Obama's Economic Plan - Next Week

Obama promises to unveil his economic plan next week.

Oh, boy! I can't wait! The suspense is killing me!

Warren Buffet Hypocrite

Warren Buffet is a hypocrite.

The guy who's always talking about wanting to pay higher taxes has been avoiding paying taxes.

From NewsBusters:

As NewsBusters reported Monday, American media almost completely ignored a report that Warren "Raise My Taxes" Buffett's company Berkshire Hathaway has been fighting with the IRS for almost a decade over taxes it owes.

On Tuesday, the organization digging into Berkshire Hathaway's numbers, Americans for Limited Government, estimated the total could be as much as $1 billion.

...Now that the money involved is 10 figures, will anyone in the Obama-loving media address the hypocrisy of one of the President's wealthiest supporters?

One billion dollars?

Buffet should pay up or shut up.

Actually, Buffet should pay up whether he shuts up or not.

What a hypocrite!

Bob Ryan Won't Resign - News Conference

Sheboygan Mayor Bob Ryan refuses to resign.

He won't go.

From FOX 6 News:

Sheboygan Mayor Bob Ryan says he is "more resolute than ever" to remain in his post as the city's leader. Ryan says the time is now to put the issues of his drinking aside and move forward with Sheboygan's business.

Mayor Ryan has been under fire for his drinking, most recently for a weekend binge in Elkhart Lake in which he was involved in a barroom scuffle.

On Tuesday evening, Ryan said he'll voluntarily take a sobriety test if any of his colleagues believe he's been drinking while on the job. He says he has not had a drink in 37 days. Some in the crowd gathered began to applaud Ryan for that statement. But Ryan said he would rather have the applause when he hasn't had a drink in 37 months.

Video:

 

So Ryan has been sober for 37 days.

How long will he manage to stay sober?

Not long enough.

How many chances are Sheboygan's citizens willing to give Ryan?

How many strikes until he's out?

Watch video of Ryan's press conference here.

Daryl Hannah Arrested (Video)

Daryl Hannah, committed environmentalist and actress, was arrested at a protest at the White House on Tuesday.

From the Associated Press:

Actress Daryl Hannah has been arrested in front of the White House along with other environmental protesters who oppose a planned oil pipeline from Canada to the U.S. Gulf Coast.

The sit-in Tuesday involved dozens protesting TransCanada Corp.'s Keystone XL pipeline. It would go through Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas to refineries in Houston and Port Arthur, Texas.

Before she was arrested, Hannah told The Associated Press the protesters want to be free from dependence on fossil fuels. The group calls for clean energy investments instead. Hannah says they hope President Barack Obama will not bow to oil lobbyists.

Hannah sat down on the sidewalk near the White House and refused orders from U.S. Park Police to move.

Video:



Sean Hannity interviews Hannah about her arrest:

Congressional Black Caucus and the Tea Party

Is Obama going to condemn the Congressional Black Caucus for its stunningly violent rhetoric, attacking the Tea Party?

No way.

And that's sick.

The things said by members of the caucus are terribly irresponsible, the ugliest of hate speech.

From The Blaze, watch what happened at a Congressional Black Caucus meeting in Miami on August 22, 2011:



I can't believe Congressman André Carson, Congressional Black Caucus Whip, serves in the U.S. House of Representatives.

He's a disgrace.

Transcript

ANDRE CARSON: I'm saying right now, under Chairman Emanuel Cleaver's leadership, we have seen change in Congress... But the tea party is stopping that change, and this is beyond symbolic change. This is, this is the effort that we're seeing of Jim Crow.

Some of these folks in Congress right now would love to see us as second-class citizens. Some of them in Congress right now with this tea party movement would love to see you and me, I'm sorry..., hanging on a tree.

Some of them right now in Congress are comfortable with where we were 50 and 60 years ago. But it's a new day, with a black president and a Congressional Black Caucus.

Absolutely disgusting.

This stuff is really sick.

Fellow members of the caucus, Rep. Cedric Richmond, Rep. Alcee Hastings, Rep. Maxine Waters, Rep. Frederica Wilson, and Rep. Al Green similarly vilify the Tea Party and declare war on the movement.

Such rhetoric is inexcusable.

The Democrat colleagues of the CBC members should distance themselves from these people.

If Obama had a spine and integrity and character, he would loudly and clearly condemn the CBC immediately.

Obama's silence on the attacks serves to condone them.

Obama is not a post-racial president. His comments about coming together to solve the nation's problems ring completely hollow.

National Governors Association, Milwaukee 2013

The National Governors Association will be holding its annual meeting in Milwaukee in 2013.

It's fitting for the nation's governors to gather in Wisconsin, the state with one of the most dynamic and effective chief executives in the country.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

The National Governors Association will stage its 2013 annual meeting Aug. 2-4 in Milwaukee's Frontier Airlines Center, Gov. Scott Walker announced Tuesday.

The convention is expected to draw roughly 1,200 visitors to Milwaukee, who will use an estimated 1,800 room nights, according to Visit Milwaukee, the public-private agency that markets the Milwaukee area to visitors.

Room nights are the number of area hotel rooms used, multiplied by the number of nights each room is filled. They are a key measure of a convention's economic impact, which benefits mainly the hotel industry as well as restaurants, stores and other businesses. The annual Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. sales conference, typically among Milwaukee's largest conventions, usually creates around 12,500 room nights.

Visit Milwaukee said the governors group generated $1.8 million in direct spending for hotel rooms, restaurant meals and other items in 1998, when the group last came to Milwaukee. An estimate for the 2013 meeting is not yet available

That's great news for the Milwaukee economy.

Even the Leftists are happy, but with a snippy twist.

Wisconsin state senator Chris Larson tweets:

National Governors are coming to Milwaukee in 2013. Great opportunity for us to shine, regardless of who the governor will be then.

Oh, good grief!

Give it up, Chris.

I assume Larson doesn't mean that Scott Walker will be in D.C. serving in a cabinet post of the new president or serving as the vice president of the United States. I assume Larson doesn't mean that Rebecca Kleefisch will be the governor of Wisconsin in 2013.

Of course, the former shoplifter is talking about recalling Walker.

I think it's terrific that the radical Leftists are dreaming and scheming about ousting Walker.

Let them pour their energy and resources into a completely futile effort. Let them make fools of themselves.

Let Larson and his comrades have to make the case that Walker's successful policies and accomplishments are things we don't want.

New Berlin School District Handbook

Taxpayers and teachers clashed in New Berlin last night.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

In a meeting where teachers alternatively were cheered and booed, and Gov. Scott Walker's collective bargaining law was shunned and embraced, the school board meeting Monday night encapsulated the drama that continues to surround the role of teachers unions in the state.

At issue was New Berlin's employee handbook, which the board approved in a unanimous vote, but not before teachers spoke about their lack of input in the new document and how the new rules could negatively affect their work and the district's reputation.

The meeting was moved to the Performing Arts Center at New Berlin West Middle/High School, 18695 W. Cleveland Ave., to accommodate crowds that were expected to be much larger than normal. That's in part because of a raucous school board meeting in Greenfield last week where teachers butted heads with the administration and school board members over a new handbook and the issue of collaboration with teachers. Police were called to the scene.

...Teachers and union supporters - from New Berlin and other cities - clapped and cheered for their peers. The other half of the audience appeared keen on keeping taxes low and supporting Walker. They cheered when the board approved the handbook.

This is what democracy looks like.

Video, from FOX 6 News:

 

Republicans Banned from Labor Day Parade

Labor Day is a federal holiday in the United States.

It has no affiliation with any political party.

According to the United States Department of Labor:

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

Labor Day isn't SEIU Day or AFSCME Day or Democrats Only Day.

The achievements of American workers are celebrated on Labor Day, not just the achievements of Democrats and union members.

Unfortunately, the politicization of the holiday is destroying it.

Labor Day festivities in Wausau are being hijacked by union/Democrat bullies.

Republicans are actually banned from participating in the parade.

From WSAU:

Wausau’s mayor is weighing in on the Labor Day parade controversey. The organizers of the event – The Marathon County Labor Council – have said Republicans are not welcome because of anti-union legislation that was passed at the state house earlier this year.

There’s been debate over whether the parade is a public or private event. Mayor Jim Tipple met with the city attorney to discuss the issue Monday morning.

On Monday afternoon the Mayor issued a news release suggesting the city is a co-sponsor of the event. Tipple said, “The city is a co-sponsor of the event because we provided the payment for the insurance premium and we agreed to erect a stage and provide police services at no-cost.”

The statement says the Marathon County Labor Council should allow all groups to march in the parade, or reimburse the city for its costs. He says barring certain groups or political parties is against public policy, and is not in the public interest.

Randy Radtke, Marathon County Central Labor Council President, only cares about politics and his agenda, not what's in the public interest.

"It should come as no surprise that organizers choose not to invite elected officials who have openly attacked worker's rights or stood idly by while their political party fought to strip public workers of their right to collectively bargain," Radtke said.

It comes as no surprise that Radtke would take such a divisive stand.

Self-interest is his primary concern.

Sad, but not surprising.

Here's video:

Mark Neumann 2012

It now IS official. Mark Neumann is in the race for the U.S. Senate.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Former congressman Mark Neumann said Monday he would run for the U.S. Senate seat held by retiring U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl.

Neumann, who lost a Republican gubernatorial primary to Scott Walker last year, said the time was right for him to run again, work to balance the federal budget and bring jobs back to Wisconsin.

Neumann made his announcement on the Charlie Sykes show on WTMJ-AM (Radio 620).

A Nashotah home builder, Neumann served two terms in Congress, winning elections in 1994 and 1996. He lost a challenge to then-Sen. Russ Feingold in 1998.

Neumann is the first prominent candidate to officially enter the race. Earlier this month, former Gov. Tommy Thompson announced the co-chairmen of his campaign, an indication he planned to run for Senate. Thompson's co-chairmen are Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen and Jim Klauser, a longtime aide and adviser to Thompson.

In his radio appearance, Neumann said he believed his opponent would be U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.). He said he would seek to contrast his conservative record against the record of Baldwin, a liberal.

If Tammy Baldwin is the Democrats' nominee, and Neumann is the Republicans' nominee, Neumann is a lock.

He'll join Sen. Ron Johnson.

How refreshing it would be to have another conservative from Wisconsin in the Senate!

Herb Kohl was smart to retire instead of suffering the humiliation defeat that Russ Feingold did.

Wisconsin is swinging to the Right.

Irene Flooding (Video)

No, Hurricane Irene didn't wipe out the East Coast.

But was the event the "hurricane that couldn't"?

It must be frustrating for people suffering in the wake of Irene, dealing with massive flooding, downed trees, and property damage. Being without power is a nightmare in itself.

Over one million in the tri-state area are still without power as of midday on Monday.

Vermonters probably aren't viewing Hurricane Irene as a case in hype.

From the Associated Press:

Vermont towns battled floods of historic proportions, utility crews struggled to restore power to 5 million people along the East Coast, and big-city commuters coped with transit-system disruptions Monday as the rainy remnants of Hurricane Irene finally spun into Canada.

The storm killed at least two dozen people, forced the cancellation of about 9,000 flights, washed away roads and bridges and toppled trees and power lines.

It never became the big-city nightmare forecasters and public officials had warned about, but it caused severe flooding in New England, well inland from the coastal areas that bore the brunt of the storm's winds.

In Vermont and upstate New York, normally placid streams turned into raging torrents tumbling with tree limbs, cars and parts of bridges.

Hundreds of Vermonters were told to leave their homes after Irene dumped several inches of rain on the landlocked state. Gov. Peter Shumlin called it the worst flooding in a century, and the state was declared a federal disaster area.

Communities were cut off, roads washed out, and at least a dozen bridges lost, including at least three historic covered bridges.

"We prepared for the worst and we got the worst in central and southern Vermont," Shumlin said Monday. "We have extraordinary infrastructure damage."

Here's video:

Mark Neumann - Senate Announcement

It's official. Well, not really official quite yet.

It should be official at 8:45 this morning.

On Sunday, Mark Neumann announced that he has an announcement to make today.

Although Politico reported that Neumann would be running for the U.S. Senate, Neumann wouldn't confirm the story.

However, a Neumann consultant did confirm that Neumann would announce his candidacy on Monday.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Former congressman Mark Neumann said Sunday he would announce on Monday his plans for the seat held by U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.).

"We are clearly going to announce a decision on Monday," Neumann said in a brief telephone interview.

Neumann declined to comment on a Politico story that said he planned to jump into the race and would make the announcement at 8:45 a.m. on Charlie Sykes' show on WTMJ-AM (620).

Neumann, who lost a Republican primary last year against Scott Walker in the race for governor, confirmed he would make an appearance in the studio Monday morning about his political future.

Tim Cogswell, a GOP consultant working with Neumann, told Politico that Neumann would confirm his candidacy on Sykes' show.

"He will confirm his run and I expect we will have a more formal announcement later," Cogswell told Politico. "I think this was a big decision for him. I think this was a really big jump for him after having lost to Scott Walker."

...Assuming Neumann enters the race, he would be the first to formally announce for the seat, which is up for election in 2012.

Neumann lost to Scott Walker in the Republican primary in 2010. So what?

Plenty of candidates lose a race and go on to be elected to office.

Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan come to mind.

...Earlier this month, former Gov. Tommy Thompson announced the co-chairmen of his campaign, an indication he was moving ahead and planned to run. Thompson's co-chairmen are Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen and Jim Klauser, a longtime aide and adviser to Thompson.

Other possible GOP candidates besides Thompson and Neumann include Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald (R-Horicon), Sen. Frank Lasee (R-De Pere) and former state Sen. Ted Kanavas.

On the Democratic side, U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin of Madison, U.S. Rep. Ron Kind of La Crosse and former U.S. Rep Steve Kagen of Appleton are close to making decisions on whether to run for Kohl's seat.

The Republican possibilities are dramatically better than the pool of potential Dem candidates.

Tammy Baldwin?

There's no way she'd win.

In order to pull off a Baldwin victory, there would need to be massive voter fraud the likes of which we've never seen in Wisconsin.

The woman is a Leftist extremist, and Wisconsin .

We are talking about filling the seat occupied by the sedate/sedated Herb Kohl.

I don't see Wisconsinites choosing someone as radical as Baldwin.

I don't think Ron Kind would do well either. He has that pesky liberal voting record in the House weighing him down.

And of course, Kagen is too strange to even be considered.

So Neumann is the first to jump in, assuming that his announcement this morning goes according to Sunday's announcement of Neumann's announcement.

Protest at Messmer (Video)

Messmer is a great school. Children receive a quality education with a faith-based curriculum.

The union-backed Leftists have a problem with that.

They protested at Messmer because Scott Walker was visiting the school. They despise the governor. They also despise a successful Choice school like Messmer.

Naturally, a protest ensued.

The MacIver Institute put together a terrific video of the demonstration, juxtaposing the lunacy of the crazed protesters with calm, intelligent comments from Brother Bob Smith, Messmer Catholic Schools President/CEO.

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program, and the students and staff at Messmer Preparatory Catholic School were all targets of an obnoxious protest on Friday, August 26, 2011.

From this report by the MacIver News Service, it is clear the protesters (Union members, socialists, MPS officials, liberal activists) could learn a lot by emulating the behavior of the children inside the school.

These Leftists are a disgrace, truly an embarrassment.

SHAME, SHAME, SHAME!

Hurricane Irene, New York City (Video)

Some New York City residents aren't listening to Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

From the Associated Press:

Hurricane Irene bore down on a dark and quiet New York early Sunday, bringing winds and rapidly rising seawater that threatened parts of the city. The rumble and squeal of the subway system was silenced for the first time in years, the city all but shut down for the strongest tropical lashing since the 1980s.

Irene weakened after landfall over the North Carolina coast Saturday, but it was still a massive storm with sustained winds of up to 80 mph as it approached Manhattan. Even worse, Irene's fury could coincide with a tide that's higher than normal. Water levels were expected to rise as much as 8 feet.

Forecasters said there was a chance a storm surge on the fringes of Lower Manhattan could send seawater streaming into the maze of underground vaults that hold the city's cables and pipes, knocking out power to thousands and crippling the nation's financial capital. Officials' worst fear was water lapping at Wall Street, ground zero and the luxury high-rise apartments of Battery Park City. Tornadoes were also a possibility.

In Times Square, shops boarded up windows and sandbags were stacked outside of stores. Construction at the World Trade Center site came to a standstill.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg ordered more than 370,000 people out of low-lying areas, mostly in Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. Only 8,700 people checked-in to shelters and an untold number defied the order.

"Oh, forget Bloomberg. We ain't going anywhere," 60-year-old Evelyn Burrus said at a large public housing complex in Brooklyn. "Go to some shelter with a bunch of strangers and bedbugs? No way."

Late Saturday, Bloomberg said it was no longer safe to be outside.

"The time for evacuation is over. Everyone should now go inside and stay inside," he said.

Many New Yorkers took the evacuation in stride. Some planned hurricane parties.

"We already have the wine and beer, and now we're getting the vodka," said Martin Murphy, a video artist who was shopping at a liquor store near Central Park with his girlfriend.

"If it lasts, we have dozens of movies ready, and we'll play charades and we're going to make cards that say, `We survived Irene,'" he said.

Here's video of people in Times Square as Irene gets closer:



What, me worry?
_____________

Check out this photo of Grand Central Station.

Eerie.

Hurricane Irene

Hurricane Irene approaches.

Prosser, Bradley: The Choke Report

Ann Walsh Bradley doesn't know what it means to be choked.

She's made a fool of herself, but the real victim in all of this is Justice David Prosser, unfairly being accused of assaulting Bradley.

I don't think Bradley has the wisdom necessary to be a competent justice if she thinks contact constitutes a chokehold.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

In interviews with detectives on July 8, Prosser described the impromptu argument between two groups of justices in Bradley's chambers and said that Bradley "charged" him with her fist raised. He said that he may have been unable to back up because of a piece of office furniture and that he put up his hands to defend himself.

"Did my hands touch her neck, yes, I admit that. Did I try to touch her neck, no, absolutely not, it was a total reflex," Prosser said.

Detectives only recorded their interview with Prosser, a fact not explained in the report.

The confrontation between Prosser and Bradley happened after he questioned Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson, saying he had lost faith in her ability to lead the court.

Bradley said she confronted Prosser because he was agitated and loud and she wanted him to leave her suite of offices. Bradley said she was "in control" and denied that she had rushed toward him or raised her fist, saying instead she had walked to him and pointed to the door.

" 'Buddy, get out of my office,' " Bradley said she told Prosser during an interview with a detective on July 12. While saying that, she said in a June 28 interview she was "standing face to face to confront (Prosser)."

She said she specifically remembered using the word "buddy" for a reason.

"Buddy puts me in control and them in the diminutive," she told a detective.

Later, Bradley said, she could recall the contact of Prosser's hands on her neck but no pain or pressure. She did say that she had become emotional after the incident.

Good grief.

This required a special prosecutor?

More government waste.

Video, FOX 6 News:

 

Read the report.

Scott Walker, Messmer, Protest, Vandalism

The Leftists are sick.

Do they really think their twisted tactics targeting Governor Scott Walker is going to bring people around to support them?

Apparently, they do.

Obviously, they're nuts.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Gov. Scott Walker read "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" by Dr. Seuss to a group of second- and third-graders seated on a colorful rug in Messmer Preparatory Catholic School library Friday afternoon.

Meanwhile, protesters outside wished the governor would go, well, anywhere else as they chanted "Shame!" and "Recall Walker."

One person was arrested on accusations of battery during the protest Friday, according to Milwaukee police spokeswoman Anne E. Schwartz, and Milwaukee police also had their first lead on who vandalized eight door locks at the school before Walker's visit.

"A review of the video cameras reveal that at about 11:30 p.m. Thursday night, a lone subject arrived at the school in a light-colored, compact vehicle and walked up to the school," Schwartz said in an email Friday afternoon. "Due to the poor, grainy quality of the video, the gender of the suspect cannot be determined."

Custodial staff at the school, at 3027 N. Fratney St., replaced locks Friday morning, said the school's development director, Jeffrey Robb.

"We're very disappointed," he said Friday morning. "This visit is talking about education."

At least 100 people flocked to the school to protest. Michael Thomas, president of the local chapter of Service Employees International Union, said he protested Friday to keep a fire under Walker.

"Our community is hurting," he said. "We need jobs here."

Thomas said that so far, he hasn't seen evidence of improvements in jobs, education and health care.

"We're not going to let him go anywhere, especially in our community, without him being protested," said another protester, Jacob Flom of the Milwaukee Students for a Democratic Society.

Flom and those of his ilk don't get that these utterly lame protests organized by Big Labor aren't winning any hearts and minds.

..."People are loud, and showing how angry they are with Scott Walker," he said.

It was a different story inside, as the second day of school at Messmer went on as normal, or as normal for its 500 students as possible under the circumstances.

Some students welcomed Walker to the school in a brief meet-and-greet, and he was given a handmade card, flowers, Messmer shirts for him and his wife, and a Messmer baseball cap, among other presents.

Jim Bender, president of School Choice Wisconsin, didn't think the protests outside affected activities inside.

"I'm thoroughly impressed with staff and students," he said.

After reading to students and stressing the importance of literacy, Walker spent a few moments with reporters, telling them the protesters have a right to voice their opinion. But he said he was disappointed about the damaged locks.

"People don't have a right to vandalize," the governor said.

Many protesters had left by the time the governor exited the school into a fenced area where his car was waiting, but those remaining crowded around the fence, shouting.

Jennifer Morales, 41, a former member of the Milwaukee School Board, waited because she wanted to have another chance to yell at the governor. She said that as a mother, she was offended that Walker used a child-serving institution for political purposes.

"This guy has no business being around children," she said.

Morales sounds like a nut.

The crazed shouting and the vandalism serve to marginalize the anti-Walker crowd.

Photo gallery of Walker's visit to Messmer here.

Penguin Art

"The Picassos of the penguin world"

They’re being called the “Picassos of the penguin world” because of their artistic abilities, which they illustrated, literally, in the Fox and Friends studio. The painting penguins visited from Connecticut’s Mystic Aquarium to show off their art, the sale of which raises money to help their fellow African penguins, who are an endangered species.

Video.



These penguins aren't artists. They're penguins waddling around with paint on their feet.

Nick Ashford R.I.P.

Rest in Peace.

Maxine Waters: Tea Party, 'Straight to Hell'

Maxine Waters is angry, and she's directing her anger at the Tea Party.

Video.

MAXINE WATERS: I'm not afraid of anybody. This is a tough game. You can't be intimidated. You can't be frightened. And as far as I'm concerned, the Tea Party can go straight to hell.

Waters' anger is misdirected.

When it comes to the screwed up economy, I think Waters should be directing her comments to Obama.

The Tea Party didn't create the problems.

She should have said, "And as far as I'm concerned, Obama can go straight to hell."

Obama and a Baby

UPDATE, October 18, 2011: Obama handles more babies.
___________________

This picture is hilarious. Obama's expression is priceless.

He looks totally confused. It's like the baby is his approval numbers and he just can't understand what he's reading, totally dumbfounded. Huh? What?

Of course, Obama is the father of two beautiful daughters. They were babies themselves not that terribly long ago. I'm sure he's comfortable holding a little one.

But still, Obama's face the instant the photo was taken is so funny.


U.S. President Obama holds a baby after landing in Buzzard's Bay before boarding Marine One to take him to Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts (August 18, 2011)

What's not so funny about Obama and the baby is that I'm reminded of what he had to say on the 2008 presidential campaign trail:

OBAMA: Look, I've got two daughters — 9 years old and 6 years old. I'm gonna teach them, first of all, about values and morals. But, if they make a mistake, I don't want them punished with a baby.

Here's video:



Obama is the most radical pro-abortion president in our history.

There are times that he considers a human life to be a "punishment."

I can't grasp what it's like to think of a new life in those terms, that it's expendable when inconvenient, that it's a cruel burden.

Fifty million precious, innocent lives have been aborted since Roe v. Wade. They were never allowed to take their first breath let alone grow up. They were killed before having the chance to know what it's like to love and be loved.

Their mothers made the "choice" not to be "punished" rather than cradle their babies in their arms.

Look again at Obama holding that precious baby. In a different context, that life is a "punishment" in Obama's world.

Obama holds a "punishment" in his hands.

Sick.
___________________

Interesting: Obama said his infamous "punished with a baby" line in Pennsylvania.

His approval ratings in swing state Pennsylvania are a disaster.

President Barack Obama, who political experts say will need a win in Pennsylvania to retain the White House, dipped to 35 percent approval among the state's registered voters, according to a Muhlenberg College poll released Friday.

The results come on the heels of a bad week in polls for Obama that showed him first dropping to 39 percent nationwide in Gallup's daily tracking poll. Then another set of Gallup results Thursday showed only 26 percent of Americans approve of how Obama is handling the economy.

These numbers are a huge blow to Obama who won the state handily in 2008, and a significant drop in just a few weeks from when Quinnipiac University polled Pennsylvania voters and found the president with 43 percent job approval.

Not good news for Obama.
___________________

About the video: Someone has done a rather thorough job of scubbing YouTube of that clip. There used to be a bunch. Not anymore.

Perhaps Team Obama recognized it's poisonous.

Obama Vacation Extravagance

Images from Martha's Vineyard showing Obama on vacation and playing golf contrast sharply with images of Americans struggling to find work and suffering in the wake of the Obama economy.

The White House is doing its best to spin that Obama is hard at work, releasing this photo of him NOT frolicking with the rich and famous.


President Barack Obama receives a national security briefing from John Brennan, Assistant to the President for Counterterrorism, in Martha's Vineyard, Mass., Aug. 19, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

This is lame political theater. The last impression the White House wants to portray is a president enjoying a life of leisure and privilege on the Vineyard.

Barack Obama began the first full day of his Martha's Vineyard vacation on Friday by taking his daughters book shopping, then hitting the golf links at a private course.

The White House was at pains to point out he also was briefed by aides on national and international issues.

...The 10-day stay on Martha's Vineyard is Obama's third straight summer on the island off Cape Cod, and his visit to the Bunch of Grapes was a reprise of how he started last year's vacation. Once again, it was a father-and-daughters outing, with first lady Michelle Obama elsewhere on the island.

Inside the bookstore, once Malia and Sasha had picked out books, Obama went to the cashier to pay but was heard disagreeing with the $32 price he was quoted, which seemed low for the size of his stack. He later paid by credit card, telling the cashiers that he uses it only about three times a year.

...Later, Obama and the first lady had dinner at the Beach Plum Inn overlooking Menemsha Harbor, eating as the sun set over the lobster boats and motor yachts. They spent an hour and a half at the inn before returning to Blue Heron Farm. The Obamas dined with friends at the restaurant last year. This year it was just the two of them.

The White House defends Obama's desire for time to recharge and spend time with his family before the new school year begins. Officials also say the president is never really on vacation.

It's true that the U.S. president is never really on vacation, although the liberal media certainly didn't highlight that fact when President Bush spent time at his ranch in Crawford, Texas to "recharge."

One thing is certain: The Obamas didn't have to eat their peas. The Beach Plum Inn doesn't have peas on the menu.

It seems wrong at this time for Obama to not share in the sacrifice. These disastrous economic times call for Obama to partake in the misery, spread the peas around.

Obama is not feeling our pain while he frolics at the Blue Heron Farm.

President Obama and the first family left on Thursday for a 10-day vacation on Martha's Vineyard.

For the third consecutive year, the Obamas will head back to the Blue Heron Farm, an expansive $20 million estate in the Chilmark section of the island.

The 28.5 acre secluded waterfront property comes complete with horse paddocks, a boat house and an apple orchard.

According to Tom Wallace, of Wallace and Co. Sotheby's International Realty, the property contains a five-bedroom main house, a Cape Cod guest house, a swimming pool, a golf practice tee, and a half-court basketball court -- a big seller for Obama, a huge fan.

"It's the type of place that once you get there, it's not something you want to leave," Wallace told ABC News. "It's very tranquil, a great place for a family vacation. The kids will absolutely have a ball, as I'm sure [Obama family dog] Bo will also."

Let's be honest. Obama is not feeling our pain. He can't relate.

The extravagance of the Obama lifestyle was on display even before the family arrived at the grand estate.

Before it had even started in earnest, the much-maligned vacation became a PR nightmare, after it emerged this morning that he and his wife took separate government jets to Martha's Vineyard just hours apart.

Michelle Obama was revealed to have arrived at the Massachusetts retreat, only 500 miles from Washington, four hours before her husband yesterday.
She was accompanied by their daughters and landed at around 2pm - four hours earlier than the President.

The extra transport to get the the First Lady to the island for only a few more hours of vacation time will have cost taxpayers thousands in additional expenses.

The costs related to Mrs Obama’s solo trip mainly include the flight on the specially designed military aircraft she took instead of Air Force One, as well as any extra staff and Secret Service that had to be enlisted to go with her.

She would also have had her own motorcade from the airport to her vacation residence.
The President had already drawn scorn for using two helicopters and Air Force One to get to Martha's Vineyard.

He yesterday left the White House aboard Marine One on his way to Andrews Air Force base to hitch a lift aboard Air Force One - along with First Dog Bo.
After landing at Cape Cod Coast Guard Air Station, he then took a final helicopter to his holiday destination to complete the remarkable 500-mile journey.

The Obamas certainly aren't cutting any corners or being careful with how they spend the tax dollars of Americans.

Couldn't they have at least coordinated their transportation to the playground of the rich and famous?

Maybe it never crossed their minds.

Besides the cost of the two jets, the Obamas' travel plans weren't very green.

No chance of Martha's Vineyard liberals caring about that.

Hypocrites.

Video.

Ryan Braun Ejected (Video)

The Brewers beat the Mets, 6-1.

That's good.

Ryan Braun was ejected.

That's bad.

Watch the video here.

From MLB:

Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun waited through a nearly three-hour rain delay, then did not make it through three innings against the Mets.

He was ejected by home-plate umpire Angel Campos after disputing a called third strike from Mets right-hander Mike Pelfrey in the top of the third inning. Braun turned and had a brief word with Campos, but said enough to draw the ejection.

The third inning has been a trouble spot this season for Braun, who was also tossed in that frame on May 25 after a close call at first base. Before this season he'd only been ejected once in five big league seasons, on Aug. 23, 2009.

Here's video of Braun's ejection in May:


Although it didn't matter tonight, Braun has to be more careful. We can't lose him in the third inning.

The Obama Economy and Bad Luck

Earlier this week, Obama claimed he reversed the recession until "bad luck" hit.

What does Obama consider "bad luck"?

Obama listed three events overseas -- the Arab Spring uprisings, the tsunami in Japan, and the European debt crises -- which set the economy back.

What a crock!

"All those things have been headwinds for our economy," Obama said. "Now, those are things that we can't completely control. The question is, how do we manage these challenging times and do the right things when it comes to those things that we can control?"

"The problem," Obama continued, "is that we've got the kind of partisan brinksmanship that is willing to put party ahead of country, that is more interested in seeing their political opponents lose than seeing the country win. Nowhere was that more evident than in this recent debt ceiling debacle."

Obama can't run away from his responsibility for our economic mess.

Frankly, Obama is being a weasel on this issue.

Very sleazy.

"Bad Luck" hit when Obama was elected.

Al Sharpton: Teleprompter Trouble

Can Al Sharpton read?

Does he need his eyes checked?

He seems to be having trouble mastering the teleprompter for whatever reason.

Video.

AL SHARPTON: ...as well as through everybody's side empty bench.

...

AL SHARPTON: The Statement Department...

Wow.

"Statement Department"?

NBC News needs to seriously reconsider having Sharpton on board.

He's not improving at all.

Sharpton is an embarrassment.

Al Sharpton: MSNBC Train Wreck

How long will MSNBC keep Al Sharpton on the air?

His days have to be numbered. He's a disaster.

Video.

The Last Rose of Summer

In honor of Irish Fest and the waning days of another summer...

Obama's Postcards from Martha's Vineyard

The GOP offers some postcards in honor of Obama's lengthy getaway to Martha's Vineyard.

View the postcards here.

Some examples:









(Obama spent millions of taxpayer dollars on his Martha's Vineyard vacation and all I got was this lousy postcard.)

Obama: Waffles, Wyffels

Would the most brilliant individual ever to have held the office of president of the United States make such a stupid mistake as calling the Wyffels of Wyffels Hybrids, Inc. "waffles"?

You wouldn't think so, but the supposedly great Obama did exactly that.

He screwed up - again.

I wonder if the White House regrets reaching out to the company, asking Wyffels Hybrids to host a town hall meeting at a stop on Obama's taxpayer-funded campaign bus tour masquerading as presidential business.

Obama couldn't even get the name of his hosts right, because he was hungry.

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

The White House reached out to Wyffels Hybrids to host a town hall meeting with President Obama just a few days ago. A good guess why the company was picked for the Wednesday event: it is a large area employer, family owned with an obvious rural connection--and plenty of room to hold people, press and the president.

Wyffels makes corn seed and stacks of bags on pallets surround the area in the production facility where Obama is going to speak. The company is 65 years old this year. The company is a large local employer--about 110 in Atkinson and at its headquarters in nearby Geneseo. Most of the product is sold in Illinois, Iowa, Ohio and Minnesota.

Watch Obama deliver his remarks, thanking the "waffles" and talking about pie:



Transcript

OBAMA: I, I, I want to thank the waffles family for, uh...

(Audience groans, shouts "Wyffels.")

Wyffles, rather, excuse me. I haven't had lunch.

Obama didn't realize he called the company "waffles."

At least the audience stopped Obama in his tracks, not allowing him to continue his remarks until he corrected his big screw-up.

Was that disrespectful, shouting at the president until he got the name of the company right?

A couple of days ago, Ryan Rhodes, a Tea Party activist, was ridiculed and called disrespectful by Leftists for challenging Obama at a town hall event for asking a legitimate question.

Will the people at the Atkinson, Illinois event receive the same treatment?

For years, the Leftists have mocked President Bush for making verbal slips, calling him stupid and unable to read. They do the same to other conservatives as well.

Obama, of course, gets a pass from these same Leftists.

Double standard.

World Humanitarian Day, Obama Vacation

The White House retweets:

World Humanitarian Day is Friday August 19. Volunteer your knowledge, skills and ideas to help others http://t.co/Ctyoq2A#WHD2011

Volunteer?

What is Obama doing on World Humanitarian Day? Surely, Obama will be doing some sort of photo-op to encourage volunteerism and humanitarian efforts.

Wait a minute! Oh, that's right - IT'S OBAMA'S VACATION ON THE VINEYARD!

Obama's Vineyard Vacation Will Cost Taxpayers Millions

At a time when many more cash-strapped Americans are stuck at home instead of vacationing at the beach, President Obama next week will lead an entourage of several dozens to exclusive Martha's Vineyard island at a cost of millions to taxpayers.

While technically he is paying for his estimated $50,000 a week rental of the 28-acre beachfront Blue Heron Farm in woodsy Chilmark, the dozens of U.S. Secret Service agents, communications officials, top aides, drivers, and U.S. Coast Guard personnel with him will be covered by taxpayers as with every other presidential vacation.[Get your Whispers on your iPad--subscribe to U.S. News Weekly.]

His 11-day stay will require the Coast Guard to keep ships floating near Obama's farm, a presidential helicopter and jet at the ready and security agents on 24-hour duty. Armored SUVs dubbed "war wagons" have been flown in to carry the presidential family around the island. It was the same way when former President George H.W. Bush visited Kennebunkport, Maine and Bill Clinton visited Martha's Vineyard during their presidencies.

Typically, say former White House officials, the collection of aides is smaller for a summer vacation than for an official trip. And the motorcade is cut in half, to about 20 cars. What's more, the press corps will be smaller, though they largely pay for themselves.

Obama's vacation comes at an awkward time because of the economic turmoil roiling the nation and Wall Street. Surveys show that a growing number of Americans can't afford even small vacations.

...Obama will certainly have a lot of space to brainstorm. The $20 million farm on Cobbs Hill Road features four dwellings, a swimming pool and a basketball court. Google Earth shows that there is also a single hole golf area with two bunkers. The president, his wife and two daughters can also go to private Squibnocket Beach or Great Pond. There is an apple orchard, and flower and vegetable gardens.

Someone other than Obama will have to volunteer on World Humanitarian Day.

Obama will be too busy resting and relaxing and spending millions of taxpayer dollars to pretend to be a humanitarian.

Obama's Bus: Made in Canada

Couldn't Obama have tooled around in a million-dollar plus bus made in America?

If he's going to campaign on the taxpayers' dime and abuse us, did he also have to spend our tax dollars on a Canadian-made bus?

So much for creating jobs in the U.S.

Obama's Economic Plan - SEPTEMBER

Obama has promised to put out a specific economic plan in September.



Can you stand the suspense?



Charles Krauthammer is right. Pathetic.

The Real Tony Plush

This has to be a first for the Brewers.

Nyjer Morgan, Brewers outfielder, has an alter ego, "Tony Plush."

The team is celebrating "Tony Plush" on September 9th.

Nyjer Morgan and his alter ego “Tony Plush” have become fan favorites with Milwaukee Brewers fans in the outfielder’s first season with the Crew. Now, the Brewers are adding Tony Plush Rally Towels to its promotional calendar.



The rally towels will be given away to the first 30,000 fans at the game on Friday, September 9 vs. the Philadelphia Phillies.

The towels are sponsored by RedPrairie Corporation, a global supply chain and retail technology provider.

So who is "Tony Plush"?

Is he a gentleman?

Jason Albert, Slate, gives some insight.

The Milwaukee Brewers' trade for Nyjer Morgan this March was the kind of move that moves no one. Morgan had been a decent player in Pittsburgh and Washington, but he was mostly known for his bizarre and petulant on-field behavior—throwing a ball at a fan, instigating a brawl, and other assorted jackassery. What didn't make the wire was that this deal was a two-for-one. Along with Nyjer Morgan, the Brewers were acquiring the outfielder's alter ego, Tony Plush. According to a story in the Washington Post, this was Morgan's "gentleman's name." I didn't know what this meant exactly, and I couldn't decide whether this guy was a free spirit or just insane. Could anyone possibly be that much of a dick?

In the succeeding weeks, I spent hours searching for Plush intel. I was consumed by baseball thoughts in a way I hadn't been since I was 10, a time when mastering Ben Oglivie's batting stance qualified as an afternoon well spent. After finding mostly dead ends, I decided to explore my preoccupation in the only place that made sense. On the day of the Brewers' home opener, I pulled a headshot off Google Images and wrote a bio for @Tony_Plush: "The gentleman alter ego of the Milwaukee Brewers' Nyjer Morgan." I didn't open this Twitter account to jock-sniff or to fool anyone into thinking I was Morgan. It was merely a new way to waste time.

As Plush, I tweeted at my friends. I commented on the game. I boasted and bragged: The Braves are scared to hit it at me. Plush is both a gentleman and a vacuum. In the sixth inning, I checked the feed. I had retweets and messages from writers in the press box. I puffed my feathers and cock-strutted around the room. I became bolder, tweeting back and correcting the usage of Morgan's name: I prefer "Tony Plush." Thank you for your support.

That night, my pulse thumped. I started thinking about how to take a bicycle pump to Tony Plush's withered husk. I'd intended the account to be a one-game thing, but it couldn't end now, not with this momentum. Plush needed rules. He would speak only in third-person, and never use contractions. He would be a literate and worldly dandy. His syntactic quirks would lean towards the ornate. And he'd love baseball so much it would make his knees weak. He'd be Henry James toting a Louisville Slugger. I also tagged one tweet with the word #Plushdamentals. This would soon become Plush's magical incantation: a mantra soaked in linseed oil, carefully tucked under the mattress each night, and pulled out the next day.

In the following days, Tony Plush tweeted in-game one-liners about running fast and hitting stand-up triples. Morgan wasn't playing all that much, so Plush also wrote about being a stranger in a strange land—how he used his off-days to locate a snooker club, iron his pocket squares, and figure out ways to get Brewers manager Ron Roenicke to pencil him into the lineup.

Buzz around the account grew, as did the fans' ardor for Morgan himself. Wisconsinites adore athletes with blue in their collar. Get dirty, barrel-roll a few catchers, and you will be loved. After a week, Tony Plush had more than 1,000 followers. ESPN.com's Jayson Stark started including Plush's tweets in his column. A graphic artist from Milwaukee contacted me and asked if I'd be interested in selling Plushdamentals T-shirts.

...Then, on May 17, Nyjer Morgan joined Twitter as @TheRealTPlush.

Watz good Plush Nation,we will take da private off so I can finally get to tha world of Plusha Maniacs!!!!Stay tuned....

Almost immediately, the angry tweets began to roll in. Some followers—those who weren't in on the joke—were upset at being "tricked." They had no use for my Plush anymore. Now they could interact with Nyjer Morgan, the real Tony Plush. With sagging shoulders, I retweeted his welcome message. I was finished.

After stewing for a couple of hours, resentment crept in and replaced the dejection. Morgan's Plush was a pretender, a fraud. Tony Plush would never change his S's to Z's. This was another Plush altogether, one who did not live up the gentlemanly standards I'd so carefully laid out. Not to mention, in the Internet's land grab, I'd staked my claim first. I'd invested far too many hours. Where was his chivalry?

So the "gentleman" Plush is a fraud.

Follow the REAL TPlush on Twitter.

Nyjer Morgan - T Dot

@TheRealTPlush Here, There, Everywhere

Official Twitter page of Nyjer Morgan, BrewCrew Outfielder #2 aka.. TonyPlush, Mr.Eezzy Brezzy, Mr.Gotta B Startin Somthin, Mr.Professional

http://www.brewers.com

This is Nyjer Morgan's official Twitter page.

Obviously, the towel's design doesn't fit the gentleman Plush.

It has an edgy, grafitti vibe that's not really consistent with that Plush tone.

Something a bit more refined, perhaps a design making a simple yet elegant statement would have been more appropriate for a gentleman, like a tasteful monogram.

However, looking at what the real Tony Plush has to say, I guess the street design is fitting.

Not sure how family-friendly the towel's design is. I don't like it. Kind of weird that the Brewers are honoring Tony Plush at all.

Maybe the team should be called the "Brewerz," yo.


___________________

Nyjer Morgan explains Tony Plush to Steve "The Homer" True:

That's my better half, I think. Right now, you're talking to Mr. Nyjer Morgan, but basically on the field everyone sees Tony Plush, a hard-working individual that loves to play and leave it all out on the field. ... It was basically me and my friends back home, around the age of 19 or 20, we called ourselves the Rat Pack. It was three of us. Basically, my friends gave me the name Tony Plush, and basically I kind of self-entitled my own name. I don't think a lot of people are self-entitled, but I guess I'm a strange individual. ... That's not a made-up name! You're talking to him, man!

Jonathan Steitz Defeated

Jonathan Steitz was unsuccessful in his effort to take on union puppet Jim Doyle DEMOCRAT Bob Wirch.

It's a loss for Wisconsin.

From WisPolitics:

Attorney Jonathan Steitz downplayed his financial disadvantage in his challenge of Dem Sen. Bob Wirch, saying he stayed positive and focused on the issues.

Conservative groups did not come to Steitz’s aid in the final weeks over the airwaves, while Dem and union groups hammered him on several fronts.

“Our goal was to run a grassroots campaign and take our message directly to the people,” Steitz told WisPolitics.com in an interview from his Election Night party. “The people who had a chance to meet me and heard me out had a favorable impression. It’s hard to run a campaign like that on the time frame that we had, and I think there’s a good number of people in the district who unfortunately listened to what they were saying about me and didn’t give me much of a chance to change their minds.”

Steitz said he knew he was mounting an uphill battle against Wirch in a district that he said is shifting, but has traditionally leaned Dem.

Despite the loss, he said he remains open to another political campaign down the road. He said he has no interest in becoming a career politician, but hopes his career is marked by periods of public service and time in the private sector.

Steitz deserves credit for challenging Wirch and attempting to hold him accountable for his poor performance as a public servant.

The bad news: Bob Wirch is still in the Wisconsin State Senate.

The good news: Republicans are still in control.

Kim Simac: Recall Outcome Statement

Kim Simac, a newcomer to politics, has dramatically more class than DEMOCRAT Sandy Pasch.

Pasch still hasn't been seen after her loss to Alberta Darling a week ago. She still is in isolation somewhere, making no comments.

Unlike DEMOCRAT Pasch, Kim Simac released the following statement:

Eagle River, WI - Kim Simac released the following statement following the results of Tuesday’s recall election against Jim Holperin:

“I want to thank each and every one of my volunteers and supporters, and the people who voted for me today. There was an unbelievable amount of energy and enthusiasm here, and I hope Jim Holperin remembers that above all he is accountable to all the voters of this district."

“Unfortunately, the special interests spent millions of dollars to distract away from the real issues in this race. We need more jobs and a better economy, not more personal attacks and the same old politics.

“I’m disappointed, but I’m proud of the positive, issue-based campaign we ran, and truly touched by all the support.”

Holperin's win is a loss for the working families of Wisconsin.

Creating a hostile business climate and raising taxes is no way to strengthen Wisconsin's fiscal health.

By fleeing the state with his DEMOCRAT comrades last February, Holperin showed he's a union puppet. Public servants are elected to serve, not avoid their responsibilities.

Congratulations to Kim Simac for stepping up and taking on Holperin.

As for Sandy Pasch--

Where are you?

Dog Welcomes Soldier Home (Video)

A soldier receives an enthusiastic "welcome home" from his dog.

After being gone for nine months, this Great Dane was thrilled to see him.

According to FOX News, the soldier didn't even get a chance to say hello to his wife first.

Here's the heartwarming video:

Paul Ryan 2012

Is he or isn't he?

From the Weekly Standard:

Wisconsin congressman Paul Ryan is strongly considering a run for president. Ryan, who has been quietly meeting with political strategists to discuss a bid over the past three months, is on vacation in Colorado discussing a prospective run with his family. Ryan’s concerns about the effects of a presidential campaign – and perhaps a presidency – on his family have been his primary focus as he thinks through his political future.

“He’s coming around,” says a Republican source close to Ryan, who has been urging the 41-year-old to run.

“With Paul, it’s more about obligation than opportunity,” says another Wisconsin Republican. “He is determined to have the 2012 election be about the big things. If that means he has to run, he’s open to it.”

Ryan hinted at his thinking during a candid interview Friday with Charlie Sykes, an influential talk radio host in Milwaukee, telling Sykes that he was unsatisfied with the current crop of Republican candidates.

Sykes asked Ryan about state of the Republican presidential campaign. “Looking at the Republican field right now, are you confident that the candidates there are able to articulate the issues of the debt and the deficit and the need to reform entitlements in the way that you want to see done?”

Ryan laughed. “Why did you ask me that?”

“You know exactly why I asked you that question.”

“I know. We’ll see. I didn’t see it last night. I haven’t seen it to date. We’ll see. People’s campaigns evolve – they get better. So we’ll see.”

...In his interview Friday with Charlie Sykes, Ryan argued that the supercommittee is not the place to debate debt and deficits – the 2012 campaign is. “The reason I don’t think it’s going to get us another grand bargain – or should – is we should not have a system where 12 politicians cut some agreement in a back room that restructures the whole design of the federal government in three months time. This is a decision that should be brought to the American people.” He added: “I think we need to have a discussion and a debate about how we’re going to deal with this debt crisis because that will determine the kind of country we are going to be and the kind of country we are going to be for a long, long time.”

That’s the kind of debate that would take place during a presidential race, of course. Ryan does not see anyone in the current Republican field who is making such a debate the center of his or her presidential campaign. Perhaps not surprisingly, Ryan disagrees with the conventional wisdom that the entitlement reform proposals in his budget plan are poison to Republican candidates across the country. He points to the results of the recalls in Wisconsin last week, where the battles centered on Ryan’s plans for retooling Medicare as much as Scott Walker’s successful and increasingly less controversial budget reforms, as “vindication” for the solutions that House Republicans have put before the American people.

Ryan spokesman Conor Sweeney says his boss has nothing to declare. “While grateful for the continued support and encouragement, Chairman Ryan has not changed his mind.”

That seems to be true. No one close to Ryan will say that he has made a decision to run. He is using this family vacation—almost two weeks away from Washington—to give serious thought to diving off of that cliff.

If Ryan isn't satisfied with the current Republican field, it's time for him to do something about it.

Obama must be defeated in 2012. We can't afford four more years of Obama.

Ryan Rhodes (Video)

Here's Ryan Rhodes, Tea Party activist, and Obama having a "conversation" after Obama's campaign town hall event in Iowa:



Obama complains that Rhodes wasn't listening to him.

I was under the impression that Obama's alleged "listening tour" meant that he would be listening to the people out in the heartland.

Guess not.

Robert Gibbs: Obama, 'Keeping his Job'

As Obama embarks on his taxpayer-funded Magical Misery Bus Tour, campaigning in the heartland, traveling on Taj Mahal buses costing millions and millions of taxpayer dollars, Robert Gibbs insists that Obama isn't obsessed with "keeping his job."

That's a laugh!

From the Associated Press:

Former White House press secretary Robert Gibbs says Republicans must decide whether they're going to "swear allegiance to the tea party" or work with Democrats to create jobs.

Gibbs, who now advises President Barack Obama's re-election campaign, tells NBC's "Today" show Congress should "pay attention to creating jobs again."

He also suggested that some Republicans "do not want to see this economy get better" because they know continuing misery will likely improve their election prospects.

Gibbs says Obama favors a number of moves to help businesses step up hiring. He says "the president is not focused on keeping his job, most of all. He's focused on creating jobs for the American people."

Obama is a miserable failure when it comes to creating jobs for the American people.

He's a disaster. He rivals Jimmy Carter in terms of coming up with ways to sink the American economy.

Without question, Obama is a master at spreading the misery around. To date, that's his legacy.

It's impossible to swallow Gibbs' statement that Obama isn't focused on winning reelection.

If that's the case, that Obama doesn't think about campaigning, then why is he holding fundraiser after fundraiser, raking in millions upon millions of dollars, and staging this lame class warfare, "tax the rich" bus tour campaign event?

Gibbs is either a liar or very stupid.

Al Sharpton: Dog Story, Pooper Scooper

Al Sharpton continues to take MSNBC and NBC News to new lows.

After his "resist we much" performance about a week ago, I didn't think Sharpton could top himself.

He did.

Sharpton's segment is like a children's story, using a pretend dog named "Banksy."

AL SHARPTON: You know you have to use a pooper scooper in New York when your dog does their business. And they never made me take out my pooper scooper even though Banksy and all of his friends were crappin' over all the people all over town. Thanks for watching.

Video and commentary, from Breitbart:

He's done it! He's actually outdone himself. And this time, the entire embarrassing episode was written, planned and produced. NBC News' Al Sharpton actually meant for this segment to go this way.

Would John Chancellor, long-time NBC News anchor and editorial commentator, have talked about pooper scoopers and a dog character "crappin' over all the people all over town"?

No.

NBC News continues its slide into the sewer of irrelevance.

It's rather sad to think of the incredible decline of the once reputable news outlet and its dignified journalists.

Bob Ryan Should Resign

Sheboygan Mayor Bob Ryan refuses to resign. He declares that he's not going anywhere, even as the Sheboygan Common Council begins the process of having him removed from office.

Because Ryan is fighting the complaints and the Council, it's necessary to call in the lawyers.

It will be a costly battle.

From the Sheboygan Press:

After a flurry of parliamentary moves and angry exchanges between the mayor and aldermen, the Common Council voted Monday night to hire an attorney to look at complaints filed against Mayor Bob Ryan related to a recent drinking binge in Elkhart Lake and to begin the process of potentially removing him from office.

After aldermen voted to hire an attorney, a motion failed that would have transferred $50,000 to a legal services fund to pay the attorney. The council voted to reconsider, however, and approved an amendment to cap the initial outlay at $10,000.

A combative Ryan offered to sign a pledge that he would never drink again as long as he is mayor and said he was stepping up his treatment program for his alcoholism.

But he also claimed he had done nothing to deserve being ousted and said he was the victim of rumors and reiterated that he will not resign.

“This whole thing stinks,” he said. “You should know by now that I never quit. Even if everything out there is true, does it constitute reason to remove me from office?”

Ryan is offering to sign a pledge that he won't drink again while in office as mayor.

How lame!

And then when Ryan goes off on another drinking binge, he'll probably offer to sign a new pledge, promising never to drink again.

Ridiculous!

It's clear that Ryan's alcoholism is not under control. Again and again, he has had high profile relapses.

Ryan has terrible judgment. He's kidding himself if he truly believes that he's up to the job of being mayor of Sheboygan. He's not kidding anyone if he thinks signing a pledge will reassure the people.

By fighting the Common Council, Ryan shows that he has no problem with needlessly sticking the taxpayers with a mountain of legal bills. He cares about himself much more than the people of Sheboygan and the city.

Ryan doesn't understand that he's a public servant. He acts as if the people are mistreating him, as if he's the victim here.

It all boils down to Ryan's failure to hold himself accountable for his repeated inappropriate and unacceptable behavior.

Ryan refuses to accept responsibility. He's stubborn and selfish.

The Council is doing the right thing. Ryan has shown that he's not fit to serve as mayor. He doesn't need enablers. He needs to be confronted with reality.

It's time for him to go. Enough already.

Here's video, from FOX 6 News:

 

Obama, Tea Party, Terrorists

Obama is so unpresidential.

At a town hall meeting Monday night in Decorah, Iowa, Obama preferred to play the victim than to act like a leader.

Here's video:



The Washington Times has an account of the incident, a Tea Party activist confronting Obama with a legitimate question:

President Obama was confronted by a tea party activist Monday night who wanted to know how Mr. Obama can call for compromise with Republicans while Democrats accuse the tea party of being “terrorists.”

Ryan Rhodes, a leader of the group in Iowa, challenged Mr. Obama during the president’s open-air town hall meeting in Decorah, a town of 8,200 in the northeast corner of Iowa, as the president was taking questions from a mostly friendly audience. The tense moment came soon after Mr. Obama had told the crowd that he views himself as the reasonable one in dealing with congressional Republicans.

Mr. Rhodes shouted out that the president’s calls for more civility in politics were meaningless when “your vice president is calling people like me, a tea party member, a ‘terrorist.’"

According to multiple sources, Vice President Joseph R. Biden agreed with that characterization during a recent meeting with House Democrats during the debt debate showdown last month. Both Mr. Biden’s office and the president have since disavowed the remark.

“I know it’s not going to work, if you stand up and I asked everybody to raise their hand … I didn’t see you, I wasn’t avoiding you,” the president said.

“I absolutely agree that everybody needs to try to tone down the rhetoric,” Mr. Obama said. “In fairness, since I have been called a socialist who wasn’t born in this country, who is destroying America and taking away its freedoms because I passed a health care bill, I am all for lowering the rhetoric.”

I think that's a very poor response, but very typical of Obama's approach.

Everything is about him. He twists a question about a terrible verbal attack on his fellow Americans into something about him.

Instead of being straightforward and directly answering the man's question, Barack "spread the wealth around" Obama whines about people calling him a socialist, etc.

It wasn't enough for Obama to simply say "everybody needs to try to tone down the rhetoric." That was irresponsible. He's not answering the question. He's dodging it.

Obama should have said calling Tea Party activists "terrorists" is wrong. Period.

Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley
January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977

Obama Isn't Working

Obama is bringing his bus tour, dubbed the "Magical Misery Tour" by Mitt Romney, to Minnesota.

Welcome to Minnesota, Obama!

Leno: Obama Bus Tour Joke

JAY LENO: President Obama is off on his three-state bus tour this week. I believe the three states are Confusion, Delusion and Desperation.

Recall Elections, August 16

Control of the State Senate is no longer up for grabs. It stays in the hands of the Republicans. But there are still two more recall elections to go.

AUGUST 16TH RECALLS

Senate District 12
Republican: Kim Simac
Democrat: Senator Jim Holperin

Senate District 22
Republican: Jonathan Steitz
Democrat: Senator Robert Wirch

Jim Holperin's Record

Voters in the recall election of DEMOCRAT state senator Jim Holperin have a great opportunity on Tuesday, August 16.

They can do themselves a favor, as well as the people of Wisconsin, and vote Holperin out of office.

A quick review of his record shows why we need to rid the state legislature of Jim Doyle Democrats.

Holperin's record in Madison (and Illinois) is abysmal.

Kim Simac is an exceedingly better choice. She offers the sort of change that will keep Wisconsin on the right track.

Rhinelander, WI - Through all the rhetoric, the millions in outside money and the personal attacks against Kim Simac, Jim Holperin’s record in Madison is still at the heart Tuesday’s recall election. But Holperin is on the wrong side of the issues: jobs, debt, the economy and taxes.

“If you haven’t noticed, Jim Holperin and his friends are running on just about everything but the issues. There wouldn’t be all these wild distractions - and attacks on my family business - if Jim Holperin weren’t terrified of his own job-killing record in Madison,” Kim Simac said.

On Tuesday, the voters in Madison will have their say on the real issues. Jim Holperin’s record in Madison includes:

Jobs: with Jim Holperin and Jim Doyle in charge, Wisconsin lost 150,000 jobs, unemployment was in double digits in much of his district, and for the first time in state history, government jobs outnumbered manufacturing jobs in Wisconsin.

Taxes: Jim Holperin voted for billions in job-killing tax hikes, including higher taxes on small businesses and job creators in the middle of the recession.

Debt: Jim Holperin voted for a budget with the highest general obligation bonding in Wisconsin history - pushing the burden onto future generations.

Property Taxes: Jim Holperin voted in favor of $1.5 billion in property tax hikes, and against a property tax freeze that helps seniors stay in their homes.

Runaway government... Runaway senator: Holperin’s budget took stimulus money, increased spending and grew the government by 6 percent - at a time when the recession was forcing everybody else to cut back. Then, worst of all, he fled to Illinois for a three-week vacation on the taxpayers' dime, instead of fixing the mess he helped create.

“When it comes to the Northwoods, Jim Holperin abandoned his constituents long before he fled to Illinois. Sadly, when you look at the record of what he actually has done in Madison, he might have been doing us all a favor by leaving. On Tuesday, we can finish the job by voting him out of office,” Simac said.

This is really a no-brainer.

A vote for Holperin is a vote for higher taxes, debt, and a bad economy.

A vote for Kim Simac is a vote for responsible government, respect for the taxpayer, and a thriving economy.

The choice is obvious. Vote for Kim Simac.
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Here's video of the disgraceful Jim Holperin in Rockford, Illinois, NOT fulfilling his duties as a public servant of the people of Wisconsin. This was early in the 14 AWOL DEMOCRAT state senators' stint in Illinois. The negligence of Holperin and his DEMOCRAT comrades, servants of Big Labor, had only just begun.