The Evil Empire Strikes: The demographic bombing of their enemies?

Consider the United Nations …

What is the real agenda of the United Nations, a consortium of third-world nations that seems preoccupied with an environmental policy that starts and ends with population control?

The problem is the Earth’s population …

It was bad enough when the United Nations’ wildly optimistic population growth numbers were based on the faulty assumption that population growth was linear and the numbers were climbing so drastically as to endanger the planet. But it was their prescription: limit population growth by any means before we destroy the planet, that I found objectionable.

A matter of food …

Then it was on to the problem of feeding the world. Again, being short-sighted and not fully pressuring those despotic rogue nations to release the food received via international aid societies to starving people rather than diverting the food to the friends and military of the DIP (despot in power); with the surplus sold on the black market. Of course, the United Nations blamed the problem of commodity shortages on the rampant population growth – and once again their prescription was: limit population growth by any means before all of the world’s people starve. Unfortunately, there was enough food to go around and those who were being denied sustenance were in areas controlled by evildoers. Something the United Nations does not recognize as they promote diversity, multiculturalism and worst of all, the moral equivalency between good and evil, freedom and enslavement.

Global warming …

Now comes global warming. Dire predictions of population dislocation and rampant hunger as our planet’s ability to produce food is severely compromised by the weather. The prescription: limit population and its impact on the global climate. This time by a scheme to control the energy production of industrialized nations to reduce their prosperity and increase the financial impact of having additional children.

Idiot politicians …

So why am I not surprised when I read in London Sunday  Times …

  “Two children should be limit, says green guru”

“Couples who have more than two children are being ‘irresponsible’ by creating an unbearable burden on the environment, the government’s green adviser has warned.”

“Jonathon Porritt, who chairs the government’s Sustainable Development Commission, says curbing population growth through contraception and abortion must be at the heart of policies to fight global warming. He says political leaders and green campaigners should stop dodging the issue of environmental harm caused by an expanding population.”

“A report by the commission, to be published next month, will say that governments must reduce population growth through better family planning.”

“ ‘I am unapologetic about asking people to connect up their own responsibility for their total environmental footprint and how they decide to procreate and how many children they think are appropriate,” Porritt said.”

“ ‘I think we will work our way towards a position that says that having more than two children is irresponsible. It is the ghost at the table. We have all these big issues that everybody is looking at and then you don’t really hear anyone say the ‘p’ word.”

“The Optimum Population Trust, a campaign group of which Porritt is a patron, says each baby born in Britain will, during his or her lifetime, burn carbon roughly equivalent to 2½ acres of old-growth oak woodland - an area the size of Trafalgar Square.”

“The British population, now 61m, will pass 70m by 2028, the Office for National Statistics says. The fertility rate for women born outside Britain is estimated to be 2.5, compared with 1.7 for those born here. The global population of 6.7 billion is expected to rise to 9.2 billion by 2050.”

Demographic bombing …

Has anyone noticed that population control is exactly what our enemies, those who do not wish us well under our present political system, want. To be able to massively grow their population base while the “concerned” people reduce the very population growth needed to sustain their own culture – that which makes the people of the region unique.

By granting citizenship to those who give birth within a nation’s geographical borders, by overtly or covertly encouraging the migration of illegal aliens, and by promoting policies granting amnesty and citizenship to those who have broken the law, you are complicit is destroying the character of your nation.

Which is not a problem for the United Nations with their aspirations to serve as the seat of a “One World Government” and the arbiter of all things political, social and financial.

Eurabia: a convenient illustration is at hand …

“Europe is undergoing two profound changes. The first is the weakening of Christianity. The second is demographic decline. Presently, across Europe, there are only two-thirds the number of children born necessary to sustain the population. The consequent drop in population has mostly been made good by immigration of Muslims. The fast-growing Muslim population is generally not integrated into the host societies nor politically acculturated to its norms. To the contrary, radical Islamic movements are gaining in strength among these émigré populations. In addition, European governments, especially the French, have developed foreign policies aimed at winning the favor of Middle Eastern regimes.”

“The question arises: is this a temporary aberration or is Europe on the road to losing its historic identity? The latter: Europe is rapidly being transformed into ‘Eurabia,’ a cultural and political appendage of the Arab/Muslim world that is fundamentally anti-Christian, anti-Semitic, anti-Western and anti-American.” <Source>

Israel …

Israel faces much the same problem as other industrialized nations and it will be only a matter of time until the Israelis vanish from their land – especially when listening to a regime who wants to give up land for peace and remove self-contained and fertile settlers from the land promised by God.

In fact, had it not been for the meddling of certain muddle-headed Brits; the very people who, on a Sunday afternoon, reshaped the Middle East by drawing lines on a map to provide an aggrieved Prince Abdullah with a country (Jordan) because his brother, Faisal, was granted an arbitrary patch of sand now known as Iraq; much of the Middle East tribal conflict would have reduced as indigenous trade and cooperative governments developed. <Source: Kingmakers: the Invention of the Modern Middle East>

Los Angeles, California …

And across the pond, here in America, we are experiencing much the same thing. Consider that in the core of California’s largest city, Los Angeles, it appears as if you are in Little Tijuana: the signs are in Spanish, the dominant language is Spanish, a large number of the politicians are Hispanic and cater to their Hispanic constituency: legal citizens and illegal aliens alike – and law enforcement is extremely reluctant to enter certain areas without heavy reinforcements and advance planning. Vicious gangs, mostly comprised of illegal aliens, is slowly tightening their grip on the immigrant population with occasional spill-over into traditional society. This very demographic is pushing hard to create so-called anchor babied which, upon their birth in the United States, become automatic U.S. citizens. One wonders exactly how long it will be before the U.S. experiences a de facto annexation by Mexico or is forced by exigent circumstances (including the possible collapse of the Mexican government and infrastructure) to assume Mexico as either a protectorate or some other legal form of confederation?

The “elites” know best …

The point being: while the so-call intellectual elites and limousine liberals spout drivel about reducing population growth and saving the planet, we are being demographically being forced out of our homes and into accepting a foreign culture. Incrementally, of course, but it is happening. Of course, those limousine liberals who visibly support these policies are the very ones who are insulated, by wealth, power and position, from the consequences of the policies they foist on others in order to make some of them feel that they are contributing members of society instead of the wastrels, clowns and dilettantes they are in reality.

Who are our enemies?

Other than the radical Islamists and power-hungry dictatorships, why are we so afraid of pointing out that our enemies walk among us as they do their best to convert, co-opt and coerce those “do good – feel good” liberals into becoming fellow travelers in a nefarious plot to weaken Western civilization and the freedoms it holds dear.

“Porritt, who has two children, intends to persuade environmental pressure groups to make population a focus of campaigning.”

“Many organisation think it is not part of their business. My mission with the Friends of the Earth and the Greenpeaces of this world is to say: ‘You are betraying the interests of your members by refusing to address population issues and you are doing it for the wrong reasons because you think it is too controversial,” he said.

And just what are the interests of the members of Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth in addition to the normal ones of providing a social meeting ground for the disaffected, increasing their funding, expanding their leadership and allowing the members to “feel good about themselves” by associating with a cause bigger than their individual lives – saving their planet for future generations.

I wonder just how many of their members have noted that the old “cold warriors,” the Marxists, the Communists and the Anarchists have infiltrated the environmental movement to obtain tax-free funding from gullible people who can be easily fooled and led about like sheep. Not to mention pushing their political agenda while they aggregate political power by pointing the way to electing their fellow travelers for elective office. And appointing their cohorts when the arrive “on station.”

Let them die: it’s good for the planet …

“Porritt, a former chairman of the Green party, says the government must improve family planning, even if it means shifting money from curing illness to increasing contraception and abortion.”

“He said: ‘We still have one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancies in Europe and we still have relatively high levels of pregnancies going to birth, often among women who are not convinced they want to become mothers.”

To be fair, perhaps Porritt did not mean that we should ignore curing illness as a means for limiting population – or then again, maybe he did. There is no doubt in my mind that there are those who look towards pestilence, disease and weather-induced famine as means for achieving their goal of limited population.

A failure of religion?

Here in Los Angeles, under the direction of open borders advocate, Cardinal Roger Mahoney, the church is attempting to revive its flagging fortunes (dissipated by the international pedophile scandals) and declining membership. Since the Church is responsible to Rome, rather than Washington, D.C., it should be no surprise that they are welcoming illegal aliens into their flock and advocating an open borders policy – based, of course, on humanitarian grounds. As with the Cardinal’s apparent obstruction of justice in moving known pedophiles around his fiefdom, he appears not to concern himself with the destruction and decay that is slowly rotting Los Angeles and turning it into the equivalent of a third-world nation. Where productive and creative people are abandoning California for more business friendly and culturally attuned climes – and states which do not spend a massive amount of money catering to illegal aliens at the expense of their own legal constituency. One might ask, where is the morality in all of this? Is the Church also complicit in allowing our nation to be demographically bombed by illegal aliens who are pumping out anchor babies with abandon, not even mindful of the financial consequences of having unaffordable children as they seem to be well taken care of by California’s social benefits system. An entitlement system that will be greatly expanded by Barack Obama has he consolidates his “entitlement” constituency.

What can YOU do?

Decide for yourself whether or not you can afford to have, nurture and support children without state assistance. It is a personal God-given freedom that should not be abridged by church nor state.

If you disagree with the direction our elected officials are taking us, consider working with a grass-roots group to recall them or elect ones more beneficial to the constituency. Demand that those politicians who have committed crimes be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. For those who have committed acts that are short of criminal prosecution and have been allowed to file retroactive reports, turn them out of office.

It is time we take back our country from the political elites who believe they are entitled to dispense the taxpayer’s hard-earned money for their personal political benefit and personally profit from the results of  their actions.

It is also time to dial back the adoration of celebrity, knowing that most of these people are trained actors who are quite unlike the people they may portray on stage. Many of these “respected” people are sick puppies and would be shunned by decent people had the truth about their private actions become public. But then again, maybe not, as our culture is beginning to reward both the famous and the infamous.

As for the United Nations, consider the consequences of removing them from our shores and de-funding their initiatives. In my opinion, the UN is comprised of too many self-righteous, self-indulgent political hacks who pander to the worst among them.

As for the future, and at this point in time, it seems that our politicians and their special interest friends have temporarily doomed us to additional suffering – all in the name of the “quick buck” and political power play. Can you even imagine, in any other historical time, when politicians like Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, George Bush (41 &43) and Jimmy Carter could be considered leaders? Or when the political parties would sacrifice their principles on the altar of political office – just to obtain access to the power to dole out funding to their friends?

We are screwed. Or as my best friend puts it, “doomed.” That is, unless we start to right the ship of state and stem the tide of liberalism that surely will become our downfall. If we continue to progress as is, those receiving entitlements will continue to vote for bigger and bigger entitlements and the political party that doles out the treats. Until we bankrupt ourselves and find the fruits of our labors accruing to the Chinese, the Indians, the Japanese and others who have not embraced the type of silly, superficial liberalism that is being spewed by our political leaders and celebrities – and widely publicized by a media that has compromised its journalistic ethics for corporate privileges doled out piecemeal by the politicians they pretend to cover.

Bottom line: take care of yourself and your family first. Be well and be safe.

-- steve

Quote of the Day: “Freedom is not a laughing matter, nor can it be bought from those who do not have the right to sell it.” – steve

A reminder from OneCitizenSpeaking.com: a large improvement can result from a small change…

The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. -- Marcus Aurelius

Reference Links:

Two children should be limit, says green guru - Times Online


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


White House: Middle Class Task Force or a diversionary "Project FEEL GOOD" to aid the unions?

Ignoring the government failure of the democrat “War on Poverty” initiative, it’s on to building “A Strong Middle Class …”

It is no secret that the democrat “War on Poverty” has been an abject failure and that the billions of dollars which have been spent on social engineering schemes to improve housing, education and employment opportunities have been severely compromised by a government riddled with waste, fraud, corruption and cronyism – not to mention politicians who act in their own self-interest to achieve their own political or personal profit goals.

It is against this failed democrat initiative that the democrats, once again, attempt to enlarge government and reward their special interest friends under the guise of improving the lives of middle class Americans.

Rewarding the unions who supported Obama?

According to CNSNews.com …

“Vice President Joe Biden says the goal of a new White House task force is to raise middle-class living standards.
At the request of President Barack Obama, Biden will chair the Middle Class Task force along with other Cabinet members and Obama advisers. President Obama announced the task force on Friday.”

““Over the upcoming months, we will focus on answering those concerns that matter most to families,” says the task force Web site, called AStrongMiddleClass.gov. ‘What can we do to make retirement more secure? How can we make child and elder care more affordable? How do we improve workplace safety? How are we going to get the cost of college within reach? What can we do to help weary parents juggle work and family? What are the jobs of the future that we can begin to create?’”

YOU BET!

“The goals of the task force are plums for the labor unions that supported Obama’s presidential bid. Those goals include:

  • Expanding education and lifelong training opportunities
  • Improving work and family balance
  • Restoring labor standards, including workplace safety
  • Helping to protect middle-class and working-family incomes
  • Protecting retirement security”

PROOF …

“At the same press conference where he announced the Middle Class Task Force, President Barack Obama signed three several executive orders intended to  ‘level the playing field’ for labor unions in struggles with management.”

" ‘I do not view the labor movement as part of the problem. To me, it's part of the solution,’ Obama said, prompting applause. ‘You cannot have a strong middle class without a strong labor movement.’"

Sounds like typical Marxist labor union rhetoric to me! An the last statement, “You cannot have a strong middle class without a strong labor movement" is an outright lie!

Obama rewards the unions with favorable executive orders …

  • “Require federal contractors to offer jobs to current workers when contracts change.”
  • “Reverse a Bush order requiring federal contractors to post notices telling workers they can limit their financial support of unions serving as their exclusive bargaining representatives.”
  • “Prevent federal contractors from being reimbursed for expenses intended to influence workers deciding whether to form a union and engage in collective bargaining.”

The first executive order appears to limit the flexibility of a government contractor to re-staff with personnel with specific experience to meet the demands of the new contract.

The second executive order is probably unconstitutional on the grounds that it limits an employer’s right to free speech regarding political activities.

The third executive order is probably ineffective, since government contractors have evolved billing practices to hide everything from offering special favors and perks to government employees and politicians (yes, I know this might be an illegal activity – but it still occurs) and to creating fictitious overhead accounts to hide expenses.

Weakening America?

While Obama is eulogizing the benefits of trade unions, let us consider a happening event. Trade unions threatening the peace, prosperity and functioning of sovereign governments.

“The gloom surrounding this year’s World Economic Forum descended into confrontation yesterday as international labour leaders launched a withering attack on the 1,400 business executives and 41 heads of government at Davos over what the labour leaders alleged was their failure to respond effectively to a deepening crisis of their own creation.”

“Guy Ryder, the general secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), said that the current financial turmoil had triggered a social time bomb that would lead to deepening civil unrest and soaring crime.”

“The comments from the confederation, which represents 168 million workers in 157 countries, are the most ferocious example yet of a backlash that has persuaded many who attend frequently to stay away from Davos this year.”

Scared Politicians …

“Yesterday Alistair Darling, the Chancellor, became the latest political figure to stay away from the meeting, after a similar move by David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary.”

“Mr Ryder, speaking as strikes involving hundreds of thousands of workers erupted across France and Germany, told The Times: ‘We are on the road to serious social instability, which could be extremely dangerous in some countries to democracy itself.’”  <Source>

While these European trade unions could not manage a strike to shut down multiple countries in the European Union, they did manage to cause the government to spend additional sums of money on security and contingency planning.

Obama: Ignoring a clear and present danger to America?

An ever-expanding government along with an ever-expanding public employee’s union and an ever-expanding union presence in the private sector presents a clear and present Marxist-style danger to America and the American way of life. All aided and abetted by far-left liberal democrat politicians like Barack Obama, Teddy Kennedy, John Kerry, Hillary Clinton and their fellow travelers like George Soros.

This, folks, is the fifth column, the enemy from within who will most likely be a participant in the trashing of America. These insiders with access to political and financial power – and the very secrets which are used to protect this nation from evildoers – is an unprecedented threat. Want proof? Just consider the damage done by spies who leaked our nuclear secrets and those who enabled others to gain access to our classified information and computer systems. This is nothing more than the institutionalization of foreign spying under the guise of union fellowship and collective bargaining.

And while there are many patriotic union workers who have made tremendous sacrifices for their country, one must wonder about the union’s leadership and their potential role in compromising the nation’s security in times of labor unrest.

Suggestions for fulfilling the Administration’s leadership role …

On the assumption that President Obama is sincere about his middle class initiative, let us play along.

If President Obama and Vice President Biden were truly serious about fulfilling their leadership roles in strengthening the middle class, they would ignore the rantings of the far left anti-nuke, anti-war, open borders pro-union and anti-America crowd and proceed with a plan so simple that even government personnel can understand it …

Solution One:


To: White House Middle Class Task Force

If you were serious about your goals: you would immediately fast track nuclear power plant constructions. Thus solving the need to provide good paying jobs, relive us of energy dependence and mitigate global climate concerns. This solution will result in lower energy costs for the middle class and is a total win-win solution.

Forty plus years of new technology has rendered many of the old concerns about nuclear energy moot. Of course, there are those activists left over from the cold war who have infiltrated the environmental movement and continue to spew out-of-date horror stories and other anti-nuke, anti-war and anti-American propaganda to the media. There is no doubt in my mind that nuclear energy can and will fulfill all of our needs for a clean, sustainable and low-cost source of energy. Not only will this benefit all Americans, but it will also allow the United States to pursue a rational foreign policy that will allow the United States to deal with overbearing  two-faced funders of terrorist activities such as Saudi Arabia – but will also reverse our complicit funding of those who do not wish us well.

However, because many of the foreign nations have partially-owned subsidiaries in the United States and employ a legion of lawyers, lobbyists and public relations counsel, it is unknown if the needs of the American public can transcend traditional democrat machine politics.

Solution Two:


To: White House Middle Class Task Force

If you want to improve middle class life, remove the burden imposed by illegal aliens who are destroying our healthcare, education, judicial, retirement, social and cultural infrastructure. Prevent the balkanization of our nation along class, ethnic, racial and sexual divides.

The democrats are traditionally associated with the balkanization of American citizens into separate victimhood constituencies along class, racial, ethnic and sexual lines. It is then by developing a coalition of these victim fringe groups do they gain enough votes to swing an election. Democrats are traditionally dividers, not uniters – in spite of their loft rhetoric. And the time, effort and money to reward these fringe groups heavily impinges on the middle class American who does not regard themselves as a victim of anything but their government.

There is no doubt that we are being demographically bombed by foreign nations who are attempting to subvert our traditional values by a preponderance of illegal aliens who hope to become naturalized citizens with a stroke of the democrat pen. In Los Angeles, it is not unusually to see candidates for office and elected officials pander to the illegal alien activists; thus resulting in some sections of Los Angeles looking and behaving like little Tijuana. Our California State budget has been crippled by special interest spending on the public employee unions and social engineering in favor of illegal aliens. It appears that it may only be a matter of time when the middle class citizens of California are driven from their homes by an alien culture in which they are a minority.

Solution Three:


To: White House Middle Class Task Force

It would be reasonable to assume that a reduction in government size, reducing the bureaucratic paper-shuffling and administrivia that passes for government business would speed up government oversight and reduce the paperwork burdens on American business and the individual citizen. It would also go a long way to reducing the fraud, corruption, waste and cronyism that we seen in a hyper-partisan Administration.

I have personally witnessed the creation and processing of paperwork which serves little or no practical purpose. Reports and studies which are produced weekly, monthly, quarterly and annually which are never read or used for public policy decisions. “Just in case” paperwork to cover the sorry asses of government employees who are seeking plausible deniability or insulation from the consequences of their actions.

On numerous occasions we find that millions – and even billions of the taxpayer’s hard-earned money has gone missing in a plethora of accounting systems, none of which seem to be able to keep an accurate record of monies received and authorized amounts expended. Especially when government funds are used to fund community or state initiatives. This lack of accounting – both of money and responsibility – is unduly impacting all citizens, not just the poor and middle class.

Solution Four …


To: White House Middle Class Task Force

We need to overlook the input of celebrities and those who are financially and socially insulated from the consequences of their silly "feel good" policies which waste time, effort and money rather than provide a tangible, measurable benefit to the American public. Enough of the "feel good" media-related projects which do absolutely nothing to improve life and are used only to show government in action.

The reason much of the silliness exists in governmental programs, is that celebrities who can provide campaign donations and free media face time push initiatives from which they are financially and socially insulated. Most celebrities have deep-rooted psychological problems which make them fight for recognition and pursue programs which make them feel both relevant and good. Is it any wonder that they hold any number of self-celebratory fundraising ceremonies and awards programs. I personally know of one prestigious award that was decided more on the basis of who could underwrite the evening’s celebration and bring in the largest number of large contributors than for any real individual achievement.

So while someone like famed director Rob Reiner, said to have had aspirations to be the governor of California, managed to push through an initiative to use the proceeds of tobacco taxes for the benefit of children; his efforts resulted in personal embarrassment (for the alleged misuse of collected funds) and billions of interest bearing dollars diverted to accounts which are now being eyed by Arnold Schwarzenegger and other California politicians as a means for helping erase part of California’s budgetary woes. Many regarded this effort as nothing more than the standard California democrat liberal fare of building a day-care/baby-sitting infrastructure to benefit illegal aliens and union members. 

I responded, will you?

The strength of our great nation lies in the contributions of the individuals which productively contribute to society – and not the energy-sapping victim/entitlement crowd that seems to dominate today’s politics. Surely there are any number of competent and knowledgably individuals that can provide ideas to this task force.

Even though the Task Force and their web site might be just another democrat ploy to attract favorable media attention and to coerce the public into believing that they can influence government policy making, and on the theory that there might really be someone that is looking at their web-based idea submissions, rather than using an electronic calculation of the most frequently appearing words, I took the time to submit these solutions on the task force’s official website. Although it has been my experience that the Administration’s minions regularly ignore citizen input in favor of lobbyists, campaign contributors and the special interests who can deliver funding and voters, perhaps if a number of like-minded individuals also participate, they might get the message.

Lipstick on a pig: websites, flashy graphics and audio files …

To be sure, repackaging old concepts with modern technology does not prove that the original premise that governmental interference in one’s life is either necessary or beneficial. In fact, it resonates with a message of “don’t do as we do, do as we say” that is often prevalent in an increasing “nanny” state.

But if we don’t try to influence public policy and fail to create a grass-roots response to an ever-increasing government whose actions are becoming increasingly self-serving, we have no one to blame other than ourselves.

What can YOU do?

Recognize that government initiatives are often not what they seem. They are little more than media events to portray the Administration and individual politicians in a positive light. In this case, the single most important question to ask those who spout twaddle about the “middle class.” HOW DO YOU DEFINE THE MIDDLE CLASS? All the while noting that they will resist providing a definition lest someone accidently assume that they are a part of the middle class and may be entitled to additional government-sponsored benefits. It is also wise to note that it has traditionally been the middle class that is soaked for financial support to be distributed to those said to be of an impoverished class. But then again, President Obama warned you that he did believe in the Marxist concept of wealth redistribution.

Get involved. Even if all you do is cast an informed vote, you need to get involved. Talk to your family, neighbors, co-workers and others about how you believe government should be run and try to obtain a consensus voting block – based not on party politics, telegenic and well-spoken candidates – but those candidates who appear to be knowledgeable and have a record of tangible achievement.

Put celebrities in their proper perspective. Paid performers who are well-compensated to entertain, inform and divert your attention from life’s little problems. Sean Penn may be a great actor/director, but does anyone believe that his cozying up to malevolent dictators such as Fidel Castro or Hugo Chavez should be taken seriously. Penn, the son of an ardent leftist, is not the face of America; he is just another citizen entitled to his opinion – no more and no less. Listening to Penn on political matters would, if taken to the obvious conclusion, result in a Marxist/collectivist state. Unfortunately, Hillary Clinton, with somewhat of the same leftist views is now our Secretary of State under a President who may share similar views. You need to get involved lest these people destroy the character of American and help turn the United States into the American Union.

Vote for candidates who have a record of speaking the truth and a positive record of accomplishment. Forget the political parties which have wreaked havoc on the United States in their quest to gain or retain their political power – plundering the U.S. Treasury at will on behalf of their political friends.

Take care of yourself first, be well and be safe.

-- steve

Quote of the day: “We have met the enemy and they is us.” – Walt Kelly, Creator of the Pogo cartoon

A reminder from OneCitizenSpeaking.com: a large improvement can result from a small change…

The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. -- Marcus Aurelius

Reference Links:

CNSNews.com - Obama Administration Aims to Raise ‘Middle Class’ Living Standards

Unions condemn delegates on crisis - Times Online


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


Democrat Stimulus: Rewards to their radical political friends, special interests, unions and institutionalizing the type of corruption seen in democrat-controlled venues ...

This is pork barrel spending, pure and simple …

This is no stimulus package, it is a thinly disguised $825 BILLION (+347 billion in interest if paid off by 2020) rip-off of the American taxpayer in favor of the labor unions, radical leftists and socialists, the special interests and those who do not wish America to prosper.

This egregious piece of legislation, the largest single piece of economic law in history was crafted by a single party, did not go through any of the normal congressional committee hearings, was not subject to serious challenge and was passed with about one hour of discussion. Although the Republicans refused to vote for the stimulus program, the democrats pushed the bill through the House.

This is a more egregious example of democrats buying votes and financial support with their earmarks and social engineering programs.

Consider for a moment exactly how the following items will bring us our of our financial recession …

$1 BILLION for Amtrak which continues to require increasing subsidies to operate

$2 BILLION for childcare subsidies (expensive babysitting)

$2.4 BILLION for carbon capture demonstration projects

$650 million for digital television coupons (so the content owners can enforce copyright controls and bring you the latest pro Obama government propaganda)

$600 million for new government vehicles (over and above the direct bailout funds to the automakers and the money already allocated for their fuel-efficiency conversion efforts.)

$400 million for global warming research (provided the results are politically correct)

$50 million to the National Endowment for the Arts which produces little or nothing of tangible economic value.

$335 million for the Pelosi STD (sexually transmitted disease) program which will have a negligible effect on the economy.

Including money for such left-wing radical groups such as ACORN who were at the heart of the financial crisis with their “affordable housing initiatives” and who attempted to subvert the election process in favor of the democrats. Also money for educational activism groups which further push the liberal victimhood agenda of political correctness, multi-Culturalism and diversity by the numbers.

None of these items will repair our crippled financial institutions or  move our economy out of the doldrums ...

Bailing out Mexico and the illegal aliens …

The democrats are clearly sending a message to the unions and those who wish open borders that they are willing to assist illegal aliens …

The legislation, which now contains tax credits of $500 per worker and $1,000 per couple, appears to expressly disqualifies nonresident aliens, but contains a loophole which would allow people who don't have Social Security numbers to be eligible for the checks.

The bill would allow anyone with an ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) to qualify for the tax credits – even if they paid no income tax. ITINs are provided by the IRS without regard to citizenship to enable those who work illegally in the United States to open bank accounts and access other social services.

One should remember that one of Mexico’s greatest source of hard-currency income are the remittances from thousands of illegal aliens living in the United States and sending money back home.

Why the rush …

According to the Congressional Budget Office, almost half of the stimulus package would not be spend until 2011, so the jobs they are proposing to create would come years after the passage of this particular bill.

“Spending Under H.R. 1. H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, as introduced in the House of Representatives on January 26, 2009, would result in additional spending of $604 billion over the 2009-2019 period, CBO estimates. About 15 percent of that spending would occur in the remaining several months of fiscal year 2009; another 37 percent would be spent in 2010. A total of almost 80 percent of the cumulative 11-year spending would occur from 2009 through 2011. (In addition to that spending, H.R.1 would reduce [tax and other] revenues by an estimated $212 billion over the 2009-2019 period.)”

Double or triple funding of existing programs …

“Moreover, under H.R. 1, some programs would receive funding that is significantly above (double, triple, or more) the amounts provided for existing or similar programs in recent years.”

My conclusion is that most of the job growth would occur in the public rather than the private sector – and what jobs may be directly be attributable to infrastructure funding would probably be under the control of the union, with all of its wage, benefits and work rules siphoning off both dollars and productivity. We can rest assured, based on historical projects, that any union project is likely to involve significant delays, massive cost overruns and an end-product which is somewhat less than first imagined.

Progress bound to be impeded by bureaucratic inertia …

“Frequently in the past, in all types of federal programs, a noticeable lag has occurred between sharp increases in budget authority and the resulting increases in outlays. Based on such experiences, CBO expects that federal agencies, along with states and other recipients of that funding, would find it difficult to properly manage and oversee a rapid expansion of existing programs so as to expend the added funds as quickly as they expend the resources provided for their ongoing programs.”

This is the type of government program which encourages waste, fraud, abuse, cronyism and results in the corruption of government workers. Historically, massive amounts of money (in the billions) have remained unaccounted for in fast-track government programs which featured expediency over prudent management. And with the democrats, one can rest assured that graft and corruption will follow the money.

Legislating governmental corruption …

“Actions that Could Accelerate Spending. CBO has not analyzed the various programs in detail in order to identify the specific steps that might be taken in each case to speed up spending. Some possibilities for accelerating spending in infrastructure and other grant programs include changing federal standards and requirements by:

    • Waiving requirements for environmental and judicial reviews;
    • Allowing contracts and grants to be awarded outside the normal competitive bidding process;
    • Waiving maintenance-of-effort requirements for state and local governments; and
    • Changing the way funds are distributed. For example, spending for some education programs might be sped up if the federal government used formulas instead of competitive processes to distribute funds. In the case of transportation projects, it could mean waiving formulas and instead giving priority to those grantees that are able to get to contract most quickly.”

Remember when the liberal left democrats excoriated President Bush over the Halliburton “no bid” contracts which were issued when Halliburton appeared to be the only company that could perform the required services in an accelerated time frame … well here is the exact same thing that is being considered to be legislatively implemented by the democrats. Hypocrisy, to say the least.

More of the same …

“Some funds for infrastructure projects might also be spent more quickly if recipients were:

    • Offered financial incentives for work completed within one to two years of enactment;
    • Given deadlines for obligating funds;
    • Given the authority to ‘pre-award’ contracts (that is, award contracts before all of the currently required approvals and certifications are obtained); and
    • Allowed to self-certify compliance with certain standards (federal agencies would then review paperwork and documentation after projects have begun).”

Financial incentives without controls often results in hasty, shoddy work which is a clear and present danger to the safety of American citizens. Pre-awards involve monies advanced to entities which can be spent on other projects, and should the project fail to get the necessary approvals, be irretrievably lost as the “special purpose” limited liability company formed for a particular venture simply files for bankruptcy – while the rest of the company moves on. And we all know that self-certification without controls, and severe penalties (not just money paid by the corporation but mandated jail time for its executives) is bound to result in further corruption of the system.

The scariest chart ever ...

Capture1-29-2009-6.02.31 PM

This chart, courtesy of the St. Louis Federal Reserve, shows the amount of currency in circulation. As you can plainly see, the largest early recessions/depressions (shown as gray bars) did not require huge stimulus injections. Now look at the sharp rise in money ... this is the prescription for future inflation which will rob us of purchasing value and sink future prosperity.

What can YOU do?

Observe the monumental hypocrisy of the democrats who are excoriating executive for their multi-million dollar bonuses while they dole out billions to their friends.

Considering that much of this money will be spent over a number of years, the democrats appear to be buying votes which require the recipients of these funds to vote democrat to keep the funds flowing, are you willing to cede political power to the democrats on the basis of special interest spending?

Consider also that it is unlikely that the democrat-controlled Justice Department would prosecute those who flagrantly abused the process or diverted funding as it would reflect poorly on the Administration’s oversight activities.

Consider that it is also unlikely that the mainstream media would report such events as it would run counter to their tacit support during the election cycle.

Consider that it is improbable that all of the politicians who are supporting this bill have thoroughly read and understand its 647 pages along with the supplementary materials.

You need to write your Republican Congressional representatives to thank them for remaining strong in the face of an ill-conceived, ill-advised and ill-timed program that would simply institutionalize democrat pork-barrel politics instead of providing a needed stimulus to our economy. 

You need to write to your democrat Congressional Representative to remind them that you will hold them responsible for the results of this package in 2010 and 2012.

Recessions rarely last long compared with cycles of prosperity and are often over before we see the benefits of Congressional remedies or stimulus efforts.  So consider also that this stimulus package is likely to promote disastrous inflationary or deflationary results since much of the money might be spent after the economic recovery is under way.

This stimulus package is a naked power grab by the democrats and one that is likely to move the United States down the road to socialism at a pace which may preclude remedy and mitigating action. Ask yourself, are you are willing to sell out America for a paltry $500 and the promise of future entitlements.

And consider that this governmental power grab is likely to be accelerated by the next fake crisis – global warming.

This is nothing short of an economic apocalypse!

-- steve

Quote of the Day: “If the politicians can monetize the political process and control the direct distribution of money, they can turn our nation over to our enemies without so much as single shot being fired.” – steve

A reminder from OneCitizenSpeaking.com: a large improvement can result from a small change…

The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. -- Marcus Aurelius

Reference Links:

An Assessment of How Spending from the Economic Stimulus Proposals Currently Before the Congress Could Be Accelerated|Congressional Budget Office

H.R. 1 - American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

“Making supplemental appropriations for job preservation and creation, infrastructure investment, energy efficiency and science, assistance to the unemployed, and State and local fiscal stabilization, for fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes.”

“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


AL GORE: A FEW MORE INCONVENIENT QUESTIONS ABOUT HIS APPEARANCE BEFORE A CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE ...

Today, Congress and the media were complicit in providing a forum to former Vice President Al Gore in order to commercially advertise and advocate for his global warming initiative. All of which leads me to ask a few inconvenient questions:

Question One: Why the Senate Foreign Relations Committee  and not the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works?

While a case may be made for hearing Al Gore’s speechifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the basis of their oversight of international treaties that would be used to implement any foreign agreements relating to global climate change, it is my contention that this presentation would have been more carefully considered under the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, whose Ranking Member, James Inhofe (R-OK) has done extensive work to shed light on the issue of global climate change and which is more than a rubber stamp for majority democrat positions which lead to bigger government, higher taxes and the incremental reduction in the freedoms of the average United States Citizen. 

Question Two: While it is widely assumed that you cannot lie to a Congressional Committee, why was Al Gore’s so-called testimony not submitted under oath?

It seems prudent to me that if any Senate Committee accepts what they widely characterize as “testimony,” that such information be submitted in a sworn statement by someone who is administered an oath to “tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.”

Question Three: Where the scientists who can refute Al Gore’s one-sided view of global climatology and why were the American people denied access to such testimony in order to present the issue in a fair and balanced manner?

The purpose of solicited testimony is to present Congress and the American people with the background information needed to develop effective, efficient and informed public policy legislation. It is not to promote the positions of a single political party or advocate for the self-serving enlargement of government; at least not without be subject to further scrutiny.

Question Four: Why is nobody questioning Al Gore’s apparent conflict of interest since he owns an interest in an enterprise which will be the recipient of any government funding for global warming?

Congress is known to cast a jaundiced eye on oil company executives when they are testifying, under oath, for the need to increase offshore drilling or executives and others who testify for the need to greatly expand our nuclear energy capabilities if we are ever to achieve some measure of energy independence.

Question Five: Why is Al Gore’s commercial enterprise based off-shore and out of reach of United States regulatory agencies which regulate financial offerings of a commercial nature?

Here is a former Vice President of the United States seeking billions of dollars for his pet project and yet his main commercial enterprise, Generation Investment Management, LLP  is based in London where it is regulated by the Financial Services Authority rather than the more stringent United States Regulatory Agencies and Commissions. For all intents and purposes, this company appears to be just another unregulated hedge fund that is preparing to capitalize on “cap and trade” programs as well as manage a global pool of capital in making so-called “green” investments. It should be noted that the brains behind the enterprise is David Blood, formerly the chief executive of Goldman Sachs Asset Management. Amusingly, the firm is nicknamed “Blood and Gore” based on the founder’s last names.

Gore’s other major effort,the Alliance for Climate Protection, is based in the United States and by their own literature is “aiming to persuade people of the importance, urgency and feasibility of adopting and implementing effective and comprehensive solutions for the climate crisis" Of course the Alliance for Climate Protection is a 501(c)3 organization and contributions made to the Alliance are tax deductible.

Question Five: Why is no one challenging Gore’s assertion that Carbon Dioxide is the prime trigger and/or contributor to global warming when CO2 is more plant food than pollution?

Statement to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee As Prepared

The dangerous and growing threat – a crisis (of course nobody would listen if there were not an artificially induced panic over a crisis)

“We are here today to talk about how we as Americans and how the United States of
America as part of the global community should address the dangerous and growing
threat of the climate crisis
.”

Need for immediate action … (quick, before you have time to think about it or adverse scientific facts are revealed)

“We have arrived at a moment of decision. Our home – Earth – is in grave danger. What is at risk of being destroyed is not the planet itself, of course, but the conditions that have made it hospitable for human beings. Moreover, we must face up to this urgent and unprecedented threat to the existence of our civilization at a time when our country must simultaneously solve two other worsening crises.”

Linking real problems with artificial ones … (a prime example of the left’s attempting to create equivalency between clear and present dangers and not-so-clear and not-so-present dangers)

“Our economy is in its deepest recession since the 1930s. And our national security is endangered by a vicious terrorist network and the complex challenge of ending the war in Iraq honorably while winning the military and political struggle in Afghanistan.

Truth be told, the current effects of this recession are less than those that occurred under another democrat administration, that of Jimmy Carter. And, of course, we need to gratuitously throw in “ending the war in Iraq” to appease those who do not wish us well – but continue to fund the democrat party.

“As we search for solutions to all three of these challenges, it is becoming clearer that they are linked by a common thread – our dangerous over-reliance on carbon-based fuels.”

“As long as we continue to send hundreds of billions of dollars for foreign oil – year after year – to the most dangerous and unstable regions of the world, our national security will continue to be at risk.”

“As long as we continue to allow our economy to remain shackled to the OPEC rollercoaster of rising and falling oil prices, our jobs and our way of life will remain at risk.”

I wonder if Al Gore has noticed that the current economic crisis was caused by the Wall Street Wizards who were playing games with the type of derivatives Al Gore and others propose for the energy markets, the extreme leverage of the banks as they sought to juice their investments, the unregulated non-insurance insurance that was sold to the ratings agencies to convince them to place an “investment grade” rating on junk securities, and the actions of unregulated hedge funds like the one he is currently running in England?

“Moreover, as the demand for oil worldwide grows rapidly over the longer term, even as the rate of new discoveries is falling, it is increasingly obvious that the roller coaster is headed for a crash. And we’re in the front car.
Most importantly, as long as we continue to depend on dirty fossil fuels like coal and oil to meet our energy needs, and dump 70 million tons of global warming pollution into the thin shell of atmosphere surrounding our planet, we move closer and closer to several dangerous tipping points which scientists have repeatedly warned – again just yesterday – will threaten to make it impossible for us to avoid irretrievable destruction of the conditions that make human civilization possible on this planet.”

Not only is this hyperbole of the worst kind … but he could have just said – implement a nuclear solution for power and 80% of your problem disappears, but nooooooo…. that would not serve the interests of the anti-war, anti-nuke, anti-America crowd.

“We're borrowing money from China to buy oil from the Persian Gulf to burn it in ways that destroy the planet. Every bit of that’s got to change.”

“For years our efforts to address the growing climate crisis have been undermined by the idea that we must choose between our planet and our way of life; between our moral duty and our economic well being. These are false choices. In fact, the solutions to the climate crisis are the very same solutions that will address our economic and national
security crises as well.”

Al Gore is dead wrong: these are correct choices – we should not cede our sovereignty, our economic future and our personal freedoms to benefit Gore and his fellow travelers as they make billions on the road to converting American into socialism. Our moral duty is to make America stronger, not weaker. And to base our actions on unproven and inaccurate “computer models” marks Gore as a self-serving dupe of those who do not wish the United States well. (Think George Soros whose funding is behind major initiatives to destroy American infrastructure)

“In order to repower our economy, restore American economic and moral leadership in the world and regain control of our destiny, we must take bold action now.”

Yes, I agree. We must take back our government from corrupt and self-serving politicians. We should tell Gore and those of his ilk to pound sand – preferably in Saudi Arabia.

“The first step is already before us. I urge this Congress to quickly pass the entirety of
President Obama’s Recovery package
. The plan’s unprecedented and critical investments in four key areas – energy efficiency, renewables, a unified national energy grid and the move to clean cars – represent an important down payment and are long overdue.”

“These crucial investments will create millions of new jobs and hasten our economic recovery – while strengthening our national security and beginning to solve the climate crisis.”

This is not true – and there are severe unintended consequences to allowing the democrats unfettered access to these funds – most of which are giant pork barrel projects for those who helped the democrats to win office.

And still no mention of nuclear energy …

“Quickly building our capacity to generate clean electricity will lay the groundwork for the next major step needed: placing a price on carbon. If Congress acts right away to pass President Obama's Recovery package and then takes decisive action this year to institute a cap-and-trade system for CO2 emissions – as many of our states and many other countries have already done – the United States will regain its credibility and enter the Copenhagen treaty talks with a renewed authority to lead the world in shaping a fair and effective treaty. And this treaty must be negotiated this year. Not next year. This year.”

Out credibility comes from our combined strength and resolve … not for appeasing European Socialists who are on their way to becoming the next conquest of IslamoFascists.

“A fair, effective and balanced treaty will put in place the global architecture that will place the world – at long last and in the nick of time – on a path toward solving the climate crisis and securing the future of human civilization.”

Complete and utter bullshit …

What chutzpah – solving the climate crisis, securing the future of human civilization? This man is corrupt, stupid and delusional. Of course, this is all aimed at the Messiah, the political deity who will either save us from extinction or move us down the road to socialism and a dictatorship. Where is this asshat’s proof of what he is saying. At this point it time it is all conjecture posed by those who have a self-serving agenda and whose scientific opinions have been compromised by political machinations.

“I am hopeful that this can be achieved. Let me outline for you the basis for the hope and optimism that I feel.”

“The Obama Administration has already signaled a strong willingness to regain U.S.
leadership on the global stage in the treaty talks, reversing years of inaction. This is
critical to success in Copenhagen and is clearly a top priority of the administration.

Developing countries that were once reluctant to join in the first phases of a global response to the climate crisis have themselves now become leaders in demanding action and in taking bold steps on their own initiatives. Brazil has proposed an impressive new plan to halt the destructive deforestation in that nation. Indonesia has emerged as a new constructive force in the talks. And China’s leaders have gained a strong understanding of the need for action and have already begun important new initiatives. Heads of state from around the world have begun to personally engage on this issue and forward-thinking corporate leaders have made this a top priority.”

This is complete and utter crap …

“More and more Americans are paying attention to the new evidence and fresh warnings from scientists. There is a much broader consensus on the need for action than there was when President George H.W. Bush negotiated – and the Senate ratified – the Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1992 and much stronger support for action than when we completed the Kyoto Protocol in 1997.”

Where are the non-political scientists testifying under oath? Where is the proof? In the mathematical models of an ethically-compromised computer modeler who is manipulating the raw data?

“Retired senior NASA atmospheric scientist Dr. John S. Theon, the former supervisor of James Hansen, NASA’s vocal man-made global warming fears soothsayer, has now publicly declared himself a skeptic and declared that Hansen ‘embarrassed NASA’ with his alarming climate claims and said Hansen was ‘was never muzzled.’ Theon joins the rapidly growing ranks of international scientists abandoning the promotion of anthropogenic global warming fears.”

“Theon declared ‘climate models are useless.’ ‘My own belief concerning anthropogenic climate change is that the models do not realistically simulate the climate system because there are many very important sub-grid scale processes that the models either replicate poorly or completely omit,’ Theon explained. ‘Furthermore, some scientists have manipulated the observed data to justify their model results. In doing so, they neither explain what they have modified in the observations, nor explain how they did it. They have resisted making their work transparent so that it can be replicated independently by other scientists. This is clearly contrary to how science should be done. Thus there is no rational justification for using climate model forecasts to determine public policy,’ he added.

“As Chief of several of NASA Headquarters’ programs (1982-94), an SES position, I was responsible for all weather and climate research in the entire agency, including the  research work by James Hansen, Roy Spencer, Joanne Simpson, and several hundred other scientists at NASA field centers, in academia, and in the private sector who worked on climate research.”

“Award-winning NASA Astronaut and Physicist Walter Cunningham of NASA’s Apollo 7 also recently chastised Hansen. ‘Hansen is a political activist who spreads fear even when NASA’s own data contradict him,’ Cunningham wrote in an essay in the July/August 2008 issue of Launch Magazine. ‘NASA should be at the forefront in the collection of scientific evidence and debunking the current hysteria over human-caused, or Anthropogenic Global Warming (AGW). Unfortunately, it is becoming just another agency caught up in the politics of global warming, or worse, politicized science,” Cunningham wrote.”  <Source>

According to Cunningham …

“NASA should be at the forefront in the collection of scientific evidence and debunking the current hysteria over human-caused, or Anthropogenic Global Warming (AGW). Unfortunately, it is becoming just another agency caught up in the politics of global warming, or worse, politicized science. Advocacy is replacing objective evaluation of data, while scientific data is being ignored in favor of emotions and politics.”

“There are excellent correlations between the regular fluctuations of the Sun and the Earth’s temperature, while scientists cannot find a relationship between industrial activity, energy consumption, and global temperatures. But global warming is an issue no longer being decided in the scientific arena.”

“Saying the Earth is warming is to state the obvious. Since the end of the ice age, the Earth’s temperature has increased approximately 16 degrees Fahrenheit and sea levels have risen a total of 300 feet. That is certain and measurable evidence of warming, but it is not evidence of AGW—human-caused warming.”

“We can track the temperature of the Earth back for millennia. Knowing the temperature of the Earth, past or present, is a matter of collecting data, analyzing it, and coming up with the best answer to account for the data. Collecting such data on a global basis is a NASA forte.”

I believe in global climate change, but there is no way that humans can influence the temperature of our planet to any measurable degree with the tools currently at their disposal.”

“Any human contribution to global temperature change is lost in the noise of terrestrial and cosmic factors.”

“Our beautiful home planet has been warming and cooling for the last 4.8 billion years. Most recently, it has been warming—be it ever so slightly—but there is nothing unusual about it! The changes and rates of change in the Earth’s temperature, just since the Industrial Revolution, have occurred many times in our climatic history. While climate scientists generally agree that the Earth’s temperature is always changing, not many of them would say that humans are responsible for those changes.”

None of this is to say there are not legitimate reasons to restrict emissions of any number of chemicals into the atmosphere. We should just not fool ourselves into thinking we will change the temperature of the Earth by doing so.” <Source>

According to AL Gore’s “testimony …”

“The elements that I believe are key to a successful agreement in Copenhagen include:

  • Strong targets and timetables from industrialized countries and differentiated but binding commitments from developing countries that put the entire world under a system with one commitment: to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other global warming pollutants that cause the climate crisis; 

Binding commitments which institutionalize control over our respective economies and populations.

  • The inclusion of deforestation, which alone accounts for twenty percent of the  emissions that cause global warming;

The halt to industrialization in third-world countries.

  • The addition of sinks including those from soils, principally from farmlands and grazing lands with appropriate methodologies and accounting. Farmers and ranchers in the U.S. and around the world need to know that they can be part of  the solution;

Further control over the world’s food supply and a possible move to legislate “vegetarianism.”

  • The assurance that developing countries will have access to mechanisms and resources that will help them adapt to the worst impacts of the climate crisis and technologies to solve the problem; and,

Wealth redistribution from the United States to other countries to either mitigate the financial impact of our policies on their economies and possibly as reparations for our damage to their portion of the planet with our outrageous and profligate behaviors.

  • A strong compliance and verification regime.”

The creation of an extra-judicial, world-wide police force that can bridge sovereignty issues as they interfere with the economies (and military) of other sovereign nations.

“The road to Copenhagen is not easy, but we have traversed this ground before. We have negotiated the Montreal Protocol, a treaty to protect the ozone layer, and strengthened it to the point where we have banned most of the major substances that create the ozone hole over Antarctica. And we did it with bipartisan support. President Ronald Reagan and Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill joined hands to lead the way.”

Cite bi-partisanship and throw in the work of a few revered conservative icons.

The Al Gore dog and pony show: Earth in the Balance – Part II … 

“Let me now briefly discuss in more detail why we must do all of this within the next year, and with your permission Mr. Chairman, I would like to show a few new pictures that illustrate the unprecedented need for bold and speedy action this year.”

The blind leading the blind …

“Thank you Mr. Chairman. I am eager to respond to any questions that you and the
members of the committee have.”

The questions should come from climate scientists not politicians who rarely read and/or understand the legislation they are voting on. Most politicians are vain, stupid and motivated by self-interest. And while they pretend to represent their constituencies, in reality, they represent the power players and special interests who funded their campaign and the groups who could turn out large vote counts.

Question Six: Why are those who have mismanaged our economy pushing so hard to allow stimulus and other governmental funds to be used to combat as yet unproven climate change public policy initiatives?

There is no doubt in my mind that billions of dollars of the taxpayer’s money have been siphoned off by nefarious corporations and individuals for uses never intended by Congress or the taxpayers whose pocket is being plucked by those of dubious character. By distracting and confusing the public about the exact use of these so-called bailout or stimulus funds, those who are complicit in the crime of the century will escape scot-free; and with enough money to faithfully reward those politicians and bureaucrats that enabled the theft; either through campaign contributions, honorariums and future employment for them and their relatives. 

Question Seven: Why do the global climate change poobahs never mention nuclear energy as the most effective way of curbing pollution and achieving energy independence which would strengthen our nations and insulate us from foreign domination by oil and gas blackmailers?

The short answer is that the “peace at any price” appeasers, the anti-nuke brigade of the Marxist/Communist party and others who do not wish us well have co-opted the environmental movement as a source of funding and as a political action weapon against the United States. Our enemy has learned how to generate funding from weak-minded individuals who profess to be “do-gooders” and to use our own laws against us – whether to cripple our economy by reducing water flow to Southern California (to save the delta smelt) or to cripple our military (by disallowing the use of sonar that is necessary to protect our coastlines from foreign vessels). Occasionally, these people will mention nuclear energy – which is green, sustainable and scalable – in the same breath as wind power, wave power, solar power and other unreliable, unscalable energy generators which require government subsidies to be commercially viable. Citing of course, forty-year old reactor technology and hoary tells of nuclear terror from the Chernobyl days.

In the same way low-level conflict is promoted by arms dealers, we find our enemies, the energy companies and the politicians complicit in milking the productivity of the American citizen for their own personal purposes. Wealth transfer to the rich and powerful while weakening the United States.

And the most important final question: How does one maintain accountability for funds when the very character and nature of global climate change precludes measuring and tracking any so-called progress improvement?

It is a fact that any man-made effort to control climate change cannot be directly measured as the global temperature measurements are little more than extrapolated estimates in regional areas and that any true effect on the global mean temperature will not be seen, if ever, for hundreds of years – long after we are dead and the money has disappeared into the pockets of a few wealthy families which will continue to control local and global politics through their purchased politicians.

Of course, there are artificial measures, such as tons of CO2 allegedly eliminated which are all based on corrupt reporting systems run by those with the most to gain from fudging the numbers.

The quiet revolution – funded by us!

Before we consider the traitorous nature of our politicians who are ceding political control to environmentalists and freebooters who are attempting to loot our treasury and enslave us in more government regulation and lifelong debt, perhaps we should open our eyes and stop this craziness before it continues past the tipping point: when we have lost control of our government to those who purchased it for a pittance and those who we are forced to serve via our everyday labor.

As never before, we face an enemy that is close to conquering the United States without a single shot being fired. By using our own politicians and citizens as a culpable fifth column who are willing to sell out America in exchange for campaign dollars, a comfortable lifestyle and the chance to feel good about themselves.

Funded by our enemies and those who do not wish us well, evildoers have infiltrated education, the government, the media and other critical infrastructure. It is these people who, wittingly and unwittingly, are advancing the causes of worldwide socialism. A threat far greater than IslamoFascism as it is not a clear and present danger – it is hidden among the many words and deeds of our corrupt and possibly well-meaning politicians as they continue to pursue a policy of fiscal neglect and social change.

Even the media cannot be trusted to sound the alarm – they are smitten with celebrity and the sound of their oh so politically correct voices. Imagine John Wayne meeting with Fidel Castro, Hugo Chavez or any other dictator and proclaiming that one one hand they appear to be murderous thugs, but on the other hand they appear to want the best for their people? Hard to imagine, unless you see an unrepentant Marxists-like liberals  like Sean Penn and Danny Glover spout such nonsense.

We are doing it to us. Middle America is being compromised by those from Manhattan to Malibu by way of Washington, D.C..

The acid test is simple: nuclear energy will provide us with energy independence, dramatically lower pollution, abundant and cost effect electrical power and will solve many of the problems that are claimed to be associated with global warming. So why are these global warming alarmists and others not pushing this solution.

Could it be that what I said about the infiltration of our infrastructure by the Marxists/Socialists/Communists and their old-style anti-war and anti-nuke agenda is running rampant in the United States – funded by a variety of liberal sources, both foreign and domestic – and being advanced by their fellow travelers? 

That’s the way I see it. Prove me wrong.

What can YOU do?

Am I the only one who noticed that we are proposing to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on climate research and computer modeling -- even though Al Gore tells us that the science is settled and that the majority of the scientists concur with his conclusions. Either the models are flawed and cannot be relied on to support a $6 TRILLION dollar policy decision -- or Al Gore is right and everything has already been determined. In my opinion, Al Gore is nothing but a jumped up grifter arrogantly demanding action and hoping nobody important calls "bullshit."

Before we spend more of our hard earned dollars on speculative climate ventures promoted by the socialists, communists, anarchists who have infiltrated the environmental movement in order to weaken the economy and military posture of the United States; before we cede our sovereignty to foreign-based organizations, panels and commissions which would be allowed to use the United States Courts to enforce their will upon American companies and people – let us prove, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that global climate change is more than just the natural variability of natural weather cycles and that the money that will be used to mitigate its effects would not be better spent on curbing pollution and becoming energy independent which will do more to improve our climate that the bullshit carbon cap and trade system that will only benefit the politicians, the Wall Street Wizards and our enemies.

You will notice that Senator John Kerry and other politicians and those with a vested interest, for either personal, professional or for profit reasons, speak in terms of certainty, of established scientific fact, in terms of crisis, catastrophe and the cost in human lives. With little more than climate models and supposition, these people want to, for their own purposes, dominate the United States and push it toward European socialism. They speak of the catastrophe that will be fall Earth if temperature rises only four degrees. And yet, it should be taken with a grain of salt. For those of you who are only enough to remember the United Nations’ dire predictions for a world beset with unbridled population growth – our nation, as well as the rest of the world, would have already experienced catestrophic breakdowns in social order and massive starvation. The United Nations was wrong then and they are wrong now. The difference is that nobody will be able to prove that our carbon reductions are having a climate effect, now, in our lifetime, and not for hundreds – if not thousands – of years. You must ask yourself, do we want to cede control of our nation to a group of politicians and special interest entities? The fruits of our labor, or more importantly, our freedoms? I think not.

Do not elect ideologues or political hacks that spout self-serving nonsense merely to get elected. Avoid those Marxists who, in the guise of liberal democrats, would sell out the United States to gain even a modicum of personal wealth and power.

Before we can do good for the world, let us consider doing good for ourselves.

Be well, be safe, and protect your life and money – nobody will do it for you unless they are on your payroll.

-- steve

Quote of the day: “Congress is like the weather, with a purpose that changes from day-to-day and can be predicted over the short term by taking the temperature of the surrounding public.” – steve

A reminder from OneCitizenSpeaking.com: a large improvement can result from a small change…

The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. -- Marcus Aurelius

Reference Links:

Watch Gore’s “testimony” – Note: there is a late start to the committee hearing and you might want to scroll forward to 21:35 where the action commences and the sound begins. (Talk about wasted bandwidth)

Statements:

Senator Kerry's Opening Statement
Senator Lugar's Opening Statement

Witnesses:

The Honorable Albert A. Gore, Jr, Former Vice President of the United States, Nashville, TN


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


Obama: signs full employment act for lawyers into law ...

Today, President Barack Obama reneged on his pledge of legislative transparency and signed the first legislative bill of his presidency into law. 

On its surface, the bill, H.R. 2831 “The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2007” amends title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to clarify that a discriminatory compensation decision or other practice that is unlawful under such Acts occurs each time compensation is paid pursuant to the discriminatory compensation decision or other practice.

“An aggrieved person may obtain relief including recovery of back pay for up to two years preceding the filing of the charge, where the unlawful employment practices that have occurred during the charge filing period are similar or related to practices that occurred outside the time for filing a charge.”

Thus creating a never-ending stream of work for employee compensation attorneys who will force companies and other organizations to prove that they did not discriminate against women and others when setting their individual compensation.

The democrats, also known as the party of lawyers, have finally codified the feminist ideal of “equal pay for equal jobs.” How soon will it before a secretary sues her company claiming that she should receive enhanced compensation because she is, in effect, doing much of her bosses job?

One of Obama’s pledges that was listed on his transition web site, www.change.gov, was to "not sign any non-emergency bill without giving the American public an opportunity to review and comment on the White House Web site for five days." In this case, Obama signed the legislation before it was published on the government's web site. Yes, I know -- words, just words!

Democrats – creating voters, one victim at a time!

What can YOU do?

Be prepared for a spate of legislation based on the assumption of “victimhood” to be enacted primarily for the benefit of the legal profession. Since plaintiffs often receive a paltry reward when measured against attorney’s fees and recoveries in class action lawsuits, watch for late night television ads trolling for victims – especially in the minority communities.

Prepare to feel the consequences of this legislation in terms of increased prices as companies are forced to defend their employment practices and pay huge settlements.

Watch the Justice Department and other governmental law enforcement agencies attempt to increase their budget by using this legislation as a reason to secure additional funding for enforcement activities.

-- steve

Quote of the day: “With the democrats you are either a campaign contributor or a victim of class, race, ethnic, and now, employment discrimination.” -- steve

A reminder from OneCitizenSpeaking.com: a large improvement can result from a small change…

The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. -- Marcus Aurelius

Reference Links:

Obama Signs Equal-Pay Legislation - NYTimes.com

H.R. 2831: Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2007


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


It's for the children: unfortunately not YOUR children ...

Yes, America has a soft spot in its heart for Children, Firefighters, Nurses and Bambi. But how these iconic images are manipulated to direct funding decisions, union affairs and political actions is often as shameful as it is misleading.

At a time when our healthcare infrastructure is crumbling under the assault of illegal aliens who use emergency rooms as their primary care facilities and are overburdening our hospital’s maternity rooms in the quest to create “anchor” babies, someone must make some rational decisions.

Consider for a moment the following story …

“Ana Puente was an infant with a liver disorder when her aunt brought her illegally to the U.S. to seek medical care. She underwent two liver transplants at UCLA Medical Center as a child in 1989 and a third in 1998, each paid for by the state.”

“But when Puente turned 21 last June, she aged out of her state-funded health insurance and was unable to continue treatment at UCLA.”

“This year, her liver began failing again and she was hospitalized at County-USC Medical Center. In her Medi-Cal application, a USC doctor wrote, ‘Her current clinical course is irreversible, progressive and will lead to death without another liver transplant.’ The application was denied. The county gave her medication but does not have the resources to perform transplants.”

“Late last month Puente learned of another, little-known option for patients with certain healthcare needs. If she notified U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services that she was in the country illegally, state health officials might grant her full Medi-Cal coverage. Puente did so, her benefits were restored and she is now awaiting a fourth transplant at UCLA.”

“Jose Lopez said he came to the U.S. with his mother illegally as a child. Soon after, he contracted hepatitis A and received his first liver transplant. Eight years later, he got cirrhosis and received another transplant. Both were performed at UCLA and paid for by the state.”

“As his 21st birthday approached, his mother, Maria Elena Lopez, searched for clinics that might agree to treat her son. She applied for Medi-Cal for him but has not received a response.”

These cases highlight “ two controversial issues: Should illegal immigrants receive liver transplants in the U.S. and should taxpayers pick up the cost?”

“The average cost of a liver transplant and first-year follow-up is nearly $490,000, and anti-rejection medications can run more than $30,000 annually, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing, which oversees transplantation nationwide.”

“Donor livers are also in scarce supply. In California, nearly 3,700 people are on a waiting list for livers, according to the network. Last year, 767 liver transplants were performed in the state. <Source>

Americans are a compassionate people and nobody wants to see suffering prolonged. But the fact remains, that Mexico continues to outsource their major medical cases to the United States in the form of illegal aliens.

A question of fairness …

Why should legal citizens and residents of California accept the additional burden of supplying health care to a third world country at the expense of its own citizens and their health and welfare? Considering that Hispanics have risen to political power in a number of areas, and an open border policy is backed by the democrat party, the unions and the Roman Catholic Church, we are seeing a foreign invasion take place under our nose and doing little or nothing to stem the tide of Southern California’s conversion to Alta Mexico.

Harry Reid, enabler of illegal aliens …

One need only know that Harry Reid represents the State of Nevada which has become increasingly dependent upon the use of illegal alien labor in its resort communities. And considering the historic confluence of organized crime, labor unions and gambling, one must consider that this position is a precursor to an increased role of those elements in our society which does not wish America well and believes, like good socialists,  that our resources should be shared with the world, even though it may mean shortages and disruptions at home. In the socialist model, the individual must suffer and sacrifice for the collective.

According to CNSNews.com …

”SCHIP Bill Does Not Require Photo ID or Proof of Citizenship for Socialized Health Care”

“A proposed change to the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), currently under reauthorization by Congress, could make it possible for people to get health coverage by presenting only a Social Security number, not a photo ID or proof of legal residency or citizenship, such as a birth certificate, driver’s license or passport.”

“When asked about this proposed revision in the SCHIP enrollment rules, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said the legislation ‘is enforceable and fair, and I don’t think we need to do any better than what we’ve done.’”

“Reid added that this proposed change can be debated and senators will be allowed to make amendments to SCHIP as reauthorization moves forward.”

Reversing former President Bush’s common-sense approach to controlling the rampant rise in healthcare costs by restricting delivery to those for whom the program was originally designed …

“The proposed change reverses a Bush administration regulation that required new enrollees to provide photo identification and proof of legal residency or citizenship to qualify for health coverage under SCHIP.”

Who among us has not seen the social security system complicitly sit back while fake, forged and stolen social security numbers have been used to cause millions of legal Americans to lose time, money and effort to straighten out paperwork catastrophes involving identity theft. Now we are beginning to see those who are finding that identity theft does not only extend to financial matters, but health matters as well – as insurance companies are being defrauded by those who present themselves as someone else.

“The new rule would require enrollees to present only a Social Security number and no other form of identification. This change opens the possibility that people could enroll in SCHIP with a fake or stolen Social Security number.”

Even IRS, at the urging of the financial industry, has enabled illegal aliens to obtain ITINs (Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers) which are issued without regard to immigration status and can often be used in the place of a social security number for financial transactions. And is it any wonder that the democrats are pushing hard to issue drivers licenses with photo-ID and biometric information to illegal aliens without the requirement to differentiate these licenses from those issued to legal citizens?

“The State Children’s Health Insurance Program, started in 1997, matches federal tax dollars with state funds to pay for the health care of children in families with modest incomes – incomes slightly above the cutoff for Medicaid coverage.”

Reid waffles …

One only wonder how this mediocre, and allegedly corrupt, example of a politician could rise so high in the democrat party as to assume the leadership of the Senate.

“Speaking at a press conference Friday about the past success of SCHIP, Reid was asked why the rules were changed and what states could do to prevent fraud. Reid was evasive in his answers.”

When asked if he was willing to accept the risk that people could abuse the new enrollment rule to get SCHIP coverage, Reid was evasive, telling CNSNews.com, ‘We’re going to have a full debate on this legislation. If people want to offer amendments, they can do that.’”

Here, again, is Harry Reid on the United States’ funding of abortions around the world …

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) would not comment Friday on President Obama’s reversal of the Mexico City Policy, which had prohibited U.S. tax dollars from going to organizations that promote or perform abortions abroad.”

The executive order means that abortions around the globe will now be paid for by federal funds. While Obama was expected to issue the order sometime Friday, he did not actually do so until around 7:00 p.m. that night--when weekly news coverage is at a minimum.”

“ ‘That’s not SCHIP,’ Reid responded to CNSNews.com when asked about the move to have the United States government fund abortions in other countries. Reid was speaking at a press conference at the Capitol on Friday afternoon in support of legislation to provide health insurance for children paid for by states and the federal government. ‘We can talk about that some other day,’ Reid said.” <Source>

Democrats continue their march towards universal health care coverage for all …

“Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) also was evasive in answering why Democrats removed another provision, broadly supported by congressional Republicans, which would have prevented families earning more than 300 percent of the federal poverty level from enrolling in SCHIP.”

“The bill would allow families earning more than $63,600 per year to enroll their children in federal health care.”

Jay Rockefeller is, for all intents and purposes, your typical rich, family-supported, far left democratic liberal who is insulated from the consequences of his legislative actions – and the normal day-to-day concerns facing ordinary citizens. Your typical limousine liberal who supports the concept of perfect people for a perfect world.

“We had a number of decisions to make on this,” said Rockefeller. “There are only so many fights you can take on.”

What the asshat does not understand is that you fight for “good” over “evil” and “right” over “wrong” each and every time you go to battle. There is no compromise – and those who compromise will open the door to evil just a little bit wider each and every time the lay down and claim “There are only so many fights you can take on.”

It’s for the children …

“Rockefeller chastised critics of the proposal, wondering how fellow senators could vote against a children’s bill simply because of its size.”

“ ‘To me, it should be difficult enough to (even) think of voting against a bill on children, but people around here want to do that, particularly if they can latch onto an issue like that.’”

Safeguards needed …

“The provision that could possibly allow fraudulent enrollment has been criticized by some conservative Republicans who think it lacks the provisions needed to adequately prevent illegal immigrants and others from getting free health care.”

There is no doubt that waste, fraud and corruption has driven the cost of socialized benefit costs beyond the bounds of our ability to continue to pay for adequate care and has degraded the entire healthcare infrastructure. Much of the benefits of this waste, fraud and corruption has gone to those who push nothing but paper, the insurance companies and major healthcare monitors who successfully lobbied Congress to become the well-paid gatekeeper to the system and whose executives pocket multi-million dollar bonuses and fly on private jets while legal citizens are denied healthcare in order to boost the company’s profits. Not to be overlooked is their lobbying efforts and campaign contributions which keeps them in a position of power.

Bottom line …

Truth be told, this is just another democrat ploy to obtain votes by empowering those they promoted to victimhood based on race, ethnicity, class – and now citizenship. Perhaps we should demand that the unions and the Roman Catholic Church lose their tax-exempt status and pay their fair share of the healthcare burden.

What can YOU do?

Remove the democrat socialists from office in 2010 and notify your elected officials that you are concerned about your children’s health and welfare and that the reason you are working hard and contributing your tax money to the local, state and federal government is to see that legal, law-abiding citizens receive the social benefits that they are paying for with their time, effort and money.

Consider that many cities have established clinics devoted for the care of illegal alien children and that prominent hospitals like UCLA are not primary care facilities. In the case of UCLA, while they do support emergency operations, they are considered a tertiary hospital – to be accessed for their specialty care after one has been seen by their primary care doctor/facility and/or regional/community medical center. Unless you are familiar with UCLA Hospital, now named the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, they have completed their new earthquake-resistant hospital – which contains fewer beds than the old hospital facility, thus making medical care harder to access.

There is no doubt that we need comprehensive immigration reform and we must remove politics, the unions and the church from the decision-making. My suggestions for such a program can be found at the end of my recent blog entry titled, “The public relations push to grant amnesty to illegal aliens on humanitarian grounds?

Consider that celebrities and other wealthy limousine liberals often attempt to make themselves feel better or justify the tremendous amount of money they have earned by promoting positions from which they are isolated. They have the money which can buy the best medical care in the world. They do not stand in lines and deal with the aggressive bureaucratic functionaries whose primary task is to say NO. Especially egregious are those who were born with a silver spoon in their mouths such as the Kennedys and Rockefellers. Families of privilege whose protection even extends to covering up crime and wrongdoing.

Remember, the United States is under assault for foreign powers who are “demographically bombing” the United States with illegal aliens whom they hope will retain their national allegiance when, and if, they are given citizenship. In addition to destroying our healthcare, education, judicial, retirement, social and cultural infrastructure – they are gaining the political power to vote us out of our own homes and turn America into a third-world nation.

It has always been a point of contention that we have, here in American, an underserved class of poverty-stricken blacks who live in crumbling democrat-ruled ghettos and certainly, as legal American citizens, deserve more consideration than illegal aliens. Their democrat-ruled school systems often produce illiterates and that is one of the root causes of continued poverty. Unfortunately, they do not make the connection between the democrats who talk about victimization and the democrats whose foot is on their neck. All led by self-proclaimed reverends and community activists who serve as Judas goats to perpetuate their victimhood to gain and maintain democrat political power. A reading assignment, Dr. Lenton Aikins’ book: While African-Americans Slept: Leadership by Parasites.”

Be well and be safe. Take care of yourself and your family first. Nobody in Mexico, China or any other foreign country cares about your welfare or is willing to reciprocate by providing the rights and privileges we accord to illegal aliens to your fellow United States citizens.

-- steve

Quote of the day: “In tough times, charity begins at home.” -- unknown

A reminder from OneCitizenSpeaking.com: a large improvement can result from a small change…

The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. -- Marcus Aurelius

Reference Links:

SCHIP Bill Does Not Require Photo ID or Proof of Citizenship for Socialized Health Care|CNSNews.com


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


Republicans: Scared to do their jobs?

An imagined catastrophe …

The greatest catastrophe which can befall a politician is not getting elected or maintaining the office to which he holds or aspires. And the greatest catastrophe that can befall a political party, other than a severe imbalance in fundraising, is for its individual members to become professional, perpetual politicians who are afraid to do anything which might impact their candidacy in the next election cycle. Thus is born a cadre of gutless wonders who speak loudly and we all know where they keep their big stick.

You don’t win the hearts and minds of your constituents by abandoning your principles …

There is no doubt in my mind that the Republican Party’s Rockefeller wing has abandoned the conservative principles of Ronald Reagan. And that they listened to some political consultant who advised them that the American people were tired of strident rhetoric, continual strife and that the Republican Party needed to moderate its stance to attract those in the middle and those voters who were already sliced and diced by democrats into identifiable constituencies by race, ethnicity, class and citizenship. In essence, become the lite version of liberal democrats.

End result: disaster!

We all saw how that worked out. We got a Presidential Candidate who, when not openly disagreeing with his own party, was bed-hopping into the democrat camp in a display of bi-partisanship. Bi-partisanship which cost us the election and gave us some of the worst legislation ever to be crafted.

Mc-Cain Feingold opened up campaign finances to a Pandora’s box of evil outsiders, some of whom were foreign and precluded from financing an American election.

McCain-Kennedy immigration reform which was little more than amnesty for the illegal aliens who were already destroying our healthcare, education, judicial, retirement, social and cultural infrastructure.

McCain-Lieberman which attempted to institutionalize the myth of global warming and which would have led to a severe disruption in our economy and military affairs. Like man is responsible for the global weather and can change it by empowering the Wall Street Wizards to create and trade carbon credits. 

And even though he was denied the Presidency, McCain and his democrat pal Joseph Lieberman and his RINO (Republican In Name Only) Lindsey Graham continue to provide aid and comfort to the democrat party.

The Republican Leadership is upset …

  Now we find that the Republican Leaders are turning on conservative radio talk show hosts who are criticizing their leadership, or lack thereof, and pointing out the obvious: there are fewer Republicans in office due to their failed election strategies. They talk tough about how talk radio is only confusing the base and helping to erode their efforts to re-constitute the party’s brand. In essence, the continue to support the democrat position that conservative talk radio must be silenced, perhaps by a return of the so-called “Fairness Doctrine” under the guise of establishing a new concern for “localism.” Eschewing the nationally syndicated powerhouse talkers in favor of local talkers who are unable to command such a major audience as to influence party politics.

The cowards whine …

While these politicians whine that talk radio show hosts are making their leadership roles difficult, the truth is they are afraid. Afraid that attacking a sitting President with high approval numbers will alienate them from their constituency which will ultimately affect their candidacy in the next election cycle.

Too bad they don’t have the smarts to understand that you are not attacking the President or even the democrat party – you are describing the principles for which you stand and the positions you are willing to support in the face of fierce opposition.

It is not so much the need to attack the democrats as it is to put forth a fair, honest and ethical platform and invite all those in agreement to help you achieve your political goals. The trick is to pick issues that resonate with the people and point out that those who simply offer more and more entitlements in return for political support are bankrupting the nation.

In addition, it is time to put aside the “old club” rules which forbid attacks on fellow politicians. It is time to point our hypocrisy and corruption wherever it is found. It is time to say no to the special interests who tell the politicians that they can’t win without their tainted money and votes.

It is time for the people to take back their government …

It is time that we told the politicians, face-to-face, that they will be thrown out of office if they continue to engage in political maneuvers which hurt their constituents and support the special interests. That the people would rather see an ethical politician from the other party rather than a hypocritical and corrupt one from their own party in office.

Rush, Hannity, Levin …

The conservative talk show hosts are merely facilitators of the conversation. They are mirrors which reflect back their audience’s opinions on a variety of subjects, some important and some not so important. The hosts help to clarify the subjects being discussed.

And the reason they are hated by the opposition is because they give rise to a national discussion of the issues. Callers who disagree with the host’s position are often given quicker access to the host than those who agree. For it is only when the host challenges those who disagree with the host’s position, does the entire story unfold on the national stage. Silliness and stupidity are exposed and the American people can develop an informed opinion. No doubt why politicians in both political parties want to mitigate the power of talk radio.

These hosts are made more powerful by the mainstream media which either deliberately shades the truth in order to mix unacknowledged political commentary into their reporting or try to fit complex subjects into 3-minute segments. There is no doubt that the mainstream media skews left in favor of liberal democrats. And there is no doubt that they compromised their journalistic ethics to support an unknown candidate; one who has not been fully vetted to this day.

Suspicions of a stalking horse …

Some are beginning to believe that Obama and his fellow Clintonistas were the best thing to happen. It provides the Republican party with a plausible reason for the continued failure of democrat policies and takes the sting out of a Republican Administration which abandoned conservative principles – leading to domestic economic chaos and somewhat a failure of foreign affairs. Yes, they did keep the nation safe after 9/11 – but in the minds of many Americans, it was the way they went about it that rankled. How stupid must you be to consider waterboarding torture after watching Daniel Pearl or Nick Berg beheaded on video by the terrorists?

Never forget …

Who cares what the cheese-eating surrender monkeys in France think about America? Who cares what nations, who owe their existence and economies to America, thinks about our politics. Only those who do not wish us well, the democrats and their media friends. And unfortunately, they were able to parlay a confluence of stage-managed events into an election winning coalition. But, as we can easily anticipate, they will return to their ethical roots and be quickly mired in a cesspool of waste, fraud and corruption.

For those requiring an object lesson, see if you can view the following two videos – and then condemn America for its actions.

The first strike …

The second strike …

I purposely did not include the footage of the terrorist beheading of journalist Daniel Perl or communications worker Nicholas Berg.

Torture and atrocities which kill and maim their own citizens are commonplace in Islamic Countries. And while there are those who condemn those in the United States for betraying our national principles and engaging in torture – this is a media-driven story put forth by those who hate America. These are the people who are siding with an enemy who would rather kill every man, woman and child that has not sworn allegiance to the Islam faith and the mullahs who administer it.

These are the people who really want to shut down talk radio …

Before you condemn talk radio and claim that it is doing a disservice to America, consider exactly who is left to speak the truth to the American people and those who lead this great nation.

What can YOU do?

Realize that the truth is often repugnant to those politicians who are complicit in wrongdoing. People like Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and the ilk want only their spin-doctored and tested viewpoint to be carried to the American people. So it is in our best interests to demand that our elected officials keep their hands off the media, especially talk radio.

The mainstream media, typified by NBC, is in the tank for Obama and the far left liberal democrats. Whether for the purposes of securing a corporate advantage, funding or simply following their leaderships liberal left viewpoint, the journalistic ethics of the mainstream media have been severely compromised and one can hardly regard the failing New York Times as the newspaper of national record. 

Be careful when listening to politicians. They will lie, cheat, steal and say or do anything to obtain and remain in office.

Be safe, be well – and vote for YOUR interests and those of AMERICA first. You can no longer trust your political party or their leadership.

-- steve

Quote of the Day: “Freedom of Speech means listening to those things you abhor in order to develop your own viewpoint of events which others see differently.” -- steve

A reminder from OneCitizenSpeaking.com: a large improvement can result from a small change…

The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. -- Marcus Aurelius

Reference Links:


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


Accounting for failure or the failure of accounting? (Updated)

UPDATE 02-04-09 IT'S ABOUT TIME ...

The Nationa Law Journal is reporting ... 

"Minnesota accounting firm has been hit by lawsuits alleging that it failed to detect problems in two separate Ponzi schemes -- the purported $50 billion investment scam by New York financier Bernard Madoff and the $3.5 billion alleged "electronics" scheme by Thomas Petters."

"The suits against McGladrey & Pullen, a national 100-office auditing firm in Bloomington, Minn., and similar suits stemming from the Madoff scandal against accounting firms KPMG, Ernst & Young and BDO Seidman, point up the likely spread of litigation as financial victims attempt to recover massive losses."

Original blog entry:

The blame game …

Once again we are presented with politicians running off at the mouth about the systemic causes of today’s financial crisis. Partially to diffuse and depersonalize blame and partially to deflect their own complicity in the meltdown of financial markets and institutions. 

There are those who blame President Bush for encouraging a laissez-faire, hands off policy when it comes to regulatory policies and then need for stringent oversight.

There are those who blame the Administration’s politicalized Agencies for faithfully executing what they believed to be the President’s policies.

There are those who blame Congress for using financial legislation to reward some special interest friends and punish others. For urging a relaxation in loan documentation for a politically valuable class of voters consisting of ethnic, racial and social class minorities; all in the guise of providing affordable housing.

There are those who blame the Wall Street Wizards for creating and marketing derivative products with dubious values.

There are those who blame the mortgage industry for allowing uncreditworthy borrowers to obtain loans for properties that they could never afford. And for manipulated appraisals and documentation.

There are those who blame the Federal Reserve for artificially manipulating interest rates to encourage the ever-expanding global pool of capital to seek refuge in the mortgage market.

And there are those who blame the consumer and commercial credit ratings agencies whose models failed to protect against a trend of uncreditworthy borrowers and suspicious loans.

Who enabled those who participated in the financial crisis?

And while all of these parties are partially to blame, one group stands out as not being publically excoriated for enabling the massive failure of today’s financial and social institutions. A group at the heart of almost every singular and institutionalized fraud. A group which overlooked their implicit charter to the people of the United States and their profession.

ACCOUNTANTS!

Behind each and every fraudulent company and transaction stood a legion of accountants. Some representing well-known signature firms, others lesser known but regionally powerful.

So how does a practitioner of a profession who signs a statement that: in their learned opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of  the institution being audited; escape the consequences of their actions?

Escape, evasion and lawyer’s letters …

While we freely admit that it is possible for an organization to hide material facts from its auditors and that sampling may fail to reveal an ongoing fraud, what excuse can be made for the accounting profession?

A profession which wrote the rules that enabled the creation and accounting for derivatives?

A profession which wrote the rules regarding “off balance sheet” transactions which hide mounting risk and losses from the parties which rely on the accounting profession to protect the public, the shareholders and the counterparties involved with the enterprise?

A profession which stretched the limits of financial prudence and credulity in continuing to report on the ongoing activities of fatally flawed enterprises which they knew for certain were insolvent; that is that the losses had wiped out the shareholder’s equity and forced the firms into short-term borrowing to meet the costs of day-to-day operational expenses?

A profession which saw executive compensation bonuses and individual expenses that represented a significant impairment of the firm’s working capital and said nothing – not even a peep in the footnotes.

And a profession which now is working on loosening even the current standards as they implement European-style accounting which is even more subjective and compromising than the current United States accounting model.

How the hell can we trust our government and those firms who are receiving billions of the taxpayer’s hard earned dollars when we know the accounting system is flawed and its practitioner’s corrupted by those who reward them with audit and consulting business?

HOW DOES THE ACCOUNTING PROFESSION REDEEM ITS HONOR AFTER BEING COMPLICIT IN ONE OF THE WORST FINANCIAL DISASTERS IN AMERICA.

And, even worse, how does the government demonstrate to its constituency, the people of the United States, that the nation’s books are true, correct and accurate? That the taxpayer’s money is fully accounted for and that even the “black money” used in covert operations has not been stolen by some nefarious party?

The government knows its accounting systems and controls are deficient …

The government dictum, “as long as it is disclosed somewhere,” it provides us with political deniability has never been truer.

Consider this report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) …

“WASHINGTON (December 15, 2008) - For the 12th year in a row, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) was prevented from expressing an opinion on the consolidated financial statements of the U.S. government—other than the Statement of Social Insurance—because of numerous material internal control weaknesses and other limitations.”

“While significant progress has been made in improving financial management since the federal government began preparing consolidated financial statements 12 years ago, three major impediments have continued to prevent us from rendering an opinion on the accrual basis consolidated financial statements over this period of time.” 

Let’s review: 12 years in a row after the program was implemented 12 years ago = the accounting has never been accurate and the government’s books have never been balanced!

“Those include serious financial management problems at the Department of Defense, the federal government’s inability to adequately account for and reconcile intragovernmental activity and balances between federal agencies, and the federal government’s ineffective process for preparing the consolidated financial statements.”

“[Acting Comptroller General of the United States, Gene] Dodaro also noted three additional material weaknesses related to improper payments, information security, and tax collection activities.”

“Dodaro added that at least three major agencies did not get clean opinions – the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).”

No surprise here!

Who can we trust?

A country who can perform millions of computations per second to place a manned space vehicle on the moon certainly can design an accurate and effective accounting system. However, considering the national political priorities and the institutionalized political corruption, perhaps this accounting fail is by design rather than by accidental happenstance.  

If we are not able to trust the accounting profession to eliminate, isolate or disclose all of the sophisticated accounting dodges to provide the public with true and correct information, perhaps we should eliminate all restrictions to entering the accounting field and allow anyone to hold themselves out as a CPA – after seeing the results of this financial disaster, I am not so certain that the accounting profession’s stars function any better than lawyers who, as advocates, will shade and bend the truth to accommodate their client’s needs – even as they profess to be professionals and officers of the court.  

In the final analysis …

There is but one principal accounting principle that should be remembered:

Solvency represents the ability of an enterprise to pay its bills and service its debt without government intervention and accounting fictions.

And one warning to the accounting profession:

We need accountants who can cry “bullshit” when the public is being deceived – and if they are found complicit in enabling deceit; jail seems a nice place for them to remain while they study honest accounting techniques.

What can YOU do?

Perhaps we should ask our politicians to end the fiction of a fiscal year so as to enable ordinary people to understand the true expenditures and budgets on the same calendar basis the majority of citizens use for their accounting.

Perhaps we should demand that our politicians delay the implementation of IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) until they are proven to be better than the current United States GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles).

Considering the financial disaster brought about by the use of derivatives and other sophisticated financial instruments, perhaps we should demand that derivatives be outlawed until the government creates rules and regulation for their creation, use and marketing and that an exchange is established to add transparency to all derivative trades.

Likewise, we need the government to prohibit the use of credit default swaps by companies which do not create actuarially sound reserves and hold these instruments out as unregulated insurance. Especially considering that there may be 55 TRILLION dollars worth of CDS paper floating around the firmament – waiting to consume companies like a blast furnace consumes paper.

Bottom line: demand that our elected officials re-think the accounting profession, its rules and practitioners before we trust them with another trillion dollars of the taxpayer’s hard earned funds.

-- steve

Quote of the day: “Trust but verify!” – Ronald Wilson Reagan

A reminder from OneCitizenSpeaking.com: a large improvement can result from a small change…

The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. -- Marcus Aurelius

Reference Links:

Fiscal Year 2008 Financial Report of the United States Government| Treasury Department and Office of Management and Budget


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


THE REAL PRESIDENT BEHIND BARACK OBAMA?

It seems especially ironic that the man touted to be the second most powerful man in the Administration is not the Vice President – who appears to be a genial boob given to making verbal gaffes and outrageous comments; but a diminutive, white, Jewish iconoclast who was a former ballet dancer. Once again, indicating that President Barack Obama appears to be an intelligent, telegenic and well-spoken empty suit with attention deficit disorder – clearly illustrating the perennial triumph of style over substance. And proving, once again, that you can fool a majority of the people most of the time. At least enough to cobble together a coalition to support the far-left liberal democrats who appear to be all about money, politics, revenge and the mean-spirited pursuit of everlasting power. Democrats, many of whom are nothing more than corrupt, demagogues and petty dictators. Not exactly a pleasant scenario as they are playing with billions of dollars in taxpayer funds.

According to the New York Times …

“Mr. Emanuel is arguably the second most powerful man in the country and, just a few days into his tenure, already one of the highest-profile chiefs of staff in recent memory. In recent months, he has played a critical role in the selection and courtship of nearly every cabinet member and key White House staff member.”

“Renowned as a fierce partisan, he has been an ardent ambassador to Republicans, including Mr. Obama’s defeated rival, Senator John McCain. He has exerted influence on countless decisions; in meetings, administration officials say, Mr. Obama often allows him to speak first and last.”

“ ‘You can see how he listens and reacts to Rahm,’ said Ron Klain, the chief of staff to Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. ‘You can see that his opinion is being shaped.’”

“How will the feisty, bombastic and at times impulsive former congressman blend with the cool, collegial and deliberate culture of Obama World? And one that is trying to foster bipartisanship? This is someone who once wrote in Campaign and Elections magazine that ‘the untainted Republican has not yet been invented’ and who two years ago — according to a book about Mr. Emanuel (“The Thumpin’ ” by Naftali Bendavid) — announced to his staff that Republicans are ‘bad people who deserve a two-by-four upside their heads.’”

A makeover …

“It is clear to friends and colleagues that Mr. Emanuel is trying to rein himself in, lower his voice, even cut down on his use of profanity.”

“ ‘As chief of staff, you take on the aura and image and, in some instance, the political values of the person you work for,’ said the former congressman Ray LaHood, an Illinois Republican who is now secretary of transportation. ‘I think he’s beginning to morph himself into the Obama image.’”

Perhaps this observed change is designed to mute the obvious: that it is Emanuel’s opinion that is shaping policy and that Obama may be a marginal player – a titular figurehead – in his own Administration. With an image of thoughtfully listening to all arguments, weighing the situation at hand and then becoming the “decider,” as President Bush so aptly described.

“Mr. Emanuel acknowledged in an interview that stereotypes of him as a relentless hothead had some factual basis. But it is an exaggerated or outdated picture, he said.”

“ ‘I’m not yelling at people; I’m not jumping on tables,’ he said. ‘That’s a campaign. Being the chief of staff of a government is different. You have different tools in your toolbox.’”

Which chief?

“Still, his high profile and temperament are at odds with that of some past White House chiefs of staff: They were often low-key types who put the ‘staff’ part of their job titles before ‘chief’ — as Andrew H. Card Jr., the longtime chief of staff to former President George W. Bush, suggested to Mr. Emanuel last month.”

“Mr. Emanuel, who had hopes of becoming the next speaker of the House, has stepped into a job characterized by short tenures — just under two and a half years, on average — high burnout rates and the need to subjugate personal ambitions to the service of the president.”

Even if Obama does not serve a second term in office, there is no doubt that Emanuel will continue to play a part in partisan politics. His future is tied to one person, and that person is not Barack Obama, it is Rahm Emanuel.

“He is not accustomed to fading discreetly into the background. As a staff member in the Clinton White House, a three-term House member from Chicago and the chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, he was viewed by many as a consummate purveyor of a crass, kneecapping brand of politics.”

Roasting Emanuel …

Mr. Obama acknowledged as much at a 2005 roast for Mr. Emanuel, who is a former ballet dancer, during which Mr. Obama credited him with being “the first to adopt Machiavelli’s ‘The Prince’ for dance” (a number that included “a lot of kicks below the waist”). When Mr. Emanuel lost part of his middle finger while cutting meat at an Arby’s as a teenager, Mr. Obama joked, the accident “rendered him practically mute.”

“The video of that roast has become a recent sensation on the Internet and buttressed a view among some Republicans that Mr. Emanuel’s appointment was, in the words of the House minority leader, Representative John A. Boehner, ‘an ironic choice for a president-elect who has promised to change Washington, make politics more civil.’”

Rather than highlighting the fact that, like all pragmatic politicians, Obama often says one thing and does another, one might consider that Rahm Emanuel was the perfect choice. Especially considering the number of Clintonistas who may still owe their allegiance to the former president, Hillary Clinton and a the number of hated Republicans who are still serving in the Obama Administration. One needs a heavy-handed enforcer to keep these people in line – and that role suits Emanuel to a tee.

“Mr. Obama had settled on his fellow Chicagoan to be his chief of staff well before he was elected. He was drawn to Mr. Emanuel’s experience in both the White House and Congress and called him ‘the whole package’ of political acumen, policy chops and pragmatism. He is also a skilled compromiser. ‘He knows there is a time in this business to drop the switchblades and make a deal,’ said Representative Adam H. Putnam, Republican of Florida.”

Not to mention that Emanuel is steeped in the dirty politics of the Chicago machine and understands, probably better than most, where the mines that could potentially sidetrack Obama are buried.

The promises of real power …

“Mr. Emanuel initially resisted taking the job. But he came around after Mr. Obama kept insisting, saying that these were momentous times and that the awesome tasks he faced required Mr. Emanuel’s help. The then president-elect also assured Mr. Emanuel that the position would be the functional equivalent of ‘a No. 2’ or ‘right-hand man,’ according to a person familiar with their exchanges.”

“Since taking the job, Mr. Emanuel spent endless hours reaching out to lawmakers. Mr. Reid gave out Mr. Emanuel’s personal cellphone number — with Mr. Emanuel’s blessing — at a caucus meeting of about 40 Senate Democrats earlier this month. (“He seems to speak to every senator every day,” said Senator Charles E. Schumer, Democrat of New York.)”

“He has been equally solicitous of Republicans in Congress (who also have been given access to Mr. Emanuel’s private contact information). On days he does not swim, he works out — and conducts business — at the House gym: 25 minutes on the bike, 20 minutes on the elliptical, 120 sit-ups, 55 push-ups and many sweaty conversations with his former colleagues. In a recent encounter there, for instance, with Representative Peter Hoekstra, Republican of Michigan, Mr. Emanuel secured his support for Leon E. Panetta to become director of the Central Intelligence Agency.”

Actions speak louder than words …

“So far, Mr. Emanuel has been more chief than staff in performing his job, according to several officials. He advocated fiercely for posts for fellow Clinton administration alums like Hillary Rodham Clinton and Mr. Panetta; not so much for the outgoing Democratic National Committee chairman, Howard Dean, with whom he had clashed while at the Congressional Campaign Committee. (‘He was never negative about Dean,’ said the Obama transition head, John Podesta, who added, “I wouldn’t characterize it as the other way, either.’)”

“Mr. Emanuel has also served as the administration’s chief headhunter. When the Office of Management and Budget director, Peter R. Orszag, had doubts about taking the job, Mr. Emanuel went into his default mode — jackhammering away at him, tracking him down in Hong Kong. “You can’t sit on the sidelines; you’ve got to come inside,” Mr. Emanuel told him.

“Asked if ‘relentless’ would be a fair characterization of Mr. Emanuel’s recruitment method, Mr. Orszag said, simply: ‘He’s Rahm. Come on.’”

Many a truth is spoken in jest …

“At a White House gathering with Mr. Obama and a bipartisan team of lawmakers on Friday, the House majority leader, Steny Hoyer, joked that Mr. Emanuel was too busy to talk to him, so he called the president instead. Mr. Obama said he was always happy to take calls for his chief of staff — a reference to an incident a few weeks ago when Mr. Hoyer called Mr. Emanuel, who was in the back of a car and claimed he was too busy to talk, so he handed the phone to Mr. Obama.”

“In meetings, it is not uncommon for Mr. Obama and Mr. Emanuel to engage in teasing banter. One White House official recalls an exchange last week in which Mr. Obama said something to the effect of, ‘Well, I was going to do that, but I didn’t want Rahm to mope for a half-hour.’”

Just asking …

Why did the journal of the new socialist left, the New York Times, paint such an unflattering portrait of Rahm Emanuel?

Certainly not to inform the public.

Might it be that the New York Times is worried that Emanuel’s pragmatic political sense may actually be holding a more radical Obama in check; and that the Times is openly advocating for more socialistic behaviors?

Or, it might be that the New York Times is flexing its editorial muscle in order to remind the politicians that they are still relevant – even though their circulation numbers and finances tend to indicate that they have lost a significant amount of their audience when they started to abandon their journalistic ethics and become hyper-partisan shills for Obama and the democrat party.

Or perhaps they are setting the stage for some form of corporate bailout? How embarrassing is it to have a Mexican national, Carlos Slim, bail out the newspaper that touts itself as the “national record”  from their self-induced financial difficulties – and at loan shark rates?

And how embarrassing is it to be accused of editorial interference in not covering the rumors that a high profile potential Senate Appointee, Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg, might allegedly be having an affair with the man that heads the New York Times – even though both are married to other people.

Bottom line – the United States is stronger for having Rahm Emanuel in the White House …

Say what you will about Emanuel’s partisanship or choice of political party, relatively few have claimed Emanuel to be a shrill ideologue, overt socialist or one who hates his Country. No one has ever doubted that Rahm Emanuel would not do everything in his power to protect Israel from annihilation. Truth be told, Rahm Emanuel is Barack Obama’s Dick Cheney – a man who is more qualified to assume the presidency than his boss.

What can YOU do?

Continue to watch the New York Times with a jaundiced eye. They have proven that they have compromised their journalistic ethics to become partisan cheerleaders. They can no longer be relied on to separate corporate and editorial interests and that one suspects that their ability to “tell truth to power” has been severely compromised.

Consider that Rahm Emanuel may be the right person, in the right place and at the right time. A moderating pragmatic force that will keep President Obama from catering to the loony leftists who are hell-bent on socializing America as they weaken her economy and military for a strategic global advantage for those who do not wish America well.

While I would much rather have had a conservative Republican in office (certainly not McCain who now appears to be a Judas Goat leading the Republican Party further astray), I am encouraged that a Emanuel/Obama team may take good enough care of the country to keep it from further disintegration and a poor enough job to allow a conservative Republican to be elected in 2010.

Let us not forget that we need re-build the Republican party from the ground up. To sidetrack the North Eastern effete liberals (who now find themselves completely without Congressional power) in favor of Reagan conservatives. Get involved in your local Republican organization. Money is essential – but so are a committed group of volunteers who can bring forth the conservative message.

-- steve

Quote of the day: To modify a Sarah Palin quip … “What is the difference between an ex-ballet dancer and a pit bull?” “Nothing – just as Rahm Emanuel”

A reminder from OneCitizenSpeaking.com: a large improvement can result from a small change…

The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. -- Marcus Aurelius

Reference Links:

Partisan, Playful and Profane, Obama Aide Tries to Hold It In - NYTimes.com


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


Barney Frank: An example of why the democrats cannot be trusted with large sums of money ...

The problem with democrats is they cannot divorce special interest politics and money from their legislative decisions. And one of the most powerful legislators in Congress is House Financial Services Chairman, Barney Frank.

Lack of judgment …

  • One, the House Ethnics committee reprimanded because he "reflected discredit upon the House" by using his congressional office to fix 33 parking tickets for his gay lover.

According to reports, Frank paid Gobi $80 for sex and then “tried to rehabilitate the drug-using prostitute by hiring him to run errands and lending him the use of his apartment.

Members of the House Ethics committee was said to believe Frank when he denied any knowledge of the prostitution ring being run out of his residence.

  • Two, nobody complained when Frank engaged in a gay relationship with Herb Moses, an executive at Fannie from 1991 to 1998, where he helped to develop affordable housing and home improvement lending programs for Fannie Mae. Especially when Barney Frank’s committee was actively resisting bi-partisan calls for the reform of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and creating “affordable housing” legislation. Even though Frank witnessed first hand the corruption in both institutions, where there the management of both institutions allegedly cooked the books to earn hundreds of millions in executive bonuses. Frank continued to tout the safety and soundness in the months prior to the collapse of both institutions into a federal conservatorship. 
  • And three … Frank continues to infuse special interest politics with the allocation of banking bailout funds under the TARP (Troubled Assets Relief Program); which is the subject of this blog entry.

An example of Frank’s intervention …

According to the Wall Street Journal …

“Troubled OneUnited Bank in Boston didn't look much like a candidate for aid from the Treasury Department's bank bailout fund last fall.”

“The Treasury had said it would give money only to healthy banks, to jump-start lending. But OneUnited had seen most of its capital evaporate. Moreover, it was under attack from its regulators for allegations of poor lending practices and executive-pay abuses, including owning a Porsche for its executives' use.”

“Nonetheless, in December OneUnited got a $12 million injection from the Treasury's Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP. One apparent factor: the intercession of Rep. Barney Frank, the powerful head of the House Financial Services Committee.”

Mr. Frank, by his own account, wrote into the TARP bill a provision specifically aimed at helping this particular home-state bank. And later, he acknowledges, he spoke to regulators urging that OneUnited be considered for a cash injection.”

Who is OneUnited …

Capture1-22-2009-5.07.32 PM

According to their web site … 

“OneUnited Bank is the first Black-owned internet bank, the first Black-owned interstate bank and the largest Black-owned and managed bank in the country with offices in urban communities of California, Florida and Massachusetts. Its mission is to provide affordable financial services to support economic development in urban communities and maintain superior financial performance to maximize shareholder value.”

The Bank's operations consist primarily of originating and purchasing mortgage loans - with a focus on urban and low-to-moderate income communities - and funding that activity with the gathering of affordable FDIC insured deposits. The Bank supplements mortgage lending activities with additional interest-earning assets such as United States Government Agency securities and mortgage-backed securities and funding sources such as advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston. The Bank generates fee income on deposit and loan accounts and, depending on market conditions, net gains on sales of securities and loans. The level of its expenses such as salaries and benefits, occupancy and equipment costs, other general and administrative expenses and income tax expense further affects the Bank's net income. The Bank's mission is to achieve superior financial performance.”

“The OneUnited Bank vision is to unite urban communities across America and build wealth. As an FDIC insured institution, with state-of-the-art technology, a dedicated and experienced branch staff and loan officers who know customers by name, with over a half a billion dollars in assets and locations from coast-to-coast, the Bank is ready to serve.” <Source>

And why is that a problem …

Far from being a sound and prudently run bank, the FDIC felt compelled to issue a “cease and desist” order that cited a number of self-serving management issues.

ORDER TO CEASE AND DESIST
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Bank and its institution-affiliated parties, and its successors and assigns, cease and desist from the following unsafe or unsound banking practices and violations of law:

a. Operating with an inadequate level of capital for the kind and quality of assets held;

b. Failing to provide adequate supervision and direction over the officers of the Bank;

c. Operating without an appropriate risk management program that establishes acceptable risk exposure and ensures appropriate policies and practices are in place;

d. Allowing the payment of excessive compensation, fees and benefits to its senior executive officers;

e. Operating with an excessive level of criticized assets;

f. Operating without effective underwriting standards and practices;

g. Operating without an effective loan documentation program;

h. Failing to provide for an effective system to identify problem assets and prevent deterioration;

i. Engaging in speculative investment practices and failing to prudently diversify its equities portfolio;

j. Operating without a system to monitor and evaluate earnings and ensure maintenance of adequate capital and reserves;

k. Operating with deficient earnings;

l. Operating without sufficient liquidity, in light of the asset and liability mix and overall financial condition of the Bank; and

m. Committing violations of law and regulation.

Other issue include a party house in California, car leases and reimbursement of executive expenses …

6. (a) Within ninety (90) days from the effective date of this ORDER, the Bank shall rescind any and all lease agreements, contracts or arrangements with, and shall cease paying for any expenses related to, 703 Pacific Palisades Beach Road, LLC, its principals, successors or assigns.

(b) Within ninety (90) days from the effective date of this ORDER, the Bank shall sell all Bank-owned automobiles and other vehicles provided to or for the use of the Bank’s executive officers; and shall require all executive officers to reimburse the Bank for the fair market value of any automobiles or vehicles purchased by the Bank in the names of such executive officers or their related interests.
(c) Within ninety (90) days from the effective date of this ORDER, the Bank shall amend the supplemental health benefits for the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President, so that such benefits are comparable to those currently available to other executive officers of the Bank.

(d) Within sixty (60) days from the effective date of this ORDER, the Board shall engage a qualified independent consultant, acceptable to the Area Director and the Commissioner, to assess the appropriateness of all current and deferred compensation paid to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and the President, in light of each individual’s competence, responsibilities, and performance. The analysis will include a comparison of such compensation to that of Banks of comparable size and complexity, and, based on the forgoing analyses and comparisons, will identify an appropriate level of compensation for each individual. The analysis will also include a determination of the reasonableness of all perquisites, including, but not limited to items such as housing and automobile allowances and/or benefits.

By all accounts, the executives were running the bank in a manner which seems to be placing their self-interests over those of their shareholders and depositors. Not that these executives are any different from those in larger financial institutions. But what is different is that Barney Frank inappropriately interfered with those involved in making sound and prudent funding decisions. It is unknown if Barney Frank also had any contact with any regulatory agencies on behalf of OneUnited and/or its executives or directors.

Three strikes and you’re out!

These are only three of, heaven knows how many, special interest interventions in governmental affairs. This is more about Barney Frank’s judgment rather than his qualifications.

Not only did Barney Frank preside over the most stunning failure of our financial system in modern times, he apparently acted in such a manner as to bring about the collapse of the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

If the democrats in the House of Representatives were as honorable and as ethical as they claim to be … they would refer this matter to the Department of Justice for investigation by a special counsel. 

Unfortunately, it is likely that Barney Frank will be allowed to continue to damage our financial system while those bubble-headed liberal loons in Massachusetts keep re-electing him to office.

Giving new meaning to “fannie” mae …

dish-barney-frank

Barney Frank with a friend.

What can YOU do?

Ask your elected officials how Barney Frank can be allowed to influence billions of dollars in bailout funds and craft new legislation regarding the housing markets when he has shown such spectacularly poor judgment in the past?

Also ask your elected officials why Barney Frank is not being investigated for possible illegal interference in bank matters on behalf of special interests and/or possibly  exerting undue influence on regulatory agencies associated with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac?

Be well and be safe.

-- steve

Quote of the day: “A kleptomaniac is a person who helps himself because he can't help himself.” - Henry Morgan

A reminder from OneCitizenSpeaking.com: a large improvement can result from a small change…

The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. -- Marcus Aurelius

Reference Links:

Political Interference Seen in Bank Bailout Decisions - WSJ.com

ONEUNITED BANK ORDER TO CEASE AND DESIST|FDIC-08-294b

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“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS