Tuesday, November 22, 2011

The supercommittee failed to reach an agreement. What does this mean for the US budget, tax code and economy going forward?

Schwab Center for Financial Research
"After months of negotiations, the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (the "supercommittee") announced that it could not reach agreement, stating: "we have come to the conclusion today that it will not be possible to make any bipartisan agreement available to the public before the committee's deadline."
'The supercommittee had a deadline of November 23 to make recommendations to trim at least $1.2 trillion from the budget deficit, but the law required that the supercommittee post publicly any recommendations at least 48 hours before the deadline, or on Monday, November 21.
"What's beyond the supercommittee? Schwab answers the key questions." More...

http://townhall.com/political-cartoons/
Super Fail  "President Obama worked in at least two mentions of “fair share,” a couple of references to the top 2 percent and an oblique reference to Grover Norquist. He otherwise delivered a purely partisan broadside against Republicans in Congress, and promised to veto any effort to get around the automatic cuts built into the August law that created the debt super committee."

American Thinker:  Erskine Bowles on Obama's failed leadership  "It's what happens when amateurs are put in charge. They play political games when they should be statesman like, and try to appear like statesmen where politics should be employed. The deficit is both a policy and politics problem and Obama has failed to address the issue from either perspective."

Jennifer Rubin: The consequences of presidential weakness  "Republicans and Democrats in Congress should be crystal-clear: The president’s been AWOL from the most important domestic challenge we face. Frankly, I suspect that a stronger Democratic president would have been able to broker a deal. Actually, a stronger and more courageous president would have embraced Simpson-Bowles. But not Obama. Maybe we should get a president who doesn’t run overseas or finger-point but who leads."
More here.  Then this: The Philosophy Behind the Supercommittee Failure

Thomas Sowell has this: Failure or Success?  "If you think the goal was to solve the country's fiscal crisis, then obviously the Super Committee was a complete failure. But, if you think the goal was to improve the chances of the Obama administration being re-elected in 2012, it was a complete success."

Guy Benson : Obama's Dishonest 'Super Fail' Spin

"February 2009: "I'm pledging to cut the deficit we inherited by half by the end of my first term in office.""

Noel Piper: Recipe for Thanks-giving




desiringGod   "And maybe Dad will begin the meal by leading in a thankful song and reading some words from Scripture:
Oh come, let us sing to the LORD;
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
For the LORD is a great God,
and a great King above all gods. . . .
Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!
For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture,
and the sheep of his hand.
(Psalm 95:1-3, 6-7)
Pipers and friends around the Thanksgiving table.

What's the latest on the MSM?

Newsbusters: In Same Day CNN Puts Bachmann Through Wringer, Puffs Huntsman Up   "In an cushy interview during the 3 p.m. hour of Newsroom, Baldwin heaped praise on the Republican who supports same-sex civil unions and who ripped conservatives as "anti-science" for not believing in global warming. The CNN host fawned over Huntsman's "lovely" daughters and slobbered that "you seem pretty unflappable, and if I may, governor, downright nice." "

Big Journalism: CNN Anchor Carol Costello Mocks Bachmann’s Faith: Do You ‘Regret’ Listening to God?  "What people like Costello don’t understand is that just because God calls on someone to run for president, that doesn’t mean God always intends for them to become president. In this case, God’s plan could very well be to put Rep. Bachmann in the White House or God’s plan could be to use Bachmann’s run for the White House as a way to reveal the truth to the world about what an awful bigot Carol Costello is.
"Or both."
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5,6).
Columbia Journalism Review Scolds MSM for Over-hyping Cain Gaffe
"In fact, the campaign media missed an opportunity to explore and explain a unique immigration policy that is aimed at a single country, an issue that remains important to a significant bloc of Florida voters."

Wolf Blitzer’s terrible burden   "As this goes to post, Wolf Blitzer is preparing carefully and cautiously for the Republican foreign policy / national security debate he will be moderating tonight on CNN." 

Speaking of Blitzer, Rush has this: When Will the Media Do an Anal Exam of Obama Like They Do of Every Republican?  "From what I'm being told, Wolf Blitzer is rehearsing various retorts to Newt Gingrich, and he and his staff are trying to think of various things that Newt might say to insult them.  It's sort of like preparing for hecklers."

Newsbusters: MSNBC's Hyper-Partisan Bashir: You May Need a Bath After Watching Tonight's GOP Debate    "Playing off of Newt Gingrich's applause line that Occupy protesters need to "go get a job right after [they] take a bath," MSNBC anchor Martin Bashir introduced two liberal guests on his eponymous program to pre-game tonight's Republican debate on CNN by grousing that, "Indeed, a bath is exactly what you may need after watching tonight's Republican debate on foreign policy."

The Astute Bloggers:  THE MEDIA IS PAVING THE WAY FOR THE THIRD PARTY RUN THAT IS OBAMA'S ONLY CHANCE AT RE-ELECTION The legacy media are preparing the soil for the inevitable third party run that is Obama's only hope:
Exhibit A: "The political system is broken. It's only a matter of time before voters take matters in their own hands: The rise of a third party -- or the dramatic overhaul of one of the existing ones -- is in the offing."
Via Hot Air
Exhibit B: "Trump Threatens to Spend Millions on a Presidential Run" Wall Street Journal.

Obama-Loving MSM Shows Its Hand Early, Teaches Romney a Valuable lesson
"Today, by making standard operating procedure in political advertising The Big Political Story Of The Day, the media might have actually done the GOP a favor. A year out, and they’ve given us a hearty taste of what they have planned for us:
1.Amplify every mistake, real or perceived.
2.Make the mistake, no matter how big or small, the story.
3.Use the mistake to put the Republican on defense.
4.Make the story about anything but the bigger point the Republican meant to make.
5.Question the Republican’s honesty, etc.

MRC: (Almost) Nothing's Sacred "Start with Pamela Anderson, the ridiculously surgically enhanced former Playboy Playmate, home-movie porn specialist and "Baywatch" star. She's been cast to play - are you ready? - the Virgin Mary in a TV "Christmas" special in Canada.
"It's called "A Russell Peters Christmas..."
....
Speaking of messing up the time machine, Hollywood is really going back in time to smear J. Edgar Hoover. They've never forgiven him for being a staunch anti-communist or for mucking around in the personal lives of their heroes, from the Kennedy's to Martin Luther King. When Time asked actor Leonardo DiCaprio how true the movie was to life he replied, "Historically, it's incredibly accurate."
"That's quite a clash with the quote from his cast mate Armie Hammer, who plays Clyde Tolson, the close Hoover aide alleged to be his lover. "What really brings the film to life are the scenes that no one can prove happened." "
....
"The accusation that Hoover cross-dressed came from a convicted perjurer with mob ties; Soviet disinformation agents circulated rumors that Hoover was gay. But Hollywood doesn't care about sources or evidence when it makes "historical" movies. What they cared about was using ersatz history to promote the gay agenda."

The accusation that Hoover cross-dressed came from a convicted perjurer with mob ties; Soviet disinformation agents circulated rumors that Hoover was gay. But Hollywood doesn't care about sources or evidence when it makes "historical" movies. What they cared about was using ersatz history to promote the gay agenda.

Via Big Hollywood: Fallon show sneak attacks Bachmann with profane entrance music  "Guests such as Mrs. Bachmann and Mr. Cain have received harsh grilling from Mr. Leno, whereas President Obama faced a withering barrage of fawning compliments. Before The Roots made their opinion of Mrs. Bachmann clear on “Late Night,” comedian Dennis Miller appeared on “Tonight,” where he coined the term “J-Lobama” in reference to Mr. Leno’s sycophantic treatment of the President."
Fallon later apologized to Bachmann. In a tweet.

Rich Terrell is back

TerrellAfterMath "We're back, and Rich is madly working on new cartoons for you. The first is below. (And Lucy's new "Pick of the Week" is up at the website.) We were cruising last week with The National Review cruise and 550 fellow conservatives, where we had the pleasure of dining with Mark Steyn, John Yoo, and Andrew Klavan. We also chatted with Victor Davis Hanson, Jonah Goldberg, James Lileks, Fred Thompson, Andy McCarthy -- to name just a few of the great speakers on the cruise. Perhaps you can join us next year for the November 2012 post-election NR cruise. (what a dream crowd. Envy, envy, envy)
"And now today's cartoon -- "
 

Civil War History: Gettysburg Remembrance Day 2011: Remembrance Illumination

Gettysburg Daily  "We were on-hand Saturday to cover to Remembrance Day Parade in Gettysburg, as well as the illumination of the graves in the Soldiers National Cemetery afterwards. In this post, we’ll take a look at the illumination. We will be bringing you photos from the parade (as soon as we’re done sorting through them) later in the week."



gettysburgaddress
Here below is a lengthy video of the parade and the period costumes. The average age of soldiers  in the Civil War was said to be 25, but there are reported to be about 100,000 who were as young as 15. However those you see in reenactments are mostly older and, well... much better fed and looking little like those men of 1861-1865.
Only older people have the time and finances to engage in historical reenactments and they look quite odd - anachronistic actually- marching in parades and battle formations. Yet as out of place as they look, we owe them all a debt of gratitude for keeping this beloved history alive and vibrant. They make it possible for young people of today to roam encampments and to see a small glimpse of the life of American citizens who lived during those terrible times.
Americans in that day loved the Union or their Confederate nation enough to suffer the most inhumane conditions in the defense of their home country.
It is well that the scourge of slavery was ended-at least partially. But we do honor and remember the American spirit that lived in both black and white citizens; a spirit that has been nearly eradicated by indoctrination from liberals in academia and entertainment and replaced with guilt for being who we are.
These historians and reenactors help hold back those influences. TD

More here.  The newly discovered photo below is from here.

Enhanced image from Alexander Gardiner photo of Gettysburg Dedication Ceremonies taken on Nov. 19, 1863. Is this Abraham Lincoln in the stovetop hat?
"Enhanced image from Alexander Gardner photo of Gettysburg Dedication Ceremonies taken on Nov. 19, 1863. Is this Abraham Lincoln in the stove pipe hat?"
This is the full frame reproduction of an Alexander Gardner stereo view showing the crowd at the dedication of the National Cemetery at Gettysburg on Nov. 19, 1863, where Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address.
In the left distance is the famous cemetery gatehouse with its distinctive archway.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Brawl of Presidents

UPDATED:Russian News Anchor Not A Fan of Barack Obama; Sorry, but that's not it

A Russian newscaster flipped the bird while pronouncing Obama's name on TV. As a Russian speaker, I will translate... "Apparently Tatiana’s gentle finger was directed at her filming crew, who probably had made comments about her stuttering in the first sentence. She heard it in her earpiece and flipped the bird in response, thinking she was speaking off camera over the footage of the conference. Reading Obama’s name as she did was a mere coincidence."
HotAirPundit via Gateway Pundit   Anybody here speak Russian? 
"Russian news anchor reporting on the APEC summit. Stunning. This was on live T.V."


So much for that reset button.

Michelle Obama Booed at NASCAR Event

White House Dossier  "They really have no idea at the White House – the intensity of the unhappiness among some groups with this president.
"I think people saw Mrs. Obama’s appearance for what it was – an attempt to ingratiate herself and her husband with an critical voter demographic. And she’s using her initiative to help soldiers families – which was part of her rebranding as first lady – to do it, adding to the disgust."


Rush Limbaugh transcript:  "Why would people boo the first lady? The media can't believe it. But I can. People don't like be told they're lousy parents, and Mrs. Obama has done that. People resent Mrs. Obama's bizarre need to tell us what to eat and how much to exercise. She also has, let's not forget her husband, Mrs. Obama has a husband that runs around and apologizes for this country that he was elected to lead. Australia the latest example. He went over there and basically apologized for the worthlessness of American students. I'm also pretty sure this crowd is not eager to go out and buy a car that you have to plug in in order to drive."

Regrettable, yes and thoughtless, but so was this:
Also: Video: Bush Taunted As He Leaves Office  featuring Keith Olbermann.

Krauthammer: The great pipeline sellout

Charles Krauthammer  "Sure, the pipeline would have produced thousands of truly shovel-ready jobs. Sure, delay could forfeit to China a supremely important strategic asset — a nearby, highly reliable source of energy. But approval was calculated to be a political loss for the president. Easy choice.
"It’s hard to think of a more clear-cut case of putting politics over nation. This from a president whose central campaign theme is that Republicans put party over nation, sacrificing country to crass political ends.
"Nor is this the first time Obama’s election calendar trumped the national interest:" More here....
Political Cartoons by Eric Allie


Troop's message to the #occupiers

Posted by Ronbo at the not-always-sensitive Freedom Fighter's Journal


Plus this: OWS LENIN SPEAKS - HIS BOLSHEVIK RED GUARDS LISTEN "Van Jones offered a prediction Wednesday for those who have been watching the Occupy Wall Street movement: “You haven’t seen anything yet.”
The former Obama administration “green jobs czar” — an ardent supporter of the Occupy movement since its inception — said in an interview with CNN that the movement is ready to evolve into the areas of politics and policy-making, much like the Tea Party did in 2010."

You voted for Obama- this is what you got, multiplied.

Obama's foreign policy

James Carafano: Debating Obama's foreign policy doctrine  "During the Nov. 22 debate at Constitution Hall, televised nationally by CNN, the eight Republicans who would be commander in chief will have a chance to convince Americans to think differently.
"The entire 90-minute program will be dedicated to foreign policy and national security issues."....
"A second defining characteristic of Obama-style foreign policy is that everything gets filtered through a domestic political lens. Policies in Afghanistan and Iraq are a case in point.
"There is no serious strategic logic for disengaging other than boosting the president's popularity with his base. The problem is that being commander in chief is about winning peace, security and prosperity for all Americans -- not winning elections. " (Emphasis added)
about.com   

 Israel Hayom: Iran’s politically inconvenient nuclear program   "Of course, the administration has done almost everything in its power to slow the growth in domestic production of oil and gas, which could serve to temper any oil price rise, again with a nod to the president’s base of environmentalist supporters. Almost zero new permits have been issued for offshore drilling, and the federal government and its environmentalist allies have combined to slow down the development of shale gas and oil from tar sands, both of which provide an opportunity for the U.S. to greatly increase our domestic supplies and known reserves of both fuels."

DEBKAfile:  How the US and Israel let Iran get a nuclear arms capab[i]lity  ""No one knows what the US or Israeli leaders will decide to do, whether in concert or unilaterally, to rectify their grave lapse. Will they opt for living with a nuclear-armed Iran while downplaying the menace thereof or resort to a military offensive to extinguish it?"

No Good Choices in Egypt, But Brotherhood Victory is the Outcome to be Avoided  "This is a confusing situation and a reminder that even a skillful U.S. government can’t always impose its will or beliefs on other countries. The Obama administration has been anything but skillful in handling this situation, but at this point, Washington doesn’t have any good choices. Yet the United States still has considerable leverage in the form of the $2 billion in aid that goes to Egypt on an annual basis. Despite our revulsion at what is going on in Cairo, this is not the moment to be revoking that aid. Instead, we should be signaling the military that we might support their position if they commit to acting as a check on the Islamists and the guarantor of genuine democracy."

The Most Ethical Congress in History