Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Chris Dodd (D): Real Estate Scandals at Home and Abroad Pt.2



Where are the outraged bus tours of Chris Dodd's home?

H/T Paul Ibrahim

Quote du jour

"If the last two months are any indication, Barack Obama is a better bowler than he is a president."

- James Hudnall

Monday, March 30, 2009

Topless Review Goes Bust

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Topless review not shown here (or actual size!)


Slow news day, but I couldn't pass up the chance for such a great headline!

LAS VEGAS — The topless revue "Les Folies Bergere" has hung up its feathers after 49 years at the Tropicana hotel-casino in Las Vegas.

Many performers who had taken part in the show's 29,000 runs since Christmas of 1959 crowded the set after its final curtain yesterday.

The closing leaves Bally's "Jubilee!" as the last full-scale showgirl revue left on the Las Vegas Strip.




Hat tip Support Your Local Gunfighter
Cross posted at Say Anything

My friend, Rob Port, over at Say Anything notes:
Thanks to increasing availability of nudie photos (the internet) and changing social attitudes about nudity and sexuality in general, boobies have become a devalued commodity.


Also, it's true that "boobies" have suffered from inflation over the last few decades! Heh.

Quote du jour

"History shows that we are not imperialists."

-Ron Silver

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Slippery Soap Smugglers of the Pacific Northwest

When dish soap is outlawed, only outlaws will have dish soap!
In Spokane County in Washington state, a new, soon to be statewide mandate against dish soaps with phosphates has taken effect, causing residents to take things into their own hands. The measure was designed to reduce water pollution. The downside is, the phosphate free detergents don't do as good a job of getting the dishes clean. Nicholas K. Geranios has the story:
Many people were shocked to find that products like Seventh Generation, Ecover and Trader Joe's left their dishes encrusted with food, smeared with grease and too gross to use without rewashing them by hand. The culprit was hard water, which is mineral-rich and resistant to soap.
However, in nearby Idaho, no such ban on sales currently exists. Hence the new Phosphate Corridor on Highway 90.
Real estate agent Patti Marcotte of Spokane stocks up on detergent at a Costco in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and doesn't care who knows it. "Yes, I am a smuggler," she said. "I'm taking my chances because dirty dishes I cannot live with." (In truth, the ban applies to the sale of phosphate detergent — not its use or possession — so Marcotte is not in any legal trouble.) Marcotte said she tried every green brand in her dishwasher and found none would remove grease and pieces of food. Everybody she knows buys dishwasher detergent in Idaho, she said.
Sitting in the dark, eating off dirty dishes, waiting to get in to see our doctors...what else do our wonderful government planners have in store for us? Cross Posted at Say Anything

Quote du jour

Bono, the global do-gooder who was last in Washington to play at the Obama inauguration, recently moved much of his business from Ireland to the Netherlands, in order to pay less tax. And good for him. To be sure, he’s always calling on governments to give more money to Africa and whatnot, but it’s heartening to know that, when it comes to his wallet as opposed to yours, Bono — like Secretary Geithner — has no desire to toss any more of his money into the great sucking maw of the government treasury than the absolute minimum he can get away with. I’m with Bono and Tim: They can spend their money more effectively than hack bureaucrats can. We should do as they do, not as they say.

-Mark Steyn

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Happy Anniversary!

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One year ago today, Proof Positive began as my modest attempt at solo blogging. On such an auspicious occasion, there should be cake! (Or at least a Hostess® Sno Ball®!)

After one year, thirteen hundred plus posts, twelve thousand plus visits from at least seventy-two countries around the globe (ET hasn't phoned home yet!), I do want to thank everyone who stops by here to see what's going on and those who visit for a while. I'd like to think that those of you who visit time and again, come back because something here resonates within you: a yearning for freedom, a love of one's country, a sense of justice and honor. Oh, and maybe an eye for the ladies and a good sense of humor as well! There's quite a lot at which we can only laugh... or cry!

So, if you've been amused, or entertained or enlightened along the way, it's been my pleasure! I appreciate your visits and your comments. For those who check in just to see when I run out of quotes or babes or big words...Sorry! you're just going to have to wait a bit longer! Heh.

As of a few days ago...
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April 6th was when Sitemeter started tracking traffic. December reflects the dearth of posting due to the big move from Ohio to California. (Having no ISP will do that to you!) Heh. The steady growth is a reflection of the loyalty and interest of you, my readers.
So, give yourselves a hand! (And thanks for all the fish, er...Sno Balls®!!) Heh.

A Little Saturday Night Music

Brad Paisley & Alison Krauss - Whiskey Lullaby (live)

Quote du jour

During last year’s presidential campaign, Obama and his people kept saying that McCain was running “for George W. Bush’s third term.” And McCain had a very good comeback: “Well, he’s running for Jimmy Carter’s second.” But as Obama implements his policies, at home and abroad — McCain’s quip seems just a little less funny and a little more
. . . true.

-Jay Nordlinger

Friday, March 27, 2009

Friday Night Babe

Tonight's FNB is Ghost Whisperer Jennifer Love Hewitt!

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North Korea Ahead of the Curve for Earth Hour

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Be thankful you have a choice!


When it comes to sitting around in the dark, no one beats the North Koreans!

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Freedom glows in the dark!

Cross Posted at Say Anything

Free NRA Membership!

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The NRA is giving away one year memberships at no charge, to counter the increased threats to our Second Amendment rights. As a Life Member, I'd like to encourage every gun owner to join, or anyone who might ever want to be a gun owner to join.

The time is now!

The link is here: National Rifle Association

Hat tip Stop the ACLU

Quote du jour

The elevator swished up like a gigolo’s hand on a silk stocking.

- Susan Sonntag

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Quote du jour

"Access to a waiting list is not access to health care."
-Sally C. Pipes

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

The Medal of Honor

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Captain Lewis L. Millett


Citation:

Capt. Millett, Company E, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action. While personally leading his company in an attack against a strongly held position he noted that the 1st Platoon was pinned down by small-arms, automatic, and antitank fire. Capt. Millett ordered the 3d Platoon forward, placed himself at the head of the 2 platoons, and, with fixed bayonet, led the assault up the fire-swept hill. In the fierce charge Capt. Millett bayoneted 2 enemy soldiers and boldly continued on, throwing grenades, clubbing and bayoneting the enemy, while urging his men forward by shouting encouragement. Despite vicious opposing fire, the whirlwind hand-to-hand assault carried to the crest of the hill. His dauntless leadership and personal courage so inspired his men that they stormed into the hostile position and used their bayonets with such lethal effect that the enemy fled in wild disorder. During this fierce onslaught Capt. Millett was wounded by grenade fragments but refused evacuation until the objective was taken and firmly secured. The superb leadership, conspicuous courage, and consummate devotion to duty demonstrated by Capt. Millett were directly responsible for the successful accomplishment of a hazardous mission and reflect the highest credit on himself and the heroic traditions of the military service.


Capt. Millett: We humbly salute you and thank you for your service.

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Hat tip Home of Heroes




http://www.homeofheroes.com/moh/living/living_war_wwii.html

There are over a hundred living MoH recipients today. Their names and their stories should not be forgotten. My mission is to honor one of those heroes here each week, and salute them for their courage and sacrifice.

Sean Penn: Stooge

Is nothing sacred???

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The resemblance is uncanny!


Sean Penn has been signed to play Stooge Larry Fine of Three Stooges fame in an upcoming MGM picture by Hollywood's Farrelly Brothers.

Maybe Sean can get his inner Stooge working for him? The former Jeff Spicoli has certainly been someone's stooge on the world stage as of late. Perhaps the role will be a natural for him?

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Cross posted at Say Anything

National Medal of Honor Day

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During this time of financial, cultural and political upheaval, take the time today to remember some of America's finest and give them the recognition they deserve.

Visit the Congressional Medal of Honor Society's website here.

Hat tip Tankerbabe, via This Ain't Hell
Cross posted at Say Anything

George Bush and the Lack of Courtesy on the Left

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Texas Air National Guard


I still wonder where you people were when bush was doubling the debt.

Typical liberal quote. Ever notice the childish petulance of liberals who refuse to capitalize Bush's name? I've noticed that liberals do that a lot on different blogs that I frequent.
I've also noticed that conservatives generally don't speak of obama, or clinton, or even carter...at least none that I have noticed.
Do they really think they are hurting anyone or anything except their own credibility when they they refuse to show common courtesy to a current or former president?

Or is it because you have to use the "shift" key and most liberals are shiftless? Heh.

Inspired by Reality Bereft Individuals
Cross Posted at Say Anything

Candidate Obama Vs. President Obama


...and the loser is...us!


Hat tip Patriot Room

Quote du jour

A well-instructed people alone can be permanently a free people.

-James Madison

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Sympathy for the Devil

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No. Not the One.


I recently experienced something that gave me a little added perspective on what my liberal friends have been experiencing for the last eight years. No, not derangement, but a profound sense that I needed to apologize for the actions of my President to members of foreign countries.
After the thoughtless, bumbling gift of DVDs that won't play on European players, to a head of state with failing eyesight, closely followed by the bumbling letter to former French president Jacques Chirac, insulting the current president of France, I have this gnawing feeling of embarrassment for my country that makes me want to apologize to the French people and the British alike, for the boorish, thoughtless behavior and incompetence of our Bumbler-in-Chief.

But, there the similarity ends. Bush was a competent President who embarrassed the liberals, Obama is an incompetent bumbler who embarrasses (or should embarrass) everyone.

Libs: I sympathize with you. Not to the point of flipping out and talking about assassinating the president the way you did with Bush, but a profound sympathy for those who were foolishly ashamed of a strong president, by my own embarrassment over the walking, talking embarrassment at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Cross posted at Say Anything

Quote du jour

The first two months of the Age of the Hopeychange have been an eye-opener. I expected it to be ideologically distasteful to me, but I didn’t expect it to be so inept. Not because I had any expectations of President Obama’s executive skills. But I assumed he’d have folks around him who could take care of details like governing, while he pranced around as the smiley-face hopeychange frontman. But the bench is still empty save for a handful of mediocrities. And the disconnect between the smoothly scripted mush and what’s actually happening makes the telepromptered cool look even more ridiculous.

-Mark Steyn

Monday, March 23, 2009

Someone Get This Man a Teleprompter!

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Did I do that?


Barack Obama wrote a letter to Jacques Chirac, telling him he was looking forward to working with him for the next four years, according to French paper Le Figaro.

Could he really be so clueless and self absorbed not to know that Nicolas Sarkozy is President of France and has been since May of 2007? What a maroon!

To quote a great man: We are so screwed!

Hat tip Gateway Pundit
Cross posted at Say Anything

Amateur Hour at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue continues unabated. Remember that "train wreck" we talked about a few days back? It looks like full steam ahead!

Quote du jour

By week’s end, I was more depressed about the financial crisis than I’ve been since last September. Back then, the issue was the disintegration of the financial system, as the Lehman bankruptcy set off a terrible chain reaction. Now I’m worried that the political response is making the crisis worse. The Obama administration appears to have lost its grip on Congress, while the Treasury Department always seems caught off guard by bad news.

And Congress, with its howls of rage, its chaotic, episodic reaction to the crisis, and its shameless playing to the crowds, is out of control. This week, the body politic ran off the rails.

There are times when anger is cathartic. There are other times when anger makes a bad situation worse. “We need to stop committing economic arson,” Bert Ely, a banking consultant, said to me this week. That is what Congress committed: economic arson.

-Joe Nocera, NYT, via Andrew Stuttaford

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Redneck Financial Dictionary

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Redneck squirrel gun.


With all the talk in the news about AIG bonuses, derivatives and such, as a public service, Proof Positive will publish a dictionary of financial terms to help fellow rednecks understand the current situation.

Principle: What you take a stand on, like the Second Amendment!

Interest: Huntin', fishin', women.

Compound Interest: Bow hunting.

Profit: Jeremiah and them fellas.

Net: What you take a-fishin'.

Borrow: Used for totin', like a wheelborrow.

No load fund: Savin' up for shotgun shells.

Invest: Where you keep your shells when you got 'em.

Revenue: Agents of the Fed'al Guv'mint

Finance: Your girl before you get hitched.

Bonds: Barry and James

Bonus: You shoot a squirrel, you get dinner and a pelt for a bonus!

Portfolio: On your bass boat, the opposite of starboard folio.

Hedge fund: Savin' up for some nice juniper bushes to line the driveway.

Stock market: cattle yard

Foreclosure: When you close the store an hour early to go a-fishin'.

Bank: Where your asset when you're a-fishin'!

Asset: Your pickup and your doublewide are where your asset when you're not a-fishin'!


Cross posted at Say Anything

Ex-Marine John Murtha Given Service Award From Navy

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The article, unlike Murtha, is not a joke.


Yes. That John Murtha! Yes. Our navy! The man who unfairly accused Marines of murder and mayhem has been honored by the Navy for his "service" as a civilian. Although I usually am not given to promoting online petitions and the like, I felt strongly enough about this one to sign the petition. This is not a hoax. You can see it on Murtha's own web site.

The petition asks the Secretary of the Navy to rescind the award. You can find the petition here.

Hat tip Support Your Local Gunfighter
Cross Posted at Say Anything

Meant to give the stats: 25068 Total Signatures so far.

Movie Classics: Casablanca

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Michael Ramirez strikes again!

To Say , uh … They Say uh, in the Face of Challenges, uh, That We Face...


Mr. Eloquence


I have four words of advice for Obama's teleprompter guy:

Larger fonts. Smaller words.


Why do I get the picture of a bullet pocked wall behind the White House, where teleprompter guys who embarrass the President are offered a blindfold and a Mentos® (because a cigarette would be just politically incorrect! )?

Hat tip Hot Air

Quote du jour

In turbulent times, it's good to know some things never change. After a week in which President Obama thanked himself for inviting him to the White House, compared AIG executives to suicide bombers, and did the first Presidential retard joke on national TV, I was impressed to find that Slate is bravely keeping up its Bushism Of The Day feature.

-Mark Steyn

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Obama Action Figure

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(Teleprompter sold separately.)


via Sweetness and Light

Re-educate the Rich - Frank Rich!

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Poster boy for cognitive dissonance! Heh.


NYT columnist Frank Rich is out of his depths...again! He weighs in on the "culture war" and declares it over! The cultural warriors get laid off.

But listen to his reasoning behind it:

What has happened between 2001 and 2009 to so radically change the cultural climate? Here, at last, is one piece of good news in our global economic meltdown: Americans have less and less patience for the intrusive and divisive moral scolds who thrived in the bubbles of the Clinton and Bush years. Culture wars are a luxury the country — the G.O.P. included — can no longer afford.


Less patience for moral scolds??? Apparently Mr. Rich has been living in a cave for the last few weeks or is unable to apply anything in his logic tight box concerning stem cell research to what ever is happening in the financial world at the moment. This whole business of AIG executives and bonuses has brought Liberal moral scolds out of the woodwork like cockroaches in a cheap hotel! Barney Frank, Barack Obama and countless other leading lights of liberalism are all acting as nothing but moral scolds (hypocritical ones, at that, for having caused so much of the financial devastation!) when it comes to the financial institutions of this country. For Frank Rich to be so blind to the "moral scolds" on the Left, speaks of either extremely low mental wattage or extreme partisan hackmanship.
Perhaps, both!

Save your money. Brown kraft paper can line your birdcages and train your dogs just as easily as the NYT! Heh.

Cross Posted at Say Anything

A Little Saturday Night Music

Jerry Douglas - St. Anne's Reel

Obama's Approval Continues to Slide

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Maybe if the administration would stop greasing the skids?


Rasmussen reports the approval/disapproval numbers of Obi Won Hopechangey continue to tank as the incompetence of his administration becomes more and more apparent.

The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Saturday shows that 36% of the nation's voters now Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Thirty-two percent (32%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of +4 (see trends). The number of Americans who believe government spending will rise during the Obama years has increased significantly in recent months.


Current trends indicate a train wreck at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue real soon! And it hasn't even been one hundred days!

Hat tip Gateway Pundit
Cross Posted at Say Anything

Friday Night /Saturday Morning Babe

Keeping late hours tonight is FNB...Andrea Parker of Pretender fame!

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And a picture that doesn't bite:

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Quote du jour

One of the curses of the age, I think, is euphemism. This is part of the Oprahfication of America (to use a shorthand). Some euphemisms are relatively harmless. I mean, if you want to call the physically handicapped “differently abled,” fine, fine. But some things are important to describe straight-out — such as enemy combatants. Language can either clarify or murk up. And I believe that the Obama people — and modern liberals at large — are great murkers-up.

-Jay Nordlinger

Friday, March 20, 2009

Reagan Updated for the 21st Century

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"A recession is when your neighbor loses his job.
A depression is when you lose yours.
And a recovery is when Barack Obama loses his."


Heh.

Plain Talk From a Politician


Thaddeus McCotter


Who'da thunk it?

Hat tip Jawa

Quote du jour

The Home Secretary is best known for an inspired change of terminology: Last year she announced that henceforth Muslim terrorism (an unhelpful phrase) would be reclassified as “anti-Islamic activity.” Seriously. The logic being that Muslims blowing stuff up tends not to do much for Islam’s reputation — i.e., it’s an “anti-Islamic activity” in the same sense that Pearl Harbor was an anti-Japanese activity.

-Mark Steyn

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Quote du jour

"Somewhere in Chicago, a community is missing it's organizer."


- Robb Allen

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

The Medal of Honor

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Sgt. Einar H. Ingman, Jr.


Citation:
Sgt. Ingman, a member of Company E, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. The 2 leading squads of the assault platoon of his company, while attacking a strongly fortified ridge held by the enemy, were pinned down by withering fire and both squad leaders and several men were wounded. Cpl. Ingman assumed command, reorganized and combined the 2 squads, then moved from 1 position to another, designating fields of fire and giving advice and encouragement to the men. Locating an enemy machinegun position that was raking his men with devastating fire he charged it alone, threw a grenade into the position, and killed the remaining crew with rifle fire. Another enemy machinegun opened fire approximately 15 yards away and inflicted additional casualties to the group and stopped the attack. When Cpl. Ingman charged the second position he was hit by grenade fragments and a hail of fire which seriously wounded him about the face and neck and knocked him to the ground. With incredible courage and stamina, he arose instantly and, using only his rifle, killed the entire guncrew before falling unconscious from his wounds. As a result of the singular action by Cpl. Ingman the defense of the enemy was broken, his squad secured its objective, and more than 100 hostile troops abandoned their weapons and fled in disorganized retreat. Cpl. Ingman's indomitable courage, extraordinary heroism, and superb leadership reflect the highest credit on himself and are in keeping with the esteemed traditions of the infantry and the U.S. Army.


Sgt. Ingman: We humbly salute you and thank you for your service.

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Hat tip Home of Heroes




http://www.homeofheroes.com/moh/living/living_war_wwii.html

There are over a hundred living MoH recipients today. Their names and their stories should not be forgotten. My mission is to honor one of those heroes here each week, and salute them for their courage and sacrifice.

Quote du jour

The greatest tyranny has the smallest beginnings. From precedents overlooked, from remonstrances despised, from grievances treated with ridicule, from powerless men oppressed with impunity, and overbearing men tolerated with complaisance, springs the tyrannical usage which generations of wise and good men may hereafter perceive and lament and resist in vain.

At present, common minds no more see a crushing tyranny in a trivial unfairness or a ludicrous indignity, than the eye uninformed by reason can discern the oak in the acorn, or the utter desolation of winter in the first autumnal fall. Hence the necessity of denouncing with unwearied and even troublesome perseverance a single act of oppression. Let it alone, and it stands on record. The country has allowed it, and when it is at last provoked to a late indignation it finds itself gagged with the record of its own ill compliance.

- The Times of London, Aug. 11, 1846

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

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May you be in Heaven a half an hour before the devil knows you're dead!

Quote du jour

An Irishman is never drunk as long as he can hold onto one blade of grass to keep from falling off the earth.

-Irish proverb

Monday, March 16, 2009

It’s A Simple Answer After All



The stirring words of Ronald Wilson Reagan.

Hat tip Flopping Aces

Time For Another Game of "Guess That Party!"

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The NYT has the story of a "New York Representative" who was illegally taking tax breaks he wasn't entitled to. See if you can guess which political party Elliot Engel belongs to. Try finding a mention anywhere in the story!

Bronx Representative Loses a Tax Break

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland tax officials said that a New York representative is not entitled to a residents’ tax break on the house in a Washington suburb that he has claimed as his primary residence for at least 10 years.

The representative, Eliot Engel, calls himself a lifelong resident of the Bronx, where he rents an apartment. But he and his wife list the house in Potomac, Md., as their primary home on Maryland property tax forms.

They paid nearly $500,000 for the house in 1993, and it has almost doubled in value. The Engels have received thousands of dollars in tax credits that are reserved for people who declare Maryland their home.


It's an AP story. They don't like anyone using quotes from their stories. I guess if I was that sloppy (or deceptive) in reporting the news, I wouldn't want anyone quoting me either!

Hat tip Say Anything

Quote du jour

I had the pleasure of talking to the students of Hillsdale College last week, and endeavored to explain what it is they’re being lined up for in a 21st-century America of more government, more regulation, less opportunity, and less prosperity: When you come to take your seat at the American table (to use another phrase politicians are fond of), you’ll find the geezers, boomers, and X-ers have all gone to the men’s room, and you’re the only one sitting there when the waiter presents the check. That’s you: Generation Checks.

-Mark Steyn

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Bailouts and Bullsh*t -John Stossel



The montages of Obama and his minions parroting "Crisis!" and "worse since the Great Depression" are worth watching even if you saw nothing else on the video! Then Obama cannot figure out why confidence in the economy is down!

Hat tip Hot Air

Chris Dodd (D): Real Estate Scandals at Home and Abroad



Which convicted inside trader helped little Chrissy Dodd buy his vacation home?


Like his fearless leader, Barack Obama, Chris Dodd had a little help from his friends when it came to buying an expensive ten acre island property on Inishnee in Ireland. From the Times Online:

A holiday home in Connemara is at the centre of a growing row in America involving a prominent Democrat politician, a convicted insider trader and the former president Bill Clinton.
The purchase of the home by Senator Christopher Dodd is being examined by the US Senate ethics committee after allegations that Edward Downe Jr, a businessman convicted of insider trading, acted as a “middle man” in the deal


Here's the deal: Dodd buys a one third "share" in the house Downe buys two thirds of it. Eight years later, after property values have doubled*, Downe sells his "share" to Dodd for an amount less than 20% more than he paid for it. Dodd gets a sweetheart deal from Downe, after (coincidentally I'm sure) an effort by Dodd obtain a pardon from President Bill Clinton for...wait for it!...Edward Downe Jr, a businessman convicted of insider trading!

Like the half million dollar property that Tony Rezko and spouse that was a virtual gift to Barack and Michelle Obama, Edward Downe Jr sold about a quarter million dollars worth of real estate to Chris Dodd for half of what it was worth because.....?

The deal between Kessinger and Dodd has attracted attention in America because of its similarity to another property transaction involving the pair that has also come under scrutiny. In 1986, they purchased a condominium in Washington for $159,800. A little over three years later, Downe transferred his share of the property to Dodd, who later sold it for $310,000.
Dodd is already under investigation for receiving what a former mortgage broker claims was preferential treatment from Countrywide Financial, one of the largest sub-prime lenders in the US, on two re-mortgage deals in 2003. Dodd denies that he received “special treatment”.
Last week The Wall Street Journal questioned why Kessinger handed over his share of the Connemara property “for a song” and called on Dodd to reveal what role Downe might have played as a “middle man”.


Last week? And the MSM covered this...when??

Ah, Democrats and real estate! Pure as the driven snow on the streets of Chicago!

*WSJ said "quadrupled".

Hat tip Instapundit
Cross Posted at Say Anything

Quote du jour

Like Lincoln, Wilson, FDR, Truman, and other wartime presidents (though none of the above witnessed 3,000 Americans butchered on the soil of the United States by foreign agents), George Bush, with strong bipartisan support, enacted new wartime protocols in the effort to protect the security of the United States. Only a fool would suggest that these homeland-security efforts were unnecessary, or that, in unprecedented fashion, they shredded the Constitution.

-Victor Davis Hanson

Saturday, March 14, 2009

A Little Saturday Night Music

Brendan Power: “The Drunken Landlady.”



Hat tip LGF

Quote du jour

It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.

-Aristotle

Friday, March 13, 2009

Friday Night Babe

Tonight's FNB is former JAG...Catherine Bell!

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And in case you didn't recognize her without her hat...

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A Little Saturday Night Music

Taylor Swift - Love Story

Quote du jour

"The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion, but, on the contrary, of its liberality and humanity. It is shorter to state the things forbidden than the things permitted: precisely because most things are permitted, and only a few things are forbidden."

-G.K. Chesterton

Thursday, March 12, 2009

This Last Week's Poll

This Last Week's Poll: President Obama never goes anywhere without his teleprompter. Is it because:


He, uh, has ummm, trouble, er, trying, ah, to, um communicate without it? ( 6%)

He goes off message easily and tells you what he really thinks, as with "Joe the Plumber"? ( 6%)

When Obama reads his speech off the 'prompter, he is as excited as anyone to see what he is going to say next? ( 0%)

All of the above. ( 86%)


Um, er, that is, ah...thank you for your vote! Heh.


Thank you for your participation!
Not a scientific poll. Respondents are self selecting. Questions are drawn from fortune cookies, hieroglyphics and tomorrow’s New York Times.

Please make your opinion known in this week's poll.

Quote du jour

"This was the contradiction the poor blacklisters faced: The more they tried to target me the more they drummed up publicity for my concerts," Seeger told The Associated Press in a telephone interview from his home in Beacon, N.Y. "I like to misquote Thomas Jefferson in saying, ‘The price of liberty is eternal publicity.’"

-Pete Seeger on an apology 49 years in the making

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

The Medal of Honor

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Lt.(j.g.) Thomas Jerome Hudner Jr.


Citation.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a pilot in Fighter Squadron 32, while attempting to rescue a squadron mate whose plane struck by antiaircraft fire and trailing smoke, was forced down behind enemy lines. Quickly maneuvering to circle the downed pilot and protect him from enemy troops infesting the area, Lt. (j.g.) Hudner risked his life to save the injured flier who was trapped alive in the burning wreckage. Fully aware of the extreme danger in landing on the rough mountainous terrain and the scant hope of escape or survival in subzero temperature, he put his plane down skillfully in a deliberate wheels-up landing in the presence of enemy troops. With his bare hands, he packed the fuselage with snow to keep the flames away from the pilot and struggled to pull him free. Unsuccessful in this, he returned to his crashed aircraft and radioed other airborne planes, requesting that a helicopter be dispatched with an ax and fire extinguisher. He then remained on the spot despite the continuing danger from enemy action and, with the assistance of the rescue pilot, renewed a desperate but unavailing battle against time, cold, and flames. Lt. (j.g.) Hudner's exceptionally valiant action and selfless devotion to a shipmate sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.


Lt. Hudner: We humbly salute you and thank you for your service.

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Hat tip Home of Heroes




http://www.homeofheroes.com/moh/living/living_war_wwii.html

There are over a hundred living MoH recipients today. Their names and their stories should not be forgotten. My mission is to honor one of those heroes here each week, and salute them for their courage and sacrifice.

The Debt Star

Vocal Minority had this great pic this AM:

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Some days, you don't know whether to laugh or cry!

Quote du jour

Mr. Obama's $3.6 trillion budget blueprint, by his own admission, redefines the role of government in our economy and society. The budget more than doubles the national debt held by the public, adding more to the debt than all previous presidents — from George Washington to George W. Bush — combined. It reduces defense spending to a level not sustained since the dangerous days before World War II, while increasing nondefense spending (relative to GDP) to the highest level in U.S. history. And it would raise taxes to historically high levels (again, relative to GDP). And all of this before addressing the impending explosion in Social Security and Medicare costs.

-Michael Boskin

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

If They Lie About Stem Cells...

...they'll lie about other things, too!

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Obama's "false choice" in moral values.


From tiny embryonic cells to the large-scale physics of global warming, President Barack Obama urged researchers on Monday to follow science and not ideology as he abolished contentious Bush-era restraints on stem-cell research. "Our government has forced what I believe is a false choice between sound science and moral values," Obama declared as he signed documents changing U.S. science policy and removing what some researchers have said were shackles on their work.

"It is about ensuring that scientific data is never distorted or concealed to serve a political agenda - and that we make scientific decisions based on facts, not ideology," Obama said.
-Forbes

What's wrong with those statements? First, the less than objective AP reporter:
"he abolished contentious Bush-era restraints on stem-cell research". First of all, Bush levied no restraints on stem cell research, only on Federal funding of embryonic stem cell research, and then not ALL embryonic stem cell research! Very promising research has come out of adult stem cells. And there were no prohibitions from Bush on existing embryonic stem cell research, just a ban on Federal funding of new embryonic stem cell lines...lines that would require the destruction of embryos created specifically to be destroyed.
Had any private researcher wanted to pursue embryonic stem cell research, they were free to do so, so long as they received private funding.

But note that the press, when speaking of the Bush funding prohibitions, invariably spoke of "stem cells", without specifying what kind and implying a ban or prohibition on research rather than just a padlock on the Federal checkbook. (Rather like those who cry "Censorship" when they can't get public funding for their art!)

"Our government has forced what I believe is a false choice between sound science and moral values"
Science was always free to be sound. Science does not require Federal funding in order to be "sound".

"It is about ensuring that scientific data is never distorted or concealed to serve a political agenda - and that we make scientific decisions based on facts, not ideology,"
Scientific data was never "distorted or concealed" in the decision not to fund embryonic stem cell research. A moral, life or death decision was made not to use tax dollars to fund something that many would find morally repugnant.

It seems to me that the only distortions to serve a political agenda were those made by Obama and the sycophantic press that swoons over his every teleprompted word.
It was never a "false choice between science and morality", it was a moral choice of how science is funded. A choice that illustrates a moral failing of the Left.

Cross posted at Say Anything

Speaking of serving a political aganda, bonus points if you can identify which ambulance chasing one term Senator and failed Vice-Presidential candidate said this:

"If we do the work that we can do in this country, the work that we will do when John Kerry is president, people like Christopher Reeve are going to walk, get up out of that wheelchair and walk again."


This was echoed in a comment at the signing ceremony:

"[President John F. Kennedy] was first to put man on [the] moon. Under President Obama the paralyzed will be the first to walk on Earth." -34-year-old Roman Reed, paralyzed from the waist down at 19, while playing college football.


As Krauthammer noted, hope is good, but giving people like Roman Reed false hope is despicable. There certainly is no "science" that would guarantee that embryonic stem cells will accomplish this any sooner, if at all as opposed to any other stem cell research.

Quote du jour

Look, even Barack Obama’s attorney general — our new AG, Eric Holder — says that Gitmo is an admirable facility. But it’s a little late for that now, isn’t it?

I think of a point a major foreign-policy official made to me, in December. He made it forcefully, and it left an impression on me: A lot of people failed to realize that, in going after President Bush and damaging him, they were damaging America more broadly, throughout the world. They may not have intended to do the latter; they may have intended only to hurt Bush. But they did more than that.

-Jay Nordlinger

Monday, March 9, 2009

Bonus Quote du jour

“Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.”

-Rhett Butler, Gone With the Wind
(A DVD movie given to British PM Gordon Brown by Barack Obama)

Quote du jour

British prime minister Gordon Brown thought long and hard about what gift to bring on his visit to the White House last week. Barack Obama is the first African-American president, so the prime minister gave him an ornamental desk-pen holder hewn from the timbers of one of the Royal Navy’s anti-slaving ships of the 19th century, HMS Gannet. Even more appropriate, in 1909 the Gannet was renamed HMS President.

The president’s guest also presented him with the framed commission for HMS Resolute, the lost British ship retrieved from the Arctic and returned by America to London, and whose timbers were used for a thank-you gift Queen Victoria sent to Rutherford Hayes: the handsome desk that now sits in the Oval Office.

-Mark Steyn

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Baggage

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Heh.

Amateur Hour at the White House Continues

This whole flap about the utter classlessness of the Obamas in their new role as heads of state is somewhat troubling. When Prime Minister Gordon's wife picked out expensive outfits for the Obama girls from one of Britain's trendiest shops, Michelle responded with a couple of toy Air Force One helicopters for the Brown boys. (Probably available downstairs at the gift shop!)
Worse yet, when PM Brown carefully picked out a one of a kind gift for the Oval Office laden with great historic significance and value, Obama responded with a set of DVD movies, available in any Wal-Mart, that not everyone is sure will even play on the PM's player, due to regional differences in DVDs overseas!

Add to this the slight, intentional or not, from returning the bust of Churchill on loan to us since 9/11, and refusing the offer to keep it, plus the "Not tonight, I have a headache", er, "I'm just too darned overwhelmed by everything" comment he gave in blowing off a scheduled press conference with one of our oldest and closest allies, seems to indicate that amateur hour continues unabated in the Obama White House.

Could this be retaliation by Obama for the meanness of Simon Cowell? Did Simon diss one of Barack's favorites on Idol???

More and more, Barry and Michelle's Excellent Adventure puts me in mind of another family challenged by the change in their social status:

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Let's just hope their series is canceled after the first season!

Daylight Savings Time Begins Today

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It's Spring forward, Fall back. Remember to set your clocks ahead one hour.

Quote du jour

Today it’s even less clear what, if anything, Obama believes — and, even more critically, whether he has the wit or authority to impose those beliefs on a Congress whose operating procedure for the new era seems to be business as usual with three extra zeroes on the end.

-Mark Steyn

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Have Some Madeira My Dear

I stumbled across this while looking for something else this afternoon, so a little bonus music for a Saturday night: The Limeliters - Have some Madeira my dear



A PG-13 tale of seduction...

A Little Saturday Night Music

We Five - You Were on My Mind

America's Manliest Cities

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Manly ironing.


In a study that has Metrosexuals all atwitter, a study has been made of the fifty largest metropolitan areas, according to the census bureau, to see which are the most "manly".

Each metro area received a manliness rating between 0 and 100 based on how well it performed in each of the study's manly categories. Factors used to determine the manliest city rankings included the number of U.S.-made cars driven in the city, number of sports bars and BBQ restaurants, number of home improvement and hardware stores...


Number one? Nashville!
Nashville is the Mecca of manliness. With its high number of NASCAR enthusiasts, popularity of hunting and fishing and concentration of BBQ restaurants, the Music City stands alone atop the mountain of manliness.
Other highlights:

...If you're in the Midwest and looking to enjoy a game with a cold beverage, look no farther than St. Louis, which has the highest concentration of sports bars in the country.
Grand Rapids, Mich. has more monster truck rallies, per capita, than any other U.S. city... Got chainsaws? What about hammers and power drills? The men of New Orleans do. The "Big Easy" boasts more hardware stores per capita than any other U.S. city.


Portland ranked 47th.

Full results can be seen here.

Cross Posted at Say Anything

Quote du jour

When you become president of the United States you inherit its history, even the parts you would have done differently. Obama might argue that American sacrifices in Iraq were not worth what we achieved. But for the purposes of current and future policy, that is entirely moot. Despite Obama's opposition, America went on to create a small miracle in the heart of the Arab Middle East. President Obama is now the custodian of that miracle. It is his duty as leader of the nation that gave birth to this fledgling democracy to ensure that he does nothing to undermine it.

-Charles Krauthammer

Friday, March 6, 2009

Friday Night Babe

Tonight's FNB is former Miss Mexico World Blanca Soto!

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