Sunday, January 24, 2010

Dreams from My Single-Parent Family

Last September, a cell-phone video that depicted Chicago public school students beating a fellow teen to death circulated throughout the Internet and the mainstream media.

Curiously, none of the media outlets that covered the story bothered to recollect that President Barack Obama had once served as a community organizer and then a state senator in these very same South Side neighborhoods.

Throughout his years working for "change", Obama paid scant heed to the primary cause of violence and dependency in the area: the eradication of the black two-parent family by decades of Democrat policies.

Community organizing had gotten its start in Chicago under the direction of an activist named Saul Alinsky. Alinsky believed that poverty was the result of political inequities. He envisioned a power-grab by the "have-nots" of society, who would form massive, grassroots coalitions that would defeat the rich and redistribute their possessions.

But the Alinsky movement suffered two calamitous setbacks in the years leading up to the Obama era. First, the War on Poverty had established a governmental community organizing bureaucracy called the Community Action Agency. Rife with corruption, the agency's money was misappropriated and used to fund gang warfare, rape and murder.

In addition, the Alinsky playbook was doubly irrelevant because blacks occupied most of the positions of power in Chicago. The city had elected its first black mayor, Harold Washington; it had power-brokers like Emil Jones, Jr. in the State Senate; and Jesse Jackson would launch his 1984 presidential campaign in the south side.

Despite the sea-change in political influence, Chicago had exploded in a maelstrom of black-on-black violence. In 1984, the year Obama came to Chicago, one of the top high school basketball players in the country -- an immensely talented and likable center named Ben Wilson -- was murdered by gang members.

The outcry was as predictable as it was ineffectual. None of the power-brokers pointed out that all of Wilson's killers came from single-parent families. None concerned themselves with the mind-blowing statistic: 75% of all black Chicago kids were born out of wedlock. In fact, it became a cultural norm for young black men to father children and flee responsibility. The result was rampant crime. In fact, statistical studies show that if one controls for single-parent families, there are no differences between the races when it comes to crime.

In Obama's book Dreams from My Father, his narrative "is almost devoid of men. With the exception of the local ministers and the occasional semi-crazed black nationalist, Obama inhabits a female world. His organizing targets are almost all single mothers. He never wonders where and who the fathers of their children are. When Obama sees a group of boys vandalizing a building, he asks rhetorically: 'Who will take care of them: the alderman, the social workers? The gangs?' The most appropriate candidate—'their fathers'—never occurs to him."

Rather than confront the central issue, Obama as community organizer initially struggled to find his role. He was relieved to find that a Mayor's Education and Training (MET) office had no branch in Roseland, and he promptly filed an application to open one. The office had as much of an effect on the area as his asbestos removal efforts, which is to say: none. In fact, youth violence continued to increase and by his third year, 57 children had been killed in the city.

In 1994, a series of brutal child murders galvanized public attention: an 11-year old gang member was executed to keep him from implicating others in an accidental shooting death. A month later, a five-year old boy who had refused to steal candy for two under-12 gang members was dropped from a 14-story building. Not one of the participants came from a two-parent family.

A year after these notorious murders, the would-be candidate for state senator granted an interview to The Chicago Reader. Rather than point out the lack of family structure endemic to the rampant violence, Obama instead attacked "the Christian Right and the Republican Congress for 'hijack[ing] the higher moral ground with this language of family values and moral responsibility.' Yeah, sure, family values are fine, he says, but what about 'collective action . . . collective institutions and organizations'? Let’s take 'these same values that are encouraged within our families,' he urges, 'and apply them to a larger society.'"

The ignorance or naivete inherent in these statements expose a bizarre worldview. Never in the history of western civilization has some collectivist framework served as a realistic substitute for the traditional family structure. In Obama's Chicago, fathers are AWOL; and some nebulous obligation for "collective action" has no chance of succeeding without a sense of personal responsibility. In fact, Obama downplays the notion of a familial duty and points to an overall societal failure, saying "...we have a society that talks about the irresponsibility of teens getting pregnant... [but] not the irresponsibility of a society that fails to educate them to aspire for more."

The ideology of Alinsky then -- as now -- appears to have clouded Obama's mind. Where history, facts, logic and reason point to the need to encourage, nurture and reward the traditional family unit, Obama instead vilifies family values.

For decades, Obama and the Democrats have embraced an utterly defective and destructive strategy: Crushing school choice. Incentivizing single-parent families. Encouraging a lifelong culture of dependency.

The children of Obama's South Side deserve better. They deserve more than a dream of a father.


Based upon: Heather Mac Donald, Chicago’s Real Crime Story, City Journal, January 2010.

Epic Fail: Deconstructing the Obama Earth Day Speech

Does someone really proofread these speeches? On Earth Day in April of 2009, President Obama extolled the green jobs that were sprouting thanks to the Stimulus package.

We're already seeing reports from across the country of how this [Stimulus package] is beginning to create jobs, because local governments and businesses rush to hire folks to do the work of building and installing these energy-efficient products...

And these steps will spur job creation and innovation as more Americans make purchases that place a premium on reducing energy consumption. Business across the country will join the competition, developing new products, seeking new consumers...

He's like Kreskin!

The choice we face is between prosperity and decline. We can remain the world's leading importer of oil, or we can become the world's leading exporter of clean energy... Today, America produces less than 3 percent of our electricity through renewable sources like wind and solar -- less than 3 percent...

So we're going to export clean energy.

Like wind and solar.


Should be interesting to see the shipping containers for wind and solar power.

Who writes this crap? Gibbs?


Total Protonic Reversal: Dennis Kucinich Defends Tea-Partiers, Shreds Democrat Hacks and Chicago-style Politics

The New Ledger titles its coverage of two interviews with the uber-progressive Ohio Congressman using a distinct understatement: "Kucinich Shreds Democrats for 'Selling Out'."

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) is not happy with the direction of his own party and he is telling them to wake up. In an interview with Rawstory.com, Congressman Kucinich blasted away verbally and shredded his fellow Democrats with his words for failing to follow through on the change they promised in Washington...

...He went as far as to mention the Tea Party movement in a separate interview, warning fellow Dems on the Ed Schultz Show not to ignore financial issues.

"I met with people who were, you know, unfairly ridiculed as being just a bunch of teabaggers and frankly they had basic economic concerns just like everyone else, they felt that government wasn't listening to them, and this is where the Democratic Party better wake up," he told the radio audience.

Now that we've established that Dennis Kucinich is to the right of the current Democrat Party leadership, I think it's safe to say that the country is in some really, really deep s***.

Although, to be fair, last June the American Thinker's Randall Hoven warned us what to expect. Executive Summary: I'll see you in the rice paddies, comrade.


Linked by: InstaPundit. Thanks!

Preaching to The Converted: Osama to Obama

In [a] minute-long recording carried by Al-Jazeera Arabic news channel, bin Laden addressed President Barack Obama saying the Christmas attack was meant to send a message similar to that of the Sept. 11 attacks.

"The message delivered to you through the plane of the heroic warrior Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was a confirmation of the previous messages sent by the heroes of the Sept. 11," he said of the Nigerian suspect in the Dec. 25 botched attack.

"If our messages had been able to reach you through words we wouldn't have been delivering them through planes."

Directing his statements at President Barack Obama — "from Osama to Obama," he said — bin Laden added: "America will never dream of security unless we will have it in reality in Palestine."

"God willing, our raids on you will continue as long as your support for the Israelis continues."

Dan from New York adds, "Obama to Osama: 'Roger that. Why do you think I got the blabbermouth a good lawyer?'"

Axelrod: Obama To Stay The Course On Agenda

All Ahead Full!



"The president will not walk away from the American people," Axelrod said on ABC's "This Week." "[He] will not hand them over to the tender mercies of the health insurance companies."

"He's going to go at it, he's going to stick to it, because there is too much at stake," Axelrod said on CNN's "State of the Union."

Speaking of "State of the Union", Axelrod also said the President's SOTU address will focus on jobs:

President Barack Obama's chief political adviser says the president will focus on job-creating plans in his State of the Union address Wednesday night...

...Axelrod says the White House takes only "cold comfort" from the fact that the president's stimulus program saved about 2 million jobs — given the millions lost in the deepest economic downturn in decades.

Axelrod says that the administration continues to share the public's "consternation" with the financial sector, which was bailed out with public money and has returned to massive profits and huge bonus pay-outs.

Don't you love the "2 million" number, which was obviously a shovel-ready stat that someone pulled from their kiester? And, as you can tell from Axelrod's statements, the administration will continue its jihad against the private sector. The reason is very simple: ideology trumps common sense when it comes to radical sixties washouts like this crew.


Hat tip: Dan from New York. Linked by: Michelle Malkin. Thanks!

Larwyn's Linx: Obama in Ohio -- It's Not About Him

Have a great link you'd like me to review? Drop me an email. You can also install a Larwyn's Linx blog widget.

Nation

Obama Demagogues the Court’s Ruling: JRubin
If GOP runs like Brown, only 103 House Dems are safe: Barone
Democrats: we will push ahead with Obamacare: Times

Obama in Ohio: It's Not About Him: Pundette
The Arrogance of Baron Hill (D-IN): Crazy Uncle
The Massachusetts Message: Black Republican

Democrat Socialists on free speech: we're against it: ColdFury
Fiorina and the Race Hustlers: Malkin
It's On: Hayworth to battle McCain in AZ: PatRoom

Terror at the Mall: AT
A Mistake That Can Be Rectified: Power Line

Economy

Right Idea: Wrong Target: CFB
Clicking his heels: Pundette
Shiny new Dem strategy on economy: Blame Bush: GWP

Public sector unions are killing California: RWN
Most Union Members Now Work for Government: Atlas
Something Wonderful: I am the Taxman: AmDig

The Proletariat Have Risen: Dr. Sanity
Doh! Obama calls for commission on deficit: RWN

Climate & Energy

Climategate: Just sign on the line that is dotted: AT
UN scientist 'admits [data was used] purely to put political pressure on world leaders': Daily Mail (UK)
You can add this weatherman to the long list of the unemployed: Big Feed

Media

Obama Has Now Lost Frank Rich And Bob Herbert: RWN
AP trying to mainstream the term “teabagger”: Hot Air
Holy Crap: Chris Matthews Destroys Alan Grayson: Hot Air

Thank you for your support!: HillBuzz
Who is Ellie Light?: HillBuzz
Picture o' the Day: B&R

When in doubt, give another speech: Steyn
WOR's Malzberg Deconstructs Strap-On: NewsBusters
Blogging Rules For Radicals: Chapters Six Through Nine: PJM

Free Press: Corporations shouldn't have free-speech rights, except for us and other liberals: BlogProf
Is Strap-On Losing It?: Mediaite
On Tuesday 'Yes We Can' Became 'No You Don't!': NewsBusters

World

Shhh… US Marines Wrap Up Mission in Iraq – Victorious: GWP
Al Qaeda doesn't Tweet: LegalIns
What Part of 'No' Don't You Understand?: GoV

Terror, Travesty and Tales of Suppressed Evidence: BMW
Small Miracles: Ace
Little Rock Shooter Says He’s with Al-Qaeda in Yemen: PJM

The Traitors of Britain's National Association of Muslim Police: AmDig
UK police arrest 15 in anti-Islam protests: Maktoob

SciTech

Good on Her: Hillary talks Internet freedom: PJM
New Details on Google Attack Trickle Out: Dark Reading
Almost any key -- and other support stories: DailyWTF

Cornucopia

A 30-second encounter with a Medal of Honor recipient: Crazy Uncle
100 Cheesiest Movie Quotes of All Time: Ace
Some dude: "You'll need brain-bleach to wipe this image from your brain": TinyPic (NSFW)

QOTD (C&S):

"I could've eaten Alphabits and crapped out a better story." --- Charles M. Blow's editor


Least Unexpected Headline o' the Year

"Obama Moves to Centralize Control Over Party Strategy"

Via Memeorandum. Back-story: American Thinker.


Saturday, January 23, 2010

UFC Champ Brock Lesnar: Canada's Socialized Medicine "Like a Third-World Country"

The Vancouver Sun reports that Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight Brock Lesnar encountered a few, uhmm, complications with the Canadian state-run health care system.

Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight champion and former WWE superstar Brock Lesnar has slammed the Canadian health care system, referring to it as being like a Third World country, in a press conference announcing his return from diverticulitis Wednesday... Lesnar had felt unwell for some time when he was struck down in a hunting lodge... three hours from the nearest medical facility [in] Brandon, Manitoba...

"I love Canada," said Lesnar. "Some of the best people and best hunting in the world, but I wasn't in the right facility... They couldn't do nothing for me... It was like I was in a Third World country, I just looked at my wife and she saved my life and I had to get out of there."

Lesnar's wife, former WWE wrestler Sable, took the 6-3, 285-pound giant away from the medical facility in "excruciating pain" and "drove 100 mph" across the border to Bismarck, North Dakota [where the] "doctor there saved my career and saved my life."

...Lesnar refused to disclose whether the Canadian facility that he felt was inadequate was a major city hospital or a rural outpost, but claimed that the care he received in the United States, and later at the prestigious Mayo Clinic, was far superior and thus was evidence that the U.S. health care system is the best in the world.

Lesnar, who has his own health insurance but also benefits from coverage paid for by the UFC, said "I'm just stating the facts; I love Canada, I own property in Canada but if I had to choose between getting care in Canada or the United States, I'd choose the United States... I hate to bash them but, I'm not one to get into the political side of things but our health care system is a little radical — we have the best doctors in the world. Our system does need some restructuring but I don't believe a total reform is the answer."

Diverticulitis is a condition that happens when diverticulosis forms on the outside of the colon and becomes inflamed. In Lesnar's case, his intestine became perforated, which had meant his system was being slowly poisoned from within.

Lesnar said he hadn't felt well for a month and, while relaxing in his lodge, "it just climaxed and the perforation happened. I woke up in shock, in a cold sweat. I didn't know where I was and realized I had to seek medical help... I was out in the boondocks up there, so it was about three hours from what I thought would be a good medical facility..."

The controversial champion, who calls himself a "conservative Republican," used his experience to launch a tirade against U.S. health care reform efforts by President Barack Obama.

"The only reason I'm mentioning this, I'm mentioning it to the United States of America because President Obama is looking for health care reform and I don't want it ... I'm speaking on behalf of Americans, I'm speaking on behalf of our doctors in the United States that don't want this to happen and neither do I... coming from the Mayo Clinic, some of the best doctors in the world, people come from across the world to be at this clinic ... we have the best hospital in the world at the Mayo Clinic."

No worries: the American people have the utmost confidence in Washington's central planners. I mean, seriously, what could possibly go wrong with Obama, Pelosi and Reid designing a 2,400-page health care bill that rewards trial lawyers, unions and thousands of faceless bureaucrats?


A Baby Boomer's Time Machine -- a Gallery of Forgotten Photos





































Linked by: Ann Althouse and Curmudgeonly & Skeptical. Thanks!