6/26 Roundup: Speaking Out in Iran, Compromise, Thriller

Leader: Speaking Out in Iran

- After four days of silence, Iranian opposition leader Mir Hussein Mousavi emerged and spoke out against the government on Thursday, vowing to continue his protests against the government's repression. He issued a rare direct attack on Ayatollah Khamenei himself, accusing the leader of "not acting in the interests of the country." The suppression of all kinds of media in Iran has made it extremely difficult for Mousavi to communicate with his followers in recent days, and for the opposition to organize themselves in any way. Likewise, the restrictions have made it difficult for us in America to glean any information about what's going on inside Iran currently.

- Ayatollah Khamenei's harsh repression in the two weeks since the election have led to a loss of legitimacy not just within Iran, but across the the Shi'a world, reports the WSJ. The WaPo writes, meanwhile, that all over the Arab world, pro-democracy opposition movements are forced to take account and wonder why they have been so much less successful.

- Foreign ministers of the G8 countries are meeting presently, and Iran is at the top of the agenda.

Politics

- President Obama hosted a meeting of congressional leaders at the White House yesterday to discuss immigration reform. The president made clear he wants comphrehensive immigration reform by "early next year," though one major sticking point will be the question of what to do about the future influx of foreign workers. Simon responded to the meeting with this post.

- The Senate draws closer to a compromise healthcare reform bill, though the question of a public option still lingers. Politico reports that Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus has pulled together a "coalition of the willing" -- seven Finance Senators with the task of finding a compromise. We're glad to see our friend Jeff Bingaman on the list.

- In one of the most curious SCOTUS cases of the term, the court found unconstitutional a public school's strip-search of a 13 year-old girl suspected of hiding ibuprofen in her underwear. In the 8-1 ruling, Justice Clarence Thomas was the one hold-out.

Economy

- Japan has put sanctions on Citibank, accusing the bank of conducting "suspicious transactions, including money laundering."

- Paul Krugman tells us the tale of two Baracks. There's Barack the Wonk, who has glorious command of the issues. And then there's Barack the Post-Partisan, whose primary sin is to seek compromise with an unreasonable opposition, where no such common ground exists.

International

- The American withdrawal from Iraq is, to everyone's surprise, going ahead on schedule, though a recent uptick in bomb attacks-- presumably meant to foster instability as US troops pull out-- is causing concern.

- The Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua has offered amnesty to the militants who have caused so much havoc for the oil industry in the Niger Delta.

New From NDN

- Michael Moynihan writes about Waxman-Markey, the little bill that could. It's not perfect, but it's a good compromise.

- Morley Winograd and Mike Hais draw comparisons between Millennials here in America and those in Iran. We're out to save the world!

One More Thing

- Last, it is my sad duty to report to you something you already know: Michael Jackson, the king of pop, has died. A man who spent his early life in the limelight, and the prime of his life as a global pop icon, this marks the sad end of a life that had become a sad spectacle in recent years, as the oddity of Jackson's personal life overtook his success as a singer. His passing, however, gives us the chance to remember him as we loved him best, and as he would surely hope to be remembered. He was, at his best, nothing less than a thriller:

Michael Jackson |MTV Music

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Troopathon 2009 Care Packages For The Troops

The "Honor Their Service" 8-hour pro-toop "web-a-thon" sponsored by Move America Forward runs from 1:00pm - 9:00pm Pacific // 4:00pm - 12:00pm EST, to send the largest shipment of care packages to U.S. troops in history.

You can donate HERE

Care Packages include many varieties of items, always with Coffee, Cookies, Beef Jerky, Gatorade and Jelly Bellys, and could also include any or all of the following:

Boca Java Gourmet Coffee
Oreo Cookies
Chap Stick
Deodorant
Premium Beef Jerky
Planters Trail Mix
Ocean Spray Craisins Trail Mix
Gatorade
Candy Diplomacy Jelly Belly Jelly Beans
For The Troops CDs
Hot Chocolate
Hot Apple Cider
Bug Repellent
Battery Operated Fans
Wet Wipes
Foot Powder
Sunblock
EVERY CARE PACKAGE comes with a personalized letter, note or comment from YOU to the receiving Soldier, Sailor, Marine, Airman or Coast Guardsman

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Source: Theodore's World RSS Feed

Latest Abuse By CIC To Our Military ~ Unforgivable

Source

David Borden Jr. US Marine was wounded in Iraq on January 19, 2008. A suicide bomber rushed him and detonated, and Borden was hit by over 200 pieces of shrapnel. He lost right leg (below the knee) and his left arm was severely damaged. He was in a coma for over a month.

He's inspired more than a few people while recovering. Dave Jr has had over 38 surgeries to date.

According to the email below from his father, David Borden (Sr.), David Jr. had an uninspiring visit from the President of the United States:

Since Dave Jr. has been injured he has met and been overwhelmed by many, many political and military "celebs". The list includes Bob Gates, Sec. of Defense, who came into his room and told him 3 or 4 times that if Dave Jr. had any issues to call his cell phone number. It includes Gen. Petereus who sat and talked with Dave Jr. for almost 45 minutes. The General recalled vividly all of the circumstances around the events that led to fighting that Dave was involved in. It includes Sen. McCain who arrived late on a Saturday afternoon during a thunder storm, unannounced, and talked to Dave Jr. about how similar their experiences with fate. It includes George Bush when Dave Jr. was invited to attend the very last Christmas party at the White House for the White House Staff. President Bush and his wife entered the ballroom and immediately went to Dave Jr.. President Bush knew Dave Jr.'s name as well as when and how he was injured. Dave Jr. had a picture taken with Laura and the President that he has framed and ill cherish forever. The list goes on and on of people coming in to meet Dave Jr. and the other wounded warriors at Walter Reed and Bethesda. Yesterday. Dave Jr. was ordered to be at the National Naval Hospital with another 12 soldiers and Marines to meet with Obama. Obama was supposed to arrive at 11:30 AM. He finally got there at 3:00 PM. He entered the room with the wounded warriors and quickly shook each of their hands. He never asked their names, where they were from, or how they were injured. Then he left. Dave Jr. has met the people who really care about the military. All he remembers from Obama is a weak handshake. The others in the room, younger and less exposed to the people that Dave Jr. has met, were so disappointed. Word about Obama's "insensitive" visit has spread to the MATC ( the rehab facility) at Walter Reed and throughout Bethesda. The military sees through his phoniness. All I can say is that it is such a disappointment that this man is Commander-In-Chief of our Armed Forces. He is an embarrassment to our Nation. Regards, Dave

.

Wild Thing's comment........

Obama used them !!!

He demanded they be there, then he makes them wait and tops it off by a quickie handshake.

You all know me and you know that the top of my list of loves is our military and our Veterans. I have re-written this comment now for over an hour and I keep deleting what I am thinking.

There is a special, a very special place in hell for Barack Hussein Obama.

It wasn’t even a photo op, just a press op.

Obama Visits Troops at Naval Hospital Obama visits patients at the Naval Hospital, awards purple hearts By The Associated Press BETHESDA, Md. June 1, 2009 (AP) President Barack Obama has visited wounded and recovering troops, awarding two Purple Hearts. Obama spent about an hour Monday afternoon at the National Naval Medical Center outside Washington. He met with 26 inpatients, as well as about 30 outpatients and their families. He awarded two Purple Hearts during the visit. Obama also spent time with the hospital’s staff.

Virtually every report on this visit, including military news, is exactly the same. Looks like a press release. The press did not cover it. They merely reported it, as per Obama's request.

If he had one hour in which to “meet” 56 people, plus awarding Purple Hearts and meeting the hospital staff, that amounts to about 45 seconds per person. Enough time to share a limp handshake.

Obama does not understand this country and for what it stands.He does not care about these men and women and their sacrifices.

LOOK at these, only press releases. MAN OH MAN I SWEAR I COULD NOT BE MORE OUTRAGED ABOUT THIS and after the way he treated the terrorist attack at the recruiting office not making a statement, not doing anything. Then leaving the country to go do his trip to Saudi Arabia. If he cared he could have done a trip to the soldiers homes or something!!!!!!!

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=7729860
http://www.examiner.com/a-2045739~Obama_visits_troops_at_Naval_Hospital.html
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090601/ap_on_re_us/obama_troops_1
http://www.veteranstoday.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=7073
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/01/AR2009060103545.html

Source: Theodore's World RSS Feed

Ummm… Perhaps

Occasionally I’m amused at the disconnect between an article and its headline.

Today the Albany Times-Union has an article about the New York State Bar Association, the statewide organization of attorneys. The lawyer group has endorsed gay marriage as the “only viable way to establish marriage equality.”

The headline reads:

Bar group backs gay marriage right

Although, based on some attorneys I’ve met, they may not be that far off.

Source: Box Turtle Bulletin RSS Feed

“We Have Nothing to Fear But Obama and His Minions!”

“We Have Nothing to Fear But Obama and His Minions!”
“The Crisis of F E A R!”
A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet
********************************
Remember “Morning in America”? That was the motto of the Ronald Reagan Campaign back when he ran for President of the US. The man was elected twice by landsides.
Obama’s use of fear to motivate Americans to do what he wants us to do is simply unprecedented in the history of American politics. It is known within the circles of the political elite as the “Politics of Fear.” No, I’m NOT kidding, Mr. and Mrs. American. You are being played for the fools Obama and the democrat/socialists believe that you are. So far they have not been wrong in their estimation of how easily Americans will react to fright.
There is an old expression I ran across sometime back that goes something like this: “Ever notice when it seems there is imminent danger and impending disaster, there is someone who always seems to know exactly what to do? Quit often that person is insane!” I have no idea who said that, if I did I would certainly give then full credit, not only for the expression itself but also for the accuracy in the application of it to the Obama Regime.
Fear mongering is the order of the day in America. Even a child knows, instinctively, that fear is THE great motivator. You want someone to do something… then scare the living daylights out of them by telling them all the awful things that will happen to them if they DON’T do what you are suggesting they do. Watch how quickly they rise to the challenge then!
So far, under the Obama Regime, he has scared the American people into loading themselves, their children and their grand children up with tons of debt that, I dare say, my great-grandchildren will STILL be trying to pay off when they reach middle age. And there is more coming.
Our financial community, especially the stock market, is scared to death of Obama. On Jan. 20, 2009, the stock market saw its worst Inauguration Day drop in U.S. history. It lost 332 points, sliding the Dow to 7949. On Feb. 10, the day the Senate passed its version of Obama's $838 billion spending plan, the Dow nose-dived and lost 382 points. I’d say the stock Market is correct to be scared witless of Obama, especially now that he wants to set limits on their remuneration, their salaries, bonuses, and such. I supposed the Central Committee of the Obama Regime just doesn’t have enough to do redistributing the nation’s wealth, (interpreted that means: MY money and YOUR money).
Obama has told the American people that only government can rescue us from this catastrophe. As a conservative American that goes against everything I believe, indeed, everything I know about government and about people.
Government has no money of it’s own. Every cent it spends must come from somewhere else. It comes from you and from me, the American taxpayer. If there is not enough money the government takes more of your money. It must, for as I said above, government has none. When your money runs out, they “borrow” your children’s money by simply printing more of it and charging it to your child’s account or your grandchild’s account. Oh, did I mention that the more money they print, means more money in circulation, and that will drive the value of the money down? So now you know. We call that inflation. As of this moment we are looking at being hit by rampant inflation in maybe 12 months, more or less. When it hits. The money you DO have will be worth even less than it is today.
You may recall one of Obama’s people saying, shortly after the election: “Never allow a crisis go to waste.” That was Rahm Emanuel, Obama’s Chief of Staff. Why, even the Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, speaking to the European Parliament said: "Never waste a good crisis." Tell me, do you need any more proof that you, the American citizen, are being used, being herded like a, well, a herd of sheep? Does it not make you the least bit angry? As Jonah Goldberg said in his column on March 10th, 2009: “The real scandal is that this administration thinks crises are opportunities for governmental power-grabs.” You can read his excellent article HERE.
Some of us are old enough to remember FDR saying: “We have nothing to fear but fear itself.” In his article, made reference to above, Goldberg says: “Now Barack Obama all but admits that all he has to fear is the loss of fear itself.” Not only does the Obama Regime admit to using fear to get his agenda passed, they openly boast about it and the democrat/socialists call it leadership. How utterly disgusting.
Americans ought to be raging in the streets at being treated as lobotimized robots needing to be told what to do, when to do it, and to whom to do it. THIS is what happens when a society loses it’s rugged individualists, the people who stand up and say, “Wait a damn minute! What you are saying is BS.” So few are left in America today that there is no counter balance to the Pied Pipers of the Left who lead the American elcectorate around by the nose and make them like it!
The Obama Regime tosses around words like “catastrophe”, “crisis”, “disaster”, with what approaches wild abandon. In yesterday’s America someone would have long since called his hand on his fear mongering. The GOP won’t do it. They’re crawling around the floor whimpering like a whipped dog offering to roll over and expose it’s belly for a show of affection, any affection. The party has become pathetic. It is totally useless in any fight with the democrat/socialists. But don’t waste your pity on the GOP. They brought this whipping upon themselves by not listening to their conservative base. They will now pay a price of near biblical porportions and relegated to the wilderness for another 40 years.
Back in 1979 President Jimmy Carer made a a speech that sealed his doom as a two-term president. He said: "The energy crisis is real. It is worldwide. It is a clear and present danger to our nation. These are facts and we simply must face them." The moment he uttered those words his presidency was sealed at one term. But that was back in the day when, as the saying goes, “Men were men, and women were glad of it!”
I cannot speak for you, but I can tell you my feelings on the Obama Regime’s use of fear politics and fear mongering. I despise it. Anytime you frighten people to get your way, no matter what “your way” happens to be, it is a cheap shot and it is a dishonorable way of doing business.
But, no one is rising to challenge Obama and, soon enough, he will be using the fear he, himself, has instilled in the American public to get his way on illegal Immigration (amnesty for illegal aliens), and a universal healthcare system in this country that will keep us bankrupt well into the next millennium.
J. D. Longstreet
*****************
Conservative+Socialist+Obama+Fear+Crisis

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7 Iranians Dead, No Election Annulment

From those champions of open and honest elections at Associated Press:

Limited recount possible in Iran’s disputed vote

By Ali Akbar Dareini And Nasser Karimi, Associated Press Writers

TEHRAN, Iran – Iran’s Islamic leadership is prepared to conduct a limited recount of disputed presidential elections, a spokesman said Tuesday, as thousands of people took to the streets to show support for the regime and authorities cracked down on independent media.

The announcement comes after Iran’s state radio reported earlier Tuesday that seven people were killed during clashes in the Iranian capital the previous day — the first official confirmation of deaths linked to the wave of protests and street battles following the disputed election in which President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was declared the winner.

In downtown Tehran, thousands of people gathered Tuesday in a state-organized rally that Iran’s state media said was designed to demand punishment for the rioters from Monday’s clashes. While there had been reports earlier of another rally Tuesday of supporters of reformist challenger Mir Hossein Mousavi, possibly setting the stage for violent clashes, Moussavi, in a message posted on his Web site, said he would not be attending any rally and asked his supporters to "not fall in the trap of street riots" and "exercise self-restraint."

After images were shown around the world of mass protests and violence following the disputed election, the government on Tuesday cracked down on journalists.

Authorities restricted journalists, including Iranians working for foreign media from reporting on the streets, and said they could only work from their offices, conducting telephone interviews and monitoring official sources such as state television…

Also Tuesday, foreign reporters in Iran to cover last week’s elections began leaving the country. Iranian officials said they will not extend their visas.

A spokesman for the Guardian Council, Abbas Ali Kadkhodaei, was quoted on state television as saying the recount would be limited to voting sites where candidates claim irregularities took place. He did not rule out the possibility of canceling the results, saying that is within the council’s powers, although nullifying an election would be an unprecedented step…

And we have this further clarification from Reuters:

Iran rules out annulment, Tehran crowds gather

By Parisa Hafezi and Fredrik Dahl

TEHRAN (Reuters) – Iran’s top legislative body on Tuesday ruled out annulling a disputed presidential poll that has prompted the biggest street protests since the 1979 Islamic revolution, but said it was prepared for a partial recount.

(Editors’ note: Reuters coverage is now subject to an Iranian ban on foreign media leaving the office to report, film or take pictures in Tehran.)

In what appeared to be a first concession by authorities to the protest movement, the 12-man Guardian Council said it was ready to re-tally votes in the poll, in which hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was declared the runaway winner.

But the powerful Council rejected reformist calls to annul Friday’s election, which set off swift-moving political turmoil, riveting attention on the world’s fifth biggest oil exporter, locked in a nuclear dispute with the West…

Well, a limited recount should be a snap.

Given that they counted the original vote – which were on more than 40 million paper ballots – within a mere couple of hours.

And, after all, they only have make the results a little closer to placate the world’s media watchdogs.

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NC General Assembly 06-16-2009 Legislative Calender

Here is the schedule for the North Carolina General Assembly as they meet to investigate ways in which they can rob the citizens of North Carolina of their property, rights and hard earned money...
9:00 AMSELECT COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC RECOVERY (Joint)Presentation on ARRA Fund Release by Mr. Dempsey Benton
Presentation on Violence Against Women by Mr. Jon Williams
Presentation on Victims of Crime Act by Mr. Jon Williams
Presentation on the Benefits Bank of North Carolina
1027LB9:30 AMSen. P. BergerPress Room LB10:00 AMJUDICIARY I (Senate)Notice on Liens for HOA Assessments (H806)
Innocence Commission/Limited Witness Immunity (H937)
Amend Adoption Laws (H1106)
AOC Omnibus Courts Act (H1269)
Clarify DV Laws/Arrest/Valid Protective Order (H1464)
1027LB10:00 AMJUDICIARY II (Senate)Partition Sales/Commrs., Sellers, Buyers (H578)
Partition Sales/Extend Report & Answer Times (H581)
Clarify Action for Divorce/Incompetent Spouse (H1091)
Amend Birth Registration Requirements (H1112)
Taxpayer Optimization Act (H1377)
1124LB10:00 AMJUDICIARY I (House)Notice of Hearing/Unsupervised Probation. (S513)
School Violence Prevention Act. (S526)
Modify Speed Zone Restrictions. (S649)
1228LB10:00 AMJUDICIARY III (House)Compensate Eugenics Sterilization Survivors. (H20)
Prohibit Sale of Novelty Lighters. (S652)
Struc. Settlement Annuities/Ins. Guar. Assn. (S780)
1425LB10:00 AMJUDICIARY II (House)Annexation - Omnibus Changes. (H524)
Annexation Changes. (H727)
421LOB11:00 AMCOMMERCE (Senate)Regulation of Appraisal Management Companies (S829)
Electronic Reporting of Abandoned Property-AB (H723)
Amend Professional Counselors Act/Fees (H746)
Use of Cisterns in Construction/Renovation (H749)
Allow Recorded Phone Messages/Public Safety (H1034)
UNC Performance & Payment Bond Modification (H1035)
Building Code Exclusion/Certain Wiring (H1409)
Building Code Exclusion/Hot Water Heaters (H1410)
Design Professional Seals/Public Records (H1478)
Insurance/Health Care Provider Relationship (H1485)
1027LB11:00 AMAGRICULTURE/ENVIRONMENT/NATURAL RESOURCES (Senate)Minimum Caliber of Rifles for Taking Big Game (H857)
Update Seed Law/Increase Seed License Fees (H1103)
Brownfields Property Notifications (H1388)
544LOB11:00 AMEDUCATION (House)Tax Credits for Children with Disabilities. (H687)
After-School Child Care Programs. (S1030)
Establish NC Financial Literacy Council. (S1019)
643LOB12:00 PMHEALTH (House)NC Colon Hydrotherapy Licensure. (H1122)
Increase Alcohol Taxes. (H1579)
Amend Dentistry Laws/Out of State Dentists. (S694)
Health Plan Provider Contracts/Transparency . (S877)
544LOB12:30 PMRULES, CALENDAR, AND OPERATIONS OF THE HOUSE (House)Honor William Oliver Swofford. (H1653)
421LOB1:00 PMFINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS (House)Assets of Ward's Estate. (S605)
Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Revisions. (S981)
1425LB1:00 PMSession Convenes (Senate)
Senate Chamber2:00 PMSTATE GOVERNMENT/STATE PERSONNEL (House)Local Tax Lien/ Priority Over State Tax Lien. (H1593)
Upgrade Security Services-Government Complex. (H1633)
People First. (S208)
Modify Supplemental Retirement Board. (S658)
State Surplus Property/ New Recipient. (S712)
424LOB3:00 PMSession Convenes (House)
House Chamber

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PA-Sen: DSCC Teams Up With Pigeon On Behalf Of Specter

(H/T to Kos, who made this a front-page story on Daily Kos yesterday.)

With the New York State Senate coup fresh on our minds, it is hard to forget the name "Steve Pigeon." Pigeon, of course, is one of the big players in the coup and why the Democrats sit here today without the majority.

Now, it seems that the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (not ours here in New York, but the national one) is teaming up with Pigeon to raise money for former Republican Arlen Specter in the Pennsylvania U.S. Senate race.

Here is the invite:

When I was writing about different Senate races last year, I built up sources who would give me the inside scoop on those races. A few of the sources I had hailed from Western New York and discussed Pigeon's role in the 61st Senate District race when Pigeon backed Joe Mesi. Those sources told me a little bit about Pigeon's history. It wasn't pretty.

Pigeon was once the chairman of the Erie County Democratic Party. The party suffered under Pigeon's leadership. One story I was told was that he threw every appointed member off the Executive Committee because they would not support his primary challenger for county clerk. Pigeon, as chair, also lost control of the Erie County Legislature on two different occasions. Now, the Legislature is firmly in Democratic hands. But under Pigeon, that was not the case.

Then there is the present. Pigeon has aligned himself with several Republicans. Sen. George Maziarz is one of the main members of that group and has had ties with Pigeon for some time now. Pigeon is a close friend of Pedro Espada's, which made the recent coup an easy sell for Pigeon. All he had to do was turn to a close friend who wanted power and tell him that it could be done.

Pigeon isn't a defender of the Democratic Party and he sure hasn't helped advance our party. When our party was failing to win, Pigeon was one of the reasons why. It is those tactics that we saw last week that are the main reason why Pigeon's approach isn't a successful one. As a Democrat, he is the worst thing for us. The evidence of that was his helping the Senate Republicans take back the New York State Senate.

Now, the DSCC wants his help raising money for Republican-turned Democrat Arlen Specter.

There is plenty wrong with that. I find it discouraging that the DSCC's chairman, Sen. Bob Menendez, is willing to team up with Pigeon (among others) to raise money on behalf of Specter. If Pigeon is supposed to be a poster boy for the Democratic Party, then our party must be headed in the wrong direction.

Steve Pigeon isn't a Democrat. He might be one on paper, but he doesn't act like it. He has done more to destroy our party than to help it. And now, the Senate Democrats want his help in raising money. The same guy that just helped the Republicans take back the New York State Senate (before it turned into gridlock at 31 to 31) and the same guy who has helped throw this state into chaos when important legislation was on the table. That's not a Democrat. That's not someone I would want to align myself with.

I would hope Sen. Menendez and the DSCC feels the same way.

Source: The Albany Project RSS Feed