iCNews Soup

The 'Call for Civility' Canard

2011-01-19T21:29:00.000-08:00

Do you still beat your wife?

We are all familiar with that often used example of a loaded question. The question is dishonest because it presupposes certain facts. It’s a ‘gotcha’ question, a catch-22, damned if you answer, damned if you don’t. The so-called ‘Call for Civility’ plea issued by democrats and the leftist media is also a catch-22 proposition and the entire debate is disingenuous.

On the heels of the tragedy in Tucson, the actions of the gunman were immediately linked to conservative politicians, activists and commentators, despite all evidence to the contrary. In a saner world, the very notion would have been dismissed as ridiculous and obscene. But the narrative has been constructed that this shooting was the result of hateful political rhetoric from the right, even though an examination of the evidence clearly indicates that this was the work of a lone, crazed gunman.

So, how should conservatives respond to the ‘Call for Civility’? Unfortunately, we are left with only two options, and neither is very good.

With the aid of the media, the left has been allowed to frame the debate and maneuver conservatives into an unenviable position. If we identify this ‘Call for Civility’ for what it is (a false issue and needless distraction) we will appear hostile and confirm their narrative. If we ‘moderate’ our tone, it will be perceived as a tacit admission of guilt. We will, in effect, appear to agree with the notion that our tone has been hateful, over-the-top, and a contributing factor to the shootings in Arizona, which is demonstrably untrue – and there it is, the catch-22.

The left, despite their truly hateful rhetoric, has been allowed by the media to seize the political high ground. Like a dime store psychic, liberals claim the ability to see veiled hate, racism or misogyny in any figure of speech or language conservatives choose to use. In other words, any disagreement with their leftist agenda equals racism and hate. Remember, the Tea Party was called racist by several congressmen and the NAACP. Remember, it was ethically challenged congressman Charlie Rangel who said, "It's not 'sp*c' or 'n*gger' anymore. They [republicans] say 'let's cut taxes.'" Remember, it was Jimmy Carter who equated disagreements with the policies of the Obama administration with racism. I don’t know about you, but constantly referring to your political opponents as racist and hateful strikes me as less than civil.

Has their strategy worked? In a word, yes. According to the latest poll, 35 percent of Americans believe that Sarah Palin is, at least in part, responsible for the shootings in Tucson. This, despite the fact, the shooter had little to no interest in politics or talk radio. This, despite the fact, that phrases such as “targeted district” and “battleground state” is age-old political rhetoric that did not originate with Sarah Palin. In fact, these metaphors have been used widely by republicans, democrats and the media for decades.

During this season of guarded language and walking on eggshells, conservatives will be unable to use legitimate forceful political language, while the left will be allowed to fire at will. Conservatives will enter the next election cycle careful and guarded, worried that any word or action will be seized upon by the left and called hate-speech. It’s first down and the left has achieved its goal of moving the debate further in their direction from the line of scrimmage. Amazingly, they have managed to accuse their political opponents with accessory to murder, while simultaneously pleading for a more civil tone. Last but not least, they have managed to stifle vigorous debate over their bankrupt ideology. Instead of debating the legitimate issues of Obamacare, unemployment, the debt crises, Cap & Trade, or a nuclear Iran, we have spent the better part of two weeks on a snipe hunt.

How should conservatives respond? Perhaps, Instead of becoming too careful and guarded, conservatives should follow the sage advice of President Obama and never bring a knife to a gunfight… and in my personal concession to the left, I would like to make it absolutely clear that I meant that only as a political metaphor.

We're on it 364 days a year... what terror attacks?

2010-12-22T14:25:00.000-08:00

Incredible incompetence was demonstrated during this interview with Diane Sawyer. Not one, but two huge gaffes were made. Had such comedic performance happened during the Bush administration the media would have been apoplectic.

Just remember, liberals are always brilliant with a command of the issues and conservatives are dunderheads. That's the script and SNL will never stray too far
from it.

Obama compares GOP to hostage takers

2010-12-08T03:57:00.000-08:00

In the spirit of bipartisanship, Obama referred to Republicans as hostage takers. At a time when you can't refer to real terrorists as terrorists, that was certainly an interesting analogy Obama chose to use. He can't seem to help himself. You'll recall before the elections that he referred to Republicans as the "enemy".

That strikes me as very harsh political rhetoric coming from the leader of the free world. Somehow, I don't think the press will be alarmed by it like they were over Republican use of age-old campaign jargon like "battleground states" and "targeted districts".

Vintage news report: Pearl Harbor attacked

2010-12-07T12:30:00.000-08:00

Flashback: North Korea attacked South Korean patrol ship

2010-11-23T14:36:00.000-08:00

WASHINGTON – WASHINGTON (AP) — On the night a torpedo-armed North Korean submarine allegedly sank a South Korean patrol ship, the U.S. and South Korea were engaged in joint anti-submarine warfare exercises just 75 miles away, military officials told The Associated Press. Continue>>

North Korea attacks, Huffington Post sees business profits as bigger threat

2010-11-23T13:05:00.000-08:00

Related articles

Who wants more Chris Christie?

2010-11-20T18:06:00.000-08:00

Is it too soon to vote for Christie in 2012? Well, who knows if he'll even run, but the kind of candor you get from this guy is refreshing for a politician. And now, ladies and gentlemen... more Chris Christie.

2010-11-19T23:41:00.000-08:00

Fiction meets reality - Airplane II predicted the future

2010-11-19T23:26:00.000-08:00

Reality 2010:

Fiction 1982:

Bush gets big applause at Tonight Show

2010-11-19T23:00:00.000-08:00

Here's part 1 of a very humorous interview. You can view Part 2 here.

Shades of Europe in Northern California

2010-11-19T22:44:00.000-08:00

We've seen the recent unrest in parts of Europe as entitlement programs are being reduced. Now in Northern California, we have college students attacking and assaulting police officers over increased tuition. I'm guessing that there aren't many Tea Partiers in this crowd.

On a separate, but closely related note, Peter Hitchens hits the nail on the head in his recent column about the deleterious effects of higher education on society at large.

"For many people, college is a corrupting, demoralising experience. They imagine they are independent when they are in fact parasites, living off their parents or off others and these days often doomed to return home with a sense of grievance and no job. They also become used to being in debt – a state that previous generations rightly regarded with horror and fear."

"And they pass through the nasty, sordid rite of passage known as ‘Freshers’ Week’, in which they are encouraged to drink dangerous amounts of alcohol and to lose what’s left of their sexual inhibitions after the creepy sex educators have got at them at school. If they have learned self-disciplined habits of work and life, they are under pressure to forget all about them, suddenly left alone in a world almost completely stripped of authority."

"I think this debauching of the minds and bodies of the young is more or less deliberate. The horrible liberal Woodrow Wilson, who eventually became President of the United States, was originally an academic who once blurted out the truth as seen by many such people. He said in a rare moment of candour: ‘Our aim is to turn out young men as unlike their fathers as possible.’"

You can read the full article here. It is a must read.

.

Reporter calls Palin an 'Extraordinary ass' on MSNBC

2010-11-19T22:28:00.000-08:00

Here is more of the extreme vitriol coming from the Left toward Sarah Palin. They can be as vicious and insulting as want to be, and that without apology.

The media has used completely new tactics to demolish Palin and her family. Another example I would point to is how the media trotted-out Levi Johnston in a further attempt to damage Palin. I can't think of another example when the media felt the need to interview the exboyfriend of the daughter of a former V.P. candidate.

In her new book, Palin criticizes the media for the attention they gave to Levi Johnston: "It was disgusting to watch as his 15 minutes of fame were exploited by supposed adults taking advantage of this lost kid." NewsBusters documented six stories and three "exclusive interviews on the CBS Early Show alone. Johnston also made the rounds at CNN, NBC, and ABC as well. Here is a small sample:

Related articles

PBS airbrushes Tina Fey

2010-11-16T21:53:00.000-08:00

PBS removed various potshots Tina Fey took at conservative women in general, and Sarah Palin in particular, during an awards ceremony. PBS claims that they had no problem with Fey's remarks, but was forced to trim the show due to time constraints.

History of Veterans Day

2010-11-11T13:19:00.001-08:00

More Christie gold

2010-11-07T23:01:00.000-08:00

Chris Christie wants his constituency to know that members of the New Jersey legislature are on vacation. But before taking leave, they tackled the most pressing issues of the state. Things such as laws on sterilizing stray dogs, tobacco contraband, foreign made dentures disclosure, and illegal lock picking.

Bill Maher gets rolled... again

2010-11-06T23:52:00.000-07:00

Fareed Zakaria explains the obvious facts about the election to an incredulous Bill Maher. As usual, Maher loses, badly. Nevertheless, Maher's audience of sycophants are always there to cheer him on.

That was almost as bad as the exchange between Maher and George Will.

Perspective

2010-11-03T22:33:00.000-07:00

Remember when conservatism was dead? Seems so long ago.

The day after...

2010-11-03T12:30:00.001-07:00

Order in the court! Obama gets heckled in Connecticut

2010-10-30T15:03:00.000-07:00

Obama was heckled today by AIDS activists during a speech in Connecticut. In response, Obama said, "we're funding global aids, the other side is not..."

Well, that's not quite true. George Bush is highly esteemed in Africa for his funding of AIDS programs. The funding was so significant, 60 Minutes described it as "momentous".

Watch CBS News Videos Online

Obama seemed to have his hands full as he tried settle-down people in the auditorium. Kind of like a judge repeatedly banging the gavel and yelling, "Order in court!"

EXIT QUESTION: Did Obama's appearance on the Jon Stewart show (and others like it) reduce his stature even among the faithful?

.

Shovel Ready

2010-10-27T14:29:00.000-07:00

Joy Behar raises money for Sharon Angle

2010-10-27T14:19:00.000-07:00

By now you've probably heard about Behar's latest outburst - this time against Sharon Angle. Certainly if any conservative had spewed such vitriol against a liberal, they would would have lost their job by now.

Well as it turns out, that little outburst netted Sharon Angle an extra $137,000 in campaign contributions. To say thanks, Angle sent Behar a bouquet of flowers. Now who's classy?

... and Joy graciously accepts, or not so much. Remember, this is the lady (along with Whoopi) who stormed off the set because of O'Reilly's "offensive" comments. The lack of self-awareness is breathtaking.

.

Jerry Brown: "It's all a lie... I didn't have a plan for California"

2010-10-26T18:26:00.001-07:00

Clint Eastwood on Obama: "Not a fan"

2010-10-24T00:33:00.001-07:00

What! Clooney defends conservatives

2010-10-24T00:30:00.000-07:00

George Clooney is a big Hollywood Leftist. No doubt about it. But even he stopped Bill Maher in his tracks as he began another one of his ill-informed rants on conservatives.

Call me senator

2010-10-23T17:16:00.000-07:00

NPR: Fair and Balanced?

2010-10-21T13:37:00.000-07:00

This recent dust-up with NPR started long ago. I'm surprised Williams and Liasson have lasted this long. It will be interesting to how Liasson responds... or doesn't respond.

*Repost*

Did NPR pressure reporter to end association with Fox News? Apparently so, according to Politico. Donor and tax payer funded National Public Radio (heard locally at KUOR 89.1 and KPCC 89.3) put pressure on Mara Liasson to end her association with Fox News during the White House boycott of the news organization.

Of course, this is not the first time NPR and Fox News have locked horns. News analyst Juan Williams has also had his share of blow-back from NPR listeners and critics for his association with Fox News. He was heavily criticized for his interview with then-President George W. Bush.

In another story that reveals how the wheels turn in the MSM, veteran reporter John Stossel, who recently left ABC for Fox News, discussed his contentious history at ABC and the difficulties he had getting projects to air on his former network.

Juan's biggest mistake

2010-10-21T11:52:00.000-07:00

Of course, it's big news that Juan Williams has been fired by NPR for his recent comments:

Juan's biggest mistake is that he didn't say something to disparage Christians. Because you can say pretty much anything about Christians and no one in the MSM even bats an eye as the following examples illustrate:

Tavis Smiley is convinced that Christians are a far greater terrorist threat than radical Islamists. In fact, he claims that Christians in America are engaged in terrorist activities everyday. I wonder what would have happened if he made the same claim about Muslims.

Of course, this is not the first time we've heard this kind of nonsense.

It even comes from places you wouldn't expect. If Charles Barkley had made these comments about any other group of people, he would no longer be a sportscaster or pitchman. At least not without the appropriate public scourging and apology tour.

Incoherent Barbara Boxer

2010-10-15T11:29:00.000-07:00

Barbara Boxer is not used to having her claims challenged so she feels free to make completely absurd statements. But in this segment, even Wolf Blitzer has to question her math. Then the comedy really begins.

Clever...

2010-10-14T13:05:00.000-07:00

Fireworks on the View

2010-10-14T10:14:00.000-07:00

Whoopi and Joy stormed off the set today because O'Reilly had the audacity to say that Muslims were responsible for the attacks on 9/11.

UPDATE:
During her weekly appearance on The O'Reilly Factor, Laura Ingraham chronicles all of the bigoted statements Joy Behar has made against Catholics and Christians.

...and meanwhile, somewhere in a parallel universe, Joy Behar defends herself and looks to 9/11 truther, Jessie Ventura for support. So, what O'Reilly said (besides being true) was highly offensive to Ms. Behar, but believing that 9/11 was an inside job by the Bush administration is completely acceptable.

Shameless

2010-10-03T06:44:00.000-07:00

Why Gloria Allred is not simply dismissed and ignored based on her history of baseless accusations is beyond me. It seems that she is always on the hunt for useful idiots with the over-the-top rhetoric and public drama. At least here, she is appropriately taken to the woodshed by Greta Van Susteren.

You might also remember that Allred basically called Pam Tebow a liar during the controversy over the pro-life Super Bowl spot in which she appeared with her son, Tim Tebow.

Obama's Aunt: In her own words

2010-09-22T16:02:00.000-07:00

This interview leaves me speechless...

CNN: 'Fox News is essentially the voice of the Republican party'

2010-09-22T15:40:00.000-07:00

Rick Sanchez of CNN slams Fox News as an arm of the Republican party. He claims that they are trying to make Obama look bad no matter what he does. He forgot to mention that CNN, along with the rest of the MSM, is trying to make Obama look good, no matter what he does.

Jimmy Carter (the greatest president ever) agrees:

Howard Dean explains how NOT to answer questions

2010-09-22T15:17:00.000-07:00

In this clip Howard Dean explains the "pivot"; don't answer the question you're asked, change the subject, answer the question they should've asked. He goes on to say that Bill Clinton was the best at it.

Here is a great example of Barrack Obama NOT answering a question. Does NOT answering a question also mean that you don't think about the question as well?

Clinton: Sorry, my bad

2010-09-21T02:37:00.000-07:00

When the health care debut was in full swing, Clinton urged the Obama administration to pass the Health Care Bill despite fierce public opposition. He was convinced that once it passed, America would embrace the new legislation with open arms. As of 2:00 PM this afternoon, that still hasn't happened.

To his credit, David Gregory asked the former president about his miscalculation and the continuing anger over ObamaCare.

Jimmy Carter is superior

2010-09-21T02:18:00.000-07:00

If you don't believe me just ask Jimmy. He stated that his role has been superior to other former presidents. What I really love is how Brian Williams interrupts his own interview with Carter (this just in) to insert a clarifying remark, "For the Record." But when you consider Williams' original question, I seriously doubt that Carter misspoke.

For good measure, Carter also took a whack at Fox News and the Tea Party. By the way, did you know that Obama is a Christian? If not, Brian Williams will drive that point home as well.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Media mash: "Imagine" + "Jump"

2010-09-21T01:56:00.000-07:00

I know nothing about music theory (or grammer). But, I'm guessing that whoever (or is it whomever?) put this song together knows a little something about the subject. They combined the music from John Lenin's (misspelling intentional) "Imagine" and the lyrics from Van Halen's "Jump". The result is vastly superior to anything Lenin imagined. I much prefer the insipid lyrics of "Jump" over the nonsense spouted in the original version.

Obama fatigue

2010-09-21T01:36:00.000-07:00

Even former supporters are tired. Or as this lady stated, "Frankly, I’m exhausted. I’m tired of defending you… My husband and I thought we were beyond the hot dog and beans of our lives."

Man arrested for defending home, family against gang members

2010-09-08T03:57:00.000-07:00

Perhaps you thought that you had the right to defend yourself and your family against criminals. Well, guess again. A Long Island man was arrested for firing four warning shots into the ground after his home was approached by dozens of gang members. Apparently, Long Island is now part of the Arizona border.

Islamization of Paris

2010-09-07T13:52:00.000-07:00

This hidden camera video shows just how influential Islam is becoming in Paris as Muslims regularly shut-down public streets for prayer.

Just a friendly reminder, you're still a racist

2010-09-07T00:40:00.000-07:00

Just in case you've forgotten, if you're against the policies of the current administration, and if you don't absolutely love the idea of a Ground Zero mosque, you're a racist.

Recovery Summer incognito

2010-09-07T00:37:00.000-07:00

In the off-chance that you haven't noticed, the economy is red hot, on fire and growing like dandelions in the Spring.

Krauthammer on the $50,000,000,000 stimulus

2010-09-07T00:27:00.000-07:00

According to Krauthammer, this latest stimulus proposal is just an effort for government to appear as if it's doing something, but in the end, it will all add up to just more debt.

Bill Press: Man of the Left

2010-08-30T22:59:00.000-07:00

Bill Press, talk show host and former chair of the California Democratic Partry, perfectly represents the Left. He compared the Glenn Beck rally to Al-Qeida and said that the Lincoln Memorial is too sacred for talk about God (I wonder what Lincoln would say about that). By the way, he also supported the Fairness Doctrine. He is everything he accuses those on the Right of being, totalitarian and intolerant.

Bill Press throws his support behind the Fairness Doctrine.

World War II

2010-08-29T12:44:00.000-07:00

HT: World War II - Miss Cellania

Letterman mocks Obama

2010-08-25T15:09:00.000-07:00

I didn't think this day would ever come. Letterman tells a biting joke about President Obama being a one-term president.

Relentless: More from the MSM on why you're a bigot if you oppose the GZ mosque

2010-08-24T12:15:00.000-07:00

Time Magazine decided that this would be a good time to recount America's history of discrimination. By doing so, they make the issue of the Ground Zero mosque equivalent to racism and slavery. Of course, there will be no discussion of the living conditions for those currently living under Sharia law in Islamic countries.

The media wants to stress that Islam is actually a beautiful religion that has been "hijacked" by extremists. They also want us to understand that Christianity is the true religion of hate and intolerance.

Couric: Is it Islamaphobia or Obamaphobia?

2010-08-24T11:18:00.000-07:00

A breathless media seeks to correct the record on Obama's religion. But on the way to correcting the record, they conflate several issues and seek to merge the legitimate issue of the GZ mosque with the birther nonsense. Chuck Todd even throws-in Jeremiah Wright for good measure, implying that the criticism against Wright was a false controversy.

Who knew that this little clip with candidate Obama was just a sign of things to come. Once again, George Stephanopoulos was happy to quickly jump in and correct the record.

Obama a one-term president?

2010-08-24T10:30:00.000-07:00

There's been lot's of spekalatin' of late (especially after the gz mosque flap) that Obama wants to be a one-term president. Here is Cavuto making his case.

Is that just crazy talk? I don't know, listen to what Obama himself said earlier this year during an interview with Diane Sawyer.

Dowd to Americans: Oh you are ugly - Politico

2010-08-24T10:01:00.000-07:00

Image via WikipediaDumb and bigoted.

That’s Maureen Dowd’s assessment of her fellow Americans in a piece that ran in Sunday’s New York Times, “Going Mad in Herds.” According to Dowd, we are a tribe of unenlightened Islam-haters, who obtusely believe President Barack Obama is a Muslim. All this, she says, is evidence of something I’m sure she knew all along — that Americans lack Obama’s stirring intellect.

It’s unfortunate that an instinctive rebel like Dowd, who has properly commended herself for “speaking truth to power,” is found bowing at the throne of Obama. What’s worse is the intensity of the thrashing she delivers to her fellow commoners.

“Obama is the head of the dysfunctional family of America — a rational man running a most irrational nation, a high-minded man in a low-minded age,” she writes. Full Article>>

US breast cancer drug decision 'marks start of death panels' - Telegraph

2010-08-20T10:08:00.000-07:00

Image by borman818 via FlickrAmerica's health watchdog is considering revoking its approval of the drug Avastin for use on women with advanced breast cancer, leading to accusations that it will mark the start of 'death panel' drug rationing.
A decision to rescind endorsement of the drug would reignite the highly charged debate over US health care reform and how much the state should spend on new and expensive treatments. Full Story>>

Dems campaign against Bush while asking for his help with GZ mosque

2010-08-20T10:00:00.000-07:00

Here is one of the latest ads from the DNC which features an unflattering cameo of former President George Bush.

But there has been an interesting development of late. Since President Obama's recent comments about the GZ mosque, he's had to weather a fierce storm of controversy. Now many on the Left are urging former President Bush to jump into the fray and come to the aid of President Obama. Where is Alanis Morissette when you need her?

Update: The DNC has already yanked the ad from the internet and airwaves. Fortunately, it was captured by Legal Insurrection before it was pulled.

Related articles:

The stunning decline of Barack Obama: 10 key reasons why the Obama presidency is in meltdown – Telegraph Blogs

2010-08-20T09:45:00.000-07:00

Image via WikipediaThe last few weeks have been a nightmare for President Obama, in a summer of discontent in the United States which has deeply unsettled the ruling liberal elites, so much so that even the Left has begun to turn against the White House. While the anti-establishment Tea Party movement has gained significant ground and is now a rising and powerful political force to be reckoned with, many of the president’s own supporters as well as independents are rapidly losing faith in Barack Obama, with open warfare breaking out between the White House and the left-wing of the Democratic Party. While conservatism in America grows stronger by the day, the forces of liberalism are growing increasingly weaker and divided. Full Story>>

Wisdom from Hollywood - Russel Simmons

2010-08-20T00:33:00.000-07:00

Music mogul Russell Simmons blames Christians for first WTC bombing. Larry King was right on top of it and called Simmons on his factual error. OK, I made that last part up. King said nothing to correct the record.

Ouch!

2010-08-20T00:00:00.000-07:00

AP Orders Staff: ‘Stop Using the Phrase “Ground Zero Mosque”’ | NewsBusters.org

2010-08-19T23:40:00.000-07:00

In an unusual move, the Associated Press has publicly released an advisory memo to its reporters on how to cover of the Ground Zero mosque story - and the first rule is that journalists must immediately stop calling it the 'Ground Zero mosque' story. Full Story>>

.Related articles:

A little inspiration from The Gipper

2010-08-17T22:50:00.000-07:00

Pelosi wants those opposing ground zero mosque investigated

2010-08-17T22:45:00.000-07:00

Nancy Pelosi wants to know who is funding the opposition groups against the ground zero mosque. Well, with almost seventy-percent of Americans opposed to the mosque, it shouldn't be too hard to figure out.

Republicans jump to record-breaking 12 point lead in generic ballot

2010-08-17T15:40:00.000-07:00

Rasmussen: Republican candidates have jumped out to a record-setting 12-point lead over Democrats on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending Sunday, August 15, 2010. This is the biggest lead the GOP has held in over a decade of Rasmussen Reports surveying. Full Story>>

Libs respond to Sarah Palin's 'Mama Grizzlies'

2010-08-17T14:59:00.000-07:00

This is Sarah Palin's 'Mama Grizzlies' ad from July.

And this is the day late, dollar short, over-the-top, silly response from Emily's List, a liberal political action committee.

Daily Show: The race card is maxed out

2010-08-11T14:23:00.000-07:00

I don't usually post Jon Stewart because of his adolescent fascination with profanity. But this is pretty amazing. Although Jon Stewart is pretty left of center, even he is tired of the race card.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Race Card Is Maxed Out

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show Full Episodes

Political Humor

Tea Party

Gateway Pundit on media spin

2010-08-11T10:50:00.000-07:00

Image via Wikipedia

This is a must read post from Gateway Pundit on how hard the media works to put a positive spin on the news for the Left. Latest spin, Michelle Obama's vacation. Gateway Pundit>>

Stop playing the race card

2010-08-09T23:13:00.000-07:00

The juxtaposition in this video is priceless. Some people live in the past, some people see things for what they are in the present. Here we have a white liberal telling a black man why he should still be angry about racism.

Boy Scouts boo Obama

2010-08-07T17:21:00.000-07:00

Obama decided to send a tape to the Boy Scouts Jamboree so he could appear on The View. The Scouts appear unimpressed by the prerecorded message.

Related articles:

Dean: ObamaCare mandate won't survive

2010-08-07T00:40:00.000-07:00

Howard Dean makes two predictions in this clip:

The ObamaCare mandate is D.O.A
Democrates will gain seats in November

I'm predicting that one of those predictions is wrong.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Reporters vs. black conservatives

2010-08-07T00:20:00.000-07:00

This is an interesting video well worth watching. Some of the reporters were rather incredulous at the notion that there are blacks who would align themselves with the Tea Party.

Same-sex marriage and religious liberty: What's really at stake

2010-08-05T11:30:00.000-07:00

We keep hearing that the legalization of same-sex marriage will have no impact on the life of the average American, but nothing could be further from the truth. It will radically reorient society and curtail religious liberties. Obama appointee Chai Feldblum has already acknowledged this inevitable conflict.

In this recent commentary (linked below), Chuck Colson offers several examples of how religious liberties are already under assault.

(The Coming Persecution)

What is seldom discussed in this debate is how the agenda is not just for same-sex marriage, but also to radically redefine the institution to include open marriage. The real motive here is to make the concept of marriage completely unrecognizable. As Colson notes in the following commentary (linked below), same-sex marriage is just the first step in that process.

(Not Like Everyone Else)

Related articles:

Missouri voters reject Obamacare: Prop C passes with over 70% of vote

2010-08-04T00:08:00.000-07:00

Given an opportunity to make their voices heard over the recently passed healthcare legislation, Missouri voters overwhelmingly rejected Obamacare. However, it is interesting that the only two people the local news could find to interview were opposed to Prop C.

Obama to GOP: 'You can't have the keys back, you don't know how to drive.'

2010-08-03T23:16:00.000-07:00

The Washington Post--The president said the Republican Party lack one "single, solitary new idea" and are "betting on amnesia" to help them in November. During a bit that drew hearty laughs from the Democratic audience, he likened the GOP to a driver who has gone into a ditch, and after not helping to push the car out, demands the keys back. Full Story & Video>>

Pelosi trapped by her own words

2010-08-03T22:59:00.000-07:00

Recently Nancy Pelosi spoke of "the Word made flesh", a reference to Christ, and the fact that she is very fond of that portion of Scripture. Well, a correspondant from CNS news asked a simple question; when did the Word become flesh? Suddenly the speaker thought that it was inappropriate to discuss religion.

China to build ginormous buses that cars can drive under

2010-08-03T09:01:00.000-07:00

Seriously, this is the future that China's envisioning: huge friggin' buses engulfing smaller cars on the road. Despite the silly picture and the eccentric "3D Express Coach" branding, this cunning project by Shenzhen Huashi Future Car-Parking Equipment actually makes sense. The idea is to make use of the space between regular-size cars and bridges, thus saving construction costs as well as minimizing congestion impact by allowing cars to drive underneath these jumbo buses. Full Story and Video>>

HT: Engadget

.

McCain: Obama 'small minded'

2010-08-03T08:17:00.000-07:00

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) accused the president Monday of being "small-minded" and "bizarre" in his presentation of American military success in Iraq.

The 2008 Republican Presidential nominee called out President Barack Obama for being a detractor of the surge policy in Iraq while he served in the Senate and then claiming the strategy as his own now that it has proven successful. Full Story>>

HT: Politico

Dan Rather predicts Republic majority in House

2010-08-03T08:09:00.000-07:00

Giant 'solar tsunami' to hit earth

2010-08-03T08:02:00.000-07:00

Astronomers from all over the world witnessed the huge flare above a giant sunspot the size of the Earth, which they linked to an even larger eruption across the surface of Sun.

Experts said the wave of supercharged gas will likely reach the Earth on Tuesday, when it will buffet the natural magnetic shield protecting Earth. Full Story>>

Troubled Waters

2010-08-03T08:01:00.000-07:00

Washington (CNN) -- A House ethics investigative panel has charged a high-ranking Democratic congresswoman with violating House rules by seeking federal assistance for a bank with financial ties to her husband.
According to the House ethics committee, California Rep. Maxine Waters helped arrange a meeting in September 2008 between Massachusetts-based OneUnited Bank and Treasury Department officials. Full Story>>

Howard Dean can't catch a break

2010-07-29T21:15:00.000-07:00

Early this week we saw Chris Wallace give Newt Gingrich and Howard Dean a hard time over the Shirley Sherrod incident. In this latest video, Howard Dean is confronted by Chris Matthews (of all people) over the Sherrod story.

Court Upholds Expulsion of Counseling Student Who Opposes Homosexuality

2010-07-28T14:00:00.000-07:00

A federal judge has ruled in favor of a public university that removed a Christian student from its graduate program in school counseling over her belief that homosexuality is morally wrong. Monday's ruling, according to Julea Ward's attorneys, could result in Christian students across the country being expelled from public university for similar views. Full Story>>

UPDATE: Student told to change 'unethical' Christian beliefs

2010-07-28T13:52:00.000-07:00

Jennifer Keaton, a student at Augusta State University, was told that she would need to go through additional "training" to accept homosexuality or she would not graduate from the counseling program. She was recently interviewed on CNN along with an attorney from the Alliance Defense Fund.

Fareed Zakaria interviews Islamist Anjem Chourdary

2010-07-27T23:59:00.000-07:00

In case you missed it, earlier this month Fareed Zakaria interviewed Islam4UK spokesman Anjem Chourdary. He has praised Muslim terrorists, including the 9/11 hijackers. He also believes that Sharia Law should be implemented in the UK.

Demorcratic Gov Ed Rendell: "The President of the United States has to go on serious shows"

2010-07-27T23:23:00.000-07:00

Governor Ed Rendall is not terribly pleased about President Obama's decision to appear on The View this Thursday.

Cornel West: President Obama's 'No Messiah'

2010-07-26T14:12:00.000-07:00

Cornel West is a man of the Left; Princeton University professor, member of the Democratic Socialists of America, and Obama supporter. That's what makes his comments in a recent interview all the more interesting:

On Glenn Beck: "I'll fight for the right of Glenn Beck to express his opinion. Even he has a right to be wrong, which he is most of the time. ... Beck appears to have a certain preoccupation with black folk. Why is he so obsessed with black people? I notice he doesn't give the Amish that much attention."

On what President Obama is doing wrong: "While he's made some good, positive changes, I don't think he's a messiah or even a very progressive politician. It turns out when you talk about hope, you have to be a long-distance runner."

On his current relationship with Obama: "He doesn't return my calls. ... I did 65 events for my dear brother Barack on the campaign trail but have not seen him since Martin Luther King Day 2008. ... I couldn't even get a ticket to the Inauguration for my mother. ... I think he has the kind of disposition where he just moves on." Full Story>>

Cornel was interviewed on CNN after Obama won the election. He seems to have lost some of the optimism he expressed at that time.

By the way, there is also a Hollywood connection for Cornel. You might remember that he had a small part in the Matrix trilogy as a member of the council and he also had a hand in developing the storyline as well.

Shirley Sherrod incident: Chris Wallace has tough questions for the Left and Right

2010-07-25T16:42:00.000-07:00

This is a great example of why it's unfair to tar and feather Fox News. Here is Chris Wallace asking very tough questions to Newt Gingrich and Howard Dean over the whole Shelly Sherrod incident.

Related articles:

Britain Plans to Decentralize National Health Care - NYTimes.com

2010-07-24T17:17:00.000-07:00

Even as the new coalition government said it would make enormous cuts in the public sector, it initially promised to leave health care alone. But in one of its most surprising moves so far, it has done the opposite, proposing what would be the most radical reorganization of the National Health Service, as the system is called, since its inception in 1948.

Practical details of the plan are still sketchy. But its aim is clear: to shift control of England’s $160 billion annual health budget from a centralized bureaucracy to doctors at the local level. Under the plan, $100 billion to $125 billion a year would be meted out to general practitioners, who would use the money to buy services from hospitals and other health care providers. Full Story>>

.

Is Bobby Jindal back from the hinterlands?

2010-07-24T14:19:00.000-07:00

Political fortunes can turn on a dime. Perhaps Bobby Jindal's political fortunes are on the rise due to his recent speech in which he criticized the Federal governments response to the Gulf oil spill.

Back in February of 2009, Jindal was tapped to give the Republican response to Obama's State of the Union speech. After his response Jindal was widely criticized, even by Republicans, for a poor delivery lacking in gravitas. The most memorable reaction probably came from an open-mic Chris Matthews as Jindal began his speech. In roughly six-minutes, Jindal went from presidential contender to political lightweight. But if this speech is a sign of things to come from Jindal, he may very well become a force to be reckoned with.

Related articles:

Liberal talker Ed Schultz unloads on Obama administration

2010-07-24T13:09:00.000-07:00

MSNBC talk show host Ed Schultz has a history of having, shall we say, exuberant outbursts. Here's one more.

Wisdom from Hollywood - A Series

2010-07-23T12:13:00.000-07:00

In this clip, entertainer Cyndi Lauper goes on a profanity laced tired. She refers to Bush and Cheney as "criminals" and evangelicals "devils".

This is America and she has every right to express her opinion. But those are some pretty harsh and hateful comments and she will never get called on it by the media. Liberals are never accused of hate-speech, only conservatives.

HT: Big Hollywood

Charle Rangel: "What station are you from?"

2010-07-23T10:37:00.000-07:00

The Dems know that they usually get a pass from the MSM and this clip proves it. Luke Russert of MSNBC actually asked Rangel some tough but fair questions which clearly annoyed Rangel. Apparently Rangel thought Russert was from FOX News and also accused him of trying to make a name for himself.

But that's okay, because another reporter had Rangel's back with a follow-up question that moved the discussion away from Rangel's corruption to how Republicans might "exploit" the situation.

Notice how Rangel responds,"Now that's a good question." So, Charlie Rangel, a Democrat, is looking at ethics violations and this reporter can only ask about how Republicans might use this against the Democrats. In doing so, he shifted the emphasis of this story from Rangle's corruption to Republican exploitation.

Related articles:

Meet Charlie Rangel's opponent in the next election: Pastor Michael Faulkner

2010-07-23T10:20:00.000-07:00

Faulkners Website

.

Student told to change 'unethical' Christian beliefs

2010-07-23T09:46:00.000-07:00

AUGUSTA, Georgia, July 22, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) filed suit against Augusta State University Wednesday on behalf of a counseling student who was allegedly told that her Christian beliefs are unethical and incompatible with the prevailing views of the counseling profession. The student, Jennifer Keeton, says she has been told to stop communicating her beliefs and that she must undergo "training" to accept homosexuality in order to graduate from the counseling program. Full Story>>

UPDATE: Christians arrested in Dearborn

2010-07-23T09:21:00.000-07:00

You may remember this story about the Christians who were arrested in Dearborn Michigan for handing out Scripture. There have been some interesting developments of late as the case works its way through the courts. Most notable is a surprising statement released by the ACLU in support of the Christian missionaries.

Michael Steinberg, the legal director for the ACLU of Michigan, told the Messenger via email, “Based solely on the videotape, it appears that the man encouraging others to convert to Christianity was engaged in speech protected by the First Amendment. The videotape suggests that the man who was arrested was not harassing the people with whom he was speaking, nor was he inciting a riot; rather, he was engaged in the type of free exchange of ideas about religion that is valued in a free society. The man’s message may not have been popular at this particular festival, but the Constitution protects unpopular speech as well as popular speech.”

Steinberg also says that what happened on Sunday, June 20 — when the same missionaries were shooed off a public sidewalk and told they had to be at least five blocks away to hand out literature — looks like an abuse of authority as well.

“If it was being distributed on public streets outside the area reserved for the festival,” he said, “then it was protected First Amendment activity because public streets are quintessential public forums where protection of freedom of speech is strongest.”

He also noted that “videotaping police officers in public – especially when documenting perceived police misconduct – is activity protected by the Constitution.”
Dan Ray, a professor of constitutional law at Cooley Law School in Ann Arbor, agrees. “If any local authority told the religious group that it could only distribute its literature five blocks away,” he said, “that’s a clear First Amendment violation.” As a legal question, he said, this was “not even a close call.”

The Dearborn Police Department did not return calls seeking comment for this article.

Full Story>>

.Related articles:

Rangel Charged with multiple ethics violations

2010-07-22T16:43:00.000-07:00

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Add a side-mounted End Call button to your iPhone 4 - Crunch Gear

2010-07-22T11:17:00.000-07:00

Add a side-mounted End Call button to your iPhone 4

Fallout from the Shirley Sherrod incident keeps rolling

2010-07-21T21:50:00.000-07:00

I think Bill O'Reilly offered a fair analysis of the situation on his Talking Points Memo.

Comments around the Web>>.

'Hezbollah-land' Attracting Jihad Tourists

2010-07-20T17:38:00.000-07:00

On a hilltop where Hezbollah once launched its attacks on Israeli troops, families now picnic next to an abandoned Merkava tank. A 3-year-old boy beamed as he walked in, carrying a plastic assault rifle that was practically his size.

In Lebanon, visitors tour tanks and exhibits from Hezbollah's war with Israel.
At Hezbollah's "Museum for Resistance Tourism" on the mountain stronghold of Mleeta, war is celebrated, glamorized, and fashioned into an interactive display. Full Story>>

U.S. Navy Successfully Uses Laser to Shoot Down Drones :: CBS News

2010-07-20T15:57:00.000-07:00

The U.S. Navy has used a a laser weapon to shoot down four unmanned aerial vehicles in a test that rings up memories of Ronald Reagan's "Star Wars" missile defense shield in the 1980s. Full Story>>

Darth Vader has a new gig

2010-07-20T15:14:00.000-07:00

Well, now that the Empire has crumbled, you have a lot unemployed people. Fortunately, it looks like Mr. Vader has landed on his feet and found a gig with Tom Tom. But who knew he was such a diva?

Darth Vader GPS recording session @ Yahoo! Video

UPDATE: Apparently that gig didn't work out so well. Sadly, Mr. Vader is now a suspect in a recent bank robbery. So sad to see yet another Hollywood icon self-destruct. Full Story>>

.

Daily Caller: Documents show media plotting to kill stories about Rev. Jeremiah Wright

2010-07-20T10:45:00.000-07:00

It was the moment of greatest peril for then-Sen. Barack Obama’s political career. In the heat of the presidential campaign, videos surfaced of Obama’s pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, angrily denouncing whites, the U.S. government and America itself. Obama had once bragged of his closeness to Wright. Now the black nationalist preacher’s rhetoric was threatening to torpedo Obama’s campaign.

The crisis reached a howling pitch in mid-April, 2008, at an ABC News debate moderated by Charlie Gibson and George Stephanopoulos. Gibson asked Obama why it had taken him so long – nearly a year since Wright’s remarks became public – to dissociate himself from them. Stephanopoulos asked, “Do you think Reverend Wright loves America as much as you do?”

Watching this all at home were members of Journolist, a listserv comprised of several hundred liberal journalists, as well as like-minded professors and activists. The tough questioning from the ABC anchors left many of them outraged. “George [Stephanopoulos],” fumed Richard Kim of the Nation, is “being a disgusting little rat snake.”

Others went further. According to records obtained by The Daily Caller, at several points during the 2008 presidential campaign a group of liberal journalists took radical steps to protect their favored candidate. Employees of news organizations including Time, Politico, the Huffington Post, the Baltimore Sun, the Guardian, Salon and the New Republic participated in outpourings of anger over how Obama had been treated in the media, and in some cases plotted to fix the damage. Full Story>>

NAACP wrap up

2010-07-20T09:59:00.000-07:00

Buy now you've certainly seen or heard about the video in which Georgia's Director of Rural Development Shirley Sherrod (an Obama appointee) admits that she has made decisions about who to help based on race. Well, she has resigned and NAACP President Benjamin Jealous issued a statement condemning Sherrod's behavior. Apparently, Jealous feels the need to engage in damage control after the NAACP voted to condemn the Tea Party movement as racist.

Now they have something else to explain: Alvin Greene. Greene, who is facing felony obscenity charges, spoke at a local chapter of the NAACP and received an, shall we say, enthusiastic reception.

UPDATE: NAACP retracts condemnation of Shelly Sherrod:

“With regard to the initial media coverage of the resignation of USDA official Shirley Sherrod, we have come to the conclusion we were snookered by Fox News and Tea Party Activist Andrew Breitbart into believing she had harmed white farmers because of racial bias,” said Jealous. “Having reviewed the full tape, spoken to Ms. Sherrod, and most importantly heard the testimony of the white farmers mentioned in this story, we now believe the organization that edited the documents did so with the intention of deceiving millions of Americans.”

Shelly Sherrod was also scheduled to appear on Fox News with Megyn Kelley to explain her side of the story but cancelled at the last minute. According to Megan Kelly, Sherrod also claimed that she was pressured to resign by the White House. You can see the full video of Sherrod's speech here.

Bob Schieffer's got some splanin' to do

2010-07-20T09:19:00.000-07:00

Bob Scheiffer explains why he did not ask Attorney General Eric Holder about the dismissal of the New Black Panther voter intimidation case.

Reminds me of another MSM anchor who was completely unaware of the brewing Acorn scandel.

Remember, they also missed the John Edwards' story because they were so busy working to discredit Sarah Palin during the last election cycle. It has become very clear that the MSM has lost all objectivity.
.

Huge disconnect between D.C. elites and general population

2010-07-20T09:04:00.000-07:00

In their opinions on policy and politicians ranging from President Barack Obama to Sarah Palin, elites in Washington have a strikingly divergent outlook from the rest of the nation, according to a new POLITICO poll released Monday. Full Story>>