Obama: Pork Happens

FRC: Last year, Sen. Barack Obama proposed more than $331 million worth of earmarks to the Appropriations Committee on Illinois's behalf. As CNN says, that was last year. On January 6, 2009, the President-elect pledged to change his ways. He vowed to the American people that the stimulus plan would be pork-free. "We are going to ban all earmarks," he insisted.

What a difference a month--and some public resistance--make. Realizing that his recovery package wasn't headed toward a fairy-tale ending, Obama did what mortal politicians do. He broke his promise. During his speech to the House Democrats' retreat yesterday, Obama returned to politics as usual. "[T]here's the argument, well, this is full of pet projects. When was the last time that we saw a bill of this magnitude move out with no earmarks in it? Not one," he said to applause. "So then you get the argument, well, this is not a stimulus bill--this is a spending bill. What do you think stimulus is?"

In his must-read column today, "The Fierce Urgency of Pork," Charles Krauthammer highlights the President's warning that if Congress doesn't act on the stimulus, the crisis would become "a catastrophe." "So much for the president who in his inaugural address two weeks earlier declared 'we have chosen hope over fear.' Until, that is, you need fear to pass a bill."

Although Republicans have tried to strip some excess from the stimulus, Democrats had a small victory of their own yesterday, defeating Sen. Jim DeMint's (R-S.C.) amendment to ban religious discrimination from the bill by a 43-54 vote. Only Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) deserted the GOP to side with her liberal pals in opposing the provision.

To hear more about the stimulus--straight from the elephant's mouth--please tune in to Washington Watch Weekly for my one-on-one conversation with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). He'll help us break down the bill. Later, our own Dr. Pat Fagan will discuss Obama's socialized health care plan. For a station listing, show schedule, or to subscribe by podcast, visit www.frcradio.com.

Additional Resources
The Washington Post: The Fierce Urgency of Pork

From Family Research Council, www.frc.org

"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.