A question for Democrats . . . How long can you continue to blame George W. Bush with a straight face?

It appears that the war in Afghanistan is, apparently, becoming more and more difficult.  Barack Obama is the commander-in-chief but, according to his spokesman, he's not responsible.  Robert Gibbs said today that the Afghanistan war "was underresourced, underfunded, undermanned and ignored for years."  (Link here.)  In other words, it's all Bush's fault.

The war goes poorly - it's Bush's fault.  The economy falters - it's Bush's fault.

Seriously, how long can they get away with that "explanation"?

Shame on Britain

What's the price of a nation's integrity?  If we're talking about Great Britain . . . $24 billion.

America's "friends" in Britain (and our "allies" in the global war on terrorism) agreed to release Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi, the Libyan terrorist responsible for bombing Pan Am Flight 103 and killing 270 people, for money.  A bribe from Libyan dictator Moammar Qadaffi.  (Link to story here.)

America's "thanks" go out to Gordon Brown and his Labour Government.  Think about this story the next time that you decide to fill up at a BP station.

China vs. Church

If you believe in God, check out this story and then see how you feel about the Chinese government owning most of our national debt.

Sixteen Percent

The real rate of unemployment in the United States has climbed to 16% (16%!!!).  (Link to story here.)

Trying my best to hold my tongue

The death of Senator Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) is a MAJOR political story.  I've been trying to refrain from insensitive political commentary though the Democrats' formerly filibuster-proof majority is history.  

But instead of simply mourning the loss of a human being, the Democrats are already using Kennedy's death.  With Obamacare failing with voters nationwide - for good reason - the Dems are hoping to resuscitate their hopes for socialized medicine by dedicating the cause to Kennedy.  (Link to story here.)  But, no matter what you call this healthcare reform plan, Obamacare or Kennedycare . . . it is still a horrible idea that the country can't afford.  As President Obama might say, "You can put lipstick on a pig . . . it's still a pig."

Using a man's death as a political tool is distasteful.  And, it could backfire, as it did for the Democrats in 2002, following the death of Paul Wellstone.

Trust nothing . . . dirty tricks abound

Edward Kennedy, 1932-2009

May God have mercy on his soul.  Rest in peace Senator Kennedy.

Can Mr. Smith get to Washington anymore? Nope. But he can get to jail.

In 2004, Jeff Smith ran in the Democratic primary against Russ Carnahan (and others) for the congressional seat vacated by the retirement of Dick Gephardt. His effort was became the subject of a documentary titled "Can Mr. Smith Get to Washington Anymore?". The movie, apparently, is a behind-the-scenes look at how this novice, upstart, idealist nearly defeated a member of a Missouri political dynasty. I suspect that the filmmakers weren't given access to all the action going on behind the scenes like when Smith "authorized 'a close friend' to raise money for a committee that paid for fliers with an anonymous attack against Carnahan." (Link to Post-Dispatch story here.)

Today, that same Jeff Smith, the underdog idealist (who parlayed his failed run for Congress into a State Senate seat) plead guilty to two felony conspiracy charges of obstruction of justice relating to investigations into those anonymous fliers. He's now facing 15 to 21 months in federal prison.

Does anybody know if there is a federal prison in Washington?

Now that's a stimulus plan - Part Deux

In May, Pfizer announced that it would provide free Viagra to men who lost their jobs and health insurance. I posted on that bit of news mostly because I thought it was funny to call that program a "stimulus plan." Juvenile, I know. What can I say?

Now comes news that the government's actual stimulus plan is full of spending on sex research. Examples cited in the New York Post include studies on "barriers to correct condom use," adolescent "hookups," and "drug use as a sex enhancer." (Link to story here.)

Aren't you all glad that spending billions of dollars that we don't have to fund vital government functions like these?

Deja vu all over again?

The Democrats leader in the U.S. Senate, Harry Reid (D-Nevada) is poised to lose his bid for re-election in 2010.  (Link to story here.)

Could it be Tom Daschle revisited?

Senator Hypocrite

Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) wants to have Massachusetts law changed to allow the governor to appoint a new Senator to fill his seat if he should die before the end of his term.  That used to be the law . . . until 2004 when Kennedy himself pushed a change to require a special election to fill a vacant seat in the Senate.

What's different?  Today, the governor of Massachusetts is a Democrat.  In 2004, the governor was a Republican.

(Link to story here.)

Policy, not Politics

Barack Obama is blaming the vast right-wing conspiracy for his failure to pass healthcare "reform."  Yesterday, he appeared on talk radio and said:

"I think early on, a decision was made by the Republican leadership that said, 'Look, let's not give him a victory, maybe we can have a replay of 1993, '94, when Clinton came in, he failed on health care and then we won in the mid-term elections and we got the majority.'  And I think there are some folks who are taking a page out of that playbook."  (Link here.)

Unfortunately, that's how liberals think - playbooks and politics.  And because they think like that, they think that conservatives and Republicans do too.

The vast and growing opposition to Obamacare is not coming from political considerations but from policy considerations.  I would be happy to give a Democrat president a political victory if that victory came by implementing a conservative policy.  But Obamacare is pure, unadulterated, big government liberalism - socialism by another name.

We oppose the policy, Mr. President.  We oppose you - and your party - because you support this bad policy.

Terrorist receives hero's welcome in Libya

This man . . .

is Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, a Libyan terrorist who was convicted in 2001 of being the terrorist responsible for this . . .

the 1988 downing of Pan Am Flight 103, which exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland.  All 259 people on board the plane, and 11 more on the ground, were killed.  Al-Megrahi was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison.

Today, Scottish authorities released al-Megrahi and he returned to Libya.  Where he received this . . . 

a hero's welcome.

So much for Libya joining the family of nations.

This is an example of what the forces of freedom are up against in the Middle East . . . and around the world.

Obama honors NASCAR

"While President Obama is meeting with some of NASCAR's greatest drivers, he may come to find out that the only think he has in common with NASCAR Nation is a shared love for steering hard to the left."       

-Ken Spain, National Republican Congressional Committee

"Always love your country - but never trust your government!"

-Robert Novak

May he rest in peace.

McCaskill Healthcare Forums

Claire McCaskill issued this press release today announcing three more town hall meetings on healthcare "reform."

Senator McCaskill calls these events "Listening Forums."  Missouri conservatives from Hannibal, Moberly, and Kansas City (or those who can get to those locations) should turn out in force to make sure Claire hears what she ought to hear.  Unlike many of her liberal colleagues, McCaskill seems like she might actually be willing to represent her constituents.  Let's make sure she knows what that means on Obamacare.

This fight isn't over.  Far from it.  Keep up the pressure.

"It appears that President Obama is making great progress on climate change, he is changing the political climate in the country back to Republican."

-Tim Pawlenty, Republican Governor of Minnesota (Link to source story here.)

Memo to the GOP:

Gallup's out with a new poll today showing that 40% of Americans identify themselves as "conservative" or "very conservative."  That's a higher percentage than the self-identified moderates (35%) and a much higher percentage than the folks who, sadly, are still either "liberal" or "very liberal" (21%).  And conservatives outnumber liberals in all 50 states!

That should be good news for the country.  But, unfortunately, the conservative movement has not translated into a majority "Republican" country.

Why is that?  Because the Republican party has, repeatedly, abandoned conservatism.  The nomination of John McCain in 2008 was the latest example.  

So, here's the lesson that needs to be learned . . . embrace conservatism.  Stand for something other than compromise, moderation, and "reaching across the aisle," and the GOP can be a powerful force once again.

Why the rush? Now you know.

On July 15, 2009, I asked why Barack Obama and his fellow liberals were trying to rush their plans for healthcare "reform" (a.k.a. socialized medicine) through before Congress took its August recess. Answering my own question, I wrote, "As with everything Obama, [Obamacare's] popularity is fading fast. And time allows folks to actually read the proposal and see the devil in the details. Typically, members of Congress head home during the recess. Away from Washington, they speak with and hear from real people, constituents, people who don't want the government to manage any more of our lives, including our healthcare system."

Turns out, I was right. (Be sure to keep that in mind when reading the rest of my posts.)

Today comes news that the Obama administration is ready to back away from the so-called "public option" of government run health insurance. (Link to story here.) And, without inclusion of a "public option" Democrats are signaling that this so-called reform effort may die on the vine.

So far, public opinion seems to be Orlando Pace in his prime and Obamacare a hyped and ballyhooed freshman defensive end.

Stand firm for Freedom America.

"The trouble with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money."

-Lady Margaret Thatcher

A screaming success

"End of life" provisions dropped from Senate version of healthcare "reform."  (Link to story here.)

Keep up the pressure folks!

A bumper sticker recently observed in St. Louis County:

Palin addresses Obama "Death Panels"

During the 2008 campaign, the Democrats and the press (I know that's redundant) portrayed Sarah Palin as unintelligent.  They did the same thing to Ronald Reagan.  And both times, the portrayals were lies.  Here's the latest proof . . . Palin posted this piece on Facebook addressing President Obama's near-flippant response to the concerns that many Americans that his proposed healthcare system would limit care of the elderly and push them toward ending their own lives by refusing treatment.  It is well worth the read.  Maybe Obama should read it.

Liberals can't compete in the realm of ideas.  Everything said in support of this so-called healthcare reform is in sound bites and emotional appeal.  There is nothing rational, factual, or detailed.  We're back to a campaign for undefined "change."  But no liberal will admit what he or she wants to "change" our country into . . . because it is far to scary.

The more that Americans see from Obama these days, the less they approve of his policies.  His approval rating has dropped to 47% percent.  That (and other interesting tidbits) is found in today's Rasmussen Report.

The tide seems to be turning.  Let it wash away the liberal majorities in Congress in 2010.

And Sarah, keep up the pressure.  Keep telling the truth.

U.S. Senator can "feel" global warming

We have a challenger to Al Gore for the post of Chief Global Warming Nut . . . U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan).  Stabenow is certain that global warming is real, not because she's looked at the data (which actually seems to contradict her position) but because "I feel it when I'm flying.  The storms are more volatile.  We are paying the price in more hurricanes and tornadoes."  (Link here.)

As we all know, the world revolves around Democrat Senators.  If Debbie Stabenow has a turbulent flight, it must mean that there is more turbulence and bigger storms.  Get over yourself Senator.  And realize that the planet actually seems to be cooling right now and, guess what, it has been warming and cooling for millennia, before and after industrialization.

Is Claire McCaskill becoming Jean Carnahan?

Does anybody else think that Claire McCaskill is looking more and more like Jean Carnahan lately?

Maybe the Missouri GOP should line up Jim Talent to run against McCaskill in 2012.  It would be like deja vu all over again.

McCaskill promises to oppose abortion funding in healthcare bill

It appears that Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill got an earful today at her "Town Hall" meeting in Hillsboro.  

My real job had me in the car much of the day and I listened to more than one newscast on KMOX.  Since I was driving, I didn't take notes but I heard a couple of encouraging things reported.  First off, there was a report that when folks were asked to show their hands if they opposed Obamacare and an estimated 80% of the crowd did.

Second, and even more importantly, I heard that McCaskill promised to vote against any healthcare bill that included federal funding for abortion.  (That promise is confirmed here in a story by KWMU - sorry KMOX, I couldn't find confirmation at your site.)

We heard you Senator.  And we'll hold you to your promise.

(As an aside, I also heard KMOX report that Congressman Lacy Clay claimed that Obamacare was not an attempt to socialize medicine in the United States.  He must either be dishonest, uninformed, or have a very funny definition of socialized medicine.)

Springfield Conference to discuss the truth about global warming

The group Scientists for Truth is holding a conference in Springfield, Missouri, on Thursday called "Debunking Climate Change Myths."  Check out their web-site here.  It includes conference info, registration, and hotel information.  Unfortunately, SLC has to work for a living and won't be there.

Tomorrow's St. Louis Post-Dispatch is running this story on the conference.  Surprisingly, to me anyway, the story is relatively neutral in tone.  But, of course, the last word does go to a name-calling enviro-nut (yes, I know, I'm attempting to be funny here).

Question: When is $12.1 trillion not enough?

Answer:  Now.  

Not for the folks currently running our federal government.  Nope.  Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner sent a letter to Congress asking for an unspecified increase in the current government debt limit of $12.1 trillion.  (Link to story here.)

"It is critically important," Geithner wrote, "that Congress act before the limit is reached [in about two months] so that citizens and investors here and around the world can remain confident that the United States will always meet its obligations."

Actually Geithner is right.  Congress should act now - but not by authorizing the Treasury to borrow more money.  It is time to slice and dice every ounce of wasteful spending from the budget.  And time that Washington learns to live within its means.

Enough already!  Stop spending what you/we don't have!

Charge it!

In case anyone is wondering how much "money" the U.S. Government spent so far in 2009 that it doesn't actually have . . . $1.3 trillion.  In July alone the government charged another $181 billion to our tab.  (Link to story here.)

But that's not stopping Nancy Pelosi (D-California) and her liberal pals in Washington from buying a few more private jets, also on our tab, for their own use.  (Link to story here.)

When will this end?  And will our dollars still be worth dimes when it does?

Liberal double standard justified by race

So says Philip Kennicott in today's Washington Post.  (Link to his column here.)

Philip Kennicott is an idiot.

The Washington Post also did double-duty on double standards today, pulling a satirical piece from its website that dared to call Hillary Clinton a "Mad B----."  (Link to that story here.)

Philip Kennicott had better teach his co-workers at the Post that speaking ill of a Democrat or painting one in a bad light is either racist, sexist, or certainly mean-spirited and dangerous.

There is a bear in the water.

Russian submarines patrolling the east coast of the United States (link to story here) bring Ronald Reagan to mind.  Isn't it smart to be as strong as the bear?  If there is a bear?  

Where's the next Gipper when we need one?

The battle is on . . . Planet vs. People

Scientists at Oregon State have a suggestion on how to save the planet from greenhouse gasses . . . stop reproducing.  Yep.  That's their plan.  They want to save the planet (for what or whom I don't know) from human babies.  (Link to story here.)

What's next?  Saving the planet from toddlers?  Adults?  Old folks?

The global warming nuts have picked sides in what they see as a raging battle between human beings and what they believe is an imminently and easily destructible planet.  

Their premise is wrong and they've picked the wrong side.  They've picked the side of the inanimate and soul-less planet and ignored the value of individual people.  You.  Me.  Your kids and grandkids.  They're saying it would be better if some (or all) of us had never been born.

Yes, human beings use the resources of the earth.  But, guess what, God gave us the earth and its resources to use!  We should do what we can to preserve the planet, but why?  For future generations.  Yes, those very generations of children that we're no longer supposed to have.

The bounty of the earth is plentiful.  Be fruitful and multiply.

The changing nature of mean-spiritedness

Why is it that liberals are now outraged at a depiction of Barack Obama as The Joker, calling it "mean-spirited and dangerous" . . .

when a similar depiction of George W. Bush was no big deal?

Obama wants to "eliminate" private health insurance

No time to comment but no real commentary needed.