Publishers Buy Ink By The Barrel

I have noted, with much amusement, the Fox/Whitehouse kefluffle over the past week.

All through the week, the President's Men (and a woman or two) on various interview/opinion shows at CNN, NBC, MSNBC, ABC, in fact, everyone BUT Fox. Urging all the media outlets to "ignore Fox", "not treat Fox as a 'real news' organization, "Fox is all opinion", and the list goes on.

It appears that what annoyed the President's Men was that Fox News persists in reporting the news, and strictly seperating news from opinion.

Well, it would also appear that the effort of all the President's Men (and a woman or two) has fallen flat on it's face.

The White House offered up an administration official (I forget which one) for a pool interview, as long as the pool of reporters did not include a representative from Fox News.

The pool, led by CNN (to CNN's major credit) said, in effect, "Fox News is a major news outlet, and if Fox is not included, there will be no interview."

Heh.

Some things that the President's Men chose to ignore - Fox News has the biggest share of the news audience, and public opinion.

Mr. President, this is NOT Chicago. You are now playing on the American stage, and most Americans know B.S. when they hear it. CNN, ABC, NBC and MSNBC know this as well. You would be well advised to remember that.

Some politician or other coined a neat phrase: "Never argue with the press - they buy ink by the barrel."

Yet More on the Nobel Peace Prize

I think I kinda knew this, once upon a time, but it had slipped my alleged mind.

Once upon a time Sweden and Norway were the same kingdom. When they were split, Norway got the Peace Prize, and Sweden got the rest.

Sweden awards their share through the Swedish Academy of Science.

The Nobel Peace Prize is given through a committee appointed by the Norwegian Parliament.

That makes the Peace Prize subject to the whims of the current Norwegian Parliament, which is very definitely a political exercise. Given that the Norwegian Parliament is very definitely "left wing", giving the President of the US the Peace Prize is rather obviously a political exercise.

And a dumb one.

The competence of the Committee is now explained. Politicians of either Right or Left are not noted for being anything other than... politicians.

Update to Nobel Peace Prize

I am NOT criticizing the Prez for bein awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

I AM criticizing the Peace Prize Committee. The Committee has obviously abandoned all objectivity. The Committee is obviously playing politics.

I did not hammer the Committee for Jimmah's Prize.

I did not hammer the Committee for Al's Prize.

I could have, and in hindsight, I should have.

I will, and am, hammering the Committee for President Obama's Nobel Peace Prize.

President Obama has accomplished nothing.

B. Obama and the Nobel Peace Prize

Our President, B. H. Obama, has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

The Nobel Prize is supposed to be awarded for ACCOMPLISHMENT. So far as I can tell, the Prez's award of the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded for INTENTIONS.

Sorry, Mr. President, but you have ACCOMPLISHED nothing.

The committee that awards the Nobel Peace Prize is more full of STUFF than a Christmas Turkey.

Whatever respect I had for the Nobel Peace Prize just went right out the window.

I am casting a suspicious eye upon the rest of the Nobel Prizes. I suspect politics, rather than accomplishment, is the main criteria for any of the Nobel Prizes.

Just Bein' What I Am...

Van Jones, the White House's "Green Jobs Czar" has declared, live and on video, that Republicans in the Congress that oppose the President's energy initiative are "assholes". See the article HERE.

Van Jones, the Obama administration's "green jobs" adviser, told a group of listeners earlier in the year that the reason Republicans are stonewalling the president is because they're "assholes." Jones' remarks were recorded in a video from February that was posted to YouTube. He made the remark during an energy lecture in Berkeley, Calif., after a woman in the audience asked him why President Obama and congressional Democrats were having trouble moving legislation -- even though Republicans, with a smaller majority, didn't have as much trouble earlier in the Bush administration. "Well, the answer to that is, they're assholes," Jones said, to uproarious laughter. "That's a technical, political science term." The questioner responded, "I was afraid that that was the answer." But Jones said that, even though Obama is "not an asshole," others have to step up the fight. "Now, I will say this. I can be an asshole, and some of us who are not Barack Hussein Obama are going to have to start getting a little bit uppity," he said.

I must say, Mr. Jones, that you can indeed be an asshole. You're also a jerk, and a turd, and a slimy son-of-a-bitch.

Furthermore, sir, you are so clueless that if you dressed in a clue skin, doused yourself in clue musk, and did the clue dance in the middle of a field of horny
clues at the height of clue mating season, you still would not have a clue.

In addition to which, you have no idea of the proper use of vituperation, malignity, or of the fine art of aspersion.

You are a non-entity.

And yes, I do indeed oppose "Cap and Trade", and I have so informed my Congressman and both of my Senators. Which fact makes me an asshole as well, plus I'm a mean vindictive son-of-a-bitch.

If it should ever come to pass that you run for state-wide office in my state, I shall take the greatest of pleasure in voting against you. I shall savor the experience, and murmer to myself in round and dulcet tones, "Take THAT, asshole!"

And Now, For The Next Week...

... It's going to be All Teddy, All The Time!

Featuring assorted politicians trying to take advantage of Yet Another Dead Kennedy.

Prattling about Teddy's "legacy", and "what Teddy would have wanted", etc.

Mary Jo, of course, is not available for comment.

Pfui.

The Presidential Snitch Program

I know that I haven't posted for a while - just feeling lazy, I guess.

But guess what? I'm baaaack!

I got the below from the Whitehouse official site, HERE. I'm going to write a comment to it, and send it off to Flag at Whitehouse dot gov.

There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there, spanning from control of personal finances to end of life care. These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation. Since we can’t keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov.

Dear Mr. President,

Facts are indeed "stubborn things", Mr. President. Among them are that nasty old thing known as "The Privacy Act", which was passed in reaction to President Nixon's infamous "Enemies List". Among it's provisions are that no branch of government may gather and keep data on private citizens' political speech.

Now then, Mr. President, you are President of the United States. That is an official position within the Government of the United States. Therefore, the provisions of the Privacy Act regarding political speech apply to you, as noted in the following:

(e) Agency Requirements.— Each agency that maintains a system of rec­ords shall—…

(7) maintain no record describing how any individual exercises rights guaranteed by the First Amendment unless expressly authorized by statute or by the individual about whom the record is maintained or unless pertinent to and within the scope of an authorized law enforcement activity;

You would do well to keep the above in mind.

I, Sir, decline to participate in this patently illegal "snitch" activity, save in one way. I must, Sir, report myself as being the perpetrator of a vile, disgusting rumor regarding your so-called "reform" of health care.

Here's the rumor:

"President Obama is attempting, with his attempts at 'reform' of health care, to make a daffy down dilly from whole cloth, and furthermore, he swears up and down that the result will smell as sweet as a real rose."

/s/ {full name and address redacted from this post}

Citizenship

I am not a "subject" of my country.

I am a "citizen".

What does that mean?

I pay attention to the politicians who run the country in my name.

If I disagree with the politicians, I let them know it.

If I agree with them, I let them know that as well.

And, for the most part, I'm polite about it.

I must say that right now I'm not happy with "my" politicians.

I say "my" politicians because I don't think that I am being properly represented.

"Bailout"?

"Stimulus"?

My word, I do believe that we been snookered.

And our children and grandchildren will be paying for all this.

You can diss a man, or his family with impunity. When you nail his paycheck, look to your political life, Comrade! For the citizenry will remember...

Tiger Woods as Part of the Obama Inaugural

As part of the festivities marking the inauguration of Barack Obama as President of the United States, golf legend Tiger Woods made a speech at the Lincoln Memorial introducing the US Naval Glee Club - two days before the actual inauguration.

He's been criticized for not mentioning the new President.

I don't give a rat's patootie. Mr. Woods is a sportsman, a symbol, and above all, an American.

Here's the speech:

"I grew up in a military family - and my role models in life were my Mom and Dad, Lt. Colonel Earl Woods. My dad was a Special Forces operator and many nights friends would visit our home.

They represented every branch of the service, and every rank.

In my Dad, and in those guests, I saw first hand the dedication and commitment of those who serve. They come from every walk of life. From every part of our country. Time and again, across generations, they have defended our safety in the dark of night and far from home.

Each day -- and particularly on this historic day -- we honor the men and women in uniform who serve our country and protect our freedom.

They travel to the dangerous corners of the world, and we must remember that for every person who is in uniform, there are families who wait for them to come home safely.

I am honored that the military is such an important part, not just of my personal life, but of my professional one as well. The golf tournament we do each year here in Washington is a testament to those unsung heroes.

I am the son of a man who dedicated his life to his country, family and the military, and I am a better person for it.

In the summer of 1864, Abraham Lincoln, the man at whose memorial we stand, spoke to the 164th Ohio Regiment and said:

'I am greatly obliged to you, and to all who have come forward at the call of their country.'

Just as they have stood tall for our country - we must always stand by and support the men and women in uniform and their families.

Thank you, and it is now my pleasure to introduce the US Naval Glee Club."


Here's the Snopes entry for this short, sweet speech.

Unfortunately, what's not surprising is that the MSM (MainStreamMedia) didn't pick up on this. After all, they'd rather report on some celebrity air-head pontificating on something about which they know absolutely nothing.

Mr. Woods, Thank You. As the grandson (US Army, 1917-1919), and son (US Army 1941-1946) of veterans, and as a Vet myself (USN 1969-1973) I appreciate your very kind words.

Photographs of Our Honored Dead

Once again, our honored dead are about to become political footballs.

The LA Time reports HERE that "The Pentagon has decided to rescind a long-standing prohibition against press coverage of returning war dead, allowing families to say whether news organizations may photograph the arrivals, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Thursday."

Anyone who believes that this is not a directive from the President is drinking some really bad KoolAid.

Our dead, as shown by the AP's running tally, are already ammunition for Code Pink, KOS, and other left-wing "workers for peace".

Feh.

It isn't enough that the names and hometowns of our dead are publicized, but now the ugliest side of "If it bleeds, it leads" is making a very ugly return.

I remember what the oh-so-caring media did in the past.

I predict that the media will behave as well now as they did then.

Asshats, one and all.

ACORN and the Wilfully Blind Media

First, read THIS story from Fox News. Not one mention of the record of Donna Hanks, the former owner.

Next, take a look a Michelle Malkin's report on the very same thing, HERE.

Compare and contrast the coverage, my friends.

And the big news outlets wonder why they're losing market share?

Here's why: ABC/NBC/CBS/CNN/Print Media/Fox News, et al, are NOT doing their research, that's why!

The short version is that Donna Hanks is a documented dead-beat. And those sleazy bozos at ACORN saw an opportunity to stick it to Joe Average tax-paying American, and tried it.

And now that they've been caught, ACORN is, guaranteed (and you saw it right here first!) to play the Evil Banker/Mortgage Company card, never mentioning that Hanks is, in fact, a dead-beat.

Chicago Politicians

First, it was Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Before he was impeached, he appointed Roland Burris to fill Pres. Obama's Senate seat.

Now, Sen. Burris is being investigated by the Sangamon County state's attorney on possible perjury charges related to Sen. Burris's testimony to the Illinois House committee that was investigating Blagojevich.

Chicago politics is... interesting, yes?

Oh, Man! MORE Tax Probs for Obama Cabinet!

On the heels of Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner's tax problems, we now have former Senator Daschle's little $100,000 non-payment of taxes.

The Prez's Cabinet issues continue to provide massive amounts of ammo to Limbaugh, Hannity, Boortz and Co., and deservedly so.

In this day and age, with what I call the "instant news cycle", a President gets absolutely no wiggle room.

I don't say that it's right, it is just the way it is.

Prez O, you've GOT to do a better job of vetting your nominees, lest you get bogged down with answering endless questions and crippling your Administration with problematic and vulnerable members of your Cabinet right from the beginning.

Make no mistake, sir - this is YOUR cabinet, and you get to carry the can.

Interesting Point of Constitutional Law

President-Elect Obama started nominating, and the Senate confirming, Cabinet Officers on 2 December 2008. But the Constitution, in Article II, Section 2 is most specific.

The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment. He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments. The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.

So, are the Cabinet Officers confirmed by the Senate before President-Elect Obama became President Obama on 20 January actually Cabinet Officers of the United States?

Were any of President-Elect Bush's appointees actually Cabinet Officers legally confirmed prior to 20 January 2001?

The Historic Transfer of Power

Yes, it is a historic moment - a non-white man has become the freely elected President of the United States of America.

What's really "historic" about it?

This is the 43rd peaceful transfer of power.

No riots.

No civil war.

Just the rather boring political speeches and the Media going "Ooooo" and "Ahhhh".

Nice, dull, quiet, and boring - just the way I like it.

Just the way, the American Way, that it should be.

Of course, tomorrow will be a different story.

Those of us who did not vote for our current President will view with alarm, cavil over trifles, and rail against the injustice of it all.

Peacefully. Because that's the American Way.

To the non-American world - Barack Hussein Obama is MY president. I may not like his policies, I may view his initiatives with alarm, I may grumble at his sucesses and growl at his failures. But hear me, you "furriners" - he is MY president.

I am an American.

Here I Stand...

... I can do no other.

A little background first.

I'm what my Southron neighbors would, most politely, call a "DamnYankee". And yes, it's all one word.

Stubborn. Opinionated. Educated through my own research.

My father fought the Nazis through France and into Germany. He saw the camps, and described them to me in most graphic and distressing detail.

I didn't really believe him until I did my own research.

Two of my high school classmates had parents with numbers tatooed on their arms. (To my other classmates - You don't remember? Or you never noticed? Or you ignored? Or you deny? Pick a place, and make your stand.)

So, here it is.

I stand with Israel. I stand against Hamas.

I stand with "Never Again". I stand against "Off the map".

I stand with the only functioning democracy in the Middle East. I stand against the gangbangers of "Palestine".

I say "Israel - From The River To The Sea".

If you don't like how I stand, tough beans.

Here I stand - I can do no other.

The Chicago Political Machine

Barry Obama (I refuse to use his full name, now that it's OK to do so) "came up" through the Chicago political world.

Barry, of course, is Shocked and Dismayed that Hizzoner the Gov'nor tried to auction Barry's Senate seat to the highest bidder.

The "Shock" and "Dismay" rings just a little hollow.

It's awfully hard to believe in the "New Politics" when it comes from a guy who "came up" through the Chicago politcal machine. There's no doubt in my mind that Barry knew in his bones about the sorts of shenannigans that Chicago politicos are capable of.

There's no doubt that I will find myself looking somewhat skeptically at the next President of the United States when he speaks of morality and ethics in public service.

Edit: I should note that Blago's predecessor, named Ryan, currently doing time for corruption, is/was a Republican. This is not a Dem/Pub thing, it's a Chicago Politics thing.

The "New Politics" of Chicago Politicians

The "new politics". The "Change We Can Believe In".

Rep. William "Cold Cash" Jefferson (D - La) not only indicted for corruption, but loses his re-election bid to a Republican, Joseph Cao - a Viet refugee!

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) arrested and charged with selling the Senate seat that President-elect Barack Obama (D) resigned in order to accept the Presidency of the United States.

Cripes, we ain't even through December yet!

I just can't wait to see what kind of entertainment the Dems are going to serve up next....

Oh, So Civilized...

.... and tolerant, and cultured, right?

Go to this YouTube video, and then tell me that again!

Do you know how to measure a mob's mentality? Take the IQ of the stupidest member of the mob, divide by the number of people in the mob, and there you have it.

Those clowns are idiots.

The "Second Bill of Rights"

There's been some talk about a "Second Bill of Rights". The enumeration of these "Rights" goes all the way back to 1944, to President Franklin D. Roosevelt's fourth Inaugral Address.

Here they are, lifted from Wikipedia:

The right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries or shops or farms or mines of the nation;

The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation;

The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living;

The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad;

The right of every family to a decent home;

The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health;

The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident, and unemployment;

The right to a good education.

So, here's the problem, as I see it: These are all admirable goals, but WHO decides?

WHO decides what a "good education" is, and who gets the "good education"?

WHO decides what "adequate medical care is", and who gets it?

WHO decides what a "decent home" is, and who gets it?

And... WHO decides the method of paying for all this, and WHO pays the bill?