September 26, 2011
Vanderboegh/Codrea Gunwalker Bombshell Supported by Congressional Documentation
Mike Vanderboegh and David Codrea have a letter that proves the ATF was arming cartels directly using taxpayer dollars. This means that the Obama Administration's claim that Operation Fast and Furious was a law enforcement operation gone wrong is a complete and utter lie if it can be corroborated.
I can corroborate that. Check out attachment one to the March 3 letter sent to Attorney General Eric Holder and then Acting ATF Director Ken Melson. [note: wrong attachment image used earlier. This is the correct document. h/t David Codrea]
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at 12:30 PM | Comments (12) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
President Raised in Muslim Country Rips Jews
It's like his teleprompter hates him:
If asking a billionaire to pay the same tax rate as a Jew, uh, as a janitor makes me a warrior for the working class, I wear that with a badge of honor. I have no problem with that.
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at 10:57 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
September 25, 2011
Fuel Follies
Did you know that about 70% of all the consumer goods purchased in America are transported by truck? Understanding this bit of economic reality, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that the price of fuel is directly linked to all consumer prices. This is fortunate in that Mr. Obama has charged our real rocket scientists to spend their time trying to make Muslims feel good about the scientific accomplishments of their ancient ancestors.
But Mr. Obama has reiterated, for what is it--the twentieth time?--that creating jobs is his first priority with handling the deficit following close behind. For a bit of perspective, let's journey back to April 8th when Mr. Obama ran into a man with a large family at a town hall meeting in Pennsylvania. The poor fellow was concerned about high gasoline prices and suggested that Mr. Obama do something to lower them. Demonstrating the kind of common touch and concern for the little man for which he has become justly famous, Mr. Obama said: "I know some of these big guys, they're all still driving their big SUVs. You know, they got their big monster trucks and everything. You're one of them? Well, now, here's my point. If you're complaining about the price of gas and you're only getting eight miles a gallon, you may have a big family, but it's probably not that big. How many you have? Ten kids, you say? Ten kids? Well, you definitely need a hybrid van then." Yeow. Talk about foot in mouth disease. But Mr. Obama handled it in his usual style, even though off teleprompter: "So, like I said, if you're getting eight miles a gallon you may want to think about a trade-in. You can get a great deal. I promise you, GM or Ford or Chrysler, they're going to be happy to give you a deal on something that gets you better gas mileage." I'm sure a man with ten children can easily afford new vehicles at will. As you can see, Mr. Obama will not rest—except for rounds of golf and vacations costing more than a decade of most folk's annual salaries—until the middle class has some relief from high gas prices and the skyrocketing prices of frivolous consumer goods like food. He's our middle class warrior. He recently said so himself so it must be true. So let's all fast forward to the middle of August and a story by Jazz Shaw about Mr. Obama's newest effort on behalf of the middle class: That's right! CAFE standards for semi tractors! Regular readers know that Mr. Obama is demanding a CAFE average of 54.5 MPG by 2025, but never before have the Feds meddled in the long haul trucking business in this way. Mr. Obama is now mandating that heavy-duty vehicles, work trucks and long-haul semis reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from between 9% to 23% by 2018. Well now. Let's consider this for a moment. Truck owners and operators already know that their single largest fixed expense is fuel. They have every reason to buy the most fuel-efficient trucks they can afford and manufacturers have every reason to build such vehicles. The problem is that the laws of physics apply to semis just as they do to passenger cars. There are three primary ways to save fuel in motor vehicles: (1) More efficient engines and transmissions; (2) more aerodynamic vehicles; and (3) lighter vehicles. Diesel engines are already quite efficient but some small progress can, and already is being made in increasing efficiency without sacrificing reliability and longevity. Transmissions are more problematic as manual transmissions are pretty much required and it is driving technique rather than the transmissions themselves that have the largest effect. However, in trucking time is money and driving more slowly is more costly. Aerodynamics and weight are closely intertwined because the only way to significantly increase mileage would be to make trucks smaller and lighter. Of course, doing this means smaller loads and more runs to transport the same amount of goods, all of which is reminiscent of Al Gore (this one, unlike the internet, really is his invention) mandating stingy toilets to save water, except that they flush so poorly that people often have to flush twice to finish the job, actually increasing rather then decreasing water use. Greenie types seem to have no understanding of the law of unintended consequences--not that they'd care if they did. These new regulations can only greatly increase the costs of transporting the 70% of goods hauled by truck, which will directly increase all consumer costs, including gasoline costs—here comes the irony--because gasoline is virtually exclusively hauled by truck. Higher prices means lower hiring, more unemployment, less consumer spending, which means even less hiring, even more unemployment, even less consumer spending, which means…It's tempting to think that this—rather than what he says--is actually Mr. Obama's real policy. But he's the President of the United States. He wouldn't actually be trying to crash the economy. Would he? And now for a final shot of outrage-fueled adrenalin to start the week: travel back with me to April for an article at MSN Money by Lynn Mucken. Ms. Mucken will explain to you why $4.00 a gallon—and more—gas is a good thing. I've no doubt Mr. Obama would agree, and he's the President, so we should do what he says. Shouldn't we? After your blood pressure returns to normal, have a great rest of the week!Posted by: MikeM at 10:40 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Obama Desperately Tries to Isolate, Polarize Blacks to Shore Up His Base
In one of the most transparently self-serving political addresses in U.S. Presidential history, a shameless Barack Obama attempted to isolate and polarize African-Americans in an attempt to shore up his crumbling base of support for his 2012 reelection campaign.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Barack Obama is not an African-American except in the most technical sense of the word, and arguably knows less about the "black experience" than any partial minority in American politics. He grew up as a Pacific Islander in Hawaii and Indonesia, but did not spend time on the U.S. mainland until he was already in college. Once there, he immersed himself in a culture that was the province of radical, higher middle-class and rich leftist whites at Columbia and then Harvard, who absorbed the son of a radical west coast hippie mother and communist father with open arms and a self-satisfied nod towards diversity. I have spent more time "in the hood" than Barack Obama, who relates to the "black experience" about as well as I relate to the cocktail party concern circus in which he's embedded himself his whole life. He is an utter and shameless veneer of an black man, a race-hustling pusher that uses his skin-deep physical appearance to push the agenda of Manhattan, and Cape Cod, Berkeley and Beverly Hills. It makes me ill to watch Barack Obama try to use real African-Americans as self-indentured vote slaves. But try he shamelessly does.
In a fiery summons to an important voting block, President Obama told blacks on Saturday to quit crying and complaining and "put on your marching shoes" to follow him into battle for jobs and opportunity. And though he didn't say it directly, for a second term, too. Obama’s speech to the annual awards dinner of the Congressional Black Caucus was his answer to increasingly vocal griping from black leaders that he's been giving away too much in talks with Republicans — and not doing enough to fight black unemployment, which is nearly double the national average at 16.7 percent.
Barack Obama has a long history of helping himself by using the black community that he was never really a part of. He's treated them as stepping stones and chumps as he's enriched himself beyond his expectations and his competence. The question is, will he be able to do it again? MIKE ADDS: Once upon a time in those thrilling days of yesteryear, the Lone Ranger and Tonto found themselves in great peril: Lone Ranger: "There are indians to the left of us; indians to the right of us; indians before and behind us! Tonto, what are we going to do?" Tonto: What you mean 'we' white man?" Despite not being the first black president--an honor claimed by Bill "I did not have sexual relations with that woman" Clinton--one would think
"Take off your bedroom slippers. Put on your marching shoes," he said, his voice rising as applause and cheers mounted. "Shake it off. Stop complainin'. Stop grumblin'. Stop cryin'. We are going to press on. We have work to do."
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at 08:10 AM | Comments (8) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
September 24, 2011
It's Punday!
In the pursuit of my English teaching day job I often come across various bit of fun with the mother tongue. This list of delightful puns came across my computer screen recently, unfortunately without attribution. I've found several other lists, some of which include some of these, but alas, no specific author for this particular group. If you should recognize the author, please let me know that I might give them proper credit.
I'll begin the list with one of my favorites: Did you hear about the dyslexic existentialist? He spent his entire life pondering the meaning of dog. A man's home is his castle, in a manor of speaking. Dijon vu - the same mustard as before. Practice safe eating - always use condiments. Shotgun wedding - A case of wife or death. A man needs a mistress just to break the monogamy. A hangover is the wrath of grapes. Dancing cheek-to-cheek is really a form of floor play. Does the name Pavlov ring a bell? Condoms should be used on every conceivable occasion. Reading while sunbathing makes you well red. When two egotists meet, it's an I for an I. A bicycle can't stand on its own because it is two tired. What's the definition of a will? (It's a dead give away.) Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana. In democracy your vote counts. In feudalism your count votes. She was engaged to a boyfriend with a wooden leg but broke it off. A chicken crossing the road is poultry in motion. If you don't pay your exorcist, you get repossessed. With her marriage, she got a new name and a dress. The man who fell into an upholstery machine is fully recovered. You feel stuck with your debt if you can't budge it. Local Area Network in Australia - the LAN down under. Every calendar's days are numbered. A lot of money is tainted - It taint yours and it taint mine. A boiled egg in the morning is hard to beat. He had a photographic memory that was never developed. A midget fortune-teller who escapes from prison is a small medium at large. Once you've seen one shopping center, you've seen a mall. Bakers trade bread recipes on a knead-to-know basis. Santa's helpers are subordinate clauses. Acupuncture is a jab well done.Posted by: MikeM at 11:19 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
September 23, 2011
The Literature Corner: Attack Of The Tree Cop
Local and Federal law enforcers are supposed to be on the same side, but they virtually always have an uneasy relationship at best. On one hand the Feds, particularly the FBI, tend to look down on locals, considering them to be barely capable of coherent speech without drooling, particularly when compared with their buttoned down preppy magnificence. On the other, if they overplay their hand, locals can make things difficult.
Sometimes they even have some fun at the expense of the Feds, like the time a local skateboarder skated up to several cops carrying a loaded H&K MP5 submachine gun he found sitting unattended on the roof of an unmarked FBI car in the local Federal Building parking garage. The fun we had with that one is another story. This story is about the time I found myself in the sights of Smokey The Bear-Like park ranger.Attack of the Tree Cop “They what?!” I said. “The tree cops wanted to arrest us,” Andrews replied, a sly grin on his face. “You’re kidding? For what?” Andrews broke up: "for running a parade without a permit in a national park!" "What?!" I said in amazement. "You're kidding, right?" “Nope,” he replied, struggling to get his laughter under control. “Where did they get the idea that we ran a parade without a permit? We didn’t do a parade.” “I know. Apparently the federal law he’s talking about refers to parades and any other kind of un-permitted activity in the park. I don’t have any idea where he got the idea. The tree cop wouldn’t tell me.” “Incredible!” I said, amazed. “You told him it was just two sweaty cops, right?” “Yeah, I had a hell of a time convincing him that we didn’t do a parade. I’m still not sure he’s convinced, but he went away,” Andrews said, shaking his head. “When did this happen?” I asked, and he launched into the story.
“Sgt. Andrews, there’s a park ranger at the front desk to see you,” the chief’s secretary said, her voice tinny over the intercom. “A park ranger? Do you know what he wants?” Andrews asked, confused. “Something about staging an event without a permit I think,” she replied. “OK, send him down and I’ll meet him at the elevator.” “Right.” Staging an event without a permit? Oh well; I better see what he wants. Andrews left the Patrol Division’s secure office suite and was waiting in the hallway when the elevator opened. The ranger was wearing his green and gray ranger outfit replete with a Smokey Bear hat. Only the rangers who took themselves really seriously regularly wore Smokey Bear hats. Most of them were more concerned with function than appearance--baseball caps did the trick--but not this guy; he didn’t look happy. “Sgt. Andrews?” He asked. “That’s me,” Andrews replied. “Tom Andrews?” He asked again. The guy was suspicious about everything. What’s this guy after? “That’s still me.” “Is there some place we can talk,” the ranger asked. He furrowed his brow and ominously intoned, “privately?” “Sure. C’mon back to my office,” Andrews replied, gesturing toward the secure door down the hall. Hmmm. Maybe he wants to talk about some national forest secrets. They sat down and Andrews closed the door. “What can I do for you?”
Posted by: MikeM at 09:57 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
A Fine Line Between Governance and Terrorism
Smuggling weapons--arms trafficking--has long been argued as an act of war or an act of terrorism, whether we're discussing Iran's various attempts to provide weapons of war to those fighting the U.S. and Israel, the German submarine U20's sinking of the Lusitania for smuggling 4.2 million rounds of small arms ammunition, or the Obama Administration's smuggling of thousands of weapons to drug cartels locked in a a mortal struggle with the government of Mexico.
As a matter of fact, U.S. federal law would seem to define Operation Fast and Furious as an act of international terrorism:Operation Fast and Furious seems to have violated multiple federal laws, including the Arms Export Control Act. More to the point of terrorism, the gun-walking occurred within the United States and knowingly involved allowing weapons to transition an international border with Mexico in order to "intimidate or coerce" Mexico's embattled civilian population and civil government. Another apparent goal was to influence the policy of U.S. gun laws by coercion (actual ATF implementation of multiple long-gun reporting, asserted attempt to create conditions for a U.S. weapons ban). Last but not least, Operation Fast and Furious (and contemporary programs) seem designed to affect the conduct of the government of Mexico by providing mass destruction in the form of thousands of firearms used typically used for assassination and kidnapping, and the conduct of the government of the United States by lending anecdotal credence to President Obama's 90-percent lie and trump up support for attacks on the Second Amendment. Governed by this definition provided in Title 18 of U.S. Code, there is every reason to state that Gunwalker is international terrorism sponsored from the highest levels of appointed and elected officials within the executive branch of the administration of President Barack Obama. No wonder they want to close Gitmo. As terrorists, that is precisely where they belong.
As used in this chapter—
(1) the term “international terrorism” means activities that—
(A) involve violent acts or acts dangerous to human life that are a violation of the criminal laws of the United States or of any State, or that would be a criminal violation if committed within the jurisdiction of the United States or of any State;
(B) appear to be intended—
(i) to intimidate or coerce a civilian population;
(ii) to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or
(iii) to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping; and
(C) occur primarily outside the territorial jurisdiction of the United States, or transcend national boundaries in terms of the means by which they are accomplished, the persons they appear intended to intimidate or coerce, or the locale in which their perpetrators operate or seek asylum;
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at 02:09 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
I Question His Definition of "Is"
Think Progress quotes the liberal saint of stained dresses once again showing the kind of brilliance that comes from a man whose oxygenated bloodflow goes mostly below the waist.
Clinton: 'There Is Not A Single Solitary Example' Of A Country That Has Succeeded With A Tea Party Philosophy. Really? I think the Founding Fathers might just disagree.Posted by: Confederate Yankee at 11:12 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
September 22, 2011
Love, Loyalty and Leadership
At a meeting of the American Historical Society at the World's Fair in Chicago in 1893, historian Frederick Jackson Turner proposed the Turner Thesis: America is unique—as are Americans—because unlike every other nation, we had a West to conquer. This both revealed and forged our unique national character. It taught us the meaning—meaning unique to Americans—of love, loyalty and leadership.
Fast-forward to September 14, 2011, North Carolina State University at Raleigh, a venue friendly—to say the least—to President Barack Obama. Mr. Obama is demanding, like an endlessly looped, stuck recording, that Congress pass his latest, non-existent, half-trillion dollar retread jobs bill. "I love you, Barack," blurts a voice from the adoring crowd. "I love you back," he replies, "but if you love me, you've got to help me pass this bill!" Mr. Obama's love is apparently conditional: one must first accept and actively support ruinous, socialist fiscal policies. What is most remarkable about this bizarre morality play is that it is utterly unsurprising and unremarkable. Let's return to the beginning, to May 14, 1787, the State House in Philadelphia, the Constitutional Convention. There is no question of the president of the Convention. George Washington serves his new nation yet again. There is no oxymoronic leading from behind. Washington scarcely utters a word throughout the Convention; his steady presence is more than sufficient. When the Constitution is finally ratified in 1788 there is no question of America's first president. With reluctance, George Washington serves once more. As he rides to New York to take the oath of office, Americans turn out to wish him well all along the way and he is moved to tears by their sincere appreciation for his character and accomplishments, yet he is distinctly uncomfortable for he knows that his example will establish precedence for all time for all who follow him. The adulation, even worship of kings and potentates can never be allowed to take hold in America. Washington is determined that there be no cults of personality. Washington serves honorably, but always looking to the day when he owes no more to the future. He knows that the presidency is his for life—a virtual kingship is his—yet he chooses to close that option, not only for himself, for all. Other presidents--notably Bill Clinton--will flirt with a lifetime presidency, but Americans have always rejected such narcissistic overtures. The Bible tells us that there is no greater love than that a man lay down his life for another. Americans have always embodied and practiced this love without reservation, not only for friends, but foreign strangers. True love is reserved for family and for those few friends whose character and accomplishments render them worthy of such devotion. Our forefathers the pioneers took these lessons to heart and passed them down, for they understood through hard experience upon whom they could rely. Love cannot be wasted on politicians, for such is the infatuation of the teenage girl for the rock star regardless of how momentarily intensely felt. Loyalty to such people is wasted, for it cannot be reciprocated. Their loyalty is only to themselves, for most recognize no one and nothing greater than themselves. Their fame and popularity, based on the fickle preferences of crowds, propaganda and craven media support are ephemeral--fleeting. We owe our elected representatives only deference for their positions. Respect must be earned, each and every day, and freely given in recognition of character, morality and accomplishment. For Americans, personal loyalty must be carefully, selectively bestowed. Few politicians are worthy of the least bit of it. Above all, it is given willingly, without reservation and with justifiable pride in America, to the American idea and ideals, to our national faith in what Americans alone can accomplish for good. What politician that does not gladly give his loyalty to America is worthy of the loyalty of a single American? The ultimate loyalty of all Americans must never be invested in politicians, for all fail, all pass away, but only in America which must ever endure. While common in our military, true leadership is hardly common in our presidents. Election to office does not a leader make, though some would point to the fact that they have managed to be elected to several offices as proof of accomplishment and leadership. Leadership arises out of steadfast character and genuine accomplishment. Washington, Lincoln, Truman, Reagan, all men of character and real accomplishment rose to the challenge of the office. Barack Obama, a man famous for being famous, accomplished for being elected, has not and cannot. Conservative radio host Andrew Wilcow suggests that the Obama sycophant expressing their love for Mr. Obama in Raleigh may have been a plant. This is a possibility not to be discounted for a White House infamous for its shameless stage-managing of Mr. Obama's public appearances, and which may be smarting from accusations that without his teleprompter, Mr. Obama is stilted and clumsy. In either case, spontaneous or scripted, love expressed for a politician reveals a fundamental disconnect, even a repudiation of America. Politician love is utterly misplaced, the stuff of cult-of-personality dictatorships. It reveals a sickness of the individual and national soul. Prior to Barack Obama, newsmen calling any president a god, worshiping the creases of their trousers, expressing amazement and admiration for their fly-swatting abilities or serially depicting them as pseudo religious icons with halos would have been thought deranged, but where Mr. Obama is concerned, such lunacy has become daily fair, remarkable only in its most insanely outrageous manifestations. In its intention and intensity, it is anti American, it rejects the example of Washington and embraces the worst aspects of the narcissism and vanity of the world's despots. Mr. Obama is not worthy of the respect of any American. His character and accomplishments before and after assuming the presidency reveal a hollow man, a man who has actually admitted that he is an empty vessel—tabula rasa—a blank slate upon which the hopes—even the fantasies--of anyone may be drawn. Being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, not for any accomplishment—his chair behind the Resolute Desk was hardly warm—but for being Barack Obama, for some possible future accomplishment--is a case in point. Mr. Obama admitted that he deserved it not, yet revealed the depth of his character by accepting it knowing it to partially represent a crude slap in the face of America. This is a man whose loyalty is always to self, never America, which he sees as unremarkable, just one of many nations. He is a man who proudly announces his leadership from behind, who proposes non-existent bills and demands they be immediately passed, and who seeks to address ruinous deficits of his creation by means of class warfare and by creating yet greater deficits. This is a man who tolerates his Vice President calling fellow Americans "terrorist" and "barbarian" for daring to embrace the Constitution and demand fiscal responsibility. The presidency of Barack Obama is the embodiment of a national holiday from responsibility and history. It is a departure from traditional and necessary American understandings of love, loyalty and leadership and a perversion of those essential, noble ideals. That such publically expressed, fawning devotion to a politician, particularly one of such abysmal character and destructive, anti-American intentions and accomplishment seems unremarkable to so many must stand as an urgent warning. It is an unmistakable indicator of how far we have allowed ourselves to stray from the path of liberty so carefully established by George Washington and so lovingly, carefully maintained by many that have followed him. It is a warning we fail to heed at our peril.Posted by: MikeM at 09:33 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Ar-15 Lower Blowout
$65 each for Templar stripped lowers.
That's almost theft.Posted by: Confederate Yankee at 06:34 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Liberals Love Cop Killers, Especially Those in Power
Both John Hawkins and Ann Coulter excoriate the sociopathic left and their idolatry of cop killers after Troy Davis was executed last night.
At least they're consistent. After all, these same liberals aren't raising a peep about the 200+ Mexicans and three U.S. federal agents shot with weapons "walked" to violent drug cartels by the Obama Administration. Maybe if some more of the 2,020 guns of Fast and Furious, the 1,000 guns of Castaway, and the unknown number of guns walked from two unnamed Texas operations take a couple of more lives of cops on both sides of the border, they'll put up Holder, Napolitano, and Obama up for whatever passes for sainthood in their perverted little worlds.Posted by: Confederate Yankee at 12:32 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
"Leaky" No More
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at 09:22 AM | Comments (0) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
September 21, 2011
Quick Takes, September 22, 2011
ITEM: Louis Renault Award, Career Ending Division: General William Shelton, commanding officer of the Air Force Space Command testified before Congress that he was pressured by the White House to change Congressional testimony to favor an Obama Crony. Congressmen universally said that they were shocked, shocked(!) and could not possibly imagine the most ethical, transparent administration in history doing such a thing. Thereafter, they went out for a drink with Elvis and a bit of hot tubbing with Bigfoot. Go here for the story.
ITEM: NOOOOOOOO! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! According to Hot Air, Jimmy Carter said "I'm not taking a position, but I would be very pleased to see him win the Republican nomination." Romney Campaign spokesman disavowed any knowledge of anyone named "Jimmy" who may or may not have ever been President of the United States, and concluded their comment by loudly screaming "ARRGGGHHHHH!" and running from the room as if on fire. Go here for the horror, the horror… ITEM: Patriotic Ceremony Marred By Appearance Of President Obama. Marine Sgt. Dakota Meyer, who looks as though he has yet to graduate from high school became the first living Marine in 38 years to receive the Congressional Medal Of Honor on Sept. 15. His medal citation makes Rambo look like a Democrat Congressman. He is a true American hero. I am truly saddened to have to observe that whenever Mr. Obama utters praise for our military or nation, it brings a torrent of disgust to my face. Never in my lifetime—with the exception of Bill Clinton—did I have good reason to doubt such comments from an American President. Meyer may feel the same way. Be sure to note how he handled the call from Mr. Obama. ITEM: The Infrastructure Is Falling; The Infrastructure Is Falling! So sayeth Mr. Obama past and present. True, there were no shovel ready jobs in the first place, and true, the Stimulus (which word may no longer be spoken!) only stimulated Democrat cronies and assorted crooks, but that's no reason not to do a second stimulus—or whatever it's being called these days. Is it? See what Investors Business Daily has to say about the reality of American infrastructure. ITEM: Wisconsin And The Rule Of Law: As in, there is no rule of law in Wisconsin, particularly where Democrats and unions are involved. Visit Legal Insurrection to see what appears to be a less then manly leftist admitting, on camera, to assaulting a Republican legislator. William A. Jacobson asks why such people have no fear about admitting to crimes against Republicans. You'll find the answer—if you don't already know it. ITEM: I Knew That: Does the First Amendment guarantee of freedom of the press apply even to bloggers—disreputable and annoying lot that we are? Of course it does. Go here for an interesting article on some specifics. The article mentions the Emily Good case. I wrote about that case—and a more egregious Las Vegas case—not long ago for Pajamas Media. Give both a look. Who knows? You might one day find yourself using your cell phone camera to record something to which the authorities might object. ITEM: We Can't Condone Hacking…But…sometimes a bit of mischief is inspired, as in the hacker who placed a harmless and humorous—if barbaric—biography at Trinity College, Dublin. Take a few minutes to "crush your enemies, see them driven before you and hear the lamentation of the women." Extra credit points if you can identify the origin of that line. ITEM: So The Union Has It's Own Union Which Is Represented By it's Own Union, Which…and so on and so on. I'm not kidding. Go here to see how ridiculous, and richly ironic, it is. ITEM: Remember How Newsweek Announced it would become "a journal of elite liberal opinion?" Remember how it sold for a dollar shortly thereafter? Remember how it's editor called Barack Obama a god? Well, now NPR is doing the same. Anyone have a dollar? After the election, if federal funds are withdrawn, that may be all it takes. Wait a minute, why would I want to buy NPR?! Go here for the blasphemy. ITEM: Are Republicans Dumb? Kathleen Parker at the Washington Post explores the issue and comes close to the point. What matters most to rational Americans of any political persuasion is not an Ivy League degree or cornpone populist street cred, but actual, demonstrated accomplishment and competence. Hey...could that be the problem with Mr. Obama or are we all just racists? Discuss. ITEM: Unrelated Statistics and Unexpected Reality Department: According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, America experienced—unexpectedly of course—a 12% drop in violent crimes last year. They have no idea why. At the same time, a record number of people are carrying concealed weapons, acting on the reality of the best gun salesman of all time: Barack Obama. You don't suppose the two could be related, do you? Naaaaaaaah! Go here anyway. ITEM: "The Vagina Is Becoming Big Business." So opens an AP article. Amalgamated Porn? Nope: Associated Press. Really. Geez. I always thought they were kind of a big deal, but I'm male, so what do I know? Did you know that pubic hair dye—in hot pink—is now available? It's $14.99. Live long enough and you learn amazing things. Go here to learn more. ITEM: Third In Line: Why is it only the man third in line is able to tell America's friends from her enemies? Why can't #1 and #2 support Israel? Go here for the recent comments of Speaker John Boehner. Support for Israel is not only rational, practical and in America's interest, but if you believe in the Bible, it's never wise to be on the side of the enemies of Israel. God takes that one kind of personally. ITEM: Louis Renault Award, Nuclear Proliferation Division: In a revelation that surely must have left intelligence analysts shocked, shocked (!), it was reported that Pakistan has been selling nuclear weapon technology to just about everyone except Kellogg's which reportedly wanted to include nucs as prizes in various breakfast cereals. OK, OK, so the bit about Kellogg's wasn’t exactly true, but go here to see what those merry Pakistani pranksters have been up to. They're our allies, you know. ITEM: Feel Good Video Of The Week: Whenever I can combine a bit of patriotism with good old honest American emotion, I am one happy camper. Watch this. You'll be a happy camper too.ITEM: Integrity In The Department of Justice: Ah yes, the Inspector General of the DOJ is conducting their own investigation into the Gunwalker debacle. Except that they're giving damning evidence to the actual suspects in the case, warning them before Congress can get to them! Surely this couldn't be happening in the most ethical, transparent administration in history? Yes it is, and don't call me Shirley. Go here for the story. We're being led by thugs and criminals. We elected them. ITEM: Triumphs Of Smart Diplomacy, #2987: Mr. Obama spoke to the UN today and did the absolute minimum: he said the UN should not declare statehood for the Palestinians and that America will stand by Israel. Unfortunately, he continued his usual theme of moral equivalence, essentially equating our democratic ally Israel and a completely dysfunctional terrorist state bent on Israel's destruction. As usual, Mr. Obama stopped far short of demanding that the Palestinians recognize Israel's right to exist, saying only that Israelis must be assured of their security. I seriously doubt that the Israelis take comfort in such weak diplomatic tea, not only because such an assurance from the Palestinians would be worth approximately a bucket of warm spit, and particularly since Mr. Obama suggested that the Israelis and Palestinians "walk in each other's shoes." Now there's a brilliant idea! Is he hoping that when the Israelis walk in the shoes of people who teach their children to hate and murder, who force women and the mentally retarded to blow themselves up to kill Jews, who live for genocide and who murder each other just for fun, they'll act like Palestinians? Boy wouldn't that middle East be fun then?! Mr. Obama also issued what, for him, must have been the most aggressive of threats: "'This has been a remarkable year,' Obama said. 'Something's happening in our world. The way things have been is not the way they will be. ... Dictators are on notice.'" Yes, if they misbehave, we'll dither for months, just like we did in Libya and lead from behind. I'm sure the Iranians, Syrians and North Koreans are quaking with fear—or is that laughter? Anyway, go here for the mess. ITEM: "We Don't Need A President Who Apologizes For America." Indeed. Go here for Rick Perry's first TV ad. ITEM: OH, So That's Why He Passed ObamaCare! Why? Because Mr. Obama is a class warrior—for the middle class! Oh yeah, he's absolutely watching out for me. Hey, was that a flying pig?! Go here to see truly galaxy class mendacity and lack of shame. ITEM: NO! It Can't Be! Recent claims of mistreatment and marginalization of women in the Obama White House have the usual suspects on the defensive and scrambling for cover. Go here for the story (at Time, of all places!) and an interesting photo, but I just can't believe that Mr. Obama would allow such a thing. I mean good grief! Who could imagine that the most narcissistic, vain, petty, thin-skinned, intellectually rigid, quick-tempered and grossly over-sold President in American history could possibly see women as less than his equals? Not me. No sir! ITEM: The Evil Of Westerners and Western Medicine. Operation Smile is an organization of plastic and reconstructive surgeons that does…well, go here for a video of what they do, this time in Brazil. I cried like a baby. Remember this the next time some smug, self-righteous idiot--like our President--dumps on western civilization. Thanks to Bookworm for the idea on this one. And with that wonderful final thought for the week, I must bid you a reluctant goodbye and encourage you, once again, to return next Thursday for another edition of Quick Takes! Shameless Plug: Stop by next Tuesday too for a new edition of A Letter From the Teacher. The topic: Talk Like A Pirate Day and the miraculous transformative power of Arrrrrrrrr!
Posted by: MikeM at 10:05 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Corrupt as Hell: Acting DOJ Inspector General Tips Off Obama's Gunwalker Co-conspirators
Perhaps you've read about the audiotapes posted to CBS news, of a conversation between the gun dealer that sold many Fast and Furious guns and the ATF agent that was part of the operation.
Now we find out that those tapes came out after the acting Inspector General leaked them to the suspects in the case, jeopardizing the Oversight investigation.Schnedar needs to be fired, and if statutes allow it, charged for obstruction of justice and any related charges (aiding and abetting the enemy?). This is mob-lawyer-level actions committed by a federal official in charge or one of the most important investigations in U.S. history... and considering the hundreds dead, I'm not overselling that at all.
In a letter released on Wednesday to Acting Justice Department Inspector General Cynthia Schnedar, they expressed deep concern over her decision to turn over to U.S. prosecutors in Arizona audio recordings obtained during her investigation. Representative Darrell Issa, head of the House Oversight Committee, and Charles Grassley, the senior Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said Schnedar apparently did not consider the significant harm caused by giving the recordings to those under investigation. They criticized the move as potentially obstructing the congressional probe into the operation because potential witnesses may have colluded about what to tell investigators.
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at 05:48 PM | Comments (0) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Choi to Re-enlist
Good for him, and good for the country:
I think anyone who is willing to make the sacrifices and serve their nation in the military should be able to, and that's about it. Gays have always been in the military, and I for one am proud to live in a nation where honorable men and women can now openly serve. Mike Adds: The problem with this, as well as similarly controversial social dilemmas occurs when people identify themselves primarily by their preferences rather than their duty or nationality. I have far less concern for a soldier who happens to be gay than for a gay soldier. I have no worries about a lawyer who happens to be black, female or gay, but I'm always concerned about a black lawyer or a feminist lawyer or a gay lawyer because they see the law as a means of forcing others to accept their preferences. Similarly, I'm glad to accept any American who happens to be Hispanic, Armenian, etc., but "Hispanic-Americans" or any other hyphenated type, tend to be worrisome. A soldier who happens to be gay might reasonably never be known to be gay any more than a soldier fond of any other sexual practice. Spare me the "gayness is my identity" meme. If you enlist or accept a commission in the armed services, your identify is that of soldier, sailor, airman or marine. Everything else is secondary. As Bob has suggested, gay people have indeed served honorably, but they have done so because they have served, first, foremost and always, as soldiers. Being gay was not an issue for them because they were wise enough not to make it an issue so as not to interfere with their--and the military's--mission. Update (Bob): I should have research more on Choi before commenting on his reenlistment. To put it mildly, his behavior has been controversial and he apparently wasn't a good officer when he did serve. That now understood, I affirm my support of those who serve... but really wonder if Choi himself should be allowed back in.
More than two years after former infantry officer Daniel Choi came out on a talk show as a gay service member – an event that led to his discharge - the Iraq war veteran says he will re-enlist in the U.S. Army following Tuesday's repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. "Going back to the military will be a vindication," Choi told POLITICO. [I'm] going back because I fought to go back. The seriousness of our claims was not just political theatre – it was really drawn from our lives. I sacrificed so much so I could go back."
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at 08:51 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Gunwalker's Body Count Grows
I was on a conference call with Darrell Issa, Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform committee, yesterday and was very impressed with his candor as we discussed Operation Fast and Furious. Quite frankly, the Congressman speaks with the confidence of a prosecutor who knows he has a solid case coming together.
I suspect we're going to see Obama Administration officials sent to prison when it is all said and done, but as I ask at the end of my newest Pajamas Media article, will that prison be in the United States or Mexico?Posted by: Confederate Yankee at 08:11 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
September 20, 2011
General Motors: American Jobs--For China?
The convoluted story of the Chevy Volt took another bizarre twist today with the publication of an Associated Press article detailing "cooperation" between General Motors and the Chinese government on electric vehicle technology, which inescapably means the Chevy Volt. It is, of course, the only electric vehicle (actually a ridiculously complex and expensive pseudo-hybrid) currently manufactured by GM, though an even more expensive version of the Volt is reportedly on Cadillac's drawing board and on the fast track for production.
The Volt's MSRP is approximately $41,000 and individual Volts have sold for up to $65,000. It's virtually certain that even fewer Volts would have sold without the $7500 government subsidy. Even with that generous subsidy—it's about double the cost of comparable conventional, high-mileage conventionally fueled compacts that actually get better mileage than the Volt—Volt sales have been abysmal (302 in August). But of course, the Volt isn't a product meant to survive in the free market, nor is it meant to turn a profit (GM probably loses money on every vehicle): it's an entirely political animal. It's difficult to imagine how much a Voltilac (Cadiolt?) will cost or precisely where the market for such a vehicle is. These days, Cadillac has become a brand built upon high performance, luxury and perceived prestige, none of which an even more ridiculously expensive Volt can possibly provide. The AP story, as we’ll explore, dances around the reasons for this "cooperation." A Green Auto Blog story is more to the point, but for the moment, let's focus on the AP, which titled its story: "GM to Build Electric Cars in China, Protect Chevy Volt Technology." The AP continues: "General Motors Co. agreed Tuesday to deepen cooperation with its flagshipChinese partner on development of electric vehicle knowhow amid pressure from
Beijing to hand over proprietary technology. Investments and other details of the plan were not provided, and it was unclear if the agreement was the result of a renewed push by China to acquire advanced technology its own automakers still lack." Right. It's unclear. But all is not smiles and fortune cookies:
Posted by: MikeM at 10:46 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
September 19, 2011
A Letter From The Teacher, #19: Wherefore SAT?
Anytown High School, Any State, USA
To: Bob, My Most Steamed ColleagueFrom: Mr. English Teacher
Re: Wherefore SAT? Dear Bob: Well, the moment we knew was coming has arrived: The SAT scores are down this year, but the ACT scores are up. To sum it up, minorities and the poor tend to do worse than white bread kids and the wealthy. Oh yes, and Asian kids are doing well and getting better. Who'da thunk it? Here's a link to an Inside Higher Education article, which has charts, so it must be good and authoritative! And here's a link to that interesting Charles Murray article you were looking for last week Just like the eternally "unexpected" consequences and failures of socialistic government, the elite can't imagine why SAT scores have fallen. Simultaneously, some misguided conservatives see these temporary statistics (all statistics are temporary, aren't they?) as incontrovertible proof of the abject failure of the public schools, but then again, they see the incontrovertible failure of the public schools in sunshine, rain, Al Gore and Obama speeches. By the way, the IHE article actually notes that the best research shows high school GPA is the best indicator of first year success in college. Give that man a Louis Renault Award! I'm shocked, shocked! Let me step off the rhetorical path for a moment to lambast those that have taken to calling our schools "government schools," as though it is the most objectionable of obscenities, demonstrating the kind of disgust when mouthing it generally reserved for Obama speeches. They're our schools; it's our government. If they're not responsive or failing we're to blame for our neglect and indifference. Runaway bureaucracy with delusions of grandeur and adequacy should be relentlessly –within the boundaries of the law—reminded of our displeasure with its utopian, socialistic ideas. Thus endeth the lesson for today. The choir shall now assemble for the mandatory preaching session. Anyway, there are several obvious reasons for the SAT stats, I mean apart from the fact that a one-year movement in any direction is hardly a trend. Changing demographics, particularly those brought on by essentially uncontrolled illegal immigration, are surely a factor. Kids with no or limited English skills are hardly going to run up impressive SAT scores, yet in some school districts, these kids are a near majority or a majority. One's views on immigration are irrelevant to demographic reality, and that's a topic for another time.
Posted by: MikeM at 11:01 PM | Comments (8) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Should Obama Administration Officials Face Death Penalty?
Barack Obama's inept Presidency is coming under fire from all corners now, with his top problems now being scandals involving apparent corruption involving a massive loan to Solyndra that involves apparent political payoffs, and a similar bit of corruption that may have threatened national security when the White House attempted to rig the testimony of a general for their campaign donors at LightSquared.
The worst affront, however is Operation Fast and Furious and other suspected gun-walking operations that could not have functioned as a law enforcement endeavor and which only makes sense as an attempt to implement the radical Cloward-Piven strategy and destroy capitalism in America. Taken in the aggregate with so many of the economic, regulatory, and political moves we've seen since January 20, 2009, it is hard to conclude that the goal of the Obama administration is anything but the intentional destruction of our government. If this can be proven, should Obama Administration officials face extensive prison time, or do such crimes against the nation warrant the use of the rarely-used implementation of the federal death penalty? This is not hyperbole by any stretch of the imagination. The details on the Lightsquared scandal are still coming out, but does appear to be at least a nominal threat to our national security and the safety of American servicemen in harm's way. Gunwalker, in it's various incarnations, armed cartels and domestic criminal gangs with "walked" weapons and turned federal law enforcement agencies into a blocking force that actively kept gun smugglers and their contraband from being intercepted. They not only armed this nation's enemies when they armed Mexican drug cartels, they ensured that the smugglers themselves would not face arrest during the duration of the operation. This legally constitutes treason.Ensuring that our enemies are delivered weapons constitutes levying war, adhering to our enemies, and giving them aid and comfort within the United States and elsewhere is treason, a crime punishable by death. Barack Obama lauds himself for having so many "firsts" as a President. Considering his actions in office, he may also deserve becoming the first U.S President sent to death row, along with members of his blood-soaked Cabinet.
TITLE 18 > PART I > CHAPTER 115 > § 2381 > Treason Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at 10:27 AM | Comments (8) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
Top State Prosecutor in Mexico Holds Obama Administration's Gunwalker Responsible for Death of Her Brother, Thousands of Otherse
We can't get the mainstream media to do anything other than cover-up for "Teh Won," but south of the border they see the Administration's Gunwalker gorefest as the massive criminal conspiracy that it is.
Operation Fast and Furious was just one of at least five alleged gun-walking operations that sent weapons not just to criminals along and over our southern border, but which also purposefully armed gangs in the Midwest. As the corpses pile up, it seems more and more likely that the ultimate goal of Gunwalker was never law enforcement at all, but a criminal and perhaps treasonous attempt by political ideologues to wreck both the United States and Mexico to create the optimal conditions to achieve a radical leftist dream of destroying the way America works. As an attempt to impose Cloward-Piven Strategy Gunwalker was almost successful, and if ATF line agents had not blown the whistle on the Administration, it may have stood a chance of succeeding. It was a high-risk plot that should result in impeachment, resignations, and criminal charges, up to and including the textbook definition of treason for aiding and abetting the enemies of our nation, arming them with weapons used to cut down our own citizens. We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail in our pursuit of this story.
Morales said she did not want to draw conclusions before the outcome of U.S. investigations, but that deliberately letting weapons "walk" into Mexico would represent a "betrayal" of a country enduring a drug war that has killed more than 40,000 people. Concealment of the bloody toll of Fast and Furious took place despite official pronouncements of growing cooperation and intelligence-sharing in the fight against vicious Mexican drug-trafficking organizations. The secrecy also occurred as Mexican President Felipe Calderon and other senior Mexican officials complained bitterly, time and again, about the flow of weapons into Mexico from the U.S. Patricia Gonzalez, the top state prosecutor in Chihuahua at the time of her brother's 2010 kidnapping, noted that she had worked closely with U.S. officials for years and was stunned that she did not learn until many months later, through media reports, about the link between his death and Fast and Furious weapons. "The basic ineptitude of these officials (who ordered the Fast and Furious operation) caused the death of my brother and surely thousands more victims," Gonzalez said.
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at 10:03 AM | Comments (0) | Add Comment | Trackbacks (Suck)
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