Greetings From Orlando!

Well I made it! We're about thirty minutes away from the arrival of the Tea Party Express but the crowd is already fired up.

No sign of Stacy yet but in this crowd I'm not sure I'll be able to hunt him down.

The speakers have started so I'll be back later.

Here's a few pictures I've taken. More to come.




The one lone counter-protester. Too bad he didn't have any friends to bring along but I admire his determination.





Lone protester is now walking through the crowd looking for offensive posters to take pictures of.


He looks disappointed.











Looks like a wolf in a sheep's clothing.



Reminds me of a song from my mis-spent youth-"Smiling Faces".

This group of young people from The Young Conservatives of Central Florida.

It makes me happy to see young people getting involved. These are the people who will be most affected by the choices that our politicians are making.

More soon.

Yours truly with Lloyd Marcus. The crowd went absolutely nuts when he sang the Tea Party Anthem. Marcus is a great entertainer and a really nice guy.









And speaking of great guys...

I found Stacy!

Um, is it just me or do Stacy and I have UFOs flying over our heads?


That is Andrea Shea King with us. Very nice lady. Check her out at Radio Patriot.

Enjoy the rest of the pictures:

All and all it was a good day. Stacy told me that seven thousand people RSVP'd for the event and he estimated that there were over four thousand there. I am exhausted but I wouldn't have missed it for the world. I will sleep well tonight knowing that there are so many people who care about what is going on in this country and are dedicated to putting us back on the right track.

The Big Day is Here!

I'm getting ready to take off for Orlando to meet the Tea Party Express. Stacy McCain has rolled in to Orlando so I am hoping to get the opportunity to meet him and thank him for the advice he gave me when I was trying to get this blog going.

On the GREAT NEWS front, my blog buddy Gator Doug just became Uncle Gator! Congratulations on the GatorNiece!

Well, I've got a three hour drive ahead of me-two to drive there and an hour to get lost (I always get lost) so I'd better get in gear.

I'll post as soon as I get back.

Lefty Wit

mor·al e·quiv·a·lence:

Moral equivalence is a term used in political debate, usually to criticize any denial that a moral hierarchy can be assessed of two sides in a conflict, or in the actions or tactics of two sides. It could be considered a form of the rhetorical fallacy of equivocation.

id·i·o·cy:

an offensive term meaning extreme lack of intelligence or foresight.

Digby, in a fit of idiocy, takes moral equivalence to all new heights by comparing the treatment of erectile dysfunction to abortion:

I have a moral objection to paying for any kind of erectile dysfunction medicine in the new health reform bill and I think men who want to use it should just pay for it out of pocket. After all, I won't ever need such a pill. And anyway, it's no biggie. Just because most of them can get it under their insurance today doesn't mean they shouldn't have it stripped from their coverage in the future because of my moral objections. (I don't think there's even been a Supreme Court ruling making wood a constitutional right. I might be wrong about that.)

Many of the men who are prescribed this medication are on Medicare, so I think it should be stripped out of that coverage as well. And unlike the payments for abortion, which actually lower overall medical costs (pregnancy obviously costs much, much more) banning tax dollars from covering any kind of Viagra would result in a substantial savings....

sat·ire:

use of wit to criticize behavior: the use of wit, especially irony, sarcasm, and ridicule, to criticize faults.

Digby's post is long on sarcasm and ridicule and totally lacking in wit and irony. On the other hand, if Digby's intent was to post juvenile tripe I'd say he nailed it.

Via Memeorandum

Charlie Has Way Too Much Time On His Hands

The unemployment rate for Florida is currently 11.2 percent. Florida has the third highest foreclosure rate in the nation. Floridians are hurting. Under the circumstances, you'd think that Gov. Charlie Crist would have his hands full but based on a post by Pat at And so it goes in Shreveport it appears that he has way too much time on his hands:

If that weren't enough, Crist is now acting as his own press secretary:

In terms of press coverage lately, Crist has been having a bad stretch -- largely of his own doing. (The stimulus support he insists he never gave, Obama man-hug tape notwithstanding; his insistence he didn't know Obama's recent Florida itinerary; the uproar over an anti-Rubio Web site that had the participation of an RPOF paid consultant; and public floggings by former press buddies Wolf Blitzer and Chris Matthews, etc.)

Crist also lately has been acting as his own press secretary -- calling the Times' Adam Smith to set up an interview on Political Connections, and arranging the Times' recent interview in Gainesville with himself and first lady Carole Crist. The governor also recently instructed reporters to call his cell phone directly -- rather than using a "go-between" in the press office.(The emphasis is mine)

I freely admit that I don't know the inner working of being a governor, and maybe all governors pass out their personal cell phone numbers out to reporters, but I doubt it. Given the dire straights that this state is in, maybe Charlie should less time campaigning and more time governing.

Veterans Day

How often does the average person think about their heart beating? Probably not often. Our hearts beat whether we think about it or not and typically we take for granted that it will continue to do so. For those of us in the United States, freedom isn't something we spend a lot of time thinking about it. We've always had it and we take for granted that we always will.

So, once a year we recognize our veterans and say "thank you" for our freedom. Tomorrow, the sentiment of today will be tucked away until next year. And so it goes.

Unlike so many in the world, we are blessed to be able to take our freedom for granted. We are able to go about our business unconcerned because of the men and women who serve or have served in our military and sacrifice their personal freedom every single day.

We owe it to our servicemen to do our part for freedom. Each of us has a duty to educate ourselves on the issues that threaten our way of life, to be engaged in our communities and to hold our elected representative accountable for their actions. We can honor our veterans every day by being active participants in the protection of our freedom.

Thank you to all of our troops and to their families. Happy Veterans Day.

Now Here's Some Change I Can Believe In!

DeMint Introduces “Term Limits for All” Constitutional Amendment Amendment would limit every House member to 3 terms, every Senator to 2 terms:

November 10, 2009 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina) introduced an amendment to the United States Constitution that would apply term limits to all members of Congress, limiting U.S. Representatives to three terms and U.S. Senators to two terms in office. The amendment is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), and Sam Brownback (R-Kansas). As an amendment to the Constitution, it would require a two-thirds majority vote approval in the House and Senate and must be ratified by three-fourths of the states.

"Americans know real change in Washington will never happen until we end the era of permanent politicians," said Senator DeMint. "As long as members have the chance to spend their lives in Washington, their interests will always skew toward spending taxpayer dollars to buyoff special interests, covering over corruption in the bureaucracy, fundraising, relationship building among lobbyists, and trading favors for pork – in short, amassing their own power. I have come to realize that if we want to change the policies coming out of Congress, we must change the process itself. Over the last 20 years, Washington politicians have been reelected about 90% of the time because the system is heavily tilted in favor of incumbents. If we really want to put an end to business as usual, we’ve got to have new leaders coming to Washington instead of rearranging the deck chairs as the ship goes down.”

Senator Coburn added, “The best way to ensure we are truly a government of the people, for the people, and by the people, is to replace the career politicians in Washington with citizen legislators who care more about the next generation than their next election. The power of incumbency has created an almost insurmountable advantage for Washington politicians. Incumbency allows politicians to raise millions of dollars in campaign funds in exchange for earmarks. Incumbency gives Congress the power to raise money for itself – Congress just approved itself an increase of nearly $250 million from the U.S. Treasury that members will spend to promote themselves. Finally, with redistricting incumbents can choose their voters rather than voters choosing their representatives. Term limits is the best way to break this cycle.”

Our politicians are no longer responsive to the people they pledge to serve. They answer only to the special interests who fund their campaigns and send them back term after term.

“Some say only long-serving, seasoned elites have the skills to lead the people, but that’s exactly what we have today and how do you think it’s working out for us?” said Senator DeMint. “It wasn’t the ‘people’ who gave us a $12 trillion debt, an IRS tax code seven times longer than the Bible, over 1,700 departments of the federal government, trillion dollar deficits as far as the eye can see, $100 trillion long-term shortfall in Social Security and Medicare, the Wall Street and auto bailouts, and the pending health care takeover.

“This nation can no longer afford these entrenched men and women who enjoy lives of luxury wholly insulated from the consequences of their major policy failures. ..."

We were never meant to have a ruling class but by allowing politicians to become entrenched that is what we have. Term limits will put the emphasis back on the states, back on the citizens, and will put an end to the "ruler for life" mentality that our politicians have developed.

Could Not Have Possibly Said It Better Myself

Bride of Rove:

What? Too harsh? At what point did the people in this country extract the section of their brain that allowed them to face the reality in front of them and call it like it is. Hasan is a bad, bad man. Worse. He’s an Al Quaeda wannabe who could not even get the secret handshake because he was too fucking stupid to consider the very real possiblility that Al Quaeda thought that an officer in the US Military contacting them for suggestions on Jihad COULD be a goddammed set up for a sting operation.

To which I can only add two things: AMEN! and read the whole thing.

h/t And so it goes in Shreveport

Animals Gone Wild

From Legal Insurrection:

Which reminds me of this story I read last week at BayNews9.com:

SC man gets 3 years in prison for sex with horse:

Rodell Vereen was also ordered never to go near the stable where the horse's owner caught him and held him for authorities at shotgun point over the summer. He apologized to the woman and to himself after admitting to buggery at the Horry County courthouse.

"I'm sorry about what I've done. I didn't mean to do it. It's my fault. I'm sorry for what I've done to myself," Vereen said during Wednesday's court hearing

Well, at least he didn't blame it on the horse, which means he may be a dirty bugger, but he's more decent than the Polanski supporters.

He Was For It Before He Was Against It

No, not Sen. John Kerry-wannabe senator Charlie Crist.

Charlie then:

I’m Charlie Crist and I’ve got three words for our president: Enough is enough. We can’t spend our way into prosperity or tax our way into growth. Let’s take some Florida common sense and bring it to Washington: Let’s cut federal spending and let you decide who to spend your own money. Less government, less spending, more freedom. Let’s get back to basics.

Charlie now:

It’s getting harder every day, and we know that it’s important that we pass a stimulus package. It’s important…

It is important that we do so to help education, to help our infrastructure… and to help health care for those who need it the most, the most vulnerable among us.

And let me finish by saying, Mr. President, we need to do it in a bipartisan way. This issue of helping our country is about helping our country. This is not about partisan politics. This is about rising above that, helping America, and reigniting our economy.

Flip flops on the beach = good
Flip flops on the campaign trail = very, very, bad

h/t babalu

Time For Another "Beer Summit"

I don't have all the facts but I certainly think she behaved stupidly when she put her face in front of his fist:

A prominent Columbia architecture professor punched a female university employee in the face at a Harlem bar during a heated argument about race relations, cops said yesterday.

Real classy, Professor.

General Casey Must Go

From The Daley Gator:

I DARE him to say THOSE WORDS to the surviving soldiers and family members of the men and women who died at the hands of Major Nidal (Islamo-terrorist) Hasan!

Gator was referring to General Casey, who said:

“Our diversity, not only in our Army, but in our country, is a strength. And as horrific as this tragedy was, if our diversity becomes a casualty, I think that’s worse,” Casey said.

Worse? Than the murder of thirteen service men and women and the wounding of twenty-nine others? How can the loss of diversity be worse than the loss of life? General Casey is unfit for command.

The Club for Growth Endorses Marco Rubio

Clifton at Another Black Conservative says let the RINO hunting begin! and with The Club for Growth's endorsement Marco Rubio is ready to to do just that.

From the endorsement:

"Marco Rubio is the real deal, one of the brightest young stars in American politics today, and a proven champion of economic liberty," said Club President Chris Chocola. "He is a dynamic spokesman for the principles of limited government and economic freedom, and he will make a fantastic Senator."

Rubio served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2000-2008, and was elected to the Republican leadership as Majority Whip, Majority Leader, and finally, Speaker of the House. Rubio is an advocate of lower federal spending, tax relief and tax reform, union members' right to a secret ballot, and market-driven energy and environmental solutions.

Rubio's Republican primary opponent is Florida Governor Charlie Crist, who supported President Obama's $787 billion stimulus, proposed a state "cap-and-trade" energy program, and this summer broke his pledge not to sign any state tax increases.

It is believed that Crist will try to counter by claiming that while Rubio was Speaker that he tried to increase Florida's sales tax. Of course, Crist will conveniently forget to tell the rest of the story-Rubio had proposed the increased sales tax in exchange for the elimination of the property tax on primary residences. It is worth noting that we Floridians received our property tax bills last week and we are not happy. Our property values plummeted but our tax bills went up. We would not be in this position had Rubio's proposal gone through and given Crist's record, I am not sure that he should dwell on the subject of increased taxes.

Pat, writing at And So it Goes in Shreveport, points out that Rubio has also picked up the Family Research Council Action PAC endorsement and won another straw poll. This one was in Okaloosa, where he beat Crist 86 to 4.

There is little doubt that Rubio is the Conservative in this race. Between now and the August primary, Crist will try to convince the voters that he, too, is a Conservative. In order to do this, he will have to run against his own record-no easy task.

The Left and Logic (or lack thereof) Updated

I've often thought that there must be something, some chemical agent, in that Kool Aid the Left finds so enticing that goes straight to the drinker's logic gene and turns it to mush. Thanks to Rayne at Firedoglake, I may have proof:

Do you like that headline? Because that’s what I’m feeling right now after the betrayal of my support for Democrats, now that the Stupak Amendment passed 240 to 194 and with 64 Democrats voting Yea.

It’s a fundamental part of our belief system in the Democratic Party, that women have a right to privacy in their reproductive health care decisions. We’ve fought long and hard to protect this right.

And now we’ve seen decades of work to protect this fundamental human right dashed by our own Democratic representatives

Be still my heart, did the Stupak Amendment outlaw abortion? The above certainly indicates that women will now, under the cover of darkness, be forced to go to back alley abortionists to terminate their pregnancies. According to Rayne, the passage of the Stupak Amendment rocks the very foundation of our democracy.

No, despite Rayne's illogical frothing, abortion is still legal. Women are still free to kill their unborn children but the Stupak Amendment says that I don't have to pay for it.

Step away from the Kool Aid, Rayne. It's turning your logic to mush.

h/t Memeorandum

After posting this I returned to Memeorandum where I saw that Legal Insurrection had posted on this same subject. Prof. Jacobson's opinion of the effects of the Stupak Amendment are closer to Rayne's than they are to mine. He writes:

64 Democrats voted in favor of the Stupak Amendment, which greatly expands the ban on federal funding of abortion, and reaches deep to make it difficult for women to obtain private health insurance covering abortion. 219 Democrats voted in favor of a final bill incorporating the amendment.

This is a stunning development, one which anti-abortion activists could not have imagined just weeks ago. The Speaker of the House and Democratic majority, notwithstanding their lip service to women's reproductive rights, were willing to throw those rights aside to hand the Obama administration a temporary legislative victory.

As someone who is anti-abortion (I prefer "pro-life"), I don't view the passage of the Stupak Amendment as a victory. While I greatly appreciate that 64 Democrats joined with Republicans to vote against the use of federal funds for abortion, I don't hold any hope that this amendment will have any long term meaning.

Whether I like it or not, abortion is legal and will remain so. Federal funds or not, abortionists will continue to abort. The House gave the pro-life movement a victory only because they knew that the victory would be temporary and meaningless.

Just Curious

I've mentioned before that I have worked in banking, on the branch level, since shortly after graduating from college. My degree is in economics and my entire adult life I have dealt with economics on the most micro of micro levels. With that in mind, I have a question. If YOU were told that YOUR financial institution was operating with an eighty-five percent LOSS ratio, would you trust that institution with your money? No, of course you wouldn't. Common sense tells us that no institution can operate with that level of loss. Profitability is important to you and I because it is a good measure of whether or not an institution will be there for us if we need it. So, would you expect that YOUR medical coverage would remain unchanged as President Obama promised, if the company providing YOUR coverage is forced to operate at an eighty-five percent loss ratio?

H.R. 3962, PelosiCare, that was passed by the House last night, mandates that insurance companies operate at an eighty-five percent loss ratio. Doug Ross breaks it down: PelosiCare's price controls will bankrupt health insurers in one year. That's it, folks. Just as your financial institution can not survive while posting an eighty-five percent loss ratio, neither can your health insurance company. You know that and so does Nancy Pelosi and President Obama. This provision was inserted in to H.R. 3962 specifically to bankrupt our insurance companies and to force Americans in to the public option.

Read Doug Ross's piece. It shows "you can keep your health plan" as the lie it is.

What If Malik Nidal Hasan Were A Southern Baptist? UPDATED

If Malik Nidal Hasan were a Southern Baptist who opened fire at a Planned Parenthood abortion mill would the New York Times call it an act of terrorism? Would Crooks and Liars or Firedoglake be shy about linking Hasan's religious beliefs to his murderous acts? In fact, would not the Daily Kos, HuffPo, Wonkette, etc., be painting all Southern Baptists in particular, and Conservative Christians in general, as tyrannical maniacs who want to impose their beliefs on everyone and are willing to employ violence to do it? Yes, yes and yes. Yet, nobody wants to believe (or admit to believing) that there is a connection between Malik Nidal Hasan's religious affiliation, his interpretation of his religious teachings and his own statements of his religious duties and his actions.

Jeffrey Goldberg writes in When Muslims Commit Violence:

It seems, though, that when an American military officer who is a practicing Muslim allegedly shoots forty of his fellow soldiers who are about to deploy to the two wars the United States is currently fighting in Muslim countries, some broader meaning might, over time, be discerned, especially if the officer did, in fact, yell "Allahu Akbar" while murdering his fellow soldiers, as some soldiers say he did. This is the second time this year American soldiers on American soil have been gunned down by a Muslim who was reportedly unhappy with America's wars in the Middle East (the first took place in Arkansas, to modest levels of notice). And, of course, this would not be the first instance of an American Muslim soldier killing fellow soldiers over his disagreements with American foreign policy; in 2003, Army Sgt. Hasan Akbar killed two officers and wounded fourteen others when he rolled a grenade into a tent in a homicidal protest against American policy.

I am not arguing, of course, that American Muslims, as a whole, are violently unhappy with America (I've argued the opposite, in fact). But I do think that elite makers of opinion in this country try very hard to ignore the larger meaning of violent acts when they happen to be perpetrated by Muslims. Here's a simple test: If Nidal Malik Hasan had been a devout Christian with pronounced anti-abortion views, and had he attacked, say, a Planned Parenthood office, would his religion have been considered relevant as we tried to understand the motivation and meaning of the attack? Of course. Elite opinion makers do not, as a rule, try to protect Christians and Christian belief from investigation and criticism. Quite the opposite. It would be useful to apply the same standards of inquiry and criticism to all religions.

The same standards are not applied. Not for the perpetrators of violence nor for the victims of violence. There has not be the same level of sympathy on the Left for our soldiers and their families that we saw for Dr. Tiller. What we have seen since the Ft. Hood shootings is an astounding level of hypocrisy by the Left and enabling by the Right.

Excellent commentary can be found at American Power.

h/t Memeorandum

Update:

The Other McCain writing on the current rush to not rush to any conclusion:

The whistling-past-the-mass-graveyard reaction Goldberg discerns is quite striking among the opinion elite, if we contrast it to their reactions in other cases.

Remember when Andrew Sullivan fretted about "Southern populist terrorism" in the death of Kentucky census worker Bill Sparkman? (Investigators now believe it to have been suicide.) Remember how Frank Rich interpreted the NY23 special election as "nothing less than a riotous and bloody national G.O.P. civil war," demonstrating how "the right has devolved into a wacky, paranoid cult"?

The tendency of elites to leap to hysterical, far-fetched interpretations when dealing with phenomena associated (rightly or wrongly) with the Right is counterbalanced by their "nothing to see here" reaction when confronted with events that implicate pet causes of the Left.

The takeaway is that when President Obama urges that we not "jump to conclusions" he is speaking to the Right. The Left, whose conclusions are a foregone conclusion, are free to jump away.

Sooo, Maybe Hasan Didn't Just "Snap"?

Via Memeorandum:

For all those in a "move along, nothing to see here" state of mind regarding the Ft. Hood shootings the Jawa Report has this:

BBC: Ft Hood mosque member defends shootings: "they were troops who were going to Afghanistan and Iraq to kill Muslims. I honestly have no pity for them."

Well, that doesn't sound like Hasan was a "lone wolf" who "just snapped". So who is this Ft. Hood mosque member and what is his relationship to Hasan? Apparently his name is Duane Reasoner, a recent convert to Islam, who was being "mentored" by Hasan. Here's an example of the things that Hasan was teaching Reasoner:

“He said he should quit the Army,” Mr. Reasoner said. “In the Koran, you’re not supposed to have alliances with Jews or Christian or others, and if you are killed in the military fighting against Muslims, you will go to hell.”

"They were, in the end, they were troops who were going to Afghanistan and Iraq to kill Muslims. I honestly have no pity for them. It's just like the majority of the people that will hear this, after five or six minutes they'll be shocked, after that they'll forget about them and go on their day."

Can we call Hasan a terrorist now? It is obvious from these statements as well a previous statements made by Hasan in front of witnesses that he was spreading hate based on his religious beliefs and that he believed that it was his duty to kill anyone that he considered to be a threat to his fellow Muslims.

Read the full report at Jawa.

The President and First Lady go to Ft. Hood

No, not THAT president. Obama's priorities don't include our American servicemen and servicewomen. Obama is otherwise engaged tending to the only "troops" that he cares about-the Democratic members of the House who are set to vote on ObamaCare.

From Atlas Shrugs:

The worst attack on a military base (hat tip Dan)

Update: Via Twitter - Fox Reports GWB and Laura spent a few hours at Fort Hood, no photo ops. Now that's a CIC.

President Obama’s Saturday Schedule" :

11:25AM THE PRESIDENT addresses the House Democratic Caucus - Cannon House Office Building
2:30PM THE PRESIDENT makes a statement to the press on Health Care - Rose Garden
2:45PM THE PRESIDENT and THE FIRST LADY depart The White House en route Camp David - South Lawn

Camp David?

Dan wails, "What, does he have a tee time close by? For heaven's sakes, he's the CIC. And he's taking the weekend off? This guy simply doesn't care. Unbelievable via Fox."

Obama = Worst. President. EVER.

Let's Put Some Congressmen on the Unemployment Line

From The New York Times:

In all, more than one out of every six workers — 17.5 percent — were unemployed or underemployed in October. The previous recorded high was 17.1 percent, in December 1982.

This includes the officially unemployed, who have looked for work in the last four weeks. It also includes discouraged workers, who have looked in the past year, as well as millions of part-time workers who want to be working full time.

The official jobless rate — 10.2 percent in October, up from 9.8 percent in September — remains lower than the early 1980s peak of 10.8 percent.

The Dems are making a big show of meeting on a Saturday to vote on a bill that amounts to a government takeover of one sixth of our economy. While the Dems preen in front the cameras, one out of six Americans has lost the job that pays for the roof that they put over their family's head. While the Dems pontificate about this "historic" bill, one out of six Americans has lost the job that pays for the food they put on their family's table.

Those grinning Dems aren't thinking about those unemployed citizens who are struggling day in and day out. The citizens aren't their priority. To say that Dems lack empathy for the American worker is an understatement. Perhaps if our Congressmen found themselves of out of job their priorities would change.

h/t Memeorandum

There Was No "Pet Goat" Moment

From Don Surber:

Now the liberal editorial board of the Boston Globe has weighed in, noting the lack of empathy from the man who is supposed to be the leader of the free world. In an editorial today, the newspaper’s editorial board stated:

It takes more than scripted eloquence for presidents to connect with their fellow Americans. It requires a visceral ability to grasp the scope of tragedy, calculate its impact on the national psyche, and react swiftly to it. Ronald Reagan did it after the Challenger explosion took the lives of seven crew members on Jan. 28, 1986. So did Bill Clinton, after the Oklahoma City bombings of April 19, 1995, left 168 dead and more than 600 injured.

When a gunman fired those shots at Fort Hood, the country immediately felt the pain. Obama missed the first moment to show he understood just how much it hurt.

It was not a “My Pet Goat” moment for unlike President Bush, President Obama was not first hearing the news. He had hours to prepare his remarks. We saw into his soul. I saw another empty suit.

Worst. President. EVER.

Imagine

"Imagine just a few years ago had somebody walked around with images of Hitler."
Presidential spokesman Robert Gibbs

Yeah, imagine that.

h/t Moe Lane

Have We Lost Our Minds?

David Horowitz writes:

A Muslim fanatic with an internet site praising Islamic suicide bombers as defenders of their comrades is a Major in the U.S. Army with access to military intelligence and lethal weaponry. And it’s not as though the army didn’t know that he was a Muslim fanatic and supporter of the Islamic jihad against the West. He was under investigation for six months because of his anti-American, jihadist rantings. He did not want to be deployed. He wanted to be discharged.

But despite his identification with America’s enemies, the army kept him in its officer corps. How in God’s name was this possible? But it was. And so, after calling America the “aggressor” in Afghanistan and Iraq this Muslim jihadist traitor army officer picks up his semi-automatic weapons and heads for the center at Ft. Hood where soldiers are being deployed to fight the jihadists in Afghanistan to conduct his massacre. Yet this morning the Fox News Channel chiron says “Investigators search for a motive in the Ft. Hood killings.” Is everybody out of their mind?

The Ft. Hood killings are the chickens of the left coming home to roost. Already the chief political correspondent of The Nation has decried even mention of the fact that the jihadist killer Hasan is a Palestinian Muslim. According to The Nation this is “Islamophobia.” This fatuous attempt to protect America’s enemies carries on The Nation’s 60-year tradition as the leading fifth column collaborator with America’s enemies — defender of the Rosenbergs, defender of Hiss, defender of their boss Stalin, defender of Mao, defender of Castro and now defender of Islamic terrorists. But The Nation is only the tip of an iceberg. The fifth column formed out of the unholy alliance between radical Islam and the American left is now entrenched in the White House and throughout our government. And in matters like the Muslim jihadist Major Hasan our military is its captive.

We are allowing political correctness to kill us.

Let's Be Honest About What Happened

The Left has redefined terrorism. For instance, if a person, acting on their deeply held religious beliefs murders an abortion doctor, that is terrorism. On the other hand, if a person, acting on their deeply held religious beliefs murders thirteen soldiers and wounds thirty others, that person is a victim. The common thread in both situations is that it is the Right's fault.


Let see, Maj. Hasan was a victim of harassment. Or maybe he suffered from a case of second hand post-traumatic stress disorder. Whatever the cause, his actions are the result of the failed policies of the Right. Or the far Right. Or whatever comes to the right of the far Right.


The Commander and Chief of the Armed Forces, President Obama cautions us not to "jump to conclusions." Why would we do that? Because Hasan had spoken favorably of suicide bombers? Might people unfairly judge him because he espoused radical beliefs?


The Left and the President do no favors by downplaying and mis-characterizing the events of yesterday. Maj. Hasan is a radical Islamist who committed an act of terrorism. To call the act anything else, defies both logic and fact. We will not be able to deal with this incident or prevent future incidents if we don't honestly face what happened. Our first priority should be honoring the victims not protecting their attacker.

A Picture Speaks a Thousand Words

What would Charlie Crist give to make this picture go away? That of course is the problem with being a public figure; everything is right out there where everyone can see it, hear it, read it.

Erick Erickson at RedState is reporting that Charlie is trying to run his record, Specifically, Charlie wants his embrace of the Stimulus to go away along with the picture of his embrace of Pres. Obama.

RedState:

Charlie Crist welcomed Barack Obama to Florida last February, hugged him, grinned when Obama called Crist “his favorite Republican,” and then explained why the Democrats’ stimulus was a good thing.

That was February.

Yesterday, Charlie Crist denied it ever happened. Despite the videotaped evidence, Charlie Crist says he never once supported the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the formal name of the stimulus.

This all comes as news to the President, who hugged Crist, and who got this letter from Crist back on February 3, 2009. In the letter, signed by Crist, as well as Governors Patterson, Patrick, Corzine, and several others, Crist and the other Democrat Governors wrote “to express [their] support for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which passed last week in the House and is under consideration currently in the Senate.” Crist even took claim to being “steward[] of the econom[y] of [his] respective state[] and region[].”

Between now and the day that Floridians go to the polls to choose their Republican candidate for US Senate the picture and the video of Crist with Obama will be seen over and over again. Thems the breaks, Charlie.

A Terrible Day

By now everyone is aware that there has been a shooting at Ft. Hood and that we have lost eleven of our soldiers and that another thirty-one have been wounded. Beyond that, very little is known and it seems that each report conflicts with other. For the details that are known, the Daley Gator has the story.

My heart breaks for the families of the dead and wounded at Ft. Hood and for the greater military family. I thank them for their service and their sacrifice. God bless all our men and women who serve and have served our country.

For My Two Favorite People

Congratulations Mom and Dad on your fifty-ninth wedding anniversary.

Has the NRSC Seen the Light?

Via Memeorandum:

As a Conservative, I've been waiting to see what, if any lessons the GOP establishment has learned from NY23. I've remarked a couple of times that the ball is in the GOP establishment's court. Lo and behold, The Note reports Cornyn: ‘We Will Not Spend Money in a Contested Primary’. Forgive me if I'm not popping any corks just yet.

From The Note report:

With Republicans grappling with the fallout of an intra-party battle that may have cost them a House seat, the head of the Senate Republican campaign effort is making a pledge that may ease some of the anger being directed at the party establishment.

"We will not spend money in a contested primary," Sen. John Cornyn, the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, told ABC News in a telephone interview today.

"There's no incentive for us to weigh in," said Cornyn, R-Texas. "We have to look at our resources. . . . We're not going to throw money into a [primary] race leading up to the election."

Okay, so far, so good but what about a primary race that the NRSC has already weighed in on-the Florida Republican primary race for US Senate between Charlie Crist and Marco Rubio? Cornyn has this to say:

Cornyn had praise for Rubio, and said he's sure that he would win the general election if he gets past Crist in the primary. Cornyn said he's confident that -- unlike in upstate New York -- Republicans will settle their differences in the primary.

"The first lesson is that competitive primaries are generally a good thing," Cornyn said. "To me, that's the overarching lesson to be learned out of the 23rd. When 11 people get behind closed doors and pick the nominee ... the grassroots are going to find an alternative."

Cornyn said the NRSC is only endorsing in races where -- like in Crist's case -- the candidate specifically requests its stamp of approval. He said that -- notwithstanding any endorsements -- his group would even offer advice on hiring and strategy to GOP challengers, like Rubio, who haven't been endorsed.

Well I'm glad that the NRSC likes Marco Rubio, I do too, and Cornyn, contrary to earlier statements, acknowledges the Rubio would win against the Democratic candidate, but if I'm getting this right, the NRSC is not withdrawing its endorsement of Charlie Crist.


Cornyn contends that endorsements "are overrated." Hmm.


I'm taking a "the glass is half empty" approach to this.

How Would You Like to be a Democrat Facing Re-election in 2010?

Earlier today I wrote that the election in 2010 will be about the economy. This realty favors Conservatives over RINOs (DIABLOs) and Liberals. This dynamic was also picked up by Donald Douglas at American Power who wrote Vulnerable Democratic Incumbents to Obama, Pelosi, Reid: Your Socialist Agenda is Killing Us!

Yep, there's a bit of angst out there and I wouldn't want to be to be a big spender from either party right now though vulnerable Democrats definitely have the bumpier road to travel.

It has been said that election seasons last longer and longer these days. Like it or not, the 2010 election cycle just began.

Brainwashing 101

Via Memeorandum:

Big Hollywood has uncovered 11 more videos that show schoolchildren singing the praises of Obama. It seems that each video is even more creepier than the last. Here's and example of what our children are having foisted upon them:

GIFFEN ELEMENTARY — 2-12-09

Transcript:

Barack Obama – Recorded:

“I am the son of a black man from Kenya and a white woman from Kansas. I was raised with the help of a white grandfather who survived a Depression to serve in Patton’s Army during World War II and a white grandmother who worked on a bomber assembly line at Fort Leavenworth while he was overseas. I’ve gone to some of the best schools in America and lived in one of the world’s poorest nations. I am married to a black American who carries within her the blood of slaves and slave-owners – an inheritance we pass on to our two precious daughters. I have brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, uncles and cousins, of every race and every hue, scattered across three continents, and for as long as I live, I will never forget that in no other country on Earth is my story even possible.” — Barack Obama, “A More Perfect Union,” March 18, 2008.

Verse 1:

We’re here to tell you about the man. His name is Barack Obama he’s the leader of this land. He was born in Hawaii then he lived in Illinois. His father moved to Africa when he was a little boy. He got into some trouble when he was 17 and he has come clean now he’s [unintelligible] people [unintelligible] He fights for civil rights and better health care. He wants to make sure that we all will have care. He’s [unintelligible] reform [unintelligible] he’s very educated and he’s got a lot of rhythm. First black President with a heart that’s only true, he wants to make the world better for me and you. At Chicago University he used to be a teacher, [unintelligible] At the Democratic National Convention, the name Barack Obama became [unintelligible].

Chorus:

Say Yes We Can, Say Yes We Can, Say Yes We Can, Say Yes We Can, Say Yes We Can, Say Yes We Can, Say Yes We Can, Say Yes We Can, Say Yes We Can, Say Yes We Can, Say Yes We Can, Say Yes We Can, Say Yes We Can, Say Yes We Can, Say Yes We Can, Say Yes We Can.

GOTHAM AVENUE SCHOOL — 2-7-09

Transcript:

We believe in Barack Obama
He loves you and he loves your mama
We believe in Barack Obama, yeah
With all the change he’s building
Gonna bring hope to the children
We believe in Barack Obama, yeah

Change
That we can believe in
Change
That we can believe in
Change
That we can believe in

It just keeps getting better. Check out these lyrics:

POWELL ELEMENTARY – May 6, 2009

Transcript:

Barack Obama there is none higher
Other politicians should call me sire
To burn my kingdom you must use fire
I create change till I retire!

Democratic Party come correct
Our cuts are on time our rhymes connect
Got the right to vote and will elect
Others can’t feel us but give us respect

Um, he should be called "Sire"? Well, I guess if you believe that "there is none higher" and that he, (or should that be He?) has a "kingdom" you might not object to this nonsense but those of us who haven't been drinking the magic kool aid find this offensive.

This is brainwashing and indoctrination. This has no place in our schools. Further, this isn't about Left and Right or Democrat or Republican. This is about using the classroom to teach ideology. And it is wrong.

More at:

Left Coast Rebel

Democrats "Fudge" on Transparency

Via Memeorandum:

Remember that promise that this Administration would be the most transparent administration in history and post bills for at least 72 hours before they are voted on? Well, as far as the Democrats are concerned, promises really are made to be broken. The Hill writes, Democrats: Abortion compromise does not break 72-hour promise:

House Republicans are accusing Democrats of breaking a pledge to make the healthcare legislation public for three days so they can resolve a feud between liberals and centrists over abortion provisions.

Lawmakers said the abortion compromise may not be included in the final version of the bill to be released as soon as Wednesday, called the “manager’s amendment.” Instead, it may be included in the “rule,” which is done the day before the vote. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said Tuesday he did not consider that a violation of his pledge to have the bill language available for three days before a vote.

“We said the manager’s amendment we would give 72 hours for,” Hoyer said. “Obviously, we have had 72 hours on the bill. So I don’t think that is a violation.”

Even my young grandchildren know that "fudging the truth" is the same as telling a lie. Nobody cares what labels politicians apply, people want to know what their representatives are voting on before they vote on it.


Joe Wilson correctly yelled "You lie!" during the President's speech because he knew that there is a hole the size of the Grand Canyon in the various proposed health care bills that absolutely does allow federal money to fund abortion. Closing this hole is of major importance to millions of pro-life taxpayers. This is no time for backroom deals or arguments over language.

What Does The Outcome of NY23 Tell Us?

Via Memeorandum:

This morning everyone and their brother has an opinion of what the Owens win in NY23 means. I'll throw in my two cents. I am of a Malkin state of mind:

Conservatives owe NY-23 candidate Doug Hoffman immeasurable gratitude. He overcame impossible odds (single digits just a month ago) to come within two points of defeating Democrat Bill Owens. Hoffman had zero name recognition. National Republican Party officials dumped nearly $1 million into the race on behalf of radical leftist GOP candidate Dede Scozzafava, who then turned around, endorsed Owens and siphoned off 5 percent of the vote with her name still on the ballot after she dropped out.

Conservatives’ money went to pay for specious attack ads against Hoffman run by the NRCC like this.

Conservatives’ money went to support a GOP candidate who shares the same socialist alliances with fellow SEIU/ACORN/New Party/Working Families Party activist Patrick Gaspard, the Obama White House political director who intervened in the race to secure Scozzafava’s endorsement of Owens.

Conservatives won a huge victory yesterday. We showed that we are viable movement that the established GOP must deal with.

In 2010 social issues will not be in the forefront. The economy is in the tank and therefore, the economy will be THE issue. Conservatives will be looking closely at candidate's positions on taxes, Cap and Trade, ObamaCare, the Stimulus and programs that have killed employment and added to the deficit. In other words, this is not a good time to belong to the RINO wing of the party.

It is up to the GOP to decide if they want a repeat of NY23 in 2010. Only time will tell if they will take anything away from this loss or if they will wake up and start listening to the base. As I've said before, the ball is in their court.

More at:

The Other McCain
American Power
And So it Goes in Shreveport
Left Coast Rebel

Not The Change You Were Hoping For?

Via Memeorandum:

Nobody can deny that back during the campaign candidate Obama generated a lot of enthusiasm. He became president because he convinced 53% percent of the voters that he could lead this country into a new Golden Age. Words. Nearly a year in there is no gold and instead it appears President Obama has ushered in the Age of Low Grade Tin. Or as Rasmussen puts it 45% for Obama, 49% Against – If Election Were Held Right Now:

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 45% of adults say they would be at least somewhat likely to vote for Obama if he was up for reelection right now. Forty-nine percent (49%) say they would be unlikely to vote for the president’s reelection.

Thirty-four percent (34%) would be very likely to support Obama, while 40% say they would be not at all likely to do so.

What happened? Words. Empty words and empty promises.

Who Needs Sophisticated Weapons When Bears Will Do The Trick?

Via Memeorandum:

Seems a few militants picked the wrong cave to hang out in:

A bear killed two militants after discovering them in its den in Indian-administered Kashmir, police say.

Two other militants escaped, one of them badly wounded, after the attack in Kulgam district, south of Srinagar.

The militants had assault rifles but were taken by surprise - police found the remains of pudding they had made to eat when the bear attacked.

Chocolate pudding, no doubt.

Bears 2, Militants 0

More at:

Fausta's Blog

Left Coast Rebel

JammieWearingFool

Hey Taxpayers, Guess What You Are Paying For Now

Would you like a FREE cell phone with FREE minutes and features such as roll over minutes, voice mail, call forwarding and call waiting all for FREE? You've got it! No contract, no obligation and best of all, no cost to you. The TAXPAYERS pick up the cost. Say "thank you Obama, hallelujah!"

h/t Babalu

Conservatives vs Moderates: Who is Purging Who?

Via Memeorandum:

Politico is calling it "an uncivil war." To understand why Conservatives are no longer in a civil mood one need look to further than the Marco Rubio/Charlie Crist primary race here in Florida.

...former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio, a conservative who is challenging Crist for the Senate nomination. “They want us to vote for their candidates, but they don’t want us to run for office.”

The boys over at the NRSC came in to Florida and chose Charlie Crist as their man without giving the voters in Florida a voice. They told us that Rubio was a great candidate with a bright future but that Florida needs someone with broad appeal (read: moderate) who could carry the state against Kendrick Meek, the presumed Democrat candidate. How's this for broad appeal: of the twelve straw polls taken in Florida, Rubio has beaten Crist in all twelve by wide margins.

But can Rubio beat Meek? The NRSC says no, but the most recent Rassmussen poll taken says, "YES, he can." The poll taken October 20, 2009 shows Rubio leading Meek 46% to 31%.

As Rubio said above the GOP wants our support. They want our donations and our votes. They don't want our voice. They don't want our vision. They don't want our candidates. Who is "purging" who? Conservatives have been shut out of the GOP.

Conventional beltway wisdom is that Conservatives can't win. We've shown otherwise in NY23 and we will continue to show otherwise in Florida and elsewhere. Conservative candidates offer voters a clear choice and energize elections. Conservative candidates embrace their principles, the GOP runs away from them.

If there is a civil war within the GOP party it lies solely on the shoulders of the party's tone deaf leaders. Conservatives are comfortable with the decisions they've made, it is up the party to decide what direction they want to take.

You Know What Happens When You Assume

According to The Left Coast Rebel : Dede Scozzafava guilty of bestiality, screwing RINOs repeatedly. I assume he's not referring to these:

And speaking of ugly, Rick Moran. Rick assumes that he knows all about Conservatives. Rick thinks that Conservatives are stupid. I am tempted to give him a great big "right back at ya" but Smitty has done a masterful job of undoing Mr. Moran.

h/t Memeorandum

Pssst, Did You Know That Doug Hoffman Signed The 9/12 Pledge?

Lee Fang, at Think Progress, has joined that pinnacle of all stellar sources, Charles Johnson of Little Green Footballs (no link, sorry), in being shocked that Doug Hoffman has signed the 9/12 Pledge. Egads, next they'll be telling us that Doug Hoffman helps little old ladies cross the street!

Fang:

Conservative (giggle) blogger Charles Johnson of the site Little Green Footballs reported yesterday that Doug Hoffman, the Conservative Party candidate in the NY-23 special election, signed a pledge to uphold Glenn Beck’s 9/12 Project principles in Congress. The signed pledge is available online, and Hoffman touts his endorsement from the 9/12 organization on his website. Like the lobbyist-planned tea parties, the 9/12 Project is a creation of Beck, used to go after Beck’s liberal enemies and to organize hateful anti-Obama rallies.

What is this evil pledge that Hoffman has signed. Well, if we click on Fangs link above we see that it is this:

Well, that isn't very helpful, is it? How are we to ascertain the sheer horror of it if we can't read it? Luckily, I was able to find those 9 offending principles and 12 atrocious values at The 9/12 Project site:

9 Principles, 12 Values

The 9 Principles

1. America Is Good.

2. I believe in God and He is the Center of my Life.
God “The propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained.” from George Washington’s first Inaugural address.

3. I must always try to be a more honest person than I was yesterday.
Honesty “I hope that I shall always possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider to be the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.” George Washington

4. The family is sacred. My spouse and I are the ultimate authority, not the government.
Marriage/Family “It is in the love of one’s family only that heartfelt happiness is known. By a law of our nature, we cannot be happy without the endearing connections of a family.” Thomas Jefferson

5. If you break the law you pay the penalty. Justice is blind and no one is above it.
Justice “I deem one of the essential principles of our government… equal and exact justice to all men of whatever state or persuasion, religious or political.” Thomas Jefferson

6. I have a right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, but there is no guarantee of equal results.
Life, Liberty, & The Pursuit of Happiness “Everyone has a natural right to choose that vocation in life which he thinks most likely to give him comfortable subsistence.” Thomas Jefferson

7. I work hard for what I have and I will share it with who I want to. Government cannot force me to be charitable.
Charity “It is not everyone who asketh that deserveth charity; all however, are worth of the inquiry or the deserving may suffer.” George Washington

8. It is not un-American for me to disagree with authority or to share my personal opinion.
On your right to disagree “In a free and republican government, you cannot restrain the voice of the multitude; every man will speak as he thinks, or more properly without thinking.” George Washington

9. The government works for me. I do not answer to them, they answer to me.
Who works for whom? “I consider the people who constitute a society or a nation as the source of all authority in that nation.” Thomas Jefferson

The 12 Values
* Honesty
* Reverence
* Hope
* Thrift
* Humility
* Charity
* Sincerity
* Moderation
* Hard Work
* Courage
* Personal Responsibility
* Gratitude

Yep, that's some radical stuff there. I can see why Progressives, and Mr. Johnson, wouldn't want a politician with those principles and values.

Note: For sake of honest disclosure, that was me, not Fang, who giggled.

More at:

Memeorandum

Planned Parenthood Director Chooses Life

Via Memeorandum:

From KBTX.Com:

Planned Parenthood has been a part of Abby Johnson's life for the past eight years; that is until last month, when Abby resigned. Johnson said she realized she wanted to leave, after watching an ultrasound of an abortion procedure.

"I just thought I can't do this anymore, and it was just like a flash that hit me and I thought that's it," said Johnson.

Could you watch an ultrasound of the baby pictured on the left as its life was taken from it? Could you watch as the instrument was plunged in to the baby's skull? The child to the left is shown at eighteen weeks gestation. The late Dr. Tiller plainly stated that he performed abortions right up until the due date.

I can't imagine what that moment must have been like when the full realization of what she had been a party to struck Abby Johnson. A Gallup Poll conducted in May of this year showed that for the first time since Gallup began asking the question in 1995 the majority of Americans, 51%, consider themselves "pro-life" as opposed to 42% who identify as "pro-choice". When broken out by political ideology the trend looks like this:

Clearly, both Conservatives and Moderates are turning away from abortion while Liberal support continues to run very high. Liberals simply do not place the same premium on children as Conservatives which in the long run means that Liberals lack of breeding will eventually put them out of business.

American Power has Ms. Johnson's story as well as a video.

Linked as well by:

Gateway Pundit
the blogprof
Left Coast Rebel
Sister Toldja

Who Calls the Majority "the Minority"?

Via Memeorandum:

Consider the following from the Politico post Conservatives take aim at leaders, Charlie Crist, other races:

Numerous GOP officials have told POLITICO they worry that the party has been hijacked by a noisy and powerful minority that will keep the GOP in a noisy and not-so-powerful minority for a long time.

So, are we fringe conservative wackos really the minority or, is it simply a matter of GOP officials believing that if they say it often enough it may come true? I can understand why they would want us to go away and let them get back to business as usual but are they really so delusional that they believe that the Conservative movement represents nothing more than a "small but vocal minority"?

The latest Gallup poll tells a different story:

On the question of political ideology, 40 percent of those surveyed said they were conservative, 36 percent were moderate, and 20 percent liberal.

Conservatives, contrary to the GOP line, are neither the fringe or the minority. We are vocal, we are activists and we are a force that the GOP needs to deal with. The least of the many lessons that the GOP should take away from NY23 is that they need us more than we need them.

The GOP's assertion that Conservatives may push the Republican party in to a permanent minority status only shows how little attention they are paying. We are more than willing to work with the GOP if they return to the Republican tradition of small government and fiscal conservatism.

Politico quotes Erik Erickson of RedState:

“Republicans are going to have to come our way,” he said, before going on to trash NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions and Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele for backing Scozzafava.

Their “level of disingenuousness ... is disgusting,” Erickson said.

Politico notes that Erickson’s bombast may seem overboard, but it captures the depths of anger over the handling of this special election. It’s not just that Scozzafava wasn’t conservative — she was very liberal on abortion, unions and gay marriage and even left the impression she might join the Democrats once elected.

The anger that Conservatives feel began building long before November, 2008. The GOP's backing of candidates like Scozzafava and Charlie Crist, not to mention Arlen Specter who they stood by right up until the moment he flipped on them, has only served to throw gasoline on the fire. We have decided that principle trumps party. The ball is in the GOP's hands now.

Scozzafava endorses Owens resulting in a big lead for Hoffman

Via Memeorandum:

Public Policy Polling has Conservative Doug Hoffman leading Democrat Bill Owens 54% to 38%. So much for Republican(?) Scozzafava's endorsement of Owens. As Hoffman's margin grows I wouldn't be surprised if the NRCC put out a press release claiming that this was their plan all along.

An interesting poll finding:

One key finding that may have ultimately scuttled Scozzafava's candidacy: 59% of Republicans considered her to be a liberal and only 7% thought she was a conservative. By comparison 80% of them consider Hoffman to be a conservative, and that's a good thing where nearly two thirds of GOP voters define themselves that way.

Newt Gingrich, among others, claimed that he backed Scozzafava because she was the choice of the local party but it seems odd that in a district where two thirds of Republicans consider themselves conservative that they would chose a candidate that 59% consider to be a liberal. Pat at And So it Goes in Shreveport sites a TCOT Report story that says Scozzafava wasn't their choice:

Scozzafava was nominated on July 22 at a meeting of the eleven county chairmen. Prior to this meeting, a series of four regional meetings were held throughout the district, at which time nine candidates were given a chance to appear in front of a select group of Republican committeemen and State Party Officials. Many conservative Republicans in the 23rd Congressional District were insulted by the Speaker's blatant mischaracterization that Scozzafava was the "unanimous" choice of the four regional meetings that preceded the nominee selection meeting held on July 22. Contrary to the Speaker's assertions, Scozzafava received a majority of the support in only one of these four meetings.

She never had the local support the NRCC contended. Leahy asked Fulton County Republican County Chairman Susan McNeil if there was any support at all for Dede in Fulton County. McNeil's response? "In all of the calls I have received there is no support for Dede."

Hmm. I haven't heard the RNC/NRCC/Gingrich response to that.

You can follow the NY23 race at The Other McCain, who has updated the story here, here, here and here.

Here Piggy!

Prof. Jacobson has an interesting take on Scozzafava's endorsement of Democrat Owens rather than Conservative candidate Doug Hoffman-it's all about the pork:

Scozafava's endorsement of Democrat Owens certainly was based on hurt feelings, but she justified it by focusing on who could bring home the federal pork to the district:

It’s not in the cards for me to be your representative, but I strongly believe Bill is the only candidate who can build upon John McHugh's lasting legacy in the U.S. Congress. John and I worked together on the expansion of Fort Drum and I know how important that base is to the economy of this region. I am confident that Bill will be able to provide the leadership and continuity of support to Drum Country just as John did during his tenure in Congress.

Jacobson continues:

It's Doug Hoffman and the philosophy of fiscal responsibility, versus Bill Owens and the John Murtha philosophy of pork-barrel politics. And with Joe Biden riding into town on Monday, Obama's big government, let someone else pay for me, policies will be put to a test.

The party lines have been blurred but not the issue. Country before pork, or pork before country? I hope the people of NY-23 choose country. We'll see.

Scozzafava definitely is a woman with an agenda and her shout out to Fort Drum may have simply been a way for her to throw her weight towards Owens without mentioning that she is also pro-abortion, pro card check, pro tax and spend and not the "moderate" that sucker punched the NRCC and the RNC. Either way, flipping on "her party" (suppressed giggle) can be summed up with a snark filled "classy."

Momma always said you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

Good Grief, Barry Brown

From The Camp Of The Saints:




So how's that "Smart Diplomacy" workin out for ya? Bob pretty much sums it up.

There's Always Next Year

It seems that the Daley Gator is doing a bit of crowing. Living in Florida, I don't begrudge the Gators their victories (too much) but win, lose, or draw, I stand by my Wildcats. The Bucs, eh, I don't know.

See ya next year Mr. Gator!

Is Obama Betting There's Intelligent Life On Other Planets?

Seen over at Instapundit:

FRANK LUNTZ: “More people believe scientists will discover life in outer space than believe the current health-care plan won’t add a penny to the deficit.”


The survey should be an eye-opener for the White House but I doubt it will be. Best part?


I guess that is what the "Advisory Board" means when they say, "Grannie doesn't need surgery, a little cool weather should fix her right up."

Follow the link above or just click here.

What is Scozzafava's Next Move?

Pat at And So it Goes in Shreveport is reporting that Scozzafava's next move may be to endorse the Democratic candidate in NY23:

Via Hot Air, Hotline reports that Dede Scozzafava and her husband are quietly endorsing Bill Owens in the NY-23 race. This comes as no real shock as they disagree on absolutely nothing with regard to policy issues.

Hotline quotes both the New York Post and the Watertown Daily Times:

First, in a Watertown Daily Times' editorial switching its endorsement from Scozzafava to atty Bill Owens (D), the Daily Times notes that Scozzafava "began to quietly and thoughtfully encourage her supporters to vote for" Owens after her withdrawal announcement 10/31.

And, according to the New York Post, Scozzafava's husband -- Central Labor Council pres. Ron McDougall -- wholeheartedly endorsed Owens late last p.m. McDougall: "As a life-long labor activist, I know that Bill Owens understands the issues important to working people. On the other hand, Doug Hoffman has little regard for the interests of workers. Hoffman's opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act, coupled with his support for the failed policies of the Bush Administration make him a poor choice to serve the citizens of the 23rd Congressional District."

Earlier I said that the voters turned to Doug Hoffman in NY23 because the Scozzafava/Owens matchup was viewd as a choice between the Democratic candidate and the other Democratic candidate. If Scozzafava endorses Owens, she will make my point for me.

Pat goes on to relate the NY23 race to the NRCC's monumental screwup in the Crist/Rubio matchup here in Florida. It makes one wonder how many "Specters" the RNC and NRCC will back before they come to their senses.

Read Pat's piece here.

Valerie Jarrett Decries "Extremism." Yeah, Right

Via Memeorandum:

Appearing on ABC’s This Week, Obama advisor and Chicago slum lord, Valerie Jarrett showed just how difficult it is to think clearly with one’s head up one’s ass.

From Michelle Malkin:

Yes, the woman who bragged about recruiting Marxist rabble-rouser Van Jones is lambasting conservatives for spurning radical leftist ACORN/Big Labor embracer Dede Scozzafava:

White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett said Sunday on ABC’s “This Week” that the rise of a Conservative Party challenger in a closely watched upstate New York House election shows that the Republican Party leadership is “becoming more and more extreme, and more and more marginalized.”

“It’s rather telling when the Republican Party forces out a moderate Republican and it says, I think, a great deal about where the Republican Party leadership is right now,” Jarrett said when asked about the GOP candidates’ decision to suspend her campaign, making it more likely the Conservative will win Tuesday’s special election.

How exactly does Jarrett define extremism? Is believing in the sanctity of unborn human life extremist? Is it extremist to believe that people should be allowed to keep the money they work for? Maybe extremism is believing that doctors should make medical decisions rather than bureaucratic “advisory panels.” Note to Jarrett, for the definition of “extremist” look no further than your boss, his Cabinet and his czars. And yourself.

It isn’t surprising that Jarrett can’t get her labels straight, after all, she called the Margaret Sanger Award winner Scozzafava a “moderate.”

Contrary to Jarrett’s assertion, the Republican Party did not force Scozzafava out of the race, her poll numbers did. Simply put, the voters wanted something more than a choice between the Democratic candidate and the other Democratic candidate and Doug Hoffman gave it to them.

Jarrett hasn’t exactly been stellar in her recent media appearances. Perhaps Jarrett would make more sense if she spoke with her head outside of her tailpipe.

NY23: What Have We Learned? And Will the Lesson Stick?

Via Memeorandum:

In the Washington Examiner, Glenn Reynolds wisely writes that It’s the follow-through that matters in New York’s special race. His message to the GOP is that the party needs to follow-through on the lessons learned during the race. Reynolds also cautions Conservatives not to get too cocky. Fair enough. However, watching Newt on Fox this morning, it is clear that the GOP back peddling has begun even before the vote has been taken. Newt is playing off the Conservative victory as a mere blip on the radar with no real national implications. Well, there are slow learners and the unteachable. Guess which category Newt belongs in.

According to a recent Gallup Poll, Conservatives are not some little fringe group that the GOP can dismiss. Forty percent of Americans self identify as “conservative” while thirty-five percent call themselves “moderate” and bringing up the rear are those who call themselves “liberal” at twenty-one percent. In other words, we Conservatives are the mainstream.

Need proof? “The Party” has thrown its weight and money behind the RINO Charlie Crist in Florida. What has their name, prestige (snort), and money bought them? The Conservative candidate, Marco Rubio, has laid waste to Crist in all twelve straw polls taken so far. And we are still a year out.

It didn’t escape Conservative’s notice that many in “The Party” suddenly discovered their conservative principals only after it became clear that Hoffman would win NY23. Sure, we will accept the support of the “me, too” Republicans, but we won’t forget how late that support came. I have no delusion that the NRCC will back off its endorsement of Crist but I would hope that some within the GOP would take a lesson away from NY23 and endorse Rubio sooner rather than later.

Reynolds is correct that this is no time get cocky but it is a time for Conservatives to show resolve. It would also be a good time for the GOP to rediscover Conservative principles and jump off the sinking RINO boat.