I was with Mitt and MLK

.... in Michigan, in spirit. I was also with Gull in Greensboro. Did you see me in Denver? How about Birmingham?

When we gonna get back to the REAL issues in campaigning and stop the banter over "was" ? It's not like we don't know the meaning of "is" already.

Relax and Enjoy ......

Melinda Doolittle --



She's just right! Can't wait for her CD to arrive AND will never understand how/why she wasn't the winner last year.

Sing it, gal! A new age Tina Turner ..... You're the best!

.

Bill Clinton: A Reputation the US Doesn't Need Restored

What will the Clintoons do to reclaim the White House? Other than that ---- what will they do if they were to reclaim it?

Check out the plan Bill is touting in Europe right now.

Lock up the young women. Cancel cigar sales within 50 miles of his shadow. Here's hoping that American voters will rain on their parade.

I'm ordering one of those "God Help Us." bumper stickers ......... just in case America is lulled to sleep at the ballot box again.

Iowa Taps MItt!!!

Mitt Romney wins the historic straw vote in Iowa.

To view his Iowa speech, click here.

For more information on the Iowa campaign, check out Perish the Thought.

Go, Team Mitt!!!!!!!!

The NAU Fight: Alamo II?

Gull at Perish the Thought reacts to a investigative report on the fight against the NAU-related fight against the NAFTA-Texas superhighway.

Plenty of food for thought ....

Who's gonna rise and lead the national charge? WARNING: beware of any member of the Council on Foreign Affairs.

When Will We Learn the Truth?

The coming megolithic ‘NAFTA’ highway, one quarter of a mile wide, is already being built in Texas, where private land is being expropriated, and will eventually reach the Manitoba border and go on from there ... it allows the west coast shipping ports to be circumvented, instead relying on huge Mexican port, in the name of facilitating "free trade" . but free trade of what ..? Asian drugs ..?

And how is that port to be defended?Water (the new gold) will be the ‘issue’ of this century, as more than 25 states in the U.S. are currently in desperate need. Where do you think they will get the water they need? Canada claims 20% of the world's fresh water "reserves"!! and plans to get it out where developed IN SECRET by the Center for Strategic and International Affairs in Washington DC; they very people who brought you the shock and awe technique used in bombing Iraq into submission. Just who is deciding who gets the resources as they dwindle ..?

The United States is already guaranteed 60% of Canadian natural gas resources from NAFTA, which mean that even during emergencies when Canadians need energy that cannot have it. This is somewhat perplexing since Canada only has nine (9) years of PROVABLE gas supplies for itself. Canada is asked to import it! in case of shortage ...

This is just one example of how Canada is being shortchanged, and it’s only going to get worse. Even people in Harper's own Conservative party are aghast at this, which was only revealed in Parliament by Gordon Laxer - and the committee Chairman walked out in protest of his testimony!! -- a first in Canadian history. So much for government transparency.

When will the truth be told?

Mexico is so far exempted out of the energy equation; they are in control of the energy part of the 'protocol' and have a state run cartel.


From UpEd News

Mitt Tops the Morning Debate

Classic Romney.

Watch highlights of the debate that ABC scheduled at 8 am this morning.

Then hop over to Perish the Thought and watch Mitt Unplugged in a radio interview commercial break.

Romney Addresses the Issues

Speaking to the future about the future ....




The Link: http://mitt-tv.mittromney.com/?showid=187736

Full text:

Mitt Romney. We need him NOW.
.
.

Happy Birthday, America!

Stand tall and proud!

An "Over-the-Hill" Coalition Tribute -- July 4, 2007

MUTTS4MITT

OK -- we couldn't help ourselves. After reading the article about how Mitt tied his dog's kennel to the roof of the family station wagon a quarter century ago, we just had to create a blog to commemorate MUTTS who LOVE MITT!!!

Send us a photo of your pet. What a hoot ... I mean, howl. (Unless your pet is an owl.)

Railroading the Immigration Bill

This one is a full left turn -- engineered by none other than Teddy Kennedy as puppet-master for a gaggle of republicans who see fit (gawd knows why) to mouth his bleeding heart effort to solve the illegal immigration problem by simply making them legal.

And the President -- eager to gain the respect of at least one very large special interest group -- gives Kennedy, Reid and that crew of crooks and liars full throttle.

New package for marketing America? Re-sell it to the corporations who will do anything to keep labor cheap. If things aren't going well, change the rules.

Mark Steyn knows the realities of what's at stake.

De-RAIL THE BILL AGAIN, AMERICA!!!!

More info is over at Gull's place.

Immigration Reform Still Rages

Harry Reid may want to blame the President and Republicans for messing up the Senate's attempt to push through an Immigration Reform Bill while no one was watching (or reading, for that matter), but he won't get off that easy.

Reid should know by now that (unlike the elected officials he's been bribing with special interest "pork projects" hidden in other legislation), 75% of the American public didn't take the bait.

We don't want the additional tax burden Reid et al want to give us -- just to provide more cheap labor for corporations. If legitimizing 12-20,000,000 illegal immigrants is THAT important, let business use THEIR profit base to support them. Legally, that is.

And Kennedy needs to find a new "bleeding heart" tactic as well. Americans truly care about the oppressed, the meek and the poor -- but saddling us with even more health care and welfare costs to support MORE illegal immigrants is NOT the way to our already bleeding wallets hearts.

Mitt Romney again reminds us of how simple the process of reform CAN be --





Mitt speaks for 75% of us. It's time Congress listened.

Murtha Mops Up on Home-style Pork

Jack Murtha is probably the most unethical, dishonest dem of the crew now leading congress. If he wins re-election, somebody better check the voter list.

Clarifying Myths formerly Called Facts --

Don't make me have to go to Washington tomorrow.

My disposition is not as pleasant as I would want. Fortunately, Bluey at RedState sorts through the myths that the WH casually called facts and blows holes in the basic issues behind the Immigration Reform Bill heading to the Senate tomorrow.

The White House released a "Myth/Fact" document about the immigration bill
last week. But instead of setting the record straight, it perpetuated more
myths. What follows are 10 myths the White House is telling us about the amnesty
agreement.

1. MYTH: This is not amnesty.
• FACT: This is amnesty. Title VI of this bill is amnesty, plain and simple. According to an op-ed by former Attorney General Ed Meese that appeared in the New York Times last year discussing the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, “the difference is that President
Reagan called this what it was: amnesty. Indeed, look up the term ‘amnesty’ in
Black’s Law Dictionary, and you’ll find it says, ‘the 1986 Immigration Reform
and Control Act provided amnesty for undocumented aliens already in the
country.’” It was amnesty then, and it’s amnesty now.

• FACT: The proposal
forces illegal aliens to acknowledge that they broke the law, pay a $1,000 fee,
and undergo a criminal background check to obtain a Z visa granting temporary
worker status. The acknowledgment, fee and background check does not mitigate
the fact that this is forgiveness for illegal aliens breaking numerous
immigration laws. The bill waives numerous provisions of current law that would
require deportation.
Read the other nine myths ...

2. MYTH: This proposal does not repeat the mistakes of the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act.

• FACT: This proposal is substantially similar to the 1986 Immigration
Reform and Control Act and does repeat the mistakes of the 1986 law. The 1986
law failed, despite the fact that, according to Meese’s op-ed, it provided
amnesty for 3 million immigrants for the price of “border security and
enforcement of immigration laws” being “greatly strengthened.”

• FACT: The 1986 law also allowed “most illegal immigrants who could establish that they had
resided in America continuously for five years would be granted temporary
resident status, which could be upgraded to permanent residency after 18 moths
and, after another five years, to citizenship.” The current compromise allows a
Z-visa holder to adjust to Lawful Permanent Resident status after satisfying a
points system, files the application for adjustment in the applicant’s home
country and pays a fee of $4,000. A Z-visa holder has the discretion to choose
to stay indefinitely in the United States if the Z-visa holder chooses not
pursue a “pathway to citizenship.” Meese stated in his op-ed about the 1986 law
that “this pathway to citizenship was not automatic. Indeed, the legislation
stipulated several conditions: immigrants had to pay application fees, learn to
speak English, understand American civics, pass a medical exam and register for
military selective service. Those with convictions for a felony or three
misdemeanors were ineligible. Sound familiar?” Yes, it does.

3. MYTH: The government will crack down on the hiring of illegal workers.

• FACT: The government will not crack down on the hiring of illegal workers. The government
will be granting amnesty to illegal workers under the new Z-visa category. Thus,
it will have fewer illegal workers to punish. There will be a handful of illegal
workers that will not qualify for the new program that allows amnesty for
illegal aliens in the country by Jan. 1, 2007. Therefore, by granting amnesty,
there will be no pool of illegal workers to punish and/or deport.

• FACT: A Z-visa holder merely has to provide two documents to prove eligibility. First,
“sworn affidavits from nonrelatives” that the illegal alien qualifies, plus one
other non-secure document. (Source: page 271 of the draft bill.) This is a huge
loophole in the verification provision of who is present in the country
illegally after Jan. 1, 2007.

• FACT: Another loophole contains a waiver for
humanitarian reasons. The deportation requirements of current law can be waived
for “humanitarian circumstances.” (Source: page 1 of the draft bill.) This is
yet another loophole that will prevent a crackdown on the hiring of illegal
workers.

4. MYTH: This proposal would not cut in half the amount of fence
built by the Secure Fence Act of 2006.

• FACT: This proposal cuts in half the
amount of fencing to be built as mandated by the Secure Fence Act of 2006. Only
one half of the additional fencing authorize by the Secure Fence Act of 2006
must be built before the temporary worker program and Z visa could go into
effect.

• FACT: The Secure Fence Act authorized the building of 700 miles of
new fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border. This bill provides that a trigger that
the federal government has to have “installed at least 200 miles of vehicle
barriers, 370 miles of fencing, and 70 ground-based radar and camera towers
along the southern land border of the United States, and have deployed Unmanned
Aerial Vehicles and supporting systems.” (Source: page 1 of the draft bill.)
This bill allows for less than half the amount of fencing mandated by the Secure
Fence Act before the Z and Y visas are issued.

5. MYTH: The trigger period will not cause a rush to the border.

• FACT: Although to be eligible for a Z
visa illegal aliens must prove they were in the country prior to Jan. 1, 2007,
it is expected that it will not be difficult to produce fraudulent documentation
to prove illegal continuous presence in the United States and employment offers
or employment. This legislation creates the perverse incentive for illegal
aliens to prove that they were illegally present and working in the United
States as of Jan. 1, 2007. As previously stated, a Z-visa holder merely has to
provide two documents. First, “sworn affidavits from nonrelatives” that the
illegal alien qualifies, plus one other non-secure document. (Source: page 271
of the draft bill.) This is a huge loophole in the verification provision of who
is present in the country illegally after Jan. 1, 2007.

• FACT: An exception of the “Grounds of Ineligibility” for Z-visa applicants states “nothing in this paragraph shall require the Secretary to commence removal proceedings against an
alien.” Therefore, even if a Z-visa holder is deemed ineligible for Z-visa
status, nothing requires the federal government to deport the ineligible illegal
alien. (Source: page 261 of the draft bill.) This is yet another loophole in the
bill.

6. MYTH: By providing an opportunity for citizenship to illegal
immigrants already here, the bill will not exponentially increase
extended-family chain migration.

• FACT: The bill will dramatically accelerate family chain migration. The bill will dramatically accelerate family chain migration over the next six years. After that time, family chain migration by low-skill immigrants will allegedly be replaced by skill-based immigration.
The promised change to skill-based immigration in the distant future is unlikely to ever occur.

• FACT: The bill contains a brand-new category of visas for
family members. The bill contains a waiver for “family members in hardship
cases.” Although this category is capped at the number of 5,000 per year, this
is an exception that will allow limited chain migration. (Source: page 251 of
draft bill.)

• FACT: Allows visitor visas for family members of the Y visa,
temporary workers that would allow the spouses of Y-visa holders to come to the
country and have children who will be U.S citizens entitled to welfare benefits,
also known as “anchor babies.” (Source: page 254 of draft bill.)

• FACT:
This bill does nothing to preclude illegal aliens coming across the border and
having children that will be granted citizenship. The “anchor baby” problem is
not addressed by this legislation. The Heritage Foundation has provided as study
that asserts that a statutory change in law would be a constitutional means to
disallow the common practice of automatically granting citizenship to the
children of illegal aliens.

7. MYTH: The temporary worker program is good for
American workers.

• FACT: Under the guest-worker program, guest workers will
be able to bring spouses and children into the United States. Children of guest
workers will be entitled to free education in public schools, with an average
cost of $9,600 per child imposed on U.S. taxpayers. If the spouse of a guest
worker has a child in the U.S. that child will become a U.S. citizen with a
guaranteed lifetime entitlement to more than 60 different federal welfare
programs.

• FACT: There will be two new programs for workers. The Z visa will
be for illegal workers to adjust their status to legal workers and the Y visa
for future temporary workers. A Y-visa program without the Z-visa program may
help the U.S. economy, but taken together, the American worker may be harmed by
a flood of new workers coming from illegal status and new future flow workers
from foreign nations flooding the economy and depressing American wages.

8. MYTH: Illegal immigrants will not come onto the welfare rolls.

• FACT: Illegal immigrants will come onto the welfare rolls. Amnesty will give illegal
immigrants entitlement to welfare benefits for most of their lives. Illegal
aliens will become Z-visa holders. While they are in Z-visa status, amnesty
recipients will have access the free medical care under the Medicaid program,
but would not be eligible for other welfare programs. After five years in Lawful
Permanent Resident status, the amnesty recipients will be eligible for nearly
all 60 federal welfare programs including food stamps, public housing, and
Temporary Assistance to Needy families, and will remain eligible for the rest of
their lives.

• FACT: After a Z-visa holder completes the “pathway to
citizenship” they will be availed of the same access to welfare benefits as all
American citizens. Children born to Z-card holders will be immediately eligible
for welfare. After a few years, Z-card holders will be given Lawful Permanent
Resident status. Given that 50% to 60% of amnesty recipients will be high school
dropouts, welfare use will be quite high; the average amnesty recipient will
probably receive about $4,000 per year in welfare benefits every year for the
rest of his life.

9. MYTH: Government agencies will be able to share
information to pursue immigration violators.

• FACT: This is both true and
false. The government will have far fewer immigration violators, because the
Z-visa grants amnesty to an estimated 12 million pool of illegal aliens who, a
large percentage of which, are working in the United States. The government will
not be allowed to pursue some visa holders, because once a Z applicant applies,
there is a one-year time period that precludes deportation pursuant to the draft
bill. The process starts when the Z-visa holder applies for a visa, then fills
out paperwork. If a background check is not done by the end of the next day, the
Z visa is automatically issued. Even if background check is not completed the
applicant has a statutory right to get a Z visa.

• FACT: This bill grants
the Secretary of Homeland Security the authority to issue a national ID card to
citizens. This immigration bill states that the “Secretary in consultation with
the Commissioner of Social Security may modify by Notice published in the
Federal Register the documents that must be presented to the employer, the
information that must be provided to EEVS (Employee Eligibility Verification
System) by the employer, and the procedures that must be followed by employers
with respect to any aspect of the EEVS if the Secretary in his discretion
concludes that the modification is necessary to ensure that EEVS accurately and
reliably determines the work authorization of employees while providing
protection against fraud and identity theft.” (Source: page 105 of draft bill.)
This grants the authority to the federal government the authority to force
national ID cards on all American citizens.

10. MYTH: Senators are asked to vote Monday on a lengthy bill that they will have time to read.

• FACT:
Senators will not have time to read and understand this bill before Monday's
cloture vote. Working behind closed doors for months, a handful of Democrat and
Republican staffers, along with a few senators and principals from the
Administration, have been drafting a “comprehensive immigration reform package.”
Until Saturday morning, May 19, 2007, the legislation was unavailable to any
other senators or staff, let alone the media, policy analysts, or the general
public. This legislation would be the most significant reform of immigration
policy in 40 years, affecting not only our national security and homeland
defense but the fiscal, economic, and social future of the United States for
several generations. A document marked “DRAFT – FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY,”
is being relied upon by senators and staff as the final language to be debated
beginning on Monday, May 21, with the expectation of a vote on final passage --
without congressional hearings, committee mark-up, fiscal analysis, expert
testimony, or public comment -- before the Memorial Day recess. This is not a
good way to deliberate over such an important piece of legislation and tosses
aside years of the U.S. Senate tradition as being the most deliberative body in
the world.

And if that's not enough, drop by Perish the Thought and let Gull give you a few other suggestions on reforming immigration. New Over-the-Hill blogger Humbug has a perspective to share on "triggers" and cradle to grave welfare.

Nancy's Nil on 100 Days

Sorry, Nancy. You must have been too busy slow bleeding our troops to get around to passing legislation during those first 100 days. Those hearings to discredit the President don't count. Nor does Spring Break. Or that non-binding resolution.

That's gotta hurt. Hanging upside down in your moonbat cave instead of keeping your pledges and all that stuff. It's gotta hurt.

No al Qaeda - Saddam Connection? Think Again.

Perish the Thought


I wonder if the Iraqi Study Commission will be updated.


When the Commission found no "conclusive" evidence of a connection between al Qaeda and Saddam or Iraq, did everyone accept that finding as "conclusive?"

No. Common sense prevailed for many of us.


If the wise leaders who contributed to that Commission had a "do over," would their conclusions be any different?


Look ------- when the GWOT was initiated, there were admitted errors in the preliminary planning. But the core principles were right-on, based on available intelligence and common sense. As more of Saddam's documents are translated and more al Qaeda figure-heads are captured, more will be learned.


And confirmed, no less.

WE NEED JOE LIEBERMAN -- NOW!

Perish the Thought posts a convincing rationale for asking Joe Lieberman to either switch political parties or caucus with Republicans to STOP the dems from submitting to terrorists.

To stop Pelosi, Murtha and the defeatist dems, Harry Reid must be replaced as Senate Majority Leader. Hyscience (which Gull quotes) has Joe Lieberman's contact numbers and addresses.

Take a stand if you cherish the sacrifices of our troops and our national security. Democrats are placing a political vindetta against George Bush above their Constitutional duties to protect this nation.

We must stop Harry Reid and the surrender-crats before it is too late.

Contact Joe Lieberman if you share a concern for
funding our troops,
congress as commanders-in-chief,
enabling the enemies of this nation, and
personal vindettas above Constitutional duty.

Ask Joe to take a more proactive role in removing Harry Reid as Senate Majority Leader. He'll know what you mean. Ask him to change the balance of power in the Senate so he can work directly to promote our fight against Terrorism.

Harry Reid is the current lead-defeatist who does harm, not only to his own party, but to this nation. Dems have been unable to gag him; instead, they apologize for him and clarify what he means. That's not good enough.

Do the right thing and ask Joe to step up.


Additional links:

Hot Air
The Democrats' Gonzalez

Honoring the Hokie Nation

We share your grief and your hopes.

Over the Hill Oracles

We've started a drive to add members to the OTHO gang. Hopefully, there will be other elder-bloggers joining the group!

If you're interested, click the link in the sidebar!

The Black and Right Message (Bob Parks)

Visit his blog. By all means, watch his video.



Thanks, Bob Parks. Proud to stand with you.

Block THE VIEW Where it Hurts!

Can you $pell pocketbook? It'$ time to hit them where it hurt$:

(CREDIT: Michelle Malkin and Hot Air)





Check out the li$t of $pon$or$ in the Hot Air comments section!

Feingold-Reid Offer Bill to Redeploy Troops -- Again

You've probably already seen the press release or read the headlines, so it's time to act.


Contact your representatives, your neighbors and your distant cousin. Ask them to join you in stopping the slow bleed of American troops and their fight against terrorism. Do it now, please. Your personal security and welfare may be at stake if the Congressional Defeatists are not told to STOP SLOW BLEEDING AMERICA!

Knowing that their war funding supplement with it's Iraq withdrawal date will be vetoed by the President, House leaders Harry Reid and Russ Feingold have another bill to offer:


(a) Transition of Mission - The President shall promptly transition the mission of United States forces in Iraq to the limited purposes set forth in subsection (d).(b) Commencement of Safe, Phased Redeployment from Iraq - The President shall commence the safe, phased redeployment of United States forces from Iraq that are not essential to the purposes set forth in subsection (d). Such redeployment shall begin not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.(c) Prohibition on Use of Funds - No funds appropriated or otherwise made available under any provision of law may be obligated or expended to continue the deployment in Iraq of members of the United States Armed Forces after March 31, 2008.(d) Exception for Limited Purposes - The prohibition under subsection (c) shall not apply to the obligation or expenditure of funds for the limited purposes as follows:(1) To conduct targeted operations, limited in duration and scope, against members of al Qaeda and other international terrorist organizations.(2) To provide security for United States infrastructure and personnel. (3) To train and equip Iraqi security services.


Reid and Feingold can expect another veto.

Contact your representatives and let them know that our nation does not need 200+ Commanders-in-Chief. Our Constitution specifies that we have only ONE. And that one is the President of the United States.

Pork Pushes thru the Pelosi Vote --

President Bush reacted to the House vote this afternoon, chastising Democrats (and 2 idiotic Republicans) for the vote on the emergency war spending bill. The only was Pelosi could gather sufficient votes to pass the bill was to add on billions in pork projects:

"...The purpose of the emergency war spending bill I requested was to provide our troops with vital funding. Instead, Democrats in the House, in an act of political theater, voted to substitute their judgment for that of our military commanders on the ground in Iraq. They set rigid restrictions that will require an army of lawyers to interpret. They set an arbitrary date for withdrawal without regard for conditions on the ground. And they tacked on billions for pet projects that have nothing to do with winning the war on terror. This bill has too much pork, too many conditions and an artificial timetable for withdrawal.
As I have made clear for weeks, I will veto it if it comes to my desk. And because the vote in the House was so close, it is clear that my veto would be sustained. Today's action in the House does only one thing: it delays the delivering of vital resources for our troops. A narrow majority has decided to take this course, just as General Petraeus and his troops are carrying out a new strategy to help the Iraqis secure their capital city...."

What "pork" was attached?

Check out these for starters:

$500 million for emergency wildfires suppression; the Forest Service currently has $831 million for this purpose;
$400 million for rural schools;
$283 million for the Milk Income Loss Contract program;
$120 million to compensate for the effects of Hurricane Katrina on the shrimp and menhaden fishing industries;
$100 million for citrus assistance;
$74 million for peanut storage costs;
$60.4 million for salmon fisheries in the Klamath River region in California and Oregon;
$50 million for asbestos mitigation at the U.S. Capitol Plant;
$48 million in salaries and expenses for the Farm Service Agency;
$35 million for NASA risk mitigation projects in Gulf Coast;
$25 million for spinach growers;
$25 million for livestock;
$20 million for Emergency Conservation Program for farmland damaged by freezing temperatures;
$16 million for security upgrades to House of Representatives office buildings;
$10 million for the International Boundary and Water Commission for the Rio Grande Flood Control System Rehabilitation project;
$6.4 million for House of Representative’s Salaries and Expenses Account for business continuity and disaster recovery expenses;
$5 million for losses suffered by aquaculture businesses including breeding, rearing, or transporting live fish as a result of viral hemorrhagic septicemia;
$4 million for the Office of Women’s Health at the Food and Drug Administration; and
A minimum wage increase, which is the subject of separate legislation.

In the Senate, these are the anticipated pork attachments:

$1.5 billion to the Army Corps of Engineers for recovery along the coast, including funding for Hawaii for an April 2006 flood;
$850 million for Department of Homeland Security grants ($625M for rail/transit grants, $190M for port security grants, and $35M for urban area security grants);
$660 million for the procurement of an explosives detection system for the Transportation Security Administration;
$640 million for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program;
$425 million for education grants for rural areas;
$388.9 million for a backlog of Department of Transportation projects;
$165.9 million (including $60.4 million for salmon fisheries in the Klamath Basin region) for fisheries disaster relief;
$75 million for salaries and expenses for the Farm Service Agency;
$48 million in disaster construction money for NASA;
$25 million for grants through the Safe and Drug Free Schools program;
$25 million for asbestos abatement at the Capitol Power Plant;
$24 million to sugar beet producers;
$22.8 million for geothermal research and development;
$20 million for reimbursements to Nevada for “insect damage;”
$12 million for Forest Service money requested by the president in the non-emergency FY2008 budget
$3.5 million for guided tours of the Capitol;
$3 million for sugar cane; and
Allows the transfer of funds from holiday ornament sales in the Senate gift shop.

Veto the bill, President Bush. Let them garner the sufficient number of votes to over-ride your veto and let America see these defeatists for what they are.

Updates later .....

30,000 Voices Answer the Call

For once, the clowns and hired hacks that represent the most visible activist voices met their match.

Led primarily by what appeared to be high school and college students, the anti-war (and assorted splinter groups) were no match for the Americans who showed up in DC on March 17, 2007.

Thank you, Eagles!

Folk-Hero President

Today is the birthday of the seventh president of the United States, Andrew Jackson, (books by this author) born in on the western border of South Carolina (1767). He was first president of the United States who could honestly claim to have pulled himself up by his own bootstraps. Before him, all the presidents had come from distinguished or aristocratic families along the East Coast. Jackson was born in poverty in the backwoods frontier, west of the Appalachians, and he received almost no formal education.


The Battle of New Orleans turned him into a national hero, and when he ran for president in 1828, he portrayed himself as a champion of the common man and appealed to working-class voters, especially frontiersmen who were settling in the West. The election drew more than three times as many voters to the polls as the previous election, and Jackson won in a landslide.


And that is the rest of the story.


Credit: Garrison Keillor

Romney Reports ....

ROMNEY in the NEWS

MITT COMMITS

"I am happy to be in Michigan this morning. I'm happy to have my brother Scott and Sister Lynn here. And I'm proud to have all my children and grandchildren here too.
"Michigan is where Ann and I were born. It is where we met and fell in love. I still love Ann. And I still love Michigan!
"During my parents' campaigns, I visited all 83 Michigan counties, doing my best to convince Michiganders that Romneys and Republicans could lead the state back to prosperity.
"You know my father as a business leader, a governor, and as an advocate of volunteerism. But he came from humble roots. He labored with lath and plaster. He never graduated from college. But like many other Americans, he made his dreams come true.
"And he made a difference. My father worked here to improve Detroit Schools. He worked to write a new state constitution. And he worked as your governor for six years to get Michigan on the move. His character and integrity left an impression that has lasted through the decades.
"It was Mom who did the lion's share of raising Lynn, Jane, Scott and me. Dad said, that as a successful Mom, she had accomplished more than he. Later she worked in charities, in foster care, in music and the arts, and in volunteerism. She even ran for U.S. Senate.
"I always imagined that I would come back to Michigan someday. That's why I took the bar exam here. I hadn't imagined it would happen this way, but I sure have come back to Michigan today.
"I chose this site for a number of reasons. It's filled with cars and memories. Dad and I loved cars. Most kids read the sports box scores. Dad and I read Automotive News. We came here together, him teaching me about cars that were built before my time.
"The Rambler automobile he championed was the first American car designed and marketed for economy and mileage. He dubbed it a compact car, a car that would slay the gas-guzzling dinosaurs. It transformed the industry.
"This place is not just about automobiles; it is about innovation, innovation that transformed an industry, and in doing so, gave Americans a way of life our grandparents could never have imagined.
"The DC 3 above us was the first true commercial airliner. It transformed aviation from a luxury to a standard mode of transportation.
"Next to us is a Ford hybrid. It is the first giant step away from our reliance on the gasoline engine. It is already changing the world of transportation.
"Just outside is Thomas Edison's laboratory. There, electricity that Benjamin Franklin discovered was transformed from a novelty into a necessity.
"Innovation and transformation have been at the heart of America's success. If there ever was a time when innovation and transformation were needed in government, it is now.
"We have lost faith in government, not in just one party, not in just one house, but in government.
"We are weary of the bickering and bombast, fatigued by the posturing and self-promotion. For even as America faces a new generation of challenges, the halls of government are clogged with petty politics and stuffed with peddlers of influence.
"It is time for innovation and transformation in Washington. It is what our country needs. It is what our people deserve.
"I do not believe Washington can be transformed from within by a lifelong politician. There have been too many deals, too many favors, too many entanglements ... and too little real world experience managing, guiding, leading.
"I do not believe Washington can be transformed by someone who has never tried doing such a thing before, in any setting, by someone who has never even managed a corner store, let alone the largest enterprise in the world.
"Throughout my life, I have pursued innovation and transformation. It has taught me the vital lessons that come only from experience, from failures and successes, from the private, public and voluntary sectors, from small and large enterprise, from leading a state, from being in the arena, not just talking about it. Talk is easy, talk is cheap. It is doing that is hard. And it is only in doing that hope and dreams come to life.
"This Christmas, Ann and I gathered my five sons and five daughters-in-law to ask them whether I should run for President.
"We talked about the special time this is in the history of America - the challenges and the opportunities. We talked about the qualities that are needed in our leaders. They were unanimous. They know our hearts. They know our values. They know my experience innovating and transforming, in business, in the Olympics, and in Massachusetts. And they know we love this country.
"And so, with them behind us, with the fine people of Michigan before us, and with my sweetheart beside me, I declare my intention to run for President of the United States.
"It has been said that a person is defined by what he loves and by what he believes and by what he dreams.
"I love America and I believe in the people of America.
"I believe in God and I believe that every person in this great country, and every person on this grand planet, is a child of God. We are all sisters and brothers.
"I believe the family is the foundation of America – and that we must fight to protect and strengthen it.
"I believe in the sanctity of human life.
"I believe that people and their elected representatives should make our laws, not unelected judges.
"I believe we are overtaxed and government is overfed. Washington is spending too much money.
"I believe that homeland security begins with securing our borders.
"I believe the best days of this country are ahead of us, because ... "I believe in America!
"At this critical time, we must 1) transform our role in the world, 2) strengthen our nation, and 3) build a brighter future for the American family.
"Today, as we stare at the face of radical violent Jihad and at the prospect of nuclear epidemic, our military might should not be subject to the whims of ever-changing political agendas. The best ally of peace is a strong America!
"Our role in the world must be defined not only in terms of our might, but also by our willingness to lead, to serve, and to share. We must campaign for freedom and democracy in our own hemisphere, now threatened by a second aspiring strongman. We must extend our hand to Africa's poor and diseased and brutalized. We must lead the world's civilized nations in a partnership that will support moderate Muslim nations and peoples, to help them embrace principles of modernity and defeat violent Jihad. We must link arms with all responsible nations to block Iran from realizing its nuclear ambition. America must never engage and negotiate with Jihadists who want to destroy us, destroy our friends, and destroy our way of life!
"Across the nation, there is debate about our future course in Iraq. Our desire to bring our troops home, safely and soon, is met with our recognition that if Iraq descends into all-out civil war, millions could die; that Iraq's Sunni region could become a base for Al Qaeda; that its Shia region could be seized by Iran; that Kurd tension could destabilize Turkey; and even that the broader Middle East could be drawn into conflict. The possible implications for America and for American interests from such developments could be devastating. It could mean a future with far more military involvement and far more loss of American life. For these reasons, I believe that so long as there is a reasonable prospect of success, our wisest course is to seek stability in Iraq, with additional troops endeavoring to secure the civilian population.
"And no matter how Iraq is resolved, we must honor and care for the veterans who risked their lives, and for the families whose loved ones made the ultimate sacrifice. Our nation has a sacred pact with those who defend freedom. It is a pact we must never break!
"America must regain our standing in the world. Our influence must once again match our generosity. Over the entire 20th century, no nation gave more, shed more precious lives, and took less for itself than America. Our sacrifice for freedom and for human dignity continues unabated. But this is not the way it is seen by others. America's goodness and leadership in the world, must be as bright and bold as our military might!
"America can also overcome our challenges and seize our abundant opportunities here at home, but only if we follow the right course.
"There are some who believe that America's strength comes from government - that challenges call for bigger government, for more regulation of our lives and livelihood, and for more protection and isolation from competition that comes from open markets.
"That is the path that has been taken by much of Europe. It is called the welfare state. It has led to high unemployment and anemic job growth. It is not the path to prosperity and leadership.
"I believe the American people are the source of our strength. They always have been. They always will be. The American people: hard working, educated, innovative, ready to sacrifice for family and country, patriotic, seeking opportunity above dependence, God-fearing, free American people. When we need to call on the strength of America, we should strengthen the American people, not the American government!
"We strengthen the American people by giving them more freedom, by letting them keep more of what they earn, by making sure our schools are providing the skills our children will need for tomorrow, and by keeping America at the leading edge of innovation and technology.
"Our government has become a weight on the American people, sapping their strength and slowing their climb. We must transform our government - to become a government that is smaller and less bureaucratic, one with fewer regulations and more freedom for our people. The innovation we need today is to make government more responsive to the needs of everyday American citizens. It's time to put government in its place, and to put the American people first!
"At America's core are millions of individual families: families of children and parents, aunts and uncles and cousins, grandparents, foster parents. There is no work more important for our nation's future than the work done in the home.
"But the work done in the home isn't getting easier. Values and morals that have long shaped the development of our children are under constant attack. In too many cases, schools are failing. For some, healthcare is inadequate. Family expenses and government taxes take a larger and larger bite. America cannot continue to lead the family of nations if we fail the families at home.
"How is the American family made stronger? With marriage before children. With a mother and a father in the life of every child. With healthcare that is affordable and portable. With schools that succeed. With taxes that are lower. And with leaders who strive to demonstrate enduring values and morality.
"This was the agenda I pursued as Governor of Massachusetts. This is the agenda I will pursue if elected President.
"When I was a boy, the American dream meant a house in the suburbs. The American dream today must mean more than a house. The new American dream should include a strong family, enduring values, excellence in education, dependable and affordable healthcare, secure employment and secure retirement, and a safe and prosperous homeland. It's time to build a new American dream for all of America's families.
"How will this new American dream be built? Our hopes and dreams will inspire us, for we are an optimistic people. But hope alone is just crossing fingers, when what we need is industrious hands. It is time for hope and action. It is time to do, as well as to dream!
"As we look around us in this museum, we see the evidence of American innovation - airplanes, automobiles, appliances. But these are not America's greatest innovation. America's greatest innovation is freedom. Without freedom, we have nothing. With freedom, nothing can hold us back.
"Freedom has made the American dream possible. Freedom will make the new American dream possible. And with the work, sacrifice, and greatness of spirit of the American people, freedom has made America - and will keep America - the greatest nation on earth. God bless America."

Mitt Memes to Mellow?

Gull at Perish the Thought thinks it won't be long 'til candidates and their supporters turn on each other and mellow a little on Romney. She's probably right.

The more critics attack Romney ----- the more exposure he gets!

Hummmmm .... I'm gonna add her pixel banner to my sidebar so her blog won't feel so lonely.

How About a Do-Over?

I still think we got it wrong.

Marriage licenses should cost more. In addition to blood tests, there should be an IQ test plus a pre-nuptial contract. Applicants should also be required to open a joint savings account.

1) License fees should be equal to normed legal fees for filing a divorce.

2) Blood test should include all the routine checks: AIDS, HIV, STD's, sugar level, cholesterol and drugs should be administered and provided to each party no less than 24-hours before the blessed event.

3) Something equivalent to the MMPI should be administered no less than two (2) weeks before the blessed event.

4) A pre-nuptial contract -- clarifying what each party brings into the marriage and how post-nuptial earnings and property will be divided should also be drawn by mutual consent no less than ten (10) days before the blessed event.

5) A joint savings account equal to two one-hour legal consultations [renewable every seven (7) years to deter "Seven Year Itch" infestations] should be established no less than thirty (30) days before the blessed event.

6) Each individual participating in unofficial coupling and/or common-law marriage arrangements lasting up to fourteen (14) days (cumulative) should be annually assessed a prorated DOMESTICATION TAX, equal to the cost of a license fee for each unofficial coupling or common-law living arrangement.

Children produced by such coupling shall receive a monetary award equal to an amortized charge for savings that would have accrued if parents had entered a legal marriage. (See item #5).

EXCEPTION: individuals concurrently covered by items #1-5. Such individuals shall forfeit all rights to the pre-nuptial agreement and/or remunerations from the benefits of the legal marriage.

7) Divorce expenses, when and where applicable, should include filing fees and court costs. Legal fees incurred for consultation, arbitration and/or settlements not covered in item #4 shall be the responsibility of the aggrieved parties.

--------

Of course, this will never happen, but that doesn't mean we AREN'T due for a do-over.

Pay Up, Pelosi --

Andy McCarthy reminds us that the bills Pelosi pushed through Congress in those first 100 hours (sans review or debate) are not without hefty price tags.

So who is going to pay?

You guessed it.

Me and Thee.

Andy is right. No wonder the moonbats didn't want review or debate.

Romney at Heritage Foundation Retreat

Mitt Romney spoke Friday at the the Heritage Foundation's Conservative Planning Retreat. Here is one highlight. Click the title above for more remarks.

... we don't need a listening tour with Iran. While I support gathering
intelligence about our adversaries in any way possible, engaging is not the
right policy. To the contrary, economic and diplomatic isolation must be our
priority.

Romney is referring to remarks by Hillary Clinton, who wanted to "listen" to Iran, to "engage" Iran.

Listen to Iran?

LISTEN TO IRAN?

How much louder can Iran speak? Their idiot leaders want to kill us. What part of "WE WANT TO KILL YOU" doesn't Hillary Clinton understand???

New Dawg in the 'Hood

Gull asked me if I wanted to contribute to the "Right of Center" blog. I said "yes" because I not only lean toward Mitt Romney for President in 2008, I've also been known to dry my nails in the smoggy breeze while cruising up the 405 (you left coasters will understand this).

Gull promised I didn't have to agree with her on everything. Which is good. Because I don't. Our prospectives from the right of center, however, have more similarites than differences, so we'll just see how this goes.

Since I live in the Land of Botox, let me be the first to suggest that if Ronald Reagan had indulged in the vanities ---- he might have come closer to being the hunka eye-candy that Mitt is. But then -- if he HAD been better looking -- Reagan probably would have had more A-grade movies and never entered politics!

The Other Rockwell --

No, no, no --- I'm not talking space shuttles or Teledyne systems. I mean NORMAN Rockwell. It's his birthday. Let his art take you back to a genre where life was relatively innocent and simple ....

Meanwhile, I'll try to figure out what I want to do with this blog.

Just a Journey ....

.... Mostly to the right of center -- politically and philosophically -- sometimes hedging on irreverence. Always with respect, however.

Lead, follow or get the heck out of the way!