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00Publius Contributor - Society/Culture - The Law - Warner Todd Huston

Scum Baggery Runs in the Family

February 6, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

You might remember the terrorist’s best friend, Lynne Stewart? She was the so-called lawyer who was convicted of collusion with terrorists in 2005 for helping Omar Abdel-Rahman to plot with other terrorists as he sat in Federal custody. She ferried secret communications between Abdul-Rahman and his terror pals on the outside while she was pretending to represent him.

Well, the AP reports that it appears that the bad apple doesn’t fall too far from the diseased tree because Stewart’s daughter has been accused of forgery now.

Brenna Stewart was arrested Monday on charges of forgery and falsifying documents she submitted for the time off, in part to attend her mother’s sentencing for helping a convicted Egyptian sheik communicate with the outside, authorities said.

Steven Reed, a spokesman for the Bronx district attorney, said Stewart, 46, faces a maximum of seven years in prison if convicted on the most serious charges.

Liars, traitors and thieves must run in this putrid family!

00Publius Contributor - Elections - GOP - History - News - President - Warner Todd Huston

Tony Blankley’s Curious Omission

February 6, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

I’m not going to get all crazy over this one, but I just thought it was odd that in today’s Washington Times piece, Tony Blankley made a flat out wrong historical claim. In his piece titled “The strange GOP nominating victory,” Blankley said:

Assuming John McCain gets the Republican nomination, it will show how whimsical history can be. It would be the first time in living memory that a Republican presidential nomination went to a candidate who was not merely opposed by a majority of the party, but was actively despised by about a half of its rank-and-file voters across the country —and by many if not most of its congressional officeholders.

This is not really true. Wendell Wilkie was widely despised by all the regular Republican party bigwigs when he won the nomination through popular acclaim in a dark horse candidacy. When he accepted the GOP nod to run against Frankiln D. Roosevelt in 1940 he had only recently declared we even was a Republican having voted Democrat his whole life until that point.

The main reason we ended up with Wilkie taking the top GOP spot waqs because some very powerful media moguls pushed his candidacy in all their publications and built a popular storm for Wilkie outside the Party proper.

So, it isn’t the only such times as Blankley seems to imagine.

Just correcting the record.

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

NBC: Palestinians, A ‘Victim’ Of Their ‘Environment’

February 6, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Martin Fletcher, NBC News Correspondent and Tel Aviv Bureau Chief, has been known to hail Palestinians as “victims” before. He has also been known often to blame Israel for all the ills suffered by Palestinians, so Fletcher is an expert at assigning blame while excusing the behavior of Palestinians. Here is a story that fits in perfectly with Fletcher’s penchant for blaming everyone but the guilty party along with extolling the supposed victimhood of the Palestinians.

Fletcher’s tale starts with the pitiful story of a 12-year-old Palestinian boy who was shot in the neck by an “Israeli soldier” paralyzing him from the waist down. He was shot because he and his other young friends were throwing rocks at Israeli security forces. Apparently, those security forces had had enough of that nonsense.

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza – Yusuf Tayem is a victim, yet he is ultimately a story of inspiration. In some ways, he’s a victim of his environment – both Palestinian rhetoric and Israeli occupation – which encouraged him to throw stones at Israeli soldiers. All the kids did on the way back from school. In America, kids may ride a skateboard home. In Gaza in 2001, kids threw stones.

Notice how Fletcher excuses violence on the part of these Palestinians as innocent, kid stuff? It certainly may be common for these kids to constantly be attacking Jews, but it isn’t “normal” or excusable behavior. And it certainly shouldn’t be behavior whitewashed by comparing it to American kids skateboarding! Fletcher just shows his broken moral compass with that line of pap.

I should also like to point out that we are taking the claim that this boy was shot by an Israeli soldier on faith, here. Do I doubt the boy’s story and Fletcher’s reporting? Of course I do. After all, the MSM has given us story after story about Israeli depredations that never happened. So, you’ll excuse me if I don’t take this Palestinian’s or this journalist’s word as gold.

One day, the stone-throwing turned especially nasty and an Israeli soldier fired back, shooting Yusuf, who was 12 years old at the time, through the neck, leaving him paralyzed below the waist. That’s when we first met him – lying in his bed, pale and weak, saying, although I didn’t believe him, that he was glad he could make this sacrifice for Palestine.

Is it just me, or would this boy have escaped being shot in the neck if he wasn’t trying to attack Jews? And the foolishness that the child was “glad he could make this sacrifice for Palestine” is nothing to admire but is evidence of the sick, twisted world of Palestinian hatred on full display. Yet, here is Fletcher acting as if this “victim” is someone we should all get to know and admire.

Continue reading “NBC: Palestinians, A ‘Victim’ Of Their ‘Environment’”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - GOP - News - President - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - Thomas Brewton

Stimulus Packages: 1929 to 2008

February 6, 2008 by 1 Comment

-By Thomas E. Brewton

The current Republican and Democratic economic stimulus plan is the latest version of a much tried and repeatedly untrue liberal-progressive panacea.

Stimulus packages first surfaced in this country, under President Herbert Hoover, as a product of the liberal-progressive-socialist doctrine of the early 20th century. They failed miserably throughout the Depression and haven’t worked anytime since then.

The bottom line is that stimulus packages don’t do the intended job of jump-starting the economy. Instead they work against righting misallocation of economic resources and add to inflationary pressures that rob people of the value of their savings.

Tax cuts, coupled with reduced government spending, are the only effective and non-inflationary economic stimulants.

Why then have one-shot stimulus packages?
Continue reading “Stimulus Packages: 1929 to 2008”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - Media Bias - News - President - Race - Selwyn Duke

The Clintons, Race, and the 50-year-old Calculation

February 6, 2008 by

-By Selwyn Duke

Since I think the Clintons would probably sell their souls and firstborn for another White House tenure, the idea they would play the race card raises no eyebrow here. They are political creatures first, most everything else second and statesmen last. For this to elude one, he must have his head planted firmly in a particularly dense grade of sand.

Man of letters Christopher Hitchens understands this; while by no means a member of the “Vast Right-wing Conspiracy,” he writes eloquently about the Clintons’ long history of racial “thuggery and opportunism.” Even more significant are the pronouncements of Dick Morris, Bill’s erstwhile propaganda minister. His thesis is that Hillary wanted the black vote in South Carolina to coalesce for Obama so that she’d lose the state big, and she wanted this electoral shift to be visible and much ballyhooed in the media. Witnessing this, white voters in other states would then circle the wagons around her, and, with their numerical superiority, the nomination would be Hillary’s.

Or so the theory goes.

Although Morris’ political prognostications leave much to be desired (he specializes in stating as fact predictions that never come to pass), I believe he understands the Clintons’ character almost as well as anyone. This is a man who knew them intimately enough to, as he relates the story, be physically tackled by an enraged Bill in the Arkansas governor’s mansion and then told by Hillary, “He only does this to people he loves.” So if he swears the Clintons were playing the race card, I take it seriously.

What I am doubtful of is that it would work.
Continue reading “The Clintons, Race, and the 50-year-old Calculation”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Elections - GOP - Media Bias - News - President - Security/Safety - Warner Todd Huston

NYT: Campaign Photos Happy Clinton, McCain, Obama — Sinister Romney

February 5, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

From the “a picture says a thousands words” file, take a gander at the New York Times’ campaign graphic. It shows a happy and smiling Hillary Clinton, John McCain and Barack Obama all of whom are smiling widely, showing teeth and looking quite inviting. Then comes the photo of Mitt Romney. For Mitt the NYT chose a picture with a closed-mouth, wry smile, looking down at the viewer, eyebrows heavily shadowed. Romney looks sinister compared to the photos the other three picked by the Times.

Now, why do you suppose that is? Could it be that they want to make Mitt look uncomfortable, or sinister? Can it be that the Times wants people to see Romney in a worse light compared to the others?

It is instructive to note that the Times supports McCain. Making Romney look less appealing in their graphic is quite a smooth, subtle move on the part of the Times. But it is unmistakable that this is what they are doing. The photo of Mitt was undeniably chosen to make Mitt look less appealing. It is a well-known fact of human nature that a smile showing teeth is more appealing than a grin with lips firmly clamped shut. So, it is unmistakable that this is why they chose the Mitt picture that they did.

The tricks of the liberal MSM never ceases to amaze, eh?

Continue reading “NYT: Campaign Photos Happy Clinton, McCain, Obama — Sinister Romney”

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

Johnny Cougar MellenCAN’T

February 5, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

I am hard pressed to call anything that happens in the Entertainment media “news,” but Rolling Stone is reporting that singer John Cougar Mellencamp has told John McCain to stop using his music during McCain’s campaign rallies.

At some recent John McCain campaign rallies, John Mellencamp’s “Our Country” and “Pink Houses” have been booming out over the speakers. Uplifting heartland rock must have seemed like a smart pick, but there’s just one problem: Mellencamp is an ardent Democrat. And, until recently, he supported John Edwards – who had been playing “Our Country” and “Small Town” at his rallies. Mellencamp hasn’t yet made a public response, but his reps are quietly reaching out to McCain and asking him to stop playing his tunes.

Aside from the general “who cares” of this incident, it is just one more example of the intolerance of the left in America today.Then again Johnny Cougar always was a guy that took himself waaaay too seriously.

It’s bad enough that aging rocker Johnny Cougar Mellecamp is so filled with hate that he cannot even brook a Republican candidate enjoying his music, but Rolling Stone goes even farther by attacking any Republican for even listening to Mellencamp’s music.

Not to mention that the far-right types whose votes McCain is seeking won’t love the mildly progressive lyrics to “Our Country,” which call on the government to “help the poor and common man” and suggest that “there’s room enough here for science to live/ And there’s room enough here for religion to forgive.” And does McCain really want to associate himself with those “Pink Houses” lines about the “simple man” paying for the “the thrills, the bills and the pills that kill”?

I’m always surprised that anyone who works at Rolling Stone is able to come out of their drug induced stupor long enough to even peck out their little “news” stories on their munchies encrusted keyboards, myself. How ’bout you?

Continue reading “Johnny Cougar MellenCAN’T”

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Education - Elections - Immigration/Immigrants - News - Patriotism - Race - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - The Law - Warner Todd Huston

Stop Illegal Immigration NOW Or Immigrants Will Soon Out Vote You

February 5, 2008 by 2 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

I have a neighbor named George. He and his family have been great neighbors. We’ve exchanged gifts, attended parties together, helped each other out from time to time with one thing or another. Our kids have been friends. I like them all. They’re really great folks.

However, all but the father and one son out of a family of six are illegal immigrants by way of Mexico.

Last year, two of their sons got caught up by immigration and sent back to Mexico. George’s wife moved back to Mexico to be with her sons. George stays here with the eldest boy and their daughter. He works hard and misses his wife. Of course, she cannot come back because she was never a legal resident and has no papers.

It’s all a terribly rotten situation for George and his family and I know that I would be highly upset were I in his situation. But, his situation is not unlike that of millions of other families that have a mixture of legal and illegal members living in the U.S.

And therein lies a problem. Yes it is a problem for them, but it is also a problem for anyone interested in stricter border control and enforcing current immigration laws or creating new ones. And it is a problem that looms larger every single day. It is a problem that is born of our own democratic system: Voting.

You see, once a Mexican national (or other immigrant) becomes a legal, voting resident he comes to have his fair, democratic say in the process. Ordinarily, it is a fine thing that a new citizen exercises his newfound duty to become a voter as a new member of our society. But, in this case, if that new voter has illegal immigrant family members, he comes to the polls with a built in prejudice against U.S. sovereignty and border control.

Continue reading “Stop Illegal Immigration NOW Or Immigrants Will Soon Out Vote You”

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

AP Finally Reports Party Label Over Corruption… Guess Which Party?

February 5, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Imagine this! We get to play our favorite game twice in the same day! Yes, it’s time once again for “Democrats or Not,” where we read an MSM story about corruption in politics and try to determine which party the perp is from… because the MSM won’t tell us — usually, that is.

This is a very special edition of “Democrats or Not,” because this time we don’t have to guess which party the violator in question is from. Amazingly, unexpectedly, we have finally found a story where the AP has found the temerity to list the perp’s party affiliation. And we can thank the AP for their bravery in, “Judge Grills E-Mail-Deleting Texas DA.”

An embattled prosecutor (District Attorney Chuck Rosenthal) facing a contempt charge for deleting e-mails was grilled Friday by a federal judge who said he should have known better than to erase material he had been ordered to turn over.

An outrage, I tell you. So, what party does this dastardly, low down, sidewindin’, fourflusher belong to? Which party has the AP valiantly blown the whistle on? (my emphasis)

Since the e-mails were made public, the Republican district attorney has been forced to abort his re-election bid and has faced almost daily calls to resign, including from hundreds of protesters who crowded the courtroom Thursday after marching from his office to federal court.

And there you have it. Story after story has the AP given us where they seem to forget to mention which party their monstrous perpetrator is from. We have detailed so many of those stories here for you. Democrat after Democrat after Democrat has gone unidentified by the AP and other MSM outlets in such stories.

Continue reading “AP Finally Reports Party Label Over Corruption… Guess Which Party?”

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

Texas Vote Fraud Charges, Were They Democrats? AP Won’t Say

February 5, 2008 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

Yes, ladies and gentlemen thanks for tuning in to our next episode of “Democrats or Not?” Our favorite game where we read a story highlighting corruption, fraud, and crime by a public official or party member and then we try to guess which Party the perps are from… because the MSM won’t tell us.

Today’s tale come from the Associated Press and concerns charges laid against 4 Duval County, Texas residents who are charged with making up fake mail-in ballots during the 2006 primary. It appears that Lydia Molina, Maria “Kena” Soriano, Elva Lazo, and Maria Trigo are charged with a Class B misdemeanor for possession and handling of ballots assigned to another person.

As the AP tells us the tale:

The defendants are accused of delivering mail-in ballot applications to Duval County residents who were ineligible to vote by mail, according to the news release. Only those who are disabled, 65 or older, or expect to be out of the county during an election are eligible to vote by mail.

The news release says that once the ballots were sent to the residents and completed, the defendants allegedly retrieved them and mailed them to the registrar to be counted without identifying themselves on the carrier envelope.

Well, nasty business that. But, what do we spy is missing from this sordid little tale? Why it’s a party affiliation isn’t it?

We get no party mention in the AP story or the San Antonio Express-News report.

So, how do we find out if these nefarious vote fraud agents are demented Democrats or wascally Republicans?
Continue reading “Texas Vote Fraud Charges, Were They Democrats? AP Won’t Say”

00Publius Contributor - Constitution - Elections - Frank Salvato - GOP - Media Bias - News - Patriotism - President - Security/Safety - Society/Culture

Duty. Honor. Country. Civic Responsibility.

February 5, 2008 by

-By Frank Salvato

A good friend of mine, a retired firefighter and Korean War Era Marine – a fine and good American if there ever was one, recently sent me an email on the realization that John McCain was the front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination. In it he espoused the exact sentiment that I fear most going into the November elections. In essence, he said that if McCain wins the nomination he will not be voting…period. I have heard this pronouncement coming from the talk radio elite as well. While it is appropriate to thrash out intra-party ideological differences in the primary elections it is thoroughly irresponsible to abdicate civic responsibility by narcissistically refusing to protect the country from the lesser of the two candidates offered in November.

The battle to convince litmus test voters that theirs is a constitutional obligation to vote for the better of the two candidates presented in November is not an easy one. Over the years politicians, both genuine and opportunistic, have pounded the idea into our heads that we must always choose the best candidate. But what happens when the best candidate isn’t offered on the final ballot? What happens when a political faction’s “darling” doesn’t make the cut? Many true Conservatives are in that very position today.

The fact of the matter is that we have never – ever – voted for the best candidate in any election. Each and every politician who has ever run for office has had their weak points and their detractors, whether legitimate or contrived. In reality, each election that our country holds, whether local, county, state or national, is a contest in which the better candidate is selected. This being said, it is understandable why many political analysts recognize that it is easier to get voters to the polls to vote against something than to vote for something.
Continue reading “Duty. Honor. Country. Civic Responsibility.”

00Publius Contributor - Elections - GOP - Lee Culpepper - Media Bias - News - President - Society/Culture

A Poster Boy for Democrats and Viagra: John McCain

February 5, 2008 by

-By Lee Culpepper

In the rare case of a “McCain” lasting longer than four hours, readers should seek immediate medical attention.

From McCain’s lackluster record at the Naval Academy to his self-important tenure as a United States Senator, John McCain has never missed an opportunity to stroke himself. Unfortunately, leadership is not about the size of one’s popularity. It’s about character, competence, and respect.

Like any poster child for the Democrats, former POW John McCain possesses the victim status necessary to insulate himself from factually transmitted criticisms – according to liberals anyway. However, most men are judged on how they conduct themselves throughout their lives, not on a moment of circumstance.

None of us know for sure what McCain experienced during his time as a POW. All we know is that he survived and came home while many other POWs did not. What was it about McCain that was different? Was it family heritage or was it his proclivity for compromising to get what he wants?

At the Academy, McCain rebelled and barely graduated. In The Nightingale’s Song (authored by fellow Naval Academy graduate Roger Timberg) McCain proves to be more of a playboy than a midshipman. Disobedience, demerits, and distraction mark McCain’s Academy days. Today, McCain continues to demonstrate that he lacks the self-discipline, tact, and integrity on which the Academy prides itself. The Academy’s honor code states clearly, “[Midshipmen] tell the truth and ensure that the full truth is known.”
Continue reading “A Poster Boy for Democrats and Viagra: John McCain”

00Publius Contributor - 2nd Amendment - Abortion - Constitution - Education - Elections - Founders - GOP - Immigration/Immigrants - Islam - Islamofascism - Media Bias - Military - News - Patriotism - President - Society/Culture - Warner Todd Huston

…I Am A RINO

February 4, 2008 by 2 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

That’s right, you read the title to this piece correctly. I am admitting that I am a RINO. I admit it openly, freely, with relish even.

For those unfamiliar, RINO is not only shorthand for rhinoceros, that great beast of the African plains, but it is also an acronym. It stands for, “Republican In Name Only” — RINO.

Now, I am not going to pull a fast one here and spell RINO out with other words. No, I’m happily sticking right with the words “Republican In Name Only.” So, there it is. I am a RINO.

Some of you reading this may already be feeling your stomach curdle at the very mention of the word RINO. After all, it’s really gotten some bad press. Rush Limbaugh and his brethren have really done a disservice to this fine descriptive word. Heck, even I have hurled it as an epithet when confronted with a politician who hasn’t lived up to my standards.

But, after reflecting on recent events, I realized that I myself am a RINO. At first I bristled at my own thoughts. But, after a time it appeared obvious that I am, indeed, a RINO.

I’m just going to have to accept it. Own it, as our pop psychology spewing friends on the left so earnestly say.

I am a RINO and here’s why…

  • I will vote Republican only when the situation is favorable to me.
  • I will not go with my party when I don’t like what is going on.
  • I will sometimes refuse to agree with my party on certain issues and will do so vocally.
  • If I find someone of another party that suits me, I will vote for them even if it is in lieu of voting for my party representative.

So, there you have it. The perfect definition of a RINO. That’s me. But, I am not going to lower my head in shame, no sirree. I am proud of this and am glad that I have finally come to terms with it. A little introspection never hurt anyone, ya know?

Let me explain further why I now feel ready to accept my RINOness. (Or is that RINOcity?)
Continue reading “…I Am A RINO”

00Publius Contributor - Elections - GOP - Lee Culpepper - News - President

A Poster Boy for Democrats and Viagra: John McCain

February 4, 2008 by

-By Lee Culpepper

In the rare case of a “McCain” lasting longer than four hours, readers should seek immediate medical attention.

From McCain’s lackluster record at the Naval Academy to his self-important tenure as a United States Senator, John McCain has never missed an opportunity to stroke himself. Unfortunately, leadership is not about the size of one’s popularity. It’s about character, competence, and respect.

Like any poster child for the Democrats, former POW John McCain possesses the victim status necessary to insulate himself from factually transmitted criticisms – according to liberals anyway. However, most men are judged on how they conduct themselves throughout their lives, not on a moment of circumstance.

None of us know for sure what McCain experienced during his time as a POW. All we know is that he survived and came home while many other POWs did not. What was it about McCain that was different? Was it family heritage or was it his proclivity for compromising to get what he wants?
Continue reading “A Poster Boy for Democrats and Viagra: John McCain”

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

Bush’s ‘Sour’ Economy is Killing America’s Horses!

February 3, 2008 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

Well, now I’ve seen just about everything. UPI is trying to convince us that Bush’s “sour economy” is killing horses all across the nation. Bad, bad, mean ol’ Bush! Why does he hate the pretty horses so? I know it’s hard to believe, but UPI is seriously trying to claim that the economy is killing the noble beasts in theirs headlined, “Horses suffer as U.S. economy sours.”

ZIMMERMAN, Minn., Jan. 31 (UPI) — The operator of a horse-rescue organization in Minnesota said the number of neglected horses needing care has gone up dramatically as the economy slows….Drew Fitzpatrick … told the St. Paul Pioneer-Press Thursday the economic downturn has been tough on horses bought when times were good.

Yes, it’s the economy, stupid.

But, as one continues to read the short piece, one might find that it is less the “sour economy” that is killing horses and more the stupidity of people who haven’t a clue what they are doing when they buy the horses in the first place that is responsible for this equine elimination.

Wade Hanson of the Humane Society said calls about neglected horses are running at 15 a month, while about 15 horses are dying needlessly a year. Both neglect cases and deaths have quadrupled, the report said. Hanson said many newly rich people bought spreads in the country and added horses without knowing much about them. “They thought they were going to be ranchers,” he said….”They are so clueless.”

Buying a horse for the kitch factor is not a good idea. Horses are very, very expensive to keep alive. There are numerous annual vet bills and other constant care, trailers and trucks with which to pull them are needed, not to mention that they need to eat every day, curiously enough. And horses eat like a …um… horse. Anyway, they are not cheap and shouldn’t be treated as pets frivolously purchased.

Continue reading “Bush’s ‘Sour’ Economy is Killing America’s Horses!”

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

Outing the MSM

February 3, 2008 by 1 Comment

-By Dan Scott

For months now we watched and read stories from the Main Stream Media (MSM) the economy was in the tank, the wheels had or were coming off the economy and somehow to set this straight we needed the Democrats to take the Whitehouse and raise taxes. Today with the new preliminary release of the fourth quarter GDP (Gross Domestic Product) number for 2007 at 0.6%, we see no recession, but an indication of economic slowdown. Recession is defined as two consecutive negative GDP quarters. Here is the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) report for the fourth quarter and 2007. http://bea.gov/newsreleases/national/gdp/2008/pdf/gdp407a.pdf The GDP increases have been positive for years. Is 0.6% a sign of the end of the world? What has record told us? Hint, look at the second quarter of 2007, page 6 Table 1. (If you want to see past years http://bea.gov/national/nipaweb/TableView.asp?SelectedTable=1&FirstYear=2006&LastYear=2007&Freq=Qtr ) The GDP for the year 2007 is 2.2% is that bad? I don’t know about you but a $700 billion increase in GDP for all of 2007 is not bad since it is similar to 2006 in dollar terms. But that should be the point, isn’t it? The percentages don’t necessarily reflect the actual growth because percentages are relative to something. (http://bea.gov/national/nipaweb/TableView.asp?SelectedTable=5&FirstYear=2006&LastYear=2007&Freq=Qtr )

Real GDP increased 2.2 percent in 2007 (that is, from the 2006 annual level to the 2007 annual level), compared with an increase of 2.9 percent in 2006.

The major contributors to the increase in real GDP in 2007 were personal consumption
expenditures (PCE), exports, nonresidential structures, and state and local government spending. These positive contributions were partly offset by decreases in residential fixed investment and in inventory investment. Imports, which are a subtraction in the calculation of GDP, increased.

The deceleration in real GDP primarily reflected a larger decrease in residential fixed investment, a downturn in private inventory investment, and a deceleration in equipment and software that were partly offset by a deceleration in imports.

The price index for gross domestic purchases increased 2.7 percent in 2007, compared with an increase of 3.3 percent in 2006.
Continue reading “Outing the MSM”

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

‘I’m a Grown Ass man’… man

February 2, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

OK, I’m a nearly 50 year-old white dude, so you won’t catch me trying to be “all that” with the kid’s Rap music. In fact, I hate the stuff. (I was listening to Beethoven, Glen Miller, U2 and the Police today, if that helps pinpoint me?) HOWEVER… and this is a big one, too… I am compelled to pass on the latest tune from Mr. Bomani D. Armah, the self-proclaimed “not a rapper” rapper.

You may recall the last time Mr. Armah appeared in my work? He wrote a tune that appeared on BET TV called “Read a Mo F***ing Book”. It was a tune that featured Mr. Armah seeming to attack the thug lifestyle and telling black kids to read a “Mo F’ing” book, brush their teeth, wear deodorant and to raise their own children, etc. It raised quite a stir last year.

Since I wasn’t familiar with Mr. Armah’s work at the time, I was a bit puzzled by it all. I couldn’t be sure if he was denigrating the thug lifestyle and urging black Americans to better habits or what. I am now convinced that he was and he was doing so in the gutter language that he felt the kids would respond to. I cannot condone the language, but the sentiment is at least a good one. Personally, I can think of more upstanding ways to pass along a message of responsibility… but that’s just little old, un-hip me.

Well Mr. Armah is back with a new tune called “I’m A Grown Ass Man.”

Here he is telling young black men to raise their children, have grown up plans, and stop acting like punks. I have to say, it isn’t just a message for black kids, either. It is a message that every American male-child should hear and hear often, black, white or what have you. It is also one that they are not getting as often as they should, sadly.

Now, one thing is for sure. You can bet that the MSM will ignore this tune. They won’t want to be caught dead playing a tune that urges kids to grow up and act like a responsible men! It just ain’t the with it thing! (um… do they even say “with it” anymore?)

Anyway, I love the jazzy tune under the rap, too. I can’t help thinking of the work of Chick Corea when I hear it. There’s some good stuff there. All I can say is hear, hear. Good work Bomani D. Armah.

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

UN ‘Peacekeepers’ Vandalizing Ancient Art — Where is MSM Reporting?

February 2, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

We are told over and over again that the United Nations is the answer to all the world’s ills. It is often claimed that without the UN things would be so much worse in troubled spots around the world. But, when we look at the pernicious effect the UN has where ever it goes, it’s awfully hard to reconcile the claims with the hard truth. For one thing, we’ve seen the UN responsible for turning indigenous teens into prostitutes for UN workers in Cambodia, Africa, and Bosnia. Well, now we can add vandalism of sacred, ancient wall-art to the ever growing list of evils perpetrated by UN operatives.

But, where is the Media to report this outrage against human history and sacred religious relics and sites? About the same place they were when underplaying the reports of UN “peacekeepers” and employees forcing young women into prostitution the world over… absent from the scene.

From raping poor women to raping art treasures, the UN is in the forefront of the efforts to demean and destroy all across the third world. Today the Times online give us the story of UN “peacekeepers” defacing 6,000 year-old art in the Western Saharan rocks of Africa.

Continue reading “UN ‘Peacekeepers’ Vandalizing Ancient Art — Where is MSM Reporting?”

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

More Tolerant Left Squelches Free Speech… Again

February 2, 2008 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

Now, remember, the left is more tolerant. They are more caring, more civilized and more intelligent than you conservatives. OK? Now that we got that all straight, we can continue to inform you that uncivil leftist whiners in Connecticut have quashed someone’s free speech, forcing them to pull out of a commencement speech at a high school. Remember… leftists are more interested in freedom than you Nazis on the right. I hope you remember that?

The AP gives us the story of the hatemongers and protesters at Choate Rosemary Hall, a “prestigious” prep school in Wallingford, CT, who have forced former presidential adviser Karl Rove to cancel plans to deliver the school’s commencement speech this coming June.

You see, the left really cares about freedom of speech… unless its speech they don’t much like, of course.

Continue reading “More Tolerant Left Squelches Free Speech… Again”

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

Union Celebrates Colorado Guv’s Payoffs

February 2, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Back in November, we mentioned that Colorado Governor Bill Ritter slighted his legislature and the people of the state by slipping in through the back door a sop to the SEIU labor union. Ritter was paying back his big union thug pals in the typical way that Democrats do, via fiat as opposed to through the legitimate, democratic process.

Now, the unions are taking Ritter’s illicit gift and running with it… hard.

Ritter’s unwelcome executive order allows unions to force public workers to vote on unionizing with only 30% of the workers petitioning for organization. With that tiny hurdle to jump, unions are flooding Colorado’s public workers with ads to sign these petitions.

Naturally, the unions are starting to push for more from Ritter.

CPEA has taken issue with recent fliers that Colorado WINS has distributed to state workers. In the materials, Colorado WINS tells state employees that it can negotiate health care benefits on the employees’ behalf, a statement that CPEA president Jo Romero questions.

Romero said CPEA began getting phone calls over the weekend from state workers and CPEA members who were concerned about Colorado WINS’ fliers.

She doesn’t think Ritter’s order allows unions to negotiate with the state on health benefits or salaries, and her group is asking the governor’s office for clarification.

So, before they even get their first member, before their petitions are even filed, the unions are lying to the members and using that lie to push for more power.

All this will do nothing positive for the people of Colorado, for sure. All this will result in more expensive and more expansive government which will cause taxes to rise to meet those new expenditures. Colorado can thank Gov Billy Ritter for bloating government and making government harder and more costly to operate.

And this seems to be beginning to dawn on state workers that oppose unions.

Kathy Zamperini, a CAPE/SEIU member and state worker, said she has gotten signatures from fellow employees in support of Colorado WINS, but reaction is often mixed.

“We’re having a difficult time with some of our employees,” she said. “I think some people are just apathetic. A lot of people don’t know what the governor has done.”

Others, she said, don’t want to be saddled with union dues.

Raymond Hogler, a professor of management at Colorado State University, said he is not surprised that some workers are resisting.

“This is a not a very pro-union state, and employees may decide they don’t need a union,” he said. Others may be afraid to join a bargaining group for fear of retaliation from a manager, Hogler said.

The guv’s backdoor, underhanded payoff to unions is beginning to see the light. Let’s hope that the light is shinned on the Ritter’s perfidy soon enough to stop these unions.

00Publius Contributor - Democrats/Leftists - Family - Media Bias - News - Religion - Security/Safety - Society/Culture

My Visit to Willow Creek: I Didn’t Know I Was in Church Until the Offering!

February 2, 2008 by

-By Don Boys, Ph.D.

People were walking toward the impressive auditorium from every direction. I got the impression of a crowd going to a sporting event. Almost every person was dressed as if they were. Out of thousands of people, I saw one man wearing a suit; most people were in shorts so I saw lots of leg. It was a very causal event. I did see five or six women carrying what seemed to be Bibles, although surely not a KJV! But then, I’m making an unsupported judgment.

Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, IL is having an incredible impact on “evangelical” churches as thousands of copycat congregations have been organized in recent years and many others have revamped their traditional services with a motive to replicate their success. Bill Hybels, the founding pastor, is more of a CEO than pastor. He was one of Bill Clinton’s counselors and defenders! He had Clinton in his church for a “no holds barred” interview in front of thousands of pastors on August 10, 2000, but Hybels only threw him “soft balls.” He did not ask about the many other allegations of sexual sins, even rape, by Clinton nor did he bring up the massacre at Waco. Zero, zilch. Yet it was a “no-holds barred” interview!

Hybels told the crowd, he thought Clinton’s confession in September 1998 was “an honest one, but that he never got credit from the American public for admitting his mistake.” “Mistake?” Hybels told the pastors that the president’s “confession” and “apology” was worthy of King David himself who committed adultery and murder! Clinton, he said, gave one of the most contrite and complete confessions he said he had ever seen! Astounding naiveté or dishonesty!

Continue reading “My Visit to Willow Creek: I Didn’t Know I Was in Church Until the Offering!”

00Publius Contributor - Elections - GOP - News - President - Society/Culture - Warner Todd Huston

The Mitt Romney Puzzle

February 1, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

It is true that I want John McCain stopped. And, between McPain… I mean McCain… and Romney it would be Romney that is closer to the principles of a conservative when choosing a presidential candidate for the GOP.

But, this is not to say I endorse Mitt the Malleable, either. The puzzle about Mitt is which Mitt are we supporting? The Mitt of generally left of center politics that ran against Kennedy, and ran for Governor of Massachusetts or the generally right of center Mitt that is now running for president? Or even the Mitt that claims he is an arch conservative?

In that vein, I saw a quote from columnist Jeff Jacoby that sums up a couple of things for me, yet frames the question here perfectly and highlights the reason that, for conservatives, supporting Mitt is problematic.

Here is what Jacoby wrote:

“Romney’s very public migration rightward over the last few years is a different kind of act, one intended not to hide his real views but to liberate them. In 1994, Romney struck me as an extraordinarily bright, talented, and decent man—and a political neophyte who fell for the canard that the only way a conservative could win in Massachusetts was by passing for liberal. [Now,] Romney is where he should have been all along.”

Were Mitt’s views really “liberated” from his past, wrong headed left leaning ideas? Perhaps yes. Or perhaps if all you want to see is a politician that is warming to conservative ideas, then Romney fits the bill?

But, can we believe him? How are we to assume that his drift rightward is genuine? Most of his record shows a man not of conservative bent. Yet, as he geared up to run for president, suddenly and over the space of only a few, short years time, he becomes the conservative’s best friend?

Why should we believe this sudden turn around? Why should we not just assume it is a cynical ploy by Mitt for the support of conservatives and that once in office he will revert to lefty Mitt? It wouldn’t be the first time that a Republican left of conservative ran on conservative platform and then veered left once in office (can we say Trent Lott?).

For his part, Jacoby seems to swallow Mitt’s turn around whole. So, it begs the question to be asked: does Jacoby just see what he wants to see, or does he see what really is? And that is the problem with Mitt Romney’s supposed drift to the right. To believe it, one must suspend any examination of the record, cross one’s fingers, and think good thoughts that it is all true.

Personally, I judge a man by his actions, not by his claims. By Romney’s actions he is no conservative — he shows as a moderate. Sadly, there is no contest between John McCain and Mitt Romney. McCain is far, far worse. But, Mitt is no prize either.

I don’t know about you, but I am getting tired of being asked to chose between the less of two worsers.

00Publius Contributor - Congress - Democrats/Leftists - Media Bias - Military - News - Patriotism - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - Taxes - The Law - Warner Todd Huston

Berkley, California Throws Out Marines, DeMint to Revoke City’s Fed. Funding

February 1, 2008 by 4 Comments

-By Warner Todd Huston

Fox News gives us some details of Senator Jim DeMint’s (R, S.C.) efforts to revoke Federal funding that flows into the town of Berkley, California over their recent decision to throw out military recruiters from within the confines of the city.

U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., says the City of Berkeley, Calif., no longer deserves federal money.

DeMint was angered after learning that the Berkeley City Council voted this week to tell the U.S. Marine Corps to remove its recruiting station from the city’s downtown.

“This is a slap in the face to all brave service men and women and their families,” DeMint said in a prepared statement. “The First Amendment gives the City of Berkeley the right to be idiotic, but from now on they should do it with their own money.”

“If the city can’t show respect for the Marines that have fought, bled and died for their freedom, Berkeley should not be receiving special taxpayer-funded handouts,” he added.

I say that every patriotic American should support DeMint’s efforts here. On of America’s most unAmerican cities stands to lose some tall Federal cash if DeMint’s plans come to fruition.

DeMint said he will draft legislation to rescind any earmarks dedicated for the City of Berkeley in the recently passed appropriations bill — which his office tallied to value about $2.1 million. He said that any money taken back would be transferred to the Marines.

DeMint’s office provided a preliminary list of items that would be subject to his proposal:

  • $975,000 for the University of California at Berkeley, for the Matsui Center for Politics and Public Service, which may include establishing an endowment, and for cataloguing the papers of Congressman Robert Matsui.
  • $750,000 for the Berkeley/Albana ferry service.
  • $243,000 for the Chez Panisse Foundation, for a school lunch initiative to integrate lessons about wellness, sustainability and nutrition into the academic curriculum.
  • $94,000 for a Berkeley public safety interoperability program.
  • $87,000 for the Berkeley Unified School District, nutrition education program.

Excellent. If they hate the U.S.A. so much, why should they benefit from our tax dollars?

So, call your Senator and tell them to support Senator Jim DeMint’s efforts and let them know that most Americans are patriotic and love their men and women in uniform.

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

Al Franken’s Mental Disorder Given a Pass by Media?

February 1, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Comedian Al Franken is running for the U.S. Senate seat from Minnesota, this the media is happy to report. But, for some unexplainable reason, the media isn’t so interested in reporting Franken’s odd behavior. It seems that an ungovernable rage is always just under the surface with Franken, a rage that has several times broken free and resulted in assault and other violent or antisocial behavior. Why the media doesn’t highlight this man’s unstable behavior can only mean that they are lending him as much cover as they can to assist his campaign.

His unprofessional and intemperate language is well-known, of course. He has titled books by childishly calling people “big fat liars” and he has utilized his uncivil tongue as a talk-show, shocker. It all makes for a rather angry, uncivil fellow, but if that were all there were to it, one might at least be able to excuse it as mere bravado utilized to make some cash. Still, there is an always lurking anger that is detectable in his ranting. There is just something unstable about the man.

The most egregious example of Franken’s crazy behavior happened during the 2004 election cycle as Franken attended a Howard Dean rally in Exeter, New Hampshire. A heckler was giving Howard Dean a spot of trouble and Franken strangely thought that he’d act the part of Hulk Hogan and bodyslammed the heckler to the ground. In any normal world this would have been called assault and someone who acted like this would not only be hauled away by the police but serious aficionados of politics would shun him afterward. Democrats, however, loved it… and that says quite a bit about them, doesn’t it?

Still, it is usually his uncivil tongue that he displays most often and recently we got another dose of that famous Franken incivility.

Continue reading “Al Franken’s Mental Disorder Given a Pass by Media?”

00Publius Contributor - Business - Democrats/Leftists - News - Society/Culture - Taxes - The Law - Unions - Warner Todd Huston

Freshman KY Lawmaker’s Debate Shut Down by Union Flaks

February 1, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

First term Kentucky House member Tim Moore (R, Elizabethtown) tried to start a debate on the efficacy of Kentucky’s prevailing-wage laws last week, but union flacks on the floor of the Commonwealth’s House would have none of it. He was quickly shut down when he tried to re-visit the idea of whether or not contractors that work for the gov’t should be forced to pay union scale even if they are not a union shop.

The Herald-Leader gives us the scoop:

The prevailing-wage law requires contractors who are building government facilities and schools to pay the typical wage for similar construction work done in the region. Two years ago, when former Gov. Ernie Fletcher suggested repealing it, union workers marched on the Capitol several times.

Some Republicans, however, say the law is fiscally irresponsible and unnecessary.

So, Moore brought it up and wanted it debated. Union lovers were aghast.

So Moore decided to talk about the issue instead. But his brief floor speech was immediately met with sharp criticism, mostly from Democrats who represent union districts.

“Mostly from Democrats”… imagine that?

Continue reading “Freshman KY Lawmaker’s Debate Shut Down by Union Flaks”

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

A Shyster, A Socialist And A Man Of Color

February 1, 2008 by

-By Nancy Morgan

The current crop of Democrat candidates for president is a testament to America’s recent obsession with form over substance. Each candidate represents a façade totally at odds with the qualities and character required to be an effective leader.

Let’s start with John Edwards. By any measure, he qualifies as a shyster. A smooth talking, totally persuasive individual who has made his enormous fortune by fooling people into acting on their emotions rather than the facts. This has become a hallmark of the left, even outlined in a DNC memo a few months ago.

By ‘channeling’ a dead girl, he persuaded numerous juries to award multi-million dollar settlements against doctors by blaming cerebral palsy on medical care during delivery. This argument has since been debunked but only after many doctors have been sued out of existence and thousands of patients have lost their health care. Thanks to John Edwads.
Continue reading “A Shyster, A Socialist And A Man Of Color”

00Publius Contributor - Business - Democrats/Leftists - Economy/Finances - Islam - Islamofascism - Media Bias - News - Patriotism - Security/Safety - Society/Culture - UN - Warner Todd Huston

Celebrating America’s Decline, ‘Waving Goodbye’ To The U.S.A.

January 31, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

Through the pessimistically, penumbrous pen of Parag Khanna, the New York Times has declared that the U.S.A. is finished. Yes, we have lost our “global hegemony” and we will find that by 2016, “America’s standing in the world remains in steady decline.” Boy, it looks bad the for the good ‘ol U.S. of A., as far as the Times is concerned. My guess is that the news of our demise is being greatly exaggerated.

So, who is this Parag Khanna to whom the Times has given all this space? Well, he’s a “senior research fellow in the American Strategy Program of the New America Foundation” and guess who this organization is linked with? You guessed it: George Soros. Jonathan Soros, son of George Soros is one of those listed on the “Leadership council.” In fact, the larger portion of the Board members and other associates are journalists and left leaning activists. With a few token and so-called right leaning folks — like Francis Fukuyama and Christine Todd Whitman, neither of whom are conservatives — the Board of directors also sports such well-known names as the leftie Google king Eric Schmidt and Bernard L. Schwartz, the man responsible for transferring restricted technology to China during Clinton’s lamentable years in office.

No wonder Khanna thinks the U.S.A. is finished, look who he hangs out with!

Continue reading “Celebrating America’s Decline, ‘Waving Goodbye’ To The U.S.A.”

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

WaPost Columnist Hates Florida?

January 31, 2008 by 1 Comment

-By Warner Todd Huston

I have never seen, from a supposedly serious media establishment, a more hate filled rant against a particular state in this great country than this screed against Florida in the Washington Post. Granted, writer Libby Copeland has spewed hate filled rants in the past, but this one is particularly mean-spirited. Copeland seems to hate the elderly who’ve moved to Florida, she hates the business community there, appears to scoff at the asylum seekers from Cuba that settled there, and claims that all dreams die there. And what does it all boil down to? Al Gore’s loss in the 2000 election, naturally! At this rate, I’d suggest she not vacation in Florida in the near future after this slam on everything Sunshine State.

Ostensibly, Copeland is using the fact that Florida is seemingly the end of Rudy Giuliani’s road to the White House as the excuse for her evisceration of the state. According to Copeland, dreams are dashed in Florida just like Rudy’s were. She warns us to “Beware of the Sunshine State, Where It’s Easy To Get Burned,” and thinks that Florida’s good days are behind her, stranded in the 1970’s, “since those were the good days for Florida.”

But it is obvious, really, that Giuliani has little to do with her disgust with Florida because he makes such a brief appearance in the long hit piece. In fact, of a 16 paragraph piece, Rudy’s name only shows up in the first and the last two paragraphs. So it’s plain that current political analysis is as far from her mind as can be and that beating up on Florida is her main goal.

Continue reading “WaPost Columnist Hates Florida?”

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

Another Nabbed in Mob Controlled NY School Bus Union Scandal

January 31, 2008 by

-By Warner Todd Huston

We’ve mentioned the little problem with the organized crime infested New York Transit Workers union Local 1181 a few times here on the Union Label. Well, we can report that another indictment in this growing and embarrassing scandal has been handed down.

Joseph Fazzia, owner of Jofaz Transportation was charged with making false statements to the FBI.

And that isn’t all…

But that union’s corrupt president, Salvatore Battaglia, last week pleaded guilty to taking payoffs and said several bus company owners have made regular payments to his union for decades.

The union has been controlled by the Genovese crime family since the 1970s, helping private bus companies milk the taxpayers and pumping millions into mob pockets.

Prosecutors identified three owners who said they had made payments to the union: Domenic Gatto, owner of Atlantic Express; Ray Fouche, owner of Rainbow Transit and Robert Dimino, owner of Safe Coach.

These companies currently have millions of dollars in DOE contracts to transport tens of thousands of New York City students.

It is a huge embarrassment to the New York Department of Education and no end seems to be in sight yet.

We’ll keep our eye on this mounting scandal and the corruption it reveals.

Continue reading “Another Nabbed in Mob Controlled NY School Bus Union Scandal”