Thursday, January 26, 2012

Here are some photos you'll never see in legacy media: the Volt crash test that torched a whole series of cars

Odd. I must have missed this report on ABC, NBC, CBS and in The New York Slimes:

I attended Wednesday’s 8:00am (8am?!?) House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing entitled:

Volt Vehicle Fire: What Did NHTSA Know And When Did They Know It?

The witnesses [included] National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), Barack Obama-appointee Administrator David Strickland... [and] General Motors (GM), Barack Obama-appointee CEO Dan Akerson.

...This hearing was all about a single June Volt blaze. The battery burst into flames about three weeks after a test crash at and by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA).

A fire about which Obama’s NHTSA did tell the Obama White House. But a fire about which neither Obama’s NHTSA, the Obama Administration nor Obama’s GM told the American people for nearly six months – and then did so only when forced by a looming Bloomberg news story.

...Joan Claybrook, a former administrator at NHTSA believes part of the reason for the delay was the “fragility of Volt sales.” Yet she also believes that “NHTSA could have put out a consumer alert, not to tell them [customers] for six months makes no sense to me.” ...For Obama, notifying Americans of their potential immolation-by-Volt is of less import than his keeping his gig past November.

The one NHTSA Volt fire discussed at the hearing was not the only NHTSA Volt fire that occurred. In November, there were two others. After conducting three different tests two weeks ago, the NHTSA found that the Volt’s battery either caught fire or began to smoke in two out of the three.

So that’s three Volt fires – all in the hands of the Obama Administration, all after crashes... There were [also] three other, private-owner Volt fires. None of which involved Volts that were in crashes.

...There was the Volt that in April burst into flames – twice. These were the fires that led to Obama’s NHTSA beginning its investigation. And then in November another Volt leapt into flames. While Obama’s NHTSA was still investigating – but after the NHTSA-Obama Administration-GM cover-up had come to light (get it?)...

...We still have no idea what caused these fires. The only thing we do know is that they were not caused by crashes – because these cars were never in crashes. So why did Obama’s NHTSA, the Obama Administration and Obama’s GM singularly focus on (but one of three) post-crash Volt fires ... [w]hen none of these three privately-owned combustible Volts had been in accidents?

We – still – don’t know. Anything.

But don’t worry: The Obama Administration has declared that the Obama-owned GM Chevy Volt is perfectly safe – just in time for Obama’s reelection campaign.

Indeed. The Volt is safe. We guarantee it. Who's we? Shut the hell up, peons.


Related: Exclusive Photo: First Chevy Volts arrive at local dealers


Photos: Charging Point.

Before we worry about Mitt Romney's tax rate, perhaps we could get Obama's henchmen to pay their taxes

I don't know why the White House keeps talking about Mitt Romney's tax return or the fact that Warren Buffett's secretary can't buy a third home in a golf community.

Turns out that Obama's staff includes a whole posse of tax scofflaws (and we're not even counting the guys we knew about like Turbotax Tim Geithner):

How embarrassing this must be for President Obama, whose major speech theme so far this campaign season has been that every single American, no matter how rich, should pay their "fair share" of taxes.

A new report just out from the Internal Revenue Service reveals that 36 of President Obama's executive office staff owe the country $833,970 in back taxes. These people working for Mr. Fair Share apparently haven't paid any share, let alone their fair share.

...Nearly one-third of Obama's aides make more than $100,000 with 21 being paid the top White House salary of $172,200, each... The IRS' 2010 delinquent tax revelations come as part of a required annual agency report on federal employees' tax compliance. Turns out, an awful lot of folks being paid by taxpayers are not paying their own income taxes.

The report finds that thousands of federal employees owe the country more than $3.4 billion in back taxes. That's up 3% in the past year.

...The Treasury Department, where Obama nominee Tim Geithner had to pay up $42,000 in his own back taxes before being confirmed as secretary, has 1,181 other employees with delinquent taxes totaling $9.3 million... [and] the Energy Department that was so quick to dish out more than $500 million to the Solyndra folks has 322 employees owing $5 million.

The country's chief law enforcement agency, the Department of Justice, has 2,069 employees who are nearly $17 million behind in taxes. Like Operation Fast and Furious, Attorney General Eric Holder has apparently missed them too.

Charley "Rental Income" Rangel couldn't be reached for comment at press time.


They're for the Common Man [Amalaur]

Amalaur:

All the Details on Michelle Obama’s State of the Union Dress


...Michelle Obama‘s wardrobe choices always turn heads.

Last night’s State of the Union ensemble was no exception. As the President declared his intent to help buoy the 99 percent (“Asking a billionaire to pay at least as much as his secretary in taxes? Most Americans would call that common sense,” he declared), his wife dazzled in a cobalt sheath from Barbara Tfank’s resort collection.

While reps for the brand won’t reveal the item’s retail price, a similar style from the collection is currently available at Barneys New York for $2,400.

This isn’t the first time the First Lady has worn the Los Angeles-based designer’s sophisticated wares. Last year, she met with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge wearing a seafoam brocade design topped with a bubblegum pink stole.

“Everything in my closet is something that I love,” Obama has said. “So that I can make choices based on what makes sense, knowing that I’m going to love whatever it is.”

I see another Target shopping trip in the near future for FLOTUS, with plenty of access for the press and especially photographers.


What's Wrong With This Picture? [Dan from NY]

Dan from NY:

What's wrong with this picture? Hint: Every move Obama makes in the Middle East abets the Muslim cause at Israel's expense. Sheer coincidence, no doubt.

###

JPost, 01/26/2012

Muslim Brotherhood repeats: No talks with Israel


Spokesman says dialogue with Jewish state ‘not up for discussion.’

###

Reuters, 25 Jan 2012

Obama set to speed up aid to Egypt-official


Obama considers redirecting aid to Egypt

Oh, and then there's this:

Reuters, 26 Jan 2012

U.S. outrage as Egypt bars Americans from leaving


Among those hit by travel bans - one of those targeted called it "de facto detention" - is a son of U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood... The United States said Egypt should reverse them: "We are urging the government of Egypt to lift these restrictions immediately and allow these folks to come home as soon as possible," State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said.

Perhaps the White House will go to the Obama version of DEFCON 1; i.e., issuing a strongly worded memo, with copies to the United Nations and George Soros.


Larwyn's Linx: Alarming Thoughts On The SOTU from Clark Judge

Have a news tip or great story? Drop me an email. Bloggers: you can install a Larwyn's Linx blog widget!

Nation

Alarming Thoughts On The SOTU from Clark Judge: HyScience
Stumping Sebelius: BigJourn
Obama and Jan Brewer Have Words on Airport Tarmac: Malkin

One-percenter: Meet Warren Buffett's poor secretary: Glob
Obamacare encouraging government by edict, not law: Exam
Obama’s Gerrymander: ProPublica

GOP Primary

Reagan's Young Lieutenant: Lord
Romney Advisor: No Obamacare Repeal: RS
FL: Gingrich Draws Thousands, Romney Draws Hundreds: WS

Unlike Obama, GOP Candidates Serious About Governing: Barone
The Three Reasons Newt Is More Electable Than Mitt: FPM
Pelosi's office says she really doesn't have dirt on Newt: GWP

Economy

State of Obama's Tax Assertions -- ATR Fact Check: ATR
11 things Obama didn’t tell you about tax fairness last night: Peth
The State of His Policies: WSJ

Obamacare has made the debt crisis worse: Exam
WI unions burn through members money: RS
Rejection of Keystone XL a Hammer-Blow to Economy: HoosierAccess

Scandal Central

US Attorney Cunningham Refuses to Give More Than his Name and Title To Congressional Investigators: NiceDeb
Arizona House Speaker to ‘Put Some Light on Fast and Furious’: BG
New Mexico driver's license data point to rampant immigration fraud: Fox

Climate & Energy

Obama Puppetmaster Warren Buffett Biggest Winner From Keystone Pipeline Rejection: ZH
Radical Dem Schakowsky on Keystone XL: "Twenty thousand jobs is really not that many": Marathon
Thermageddon Folly QOTD: Soylent

Chevy Volt Battery Issue The Next Solyndra?: EarthTechling
ForestEthics “an enemy of the people of Canada”: Bayonet
Unicorns Twist Science and Corrupt the Rule of Law : NOFP

Media

AP FACT CHECK: Obama pushes plans that flopped before: Times-Union
Ladies and Gentlemen, I Might Just Have a Conservative Star for You.: Sundries
Rachel Maddow: Democrats Must Do More to Promote Abortion: LifeNews

Barack Obama Handles the Ship of State a Lot Like the Captain of the Costa Concordia: VS
Mitt Romney Makes $57,000 Per Day? That's So Much More Unbelievable Than My Own $41,000 Per Day: Ace
Gallup: Obama’s Approval Sinks Back to All-Time Low Among Blacks: CNS

Detailed Fisking of President Obama's Frightening Speech (Spending, Taxes, Threats and Lies): Lid
Obama’s Former Faith Adviser: ‘I, Frankly, Am Glad American Civil Religion is Dying’: CNS
Candid Admission - Proving Your Identity Only Hurts Democrat Voters: MenRec

World

Smearing Gingrich as an Anti-Semite: Commentary
Haditha Was Exploited To Increase Danger To The US, US Troops, And To Noncombatants: Kesler
Kansas City: Radical Muslim group begins month-long campaign on sharia: Creeping

Fidel Castro: GOP race is ‘idiocy, ignorance’: Politico
Polarization and Sustained Violence in Mexico's Cartel War: Stratfor
20% of young Germans have never heard of Auschwitz, survey reveals: Daily Mail

Report: Obama To Speed Up Pace Of American Aid To Muslim Brotherhood-Led Egypt: WZ
Gingrich: I want to build a moon base: CBS
Obama Ambassador To Egypt Meets With Muslim Brotherhood Leaders: WZ

Sci-Tech

Your Résumé vs. Oblivion: WSJ
Why ‘Xbox 720′ Might Reject Used Games: Wired
New Satellite Takes Spectacular High-Res Image of Earth: Wired

Cornucopia

This SOTU proudly brought to you by the Soros Fund: MOTUS
He needs a TOTUS for this?: WZ
Costa Concordia cruise’s American Express offer: ‘Immerse yourself’: WaPo

Image: Saudi woman driver reported killed in car crash is alive
Today's Larwyn's Linx sponsored by: Rick Santorum for President

QOTD: "The markets are the best measures of how people perceived today's announcements from the Fed. The dollar pissed on the Fed in general, the gold market hit Bernanke square in the face with an ingot." --Bruce Krasting

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Breaking: Indiana poised to deal crushing blow to labor

In other words, Indiana is banning indentured servitude, which is how I define being forced to pay union dues when you have no desire to belong to a union.

In another blow to organized labor in the traditionally union heavy Midwest, Indiana is poised to become the first right-to-work state in more than a decade after Republican lawmakers cleared the way on Wednesday to ban unions from collecting mandatory fees from workers.

Over the past year, Republicans have pushed for other anti-union laws in battleground Rust Belt states where many of the country's manufacturing jobs reside, including Wisconsin and Ohio, but they also have faced backlash from Democrats and union supporters. Wisconsin last year stripped public sector unions of collective bargaining rights.

Despite massive protests outside the Capitol, Wisconsin's GOP-dominated Assembly passed a law backed by Gov. Scott Walker in March that strips nearly all collective bargaining rights from organized labor. Walker is now preparing for a recall election after opponents turned in a million signatures aimed at forcing a vote and ousting him from office. In November, Ohio voters repealed a law limiting collective bargaining rights that was championed by Gov. John Kasich and fellow Republican lawmakers.

Indiana would mark the first win in 10 years for national right-to-work advocates who have pushed unsuccessfully for the measure in other states following a Republican sweep of statehouses in 2010. But few right-work states boast Indiana's union clout, borne of a long manufacturing legacy... Oklahoma, with its rural-based economy that produces comparatively fewer union jobs than Indiana, passed right-to-work legislation in 2001.

Indiana's vote came after weeks of protest by minority Democrats who tried various tactics to stop the bill. They refused to show up to debate despite the threat of fines that totaled $1,000 per day and introduced dozens of amendments aimed at delaying a vote. But conceding their tactics could not last forever because they were outnumbered, they finally agreed to allow the vote to take place.

Marxist Democrat Rep. Linda Lawson termed the anti-slavery law an attack on the community.

"What you are doing is destroying my community!" said Lawson, who represents a northwest Indiana district packed with heavy manufacturers and a major BP oil refinery. "We want to turn my district into Detroit!"

I might have misheard that last sentence.


Hat tip: Winterspirit.

The Smartest Baby In America [Looking Spoon]

The Looking Spoon:

"Mommy, the bad man stole $48,217.63 from me in only three years!"


It's another historic first: Obama uses State of the Union address as an official campaign fundraiser

Remember how some of the drones and nincompoops voted for President Obama because he was "historic"?

Turns out he really was, only not in the way they'd expected.

If there was any question whether President Obama’s State of the Union address was actually a prettied up campaign speech, Obama himself answered it with an email to supporters just before his appearance asking them to contribute to his campaign... titled “Before I speak,” was sent by “Barack Obama” through the campaign email system and signed, “Barack”...

I’m heading to Capitol Hill soon to deliver my third State of the Union address... Tonight, we set the tone for the year ahead. I’m going to lay out in concrete terms the path we need to take as a country if we want an economy that works for everyone and rewards hard work and responsibility.

I’m glad to know you’ll be standing with me up there.

Barack

—–

Support President Obama. Make a donation today.

The last sentence in the email includes a link that brings recipients to a page where they can make their donation.

This is a man who appears to have literally no respect for the office of the President or, for that matter, America's traditions, values and mores.

Good news, though: November is coming. And I will walk on hot coals to vote this person out of office.


Say, if we're really in a "recovery", could someone tell me why the total number of vehicle-miles driven in the U.S. is still declining?

Answer: because someone in the administration forgot to doctor the numbers (like they do with unemployment).

The Department of Transportation (DOT) reported:

• Travel on all roads and streets changed by -0.9% (-2.1 billion vehicle miles) for November 2011 as compared with November 2010.

• Travel for the month is estimated to be 240.9 billion vehicle miles.

• Cumulative Travel for 2011 changed by -1.4% (-38.3 billion vehicle miles).
The following graph shows the rolling 12 month total vehicle miles driven.


...In the early '80s, miles driven (rolling 12 months) stayed below the previous peak for 39 months.

Currently miles driven has been below the previous peak for 48 months - and still counting! And not just moving sideways ... the rolling 12 month total is still declining.

...This is the ninth straight month with a year-over-year decline in miles driven...

But if only the obstinate Republicans would give President Obama more money and more power, he'll make everything better. If he can just tax the rich more, tax oil companies more, maybe add a VAT tax, maybe convert all private retirement funds into annuities backed by government bonds, and find some other creative ways to raise cash for the government to redistribute, all will be well.

All will be well.


Cash Money Contest: Predict When President Subprime McCaddy Gets His 100th Round of Golf In

The invaluable Keith Koffler at White House Dossier tells us that President Obama has hit the links a record 92 times during his first three years in office.

In recognition of this monumental achievement, we're offering a $25 cash prize (paid via PayPal) to the person who comes closest to guessing the date of Obama's 100th round of golf.

So have at it in the comments. Along with your guestimated date, you can also include a caption for the accompanying photo, which we'll use as the tie-breaker.


Awesome: Senior Romney Adviser Says a Republican President Could Never Repeal Obamacare

Yet another reason to support one of the two non-Romneys in the race:

Mitt Romney adviser Norm Coleman, a former senator from Minnesota, predicted the GOP won't repeal the Democrats' healthcare reform law even if a Republican candidate defeats President Obama this November.

"You will not repeal the act in its entirety, but you will see major changes, particularly if there is a Republican president," Coleman told BioCentury This Week television in an interview that aired on Sunday. "You can't whole-cloth throw it out. But you can substantially change what's been done."

...Coleman's remarks are remarkable because every Republican candidate — including Romney — has vowed to make repealing the law a priority. Coleman is also the chairman of the American Action Network, which has urged the courts to strike down the law's individual mandate and its Medicaid expansion.

Squishes like Norm Coleman, John Boehner and Mitch McConnell are cowards who are either too scared or too invested in the status quo to try to save this country.

Folks, I don't mean to be a polyanna, but every expert from Obama adviser Peter Orszag to the CBO says that America is headed into a fiscal abyss. And these clowns are waving the white flag before the fight has even started?

So what do we do? We need to demand -- demand, not ask! -- that these establishment RINOs are replaced as Congressional leaders in 2012 by Tea Party conservatives like Michele Bachmann, Allen West, Jim DeMint, Marco Rubio, etc. If it takes a march on Washington, so be it. We're tired of being ignored by these numbskulls. Enough is enough.


Hat tip: Mark Levin.

Larwyn's Linx: SOTU 2012, Deconstructed

Have a news tip or great story? Drop me an email. Bloggers: you can install a Larwyn's Linx blog widget!

Nation

SOTU 2012, Deconstructed: HayRide
Here's what you won't hear at the State of the Union: Instapundit
State of the Union: Populist-corporatist stew: Carney

SOTU Surprise: Mass Re-Financing of Mortgages: Peth
State of Obama's Tax Assertions -- ATR Fact Check: ATR
The Real State of the Union: Stossel

Zero People Turn Out For March for Life on DC: Ace
Party On, America: Pundette
Schools of Education: Williams

GOP Primary

New polls show a collapse in support for Mitt Romney: LAT
Romney vs. Kerry: Fair Share: WZ
Meet the men who gave us ObamaCare: Hot Air

What really happened in the Gingrich ethics case?: York
Chris Christie's absolutely bizarre judicial nominations: WyBlog
Congrats Capitalists: Reagan Democrats Abandon Romney: Riehl

Economy

'11 Stunning Secrets': ProWis
What the White House Really Knew About the Stimulus: IBD
WI State Senate Recall Petition Rife With Invalid Signatures, Duplicates, and Errors: BG

Barack Obama Is the Food-Stamp President: Blumer
State Dependency on the Federal Government: Cato
Non-Class Warrior Wants Millionaires to Pay Fair Share: AmPower

Scandal Central

Obama’s Green Robber Barons: Malkin
What a Surprise: Obama Supporter’s Company May Benefit From Keystone Pipeline Rejection: Powers
In 2010 SOTU, Obama Touts Solyndra: RCP

Climate & Energy

President Obama’s Very Dishonest Campaign Ad Regarding Energy: Watts
How Barack Obama used taxpayer dollars to outsource green energy jobs: RWN
Warren Buffett Stands To Make Huge Profit From Obama’s Rejection of Keystone Pipeline: WZ

Media

Palin to Christie: Don’t get your panties in a wad over Gingrich’s victory in South Carolina: Hot Air
Surprise! Obama Doesn’t Want The 2012 Election To Be About His Own Incompetence: Pirate's Cove
Santorum Socks Heilemann: MSM's Job To Defend Obama, Not Mine: NB

Chicago Tribune, Washington Post Defend Alinsky: Conservatory
Allen West says Newt best suited to communicate conservatism to the black community: Scoop
When you've lost Jack Cafferty...: NoisyRm

State-run media whitewashes Alinsky: BizzyBlog
1999 CNN report on Newt Gingrich’s exoneration by the IRS over ethics charges: Scoop
Video: Black Truck Driver Call's Rush Does Stunning Complete 180 On Obama: HyScience

WSJ Goes Into Full GDS Meltdown: Howling
Flashback: Ace
Nancy Pelosi Promises That Newt Gingrich Will Never Become President: Blaze

World

How Iran Could Trigger Accidental Armageddon: Bloomberg
Is Obama Trying To Replace The Pope?: IBD
56% Favor Building Keystone Pipeline, Think It’s Good for Economy: Rasmussen

Good for Gingrich, who dares to disavow Sharia: Spencer
Soros Warns of ‘Riots,‘ ’Brutal’ Clampdowns & Possible Total Economic Collapse: Blaze
Pentagon Looks to Sabotage Pakistan’s Bomb Supply: Wired

U.S. Raid in Somalia Frees Hostages: WSJ
U.S. 'Reset' Backfires As Brazil Turns To China: IBD
Widespread support for burka ban in Canada: Creeping

Sci-Tech

21 Tactics to Increase Blog Traffic: SEOMoz
Google announces privacy changes across products; users can’t opt out: WaPo
Fitness 2.0: it's genes versus gym: smh

Cornucopia

Obama's Re-Run SOTU: Ace
Florida Republican’s Ad Depicts Children Enslaved by Obama and Alan Grayson: RSM
MTV warns about perils of Obama's NDAA: MTV

Image: "US forces free aid workers held in Somalia", AFP
Today's Larwyn's Linx sponsored by: Drop a dime on Rick Santorum's Campaign

QOTD: "To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace." --George Washington, first State of the Union address

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Breaking: Official Seal of the Obama 2012 Campaign Released

Dear Mr. Axelrod:

You're welcome.


Say, didn't Illinois just try Obama's "tax the rich" crap last year? And didn't it fail, miserably?

Why, yes. Yes it did.

Republicans looking to combat President Obama's Castro-like State of the Union speech have an easy case laid out for them. It's called the state of Illinois, which dramatically increased taxes on individuals (especially the "rich") and businesses last year.

And not only did Illinois fail to close its budget gap, but Obama's ultra-left wing, union-controlled home state also got a ratings downgrade. Which means -- for you drones out there -- that its future borrowing costs will go still higher.

It's called circling the drain: more borrowing begets lower ratings, which increases borrowing costs, and so on...

Run up spending and debt, raise taxes in the naming of balancing the budget, but then watch as deficits rise and your credit-rating falls anyway. That’s been the sad pattern in Europe, and now it’s hitting that mecca of tax-and-spend government known as Illinois.

…Moody’s downgraded Illinois state debt to A2 from A1, the lowest among the 50 states. That’s worse even than California.

…This wasn’t supposed to happen. Only a year ago, Governor Pat Quinn and his fellow Democrats raised individual income taxes by 67% and the corporate tax rate by 46%. They did it to raise $7 billion in revenue, as the Governor put it, to “get Illinois back on fiscal sound footing” and improve the state’s credit rating. So much for that.

…And—no surprise—in part because the tax increases have caused companies to leave Illinois, the state budget office confesses that as of this month the state still has $6.8 billion in unpaid bills and unaddressed obligations.

Turn out that raising taxes, especially on the "rich", does three basic things:

• It destroys productivity, because the "rich" are the ones who invest, take risks, start businesses, and -- in general -- create productivity in the economy;

• It encourages the government to continue reckless spending;

• And never raises as much money as projected.

In other words, allowing government to raise taxes without first restraining spending is irresponsible at best.

And such a plan, should Obama somehow convince people to support it, is guaranteed to fail just like every other one of his fiascoes*.


* Including, but not limited to: "Stimulus" programs, HAMP, HARP, Cash-for-Clunkers, Obamacare, "Financial Reform", permanent 9% unemployment and 20% underemployment, the unlawful takeovers of GM and Chrysler, "Quantitative Easing", a new war, and $5.2 trillion in new Obama debt.


New Business Venture [Papa B]

Papa B:

An idea whose time has come:



More Water-cooler here.


Obama Henchman John Podesta Lumps Canada In With Terror States To Justify the Disastrous Keystone XL Decision

John Podesta is one of a long line of Soros-funded Obama stooges (which is the term they prefer, I hear) who runs the ill-named "Center for American Progress". From all appearances, CAP's mission is three-fold: (a) to de-industrialize America through eco-Marxism; (b) to continue pushing the country down the road to a failed, European social welfare state; and (c) to manufacture propaganda for the state, Hugo Chavez-style.

For the latter purpose, Podesta was able to secure a forum at The Wall Street Journal this morning. He used it to deliver one of the more malicious pieces of propaganda ever printed in an American newspaper. The op-ed was timed, of course, to reinforce tonight's State of the Union address and, in particular, to justify Obama's disastrous Keystone XL pipeline decision.

In the hubbub around the president's decision not to approve the proposed Keystone XL pipeline between Canada and the United States, Americans missed the big picture. While conservatives have been fighting to build a pipeline to import more foreign oil and deepen U.S. dependence, the U.S. is poised to transform its energy portfolio by developing domestic resources—renewable and mineral—that will let it become a net exporter of clean energy and energy technology in this decade...

Renewable energy resources like those produced by Solyndra?

And since when was Canada lumped in with America's enemies?

Only in the mind of a malevolent, Soros-controlled drone could Canada be equated with a totalitarian Islamist terror state.

Under President Obama's leadership, we appear to be at the beginning of a domestic gas and oil boom. After a four-decade decline in oil production, the U.S. is now producing more than half of our oil domestically. This can free us from our addiction to foreign-sourced barrels, particularly if we utilize our dramatically larger and cheaper natural gas reserves. Natural gas now costs the equivalent of less than $15 per barrel, versus the $100-plus barrels we import from the Middle East... [But there] are critical environmental questions associated with developing these resources, particularly concerning methane leakage and water pollution.

Buried in this pile of literary excrement is the caveat that applies to all Obama dictums: companies will get regulated out of business by the EPA, the Department of the Interior, the Bureau of Land Management, and dozens of other elements of the bloated federal bureaucracy long before a single watt of energy is ever produced.

I'll spare you the rest of Podesta's verbal diarrhea.

Decades from now, when the complete history of the Obama administration is written, its accomplices like John Podesta -- who betrayed their country for a few pieces of Soros' gold -- will receive the full measure of scorn and hatred they deserve. Future generations destined to suffer because of nefarious individuals like Podesta will curse their names and, if there is any justice at all, turn their gravesites into landfills.


FDR Didn’t Bomb The Death Camps, Obama Won’t Bomb Iran [Dan from NY]

Dan from NY:



As more and more evidence accumulates that shows FDR and the allies knew about Hitler's death camps and decided not to bomb them, the more and more Obama’s unwillingness to take the atomic bat out of Iran’s hands starts looking like déjà vu all over again. Of course, there is one (and only one) big difference between now and then: Israel was born and has been blessed with the wherewithal to crush the Iranian viper in its infancy, before it becomes lethal. What’s yet to be determined, though, is whether Israel has the will to carry out its G-d-given mission. We should get our answer before the year is out.


Larwyn's Linx: Tea Party rising for Newt Gingrich

Have a news tip or great story? Drop me an email. Bloggers: you can install a Larwyn's Linx blog widget!

Florida Primary

Tea Party rising for Newt Gingrich: Wolf
Gingrich & The GDS-Suffering Republican Elites: Howling
The Founders vs. Alinsky: IBD

Seven things we learned in South Carolina: Hot Air
It's Complicated: Cal Thomas
Newt Surges in Florida: Hayward

South Carolina Message: Sowell
Romney's chickens come home to roost - a little: HayRide
Two Polls Put Gingrich Ahead by 9 in Florida: Ace

Nation

Hearings Scheduled on Illegal Non-Recess Appointments: Foundry
Does Iowa Electoral Fraud Scam Lead To White House?: IBD
Sen. Rand Paul ‘detained’ by TSA in Nashville, TSA denies: DC

The March for Life 2012: Malkin
54,559,615 Abortions Since Roe vs. Wade Decision in 1973: LifeNews
SCOTUS says no to debate over Elena Kagan health care role: Politico

ATR Presents Obama/State of the Union BINGO!: ATR
Obama Campaign Attacked Hillary’s Character: S&L
Sen. Mark Kirk suffers stroke, undergoes surgery for swelling: Hill

Economy

11 stunning revelations from the secret Summers-Obama memo: Peth
Federal Workers Owe $1.03B In Unpaid Taxes: S&L
1,000 Days Without a Budget: Facts on the Senate’s Failure: Foundry

NLRB Appointee Will Continue to Receive Payments from Union: Foundry
Will Unions Occupy Super Bowl Over Right To Work?: IBD
Obama’s New “Fairness Doctrine” and the American Ideal: Foundry

Scandal Central

Immigration authorities released man who then murdered three people in Florida: Hot Air
71% of Obama’s 2012 Bundlers Have Visited the White House, 19% Received Jobs: VS
Grassley: LightSquared offered me a political “win” in exchange for backing down on FCC probe: Hot Air

Climate & Energy

Report: Auto dealers turning down Chevy Volts: Foundry
Ford Motor withdraws from climate change group: Exam
Keystone activists to protest oil, Congress ties: Reuters

Media

The Self-Destruction of the Mainstream Media: McCann
The Unbearable Lightness of Being the MSM: AmSpec
Bill Maher: I Support SOPA, Because I'm Pretty Sure Absent Piracy Religulous Would Have Been A Huge Hit: Ace

The Question Is Not ‘Electability,’ but ‘Re-electability’: DLimbaugh
Gingrich Super PAC Head: Romney Is a Medicare Fraudster, but Will It Matter?: BG
“If That’s What the President is Going to Talk About Tuesday Night, I Think it’s Pathetic”: JWF

When Media Won't Talk About Race: AT
Allen West: There is No Racist Code Language in the “Food Stamp President” Claim – It’s a Fact: Marfdrat
Spotted in the wild: Obama food-stamp bumper-sticker: Urban Infidel

The Republican Base Simply Does Not Like Mitt Romney & Why The Press Rarely Reports It: Erickson
Mark Levin blasts Christie for parroting old left-wing ethics propaganda against Newt: Scoop
West raises $1.75M in fourth quarter: Hill

World

Failed treasury auction portends Egyptian disaster: Spengler
Davos elite: Capitalism is the problem: Q&O
Iran 'definitely' closing Strait of Hormuz over EU oil embargo: RT

Ex-CIA Agent, ABC and HuffPo Contributor, Busted for Leaks: Conservatory
New Docs Reveal How DOJ Kowtows to Muslim Brotherhood: Geller
Obama: Iran Has Nuclear Rights; I Did Not Want to Sanction Its Bank: Kahlili

Haditha Marine Wuterich Vindicated: Kesler
Soros Sounds Pretty Excited About Riots in the Streets: VS
U.S. Defense Cuts Hobble Allies, Embolden Enemies: PJM

Sci-Tech

Facebook Friends: 237. Real Friends: 2: Telegraph
Grassley’s Twitter Account Hacked: Roll Call
Megaupload Says They're Back And Almost Ready To Run Again Sans Domain Name: Consumerist

Cornucopia

Cliche' betting odds for the State of the Union Address!: TPC
Man Accidentally Plays Wrong Lottery Game And Wins $14.3 Million: Consumerist
The Ulsterman Report: Sex and Murder in The Land of Obama?: Newsflavor

Image: iOwnTheWorld -- John Kerry
Today's Larwyn's Linx sponsored by: Rick Santorum for President

QOTD: "Plato’s Republic, More’s Utopia, Hobbes’s Leviathan, and Marx’s workers’ paradise are utopias that are anti-individual and anti-individualism. For the utopians, modern and olden, the individual is one-dimensional—selfish. On his own, he has little moral value. Contrarily, authoritarianism is defended as altruistic and masterminds as socially conscious. Thus endless interventions in the individual’s life and manipulation of his conditions are justified as not only necessary and desirable but noble governmental pursuits. This false dialectic is at the heart of the problem we face today " --Mark Levin, Ameritopia

Monday, January 23, 2012

Pethokoukis: Secret 2008 Memo to Barack Obama reveals White House knew Stimulus was a partisan scam

Jim Pethokoukis alerts us to the stunning release of a confidential memo sent to Barack Obama by senior economic adviser Larry Summers on December 15, 2008.

In short, Obama and Summers both knew the Stimulus was a scam.

1. The Stimulus Had Nothing to Do With Reviving the Economy, It Was Designed To Reward Allies and Implement Left-Wing Policies - "The short-run economic imperative was to identify as many campaign promises or high priority items that would spend out quickly and be inherently temporary. … The stimulus package is a key tool for advancing clean energy goals and fulfilling a number of campaign commitments."

2. Obama knew that the deficits he was about to run were dangerous -- and didn't care - "[The spending] would leave an average deficit over the next decade that would be worse than any post-World War II decade. This would be entirely unsustainable and could cause serious economic problems in the both the short run and the long run."

3. Obama considered a Stimulus package greater than a trillion dollars, but was dissuaded when convinced the markets would rebel - "To accomplish a more significant reduction in the output gap would require stimulus of well over $1 trillion based on purely mechanical assumptions—which would likely not accomplish the goal because of the impact it would have on markets."

4. The Federal Reserve supported the disastrous Stimulus package - "Senior Federal Reserve officials appear to be of the view that a plan that well exceeds $600 billion would be desirable."

5. Obama knew the financial crisis was not solely Wall Street's fault - "A significant cause of the current crisis lies in the failure of regulators to exercise vigorously the authority they already have."

Read the whole thing.

The revelations in this document alone should be enough to bring down the Obama administration. The level of dishonesty laced throughout the Obama White House is both shocking and repellent.


Exclusive: Obama voters rush to post-election free healthcare centers [Joe Bill Scott]

@JoeBillScott:

Did someone say "free healthcare"?