Secretary Dana Perino delivers her last briefing

Another class act!


President Bush's Farewell Address

I thought this was very gracious. I certainly hope history is kind to George W. Bush, I thank him for keeping us safe and for all the good things he accomplished during his eight years.

Stevens trial judge orders explanation from Mukasey

Anchorage Daily News: Stevens trial judge orders explanation from Mukasey
Seemingly stunned by the conduct of the Justice Department after former Sen. Ted Stevens' trial, the judge today ordered U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey to provide an accounting for how his prosecutors handled a whistle-blower complaint.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

If President-elect Bush had the same reception...

Can you imagine how smoothly the last eight years could have gone if President-elect Bush had received the same adoration and worship from the media that President-elect Barack Obama is receiving?

I'm mindful of the saying 'the higher they rise, the harder they fall' (or some variation of that sentiment) though.

It would have been nice if President Bush had been able to catch at least one break from the press during his tenure. I know, I know, that would have been asking for a miracle.

Sunday, January 04, 2009

"Eye for an Eye" or "Turn the Other Cheek"?

I have to admit, I'm conflicted at times. My general nature is easy-going, help others whenever possible, love your neighbor and hug a liberal if they get nasty.

However, I struggle at times. Some stuff just gets my blood boiling and I struggle with whether it's better to turn the other cheek or poke 'em in the eye.

I got wind earlier of a "conspiracy" if you will by over 90 libs to infiltrate Team Sarah. For those who aren't familiar with Team Sarah, it's a huge and growing group of Sarah Palin supporters. The libs were going to post racist comments and bigoted remarks as though they were Sarah Palin supporters on the site in an effort to discredit Team Sarah.

Despicable tactics, below the belt, nasty, and childish.

Obviously the efforts by Team Sarah and other Sarah Palin supporting groups are getting on the nerves of the lib element.

It's easy to want to stoop to their level and get in the gutter. It's tempting to hit the Huffington Post, the Daily Kos, and other lib groups in a similar manner in retaliations. Eye for an eye, take that ye scurvy dogs... However, then I'd be just like them, wouldn't I?

How these groups and individuals manage to justify pure ugliness as "good" is beyond my comprehension, but I guess they feel they're on the side of right so it's OK to kill and maim. Ya know, they can justify doing all those things they SAY conservatives are doing. Mind boggling.

While I may be tempted by the "eye for an eye" model, I just can't go there. Nor can I follow the "turn the other cheek" model.

I believe the oft-quoted sentiment that if you don't stand for something you'll fall for anything. I believe I have to stand up for my beliefs, however I don't think it's necessary to toss principals out the door in order to do so. I don't believe in bowing down to evil or giving in to corrupt tactics.

I believe one way to combat the corruption that has entered into the hearts of many liberals (and yes, some conservatives) is to shine the proverbial light and expose the actions.

I'm expecting many attacks on conservative values in the future. Rather than using logic or facts, we're going to see the continued twisting of information to make it conform to a belief system. We're going to see more and more people justifying their actions by the perceived end.

It's going to be so important to keep our core principles intact and to learn to ferret out the distortions. It's going to be oh so important to be vigilant and fight the good fight. Yes, fight. I don't mean fight in the gutter with those who are attacking, but we must fight. We must "out" those on both sides of the political spectrum who don't live and act on true conservative values. We have to do our homework, we have to get involved.

I firmly believe we are in the fight for everything good and true. If we don't engage, if we don't clear our mind of the clutter being thrown at us by the mainstream media we will lose this all important battle.

I think we can do it without turning the other cheek, and we can do it without blinding and maiming. I believe right will ultimately win. We just have to make sure we have enough soldiers willing to engage.