Charlotte Front and Center

Maureen Dowd Never Met a Strong Female Politician She Liked

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Maureen Dowd can't distinguish one strong female politician from another. Take any of her articles bashing female politicians (whether it's Hillary or Sarah), substitute the name of either one,and you have a typical, nasty Maureen Dowd article.

Dowd,in her latest typical nasty article, described Palin as "a Nixon with hair extensions ranting about “American apologetics,...”.  In 2008, Dowd wrote of Hillary's tears at the Portsmouth cafe saying:
"There was a poignancy about the moment, seeing Hillary crack with exhaustion from decades of yearning to be the principal rather than the plus-one. But there was a whiff of Nixonian self-pity about her choking up."

Why does Dowd compare these two women politicians to Nixon? Are the comparisons based on Nixon's hatred of the media? If so, there is no paranoia involved. The press did treat Nixon, Clinton, and Palin with contempt.  Yet, that is where the comparisons end.

Dowd never brings up the political issues with these women. She simply trashes them,often repeating bad misogynistic jokes such as when referring to Hillary: "Hillary is a flawed science experiment because you can’t take Bill out of the equation. Her story is wrapped up in her marriage, and her marriage is wrapped up in a series of unappetizing compromises, arrangements and dependencies".

When Hillary left her campaign behind, Dowd went after "nutty Palin" : "She's morphed into what the Republicans always caricatured Hillary as—preachy, screechy, and angry."

Even when Dowd "supports" someone,such as when Caroline Kennedy was vying for Hillary's old senate seat, she begins her endorsement of Caroline by making fun of her nervous speech pattern: "Ask not, you know, what your country can, like, do for you. Ask what you, um, can, you know, do for your country".

It seems Maureen Dowd has issues with women,especially those who demand the spotlight.  Perhaps she needs to steal a little bit of light from these women.  Yet there is no doubt that Dowd uses her sadistic pen to denigrate all women in exchange for a selfish moment of attention.

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• Why Maureen Dowd isn't in jail (and a question for Dennis) (themoderatevoice.com)

Obama is Abandoning Our Best Friend: Israel

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Ours is a country built more on people than on territory. The Jews will come from everywhere: from France, from Russia, from America, from Yemen... Their faith is their passport...David Ben Gurion

In 2005,the Israelis left Gaza in an effort to bring peace. This didn't bring peace,only bombs.

Since 1948, American Presidents have supported Israel, but that all changed when Obama became president. This past week Obama demanded that Israel stop the construction of twenty housing units in East Jerusalem. Israel refuses noting that Jerusalem is off the table for discussion.

The Palestinians to this very day do not accept the existence of Israel.  The biggest hindrance to peace, is Iran,a nuclear bomb, and repeated threats to wipe out the state of Israel -another final solution.

American Jews have consistently voted for Democrats with the exception of Ronald Reagan. So, will Obama's actions and obvious dislike for Israel be realized by American Jews and cause them to turn their backs on this President?

How far Jewish voters allow Obama to go with his anti-Israeli policies remains to be seen.  With the demonstrations against Obama in Jerusalem, and the beginning of grumblings from more moderate Jewish democrats in America, makes one wonder what limits Jewish loyalty goes for Obama as he attempts to humiliate and pressure America's loyal friend.

Unfortunately, Obama and most Democrats feel that the younger American Jews are not as concerned about Israel. We know for certain that Obama and the Democrats in Washington have no admiration for the Jewish homeland.

Israeli Protesters Calls Obama "Racist"

Almost 2,000 Israeli's protested Obama's demands for Israelis to refrain from natural growth settlements in the West Bank,and all other territory in question.

There were calls for George Mitchell to "go home", and accusations of Obama as a "racist" as the Israeli protesters gathered in front of the American consulate in Jerusalem.

from World Net Daily

The outrage from protesters has been aggravated by the fact that the State Department summoned the Israeli Ambassador last week and demanded that all Israeli construction immediately stop on a building project in east Jerusalem.

Netanyahu has made it clear to Obama that Jerusalem is not up for discussion. Netanyahu  said on Sunday: "Imagine what would happen if someone were to suggest Jews could not live in or purchase [property] in certain neighborhoods in London, New York, Paris or Rome..."

Many other Israelis find it discriminatory allowing Bedouins to settle on hilltops while removing Jews from hilltops in the West Bank.

Israel has rejected calls from the Obama administration to halt construction in Jerusalem, saying it will not bow to U.S. pressure especially when it concerns Jerusalem.

The Audacity of Chris Dodd and His Lobbyists

According to Fox News, Senator Chris Dodd continues to take big money from lobbyists though he purports in his campaign speeches and videos to not even talk to them...in fact, Dodd is so mean he makes them cry.

Since 2005, Dodd has taken $436,062 from lobbyists according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

 Dodd was appointed by Ted Kennedy to   take Kennedy's place as chairman of the Senate Health, Education Labor and Pensions Committee as the health care reforms are battled. Meantime, Dodd has found ways to finance his campaign for re-election with donations from medical lobbyists. According to the AP: "Dodd's leading role in the Senate's big health care reform fight has made him a popular target for the many lobbyists working for hospitals, doctors, drug companies, insurers and other medical industry groups with major stakes in the outcome".

Dodd is running behind in the polls back home in Connecticut.  Dodd's challenger, Rob Simmons, is leading him by 9 points.

If Dodd does show any signs of snubbing of lobbyists, you can bet it won't be that way for long if re-elected.

Obama Needs Lesson from Dr. Larry McKinney on "Pre-Judging"

Back in 2000, Dr.Larry McKinney, President of Providence College, wrote an article on the consequences of pre-judging anyone based on their race,sex,religion, attire, and etc.

He recounts the story that occurred one day in 1885 with a poorly dressed couple who dropped by Harvard University to ask that a memorial be erected to their son who had died and had also attended Harvard.  The president's secretary did everything to discourage the couple from waiting to visit the president. Several hours later, the president of Harvard heard the couples story. He wasn't moved, but was shocked that the couple had the audacity to make such a request. Obviously, the president was assuming these people were not of any means and soon was rid of them.

McKinney goes on to say: "Mr. and Mrs. Leland Stanford walked away, traveling to Palo Alto, California, where they helped establish the University that bears their name. Stanford University, founded in 1885, is a memorial to a son that Harvard no longer cared about".

The rashness in which Obama pre-judged the police officer in the Cambridge and Gates case, shows Obama's carelessness,and a predisposition on Obama's part to tag a situation based on gut reaction versus rational thinking.  Obama has a reputation for remaining "cool", so it does make one wonder why any  President would make such a statement on national television.

 Surely Obama knew he would arouse racial emotions by siding with Gates before he had full knowledge of the situation.  Was this an attempt by Obama to increase division among party lines as he deals with health care?  The entire Obama reaction to the Cambridge incident appears insincere and contrived. The assumption Obama made about Cambridge police is shameful and suspect.

Give Us Susan Boyle; Not Obama

Less prime time for Obama would be ok with me, and most Americans-especially if it would interfere with our viewing the one bright light, Susan Boyle!

NBC, well-known for its usual capitulation to White House calls for Obama's press conferences, confounded the White House when NBC balked at letting Obama take the cherished prime time slot of 9:00p.m. for America's Got Talent.

Just the thought of not seeing the exclusive interview with Susan Boyle, because Obama wishes to drive home more of his points on health care, sends a shiver up my spine.  We would all be deprived of what promises to be a delightful interview with Susan. From the previews already aired about this wonderful Scottish singer, it will be much more interesting to hear her as opposed to Obama.

Unfortunately, for the White House, The Independent reports that Californians will still be driving home from work. Other Americans will be finishing things up in the kitchen, and many more American will still be watering their gardens when Obama dominates the television screens again in his bid for a mad rush of legislation.

But at 9:00 p.m. est., we can take a refreshing break and watch Susan Boyle!

Democrat Maloney Uses the "N" Word

What a bad timing for this to happen to Carolyn Maloney (D) NewYork.  CNN reports that Maloney is scheduled for a big ticket fundraiser with Bill Clinton. Maloney is challenging Kirsten Gillibrand for the junior senate seat in New York.

Apparently, Maloney was interviewed on a website and recalled a conversation verbatim. Maloney explained saying: "I got a call from someone from Puerto Rico, said [Gillibrand] went to Puerto Rico and came out for English-only [education]. And he said, 'It was like saying n—r to a Puerto Rican."  Maloney continued: "I don't know-I don't know if that's true or not. I just called. I'm just throwing that out. All of her-well, what does she stand for?"

It took no time at all for Al Sharpton to make his statement:  ""No public official even in quoting someone else should loosely use such an offensive term and should certainly challenge someone using the term to him or her."  It should also be noted that Sharpton is a supporter of Gillibrand.

Maloney has apologized.  It seems that she was simply repeating a story not knowing if it was true or not.

What is amazing these days is the frequency of Democrats calling out other Democrats for being racist.

Obama: Roosevelt Approach to Legislation Hits Snag

Obama has been enchanted with the idea of ramming as much liberal legislation through Congress as humanly possible. This was Obama's idea of emulating Roosevelt. With a majority of Democrats and a media that supports him, Obama is losing his magic with Democrats who face tough re-elections next year.  Fred Barnes says in his column at WSJ, that Congress is panicked over the spending.  Needless to say, Congress understands they are accountable to the public for less than spectacular performance of the Stimulus Bill.

Pelosi and Congress participated in ruthless passage of bills with little regard of bipartisanship. Instead, Pelosi continuously chirped "we won". If it weren't for the dreaded re-election problems these Congressman are now facing with their constituents, Obama is shocked to see his Cap and Trade and health care face some strong resistance.  As a consequence of this resistance,Obama will be on prime-time again this week, and bombarding the internet with his message.

The gossip on the Hill is that Pelosi is threatening these stubborn holdouts in Congress with the possibility of these Democrats losing their committee chairs if they don't cooperate.

Hiroshima: Obama Should Not Attend Peace Ceremony

The New York Times published an opinion article by Issey MyaKe called "Flash of Memory".
Myake at age 7  witnessed the atomic bomb, and lost his mother 3 years later as a result of radiation sickness. Myake grew up to become a fashion designer due in part because he found the world of clothing a bright and cheerful world to live in as he tried to bury the ugly memories of August 6, 1945.

The 64th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki is August 6th. Myake has invited Barack Obama to the peace ceremony in Hiroshima after hearing Obama make his speech on nuclear weapons in Prague last April. Myake believes Obama should attend and cross the Peace Bridge.

America is the only country who ever used the A-bomb.  It was a very inhuman act, but many agree Truman made the best decision at a time the world was still witnessing inexplicable human suffering.  There was no doubt that the U.S. would win the war in the Pacific, but the question was how many millions more would have to die being that Japan showed no signs of unconditional surrender.

Obama does not have to go Japan, and should not apologize. Japan has never apologized for beginning the war and making the initial attack at Pearl Harbor in which 2403 American soldiers and civilians perished.

Rev. Manning Has More Bad Things to Say About Obama

Russia Today.com interviewed NewYork's Rev.James David Manning of Harlem, and Manning dished out the insults against Obama. Manning can be seen in the video below referring to Obama as "pure, unadulterated evil".  Rev.Manning refers to Obama as being the one predicted by Biblical prophecy to hold sway over the world with his charismatic charms.

Rev. Manning published a lot of his sermons on YouTube during the 2008 Presidential campaign. Manning is the pastor of Atlah Worldwide and has appeared on Sean Hannity's nightly Fox show. Manning blames white racial guilt for Obama's election. Rev.Manning believes that Blacks in general are not happy with Obama.

Russia Today Video

Celente: All the Obamarama Will Lead to 2012 Disaster

Before every Celente interview, the host invariably accuses Gerald Celente of being a "depressing guy".  Celente says he can't help the reality the economic trends foreshadow. He says he is an easy going guy, but when factors point to New York City being Mexico City by 2014, he feels it his job to report it, rather than give false hope.  Celente believes Americans are still in denial about how bad things really are economically, keeping the same mindset the country held before even admitting America was in a global recession.

Newsmer.com reports on Celente: "In an appearance on Glenn Beck’s television program on April 2, 2009 Celente predicted that the sub-prime crisis was nothing compared to what was yet to come. He criticized the stimulus plan, calling government-controlled capitalism “Fascism”; that the malls in the USA would end up being “ghost malls” and that there will be a “revolution.” He criticized the banking system and claims he removed most of his money from the bank, standing by his forecast that gold will “hit $2000.”

While looking for any updates in economic predictions from Celente's website, the Obamarama caption says: "we see nothing coming from his administration that can prevent The Collapse of ’09, the Greatest Depression or the brewing Revolution. From these macro-developments, a number of other significant trends — some promising, some foreboding — will emerge, accelerate and intensify....."

You can go to Celente's site and see economic forecasts along with his descriptive, and vivid portrayals of economic life yet to come.  Celente's says he wishes to warn Americans in an effort to prepare for what he says is a great downturn yet to come. Celente says when taxes get to a point that is unbearable, Americans will rebel.

Celente's most troubling quote (as if they could get any worse) sums it up:“While the decline has been decades in the making, the acceleration of ruinous policies under the current Administration is leading the United States – and much of the world – to the point of no return”.

Surely, Celente will say it loud and clear the minute he sees a bright spot heading our way.

Palin Building a New Conservative Movement ?

There is a lot talk going around about Sarah Palin building a new conservative movement focused on totally re-branding the image of conservatives. Rightside News believes Palin has a well thought out Plan:  Building a new conservative movement is a difficult and time-intensive proposition. If she is to be the face of a new conservative movement, she will have to be on the go regularly, especially in the lower 48. It may not be possible for her to do this from Alaska.

Palin has said that she will remain on the national political scene as she campaigns for those who share her political beliefs no matter if they are democrats,republicans, or independents.

When Palin first announced her resignation, we listened to the pundits and political observers say she was finished. Yet,many of Palin's supporters fervently believed she was making a tactical change. We noted here that if the "hard heads" would simply listen to what Palin had said in her speech on July 3rd, they wouldn't have to guess anything about her intentions.  

Palin's middle class supporters seem to have an easier time understanding her. The Elite Beltway is use to their own set of rules,so much so they are literally at a loss when trying to understand her.  Palin has always made it clear she is outside of the Washington loop. This independent streak of Palin is what led to so many of McCain's staff to attack her.

Palin has a lot of supporters among republicans,democrats, and independents. She appeals to the heart of the middle class and those who feel lost in any party. Palin simply taps into that spirit of America's memory, like the old "can do" attitude.

Palin's plan is to re-energize the American spirit with pride and practicality. Palin will be focused on the economy, not on social issues that simply divide Americans into an either / or position.

As far as Palin running for office?  She will see how things turn out,for it remains to be seen (just like she said). 

  

Democrats Earn Title of "Media Child Beaters"

Isn't it sad how Maureen Dowd's Palin-Pounding articles about her and her children have become typical of the nasty,yellow journalism we have sadly grown accustomed? 

 

This blog spoke of that type of "reporting" a few weeks ago, and Tommy De Seno at Fox News does a really good piece on  liberal "journalism", and its massive deterioration to the "Dowd-Style" of reporting.  Oddly enough, the name-calling has increased with the far left winning political power. The collective voice of the media would make you think Bush was still in office and had escalated the War in Iraq.

This media reporting phenomena is not typical politics.  There is something much more sinister in the viciousness of its attacks.  The media demonstrates daily no bounds of decency.  We witnessed thiswith Hillary Clinton's candidacy, and then with Palin's vice-presidential run. What is so cruel and despicable are how children are now subject to this depraved style of reporting.

De Seno makes an observation in his column that notes these attacks against children actually began with Kerry and Edwards in the 2004 campaign with Dick Cheney's daughter, Mary Cheney, and the fact that she is a lesbian. When John Edwards made his attack during his debate with Cheney, one could feel the earth "cringe" with Edward's cruelty. 

Attacks from Democrats and their media cohorts have been relentless ever since. The news is stalled on personal attacks...never policy issues.  Journalism today can be defined as : child abuse;personal attacks; and say anything-just apologize once it's out there.

Obama's "Cash for Clunkers" Big Disappointment

Obama's  plus billion dollar effort to get the old gas guzzlers off the road ignited some initial enthusiasm among car buyers for the Cash for Clunkers program.  Unfortunately, as some Americans thought they could head out to the car dealers and receive a $4500. voucher for their trade-ins, restrictions abound for what car qualifies.

According to Shawn Langlois at Market Watch, he says : Essentially, the government will offer vouchers of up to $4,500 toward the purchase of a new car or truck for the consumer who brings in a qualifying car to be crushed - provided the old car was built after 1984 and gets less than 18 miles per gallon. The new car also has to achieve at least 4 mpg more than the old one, which has to have been insured and operated by the buyer for one year. Oh, and the replacement vehicle's value can't exceed $45,000. There's more: Different rules apply for SUVs and trucks, and it doesn't help at all if the old car or truck is worth more than the voucher. The buyer would lose money.

Monitor Bank Rates says the big "gotcha" to many customers is " your trade-in vehicle must be registered and continuously have auto insurance coverage for the prior year to the trade-in date. You can’t buy a $500 clunker and expect to get a $3,500 or $4,500 credit. Your trade-in vehicle must also be destroyed, which lowers the estimated value to scrap value".

The "Cash for Clunkers" is respectfully known as the Car Allowance Rebate System.

Another concern some have towards the program is that many Americans who can not afford 2010 year new cars will have these less efficient ones removed from the market.

Problem: Obama isn't the Pope of American Catholics

From Kathleen Kennedy Townsend's article in Newsweek, she seems to think that Pope Benedict XVI has given his blessing to Obama's stimulus bill,health-care legislation,and anything else that can be done to squeeze the taxpayer in the name of Obama, Pelosi, and the Democrat run Congress.... all except abortion, that is.

Townsend said that Obama related better to American Catholics than did Pope Benedict. Townsend should rephrase that in her article to mean "liberal, American Catholics".

Kathleen Townsend quotes from the Pope's latest encyclical "Charity In Truth":

"Even more intriguing is the pope's support for political activism, which he refers to in the encyclical as 'the institutional path … of charity, no less excellent and effective than the kind of charity which encounters the neighbor directly'."

Actually,Townsend's use of the Pope's encyclical quote might just give moral credence to the "Tea Party" activists as well as any vague humanitarian impulse Obama preached about. After-all, these activists are trying to encounter their congressional neighbors and President directly with a message: that they don't find this taxing, spendthrift government very humanitarian as Obama chooses to place burdens on the back of taxpayers.

Kathleen Kennedy Townsend made mention of her father, Robert F.Kennedy, who said that politics was an honorable profession. She believes that the Pope is opening the Church to more purposeful roles, and that Obama could teach the Pope about politics. This is definitely where a lot of us get off the last train for the coast.

Townsend finishes by lamenting the fact that the Pope will not budge on abortion.  Let's remind Townsend the laws of the Church weren't instituted to conform to American politics. 

Yet whether or not Obama and Pope Benedict agree on anything,we can be certain that many of these American Catholics are in Church each week praying for a way back into the workforce.

Even "Light Poles" Packed in the Pork of Obama's Healthcare Plan

At least Americans are becoming aware of the hidden pork ("add-ons") being packed into Obama's health care legislation.  The pork request comes from a non-profit group known as "Trust for America's Health".  According to the Boston Globe the language in the senate bill is phrased with this non-profit group's own words which calls for “creating the infrastructure to support active living and access to nutritious foods in a safe environment.’’ The group provided examples of grants for bike paths, jungle gyms, and lighting, though the Senate bill doesn’t list those specifics.

In other words, billions will be going to communities around the country and it is called "infrastructure". 

We discussed on this blog last January a worry that Obama's stimulus bill would take advantage of "infrastructure" to be interpreted as community projects such as parks,etc.

Oddly enough, we see spending for these community projects being packed into health-care laws.  Now we hear excuses coming from Ted Kennedy's spokesman, Anthony Coley: “If improving the lighting in a playground or clearing a walking path or a bike path or restoring a park are determined as needed by a community to create more opportunities for physical activity, we should not prohibit this from happening...’’

Think about it! We have politicians that can take a light pole and relate it to health insurance!

 Bonnie Erbe reports that CNN pollsters reveal '58% of American adults are concerned major changes will result in less quality for their own present health plans.'

These 58% of our citizens are correct. No health care plan will stay the same as government requires every health plan to meet its requirements. After-all, we need to find a way to pay for these new parks and paths that get our obese citizens walking.

Healthcare: The Atrocious Care Of Our Veterans

As Obama pushes national healthcare among many Americans who are satisfied with their present plan, we hear no follow-up about the job our government seems to be doing with our veterans.

On June 24th, the AP reported:

The chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee is calling for more centralized control of the VA medical system after recent breakdowns in cleaning colonoscopy equipment exposed thousands of veterans to the risk of contracting HIV and other infections.

A report from Fox News noted that 10,000 veterans were exposed to the AID and Hepatitus viruses and that the Dept. of Veteran Affairs is bracing for news that one of its Pennsylvannia V.A. facilities botched radiation treatments for over 100 Veteran cancer patients.

According to congressional investigations,V.A. facilities are 49 years old as compared to private sector medical facilities with an average age of 12 years.

The tales of wrong treatments being administered to our veterans because of broken and unclean medical equipment is shameful, and is due to lack of money and oversight.

In viewing our government's record on Medicare, Medicaid,and veteran's care, what assurances do we have of well-managed healthcare for all of our citizens?

Let's Sign Congress Up for Social Security

How could putting the House and Senate on Social Security save us money?  Isn't our bankrupt government having enough issues without giving this cauldron of crooks more of our tax dollars?

Palin Media Accountability Task Force (Kathy Ross) has plenty to say about our Congress and spending. Here is the message she would like you to spread far and wide:

First: Those who gain from the law won't vote to change it. 

Second: The voters have control. 

Third: Call your Representatives; tell them if they haven't sponsored a Bill to include congress on S.S. they will lose your vote and thousands more. 

Fourth; When in doubt "Don't RE-ELECT Anyone. 

By the way the internet has many web sites to follow how every legislator votes.

Social Security 2009 LET US SHOW OUR LEADERS IN WASHINGTON "PEOPLE POWER" AND THE POWER OF THE INTERNET. PLEASE FORWARD TO ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS.. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU ARE REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT! KEEP IT GOING!!!! Propose this in 2009: START A BILL TO PLACE ALL POLITICIANS ON SOCIAL SECURITY. 

Perhaps we are asking the wrong questions during election years.

Our Senators and Congresswomen do not pay into Social Security and, of course, they do not collect from it.

You see, Social Security benefits were not suitable for persons of their rare elevation in society. They felt they should have a special plan for themselves.. So, many years ago they voted in their own benefit plan. 

In more recent years, no congressperson has felt the need to change it. After all, it is a great plan. For all practical purposes their plan works like this: When they retire, they continue to draw the same pay until they die.  Except it will increase from time to time for cost of living adjustments. For example, Senator Byrd and Congressman White and their wives may expect to draw $7, 800,000.00 (that's Seven Million, Eight-Hundred Thousand Dollars), with their wives drawing $275, 000..00 during the last years of their lives. This is calculated on an average life span for each of those two Dignitaries.

Younger Dignitaries who retire at an early age, will receive much more during the rest of their lives. *Their cost for this excellent plan is $0.00. NADA!!! ZILCH!!! * This little perk they voted* *fo*r *themselves* is *free to them*. You and I pick up the tab for this plan. The funds for this fine retirement plan come directly from the General Funds; "OUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK!

From our own Social Security Plan, which you and I pay (or have paid) into, every payday until we retire (which amount is matched by our employer), We can expect to get an average of $1,000 per month after retirement. Or, in other words, we would have to collect our average of $1,000 monthly benefits for 68 years and one (1) month to equal Senator Bill Bradley's benefits!

Social Security could be very good if only one small change were made. That change would be to Jerk the Golden Fleece Retirement Plan from under the *Senators and Congressmen*.... *Put them into the Social Security plan with the rest of us **Then sit back...... And see how fast they would fix it! 

by Kathy Ross

North Carolina: Tough Economic Times Still Ahead

North Carolina expects a worsening economy and unemployment could hit 13 percent in the Charlotte area by 2010.  Charlotte has been hit particulary hard due to its economy being based mostly in the banking,vehicle parts,and real estate industries. Other areas of the state such as the Research Triangle will peak at 9.1 percent later this year. Those predictions are made by several economists, but none of them voiced earlier predicitons of the high already reached.

The Wall Street Journal published the unemployment rates from the Bureau of Labor  through June 22nd and states are compared to the Nations average. Below, N.C. is pictured showing a loss in jobs at 11.1 compared to the national average of 9.4 in June.

Interesting views on the economy come from the Financial Post at Canada.com. They report that with job losses "heating up" and the talk of a second stimulus bill, Americans are becoming more jittery causing the economy to slow down its recovery. Also cited was the error of Obama's first stimulus that put money into the hands of consumers and businesses that held onto the money instead of spending it as hoped. In reference to Obama's Health Care plans and foreign policies goals: 

 They’re trying to solve too many problems at once, which is creating a lot of uncertainty,” said Brian Bethune, chief U.S. financial economist IHS Global Insight. “I don’t see how another stimulus package would really do anything unless there’s clarity on what businesses and households will be facing beyond this year.

All in all the take of most economists is that the recession is showing signs of leveling, but the increasing pain of unemployment for Americans will reverberate into the next year and a half.

Sarah Palin Attacking Media Sharks

As expected, the anti-Palin blogs went into full swing against their greatest threat,Sarah Palin, after she announced her pending resignation as Governor of Alaska. Unfortunately, anti-Palin bloggers furnish unsubstantiated stories to the Huffington Post,MSNBC,The New York Times, and Washington Post.  Since most of the wrongful accusations have been made by bloggers, Palin has ignored them.  Yet, Palin is sending a loud message to the media that "serious consequences" will result if they re-print any defamatory statements made as factual.

Palin's attorney, Thomas Van Flein, presented a four page letter to the media that said: “This is to provide notice to Ms. Moore, and those who republish the defamation, such as Huffington Post, MSNBC, The New York Times and The Washington Post, that the Palins will not allow them to propagate defamatory material without answering to this in a court of law,” Van Flein warned, citing Alaska liberal blogger Shannyn Moore.

Palin understands and supports free speech but some bloggers cannot understand that unfounded information can not be stated as fact when it runs the chance of becoming viral and ruining someone else's career or reputation. Palin says this is all going to end with the likes of the above being dragged into court.

Today we read a more cunning but still defamatory statement made by the ever Palin-Pounding Diva, Maureen Dowd, in which she leaves her comment open-ended as she speculates on the reasons why Palin is resigning:  "...Maybe there's another red Naughty Monkey high heel to drop..."  Dowd seems to be tip-toeing around the idea that somehow Palin is involved in a scandal concerning embezzlement of funds back in Wasilla during the 2002 construction of a sports arena. That is the gossip anti-Palin bloggers want out there and have written on their blogs. Dowd just "insinuates", otherwise Dowd just re-hashes her un-original name calling tactics.

Sarah Palin knows how to fight when freed to do so...even if the playing field isn't quite level.  It will be interesting to see if the media takes note.

Why Palin Caught the Elite Media Off-Guard

Other than the fact the media was over-indulging us with coverage of Michael Jackson, it is not surprising that Palin caught this elite press off their game.  The political pundits were at a loss for words because they can not understand or empathize with anything outside of the Washington Beltway.  The media can not anticipate Palin's actions or her populist appeal anymore than the audience these bellowing fools speak to.

Did you notice the hurried and sloppy responses reporters and pundits were making in the aftermath of Palin's resignation announcement?  Even Geraldine Ferraro was quick to denounce Palin's move as foolish and unwise.  To the typical Washington political figure it might seem so.  Yet, Palin's supporters were not left dumbfounded by her announcement.

A populist-styled politician, such as Palin, speaks a simple common language to the people.  Plain talk is beyond the reach of the Elite and their media.  They wouldn't have to conjecture the evening away on cable if they would literally listen to the speech Palin gave. They keep re-playing her speech, but never once do they listen.

To Palin supporters, Sarah Palin simply said she was not going to keep beating her head against a wall. Palin believes she can be more effective outside of the governor's office.  In addition, her children rather she take a different approach as well.  Palin's supporters trust her not to play the usual game of politics. Palin tried to explain her reasoning with an analogy of basketball. Simple as that, but not for the hard-headed media.

We have all witnessed the phenomena of Sarah's situation with her enemies. It is always the "damned if you do..." type situation.  No matter that Obama spent his few years in the Senate away on the campaign trail.  Palin couldn't attend a dinner without receiving sharp tongued criticism from her detractors. Palin is always given a different set of rules to follow by her critics.  Yet the unfocused criticism of Palin will continue for two reasons: 1) Sarah scares the hell out of the Elite with her prominence among the "common element", and 2) The Elite do not understand regular people.

Sarah Palin's announcement yesterday is not complicated. Frustratingly enough for the media, Sarah Palin is not going away.

As Expected Media Will Give Scant Attention to Tea Parties

Jefferson clearly understood the message his Declaration of Independence would send to all future generations.  Jefferson wanted to make it clear that in order to preserve liberty a country would have to shed the blood of its patriots from time to time, and that the laws of a nation always rested with its citizens alone.

As the Tea Parties take place across America this holiday weekend, we see domocracy in action as its citizens gather and send a message to Washington that its leaders are shirking their duty in running responsible government.

Whether the media chooses to ignore the thousands of Tea Parties is irrelevant.  The fact will remain that the message has been sent, and that We the People will not allow the tyranny to continue.

The Direction of Tax Payer Tea Parties after July 4th

As Americans gather for July 4th celebrations, millions will be gathered with a two-fold purpose: 1) to send a message to our representatives over the direction of government's outlandish spending, and the resulting taxation; 2) to build awareness among other citizens so that they can become active by being armed with information.

In Joan Swirsky's latest article, "Domestic Terrorists gear Up for July 4th Tea Parties", some points she makes about the tea party movement come from Ron Ewart, president of The National Association of Rural Landowners,and JB Williams who says:

"The Only Truly Effective Tea Party involves 'taking your messages of freedom to where [politicians] live, eat, procreate and sleep...because the perpetrators will have to pay a personal price for their misdeeds before they get the message.'  And JB Williams recommends 'taking your protest to the front steps of every local TV news station in America so that the media can no longer ignore the movement'."

Taking the Tea Parties to the door steps of politicians, who aren't listening to Americans, serves as fair notice that the destruction of our economy via unbridled spending is a grievous error. In short, every politician from every political party will be held accountable.

Unfortunately, the media in America is biased to the degree it will withhold information about Tea Party activities in order to protect the Obama administration. What a serious sin of omission committed against the American public!

The media will have its own day of unwanted transparency when its collusion with the Obama administration can no longer tell disenchanted Americans how happy they are with their current political "leaders".

As unemployment heads into double-digits, and as more Americans begin to feel the painful effects of budget cuts cruelly combined with tax increases, will we then see the majority of citizens kicking these political buffoons out of office.

The best remedy for the current situation is to participate in a Tea Party rather than waiting for the pain threshold of Americans to be ratcheted up in painful, taxing increments.