Wednesday, February 22, 2012

The Obama budget in pictures (or, as I like to call it, the Democrat plan for national fiscal suicide)

Speaking of Greece, I just received these charts from Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL).

Spending And Debt Per Household Under President Obama’s Budget Plan


President Obama’s formal FY 2013 budget, submitted on February 13th, represents his financial vision for the future, detailed in 2,571 pages as delivered by his Office of Management and Budget.



Only in the infantile mind of a Leftist could these blueprints for economic ruin make sense.

The debt that Obama and his sycophants are planning simply cannot be repaid.

We must stop these irresponsible Statist hacks who have set this country on a course for fiscal destruction.

These charts prove that there are no moderate Democrats left. In November, I urge you to wipe out every single Democrat at the ballot box -- at every level of government.

Do it for the children. And I mean that.


Yippee!!! Greece is saved! Greece is saved! Oh. Wait. Uhm, never mind.

The ludicrous Paul Krugman -- who was just extolling the wonders of the European Social Democrat Welfare State™ little more than two years ago -- hardest hit.

If it seems like it was only 5 days ago that Greek bonds could be had for the blockbuster yield of 638%, it is because it was As of today, the same bond was yielding an even more ridiculous 763% (and remember when the MSM fluffers were telling you to buy these at the bargain basement yield of 100% in September 2011?).


Greece should have been allowed to default two years ago, when it would have been much cheaper and less traumatic to the world banking system.

Instead, the masterminds running the Eurozone keep building floor upon floor of their increasingly complex house of cards. And when it all comes tumbling down, the damage will be felt globally -- for years to come.


Larwyn's Linx: Is Media Matters Obama's Watergate?

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

Nation

Is Media Matters Obama's Watergate?: Lord
No, birth control isn’t an election issue: Hot Air
'The Subjects of the Constitution': ProWis

Obama Super PAC leans on Chicago machine: Beacon
The Catholic State: Steyn Online
Will SCOTUS punt on Obamacare until... 2016??: Ace

Will “Media-MattersGate” Bring Down the Obama White House?: Nice Deb
Politicians Fiddle While Fiscal Crisis Looms: Stossel
Suicidal GOP First Rejects Tea Party, Now Values Voters: Riehl

GOP Primary

Santorum's Rise Brings New Attacks: WSJ
Poll: Carter 63%, Reagan 32%: Surber
Associate Confronted Rep. Ron Paul About Flights: RollCall

Santorum Up 4 in Michigan on Strength of Tea Party Support: WS
Santorum 2008: America is under attack from Satan: Hot Air
Santorum: Drudge headline was a joke, absurd: Scoop

“Gallup: Women Give Santorum 10 Point Nod Over Romney”: ProWis
If Santorum Wins...: Morris
Palin: 'Lamestream Media' Are 'All Wee-Weed Up' About Satan Remark: NB

Economy

Michelle Obama Loves the Corporate Cash in Exclusive Colorado Ski Resort From Non-Union Employers: BigG
Top Level USDA Reps Showing Up in US Lunchrooms: AT
Taxpayers will foot flight costs for posh Obama Florida fundraising trip: Beacon

Europe passes the last exit. A great crisis lies ahead.: Fabius
Government workers vs. their unions: Cato
Parental outrage forces school to drop pro-Obama chant: Blaze

Unions Registering Inmates to Vote, Spending Dues at Strip Clubs: MenRec
Jarrett: Unemployment checks stimulate the economy: WS
B.B. King, Mick Jagger Salute the Blues at White House Party: ABC

Scandal Central

Congressional investigations sought over IRS ‘assault’ on tea party groups: DC
Dismantling the phony case against voter ID: Power Line
No More Weapons!: Mellow

Climate & Energy

Carney: GOP cancelled Keystone, not Obama: FreeEnt
Another Obama Victory: Gas Prices Hit $4.49 in NYC: JWF
Who gains from the Keystone cancellation? Venezuela: Fausta

The High Priests of Eco-Destruction: Malkin
NCSE accepts Gleick’s resignation: Watts
Global Warming Alarmists Now Resort to Hoax: Power Line

Media

Drudge attacking and demonizing Santorum: Scoop
Rush Limbaugh on Santorum and Satan: Politico
Satisfaction with country worst since Carter: USN&WR

Mitt’s Friends Open Up New Front on Rick: Washington Monthly
Rush calls out conservative CYA bloggers: Scoop
Sheeee’s baaaack: LI

OWS Letter To The Editor In USA Today: We Will Storm Wall Street With Guns: WZ
Obama Finance Chief Funded Media Matters: FoxNation
FLOTUS To Tout Contraception Mandate At “Women For Obama” House Parties: WZ

World

Obama Budget Decreases Air Force to 100 Combat-Ready Planes: BigPeace
Obama using Israeli leaders in web campaign: LI
Iranian Regime Denies UN Inspectors Access to Key Military Site: GWP

"Eventually, All Humans Will Be Palestine Refugees": Pipes
Latest NC Terror Report Offers More Baseless Conclusions: IPT
Anonymous Hacks Greek Ministry Website, Demands IMF Withdrawal, Threatens to Erase Debts: ZH

Shocker: U.N. Nuke Agency Reports Talks With Iran Have Failed: WZ
Newt: Defeating Barack Obama is a ‘Duty of National Security’: Bruce
Mother pushing stroller in Texas hit with bullet from Mexico: Trib

Sci-Tech

Russians resurrect 30,000-year-old frozen flower: Fox
Lord of the Files: How GitHub Tamed Free Software (And More): Wired
U.S. Official Signals Growing Concern Over Anonymous Group's Capabilities: WSJ

Cornucopia

Cops: Ohio Woman's Breast Implant Exploded During Domestic Assault: TSG
American producer on The Amazing Race 'poisoned to death in Africa by a gang of local thugs': DailyMail
Air Force rocker stuns 'The Voice': Fox

Image: "Jay Carney Makes Baghdad Bob Gibbs Look Like Honest Abe"
Today's Larwyn's Linx sponsored by: Rick Santorum for President

QOTD: "Montesquieu warned of government’s threat to civil society unless it follows a moderate course. “May we be left as we are, said a gentleman of [a republican government]. Nature repairs everything” Tocqueville believed that America had, effect, heeded Montesquieu’s counsel. “Nothing more striking to a European traveler in the United States than the absence of what we term government, or the administration….The administrative power in the United States presents nothing either centralized or hierarchical in its constitution; this accounts for its passing unperceived….”

However, that was then. America has been transitioning from a society based on God given inalienable rights protective of the individual and community sovereignty to a centralized, administrative statism that has become a power unto itself. It appears nearly everywhere as a dominant fixture and intrusive force in daily life. If its interventions are with limits, the limits are increasingly difficult to define. The circle of liberty, which was once expansive, and within which the individual was largely unmolested in his manner and pursuits, is shrinking rapidly as less and less an area is left for him to live without torment." --Mark Levin, Ameritopia

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Stunning report: Obama used administrative earmarks to buy Congressional support for his wildly unpopular agenda

Wondering how President Obama convinced politicians to vote for Cap-and-Trade, Obamacare and other unpopular bills that Democrats knew would put their seats at risk? Well, wonder no more, compadre:

An examination of “administrative earmarks” around the time of congressional votes on key pieces of President Obama’s agenda suggests the White House used its power to fund local projects as a means to “buy” votes for major legislative efforts...

...an analysis of grants from agencies during the early years of the Obama administration shows that the districts of moderate Democrats, whose support was so crucial for Obama during the 111th Congress, received large sums right around the passage of three key pieces of legislation: Obamacare, Dodd-Frank financial regulations, and the cap-and-trade bill... During the run-up to votes in the House of Representatives for each of those pieces of legislation, the rate of administrative earmarking spiked.

...The number of grants given by those agencies spiked precisely when the House was considering each of the three pieces of legislation.

Even more troubling: during the same time periods, significant grant money went to the districts of numerous Democratic representatives who looked to face tough battles for re-election. The legislation Obama was attempting to get through Congress was generally unpopular, and vulnerable members needed other ways to appeal to constituents. Federal grants made for a perfect opportunity.

Then-Rep. Chris Carney (D-PA), for instance, kept his support for Dodd-Frank quiet. His website never posted a press release announcing his “yes” vote on the bill. It did, however, tout two federal grants totaling $3.6 million for businesses in his district two days before the Dodd-Frank vote.

Then-Rep. Zach Space (D-OH) hailed from a district reliant on the coal industry, which would have been hit particularly hard by cap and trade. He voted for the measure, but neglected to publicize the vote on his website. He did, however, announce eight federal grants totaling roughly $1.8 million all made during the month before the House passed cap and trade.

At least 32 vulnerable House Democrats received significant federal grant money in the periods leading up to or directly after their votes on at least one of these three pieces of legislation, raising concerns that those grants may have been used either to encourage or reward votes in favor of the administration’s position...

When the complete story of this administration's misuse of taxpayer dollars is written, it will -- in my estimation -- make Tammany Hall look like a ragtag group of pickpockets. Literally trillions of dollars will have been stolen redistributed from the private sector to Obama's pals. Oh, and the next generation will have to repay those bills -- with interest.


It's a crony capitalism trifecta! GE 'forcing' employees into Chevy Volts

At the confluence of General Electric (which paid no taxes on billions in income), General Motors (which still owes taxpayers $25 billion), and the Obama administration lies a nexus called "We Got Screwed":

General Motors and General Electric are two companies that have been in the political crosshairs lately. GM stands accused of “crony capitalism,” while GE is under fire for paying no Federal income taxes in 2010. The two companies share more than that though, with GE placing an order for 12,000 Chevy Volts and other hybrid vehicles.

A memo leaked to Green Car Reports lays out GE’s plans for their new fleet of Volts, and as expected, it has some people crying foul.

The memo, sent to employees of GE Healthcare Americas team explains that all sedan, crossover, and minivan purchases in 2012 will be replaced by the Chevy Volt. Only field engineers are excepted from having to drive a company Volt.

GE will offer estimates for installation Level 2 Charging Stations, though all-gas use will be allowed when there is no electric option. Any employees who opt out of the Volt program will not be compensated for their expenses. Those who do choose to drive the Volt will be reimbursed for public charging and home charging costs, in addition to gas uses.

...GE is positioning itself as a big player in the EV charging market. Getting employees into Volts also means getting charging stations into homes. ... It’s a bold move to be sure, and it will hopefully prove to be a boon to the Volt’s flagging sales numbers. GM had hopped to sell as many as 60,000 Volts in 2012, before dropping that number to 45,000. Will they even make that number though? Hard to tell, though GE’s business will go a long way towards giving the Volt some sales momentum.

It's getting to the point where General Electric and General Motors are indistinguishable from the federal government.


'The People Demand More Solyndras!'

And all this time, I thought that surging gas prices meant that the president was simply following through with his campaign promises.

Just when we thought that when it comes to nonsensical announcements Europe is second to none, here comes the White House and takes the cake:

WHITE HOUSE SAYS RISE IN GASOLINE PRICES CAUSED BY VARIETY OF GLOBAL FACTORS, INCLUDING UNREST IN SOME PARTS OF WORLD, FAST GROWTH IN OTHERS - RTRS

Uhm, would the "unrestful" parts of the world be those that have an above average US drone presence. At least we know that said price surges have nothing to do with the following chart:

As a reminder, we did note over the weekend that inflation is about to become the biggest concern of "investors" everywhere:

Oddly enough, one very crucial item missing is once again surging inflation courtesy of trillions in stealthy central banks reliquification, sending crude to the highest since May 2011, and the most expensive gas price in January on record.


Oddly enough, one very crucial item missing is once again surging inflation courtesy of trillions in stealthy central banks reliquification, sending crude to the highest since May 2011, and the most expensive gas price in January on record.

Rising U.S. gas prices have been fueled by a number of factors in world markets, including unrest and rapid growth in emerging markets, the White House said on Tuesday.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said recent increases in gasoline prices were "clearly the effect of a variety of factors on the global price of oil," including unrest in some parts of the world and economic growth in countries including India and China.

"The fact that this is happening only underscores the need ... to have a comprehensive energy policy," Carney told reporters...


The people demand more Solyndras!!!

The most hilarious part?

Baghdad Bob Carney claims that President Obama didn't put the kibosh on the Keystone XL pipeline... the Republicans did.

The fun begins at 4:30 of the clip. Carney’s playing a game here by stressing the weak distinction between canceling the pipeline project outright and “merely” postponing a decision on it until after the election so that environmentalists will keep donating to the Unicorn Prince. The State Department announced the postponement back in November — with the approval of Obama’s pals in the green lobby. Remember?

...Essentially Carney wants you to believe that if Obama’s environmentalist allies had told him the postponement was unacceptable, O would have shrugged and said, “Oh well. State’s gotta do what State’s gotta do.” What ended up happening was that, after the decision was postponed, the House GOP squeezed Democrats on the payroll-tax extension until they agreed to include a provision requiring the White House to make a firm decision on the pipeline within 60 days. O’s decision, of course, was to cancel it, ostensibly because “the arbitrary nature of the deadline” left State with little time to consider greener pipeline routers but in reality because he’s not about to alienate a core constituency in the middle of the campaign money war to end all campaign money wars. Not even the NYT op-ed page is willing to spin this crap for him. But then, they don’t get paid to. Well, not by the White House, I mean. I think.

Somewhere, Richard Nixon is smiling like the Cheshire Cat. He looks like Honest Abe Lincoln compared to this egregious crew.


Quote o' the Day: Gallup goes on Obama's 'Enemies List'

I sense an audit may be in Mr. Gallup's future. That is, if there is a Mr. Gallup.

Unemployment in the U.S. rose to nine percent in mid-February, up from 8.3 percent a month earlier, according to a new Gallup survey... "The U.S. unemployment rate, as measured by Gallup without seasonal adjustment, is 9.0% in mid-February," Gallup said in its mid-month unemployment survey, released on February 17. "The mid-month reading normally reflects what the U.S. government reports for the entire month, and is up from 8.3% in mid-January."

America really did get Obama's Stimulus package, if you know what I mean.

Real unemployment, including underemployment and discouraged workers, rose to 19%.

This [Gallup statement] seems like an odd thing to say in a report:

"Regardless of what the government reports, Gallup’s unemployment and underemployment measures show a sharp deterioration in job market conditions since mid-January."

Does Gallup have suspicions that the government won't report the rise?

Gee.

That seems so... out of character for the most transparent administration ever.


Image: Moonbattery.

Larwyn's Linx: Why won't the GOP stop Obama’s Arrogant Overreach?

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

Nation

Why won't the GOP stop Obama’s Arrogant Overreach?: NiceDeb
President Obama Seeks to End D.C. Voucher Program–Again: BigG
A young Republican meets Occupy at CPAC: LI

Republicans need to stand up against Waters racist rhetoric: Times
Why is Boehner Blocking Immigration Enforcement Bill?: NoisyRm
Insurance industry could suffer from birth control mandate: Hill

Obama implementing 'amnesty,' gaining votes: DC
Michelle's Bad Eating Habits Scientifically Chronicled: Dossier
Prudence Is Key to Reversing Obama’s ‘Soft Despotism’: Barone

GOP Primary

Context clarifies the "phony theology" sound bite: Pundette
Obama's Left always was anti-faith and family: Tapscott
Romney surge in Michigan?: Hot Air

Santorum is right about U.S. ‘factory schools’: Peth
Gallup: Santorum Opens Dougle-Digit National Lead: CNS
Santorum Holds Huge Lead in Texas: PolWire

Rick Santorum's Part D Vote: AmSpec
Sheriff Babeu Sex Scandal Jeopardizes Romney in Arizona: Scoop
Santorum: National media is trying to destroy conservatives: Scoop

Economy

New Debt Limit Brings New Opportunity for Cut, Cap, Balance: RS
Pelosi: Federal Workers Carry Undue Burden: S&L
Judge Denies Extension Of WI Recall Check: S&L

The True Unemployment Rate: 36%: Hayward
Michelle's ski trip marks 16 Obama vacations: Exam
Quinn faces big questions on IL state budget: Daily Chronicle

Government Motors Dodges Taxes: MB
EVIDENCE: Dem Gov Candidate in WI Sells Out to Unions: BigG
Video Evidence That Our Education Dollars are Well Spent: Powers

Scandal Central

Rep. Labrador is unafraid to speak truth to Holder: Events
Yes, Mr. Kessler, there really is a crony capitalist in the White House: Hot Air
Al Sharpton and Elijah Cummings Lie About Fast and Furious: BigJ

Climate & Energy

Support Greenpeace. For the Children: SDA
The Heartland Institute Flap: AT
Peter Gleick Admits to Deception in Obtaining Heartland Climate Files: NYT

Media

Notes on an Unfinished Letter of Apology (Or, Does Ed Morrissey Torture Cats?): RSM
Judge on CBS Prime Time Drama Cheers ‘Amazing’ Occupy Protesters: ‘I Salute Them’: NB
Big Journalism Uncovers Police Report From Occupy Cleveland Rape Proving Olbermann Wrong: BigJ

Media Hail GM ‘Record’ Profits, Forget to Mention GM Doesn’t Pay Any Taxes: NB
Politifact Has Their Pants On Fire For Newt: JWF
Surprise: Sunday's NYT Lead Slot Warns High Gas Prices May Hurt Obama's Reelection Chances: NB

CBS accuses Santorum of comparing Obama to Hitler: Scoop
HuffPo Slams ‘Act of Valor’: Not Anti-Military, Anti-American Enough: BigH
CNN 2008: High gas prices = BUSH!!! | CNN 2011: High gas prices = no easy answers: NewsReal (2011)

World

Expert Warns Against Singing Islamic Prayer Song: KREX-TV Grand Junction: Atlas
Muslim Brotherhood Spokesman Describes Caliphate "Dream": IPT
The Dog That Cornered Osama Bin Laden: Ask Marion

Showdown in Syria: Sultan Knish
Is Europe Abandoning Obama’s Progressivism?: VS
Meaningless Greek Deal Supposedly Reached; Deal Won't Hold: Mish

Sci-Tech

YouTube bets $100 million on original content: USA Today
Microsoft Fends Off iCloud With Windows 8 SkyDrive Push: Wired
The Art of Cyberwar: Internet Evolution

Cornucopia

'This Was The Moment When Gas Prices Began To Rise, And Michelle Began Her 20+ Vacations': SHN
Occupy Aspen!: MOTUS
Wish You Weren't Here: iOTW

Image: iOwnTheWorld, "Fun with the Aspen locals"
Today's Larwyn's Linx sponsored by: Rick Santorum for President

QOTD: "The powers delegated to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the state governments are numerous and indefinite. The former will be exercised principally on external objects, [such] as war, peace, negotiation, and foreign commerce. The powers reserved to the several states will extend to all the objects which, in the ordinary course of affairs, concern the lives, liberties, and properties of the people." --James Madison – The Federalist

Monday, February 20, 2012

In defense of Rick Santorum: no matter what Obama and the media say, this election is going to be about freedom, not contraception

This election will be about the future of America.

Do Americans want a nation flooded with food-stamps and welfare payments, a European-style decline, and an out-of-control president who flouts the very Constitution upon which he took an oath to uphold?

Or do they want a return to founding principles, fiscal discipline and respect for the rule of law?

Tonight on Fox News, Brit Hume asserted that Santorum's social conservatism would be "poison" in a general election. The media, willing accomplices to the Democrat Party, will be more than happy to paint the former Pennsylvania senator in that light.

But this is a false premise.

Faith, Family and Freedom

This election will be about founding principles, the most important of which are faith, family, private property rights and individual liberty. Those tenets were foundational to the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

Our rights are God-given, not offered in a bill by some bureaucrat in Washington. How can someone articulate the nature of American exceptionalism without a grounding in our founding document and our highest law?

The "Great Society" proved the defective nature of the Democrats' philosophy. Even if they were inspired by altruistic desires, Democrats have utterly destroyed the two-parent family, especially in the urban core.

Dozens of studies have proven that easy access to food stamps and welfare payments inflate the percentage of single-parent families. And single-parent families are linked directly to violent crime: in fact, no matter what race you are, you have the same chance of going to prison if you are raised in a single-parent household.

As for private property rights and the rule of law: the Constitution means what it says. To the extent that temporary politicians dismiss the genius of the Framers; strip away the bonds on the federal government placed explicitly upon it; and confiscate more and more private property in pursuit of a Utopian, benificent state that can't be and never was; they are corrupt and lawless. A government that takes your private property for purposes other than those specifically enunciated in the Constitution is operating outside of the law.

These lines are crystal clear and it will take an articulate conservative grounded in the founding principles to draw the sharpest contrast between the European nanny state that Obama seeks and the kind of government our Framers created.

Social Issues and the Media

In a debate, when some left-wing hack like George Stephanapolous kicks off the proceedings by asking about contraceptives, Rick Santorum should respond as follows:

"Are you having problems getting contraceptives, George? Is someone proposing to ban them? I reject your question. This country faces existential threats economically and from nuclear-armed terror states. I respectfully request that you prioritize your questions in terms of importance to all Americans and not just your personal issues in getting access to contraceptives. So let's start off the debate with a question about something truly important to all Americans."

Legacy media is doubly irrelevant. Not only do most Americans dismiss the notion that journalists are "unbiased arbiters", but they also realize that journalists have a dog in the hunt. Newt Gingrich used this approach effectively to shred several left-wing debate moderators and that template still applies.

The Duplicity of Karl Rove

The "big-government Republican" label is a meme promulgated by the same folks who twisted the arms of GOP senators to support President Bush. For Karl Rove to criticize Santorum for anything is laughable.

So Rick Santorum's really a 'Big Government' guy?

Santorum has a legislative record. Check it out.

Rated 0% by NARAL, indicating a pro-life voting record. (Dec 2003)
Voted YES on $40B in reduced federal overall spending. (Dec 2005)
Voted YES on prioritizing national debt reduction below tax cuts. (Apr 2000)
Voted YES on 1998 GOP budget. (May 1997)
Voted YES on Balanced-budget constitutional amendment. (Mar 1997)

Rated 25% by CURE, indicating anti-rehabilitation crime votes. (Dec 2000)
Rated 27% by the NEA, indicating anti-public education votes. (Dec 2003)
Rated 0% by the LCV, indicating anti-environment votes. (Dec 2003)
Rated 100% by CATO, indicating a pro-free trade voting record. (Dec 2002)
Rated 0% by APHA, indicating a anti-public health voting record. (Dec 2003)
Rated 0% by the AFL-CIO, indicating an anti-union voting record. (Dec 2003)
Rated 81% by NTU, indicating a “Taxpayer’s Friend” on tax votes. (Dec 2003)

--Source: Issues 2000 Legislation Tracker

I'll say this:

So the man who led the only successful reform of an entitlement program -- the 1996 Welfare Reform Act -- is in favor of "big government"?

Rick Santorum is a true, God-fearing, Constitutional conservative in the mold of Ronald Reagan. If we are to begin repairing this country, we need him or someone like him as President.

What this election will be about

Mark Levin, Rush Limbaugh, and Sarah Palin -- all of whom have praised Santorum effusively -- can't all be wrong.

This election won't be about access to condoms. It's going to be about freedom. What it means to be an American. And Rick Santorum would be an outstanding choice as president.


Related: Rick Santorum for President Website

Let's Go Back to the Replay: How Bob Casey Beat Rick Santorum in 2006

What happened in Washington? Millions of jobs lost. The largest deficit ever. An arrogant government out of touch. "Pennsylvania deserves a senator in touch with Pennsylvania... we need someone fighting for fair-trade laws, that don't give away our jobs... someone who will stand up against the partisan politics in Washington... someone who's fiscally responsible... who balances a budget, just like you do, every day of your lives. We can do better in Washington, and we will. I'm Bob Casey, and I approve this message." --Transcript of Bob Casey, Democrat for Senate Ad, 2006

The midterm elections held on November 7, 2006 resulted in a massive victory for Democrats, allowing them to capture the House, the Senate, and a majority of state legislatures and governorships from the GOP.

Senator Rick Santorum was one of the victims of the sweeping Republican loss, falling to Bob Casey by a double-digit margin.

Wikipedia describes some of the major reasons for the national power shift, which included "the decline of the public image of George W. Bush, the dissatisfaction of the handling of both Hurricane Katrina and the War in Iraq, Bush's legislative defeat regarding Social Security Reform, and the culture of corruption, which were the series of scandals in 2006 involving Republican politicians."

As for Santorum himself, The Washington Examiner notes that:

The biggest policy reason for Santorum's loss was his outspoken support for the war in Iraq. By November 2006, the war was going badly and threatened to turn into a full-scale catastrophe. President Bush resisted calls to change course and had not yet settled on the troop surge that would ultimately rescue the situation from disaster. While Santorum's Democratic opponent, Bob Casey, called for a different course, Santorum stuck with the president, and with the war.

"As other Republicans attempt to steer away from Iraq and terrorism, Sen. Rick Santorum argued yesterday that America must stop 'sleepwalking' while 'evil enemies' plot the nation's destruction, making foreign policy a focal point in the final days of his campaign," the Philadelphia Inquirer reported on October 27, 2006. Santorum made the finale of his campaign into a so-called "Gathering Storm" tour, in which he mixed support of the war with calls for continuing vigilance in the war on terror. In making the war such a central part of his campaign, Santorum stubbornly kept the focus on the weakest part of his candidacy.

The voters clobbered him for it. In Pennsylvania exit polls, 61 percent of voters said they disapproved of the war. Santorum lost among them, 15 percent to Casey's 85 percent. Among the largest sub-group of war opponents, the 42 percent of voters who said they strongly disapproved of the war, Santorum lost seven percent to 93 percent. That by itself was enough to doom any hopes for a third term.

That Mitt Romney criticizes Santorum for losing an election -- primarily for his support of the Iraq 'Surge' that the Massachusetts Governor also backed -- is disingeuous at best. Romney didn't run for reelection in 2006.

In this morning’s debate on NBC, Rick Santorum questioned Mitt Romney’s decision not to run for reelection when he was governor of Massachusetts... “Well, if his record was so great as governor of Massachusetts why didn't he run for reelection?” Santorum asked. “I mean if you didn't want to even stand before the people of Massachusetts and run on your record--if it was that great, why did you bail out?”

...Had Romney accomplished the majority of the “100 things [he] wanted to do” in office, or enough of them to be satisfied? Had he decided, at that point, to run for president in 2008 and that the best way to do that would be outside the governor’s mansion in Boston? Or had Romney looked at the poll numbers, which were declining throughout the second half of his term (he was spending a lot of time in Iowa and New Hampshire around then), and concluded that he couldn’t win reelection against a popular Democrat?

A review of Bob Casey's television ads paint a clear picture of his approach to defeating Santorum. In short, he ran to the right of Rick Santorum, promising:

• Fiscal responsibility

• A balanced federal budget

• Stronger border security

• Less centralized government in Washington

Bob Casey beat Rick Santorum in 2006 the way all Democrats win in the rational 46 states (California, Hawaii, Illinois and New York not included): He lied. He lied early, often and about everyone and everything.

Fiscal responsibility? While endorsing Barack Obama, voting for out-of-control federal spending, Obamacare, and supporting amnesty for illegal immigration?

How's that working out for you, Pennsylvania?

The Casey game-plan for victory over Santorum has about as much relevance for the Obama campaign as salads have for Michael Moore. Which is to say: none at all.


Larwyn's Linx: The Building Backlash Against Rick Santorum

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

GOP Primary

The Building Backlash Against Rick Santorum: AmPower
The Left Fuels Santorum Surge: Star Parker
Birth control is NOT how we beat Obama. It’s the economy, stupid!: RS

Santorum Expands Lead Over Romney: PolWire
Adelson and Santorum Agree on Gambling: Commentary
Newt: If Mitt Loses Michigan, He's Done: Breitbart

Obama Behind Every Republican Except Gingrich In Iowa: OTB
Obama struggling in Iowa, poll says: USAT
For Santorum voters, he's a candidate like them: Reuters

Nation

Health insurance costs to rise 31% -- Obamacare architect: AT
The 2012 Elections: The Constitution Must Win!: Moral Liberal
Ruth Bader Ginsburg stepping down in 2015: UPI

Reid: Recess Appointments for Everybody!: Tatler
Memo to Jews: After the Catholics, You're Next: Spengler
Gay Arizona Sheriff Caught Lovin on an Illegal?: CDN

Economy

Taxing Medical Progress to Death: Malkin
Michelle's Aspen Vacation: Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous: Nice Deb
Democrats, Inc.: WS

Disability Claims Up As Unemployment Benefits Run Out: Malkin
Bill Nelson's (D-FL) Farms Avoid $43,000 in Taxes: BigG
Greek CDS to Trigger in March: Mish

Climate & Energy

‘None of the Above’ is not an Energy Strategy: RS
Obama's Gas Pains: Power Line
Obama: $5 gas is a good thing; means economy is “recovering”: Blogmocracy

Obama Tiptoes Around Congress on Greenhouse Gas Issues: LoneCon
Will Obama “Keystone” Alaska’s Pebble Mine? You Betcha!: Wizbang
Jettisoning Juliatard..?: Soylent Green

Media

Paul Krugman's Playboy Interview: Supports Occupy Movement, Defends Revolting 9-11 Comments: NB
Hunting Moonbats: Frankenstein Government
Professor Jacobson, Maybe We Should Both Start Blogging About Sports: RSM

Media Myth Debunked: Income Inequality Is Actually Plummeting: NB
Occupy Women’s Pants: Debunking Keith Olbermann’s Pathetic Defense of Rape: BigJ
Sean Penn's SF Home for Sale: a Minimalist $15 Million: SF Sentinel

Conservatives, Sharpen Your Shank and Shove It In: AmDigest
Andrew Breitbart Alec Baldwin: Breitbart Reply to Alec Baldwin Tweet Classic: MagNote
Why we are all Catholics now: Beck

World

Even the Los Angeles Times notices that President Obama has gone soft on Iran: WS
‘We’ve Got to Do the Job’: Former IDF Chief of Staff Bennett Says Israeli Strike on Iran ‘Imminent’: Blaze
Muslim students across Northeast monitored by NYPD: WSJ

Muslim Store Owners Pressured To Stop Selling Alcohol And Tobacco In . . . Pennsylvania…: WZ
Muslim stone Christians on Temple Mount: JihadWatch
Muslims Call for Shariah Law in India and Islamic Destruction of Hindu Idols: Creeping

Hostage Crisis in Egypt: Will Obama Fare Better than Carter?: Big Peace
Bad Idea: McRINO And Lindsey Graham Call For Arming Syrian Rebel Forces: WZ
Nothing Is Over Until We Decide It Is: babalu

Sci-Tech

Transistor Made Using a Single Atom May Help Surpass Moore’s Law: Bloomberg
A sweet dessert for breakfast may facilitate weight loss, Israeli researchers find: Haaretz
Hackers Said to be Planning to Launch Own Satellites to Combat Censorship: PC World

Cornucopia

100 Great Quotes About Life And Living: Hawkins
John Fairfax: Pirate in a Rowboat: AmDigest
Three dead, up to 8 missing in Washington state avalanche: Reuters

Image: Creeping Sharia
Today's Larwyn's Linx sponsored by: Rick Santorum for President

QOTD: "At a tea party rally in Columbus this morning, Santorum said the “president’s agenda” is “not about you. It’s not about you. It’s not about your quality of life. It’s not about your job... It’s about some phony ideal, some phony theology,” Santorum said. “Oh, not a theology based on the Bible, a different theology, but no less a theology.”

Obama deputy press secretary Ben LaBolt called the comments the “latest low in a Republican primary campaign that has been fueled by distortions, ugliness, searing pessimism and negativity — a stark contrast with the president, who is focused every day on creating jobs and restoring economic security for the middle class.”

Santorum was asked about LaBolt calling it the “latest low” and he became increasingly angry as he answered, saying the “president has reached a new low in this country’s history of oppressing religious freedom that we have never seen before.”" --Shushannah Walshe

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Legacy Media: Hostage Crisis? What Hostage Crisis?

19 American hostages are being held by the new Islamist government in Egypt and to read the funny papers, you'd never know it.

Nineteen American citizens working for well-known and well-established nonprofit groups are being held on trumped-up charges that they tried to destabilize Egypt. Their offices were raided in late December, some are holed up in the U.S. embassy and all of them have been barred from flying out of Egypt... December is when Congress passed a number of conditions for aid to the Egyptian military, including proving a “commitment to Egypt’s peace treaty with Israel, progress toward democratic reforms, and the protection of free expression, association and religion.” Not only are the last two of those conditions not being met by Egypt, but Time adds that Cairo’s case against the Americans is “propagated by the military-led regime.”

That’s also an important part of the story. To its credit, the Egyptian military played a key role in persuading Mubarak to cede power, and in preventing Egypt from careening into chaos. The Egyptian military is now trying to serve as something of a referee/power broker/king-maker. Up until this crisis, Washington recognized that while having the Egyptian military in charge is not ideal, it may be necessary to hold the political pieces together in Egypt. But if this is how the “responsible” parties in post-Mubarak Egypt are going to treat Americans, then it’s time to reevaluate everything about this interests-based relationship. Hopefully, Joint Chiefs Chairman Martin Dempsey is conveying that very message in his talks in Cairo...

Performing a Google News search on this topic will provide you with stories from Commentary, FrontPage, AllAfrica, The Foundry (the Heritage Foundation's blog), Tablet (a Jewish news magazine), IOL News (South Africa), and even the New Republic.

There are no recent stories from The New York Times. Nothing from The Washington Post. Nothing from ABC News. Or NBC. Or MSNBC. Or CBS.

And what does David Gregory on Meet the Press want to discuss with House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan?

Not the "Jimmy Carter, Part Deux" hostage crisis.

Not the disastrous spike in gas prices thanks to Obama's policies of shutting off access to America's vast natural treasure trove of energy.

Not the deficit disaster awaiting America.

No, the pencil-necked liberal hack wants to talk about... contraception.

This pathetic legacy media can't vanish into bankruptcy fast enough.


Top Obama 2012 Slogans as Suggested by Readers of Ace o' Spades

The president's campaign needs a new slogan. The genteel posse of altruistic volunteers at Ace o' Spades decided crowd-sourcing would answer the challenge.

Obama 2012: Change Is Expensive
Obama 2012: Because Queen Elizabeth Really Wants A Skateboard
Obama in 2012 - Because somebody, somewhere, still works in the private sector
Obama: when an empire absolutely, positively has to be destroyed overnight
Obama 2012: Who's the cat who won't cop out / When there's danger all about?

Obama 2012: All These Vacations Aren't Going To Take Themselves
Obama 2012: Abortion, Dependency and The Thrill of Misery
Barack Obama: Smell The Embarrassment
Obama: oppression has a new face
Obama 2012: Change Is Expensive

Obama 2012: You still can't use my middle name
O'12: Because you're racist, that's why.
Obama 2012: At some point you've voted enough
O'12: Admit it, you want to find out what comes after a Trillion
Obama 2012: Because we still don't look like North Korea from space

Obama: What I Did for the Middle East, I Can Do for America
Obama 2012: Divided We Fall
Just the Tip 2012
Obama 2012: If You Were Running For President He'd Vote For You.
Once You Go Barack, Theres No Going Back

Obama 2012: An Abortion In Every Pot
Obama 2012: Because The Mayans Said So
Obama 2012: It's Still Bush's Fault!
Obama 2012: How Much Worse Could It Get?
Obama 2012: The Last Vote You'll Ever Cast

Obama 2012: Ask us about our free contraceptives!
O in '12: Because America didn't eat its peas
Obama 2012: Mulligan!
SCOAMF II: Electric Boogaloo
Obama 2012: Who's promising you more free s*** than ME?

Obama/Biden 2012: America was dressed like a whore


The Islamist Lobby Silently Infiltrates the Beltway [Dan from NY]

Dan from NY:

A sobering thought: The legacy media’s decision to protect Obama at all costs means they are willfully keeping the American public in the dark, suppressing vital information and debate about the steady growth of the Islamists’ influence over Obama’s foreign policy and his administration in general. We should thank Heaven for the work-around made possible by the Internet. If we can keep the regulators’ hands off, it may eventually save us. But if Barack Hussein Obama gets another four years to tinker with our nation, gornischt helfen, nothing will save us.

A note from Investigative Project on Terrorism Executive Director Steven Emerson:

Please take the time to read this very important story written by a courageous Egyptian liberal intellectual about the Islamist and Muslim Brotherhood lobbies in Washington and the Obama Administration's secret collaboration with these pro-terrorist, anti-Western, anti-women, anti-American and anti-Semitic organizations. This is one of the most important articles I have read in years.

It was just revealed two days ago that FBI Director Mueller secretly met on February 8 at FBI headquarters with a coalition of groups including various Islamist and militant Arabic groups who in the past have defended Hamas and Hizballah and have also issued blatantly anti-Semitic statements. At this meeting, the FBI revealed that it had removed more than 1000 presentations and curricula on Islam from FBI offices around the country that was deemed "offensive." The FBI did not reveal what criteria was used to determine why material was considered "offensive" but knowledgeable law enforcement sources have told the IPT that it was these radical groups who made that determination. Moreover, numerous FBI agents have confirmed that from now on, FBI headquarters has banned all FBI offices from inviting any counter-terrorist specialists who are considered "anti-Islam" by Muslim Brotherhood front groups.

The February 8 FBI meeting was the culmination of a series of unpublicized directives issued in the last three months by top FBI officials to all its field offices to immediately recall and withdraw any presentation or curricula on Islam throughout the entire FBI. In fact, according to informed sources and undisclosed documents, the FBI directive was instigated by radical Muslim groups in the US who had repeatedly met with top officials of the Obama Administration to complain, among other things, that the mere usage of the term of "radical Islam" in FBI curricula was "offensive" and 'racist." And thus, directives went out by Attorney General Eric Holder and FBI Director Mueller to censor all such material. Included in the material destroyed or removed by the FBI and the DOJ were powerpoints and articles that defined jihad as "holy war" or presentations that portrayed the Muslim Brotherhood as an organization bent on taking over the world—a major tenant that the Muslim Brotherhood has publicly stated for decades.

The Arab American Institute confirms the story:

In a continuing effort to address concerns related to inflammatory training material, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) recently met with community and interfaith organizations to provide an update on steps taken by the agency to rectify the matter. On Wednesday, February 8, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), the Arab American Institute (AAI), Interfaith Alliance, the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), Muflehun, the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), and the Shoulder-to-Shoulder campaign had an opportunity to discuss the matter with the Public Affairs Office of the FBI. Director Robert Mueller joined the meeting to discuss these matters with the representatives from the organizations...

...[Mueller] informed participants that to date, nearly all related FBI training materials ... were reviewed by subject matter experts multiple times. Consequently, more than 700 documents and 300 presentations of material have been deemed unusable by the Bureau and pulled from the training curriculum. Material was pulled from the curriculum if even one component was deemed to 1) include factual errors, 2) be in poor taste, 3) be stereotypical, or 4) lack precision.

According to Essam Abdallah at the Investigative Project on Terrorism, not only is the Islamist lobby stealthily undermining American law enforcement, it is waging war on Arab and Muslim liberals."

Months into the Arab Spring, we realized that the Western powers, and the Obama Administration have put their support behind the new authoritarians, those who are claiming they will be brought to power via the votes of the people. Well, it is not quite so.

The Muslim Brotherhood, the Islamic Nahda of Tunisia, the Justice Party of Morocco and the Islamist militias in Libya's Transitional National Council have been systematically supported by Washington at the expense of real liberal and secular forces. We saw day by day how the White House guided carefully the statements and the actions of the US and the State Department followed through to give all the chances to the Islamists and almost no chances to the secular and revolutionary youth. We will come back to detail these diplomatic and financial maneuvers which are giving victory to the fundamentalists while the seculars and progressives are going to be smashed by the forthcoming regimes.

Ted Belman offers the executive summary:

What this means is that the Obama administration has made a strategic decision to join forces with the Islamists rather than fight them. This policy has serious implications for America at home and abroad. It also has serious implications for Israel. It means that America will restrain Israel from besting the Islamists and will favour the Islamists over Israel. It is no accident that the Islamists are now in power in Libya, Tunisia and Egypt or that the The US has fully embraced Islamist Erdogan of Turkey and is supporting the advent of the MB in Syria. Nothing could be more ominous.

Chairman Issa: I think it's time for your committee to subpoena Director Mueller and Attorney General Holder on this topic.


Ratio of Americans paying NO taxes explodes to 49% thanks to Obama fairness initiative and suicidal lib policies, but mostly suicidal lib policies

No society can long survive this form of madness:

This year’s Index of Dependence on Government presented startling findings about the sharp increase of Americans who rely on the federal government for housing, food, income, student aid or other assistance. (See last week’s chart.)

Another eye-popping number was the percentage of Americans who don’t pay income taxes, which now accounts for nearly half of the U.S. population. Meanwhile, most of that population receives generous federal benefits.

“One of the most worrying trends in the Index is the coinciding growth in the non-taxpaying public,” wrote Heritage authors Bill Beach and Patrick Tyrrell. “The percentage of people who do not pay federal income taxes, and who are not claimed as dependents by someone who does pay them, jumped from 14.8 percent in 1984 to 49.5 percent in 2009.”

That means 151.7 million Americans paid nothing in 2009. By comparison, 34.8 million tax filers paid no taxes in 1984.

The rapid growth of Americans who don’t pay income taxes is particularly alarming...


Alarming, yes, since on the Obama path, "the economy, according to the CBO, shuts down in 2027."

Democrats like to claim that they're the party of science and intelligence. You'd never know it by their inability to grasp the laws of mathematics.


Related: Chart: We are the forgotten 33%.

Top 10 Demotivational Posters

From Despair.com:






Yes, I know there are really eleven. Consider the extra a bonus.


Hat tip: Ace o' Spades.

Larwyn's Linx: Contraception Misdirection

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

Nation

Contraception Misdirection: Steyn
The Seven Varieties of Gun Control Advocate: JPFO
Where are we going, and why am I in this handbasket?: Cold Fury

Obama To Women: “Look, Little Ladies! A Shiny Object!”: Hot Air
Yes, Walker Balanced Budget Without Raising Taxes: NB
New details released in shooting of Calif. ICE agent: USAT

Catholic Priest Arrested For Praying Outside White House: Dollard
Obama: re-elect me as I have no idea what I'm talking about: Aces
Let Him That Hath Understanding…: Camp

GOP Primary

Romney: From Electable To Not Credible In Sixty Seconds: Riehl
ABC: “Top” GOP Senator says if Mitt can’t win Michigan…: Hot Air
Will women vote for Rick Santorum?: STACLU

Guns, Butter, Jobs and Birth Control: Knish
Here’s how the GOP presidential race blows up: AEI
Aspirin, et cetera: Pundette

Blue state survey: Obama weakness in general election: Hot Air
Romney Campaign Arizona Co-Chair Resigns in Gay Sex Scandal: AmSpec
Dear Spineless Cowards: STFU About Santorum's Religion-based Comments: Riehl

Economy

From the Folks Who Brought You Cloward-Piven: Driscoll
Chicago Teachers Want a 30% Pay Increase: GWP
Federal Union Flips Out Over 0.8% Increase in Pension Contribution: BigG

Wrong Again… Obama Said His Stimulus Would Bring Caterpillar Jobs Back to Illinois – Not Even Close: GWP
Are Credit Derivatives Dead Because Greece Can’t (Won’t?) Default: Sargen
Obama buries NLRB hatchet in tour of Boeing plant: Hill

Scandal Central

It Wouldn’t Be Saturday Morning Without Another Friday Night Solyndra Document Dump to Sift Through: Malkin
Babeu Is Out of Closet, Still in Congressional Race: Tucson Weekly
Republicans Ask Chu to Explain Links Between Prologis, Solyndra: Bloomberg

Climate & Energy

Good news: Wind Production Tax Credit expiring: Marathon
$4.50/gallon gas by Memorial Day?: RS
Gas prices are highest ever for this time of year: Breitbart

The World won’t stop having climate cycles just because they are inconvenient: Watts
New Study Shows No Evidence “Fracking” Contaminates Ground Water: VS
Windmills: Some of us have to sacrifice to be green...even the eagles!: EBL

Media

Record 19 reporters, media execs join Team Obama: C&S
Is Dr. Melissa Going Just A Little Easy On The GOP?: RSM
Karl Rove Uncorks on Obama: VS

News’ From the Liberal Media Meme Factory: Women Hate Rick Santorum: RSM
The New Media Proletariat: RSM
Krauthammer: Obama Vs. The Constitution: Ace

“Bold colors, not pale pastels”: Cold Fury
Bag Lady Wanders In From the Street and Delivers Three Minute Long Tirade at Issa's Panel: Ace
Chuck Todd: Occupy Disruptions Of GOP Events Will Make Evening News Every Night; Hint Hint: Ace

ABC News Goes All Out to Spin Economy for Obama: Powers
Does The Economist really think Obama is a debt cutter like Clinton?: Peth
Limbaugh: We’re Supposed To Ignore Obama and Rev. Wright, Yet Santorum's Responsible For Friess?: Mediaite

World

Mexico Posts Huge 3 Ton Sign on Border Reading, “NO MORE WEAPONS!”: AllAm
Sharia’s Global Reach: A Liberal Muslim Extradited to Possible Beheading: PJM
Muslim arrested in Capitol Building suicide bomb plot is long-time illegal alien: Creeping

Family of DUI homicide victim: Feds failed to deport illegal-immigrant killer: Volpe
Australia Provides Cornucopia of Expensive Goodies to Hordes of Third-World Colonists: MB
Run on safe deposit boxes: Varones

Sci-Tech

Report: Apple Blacklists The New York Times After iEconomy Report: DailyTech
"The most important historical gun in the history of the United States": Network54
Foxconn Plans to Lift Pay Sharply at Factories in China: NYT

Cornucopia

Report: Adolf Hitler had a son with a French teenager during World War I: Blogmocracy
What Do You Think About This Ad?: Ace
Swedish man survives for months in snowed-in car: Reuters

Image: Getty Images
Today's Larwyn's Linx sponsored by: Rick Santorum for President

QOTD: "As for us doom-mongers, at the House Budget Committee on Thursday, Chairman Paul Ryan produced another chart, this time from the Congressional Budget Office, with an even steeper straight line showing debt rising to 900 percent of GDP and rocketing off the graph circa 2075. America’s treasury secretary, Timmy Geithner the TurboTax Kid, thought the chart would have been even more hilarious if they’d run the numbers into the next millennium: “You could have taken it out to 3000 or to 4000” he chortled, to supportive titters from his aides. Has total societal collapse ever been such a non-stop laugh riot?

“Yeah, right.” replied Ryan. “We cut it off at the end of the century because the economy, according to the CBO, shuts down in 2027 on this path.”

The U.S. economy shuts down in 2027? Had you heard about that? It’s like the ultimate Presidents’ Day sale: Everything must go — literally! At such a moment, it may seem odd to find the political class embroiled in a bitter argument about the Obama administration’s determination to force Catholic institutions (and, indeed, my company and your company, if you’re foolish enough still to be in business in the United States) to provide free prophylactics to their employees." --Mark Steyn