Monday, October 06, 2008

545 People


Sean sent this in.

545 PEOPLE By Charlie Reese

Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them.

Have you ever wondered why, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, we have deficits?

Have you ever wondered why, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, we have inflation and high taxes?

You and I don't propose a federal budget. The president does.

You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations.

The House of Representatives does.

You and I don't write the tax code, Congress does.

You and I don't set fiscal policy, Congress does.

You and I don't control monetary policy, the Federal Reserve Bank does.

One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one president, and nine Supreme Court justices 545 human beings out of the 300 million are directly, legally, morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.

I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered, but private, central bank.

I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman, or a president to do one cotton-picking thing. I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator's responsibility to determine how he votes.

Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party.

What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall. No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits. The president can only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it.

The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes. Who is the speaker of the House? She is the leader of the majority party. She and fellow House members, not the president, can approve any budget they want. If the president vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if they agree to.

It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million can not replace 545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts -- of incompetence and irresponsibility. I can't think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people. When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.

If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair.

If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red.

If the Marines are in IRAQ , it's because they want them in IRAQ.

If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it's because they want it that way. There are no insoluble government problems.

Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to w hom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power.Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like 'the economy,' 'inflation,' or 'politics' that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.

Those 545 people, and they alone, are responsible.

They, and they alone, have the power.

They, and they alone, should be held accountable width='100%' by the people who are their bosses provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees.

We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!

Charlie Reese is a former columnist of the Orlando Sentinel Newspaper.

What you do with this article now that you have read it is up to you, though you appear to have several choices.

1. You can send this to everyone in your address book, and hope they do something about it.
2. You can agree to vote against everyone that is currently in office, knowing that the process will take several years.
3. You can decide to run for office yourself and agree to do the job properly.
4. Lastly, you can sit back and do nothing, or re-elect the current bunch.

Can your family afford two more years of a Democratic Congress?

Larwyn's Link Kerplosion: Want more Fannie Mae disasters for your kids? Then Vote Democrat!


YouTube: What Just Happened?

New York Post: The Lies Biden Told.

Jammie Wearing Fool: Welcome to Camp Obama.

American Thinker: Fannie Mae's Easy Credit -- Nine years ago, Steven Holmes of the New York Times wrote admiringly of the way Bill Clinton and the Democrats could claim credit for "Eas[ing] Credit To Aid Mortgage Lending." It amounts to a map of how Bill Clinton and Democrats created this crisis...

Moonage Political Webdream: Jamie Gorelick's BAAACCCKKK! -- I will admit Jamie Gorelick’s life reads like a movie. Only problem is it would be a bizarro Forrest Gump where horrible things happen to millions of people every time she steps into the picture. It’d probably be a huge hit though.

Country Store: In Bush's first year in office, the White House chief economist, N. Gregory Mankiw, warned that the government's "implicit subsidy" of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, combined with loans to unqualified borrowers, was creating a huge risk for the entire financial system... Rep. Barney Frank denounced Mankiw, saying he had no "concern about housing." ...The New York Times reported that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were "under heavy assault by the Republicans," but these entities still had "important political allies" in the Democrats.

Gateway Pundit: Sarah Palin: "Just Once It Would Be Nice If Barack Obama Said He Wanted Us to Win."

Karl Rove (Newsweek): Palin, McCain and the Weeks Ahead

Porter Stansberry (Daily Wealth): How AIG's Collapse Began a Global Run on the Banks: Around the world, banks must comply with what are known as Basel regulations. These regulations determine how much capital a bank must maintain in reserve. The rules are based on the quality of the bank's loan book. The riskier the loans a bank owns, the more capital it must keep in reserve. Bank managers naturally seek to employ as much leverage as they can, especially when interest rates are low, to maximize profits. AIG appeared to offer banks a way to get around the Basel rules, via unregulated insurance contracts, known as credit default swaps.

Pat Dollard: FBI raids office of another Obama friend. Also see Jennifer Rubin: Obama’s sponsor and friend Tony Rezko is going to jail, the Governor of his state whom he supported is going to be indicted and his close confident — for whom Obama got millions in earmarks — is under FBI investigation. Do you think this should be front page news in every mainstream paper? Should we have a feeding frenzy on the stump today as the press demands answers? ...More important, let’s see if McCain and/or his running mate finally will call out their opponent and ask a tough question: Is this the guy who we want to reform Washington?

Thomas Sowell: Do Facts Matter? The current financial bailout crisis has propelled Barack Obama back into a substantial lead over John McCain -- which is astonishing in view of which man and which party has had the most to do with bringing on this crisis... the country does not deserve to be put in the hands of a glib and cocky know-it-all, who has accomplished absolutely nothing beyond the advancement of his own career with rhetoric, and who has for years allied himself with a succession of people who have openly expressed their hatred of America.

Stop the ACLU: RNC to File FEC Complaint on Illegal, Foreign Campaign Contributions.

Berg vs. Obama: ORDERED that the Motion to Dismiss pursuant to F.R.C.P. 12(b)(1) and 12(b)(6) is DENIED. It is further ORDER of this Court that the following discovery is to be turned over to Plaintiff within three (3) days: 1. Obama’s “vault” version (certified copy of his “original” long version) Birth Certificate; and 2. A certified copy of Obama’s Certification of Citizenship; 3. A Certified copy of Obama’s Oath of Allegiance...

Sunday, October 05, 2008

Exclusive Photos: Iranian Revolutionary Guards' terrifying new weapons


Undercover operative Deep Spackle emailed us these pictures from an undisclosed location in Iran.

His Mullah's Ship (HMS) Jihad of Love, Iran's first nuclear aircraft carrier, embarks on a test voyage in the Strait of Hormuz.

HMS Martyred Teddy Bear, a guided missile cruiser, docks in a special slip at the military port of Bander-e Lengeh.

A squadron of Mahdi-15 Fighter-Bombers flies over Tehran.

High-powered Nuclear Suicide-belt cargo planes carry advanced weapons to a secret location.

A top secret photograph of the much-feared, experimental Ayatollah of Rockenrollah battle tank.

Revolutionary Guards Special Operations Commando Ranger demonstrates the Donkey of Doom Personal Killing Tank.

Terrifying!

Yep, I know this is a retread post from July. A full refund is available at the door.

China wants source code for everything entering the country


Daily Yomiuri Online (Japan) reports that the the Chinese government will place some onerous restrictions on imports starting in May 2009.

The Chinese government plans to introduce a new system requiring foreign firms to disclose secret information about digital household appliances and other products starting from May, sources said Thursday... The envisaged system is likely to target products such as IC cards, digital copiers and possibly flat-panel TVs.

If a company refuses to disclose such information, the Chinese government plans to ban the firm from exporting the product to the Chinese market, as well as bar production and sales in the country, according to the sources.

Critics worry that such a system risks seeing the intellectual property of foreign firms passed onto their Chinese competitors.

In addition, the envisaged system poses security concerns if coding technology used in digital devices developed in other countries is leaked to China, they added.

Observers say the issue could develop into a serious international trade dispute, with Japan's Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry and U.S. Trade Representatives expected to urge the Chinese government to drop the plan.

The Chinese government is calling the planned system an "obligatory accreditation system for IT security products," according to the sources.

Specifically, foreign companies will be obliged to disclose relevant products' source code, or a sequence of statements written in computer programming language designed to control digital appliances and other high-tech products.

The system, whereby manufacturers will be allowed to sell their products on the Chinese market only after they pass tests based on disclosed source code and inspections by an accreditation body, is said to be unprecedented.

Products expected to be subject to the system are those equipped with secret coding, such as the Felica contactless smart card system developed by Sony Corp., digital copiers and computer servers.

The Chinese government said it needs the source code to prevent computer viruses taking advantage of software vulnerabilities and to shut out hackers.

However, this explanation is unlikely to satisfy concerns that disclosed information might be handed from the Chinese government to Chinese companies.

There also are fears that Chinese intelligence services could exploit such confidential information by making it easier to break codes used in Japanese digital devices...

Sounds like it's time for an organized boycott.

Judgment & Leadership: Barack Obama Quotes from the Mortgage Crisis (Bumped & Updated)


Barack Obama, 9/3/07: "Subprime lending started off as a good idea -- helping Americans buy homes who previously couldn't afford to."

And, based upon current events, still can't afford to.

Barack Obama, 9/23/08: "If they [Congress] need me, they’ll call me."

Barack Obama, 9/24/08: "I believe that we should continue to have the debate... It's going to be part of the president's job to deal with more than one thing at once."

Note: In asking to delay the debate, McCain said: "It has become clear that no consensus has developed to support the administration's proposal... I do not believe that the plan on the table will pass as it currently stands, and we are running out of time."

Barack Obama, 9/30/08: After offering only "tepid" support for the bailout bill, and after his most ardent backers voted against the bailout, Obama bravely took a stand: "...now is the moment for us to come together and put the fire out."

Courage!

Barack Obama, 9/30/08: ""There will be time to punish those who set this fire, but now is the moment for us to come together and put the fire out."

Note: Democratic Congressional leaders calmly took the helm and led the country out of this debilitating crisis.

Senator Majority Harry Reid: "No one knows what to do."

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi: "...the costs of the Bush Administration's failed economic policies-policies built on budgetary recklessness, on an anything goes mentality, with no regulation, no supervision, and no discipline in the system... we must act now, with the bipartisan spirit of cooperation which allowed us to fashion this legislation..."

Nancy's swamp continues to overflow: Robert Wexler latest to float to the surface


Thank you, Nancy Pelosi! You really drained the swamp, what with Chris Dodd, Barney Frank, William Jefferson, Allan Mollohan, Harry Reid, Jack Murtha and now... Robert Wexler. Ben Barrack points us to fascinating report on Wexler's Web:

Florida congressman and Barack Obama Florida campaign chairman Robert Wexler has allegedly filed 25 amended FEC reports in the days immediately following Bill O'Reilly busting him in front of his Maryland home on camera.

As some might remember, Bill O'Reilly caught Florida Congressman Robert Wexler on tape admitting that he claimed a home owned by his in-laws as his primary residence (in Florida) while he lived in Maryland. Florida has no state income tax.

This was discovered on 7/22/08.

Wexler's opponent seems to have a very compelling argument that there is much more on Wexler needing to be revealed (see link below). Wexler's campaign allegedly submitted 25 amended FEC reports between 7/23/08 (one day after O'Reilly busted him) and 7/30/08.

The one common thread running through all of the amended reports? Any contributions shown to come from a company called Newbridge Securities were re-assigned to other companies, some of which were OUT OF BUSINESS at the time they supposedly now contributed.

If these allegations are true, the Wexler campaign could be guilty of money laundering and multiple FEC violations.

Read the report. I'll eagerly await the New York Times' blockbuster exposé on Wexler's activities.

Update: It figures Department -- "Cold Cash" Jefferson just won the Democratic primary in Louisiana.

Guest Post: A Clear Choice -- Words or Deeds?


Papa B submitted this one for your consideration.

A Clear Choice: Words or Deeds?

The voters in this presidential election will have a clear choice between two individuals: one who is practiced and skilled in words and another whose deeds define him.

The infatuation with Senator Obama emanates from his words, his speeches and his charisma... and not his deeds. His deeds are indeed unremarkable and his followers are inclined to ignore his judgments, long term associations with anti-American organizations and people; his decisions to vote “present”; and to initiate so little legislation especially considering his capabilities. He has consistently followed his party mantra and not sought consensus as has Senator McCain.

John McCain certainly does not have the speaking presence that Senator Obama has. However, while his words may lack theatre, his deeds reflect courage and character. When faced with crisis or danger, he moved toward it whereas Senator Obama consistently avoided it. Continued choices to avoid confrontation or crisis are a reflection of ones character.

All of us have failings. All of us take missteps, or misspeak. That makes us human. When one errs or makes a poor judgment, it is an incident and we have the opportunity to make amends, apologize and at the very least learn from our error. When we continue the same pattern of “incidental errors”, this pattern becomes a “condition”. An association with one individual of poor character is an incident and we have all done it. Continued associations with individuals of questionable character are a “condition” and reflect flaws in judgment or conscious choices either for gain or comfort.

“Past performance is a predictor of future performance.” Most managers know that when hiring a new employee or reviewing a current employee, that past behavior issues will usually recur. Individuals can change but behavior modification is not a high-probability occurrence.

We are being asked to vote for someone and ignore his past conduct in exchange for his charismatic speech and rhetoric. The alternative is to vote for someone whose persona reflects only courage and character. Churchill said “A politician thinks about the next elections – the statesman thinks about the next generations.” Senator Obama has truly managed an outstanding campaign. But, is this a test of a true statesman? When you make your decision, listen carefully to the words but make your judgment on their deeds.

I'm begging the RNC to run this ad: "Can your family afford two more years of a Democratic Congress?"


Congressional Democrats swept to power two years ago.

Since that time gas prices have soared.

Democrats continue to block oil exploration in our own country.

And instead want Americans to send money overseas to pay for fuel.

Housing prices have collapsed thanks to Democratic policies.

People who were unqualified for a home loan were subsidized by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

And for eight years, Republicans have warned that these entities were melting down.

Democrats who took millions from Fannie and Freddie blocked every effort at reform.

Unless you want the next two years to look like the last two...

...Give Democrats the Pink Slip.

We can't afford two more years of a Democratic Congress.

Update: Jem turned the commercial into a video for your animated enjoyment. Check it out.

Linked by: American Thinker and American Digest. Thanks!

Saturday, October 04, 2008

Lexus IS 250C: the C stands for convertible


4wheelsnews has video of the forthcoming Lexus IS250C.

The hardtop convertible would appear to fit somewhere between the BMW 1- and 3-series convertibles.

New yard signs for sale


Feel free to reproduce at your convenience.

Dead Cops, Dead Marines... and Their Killers


These are police officers Waverly Brown and Sgt. Edward O'Grady of Nyack, New York.

They, along with Brinks drivers Peter Paige, were shot and killed by members of the Weathermen terrorist organization in 1981, leaving five children without fathers.

At least four top leaders of the Weathermen terrorist organization have signed on as members of a "grassroots effort" to support the election of Barack Obama (this photo is one of the former terror leaders -- Jeff Jones -- with the wife of New York Governor and prominent Democrat David Paterson).

Progressives for Obama signatories include Weathermen Howard Machtinger, Jeff Jones, Steve Tappis and Mark Rudd. Machtinger helped author the the mission statement of the Weathermen that called for revolutionaries within the United States to wage a 'people's war' and attack from within. The government would fall and 'world communism' eventually would be instituted.

The four, along with Bill Ayers, were among the leaders of the Weathermen terrorist group. In addition to the New York police officers killed, a 1970 pipe bomb in San Francisco set by the group killed another police officer and critically wounded another.

Another 1970 explosion in a Greenwich Village townhouse killed three Weathermen terrorists; they had been in the process of building nail bombs to detonate at a Fort Dix military dance.

In his memoir, Ayers declines to specify the bombings he participated in, writing that “some details cannot be told.”

Ayers, to this day, is unapologetic about his terrorism, his revolutionary goals and still supports the overthrow of the U.S. government on his blog.

When given the opportunity to serve on boards and appear at press conferences with Ayers, an up-and-coming politician named Barack Obama jumped at the chance.

Recently released records from the Richard J. Daley Library at the University of Illinois, Chicago show that Obama and Ayers attended board meetings, retreats and press conferences from 1995 to 2001 as directors of the Chicago Annenberg Challenge.

In fact, during his failed run for Congress Obama claimed this experience as his central qualification for office.

Obama and Ayers also served together on the board of the Woods Fund. Both organizations provided financing and support for radical groups like Acorn, which has had numerous run-ins with authorities over repeated vote fraud, illegal voter registrations, payments for votes, and even trading crack cocaine for votes.

* * *

In 1983 truck bombings in Beirut Lebanon killed 241 American service members in their barracks and another 63 Americans in the U.S. embassy.

The terrorist group Hezbollah -- funded, trained, and led by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps -- was behind the attacks.

When Barack Obama had a chance in 2007 to vote on an amendment designating Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps a foreign terrorist organization, he missed the vote and said he would have opposed it anyhow.

The amendment passed the Senate 76-22 with bipartisan support (including Hillary Clinton). Even former secretary of state Madeleine Albright said the vote was "necessary for sanctions and diplomacy."

* * *

Earlier this year Obama gave a speech to a large crowd in Berlin. He addressed them as "a fellow citizen of the world" and then apologized for the United States: "I know my country has not perfected itself. At times, we've struggled to keep the promise of liberty and equality for all of our people. We've made our share of mistakes, and there are times when our actions around the world have not lived up to our best intentions."

This outrageous statement overlooked the unbelievable sacrifice of Americans who defeated the Nazis and their Berlin-based leadership. Hundreds of thousands of Americans died liberating Europe from the clutches of Hitler and to prevent the spread of tyranny and despotism throughout the world.

And Obama has the nerve to apologize for America in Berlin?

* * *

Barack Obama is a radical leftist whose career was launched at the home of radical leftists and who has affiliated himself with terrorists, radicals and unapologetic haters of America.

Vote accordingly in 2008.

Please forward this to any families of police officers, soldiers, marines, sailors, airmen, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine personnel. If they want to support Obama for president, so be it. But I will not and cannot vote for someone whose supporters, friends and apologists have the blood of police officers and our armed forces personnel on their hands.

Update: Stanley Kurtz at the National Review:

As others have noted, today’s New York Times carries a story on the relationship between Barack Obama and unrepentant Weather Underground terrorist, Bill Ayers. The piece serves as a platform for the Obama campaign and Obama’s friends and allies. Obama’s spokesman and supporters’ names are named and their versions of events are presented in detail, with quotes. Yet the article makes no serious attempt to present the views of Obama critics who have worked to uncover the true nature of the relationship. That makes this piece irresponsible journalism, and an obvious effort by the former paper of record to protect Obama from the coming McCain onslaught.

Update II: I used the wrong photo when depicting the bombed US Embassy in Beirut. Thanks to Dave for the correction.

References:: New York Times, Canada Free Press, Investors Business Daily, New York Times, Aaron Klein, Wikipedia, AIP and Council on Foreign Relations.
Linked by: Gateway Pundit, Jules Crittenden, Parkway Rest Stop, Country Store and Fausta. Thanks!

Friday, October 03, 2008

SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR URGENT BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP


B sent this one.

SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR URGENT BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP

DEAR AMERICAN:

I NEED TO ASK YOU TO SUPPORT AN URGENT SECRET BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP WITH A TRANSFER OF FUNDS OF GREAT MAGNITUDE.

I AM MINISTRY OF THE TREASURY OF THE REPUBLIC OF AMERICA. MY COUNTRY HAS HAD CRISIS THAT HAS CAUSED THE NEED FOR LARGE TRANSFER OF FUNDS OF 800 BILLION DOLLARS US. IF YOU WOULD ASSIST ME IN THIS TRANSFER, IT WOULD BE MOST PROFITABLE TO YOU.

I AM WORKING WITH MR. CHRISTOPHER DODD, MILLIONAIRE SENATOR, WHO WILL BE MY REPLACEMENT AS MINISTRY OF THE TREASURY IN JANUARY. AS A SENATOR, YOU MAY KNOW HIM AS LEADER OF THE AMERICAN BANKING DEREGULATION MOVEMENT IN THE NINETIES. THIS TRANSACTION IS 100% SAFE.

THIS IS A MATTER OF GREAT URGENCY. WE NEED A BLANK CHECK. WE NEED THE FUNDS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. WE CANNOT DIRECTLY TRANSFER THESE FUNDS IN THE NAMES OF OUR CLOSE FRIENDS BECAUSE WE ARE CONSTANTLY UNDER SURVEILLANCE. MY FAMILY LAWYER ADVISED ME THAT I SHOULD LOOK FOR A RELIABLE AND TRUSTWORTHY PERSON WHO WILL ACT AS A NEXT OF KIN SO THE FUNDS CAN BE TRANSFERRED.

PLEASE REPLY WITH ALL OF YOUR BANK ACCOUNT, IRA AND COLLEGE FUND ACCOUNT NUMBERS AND THOSE OF YOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN TO WALLSTREETBAILOUT@TREASURY.GOV SO THAT WE MAY TRANSFER YOUR COMMISSION FOR THIS TRANSACTION. AFTER I RECEIVE THAT INFORMATION, I WILL RESPOND WITH DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT SAFEGUARDS THAT WILL BE USED TO PROTECT THE FUNDS.

YOURS FAITHFULLY MINISTER OF TREASURY PAULSON

It's legit because I checked Snopes.

Linked by: The invaluable American Digest, Cold Fury and Mitchell Langbert. Thanks!

Larwyn's Link Kerplosion: 'One of the Great Success Stories of All Time'


Face the State: "Democracy Alliance memo details Dem plan to "educate the idiots" and target minorities"

The Corner at National Review: "I've had it with the Left and I've had it with "conservatives" who haven't had it with the Left."

Reuters: "Vatican official attacks U.S. Democrats as 'party of death'"

Newsbusters: Maureen Dowd ditched in Pennsylvania by McCain campaign

Copious Dissent: Hugh Hewitt eviscerates the mainstream media (on CNN, no less)

Jack Cashill: Did Bill Ayers write Obama's 'Dreams'?

Jammie Wearing Fool: 'This is One of the Great Success Stories of All Time'

Thursday, October 02, 2008

The Mortgage Meltdown Trial of 2010


You may call the final witness.

Your Honor, I call the head of the Federal Reserve.

Sir, could you describe how defendant Dodd -- former Senator Christopher Dodd -- interacted with Fannie, Freddie and the financial services companies under his purview as head of the Senate Banking Committee?

During the past 20 years... PACs and employees of these firms contributed more than $13 million to Dodd... including nearly $6 million in the past two years.

That's $250,000 a month from people who expected protection. And he protected them alright. All the way until the catastrophic meltdown.

Sir, what about defendant Frank? Former Representative Barney Frank?

Well, by now all of us have heard Frank's incriminating tapes... he said, "I don't think we face a crisis; I don't think that we have an impending disaster. ...Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac do very good work, and they are not endangering the fiscal health of this country."

Not only was he wrong, but even in July of '08, he was pitching Fannie stock to investors on CNBC. Retirees, boomers, young people... anyone who listened to him thought Fannie was healthy. Right before everything evaporated.

And Frank had a major conflict-of-interest: his live-in partner, Herb Moses, was a Fannie Mae executive "at the forefront of the agency’s push to relax lending restrictions."

Which one is more culpable, though?

Neither. [Muffled surprise expressed by crowd]

Excuse me?

Is the man behind this mess sitting in the courtroom?

Yes, sir, he is.

Could you please point him out to the jury?

Yes. He's right there.

Phil Spector?

No... that guy right there.

Barack Obama???

Yep. That's him.

But how? We know Obama took more money from Fannie and Freddie per year than anyone else, but how could that be the root cause?

Easy. Mr. Peabody, set the Wayback machine to 1985... *** Schwang!!! ***

This is Barack Obama in 1985 when he was a community activist.

Obama worked with one of the heads of Acorn, the radical leftists who have been heavily involved with voter intimidation and fraud -- even trading crack cocaine for votes.

In those days Acorn "proudly touted 'affirmative action' lending and pressured banks to make subprime loans." When "Acorn was beginning its campaign against these banks, Barack Obama trained the leadership of organizers in Chicago."

Even in February of this year, the mainstream media was decrying the activities of Acorn in setting the stage for the mortgage meltdown: "In the 1980s, groups such as the activists at ACORN began pushing charges of "redlining" - claims that banks discriminated against minorities in mortgage lending." In 1995, the Clinton administration loosened underwriting further, erasing "'outdated' criteria included the size of the mortgage payment relative to income, credit history, savings history and income verification."

"Banks that got poor reviews were punished; some saw their merger plans frustrated; others faced direct legal challenges by the Justice Department... Flexible lending programs expanded even though they had higher default rates than loans with traditional standards. On the Web, you can still find CRA loans available via ACORN with '100 percent financing . . . no credit scores . . . undocumented income . . . even if you don't report it on your tax returns.'

Ironically, an enthusiastic Fannie Mae Foundation report singled out one paragon of nondiscriminatory lending, which worked with community activists and followed "the most flexible underwriting criteria permitted." That lender's $1 billion commitment to low-income loans in 1992 had grown to $80 billion by 1999 and $600 billion by early 2003.

That was Countrywide, the same firm that gave sweetheart loan deals to prominent Democrats including... Senator Chris Dodd.

You see, it was Obama all along. His support for Acorn's intimidation of banks...

...and the millions he provided Acorn using his directorships of the Chicago Annenberg Challenge...

...and the Woods Fund (both with terrorist Bill Ayers)...

-- were primary drivers behind the mortgage meltdown.

Obama designed a slow-motion attack on the American economy, designed to promote "economic fairness" -- an Acorn code-phrase for socialism.

Consider: every one of Obama's mentors -- from communist Frank Marshall Davis to Jeremiah Wright -- were unapologetic Marxists who hate America.

Mr. Obama: what do you have to say for yourself?

Guilty as charged, your honor. I really thought I could get away with it -- what, with the mainstream media in the tank for me.

Bailiff: take all three ex-Senators into custody. Court is adjourned!