Crabapple Blossoms

And there's some kind of nest....I feel like some Judy Garland, to get us through to November. Inspired by my friend Ruby Slippers. And well, I sang the someday I'll wish upon a star... if happy little bluebirds fly solo in college with the Radcliffe Pitches. Don't laugh. No Toto though. Here goes.

...Makin' the tea party rounds. 1.7 million views...in a little over a month. "You Picked a Fine Time to Lead Us, Barack" by Jonathan McWhite. A song. Video.

Video: Dutch Marines vs. Pirates

Ministry of Defense video. Listening to the Sox, got this email. Edgy stuff. Don't know Dutch, a little German:) I thought they said the phrase team member a few times, maybe they lifted that from us.

More. FoxNews. Naturally:) The good guys.

AlieNation

It is not that no one's in control. Washington is full of people who insist they're in control and who go to great lengths to display their power. It's that no one takes responsibility and authority. Washington daily delivers to the people two stark and utterly conflicting messages: "We control everything" and "You're on your own."

***

Obamacon Doves vs. Hard-Money Heartland Hawks

***

The real reason liberals accuse Tea Partiers of racism is that contemporary American-style liberalism is in rigor mortis. Liberals have nothing else to say or do. Accusations of racism are their last resort.

The European debt crisis — first Greece, then Portugal and now Spain (and Belgium, Ireland and Italy, evidently) — has shown the welfare state to be an unsustainable economic system. The US, UK and Japan, according to the same Financial Times report, are also on similar paths of impoverishment through entitlements.

Many of us have known this for a long time, just from simple math. Entitlements are in essence a Ponzi scheme. Now we have to face that and do something serious about it or our economy (the world economy) will fall apart.

***

Sarah Palin E-Mail Hacker Convicted on Two Charges:

The 22-year-old son of a Democratic Tennessee lawmaker has been convicted on two charges in the hacking of Sarah Palin’s e-mail account while she campaigned on the Republican presidential ticket in 2008.

The federal court jury reached its verdict Friday against David Kernell after four days of deliberation. He was found guilty of obstruction of justice and unauthorized access to a computer, but was acquitted on a charge of wire fraud.

The jury was deadlocked on a charge of identify theft...

***

Obama Administration Responds To Oil Rig Disaster By…Sending In The Lawyers

***

Dust bowl, California-style

***

Don't You Dare Ask For My ID, But You Are Welcome to My Body Parts

***

Video: Dana Loesch On Fox And Friends Talks About The Quincy Teaparty Showdown With Riot Police

***

Greece, preview of things to come?

KeepIsraelSafe.com

Keep Israel Safe. Watch the video.

Kirk Widens Lead, Brady Steady

Rasmussen via RCP. Related post: David Axelrod and Dems' Walking Obscenities

P.S. Not just the Obama Senate seat in Illinois, but Hawaii too? Charles Djou Seeks to Win Obama's "Home District" Next Week

From the Kirk campaign: Kirk Unveils Rockford Agenda. Kirk: With nearly 20 percent unemployment, our priority must be putting Rockford back to work

Rockford, Ill. – Congressman Mark Kirk joined Rockford business owner Jeff Kaney and community leaders to unveil his Rockford Agenda to highlight the priorities of Rockford-area citizens.

“Our next Senator should support innovative and specific Rockford efforts to increase employment like improving the operations of Chicago Rockford International Airport, revitalizing downtown Rockford and expanding the University of Illinois College of Medicine,” Kirk said. “With unemployment near 20 percent, the best thing we can do for Rockford right now is support pro-growth, job creation policies that will put people back to work. I am committed to supporting Rockford’s priorities to rebuild and revitalize their economy in the U.S. Senate.”

According to the Illinois Department of Employment Security, the unemployment rate for the Rockford Metropolitan Statistical Area, including Winnebago and Boone Counties, is 17.9 percent. The City of Rockford has an unemployment rate of 18.8 percent. The Rockford Agenda is an 8-point plan to put Rockford back to work. Congressman Kirk worked with Congressman Don Manzullo and community leaders to develop the agenda. Below is Congressman Kirk’s Rockford Agenda.

The Rockford Agenda

1. The Small Business Bill of Rights

At 18 percent, Rockford has the highest unemployment in the state. With so many unemployed, the number one priority in the Rockford area is promoting pro-growth policies to create jobs and put the people of Rockford back to work. Small businesses account for 98.4 percent of statewide employers and are the engine of our economy.

Congressman Kirk has announced a Small Business Bill of Rights to protect small businesses from higher taxes, rising health care and energy costs and increasing government red tape. The plan, which is endorsed by the National Federation of Independent Business, would provide small business employers with capital gains, AMT and death tax relief, cut government red tape, lower health care costs and protect a worker’s right to a secret ballot in a union election.

The Small Business Bill of Rights will:

· Protect secret ballots in union elections

· Lower health costs with lawsuit reforms and interstate competition

· Lower energy costs with credits for efficient equipment and hybrids

· Permit children to continue business with low/no death tax

· Exempt small businesses from capital gains tax for 10 years

· Make immigration laws easy to comply with

· Create a Patent Office fast lane for small business innovation

· SBA to limit federal paperwork for small businesses to 200 hours annually

· Prevent AMT from taxing the middle class

· Reduce deficit to encourage jobs and improve credit

2. Expand Chicago-Rockford International Airport

The Chicago-Rockford International Airport is an important economic engine that enhances the regional economy in northern Illinois. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, the airport contributes $719 million annually to the local economy. Last March, more than 23,000 passengers flew through the airport. Capacity currently is at 95 percent, suggesting significant room for expansion.

Capable of landing any aircraft in the world, Chicago-Rockford International specializes in air cargo transportation and is ranked as a top 20 U.S. cargo airport based on landed weight, and the 215thlargest passenger airport. It is a world-class airport that is ready to grow. With its geography and size, Chicago-Rockford is fully capable of being a partner to O’Hare to help relieve congestion at other metro airports.

Congressman Kirk will work closely with local officials to continue attracting both national and international cargo companies as well as assisting in the ongoing efforts to grow passenger service and fully utilize the airport’s capacity, including support of the $5 million taxiway rehabilitation project. As a member of the Appropriations Committee and a former member of the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, Congressman Kirk has worked to make major improvements to our aviation infrastructure.

Congressman Kirk also will work with Congressman Manzullo to continue to build international partnerships, such as the recent visit of the Japanese and Thai U.S. ambassadors to Rockford, as well as support infrastructure improvements. More than $183 million in infrastructure improvements have already been invested in the airport in recent years.

3. Boost Rockford Rail Access

Bolstering our mass transit systems, particularly commuter and high-speed rail, should be a top transportation priority for all of Illinois. These rail lines promote economic development, relieve traffic congestion and reduce our reliance on foreign oil.

The Illinois General Assembly authorized $60 million to extend Amtrak service from Chicago to Dubuque, Iowa, including reinstating service to Rockford. Service is expected to start in 2012. Metra service along this route would improve Rockford’s ability to attract high-earners and reduce fuel costs. According to the Chicago-based Center for Neighborhood Technology, Rockford-area residents spend at least 45 percent on their annual income on transportation and housing costs. Commuter rail service from Rockford to the northwest Chicago suburbs could carry more than 5,000 people every day. Nearly 43,000 Winnebago and Boone county residents commuted to work outside of the county. Many use I-90 for their commute.

Coupled with the completion of Metra's Suburban Transit Access Route (STAR) Line, Rockford would have easy access to the Chicagoland area. Congressman Kirk will build on his past success with Metra, including his efforts to fund and support the construction of Metra’s North Central line - the first new commuter rail line in 50 years - in the U.S. Senate.

4. Revitalize Downtown Rockford

Downtown Revitalization is a priority to attract employers and private sector jobs to downtown Rockford and help combat the region’s ballooning unemployment problem.

We must work to expand incentives to bring business to the area, focusing on SBA HUBZones to promote job growth, capital investment, and economic development to historically underutilized business zones. This includes reinvesting in existing infrastructure by cleaning up EPA Brownfield sites to build a strong downtown that can be a boon for the economy. Simultaneously, we must work to improve downtown transportation mechanisms including a public transportation hub and greater access to the Chicago-Rockford International Airport.

As a congressman, Mark Kirk has worked to clean Waukegan Harbor to help energize the economic development of northeastern Illinois. Once complete, the corresponding development in Waukegan could generate up to $800 million in property values. Congressman Kirk will work with the local leaders of Rockford implement the community’s vision for a revitalized downtown to attract new businesses and create high-paying jobs, just as he has done for the 10th Congressional District.

5. Encourage Home Ownership

Rockford is ranked nationally for access to affordable housing. The Rockford Housing Authority owns and operates 1,921 public housing units and administers 2,100 Section 8 Housing Vouchers with an annual budget of $8.9 million. With the state’s highest unemployment rate, the demand on the community is considerable. In addition to creating new economic opportunities for Rockford residents, we must help Rockford area citizens off public assistance programs by promoting tenant ownership of public housing. We need to empower lower-income tenants to take direct control over their lives and financial futures.

Since 2000, the Rockford Housing Authority has placed 10 families in their own homes, with a goal of placing two families per year through their Housing Choice Voucher Program. While important, efforts must be made to accelerate more opportunities for public housing residents.

Local elected officials have worked toward a program called “Moving to Work” that will test the efficient use of and provide necessary federal funds to help residents find employment and become self-sufficient. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, “Moving to Work (MTW) is a demonstration program for Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) that provides them the opportunity to design and test innovative, locally-designed strategies that use Federal dollars more efficiently, help residents find employment and become self-sufficient, and increase housing choices for low-income families. MTW gives PHAs exemptions from many existing public housing and voucher rules and more flexibility with how they use their Federal funds.”

Congressman Kirk will work to bring Moving to Work to Rockford, and support policies that encourage home ownership and build economic opportunity for public housing residents.

6. Educate the Workforce

We must continue our efforts to keep Rockford’s workforce competitive in our changing economy. In order to help existing employers looking to diversify their workforce as well as attract new employers, we must increase the number of Rockford-area citizens with technical training and higher education degrees.

Rockford College is the only four-year institution in Rockford and we must continue to support it with infrastructure upgrades to improving programs to help increase the quality of education in Rockford.

We must also continue to support the area’s prized University of Illinois College of Medicine, which will soon be adding a pharmacy school to provide yet another training niche for Rockford, and the establishment of a National Rural Health Professions Education Center at the college. One-sixth of all physicians in Illinois come from the College of Medicine. The center specializes in training and placing physicians and health care professionals in rural communities. The college also is a major employer, with 1,017 employees, and by 2013, 525 students.

We should also work to make education more affordable. The 401(Kids) Family Savings Act of 2009, authored by Congresswoman Judy Biggert (R-Hinsdale) and cosponsored by Congressman Kirk, allows any individual – including a parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle – to set aside a total of $2,000 annually per child in a 401(Kids) Savings Account. Like a Roth IRA, the money is contributed to the account after taxes, interest accumulates tax-free, and the balance can be used tax-free for approved purposes, including education expenses, the purchase of a first home or retirement.

7. Increase Export Markets for U.S. Goods

From machine parts to aerospace, Rockford’s manufacturing sector represents 20 percent of the local economy.

From logistic services to soybeans, Illinois is well-positioned to capitalize on our comparative advantages, boost exports and create jobs here at home. As Senator, Mark Kirk will work with the Foreign Commercial Service, the Small Business Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Trade Development Agency – key agencies that help Illinois employers establish export footholds in growing markets. By boosting the natural advantage of Rockford’s airport, new exporters can be attracted to northern Illinois. Congressman Kirk will continue to support and expand the city’s global trade park to attract manufacturers and other potential employers who would benefit from export benefits offered by the city.

8. Combat Gangs

According to the 2009 National Gang Threat Assessment, Illinois has more gang members per capita than any other state in the country. The same study estimates between 500 and 2,499 gang members operating out of Winnebago County. This year, the Rockford Police Department has seen a 54 percent increase in reported gunfire incidents from Jan. 1 to March 28, compared to last year. We need to ask ourselves why Illinois is leading the nation in gang activity, and what needs to be done to combat this trend. While law enforcement cannot be the only answer, we know that few things are more effective than when local, state and federal agencies share information and resources. We need to treat gangs as a national security threat – one that is not localized in any one community. The Anti-Gang Task Force Act of 2009 provides resources and coordination at the national level to help our local police and sheriff departments prevent gang violence

The interstate and international nature of gangs poses new challenges to law enforcement. Drugs like heroin and cocaine flow north from Mexico, providing the funds for gangs to acquire military-grade weaponry. Last year, members of the Lake County Metropolitan Enforcement Group confiscated a rocket launcher from an Outlaws motorcycle gang member in Antioch. Assault weapons are routinely used by Orchestra Albany gang members in northern Illinois.

The Anti-Gang Task Force Act establishes and provides $20 million in funds for a national gang task force with corresponding regional task forces to target gangs. The task force would include:

(1) the Federal Bureau of Investigation;

(2) the Drug Enforcement Administration;

(3) the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives;

(4) the United States Marshals Service;

(5) the Directorate of Border and Transportation Security of the Department of Homeland Security;

(6) the Department of Housing and Urban Development;

(7) State and local law enforcement; and

(8) Federal, State, and local prosecutors.

Our Guys in Afghanistan Remake Lady G's Telephone

Viral video: HT Breitbart.

...In other news, Judge denies Blago's bid to make The One testify...but the judge says he may reconsider...:)

Rahmbo subpoena next up?

P.S. The Smoking Gun with more on the video.

Arizona Amends Law

ABC15Phoenix.

Chicago News Bench video of the protest outside the Cubs game. More identical signs and a really sick one.

More. Jonah Goldberg: If legal challenges to Obamacare’s individual mandate are Confederate-style nullification, what do you call sanctuary cities?

'Immigration' Isn't the Problem - David Harsanyi, Denver Post

More. Dovetails with my own position: Andrew Marcus: Illegal Immigration Is Human Trafficking. Why Don’t Progressives Care?

And this: Some Hispanic Americans hope law deters illegal immigration

Rassmussen: More Republicans than Democrats Support a 'welcoming immigration policy'

Previous post: The Arizona Experiment

David Axelrod & Dems' Walking Obscenities

How interesting, Lynn Sweet actually talks to people other than the Obama Chicago Way White House. She got a quote from Republican Sen. John Cornyn on the Illinois Senate race, where he wondered whether Dems would force mob banker and Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias out as their candidate through some last-minute "back-room shenanigans". Gee, why would anybody be concerned about that?

So then Sweet elicits reaction from David Axelrod, our President Barack Obama's perpetual mouthpiece when he's off the teleprompter (since the president keeps stepping in it when he does):

Cornyn's comment came a day after President Obama, in Downstate Quincy, gave a shout-out to Giannoulias, calling him the "soon-to-be senator" in a remark I think was calculated to quiet talk about distancing himself from Giannoulias.

"No one here is trying to 'muscle' him from the race. That should have been clear from the president's comment yesterday," White House senior adviser David Axelrod said Thursday.

But practically in the next breath Axelrod tells an untruth, claiming Obama stimulus-hugger mushy flip-flopper Florida governor Charlie Crist was "forced" out of the Republican primary when the truth is he was LOSING bigtime in the polls to a charismatic conservative candidate for Senate, Marco Rubio.

But we'll hold you to that statement about keeping Alexi in, David Axelrod. You probably know you all reek and you can't fool Illinois voters any more by trying to shove someone else in our face. Rahmbo may have the chutzpah to insinuate himself as a bleepin golden replacement, perhaps he may even present himself as an outsider, since he's been in DC for a while, but we can recognize a walking obscenity. Even if we didn't have the Blago tapes coming up in June to remind us.

Joe the Biden Strikes Again

This time a hockey stunner. An NRO fan:

The Washington Capitals, the only non-Michigan sports team I've come to love, completed their jaw-dropping collapse last night. Vice President Biden was in attendance. Coincidence?

Stay away from our series with the Canucks, Joe.

Airspace Rebooted

Video visualization of flights starting up again after the volcano.

Is Barack Obama his own Alinsky?

Daniel Henninger, WSJ on The One.

Related post: Is Barack Obama Too Big To Fail?

Palin Picks a Winner in PA:)

Video of Republican candidate Tim Burns at the Coney Island Lunch in Johnstown, PA post-debate with Robert Stacy McCain. 12th congressional Special election coming up May 18th.

Sarah Palin herself comes to the Chicago area, the Rosemont Theatre on Wednesday, May 12, from 7:00pm - 10:00pm. Tickets available: An Evening with Sarah Palin, sponsored by WIND radio.

More on the PA race here, including some debate video.

Walk Away

Harrison Ford to Green Critics: ‘I’ll Walk Everywhere When They Walk Everywhere’

Richard S. Lindzen: Climate Science In Denial

Brand New Green on the virtues of nuclear power. City Journal.

Previous post: Fannie Mae Carbon Credit Scam

A Symbolic Senate Seat

WaPo looks at the Illinois race, among others.

I'd say it's the Obama/Blago/Burris Senate seat. Dems continue their scandal-plagued tradition with Obama buddy Alexi Giannoulias.

Republicans offer something different. Illinois is burdened by rampant corruption, equivalent by some estimates to a tax of as much as $500 million, and the state's already bankrupt--the direction the country is going.

Some new questions for Alexi from the Kirk campaign:

Experts Contradict Alexi’s Spin

FDIC Discount Further Erodes Giannoulias’ Story

Alexi Giannoulias continues his attempts to elicit sympathy for his reckless decisions that brought down his family bank and cost the FDIC $394 million, saying Broadway was an ordinary bank victimized by a bad economy.

The problem for Alexi? Banking experts and new information contradict his spin.

In interviews this week the President of MB Financial – who purchased Broadway Bank after its collapse – revealed that the FDIC was forced to offer a 20 percent discount to sell the toxic bank. [1] This amounted to a $171 million payment from the FDIC to MB Financial. [2]

By contrast, MB Financial purchased an apparently healthier New Century Bank the same day at only a 9 percent discount. [3]

Why the discrepancy?

The difference between the two discounts is due to two factors. First, as bank analyst Dennis Klaese put it: “The deposit franchise at Broadway clearly was a very poor one.”[4] Broadway Bank was heavily dependent on expensive and volatile brokered deposits, and thus MB Financial was only interested in acquiring $281 million of Broadway Bank’s $1.1 billion in deposits.

On the other hand, MB Financial acquired $471 million of New Century Bank’s $492 million in deposits.[5]

Second, Broadway Bank’s loan portfolio is extremely poor, with a heavy emphasis on commercial real estate and construction and development loans that are unlikely to improve in the weak real estate market.

According to Washington D.C. banking consultant Bert Ely “the real question is why it [Broadway Bank] wasn't closed a long time ago.” Ely went on to sum up Broadway Bank by simply saying “It was a badly run bank.”[6]

There are unanswered questions about Broadway Bank and how it got to this point that Alexi will have to answer as his campaign moves forward.

• Why did the FDIC have to offer a nearly 20 percent discount in order to find a buyer for Broadway?

• Why did brokered deposits grow fourfold and risky construction and development loans rise to 45 percent of the bank's portfolio while Alexi was Chief Loan Officer?

• Did Alexi Giannoulias pull his campaign funds out of Broadway before it failed?

• The FDIC only insures up to $250,000. Given the deadline imposed by the FDIC, did Alexi change banks to protect his campaign cash, or did he leave it at Broadway because he had advance knowledge that the bank would be acquired?

---

[1] MB stands ready to buy additional failed banks, Chicago Tribune, April 27, 2010

[2] MB Financial's instant gain on Broadway, New Century: $30 million, Crain’s Chicago Business, April 26, 2010

[3] ibid

[4] ibid

[5] MB stands ready to buy additional failed banks, Chicago Tribune, April 27, 2010

[6] Who Killed Broadway Bank?, Chicago Tribune, April 26, 2010

Protest Planned at Cubs/Diamondback Game

At Chicago's Wrigley Field. CBS2.

Um, is this a good idea? Baseball fans have traditionally booed politicians looking for some easy applause. Must baseball become political too?

Come on, Cubs fans. Protest this. Just say play ball.

As for Arizona, let the state work things out themselves.

Chang Fundraiser, Dold at RJC

Wilmette's Hamilton Chang, running for state Rep. in Illinois' 17th district, is holding his first fundraiser on May 12th: Hackney’s on Lake, 1514 E. Lake Ave, Glenview, IL 600257 P.M. 7– 9 P.M.

Robert Dold, a small businessman and Scoutmaster, is the Republican candidate for the open 10th Congressional seat formerly held by Mark Kirk, who is running for Senate. The Republican Jewish Coalition has invited Dold to speak on Sunday, May 16th at the Renaissance Chicago North Shore Hotel, registration at 6:30 pm, 7:00 pm program. Details here.

Fannie Mae Carbon Credit Scam?!!!

Are you kidding me? Clarice Feldman, The American Thinker.

And this has to do with mortgages how? (Here comes the Cap and Tax)

Just like what demanding 1099s for small business transactions has to do with health care. (Here comes the VAT tax)

Our government is broken. We can only fix it by busting up this Big Government that invades our lives (sends Swat teams after grannies), sucks up our earnings and bleeds red ink all over us and our children.

More:Scandal: Obama, Gore, Goldman, Joyce Foundation CCX partners to fleece USA

The Examiner reports:

What is CCX, the Chicago Climate Exchange, projected to gross 10 Trillion a year is Cap-N-Tax passes. Obama played a pivotal role in the formation of the CCX.

Oh, and the Goracle buys a pricey home California: Al Gore's growing carbon footprint

The Arizona Experiment

Well, the Arizona immigration bill may be a hoax, we shall see. Isn't it interesting that Mexico itself is pretty tough on its own illegal immigrants. And isn't it odd that many protesters of the law (though balanced coverage has been slim) have acted in particularly offensive and uncivil ways--even to the point of throwing rocks at police.

This is not reassuring to most Americans.

And obviously if Arizona police willy-nilly arrest everyone based on the color of their skin that would be wrong. It would also overwhelm the system. Because there are thousands and thousands of people entering the state illegally, often treading over the same ground, the same ranches, the same no longer pristine stretches of desert, the same homes, the same stretches of road where children can no longer safely wait for school buses. What would you do, as governor, when the federal government refuses to act. What would you think, as a citizen, when this lawlessness goes on for years and years.

As it turns out, apparently the numbers are down because the economy is down. But also, those who do come are more likely to be armed, more likely to be involved in the illegal drug trade.

So what's the solution? Open borders? Legalize drugs?

I'm actually in favor of closing the border, building a fence, increasing legal immigration, and legalizing drugs, to take away the profit. And yes, tax it.

In the meantime, it's an election year, and Democrats are playing politics hard with this volatile issue. But let's not forget the incident that really sparked the Arizona law--the murder of a rancher on his own land, who was in the habit of offering water and helping injured migrants.

It's an experiment in Arizona. Let's quiet down and see if common sense prevails.

More. Kathy Barkulis, Smart Girl Politics, Illinois. Show me your papers. As Kathy reminds us, there is no photo-ID for voting in Illinois. (Chicago, sanctuary city) Golly gee.

More. Via Potluck, Jennifer Rubin quotes Lynn Sweet on our President Barack Obama's uselessness the last time immigration reform came up and failed.

More. Video, via RCP: Arizona Gov. Brewer On Immigration Law: "We Have No Other Choice"

...and while further away from the border we may not have noticed the recent brutal murders and beheadings in the resort town of Acapulco, and the killings in broad daylight of an American consular official and her husband just south of the border, most Arizonans probably have.

Obama Campaigns for Financial Reform with Failed Banker

Who loaned hot money brokered deposits to mobsters. Who killed Broadway Bank? Alexi Giannoulias, Illinois Treasurer, Democrat candidate for Senate. His family bank bust-up is the 4th largest bank bailout in Illinois history. As Illinois Treasurer, Giannoulias lost $70 million in the Bright Start college savings fund through inappropriate investments with a higher risk profile.

Kind of like Alexi Giannoulias, Obama's buddy.

Vote Kirk for Senate. He's on with Don and Roma this morning.

More. Big hugs pix. With some of the president's latest blah, blah speech:

"So they failed to consider that behind every dollar that they traded, all that leverage they were generating, acting like it was Monopoly money, there were real families out who were trying to finance a home, or pay for their child's college...

Irony anybody? Most reality-based observers are incredulous. Monopoly money for mobsters. Bright start not so bright. Does the president even know what he's saying. Hugs for Alexi. Yes we can.Related posts: An Effing Obama Checkbook Tax?, Obama and Big Labor's Backroom Deals, Team Obama Calls out Swat Team on Tea Party Grandmas, Giannoulias: The Dog Ate My Homework , Obama runs away in Quincy

Nancy, we hardly knew ye

Kinda looks like that whiz-bang broadcaster Katie Couric. I mean, come on, Pelosi is over 6o to put it nicely. This is baby-face brush-up stuff here.

...And then there's how the (MS) M treated Sarah Palin.

Actually probably this is the more realistic pix. (NOT Barack)

We know someone of quality and integrity when we see it.

...And the media continues to be obsessed with Palin. (Patronizing jerks that they are.)

Not Pelosi.

She's not bringing up their ratings.

Not even her own.

Rocking Assaults, Kidnappings, Drug Trafficking

But it's all just Nazi raaaacism or something to react to this.

...While the Attorney General Eric Holder looks for a way to sue Arizona over its new law, his own justice department issued a report that explained why the law was needed.

And identity theft is not even mentioned up top.

An Effing Obama Checkbook Tax?!!!

And in this case, every account holder will be forced to pay higher fees on their checking account and savings account. That's you, my friendly reader. Can you say "checkbook tax"? I can, and I think lots of candidates will be saying it come November. Is that what you really want to do to your constituents, Senator Lincoln? Is that what you really want to explain on the campaign trail, Senator Bennett?[snip]

Democrats -- especially those in conservative districts -- were promised a bounce if they voted for ObamaCare. We didn't even see a dead cat bounce. Just ask Blanche Lincoln -- but you better ask her quickly.

...I have taken to reading murder mysteries again lately. This one I really like.

It's called The Dead Cat Bounce.

...It's a series. Good summer reading.

P.S. Illinois Review:A graph is worth a thousand words. And A Simple Question About a Simplistic Narrative Tom Bevan, RCP Blog

P.P.S. Screw the NY Fed of Turbo-tax deficient Treasury Sec. Geithner. How about St. Louis or Kansas City taking the lead. Heartland common sense. Hell, yeah.

Related post: Obama and Big Labor's Backroom Deals

Team Obama Calls Out Swat Team on Tea Party Grandmas

In Quincy, Illinois. There's video from Sharp Elbows.

Un-bleepin believable. Jim Hoft at Big Government. HT Michelle Malkin.

I don't blame the Swat Team. They were just doing their job.

This is the Obama Team: Americans are stupid. And evil. Grandmotherhood and apple pie is evil.

Obama runs away in Quincy. Yes. He can.

Until November.

P.S. You know, the Swat guys were probably their husbands and sons. Their grandsons are probably over in Iraq or Afghanistan.

...as for Obama, in a crunch he could call on Bill Ayers for backup...if he weren't president.

...I say send Bill Ayers to Iran. How bout some street demonstrations, Bill.

More.

DLoesch

Getting word that secret service and presidential team overruled local law enforcement to send in riot police on peaceful protesters.

	Brandon_Greife Anyone see the hypocrisy here? While touting bank reform Obama travels to Illinois for a hug and shout out to Giannoulias http://ow.ly/1EubC

China Executes Dissidents to Sell Organs

Washington Times. Most prominently the Falun Gong:

Falun Gong is a highly visible Buddhist revival movement that had spread across class and educational lines throughout the 1990s. The Chinese government has banned it since 1999, denouncing it as a "dangerous cult."

Founded in China in 1992 by Li Hongzhi, who now lives in the United States, it grew dramatically in only a few years. Its philosophies incorporate ideas from Buddhism and Taoism and include slow-motion meditative exercises on the principles of truthfulness, compassion and tolerance.

The Chinese government accuses the group of "undermining social stability". The White House has "no clear policy" on the Falun Gong.

Gee, what a surprise. Well, you know they are a religious group.

Obama and Big Labor's Backroom Deals

Steven Malanga: The Andy Stern Show

And really, Dems, enough with the Goldman head-fake.

Cartoon by Michael Ramirez.

Roskam: Israel Is an Ally, Not a Project

Video of remarks with the Mayor of Jerusalem.

Related posts: That Bully Schakowsky, Cantor in Chicago, Expose J Street in Chicago, 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

Cleaners paint over priceless art

Definitely in the eye of the beholder.

...other imperiled decorative fixtures:

Poll: A third say pets listen better than husbands

Iran: Suntans Un-Islamic for Women

No news on the men. Of course. It would be funny if it weren't so awful.

The previous cleavage-earthquake blame game inspired a boob backlash in the West.

Maybe a South Park episode. Come on leftie Comedy Central big guys, how about some cajones, as Madeleine Albright would say.

Blago wants to bar Rezko, Levine

From testifying in his trial. CBS2Chicago.

Rezko. Levine. Scroll down.

That would be a lot to leave out.

The governor would rather the Feds just read his self-serving bio, I guess. Copies should be available, cheap.

Blago does want our President Barack Obama to testify. No news yet on Rahmbo, who has been swanning around with Mayor Daley lately.

Giannoulias: The Dog Ate My Homework

New NRSC ad:)

Um, Alexi? That dog won't hunt.

More. CBS2Chicago: Republican Lawmaker Wants Broadway Bank Answers. Funky timing? Yeah, like why not before the primary?

Previous post: That Ludicrous Alexi Giannoulias

You're no Buddy Holly, Barack

Even if you can down a cheeseburger in Missouri:

On Wednesday, before scheduled appearances in Missouri and Illinois, Obama made a surprise lunch stop at Peggy Sue's Cafe in Monroe City, Mo. He ordered a cheeseburger and french fries to go. Much like Tuesday's stop for pie and coffee in Iowa, it had trappings of a campaign event, with Obama shaking hands and making small talk with awe-struck bystanders.

No mention of Black Forest Berry Honest Tea as his drink of choice. My, my it's an official not political trip. How about some of that real Buddy Holly, hit it:
And how bout this one.

P.S. Well, yeah, tea is a dirty word to Obama these days. Not to mention his estrangement from honesty.

...oh, oh, More clueless liberal misfire.

Obama Runs Away in Quincy

Our President Barack Obama changes his Quincy, Illinois town hall to a rally. Perhaps he wants to evade pointed questions, like--

A 1099 form for every $600 transaction? Sneaky costly mandates in ObamaCare. HT Potluck.

I had initially glanced at the article and assumed it had to do with the financial "reform" bill being debated on the Senate floor, but no.

What does this have to do with health care? You may well ask. I just got off a conference call with GOP Rep. Aaron Schock and small businessman Mike Nobis, who thinks it's a sneaky precursor to a VAT tax.

As Rep. Schock points out, it was just over a year ago that President Obama came to Peoria and promised stimulus that would keep the employment rate at 8%. Now it's in double digits.

Any questions?

America has them. As does his home state of Illinois. What kills a skunk still resonates.

More. And this was supposed to be an official trip, not political. What a laugh. Will Dem. Rep. Phil I don't care about the Constitution Hare make some remarks? And Dem Illinois Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias is apparently going to be there too, the guy whose family bank just failed due to his loans to mobsters--which happened before his election as Illinois Treasurer and Barack Obama still endorsed him.

Added to those regs mentioned above embedded in ObamaCare are more of the so-called consumer protections in store for us from the supposed financial "reform" bill, which are a big job-killer for small business, hurting community bank lending. Veronique de Rugy:

The proposed regulations don’t attack the problem of excessive leverage. They don’t reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. They don’t guarantee that taxpayers won’t have to pay for the future errors of bank executives who, cheered on by their government enablers, take on excessive risk. The “reformers” simply wish away the root causes of this crisis: the “too big to fail” mentality and crony capitalism.

Crony capitalism means that not everybody plays by the same rules. Allowing financial institutions such as Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, and investment banks to maintain significantly smaller capital reserves than commercial banks, while implicitly guaranteeing their obligations, was a critical part of the financial problem. Capital-ratio rules require that firms value all their tradable assets at market prices and maintain a cash balance equal to a certain percentage of that price, weighted for the risk of each asset. In 2004, the SEC decided to allow five firms — Lehman Brothers, Bear Stearns, Merrill Lynch, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley — to reduce their capital ratios, letting them keep more assets on their balance sheets while subjecting them to less-stringent reporting requirements. Special favors like that — favors from the regulators themselves — are representative of the unhealthy marriage between government and its friends on Wall Street.

And nowhere has that relationship been more toxic than in the case of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Barack Obama (D-Fannie Mae)

More. On the Caterpillar and John Deere writedowns:
Dems admit that ObamaCare tax writedowns legit

P.S. The president is probably worried about scary Tea Party infiltrators.

More. The One pontificates: AP with the president's spin:

"It's one thing to oppose reform, but to oppose just even talking about reform in front of the American people and having a legitimate debate, that's not right," Obama said in Ottumwa, Iowa. "The American people deserve an honest debate on this bill."

Yet he won't even engage in honest debate at a town hall in his home state. (Nor in Iowa yesterday)

And was there anything honest about ObamaCare? Americans aren't fooled.

More. Marathon Pundit with this take-away of the conference call.

Ayers: Submit to Rape or You're a Racist

Another reminder of the sickening and coercive behavior of our President Barack Obama's political mentor, Bill Ayers. HT Pundit & Pundette.

Yet (the judge ruled in his favor. Now let us see how college campuses handle speakers on the right, none of whom have ever blown up any buildings or people or anything close.) this unrepentant terrorist is afforded free speech rights to lie that he never actually hurt anyone. Well, maybe his blown-up girlfriend would beg to differ, but she's dead, whether he intended to kill her or not. Hilarious, isn't it. She was preparing to bomb Ft. Dix. His group bombed the Capitol and the Pentagon and Bill Ayers is still under investigation for murdering two policemen in San Francisco.

Bill Ayers is speaking at the University of Wyoming tonight.

He's unrepentant. But he's an "educator". Raping young minds.

And the media still carries his water:

Obama has condemned Ayers' radical activities, and there's no evidence they were ever close friends or that Ayers advised Obama on policy.

Really?

Will Obama's friend Ayers be asking for Secret Service protection? Maybe he can ask the San Francisco police to volunteer. (shut up, just shut up)

Serious Sports in Chicago

Bulls bow out, the Hawks are still in it, but what about baseball? (Sox fan like moi) John Kass takes up the subject of the Crosstown Cup. In part:

Years ago, in his vast wisdom, Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf — the greatest owner in Chicago sports — let me borrow the 2005 World Series trophy for a day. The idea was that I could show it off at Tribune Tower, then the heart of Cubs Nation.

We paraded it around the newsroom. As the throngs grew, somebody came up with a great idea: Storm a Tribune Co. executive meeting. So we did.

"Let's show these Cubs executives what a World Series championship really looks like!" I cried, holding the trophy over my head, waiting for the board room door to open, all the guys right behind me.

The door opened.

"Ready, guys?"

Silence.

I turned around. The throngs had disappeared.

"Touch it!" I challenged the executives. "Go ahead, touch it!" But they refused, lest they touch it and burn.

Kass has some interesting ideas on representative adult beverages as well. (What would our President Barack Obama do?)I live in Cubs territory too, and still have this up in my kitchen. As a reminder:) Pre-Sox World Series win. One team is pathetic no more. There is no turning of the other cheek in this sport in Chicago. And that's as it should be.

More Support for South Park

Chicago Tribune cartoonist Scott Stantis has an interesting interview with religion columnist Manya Brachear.

See you on the 20th!

Finally School Choice for Chicago?

The Rev. and Democrat state Rep. James Meeks has succeeded in advancing the cause of school choice for the most vulnerable and needy children in the state.

His Illinois bill may amazingly become law, after years of heartbreaking inaction, but it's not there yet. Republican 9th Congressional candidate for the U.S. House Joel Pollak had this to say in The American Thinker:

There was an interesting pattern in the state Senate vote. The voucher bill passed because Republicans teamed up with black and Hispanic senators. The opposition came from white liberals. As the Chicago Tribune observed, "Many Democrats from relatively affluent areas opposed the measure. But a majority of the African-American and Latino senators -- those whose constituents' kids would directly benefit -- voted yes."

Yes. Who has been blocking this kind of reform and bankrupting the state?

More food for thought, the documentary on the public school monopoly, The Cartel, premieres in Chicago this Friday, April 30th. For other cities, go here.

Let these children go.

...In other news, our President Barack Obama is in Illinois today, trying to shore up I don't care about the Constitution Dem Rep. Phil Hare. Republican challenger Bobby Schilling interview with the American Spectator. Even in Illinois there is an appetite for real reform, not phony promises of change....Quincy Tea Party rallying:)