Your improbable (nutcase) news tonight

Egyptian Heavy Metal Fans Reject Accusations of Satan Worship, Collaboration with Zionism

Dem congressman: If Guam gets too overpopulated, it might tip over

It felt historic to me

I hadn't seen McCain and Palin together since the convention. While her Tucson appearance last week was an act of loyalty and friendship to the GOP nominee who had asked her to join his ticket, it seemed to me his gift to her as well--reemphasizing his judgment in his choice--and a passing of the baton.

I just happened to be there visiting family. Back in Chicago now, here are a few pictures. Tea Party people were there, some in costume. Media cameras lined two sides of the fairgrounds hall. Here's one:I especially liked that one.

Sarah Palin has a piece in NRO tonight on our President Barack Obama's energy program: Stall, Baby, Stall.

Go Sarah Go.

...More on the Obama drilling deception here.

Obama the Fraud

Did Bar Association Investigation Cause Obama to Give Up Law License?

There were those Cambridge parking tickets he never disclosed, maybe that was the fib. (Maybe that's why he hates the Cambridge police.) One of my lawyer friends thought it was odd he gave up his law license--we talked about it before the election. We know he never published at Harvard Law Review. We've never seen his college transcripts. And he mysteriously never kept his Springfield records from his state Senate years. Geraghty summed that up some time ago.

Well, well, well, by many measures our President Barack Obama is a fraud and a thug.

More from the Blogprof:

Another from Doug Ross: Rub a dub dub, how many IDs does one profile need?

An anonymous tipster points out that the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of Illinois has gone through some amazing contortions maintaining a single database record for a retired attorney named Barack Obama.

More. Like the library comment:

I always wondered where the articles he had to written while he was editor of the Harvard law Review-editors contribute to publications-at least I have seen them do so at other Ivies.
And why have we never seen the thesis-seems to me these would be papers of historical significance as he is the president and all.
So will his library be empty?

Repeal this shameful bill

That is the true statesmanship. The health care bill violated the spirit of the law, if not the letter, we shall see about that, but every American should recoil from the gross abuse of the Constitution and the fundamental betrayal of our democracy. Sleazy deals cooked up by the Dems to shove this through should be repealed. Opposition was bipartisan.

In short--it reeks in every way.

Beyond that--it will bankrupt America. Already we see destructive consequences. Unless we reverse this it will crush our country for generations.

And how can we place confidence in government run health care when the process to pass it has been shameful in every way? Those who defend it are partisan and shortsighted. If the bill were really popular why did it take hog-slobbering bribery and trashing the Constitution to enact it?

A true bipartisan effort will wipe the slate clean and start over with common sense reforms most Americans agree on--lawsuit reform that will put the emphasis back on healing rather than defensive medicine and will save billions, the freedom to choose the insurance policy we like and shop across state lines, rather than be stuck in a one size fits all government plan, and finally quality health care we can rely on rather than a big government scheme that will inevitably lead to rationing--putting our most vulnerable and least politically connected at risk.

There is no need for apologies from those who oppose this bill and vow to repeal it. Democrats who stabbed our democracy in the back are the ones who should be shunned and run out of Washington, so we can claim a government by the people once again.

Barack Obama Looking at Awesome Things

Spring break link for nerds.

Overalls, Shirts

Faded on the old brick warehouse wall. South Loop, Chicago.

See you all in a bit. After Easter probably.

Sore Throats and Stuffy Noses

Our favorite pediatrician, save my kids' own, Dr. Arie Friedman is back blogging again. Sore Throats and Stuffy Noses. He makes an important point.

They had to use this too to get it passed

Anatomy of a Racial Smear

...Video. Black Conservative Takes On David Shuster and allegations of Tea Party Racism

Obama is Sending Troops to March in RED Square

Yes, that Red Square. Presumably he will not suggest our guys match the Russians in goose-stepping past the huge posters of Stalin, back again for the first time in years.

Probably the only thing that gave our President Barack Obama pause is the kind of posters they'll be putting up.

But then he has something in common with them--he doesn't like competition either.

Aretha and Condi

Making music together.

Pence: This Fight is Not Over

UPDATE: CBS: 62% Of Americans Want GOP To Fight ObamaCare***From GOP.gov. Info coming fast and furious:

Pence: "This Fight is Not Over."
http://bit.ly/b59OsC

NEW from GOP.gov: Health Care Fact Check at
http://bit.ly/aYQCfs

Government Takeover of Health Care Already Off to a Rough Start
http://gopleader.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=178277

Health-Care Bill Does Not Cover Kids' Pre-Existing Conditions
http://bit.ly/bygngD

Heritage has your health care implementation timeline!
http://bit.ly/997WvT

Healthy tax increases, not only on wealthy
http://bit.ly/ckPagD

Hensarling: The Time for Spending Discipline is Now
http://bit.ly/9D5KUt

Less Talk, More Action Needed From Administration to Create American Energy Jobs (VIDEO)
http://bit.ly/cRAH6A

TaxDay TeaParty Chicago 2010

Take America Back! April 15, 2010. 12-1:30 p.m. Federal Plaza. 230 S. Dearborn, Chicago. In conjunction with Tea Parties nationwide!

Buses leaving from Wilmette 10 a.m. from the north side of Carson's, Edens Plaza parking lot.

Contact Fern Teborek at 847-446-6409 or FTEBO@comcast.net to reserve your seat. Cost $1o round trip. You may also mail your check to Fern, P.O. Box 301, Kenilworth, IL 60043

Bring signs, flags, and your American spirit.

Blago Crazy

Top 10 Weird Ways Blago Can Win "Celebrity Apprentice" Bill Kelly's new gig in the Washington Times.

CPS Clout for the Dem Elites

Lifted off Obama Education Secretary Arne Duncan's former desk at CPS. Here are the names of the favored few, many "public servants" but we really work for them, don't we:

The log is a compilation of politicians and influential business people who interceded on behalf of children during Duncan's tenure. It includes 25 aldermen, Mayor Richard Daley's office, House Speaker Michael Madigan, his daughter Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, former White House social secretary Desiree Rogers and former U.S. Sen. Carol Moseley Braun.

Their kids are set, yet they stand in the schoolhouse doors for those most needy.

Heritage and Taranto's Best of the Web pick it up and underscore the significance in terms of ObamaCare and the Obamaklatura elites. Separate but unequal.

A Triumph of the Human Spirit

The brave escape of Curious George. Exhibit shows how author, illustrator dodged Holocaust. One of my favorite group of childhood books, which I shared with my own children.

I hope we don't lose that spirit in the next generation, because it's under assault now in this country.

Bigotry in the White House

Obama Excludes Private and Catholic School Children From Easter Egg Roll Ticket Giveaway.

Hoosiers--Throw these Dem bums out

NRO:

Brad Ellsworth: Because the Senate needs the architect of the National Tampon Tax.

Baron Hill: Because your breast pump will help manage our spending crisis.

HT Steve Bartin.

How would you like to amend (or end) this bill?

Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn said he wants a vote on his amendment to prohibit coverage of Viagra for sex offenders. New Hampshire Sen. Judd Gregg wants savings from Medicare cuts plowed back into the health care program for seniors, instead of being used to expand coverage to the uninsured. Wyoming Sen. Mike Enzi wants to gut penalties on employers whose workers wind up getting taxpayer subsidized coverage.

"What we're doing is offering amendments to take out the sweetheart deals, to take out the overcharging of students ont he student loans, to take out the taxes on people who make less than $250,000, which the president promised he wouldn't do," said Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., of the overhaul. "And then we'll get into the points of order and there may be some constitutional issues raised during that period of time."

The Next Debacle

When will the modestly-incomed Chinese decide they don't want to finance our recklessly hedonistic ObamaCare plan? Which many of us don't want to finance either. And even if we did, we can't afford it.

Well, the next debacle is upon us. Bond markets reflect the true cost of ObamaCare.

More. Wall Street down after Portugal credit rating cut

Put your life where your mouth is Mr. President

UPDATE: Unconstitutional provisions of ObamaCare under Illinois constitution? (see below)***GOP wants Obama to enroll in Obamacare

...Hey--are you price-gouging us Mr. President? (Are you lying to us?) Maybe we should ask Lisa Madigan to investigate this in Illinois.

Are you taking away our inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? We know Lisa, unlike dozens of other states, is taking a pass on this.

We feel like we're just chattels, property.

An emancipation proclamation will have to come from we the people at the voting booth in November--while we still have the chance.

...Can we call this whole thing separate but unequal? Can we say no man is above the law any more? We can do better. We want our lives back.

UPDATE: From the comments:

Lisa Madigan should join the attorneys general. It is my understanding that the health care bill places a 10% tax on services at tanning salons, effective immediately. As far as I understand, taxes on services rendered in Illinois are prohibited by the Illinois Constitution. Will no one speak out?

I imagine that the tanning industry doesn't have its own lobbyists, as these services are usually rendered by very small, individually owned businesses.

UPDATE: GOP lawmakers in Illinois request our AG sue.

We Need Answers, Alexi

From Kirk for Senate:

With Nick Giannis in Chicago Police Custody This Morning, When Will Alexi Giannoulias Answer Questions About 2005 Loan to Boston Blackie's?

Records show Broadway Bank authorized another $4.25 million for Nick Giannis’ Boston Blackie’s in 2005 when Alexi was Chief Loan Officer;

Giannoulias has not answered questions about who authorized a $1.2 million loan for Giannis in 2002 and how Giannis could have received loans if the Giannoulias family knew he had a criminal record;

Question 1: Who authorized a $4.25 million loan for Nick Giannis’ Boston Blackie’s in 2005 when you were Chief Loan Officer of Broadway Bank?

· The Cook County Recorder of Deeds records show a $4.25 million loan made to Boston Blackie’s in February 2005 – at the height of Giannoulias’ tenure as Chief Loan Officer.

· Nick Giannis, owner of Boston Blackie’s, was arrested on March 11th on bank fraud charges as he attempted to flee the country.

· Alexi Giannoulias accepted $114,800 in campaign contributions from Giannis since 2005, making Giannis the second-highest Giannoulias campaign contributor outside the Giannoulias family.

Question 2: Who authorized a $1.2 million loan for Nick Giannis in 2002 when you were Chief Loan Officer of Broadway Bank?

· The Chicago Sun-Times reported that Broadway Bank authorized a $1.2 million loan for Giannis in 2002 when Alexi Giannoulias was Vice President and Chief Loan Officer of the bank.

· Eleven days ago, a Giannoulias campaign spokeswoman “said she had found no evidence that Giannoulias himself signed off on the $1.2 million loan” to Giannis but provided no further detail into what records she checked, who signed off on the loan or what other role Giannoulias may have played in the loan process.

Question 3: In the past you’ve suggested that you never authorized loans for people you knew to have criminal records. But if Giannis had a criminal record and he was a close family friend, how did he get a loan?

· As the Chicago Tribune reported: “In a 2006 interview with the Tribune, Nick Giannis said he has known the Giannoulias family for years and was a friend of Giannoulias' father…”

· According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Giannis was convicted in 1996 conviction for illegal possession of a firearm.

• If Giannis and Giannoulias were as close as Giannis claimed in 2006, Giannoulias would have known about Giannis’ criminal record. Knowingly authorizing a loan for a convicted criminal would contradict previous statements made by Giannoulias regarding other convicted criminals:

o “Now, as I’ve said, if I knew then what I know now, would we have given those loans to these colorful characters? Absolutely not.” – Alexi Giannoulias, Tribune Editorial Board Interview, March 3, 2010

o “If I knew then what I know now about some of these characters…we wouldn’t have given them loans.” – Alexi Giannoulias, WTTW Carol Marin Interview, March 3, 2010

Previous posts: Taxin' Alexi, Not the SMART Choice for Illinois, Alexi Changes Story on IRAN Ties, Hot French/Iranian Money Ties to Giannoulias, A Tough Stretch for Giannoulias, Sweating, Spinning Democrats, Get the picture, Kirk on Alexi Contributor/Bank Client Fraud Charges, Fat Cat Alexi Goes to the White House, The Latest Insult from Alexi, RealTruthAboutAlexi.com, Fast and Loose Alexi Giannoulias

Mean but accurate

Geraghty, Morning Jolt on this:

At Red State, Moe Lane is mean, but accurate: "Now, it's like this. It's one thing to be a prostitute. It's another thing to be a cheap prostitute. It's yet a third thing to be a cheap prostitute who accepts Monopoly money. But to be a cheap prostitute who gets stiffed on your Monopoly money? That takes skill."

More dirty business:

Congratulations, Democrats
You won dirty, and have nationalized health care by proxy. ► JONAH GOLDBERG

What's going on

Drudge headers:
Shocking Audio: Rep. Dingell Says ObamaCare Will Eventually 'Control the People'...

States Challenge Health Bill Saying Medicaid Expansion Will Bust Budgets...
Gap in law's protection for children...
'Your Medical Records Aren't Secure'...
Law Signals US Empire Decline?

More.Flashback: John Dingell's Wife on GM Payroll

More. Ramirez. Reconciliation Bill Adds Even More Taxes:

Heritage’s Robert Book, Guinevere Nell and Paul Winfree have been documenting these tax changes, noting how the legislation imposes new taxes on employers, the sick, and low-income and moderate-income workers.

Via Heritage:

According to a new report from the TARP inspector general, the Obama administration's marquee foreclosure-prevention program is helping far fewer homeowners than President Obama promised.

Economists, business officials and others say the Obama administration's U.S. export five-year plan will fail to boost employment as promised as trade disputes threaten to crimp American sales abroad.

The Compassion of the IRS

Not a joke any more. ObamaCare with the efficiency of the post office and the compassion of the IRS. And the power to tax you for living.

Caller in to WLS suggests moving the tanning beds outside.

Expose J Street in Chicago

Gather to challenge this anti-Israeli group--how about a real conversation?

Event: Conversation with Jeremy Ben-Ami, J Street's Founder and Executive Director
Start Time: Monday, April 12 at 7:30pm
End Time: Monday, April 12 at 10:30pm
Where: Am Yisrael Conservative Congregation

Related posts: The Obama Blunder on Israel, The Obama Administration Throws Israel Away, RJC: Obama Administration's Escalation is Harsh & Undiplomatic, Ellen of 10th, Take Shelter Now, Tribune Curiously Incurious

This Gessler Government

Remember William Tell. This story from my childhood. And the tyrant Gessler.

Newt says this ObamaCare bill is the equivalent of selling the farm and leaving the kids with the mortgage.

Recognize the overture?

Hi ho Silver!

What will be the next rallying cry?

Best news I've had all day:)

Coulter files complaint at Canadian University, says she was victim of 'hate crime'

What should our president Barack Obama mandate next?

Legal Insurrection kicks it off.

My favorite so far: Mandate marriage. Married men are healthier than single men.

Maybe our president Barack Obama should emulate the Moonies.

(I'm sure he could do something tasteful with balloons.)

Illinois in Play for Republicans

UPDATE: Michael Barone analysis. ("Devastating" for Dems). HT Instapundit.***Sean Trende, RCP Blog assesses the latest Congressional race polling:)

OK folks, FIRE Nancy Pelosi! We are fired up in Illinois! Support the Republican challenger!

Ray Wardingly 1st

Isaac Hayes 2nd

Michael Bendas 3rd

David Ratowitz 5th

Joe Walsh 8th (More here and here.)

Joel Pollak 9th

Robert Dold 10th (More on this race here and here.)

Adam Kinzinger 11th

Randy Hultgren 14th

Bobby Schilling 17th

Teri Davis Newman 12th

It's Unprecedented all right

Will the Supreme Court Slay ObamaCare? - Dennis Byrne, Chicago Tribune

A Nation Careening Toward Bankruptcy - David Brooks, New York Times

Health Care Law Will Push Costs 'Out of Sight' - Jack Welch, CNBC

I'm too tired to write anything but am still alarmed. So I'm giving you these links:)

...Here's more:

Theodore Dalrymple: Why Britain's National Health Service spends so much and does so little. City Journal

Editors: The race card canard - Democrats play dirty pool to pass Obamacare. Washington Times

Michael Ramirez.

The Obama Blunder on Israel

Clinton's spokesman then publicly announced that Israel was now required to show in word and in deed its seriousness about peace.

Israel? Israelis have been looking for peace -- literally dying for peace -- since 1947, when they accepted the U.N. partition of Palestine into a Jewish and Arab state. (The Arabs refused and declared war. They lost.)

Israel made peace offers in 1967, 1978 and in the 1993 Oslo peace accords that Yasser Arafat tore up seven years later to launch a terror war that killed a thousand Israelis. Why, Clinton's own husband testifies to the remarkably courageous and visionary peace offer made in his presence by Ehud Barak (now Netanyahu's defense minister) at the 2000 Camp David talks. Arafat rejected it. In 2008, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert offered equally generous terms to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas. Refused again.

In these long and bloody 63 years, the Palestinians have not once accepted an Israeli offer of permanent peace, or ever countered with anything short of terms that would destroy Israel.

...And on the streets of the president's home town of Chicago leftist demonstrators chant Intifada, Intifada.

Taxin' Alexi--Not the SMART choice for Illinois

From Kirk for Congress:

Alexi Giannoulias in his own words:

“I have said from day one, as your state Treasurer, that, while politically it’s not the smartest thing to say, we need an income tax increase.”

March 20, 2010

Giannoulias Defends His Call to Raise Income Taxes

FACT: On Saturday, Alexi Giannoulias announced his support for a state income tax hike: “I have said from day one, as your state Treasurer, that, while politically it’s not the smartest thing to say, we need an income tax increase.”

FACT: Earlier today, Alexi Giannoulias sent out a campaign press release confirming his support for a state income tax increase.

FACT: The Giannoulias press release did not mention whether families that lost money in under the management of the advisors he personally chose for the Bright Start college savings program would be exempted under his income tax increase.

FACT: The Giannoulias press release did not dispute that raising Illinois income taxes would make our state less competitive, drive more jobs away and slow our economic recovery.

FACT: The Giannoulias press release made no mention of the Chicago Tribune’s thoughtful editorial explaining why a state income tax increase is the wrong approach.

FACT: The Giannoulias press release criticized Congressman Mark Kirk for voting against three bills:

1. The Stimulus spending bill that passed when unemployment stood far below the current rate of 12%;

2. The second Stimulus spending bill that passed before the first one was spent; and

3. The trillion-dollar health care that approved 12 new federal taxes on top of his proposed state income tax hike.

Bottom Line: Illinois families cannot afford Alexi Giannoulias. Mark Kirk stands for honest government, lower taxes and less government spending. The choice for Senate is clear.

Previous posts: Alexi Changes Story on IRAN Ties, Hot French/Iranian Money Ties to Giannoulias, A Tough Stretch for Giannoulias, Sweating, Spinning Democrats, Get the picture, Kirk on Alexi Contributor/Bank Client Fraud Charges, Fat Cat Alexi Goes to the White House, The Latest Insult from Alexi, RealTruthAboutAlexi.com, Fast and Loose Alexi Giannoulias

Going Galt and Gandhi

Potluck.

Listening to Joe the Biden talking about passion before the bill signing is enough to make anyone rebel right now.

P.S. Well. I went out to do errands. This was all over the radio, etc. In case you hadn't heard, Joe lived up to his reputation. Video. And what about that outcry from one of the Dems. This seems to happen to this Dem "leadership" a lot. Why is that?

This is Scary Wrong

Federal judge orders release of Gitmo jihadi who recruited four 9/11 hijackers

And the Millennium Bomber. How do you feel about that LA? Chicago? NYC?

Mayor Rudy Giuliani was on FoxNews this morning and reminded the Obama Justice Dept. that we are fighting a war against Islamic terrorists. Would we have released top Nazis midway through the war? He went on to say treating enemy combatants in criminal courts doesn't work and doesn't make sense. Unfortunately people have to keep pointing this out to those in charge in the Obama administration.

Oh, and Eric Holder is ducking Congressional questioning today-- last time he didn't do so hot, insisting that Osama bin Laden will never be taken alive and talking about Mirandizing Osama's corpse--to attend the IRS/SEIU/ACORN under an assumed name full employment act, otherwise known as ObamaCare.

And then there's this:Radical Cleric Calls for American Muslims to Fight U.S. Awlaki audio recording released.

Illinois Wants to Fire Nancy Pelosi!

We rank TOP TEN in donations to throw her OUT. [UPDATE: Find your Republican challengers below.]

Health Care: Secret Deals, Kickbacks and Carve-outs

Illinois' lawsuit climate among worst in the country

SEIU's Andy Stern on who owns Bill Foster

C'est Merde, Vive La Change

Fire Nancy Pelosi

P.S. Illinois' Bill Kelly's Truth Squad.UNCONSTITUTIONAL: THE MOVIE (2010)Directed by Nancy Pelosi (Photo, Bill Kelly)

More. Thoughts of a Regular Guy. Health care reform is about saving lives, not destroying them.

conservativeBrand. Will the president ever come clean with the American people?

Stix blog. HELL NO

With Both Hands. An urban Democrat--Obama is history's goat.

General Al at General Patriot. From West Chicago.

Illinois Review. Crossroads of the Conservative Community. DC's Tune Inn revelers include IL's Bean and Costello

Your candidate for Congress here. If they're not up there yet, add 'em. Republican challengers:

Ray Wardingly 1st

Isaac Hayes 2nd

Michael Bendas 3rd

David Ratowitz 5th

Joe Walsh 8th

Joel Pollak 9th

Robert Dold 10th

Adam Kinzinger 11th

Randy Hultgren 14th

Bobby Schilling 17th

Teri Davis Newman 12th

Bears in the Air

Pentagon's "Contact Us" Button Yields Innovative Anti-Terror Ideas, Bear-a-troopers. Hey, Boo Boo? Cool under fire.

A Costly, Partisan Bill

Muscling this bill to President Barack Obama sets up the Democrats for affirmation — or condemnation — when citizens get their vote, on Nov. 2. This legislation has cleaved America, and whatever happens next, the Democrats own it.

No major entitlement program has become law in such partisan fashion.

More. And as the Tribune points out, the numbers were bogus. Here's another observer: The Lie of Fiscal Responsibility - Peter Suderman, Reason. And Jay Cost, RCP's HorseRace Blog:

Franklin Roosevelt and Lyndon Johnson made use of an ingenious social insurance system - promoting the idea that we all pay in today to take out tomorrow. It was consistent with American individualism. It was simple. It was intuitive. It was bipartisan.

Obama's new system has none of those virtues. It's an impenetrable labyrinth of new taxes, benefits, and regulations, passed on the narrowest of possible majorities with more than 10% of the Democratic caucus joining every Republican. Even Wile E. Coyote would be embarrassed by its inefficiencies.

Exporting Disaster

As if they don't have enough to deal with, here's a possible accidental export. Let's cross our fingers for tiny Iceland. And for us:

Like earthquakes, predicting the timing of volcanic eruptions is an imprecise science. An eruption at the Katla volcano could be disastrous, however — both for Iceland and other nations.

Iceland's Laki volcano erupted in 1783, freeing gases that turned into smog. The smog floated across the Jet Stream, changing weather patterns. Many died from gas poisoning in the British Isles. Crop production fell in western Europe. Famine spread. Some even linked the eruption, which helped fuel famine, to the French Revolution. Painters in the 18th century illustrated fiery sunsets in their works.

The winter of 1784 was also one of the longest and coldest on record in North America. New England reported a record stretch of below-zero temperatures and New Jersey reported record snow accumulation. The Mississippi River also reportedly froze in New Orleans.

Well. It would almost be worth it to skate the river through the bayous.

...As for revolution, well, no imports needed to spark us off.

Is Dan Seals Hiding?

From Dold for Congress:

Dold Calls Healthcare Bill a "Jobs Killer

Says 10th District Rresidents Deserve to Know Where Seals Stands

Today, Illinois 10^th District Republican Congressional candidate Robert Dold expressed outrage by the passage of health care legislation that will hurt American businesses during a period of global economic crisis. As national unemployment continues to climb – with some states unofficially experiencing actual levels approaching 20 percent – the Congress has turned a deaf ear to the voices of small businesses in a partisan effort to appease its political base.

“At a time when small businesses are fighting to keep their workforces employed,” Dold continued, “Congress is placing yet another burden on their backs. This action is irresponsible, unconscionable, and will kill any remaining hope of jobs being created.”

The healthcare bill passed yesterday by Congress will add more than $50 billion in new taxes on employers that currently do not provide health coverage, while also increasing Medicare tax rates on dividends and capital gains, according to the Congressional Budget Office. These tax increases will force businesses to lower wages and not expand thereby chilling job creation.

When elected, Dold vows to repeal these job killing provisions and enact changes that reduce the cost of healthcare such as providing for medical malpractice reform and making health care more consumer driven.

Dold urged his opponent Dan Seals to finally come out and tell the voters where he stands on the legislation. “The residents in the 10^th Congressional District deserve to know how Dan Seals would have voted,” said Dold. To date, Seals has refused to state his support or opposition to the health care bills.

###

About Robert Dold:
Robert Dold is a small business owner and active member of his community. He is President of Rose Pest Solutions and serves as Scoutmaster for the Troop 13 Senior Scouts. A graduate of New Trier High School, Dold earned a law degree from Indiana University and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. He worked in the White House and on Capitol Hill as investigative counsel for the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee. Bob and his wife, Danielle, have three children.

Alexi Changes Story on IRAN Ties

From Kirk for Senate:

***FACT CHECK***

Alexi Giannoulias Acknowledged Natixis Real Estate Financing in 2007 – Now Changes Story as Iran Ties Surface

Giannoulias Myth: The Giannoulias family’s $21.5 million loan from the controversial French bank Natixis is not a problem because the family did not know the loan's origin and because the loan was made after Alexi Giannoulias became State Treasurer.

Get the Facts:

• In 2007, Crain’s Chicago Business reported that Alexi Giannoulias and his family took out a $21.5 million, 10-year loan from the French bank Natixis to finance the family’s real estate portfolio. At the time, Giannoulias knew all about the loan and defended it by saying Natixis did not do business with the State of Illinois.

• In 2007, Crain’s Chicago Business reported that filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission disclosed that Natixis was the lender to the Giannoulias family – further proof that the borrower knew its lender.

• Despite his election as State Treasurer, Crain’s Chicago Business reported that Alexi Giannoulias still held stock in Giannoulias Enterprises – the limited partnership that holds the family’s real estate portfolio. Giannoulias did not divest himself from Giannoulias Enterprises after his election.

• On Friday, the Weekly Standard reported that Natixis remains one of the largest foreign investors in Iran’s energy sector – and even held deposits from Iran’s Central Bank the same year the Giannoulias family took out its loan.
  

• As a Senate candidate, Alexi Giannoulias claims he supports divestment from companies doing business with Iran’s energy sector – companies like Natixis.

Questions for Alexi Giannoulias:

1. Why are you now suggesting that your family didn’t know Natixis was behind a $21.5 million real estate loan when in 2007 you spoke openly about it with Crain’s Chicago Business?

2. Do you think it’s hypocritical to call for divestment from companies doing business with Iran’s energy sector when you refuse to divest from Giannoulias Enterprises?

Previous posts: Hot French/Iranian Money Ties to Giannoulias, A Tough Stretch for Giannoulias, Sweating, Spinning Democrats, Get the picture, Kirk on Alexi Contributor/Bank Client Fraud Charges, Fat Cat Alexi Goes to the White House, The Latest Insult from Alexi, RealTruthAboutAlexi.com, Fast and Loose Alexi Giannoulias

Meanwhile, more jobs leave Illinois

Jesse Jackson Taunts Tea Party Protesters… Grabs At Their Signs (Video) HT Steve Bartin.

And in this Dem run state:

Memo To Obama Voters

Seen in comments here:

We have a high-tech business near Chicago. We modeled this “health-control” disaster scenario recently. Since it has now come to pass we are moving R&D and manufacturing over-seas. We will be laying off staff in the US and hiring in China and India. It’s pretty clear others will be following us. All you folks who voted for Obama and his crazy leftist friends – have a nice day. Bye

Jesse and Jr. you are a disgrace, as usual. Phony and greedy. I hope Jr. gets caught this time. Better to just vote him out.

Political Risk

Why U.S. labor markets may stay in a funk. James Pethokoukis.

Liberal Fascism: Violating the Covenant

Ben Stein: My Thoughts on Watching the Dems Stab the Constitution on the Congressional Floor

Quinn Hillyer:

There will be much more to say along these lines in a full column later this week, but for now, this should suffice: Bart Stupak, Kathy Dahlkemper, Indianans Ellsworth, Donnelly, and Hill, and all their supposedly pro-life AND pro-fiscal-integrity colleagues who voted for Obamacare are in for a life of unmitigated hell. They should, they must, they will never, ever, ever be allowed to forget what they have just done to America. They should be hounded and haunted for the rest of their lives. What they have done to the social compact is monstrous. What they have done to the economy is unforgiveable. What they have done to our republican (small 'r') system of government is vicious and vile. And what they have done, yes, to unborn children, is a grave evil.

I keep thinking of the scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark when the Nazis open the sacred chest, the Ark of the Covenant. And we see their eyes gleam with greed and then dissolve in horror.

You have violated the trust of the American people. Most Americans recoil. And we will never forget this.

The Image and Likeness...

Cartoon by Michael Ramirez, IBD.

Ah yes. Our president Barack Obama is a rare soul, a singular humanitarian and genius.

...Death to America, says the Great Satan.

Call Claude Rains

Suspected 'front company' has good city hall lobbyist. Former top Daley aide Gery Chico helped Azteca win minority certification. A story of suicide and political corruption. Sun Times with the kicker at the end:

Azteca's certifications as a MBE, WBE and DBE were renewed Jan.1, 2009 -- about six months after the FBI agent was beaten up during the Azteca investigation -- and expire in April 2012, according to city records.

City Hall has now moved to bar Azteca, Venegas and her husband from getting any more city work.

"We are shocked at the lengths these few individuals went to to defraud the city and investigators and to hide their front company, including writing up dummy invoices and filling a warehouse full of supplies and materials that were not actually owned by the company," says a statement from the mayor's purchasing department.

Shocked, shocked.Thugs and bums. Democrats in Chicago.

...This is what you get, America, when Democrats run everything. They are crooks, stealing us blind and smiling all the while.

Big Government Bleeding Us, Crushing Job Creation

Public sector union workers make as much as 45% more than those in the private sector. And they are feasting on jobs while we face famine in the private sector--which pays their salaries. Don and Roma were talking with Larry Kudlow about this this morning.

Crain's Chicago Business:

The U.S. Government is the largest employer in the six-county Chicago area, as it is for the nation as a whole. The rest of the top five are also government agencies: Chicago Public Schools, City of Chicago, the State of Illinois and Cook County.

This is unsustainable. Illinois is bankrupt. The public union machine is bleeding us dry. The Dems who run this state are criminally reckless. And now we are layering this killer health care bill on top of that. Kass has it right:

"Your Uncle Feds is so cool," the neighbors said. "He's the most popular guy in town. He gives us all this stuff for free."

Charlie grunted that it wasn't exactly free, but the neighbors didn't like the sound of that. They grumbled that Charlie was selfish and rude.

"Where did you get the money to pay for all of this, Uncle Feds?" asked Charlie. "We can't afford it anymore. We've got to start cutting back."

The neighbors were horrified at this line of questioning.

"Uncle Feds can't afford a cut!" they cried. "What's wrong with you, Charlie? Cut Uncle Feds? Are you stupid or what? He can't afford it!"

Later, Uncle Feds caught up with Charlie and Cindy (her feet in a pan of water) at the kitchen table with the bills.

"You asked me where I got the money?" said Uncle Feds with a wide grin. "I used your credit cards. You weren't using them. So I used them."

Killing jobs. The Wall Street Journal reports:

"This will make us one of the highest-taxed regions in the world, and that's going to have an impact on the appetite for people to invest in medical innovation," said Bill Hawkins, chief executive of Medtronic Inc., which makes medical devices. He said his company could cut at least 1,000 jobs to absorb a new 2.9% excise tax on medical-device makers.

Killing innovation:

The Silliest “Serious “ Argument for Obama Care

As the debate grinds toward yet another phony deadline, I would lke to nominate the silliest argument from an ostensibly serious source for ObamaCare.

My candidate is David Leonhardt from the 22 December business section of the New York Times. He argues “If Health Reform Fails, America’s Innovation Gap Will Grow.

Leonhardt bases this on the experience of an iPhone app company ….”in almost every interview,… the applicant ask about Pinger’s health care insurance plan.” A dozen years ago the recruits probably asked if they could bring their dog to work but I don’t recall the business columns of the Times bemoaning a pet shortage. These are serious times and one would expect more serious questions. But in fact, there is no problem with health insurance in Silicon Valley. Leonhardt writes “Silcon Valley with its network of venture capital backers figures out a way to get most of its workers some kind of health insurance.”

So what is Leonhardt talking about? His point is that people with jobs feel tied to those jobs because of health care insurance. That might be an argument for ending an employer based health care system or ending the tax favored status of those systems but they are of course entrenched in Obamacare. This might be an argument that a would be innovator who has a job is 55 with a pre-existing condition might stick with her job rather than strike out on her own. But at that age, innovators (Steve Jobs) probably are better for innovation leading large organizations. The would be innovators that are most affected by Obamacare are those risk seeking twenty somethings. These would be innovators will find they have less money to support their innovation because they have to buy Obamacare and will find less financing because Obamacare appears to be partially funded by taxes on investment income. If their innovation is in healthcare they may find no market because Obamacare will have medical necessity review boards. In the event, it will get worse as Obamacare will have to resort to price controls

There is of course innovation everywhere to at least some degree. But is the primary competition in innovation Germany (Obamacare) or China (no Obamacare)?

And as I listened to Nancy Pelosi last night it seemed to me everything she said turned the truth on its head.

This is wrong. And we are going to fight like hell to take our country back.

More. FoxNews showing AARP sponsoring job fairs for those 55 and older. AARP--why did you support this job-killing bill that will starve Medicare and push it into bankruptcy even sooner?

Healthcare Bill Will Stir The Next Greatest Generation. Via Riehl.

More. The Doctors of the House. Public Pension Deficits Are Worse Than You Think: How can fund managers assume an 8% rate of return?

The GOP's New One-Word Agenda: Repeal - Bill Kristol, Weekly Standard
Dems Won This Battle, But They've Lost the War - Mike Flynn, Big Govt
Bonds: Safer to Lend to Buffett Than Obama - Kruger & Keogh, Bloomberg

Boehner's Impassioned Speech

On the House floor last night. Video. "Have you read the bill? Have you read the reconcililation bill? Have you read the manager's amendment? Hell no you haven't!"

If it moves, TAX it

You know all those cameras mushrooming everywhere? States Look Beyond Borders to Collect Owed Taxes. NY Times:

But now states have greater access to data warehouses that help them better track taxes owed. Real estate transactions, federal data from the Internal Revenue Service, commercial license plates, traffic tickets, bids for government construction projects — all this information, newly digitized and dumped into a computer system, can help states find tax scofflaws.

“We’re sort of getting into ‘1984’ land here,” said Kenneth T. Zemsky, an accountant and partner at Ernst & Young. “A lot of the reason they went after athletes and entertainers is that they couldn’t find the other people. Now they’re able to get those people, too.”

The Times notes our President Barack Obama worked at least 30 states last year. That's one celebrity the IRS won't harass.

On Freedom

On Freedom [Peter Robinson]

From the “Legend of the Grand Inquisitor,” Dostoyevsky’s story-within-a-story in The Brothers Karamazov:

Good night. Tomorrow will be a better day.

Walsh Statement (Are you listening now, Melissa?)

Video. Joe Walsh for Congress, Illinois 8th.

You can't come home again, Melissa Bean.

Bleepin CNN on the Hunt

To find out who shouted Baby Killer at Bart Stupak. [Per Dana Bash, she actually said on the hunt, as she was bleating about people getting souvenirs of the bill signed]

Wolf Blitzer helpfully reminds us of Joe Wilson shouting you lie.

Neither of these shouted statements belong in the House--but they do have the ring of truth. Don't they.

P.S. Bart--I feel bad for you. I do. But I feel worse for those innocents that will be slaughtered. Against the conscience of a majority of Americans. With our tax dollars. And there's worse. Big Brother is here.

...yes, CNN is noted for their thorough reporting.

Roskam Reaction on Cavuto

Watch:

Fire Nancy Pelosi

www.gop.com/firepelosi

And:

rachellefriberg

RT @RAMansour: RT @JimDeMint Sign the pledge to only support candidates that vow to repeal ObamaCare. http://www.repealitpledge.com/ #tcot

More. Nooooo. Nancy is talking again.

instapundit

JESSE WALKER: “Look on the bright side: Now we get to find out what’s in it.”…: JESSE WALKER: “Look on the brig... http://bit.ly/aI2GMC

I just muted Nancy to listen to Peter Roskam (video)

PeterRoskam

Went on @FoxNews Biz w/ Cavuto earlier. #hcr bill over-promises and will under-perform, just like the #stimulus. http://bit.ly/csHvcZ

More. (Hahaha--they're already worried:) The barbarians at the gates!!!!:)

instapundit

NEW YORK TIMES: Legal and Political Fights Ahead for the Democrats….: NEW YORK TIMES: Legal and Political Fights... http://bit.ly/aD5WG6