Tuesday, April 20, 2010

The Iran Pretense; Obama's diplomacy depends on Iran's goodwill

Weekly Standard  "All of which provokes two questions: Why doesn’t President Obama talk about Iran and terrorism? And why hasn’t this president, so quick to issue formal condemnations of Israeli apartment construction, ever once publicly rebuked Iran for arming and training those who are killing Americans?" Stephen F. Hayes. Mr. Hayes is frequently one of the Fox All-Stars on Special Report with Brett Baier.

A Master Terrorist’s First Days in Baghdad; Before the U.S. entered Iraq.

Weekly Standard  "But here is one fact the press is not likely to trumpet: Abu Ayyub al Masri set up shop in Saddam’s Iraq roughly ten months prior to the U.S.-led invasion in 2003. His presence there was tracked by the CIA. The agency was even concerned that al Masri and his al Qaeda compatriots might be planning terrorist attacks outside of Iraq from Baghdad."  Thomas Joscelyn

SEC v. Goldman & Obama's Political Operation

National Review  "Internet surfers who entered "Goldman Sachs SEC" into Google were directed to the president's campaign Web site via a sponsored link titled "Help Change Wall Street." The White House's political arm paid for the keywords — but would not say how much. The tactic provided the latest evidence of how Obama and the Democratic National Committee are using the Securities and Exchange Commission's bombshell fraud suit against the financial giant to push financial-reform legislation through Congress. "  Andy McCarthy

The New Orleans Beating: Real Violence, Real Evidence, No Media

Pajamas Media "...Bautsch and Brown exited through the front door into what appeared to be a dwindling demonstration. The duo were immediately “catcalled” by the remaining protesters, and were followed by a group of approximately five white males bearing a “counterculture” appearance. The pursuers made repeated insulting comments based largely in class-warfare rhetoric: “little blond bitch,” “you think you’re f***ing special.” Brown told Bautsch to hurry towards their car. When they reached the 600 block of St. Louis Street, a block and a half from Brennan’s, Brown turned to gauge their progress. At that time, the attack began."

Political Cartoons by Steve Kelley

http://www.worldmag.com/editorialcartoons/

After Obsessing Over Enron's Political Friends, Media Mostly Ignore Much Deeper Obama-Goldman Sachs Connections

Newsbusters  "Obama's inflation-adjusted $1,007,370.85 in contributions from Goldman employees is almost seven times as much as the $151,722.42 (also inflation-adjusted) that Bush received from Enron. Goldman was one of the chief beneficiaries of the TARP bailout package -- supported by then-Senator Obama -- and has been a force for -- not against -- Democratic financial "reform" proposals currently under Senate consideration."

TV's Tea Party Travesty

Media Research Center "So how have the supposedly objective media covered one of the biggest political stories in recent years? MRC analysts reviewed every mention of the Tea Party on the ABC, CBS and NBC morning and evening newscasts, Sunday talk shows, and ABC’s Nightline from February 19, 2009 (when CNBC contributor Rick Santelli first suggested throwing a “Tea Party” to protest government takeovers) through March 31, 2010. Among the major findings:"...

A blueprint for coercion

Dick Morris  "Yes, George W. Bush acquired vast new powers for the executive branch of government in the Patriot Act and the war on terror. But there is no record of his intentionally misusing them to intimidate political opponents. But Obama has a more ruthless mind. His war on Fox News shows how this thin-skinned president keeps track and takes names. We can well imagine a Nixonian enemies list of financial institutions earmarked for special regulation and intensive oversight, not for their economic performance, but for their political views."

Political Cartoons by Gary Varvel

http://townhall.com/cartoons/cartoonist/GaryVarvel

Criminalizing Debate

Investors.com "Those fighting unprecedented federal expansion appeal to constitutional principles. With Bill Clinton deployed to demonize the Tea Party movement, is it really the Constitution those in power fear? There is something terrifying to Democratic leaders about the flavor and the force of the Tea Party, so on the eve of the 15th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, they portrayed the group as a bunch of Timothy McVeighs."

Mike Ramirez cartoon


http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/IBDEditorials.aspx

A decade of historic spending increases

Washington Times "The federal budget picture has collapsed over the past decade. In 2000, Washington collected $2.6 trillion, spent $2.3 trillion and ran a $300 billion surplus. One decade later, in 2010, Washington is set to collect $2.1 trillion, spend $3.6 trillion and run a $1.5 trillion deficit (all numbers adjusted for inflation). What happened? "  H/t to Heritage

A 'perfect storm' for socialism

American Thinker " This first storm hit America's shores full-force with the Presidential election of Barack Obama. Today in America, the winds of "hope and change" have grown to form a perfect storm to socialism.".... "Unfortunately, many defenders of liberty and democracy, who clearly identified early storm warning signs, are now being overruled by Obama's administration, while being maligned, ignored and discounted by the liberal media as a bunch of racist Obama haters and conspiracy kooks."  Neil Braithwaite

FDA plans to limit amount of salt allowed in processed foods for health reasons

Washington Post  "The initiative, to be launched this year, would eventually lead to the first legal limits on the amount of salt allowed in food products."  Via Drudge. Then what comes after salt?

The Beholden State; How public-sector unions broke California

City-journal.org     "The camera focuses on an official of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), California’s largest public-employee union, sitting in a legislative chamber and speaking into a microphone. “We helped to get you into office, and we got a good memory,” she says matter-of-factly to the elected officials outside the shot. “Come November, if you don’t back our program, we’ll get you out of office.’ "

Remember Victoria Jackson from Saturday Night Live?

Nealz Nuze "Victoria Jackson interviewed at a Tea Party rally." Video. Do I like this interview? Or not?

WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH GOLDMAN SACHS?

Neal Boortz "So .. what's the deal here? Well, you come to the right place for a simple explanation: A simple-minded talk show host." Neal's my go-to guy for making the complex understandable. Three bad actors in this mess: Goldman Sachs, John Paulson and the Obama Administration. Related, by golly: WILL OBAMA RETURN $994,795 IN GOLDMAN SACHS CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS?