This'n'That; May 19th[NotreDame;Fluffy;Auto;Fluffy]

Notre Dame "Fluff"

I just finished reading the text of the "Fluffy Address" to the graduating class at Notre Dame. As I surmised through news reports, nothing new-just the "same ol' fluff." Limp jokes aside, what did he actually say?

"...do not discriminate. They do not recognize borders. They do not see color. They do not target specific ethnic groups."

Wait-a-minute, Fluff'.... of course they won't recognize borders, especially our southern border!! You won't enhance it's protection so it just looks like another patch of desert. How would they recognize it?

Oh yes-they do see color-they target the white folks who, through diligence and hard work, have more than they do; it's nothing more than a fluke that their actions destroy those of other colors/nationalities.

I'll give ya that one; the one where "they do not target specific ethnic groups." Their specificity is toward their own; the radical muslim... you know the sect-you bowed to them on your "2009 Apology Tour-Part 1" to Europe and the Middle East.

It seems to me this Notre Dame "blather" was a loosely veiled recruitment tour for your advancement of socialism. "....the size and scope of the challenges before us require that we remake out world to renew its promise; that we align our deepest values and commitments to the demands of a new age." This "new age" you refer to is of your own making-one of a socialist mindset and country controlled by both socialists and statists! Why are you trying to obliterate the graduates' hopes for "the American Dream?" Wait, don't answer that!! Ya can't recruit socialists and statists from a crowd of capitalists, now can ya??

...The strong too often dominate the weak, and too many of those with wealth and with power find all manner of justification for their own privilege in the face of poverty and injustice." Fluffer.... Rather than lower the U.S.' standard of living to that of the Third-World Ratholes you promote-why not try to raise the 'Ratholes to a higher level...... [I'll voice what you refuse to....] because your administration and it's handlers are all about apologizing for America and it's wealth and prosperity! You intend to "return America's wealth to it's rightful owners....." NOT those who actually worked hard and earned it-but those you pay to sit on their nasty-asses and collect from the taxpayers' largess! The Fluffy Auto Empire

Well, Der Fluffmeister obama fixed Chrysler by robbing those investors who's only "crime" was to expect a return on their investment. The stolen funds were given to both the government and the United Auto Workers. The union had NO FINANCIAL INVESTMENT in the company [now they own 55%!!].

The Fluffer obama also fixed General Motors with three [really,REALLY cleaver] measures; renaming the company "Government Motors;" loaning them gobs of taxpayer money rather than just letting them follow "the path of poor management" into bankruptcy; firing their [former] CEO and installing one who's gonna follow your orders-even tho' you're yet to build your first car....Hell, ya ain't never held a job than waddn't funded by the taxpayer largess!!

Now, Fluffy obama proposes the first-ever national emission limits for cars and trucks as well as average mileage requirements of 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016 -- all costing consumers an extra $1,300 per vehicle. Fluffy's plan couples for the first time pollution reduction from vehicle tailpipes with increased efficiency on the road. It would save 1.8 billion barrels of oil through 2016 [in a country that consumes 9.3Mln barrels of oil DAILY{=3.4Bln bbl/yr} WOW!!] and would be the environmental equivalent to taking 177 million cars off the road, senior administration officials said Monday night. The plan also would effectively end a feud between automakers and statehouses over emission standards -- with the states coming out on top but the automakers getting a single national standard and more time to make the changes [There he goes again.... ignoring the very Constitution he swore to support, protect and defend!!]. New vehicles would be 30 percent cleaner and more fuel efficient by the end of the program, according to officials familiar with the administration's discussions. The officials also spoke on condition of anonymity because the formal announcement had not been made [and cuz Fluffy's handlers'll "hand 'em their asses" on a platter!]. Administration officials said consumers were going to pay an extra $700 for mileage standards that had already been approved. The comprehensive Fluffmeister plan would add another $600 to the price of a vehicle, a senior administration official said. The extra miles would come at roughly a 5 percent increase each year. By the time the plan takes full effect, at the end of 2016, new vehicles would cost an extra $1,300. Fluffer.... Do you really think that the State of California will let you determine the auto emmisions standards for their state? Really?-You're THAT naive?

Til Nex'Time....

This'n'That; May 17th[Golisano;JuryDuty;Corning;Guns]

Now He's Done It!

Guvner "double-dealin' " Dave has managed to drive one of New York State's most prominent citizens {and taxpayers!} out of the state! By changing his residence to Florida, Paychex Founder Tom Golisano will save $13,800 a day in NYS income taxes...... a day.......A DAY!!!!! By comparison-the "young miss lovely" and I would save "a whoopin' " $4.84 a day, A DAY!! Our total NYS tax bill was $1,767, compared to Mister Golisano's $5,037,000. Mr Golisano's "donation" equates to nearly FIVE PERCENT of the total NYS budget-an' "double-dealin' " Dave drove him out!!!

Local "Whines"

The local rag is whinning about a color disparity in those serving on local juries. They're opining about juries being mostly white folks and very few black or brown folks. I suggest that jury member selection be tied to welfare eligibility and illegal drug sales. Bare with me here......!! No matter the color or gender, ya gotta admit that the welfare rats DO NOTHING to earn their benefits; their "income" is only due to the federal and state largess. The drug dealers do even less, if that's possible-not only do they not work and don't pay taxes-they're purveyors of substances that cause illness, addiction and death!! The state should require anyone who receives more than one d0llar per month in 'rat benefits must register for local and county jury duty. The city and county can gain income by issuing licenses for the drug dealers with added fees for additional street corners or suburbs. Buying from unlicensed dealers would subject the public to a mandatory jail sentence, say 5 years-minimum!! To qualify for those licenses, the dealers must submit to selection for jury duty. There-problem solved!!

Corning, Inc's Got It Figured Out!

Corning, Inc., is a specialty glass manufacturer for everything from medical equipment to electronics to cars. They watched their revenue drop from $7Bln to $3Bln in eighteen months. In light of this financial dilemma and WITHOUT Fluffy's bailout funds, they instituted an "early-detection" system to identify possible areas of fiscal problems as well as setting up a defensive crisis management system. The four areas the company concentrated on are:

[1] Market Research- They've created their own system to measure demand for the products they help to create such as LCD TVs.

[2] Accumulate Cash- The company stockpiled enough to enable it to absorb a $400Mln loss in 2008's fourth quarter. An additional help was that the company had modeled several "worst-case" scenarios and a response to each.

[3] Reasonable Economic Responses- As the recent downturn worsened, the company instituted discretionalry spending cuts, reduced production, hiring limits, shorter work weeks in Europe and Asia, limiting it's use of contractors and temps, as a last resort-layoffs.

[4]Research and Development- Thusfar, Corning has avoided using it's last line of defense: R&D. R and D is Corning's lifeblood, developing new products the company depends on to stay competitive. Their $630Mln R&D budget is the last to be considered and sofar, has survived any cuts.

This company learned during the telecom crash earlier this decade, WHAT NOT TO DO!! Their stock came off the historic bottom of $1.78/share [May, 1982] to a current $13.88/share.

Dave, Remember the Second Amendment?

Hey, Dave..... Should I call you Dave?....or.....Double-Dealin'? ....or....DD? ....or....DDD? How'bout DDD?.... if ya don' like it, lemme know, k?

"DDD," do you consider yourself a representative of the people of New York, or are you just "parking in Albany" until the next lucrative [or, in your case-ludicrous!!]book or speaking contract comes along?

If you're just parking-before you leave, try not to screw us any more than you have already!!

If you consider yourself as representing the best interests of the entire State of New York, then you must veto the following bills as they come up for your signature!! These bills unfairly lump the law-abiding citizens outside the NYC metro area with the street thugs that populate downstate. Many of us use guns to provide food for the table and income for necessities.

Those bills which should be...no, MUST BE vetoed, are:

Ass'y Bill #801A: Five year renewal on pistol permits [Senate #1598].

Ass'y Bill #1093: [Boy DDD, this one is REALLY LUDICROUS!!] Requires retailers have liability insurance in case anyone commits a crime anywhere, any time, after the weapon is sold; also imposes new restrictions on licensed dealers. [Senate #1715].

Ass'y Bill #1326: Outlaw handguns "capable" of being fired by anyone UNDER 5; would virtually eliminate handguns in NYS [I believe the ultimate goal!].

Ass'y Bill #2881: Bans frangible ammuniton [Senate #2379].

Ass'y Bill #2882: Expand ballistic imaging program.

Ass'y Bill #3076A: Require training for pistol permit issuance.

Ass'y Bill #3211A: Would outlaw .50cal weapons.

Ass'y Bill #5844: Require mandatory storage of firearms [Senate #3098].

Ass'y Bill #6157: Expand the ban on "so-called" Assault Weapons.

Ass'y Bill #6468: Ban sale of all semi-automatic weapons not equipped with so-called micro-stamping techology; ban the sale of ALL USED semi-auromatic handguns.

I've called my alleged senator-Joe Robach [{518}455-2909] to urge him to vote against all these bills!! As a rhetorical question I asked his staffer what the state legislature did when it wasn't destroying the Federal Constitution?? It was purely rhetorical; I expected no answer.... the staffer depends on this destruction for his paycheck!!

Til Nex'Time....

This'n'That; May 16th[democRATs;Murtha;ACORN;Beck;ACORN]

Credibility? WHAT Credibility?? [Lack of credibility seems a part of the democRAT definition. Most of them by observation, "wouldn't know the truth if it hitt'em over the head!" Mr Murtha is THE WORST OFFENDER of the truth, but they're all "guilty as sin!!"] The Democrats' Credibility Problem by Armstrong Williams The Washington Post has yet another story this morning on the travails of Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.) and his seeming cavalier attitude regarding how he spends other people's money. The story today reports his nephew, 49-year old Robert Murtha, collected over $4 million in Pentagon contracts. And what does he offer for this princely sum? A new emerging defense platform? Some high-tech radar guidance system? Nope — warehouses. Yes, storage space designated as “engineering services.” Rep. Murtha remains defiant as ever. His they-won't-take-me-alive attitude mocks every working American and betrays a central piece of the Democrats' platform when they vowed to end eight years of tyrannical Republican reign — end the corruption. I've used many a pen lamenting the foolish dealings of Republicans and their spending ways, but what Democrats like Murtha are doing goes beyond the pale. Why? They have no shame in their dealings. In fact, they almost seem proud of tossing millions in contracts to their friends and cohorts. Just yesterday, The Washington Times ran a front-page story on how Democrats are secretly drafting climate protection bills with the environmental lobby. I've heard of political payback, but does it have to be so public and defiant? What should concern every American is the ease with which the majority party controls the levers of power and spending. Have an idea? Democrats will fund it. No sense if it will work or advance the country? No problem, we'll just blame Republicans and say our four years of this spending mess can't possibly be worse than the eight they dragged us through. What's most troubling is the personal credibility of Democrats like John Murtha and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.). When you can ignore the public record that states you were told a torture technique would be used on terrorists to glean information, only later to state repeatedly you had no knowledge of the instance, “period,” then you have a credibility problem that doesn't end there. It permeates all facets of public policy, and poisons those around you. Now, I know I'll get the usual token ribbing about my own wrong choices and bad judgment made in the past. I've atoned for those decisions. And unless folks like John Murtha start owning up to the mistakes they have made, their credibility problem will fester and infest until the public no longer has the stomach for such abuses. More ACORN Fraud [Now the State of Nevada is getting into the act!! This has to be the dirtiest organization on the planet.... pretty easy to tell-Fluffy obama is funding it though the porkulus plan!!] Criminal charges have been filed against the corrupt taxpayer-funded "community group" best known for its fraudulent voter registration drives and its close ties to president barack obama. Nevada's attorney general has charged the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN), which strives to register low-income citizens, with more than two dozen felonies for operating a fraud-infested voter registration drive in the state during the 2008 presidential campaign. ACORN illegally compensated workers to register voters based on a corporate mandated quote system, according to Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto. Because canvassers were illegally required to meet quotas to keep their jobs, thousands of registrations with fake names and addresses were submitted throughout the state. In fact, during its 2008 drive authorities raided ACORN's Nevada offices after the group submitted multiple forms with bogus names, including pro football players from another state. It turns out that ACORN hired convicted felons to register voters in Las Vegas and in fact got many from a transitional housing facility operated by the Nevada Department of Corrections. In a search warrant affidavit one ACORN employee said many of the canvassers were "lazy crack-heads" who were not interested in working and just wanted the money. The Nevada raid marked the third time in weeks that the Chicago-based group got busted for falsifying voter registration forms during the 2008 presidential campaign. Weeks earlier ACORN submitted fraudulent voter registration cards in the key battleground state of Florida and in New Mexico's most populous county (Bernalillo). In its complaint made public this week Nevada authorities reveal that ACORN illegally offered canvassers a bonus program known as "blackjack" or "21 plus" if they brought in more than the required 20 voter registrations a day to keep their jobs. The bonuses offered extra money per shift, according to the complaint. ACORN has been in trouble for falsifying information to register new voters in numerous other states, including Milwaukee, Missouri, Ohio, North Carolina and Colorado to name a few. In 2007 the group settled the largest case of voter fraud in the history of Washington State after seven workers were caught submitting about 2,000 fake registration forms. Incredibly, the radical leftist group continues to receive massive amounts of U.S. taxpayer dollars for its various community programs. Earlier this year ACORN got a multi billion-dollar infusion for "neighborhood stabilization activities"-from the monstrous economic recovery bill that was supposed to create new jobs and offer an immediate tax relief to stimulate the ailing economy. Glenn Beck On ACORN [Don'cha just wonder how Glenn Beck has time "for a life?!?!" He does three hours-five days a week on radio and one hour a day-six days a week on TV. All this 'face-time' on radio and TV has to involve incredible amounts of research into each area he presents. I for one, applaud him for presenting a listening and viewing alternative for the "non-KoolAid drinker." The piece below is quite revealing in that is shows how crooked the ACORN organization is and Fluffy obama's employment with and dependence on; the included crooks!!] The easy thing to do and the right thing to do are rarely the same. Easy and right almost never walk hand-in hand. Last summer and fall, even some in the mainstream media (yes, if one can believe they’re capable of taking a break from hard hitting stories about “American Idol” and Madonna’s boyfriends) began looking into their voter registration practices. Here are some highlights from a recent piece from John Fund, a columnist for the Wall Street Journal Online: “ Nevada officials charged ACORN, its regional director and its Las Vegas field director with submitting thousands of fraudulent voter registration forms last year. Larry Lomax, the registrar of voters in Las Vegas, says he believes 48% of ACORN’s forms “are clearly fraudulent.” Prosecutors in Pittsburgh, Pa., also charged seven Acorn employees with filing hundreds of fraudulent voter registrations before last year’s general election. ACORN spokesman Scott Levenson calls the Nevada criminal complaint “political grandstanding” and says that any problems were the actions of an unnamed “bad employee.” But Catherine Cortez Masto, Nevada’s Democratic Attorney General, told the Las Vegas Sun that ACORN itself is named in the criminal complaint. She says that ACORN’s training manuals “clearly detail, condone and . . . require illegal acts,” such as requiring its workers to meet strict voter-registration targets to keep their jobs. Elsewhere, Washington state prosecutors fined Acorn $25,000 after several employees were convicted of voter registration fraud in 2007. The group signed a consent decree with King County (Seattle), requiring it to beef up its oversight or face criminal prosecution. In the 2008 election, ACORN’s practices led to investigations, some ongoing, in 14 other states. ACORN’s relationship to the obama campaign is a matter of public record. Last year, Citizens Consulting Inc., the umbrella group controlling ACORN, was paid $832,000 by the Obama campaign for get-out-the-vote efforts in key primary states. Fluffy obama distanced himself from the group’s scandals last year, saying “We don’t need ACORN’s help.” Nevertheless, Fluffy got his start as a community organizer at ACORN’s side. In 1992, he headed a registration effort for Project Vote, an ACORN partner at the time. In 1995, the Fluffer represented ACORN in a key case upholding the new Motor Voter Act — the very law whose mandated postcard registration system ACORN workers use to flood election offices with bogus registrations. As for the Nevada indictment, ACORN isn’t worried. “We’ve had bad publicity before, and all it does is inform the community that we’re here working for the community,” Bonnie Greathouse, ACORN’s head organizer in Nevada, assured the Las Vegas Review-Journal this week. “People always come forward to our defense. We’re just community organizers, just like the president used to be.” Granted, I’m not a publicist, but I am a thinker, and I have to say that these charges go a bit beyond “bad publicity.” This whole thing stinks, and the stench just gets worse as the days roll by and more facts come out. There are plenty of basically good organizations that have done bad things, but ACORN is that shameless exception that has gone all bad. But here’s the thing—some people from inside the organization have done the right thing by coming forward and speaking out—they’re blowing the whistle and we need to make sure we’re listening. I recently had two separate conversations with former ACORN board members—they’re part of a larger group that’s been dubbed the “ACORN 8,” and they want two things—those who broke the law to be held accountable, and quite simply, they just want their organization back. They agree that ACORN used to operate with the best of intentions, but satisfying greed and making money—and in this case we’re talking about millions of dollars—became the easy rather than the right thing to do. Here’s a bit of those conversations: GLENN BECK: So, what is it? I said to Marcel, I think I said to you earlier, that this is all about votes, and you said, “No, this is all about the money.” Explain that. MARCEL REID, ACORN CHAIR, WASHINGTON, D.C.: This is all about the money. This isn’t — well, you can do it, Karen. KAREN INMAN, FIRED ACORN BOARD MEMBER: Right. Basically, what happens is the organization, I think, had a good message to begin with, and then they looked to see how much money they generated and how much power they got. And so, instead of having it trickle down — trickle up from the membership, which is what it is supposed to be, they’ve looked and said, “Hmm, we can get X amount of dollars here. We’ll convince our membership that this is what we should be working on.” BECK: It seems to me that they are using me, and people like me, by calling racists and everything else, to generate outrage to help raise money. And then, also, they are using the lowest of our society, using them, and then throwing them to the lions and saying, “You know, well, it was a rogue employee,” which also helps them, too, doesn’t it? How? REID: Of course. Because it gives them cover, you know? It says consistently that the very same people they were supposed to be enabling are the same people that we sacrificed. But wait—there’s more! GLENN BECK: OK. Now, tell me where I’ve gotten it wrong — because I don’t see this really at all about politics, what’s going on in ACORN right now is just about money. MICHAEL MCCRAY, FORMER ACORN BOARD MEMBER: Well, what I would say about that, Glenn, is that really what you need to look at in terms of ACORN is governance. I mean, what we have is an organization, a venerable organization that had a very beautiful mission and a lot of committed supporters. What’s happened over time, though, is that there are certain leaders and senior staff members that have kind of, for the most part, hijacked the organization, and they’re using it for their own personal games. BECK: Can you tell me about Dale Rathke and his brother? MCCRAY: Well, Dale Rathke is the founder of — I mean, Wade Rathke is the founder of the organization, and he is an incredible organizer. And it was his vision that allowed ACORN to progress to kind of where it is today. Unfortunately, with, you know, absolute power comes some corruption, and the board members found out about eight or nine months ago that there had been $1 million embezzlement by his brother. BECK: But there hasn’t been any prosecution. There hasn’t really been — nobody has really investigated this mission dollar – this missing million dollars. Nobody has paid for this, criminally speaking? MCCRAY: That is correct, Glenn. And don’t you find it very interesting that even when after word that $1 million embezzlement came out and the fact that board members and executive committee members covered up the embezzlement, that the only people that had been punished were the people that were trying to get to the bottom of where the money go? So there you have it—when news of corruption and embezzlement arose, those in the right were fired by those in the wrong. And perhaps worst of all, the weakest and poorest of our neighbors have been abused, neglected and exploited in the process. Those whom ACORN was designed to serve the most have been victimized the most. That’s quite a one-two punch. I’ve been saying all along that we’ve got to stop thinking of cases like this in terms of “right and left.” Lies, deception, and the clawing for money and power are non-partisan. No matter what side of the aisle you’re on, this is a simple matter of RIGHT and WRONG. We’ve got to stop thinking about it as Politics and start thinking about it as CRIME. We need more people like Marcell, Michael and Karen…those who’ll put their personal principles ahead of their professional goals. (And tragically, by coming forward these men and women have had their safety threatened—I urge you to pray for them as I am.) Look, I live in the real world…I know that life is a full contact sport, especially when there are millions of dollars at stake. But if we don’t keep a firm grasp on our moral center and a keen eye on those who say their acting and spending for the public good, we stand to lose a whole lot more than money. Politics gets people crazy, and sometimes the simple truths can be obscured by a lot of fancy talking. At the end of the day, it’s really quite simple: There are good guys and there are bad guys, but they don’t always wear hats so we know who’s who. But at least this time…when it comes to ACORN…I’m seeing those in the black hats pretty clearly. And after being lucky enough to talk to some of those in the white hats, I hope you see them, too. Til Nex-Time....

This'n'That; May 5th[10thAmend;05/05;ListeningTour]

Fluffy.... How Dare They...? [Fluffy obama ain't gonna take kindly to you Montanans trying to circumvent his highness' royal authority!! How dare you think in this modern era that the Tenth Amendment-or the Constitution as a whole-carries any weight in the Era of Fluff?!?! Tenth Amendment: The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.] Montana Poised to Buck Federal Gun Control By Kahrin Deines, Associated Press HELENA -The proposed law aims to exempt firearms, weapons components and ammunition made in Montana and kept in Montana from federal gun laws. Since the state has few gun laws of its own, the legislation would allow some gunowners and sellers in the state to skirt registration, licensing requirements and background checks entirely. "We'd like to just be able to make our own guns here in Montana and have the feds stay out of it," said Gary Marbut of the Montana Shooting Sports Association, which helped draft the bill. The real target, though, is the U.S. Supreme Court. Marbut and others believe they can hit that mark with a simple Montana-made youth-model single-shot bolt-action .22 rifle. In particular, they plan to find a "squeaky clean" Montanan who wants to send a note to the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives threatening to build and sell about 20 such rifles without federal dealership licensing. If the ATF tells them it's illegal, they will then file a lawsuit in federal court — with any luck triggering a legal battle that lands in the nation's highest court. House Bill 246 sailed through the Montana Legislature, but Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer has not yet offered a position on the measure, which awaits his action. The federal enforcement agency for gun laws has also not taken a firm stand. "ATF is not going to take a position on this because we don't make any of the laws, we just enforce the laws that Congress makes," said Carrie DiPirro, spokeswoman for the Denver field division, which oversees Montana. Through the Constitution, Congress has authority to regulate interstate commerce, which serves as the legal basis for gun regulation in the United States. Efforts to bypass that authority have been heard before by the U.S. Supreme Court. In 2005, the court upheld federal regulation of marijuana in California, even if its use is limited to noncommercial purposes — such as medical reasons — and it is grown and used within a state's borders.However, Randy Barnett, the lawyer and constitutional scholar who represented the plaintiff in the California case, said the introduction of a "Made in Montana' stamp — and stay in Montana guideline — might give some mettle to Montana's latest pitch for sovereignty. In the Gonzalez v. Raich case argued by Barnett, the court said that because marijuana produced within and outside of California is essentially indistinguishable, the government must regulate both to enforce national drug laws. Montana, though, could potentially argue that its guns are sufficiently unique and segregated as to lie outside of overarching federal regulatory schemes, Barnett said. The Montana effort follows fears here and elsewhere that the election of Barack Obama as president would trigger more gun regulation, sparking a rush to stock up on firearms in the months following the inauguration.But supporters insist House Bill 246 has been tailored to hit a different bull's eye than gun freedoms. "Firearms are inextricably linked to the history and culture of Montana, and I'd like to support that," said bill sponsor Rep. Joel Boniek, R-Livingston, during its House debate. "But I want to point out that the issue here is not about firearms. It's about states' rights." Cinco de Mayo Don'cha just hate those advertising stickers the newspaper puts on it's masthead? Recently the paper in this area put one on advertising a Mexican Restaurant. To celebrate 05/05, one could two meals for one with the coupon incorporated in the sticker. The only problem I saw was: the coupon was only valid 5/12 thru 5/14/009. Must be a "KoolAid Drinker".... they're really deep thinkers!! GOP Listening Tour?....They Need A History Lesson! [This "listening tour" is just more political bullshit, in the same vein as the "Campaign of Fluff!!" Listening? Whatta Hell for? Didn't these smiling faces see the nearly 1,000 Tax Day TEA-Parties all across the country? America is fed up with the continuous federal "boot on their necks" in the form of more and increased taxes, coupled with less and less freedoms!! Their ranks have fallen off because folks like me, my family and my neighbors have been left behind in the republican attempts to remodel itself after the democRATs to corner more of the voting public. I left the party to become a DINO because I could "do more damage" to the democRAT party as one!! If this is to truely be a "listening tour," the participants should assemble before the huddled masses and wait silently. Instead of an opening monologue elucidating their collective positions, they should patiently wait for questions; truthfully and insightly answer any and all put forth. What they really, really need is a history lesson; a good professor for that would be Newt Gingrich, a truely objective historian. The "tourists" decry both Ronald Reagan and the "Reagan Era;" as nostalgia and a bygone era to be forgotten. The Reagan Era was one of the greatest economic booms of the twentieth-century!! Mister Reagan knew the value-both political and economic-of tax cuts. During his two terms, the top marginal tax-rate dropped from 70% to 28%! One only has to look at the IRS and Treasury Department stastics to see that every time taxes are cut--the revenues to the IRS INCREASE, there's a steady increase in economic activity and more businesses are started; those in place, flourished !! The tourists must revisit the 1994 "Contract With America;" promote re-implementation of those items that were successful; promote implementation of those items that failed or were ignored AFTER correction.] With the party at its lowest standing in several decades, Republicans on Saturday launched a listening tour in the heart of the Democratic suburbs, where several of the party’s leading voices steered clear of hot-button issues and instead emphasized the need to advance new policy ideas to revive the party’s prospects. House Minority Whip Eric Cantor and former Republican Govs. Jeb Bush and Mitt Romney — both frequently mentioned as potential 2012 GOP presidential candidates — spoke to about 100 attendees at a pizzeria in the Washington suburb of Arlington, Va. The event was the first held by the newly launched National Council for a New America. The common thread at the forum was that the Republican Party’s struggles are rooted in its nostalgia for a more successful past and its inability to offer a policy agenda suited for the 21st century. To make a political comeback, the GOP leaders argued, the party needs to modernize its ideas and agenda. “Our party has taken its licks over the last couple of cycles,” Cantor acknowledged. “But that’s why we’re here.” At the forum, there was little talk about the president’s recently passed budget and stimulus proposals, which were vigorously opposed by Republicans. Instead, the GOP trio talked about bread-and-butter issues that directly affect voters — the rising cost of health care, merit pay for teachers and the price of college tuition. “From the conservatives, it’s time for us to listen first, to learn a little bit, to upgrade our message a little bit and to not be nostalgic about the past,” Bush said. “You can’t beat something with nothing, and the other side has something. I don’t like it, but they have it, and we have to be respectful and mindful of that.” Bush added: “We have principles and values that are shared by the majority of Americans, but we have to now take those principles and apply them to these challenges our country faces today.” The former Florida governor offered a panoply of proposals on education reform, citing a study showing the United States lags well behind other developed countries in math and science. Romney touted his work in Massachusetts to implement a universal health care system that he said incorporated the private sector, not the government, in the process. And he warned that rising spending under the Democrats threatens to stagnate long-term economic growth.“When the capital disappears, the current view of the administration is that we ought to raise taxes on capital; we ought to raise taxes on investment. The right thing to do is to lower taxes, or at least hold them down ... that’s one thing we do a little different,” said Romney. “There are ways to solve problems if we look beyond Washington.” Romney and Bush both downplayed their own political ambitions. Bush, who earlier this year declined to run for Florida’s open Senate seat, said he was glad to be out of the political arena and is now focused on brainstorming policy ideas — and he expressed his frustration that most politics in Washington are “defined by a food fight.”“It’s time for others to embrace good ideas and to implement them,” he told POLITICO on his way out of the event.Romney similarly begged off questions about a potential 2012 White House bid after the event, but he was careful to not rule out the prospect.“I haven’t shut the door, but I haven’t walked through the door, either,” said Romney, who was taping an interview with CNN. Asked earlier if the three Republicans were the face of their party, Romney joked that he and Bush were “two has-beens already.” While the party focuses on the future, the public faces have hardly changed — a Bush, a 2008 candidate for the party’s nomination and a longtime member of the House GOP leadership — with no women or minorities on center stage. One of the expected attendees, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), couldn’t make it because her child got sick. Questions from the Republican-friendly crowd ranged from conservative softballs, like one about the economic impact of the Employee Free Choice Act, to more open-ended policy questions about what Republicans can do to improve education or health care coverage. “We’ve got to give Americans something to say yes to,” said Brian Summers, a volunteer for former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee’s presidential campaign, eliciting applause from the crowd. The party leaders notably avoided any discussion of issues that have motivated the GOP base — gay marriage, immigration and abortion. Indeed, several protesters from an anti-illegal-immigration group stood outside the pizzeria holding signs complaining that the party was sidestepping crucial social issues.“The reason that immigration, same-sex marriage and abortion were left off the agenda is because they feel it will turn people off to the Republican Party,” said Michael McLaughlin, a member of the American Council for Immigration Reform. “To me, you can’t discuss energy independence and health care without talking about immigration. It’s all related.”As they embark on this experiment, the assembled Republicans were reluctant to offer timelines or set specific expectations for the party’s future.“We don’t have to come up with all the answers today,” Romney told the crowd before offering that, “Certainly, by 2010 we should.” Til Nex'Time....

This'n'That; May 2nd [MUST READ Letter!!!]

[This is a MUST-READ letter from Andrew McCarthy declining an invitation to eric holder's "round-table" to assign blame for terrorism in general but specifically on detention policy. This was sent to Rush Limbaugh by one of Rush's friends who obtained a copy. This McCarthy guy demonstrates he has "hangy-down things" and ain't afraid to exercise 'em!!! Certainly without mincing words, Mr McCarthy gives voice to the millions of non-KoolAid drinkers!! This is "it" in it's unedited entirety; I didn't even replace "obama" with my usual: Fluffy, Fluffer or The Fluffmeister!!]

By email (to the Counterterrorism Division) and by regular mail: The Honorable Eric H. Holder, Jr. Attorney General of the United States United States Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20530-0001 Dear Attorney General Holder: This letter is respectfully submitted to inform you that I must decline the invitation to participate in the May 4 roundtable meeting the President’s Task Force on Detention Policy is convening with current and former prosecutors involved in international terrorism cases. An invitation was extended to me by trial lawyers from the Counterterrorism Section, who are members of the Task Force, which you are leading. The invitation email (of April 14) indicates that the meeting is part of an ongoing effort to identify lawful policies on the detention and disposition of alien enemy combatants -- or what the Department now calls “individuals captured or apprehended in connection with armed conflicts and counterterrorism operations.” I admire the lawyers of the Counterterrorism Division, and I do not question their good faith. Nevertheless, it is quite clear -- most recently, from your provocative remarks on Wednesday in Germany -- that the Obama administration has already settled on a policy of releasing trained jihadists (including releasing some of them into the United States). Whatever the good intentions of the organizers, the meeting will obviously be used by the administration to claim that its policy was arrived at in consultation with current and former government officials experienced in terrorism cases and national security issues. I deeply disagree with this policy, which I believe is a violation of federal law and a betrayal of the president’s first obligation to protect the American people. Under the circumstances, I think the better course is to register my dissent, rather than be used as a prop. Moreover, in light of public statements by both you and the President, it is dismayingly clear that, under your leadership, the Justice Department takes the position that a lawyer who in good faith offers legal advice to government policy makers—like the government lawyers who offered good faith advice on interrogation policy—may be subject to investigation and prosecution for the content of that advice, in addition to empty but professionally damaging accusations of ethical misconduct. Given that stance, any prudent lawyer would have to hesitate before offering advice to the government. Beyond that, as elucidated in my writing (including my proposal for a new national security court, which I understand the Task Force has perused), I believe alien enemy combatants should be detained at Guantanamo Bay (or a facility like it) until the conclusion of hostilities. This national defense measure is deeply rooted in the venerable laws of war and was reaffirmed by the Supreme Court in the 2004 Hamdi case. Yet, as recently as Wednesday, you asserted that, in your considered judgment, such notions violate America’s “commitment to the rule of law.” Indeed, you elaborated, “Nothing symbolizes our [administration’s] new course more than our decision to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay…. President Obama believes, and I strongly agree, that Guantanamo has come to represent a time and an approach that we want to put behind us: a disregard for our centuries-long respect for the rule of law[.]” (Emphasis added.) Given your policy of conducting ruinous criminal and ethics investigations of lawyers over the advice they offer the government, and your specific position that the wartime detention I would endorse is tantamount to a violation of law, it makes little sense for me to attend the Task Force meeting. After all, my choice would be to remain silent or risk jeopardizing myself. For what it may be worth, I will say this much. For eight years, we have had a robust debate in the United States about how to handle alien terrorists captured during a defensive war authorized by Congress after nearly 3000 of our fellow Americans were annihilated. Essentially, there have been two camps. One calls for prosecution in the civilian criminal justice system, the strategy used throughout the 1990s. The other calls for a military justice approach of combatant detention and war-crimes prosecutions by military commission. Because each theory has its downsides, many commentators, myself included, have proposed a third way: a hybrid system, designed for the realities of modern international terrorism—a new system that would address the needs to protect our classified defense secrets and to assure Americans, as well as our allies, that we are detaining the right people. There are differences in these various proposals. But their proponents, and adherents to both the military and civilian justice approaches, have all agreed on at least one thing: Foreign terrorists trained to execute mass-murder attacks cannot simply be released while the war ensues and Americans are still being targeted. We have already released too many jihadists who, as night follows day, have resumed plotting to kill Americans. Indeed, according to recent reports, a released Guantanamo detainee is now leading Taliban combat operations in Afghanistan, where President Obama has just sent additional American forces. The Obama campaign smeared Guantanamo Bay as a human rights blight. Consistent with that hyperbolic rhetoric, the President began his administration by promising to close the detention camp within a year. The President did this even though he and you (a) agree Gitmo is a top-flight prison facility, (b) acknowledge that our nation is still at war, and (c) concede that many Gitmo detainees are extremely dangerous terrorists who cannot be tried under civilian court rules. Patently, the commitment to close Guantanamo Bay within a year was made without a plan for what to do with these detainees who cannot be tried. Consequently, the Detention Policy Task Force is not an effort to arrive at the best policy. It is an effort to justify a bad policy that has already been adopted: to wit, the Obama administration policy to release trained terrorists outright if that’s what it takes to close Gitmo by January. Obviously, I am powerless to stop the administration from releasing top al Qaeda operatives who planned mass-murder attacks against American cities—like Binyam Mohammed (the accomplice of “Dirty Bomber” Jose Padilla) whom the administration recently transferred to Britain, where he is now at liberty and living on public assistance. I am similarly powerless to stop the administration from admitting into the United States such alien jihadists as the 17 remaining Uighur detainees. According to National Intelligence Director Dennis Blair, the Uighurs will apparently live freely, on American taxpayer assistance, despite the facts that they are affiliated with a terrorist organization and have received terrorist paramilitary training. Under federal immigration law (the 2005 REAL ID Act), those facts render them excludable from theUnited States. The Uighurs’ impending release is thus a remarkable development given the Obama administration’s propensity to deride its predecessor’s purported insensitivity to the rule of law. I am, in addition, powerless to stop the President, as he takes these reckless steps, from touting his Detention Policy Task Force as a demonstration of his national security seriousness. But I can decline to participate in the charade. Finally, let me repeat that I respect and admire the dedication of Justice Department lawyers, whom I have tirelessly defended since I retired in 2003 as a chief assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern District of New York. It was a unique honor to serve for nearly twenty years as a federal prosecutor, under administrations of both parties. It was as proud a day as I have ever had when the trial team I led was awarded the Attorney General’s Exceptional Service Award in 1996, after we secured the convictions of Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman and his underlings for waging a terrorist war against the United States. I particularly appreciated receiving the award from Attorney General Reno—as I recounted in Willful Blindness, my book about the case, without her steadfastness against opposition from short-sighted government officials who wanted to release him, the “blind sheikh” would never have been indicted, much less convicted and so deservedly sentenced to life-imprisonment. In any event, I’ve always believed defending our nation is a duty of citizenship, not ideology. Thus, my conservative political views aside, I’ve made myself available to liberal and conservative groups, to Democrats and Republicans, who’ve thought tapping my experience would be beneficial. It pains me to decline your invitation, but the attendant circumstances leave no other option. Very truly yours, /S/ Andrew C. McCarthy

Til Nex'Time....