June 30, 2009

Supreme Dissent on Sotomayor

Yesterday the Supreme Court over-ruled Obama nominee Sonia Sotomayor.

In a 5-4 vote, the High Court overturned a ruling by Sotomayor which upheld a decision by the city of New Haven, CT to throw out test results taken by firefighters because there wasn't enough "racial balance" in those results.

That's the main story. But the real news is in the dissenting opinion of the SCOTUS.

Justice Ginsberg, while saying the firefighters were not entitled to receive promotions for their success, scolded Sotomayor for issuing a summary judgment for the New Haven case.

Why is this important? Because it's saying Sotomayor didn't give the case the respect it deserved. This concurs with Jose Cabranes, one of Sotomayor's colleagues on the circuit court which was overturned today.

Cabranes said as much when the circuit court made this ill-concieved ruling because, in his opinion, they never considered the constitutional issues before them.

So in essence, even those on the SCOTUS who ruled in favor of Justice Sotomayor, said she didn't give the New Haven case the constitutional respect it deserved.

As Ed Whelan of NRO points out, that makes the opinion of the high court 9-0 against the president's choice. That's quite an endorsement for the potential addition.

What If Hope and Change Fail?

Rush Limbaugh was hammered for being honest; he wanted President Obama, or more specifically his policies, to fail. Rich Lowery has an article in the New York Post which suggests this may already be happening.

As the public sees more of the Obama agenda and his M.O., the more they seem to cringe. Obama's public health care option is on life-support itself - so admits democrat Tom Daschle; Cap and Trade is quickly heading in the same direction.

As Lowery points out, Iran and North Korea haven't suddenly become warmer to the US since the chosen-one took office. Instead, they continue to be thorns in our side.

Wooo hooo - the Iraqis are taking over their own security and the troops should be home soon - at least one campaign promise has been fulfilled. But the president isn't getting the kudos he expected. After all, not one specific policy change caused this to happen. It is a simple, successful, conclusion to Bush's war.

As more petals of the Obama rose fall to the floor and public opinion wains, it will be interesting to see how he reacts.

Displaying grace and eloquence when one is on the rise is easy. Maintaining that smooth disposition when the going gets tough is a much more difficult task.

He won't be allowed to simply read a prepared speech off the teleprompter; he'll need to think on his feet.

Will he be up to the task or get caught in his own rhetoric?

June 28, 2009

page13news - Off the Record

On June 16th, I sat down with Montgomery County's Democrat Jury Commissioner, Greg Holt, to discuss a wide variety of issues from Tehran to Abington.

We were taping a segment of Abington News and Views called Off the Record, with host Dan Loney. Regular readers may recall I've appeared on the show before. However prior episodes, with columnist Ted Taylor, were not very fiery since we generally agreed on most issues. This show has just a bit more excitement.

In the first segment, Greg and I discuss President Obama's performance.



Next, we discuss Government Motors, Obama's universal health care plan, and Sonya Sotomayor.



Finally, Arlen Specter and the impact locally, as well as a few local issues.



If you live in or near Abington, make sure you check out future Abington News and Views episodes on Comcast Willow Grove channel 190. Thanks again to Tom Kirk and his wife Karen for being gracious hosts.

June 26, 2009

Cap and Trade? Try Bait-n-Switch

Today, Democrats may vote for the Waxman-Markey bill which is nothing more than a hidden tax on families and businesses. As the Wall Street Journal opines, it defies economic reality.

The skinny - you pay for carbon credits to offset any carbon usage above "approved levels".

Question you should be asking - where does all this money go?
Answer - to groups who profit off of the false premise that the planet is in peril.

G.E., who owns the NBC networks, is going to be a major beneficiary. Companies like Al Gore's Generation Investment Management (GIM), will also benefit.

Don't be fooled. First, the Earth is not in peril. Second, this is nothing more than another transfer of wealth from you to people who want to control every aspect of your life.

Take automobiles. First the government takes over major companies. Done.

Next, Congress passes legislation which imposes a tax (sorry, they call it a credit) which transfers money towards the "green" initiative. Almost done.

The final nail tilts the competitive balance away from oil companies and to "green" energy corporations by forcing more restrictive fuel standards, making it impossible for BIG Oil keep up.

Folks, you are witnessing the intended destruction of a major segment of the US economy, all because of the crisis created by environmentalist wackos.

As the WSJ article points out, this plan throws out proven economic theories.

Hmmm. Junk science created the fraud known as global warming; now junk economic theory has a solution for the planet?

June 25, 2009

June 23, 2009

Obama, Messiah or Superhero?

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!


H/T Tony Phyrillas

June 22, 2009

Obama Approval, Negative

For the first time since he took office, President Obama's net approval rating is in negative territory, according to Rasmussen Reports. It's also down 25 points since the end of January - that's with a state-run media in full support.

Imagine the numbers if the main stream outlets actually did some serious journalism.

H/T Drudge

June 20, 2009

Olive Garden Drops Letterman

Two snubs to host the Tonight Show, one lost battle with what I'm sure he thought was a dim-witted Sarah Palin, and now a well known sponsor pulls its advertising.

Formally known as a brilliant comic mind, David Letterman is quickly becoming his own joke.

H/T Dan Cirucci

June 19, 2009

Boxer's Pompacity

After watching this clip, ask yourself...

...just who in the hell does this pompous political hack, Ms Barbara Boxer, think she is??



The lady from California is no longer worthy of her title.

June 18, 2009

ACORN Operatives in Iran?


How else would you explain voter turnout greater than 100% in at least 26 Iranian provinces?

Statistically speaking, it is virtually impossible in any democratic election to have turnout numbers greater than 95% for reasons such as illness, or even recent death, and voters absent from the country. So it's interesting to see that more than 200 Iranian polling stations reported turnout above 95%.

Good thing I never actually considered Iran a democratic form of government and view elections there as nothing more than a dog and pony show.

Iran, A Reality Check for Obama

A fabulous opinion piece from Wesley Pruden at the Washington Times. Here's a tease...
If Iranian voters had thrown Mahmoud Ahmadinejad into the street, the American president would have assumed that he was the One who did it, and the American press would have led the hosannas for the messiah from the south side of Chicago. Just a few more speeches, a few more respectful bows toward Mecca, and all the rough places would be made smooth and plain. But now even Mr. Obama must wake up and smell the tear gas.

All the wishy washy rhetoric aside, the president has an opportunity here. But does he have the political savvy, or will, to take advantage?

June 14, 2009

Tehran Breakdown

The powder keg of the Middle East is flaring up in a post-election aftermath.

If you don't know, President Ahmadinejad is claiming a landslide re-election victory. However, several groups are claiming the election results are a sham.

No doubt, if John McCain or Dubya were President, the US would have the protester's backs.

Will an Obama administration do the same? Or is this chaos helpful to his agenda?

June 10, 2009

Orlando's Magic-al Kid



Gina Incandela has autism. Some would consider it a handicap; a life not worth living. God Bless America, her parents decided to keep her anyway.

The Orlando Magic have never lost when Gina sings the Anthem, including last night's game 3 of the NBA finals.

Go Gina and your Magic!!