00Publius Contributor

00Publius Contributor - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Immigration/Immigrants - Media Bias - News - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - Warner Todd Huston

AP Feels Sorry for Mexico Over Drop in ‘Money Sent Home’ By Returning Illegals

December 8, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

I suppose the Associated Press wants us all to feel sorry for Mexico. With so many illegals here either having trouble finding work or actually returning home, Mexico is finding that its citizens illegally in the US have fewer American dollars to send home. AP says the “situation is so serious” that the Mexican government is trying to create new programs to reinforce ties between illegals here and its citizens at home. Of course, no where in AP’s story does it seem to occur to anyone that Mexico clean itself up and offer opportunities there as opposed to trying to squeeze money from people here.

The whole story is reported as a legitimate economic issue instead of the thievery by illegals that it really is. The AP sternly informs us that as the “economic crisis worsens” Mexico finds that the money sent home is at “record lows.” And we are treated once again to the euphemism for this theft of American dollars that is doled out in every such story. The AP calls this sending of American money back to Mexico a “remittance revenue stream,” as if it is some sort of legitimate economic matter. It’s a great way to gussie up the word “theft,” isn’t it?

The truth is that the Mexican government is trying to undermine our nation yet the AP treats this as if it is just an average story.

Continue reading “AP Feels Sorry for Mexico Over Drop in ‘Money Sent Home’ By Returning Illegals”

00Publius Contributor - Business - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Jobs - Media Bias - News - Socialism - Society/Culture - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

SEIU ‘Charity’ For Union Members Nets Nothing While Chief Makes Thousands

December 8, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

SEIU chief Alejandro Stephens not only benefited from some nasty double dipping with his undeserved salary, but he made thousands running a so-called charity that was to benefit union members, even though that “charity” ended up losing money netting nothing for the rank and file members. It’s a sweet deal if you can get it. It just might be, though, that Stephens has finally been caught with his hand in the till enough times that his criminal behavior is at an end.

Stephens used to be a union chief for the largest public employees local in California until the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) merged his local with another. As the consolidation occurred, the SEIU made a deal with Stephens. They would give him a $180,000 severance deal and he would step down. In the agreement he was also required to forego his compensation from Los Angeles Country coffers.

An aside before we continue. It is the perfect example of corruption and graft that the County of Los Angeles pays ANY union operative a salary that the union is supposed to be paying him. It simply does not matter at ALL what this person was doing for the county, there is NO reason the taxpayers should be paying his union salary. Now, if the county has some other job that he can hold at the same time, well that is another matter. But there is no fiscally responsible reason that a county should ever pay a union chief’s union salary. None. Not a one.

Continue reading “SEIU ‘Charity’ For Union Members Nets Nothing While Chief Makes Thousands”

00Publius Contributor - Budget - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Jobs - John Armor - Media Bias - News - Socialism - Society/Culture - Taxes - Unions

A Bridge Loan to Nowhere

December 8, 2008 by

-By John Armor

As I write this on Thursday, December 4, I’m watching the Big Three auto presidents talking to the Senate Banking Committee, chaired by Chris Dodd, Democrat from Connecticut. In the interests of accuracy, GM, Ford and Chrysler should instead be called the pathetic two and a half.

Normally, the questions asked by Committee members at these hearings are as self-serving and vacuous as the prepared remarks of the high-level witnesses. Today was an exception. Chairman Dodd’s first question went right to the point.

“No matter what we do here, nothing happens until people go into dealerships and buy cars?” The auto presidents had to agree.

The Ranking Minority Member, Senator Shelby of Alabama, followed with an equally pointed question:
Continue reading “A Bridge Loan to Nowhere”

00Publius Contributor - Barack Obama - Congress - Constitution - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Media Bias - News - Society/Culture - The Law - Warner Todd Huston

Has Joe Biden EVER Read the Constitution?

December 7, 2008 by 8 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

The Politico reported recently that the Democrat majority intends to “restore” the “proper” role of the vice president once Obama is sworn into office. They claim that they will somehow roll back the power that Cheney “stole” from Congress and that Biden will not be allowed as much leeway as Cheney was.

Of course, it’s all well and good that what the vice president can or cannot do is reassessed from time to time. It is certainly up to each administration how to use its vice president and, to a certain degree, for Congress to assist the administration to set that role. Many vice presidents have had almost no role at all in the administration, still others have had a little while a few have comparatively had a lot of powers and duties.

Continue reading “Has Joe Biden EVER Read the Constitution?”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Education - Media Bias - News - Society/Culture - Warner Todd Huston

An Anti-Intellectual Teacher’s Union

December 7, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

A school disinvited a Pulitzer Prize winning political cartoonist because he jabbed the California teachers union in a newspaper cartoon. What was so egregious that the school banned this prize winning cartoonist? See for yourself:

Political cartoonist, Steve Breen of the San Diego Union-Tribune was originally scheduled to appear at Sunset View Elementary School in Point Loma, California, but the week before his visit he was disinvited from the school. And the reason he was disinvited is because of the December 3 cartoon above.

The cartoon shows how the California Teachers Union, depicted as pirate ships waylaying a larger ship labeled “Sacramento (the capitol of Calif.), have been a baneful force in California.

Continue reading “An Anti-Intellectual Teacher’s Union”

00Publius Contributor - Barack Obama - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Media Bias - Michael M. Bates - News - President - Security/Safety - Society/Culture

Fun and Game Boys at Guantanamo

December 7, 2008 by

-By Michael M. Bates

Raul Castro is, at 77, Fidel’s kid brother. When Fidel’s health forced him to take a break from full-time dictator duties, he installed baby brother as president.

Raul swiftly demonstrated his leadership skills by consulting with some of the wisest people available. You know, deep thinkers like Hollywood millionaires. Recently he met with actor and activist Sean Penn.

The performer wrote in The Nation magazine of his meetings with Raul. According to Penn, Castro the younger is open to getting together with Obama. The Cuban said the setting would have to be a neutral one, perhaps Guantanamo Bay.
Continue reading “Fun and Game Boys at Guantanamo”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Media Bias - Military - News - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - Warner Todd Huston

Lefty Granny Sues Army Over Embed SNAFU

December 6, 2008 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

The Oakland Tribune reports the story of a hipster granny from Berkeley that has decided to sue the U.S. military over a reporter embed she arranged in Iraq that was abruptly canceled by the government. While the Oakland Trib and the hippie granny try their hardest to make the U.S. military the villain, it’s a bit hard to feel too sorry for her when the facts are considered. On top of that, the Trib absurdly calls her situation an “ordeal” which, when comparing her situation to what the soldiers have to go through, seems a bit over-the-top and silly, really.

Jane Stillwater of Berkeley, CA, had arranged an embed in Iraq and was told on January 19 that she was accepted. She immediately bought her plane ticket and arranged for the trip. Later that same day, however, she was contacted again and told her embed was canceled. Regardless of the cancellation, Stillwater flew to Kuwait anyway hoping the military would change its mind. They didn’t and now she is suing in small claims court for the plane ride and other expenses.

Continue reading “Lefty Granny Sues Army Over Embed SNAFU”

00Publius Contributor - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Jobs - News - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

Detroit Carpenters Union Chief Under Further Investigation

December 6, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Convicted of corruption charges in 2006, Walter Ralph Marbry is under a cloud once again for further charges that he is involved in illegal activities connected with his former role as head of the Detroit Carpenter’s union.

Convicted of receiving more than “$120,000 in illegally discounted work on his Grosse Pointe Park home,” Marbry is also being looked at for receiving kickbacks in a pension fund deal with a Mississippi casino. The alleged kickback scheme involved Marbry’s control of union pension funds that were invested at his direction.

Continue reading “Detroit Carpenters Union Chief Under Further Investigation”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Media Bias - News - Society/Culture - Thomas Brewton

Generous With Other People’s Money

December 6, 2008 by

-By Thomas E. Brewton

Liberal-progressives presume that they can do no wrong, so long as they take other people’s money for the benefit of the secular and socialistic welfare state.

iticorp’s Robert Rubin is getting harsh words from investors who ask why he should receive $115 million in annual compensation, while shrugging off any suggestion of personal responsibility for the banking giant’s horrendously imprudent investment policies. Mr. Rubin says that he was merely a broad-gauge policy advisor, that problems arose from the policies he supported only because of poor execution by underlings.

In the same vein, liberal-progressives steadfastly maintain that socialist welfare-state policies always fail only because the government didn’t spend enough money, long enough.
Continue reading “Generous With Other People’s Money”

00Publius Contributor - Entertainment - News - Society/Culture - Warner Todd Huston

Uncle Forry Leaves Us

December 6, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Forrest J Ackerman, the man known for coining the phrase “Sci-Fi” has passed at the age of 92, dying of heart failure on December 5.

Like most sci-fi and horror movie fans of my age (45 years and over), I was first exposed to Uncle Forry through his amazing magazine Famous Monsters of Filmland. I discovered it the the late 1960s, about 10 years after it started publication. I loved it and the other Warren magazine offerings (Creepy, Eerie and especially Vampirella).

Forry really had me with his Vampirella magazine. I had every single issue (#1 through #113) at one time. I sold them to a guy in Canada in the late 1990s. Seriously, what young male in the 60s and 70s could resist Vampy? Not only did I love the admittedly teen libido titillating comic, but Vampy served as the very first time I ever saw my name in print as two of my letters to the editor made it into her fan section in the 70s. It was one of the coolest things that ever happened to me in those days.

So, now that Forry has passed all we have are the memories. But, let’s not imagine he felt he’d be looking down on us as we go forward. After all, Forrest J Ackerman was a fiercely committed atheist. He was absolutely sure that once he passed from this earth… that was it. Eternal darkness was all that awaited him.

But, let’s hope he was wrong.

Continue reading “Uncle Forry Leaves Us”

00Publius Contributor - Crime - Democrats/Leftists - Immigration/Immigrants - Media Bias - News - Society/Culture - The Law - Warner Todd Huston

Unsurprisingly, Illegal Deported for Armed Robbery Finds NYT in His Corner

December 5, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

A criminal without legal status deported by US immigration officials is the subject of the latest pity party thrown by The New York Times. The Times seems to find it lamentable that this gang member and armed robber was deported from “his homeland” — that would be the USA — to Cambodia, the land of his birth (one he left when he was a 3-year-old). Why does the NYTimes bemoan the deportation of this thug? Why would he make a fine American despite his criminal history? He can dance, man!

The Times waxed maudlin that their friend “K.K.” was deported at 26-years of age ending up in Cambodia, a land with which he was quite unfamiliar. Apparently, the Times feels “K.K.” is doing wonderful work there, though, by teaching Cambodian street kids how to street dance. Yes, despite that he is a “former gang member” and convicted felon, the Times thinks he’s a swell fellow because he is bringing “a little slice of Long Beach, Calif.” to street kids in Cambodia.

Continue reading “Unsurprisingly, Illegal Deported for Armed Robbery Finds NYT in His Corner”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Media Bias - News - President - Society/Culture - Warner Todd Huston

Media Can’t Understand Why Palin’s Still Popular Internet Search

December 5, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

This particular Palin report is funny for it’s cluelessness, but a spokesman for the Internet search engine company Lycos is astounded that people are still interested enough in Governor Sarah Palin to put her name in the search field of an Internet search engine like Lycos or Google. After all, we have Obama, now, the spokesman says. Why do we need Palin info still?

The quotes from Kathy O’Reilly, a spokeswoman for Lycos, were reported by Politico last week and goes to show that the appeal of Sarah Palin is still little understood in many quarters.

Sarah Palin has stayed in the list of the top 5 Internet searches since she was chosen as John McCain’s running mate in October.

Continue reading “Media Can’t Understand Why Palin’s Still Popular Internet Search”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Entertainment - Media Bias - News - President - Society/Culture - Warner Todd Huston

Oprah Whines that Sarah Hasn’t Come on Oprah Show

December 5, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Oprah cries: “She talked to Greta. She talked to Matt. She talked to Larry. But she didn’t talk to me…”

Apparently, Oprah is whining that Sarah Palin won’t come on her show now that the election is over. But, who can blame Governor Palin for snubbing Oprah after the nasty things Oprah reportedly said about her before the election?

Continue reading “Oprah Whines that Sarah Hasn’t Come on Oprah Show”

00Publius Contributor - Business - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Jobs - News - Society/Culture - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

Union Group Uses Worker Death to Advertise for Unions

December 5, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

I guess it doesn’t get more cynical than this, but a union advocacy group that has for years been needling Wal-Mart to unionize has used the tragic death of a Wal-Mart worker on Black Friday as a reason to push their union ideas. Even though that worker’s trampling death has nothing whatever to do with unions or any lack thereof, Wal-Mart Watch is using this poor man’s death to its advantage.

Even more ridiculously — if that is at all possible — Wal-Mart Watch is attempting to say that unions equal “moral responsibility.”

While Jdimytai Damour’s death was a “tragic accident,” it also reflects Wal-Mart’s “blatant disregard for the concern and safety of its workers and customers,” said David Nassar, executive director of Wal-Mart Watch.

Wal-Mart Watch describes itself as a “public education campaign” aimed at changing Wal-Mart so it embraces its “moral responsibility.”

What a disgusting display of opportunism.

Continue reading “Union Group Uses Worker Death to Advertise for Unions”

00Publius Contributor - Barack Obama - Constitution - Democrats/Leftists - Education - Founders - Frank Salvato - Media Bias - News - President - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - The Law

Why the POTUS Needs to Be a Natural-Born Citizen

December 5, 2008 by 1 Comment

-By Frank Salvato

The Founders and Framers were incredibly intelligent people. In fact, they operated, intellectually, at a grade 24 level, grade 12 equating to the senior year in high school. Therefore, it shouldn’t come as any surprise that each Article and Amendment – each tenet – in The Charters of Freedom was painstakingly examined, debated, reviewed and, finally, included. Article II, Section 1 of the United States Constitution – the Article that clearly states the qualifications for holding the office of President of the United States – is no different.

To be clear, I have no decided position on whether or not President-Elect Barack Obama is a natural-born citizen or otherwise. I believe that we – as a people – need to base our understanding on any and every issue on the facts. But in the case of Mr. Obama’s status of natural-born citizenship there are too many unanswered questions and not enough transparency where the facts are concerned. For a candidate who ran his presidential campaign on the promise of transparency, Mr. Obama has proven in the earliest moments of his executive tenure that transparency is subjective.

The most troubling of the troublesome questions is why Mr. Obama didn’t immediately release his vaulted, original birth certificate for examination. This act would have not only eliminated a potential stumbling block for his campaign, but it would have certified his eligibility for the office of President of the United States and saved the taxpayers the cost of judicial intervention. Instead, under the pretext of visiting an ailing grandmother in Hawaii just days before the 2008 Presidential Election, Mr. Obama had his vaulted, original birth certificate sealed by Hawaii’s governor, Linda Lingle (D).
Continue reading “Why the POTUS Needs to Be a Natural-Born Citizen”

00Publius Contributor - Family - News - Religion - Society/Culture - Thomas Brewton

The Advent Season

December 5, 2008 by

-By Thomas E. Brewton

Advent is the time of preparing ourselves for Christmas to celebrate the coming of Christ Jesus for our salvation. It’s also a time for watchful awaiting the Second Coming.

For her sermon today at the Cohocton (New York) United Methodist Church, Rev. Karin Porch’s text was Mark 13:1-37. Her focal points were, first, a call to prayer for a new Great Awakening of spiritual awareness and a return to the principles of morality that shaped the formation of our nation, and, second, an awakened watchfulness for the spiritual arrival of Jesus this Christmas and for His return as depicted in the Book of Revelation.
Continue reading “The Advent Season”

00Publius Contributor - Business - Democrats/Leftists - Education - News - Society/Culture - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

How Colorado Teachers can get their Union Dues Refunded

December 4, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

In Colorado, teachers are not required to join a union to do their job. But of those that do, there is a state law whereby they can get a refund of the part of their dues that goes to political activism if that teacher is against the union’s use of the money for political ends.

So, teachers in Colorado that oppose the causes and candidates the unions spend dues money on can get a refund of that portion of their dues. But these teachers only have until December 15th to apply for that refund.

The Independence Institute has created this two minute video to explain how Colorado’s teachers can apply for this refund.

00Publius Contributor - Crime - Islam - Islamofascism - Media Bias - News - Religion - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - Warner Todd Huston

Minn. Star Tribune Leaves Out Important Parts of U.S. Terror Recruiting Tale

December 4, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

It reads like the lyrics of the song in West Side Story where the “Jets” gang members sing to Officer Krupke claiming they are just misunderstood kids, not punks and criminals. The Minneapolis Star Tribune takes this approach to the story of young male Somali refugees that have taken residence in Minneapolis who have decided to go back to Somalia to “visit.” The suspicion is, though, that are they going back to join terrorist gangs there. The Star Trib claims they absolutely are not in its coverage, however. Yet, for some unexplained reason, the Star Trib also leaves out the fact that Somali recruiters have been seen roaming the streets of Minneapolis encouraging Somali men to return for just that purpose, as well as other important details linking the “visits” with terrorism.

Why would the Star Trib leave out such important facts in the story?

Of course, the subject arose when it was discovered that a recently returned Somali refugee had blown himself up in a suicide bombing attack in northern Somalia in October. The man, Shirwa Ahmed, was also a former resident of Minneapolis.

Continue reading “Minn. Star Tribune Leaves Out Important Parts of U.S. Terror Recruiting Tale”

00Publius Contributor - Budget - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Jobs - Media Bias - News - Socialism - Society/Culture - Taxes - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

Union’s Cure for State Budget Shortfall? Raise Taxes!

December 4, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Apparently, the Service Employees International Union is worried about the state of California’s budget. The SEIU, one of the nation’s biggest employee unions for state workers, would like Sacramento to know they have a cure for the millions in the red state budget.

Could it be that the union is going to offer cutbacks for its exorbitant union perks? Maybe a cut in their overly generous pension is in order? How about a cut in the pay scale that they enjoy, a scale that exceeds the private sector in nearly every way?

Well, don’t be ridiculous. The union is not offering to help the state with its budget. The union is demanding that the state raise taxes to keep them in the lifestyle to which they undeservedly have become accustomed.

Continue reading “Union’s Cure for State Budget Shortfall? Raise Taxes!”

00Publius Contributor - Business - Congress - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Jobs - Media Bias - News - Socialism - Society/Culture - Taxes - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

Majority of US Voters Oppose Ideas in EFCA

December 4, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

The folks at the Workforce Fairness Institute conducted an interesting and enlightening post election survey that they are now ready to release and it shows that a significant majority of American voters do not support the Democrat’s and the Union’s Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). The anti-democratic policy of card check was particularly disliked by those surveyed.

Workforce Fairness Institute

Public Opinion Strategies is pleased to present the key findings from a national post-election survey of 800 voters who said they voted on Election Day (November 4, 2008) or voted early. The telephone survey was conducted November 17-19, 2008, and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.46%.

THE BOTTOM LINE

When presented with neutral language that describes the two main components of the Employee Free Choice Act, solid majorities of those who voted in this year’s elections oppose the proposed legislation. A couple of important themes arise in this survey data.

Continue reading “Majority of US Voters Oppose Ideas in EFCA”

00Publius Contributor - Crime - John Armor - News - Society/Culture

The Prince of Dark Corners

December 4, 2008 by

-By John Armor

The Prince of Dark Corners was either a dangerous, wanton criminal, or a generous, hard-working hero to hundreds of needy families, a century ago in the area not far from my home. It is also the title of a one-man show about Major Lewis Redmond, who died hereabouts in 1906.

Like many (former) fugitives, he had dozens of bullet holes in his body. Unlike most fugitives, he did not die young. He died at home and at peace because he just plumb wore out. He was accused of many things, but the main thing he did was develop a wide-reaching bootleg liquor operation, not once but several times, and provided steady income that kept many families from starvation in the decades after the Civil War.

Dark Corners was the area where North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia borders come together. It was unclear, deep in the woods, exactly where the borders were. And wanted criminals found it handy to set up shop there, and move from point to point when the local authorities from one state or another got too hot on their heels.
Continue reading “The Prince of Dark Corners”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - Media Bias - Republicans - Warner Todd Huston

On Gov. Palin All the Lies Fit to Print

December 3, 2008 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

It seems that Froma Harrop of Creator’s Syndicate news service was on vacation from just about five days before the general election until today and she’s just catching up on all the Palin hatin’ she must have missed. Unfortunately for Harrop, she still hasn’t caught up with the truth yet because her latest is filled with every lie about Governor Palin she could jam into one column, quite despite that for weeks her digs have been proven lies.

In hers headlined, “Palin should move to TV talk show,” Harrop proves that she should move from Creator’s Syndiacte to the National Enquirer… unless Creator’s Syndicate is trying to unseat the supermarket tabloid in hack writing. If that is the case, then Harrop is on the right track.

Continue reading “On Gov. Palin All the Lies Fit to Print”

00Publius Contributor - Business - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Jobs - Media Bias - News - Socialism - Society/Culture - Taxes - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

Union Stifles Modern Auto Innovation

December 3, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Where is the most innovative, cost effective, and modern auto manufacturing plant in the world? It sure as heck isn’t in the USA. Why isn’t it here, in a country that has traditionally been at the top of the game for innovation?

The one word answer: Unions.

Continue reading “Union Stifles Modern Auto Innovation”

00Publius Contributor - Dan Scott - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Media Bias - News - Society/Culture - Taxes

The Great Money Printing Cover UP

December 3, 2008 by 5 Comments

-By Dan Scott

This morning to my dismay I see the headlines in the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Fed Signals More Action as Slump Drags On, with the summary line of “Recession Began a Year Ago, Making It Longest Since Early ’80s, Panel Says; Bernanke Considers Rate Cuts, Bond Purchases” The part which caught my eye was “Bond Purchases.” As I read the article I was stunned at the rationalizations being offered why the Federal Reserve should take actions that ordinarily would be considered extremely foolish in the light of history.

Earlier this week The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) had pronounced the country was in recession since December 2007. A rather odd pronouncement since we only had one confirmed quarter of negative Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and we are assuming this current quarter is also in negative territory, thus giving us the recession which the MSM and Democrats have so longed for in the past five years. NBER gave a rather interesting definition of a recession: A recession begins when the economy reaches a peak of activity and ends when the economy reaches its trough. Between trough and peak, the economy is in an expansion. So in essence if the economy is not climbing to a peak, it must be in recession, an interesting mental summersault since what they are saying is if two months in a row showed no increase or decrease, then according to their definition, the economy is in recession. Then comes the next interesting comment, The committee believes that the two most reliable comprehensive estimates of aggregate domestic production are normally the quarterly estimate of real Gross Domestic Product and the quarterly estimate of real Gross Domestic Income, both produced by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In concept, the two should be the same, because sales of products generate income for producers and workers equal to the value of the sales. However, because the measurement on the product and income sides proceeds somewhat independently, the two actual measures differ by a statistical discrepancy. (emphasis mine) So now according to this committee the volatile Gross Domestic Income (GDI) is an equal measure to the GDP? What the NBER committee did not tell us is that GDI is affected by productivity. A spike in productivity will drive down the GDI and those who gauge the economy based on the GDI will erroneously assume an ailing industry when in fact automation and better production methods reduced employment payroll but profits either remained the same or increased. An example of this would be the Auto Industry when gas prices were down before 2005, manufacturers shed 30% of their labor force over 10 years but made the same number of cars and trucks. Notice their definition excludes profits, how socialist of them. Using the GDI would essentially mean the old Soviet Union was going swimmingly until they collapsed for some mysterious economic reason. Continue reading “The Great Money Printing Cover UP”

00Publius Contributor - Anti-Americanism - Barack Obama - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Islam - Islamofascism - Israel - Media Bias - News - President - Race - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - Warner Todd Huston

Folks Under Obama’s Bus Hauled Back In

December 2, 2008 by 8 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

During the campaign, Barack Obama had a singular reaction to nearly every one of his associates, sponsors, advisers and friends that were challenged by his opponents. That was to throw them under his bus, run them over, and drive like a bat outta hell to get away from them. But, now some of them are being hauled back into the bus despite the troubles during the campaign. It seems odd that the media are not remarking on the fact that supposedly discredited advisers and associates are suddenly OK again with team Obama. We are left wondering if Obama really did find these associates unsavory enough from which to disassociate? Or, as it now seems more likely, was he just cynically dumping on them during the campaign so that he could save votes and to appear as if he cared what people thought of his untoward associations?

The most famous of those Obama distanced himself from was the very wrong Reverend Jeremiah Wright, Jr., he of the fiery “God damn” America sermons. Obama spent more than a decade calling Wright a “member of the family” and saying that the wild-eyed hater was his “spiritual advisor.” Obama mentioned him in numerous speeches and even attended book signings with the man. Wright was also such a “friend of the family” that he was close to Obama’s children, like a long lost uncle. When the news first began to come out about how radical Wright was, Obama initially addressed the situation by saying he could never distance himself from the Rev. As the truth of Wright’s hatred for whites and Jews became too obvious to deny, Obama suddenly discovered that Wright was a man he “never knew.” Result: Obama distanced himself from Wright, throwing him under the bus.

Continue reading “Folks Under Obama’s Bus Hauled Back In”

00Publius Contributor - Barack Obama - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Media Bias - News - President - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - Warner Todd Huston

NOW CNN Warns That we ‘Barely Know’ Obama?

December 2, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

CNN is warning Americans that already making Barack Obama into one of America’s greatest “heroes” may not be a good idea. Despite the fact that Barack Obama has yet to take office, despite that he has yet to really do anything to earn that status, CNN is saying that “already, he’s being compared to the most remarkable leaders.”

It might make one amazed that now, after cheerleading for him for the last four years, CNN suddenly finds that calling Obama a hero is not necessarily the best idea. “The Americans who are comparing him to those remarkable predecessors,” CNN warns, “are putting a lot of faith in a man they barely know.”

And why do we “barely know” Barack Obama, CNN? Is it perhaps because the American media never took the time to vet this man? Is it because all we’ve gotten is hero worship from the media?

Continue reading “NOW CNN Warns That we ‘Barely Know’ Obama?”

00Publius Contributor - Barack Obama - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Media Bias - News - President - Race - Society/Culture

Obama Lied; Jesse Cried; Freedom Died on Nov. 4!

December 2, 2008 by

-By Don Boys, Ph.D.

Jesse knew it was all over. Now he would have to get a regular job and actually work! No more strong-arming businesses over their alleged “racist” practices. He could no longer count on white guilt. No more affirmative action. No more special treatment for anyone. From now on a person would be accepted for his character not his color! The Christian Conservatives I know have always declared that color and race are irrelevant and all people should be treated like “people.” Not white people or black people but simply people. Jesse and his ilk can no longer declare race as the root cause of every problem and Whitey as the source.

After Nov. 4, it was all over. Obama, the most unprepared, uneducated, unwise, and unlikely candidate in U.S. History was elected to the Oval Office with the support of more than 90% of voting Blacks! Practically every totalitarian world leader from the Communist world to the Islamic World to the Pathetic World of Europe all rejoiced in his election. Jesse knew he could have, should have, and would have been making his acceptance speech–if only. And now it was all over. His future was blowing on the wind.
Continue reading “Obama Lied; Jesse Cried; Freedom Died on Nov. 4!”

00Publius Contributor - Anti-Americanism - Barack Obama - Conservatives - Constitution - Democrats/Leftists - Education - Founders - Media Bias - Military - News - Patriotism - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - Warner Todd Huston

Liberals Don’t Know What Patriotism Means

December 1, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

**UPDATE** Alan Colmes Links to this post at Liberaland

Some think it a canard that liberals aren’t patriotic. In some ways, it is a canard, but only just. Some liberals really do imagine themselves patriotic. But in what ever way liberals imagine they feel for their country, it doesn’t seem that patriotism is really what they feel. At least not in the way that patriotism is properly defined. There has been a spate of stories in the media since Obama’s election that serve to illustrate why liberals seem incapable of being patriotic.

But, first, what is patriotism?

After the War of 1812 one of our most celebrated sea captains, Stephen Decatur (America’s first post Revolutionary War military hero) once gave a toast at Norfolk to his fellow seamen that is the most perfect illustration of true patriotism. As he lifted his glass, Decatur said,
“Our country! In her intercourse with foreign nations, may she always be in the right; but our country, right or wrong.”

Continue reading “Liberals Don’t Know What Patriotism Means”