Progressives in America

Big Government  Alexis de Tocqueville traveled to the United States of America in 1831 ... One result of those travels was a rather prophetic study of American society, “Democracy in America.”:...."What Sort of Despotism Democratic Nations Have to Fear"...."It is therefore most especially in the present democratic times, that the true friends of the liberty and the greatness of man ought constantly to be on the alert, to prevent the power of government from lightly sacrificing the private rights of individuals to the general executions of its designs."

Clinton Holds Tea Party to Higher Standards Than Islam

The Razor "Yet while Clinton, Obama and the mainstream press have no problem linking every politically motivated incident with their political opponents, they have not held Muslims to the same standards. Even during his own administration that averaged over one terrorist attack a year perpetrated by a Muslim, Clinton and his administration never dared equated the actions of the radicals with the broader religion they claimed to be acting in the name of."

Ordinary people view Rush as a dangerous Svengali *UPDATED*

Bookworm Room "It’s also very frustrating to me because, in a funny way, I agree with my liberal friends that Rush can rejigger their world view very quickly. The only thing is that I don’t believe Rush works his magic through hypnotism and trickery. Instead, I think Rush’s real magic lies in his ability to view the political world as a vast chess board, one on which he can see multiple future moves; his prodigious memory; his well-informed mind; his logical analyses; and his funny persona. He convinces by appealing to our rational mind, our sense of humor, and our knowledge of the world as it is, and not as some Ivory Tower liberal tells us it should be." H/t to Rush Limbaugh. We had to hear this from Rush because I didn't get to blog this morning.

Now It Begins - Dems Push For Criminal Charges Against Goldman Sachs

Legal Insurrection "Civil charges can put pressure on a firm and industry, and in themselves can be destructive. Regardless of the SEC's subjective motivation, objectively the Democrats use of the charges as an excuse to push through legislation seems to fit a pattern of bullying private industry. Now the bullying is being raised to a whole new level, as Democrats in Congress are calling for a criminal investigation of Goldman Sachs:"...William A. Jacobson;  Associate Clinical Professor of Law, Cornell Law School, Ithaca, NY

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."