Don't Get Fooled

Video.
We Are Illinois.

Ha. Illinois

This is the testing time. Tribune:

During a closed-door meeting of Madigan’s majority that preceded the vote, the Senate Democrat-passed tax plan of the night before got the support of only 35 House Democrats with 60 votes needed for approval. No House Republicans support the Senate-passed plan and vowed they wouldn’t support the smaller, temporary tax hike proposal.

Rep. Bill Black (R-Danville) contended the majority Democrats in the legislature helped enable the overspending of disgraced and ousted former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, their fellow Democrat, during the last six years.

Dems taxing the life out of us if they could. Stand firm GOP. Now is the time to distinguish yourselves. No guts, no glory.

P.S.

After the hearing, Quinn would not say whether he preferred a proposal for a temporary, 50 percent income tax increase or the permanent 67 percent increase that also imposes a sales tax on services. [snip]"There's a lot of ways to get to heaven, and I hope we can get there by midnight," Quinn said.

Even God doesn't ask so much. A tithe is 10%.

Isn't this special

A mess. And a rather mean and nasty mess at that.

Consider the growing Orwellian logic of affirmative action. Is it based on the notion of past grievance? Apparently to make up for historical bias, we are to give a nudge to the present generation of minorities to overcome generations of discrimination.

But wait, the University of California system has been caught in the past trying to dream up ways of reducing Asian representation while bolstering the numbers of Hispanics and blacks. Yet some Asian had parents who were put in camps during World War II by Earl Warren, FDR, and the efforts of the liberal McClatchy newspapers. Asians in the 19th century were denied housing, zoned out of cities, and treated terribly as laborers.

So the reason a Melinda Tanaka might not receive a boost surely is not because she cannot claim victim status in the past. Indeed, why should a Barack Obama qualify for special consideration in college? His mother was white; the grandparents who raised him were as well. His absent father was African-and not part of the historical American trauma of racism and discrimination accorded African-Americans.

Pro-Life Leaders Condemn Killing

of abortionist.

Barack as Tut

T-shirts for sale in Egypt. The boy Pharaoh.

Is there no end to the cult of The One

(Is this the only capitalism left to us?)

How about a little Steve Martin in honor of the occasion.

As time goes by

One more reminder of Dick Durbin, our unscrupulous Dem hack of a Senator.

Steve Chapman has an excellent column, "Sotomayor's aversion to impartiality".

P.S. What Sotomayor and Archie Bunker have in common. Plus Michael Ramirez.

Baseball Dance Off

What happens when you have a 5 hour rain delay. USF vs. Uconn 2009. Watch:)

Lilacs on the windowsill

ObamACORN Gets Around

ACORN had fingers in lots of political pies. Michelle Malkin:

In an e-mail message to whistleblower MonCrief last summer, New York Times reporter Stephanie Strom told the truth: “The real story to all this is how these myriad entities allow them to shuffle money around so much that no one really knows what’s getting spent on what.” By October 6, 2008, Strom had thrown in the towel in the wake of blistering phone conversations with the Obama campaign. She wrote:

“I’m calling a halt to my efforts. I just had two unpleasant calls with the Obama campaign, wherein the spokesman was screaming and yelling and cursing me, calling me a rightwing nut and a conspiracy theorist and everything else…I’d still like to get that file from you when you have a chance to send it. One of these days, the truth is going to come out.”

Yes, the Obama campaign called a NY Times reporter a rightwing nut and that was enough to intimidate her. 

Judicial Watch has obtained documents on ACORN's plans to partner with the Commerce Dept. for the Census. No wonder they didn't want Judd Gregg to be in charge.

Budget Solutions 2010

Illinois Policy Institute's latest analysis.

How to balance the budget without tax hikes. Yes!!!!! (No doomsday cuts needed either)

P.S. Bowling shoe legislation on the fast track.

Previous post: No Tax Hikes

LaHood on European Boondoggle

Riding a bullet train in Spain.

Sec. of Transportation Ray LaHood wants to be an engineer--social engineer.

This is a lot bigger country. I last rode a train to my home town when I was 6 years old. There's no way to replace cars in most of America without limiting freedom bigtime and costing us a hunk of cash--beyond what we're spending for LaHood's romp in Europe.

No one to charm?

Time magazine is worried:

On a number of perilous fronts—Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Mideast—this most diplomatically oriented of American presidents, who came into office four months ago eager for "engagement," has few responsible or dependable parties with whom he can negotiate.

How is this markedly different from what existed before his ascension to the presidency?

I do give him credit for listening to General Petraeus and Defense Sec. Gates.

Otherwise it's still Travels with Barry.

Barack Obama, Robber Baron

When Barack Obama ran for president he mouthed soothing platitudes that convinced many he was a bland and prudent guardian of the public purse. Why anyone would believe him is a mystery given his liberal record, what little of it there was, but there you are. Now the conclusion is inescapable--he is arrogant, demagogic, and profligate. In the tradition of those medieval extortionists, collecting tribute from those who wished to pass their castle on the Rhine, our President Barack Obama, The Imperious One on the Potomac amasses unprecedented power. Rich Lowry, NRO:

The interlocking directorate is anathema to trustbusters and corporate watchdogs. It occurs when a board member or top executive of one company sits on the board of another company, accumulating undue power over a given industry. When it reduces competition, the arrangement is forbidden by the Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914.

If Henry De Lamar Clayton, the Alabama congressman who introduced the aforementioned act, were still with us, he'd presumably be shocked at the creation of the most far-reaching interlocking directorate in U.S. history. Obama Inc. has effectively won a seat on the board of companies at the heart of the nation's industrial production and its financial system. The robber barons of old would marvel at the tentacles of influence of Barack Obama, a CEO whose power would overawe J. P. Morgan (the famous industrialist, not the bailed-out bank).

Criticism from the Left--Ralph Nader: The Obama GM plan looks like a raw deal. Obama endorser, center mush to left, The Economist cautions him not to "overreach" and kill capitalism--"America's dynamism". Well they might know, their country is slipping fast.

The economy is trying to recover, pretty much on its own, but the Obama administration's heavy hand, heavy debt, and heavy taxation to come is choking the life out of this country, undermining trust in the rule of law. (another nominee in trouble) We are the peons to Robber Baron Obama's Big Government.

High Culture for Children

High heels for baby in LA. Video.

Hang 'em high in Iran: Debate Over Child Executions Roils Iran's Presidential Vote:

The past two years, Iran led the world with a total of 28 hangings of youth offenders. Iran's constitution stipulates that the age of maturity for boys is 15, and for girls, 9 -- the ages at which Islamic law calls for children to take on religious duties such as prayer and fasting. (Executions aren't carried out until the person reaches 18.)

Girls as objects. 

No Tax Hikes

The Tribune says no tax hikes before reform.

How about no tax hikes, period.

We pay enough already, and in case you haven't noticed, there's a recession going on.

We want reform. 

P.S. Throwing out bone-headed pols would be healthy.

Previous posts: Eliminate this Cook County Dept., Bloody-handed Corruption, Choice Quotes, Voters Reject Tax Increases

Clout Goes to College

Corruption in Illinois is not just affecting us and our taxes and jobs, now it affects the future of our kids. One of Tony Rezko's relatives gets a boost to go to U of I. Chicago Tribune:

In one case, a relative of Antoin "Tony" Rezko, the now-convicted influence peddler for former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, got admitted after U. of I. President B. Joseph White wrote an e-mail stating that the governor "has expressed his support, and would like to see admitted" Rezko's relative and another applicant.

White's message to the university chancellor was passed on to admissions officials on the same day they entered a rejection decision for the Rezko relative. "He's actually pretty low," replied an admissions officer, referring to the applicant's ACT score and other credentials. "Let me know when the denial letter can go out."

There were apparently 800 of the undeserving but influential, just since 2005. And as we know, qualified kids who want to go to U of I are turned away:

"Whether it's [a Rezko relative] or any other kid who takes a spot, he typically takes a spot of someone who is more qualified. That's the part that gets my blood boiling," said Jim Conroy, a New Trier Township High School college counselor. "This is not a private institution. This is yours and mine. Our flagship state university should not be part of any political shenanigans."

We pay and pay and pay for corruption folks.

Clout-wielding pols refer to their favorites as "no-brainers" for admission. 

That was then

UPDATE: More on Obama and the New Black Panther Party below.***This is now. Under the new regime--the Obama Justice Dept. has quashed prosecution of Black Panthers who intimidated Philadelphia voters on election day. Career prosecutors overrruled by political appointees.

Remember? They were on tape. This Ain't Hell with an update.

Of course if ACORN gets to register phony voters and mess with the census they won't need this kind of open thuggery next time.

P.S. The census asks people if they have trouble making decisions. Any bets on those folks being targeted for their vote. And swelling the numbers for redistricting is the ultimate prize. Let's not forget ACORN has hired people convicted of identity theft. Beat you up or beat you up.

More. Detail from the Washington Times story:

Career lawyers pursued the case for months, including obtaining an affidavit from a prominent 1960s civil rights activist who witnessed the confrontation and described it as "the most blatant form of voter intimidation" that he had seen, even during the voting rights crisis in Mississippi a half-century ago.

The lawyers also had ascertained that one of the three men had gained access to the polling place by securing a credential as a Democratic poll watcher, according to interviews and documents reviewed by The Washington Times.

Are you a coward Eric Holder? Are you politicizing the Justice Dept.? 

More New Black Panther party news: Their endorsement of Barack Obama was on the Obama campaign website for some time. And presumably the same Malik Zulu Shabazz, resident of D.C. who was intimidating people at the Philly polling place was vocal elsewhere:

Malik Zulu Shabazz. In his own words, according to the ADL…

At a press conference in Morristown, New Jersey (July 3, 2003):

“If 3,000 people perished in the World Trade Center attacks and the Jewish population is 10 percent, you show me records of 300 Jewish people dying in the World Trade Center…We’re daring anyone to dispute its truth. They got their people out.”

Obama's bomber buddy Bill Ayers and the Black Panthers.

And what about this? Who paid for Barack Obama's Harvard Law School?

More. Washington Times editorial, "Protecting Black Panthers":

Imagine if Ku Klux Klan members had stood menacingly in military uniforms, with nightsticks, in front of a polling place. Add to it that they had hurled racial threats and insults at voters who tried to enter.

Now suppose that the government, backed by a nationally televised video of the event, had won a court case against the Klansmen except for the perfunctory filing of a single, simple document - but that an incoming Republican administration had moved to voluntarily dismiss the already-won case.

Surely that would have been front-page news, with a number of firings at the Justice Department. [snip]

We asked the Justice Department if it was unable to provide any explanation for dropping the case. Justice press aide Alejandro Miyar merely said: "That is correct." Multiple times we asked both the department and the White House to comment on charges that the dismissals represented political bias. We received no substantive response.

Gambling and the Mob

Chicago suburbs, the Southtown Star: Reputed top mobster indicted for racketeering

Video poker and the mob--and Springfield wants to legalize this and rely on it to fund our bloated Illinois government.

Crazy in Love

It's tough being TOTUS:

This was an unfortunate moment. A woman who thought she was married to Big Guy showed up at LAX ready to fly home with us. 

Hauled off kicking and screaming.

ACORN Again

UPDATE: A reminder--Soren Dayton looked at this last fall--Is Obama connected to the ACORN-Rathke embezzlement scandal? This goes back to how he funded his Congressional run in 1999-2000. We know SEIU and ACORN are still joined at the hip.***

Michelle Malkin has key email exchange between ACORN whistleblower Anita Moncrief and the NY Times reporter who spiked the story before the election. 

And Caught red-handed, or should we say blue--supposedly non-partisan (a 501(c) (3)  ACORN internal memo reveals they're in the tank for the Dems. What a surprise. O'Reilly talks to CEO and self-described "chief organizer". This is where Barack Obama got his start. And he used them for his campaign, which continues to this day. Video: 

P.S. To summarize, from the Heidelbaugh testimony:

 Conclusions:

1. Project Vote should be investigated and audited by the IRS to ascertain whether
Project Vote should be allowed to maintain its 501(c)(3) tax exempt status, based on the apparent
misappropriation of charitable contributions for impermissible purposes.

2. Based on the testimony, Project Vote, ACORN and other ACORN affiliated entities
illegally coordinated activities with the Obama presidential campaign, converting the
expenditures by Project Vote, ACORN and ACORN affiliated entities to illegal, excessive
corporate contributions to the Obama presidential campaign, in violation of federal law.

3. Voter Registration Fraud. The Department of Justice should immediately undertake a
nationwide review of the fraudulent activities of ACORN and its affiliated entities to stop the
ongoing illegal ACORN voter registration AND get-out-the-vote efforts. As is evident from the
testimony, these are not isolated cases; rather, this is a nationwide scheme to fraudulently register
voters, which registrations are then converted into actual votes under the ‘official’ Money for the
Muscle program at ACORN and its affiliated entities. Further, the witness testimony clearly
suggests that ACORN officials knew or should have known of the substantial registration fraud
that was occurring and therefore willfully denied, deflected and dissembled regarding their
knowledge, acceptance and ongoing perpetration of this fraud.

4. The Department of Justice and the FBI should immediately investigate the ‘Muscle for
Money’ shakedown activities of ACORN and its affiliates, and should prosecute individuals
responsible for the extortion of the targeted companies and individuals.

5. ACORN and its affiliated entities should be audited immediately and all government
funds to ACORN halted until every penny of taxpayer dollars to ACORN and its 175 entities and
affiliates are properly accounted for.

At this point they are still in line for $8 billion in stimulus funds, and still slated to do the Census. Congressman Steve King (R-IA) is pushing for an investigation by the Judiciary Committee.

Most recent posts: ACORN Docs, NY Times Killed ACORN story, At Least ACORN Getting Jobs, ACORN in a nutshell, Alexi, you thug, ACORN on the take, ACORN on the rack, ACORN Charged with Fraud, ACORN Chicago Coup?

An Intrusive Census

Does the government need to know all this? Meghan Clyne, NY Post:

So much for keeping government out of the bedroom. The survey also demands your current marital status; whether you've been married, widowed or divorced in the last 12 months, and how many times you've been married. If you're a woman between the ages of 15 and 50, you must also answer whether you've given birth in the last 12 months. The Census Bureau says this "measure of fertility" is used to "carry out various programs required by statute, including . . . conducting research for voluntary family planning programs." What was that about a "woman's right to privacy"?

Don't ask what next, it might give these nannies ideas.

Some movement

A thoughtful take on abortion from a shaken pro-choicer. David Harsanyi, Reason.

Previous post: Common Ground

Award-Winning Michael Ramirez

The IBD cartoonist wins another award. Today's cartoon: Latest here.

Revving up Revolt?

Obama vs. the Beach Boys. Daniel Henninger.

And at U of C, a reverse discrimination group starts up, Men in Power:

Sharlene Holly, associate dean of students and the director of student activities, said the University of Chicago has approximately nine women's advocacy groups on campus; this group would be the first male advocacy group.

Saltarelli said some 125 students -- including a few women -- have joined the group via its Facebook page. He said the group would host pre-professional groups in law, medicine and business, foster ties with alumni, bring in speakers to discuss masculinity and mentor local middle school students as part of its "Little Men in Power" program.

Good for them. A comment from an "enlightened" feminist: 

Similarly, Ali Feenstra, a third-year student and a member of the Feminist Majority, questioned Men in Power's utility.

"It's like starting 'white men in business' -- there's not really any purpose," she said.

Perhaps a little sensitivity training is in order for Ms. Feenstra, you know, something like judging people by the content of their character, or the power of their ideas, not the color of their skin. Down with men rhetoric is so tiresome.

There's been a war against boys for years, most notably in our public schools, incubators of failure. Those boys grow up to be men, and yes, men may be the second sex now:

The New York Times recently reported that "a full 82 percent of the job losses have befallen men." Reuters referred to the surging male unemployment rate as a "blood bath." Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's "FastStats" show that men are less likely than women to be insured--and more likely to drink, smoke, and be overweight. They also die six years earlier than women on average.

Why are there no conferences, petitions, workshops, congressional hearings, or presidential councils to help men close the education gap, the health care gap, the insurance gap, the job-loss gap, and the death gap? Because, unlike women, men do not have hundreds of men's studies departments, research institutes, policy centers, and lobby groups working tirelessly to promote their challenges as political causes.

So tiresome. We may have open revolt on the open road. I feel like wheeling out on old Route 66. Because there's a lot of America out there.

No windmill for you

The Daily Mail, "Green homeowner hit with noise abatement order because 40ft wind turbine is driving his neighbours mad"

He got planning permission and met noise standards but the local powers that be have since reneged as the neighbors complained. So there goes his investment. Plus he was hit with a hefty fine.

This green business is getting very messy. When people are used to using the nanny state to settle neighborly scores there is never an end to it. Perhaps windmill aficionados will have to congregate in their own communities--maybe hang out with some other noisemakers:

Our Clever Senator Burris

"Fundraising discussion was a ruse, Burris says: His intent was to 'placate' Blagojevich's brother, senator now contends": 

Beleaguered U.S. Sen. Roland Burris added another layer Wednesday to the evolving story of his appointment, saying he was only trying to "placate" then- Gov. Rod Blagojevich's brother to keep his Senate prospects alive knowing no campaign money would ever change hands.

He has embarked on a scenic tour of Central and Downstate Illinois.

Meanwhile, Blago will be Mr. Mom, while Patti does her I'm a celebrity get me out of here gig. She is prepping doing "hot yoga" to acclimate her to Central America.

More. Dem House Speaker Madigan blocks resolutions condemning Burris and calling for him to step aside. Sun Times:

Burris is facing a U.S. Senate ethics probe and a perjury investigation by a Sangamon County prosecutor for his continually evolving timeline of events and conflicting statements about his appointment.

Three resolutions targeting Burris have had a brick on them in the state House Rules Committee, which Madigan tightly controls. [snip]

But Rep. Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs), the ranking Republican on the impeachment panel, said the resolutions should get full House hearings on what he regards as Burris' deceptive testimony.

"If we're going to ignore it and just dismiss this as kind of a lie, it reflects poorly on this institution, and it's shameful," Durkin said.

And what about the role of U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald?

Dems want to keep Burris in office--they know they'd lose a special election. They're hoping people will forget how complicit they've been in corruption--but this may fan the flames to throw the bums out when we finally get to vote next year. 

More. The Politico, "Case against Burris remains cloudy":

Legal experts suggest it could be difficult to make a perjury or criminal case against Burris for initially failing to disclose his fund raising discussions with Robert Blagojevich, who chaired Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s campaign fund. And in the Senate, the ethics case against Burris remains complex as the Senate Ethics Committee digs deeper in its investigation of the Burris appointment.

It looks fake

But it's real. Busy tomorrow, back blogging Thursday.

P.S. Trib names names. 61 Dems blocking reform.

P.P.S. Gourmet dandelions? I prefer dandelion wine.

Partisan Thugs

Does Obama have a car dealer enemies list?

The Diverse Universe

Matt Labash, TWS on the diversity business, still thriving. A few choice paragraphs:

It's not just the province of blacks, whom the program, born in the 1960s, was originally intended to help, nor just that of Hispanic or Native Americans. The roll call of SBA-designated sufferers has become rather long and grows ever longer, lately including persons with origins from Samoa, Brunei, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Macao, Tonga, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Bhutan, and the Maldives. "In the absence of evidence to the contrary," says the SBA, "individuals who are members" of these "designated groups are presumed to be socially disadvantaged."

And this one:

The registration desks and vending tables are thick with minority-owned business advertising flyers, as well as those from places like the Department of Labor. "We've got stimulus money to spend!" a DOL carny barks at passersby. "We're giving out contracts!" Indeed, as Ralph Thomas, a contract lawyer who came to the conference to lecture on teaming agreements says to me, always, but especially under the free-spending Obama administration, "The government contracts industry is as close to being recession-proof as possible.

Well, yes, but we're paying for this. Who bails out the American taxpayer? And what and who are we paying for anyway, hmm? I'm feeling disadvantaged.

What would Judge Sonia Sotomayor have to say? Does she have empathy for a rich tapestry of Micronesians?

Orwell vs. Huxley

Interesting. I think we're getting Orwell under cover of Huxley-- a one-two punch from The One, our celebrity president.

But it could be just a theory. Let's hope so.

Sen. Burris (D-IL) on Tape

Burris Offered To Write Check To Blagojevich. CBS2Chicago.

More: Sun Times. "Catch hell".

And John Ruberry wants a resignation and a special election. He won't resign. The Dems will drag it out because they don't want a special election, and discredit Burris for the primary, then back a Dem hack for the seat in 2010.

For example, Dems House Ethics Committee "at work":

The company, Mountaintop Technologies, was selected by the lawmaker in a series of earmarks to hand out and monitor the grants. As it distributed the money to the departments, the firm would explain each time that it was arriving through the largess of Murtha — often just before fall elections.

Before you shake your head and say, "that devil Murtha," note that 227 out of 256 House Democrats have voted repeatedly to block an investigation of Murtha by the House Ethics Committee. So he's bad, but remember he's got about 226 friends willing to help him avoid scrutiny.

States Assert Sovereignty

Wow. It's not a dusty document any more, it's a debate over the 10th amendment, come to the fore with the most recent incursions from the federal Big Brother Government:

Fed up with Washington's involvement in everything from land use to gun control to education spending, states across the country are fighting back against what they say is the federal government's growing intrusion on their rights.

At least 35 states have introduced legislation this year asserting their power under the Tenth Amendment to regulate all matters not specifically delegated to the federal government by the Constitution.

I first noticed the phrase with Governor Sarah Palin referring to Alaska as the sovereign state of Alaska in a statement of concern about the administration's plans to abandon missile defense.

You couple this with the unprecedented Tea Party protests and you may have the beginnings of a broad-based movement that could translate into ballot box power.

HT Chicago News Bench.

News you can use

Maybe if you could grab one if you need one.

OK, maybe not so useful--chimps and monkeys don't get Alzheimers, but we don't know why.

In more rainy day news, opposites really do attract. We're talking humans.

Tax and Miss

Maryland's millionaires go missing after the Dems try a tax them attack. We know they haven't come to Illinois. WSJ.

Our Observant President

So on this day of silent remembrance and solemn prayer I ask all Americans, wherever you are, whoever you’re with, whatever you’re doing, to pause in national unity at 3 o’clock this afternoon. I ask you to ring a bell, or offer a prayer, say a silent “thank you.”

Our President Barack Obama observes Memorial Day moment of silence on golf course. Tapper via HotAir. 

Should our President Barack Obama give up golf? No, we couldn't ask him to sacrifice that much. But perhaps we should all take up golf for purposes of national unity.

China Joined at the Hip

Hours after the Democratic People's Republic of Korea detonated its second atomic device, Beijing condemned the test. "The DPRK conducted another nuclear test in disregard of the common opposition of the international community," a Foreign Ministry statement, issued May 25, noted. "The Chinese government is firmly opposed to this act."

Is that so? Today, China supplies about 90% of North Korea's oil, 80% of its consumer goods and 45% of its food. Beijing is Pyongyang's only formal military ally and its primary backer in the United Nations Security Council and other diplomatic forums. If it weren't for the Chinese, there would be no North Korean missile program, no North Korean nuclear program and no North Korea.

ObamaCare Bested

Steve Huntley, Chicago Sun Times, "Wisconsin rep's health plan beats Obamacare". It's Republican Paul Ryan's plan, the Patient's Choice Act.

Related post: The One's One Size Fits All

Obama and the South Park Gnomes

Bret Stephens, WSJ. Here's the South Park clip.

And our President Barack Obama admits we are out of money now. Jeffrey Lord, TAS.

Rahm of Chicago

Robert Stacy McCain reads bio of Rahmbo at the beach.

P.S. I would just add that Rahmbo had his own more personal role in covering up corruption--no, this time not in Chicago. Luckily his candidate lost. And Naftali Bendavid was the reporter who sanitized Obama buddy Rashid Khalidi.

Schock in the Spotlight

The leftist American Prospect profiles two freshmen Congressmen. One is Republican Aaron Schock, Peoria. "New Kids on the Hill".

Previous posts: Schock News, Schock on the job, What infrastructure boom?, More Schock and Awe, What Kills a Skunk

It's Very Clear

Translation: It's clear it's not clear. Sen. Dick Durbin doing CYA for The One on MTP (Video here):

SEN. DICK DURBIN, (D-IL):  I think that President Obama made it clear in his speech at the National Archives that he is going to face this issue squarely and resolve it fairly.  And he said, I think very clearly, that we're not going to allow anyone who is dangerous to come to the United States. 

But suggesting someone is dangerous is apparently bogus fear-mongering. (Um, didn't Sept. 11th happen? Who did it--guys with box-cutters with some flight training.) Oh, but our President Barack Obama has a plan--apparently only his plans are secret--I think we need better intelligence in the White House. Send oh so scrupulous Speaker Pelosi in there to find the truth, or maybe Joe should come home so he can spill the beans. 

SEN. DURBIN: Now that President Obama has made it clear what his plan is, he'll bring that to Congress. We have successfully tried terrorists in the United States. As I sit here today, we have 347 convicted terrorists secure in our incarceration in our facilities. We know that they can be tried and held safely. I'm sure the president will be able to work this out with members of Congress.

MR. GREGORY: Speaker Gingrich:

FMR. REP. NEWT GINGRCH, (R-GA): Well, let, let me start with, first of all, it was Secretary of State Colin Powell who also talked about weapons of mass destruction, so this is not a Cheney problem. The fact is every member of the American government senior leadership believed in the intelligence they were getting at the time. And the question comes right down to, as Vice President Cheney said this week, what's your highest priority? Is it to defend America and protect American lives, or is it to find some way to defend terrorists and to get terrorists involved in the criminal justice system? I can't imagine--given the fact, for example, that we just picked up four terrorists in New York who had been converted in prison, I can't imagine--the director of the FBI has said don't put these terrorists in prisons because there'll be an active threat to convert other people. The fact is these, these terrorists--we're now down to the worst of the worst. These are the--the Bush administration released over 500 people. One out of every seven actually went back to war against us and is out actively trying to kill Americans today. So I would be very cautious. I think the president made a very big mistake. It was a campaign promise, it is not a national security plan. I think, frankly, they should keep Guantanamo open. Whatever the, whatever things that are wrong at Guantanamo they would fix by moving them to somewhere else, fix them at Guantanamo.

MR. GREGORY: How long should Gitmo remain open?

REP. GINGRICH: Until the war is over.

MR. GREGORY: When is that?

REP. GINGRICH: We'll--when the terrorists disappear. I mean, you're faced with...

MR. GREGORY: Well, you're talking about a pretty long-term proposition here.

REP. GINGRICH: Yes, because this is a long-term proposition. You have people out there today who want to kill Americans, who would like to set off a nuclear weapon in an American city, who would like to set off a truck bomb down the street from where we are right now. These folks are serious. They're, they're still there. They're fighting in Pakistan right now, they're fighting in Iraq right now. We just arrested four people in New York City last week. What do you do with somebody who's a dedicated, religiously-motivated terrorist? You had better keep them locked up.

The Left pushed the Bush administration to release suspected terrorists from Gitmo. Those were the ones who could supposedly be rehabilitated. As we see, a significant number of them have returned to the battlefield to engage in more Death to America. You know if we had terrorists in jails in this country the Left would push for their release here as well. And even if they were incarcerated for some time, all the more opportunity for them to gain converts to their bloody cause. That's very clear. Then there are those who are pure evil, but legally we can't convict in regular courts. After innocent people die we would have plenty of evidence, but our goal in the war on terror is to prevent terrorist atrocities. We went after them on the battlefield, we no doubt sacrificed some of our own to save their lives to gain actionable intelligence from them which saved thousands of American lives. 

Keep Gitmo. We don't want a Beslan here Sen. Durbin.

The biggest recruitment tool for terrorists would be another 9/11. Imagine the video of another clear, sunny day, another attack. Imagine the loss of life next time. It's clear we can't afford a failure of imagination now. That's what gave us 9/11. And remember, that was the second time they attacked the World Trade Center. Since it's gone, doubtless they're looking for a new target.

More: Durbin makes stuff up. Bogus talking points for a bogus position. Power Line. 

Previous post: Mitt's Take

Obama Motors and Bust

Ramirez. Dennis Byrne this morning on Obama Motors. Our money drops into the mother of all potholes.

Is the end in sight? Are we there yet? Big Government or bust? Obama Motors and bust.

Some Chrysler dealers fight back.

More: Illinois AG Lisa Madigan files suit:

Ms. Madigan filed her objection on behalf of the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission and the Illinois Self-Insurers Advisory Board. She opposes the sale to Fiat SpA if it fails to set aside monetary provisions for injured Chrysler workers in Illinois.

And the Washington Post editorializes--Obama should stop bullying GM's bondholders.

Previous post: Our Demagogue President

Eliminate this Cook County Dept.

A telling video:

Bring out the bunting

Have a blessed and happy Memorial Day.

And Blackfive, They sacrificed their tomorrows for us.

Dog Night at The Cell

It was last night. The Chicagoist with this and more pix.

Mitt's Take

In part:

It is laughable to suggest that Guantanamo is a meaningful aid in terrorist recruiting. Before Guantanamo came the first bombing of the World Trade Center, the bombing at Riyadh, the attacks on Khobar, the bombing of our embassies, the Cole. There will always be rallying cries for recruitment whether it is the existence of Israel or the freedoms enjoyed by Americans. Appeasement has not ever, does not now, and will never satisfy a foe who looks to destroy freedom and rule the world.

More: NRO editorial on our President Barack Obama, The Buck Stops Elsewhere.

P.S. Perhaps the president has a secret plan on where to put the Gitmo terrorists? If so, why haven't we heard about it yet? (Maybe he's deferring to the NY Times--doesn't want them to get rusty.) And Toby Harnden, The Telegraph, The 10 punches Dick Cheney landed on Barack Obama's jaw.

More: Liz Cheney on MSNBC. Brave woman. Video via DrewM at Ace.

Cheneyku

Haiku from a balding white guy with glasses:)

(Is he winking?) New CNN poll:)

Spence on Cap and Tax

Congressman Mike Spence (R-Indiana). Video of his remarks on the floor last night.

TOTUS Betrayal?

To think Vice President Joe Biden, exiled to the Balkans, missed this. (Maybe he can come home now.) Perhaps our President Barack Obama was distracted. (Illinois Senate seat jokes!!!)  TOTUS' explanation of the glitch in the speech here. HotAir with commentary.

Perhaps our President Barack Obama should have a little talk with TOTUS.

Thieving Greenies

In Wilmette: Cameras to watch garden plots in the community garden

Garden variety commies--redistributing the produce for their personal pleasure.

From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs.

Slap to the head--perhaps this is a new government program!

We just haven't heard about it yet. (After all, there's some kind of leaf on the sign)

The Meaning of Michelle Obama

Time with their latest in a series of Obama cover stories. Can the American people ever get enough?  (Is Time a newsmagazine?)

Including a photo series of when Michelle met Hillary. Very carefully.

Previous post: Ungracious Again

Bloody-handed Corruption

Crunch time for reform in Illinois. Tribune editorial. John Kass:

If you want the Illinois Reform Commission legislation to pass, if you really want some sunshine in the sewer that our state has become, then you pick up the phone and call Madigan at 217-782-5350. Don't be a cow and kick the stall in anger.

In a calm voice, tell the person who answers Madigan's phone that you'll never vote for his daughter. That's the only thing that'll get Mike Madigan's attention.

(And from me, tell them Mrs. O'Leary sent you. How's that for some rabble rousing) Sun Times. Carol Marin. Daily Herald.

And Sunshine Review.

P.S. While we're on the subject, other committed local bloggers I have known for a long time or met recently. Marathon Pundit. Bill Baar's West Side. Chicago News Bench. Thoughts of a Regular Guy. With Both Hands. Illinois Review. Conservative Brand. The Teri O'Brien Show. Cao's Blog. DGreport.com.

Other local watchdogs and resources: Sam Adams Alliance. Illinois Policy Institute. Americans for Prosperity. Heartland Institute

Alternative media: The Chicago Daily Observer

Plus this piece by Kristina Rasmussen, The Hidden Ills of Campaign Finance Reform, in the State Journal-Register.

A dog on top of a ham slicer

What does that sound like? The kind of car the New Obama Motors wants you to drive. Jeremy Clarkson's Times Online review of the Honda Insight 1.3 IMA SE Hybrid. Warning, graphic language.

How lovely, a real bone-rattler for Boomers, just what I want to drive when the bones get creakier. Part of our new healthcare plan, ya think? (I guess if we've gone deaf we should count it a blessing.) Plus this. 

HT Rush.

Waxman's Power

If cap and tax passes, gas prices go up, taxes go up more, we don't drill now or at home, are forced to pay (at least twice) and pay more to drive our kids around in flimsy tin cans, death traps, we don't build nuclear, the only clean, green technology that will give us enough power to supplant coal long-term, when Americans fully realize the damage the Left has done to our way of life, I suggest a fit punishment for liberal eco-darling, the Congressman of Beverly Hills, Henry Waxman--that he be forced to sit and blow his personal hot air on a little fan, to power his little haz-mat light over his head. Real air conditioning? Well, good luck Henry. (Is that torture?)

Debating our Security

Text of Obama speech. Video, former Vice President Cheney:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

All we are saying

Ramirez. Iran tests a missile that can reach Israel, U.S. bases, and Europe. Why we need missile defense. And do you recall we have been "negotiating" and have let the Europeans "negotiate" with Iran for six years---talk, talk talk, stall, stall, stall--- all the while they relentlessly continue down the path to tipping these missiles with nuclear weapons. They just got closer. Solid fuel capability means there's less warning when they launch. And Iran funds Hamas and Hezbollah out of their back pockets, to rain missiles and terror on Israel.

N.Y. Police: Terror Suspects Wanted to 'Commit Jihad'

Consider this as well. Why is the terrorist a cause celebre, and the democracy activist ignored?

FBI Head Says Supermax Not Safe Enough for terrorist detainees. And you know the ACLU will be battering at the gates to let them out.

P.S. And judging by his speech, which I'm watching this morning, so will our President Barack Obama. And the NY Times: 1 in 7 Freed Detainees Rejoins Fight, Report Finds

Hey Mr.President, are we going to have lawyers fighting on the battlefield? You going to bring them in yourself? And try them? Since you're apparently the supreme authority on the rule of law in this country.

...worry about serious risks is "fear-mongering". This is the most crassly political, shallow and fundamentally dishonest president in my lifetime. And that's saying a lot.

Our Demagogue President

Retired teachers and cops from Indiana who bought secured debt in good faith under the rule of contract law, (in which they traded a lower interest rate for highest priority in repayment) were among Chrysler creditors excoriated by our President Barack Obama as eeeevil speculators. (As he took from them and rewarded the UAW and Fiat.)

Our dictatorial President, trained as a lawyer, who abrogates law with his demagoguery.

In other news, the Fed projects the economy will contract still more. Could it be Americans don't have faith in the Obama administration?

Sandi the Wonder Woman

$247,000 since 1991, $95,000 since she became alderman. Bloomberg. Jesse Jackson Jr. told the FEC his wife would be working full-time for his campaign, which is why they approved payments to Sandi Jackson from his campaign fund:

yet might do “occasional consulting work for her current non-political clients.

An interesting way to describe your constituents.

Sandi Jackson has continued to get money, receiving $5,000 payments from her husband’s political committee in 19 of the 22 months between her swearing-in as an alderman and the end of March, the last month for which federal campaign-expense filings are available. The 2008 total of $55,000 was more than she received in any previous year.

You have to wonder when this wonder woman sleeps. More cool stuff in between saving the world. She's using assumed names, um is such an unassuming public servant:

Jesse Jackson’s FEC reports list payments as being made to J. Donatella & Associates, which Bryant described as “Sandi’s sole proprietorship” for her consulting work. The couple’s oldest child is 9-year-old Jessica Donatella Jackson.

From 2003 through mid-2005, the recipient is shown on Jackson’s reports as “Lee Stevens” or “Lee Steven” at the J. Donatella firm. Sandi Jackson’s middle name is Lee. Her maiden name is Stevens.

Use of the creative names is described as a "software glitch". But why couldn't Wonder Woman fix something like that? More wonders in store:

In addition to payments for consulting work, Jesse Jackson’s political committee has transferred more than $227,000 to Sandi Jackson’s campaign organization since October 2006, according to his campaign reports. He provided in-kind benefits of $71,914, including billboard space worth about $66,000.

Federal election laws permit members of Congress to contribute their campaign funds to candidates for state and local offices. Jesse Jackson requested an FEC opinion in 2007, which said he also could give unlimited amounts to Sandi Jackson’s race for her Democratic Party post.

And honest, hard-working Americans wonder why all this is mostly legal. A final kicker:

The congressman got some reciprocal benefit when the “Friends of Sandi Jackson” campaign bankrolled a Zogby International poll that showed Jesse Jackson atop a list of 10 possible contenders to replace Obama in the Senate. Sandi Jackson’s campaign reports show almost $26,000 paid to Utica, New York-based Zogby two days before polling began.

Will wonders never cease.

P.S. Wonder how the Congressional ethics probe of the selling of the Obama Senate seat is going for Jesse. But then his fellow Dems are in charge.

O'Reilly's on ACORN's Case

Video.

Citi Sleeper Cells

FBI arrest four in alleged plot to bomb Bronx synagogues, shoot down plane. NY Daily News.

All four U.S. born.

The ringleader had served time, made converts.

Are you listening Sen. Durbin?

Over 200 hardcore at Gitmo--you want to put that many in our prisons here, even max security? Look what one guy tried to do.

I voted Kris

For the more real singer.

And I liked that he played piano and acoustic guitar. I used to play a bit myself.

How about that California tax revolt, folks? Real.

Loved that Keith Urban, Kris duet too:) And the Sox beat the Twinks. Grand slam Dye. A great night.

Paul Ryan: Keep Choice

Video. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) Explaining the GOP healthcare alternative:

Palin Makes Strong Statement

Statement from Governor Sarah Palin

The transition from Candidate Obama to President Obama has been as predictable as Alaska's winter snow.

We are now witnessing actions that will lead to a monumental shift away from free market capitalism and the strong work ethic that built this great country. 'Change' in this administration has meant rapid movement toward massive government growth, huge tax burdens on future generations, and an unprecedented reliance upon foreign countries.

Today, we learned that Obama’s decisions continue to impact Alaskans; while we as taxpayers now own General Motors, Obama closes another dealership – this time in Soldotna as more of Alaskans’ hard-earned money and jobs are lost to big government. Government should not be in the auto industry business. In Alaska, we have also seen a shift in federal priorities that threaten the loss of subsidized village health care services under the same candidate who led you to believe he'd insure all Americans. The inconsistent messages and actions are unsettling.

But we have another voice in Washington, DC – a man who understands what Alaskans believe: less centralized government control, restrained budgets, more opportunity for development, and fewer taxes. Today, we have a friend in RNC Chairman Michael Steele and his bold and courageous speech defines his leadership goals that will guide us all through this most difficult time for our nation.”

Governor Sarah Palin

P.S. In case you missed it, key clip of Steele speech here.

Rush is brilliant again

Video. El Rushbo resigns as 'titular' head of the Republican Party. HT HotAir with more links:)

Kennedy Getting Flack

Chris Kennedy's imminent Illinois Senate announcement already taking incoming from the Dem Left. Crain's picks up the Arch's links on a questionable Cleveland deal.

Knock yourselves out.

"Common Ground"

Dear President Obama,

You said at Notre Dame University that you want to find “common ground” in the abortion debate. Fine, so let’s put that commitment to the test and see if you would accept this compromise:

Just as the cessation of brain function is the generally accepted standard for determining when personhood ends, let’s apply the same logic to define when personhood begins.

The Left Sinks Lower

The Politico has a story on Charles Krauthammer, giving a nod to him as a respected conservative, but also including a nasty quote from Time's Joe Klein. Gateway Pundit comments:

Far Left Crank Now Poking Fun of Crippled Conservatives

Also John Podhoretz.

I link to him often--it's hard to find someone who can express himself better or is so astute-- and introduced myself and shook his hand at an American Spectator dinner a couple of years ago.

I used to be a Democrat too. But they will never get me back. And this only confirms my judgment to leave.

"Stimulus" in Skokie

We just got rid of the former, now indicted, Gov. Blago signs over the expressway, and there were the Illinois First signs of the former, now jailed, Gov. Ryan. Awk, now we have to look at these?

Is there a pattern here? Pay to play? Helloooo!

Unreliable San Francisco Dems

Democrat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, under fire for her self-serving lies impugning the integrity of our intelligence community now has something else to worry about--even San Francisco Democrats have turned on taxes.

Jim Geraghty, NRO notes her own district voted down a tax increase.

P.S. John Kass with some humor. Maybe I gave him an idea?:) I didn't want to be too catty, but Kass is a gentle genius on the subject.

More in the Washington Times:

In an interview with editors and reporters, Mr. Hoekstra said Mrs. Pelosi, California Democrat, hasn't done anything illegal that would disqualify her from being speaker, but said Democrats will have to decide whether she is the right person to lead them. Still, he said, from his standpoint, she has endangered the country.

"She has single-handedly become a wrecking ball, a wrecking crew through the morale of the intelligence community," he said. "These are people that have been on the front lines. They have seen their friends die, and they have taken risks to keep America safe, and this speaker has now said you may be prosecuted."

ACORN Docs

Am reading the ACORN annual report 2006. Via The Harrington Report. HT Anita Moncrief.

UPDATE: SEIU local shares ACORN HQ address. SEIU:

And if you didn't know, ACORN people are great buddies with the SEIU and you know who. See my previous post today for the implications.

More: RNLA White Paper on ACORN and fraudulent voter registrations.

Previous posts: NY Times Killed ACORN story, At Least ACORN Getting Jobs, ACORN in a nutshell, Alexi, you thug, ACORN on the take, ACORN on the rack, ACORN Charged with Fraud, ACORN Chicago Coup?