Anyone know any facts / have info on this one??? Came from TPM Muckraker...
Majority Of Tea Party Group's Spending Went To GOP Firm That Created It
The political action committee behind the Tea Party Express (TPE) -- which already has been slammed as inauthentic and corporate-controlled by rival factions in the Tea Party movement -- directed almost two thirds of its spending during a recent reporting period back to the Republican consulting firm that created the PAC in the first place.
Our Country Deserves Better (OCDB) spent around $1.33 million from July through November, according to FEC filings examined by TPMmuckraker. Of that sum, a total of $857,122 went to Sacramento-based GOP political consulting firm Russo, Marsh, and Associates, or people associated with it.
http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/12/majority_of_tea_party_groups_spending_went_to_gop.php?ref=fpb
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Your tax dollars at work...
Wonder what the tag on this one will be??? Guess it's keeping government employees busy and allowing them to keep taking home a steady paycheck. Wonder if it's going to cost them anything to be at the Super Bowl and NCAA Final Four? Usually at these events advertisers / participants pay a premium rate rather than standard. I wonder if the Census group falls under the same category as other exempted groups so they only pay the lowest regular rate charged? Be interesting to find out just how much this is going to cost us... and an interesting debate as to whether it's necessary.
National 2010 Census Road Tour Launches in New York City
The 2010 Census Portrait of America Road Tour is part of the largest civic outreach and awareness campaign in U.S. history — stopping and exhibiting at more than 800 events nationwide. From local parades and festivals to major sporting events like the Super Bowl and NCAA Final Four, the Road Tour will attempt to motivate America’s growing and increasingly diverse population to complete and mail back the 10-question census form when it arrives in mailboxes March 15-17.
Traveling for a total of 1,547 days and more than 150,000 miles across the country, 13 road tour vehicles will provide the public with an educational, engaging and interactive experience that brings the 2010 Census to life.
Beginning at New York City’s Times Square, and at each event across the country, attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the 2010 Census and understand the benefits a complete count can bring to communities everywhere; view a sample 2010 Census form and learn how the collected information is used; and contribute stories and photos to the Portrait of America project to explain why “I count!” and view messages from other Road Tour participants.
For more information about the 2010 Census and the Road Tour, please visit 2010census.gov and follow us on Twitter (@2010Portrait), Facebook, MySpace, Flickr and YouTube (/uscensusbureau).
National 2010 Census Road Tour Launches in New York City
The 2010 Census Portrait of America Road Tour is part of the largest civic outreach and awareness campaign in U.S. history — stopping and exhibiting at more than 800 events nationwide. From local parades and festivals to major sporting events like the Super Bowl and NCAA Final Four, the Road Tour will attempt to motivate America’s growing and increasingly diverse population to complete and mail back the 10-question census form when it arrives in mailboxes March 15-17.
Traveling for a total of 1,547 days and more than 150,000 miles across the country, 13 road tour vehicles will provide the public with an educational, engaging and interactive experience that brings the 2010 Census to life.
Beginning at New York City’s Times Square, and at each event across the country, attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the 2010 Census and understand the benefits a complete count can bring to communities everywhere; view a sample 2010 Census form and learn how the collected information is used; and contribute stories and photos to the Portrait of America project to explain why “I count!” and view messages from other Road Tour participants.
For more information about the 2010 Census and the Road Tour, please visit 2010census.gov and follow us on Twitter (@2010Portrait), Facebook, MySpace, Flickr and YouTube (/uscensusbureau).
Monday, December 28, 2009
So good I had to share in a different blog: Big Whoppers of 2009 from FactCheck.org
Double check what was said by Lori Robertson, managing editor of FactCheck.org. Ms. Robertson is frequently in over her head, especially when she purports to know the contents of federal legislation. That's why FactCheck.org's "Whoppers of 2009" is not to be believed.
Robertson admits that she does not read the bills in their entirety and has no training in analyzing legislation beyond her BA in advertising. What she does is spot check, not fact check.
Big Whoppers of 2009 from FactCheck.org
http://ramblingjan.blogspot.com/2009/12/big-whoppers-of-2009-from-factcheckorg.html
Robertson admits that she does not read the bills in their entirety and has no training in analyzing legislation beyond her BA in advertising. What she does is spot check, not fact check.
Big Whoppers of 2009 from FactCheck.org
http://ramblingjan.blogspot.com/2009/12/big-whoppers-of-2009-from-factcheckorg.html
Saturday, December 26, 2009
It's Time For a Second Declaration of Independence!
Calling all red blooded, Patriotic Americans!
It’s time for another march on Washington DC.
On the date of the State of the Union address, January 20, 2010.
On this day, a joint session of Congress, the President of the United States, his entire cabinet, the Supreme Court and the Joint Chiefs of Staff...plus distinguished guests will be in attendance.
You want media coverage? All major broadcast and cable networks will be there to broadcast the event.
This is the most strategically advantageous opportunity for Patriotic Americans to hold a demonstraion against an out of control government that's trashing our Constituion.
This march needs to dwarf the size of the crowd that showed up on 9/12/2009. We need to surround the Capitol Building.
Who’s sick and tired of being ignored?
It’s time for a second Declaration of Independence!
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”
Host: Westwood Tea Party (Facebook)
Network: Global
Date: Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Time: 3:00pm - 7:00pm
Location: The U.S. Capitol Building, Washington D.C.
-- From a Facebook link...
It’s time for another march on Washington DC.
On the date of the State of the Union address, January 20, 2010.
On this day, a joint session of Congress, the President of the United States, his entire cabinet, the Supreme Court and the Joint Chiefs of Staff...plus distinguished guests will be in attendance.
You want media coverage? All major broadcast and cable networks will be there to broadcast the event.
This is the most strategically advantageous opportunity for Patriotic Americans to hold a demonstraion against an out of control government that's trashing our Constituion.
This march needs to dwarf the size of the crowd that showed up on 9/12/2009. We need to surround the Capitol Building.
Who’s sick and tired of being ignored?
It’s time for a second Declaration of Independence!
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”
Host: Westwood Tea Party (Facebook)
Network: Global
Date: Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Time: 3:00pm - 7:00pm
Location: The U.S. Capitol Building, Washington D.C.
-- From a Facebook link...
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Chambliss: This Bill is a Political Victory, Not a Substantive One
U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., today made the following statement regarding the Senate health care bill, which now costs $2.5 trillion, is 2,733 pages long, and includes $518.5 billion in tax increases and $470.7 billion in Medicare cuts.
“I am supportive of reforming health care so that all Americans have access to affordable, quality care. However, a bill created by backroom deal-making, partisan arm-twisting and special carve-outs for wavering senators does not represent meaningful reform.
“The already-strained budgets of individuals, families and small businesses will be pushed to the breaking point by the increase in taxes and increased costs for medical devices and medicine. The health care industry itself will also feel more than $100 billion in taxes and fees, which will be shifted directly to the American people in the form of higher premiums.
“Over the past few weeks, several amendments were offered to strip the Medicare cuts and cuts to other critical health care programs, but unfortunately, those votes fell along party lines and the amendments failed. Several other amendments to improve the bill, like a tort reform measure I introduced, weren’t even allowed to be called up for a vote.
“The process used to get this bill to 60 votes was unlike anything I had never seen before. Deals were cut behind closed doors for individual senators and their states at the expense of taxpayers across the nation – and that’s just not right. The majority leader also made a compromise on abortion – where, morally, there can be no compromise – to get his 60th vote.
“And after all this, the health care bill does not even cover everyone. Some 23 million Americans will still be left uninsured.
“Americans are right to demand access to affordable health care. But the Senate bill is bad legislation. It is a political victory – not a substantive one – that will actually make health care more expensive.
“I am supportive of reforming health care so that all Americans have access to affordable, quality care. However, a bill created by backroom deal-making, partisan arm-twisting and special carve-outs for wavering senators does not represent meaningful reform.
“The already-strained budgets of individuals, families and small businesses will be pushed to the breaking point by the increase in taxes and increased costs for medical devices and medicine. The health care industry itself will also feel more than $100 billion in taxes and fees, which will be shifted directly to the American people in the form of higher premiums.
“Over the past few weeks, several amendments were offered to strip the Medicare cuts and cuts to other critical health care programs, but unfortunately, those votes fell along party lines and the amendments failed. Several other amendments to improve the bill, like a tort reform measure I introduced, weren’t even allowed to be called up for a vote.
“The process used to get this bill to 60 votes was unlike anything I had never seen before. Deals were cut behind closed doors for individual senators and their states at the expense of taxpayers across the nation – and that’s just not right. The majority leader also made a compromise on abortion – where, morally, there can be no compromise – to get his 60th vote.
“And after all this, the health care bill does not even cover everyone. Some 23 million Americans will still be left uninsured.
“Americans are right to demand access to affordable health care. But the Senate bill is bad legislation. It is a political victory – not a substantive one – that will actually make health care more expensive.
Sam Olens Makes Official Request to Georgia AG to Review Constitutionality of H.R. 3590
Cobb County Commission Chair and candidate for Attorney General Sam Olens has submitted a letter to Georgia Attorney General Thurbert Baker requesting that he join with the Attorney Generals of South Carolina and at least six other States, to review the constitutionality of H.R. 3590, The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
With the final deal assuring Senator Ben Nelson's vote, all newly eligible Medicaid enrollees from Nebraska would be permanently treated differently than those from the other 49 States. While Medicaid is a joint federal-state program, the Nebraska Compromise provides for a permanent exemption to his State alone. Said provision appears to violate the U.S. Constitution as all states would not be uniformly treated the same with this new tax.
"It is a felony to buy votes in this country. That same prohibition must apply to our legislators. All legal options must be considered and applied to stop this outrage."
Georgians cannot afford the many new taxes associated with this bill, let alone a special provision that lets us pay for citizens of another state, stated Olens.
My comments:
You go Sam! With you 10000% on this one.
I saw the comment from Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue. He, along with other Governors from both parties are not happy with this farce of a health care bill and they're joining forces to combat it also.
I think a backlash to beat all backlashes is in the works on the way this has been manipulated, the way the American public --- the majority of American voters --- have been ignored and mistreated.
With the final deal assuring Senator Ben Nelson's vote, all newly eligible Medicaid enrollees from Nebraska would be permanently treated differently than those from the other 49 States. While Medicaid is a joint federal-state program, the Nebraska Compromise provides for a permanent exemption to his State alone. Said provision appears to violate the U.S. Constitution as all states would not be uniformly treated the same with this new tax.
"It is a felony to buy votes in this country. That same prohibition must apply to our legislators. All legal options must be considered and applied to stop this outrage."
Georgians cannot afford the many new taxes associated with this bill, let alone a special provision that lets us pay for citizens of another state, stated Olens.
My comments:
You go Sam! With you 10000% on this one.
I saw the comment from Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue. He, along with other Governors from both parties are not happy with this farce of a health care bill and they're joining forces to combat it also.
I think a backlash to beat all backlashes is in the works on the way this has been manipulated, the way the American public --- the majority of American voters --- have been ignored and mistreated.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Obama makes first move to undermine 2010 elections
GETS FORMER SEQUOIA CO. VP NAMED AS ADVISER TO U.S. ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION
(Dec. 21, 2009) — Earlier this month, Obama made his first official move to corrupt and undermine the 2010 elections. The move consisted in the little noticed appointment of a technical adviser to the Technical Guidelines Development Committee (TGDC) of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC).
http://www.thepostemail.com/2009/12/21/obama-makes-first-move-to-undermine-2010-elections/
(Thanks to Cheryl on Facebook for finding & sharing this story)
(Dec. 21, 2009) — Earlier this month, Obama made his first official move to corrupt and undermine the 2010 elections. The move consisted in the little noticed appointment of a technical adviser to the Technical Guidelines Development Committee (TGDC) of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC).
http://www.thepostemail.com/2009/12/21/obama-makes-first-move-to-undermine-2010-elections/
(Thanks to Cheryl on Facebook for finding & sharing this story)
Monday, December 21, 2009
Cuban minister says Obama "imperial, arrogant"
Maybe there is hope for some common ground consensus regarding Obama in this world ...
HAVANA, Dec 21 (Reuters) - Cuba accused U.S. President Barack Obama on Monday of being "imperial, arrogant" and dishonest during last week's global climate conference in the latest sign of deteriorating relations between Havana and Washington.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said in a televised press conference that Obama lied during the United Nations summit in Copenhagen and is making a habit of it after less than a year in office.
"He lies all the time, deceives with demagogic words, with profound cynicism," Rodriguez told reporters.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N21253267.htm
(Thanks to Drudge Report via Twitter)
HAVANA, Dec 21 (Reuters) - Cuba accused U.S. President Barack Obama on Monday of being "imperial, arrogant" and dishonest during last week's global climate conference in the latest sign of deteriorating relations between Havana and Washington.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said in a televised press conference that Obama lied during the United Nations summit in Copenhagen and is making a habit of it after less than a year in office.
"He lies all the time, deceives with demagogic words, with profound cynicism," Rodriguez told reporters.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N21253267.htm
(Thanks to Drudge Report via Twitter)
Sunday, December 20, 2009
NBRA Socialized Medicine Alert
Democrats in Congress are rushing headlong to push our nation into a disastrous socialized medical scheme. We urge our supporters to take a few minutes TO WRITE OR CALL YOUR LEGISLATORS NOW!
STOP THEM! For four years, we must pay higher taxes, but most of the so-called benefits won’t kick in until 2014. Even worse, according to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), under the Democrats’ plan, the cost of health care will go up, while the quality of care will go down. This is outrageous.
Polls show that 57% of Americans do not want the Democrats to enact their devastating health care reform. Yet, the Democrat Congressional leaders continue to thumb their noses at us, using hundreds of millions of our tax dollars to bribe Democrat legislators into voting for this ObamaCare legislative monstrosity. Have they no shame?
TELL THE DEMOCRATS NO! No to socialized medicine. No to government intrusion between the doctor and the patient. No to a massive new entitlement program, while Democrats have our government drowning in debt. No to denial of transplants or hip replacements to the elderly. No to forcing people to buy insurance or go to jail.
Pick up the phone and CALL YOUR LEGISLATORS NOW!
US Capitol Switchboard Number: 202-224-3121
Five Facts About The Current Senate Health Care Bill (HR 3590)
(Courtesy of American Solutions for Winning the Future and the National Federation of Republican Women)
1. Medicare Cuts. The bill would cut Medicare by $500 billion, and millions of seniors would lose access to Medicare Advantage plans.
2. Higher Health Insurance Premiums. As confirmed by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the bill would result in non-group premium increases of $300 per year for individuals and $2,500 per year for families.
3. Higher Healthcare Costs. The current Senate bill, like the one passed by Speaker Pelosi in the U.S. House, would increase healthcare costs, not lower them.
4. Lost Coverage. As confirmed by the CBO, up to 10 million people would lose their employer-provided healthcare coverage.
5. More and More Spending. Actually, $2.5 trillion worth, in its first 10 years of implementation, increasing our national debt even more.
www.NBRA.Info
National Black Republican Association
STOP THEM! For four years, we must pay higher taxes, but most of the so-called benefits won’t kick in until 2014. Even worse, according to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), under the Democrats’ plan, the cost of health care will go up, while the quality of care will go down. This is outrageous.
Polls show that 57% of Americans do not want the Democrats to enact their devastating health care reform. Yet, the Democrat Congressional leaders continue to thumb their noses at us, using hundreds of millions of our tax dollars to bribe Democrat legislators into voting for this ObamaCare legislative monstrosity. Have they no shame?
TELL THE DEMOCRATS NO! No to socialized medicine. No to government intrusion between the doctor and the patient. No to a massive new entitlement program, while Democrats have our government drowning in debt. No to denial of transplants or hip replacements to the elderly. No to forcing people to buy insurance or go to jail.
Pick up the phone and CALL YOUR LEGISLATORS NOW!
US Capitol Switchboard Number: 202-224-3121
Five Facts About The Current Senate Health Care Bill (HR 3590)
(Courtesy of American Solutions for Winning the Future and the National Federation of Republican Women)
1. Medicare Cuts. The bill would cut Medicare by $500 billion, and millions of seniors would lose access to Medicare Advantage plans.
2. Higher Health Insurance Premiums. As confirmed by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the bill would result in non-group premium increases of $300 per year for individuals and $2,500 per year for families.
3. Higher Healthcare Costs. The current Senate bill, like the one passed by Speaker Pelosi in the U.S. House, would increase healthcare costs, not lower them.
4. Lost Coverage. As confirmed by the CBO, up to 10 million people would lose their employer-provided healthcare coverage.
5. More and More Spending. Actually, $2.5 trillion worth, in its first 10 years of implementation, increasing our national debt even more.
www.NBRA.Info
National Black Republican Association
I just signed Mike Huckabee's Emergency Petition to Senator Ben Nelson
I urge you to do the same. Please use this link: http://tr.im/I7lS Our goal is to collect 100,000 signatures by the final Senate vote.
Chambliss: It is Clear that Deals Have Been Cut to Get 60 Votes on this Bill
U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., today on the Senate floor, spoke out against the latest version of the health care bill, which now includes 2,733 pages and costs $2.5 trillion.
At 1:00 a.m., the Senate is expected to vote to cut off debate on Reid's manager’s amendment to the health care legislation. Chambliss will vote against the motion to end debate.
“Federal taxes will increase by almost $26 billion under the manager’s package,” said Chambliss. “Still, under the Reid amendment, there will be 23 million Americans left uninsured. That’s not what we've heard from day one from the folks on the other side of the aisle about making sure that every single American was covered.”
Chambliss also voiced opposition to the creation of a new entitlement program on the backs of current Medicare recipients, the Community Living and Assistance Services and Supports Act, or CLASS Act, as proposed in this bill. The Congressional Budget Office has said that the CLASS Act will actually end up increasing budget deficits.
“The CLASS Act is a new Medicare – a new health care entitlement program that has been included in this bill. The Congressional Budget Office recognizes that when these benefits start paying out, this is going to blow the budget. How anyone can say with a straight face that we are going to reduce the deficit by passing this legislation is beyond me.”
Chambliss also addresses the abortion language included in the bill.
“I’m pro-life and very proud to have a strong voting record opposing abortion. The law of the land for well over 30 years has stated that no federal funds should be used to fund abortions. We should not compromise on the sanctity of life.”
In closing, Chambliss blasted the deals that have been cut with senators to win their vote for the bill.
“We've reached a new day in this body. There have been deals cut behind closed doors that are going to provide benefits for individual senators and their states, whether it's Vermont, Nebraska, or Florida. That's going to require those of us who didn't have the opportunity to participate in discussions and negotiations on this bill to represent citizens who are going to have to pay more for services that select states are going to receive. There’s nothing right about that.”
At 1:00 a.m., the Senate is expected to vote to cut off debate on Reid's manager’s amendment to the health care legislation. Chambliss will vote against the motion to end debate.
“Federal taxes will increase by almost $26 billion under the manager’s package,” said Chambliss. “Still, under the Reid amendment, there will be 23 million Americans left uninsured. That’s not what we've heard from day one from the folks on the other side of the aisle about making sure that every single American was covered.”
Chambliss also voiced opposition to the creation of a new entitlement program on the backs of current Medicare recipients, the Community Living and Assistance Services and Supports Act, or CLASS Act, as proposed in this bill. The Congressional Budget Office has said that the CLASS Act will actually end up increasing budget deficits.
“The CLASS Act is a new Medicare – a new health care entitlement program that has been included in this bill. The Congressional Budget Office recognizes that when these benefits start paying out, this is going to blow the budget. How anyone can say with a straight face that we are going to reduce the deficit by passing this legislation is beyond me.”
Chambliss also addresses the abortion language included in the bill.
“I’m pro-life and very proud to have a strong voting record opposing abortion. The law of the land for well over 30 years has stated that no federal funds should be used to fund abortions. We should not compromise on the sanctity of life.”
In closing, Chambliss blasted the deals that have been cut with senators to win their vote for the bill.
“We've reached a new day in this body. There have been deals cut behind closed doors that are going to provide benefits for individual senators and their states, whether it's Vermont, Nebraska, or Florida. That's going to require those of us who didn't have the opportunity to participate in discussions and negotiations on this bill to represent citizens who are going to have to pay more for services that select states are going to receive. There’s nothing right about that.”
Tea Party Express: Join the Virtual Nationwide Vigal
It is five days before Christmas and it looks as if the Scrooges in DC aren't packing it up and going home. Instead, they have decided to call Ba-humbug and pass this legislation that 61% of Americans do not support.
This past week, even Howard Dean came out and said it was not good for this country because it is a bailout for big insurance companies. On Thursday, MoveOn.org sent a message to their members that they do not want the legislation passed either and that they should stand with Howard Dean. Just yesterday, Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska, sold his soul to the devil by agreeing to a deal that will benefit his home state.
As you know, the Scrooges in DC don't seem to care what their constituents want them to do.
Instead, they are making these back room deals with Harry Reid so they can get this legislation passed and President Obama can address the nation in January and tell us this was an accomplishment because it is what is good for America. According to Politico, many Senators cut deals for their states in exchange for their vote to pass this legislation.
Friends, we know that this is not good for America! We must not back down and do not ever give up on fighting for our freedom. It is not over!Yes, it is five days before Christmas, but we will still stand and fight together. There are still things we can do to say NO to this atrocity.
Join the Virtual Nationwide Vigil
FAX the Senators and tell them NO!
Visit your Senators' local offices.
Don't Give Up on Freedom!
Virtual NATIONWIDE Vigil
Join thousands of Americans tonight as we hold a NATIONWIDE Virtual Vigil on the phone and internet. Since Dirty Harry and his Scrooges have pulled this out of their bag of tricks at the 11th hour, it is impossible for a large group of people to physically gather together. However, we can all stand together through a virtual vigil tonight from 9:00 pm EST until the Senate cloture vote which is scheduled at 1:00 EST. Please take 2 minutes during this vigil to tell us why you are opposed to this legislation. Many Americans will be joining you. Join us by calling into the conference call line or Click Here to LISTEN LIVE.
Conference call 712.432.3900 code 691338#
Fax the Senators
Continue to FAX Senators telling them you do not want government controlled health care. You can find the fax numbers located here.
Visit Senatorial Local District Offices
If at all possible, please visit with your Senator during the next four days. Please make it a priority to visit one of the local, district offices and deliver a letter telling them you are against a government takeover of health care. A personal visit and handwritten letter carry more weight than any other form of communication with an elected official. We still have time, but we must act within the next four days.
DO NOT Give up on Freedom!
Friends, as I started to write this action alert, I wanted to make sure that we were sending a positive message. I don't want you to think all we are doing is complaining. We are all mad as hell, but we must stay focused on the end game. We have all worked tirelessly to have our voices heard and yes, we feel like they are not listening. However, they are listening because if they weren't, this legislation would have been passed months ago. We are making a difference and it make take us a while, but we can take back this country. If you think about where we are right now, we did not get here overnight and we are not going to be able to reverse step overnight. That doesn't mean that we are losing, that means we are winning in baby steps. The war is not over and we have to continue to fight these battles.
2010 is right around the corner...11 days away. That means that we all get to work on turning over some of these seats and voting out the people who do not do what they were hired to do! There is hope!
It is time that WE step up and say loud and clear, WE HIRED YOU! WE CAN FIRE YOU! We need to work with other activists and Patriots across this country to make sure that Dirty Harry Reid and his gang of Scrooges are definitely spending next Christmas and every Christmas thereafter, with their families.
2010 is the year that we can take back our Congress and send these hooligans back to the private sector where they can no longer trample the Constitution and put our freedom into jeopardy. This next year, 2010, is our year, the year of the people! Looking forward to talking with many American freedom fighters tonight! If there is anything you need, let us know.
Stay strong, stay vigilant and don't ever give up on America!
We are all in this together!
Thanks for standing together during this difficult time.
Amy Kremer
770.495.8271
amykremer@gmail.com
Jennifer Hulsey
770.546.0286
hulsey1873@gmail.com
This past week, even Howard Dean came out and said it was not good for this country because it is a bailout for big insurance companies. On Thursday, MoveOn.org sent a message to their members that they do not want the legislation passed either and that they should stand with Howard Dean. Just yesterday, Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska, sold his soul to the devil by agreeing to a deal that will benefit his home state.
As you know, the Scrooges in DC don't seem to care what their constituents want them to do.
Instead, they are making these back room deals with Harry Reid so they can get this legislation passed and President Obama can address the nation in January and tell us this was an accomplishment because it is what is good for America. According to Politico, many Senators cut deals for their states in exchange for their vote to pass this legislation.
Friends, we know that this is not good for America! We must not back down and do not ever give up on fighting for our freedom. It is not over!Yes, it is five days before Christmas, but we will still stand and fight together. There are still things we can do to say NO to this atrocity.
Join the Virtual Nationwide Vigil
FAX the Senators and tell them NO!
Visit your Senators' local offices.
Don't Give Up on Freedom!
Virtual NATIONWIDE Vigil
Join thousands of Americans tonight as we hold a NATIONWIDE Virtual Vigil on the phone and internet. Since Dirty Harry and his Scrooges have pulled this out of their bag of tricks at the 11th hour, it is impossible for a large group of people to physically gather together. However, we can all stand together through a virtual vigil tonight from 9:00 pm EST until the Senate cloture vote which is scheduled at 1:00 EST. Please take 2 minutes during this vigil to tell us why you are opposed to this legislation. Many Americans will be joining you. Join us by calling into the conference call line or Click Here to LISTEN LIVE.
Conference call 712.432.3900 code 691338#
Fax the Senators
Continue to FAX Senators telling them you do not want government controlled health care. You can find the fax numbers located here.
Visit Senatorial Local District Offices
If at all possible, please visit with your Senator during the next four days. Please make it a priority to visit one of the local, district offices and deliver a letter telling them you are against a government takeover of health care. A personal visit and handwritten letter carry more weight than any other form of communication with an elected official. We still have time, but we must act within the next four days.
DO NOT Give up on Freedom!
Friends, as I started to write this action alert, I wanted to make sure that we were sending a positive message. I don't want you to think all we are doing is complaining. We are all mad as hell, but we must stay focused on the end game. We have all worked tirelessly to have our voices heard and yes, we feel like they are not listening. However, they are listening because if they weren't, this legislation would have been passed months ago. We are making a difference and it make take us a while, but we can take back this country. If you think about where we are right now, we did not get here overnight and we are not going to be able to reverse step overnight. That doesn't mean that we are losing, that means we are winning in baby steps. The war is not over and we have to continue to fight these battles.
2010 is right around the corner...11 days away. That means that we all get to work on turning over some of these seats and voting out the people who do not do what they were hired to do! There is hope!
It is time that WE step up and say loud and clear, WE HIRED YOU! WE CAN FIRE YOU! We need to work with other activists and Patriots across this country to make sure that Dirty Harry Reid and his gang of Scrooges are definitely spending next Christmas and every Christmas thereafter, with their families.
2010 is the year that we can take back our Congress and send these hooligans back to the private sector where they can no longer trample the Constitution and put our freedom into jeopardy. This next year, 2010, is our year, the year of the people! Looking forward to talking with many American freedom fighters tonight! If there is anything you need, let us know.
Stay strong, stay vigilant and don't ever give up on America!
We are all in this together!
Thanks for standing together during this difficult time.
Amy Kremer
770.495.8271
amykremer@gmail.com
Jennifer Hulsey
770.546.0286
hulsey1873@gmail.com
Isakson: Health Care Bill Is Bad for America
Says Democrats Turned Debate into 'Let's Make a Deal' to Win Votes
U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today attacked the latest version of the Democrats’ terribly flawed, 2,733-page health care bill that will raise taxes, raise premiums, cut benefits for seniors and place a massive unfunded mandate on the states.
The Senate is expected to vote at 1 a.m. on Monday to end debate on Democratic Leader Harry Reid's “manager’s amendment” to the health care legislation. Isakson will vote against the motion to end debate. Once fully implemented in 2014, the proposal would cost an estimated $2.5 trillion over 10 years. Monday's vote is expected to be the first of several votes leading up to a final vote on health care reform in the Senate on Christmas Eve.
“Democrats cannot hide the fact that when you're raising the type of revenues in this bill, that money is ultimately going to be paid by the consumer. Any time government raises taxes it raises the cost of living for the American people,” Isakson said. “It's a ruse and a masking of the actual fiscal effect on the United States of America. This has not been a thoughtful process, and it is an unfortunate way to do business.”
The legislation includes $518.5 billion in tax increases and over $470 billion in Medicare cuts for seniors, including $120 billion in cuts to Medicare Advantage. Isakson opposes creating new programs with these Medicare “savings” rather than making a commitment to preserve and improve Medicare and prevent its impending 2017 bankruptcy.
“We're going to take $470 billion from Medicare, and we are going to put it in a plan to pay for somebody else's health care,” Isakson said. “That's patently wrong.”
Isakson also criticized the lack of transparency as the legislation was drafted and the backroom deals that Democratic Leader Reid, D-Nev., made with certain Senate Democrats in order to secure their votes on his health care proposal.
For example, Georgia and most states will face billions of dollars in massive unfunded mandates to cover the cost of the proposed expansion of Medicaid contained in the bill. However, in order to win the vote of Senator Ben Nelson, D-Neb., Reid inserted a provision in the bill that says the federal government would cover the cost of all new Medicaid beneficiaries in Nebraska, saving that state tens of millions of dollars.
“In a time of declining revenues and greater pressure, that is a recipe for disaster,” Isakson said. “It's not fair to say we're covering more people if we are bankrupting our states.”
In addition, to appease Senator Bill Nelson, D-Fla., Reid agreed to insert a provision that says Medicare Advantage plans in Florida would receive an additional payment in order to preserve current levels of benefits. As a result, seniors in Florida would not be subject to the significant cuts facing Medicare Advantage beneficiaries in Georgia and other states.
“This bill dissolved into a game of ‘Let's Make a Deal,’” Isakson said.
Despite the $2.5 trillion cost, an estimated 23 million Americans would still be left without health insurance.
U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today attacked the latest version of the Democrats’ terribly flawed, 2,733-page health care bill that will raise taxes, raise premiums, cut benefits for seniors and place a massive unfunded mandate on the states.
The Senate is expected to vote at 1 a.m. on Monday to end debate on Democratic Leader Harry Reid's “manager’s amendment” to the health care legislation. Isakson will vote against the motion to end debate. Once fully implemented in 2014, the proposal would cost an estimated $2.5 trillion over 10 years. Monday's vote is expected to be the first of several votes leading up to a final vote on health care reform in the Senate on Christmas Eve.
“Democrats cannot hide the fact that when you're raising the type of revenues in this bill, that money is ultimately going to be paid by the consumer. Any time government raises taxes it raises the cost of living for the American people,” Isakson said. “It's a ruse and a masking of the actual fiscal effect on the United States of America. This has not been a thoughtful process, and it is an unfortunate way to do business.”
The legislation includes $518.5 billion in tax increases and over $470 billion in Medicare cuts for seniors, including $120 billion in cuts to Medicare Advantage. Isakson opposes creating new programs with these Medicare “savings” rather than making a commitment to preserve and improve Medicare and prevent its impending 2017 bankruptcy.
“We're going to take $470 billion from Medicare, and we are going to put it in a plan to pay for somebody else's health care,” Isakson said. “That's patently wrong.”
Isakson also criticized the lack of transparency as the legislation was drafted and the backroom deals that Democratic Leader Reid, D-Nev., made with certain Senate Democrats in order to secure their votes on his health care proposal.
For example, Georgia and most states will face billions of dollars in massive unfunded mandates to cover the cost of the proposed expansion of Medicaid contained in the bill. However, in order to win the vote of Senator Ben Nelson, D-Neb., Reid inserted a provision in the bill that says the federal government would cover the cost of all new Medicaid beneficiaries in Nebraska, saving that state tens of millions of dollars.
“In a time of declining revenues and greater pressure, that is a recipe for disaster,” Isakson said. “It's not fair to say we're covering more people if we are bankrupting our states.”
In addition, to appease Senator Bill Nelson, D-Fla., Reid agreed to insert a provision that says Medicare Advantage plans in Florida would receive an additional payment in order to preserve current levels of benefits. As a result, seniors in Florida would not be subject to the significant cuts facing Medicare Advantage beneficiaries in Georgia and other states.
“This bill dissolved into a game of ‘Let's Make a Deal,’” Isakson said.
Despite the $2.5 trillion cost, an estimated 23 million Americans would still be left without health insurance.
Light up the Capitol Hill switchboard tonight...
SUNDAY, SUNDAY, SUNDAY!! 12 MIDNIGHT (MONDAY 12:01 AM) EST BEGIN CALLING THE CAPITOL HILL SWITCHBOARD: (202)224-3121 - Let them know we are not sleeping!
1. The individual Senators will likely not have anyone on phones at that hour, but there should be someone on the main switchboard. It may take a long time for them to answer and if we are really good, there could be busy signals, but keep trying!
2. Stick with the main switchboard and ASK TO BE PUT THROUGH TO THE SENATE FLOOR SO YOU CAN SPEAK WITH YOUR SENATOR. This way the will know what you are calling about!
3. Who knows what happens from there... Improvise!
-----------------------------------------------
From Heritage: "Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has set the stage for a major vote Monday morning at 1:00 AM – one that would require the support of 60 Senators. That would, if all goes according to Senator Reid’s plan, set up a late-night Christmas Eve vote on final passage. Senator Reid also used a rare procedure to block any further amendments from being offered, debated or voted upon."
http://blog.heritage.org/2009/12/19/while-you-sleep-100-am-monday-vote-set-on-obamacare/
1. The individual Senators will likely not have anyone on phones at that hour, but there should be someone on the main switchboard. It may take a long time for them to answer and if we are really good, there could be busy signals, but keep trying!
2. Stick with the main switchboard and ASK TO BE PUT THROUGH TO THE SENATE FLOOR SO YOU CAN SPEAK WITH YOUR SENATOR. This way the will know what you are calling about!
3. Who knows what happens from there... Improvise!
-----------------------------------------------
From Heritage: "Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has set the stage for a major vote Monday morning at 1:00 AM – one that would require the support of 60 Senators. That would, if all goes according to Senator Reid’s plan, set up a late-night Christmas Eve vote on final passage. Senator Reid also used a rare procedure to block any further amendments from being offered, debated or voted upon."
http://blog.heritage.org/2009/12/19/while-you-sleep-100-am-monday-vote-set-on-obamacare/
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Contact Sen Casey Jr re: Health Care bill vote
As a follow-up to my last bulletin, I wanted to make you aware of two ads recently released by the Susan B. Anthony List and Catholic Vote Action. (via Stop FOCA group on Facebook)
Please make an effort to contact one or all of Senator Casey's offices and encourage him to vote AGAINST the Senate Health Care Bill.
Senator Robert Casey Jr. was elected in 2006, defeating then Senator Rick Santorum, a longtime friend of pro-family and pro-life causes. During the campaign Casey pledged to uphold the dignity of human life while in office. Despite these promises, his recent statements suggest he may vote for the health care bill anyway, abortion and all.
Senator Casey is now facing the most important pro-life decision of his career. His vote, along with Senator Ben Nelson in Nebraska will likely decide the fate of the pending health care legislation.
Here is the contact information for each of Senator Casey’s offices:
Washington D.C.
393 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-6324
Fax: (202) 228-0604
Harrisburg
22 S. Third Street, Suite 6A
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: (717) 231-7540
Fax: (717) 231-7542
Philadelphia
2000 Market Street, Suite 1870
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: (215) 405-9660
Fax: (215) 405-9669
Pittsburgh
Regional Enterprise Tower
425 Sixth Avenue, Suite 2490
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Phone: (412) 803-7370
Fax: (412) 803-7379
Northeastern PA
409 Lackawanna Avenue, Suite 301
Scranton, PA 18503
Phone: (570) 941-0930
Fax: (570) 941-0937
Erie
17 South Park Row, Suite B-150
Erie, PA 16501
Phone: (814) 874-5080
Fax: (814) 874-5084
Central PA
817 E. Bishop Street, Suite C
Bellefonte, PA 16823
Phone: (814) 357-0314
Fax: (814) 357-0318
Lehigh Valley
840 Hamilton Street, Suite 301
Allentown, PA 18101
Phone: (610) 782-9470
Fax: (610) 782-9474
- Stephen Pandolfo
Please make an effort to contact one or all of Senator Casey's offices and encourage him to vote AGAINST the Senate Health Care Bill.
Senator Robert Casey Jr. was elected in 2006, defeating then Senator Rick Santorum, a longtime friend of pro-family and pro-life causes. During the campaign Casey pledged to uphold the dignity of human life while in office. Despite these promises, his recent statements suggest he may vote for the health care bill anyway, abortion and all.
Senator Casey is now facing the most important pro-life decision of his career. His vote, along with Senator Ben Nelson in Nebraska will likely decide the fate of the pending health care legislation.
Here is the contact information for each of Senator Casey’s offices:
Washington D.C.
393 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-6324
Fax: (202) 228-0604
Harrisburg
22 S. Third Street, Suite 6A
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: (717) 231-7540
Fax: (717) 231-7542
Philadelphia
2000 Market Street, Suite 1870
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: (215) 405-9660
Fax: (215) 405-9669
Pittsburgh
Regional Enterprise Tower
425 Sixth Avenue, Suite 2490
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Phone: (412) 803-7370
Fax: (412) 803-7379
Northeastern PA
409 Lackawanna Avenue, Suite 301
Scranton, PA 18503
Phone: (570) 941-0930
Fax: (570) 941-0937
Erie
17 South Park Row, Suite B-150
Erie, PA 16501
Phone: (814) 874-5080
Fax: (814) 874-5084
Central PA
817 E. Bishop Street, Suite C
Bellefonte, PA 16823
Phone: (814) 357-0314
Fax: (814) 357-0318
Lehigh Valley
840 Hamilton Street, Suite 301
Allentown, PA 18101
Phone: (610) 782-9470
Fax: (610) 782-9474
- Stephen Pandolfo
Friday, December 18, 2009
Pro-Troop Group Says Repatriating Yemenis Will Result in Loss of Innocent Lives
The largest pro-troop grassroots group in the nation, Move America Forward, was appalled to learn that the Obama administration is preparing to release six Yemenis and four Afghans to the Yemini government soon.
Terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda have a well documented history of taking advantage of the political instability in Yemen to use it as a training base or temporary safe haven for terrorists hiding or on their way to other battlefields.
“Transferring these terrorists back to Yemen or back to any of their home countries is extremely dangerous, and will almost certainly cause more American deaths and the deaths of other innocents, sadly,” said Danny Gonzalez, Director of Communications for the group. “We have had horrible luck, from the Bush administration to the Obama administration, with releasing these GITMO detainees. An alarming number of them, verifiably, return to terror.”
Gonzalez continued, “We have seen then show up in Al Qaeda propaganda videos, captured on the battlefield again, or we hear about them taking part in another bombing or kidnapping. Ultimately the safest place for these murders is Guantanamo Bay.”
In 2008 Move America Forward led a delegation on a 3 day tour of the facility at Guantanamo Bay.
They concluded that the facility at GITMO was professionally run and operating under the guidelines of all international laws and treaties.
Terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda have a well documented history of taking advantage of the political instability in Yemen to use it as a training base or temporary safe haven for terrorists hiding or on their way to other battlefields.
“Transferring these terrorists back to Yemen or back to any of their home countries is extremely dangerous, and will almost certainly cause more American deaths and the deaths of other innocents, sadly,” said Danny Gonzalez, Director of Communications for the group. “We have had horrible luck, from the Bush administration to the Obama administration, with releasing these GITMO detainees. An alarming number of them, verifiably, return to terror.”
Gonzalez continued, “We have seen then show up in Al Qaeda propaganda videos, captured on the battlefield again, or we hear about them taking part in another bombing or kidnapping. Ultimately the safest place for these murders is Guantanamo Bay.”
In 2008 Move America Forward led a delegation on a 3 day tour of the facility at Guantanamo Bay.
They concluded that the facility at GITMO was professionally run and operating under the guidelines of all international laws and treaties.
Under the cloak of darkness...
Senate invokes cloture on defense bill
The Senate voted 63-33 to limit debate on the 2010 defense appropriations bill in the early hours of Friday morning.
Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/72895-senate-invokes-cloture-on-defense-bill-in-wee-hours
The Senate voted 63-33 to limit debate on the 2010 defense appropriations bill in the early hours of Friday morning.
Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/72895-senate-invokes-cloture-on-defense-bill-in-wee-hours
Early morning laugh...
Think about this headline:
Obama: Global capacity to fight climate change 'in doubt right now'
The collective ability of world leaders to confront climate change "is in doubt right now," President Barack Obama said Friday in Copenhagen.
Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/677-e2-wire/72905-obama-global-emissions-deal-is-in-doubt-right-now
Like those of us out here in reality land ever had a doubt?
Since there never was a global "capacity" or ability to fight what comes natural to this part of the universe, it seems it's about time Obama realized that he is not omnipotent and able to change nature...
Not that he's really doing so. I understand the headline is really referring to the global communities inability to come to an agreement on how to stop what they scream is the end of the world... How come in the movies they always figure out a way to save the world at the end (cough, cough)? What a bunch of hooey... not just the Hollywood movies, but the whole global warming-now-climate-change-since-it's-getting-colder scheme. Don't ya think that if the world really was going to go belly up in five years, or whatever the latest estimate from "scientists" (cough, cough again) might be, that somehow they'd take the "can't we all just get along" route to survive?
I guess there's probably a contingency that would say that to China and other countries climate change doesn't matter that much, they'll survive, won't hurt the way they're working, they can clean it all up once climate change destroys the American and European economies. Thus they don't need to bargain. (Just tossed that in there because I know some climate change freak is gonna comment on this post... it's a religion that brings out the worst in some.)
Course, we all know none of this climate change stuff really has nothing to do with "climate change", it's another kind of change Obama is working toward!
Hopefully we'll soon see a headline similar to this: Obama: Democrat capacity to screw up health care 'stopped cold' and then maybe "Obama: We have decided not to kill what remains of the American economy by implementing cap and trade or card check"....
Hey, I can hope, right?
Obama: Global capacity to fight climate change 'in doubt right now'
The collective ability of world leaders to confront climate change "is in doubt right now," President Barack Obama said Friday in Copenhagen.
Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/677-e2-wire/72905-obama-global-emissions-deal-is-in-doubt-right-now
Like those of us out here in reality land ever had a doubt?
Since there never was a global "capacity" or ability to fight what comes natural to this part of the universe, it seems it's about time Obama realized that he is not omnipotent and able to change nature...
Not that he's really doing so. I understand the headline is really referring to the global communities inability to come to an agreement on how to stop what they scream is the end of the world... How come in the movies they always figure out a way to save the world at the end (cough, cough)? What a bunch of hooey... not just the Hollywood movies, but the whole global warming-now-climate-change-since-it's-getting-colder scheme. Don't ya think that if the world really was going to go belly up in five years, or whatever the latest estimate from "scientists" (cough, cough again) might be, that somehow they'd take the "can't we all just get along" route to survive?
I guess there's probably a contingency that would say that to China and other countries climate change doesn't matter that much, they'll survive, won't hurt the way they're working, they can clean it all up once climate change destroys the American and European economies. Thus they don't need to bargain. (Just tossed that in there because I know some climate change freak is gonna comment on this post... it's a religion that brings out the worst in some.)
Course, we all know none of this climate change stuff really has nothing to do with "climate change", it's another kind of change Obama is working toward!
Hopefully we'll soon see a headline similar to this: Obama: Democrat capacity to screw up health care 'stopped cold' and then maybe "Obama: We have decided not to kill what remains of the American economy by implementing cap and trade or card check"....
Hey, I can hope, right?
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Health Care Bill: The Current Picture
President Obama: Federal Government 'Will Go Bankrupt' if Health Care Costs Are Not Reined In
ABC's Karen Travers reports from Washington:
President Obama told ABC News’ Charles Gibson in an interview that if Congress does not pass health care legislation that will bring down costs, the federal government “will go bankrupt.”
The president laid out...
http://blogs.abcnews.com/theworldnewser/2009/12/president-obama-federal-government-will-go-bankrupt-if-health-care-costs-are-not-reigned-in.html?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Heritage%2BHotsheet
Health care bill can pass without Rep. Anh 'Joseph' Cao's vote, Nancy Pelosi says
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Wednesday that she believes that a final health care bill can pass the House even without anti-abortion language adopted earlier, and without the backing of Rep. Anh "Joseph" Cao of New Orleans, the lone Republican to vote for the bill when it passed the House 220-215 in early November.
http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2009/12/health_care_bill_can_pass_with.html
Colo. Sen. Udall Touts Medical Malpractice Plan
A medical malpractice proposal is on its way to Congress from a judicial think tank in Colorado.Democratic Sen. Mark Udall planned to introduce a plan Thursday to tweak rules for malpractice trials. The plan has the backing of the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System at the University of Denver.
http://cbs4denver.com/local/Colorado.Sen.Udall.2.1375406.html
Vote by Christmas in peril
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s plan to pass the Senate health care reform bill by Christmas looked increasingly in doubt Wednesday, as Republicans launched an offensive to stall the legislation and Democrats had yet to strike a 60-vote compromise
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1209/30694.html
Olbermann joins call to kill bill
Keith Olbermann became the latest progressive icon to voice opposition for the Senate health care reform bill on Wednesday. Olbermann, host of MSNBC’s “Countdown,” wrote in a post on the Daily Kos that he agrees with former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, who has told numerous media outlets that because the bill provides too many concessions and does not constitute real reform, Democrats should “kill the bill.”
http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20091217/pl_politico/30725_1
Landrieu says she will vote for health care reform bill
Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu said Tuesday she will vote to pass a Democratic bill to overhaul the nation’s health care system, calling the latest proposal a “dramatic improvement’’ over previous versions.
http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20091216/NEWS01/91216013/1060/NEWS01
Amendment To Allow Drug Importation Fails In Senate
A bipartisan plan to allow Americans to buy cheaper prescription drugs from suppliers in other countries, such as Canada, failed Tuesday in the Senate.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/174295.php
Sens. Reid, Casey Continue Work On Abortion Coverage Compromise Language
Negotiations between Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Sen. Robert Casey (D-Pa.) to craft compromise language on abortion coverage in the Senate health care reform bill (HR 3590) continued on Tuesday with the hopes of gaining antiabortion-rights Sen. Ben Nelson's (D-Neb.) support for the bill, Politico's "Live Pulse" reports (Frates, "Live Pulse," Politico, 12/15).
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/174279.php
Sanders says 'as of this point' he won't vote for healthcare bill
By Jordan Fabian
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said late Wednesday that he cannot support the Democrats' healthcare reform legislation in its current form.
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/72623-sanders-says-he-cant-vote-for-healthcare-bill
Senate struggles to pass health care bill
In the wake of President Obama's announcement this week that the Senate is on the verge of passing the health care reform bill, a time line and vote are still up in the air.
http://www.newburyportnews.com/punews/local_story_350230804.html
Health care reform faces roadblocks
A new poll finds that negativity is now shared by the American public. Senior democrats say there is more to love than to hate in their health care bill, fighting naysayers in both parties.
The senate debate on health care was stalled on purpose Wednesday afternoon. In an effort to stop debate, one republican required a 700-page amendment be read out loud.
http://www.walb.com/global/story.asp?s=11690459
Passage of Senate Health Care Bill Could Hinge on Abortion Funding
With Sen. Joe Lieberman apparently on board the health care reform train and the public option off the table, Senate Democrats are turning their attention to what could be the last remaining hurdle to passing a bill out of their chamber -- abortion funding.
http://www.foxsmallbusinesscenter.com/politics/2009/12/16/passage-senate-health-care-reform-hinges-abortion-funding/
GOP tries to delay vote on health bill
Senate Republicans vowed Wednesday to use every available tactic to delay voting on the health care bill, as Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., scrambled to unify Democrats in support of the legislation.
http://www.buffalonews.com/180/story/896944.html
Constituents tell McCaskill she will 'go to hell'
By Jordan Fabian
Sen. Claire McCaskill on Wednesday took to Twitter to air the comments of two constituents who told her she would "go to hell" depending on how she voted on healthcare reform.
http://thehill.com/blogs/twitter-room/other-news/72597-constituents-tell-mccaskill-she-will-go-to-hell
Howard Dean versus the White House
By Brent Budowsky
Things are getting hot between Howard Dean, who has called for the defeat of the pending Senate healthcare bill, and the White House, which is very angry with Dean. Here is my take:I completely agree with Howard Dean about the Senate bill. This has now become an embarrassment for the Democratic Party and the president, who have been neutered by Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.).
http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/healthcare/72535-howard-dean-versus-the-white-house
Left eases threat to kill health bill
By Alexander Bolton
Liberal groups and labor unions have pulled back from calls to kill the Senate healthcare bill.
http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/72685-left-eases-kill-bill-threat
Ahead of the Bell: Engineering and construction
Engineering and construction firms may gain from a bill passed by Democrats in the House aimed at spurring job growth.The Senate will still need to take up the measure next year. But FBR Capital Markets analyst Alex Rygiel said the "Jobs for Main Street Act of 2010," which passed Wednesday, "could could bode well for several engineering and construction contractors" as it directs tax dollars toward infrastructure projects.
http://news.ino.com/headlines/?newsid=6896776365500
20% of Americans lacked health insurance in last two years: MedCity Morning Read, Dec. 17, 2009
Highlights of the important and the interesting from the world of health care:
One in five lacked insurance: Nearly one in five Americans lacked health insurance at one point since January 2008, a new survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed. That equates to 58.4 million of our fellow Americans. Perhaps more disturbingly, a whopping 11 percent of Americans went more than an entire year without health
http://www.medcitynews.com/index.php/2009/12/20-of-americans-lacked-insurance-in-last-two-years-medcity-morning-read-dec-17-2009/
ABC's Karen Travers reports from Washington:
President Obama told ABC News’ Charles Gibson in an interview that if Congress does not pass health care legislation that will bring down costs, the federal government “will go bankrupt.”
The president laid out...
http://blogs.abcnews.com/theworldnewser/2009/12/president-obama-federal-government-will-go-bankrupt-if-health-care-costs-are-not-reigned-in.html?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Heritage%2BHotsheet
Health care bill can pass without Rep. Anh 'Joseph' Cao's vote, Nancy Pelosi says
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Wednesday that she believes that a final health care bill can pass the House even without anti-abortion language adopted earlier, and without the backing of Rep. Anh "Joseph" Cao of New Orleans, the lone Republican to vote for the bill when it passed the House 220-215 in early November.
http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2009/12/health_care_bill_can_pass_with.html
Colo. Sen. Udall Touts Medical Malpractice Plan
A medical malpractice proposal is on its way to Congress from a judicial think tank in Colorado.Democratic Sen. Mark Udall planned to introduce a plan Thursday to tweak rules for malpractice trials. The plan has the backing of the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System at the University of Denver.
http://cbs4denver.com/local/Colorado.Sen.Udall.2.1375406.html
Vote by Christmas in peril
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s plan to pass the Senate health care reform bill by Christmas looked increasingly in doubt Wednesday, as Republicans launched an offensive to stall the legislation and Democrats had yet to strike a 60-vote compromise
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1209/30694.html
Olbermann joins call to kill bill
Keith Olbermann became the latest progressive icon to voice opposition for the Senate health care reform bill on Wednesday. Olbermann, host of MSNBC’s “Countdown,” wrote in a post on the Daily Kos that he agrees with former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, who has told numerous media outlets that because the bill provides too many concessions and does not constitute real reform, Democrats should “kill the bill.”
http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20091217/pl_politico/30725_1
Landrieu says she will vote for health care reform bill
Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu said Tuesday she will vote to pass a Democratic bill to overhaul the nation’s health care system, calling the latest proposal a “dramatic improvement’’ over previous versions.
http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20091216/NEWS01/91216013/1060/NEWS01
Amendment To Allow Drug Importation Fails In Senate
A bipartisan plan to allow Americans to buy cheaper prescription drugs from suppliers in other countries, such as Canada, failed Tuesday in the Senate.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/174295.php
Sens. Reid, Casey Continue Work On Abortion Coverage Compromise Language
Negotiations between Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Sen. Robert Casey (D-Pa.) to craft compromise language on abortion coverage in the Senate health care reform bill (HR 3590) continued on Tuesday with the hopes of gaining antiabortion-rights Sen. Ben Nelson's (D-Neb.) support for the bill, Politico's "Live Pulse" reports (Frates, "Live Pulse," Politico, 12/15).
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/174279.php
Sanders says 'as of this point' he won't vote for healthcare bill
By Jordan Fabian
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said late Wednesday that he cannot support the Democrats' healthcare reform legislation in its current form.
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/72623-sanders-says-he-cant-vote-for-healthcare-bill
Senate struggles to pass health care bill
In the wake of President Obama's announcement this week that the Senate is on the verge of passing the health care reform bill, a time line and vote are still up in the air.
http://www.newburyportnews.com/punews/local_story_350230804.html
Health care reform faces roadblocks
A new poll finds that negativity is now shared by the American public. Senior democrats say there is more to love than to hate in their health care bill, fighting naysayers in both parties.
The senate debate on health care was stalled on purpose Wednesday afternoon. In an effort to stop debate, one republican required a 700-page amendment be read out loud.
http://www.walb.com/global/story.asp?s=11690459
Passage of Senate Health Care Bill Could Hinge on Abortion Funding
With Sen. Joe Lieberman apparently on board the health care reform train and the public option off the table, Senate Democrats are turning their attention to what could be the last remaining hurdle to passing a bill out of their chamber -- abortion funding.
http://www.foxsmallbusinesscenter.com/politics/2009/12/16/passage-senate-health-care-reform-hinges-abortion-funding/
GOP tries to delay vote on health bill
Senate Republicans vowed Wednesday to use every available tactic to delay voting on the health care bill, as Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., scrambled to unify Democrats in support of the legislation.
http://www.buffalonews.com/180/story/896944.html
Constituents tell McCaskill she will 'go to hell'
By Jordan Fabian
Sen. Claire McCaskill on Wednesday took to Twitter to air the comments of two constituents who told her she would "go to hell" depending on how she voted on healthcare reform.
http://thehill.com/blogs/twitter-room/other-news/72597-constituents-tell-mccaskill-she-will-go-to-hell
Howard Dean versus the White House
By Brent Budowsky
Things are getting hot between Howard Dean, who has called for the defeat of the pending Senate healthcare bill, and the White House, which is very angry with Dean. Here is my take:I completely agree with Howard Dean about the Senate bill. This has now become an embarrassment for the Democratic Party and the president, who have been neutered by Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.).
http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/healthcare/72535-howard-dean-versus-the-white-house
Left eases threat to kill health bill
By Alexander Bolton
Liberal groups and labor unions have pulled back from calls to kill the Senate healthcare bill.
http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/72685-left-eases-kill-bill-threat
Ahead of the Bell: Engineering and construction
Engineering and construction firms may gain from a bill passed by Democrats in the House aimed at spurring job growth.The Senate will still need to take up the measure next year. But FBR Capital Markets analyst Alex Rygiel said the "Jobs for Main Street Act of 2010," which passed Wednesday, "could could bode well for several engineering and construction contractors" as it directs tax dollars toward infrastructure projects.
http://news.ino.com/headlines/?newsid=6896776365500
20% of Americans lacked health insurance in last two years: MedCity Morning Read, Dec. 17, 2009
Highlights of the important and the interesting from the world of health care:
One in five lacked insurance: Nearly one in five Americans lacked health insurance at one point since January 2008, a new survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed. That equates to 58.4 million of our fellow Americans. Perhaps more disturbingly, a whopping 11 percent of Americans went more than an entire year without health
http://www.medcitynews.com/index.php/2009/12/20-of-americans-lacked-insurance-in-last-two-years-medcity-morning-read-dec-17-2009/
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
2010 Nationwide American Tax Revolt Tea Party
Saturday, May 15 at 10:00am.
Event: THE 2010 NATIONWIDE AMERICAN TAX REVOLT TEA PARTY
What: Protest
Start Time: Saturday, May 15 at 10:00am
End Time: Saturday, May 15 at 3:00pm
Where: All Capitol Cities In All States At State Capitol Steps and In Front Of The White House.
To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below: http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=203272966511&mid=19261d6G5d770abcG826901G7
(you'll need to be a registered Facebook user to go to that link... however, it's easy to find out more info on this one, just do an Internet search)
(Can you tell I'm checking my Facebook account? ;-)
Event: THE 2010 NATIONWIDE AMERICAN TAX REVOLT TEA PARTY
What: Protest
Start Time: Saturday, May 15 at 10:00am
End Time: Saturday, May 15 at 3:00pm
Where: All Capitol Cities In All States At State Capitol Steps and In Front Of The White House.
To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below: http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=203272966511&mid=19261d6G5d770abcG826901G7
(you'll need to be a registered Facebook user to go to that link... however, it's easy to find out more info on this one, just do an Internet search)
(Can you tell I'm checking my Facebook account? ;-)
FRC: Live Webcast Tonight on Health Care Reform
December 16, 2009
Tonight, December 16, FRC Action and The Call to Conscience will host a live video webcast entitled "An FRC Action PrayerCast: Government Takeover of Healthcare". Beginning at 8:30 p.m. (EST), this PrayerCast will feature a powerful line-up of speakers, including:
Tony Perkins, President, Family Research Council Action
Lou Engle, Founder and President, The Call to Conscience
Jim Daly, President, Focus on the Family Action
Dr. James Dobson, Founder, Focus on the Family Action
Hon. Sam Brownback, United States Senator, Kansas
Hon. Randy Forbes, United States Congressman, Virginia
Hon. Jim DeMint, United States Senator, South Carolina
Hon. Michele Bachmann, United States Congresswoman, Minnesota
Bishop Harry Jackson, President, High Impact Leadership Coalition
Pastor Jim Garlow, Skyline Church, San Diego, Calif.
Reverend Samuel Rodriguez, National Hispanic Leadership Conference
During the webcast, you will hear the latest on the threats to the God-given right to human life through government funding of abortions, our health from rationing, our family finances from higher taxes, and our general freedom posed by the government plan to take over healthcare.
We will enter into a time of prayer for the nation, and our leaders. Your engagement and urgent prayer is more critical than ever as Congress will very soon vote on a final health care bill.
Register now and join us this evening!
Register Now to Watch Tonight's FRC Action PrayerCast: Government Takeover of Healthcare.
Sincerely,
Tony Perkins
President (Family Research Council)
Tonight, December 16, FRC Action and The Call to Conscience will host a live video webcast entitled "An FRC Action PrayerCast: Government Takeover of Healthcare". Beginning at 8:30 p.m. (EST), this PrayerCast will feature a powerful line-up of speakers, including:
Tony Perkins, President, Family Research Council Action
Lou Engle, Founder and President, The Call to Conscience
Jim Daly, President, Focus on the Family Action
Dr. James Dobson, Founder, Focus on the Family Action
Hon. Sam Brownback, United States Senator, Kansas
Hon. Randy Forbes, United States Congressman, Virginia
Hon. Jim DeMint, United States Senator, South Carolina
Hon. Michele Bachmann, United States Congresswoman, Minnesota
Bishop Harry Jackson, President, High Impact Leadership Coalition
Pastor Jim Garlow, Skyline Church, San Diego, Calif.
Reverend Samuel Rodriguez, National Hispanic Leadership Conference
During the webcast, you will hear the latest on the threats to the God-given right to human life through government funding of abortions, our health from rationing, our family finances from higher taxes, and our general freedom posed by the government plan to take over healthcare.
We will enter into a time of prayer for the nation, and our leaders. Your engagement and urgent prayer is more critical than ever as Congress will very soon vote on a final health care bill.
Register now and join us this evening!
Register Now to Watch Tonight's FRC Action PrayerCast: Government Takeover of Healthcare.
Sincerely,
Tony Perkins
President (Family Research Council)
Nelson-Hatch-Casey Health Care Bill Amendment
The Senate version of the Health Care bill is currently under consideration.
On December 8th, the Senate voted to table the Nelson-Hatch-Casey amendment, which would have maintained existing law by prohibiting both federal funding of abortion and government-mandated abortion coverage.
The next thing that will happen is a floor vote on the Senate version of the bill. The defeat of the Nelson-Hatch-Casey amendment means that the Senate version of the bill includes taxpayer-funded abortion. When the vote will happen is uncertain, some say before Christmas...others say after the New Year.
One thing is for certain:
NOW is the time for you to contact your Senators and tell them to vote NO for the Senate version of the Health Care bill. For the most part, the votes have gone along party lines, with a few exceptions. You can find the complete roll call here:
http://senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=1&vote=00369
If your Senator(s) voted AGAINST the Nelson-Hatch-Casey amendment, please call their office and let them know that you WILL NOT consider voting for their re-election unless they vote to OPPOSE the Senate Health Care bill. That is the only thing they will understand.
If your Senator(s) voted IN FAVOR of the Nelson-Hatch-Casey amendment, please call their office to thank them and ask them to OPPOSE the Senate version of the Health Care bill.
If you live in Nebraska, please send a word of encouragement to Senator Ben Nelson asking him to stand fast and strong in opposing the bill. If you live in Pennsylvania, please do the same for Senator Casey.
NOW is the time to encourage our lawmakers in both the Senate and the House to vote against taxpayer-funded abortion.
If the Senate version of the bill passes, then it goes to conference committee where the Senate and the House version are reconciled and voted on again. This is why it's also important to encourage your Representatives to vote against taxpayer-funded abortion.
You can find additional information at the following sites:
http://stoptheabortionmandate.com/
http://www.nrlc.org/default.html
http://www.aul.org/
http://www.realhealthcarerespectslife.com/
Thanks and God Bless!!
- Steve
(via Citizens Against FOCA on Facebook)
On December 8th, the Senate voted to table the Nelson-Hatch-Casey amendment, which would have maintained existing law by prohibiting both federal funding of abortion and government-mandated abortion coverage.
The next thing that will happen is a floor vote on the Senate version of the bill. The defeat of the Nelson-Hatch-Casey amendment means that the Senate version of the bill includes taxpayer-funded abortion. When the vote will happen is uncertain, some say before Christmas...others say after the New Year.
One thing is for certain:
NOW is the time for you to contact your Senators and tell them to vote NO for the Senate version of the Health Care bill. For the most part, the votes have gone along party lines, with a few exceptions. You can find the complete roll call here:
http://senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=1&vote=00369
If your Senator(s) voted AGAINST the Nelson-Hatch-Casey amendment, please call their office and let them know that you WILL NOT consider voting for their re-election unless they vote to OPPOSE the Senate Health Care bill. That is the only thing they will understand.
If your Senator(s) voted IN FAVOR of the Nelson-Hatch-Casey amendment, please call their office to thank them and ask them to OPPOSE the Senate version of the Health Care bill.
If you live in Nebraska, please send a word of encouragement to Senator Ben Nelson asking him to stand fast and strong in opposing the bill. If you live in Pennsylvania, please do the same for Senator Casey.
NOW is the time to encourage our lawmakers in both the Senate and the House to vote against taxpayer-funded abortion.
If the Senate version of the bill passes, then it goes to conference committee where the Senate and the House version are reconciled and voted on again. This is why it's also important to encourage your Representatives to vote against taxpayer-funded abortion.
You can find additional information at the following sites:
http://stoptheabortionmandate.com/
http://www.nrlc.org/default.html
http://www.aul.org/
http://www.realhealthcarerespectslife.com/
Thanks and God Bless!!
- Steve
(via Citizens Against FOCA on Facebook)
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Biden 'confident' that Lieberman will vote for final healthcare bill
Vice President Joe Biden said on Tuesday morning that he's "confident" that Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) will vote for healthcare reform.
Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/72245-biden-confident-lieberman-will-vote-for-final-health-bill
By Michael O'Brien
Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/72245-biden-confident-lieberman-will-vote-for-final-health-bill
By Michael O'Brien
A few health care articles that caught my attention...
Byron York - Why Democrats push health care, even if it kills them
To some observers, the Democrats' race to pass national health care seems irrational -- even suicidal. Don't party leaders understand how much the public opposes the bills currently on the table? Don't they know that voters are likely to take their revenge at the polls next year? Given that, why do they keep rushing ahead?
"Because they think they know what's best for the public," the strategist said. "They think the facts are being distorted and the public's being told a story that is not entirely true, and that they are in Congress to be leaders. And they are going to make the decision because Goddammit, it's good for the public."
---
Susan Ferrechio - Liberals swallow another health compromise in Senate
In a last-ditch attempt to come up with the 60 votes needed to pass health care legislation this year, Senate Democrats appeared ready to dump plans to expand Medicare, with leaders telling their liberal faction to accept a stripped-down proposal because it is better than passing nothing at all.
Majority Leader Harry Reid, of Nevada, refused to answer questions after the meeting, but other Democratic leaders signaled that liberals are being asked to accept a bill that falls fall short of their original proposal, which at one point included a large, government-run health insurance program.
----
Reid to give in to centrists on healthcare, senators say
By J. Taylor Rushing and Alexander Bolton
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is prepared to give in to demands from centrists in order to pass the healthcare legislation before Christmas, senators say.
http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/72187-reid-gives-in-to-centrists-on-healthcare-senators-say
---
Dems back on shaky ground
By A.B. Stoddard
OK, so I was wrong. Senate Democrats only appeared united around finishing and passing healthcare reform last week, but they weren't united after all. Today's Washington Post is predicting that the next 48 hours could decide the fate of reform passing this year.
http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/lawmaker-news/72065-dems-back-on-shaky-ground
To some observers, the Democrats' race to pass national health care seems irrational -- even suicidal. Don't party leaders understand how much the public opposes the bills currently on the table? Don't they know that voters are likely to take their revenge at the polls next year? Given that, why do they keep rushing ahead?
"Because they think they know what's best for the public," the strategist said. "They think the facts are being distorted and the public's being told a story that is not entirely true, and that they are in Congress to be leaders. And they are going to make the decision because Goddammit, it's good for the public."
---
Susan Ferrechio - Liberals swallow another health compromise in Senate
In a last-ditch attempt to come up with the 60 votes needed to pass health care legislation this year, Senate Democrats appeared ready to dump plans to expand Medicare, with leaders telling their liberal faction to accept a stripped-down proposal because it is better than passing nothing at all.
Majority Leader Harry Reid, of Nevada, refused to answer questions after the meeting, but other Democratic leaders signaled that liberals are being asked to accept a bill that falls fall short of their original proposal, which at one point included a large, government-run health insurance program.
----
Reid to give in to centrists on healthcare, senators say
By J. Taylor Rushing and Alexander Bolton
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is prepared to give in to demands from centrists in order to pass the healthcare legislation before Christmas, senators say.
http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/72187-reid-gives-in-to-centrists-on-healthcare-senators-say
---
Dems back on shaky ground
By A.B. Stoddard
OK, so I was wrong. Senate Democrats only appeared united around finishing and passing healthcare reform last week, but they weren't united after all. Today's Washington Post is predicting that the next 48 hours could decide the fate of reform passing this year.
http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/lawmaker-news/72065-dems-back-on-shaky-ground
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
4-Star General Reports on Afghanistan
I thought the following was interesting. We posted it on our Military Matters blog, but that only goes to the Georgia Front Page list & followers. Thought some of you might be interested in reading, too.
4-Star Gen. McCaffrey Back From Afghanistan...
/PRNewswire/ -- Four Star-Gen. Barry McCaffrey (Ret), a former Gulf War commander, SouthCom Commander, and U.S. National Drug Policy Director, now Adjunct Professor of International Affairs at West Point, has issued a comprehensive assessment, report, and recommendations on the situation in Afghanistan following a week long-visit.
During his mission, conducted for the U.S. Military Academy, McCaffrey toured the region and met with senior military officials including General David Petraeus and General Stanley McChrystal, attended a Joint Command briefing, met with the ISAF Strategic Advisory Board, top Afghanistan officials, U.S. diplomats including Ambassador Karl Eikenberry, and law enforcement officials.
For the full report, see: http://www.mccaffreyassociates.com/pdfs/AAR_november_2009.pdf.
Among Gen. McCaffrey's findings:
* The President's strategy speech at West Point was "coherent, logical, and sincere."
* A successful strategy will require three to ten years "to build a viable Afghan state with their own security force that can allow us to withdraw. We are likely to suffer thousands more U.S. casualties."
* One of the most important concerns is the stability of Pakistan.
* "We are vulnerable in our Afghanistan operation.... There is little question that Pakistan offers de facto sanctuary to the Taliban.... The Pakistani Army is fighting their own Taliban for the future of the nation."
* "The Taliban believe they are winning in Afghanistan. The Taliban now have a serious presence in 160 districts of 364 -- up from 30 in 2003. In July alone they employed 828 IED attacks. We should expect 5700 IED attacks by year's end 2009."
* "The Afghan National Army is a growing success story," but "the Afghan National police are badly equipped, corrupt (7300 fired in last two years), and untrained." Even with U.S. DOD taking charge of the program, "it will take a decade to create an Afghan National Police Force with adequate integrity."
* While the U.S. prison commander establishes proper values and meets each day with senior detainees to hear their views, "the nation's 34 provincial prisons and 203 detention centers are appalling. Prisoners are consistently subject to torture and police frequently rape female and male detainees."
* The Taliban enforce a parallel system of justice involving hangings, torture, beheadings and beatings."
* "Afghanistan now has hope" despite its problems. Access to basic health care has rocketed from 8% in 2001 to 79%, 83% of children are immunized, TB deaths are down 50%, and seven million children including three million girls are in school - up from one million students and zero girls during the Taliban rule.
THE DRUG ISSUE:
* "The $3.4 billion opium crop produces weapons and supplies for the Taliban and al Qaeda. Left unaddressed, the heroin menace will defeat our strategic goals. Afghanistan produces 93% of the global supply of heroin."
"The current notion that we can ignore the growers as simple farmers and focus our counter-drug strategy on law enforcement against the cartels is painfully naive."
"The solution is three pronged. First, work on alternative livelihood agricultural crops. Second, have the Afghan political leadership confront the opium issue as un-Islamic and one that destroys their culture. Third, destroy the crops. Without the last, nothing will work."
SUMMARY:
We can achieve our objectives in the coming five years:
* Create an Afghan security force;
* Create governance from the bottom up;
* Mitigate the corruption by having a parallel chain of financial custody until the Afghan government is operating unlike an active criminal enterprise."
4-Star Gen. McCaffrey Back From Afghanistan...
/PRNewswire/ -- Four Star-Gen. Barry McCaffrey (Ret), a former Gulf War commander, SouthCom Commander, and U.S. National Drug Policy Director, now Adjunct Professor of International Affairs at West Point, has issued a comprehensive assessment, report, and recommendations on the situation in Afghanistan following a week long-visit.
During his mission, conducted for the U.S. Military Academy, McCaffrey toured the region and met with senior military officials including General David Petraeus and General Stanley McChrystal, attended a Joint Command briefing, met with the ISAF Strategic Advisory Board, top Afghanistan officials, U.S. diplomats including Ambassador Karl Eikenberry, and law enforcement officials.
For the full report, see: http://www.mccaffreyassociates.com/pdfs/AAR_november_2009.pdf.
Among Gen. McCaffrey's findings:
* The President's strategy speech at West Point was "coherent, logical, and sincere."
* A successful strategy will require three to ten years "to build a viable Afghan state with their own security force that can allow us to withdraw. We are likely to suffer thousands more U.S. casualties."
* One of the most important concerns is the stability of Pakistan.
* "We are vulnerable in our Afghanistan operation.... There is little question that Pakistan offers de facto sanctuary to the Taliban.... The Pakistani Army is fighting their own Taliban for the future of the nation."
* "The Taliban believe they are winning in Afghanistan. The Taliban now have a serious presence in 160 districts of 364 -- up from 30 in 2003. In July alone they employed 828 IED attacks. We should expect 5700 IED attacks by year's end 2009."
* "The Afghan National Army is a growing success story," but "the Afghan National police are badly equipped, corrupt (7300 fired in last two years), and untrained." Even with U.S. DOD taking charge of the program, "it will take a decade to create an Afghan National Police Force with adequate integrity."
* While the U.S. prison commander establishes proper values and meets each day with senior detainees to hear their views, "the nation's 34 provincial prisons and 203 detention centers are appalling. Prisoners are consistently subject to torture and police frequently rape female and male detainees."
* The Taliban enforce a parallel system of justice involving hangings, torture, beheadings and beatings."
* "Afghanistan now has hope" despite its problems. Access to basic health care has rocketed from 8% in 2001 to 79%, 83% of children are immunized, TB deaths are down 50%, and seven million children including three million girls are in school - up from one million students and zero girls during the Taliban rule.
THE DRUG ISSUE:
* "The $3.4 billion opium crop produces weapons and supplies for the Taliban and al Qaeda. Left unaddressed, the heroin menace will defeat our strategic goals. Afghanistan produces 93% of the global supply of heroin."
"The current notion that we can ignore the growers as simple farmers and focus our counter-drug strategy on law enforcement against the cartels is painfully naive."
"The solution is three pronged. First, work on alternative livelihood agricultural crops. Second, have the Afghan political leadership confront the opium issue as un-Islamic and one that destroys their culture. Third, destroy the crops. Without the last, nothing will work."
SUMMARY:
We can achieve our objectives in the coming five years:
* Create an Afghan security force;
* Create governance from the bottom up;
* Mitigate the corruption by having a parallel chain of financial custody until the Afghan government is operating unlike an active criminal enterprise."
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Spread the word, get involved: Tax Day Tea Party, April 15th 2010
I'm posting from a number of sources below, all focused on Tax Day Tea Party 2010! Visit www.taxdayteaparty.com to find out more, to get your local efforts underway, to join forces with other groups, etc., etc., etc. Let's make it happen and make it happen big... so BIG the "media" won't be able to ignore us... so BIG those in the White House won't be able to ignore us... let's ALL the streets and wave two signs instead of one... bring cameras and other recording devices and film every bit and swallow YouTube... you get the drift, grab ten of your neighbors and get their butts in gear, too.
First, some websites:
www.taxdayteaparty.com
http://www.taxteaparty.com/
http://albuquerqueteaparty.com/
San Diego on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=168039227365&index=1
Nationwide Tax Day Tea Party on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=55223597239
http://www.arizonateaparty.com/
http://teapartypatriots.org/
http://www.atlantateaparty.net/
http://www.teapartypalatine.com/
http://www.reteaparty.com/
http://southbaytaxdayteaparty.typepad.com/
Do a search, there's a ton of sites out there... find your area, sign up for updates, sign on to help.
----
Tax Day Tea Party II: April 15, 2010, D.C.
It all started with Tax Day Tea Party 2009, which brought approximately a million Americans out to support the American liberty movement and oppose the outrageous growth of our federal government and the associated threats on our long-held American liberties.
On April 15, 2010, the movement continues at the U.S. Capitol and Washington Mall in Washington, D.C. with Tax Day Tea Party II. Quite simply, Tax Day Tea Party II will be the largest Tea Party ever held, and we expect it may well be the largest gathering ever of Americans in the nation’s capital.
Over this past year, the Tea Party movement has emerged as one of the most effective, influential and burgeoning forces in modern American politics. On April 15, 2010, at the U.S. Capitol and Washington Mall, as we believe is entirely possible, it will take its next step forward, bringing the liberty message right to the doorsteps of the elected officials that have been driving America down the road of statism and socialism.
How can you help?
The Tea Party movement is a movement of the American people and for the American people, so our future and success rests with you. Right now, if you want to help us as we prepare for this massive April 15, 2010 Tea Party in Washington, D.C., there are two things you can you do. First and most important, immediately make your plans to join us for what we believe will be a historic day in the rebirth of American liberty. Second, be sure to recruit every friend or family member you can find to join us in Washington, D.C. We know that our message of liberty and opposition to the status quo in Washington, D.C. will resonate. But we also want to speak through numbers. Should we be able to draw in excess of one million people to Washington, D.C. on April 15, 2010, it will be the largest gathering ever held in our nation’s capital, exceeding that of President Obama’s January 2009 swearing in ceremony.
Getting to Washington, D.C.
We encourage attendees to the Tax Day Tea Party II to get to Washington, D.C. on April 15, 2010 anyway they wish. The city is available by plane (Ronald Reagan National Airport and Dulles International Airport), train (Union Station in Washington, D.C. is within walking distance of the Capitol), and commercial bus. Others may choose to drive. And for those interested, we anticipate helping organize and support groups in organizing buses of attendees (a typical bus can seat approximately 45 people).
How important is this?
It cannot be said emphatically enough: American liberty is under assault by this administration and Congress. That’s the bad news. The good news, as has been widely acknowledged by political leaders and media, is that the Tea Party movement has succeeded in slowing down the federal government’s rush to socialism. We have held at bay some of the worst pieces of legislation in American history, including Obamacare and Cap and Trade.
It’s also important to remember that this is a battle that will have winners and losers. This administration and Congress has been very forthright in pursuing a transformation of America that would move our nation substantially and permanently away from the sort of government and nation envisioned by our founding fathers. We are equally determined to ensure that the founding vision of our nation and the letter of the Constitution is preserved for this and future generations. But whether we win or lose this battle rests largely on you. A well-attended, successful Tax Day Tea Party II on April 15, 2010 will send a message heading in to the 2010 elections that Americans value and will defend their liberty. So how important is this? We believe it is no exagerration to say that the very freedom and future of our nation rides on whether we succeed or fail.
Our motto for Tax Day Tea Party II is: Regroup. Rebuild. Reclaim. And we hope you will help us do exactly that.
Next steps
Stay tuned to this page for continual updates as the April 15, 2010 Tea Party in Washington, D.C. nears. Make your plans now to join us there on April 15, 2010. And, in the meantime, should you have questions, feel free to contact either of our two primary organizers:
Michael Johns:
E-mail: michaeldjohns@gmail.com.
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/michaeljohns
Eric Odom:
E-mail: eric@taxdayteaparty.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ericjodom
----
The Tax Day Tea Party has posted two major efforts that I want to invite you to join.
1) A major march on Washington on April 15th
Bigger, better, more focused and armed with a people that are ready to follow the march up with action.
http://www.facebook.com/l/792de;TaxDayTeaParty.com joins Freedomworks in an effort to show Washington who is really in charge.
Details are at http://www.facebook.com/l/792de;taxdayteaparty.com
2) The Patriot CaucusThe April 15th event doesn't end in Washington. We carry on to Valley Forge for a Historic event that you don't want to miss. Details are here http://www.facebook.com/l/792de;taxdayteaparty.com/2009/12/patriot-caucus/
Whatever you choose to do on Tax Day of 2010, please get as many people as possible to join you. This day represents our final plea to the government before removing them through the electoral process.
It's our time to shine, folks. Let's shine like never before!
For Liberty,
-Eric Odom
Nationwide Tax Day Tea Party" on Thursday, April 15 at 11:00am.
Event: Nationwide Tax Day Tea Party
What: Rally
Start Time: Thursday, April 15 at 11:00am
End Time: Thursday, April 15 at 8:00pm
Where: Washington, D.C.To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=188895659598&mid=18538abG5d770abcG7bf118G7
First, some websites:
www.taxdayteaparty.com
http://www.taxteaparty.com/
http://albuquerqueteaparty.com/
San Diego on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=168039227365&index=1
Nationwide Tax Day Tea Party on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=55223597239
http://www.arizonateaparty.com/
http://teapartypatriots.org/
http://www.atlantateaparty.net/
http://www.teapartypalatine.com/
http://www.reteaparty.com/
http://southbaytaxdayteaparty.typepad.com/
Do a search, there's a ton of sites out there... find your area, sign up for updates, sign on to help.
----
Tax Day Tea Party II: April 15, 2010, D.C.
It all started with Tax Day Tea Party 2009, which brought approximately a million Americans out to support the American liberty movement and oppose the outrageous growth of our federal government and the associated threats on our long-held American liberties.
On April 15, 2010, the movement continues at the U.S. Capitol and Washington Mall in Washington, D.C. with Tax Day Tea Party II. Quite simply, Tax Day Tea Party II will be the largest Tea Party ever held, and we expect it may well be the largest gathering ever of Americans in the nation’s capital.
Over this past year, the Tea Party movement has emerged as one of the most effective, influential and burgeoning forces in modern American politics. On April 15, 2010, at the U.S. Capitol and Washington Mall, as we believe is entirely possible, it will take its next step forward, bringing the liberty message right to the doorsteps of the elected officials that have been driving America down the road of statism and socialism.
How can you help?
The Tea Party movement is a movement of the American people and for the American people, so our future and success rests with you. Right now, if you want to help us as we prepare for this massive April 15, 2010 Tea Party in Washington, D.C., there are two things you can you do. First and most important, immediately make your plans to join us for what we believe will be a historic day in the rebirth of American liberty. Second, be sure to recruit every friend or family member you can find to join us in Washington, D.C. We know that our message of liberty and opposition to the status quo in Washington, D.C. will resonate. But we also want to speak through numbers. Should we be able to draw in excess of one million people to Washington, D.C. on April 15, 2010, it will be the largest gathering ever held in our nation’s capital, exceeding that of President Obama’s January 2009 swearing in ceremony.
Getting to Washington, D.C.
We encourage attendees to the Tax Day Tea Party II to get to Washington, D.C. on April 15, 2010 anyway they wish. The city is available by plane (Ronald Reagan National Airport and Dulles International Airport), train (Union Station in Washington, D.C. is within walking distance of the Capitol), and commercial bus. Others may choose to drive. And for those interested, we anticipate helping organize and support groups in organizing buses of attendees (a typical bus can seat approximately 45 people).
How important is this?
It cannot be said emphatically enough: American liberty is under assault by this administration and Congress. That’s the bad news. The good news, as has been widely acknowledged by political leaders and media, is that the Tea Party movement has succeeded in slowing down the federal government’s rush to socialism. We have held at bay some of the worst pieces of legislation in American history, including Obamacare and Cap and Trade.
It’s also important to remember that this is a battle that will have winners and losers. This administration and Congress has been very forthright in pursuing a transformation of America that would move our nation substantially and permanently away from the sort of government and nation envisioned by our founding fathers. We are equally determined to ensure that the founding vision of our nation and the letter of the Constitution is preserved for this and future generations. But whether we win or lose this battle rests largely on you. A well-attended, successful Tax Day Tea Party II on April 15, 2010 will send a message heading in to the 2010 elections that Americans value and will defend their liberty. So how important is this? We believe it is no exagerration to say that the very freedom and future of our nation rides on whether we succeed or fail.
Our motto for Tax Day Tea Party II is: Regroup. Rebuild. Reclaim. And we hope you will help us do exactly that.
Next steps
Stay tuned to this page for continual updates as the April 15, 2010 Tea Party in Washington, D.C. nears. Make your plans now to join us there on April 15, 2010. And, in the meantime, should you have questions, feel free to contact either of our two primary organizers:
Michael Johns:
E-mail: michaeldjohns@gmail.com.
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/michaeljohns
Eric Odom:
E-mail: eric@taxdayteaparty.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ericjodom
----
The Tax Day Tea Party has posted two major efforts that I want to invite you to join.
1) A major march on Washington on April 15th
Bigger, better, more focused and armed with a people that are ready to follow the march up with action.
http://www.facebook.com/l/792de;TaxDayTeaParty.com joins Freedomworks in an effort to show Washington who is really in charge.
Details are at http://www.facebook.com/l/792de;taxdayteaparty.com
2) The Patriot CaucusThe April 15th event doesn't end in Washington. We carry on to Valley Forge for a Historic event that you don't want to miss. Details are here http://www.facebook.com/l/792de;taxdayteaparty.com/2009/12/patriot-caucus/
Whatever you choose to do on Tax Day of 2010, please get as many people as possible to join you. This day represents our final plea to the government before removing them through the electoral process.
It's our time to shine, folks. Let's shine like never before!
For Liberty,
-Eric Odom
Nationwide Tax Day Tea Party" on Thursday, April 15 at 11:00am.
Event: Nationwide Tax Day Tea Party
What: Rally
Start Time: Thursday, April 15 at 11:00am
End Time: Thursday, April 15 at 8:00pm
Where: Washington, D.C.To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=188895659598&mid=18538abG5d770abcG7bf118G7
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Obama will try to rally Senate Dems on healthcare Sunday
President Barack Obama will meet with Senate Democrats on Sunday afternoon as party divisions in the healthcare reform bill have intensified over abortion language and the public option.
Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/70751-obama-will-try-to-rally-senate-dems-on-sunday
By Walter Alarkon
(Wonder how much money this "rally" will cost us? I am so ready to kick every bribe-takin', country killin' slime-ball out... )
Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/70751-obama-will-try-to-rally-senate-dems-on-sunday
By Walter Alarkon
(Wonder how much money this "rally" will cost us? I am so ready to kick every bribe-takin', country killin' slime-ball out... )
Dems shoot down GOP amendment to restore Medicare funding
Democrats held fast Saturday against another Republican attempt to restore funding for a Medicare program facing cuts in the Senate healthcare bill.
Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/70763-dems-shoot-down-gop-amendment-to-restore-medicare-funding
By Walter Alarkon
Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/70763-dems-shoot-down-gop-amendment-to-restore-medicare-funding
By Walter Alarkon
Friday, December 4, 2009
Roaring Silence
Across the country people are roaring. They are writing, calling, getting involved... groups like the Tea Party Patriots and the 912 project are springing up... people are picketing, meeting, protesting... grandparents are canceling AARP, turning of Letterman, tuning into talk radio... college students are organizing... mothers and fathers are pulling their kids out of school...
America is roaring.
Right now we seem to be roaring in silence.
Those in Washington are ignoring us. The mainstream media is ignoring us and they are ignoring news that doesn't fit the agenda. Obama, Pelosi and Reid act like we're a buzzing mosquito: irritating but they have bug spray and swatters if we get too loud or close.
We're just going to have to roar louder. We're going to have to up our game and coordinate better. Right now we all kinds of groups forming, all with great ideas and great motivation. We're fired up.
One thing that can hurt us as we all move forward is the big fish, small pond syndrome. Everyone wanting to be top dog, start the movement that's going to topple the "regime".
Another that can kill an organization faster than Obama and friends is our natural tendency to splinter over differences. We have to learn to work together, to ignore those pesky differences that don't matter in the big scheme of things. We have to keep our eye on the proverbial ball.
We need to always look at the big picture. We also have to check our egos at the door.
The reason our local Republican Party is so fractured, so ineffective is that everyone in the organization seems to want to be the chief. For many it's their life, their validation of who they are, that they're important. So many petty little things keep the group splintered and scare off "normal" folks. I almost find it comical that the District can't even work together because one Republican county group thinks the other is trying to take over, some volunteer isn't doing the job the way someone else wants so it's war, another wants to be top dog even though they have the fewest members, etc., etc. It's really not comical, it's sad.
You see the same thing all the way up the ranks of the Republican Party. Politicians trashing what the RNC wants to do, publicly trading jabs with others on issues, etc. It's fractious. It's ego. It's an inability to look at the long-term and to work toward a common goal. The biggest problem I see with our politicians on both sides of the aisle is they work for themselves, not for the good of the country or even their respective Party ideals.
We can't let any of the things I mentioned above seep into the 912 groups, the tea party groups, all the others that are springing up. We have to continue to cross over, work together, meet together. We have to leave our egos, our need to be validated by others, our differences at home.
When I go to tea party rallies, FairTax meets, 912 project talks, I am thrilled to see people from all the various groups working together. I love looking around and seeing all the different t-shirts, signs and information from a wide assortment of causes.
Right now we have fantastic unity. We're keeping our eye on the ball. We have to keep that unity and continue to grow.
If we do, if we can hang in there and we'll attract more and more people. We have the motivation and ability right now to change the country and get it back on the right track.
If we do it right, there will be a point where the so-called mainstream media hears us, where the "elite" who right now look down their noses at us, where Obama, Reid, Pelosi and friends hear us.
We will roar louder. We won't be silenced. We will be heard. We will shock those who act like they don't know we exist or crack jokes about us.
If we keep our eye on the goal, one day Obama and friends will wake up to a roar that is too loud to be ignored and find that their bug spray can't stop the swarm of mosquitoes. Bzzzzz....
America is roaring.
Right now we seem to be roaring in silence.
Those in Washington are ignoring us. The mainstream media is ignoring us and they are ignoring news that doesn't fit the agenda. Obama, Pelosi and Reid act like we're a buzzing mosquito: irritating but they have bug spray and swatters if we get too loud or close.
We're just going to have to roar louder. We're going to have to up our game and coordinate better. Right now we all kinds of groups forming, all with great ideas and great motivation. We're fired up.
One thing that can hurt us as we all move forward is the big fish, small pond syndrome. Everyone wanting to be top dog, start the movement that's going to topple the "regime".
Another that can kill an organization faster than Obama and friends is our natural tendency to splinter over differences. We have to learn to work together, to ignore those pesky differences that don't matter in the big scheme of things. We have to keep our eye on the proverbial ball.
We need to always look at the big picture. We also have to check our egos at the door.
The reason our local Republican Party is so fractured, so ineffective is that everyone in the organization seems to want to be the chief. For many it's their life, their validation of who they are, that they're important. So many petty little things keep the group splintered and scare off "normal" folks. I almost find it comical that the District can't even work together because one Republican county group thinks the other is trying to take over, some volunteer isn't doing the job the way someone else wants so it's war, another wants to be top dog even though they have the fewest members, etc., etc. It's really not comical, it's sad.
You see the same thing all the way up the ranks of the Republican Party. Politicians trashing what the RNC wants to do, publicly trading jabs with others on issues, etc. It's fractious. It's ego. It's an inability to look at the long-term and to work toward a common goal. The biggest problem I see with our politicians on both sides of the aisle is they work for themselves, not for the good of the country or even their respective Party ideals.
We can't let any of the things I mentioned above seep into the 912 groups, the tea party groups, all the others that are springing up. We have to continue to cross over, work together, meet together. We have to leave our egos, our need to be validated by others, our differences at home.
When I go to tea party rallies, FairTax meets, 912 project talks, I am thrilled to see people from all the various groups working together. I love looking around and seeing all the different t-shirts, signs and information from a wide assortment of causes.
Right now we have fantastic unity. We're keeping our eye on the ball. We have to keep that unity and continue to grow.
If we do, if we can hang in there and we'll attract more and more people. We have the motivation and ability right now to change the country and get it back on the right track.
If we do it right, there will be a point where the so-called mainstream media hears us, where the "elite" who right now look down their noses at us, where Obama, Reid, Pelosi and friends hear us.
We will roar louder. We won't be silenced. We will be heard. We will shock those who act like they don't know we exist or crack jokes about us.
If we keep our eye on the goal, one day Obama and friends will wake up to a roar that is too loud to be ignored and find that their bug spray can't stop the swarm of mosquitoes. Bzzzzz....
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Senate public option talks intensify
Senate Democrats from the liberal and centrist factions are engaged in increasingly urgent talks aimed at bridging the divide within the party over the public option in the healthcare reform bill.
Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/70561-public-option-talks-intensify-in-the-senate
By Jeffrey Young
Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/70561-public-option-talks-intensify-in-the-senate
By Jeffrey Young
Rally to Stop the Terrorists' Trials in New York City
Saturday, December 5 at 12:00pm.
Event: Rally to Stop the Terrorists' Trials in New York City
Start Time: Saturday, December 5 at 12:00pm
End Time: Saturday, December 5 at 2:00pm
Where: Foley Square, Downtown Manhattan, NY, USA
Event: Rally to Stop the Terrorists' Trials in New York City
Start Time: Saturday, December 5 at 12:00pm
End Time: Saturday, December 5 at 2:00pm
Where: Foley Square, Downtown Manhattan, NY, USA
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