Obama to GOP Leadership: Big Brother Is Watching!

Now I am starting to become concerned. It would appear that our brand new Commander in Chief has taken a page from George Orwell's 1984 and has accused the GOP leadership of "oldthink" - holding on to old ideas and patterns of thought not consistent with current government policy. Maintaining a belief that is no longer acceptable, but was normal just a few years prior. The New York Post reported on President Obama's admonition to Republicans that they should refrain from listening to Radio Talk Show Host Rush Limbaugh.

"Obama warned Republicans on Capitol Hill today that they need to quit listening to radio king Rush Limbaugh if they want to get along with Democrats and the new administration. "You can't just listen to Rush Limbaugh and get things done," he told top GOP leaders, whom he had invited to the White House to discuss his nearly $1 trillion stimulus package. One White House official confirmed the comment but said he was simply trying to make a larger point about bipartisan efforts. "

Who would Big Brother, I mean President Obama, have the Republicans listen to in Limbaugh's stead...perhaps his VIP Guest at the inauguration Jay Z and his pal Young Jeezy?

Obama's Inauguration Speech: Depends on whether you like cheese on Italian Bread or Chinese Food!

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Changefest '09 - Obama's Inaugural Speech

Barack Obama Interview John McCain Interview

Sarah Palin Video Funny Election Video

Comedy Central's Jon Stewart apparently picked up some similarities between Obama's Inauguration speech and George Bush.

U.S. Airways Crash Caused by Global Warming!

By now, I am sure everyone is aware of the recent crash landing of U.S. Airways Flight 1549 into the Hudson River this past Thursday. Thanks to the expertise of the aircraft's crew, the refusal to panic on the part of the passengers, the soundness of the aircraft's structure and the professionalism of New York City's first responders and private maritime services, there were no fatalities sustained in this accident and the entire incident is being referred to as the "Miracle on the Hudson River." Most New Yorkers gave a sigh or relief when, shortly after the incident, news reports were stating that the plane had been brought down as a result of "multiple bird strikes" affecting both engines of the aircraft. Obviously, thoughts of a possible of a terrorist act had initially been on many minds that afternoon. Most of all media sources covering this accident remained objective and reported the facts and circumstances of the crash as they became available. I say most because less than 24 hours after the crash, Time.com (partners with CNN) ran a story by M.J. Stephey entitled "The U.S. Airways Crash - A Growing Bird Hazard" which still has me scratching my head. Buried midway through Mr. Stephey's article, he alludes to the fact that the crash was caused by global warming...

"While officials use radar and radio collars to track bird populations, habitat destruction and climate change have disrupted migratory patterns."

I guess early next week we can also expect the PETA group to file a lawsuit against U.S. Airways claiming the company is responsible for the horrible deaths of several Canadian Geese being ingested into the turbo fans of the aircraft engines as well as the deaths of an unknown number of fish and other maritime creatures killed or injured when the plane landed in the Hudson River!

Rachel Maddow

Due diligence requires that I admit to all of you that I am a big Rachel Maddow fan. I listen to her on Air America Radio and I catch her MSNBC show whenever I can. I find Maddow to be quick, bright and entertaining and although I disagree with her liberal views on almost all issues, I have found her arguments for same to be informative and often thought provoking. I view Rachel as the left's answer to the right's contentious Anne Coulter.

The above notwithstanding, Ms. Maddow's MSNBC show the other night during which she attempted to critique President's Bush's farewell speech to the nation, strayed from the arena of respectful political commentary and opinion into a distasteful, venomous and totally disrespectful rant delivered with a smirk about our nation's departing Commander in Chief.

You know her commentary was going to be completely unrestrained as soon as you see the sophomoric banner under a picture of President Bush which states "Goodbye, Good Riddance!"

After watching the video of Maddow's show several times, I still come away with the impression that she is placing the blame for the Muslim terrorist's attack on and destruction of the Twin Towers in lower Manhattan on 9/11 on President Bush.

At the end of the video I was actually waiting for her to blame that afternoon's crash of U.S. Airways Flight 1549 into the Hudson River on President Bush!

Lighten up Rachel...I thought you were better than this. A little less caffeine probably won't hurt either!

Boy George - Yes We Can!

Back in September of 2008, the entertainment industry's gift to America, Boy George, was apparently also caught up with that same "tingly feeling" running up his leg that afflicted Chris Matthews of MSNBC. He put together his song "Yes We Can " replete with sound bites from the "Chosen One" himself serving as a pre and mid song chorus for the work. Unfortunately, he won't be able to make the inauguration to perform for the "Chosen One" personally next Tuesday as he was just sentenced to fifteen months prison time for some drug partying where he chained his male escort to the wall of his apartment and then beat him.

IDF Counters Mainstream Media via YouTube...

Earlier this week the mainstream media (msm) were all widely reporting that the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) had shelled a U.N. School in Gaza where civilians were seeking shelter from the fighting. The msm cried out against this breach of the "etiquette of warfare" and demanded answers from the Israeli government.

As it turned out, Hamas terrorists had fired mortar shells at the IDF forces from within the U.N. compund and the IDF responded with their own mortar fire, killing several Hamas terrorists operating the mortar but unfortunately, killing and wounding several civilians as well.

Thus far, I can find no documentation of the msm demanding answers from the Hamas government of Gaza as to why their people had purposely endangered civilians by setting up an offensive fighting position within the U.N. school or why the staff at the school allowed them to do it.

The IDF have, by all accounts, gone out of their way to avoid civilian causalities in this engagement with Hamas in Gaza but you would be hard pressed to know it by simply viewing the msm reports of this fighting.

The above video, and several others, were posted by the IDF to, of all places, "youtube" showing how the IDF has actually diverted missile strikes already in progress to avoid killing or injuring civilians.

The question then comes to mind as to why the IDF feels it is necessary to post these type videos on you tube?

The answer is simple. Because the mainstream media will not broadcast them!

Mayor Gary Becker (D - Racine, Wis.)arrested for sexual assault of child

Note to the Associated Press:

You "failed" to mention that Mayor Becker is a democrat!

A few days ago I wrote a piece about the indictment of Mayor Sheila Dixon of Baltimore who had been indicted on charges of corruption. I indicated that CNN had covered this breaking story but had failed to indicate that the Mayor was a democrat.

Yesterday, Democrat Mayor Gary Becker (pictured above) of Racine, Wisconsin (pop. 79,000), was arrested and tentatively charged with attempted second-degree sexual assault of a child, child enticement, possession of child pornography, exposing a child to harmful materials, using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime and misconduct in public office -attempting to sexually assault a minor.

The Associated Press broke this story, but alas, they also suffer from the liberal left affliction of "Dropping the D" and failed to indicate in their story that Mayor Becker is a democrat.

I attempted to go to the Racine, Wisconsin city website to obtain some more information on Mayor Becker however, his biography has been removed from the site.

"We have met the enemy & he is us!"

I personally am of the opinion that as of 12:01 p.m. this coming January 20th, the issue of water boarding and other enhanced interrogation techniques will be relegated to the "bleacher seats" of the National Liberal Left's stadium of issues.

With President George W. Bush having "left the stage" and the "Chosen One" occupying the Oval Office, I have a sneaking suspicion that the majority of those liberals who have portrayed this issue as one which typified their self proclaimed description of the Bush Administration as "mean and nasty" will set that issue aside knowing full well that if the Obama Administration significantly relaxes those national security measures set in place by President Bush which have kept our nation free from terrorist attacks since 2001, the blame for such attack(s) will rest squarely on the shoulders of the new administration with very little "wiggle" room to blame the previous administration.

Personal opinion aside, there are, of course, those liberals who are so far out in left field, that they no longer co-exist with the rest of us mere mortals who are, for better or worse, grounded in reality. Ms. Christina Freeland, managing editor of Financial Times" is one such liberal.

Ms. Freeland was interviewed by Joe Scarborough today on the "Morning Joe" show regarding our nation's interrogation of terrorists and it quickly became apparent that she had ventured into the deep end of the pool without her "swimmies!"

When asked if she would approve of 3 minutes of water boarding of a terrorist suspect in order to thwart a "Bojinka" type plot to bomb several major airliners with the resultant loss of thousands of lives, Ms. Freeland stated she would not. Mr. Scarborough, to his credit, told Ms. Freeland that she had no idea of what she was talking about and described her views on this issue as "sophomoric."

It is just this type of liberal left mentality that assumes the problems of the world can be addressed in a polite, politically and morally correct manner that will result in the deaths of many more Americans. And when those deaths do occur, the left's response will be to simply state that we must try and understand our enemies.

This foolish, and dangerous, liberal mindset always brings to mind the cartoon character Pogo who is often quoted as saying - "We have met the enemy and he is us..."

A "Class" Interview...

Yesterday, on Fox News Sunday, Brit Hume interviewed former President George Herbert Walker Bush and his son, President, George W. Bush.

After both men graciously offered their respect for the incoming President stating they had had nothing but confidence in the cabinet appointments that President Elect Obama has made to date, they expressed their admiration for the way in which the transition has been proceededing seamlessly.

Brit Hume then posed a question regarding those former Presidents who have sharply criticized their successors to the Office of the President. George H.W. Bush responding by saying...

"Well, why be out there looking like you're carping and criticizing and know everything? I mean, I've heard what the President said about President Obama, President-Elect Obama. I feel the same way; support him where you can, and don't go out there criticizing and carping. You look small yourself for one thing, but that's not the main reason; the main reason is he needs support. And if it's something you disagree with violently, sit on the sidelines and shut up."

If only Jimmy Carter had the class of either of these two gentlemen!

"The Chosen One" - Disrespectful?

I had an interesting conversation with a liberal friend the other evening who is very upset that I use the term "The Chosen One" to refer to our President Elect. According to my friend who lives in Main, my use of this term is "extremely disrespectful" both to Barack Obama and to the Office of the Commander in Chief which he will assume in a matter of days. When I inquired as to exactly what was "disrespectful" about the title of "Chosen One", it was explained to me that I was attempting to equate Barack Obama with God. I responded that although that had never been my intent, in retrospect, I had never envisioned a Democrat politician who would advocate running up a trillion dollar deficit even before taking office while telling the American people that "everything will be alright." That kind of power is sort of godlike, isn't it? Kidding aside, I explained that the former junior Senator from Illinois, possessed with less executive experience than Governor Sarah Plain of Alaska, had just spent the better part of two years talking to the American people while managing to say very little other than continually repeating his mantra of Hope and Change, and yet the American people elected him as our next President. Obviously then, is he not the "Chosen One?" I also took the time to remind my friend that over the past eight years, the liberal left of this country have described our sitting President as a "disaster", "liar", "war criminal", "idiot", "dangerous", "madman", and a host of other expletives that I would not publish in this blog. I would think the term "Chosen One" pales in comparison with those. My friend responded by telling me that I should simply look at the state of our country with two wars and a faltering economy to understand why President Bush is viewed that way. I closed our conversation by reminding my friend (who lives in Main) that I live in New York City and was here for the both the 1993 and 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and that right after 9/11, President Bush gave his "you are either with us or against" speech regarding terrorism and that in the ensuing eight years there have been no further terrorist acts on American soil. Unfortunately, over time, many Americans have forgotten this fact. Let's see what the next four years of the "Chosen One" bring.

"Thou shall not sully the party that gave birth to the Chosen One."

Back in mid-December I wrote a blog ("Dropping the D")about the propensity of the mainstream media to refrain from mentioning the party affiliation of those democrat politicians who become involved in scandals. Yesterday Baltimore's Democrat Mayor Sheila Dixon was indicted on 12 counts as a result of a lengthy corruption investigation and true to form, the mainstream media either "Dropped the D" or buried it within their story in reporting this breaking story. Below is a story by Newsbusters reporter Mathew Balan regarduing CNN's report in this matter.

By Matthew Balan January 9, 2009 - 15:56 During a breaking news brief on Friday’s Newsroom program, CNN anchor Kyra Phillips failed to identify the party affiliation of Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon, a Democrat, who earlier in the day had been indicted on 12 counts related to a corruption probe by Maryland state officials. She did identify Dixon as “the first woman to serve as the city’s mayor” and “the first African-American female to serve as that city’s mayor.” Phillips began the brief with a lament over corruption in politics in general: “Oh, as if we don’t have enough public corruption within our politics to report, we’ve got another piece of news that [is] just developing right now.” She then reported that the Baltimore mayor had been “indicted on public corruption...12 counts, I’m told -- perjury, theft, misconduct in office.” After describing some of the circumstances into the multi-year investigation, she continued her lament by focusing on the prestige of Dixon: “It’s a shame -- Mrs. Dixon was the first woman to serve as the city’s mayor -- also the -- you know, the first African-American female to serve as that city’s mayor.” The mayor’s Democratic affiliation was neither mentioned by Phillips during her brief, nor by CNN’s on-screen graphics.

Not unlike Democrat Governor Rod Blagojavich of Illinois, Mayor Dixon has made it clear that she has no intention of stepping down from her office as a result of this indictment and accompanying charges of corruption.

The Baltimore Sun newspaper ran a detailed story regarding Mayor Dixon's indictment but you have to read down to the fourth paragraph of the story before finding any mention of the Mayor's party affiliation.

Objective journalism be damned, abide by the commandment - "Thou shall not sully the party that gave birth to the Chosen One."

PBS Host tells Harry Reid - "Put down the crack pipe!"

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

January 6, 2009, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, during an interview with The Hill, proclaimed, “I don't believe in the executive power trumping everything... I believe in our Constitution, three separate but equal branches of government...If Obama steps over the bounds, I will tell him. … I do not work for Barack Obama. I work with him. I was wondering if there would be any liberal left response to Reid's comments regarding his assumed "partnership" with the "Chosen One" and it wasn't long in forthcoming. Earlier today on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" show, Travis Smiley, host of his own PBS show, was berating Harry Reid for his actions in initially refusing to allow Roland Burris (appointed by Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich to fill Obama's vacant senate position) to assume his Senate seat and then quickly reversing his position. Mr. Smiley also stated that he was extremely interested in hearing the tapes of Harry Reid's conversation with the Illinois Governor wherein it is alleged that Reid told Blagojevich not to appoint Jesse Jackson and other black candidates as they were "not electable." When asked by Joe Scarborough about his reaction to Reid's comments that he "did not work for Obama", Smiley quickly responded by stating that Harry Reid should "put down the crack pipe...we are all working of Barack Obama."

Sarah Palin Speaks out on the Media

John Ziegler wrote, directed and produced the documentary "Blocking the Path to 9/11" and created http://www.howobamagotelected.com/ as a precursor to his next film, "Media Malpractice... How Obama Got Elected," which will come out in early 2009.

The above video is a part of an extraordinary interview Mr. Ziegler conducted with Governor Sara Palin at her home in Alaska earlier this month which will be included In Mr. Ziegler's next film.

During the interview, Governor Palin, finally speaks out about how she viewed her treatment as a Vice Presidential candidiate at the hands of the main stream media and I found it refreshing to hear her responses to several pointed questions, not only about her treatment by the media, but the conduct of her campaign by political "power brokers" as well.

The video is just over nine minutes in length but it is worth your time!

Bill Richardson's Three Penny Opera!

As you know Bill Richardson served with the Clinton Administration as Secretary of Energy and as our nation's Ambassador to the United Nations. He was a close friend and confidante of the Clintons. When the Clintons left office in January 2001, Bill went on to hold several private sector positions until he was elected as the Governor of New Mexico in 2002. Governor Richardson won a second term as Governor in 2006. Back in December 2006 Governor Richardson filed papers to establish an "exploratory committee" and then announced that he would be seeking the democratic nomination for President of the United States. Although I am sure that Richardson's announcement caused the Clinton's to sit up and take notice, you have to remember that at that time, Hillary was the "Annointed One" of the democratic party and Barack Obama was being afforded little notice.I doubt that either Bill or Hillary lent any real credence to Richardson's chances at that time. It didn't take long for Richardson to see the writing on the wall after the early primaries and he withdrew from the race and went back to New Mexico. Bill and Hillary patted him on the back and congratulated him for a good campaign and simply assumed that their longstanding relation with the New Mexico would guarantee his endorsement for Hillary in the coming months. Unfortunately (for Hillary) Governor Richardson "political instincts" are a sharp 20/20 and Obama's early primary wins did not go unnoticed. Being the nation's only Hispanic Governor, Hillary and Bill then actively courted Richardson's endorsement but after looking at the numbers Bill endorsed Obama in early December 2008. I am still unsure as to whether or not his endorsement of Barack Obama played an integral role in Obama's ultimate election but is sure as hell was an embarrassing slap in the face to the Clinton's. Of course Bill and Hillary played the political professionals and publicly shrugged off Richardson's betrayal of trust but not so their political bull dog, James Carville. Carville likened Richardson's endorsement of Obama to that of the betrayal of Jesus Christ by Judas Iscariot who sold out his friend for 30 pieces of silver. Carville took a lot of media heat over his remarks but, to his credit, he simply remarked that he meant what he had said. He explained that he used the example of Judas because Richardson's endorsement came near the Christmas Holiday. He remarked that had Richardson waited until July to make his endorsement he would have called him Benedict Arnold! As the primaries continued, Richardson saw only a bright future for himself as it became more and more apparent that Obama might just pull this election off. Richardson saw himself as a lock for an appointment to Obama's cabinet as Secretary of State. The problem was that even though the numbers showed no hope for Hillary, she wouldn't quit and go away. Hillary stayed the course and rode the primaries to the bitter end and her supporters were quite vociferous when she finally gave up the ghost to the point where Obama now had to find a way to heal the friction between his and Hillary's camp to ensure a general election victory. Obviously a substantial bone would have to be thrown to Hillary to bring about the "healing process" for the democrats. You have to know that while these back room discussions were taking place between Obama and Hillary's people, Bill Richardson was sitting in his office seeing his dream of Secretary of State quickly going up in smoke! As we all know, Hillary took first prize and Bill was relegated to grinning and bearing it as he was offered, and accepted, the position of Commerce Secretary. I am sure that there were many reasons Hillary accepted this appointment but I am sure that one of those reasons was to ensure that Richardson did not attain his original goal. Now while all these appointments are being made it should be noted that a seven-page questionnaire was being sent by the office of President-elect Barack Obama to those seeking cabinet and other high-ranking posts which is said to be the most extensive — some say invasive — application ever. Obviously it wasn't all that extensive as the little matter of the Richardson's problems in New Mexico with a Grand Jury investigation looking into a "pay for play" matter did not surface until Richardson announcement yesterday that he was declining the appointment of Commerce Secretary. I am sure that "The Chosen One" is not completely happy with the Richardson mess cropping up so close on the heels of the mess in Illinois with Governor Blagojevich. Although I will never be able to prove it, I am sure that Bill and Hillary are somewhere sharing a drink with James Carville laughing themselves silly over Bill Richardson's curtain call in this three penny opera!

The "Chicagoland Problem" - A Political Conundrum

It would appear that the early Christmas gift Governor Rod Blagojevich gave the people of Illinois with his arrest by federal authorities in mid-December is the gift that will "keep on giving!" Despite rumors of corruption that have surrounded Governor Blagojevich for several years, Chicago Democratic politics continued to operate on auto-pilot and little public reaction. Unfortunately (for the Democrats) the Governor's recent arrest and accompanying allegations that he was attempting to sell the Senate seat left vacant by Barack Obama made national headlines and even the main stream media started to ask some serious questions about the state of Illinois politics. I will qualify my description of "serious questions" on the part of the main stream media to include the proviso that any such questions were tempered to ensure that the recent election of "The Chosen One" would not be sullied by any political dirt that might be found beneath any of the stones in the political Democratic rock quarry of Chicago. Nevertheless, with Governor Blagojevich's national notoriety, the cat was now "out of the bag" so to speak. Very quickly the Chicago Democratic machine moved to address this embarrassment. Illinois State Senate President Emil Jones Jr. publicly proclaimed that any appointment made by the Governor would be tainted by his arrest so he would act to pass a law mandating a special election To fill Barack Obama's vacant senate seat to "help restore the confidence of the people of Illinois during this difficult time." Of course when Senator Jones made his statement, he fully expected that Blagojevich would "do the right thing" and resign allowing the Lieutenant Governor to become Governor and things could get back to normal. Alas, there is nothing normal about politics in Chicagoland and Blagojevich held a short press conference proclaiming his innocence and stated he had no intention of resigning. The Democrats realized that a "special election" with Blagojevich still in office would provide the Republicans a golden opportunity to win the vacant senate seat decrying the level of corruption within the Democrat establishment. As the democrat fervor for a "special election" slowly faded, Illinois Democrat House Speaker Michael Madigan assured the public that he would undertake a state investigation that would get to the bottom of this mess. Unfortunately, as Chicagoland politics would have it, the committee empowered to undertake this investigation is comprised of a majority of democrats with sole subpoena power being vested with the democrats. Without Madigan's signature, no subpoena will be issued. Again, this move on the part of the Democrats was made solely to try and contain the damage from the fallout that will inevitably be forthcoming as the case against Blagojevich moves forward. But it became apparent that this was becoming increasingly more difficult each day Blagojevich remained in office. In an attempt to ratchet up the heat to force Governor Blagojevich to step down, Democratic National Committee chair Howard Dean issued a statement calling for Blagojevich's resignation:

The arrest of and complaint against Gov. Blagojevich raises serious concerns about his ability to effectively represent the people of Illinois. The conduct alleged represents a disgraceful abuse of the public trust. In the interest of the people of Illinois and all Americans, he should resign immediately. If he does not, I hope the Illinois legislature will take action.

The one silver lining that the democrats were clinging to was their hope that Blagojevich would not be so arrogant as to go ahead and appoint a replacement for Barack Obama's senate seat. This past Tuesday, Blagojevich upped the anty in this stakes political game and appointed former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris. He would be the nation's only black senator...

"The people of Illinois are entitled to have two United States senators represent them in Washington, D.C.," Blagojevich said during a news conference Tuesday afternoon. "As governor I am required to make this appointment."

Very quickly the Democratic Party and even "The Chosen One" responded by stating that the appointment of Mr. Burris would not be tolerated.

By now it has become apparent that Blagojevich is making his democratic cronies look like a bunch of fools, not unlike the group of good old boys in Jimmy Breslin's "The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight.

And just when the democrats thought it couldn't get any worse, Illinois Congressman Bobby Rush goes on nationwide television (see the video above) and likens his own party's refusal to accept the appointment of Mr. Burris to the actions of such historical racist figures as George Wallace and Bull Connor. And just to sweeten the pot, it turns out that Congressman Rush is a former member of the Black Panther party.

It is important to remember that Chicago is where our next President "made his bones" in the political system and that state's politics speaks volumes about what we can expect over the next four years. The entire Blagojevich mess has imploded on the democrats and now has charges of racism being made of their own party by its members.

The "Chicagoland" problem is one that I feel will follow Brack Obama's transition from private citizen to Commander in Chief on January 20th.