Well, He is new to the Job

I will give him that. Here’s some funny bits from a NYT piece about the New President. Seems he has changed things a bit, perhaps it is a good thing.

Quotes:

The capital flew into a bit of a tizzy when, on his first full day in the White House, President Obama was photographed in the Oval Office without his suit jacket. There was, however, a logical explanation: Mr. Obama, who hates the cold, had cranked up the thermostat.

“He’s from Hawaii, O.K.?” said Mr. Obama’s senior adviser, David Axelrod, who occupies the small but strategically located office next door to his boss. “He likes it warm. You could grow orchids in there.”

Not touching this, not with a ten foot pole. Surprise

He reads several papers, eats breakfast with his family and helps pack his daughters, Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, off to school before making the 30-second commute downstairs — a definite perk for a man trying to balance work and family life. He eats dinner with his family, then often returns to work; aides have seen him in the Oval Office as late as 10 p.m., reading briefing papers for the next day.

“Even as he is sober about these challenges, I have never seen him happier,” Mr. Axelrod said. “The chance to be under the same roof with his kids, essentially to live over the store, to be able to see them whenever he wants, to wake up with them, have breakfast and dinner with them — that has made him a very happy man.”

Hey, at least he is engaged, which is a bit more than I can say about the previous President, who seemed to outsource everything that either he did not understand or care to understand. (Which is just an opinion of mine.) I also like to see the President happy, for all of my criticisms of this President regarding his politics; I will not criticize him for being a family man. That says much about him; yes, I know about the far-right crazies who say it is all a front and he is a terrorist and all. Those people are stupid and lame, and should be treated as such.

In the West Wing, Mr. Obama is a bit of a wanderer. When Mr. Bush wanted to see a member of his staff, the aide was summoned to the Oval Office. But Mr. Obama tends to roam the halls; one day last week, he turned up in the office of his press secretary, Robert Gibbs, who was in the unfortunate position of having his feet up on the desk when the boss walked in.

“Wow, Gibbs,” the press secretary recalls the president saying. “Just got here and you already have your feet up.” Mr. Gibbs scrambled to stand up, surprising Mr. Obama, who is not yet accustomed to having people rise when he enters a room.

This sort of stuff cracks me up. LaughingRolling on the floor I feel sorry for poor Gibbs. I mean, President Obama goes from being a friend and a Senator to the President of the United States; it is a bit of a adjustment.

I know, some of you Conservatives will think that I am slobbering over the guy. Rolling Eyes Which is a bunch of crap, if you’ve cared to read this Blog at all. I criticize his politics, but I do know that Obama is normal human being, like the rest of us. For the record, I thought Bush was as well. I was not one of those Bush derangement types, I had zero against the man, I just did not agree with his polices.

Now, there are those who would criticize President Obama for his change in protocol for the White House, in regards to dress code. I am not one of those people. I think that formality amongst the Republicans and most Conservatives is overplayed a bit. The way I feel about it is this; I would much rather have a President that ditches the formality, and proceeds to lead the Country with a sobering intelligence and a calm guiding hand. Than for him to be hung up on formalities and be a total disconnected, out of touch, buffoon. You know, like the last couple Presidents?

Yeah, I know, there is some Conservatives lambasting him for having the thermostat cranked up. Well, when you have no life and live in your own little world, what exactly do you expect?

Others: JustOneMinute, Michelle Malkin, The Swamp, Hot Air, marbury, Wonkette, Argghhh!, The Huffington Post, TIME.com, Gawker, Mudville Gazette, Rising Hegemon, Green Inc., Lost in Transition, The BLT and Althouse

This is why I don’t listen to Rush Limbaugh

Yes, I am a “right of center”, and no, I do not listen to Rush Limbaugh. I have in the past, here and there. But to say that I am a “Dittohead”, would be crazy. This below is why:

Yes, elections have consequences. But where’s the bipartisanship, Mr. Obama? This does not have to be a divisive issue. My proposal is a genuine compromise.

Fifty-three percent of American voters voted for Barack Obama; 46% voted for John McCain, and 1% voted for wackos. Give that 1% to President Obama. Let’s say the vote was 54% to 46%. As a way to bring the country together and at the same time determine the most effective way to deal with recessions, under the Obama-Limbaugh Stimulus Plan of 2009: 54% of the $900 billion — $486 billion — will be spent on infrastructure and pork as defined by Mr. Obama and the Democrats; 46% — $414 billion — will be directed toward tax cuts, as determined by me.

via Rush Limbaugh: My Bipartisan Stimulus – WSJ.com.

If you read the whole article, you will say that Rush Limbaugh believes in the classical Neo-Conservative line of; “Protect the rich, screw the poor and middle class.” It is funny, Rush is fond of quoting Reagan; does he know that Reagan was a economic populist? This is proven in what he did for Harley Davidson.

Basically, this is why I do not like Rush Limbaugh’s show, it is basically an ego driven show; it is all about Rush, if I am going to watch or listen to a politico, I want someone who is going to seriously discuss the issues, not sit and recite party propaganda.

Besides, who the hell to take someone like Rush seriously, when he constantly dismisses his own statements with, “I am just an entertainer?”

Others: The Opinionator, The Atlantic Business Channel, TIME.com, Don Surber, Hot Air, Weekly Standard, Balloon Juice, Commentary, The Note, Scared Monkeys and The Washington Independent

(via memeorandum)

Quote of the Day

I think Peter Hitchens nailed it when he said that in broad cultural terms, the election of Obama showed that the United States was beginning its “long, slow descent into the Third World.” Hopefully, he’s wrong, and as the freedom fighters at Young Americans for Liberty suggest, Obama is simply more of the same. However, if Hitchens is right, perhaps I could suggest that Russia, in broad cultual terms, could become an alternative to the leftist regime that holds sway in North America and Europe.


Culture11 is shutting down

Some sad news, a start up Blog/Political site is going south…:

Sometimes there are simple stories. Culture11’s is one of them. We raised a certain amount of money last year predicated on the assumption we would raise more money last year. Then the Fall’s fall occurred and we stretched money as long and far as we could without incurring any debts. With no new money in the door the board decided the most prudent thing to do was suspend business operations. That is a way too technical way of saying that there are now 14 people who worked very hard for this company who are looking for new jobs because theirs disappeared. These people do not deserve to be out of jobs and yet they are. The economy racks up more victims.

A friend reminded me that Orson Welles once said that if you want a happy ending, it depends on where you choose to stop your story. This then isn’t the end – we are proud of the articles we commissioned, edited, and wrote, the blogs that we posted, the conversations we joined and sometimes started and the platform we created. Our hope is that we will be able to keep it alive and that we might continue to be a center for conversation, debate, and community. In that sense more than ever we turn Culture11 over to you.

via The Confabulum –  The Fate of Culture11.

This is why I would never do a start up job. There’s just always that risk involved. Just more proof that the Economy is in terrible shape.

Wish all the guys who got let go, all the best in these tough times.

I just wonder why they haven’t tried a fund raiser?

Others: The League of Ordinary … and Eunomia

Dick Army Puts Liberal MoonBat Joan Walsh in her place!

This comes via Talking Points Memo.

Dick Army puts the smack down on Liberal Moonbat Joan Walsh.

I love it!

It’s about damn time that someone put that Harpy Liberal BITCH in her place.

Dick Army for President in 2012! 😀

Update: The Liberals are now having a snit about Army’s comments.. Boo Hoo! Where were they when Tony Snow was insulted by the far left?

Update #2Joan Walsh responds and of course, plays the gender and race card in her quite feckless response. Typical Democratic, when cornered, play the card. Typical Liberal. 🙄

House Passes Democrat Liberal Moonbat’s $819 Billion Economic Stimulus Plan

I’m very glad to see the the Loyal Opposition doing it’s job, for a change!

With no Republican support, the House approved an $819 billion stimulus plan that will serve as the cornerstone of President Obama’s efforts to resuscitate the economy, an early victory for the new president but still a disappointment because of the lack of Republican votes.

The measure passed 244 to 188, with 11 Democrats and 177 Republicans voting against it.

The two-year economic package includes $275 billion in tax cuts and more than $550 billion in domestic spending on roads and bridges, alternative-energy development, health-care technology, unemployment assistance, and aid to states and local governments. It would also provide up to $500 per year in tax relief for most workers and more than $300 billion in aid to states for funding to help rebuild schools, provide health-care to the poor and reconstruct highways and bridges.

via House Passes $819 Billion Economic Stimulus – washingtonpost.com.

For the Video, Go Here, Embedded videos won’t load, from WaPo, Liberal Programmers are such idiots.

I guess President Obama was not able to convince the Republicans to get in line. So much for that Obama and Change line. I’m all for helping economy, but this damn thing is nothing more than a big waste. I mean, what in this is going to put ME back to work? None of it! I mean, because we all know that all the contracts for the road work is going to go to all MINORITY workers. Seeing the Democrats want to avoid the “White Construction workers“.

So, yeah, like Michelle said, this is all your crap sandwich Communist Liberals; YOU CAN EAT IT!

What idiots, we got an empty suit communist running the White House and communists running the damn Congress and Senate. McCarthy would be rolling over in his grave. 🙄

Good luck with that!

The DC Examiner challenges President Obama:

“After a relentless expansion of big government for decades under both Republican and Democratic administrations, the nation’s economy is finally buckling under the load. In his inauguration address, President Barack Obama blamed “greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age.” But Obama’s $825 billion stimulus plan contains few “hard choices”- just lots more government spending.

“The hardest choice off all is to scale back government at the local, state and federal levels and stop the seemingly inexorable growth of entitlement programs that are bankrupting the nation. But is the Obama administration up to this kind of real change?”

I hate to say it, but it’s just not going to happen.

Welcome to the new nationalized USA!

(Via the Libertarian Party Blog) (H/T IPR Blog)

Strange People

Some real weirdos out there….

Via Law.com:

Here’s where things get bizarre. Blalock drove to the Seventh District Police Station on Alabama Avenue S.E. in Washington, D.C., in May 2007. He pulled a handgun from the trunk and started firing, shooting in the air outside the station. Five shots. He shouted, according to court records, “The police should leave us alone and let us sell our weed!”

Blalock complied with demands to drop his gun—and he did not stop there. He dropped his pants, standing naked before officers wrapped him up in a towel. Police seized 23 bags of marijuana. Blalock told police he wanted to “throw weed” and shoot the gun to get recognition from a record label.

Uhhh…. I’m all for the debate of legalized marijuana. But not like this! 😮

(H/T Reason)

From the “Awesomeness” Stack

Earlier today, I received a tweet from John Hawkings over at Right Wing News. Which pointed to a posting over on his Blog. John Hawkings also runs the Conservative Ads over on BlogAds; which you can get great ad prices over there, might want to check that out.

Anyhow, there was this e-mail that John was talking about, that I guess he saw over at DailyKos, that was attributed a Michael Crowley , however Mr. Crowley says he did not write it, but just the same, the posting is quite awesome.

Check it out:

Read More …

The Obligatory Sarah Palin PAC posting

Seems that ol’ Carabou Barbie has her own PAC now, so says New York Post and at The Fix. Oh Joy.

Chris Cillizza shells out the dope:

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has started a federal political action committee — called Sarahpac — that will allow her to raise money for and donate cash to candidates for office over the coming years, a move that should be seen as a precursor to a run for president in 2012.

The PAC has a website and a post office box in Arlington, Virginia but has not yet formally filed its incorporation papers with the Federal Election Commission. According to an official with Sarahpac, papers were filed last night around 5 pm with the FEC and the PAC should be official by later today.

Sarahpac is “dedicated to building America’s future, supporting fresh ideas and candidates who share our vision for reform and innovation,” according to a statement on the PAC’s website.

I suspect she’ll do better than McCain on her PAC, as people amongst the grass roots Republican Base. Much to the consternation of the Liberal left; where McCain was seen as a RINO and a sellout.

Some have asked me whether I think Palin really was a dolt or if she was painted by the far left and the MSM as much. Honestly, I believe it was a combination of both. Plus, she just wasn’t handled properly. Not to mention all of the other issues surrounding the 2008 campaign, and believe me, there are many.

(via Memeorandum)

Another example of why Neo-Conservatism failed in this election

Check out this interview of former McCain blogger and editor of the Weekly Standard Michael Goldfarb.

The Money Quote:

“It’s unbelievable the way the media has covered this and the way has been played — which is partly from the bullshit inside the campaign. When you have The New Yorker write a story about how Sarah Palin was selected… well, that was like Jane Goodall going in and writing about fucking apes mating in the jungle–they don’t know what’s going on. They’re writing from another planet. I like Sarah Palin, I think she was a very attractive candidate, but I think she made a lot of mistakes. But so did Biden.”

Jeffery Goldberg thinks that Goldfarb is crazy. I disagree, I do not see crazy there, I see something that was a hallmark of the Bush Administration, and that’s cocky arrogance. Which seems to be what McCain’s biggest downfall was. Goldfarb’s arrogance and his refusal to admit that Bush was wrong about his convictions is what totally turns me off.

Oh, and by the way, I know what I wrote here, okay? Goldfarb made a good point. That’s all I am saying. I didn’t say that I like the guy. You can be right and still be a feckless prick.

(via Memeorandum)

I was afraid of this

Last night I blogged about this and warned the far right not to do it, but naturally, because I am such a small blog, no one listens.

Anyhow, Huffington Post has the complete transcript of President Obama’s interview with Al-Arabiya Arab TV Network. Head on over and read it, because it is a bit much to quote here. Of course, the reaction amongst the far-right blogs was quite predictable.

However, Michael Goldfarb over at the Neo-Conservative Weakly Standard (:P) makes a valid point:

Reacting to this quote here:

Q Will the United States ever live with a nuclear Iran? And if not, how far are you going in the direction of preventing it?

THE PRESIDENT: You know, I said during the campaign that it is very important for us to make sure that we are using all the tools of U.S. power, including diplomacy, in our relationship with Iran.

Now, the Iranian people are a great people, and Persian civilization is a great civilization. Iran has acted in ways that’s not conducive to peace and prosperity in the region: their threats against Israel; their pursuit of a nuclear weapon which could potentially set off an arms race in the region that would make everybody less safe; their support of terrorist organizations in the past — none of these things have been helpful.

But I do think that it is important for us to be willing to talk to Iran, to express very clearly where our differences are, but where there are potential avenues for progress. And we will over the next several months be laying out our general framework and approach. And as I said during my inauguration speech, if countries like Iran are willing to unclench their fist, they will find an extended hand from us.

Mr. Goldfarb comments:

Wouldn’t a simple ‘no, a nuclear Iran is unacceptable to the United States and our allies’ have sufficed? Instead Obama says that Iran’s pursuit of a nuclear weapon is “unhelpful,” that it’s “not conducive to peace.” When Obama was in Israel, he said that “a nuclear Iran would pose a grave threat and the world must prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.” He added that he would “take no options off the table in dealing with this potential Iranian threat.” In the first debate of the general election, Obama reiterated that the United States “cannot tolerate a nuclear Iran.” But when Obama has the chance to speak directly to the Muslim world, he can only muster retread rhetoric from his inaugural address about clenched fists and open hands.

President Bush was incapable of engaging the Muslim world with his own words, but neither was it possible for the Muslim world to confuse his view of American interests in that region. President Obama has the potential to secure real progress through his skill as a communicator, but there’s always been a fear that some portion of his success in negotiating difficult issues was the result of a willingness, or perhaps a compulsion, to tell his audience whatever it is he thinks they want to hear.

I must say, he does have a valid point. One cannot use flowers and anvils at the same time. It tends to confuse people. Hats off to Goldfarb for bringing up this point.

Family Planning money…..under the bus!

Obama finally capitulates.

WASHINGTON – House Democrats are likely to jettison family planning funds for the low-income from an $825 billion economic stimulus bill, officials said late Monday, following a personal appeal from President Barack Obama at a time the administration is courting Republican critics of the legislation.

Several officials said a final decision was expected on Tuesday, coinciding with Obama’s scheduled visit to the Capitol for separate meetings with House and Senate Republicans.

The provision has emerged as a point of contention among Republicans, who criticize it as an example of wasteful spending that would neither create jobs nor otherwise improve the economy.

Under the provision, states no longer would be required to obtain federal permission to offer family planning services — including contraceptives — under Medicaid, the health program for the low-income.

via Officials: Family planning money may be dropped – Yahoo! News.

I must say, I cannot criticize Obama for this one. Because I feel abortion is murder, I am glad to see that Obama is telling Democrats in Congress to dump this. This is one that I will give him credit for. The Economy can be recovered without paying for abortions or handing out condoms. I find it quite shocking that the Democrats would use a economic situation like this, to further a murderous agenda.Which furthers my belief that the Democratic Party has become the communist party and an Anti-Christian, Anti-Life party.

(Via Memeorandum)

The G.O.P. grows a pair

It is about damned time.

President Barack Obama is coming to the Capitol this afternoon to curry favor with congressional Republicans. But it appears GOP leaders have already made up their minds to oppose his $825 billion stimulus plan.

House Republican Leader John A. Boehner and his No. 2, Whip Eric Cantor, told their rank-and-file members Tuesday morning during a closed-door meeting to oppose the bill when it comes to the floor Wednesday, according to an aide familiar with the discussion. Boehner told members that he’s voting against the stimulus, and Cantor told the assembled Republicans that there wasn’t any reason for them to support the measure, according to another person in the room. Cantor and his whip team are going to urge GOP members to oppose it.

via Boehner to GOP: Vote against stimulus – Patrick O’Connor and Jonathan Martin – Politico.com.

It is absolutely amazing that now, after the fact; that the G.O.P. bungled the most important election, that now the G.O.P. is going to grow a pair of stones. Gee, where was that bravery and fortitude during the election?

Of course, when you run a pseudo-Conservative and a self-proclaimed “War Hero”; What do you expect?

(via Memeorandum)

Is President Obama trying to play the far right?

It is to wonder….

As special envoy to the Middle East, George Mitchell heads off to the region to begin work on negotiating a cease fire between Israel and the Palestinians, President Obama has sat for his first formal TV interview with the Arabic cable TV network Al-Arabiya, ABC News has learned.

The interview was taped this evening and is set to air at 11 pm ET, as Mitchell is in the air and on his way to the region.

Based in Dubai, Al-Arabiya estimates that it has a potential audience exceeding 23 million in the Gulf region.

via Political Punch: President Obama Does First Formal TV Interview as President with Al-Arabiya.

I have a theory about this and looking around at the Blogosphere, I can see that my theory might be correct.

I will simply say this, I have a theory that President Obama might be just trying to play the far right and the main stream conservative media for a fiddle. Because if you click the links that I just pointed to, you will see where the far right is basically flipping their collective cork over Obama going to Al-Arabiya for his first interview.

The reason why I say this is because it seems like just about every other day, President Obama says or does something that causes the far “rabid” right, as they are so called by the Liberal left; to basically go totally insane. Which makes the far right do a collective group jump up and down session, while frothing at the mouth and screaming, “He’s a terrorist! He is an Al-Qaeda Plant! He is going to destroy us all!” For perfect examples of this, click here and here. (The second link being more rabid than the first, if I do say so myself.)

To be clear, I do believe that Conservatives should be the loyal opposition and likewise criticize him for anything he does that goes against what true Conservative principles. But have a collective conniption fit over something as benign as this does nothing to further the cause of Conservatism.

Others: The Moderate Voice, Eunomia, THE ASTUTE BLOGGERS, AmSpecBlog and Riehl World View

(via Memeorandum)

Liberal Democrat John Conyers starts Liberal Witch-Hunt against Bush Administration

This ought to be very interesting.

via Politico.com:

House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers (D-Mich.) has subpoenaed Karl Rove, the former top political advisor to President George W. Bush, to question what Rove knows about “politicization” of the Justice Department.

The Senate Judiciary Committee had subpoenaed Rove during the last Congress, but relying on an executive privilege claim by Bush, Rove refused to appear.

Conyers had previously subpoenaed former White House Counsel Harriet Miers and Josh Bolten, Bush former White House chief of staff, seeking any information they had. Conyers is also seeking White House documents related to the firing of nine U.S. attorneys.

After the White House refused to comply with the subpoenas, and Miers refused to even appear before the committee to answer the subpoena, the House Judiciary Committee sued. A federal judge backed the committee in a major win for Conyers and House Democrats, but resolution of the case has been delayed by the changeover in administrations. President Obama has vowed to comply with congressional subpoenas.

“I have said many times that I will carry this investigation forward to its conclusion, whether in Congress or in court, and today’s action is an important step along the way,” Conyers said.

Rove has until Feb. 2 to respond to the subpoena.

To me, this looks like a partisan witch-hunt. Because no proof that Karl Rove or anyone else at the White House knew about it. Just Liberal accusations.

Update:  This is not to say there was no bad conduct at the Justice Department, Monica Goodling basically admitted that she made some very unethical decisions. But to attempt to tie it to Karl Rove and to George W. Bush by Proxy; is basically a stretch. I mean, because there is no proof of it, at all. All there is, are E-mails that have been parsed to extract Liberal talking points. I mean, do the Liberals really believe that Karl Rove, of all people, is going to sing like a bird? I mean, the man’s a Bush Loyalist. He is just not going to give the Democrats what they want.

The problem is, Obama is not going to enforce this at all:

Obama and Eric Holder, the administration’s nominee for attorney general, have both said they will not try to “criminalize policy differences” with the Bush administration, especially controversial policies like authorization by the Justice Department of waterboarding.

So, it looks like Mr. Conyers is going a have a bit of trouble of getting the support of the White House on this. However, there’s this:

But many prominent Democrats, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) and Sen. Patrick Leahy (Vt.), chairman of the Judiciary Committee, have said they want to pursue Bush administration officials whom they believe misled Congress.

There two ways one can look at this. It could be that Conyers will be on his own, because Pelosi won’t support it. However, on the other hand; Pelosi, Leahy and possibly other, like Wexler, might get behind this and pursue it and not have the support the White House; thereby creating a rift between Congress and the White House.

Either way, it will be an interesting story to follow, as you know, as well as I, that this will spark an outrage among the far right, especially amongst the Neo-Conservative media. Somehow, I just do not think that the Democrats in Congress want to risk a fierce blowback in the media from the Conservatives. Because any way you attempt to paint this, it will be viewed by some, as a partsian witch hunt. I just do not believe that the Democrats have the stomach for a backlash that would follow something of this nature.

More Progressives on TV?!?!

I know what you’re thinking and I thought the same thing.

Open Left seems to think that we need more Progressive Voices in the Mainstream Media.

Seriously?

Let’s see here:

  • CNN = Liberal/Hillary Supporter, then Obama
  • MSNBC = Liberal as hell/In the tank for Obama as hell
  • ABC = Liberal
  • CBS = Liberal
  • PBS = Liberal
  • NPR = Liberal
  • FOX NEWS = Conservative

Now, someone tell me what is wrong with this picture?

Liberals whine about Fox News asking Jackass Murtha’s constituents “Would want these people in your backyard”

This pretty sad, and a bit stupid.

Rep. Jack Murtha (D-PA) said last week that the U.S. could hold the detainees in federal prisons, just like we hold thousands of other dangerous inmates. This morning, Fox and Friends responded by sending a reporter to Murtha’s district to flash photos of suspected terrorists — their only identification being Muslim headgear — and ask residents, “Would you want a guy like this living in your backyard?”

via Think Progress » Fox Shows Photos Of Muslim Men: ‘Would You Want A Guy Like This Living In Your Backyard?’.

Of course, my fellow Conservatives have a better idea.

Fox News Reports:

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Sunday shrugged off Republican suggestions that the federal government reopen Alcatraz prison in her San Francisco district to house detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

President Obama this week signed an executive order calling for the closure of the prison at Guantanamo within the year. Republican Rep. Bill Young then suggested to White House counsel Greg Craig that the prisoners who could not be released back to their home countries or sent to a third country be put up in “the Rock,” the famous military installation and prison that closed down in 1963 and is now part of the National Park Service.

Asked whether that was a serious proposal, Pelosi said, “It is — no.”

Hey, here’s a better idea, how about putting them all on a nice barge, in a cage; where they cannot escape. Tow the barge out to say the middle of the Atlantic or Pacific ocean , far enough away from land, where nobody will get hurt from the radiation and nuke the damned thing. Will save taxpayers money. I know, I really do not want my tax dollars being used to house, feed, and cloth a bunch of cold-blooded murders.

Of course, this will never happen, seeing that the Moonbat Liberals are terrorist appeasers and all.

Kristol gets the boot from the New York Times

Yes, I know about the story, and yes, I even read his final column.

I did not read Kristol much, I did not care for his writing style. Where Peggy Noonan‘s writings are thoughtful, wistful and draw one back to an era of Conservative goodness in America; which appeals to the history buff in me. Kristol’s writings were more jaunted, vengeful and frankly, a bit screechy for my tastes.  In essense, his writings were more of a Ann Coulter vein, than anything else.

..and Yes, the facts were wrong at times. This why I tended to avoid his column. Not to mention the fact that he seemed to be “Sucking up” to Obama at the end.

So, while I am suprised at his leaving the Times, I cannot say that I did not see it coming.

Others on the subject: (Color coded as to thier politics) The New Republic, Firedoglake, Michael Calderone’s Blogs, Guardian, RedState, The Corner, Newsweek, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Ben Smith’s Blogs, BuzzFlash.org, TPMCafe, The Mahablog, The Reaction, Gawker, AmSpecBlog, theheretik.us, driftglass, Political Machine, TBogg, Liberal Values, Sister Toldjah, If I Ran the Zoo, ATTACKERMAN, Discourse.net, Prairie Weather and No More Mister Nice Blog

(via Memeorandum)

Why we can never withdraw from Afghanistan, until the job is done

(Please note, when it originally wrote this post, I was very angry. After some thought and reflection; I felt it best to edit this posting and basically rewrite from a non-emotional stance. My apologies to those who read the original and were offended.)

It seems that the Liberals, seeing that Iraq is a non-issue and the rest of the United States and the World, and the media is focused on the Economy. The Liberals are attempting to garner support for a withdrawal and retreat from Afghanistan. Yes, Afghanistan.

via  “The Nation”:

I want to let people know about a valuable coalition I’m working with. It’s focused on encouraging the Obama administration to rethink its plans to escalate militarily in Afghanistan. As I explain in Spencer Ackerman’s good piece today, I want this administration to succeed but I believe it risks endangering its promise and draining resources that are vital to economic recovery at home and abroad if it follows this course For more on what I believe is a smarter course– strategically, morally and politically–for what Obama and his team could do to get Afghanistan right (the name of the website this coalition just launched) check out my recent editor’s cut.

Here’s the The site promoting this absurd idea. What the Liberals want is for Obama to pursue a non-violent way of getting Osama Bin Laden.

You know, I must wonder aloud.

What would all 2,998 of the people killed in the attacks would think? What would the 6,291+ people, who were injured think about this?

I do not like using images from the 9/11 attacks for political purposes, because I feel that it is disrespectful to the dead. But I think in the case, the people that died on September 11, 2001 deserve to be defended here.

I know it has been a long time, but has America forgotten?

Has it been that long now? Have the images been forgotten?

Have the memories faded that fast? Of the suffering the pain, the shock and grief, has it become a faint memory in the pages of humanity?

Have the September 11’th attacks become so linked to Iraq that we have forgotten what happened on 9/11 and where the attackers came from?

Has it all just slipped away?

Have the names of those who died just become names? …and not people?

People around the world mourned with us

(German School Memorial)

(Texas A & M)

( U.S. Embassy – London, England)

(Prague, Czech Republic)

(The American Embassy in Berne, Switzerland)

I could go on. But I think that you get it. Because of the shift in the political climate, we’ve forgotten what happened on that horrific day 8 years ago. We’ve allowed politics and the mistake in Iraq; take our eye off the ball and that is avenging the deaths of September 11’th 2001.

I only wish that the liberals understood this.

Trackposted to Rosemary’s Thoughts, Woman Honor Thyself, The World According to Carl, The Pink Flamingo, Leaning Straight Up, Democrat=Socialist, Conservative Cat, and Right Voices, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

Linkfest Haven, the Blogger's Oasis

Barack Obama’s pledge to disarm America hits some speed bumps.

Uh-oh…

via Challenges loom as Obama seeks space weapons ban | U.S. | Reuters:

President Barack Obama’s pledge to seek a worldwide ban on weapons in space marks a dramatic shift in U.S. policy while posing the tricky issue of defining whether a satellite can be a weapon.

Moments after Obama’s inauguration last week, the White House website was updated to include policy statements on a range of issues, including a pledge to restore U.S. leadership on space issues and seek a worldwide ban on weapons that interfere with military and commercial satellites.

It also promised to look at threats to U.S. satellites, contingency plans to keep information flowing from them, and what steps are needed to protect spacecraft against attack.

The issue is being closely watched by Lockheed Martin Corp, Boeing Co, Northrop Grumman Corp, the biggest U.S. defense contractors, and other companies involved in military and civilian space contracts.

Watchdog groups and even some defense officials welcomed the statement, which echoed Obama’s campaign promises, but said it would take time to hammer out a comprehensive new strategy.

Enacting a global ban on space weapons could prove even harder.

Of course, we all know that the Obamassiah will get his way, he will destroy those who stand in his way. Just ask Larry Sinclair.

In case you forgotten, here’s Obama making his promise to disarm America:

Others: Macsmind, Atlas Shrugs and Sweetness & Light

Democrats to forward a Communist & Black Liberation Agenda

When I saw this, I said, “you must be kidding me.” But, it is not joke. (H/T Pemela Geller)

Reparations for African-Americans (hat tip Green)
Bill # H.R.40

Original Sponsor:
John Conyers (D-MI 14th)

Cosponsor Total: 4
(last sponsor added 01/14/2009)
4 Democrats
About This Legislation:

1/6/2009–Introduced. Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act – Establishes the Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for African Americans to examine slavery and discrimination in the colonies and the United States from 1619 to the present and recommend appropriate remedies.

MORE RADICAL LEGISLATION: Over at Ms. Understimated she has a jawdropping video here on Obama’s plans to adopt the far left agenda of the LGBT (LESBIAN, GAY, BI-SEXUAL, TRANSGENDER) lobby, and “hate crimes” against gender identity.

Tonight on Huckabee, Matthew Staver of the Liberty Council was on as a guest to discuss the changes made to the WhiteHouse.gov page since Obama’s team took it over. Huckabee thinks it’s important for all of us to know exactly what’s in the Obama agenda for Civil Rights, and Stover walks us all through the details of his plans.

Oh man, we are so screwed. 🙁

No only will it be illegal to speak out against Homosexuality, I and every other taxpayer, is going to have to pay for our forefathers mistakes.

I say again, we are so screwed.

Is Obama setting the United States of America up for a dictatorship?

Looks that way to me!

Via Politico.com:

West Wing on steroids in Obama W.H.

President Barack Obama is taking far-reaching steps to centralize decision-making inside the White House, surrounding himself with influential counselors, overseas envoys and policy “czars” that shift power from traditional Cabinet posts.

Not even a week has passed since he was sworn in, but already Obama is moving to create perhaps the most powerful staff in modern history – a sort of West Wing on steroids that places no less than a half-dozen of his top initiatives into the hands of advisers outside the Cabinet.

For all the talk of his “Team of Rivals” pick in Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Obama last week handed the two hottest hotspots in American foreign policy to presidential envoys – one to former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell, and the other to a man who knows his way around Foggy Bottom better than Clinton does, Richard Holbrooke.

“Czar” Carol Browner will head up Obama’s fight on global warming, where once his energy and environmental chiefs might have stepped in. Tom Daschle scored a ground floor office in the West Wing not by running Health and Human Services – but because of his role as Obama’s health-reform czar.

Pulling power close is something all recent presidents have done – and on the campaign trail, Obama spoke out against George W. Bush’s attempt to expand his executive authority.

But when it comes to building his own team, Obama is taking the notion of a powerful White House staff to new heights, leaving little doubt who will set policy and guide the politics of the his newborn administration.

….. Aides say he believes the Cabinet structure is outdated because it doesn’t recognize that problems like global warming sprawl across several agencies, often requiring a sort of uber-Cabinet member – a czar – to confront them.

That helps explain the selection of Browner as an “energy-environment” czar, said one Obama aide.

…..What’s notable about Obama’s approach – and expands on the approaches taken by Bush and Bill Clinton – is the number of different areas where Obama is seeking to tap a central figure, outside the Cabinet structure, who will carry out his wishes.

Doesn’t  that name Czar sound a bit Communist to you?

Does any remember Obama telling the world on his campaign that a cabinet structure was outdated?

Further more, does anyone remember Obama excoriating the Bush Administration’s overreaching power, and how Obama’s White House was going to be different? So much for that little campaign promise.

Same beat, different drummer. Some Corruption, Different Party.

So Much for that “Hope and Change.” 🙄

Others: NewsBusters.org and Daled Amos