Nov

30

Three Thoughts. Three Failures. One President.

Category: Opinions, Our Nation | 1 Comment | 541 words | Print

Today was a fun day. I had to take two of the boys to the doctor to confirm they have poison ivy again. It seems the dog decided to play in the wooded area and then came into the house and hugged on the boys. Fun schtuff I tell you. Okay, not really, but once the Prednisone kicks in they should be fine.

Thought #1

Many months ago Gen. Stanley McChrystal requested 40,000 troops for the war in Afghanistan. Six days ago, a source at the Pentagon was sure that the President would be sending 34,000 troops.

According to several sources, the number of troops is now just 30,000. who knows what the number will be tomorrow, but it’s clear that President Obama’s own delay is cutting more than 660 troops per day.

Thought #2

Is the Obama administration thinking of allowing our soldiers to be prosecuted for war crimes?

Team Obama may allow US soldiers to be tried in the Hague for war crimes. The Wall Street Journal reported, via Jihad Watch:

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressed “great regret” in August that the U.S. is not a signatory to the International Criminal Court (ICC). This has fueled speculation that the Obama administration may reverse another Bush policy and sign up for what could lead to the trial of Americans for war crimes in The Hague.

Another failed policy from the The Failed One®.

Thought #3

Global warming (aka climate change) is a serious issue. This past week, the data which served as the very foundation for the entire man-made climate change argument was debunked.

Do we have an impact on climate change? We can’t be sure now, because those who were responsible for the research tossed the raw data. That’s right. The very scientists who were arguing that man-made global warming exists simply destroyed the data which, if they were telling the truth, would have supported their argument.

In light of these events, you would think people might start waking up, but that simply is not the case.

There is “virtually no possibility” of a few scientists biasing the advice given to governments by the UN’s top global warming body, its chair said today.

Even Carol Browner, the White House “Climate Change Czar” doesn’t seem to care that these scientists were fudging numbers and lying to the entire world.

Ms. Browner initially shrugged when asked about the e-mails, saying she didn’t have a reaction. But when a reporter followed up, she said she will stick with the consensus of the 2,500 climate scientists on the International Panel on Climate Change who concluded global warming is happening and is most likely being pushed by human actions.

It looks like it’s going to take a lot more than evidence and the truth to convince anyone in the White House that they have been duped. White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs stated,

“There’s no real scientific basis for the dispute of this (climate change)”

There is no real scientific basis supporting global warming either. Not any more. The scientists threw away the data, and even if they hadn’t, it appears that the data simply did not support their argument anyway (which is probably the reason they tossed the data in the first place).

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Nov

29

Silent Sunday

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Nov

28

Wrinkles, Reservations, Research, & Response

Category: Opinions, Our Nation | Comments Off | 894 words | Print

Thought #1

Is anyone surprised that documents related to the California Attorney General’s investigation of ACORN ended up in the trash?

The documents were thrown out in advance of state investigators arriving at the local ACORN office to conduct an investigation resulting from national media attention. ACORN employee Juan Carlos Vera was videotaped giving advice to two individuals posing as a pimp and a prostitute regarding underage prostitution and human smuggling. Without admitting any wrongdoing ACORN terminated Mr. Vera, or so they said.

To tell you the truth, I am more surprised that the Justice Department has decided that ACORN should be paid even though Congress banned the government from providing money to them.

The Justice Department has concluded that the Obama administration can lawfully pay the community group Acorn for services provided under contracts signed before Congress banned the government from providing money to the group.

The department’s conclusion, laid out in a recently disclosed five-page memorandum from David Barron, the acting assistant attorney general for the Office of Legal Counsel, adds a new wrinkle to a sharp political debate over the antipoverty group’s activities and recent efforts to distance the government from it.

That’s one hell of a wrinkle if you ask me.

Thought #2

Do you think the Obama Administration can effectively prevent an act of terrorism here in the United States? They can’t even prevent uninvited guests from shaking the President’s hand, AT THE WHITE HOUSE, what makes you think you’re safe in your home?

This time, the picture is the story.

After the Secret Service insisted that President Barack Obama was never endangered by a security breach that allowed a couple to crash his first state dinner, the White House has released a photo showing that not only did the pair get close to Obama, they actually shook hands and talked to him.

As the White House was disclosing that the Virginia couple, Michaele and Tareq Salahi, met Obama in the receiving line, a “deeply concerned and embarrassed” Secret Service on Friday acknowledged that its officers never checked whether the two were on the guest list before letting them onto the White House grounds.

Thought #3

ClimateGate is heating up. Pardon the pun.

Michael Mann, co-author of the Copenhagen Diagnosis and lead author of the UN IPCC Third Assessment Report, blamed skeptics for taking the personal emails out of context.

“What they’ve done is search through stolen personal emails—confidential between colleagues who often speak in a language they understand and is often foreign to the outside world. Suddenly, all these are subject to cherry picking,” he said.

…

This is a “smear campaign to distract the public,” said Mann. “Those opposed to climate action, simply don’t have the science on their side,” he added.

I am a programmer. I converse with many programmers. It’s true we sometimes speak our own language that many might not understand, but please understand a couple things. When we use the words “our data are surely wrong” or “our observing system is inadequate”, the words wrong and inadequate mean exactly what you think they mean.

The fact is that we can’t account for the lack of warming at the moment and it is a travesty that we can’t. The CERES data published in the August BAMS 09 supplement on 2008 shows there should be even more warming: but the data are surely wrong. Our observing system is inadequate.

The fact that the Climate Research Unit emails have been released, whether they discredit the entire global warming / climate change argument or not, paints the entire concept of global warming as nothing but a myth perpetuated by those who sought only to take advantage of the people of the world.

Are ice caps melting? It seems so, yes. Have we noticed changes in our climate? Yes, again. Does man have any effect on the climate? So far, this newly released information says no. We’re not talking one or two emails, either. We’re talking about more than 1,000 emails, none of which support the theory of man-made global warming.

Thought #4

President Obama has to be the most obvious “anti-Israel” President our nation has ever seen.

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said he could “guarantee” that arch-terrorist Marwan Barghouti would not be released from prison in any deal to exchange terrorists for kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit. “We have no intention to free the head of the murderers, a person who has been sentenced to four life terms in prison. There are red lines, and this is one of them,” Lieberman said.

In response to U.S. demands that Israel free an additional 1,000-some terrorists as a “gesture” to Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas, Lieberman said that previous releases of Fatah terrorists “have not proven themselves. The Olmert administration did this several times and it did not work, and we do not plan to allow it to happen,” Lieberman said.

The Obama administration demanded that Israel release Palestinian prisoners. How about we demand that Palestinians stop entering Israeli towns and blowing themselves up? How about we demand that Palestinians release Israelis they are holding? How about we demand that Palestinians show some initiative that they want peace (which we all know they don’t)?

I’ve got a better idea. Why don’t we demand that President Obama stop threatening the state of Israel by showing such obvious support to terrorists? That is not a rhetorical question.

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Nov

27

Presidential Priorities

Category: Opinions | Comments Off | 406 words | Print

On November 25th, President Obama released the following statement regarding the Hajj which is held in Saudi Arabia.

Michelle and I would like to send our best wishes to all those performing Hajj this year, and to Muslims in America and around the world who are celebrating Eid-ul-Adha. The rituals of Hajj and Eid-ul-Adha both serve as reminders of the shared Abrahamic roots of three of the world’s major religions.

During Hajj, the world’s largest and most diverse gathering, three million Muslims from all walks of life – including thousands of American Muslims – will stand in prayer on Mount Arafat. The following day, Muslims around the world will celebrate Eid-ul-Adha and distribute food to the less fortunate to commemorate Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son out of obedience to God.

Compare the comments above to his official statement regarding the National Day of Prayer here in the United States:

 
 
 
 
 

No, that is not a typo. There is no text missing in the above quote.

While President Obama’s press secretary, Robert Gibbs, tried to explain it away as the President’s way of “reverting back to pre-Bush administration practice”, the truth is President Obama didn’t release any statement regarding the National Day of Prayer. Nada. Nothing.

According to Mr. Gibbs,

“Prayer is something the president does every day,” he said. “We’re doing a proclamation, which I know that many administrations in the past have done.”

Pressed by reporters as to the lack of a formal ceremony, Mr. Gibbs said the proclamation was Mr. Obama’s choice.

“That’s the way the president will publicly observe National Prayer Day – privately, he’ll pray as he does every day,” Mr. Gibbs said.

In other words, the President prays privately every day but felt compelled to address the nation’s (and the world’s) Muslims about their pilgrimage to the Hajj.

The Hajj is the largest annual pilgrimage in the world, and a moral obligation that must be carried out by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so, at least once in their lifetime. The Hajj is a demonstration of the solidarity of the Muslim people, and their submission to Allah.

So, in summary, a statement regarding the Hajj, which is solely aimed at the Muslim community, warrants more attention (and an official statement), than the National Day of Prayer which would apply to everyone, regardless of their religious affiliation.

Thank you once again, Mr. President, for showing us exactly where your priorities lie.

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Nov

26

Happy Thanksgiving

Category: Life | Comments Off | 94 words | Print

I’m taking the day off to celebrate the holiday. Okay, that’s not entirely true. I will be spending the day in the kitchen preparing some delicious food. I hope you have a great Thanksgiving!

 

Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name;
make known among the nations what he has done.

Sing to him, sing praise to him;
tell of all his wonderful acts.

Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.

Look to the LORD and his strength;
seek his face always.

1 Chronicles 16:8-25

 

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Nov

25

Recalls, Reactions, Reports, & Representatives

Category: Opinions, Our Nation | 1 Comment | 810 words | Print

I spent another day getting as much work done as possible and when 6pm came, I started prepping everything for the big dinner tomorrow night. We’re having a small family gathering, almost as small as we could get, as my mom will be our only guest tomorrow. My sister can’t make it down from Kentucky, and well, I’m not going to discuss anything else. Let me just say that it’s very clear there won’t be anyone else ringing our doorbell.

This evening, I am getting the bread ready for the stuffing, chopping onions and celery, and making sure I have all the spices I need for the traditional family stuffing recipe. The wife and kids are cleaning washing our special dishes, but hopefully we’ll all be in bed early so getting up early won’t hurt so bad in the morning.

Thought #1

A bit of local politics here on the bog.

The Citizens for the Future of Carroll County are working to recall Carroll County Commission Chairman Bill Chappell. From their website:

While the grounds for recalling a duly elected official may include one of the following reasons, our committee checked all 5 reasons on their “Application For Recall” regarding Chairman Bill Chappell:

1. Has committed an act or acts of malfeasance while in office;
2. Has violated his or her oath of office;
3. Has committed an act of misconduct in office;
4. Is guilty of a failure to perform duties prescribed by law; or
5. Has willfully misused, converted, or misappropriated, without authority, public property or public funds entrusted to or associated with the elective office to which the official has been elected or appointed.

Our committee included the following “facts upon which this recall is based” in their application:

“As Carroll County Commission Chairman has committed the following acts of misconduct: (a) violated O.C.G.A. 21-2-414(f) by wrongfully being in an area where early voting was occurring; (b) entered into contracts exceeding his authority under County Ordinance 8(a)(22); (c) misappropriated county funds by unauthorized personal monthly car allowances and having the County pay registration fees for Sue Horn, his longtime girlfriend but listed on the registration form as his spouse; (d) violated the Georgia Open Meeting Statute by discussing an IT services contract in closed meeting when no threat of litigation existed; (e) failed to perform duties prescribed by law by failing to present contracts and other matters to the Board of Commissioners; (f) misused SPLOST funds for settlements and inappropriate purchases; (g) abused his authority by usurping the Board of Commissioners’ authority and by using county funds and resources for the benefit of selected supporters, including Wayne Garner; and (h) violated his oath of office by violating the Times-Georgian’s First Amendment rights, as well as his violations of state law and county ordinances as reflected herein.”

When I first heard that he was seen at the early voting location greeting voters, I suspected he was no good. It doesn’t matter why you are the building, on county business or not, you don’t greet voters inside the building, as they arrive to cast their vote.

Having been brought up to speed on all the other issues, I can’t help but wonder why he’s still in office. If you live in Carroll County make sure you click the links on their page to reserve your place on the petition or even volunteer to help out a bit.

Thought #2

It seems there is a problem with some of the Swine Mexican flu vaccine in Canada.

An unusual number of severe allergic reactions to swine flu vaccinations have been recorded in Canada, where a batch of the vaccine from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has been recalled, the WHO said on Tuesday.

The Centers for Disease Control here in the United States has re-assured people that there is no problem with the supply in the United States. Uh, hello? Are countries actually preparing their own supplies or is it all made at the same place? I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with the U.S. supply, but how can they be so sure?

Thought #3

Wow. First emails, now source code. Climate change (aka global warming) data has been falsified from the beginning.

yrloc=[1400,findgen(19)*5.+1904]

valadj=[0.,0.,0.,0.,0.,-0.1,-0.25,-0.3,0.,-0.1,0.3,0.8,1.2,1.7,2.5,2.6,2.6,2.6,2.6,2.6]*0.75 ; fudge factor

There is no doubt this was an inside job. The reports first said it was hackers, but I think it was someone on the inside who thought enough is enough and started spreading the word.

I only have two questions now. Why is President Obama still going to Copenhagen? And what in the hell is Al Gore going to invent now to keep Tipper in the lifestyle that she is accustomed?

Thought #4

There are so many new congressional districts, we’re going to need at least another hundred congressmen to represent them.

 

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Nov

24

Conventions, Cons, Control, & Comparisons

Category: Opinions, Our Nation | 1 Comment | 712 words | Print

Mute SwanToday was an incredibly busy day. I tried to catch up on a project, clean my office, find some notes, and make sure I have everything I need to cook a delicious Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday.

In spite of my long to-do list, I accomplished a lot today and tomorrow looks to be another awesome day.

The photo to the left (which you can click to see my other images at Flickr) was taken in Carrollton, Georgia this past weekend. This Mute Swan made a great photo subject because it just stood there the whole time while I was about 20 feet away.

Thought #1

President George W. Bush decided not to sign an international convention banning land mines. In an effort to prove he is no George Bush, President Barack Obama has instead decided not to sign an international convention banning land mines.

The Obama administration has decided not to sign an international convention banning land mines.

State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said Tuesday that the administration recently completed a review and decided not to change the Bush-era policy.

“We decided that our land mine policy remains in effect,” he said.

More than 150 countries have agreed to the Mine Ban Treaty’s provisions to end the production, use, stockpiling and trade in mines. Besides the United States, holdouts include: China, India, Pakistan, Myanmar and Russia.

The more things change, the more they stay the same, huh? Just look at those other awesome countries doing the same thing!

Thought #2

Doesn’t it seem a tad bit hypocritical when a convicted felon calls a hard-working respected governor “dangerous”?

During a Saturday broadcast, lifestyle television diva Martha Stewart panned former lawmaker Sarah Palin, calling her a “dangerous person” who Stewart “wouldn’t watch… if you paid me.”

I bet Martha would change her tune if you offered her a good stock tip instead of cash compensation.

Thought #3

In addition to health care reform and illegal immigration, it appears there may just be another battle on the horizon.

According to the American Land Rights Association, the Obama Administration and Congress are attempting to pass the Clean Water Restoration Act of 2009 (S787) that would amend the 1972 Clean Water Act and replace the words “navigable waters” with “waters of the United States.”

It’s time to research the Clean Water Act of 1972, because the phrase “waters of the United States” includes a whole lot more water than the previous statement “navigable waters”.

This section of the Clean Water Restoration Act of 2009 appears to strip water rights away from states, which is a clear violation of the Tenth Amendment which says,

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

I’m no legal scholar, but upon first glance it appears that this new bill may violate the Constitution, which seems to be a constant theme with this administration and the powers that be in Congress.

Thought #4

Gen. Stanley McChrystal has requested 40,000 additional troops for the war in Afghanistan. Gen. McChrystal graduated from West Point in 1976 and has served his country proudly ever since. He has a long and distinguished career in military matters and has extensive experience managing troops and making decisions to get the job done.

President Barack Hussein Obama has decided to send just 34,000 troops to Afghanistan, or at least he thinks that may be his final answer. President Obama attended grade schools in Jakarta, Indonesia and high school in Honolulu, Hawaii. In 1983, he graduated from Columbia University in New York with a B.A. in political science. He served as a “community organizer” and he worked as a constitutional law professor for 12 years at the University of Chicago Law School. Since becoming President he has a long and distinguished record of delaying his decisions related to military matters, ignoring his commander(s) in the field, and he has accomplished little if anything when it comes to getting the job done.

Imagine, for a moment, how different our nation would be today if their roles were reversed.

Christmas is the time when kids tell Santa what they want and adults pay for it. Deficits are when adults tell government what they want and their kids pay for it.
Richard Lamm
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Nov

23

Balking, Billions, BS, & Bribes

Category: Opinions, Our Nation | 1 Comment | 1,726 words | Print

To say I am disgusted that the health care reform bill passed the cloture vote is an understatement. Although I know we cannot trust anything most politicians have to say, I am shocked that all of the politicians who stated their position would switch so easily. Anyway, here are my thoughts for today.

Thought #1

The day after Joe Lieberman (I-CT) cast his vote for cloture on the bill, he was strutting all over the capitol crowing that he will not support the bill in a final vote if the public option is included.

Sen. Joseph Lieberman, speaking in that trademark sonorous baritone, utters a simple statement that translates into real trouble for Democratic leaders: “I’m going to be stubborn on this.”

Stubborn, he means, in opposing any health-care overhaul that includes a “public option,” or government-run health-insurance plan, as the current bill does. His opposition is strong enough that Mr. Lieberman says he won’t vote to let a bill come to a final vote if a public option is included.

Nice “promise” there Captain Obvious. Thanks for sticking to your principles, but pardon us if we can’t ignore the fact that you keep speaking out of both sides of your mouth.

Thought #2

I can’t help but question why any politician would vote for this bill.

The bill doesn’t start spending until 2014, and only costs $9 billion that year. But by 2019, the annual cost hits $196 billion. The minority staff of the Senate Budget Committee reports that, if you factor out all the budget gimmicks and look at the 10 years of actual implementation, the cost is closer to $2.5 trillion.

This bill increases our federal deficit to levels which will never be paid off, not even by our great-great-great-great grandchildren. It raises taxes to a level where many workers will be paying nearly one-half of their income to the federal government. The bill also threatens billions of dollars in fees and penalties, not to mention jailtime for those who do not wish to have government-run health care.

If I hadn’t read the bill myself, and seen all of the coverage of it, I would think we were talking about some European country, but sadly, we’re not. My arms are swollen from pinching myself, hoping to wake up from this horrible nightmare. The sad thing is, it’s not even to the worst part yet.

Thought #3

Harry Reid is an expert liar. Well, I wouldn’t call him an expert, because everyone knows he’s a liar. Habitual liar then, maybe? He certainly takes his time and packs as many lies into one sentence as he can. Does that make him a bulk liar?

“The key elements of this health care reform bill, I repeat: reduces short-and-long term debt, expands coverage, promotes choice and competition, reforms the insurance market, improves quality of care,” Reid said.

How many lies did you count? Go read John Hawkins’ post at Right Wing News to find out.

Thought #4

Mary Landrieu’s vote for cloture on the health care bill, and maybe even the final vote, was bought and paid for by Harry Reid. She has attacked ABC for making this claim, and she blames ABC for all the “vicious” attacks from right wing blogs.

Let’s look at the evidence, shall we?

The section is question is Section 2006 of HR 3590, which states:

SEC. 2006. SPECIAL ADJUSTMENT TO FMAP DETERMINATION FOR CERTAIN STATES RECOVERING FROM A MAJOR DISASTER.

Section 1905 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d), as amended by sections 2001 (A) (3) and 2001 (B) (2), is amended (1) in subsection (b), in the first sentence, by striking subsection (y) and inserting subsections (y) and (aa); and (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (aa)

(1) Notwithstanding subsection (b), beginning January 1, 2011, the Federal medical assistance percent age for a fiscal year for a disaster-recovery FMAP adjust ment State shall be equal to the following: (A) In the case of the first fiscal year (or part of a fiscal year) for which this subsection applies to the State, the Federal medical assistance percentage determined for the fiscal year without regard to this subsection and subsection (y), increased by 50 percent of the number of percentage points by which the Federal medical assistance percentage determined for the State for the fiscal year without regard to this subsection and subsection (y), is less than the Federal medical assistance percentage determined for the State for the preceding fiscal year after the application of only subsection (a) of section 5001 of Public Law 1115

(if applicable to the preceding fiscal year) and without regard to this subsection, subsection (y), and subsections (b) and (c) of section 5001 of Public Law 1115. (B) In the case of the second or any succeeding fiscal year for which this subsection applies to the State, the Federal medical assistance percentage determined for the preceding fiscal year under this subsection for the State, increased by 25 percent of the number of percentage points by which the Federal medical assistance percentage determined for the State for the fiscal year without regard to this subsection and subsection (y), is less than the Federal medical assistance percentage determined for the State for the preceding fiscal year under this subsection.

(2) In this subsection, the term disaster-recovery FMAP adjustment State means a State that is one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia, for which, at any time during the preceding 7 fiscal years, the President has declared a major disaster under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act and determined as a result of such disaster that every county or parish in the State warrant individual and public assistance or public assistance from the Federal Government under such Act and for which (A) in the case of the first fiscal year (or part of a fiscal year) for which this subsection applies to the State, the Federal medical assistance percentage determined for the State for the fiscal year without regard to this subsection and subsection (y), is less than the Federal medical assistance percentage determined for the State for the preceding fiscal year after the application of only subsection (a) of section 5001 of Public Law 1115 (if applicable to the preceding fiscal year) and without regard to this subsection, subsection (y), and subsections (b) and (c) of section 5001 of Public Law 1115, by at least 3 percentage points; and (B) in the case of the second or any succeeding fiscal year for which this subsection applies to the State, the Federal medical assistance percentage determined for the State for the fiscal year without regard to this subsection and subsection (y), is less than the Federal medical assistance percentage determined for the State for the preceding fiscal year under this subsection by at least 3 percentage points.

(3) The Federal medical assistance percentage de termined for a disaster-recovery FMAP adjustment State under paragraph (1) shall apply for purposes of this title (other than with respect to disproportionate share hospital payments described in section 1923 and payments under this title that are based on the enhanced FMAP described in 2105(b)) and shall not apply with respect to payments under title IV (other than under part E of title IV) or payments under title XXI.

Let’s think of all of the states which have had a county or parish declared a major disaster area by the President in the past seven years that meets all of the requirements listed above (aka where every county or parish in the State warrants individual and public assistance). How many do you come up with?

One clue. Katrina. Got it yet? Section 2006 was written explicitly for the state of Louisiana, which just happens to be Mary Landrieu (D-LA) territory. According to ABC, the cost of Section 2006 is $100 million, but Mary Landrieu herself has gone on the record to correct that amount.

I will correct something. It’s not $100 million, it’s $300 million, and I’m proud of it and will keep fighting for it

The Senate health care bill is Harry Reid’s creation. It took quite a few weeks to draft that bill and no matter what Mary Landrieu says now, the truth is Harry Reid either wrote that section, or allowed it to be entered into the bill.

There is no denying that Section 2006 only applies to the state of Louisiana, and Mary Landrieu herself will “fight” for that section. So, was it a bribe from Harry Reid to buy her vote for the bill?

Let’s keep looking at the facts.

According to an article at nola.com, Mary Landrieu (D-LA) will be hosting a fundraiser for Harry Reid (D-NV) next month in New Orleans. Say what?

Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., will host a fundraiser for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., in New Orleans next month, an event that comes on the heels of Reid’s assistance getting Louisiana a windfall of Medicaid money in the health care reform bill.

The event was planned “several weeks ago,” according to Landrieu’s office. She and political consultant James Carville will host a brunch on Dec. 12 at the St. Charles Avenue home of David Voelker, an investor who chairs the Louisiana Recovery Authority and was a supporter of Barack Obama’s presidential campaign.

Why on Earth would a moderate Democrat like Mary Landrieu host a fundraiser for Harry Reid, in New Orleans? The only reason to hold a fundraiser for a Senator from Nevada in New Orleans is to repay a favor you received from that Senator (you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours).

It’s just a bit too coincidental that Mary Landrieu was wavering about supporting the health care bill, section 2006 was written so it applies to no other state than Louisiana, and now she’s throwing a fundraiser for the Senate majority leader.

The people of the state of Louisiana should be ashamed of Mary Landrieu.

As a former resident of the state Nevada I can tell you, Harry Reid is not looking out for the interests of his constituents either. He hasn’t for a long time, it just took a while for many people to see his true colors. Hopefully, it’s only a matter of time now before Harry Reid is but a painful memory in the timeline of Nevada history.

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Nov

22

Goodbye Dan

Category: Life | Comments Off | 284 words | Print

As many of you know, I spent some time in the past working as a Courier at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department in Las Vegas. I did a lot of growing up while working that job, and while working at the jail I met some people who would have a tremendous impact on my life.

One of those people was Dan Leach. He was a corrections officer in the jail and he was one of the most level headed, honest, and nicest people I have ever met in my life. Dan lost his life on Saturday morning while driving a prisoner transport vehicle.

A Metro Police corrections officer was killed in a vehicle accident this morning on U.S. 95 near Searchlight.

Officer Daniel Leach, 49, of Boulder City, was driving a prisoner transport vehicle from the Clark County Detention Center to the Tucker Holding Facility in Laughlin.

The accident occurred at 5:45 a.m. as Leach was driving southbound on U.S. 95 about a mile north of Searchlight.

Police said Leach’s vehicle collided with the second of two trailers on a semi-truck as the truck pulled out from a side street while making a left turn to go northbound on the divided highway.

Leach was killed instantly, police said. The driver and passenger of the truck weren’t injured and there were no other passengers in the Metro vehicle.

My heart goes out to Dan’s family, as well as his fellow officers at the jail. It’s been nearly two decades since I worked at the detention center, but I still feel like I am part of that family and it hurts when you have to say goodbye, especially like this.

Rest In Peace, Dan.

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Nov

21

And You Thought Nixon Was A Crook

Category: Our Nation | Comments Off | 573 words | Print

As you may have heard by now, the Senate voted in favor of cloture, and to send their version of health care reform to the Senate floor for debate. The vote for cloture was 60-39.

Before you panic too much, please remember that the bill must still pass the a final vote in the Senate, then, if it does, it must be reconciled in conference with the House version that passed and then the final bill must then pass another vote of the House as well as a cloture vote and final passage within the Senate.

The fight is far from over, but let’s look at the vote which took place this evening. In order to invoke cloture, sixty Senators must for it. As you see above the vote was just 60. To tell the truth, I was shocked. I thought for sure at least one Democrat would defect, or at the very least, Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) would.

Sen. Lieberman has stated, more than once, that he would support a filibuster of the bill if it contained a public option. The bill tonight contained that option, so I was very upset with Mr. Lieberman. I still am. He made it clear, or at least made it seem that way, in many media outlets that he would not vote the way he did tonight, yet his communication with his constituents tells a completely different story.

Some have asked about my remarks regarding votes on health care reform on the Senate floor. When the bill comes to the Senate floor, I am planning to vote to allow debate to begin on the bill, which in this instance will require 60 votes. I very much look forward to debating the various aspects of this critical legislation and voting on proposed amendments. If, however, when the subsequent motion to limit debate time on the bill is voted on, with a 60-vote requirement for that motion to succeed, I will not vote in favor of that motion if the bill at that time includes a public option, for the reasons stated above.

It seems he was straight up with his constituents, which is good, but he sure misled the remainder of the American people, didn’t he?

A few Democrats had indicated that they would not support the bill if it contained a public option as well, and every single one of them toed the party line. I don’t know why any Senator would vote to begin debate, let alone vote to support this bill, when a vast majority of Americans do not want this bill to pass.

The approval rating for this bill is far below that of President Obama, which just happens to have dropped below 50% this week also.

It’s just a shame that Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), and Ben Nelson (D-FL) and every other Democrat in the Senate put their loyalty to Harry Reid over their loyalty to their constituents tonight. That action alone speaks volumes.

With the success of this cloture vote, Harry Reid accomplished two tasks. He showed the people of Nevada (which is my home state) how much he listens to and appreciates their opinions, and he showed the rest of the United States that he is better at bribing, and coercing his party members in the Senate than Nancy Pelosi is with her members in the House.

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