tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6817153733245166122024-03-13T12:39:56.926-07:00Daily Thought PadMy Thoughts And Musings On Life and The World...Ask Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08154704300625351259noreply@blogger.comBlogger4024125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681715373324516612.post-64540969048803066562015-03-23T15:31:00.001-07:002015-03-23T15:31:32.597-07:00Forum: Is America In Decline? Why Or Why Not?<p><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8IBFEwUbmGE/T_qG1u8vp2I/AAAAAAAABdI/BgA-qBLY4XI/s400/question-marks.jpg" width="334" height="347"><br><i><br></i><i>Every week on Monday morning , the Council and our invited guests weigh in at the <em><a href="http://www.watcherofweasels.org/category/the-council-forum/">The Watchers Forum</a></em>, short takes on a major issue of the day, the culture, or daily living. This week’s question</i>: <b>Is America In Decline? Why Or Why Not?</b> <p><b></b><a href="http://wolfhowling.blogspot.com/"><b>Wolf Howling</b></a>: It is beyond question that our nation is in decline. We stand mired in historic levels of debt, yet <a href="http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/tax-revenue-record-high-spending-deficit/2015/03/13/id/630023/">massive deficit spending</a> by Congress continues unabated. Regulations are being pumped out by unelected bureaucrats at record pace, working fundamental changes to our nation that could never pass Congress. Yet Congress sits by and the odd Congress critter only occasionally complains in speeches. Medicare and Social Security <a href="http://www.cnbc.com/id/100780248">threaten to bankrupt our nation</a> in the foreseeable future unless reformed, yet Congress does not just nothing, but manages to <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/341589/gao-report-obamacare-adds-62-trillion-long-term-deficit-andrew-stiles">compound the problems with Obamacare</a>. We have <a href="http://www.wolfhowling.blogspot.com/2015/03/republicans-immigration-constitution-is.html">a tyrannical President who unconstitutionally threatens</a> our country’s make up by unilaterally legislating the legalization of millions of illegal aliens, while an utterly supine Congress with the sole Constitutional authority to legislate is allowing this to happen. It appears that elections for either party no longer matter to change our national trajectory. Our Supreme Court today sits as a sort of unelected Politburo deciding that the Constitution means whatever five of them want it to mean based on their whim of the day. What was supposed to be the least dangerous of our co-equal branches of government is now arguably the most dangerous. The left is using our military as a laboratory <a href="http://www.bookwormroom.com/2013/01/24/peeing-and-periods-straight-talk-about-women-in-the-front-line/">for insane social experiments</a>, the worst being to allow women into front line combat units, something that can only be accomplished in any number by lowering the physical standards. And that does not even begin to consider the impact on unit cohesion. <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20100323052516/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2010-01-27/news/os-no-moon-for-nasa-20100126_1_constellation-program-human-spaceflight-space-agency">Space exploration as well as virtually everything to do with space</a> is without doubt of incredible importance to our future. Moreover, it is vital that we continue to develop space defense technology to protect our many satellites upon which modern life is dependent. Space technology is an area where we have still a distinct advantage, yet Obama has killed our nation’s space program. Lastly, our national security posture <a href="http://www.wolfhowling.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-complete-national-security-disaster.html">hasn’t been this bad</a> since the 1930’s. <p>I think it would be fair to say we are not merely in decline, but rapidly approaching key tests during our descent that will determine our future. It is hard to say which will be the first key test, whether it will come in the form of severe economic stress as the interest rates rise on our outrageous national debt, or whether it will come in the choking of our economy by ever more far reaching regulations by the EPA and FCC, or whether it will come from foreign countries energized by our growing weakness. The only sure lesson of history is that the tests will come. <p>Our nation has proven resilient in the past, but in the past, we’ve been much better positioned to respond to challenges. In the past hundred years, we’ve faced the Depression and come through. But that was at a time when our massive excess industrial capacity sat untapped and we started from a point with no major deficits. We faced WWII and came through. But that was at a time when the other allied nations had strong militaries of their own, not the empty shells that they now have. We faced down the Soviet Union, but that was at a time when our military was at the pinnacle of its strength, not now when Obama has starved our military for funding, going so far as to change our national security posture from being able to fight two simultaneous wars to one. That was a change not based on any threat assessment, but rather a desire to divert the savings to his various welfare programs. And he has likewise overseen the devolution of our nuclear capacity — something that has maintained the peace in Europe for 75 years — because of his insane, utopian vision of a world without nuclear weapons. Somebody, please inform the North Koreans, the Iranians, and the other Middle Eastern nations now initiating their own nuclear weapons programs. <p>It is hard for me to believe that America will retain a dominant position in the world beyond another decade or so. Perhaps this would not matter if America was intrinsically evil as the left seems to think, or those who would replace us would be benign. The reality is that no nation is strong enough to take our place at the moment, and those who will vie for influence do not have a history of rule by law or democracy. Nor do I believe there is any leader we could elect in 2016 that could restore the Constitutional systems that have allowed us to flourish for much of the past two centuries. <p>That said, perhaps in response to the key tests and trials foreseeable on our national horizon, things might change. My pessimism is moderated by the reality that history has few straight lines, and great nations have rarely gone gentle into that good night. But my pessimism is made worse by the knowledge that, with key tests and trials come great costs in gold and in blood. The question is not whether America is in decline, but how low we must fall before we even begin to recover, and at what cost? <p><a href="http://www.bookwormroom.com/"><b>Bookworm Room</b></a> Guest blogger Wolf Howling was kind enough to give me a preview of his response to this week’s forum question. I don’t want to repeat what he said; I will just add to it: <p>I agree with him. Indeed, it’s part of why, even though my real-world work has slackened off, I’ve still been too demoralized to blog. The one thing I’d add to Wolf Howling’s list of reasons why we are not positioned to withstand tests as we once were is that we are not the same people we once were. Our immigrants once came for the freedom to seek wealth. Our immigrants now come for handouts that they then wire to the tyrannies back home. Our young people once thought that we brought freedom to the world. After fifty years of academic indoctrination, our young people now believe that we are evil. <p>It’s that last point that explains why I’m so deeply pessimistic. When a nation’s young people think that they and their country are unworthy, the ink is on the suicide pact. And when they’ve also been trained to think of themselves as fragile victims, you can bet that the first drop of blood spilled will seal that pact. <p>Oh, and of course there’s president Obama. First, read Michael Goodwin’s article about Obama, what he’s done to America and her allies, and what his goals are for Israel. Once you’ve read that article, then proceed to my last paragraph, immediately below: <p>Those who think Obama is a bad, incompetent president are completely wrong. He has proven himself to be incredibly smart and amazingly competent. We just misunderstood his goals. <p><b><a href="http://www.therightplanet.com/">The Right Planet</a></b>: The first thing that comes to my mind: what is meant by “decline?” If we’re talking economically, I would have to say, how can anyone come to the conclusion we are not in a serious and precipitous decline? It is projected by the end of Barack Obama’s second term the national debt will have climbed to around $20 trillion. This is an utterly astonishing number! This represents a literal doubling of the national debt, which was around $10 trillion when he took office–more federal spending than all previous presidents combined. And, as far as I can see, the president and his ardent supporters could care less. Why? Such a crushing debt will fall on future generations, regardless of their political affiliations. I find that utterly unconscionable. <p>If I look at the current state of our military, which has been engaged in continuous combat operations for years, I see a purge of top-brass, officers and senior NCOs. Our Navy is at pre-WWI levels. The US Army has been slashed back to a mere 60,000 troops. And yet there are very serious threats looming on the horizon–such as ISIS, and Russia and China rattling their sabres. As Trevor Loudon, author of the book Barack Obama and the Enemies Within, has pointed out on numerous occasions our “allies are freaking out.” They wonder what has happened to America, and whether or not the United States will be in their corner should things on the world stage take an ugly turn. <p>And then there’s the culture. Instead of a “post-racial” America, which Barack Obama promised to bring about if he were elected president, I see a disturbing increase in racial animus, often times exacerbated by the president and the DOJ. Instead of attempting to deescalate tensions, more gas is poured on the proverbial fire. Why? To whose benefit? I also see a very disturbing trend in education–a literal dumbing down. I was unable to come to any other conclusion after having spent several months researching the Common Core curriculum. Learning is now being replaced with training. No longer is the primary function of public education to assist students to become independent thinkers, but rather compliant “workers” taught to dutifully follow along in the footsteps of the collective. Emotion trumps logic now. The goal is to replace learning with changing attitudes, beliefs, values and behaviors. C.S. Lewis once said (paraphrase), when education is supplanted by training, civilization dies. Unfortunately, I could probably write a book on the topic of America’s “decline.” But I never give up on all of the American people. I know too many Americans who are doing everything they can to push back against the decline. I should also state that I don’t pin all blame on Barack Obama. These disturbing patterns and trends go way back. <p>Sadly, I believe the decline is purposeful–a “managed decline” fostered and encouraged by nefarious forces. Once again, I must ask, to whose benefit? <p><i>Cui bono</i>? <p><b>Laura Rambeau Lee,</b> <a href="http://right-reason.com/"><b>Right Reason</b> </a>: If you do not believe America is in decline, you must be one of the millions of illegal immigrants receiving free housing, clothes, schooling for your children, and medical care thanks to the benevolence of President Barack Hussein Obama. You know to whom I am referring… Those who left the hell hole of whatever failed socialist or communist country of their birth because their government could no longer provide even the most meager items needed to survive. They find the promise of abundance in America to be worth every sacrifice, knowing just being able to cross our border undetected is all they need to do to reap benefits truly needy American citizens can only dream about. <p>Yes, America is in decline. There is going to have to be a massive shift in the American population and their understanding of what is really going on if we are to have any hope of reversing the fundamental transformation of America. There has been ongoing and relentless indoctrination of our youth into believing all of the evils of the world are a result of the policies and actions of America. Education, particularly American History, has been perverted to fixate on the negative events as if isolated from the rest of the world and human civilization. <p>When I returned to college, a professor in one of my classes, The Cold War and After, explained that what is holding us back is nationalism. A proud self-proclaimed socialist, the class was taught by her along with a visiting professor from Moscow University. <p>It was interesting to hear them proclaim that American nationalism was standing in the way of achieving a global communist government. Historically, nationalism and nationalist propaganda were used to instill pride of one’s nationality and country, a “fatherland” if you will, in order to expand a country’s power. Today however, nationalism of any kind presents a challenge to those intent on establishing global governance. One nation cannot be favored over another and cultural, religious, and ethnically diverse populations must all learn to coexist in peace and harmony. Moral ambivalence is key to achieving this utopia. <p>The progressive left, along with a complicit media, engage in public humiliation and vilification of those who understand the exceptionalism of America and our Constitution. This is why the Tea Party is attacked. They are standing in the way of those intent on destroying the one truly free Republic in the world, the “last best hope of man on earth,” as President Reagan so eloquently affirmed. Public humiliation is a useful tool in the early stages of methodically planned coercion and destruction. It worked very well for Hitler until his power was established, at which point no one dare speak out against him under threat of imprisonment or death. <p>Americans who truly value saving our country from destruction must heed the admonition of Roman philosopher, politician, and orator Marcus Tullius Cicero: “A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within. An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and carries his banner openly. But the traitor moves amongst those within the gate freely, his sly whispers rustling through all the alleys, heard in the very halls of government itself. For the traitor appears not a traitor; he speaks in accents familiar to his victims, and he wears their face and their arguments, he appeals to the baseness that lies deep in the hearts of all men. He rots the soul of a nation, he works secretly and unknown in the night to undermine the pillars of the city, he infects the body politic so that it can no longer resist. A murderer is less to fear. The traitor is the plague.” <p>Americans must realize we have traitors and enemies residing in the highest levels of government undermining the very foundation of our republic if we are to have any hope of saving our country. <p><b><a href="http://www.theglitteringeye.com/">The Glittering Eye</a></b>: I think the answer to the question depends somewhat on the context. If military power is meant, the answer is obviously that we are not in decline. Not only does the United States have the greatest ability to project force of any country on the planet, our military is the most tested and experienced. There is no other country in the world that can even match our military power in any real way. <p>I believe that those who think that our military power is in decline want to accomplish chores that can’t be achieved with military power. Our military can obliterate any enemy. It can’t ensure that we have no enemies. <p>If what is meant is more along the lines of is the United States changing in the right ways, on the right track, I’m afraid the answer is that it isn’t but that depends on the track you think we should be on. I would much rather see a confident, optimistic United States in which most people believe their lives will be better than those of their parents but <a href="http://www.tradingeconomics.com/united-states/economic-optimism-index">that doesn’t seem to be how most of us feel</a>. <p><a href="http://askmarion.wordpress.com/"><b>Ask Marion</b></a>: America is absolutely in decline! And we are definite a long way from being the country our Founding Fathers had envisioned and left us the tools to build. <p>In 2012 <a href="http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/archives/34-signs-that-america-is-in-decline">The Economic Collapse</a> pointed to 34 signs that America is in decline… most of which have worsened since then! <p>#1 According to the World Bank, U.S. GDP accounted for 31.8 percent of all global economic activity in 2001. That number dropped to 21.6 percent in 2011. That is not just a decline – that is a freefall. Just check out the chart <a href="http://acrossthestreetnet.wordpress.com/2012/11/28/the-cost-of-kidding-yourself/">in this article.</a> <p>#2 According to <i>The Economist</i>, the United States was the best place in the world to be born into back in 1988. Today, the United States is only <a href="http://www.economicnoise.com/2012/11/29/you-wont-build-that/">tied for 16th place</a>. <p>#3 The United States has fallen in the global economic competitiveness rankings compiled by the World Economic Forum for <a href="http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/06/a-look-behind-the-u-s-decline-in-global-competitiveness/">four years in a row.</a> <p>#4 According to the <i>Wall Street Journal</i>, of the 40 biggest publicly traded corporate spenders, half of them plan to reduce capital expenditures in coming months. <p>#5 More than three times as many new homes were sold in the United States in 2005 as will be sold in 2012. <p>#6 America once had the greatest manufacturing cities on the face of the earth. Now many of our formerly great manufacturing cities have degenerated into festering hellholes. For example, the city of Detroit is on the verge of financial collapse, and one state lawmaker is now saying that<a href="http://www.michiganradio.org/post/state-lawmaker-says-dissolving-detroit-should-be-option"> “dissolving Detroit” </a>should be looked at as an option. <p>#7 In 2007, the unemployment rate for the 20 to 29 age bracket was about 6.5 percent. Today, the unemployment rate for that same age group is <a href="http://www.clevelandfed.org/research/trends/2012/0312/01labmar.cfm">about 13 percent</a>. <p>#8 Back in 1950, more than 80 percent of all men in the United States had jobs. Today, <a href="http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/LNS12300001">less than 65 percent </a>of all men in the United States have jobs. <p>#9 If you can believe it, approximately one out of every four American workers makes 10 dollars an hour or less. <p>#10 Sadly, 60 percent of the jobs lost during the last recession were mid-wage jobs, but 58 percent of the jobs created since then have been low wage jobs. <p>#11 Median household income in America has fallen for <a href="http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/archives/things-are-getting-worse-median-household-income-has-fallen-4-years-in-a-row">four consecutive years</a>. Overall, it has declined by over $4000 during that time span. <p>#12 The U.S. trade deficit with China during 2011 was 28 times larger than it was back in 1990. <p>#13 Incredibly, <a href="http://www.politifact.com/ohio/statements/2011/nov/07/betty-sutton/betty-sutton-says-average-15-us-factories-close-ea/">more than 56,000 manufacturing facilities in the United States</a> have been shut down since 2001. During 2010, manufacturing facilities were shutting down at the rate of 23 per day. How can anyone say that “things are getting better” when our economic infrastructure is being absolutely gutted? <p>#14 Back in early 2005, the average price of a gallon of gasoline was less than 2 dollars a gallon. During 2012, the average price of a gallon of gasoline has been $3.63. <p>#15 In 1999, 64.1 percent of all Americans were covered by employment-based health insurance. Today, only 55.1 percent are covered by employment-based health insurance. <p>#16 As I have <a href="http://thetruthwins.com/archives/84-statistics-that-prove-that-the-decline-of-the-middle-class-is-real-and-that-it-is-getting-worse">written about previously</a>, 61 percent of all Americans were “middle income” back in 1971 according to the Pew Research Center. Today, only 51 percent of all Americans are “middle income”. <p>#17 There are now 20.2 million Americans that spend more than half of their incomes on housing. That represents a 46 percent increase from 2001. <p>#18 According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the poverty rate for children living in the United States is about 22 percent. <p>#19 Back in 1983, the bottom 95 percent of all income earners in the United States had 62 cents of debt for every dollar that they earned. By 2007, that figure had soared to $1.48. <p>#20 Total home mortgage debt in the United States is now about 5 times larger than it was just 20 years ago. <p>#21 Total credit card debt in the United States is now more than 8 times larger than it was just 30 years ago. <p>#22 The value of the U.S. dollar has declined by more than 96 percent since the Federal Reserve was first created. <p>#23 According to one survey, 29 percent of all Americans in the 25 to 34 year old age bracket are still living with their parents. <p>#24 Back in 1950, 78 percent of all households in the United States contained a married couple. Today, that number has declined to 48 percent. <p>#25 According to the U.S. Census Bureau, <a href="http://news.investors.com/Article/598993/201201260805/entitlements-soar-under-president-obama.htm">49 percent of all Americans</a> live in a home that receives direct monetary benefits from the federal government. Back in 1983, <a href="http://news.investors.com/Article/598993/201201260805/entitlements-soar-under-president-obama.htm">less than a third of all Americans</a> lived in a home that received direct monetary benefits from the federal government. <p>#26 In 1980, government transfer payments accounted for just 11.7 percent of all income. Today, government transfer payments account for more than 18 percent of all income. <p>#27 In November 2008, 30.8 million Americans were on food stamps. Today, 47.1 million Americans are on food stamps. <p>#28 Right now, one out of every four American children is on food stamps. <p>#29 According to one calculation the number of Americans on food stamps now exceeds the combined populations of “Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.” <p>#30 Back in 1965, only one out of every 50 Americans was on Medicaid. Today, one out of every 6 Americans is on Medicaid, and things are about to get a whole lot worse. It is being projected that Obamacare will add 16 million more Americans to the Medicaid rolls. <p>#31 In 2001, the U.S. national debt was less than 6 trillion dollars. Today, it is over 16 trillion dollars and it is increasing by more than 100 million dollars every single hour. <p>#32 The U.S. national debt in 2012 more than 23 times larger than it was when Jimmy Carter became president… and it keeps growing <p>#33 According to a PBS report in 2012, U.S. households that make $13,000 or less per year spend 9 percent of their incomes on lottery tickets. Could that possibly be accurate? Are people really that foolish? <p>#34 As the U.S. economy has declined, the American people have been downing more antidepressants and other prescription drugs than ever before. In fact, the American people spent 60 billion dollars more on prescription drugs in 2010 than they did in 2005. <p>Read or listen to almost every economic expert and they warn America is virtually moments from falling over the edge… They advise investing overseas; buying gold and silver; storing food, water, and ammunition; taking off the blinders and getting involved; and praying! <p>#35 America has now become a laughing stock around the world and considered weak. <p>#36 In 2013 a<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0309264146?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0309264146&linkCode=xm2&tag=truhea-20"> health study report</a> showed the U.S. is: <p>· The highest rate of death by violence, by a stunning margin <p>· The highest rate of death by car accident, also dramatically so <p>· The highest chance that a child will die before age 5 <p>· The second-highest rate of death by coronary heart disease <p>· The second-highest rate of death by lung disease <p>· The highest teen pregnancy rate <p>· The highest rate of women dying due to complications of pregnancy and childbirth <p>And this will certainly not get better under ObamaCare in the Nanny State we now live in!! <p><i>Well, there you have it!</i> <p><i> <p>Make sure to tune in every Monday for the Watcher’s Forum. and every Tuesday morning, when we reveal the weeks’ nominees for Weasel of the Week! <p>And remember, every Wednesday, the Council has its weekly contest with the members nominating two posts each, one written by themselves and one written by someone from outside the group for consideration by the whole Council. The votes are cast by the Council, and the results are posted on Friday morning. <p>It’s a weekly magazine of some of the best stuff written in the blogosphere, and you won’t want to miss it…or any of the other fantabulous Watcher’s Council content. <p></i> <p><i>And don’t forget to like us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Watcher-of-Weasels/58417762783">Facebook</a> and follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/weaselwatcher">Twitter</a>..’cause we’re cool like that, y’know?</i></p> Ask Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08154704300625351259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681715373324516612.post-75338041423950569882015-03-22T22:08:00.001-07:002015-03-22T22:09:34.334-07:00Ted Cruz to be first to announce 2016 bid<p>By Marion Algier</p> <p>Ted Cruz is expected to announce his candidacy at Liberty University, an evangelical Christian school in Virginia, according to an aide, giving the Tea Party favorite a head start on what is likely to be a crowded field of Republican White House contenders.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gssA12Ao04U/VQ-Y-Wak_zI/AAAAAAAAMS4/IJi9BM6_3z8/s1600-h/applause%25255B5%25255D.gif"><img title="applause" style="display: inline" alt="applause" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-k24B1UOWxxQ/VQ-fyozuNsI/AAAAAAAAMTI/lDjPUR-qdv4/applause_thumb%25255B3%25255D.gif?imgmax=800" width="455" height="341"></a></p> <p>Latest tweet: <p>Senator Ted Cruz, (R-Texas) poses with State Rep. Catherine Cheney, of Dover, during the Strafford County … <p>"Tonight around midnight there will be some news you won’t want to miss. Stay tuned…" <p>Looks like Ted and crew are going to announce via social media ahead of the speech tomorrow at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. The convocation is typically at 10:00 AM but there is very little information on the Liberty Univ. website.</p> <p align="center"><img alt="Senator Ted Cruz poses with State Rep. Catherine Cheney, of Dover, during the Strafford County Republican Committee Chili and Chat in Barrington" src="http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/MwGbIF1pw.H73XLXvDzOEQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTMxMDtpbD1wbGFuZTtweW9mZj0wO3E9NzU7dz00NTA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/Reuters/2015-03-23T030943Z_1_LYNXMPEB2M03G_RTROPTP_2_USA-POLITICS.JPG"> <p align="center">Senator Ted Cruz, (R-Texas) poses with State Rep. Catherine Cheney, of Dover, during the Strafford County … <p>Stay Tuned…</p> Ask Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08154704300625351259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681715373324516612.post-2777967333668688642015-03-21T01:05:00.001-07:002015-03-21T01:05:48.714-07:00The Council Has Spoken!! Our Watcher’s Council Results 03.20.15<p><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="http://primitivehebrews.org/_Media/pasted-file_med-2_med.jpeg" src="http://primitivehebrews.org/_Media/pasted-file_med-2_med.jpeg"> <p><em><a href="http://www.watcherofweasels.org/category/the-council-has-spoken/">The Council Has Spoken!</a></em> The votes have been cast, and the results are in for this week’s Watcher’s Council match up. <blockquote> <p><i>“”You see, it’s been our misfortune to have the wrong religion. Why didn’t we have the religion of the Japanese, who regard sacrifice for the Fatherland as the highest good? The Mohammedan religion too would have been more compatible to us than Christianity. Why did it have to be Christianity with its meekness and flabbiness?”</i> – Adolf Hitler</p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p><i>“I studied the Qu’ran a great deal. I came away from that study with the conviction that by and large there have been few religions in the world as deadly to men as that of Muhammad. As far as I can see, it is the principal cause of the decadence so visible today in the Muslim world and, though less absurd than the polytheism of old, its social and political tendencies are in my opinion more to be feared, and I therefore regard it as a form of decadence rather than a form of progress in relation to paganism itself”</i> – Alexis de Tocqueville</p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p><i>“All this talk of people who burn the Koran and nothing about the people who reacted in such a stupid way. We are always blaming the victim and not holding them — not most Muslims, but at least a large part of Muslim culture that doesn’t condemn their people… There is one religion in the world that kills you when you disagree with them and they say ‘look, we are a religion of peace and if you disagree we’ll f**king cut your head off, and nobody calls them on it — there are very few people that will call them on it. It’s like if Dad is a violent drunk and beats his kids, you don’t blame the kid because he set Dad off. You blame Dad because he’s a violent drunk” </i>- Bill Maher</p></blockquote> <p><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_nEAkWOufFU/T366WMxCdrI/AAAAAAAABOg/easpV-8FMnM/s400/Joshua_Dali_Sun.jpg" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_nEAkWOufFU/T366WMxCdrI/AAAAAAAABOg/easpV-8FMnM/s400/Joshua_Dali_Sun.jpg"> <p>This week’s winning essay, <b>Joshuapundit’s </b><a href="http://joshuapundit.blogspot.com/2008/06/chicken-or-egg.html">The Chicken Or The Egg? </a>looks at some elements of Islamic culture and asks: is it Islam that promotes the extreme violence and misogyny associated with Muslim societies? Or is that just [art of a tribal society that persists in spite of Islam? Here’s a slice: <p><i>Unless you’re in a coma, you’ve probably noticed that a great many of the violent and barbaric acts in our modern world can be attributed to followers of Islam.</i> <p><i> <p>In the Islamic world today, aside from homicide bombings, jihad and terrorism directed against dar harb ( the part of the world not ruled by Islam), honor killings, female genital circumcision and other forms of violence against women are commonplace, and homosexuals are routinely brutalized and murdered. Non-Muslims are treated as barely human in much of the Islamic world, if they’re allowed to exist at all. Warfare carried out by Muslims is done with modern tools of the trade provided by the despised infidels, but is a relic of the good ol’ primitive and tribal days. Hostages, beheadings and the deliberate killing of civilians are all fair game, and the language of jihad is essentially the same heady stuff used back in the 7th century against the infidel. And through it all, there remains the miasma of seething violent rage at things like the Danish cartoons that simply doesn’t exist in other religious groups. <p>The question nobody wants to ask keeps floating to the surface: Is Islam to blame? Or, to put it another way, are the perpetrators simply bad Muslims or are they actually good ones who are simply more in tune with Mohammed’s message than the majority? Does Islam itself promote violence? Or are the acts simply a product of primitive tribal society that persists in spite of Islam? <p>Actually, this is a trick question. I personally believe that Islam and the primitive tribal culture combined back in the day to sustain each other and can’t be separated by their very nature…even though some valiant attempts have been made in the past, and are being made today. <p>Let’s look at honor killings, for example. Probably the oldest recorded one is in Genesis 34, when Jacob’s daughter Dinah was seduced (or raped, depending on how you interpret the text) by a man from the town of Shechem (modern day Nablus). Afterwards, Jacob’s sons Simeon and Levi instigated the killing of the town’s men in revenge. But the Torah also tells us how Jacob denounced the killings and actually took the time to bad mouth his sons for the deed from his deathbed. Not only that, but you’ll notice a profound difference from the Islamic way of handling this – the onus of punishment fell on the male, not the female. <p>his isn’t the only honor killing mentioned in the Bible, but they were never condoned or part of Jewish law, just merely reported. <p>Islam, on the other hand, not only sanctions honor killings but is quite clear about its position in the matter. Killing or flogging an adulteress or a female that has relations with a non-Muslim male are part of sharia ( Qu’ran: 4:15, for example) – <u>provided an Islamic court orders the punishment rather than an individual male family member going off on his own.</u> <p>Even at that, Islamic courts today in the Muslim world frequently view male family members taking the law into their own hands fairly leniently. In Jordan, for example, many brutal honor killings have been punished by as little as a three month sentence under Jordanian Public Law 340. Moreover, in the context of Islamic society such murderers are <a href="http://eteraz.wordpress.com/2006/08/18/why-muslim-honor-killings-why/">often celebrated</a> and held up as role models. Just as homicide bombers and terrorists who kill infidel civilians often are. <p>But what if a Muslim feels himself disrespected and lives in say, Britain or New Jersey? If no Islamic courts are available, is it permissible to take the law into one’s own hands? Probably. There’s not much in the way of Islamic rulings or commentary on that particular subject, but the near silence of most Muslim clergy in the West when it comes to denouncing honor killings speaks volumes…one of those little inconvenient truths Western apologists for multiculturalism and Islam constantly run up against when a number of Muslim clerics themselves insist that honor killing, female genital mutilation, and stoning of adulterers are mandated by Islam. And, as you’ve probably guessed by now , that’s one of the unspoken reasons behind the push among many Muslims in the West for sharia courts to handle those messy domestic problems that come up with uppity females from time to time. <p>Violent death penalties for women caught in adultery is fairly typical of a primitive society, but only Islam continues the practice into the present day. No Christian court has ever condemned a woman to death for adultery. And although the death penalty for adultery is found in the Book of Leviticus, there is no record of such a sentence ever carried out by any Jewish court. The same is true of homosexuality; while both Christianity and Judaism consider it ‘a sin and an abomination’ only Islam clearly mandates the death penalty for such activities and carries it out in our present day. <p></i> <p><i>So why does Islamic society persist in these practices ?</i> <p>Much more <a href="http://joshuapundit.blogspot.com/2008/06/chicken-or-egg.html">at the link.</a> <p>In our non-Council category, the winner was <b>Daniel Greenfield’s </b>– <a href="http://www.frontpagemag.com/2015/dgreenfield/obamas-treason-is-the-new-patriotism/?utm_source=FrontPage+Magazine&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ba5af0a89f-Mailchimp_FrontPageMag&utm_term=0_57e32c1dad-ba5af0a89f-156399553">Obama’s Treason Is The New Patriotism </a>submitted by <b>The Noisy Room</b>. Daniel has some very hard hitting things to say about President Obama and a number of his questionable actions..and the tendency by the usual suspects to name anyone whom disagrees with the Regime a ‘traitor.’ <p>Here are this week’s full results.<strong> GrEaT sAtAn”S gIrLfRiEnD</strong> and<strong> Rhymes With Right</strong> were unable to vote this week, but were not subject to the usual 2/3 vote penalty for not voting: <h5><font style="font-weight: bold">Council Winners</font></h5> <ul> <li><b>*First place with 2 1/3 votes! – </b><b>Joshuapundit - </b><a href="http://joshuapundit.blogspot.com/2008/06/chicken-or-egg.html">The Chicken Or The Egg? </a> <li>Second place with 2 votes – <b>Bookworm Room</b> – <a href="http://www.bookwormroom.com/2015/03/11/trevor-loudon-tells-enthralled-marin-county-audience-that-victory-in-2016-requires-uniting-and-inspiring-conservative-base/">Trevor Loudon tells enthralled Marin County audience that victory in 2016 requires uniting and inspiring conservative base </a> <li>Third place with 1 1/3 votes – <b>VA Right! -</b> <a href="http://www.varight.com/news/is-the-location-of-hillary-clintons-email-server-75-broad-st-new-york-ny-10004/">Is the Location of Hillary Clinton’s Email Server 75 Broad St New York, NY 10004?</a> <li>Fourth place *t* with 1 vote – <b>Nice Deb </b>– <a href="https://nicedeb.wordpress.com/2015/03/16/president-bystander-blames-bush-for-isis-even-though-he-funded-them-and-they-metastasized-on-his-watch/">President Bystander Blames Bush For ISIS – Even Though He Funded Them and They Metastasized On His Watch </a> <li>Fourth place *t* with 1 vote – <b>Ask Marion</b> – <a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2015/01/03/beating-the-odds-part-one/">Beating The Odds </a> <li>Fourth place *t* with 1 vote – <b>Don Surber</b> – <a href="http://donsurber.blogspot.in/2015/03/prime-minister-australians-are-sick-of.html">Prime Minister: “Australians are sick of being lectured to by the United Nations” </a> <li>Fourth place *t* with 1 vote – <b>The Right Planet</b> – <a href="http://www.therightplanet.com/2015/03/the-silencers/">The Silencers </a> <li>Fifth place with 2/3 votes – <b>The Noisy Room</b> – <a href="http://noisyroom.net/blog/2015/03/15/the-faustian-pact-between-obama-and-iran/">The Faustian Pact Between Obama And Iran</a> <li>Sixth place *t* with 1/3 votes – <b>The Glittering Eye</b> - <a href="http://theglitteringeye.com/the-history-of-advice-and-consent/">The History of ‘Advice and Consent’ </a> <li>Sixth place *t* with 1/3 votes – <b>Rhymes With Right</b> – <a href="http://rhymeswithright.mu.nu/archives/355221.php">But The Obama Administration Assured Us These Folks Were Poor People Who Just Needed Jobs! </a></li></ul> <h5><font style="font-weight: bold">Non-Council Winners</font></h5> <ul> <li><b>First place with 3 votes!</b> – <b>Daniel Greenfield/FrontPage Mag </b>– <a href="http://www.frontpagemag.com/2015/dgreenfield/obamas-treason-is-the-new-patriotism/?utm_source=FrontPage+Magazine&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ba5af0a89f-Mailchimp_FrontPageMag&utm_term=0_57e32c1dad-ba5af0a89f-156399553">Obama’s Treason Is The New Patriotism </a>submitted by <b>The Noisy Room</b> <li><b>Second place with 2 1/3 votes </b>– <b>Michael Totten</b> – <a href="http://www.worldaffairsjournal.org/article/let-iraq-die-case-partition">Let Iraq Die: A Case for Partition </a>submitted by <b>Joshuapundit</b> <li><b>Third place with 2 votes </b>– <b>James Rosen/Playboy </b>– <a href="http://www.playboy.com/articles/playboy-interview-dick-cheney">Dick Cheney Interview: ‘Obama is The Worst President Of My Lifetime’ </a>submitted by <b>The Watcher</b> <li><b>Fourth place with 1 vote </b>– <b>Walter Russell Mead </b>– <a href="http://www.the-american-interest.com/2015/03/12/the-way-forward-on-iran/">The Way Forward on Iran </a>submitted by <b>The Glittering Eye</b> <li><b>Fifth place *t* with 2/3 votes</b> -<b>Michael Douglas/LA Times </b>– <a href="http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-0315-douglas-anti-semitism-20150315-story.html">Michael Douglas finds Judaism and faces anti-Semitism </a>submitted by <b>Don Surber</b> <li><b>Fifth place *t* with 2/3 votes</b> -<b>Richard Epstein/Hoover Institution </b>- <a href="http://www.hoover.org/research/race-baiting-and-ferguson">Race Baiting And Ferguson </a>submitted by <b>Nice Deb </b> <li><b>Sixth place *t* with 1/3 vote</b> -<b>Veronique de Rugy/The Daily Beast</b> – <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/03/15/on-ex-im-bank-the-democrats-are-the-real-corporate-shills.html">On Ex-Im Bank, the Democrats Are the Real Corporate Shills </a>submitted by <b>The Razor</b> <li><b>Sixth place *t* with 1/3 vote</b> -<b>Victor Davis Hanson/PJ Media </b>- <a href="http://pjmedia.com/victordavishanson/four-droughts/">A Tale of Four Droughts </a>submitted by <b>Bookworm Room </b></li></ul> <p><i>See you next week! </i> <p><i>Make sure to tune in <b>every Monday</b> for the <b>Watcher’s Forum</b>. and <b>every Tuesday morning</b>, when we reveal the weeks’ nominees for<b> Weasel of the Week!</b></i> <p><i>And remember, <b>every Wednesday</b>, the Council has its<b> weekly contest</b> with the members nominating two posts each, one written by themselves and one written by someone from outside the group for consideration by the whole Council. The votes are cast by the Council, and the results are posted on <b>Friday morning</b>.</i><br><i><br></i><i>It’s a weekly magazine of some of the best stuff written in the blogosphere, and<b> you won’t want to miss it.</b></i>..<i>or any of the other fantabulous Watcher’s Council content.</i> <p><i>And don’t forget to like us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Watcher-of-Weasels/58417762783">Facebook</a> and follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/weaselwatcher">Twitter</a>..’cause we’re cool like that, y’know?</i></p> Ask Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08154704300625351259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681715373324516612.post-59304000751602506722015-03-19T23:38:00.001-07:002015-03-21T01:39:45.396-07:00Our Weasel of the Week!! 03.19.15<p> <p><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" src="http://www.noisyroom.net/blog/weaseloftheweek.jpg" width="299" height="400"> <p>Every Tuesday, the Council nominates some of the slimiest, most despicable characters in public life for some deed of evil, cowardice or corruption they’ve performed. Then we vote to single out one particular Weasel for special mention, to whom we award the statuette of shame, our special, 100% plastic Golden Weasel.<a href="http://joshuapundit.blogspot.com/2015/03/our-weasel-of-week-nominees_16.html"> This week’s nominees</a> were all truly slime-worthy and disgusting,but in the end the unanimous winner was….the envelope please.. <p align="center"><img alt="https://theconservativetreehouse.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/james2bclapper2bstrike2bthree.jpg" src="https://theconservativetreehouse.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/james2bclapper2bstrike2bthree.jpg"><br><b>The Regime’s Own Komedy King, ‘Director Of National Intelligence’ James Clapper!!</b></p> <p><b></b><a href="http://joshuapundit.blogspot.com/">JoshuaPundit</a>: <i>Yes, good ol’ Jim Clapper, Obama’s ‘intelligence’ specialist, who referred to the Muslim Brotherhood as ‘a secular organization’ without even cracking a smile when testifying before congress. Yes, the laugh was in in his delivery – pompous, all knowing and put upon that he should even be questioned on such things by such mere peasants.</i> <p><i> <p>Since then, Jim Clapper has been good for a lot of laughs as he reliably shills for Obama’s failed foreign policy. <p></i> <p align="left"><i>His latest caper? In his <a href="http://www.dni.gov/files/documents/Unclassified_2015_ATA_SFR_-_SASC_FINAL.pdf">2015 Worldwide Threat Assessment</a> for congress he <a href="http://www.tehrantimes.com/politics/122610-us-intelligence-scraps-iran-hezbollah-from-terrorist-threats-list">totally delisted Iran</a> as a state supporter of terrorism and Iran’s proxy Hezbollah as a terrorist group. And why not? They’re our allies now, President Obama says so, and so does James Clapper. So it </i><i>must</i> be true.</p> <p align="center"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KcNeDPvBTE0" frameborder="0" width="420" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <p align="center"><i>Yeah, they seem like a friendly bunch, don’t they? What’s wrong with them having nukes?</i></p> <p align="center">Hey, Jim Clapper, just like his boss in the Oval Office doesn’t see anything wrong with it? Why should we? And Hezbollah? Sure, before 9/11 they held the record for the terrorist group murdering the most Americans,but that was then and this is now. <p align="center">Y’know, Clapper and a number of his buddies throughout out the Obama Administration like Robert Malley, Dalia Megahead, Huma Abedin, Mohamed Elibiary, Rashad Hussain, Salam al-Marayati and a number of others remind me a lot of how commies,their sympathizers and Soviet spies like Owen Lattimore, Alger Hiss, Harry Dexter White, Harry Hopkins, Nathan Gregory Silvermaster and lots of others infiltrated the Roosevelt and Truman administrations. Most of them weren’t high profile..they functioned behind the scenes as trusted behind the scenes advisers, apparatchniks and bureaucrats at various choke points where they could see and hear a lot and/or had the ear of people whom directly affected policy. They were the ultimate weasels of the Cold War, and between them they gave Stalin the atomic bomb, convinced Roosevelt to trust Stalin when he said he’d pull the Red Army out of Europe after the war, and duped Truman into allowing the Soviets to keep eastern Europe enslaved and bring the USSR into the UN. <p align="center">I have a feeling that when the history of these times is written, some of the names I mentioned, perhaps even Mr. Clapper’s might just be mentioned as he ultimate weasels of their own time.So I think it’s only appropriate and fitting that Mr. Clapper receive this well earned Golden weasel…both for the weaselly deeds he’s already done and the one’s he’ll undoubtedly do in the future. Step up to the stage, James Clapper, and here’s your weasel! <p align="center">Oh, the red stuff on the sides? Well, we had that done especially for you, kind of a symbolic tribute. Looks almost like blood, doesn’t it? <p align="center"><i>Well, there it is! </i> <p align="center"><i>Check back <b>next Tuesday</b> to see who next week’s nominees for Weasel of the Week are! </i> <p align="center"><i>Make sure to tune in <b>every Monday</b> for the <b>Watcher’s Forum</b>, and </i><i>remember, <b>every Wednesday</b>, the Council has its weekly contest with the members nominating two posts each, one written by themselves and one written by someone from outside the group for consideration by the whole Council. The votes are cast by the Council, and the results are posted on <b>Friday morning</b>.</i></p> <p align="center"><i>It’s a weekly magazine of some of the best stuff written in the </i><i>blogosphere, and<b> you won’t want to miss it.</b></i>..<i>or any of the other fantabulous Watcher’s Council content.</i></p> <p align="center"><i>And don’t forget to like us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Watcher-of-Weasels/58417762783">Facebook</a> and follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/weaselwatcher">Twitter</a>..’cause we’re cool like that, y’know?</i></p> Ask Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08154704300625351259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681715373324516612.post-48260135657563958522015-03-14T23:46:00.001-07:002015-03-14T23:47:58.656-07:00The Clintons… Bill: "I did not have sexual relations" and Hillary: " I did not have any classified material"<p align="center">Some things… ah people never change, and these two certainly won’t!!</p> <p align="left">Marion Algier – <a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2015/03/15/the-clintons-bill-i-did-not-have-sexual-relations-and-hillary-i-did-not-have-any-classified-material/">AskMarion</a></p> <p align="center"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IogZv3cikLY" frameborder="0" width="420" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://youtu.be/IogZv3cikLY">The Clintons… Bill: "I did not have sexual relations" and Hillary: " I did not have any classified material"</a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://dailythoughtpad.blogspot.com/2015/03/sarah-palin-mocks-hillary-clinton-with.html">Sarah Palin Mocks Hillary Clinton with Awesome Photo</a></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2015/03/13/our-weasel-of-the-week-03-12-15/">Our Weasel Of The Week!! 03.12.15</a></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2015/03/13/hillary-insider-email-scandal-inside-job-by-obama/">Hillary Insider: Email Scandal ‘Inside Job’ by Obama</a></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2015/03/12/hillary-discarded-30000-emails-her-server-will-remain-private-hillary-flashback-two-weeks-ago-i-have-two-phones/">Hillary Discarded 30,000 Emails, her Server will remain Private – Hillary Flashback Two Weeks Ago: I Have Two Phones</a></p> Ask Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08154704300625351259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681715373324516612.post-80139522449976393122015-03-14T16:25:00.001-07:002015-03-14T16:27:44.238-07:00Sarah Palin Mocks Hillary Clinton with Awesome Photo<p><a href="http://www.mrctv.org/blog/sarah-palin-mocks-hillary-clinton-awesome-photo#">Twitter</a><a href="http://www.mrctv.org/blog/sarah-palin-mocks-hillary-clinton-awesome-photo#">Facebook</a><a href="http://www.mrctv.org/blog/sarah-palin-mocks-hillary-clinton-awesome-photo#">More</a> - Cross-Posted at <a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2015/03/14/sarah-palin-mocks-hillary-clinton-with-awesome-photo/">AskMarion</a> <p><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="" src="http://www.mrctv.org/sites/default/files/uploads/Monica/palin.png" width="533" height="398"> <p>Former governor of Alaska Sarah Palin shared two images via her Facebook page on Wednesday mocking Hillary Clinton’s excuse for using a personal email account and server to conduct government business as Secretary of State. <p>The first image is the infamous photo of Clinton wearing shades indoors and using her one Blackberry cellphone captioned, <blockquote> <p>“I opted for convenience… because I thought it would be easier to carry one device.”</p></blockquote> <p>The second image shows Palin with a personal phone in one hand, a baby in the other, and a work cellphone clearly labeled "State of Alaska" resting on the table in front of her, juggling the responsibilities of mother and career. <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-W7sHZ6HRfsE/VQTDSWmafII/AAAAAAAAMSQ/r2ZM6OsGjqk/s1600-h/Convenience%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Convenience" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Convenience" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uSjB1xxToqM/VQTDS4YAIDI/AAAAAAAAMSY/qPuPJjQrfGc/Convenience_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="515" height="515"></a> <p>In an <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2015/03/09/gov-palin-faced-tough-questions-over-email-so-should-hillary-clinton/">article</a> published by Fox News on Monday, Palin criticized Hillary and her staff of "skirting" the law "altogether." <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AkoLchGn2KE/VQTDTlIoudI/AAAAAAAAMSg/z4vsl4FE0OI/s1600-h/Palin%252520Cleared%252520of%252520All%252520Wrong%252520Doing%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Palin Cleared of All Wrong Doing" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Palin Cleared of All Wrong Doing" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-J3k_k6734Eo/VQTDULAKZYI/AAAAAAAAMSo/TrlYWNO8H6o/Palin%252520Cleared%252520of%252520All%252520Wrong%252520Doing_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="510" height="510"></a></p> <blockquote> <p><a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2012/08/06/palin-derangement-syndrome-continues/">Palin Derangement Syndrome</a> was created by a <a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2010/07/27/journolists%E2%80%A6-the-truth-of-media-fraud-confirmed/">team of Jour’no’lists</a> who were directed by the powers that be to discredit Sarah Palin, because they, RINOs and Progressives from both parties, feared her (<a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2014/02/25/palin-derangement-syndrome-revisited/">and still do</a>)… and the mainstream media carried their water! They feared her connection with average Americans so much that they continued the collusion with contrived lawsuits and endless fabricated negative press including attacks on Palin’s children. Palin was cleared of any and all wrong doing… in all the lawsuits filed. Palin did the right thing and resigned as Governor of Alaska because she felt it was not fair to the people of her state for her to be spending so much of her time fighting these malicious lawsuits instead of working for them. The Democrats and Progressive from both parties then turned that into a negative by saying she was a quitter… not so by any stretch of the imagination.</p></blockquote> <p>"As Secretary of State under Obama, Hillary Clinton used private email accounts on a privately maintained server 100 percent of the time for 100 percent government business," Palin wrote. "That’s unethical, no doubt illegal, and flies in the face of all claims of transparency." <blockquote> <p>"Hillary Clinton and her staff weren’t trying to be in compliance with the law; they were skirting it altogether." </p></blockquote> <p>She went on to say, "You’d expect more from the self-described 'most transparent administration in history.'" <blockquote> <p>"And you should demand more from anyone who wants to be president someday," Palin fired.</p></blockquote> <p>The Associated Press agrees with Palin, now <a href="http://www.mrctv.org/blog/associated-press-files-lawsuit-hillarys-emails-says-state-dept-not-engaged-good-faith">suing the State Department</a> to force the release of <em>all </em>of Hillary’s email correspondence and government documents from her four-year State tenure after multiple public records requests under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) went unanswered. <p><b> <p></b>On Tuesday, breaking her nine-day silence on the scandal, the Hillary <a href="http://www.mrctv.org/blog/hillary-server-contains-private-communications-bill-who-doesn-t-use-email">admitted</a> that, in hindsight, it would have been better if she had used an official government email account. <blockquote> <p>"Again, looking back, it would've been better for me to use two separate phones and two email accounts,” Hillary said. “I thought using one device would be simpler, and obviously, it hasn't worked out that way."</p></blockquote> <p>If you haven't seen it already, check out her explanation <a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2015/03/12/hillary-discarded-30000-emails-her-server-will-remain-private-hillary-flashback-two-weeks-ago-i-have-two-phones/">HERE</a>.</p> Ask Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08154704300625351259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681715373324516612.post-35942198560463329952015-03-08T17:41:00.001-07:002015-03-08T17:44:53.663-07:00The Council Has Spoken!! Our Watcher’s Council Results – 03.06.15<p><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="http://www.trevorloudon.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/wat1.jpg" src="http://www.trevorloudon.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/wat1.jpg" width="500" height="400"> <p>The Council has spoken, the votes have been cast, and the results are in for this week’s Watcher’s Council match up. <blockquote> <p><i>“Don’t you see that the whole aim of Newspeak is to narrow the range of thought? In the end we shall make thought-crime literally impossible, because there will be no words in which to express it. “</i> – George Orwell’s <i>1984</i></p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p><i>“Whoever controls the media, controls the mind.”</i> – Jim Morrison of The Doors</p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p><i>“The media’s the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that’s power. Because they control the minds of the masses.” </i>- Malcolm X</p></blockquote> <p><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--bd_Q_iBJfY/TsYx44QOX9I/AAAAAAAAAm8/QonbRkHSjmw/s400/Noisy%2Broom%2B2.jpg" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--bd_Q_iBJfY/TsYx44QOX9I/AAAAAAAAAm8/QonbRkHSjmw/s400/Noisy%2Broom%2B2.jpg" width="479" height="479"> <p>This week’s winning essay, <b>The Noisy Room’s</b> – <a href="http://noisyroom.net/blog/2015/03/01/net-neutrality-young-fool-only-now-at-the-end-do-you-understand/">Net Neutrality: “Young fool … Only now, at the end, do you understand” </a>takes apart the Obama dominated FCC’s plans to ‘regulate’ the Internet and turn it int0 something unrecognizable. Here’s a slice: <p><i>We keep hearing, from the saviors in Washington, DC, how government regulation is the answer and how “evil monopolies” (created, incidentally, by other government regulations) are responsible for all our trials and tribulations and the “fundamental unfairness” of the Internet as she is currently wrote.</i> <p><i> <p>Obligatory <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0251075/">movie quote</a>: <p>“No. No government. I know those people. Absolutely not.” – Col. Ira Kane <p>Yeah, it’s a movie. It’s also absolutely right. <p>The founder of Broadcast.com, Mark Cuban, has recently been vociferous in his opposition to so-called “Net Neutrality” with his most recent public appearance on the subject in an interview where he breaks it down. His effort to “plain-language” the argument notwithstanding, and frankly, it’s a subject that should not be oversimplified, he laid out the unintended consequences dominoes and how this “everything is equal” push plays out in terms of common services. <p>Now, you might want to shrug Mark Cuban off as “some rich guy who owns a sports team” and clearly that’s being done a lot, but don’t forget how he got rich: he pioneered live broadcasting over the Internet. He’s not some political hack, evil cable company exec, or mushy thinking me-too “fairness uber alles” flag waver. He is, for once, someone who knows what the hell he’s talking about. <p>Net Neutrality, like so many political labels, is a “fair sounding” name that hides the actual motives and consequences of the real world implementations we will experience after the seemingly inevitable adoption of this latest government overreach. <p>It won’t be fair. It won’t be optimum. And the right answer will never even be mentioned, never mind entertained: deregulate the cable and broadband space to eliminate the protected monopolies. <p>The broadband space needs more competition, not less; needs less regulation, not more. Companies like Google laying fiber? Cox, AT&T, Verizon and Comcast suddenly no longer have a free pass. <p>Otherwise? The cynical and dystopian view? <p>One of the unavoidable dominoes will be broad censorship. Once the deprioritization of broadcast packets leads to the epic traffic jam that will reduce the Web’s US speeds to worse than those found in Europe, the government of the day will, once again, have to “save us” from this “unforseen” outcome and their clever plan will include limiting who can “legitimately” have bandwidth preferences, since clearly “legitimate” news outlets need to bypass the buffering jams that will afflict TV signaling and once dot-gov starts adjudicating who’s a “real” news or other “essential” service, licensing will naturally follow, and then “standards” of what is “acceptable” traffic. <p>At which point, whichever political party is in power at that time will have the distinct advantage of licensing whomever they deem to be more politically correct in their eyes. “Neutrality” on the ‘Net? Yeah, not so much. <p>We’re in the hands of fools and corrupt bureaucrats. Last Thursday, the Federal Communications Commission held a faux meeting on open Internet rules and access to broadband Internet. Commissioner Ajit Pai made a statement before the FCC vote to take unprecedented control over the internet with a secret plan. Yes, secret. Secret as in no exposure to the public or Congress prior to its enactment. What follows is the transcript of his comments – in echoes of Obamacare, this had to pass before we could know what was in it. Except, they are still keeping it under wraps. It must be very, very bad indeed. <p>From<a href="http://www.breitbart.com/video/2015/02/26/fcc-commissioner-pai-wh-and-fcc-playing-american-people-for-fools/"> Breitbart</a>: <blockquote> <p>“The Wall Street Journal reports that it was developed through ‘an unusual secretive effort inside the White House.’ Indeed, White House officials, according to the Journal, functioned as a parallel version of the FCC. Their work led to the president’s announcement in November of his plan for internet regulation, a plan which the report says blindsided the FCC and swept aside months of work by Chairman Wheeler toward a compromise. Now, of course, a few insiders were clued in about what was transpiring. Here’s what a leader for the government-funded group Fight for the Future had to say, ‘We’ve been hearing for weeks from our allies in D.C that the only thing that could stop FCC chairman Tom Wheeler from moving ahead with his sham proposal to gut net neutrality was if we could get the president to step in. So we did everything in our power to make that happen. We took the gloves off and played hard, and now we get to celebrate a sweet victory. Congratulations. what the press has called the parallel FCC at the White House opened its door to a plethora of special interest activists. Daily Kos, Demand Progress, Fight for the Future, Free Press, and Public Knowledge, just to name a few. Indeed, even before activists were blocking the chairman’s driveway late last year, some of them had met with executive branch officials. <p>“But what about the rest of the American people? They certainly couldn’t get White House meetings. They were shut out of the process altogether. They were being played for fools. And the situation didn’t improve once the White House announced President Obama’s plan, and ‘asked’ the FCC to implement it. The document in front of us today differs dramatically from the proposal that the FCC put out for comment last May, and it differs so dramatically that even zealous net neutrality advocates frantically rushed in, in recent days, to make last-minute filings, registering their concerns that the FCC might be going too far. Yet, the American people, to this day, have not been allowed to see President Obama’s plan. It has remained hidden. <p>“Especially given the unique importance of the internet, Commissioner O’Rielly and I ask for the plan to be released to the public. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune and House of Representatives Chairman did the same. According to a survey last week by a respected democratic polling firm, 79% of the American people favored making the document public. Still, the FCC has insisted on keeping it behind closed doors. We have to pass President Obama’s 317-page plan so the American people can find out what’s in it. This isn’t how the FCC should operate. We should be an independent agency making decisions in a transparent manner based on the law and the facts in the record. <p>“We shouldn’t be a rubber stamp for political decisions made by the White House. And we should have released this plan to the public, solicited their feedback, incorporated that input into the plan, and then proceeded to a vote. There was no need for us to resolve this matter today. There is no immediate crisis in the internet marketplace that demands immediate action. now. The backers of the president’s plan know this. But they also know that the details of this plan cannot stand up to the light of day. They know that the more the American people learn about it, the less they will like it. That is why this plan was developed behind closed doors at the White House. And that is why the plan has remained hidden from public view. <p>“These aren’t my only concerns. Even a cursory look at the plan reveals glaring legal plans that are sure to mire the agency in the muck of litigation for a long, long time. but rather than address them today, I will reserve them for my written statement. At the beginning of this proceeding, I quoted Google’s former CEO, who once said, the internet is the first thing that humanity has built, that humanity doesn’t understand. This proceeding makes it abundantly clear that the FCC still doesn’t get it. but the American people clearly do. The proposed government regulation of the internet has awakened a sleeping giant. I’m optimistic we’ll look back on today’s vote as a temporary deviation from the bipartisan consensus that’s served us so well. I don’t know whether this plan will be vacated by a court, reversed by Congress, or overturned by a future commission, But I do believe its days are numbered. For all of those reasons, I dissent.”</p></blockquote></i> <p><i></i> <p>More <a href="http://noisyroom.net/blog/2015/03/01/net-neutrality-young-fool-only-now-at-the-end-do-you-understand/">at the link.</a> <p>In our non-Council category, the winner was Jim DeMint in the <i>Daily Signal</i> with <a href="http://dailysignal.com/2015/03/03/not-now-will-gop-majority-ever-stand-anything/">If Not Now … When? Will the GOP Majority Ever Stand for Anything? </a>submitted by <b>Ask Marion</b> . As the man who, along with Sarah Palin was pretty much responsible for the victory in the 2010 midterms that resurrected he GOP from the grave, Deb Mint is definitely in a position to look at the Republicans in Congress today and wonder if they stand for anything. <p>After lying to their supporters <i>again</i> in 2014 about how they would dismantle President Obama’s radical agenda and being rewarded with majorities in both houses of Congress, they’ve reneged on everything they said they would do at election time. Can they ever be trusted again? Do read it. <p>Here are this week’s full results: <h5>Council Winners</h5> <ul> <li><b>*First place with 2 2/3 votes! </b>– <b>The Noisy Room</b> – <a href="http://noisyroom.net/blog/2015/03/01/net-neutrality-young-fool-only-now-at-the-end-do-you-understand/">Net Neutrality: “Young fool … Only now, at the end, do you understand.” </a> <li>Second place with 2 1/3 votes – <b>Joshuapundit </b>- <a href="http://joshuapundit.blogspot.com/2015/03/a-speech-choice-and-challenge.html">A Speech, A Choice And A Challenge </a> <li>Third place with 2 votes – <b>The Right Planet</b> – <a href="http://www.therightplanet.com/2015/03/the-white-house-prayer-deception/">The White House Prayer Deception </a> <li>Fourth place with 1 2/3 votes – <b>The Independent Sentinel</b> – <a href="http://www.independentsentinel.com/breaking-wh-plans-to-develop-a-country-within-a-country-of-15-million-new-americans/">Breaking…WH Plans to Develop a Country Within a Country of 15 Million “New Americans” </a> <li>Fifth place *t* with 1 vote – <b>The Glittering Eye</b> -<a href="http://theglitteringeye.com/the-devil-in-the-details/">The Devil in the Details </a> <li>Fifth place *t* with 1 vote – <b>VA Right! -</b> <a href="http://www.varight.com/news/republicans-betray-the-voters-again/">Republicans Betray the Voters – AGAIN </a> <li>Sixth place *t* with 2/3 vote – <b>The Razor</b> – <a href="http://www.therazor.org/?p=8077">What If… Shirley MacLaine is Just an Idiot? </a> <li>Sixth place *t* with 2/3 vote – <b>Rhymes With Right</b> – <a href="http://rhymeswithright.mu.nu/archives/355243.php">The Faux Outrage Of The Fatuous Left And The Fabulist Media</a></li></ul> <h5>Non-Council Winners</h5> <ul> <li><b>First place with 2 votes!</b> – <b>Jim DeMint/The Daily Signal </b>-<a href="http://dailysignal.com/2015/03/03/not-now-will-gop-majority-ever-stand-anything/"> If Not Now … When? Will the GOP Majority Ever Stand for Anything? </a>submitted by <b>Ask Marion</b> <li><b>Second place with 121/3 votes </b>– <b>T. Greer/Zenpundit </b>– <a href="http://zenpundit.com/?p=43696">Guest post, T Greer: A civilization is at stake here </a>submitted by <b>The Glittering Eye</b> <li><b>Third place *t* with 1 1/3 votes </b>– <b>Ace Of Spades HQ </b>– <a href="http://ace.mu.nu/archives/355301.php">It’s Over: Boehner, Boehner’s Establishment Allies, and Democrats Unite to Fund Obama’s Executive Amnesty </a>submitted by <b>Rhymes with Right</b> <li><b>Third place *t* with 1 1/3 votes </b>– <b>Breitbart</b> – <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2015/03/03/new-documents-blow-lid-off-obamaclinton-benghazi-scandal/">New Documents Blow Lid Off Obama/Clinton Benghazi Scandal </a>submitted by <b>VA Right!</b> <li><b>Third place *t* with 1 1/3 votes </b>– <b>Breach Bang Clear </b>- <a href="http://www.breachbangclear.com/the-new-definition-of-trauma/">The New Definition Of Trauma</a>submitted by <b>Bookworm Room </b> <li><b>Fourth place *t* with 1 vote </b>– <b>The Daily Beast </b>– <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/03/02/iraq-s-attack-against-isis-catches-u-s-by-surprise.html">Iraq’s Attack Against ISIS Catches U.S. ‘By Surprise’ </a>submitted by <b>GrEaT sAtAn”S gIrLfRiEnD</b> <li><b>Fourth place *t* with 1 vote </b>– <b>Robert Joseph, William Tobey/NRO </b>– <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/article/414440/iran-bad-deal-much-worse-no-deal-robert-joseph-william-tobey">Iran: A Bad Deal Is (Much) Worse than No Deal</a> submitted by <b>The Watcher</b> <li><b>Fifth place *t* with 2/3 votes</b> - <b>Andrew McCarthy/NRO </b>– <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/article/414588/bring-back-bush-doctrine-one-addition-andrew-c-mccarthy">Bring Back the Bush Doctrine – with One Addition </a>submitted by <b>The Noisy Room</b> <li><b>Fifth place *t* with 2/3 votes</b> - <b>Maggie’s Notebook </b>– <a href="http://www.maggiesnotebook.com/2015/02/defense-intelligence-told-not-to-update-obama-on-bin-laden-documents/">Defense Intelligence Told Not to Update Obama on Bin Laden Documents</a> submitted by <b>The Independent Sentinel</b> <li><b>Fifth place *t* with 2/3 votes</b> -<b> Kyle MizoKami/ War Is Boring </b>– <a href="https://medium.com/war-is-boring/i-built-an-ar-15-rifle-in-my-kitchen-cdbc5e9c7197">I Built An AR-15 In My Kitchen – Without Telling The Government </a>submitted by <b>The Watcher</b> <li><b>Sixth place with 1/3 vote</b> - <b>America – The National Catholic Review </b>–<a href="http://americamagazine.org/content/all-things/catholic-pagan-10-questions-camille-paglia"> The Catholic Pagan: 10 Questions for Camille Paglia </a>submitted by <b>The Razor</b></li></ul> <p><i>See you next week! </i> <p><i>Make sure to tune in <b>every Monday</b> for the <b>Watcher’s Forum</b>. and <b>every Tuesday morning</b>, when we reveal the weeks’ nominees for<b> Weasel of the Week!</b></i> <p><i>And remember, <b>every Wednesday</b>, the Council has its<b> weekly contest</b> with the members nominating two posts each, one written by themselves and one written by someone from outside the group for consideration by the whole Council. The votes are cast by the Council, and the results are posted on <b>Friday morning</b>.</i><br><i><br></i><i>It’s a weekly magazine of some of the best stuff written in the blogosphere, and<b> you won’t want to miss it.</b></i>..<i>or any of the other fantabulous Watcher’s Council content.</i> <p><i>And don’t forget to like us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Watcher-of-Weasels/58417762783">Facebook</a> and follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/weaselwatcher">Twitter</a>..’cause we’re cool like that, y’know?</i></p> Ask Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08154704300625351259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681715373324516612.post-27052336142435305152015-03-06T21:35:00.001-08:002015-03-06T21:35:03.959-08:00Betrayal Papers: Under Obama The US Captured by the Muslim Brotherhood<p><strong>PART I OF FIVE – <a href="http://theamericanreport.org/2015/03/01/betrayal-papers-under-obama-the-us-captured-by-the-muslim-brotherhood/">The American Report</a></strong> <p>The Betrayal Papers will trace the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood in the Obama administration’s foreign and domestic policies. <p align="center"><img alt="Muslim Brotherhood USA" src="http://theamericanreport.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2015/03/Muslim-Brotherhood-Control-of-US-Govt1-300x187.jpg" width="300" height="187"> <p>The five-part series will present a picture of a conspiracy that is manipulating the American government to the benefit of a totalitarian, genocidal movement that seeks to establish a global Islamic State. <ul> <li>The Muslim Brotherhood is an international political, financial, terrorist and movement whose goal is to establish a global Islamic State (Caliphate). <li>They have and continue to exert tremendous influence of the American government’s foreign and domestic policies under President Barack Hussein Obama. <li>The violence in the Middle East and across North Africa is a direct consequence of the Muslim Brotherhood’s effective control over American foreign policy in the region. <li>They operate through various “civic” front groups, as well as through American institutions who take their money as operational funding (Georgetown University, Brookings Institution).</li></ul> <p><em>In America</em>, we have a weak and struggling economy, growing public and private debt, and millions are un- and underemployed. While a weaponized IRS targets Tea Party groups and other voices of liberty, and military veterans are labeled as “domestic terrorists” by the Department of Homeland Security, the federal government refuses to secure the southern border. Educational policy now includes the teaching Arabic and visits to mosques for schoolchildren. <p><em>Internationally</em>, America is in retreat. The Middle East is in ashes and in the midst of an ongoing genocide replete with daily horrors, the likes which have not been seen for centuries. Former allies have been abandoned and are embittered. Under the present leadership in the White House and State Department, Israel is considered the aggressor and Hamas the oppressed. <p><em>In sum</em>, the world is at its most volatile point since the outbreak of World War II. <p>If you think that this is a result of something other than an “incompetent,” “stupid,” or “clueless” President, words regularly used by those who sense something is wrong but, can’t quite bring themselves to own up to the ugly truth, you’re not alone. <p>Millions of Americans are realizing that the Obama administration is not merely “misguided.” It is <em>actually and consciously</em> anti-American, anti-Semitic, anti-Christian, and broadly anti-Western. Yet , the American public does not yet fully appreciate why and how the administration always finds itself square against everything this country is based on – religious freedom, capitalism, and justice under law. <p>This series of articles will explain the force and mechanics behind Obama’s anti-American global agenda: <strong>the Muslim Brotherhood.</strong> <h5>Al-Ikhwan al-Muslimoon: The Root of Today’s Islamic Evil</h5> <p>Founded in 1928, the Muslim Brotherhood (aka, the Society of Muslim Brothers, or <p align="center"><img alt="Husseini speaking with Hitler in 1941" src="http://theamericanreport.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2015/03/Husseini_speaking_with_Hitler_in_1941-300x227.jpg" width="300" height="227"></p> <p align="center">Husseini speaking with Hitler in 1941 <p><em>Al-Ikhwan al-Muslimoon</em> in Arabic) is an international movement (some would argue an <em>international conspiracy</em>) that seeks to establish a worldwide Islamic State (or <em>Caliphate</em>). When it was created in the late 1920s, the Brotherhood was a contemporary of the Nazi Party of Germany. Indeed, the leader of the Muslim Brotherhood in Palestine, Amin al-Husseini, is considered by some as the man who catalyzed the Holocaust; for it was only after Husseini visited Hitler in Berlin in 1941 that the systematic extermination of Jews and other minorities began with industrial efficiency. <p>After the war, despite the insistence by many wartime leaders (Churchill included) that he be brought to justice, Husseini escaped to the Middle East. He lived there until his death in the 1970s, serving as a mentor to a young Yasser Arafat. Husseini and the Nazi Party are the connection points between the Holocaust and today’s Middle Eastern genocide. <p>The Allies conscious failure to arrest and prosecute Husseini haunts us today. <h5>A Terror Hedge against Stalin and Soviet Russia</h5> <p>At the beginning of the Cold War, working with former Nazis, the American CIA began to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mosque-Munich-Nazis-Muslim-Brotherhood-ebook/dp/B003WJQ6H2/">court the Muslim Brotherhood</a> as an ally against Soviet Russia. This calculus may have made sense when facing down Josef Stalin, a totalitarian tyrant hell-bent on world domination, but it has proved a costly strategy in the long run. <p>In the years and decades that followed World War II, the Muslim Brotherhood has evolved into a modern day Nazi International, not unlike the old <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communist_International"><i>Comintern</i></a> (Communist International). It has a vast network of financial and business interests across the world; it has agents, supporters, and apologists within western governments; and it has a support network of “civic” organizations in the West. <p>These all serve as a cover for its darker and insatiably violent ambitions. <p>For despite all their intrigue and political gamesmanship, the Muslim Brotherhood is not strictly a political movement, or a financial cabal. It’s also the mothership of virtually all Islamic terrorist groups operating in the world today, including <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2011-06-16/al-qaeda-names-egypt-born-ayman-al-zawahiri-to-replace-bin-laden-as-leader">Al Qaeda</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/erictrager18/status/522128793365151744">ISIS</a>, <a href="http://www.thejerusalemfund.org/www.thejerusalemfund.org/carryover/documents/charter.html?chocaid=397">Hamas</a>, the <a href="http://pjmedia.com/tatler/2013/08/16/taliban-has-the-muslim-brotherhoods-back/">Taliban</a>, <a href="http://islamicommentary.org/2014/05/the-haram-operations-of-boko-haram/">Boko Haram</a>, and many more. Such groups, all children of the Muslim Brotherhood’s fanatical Islamic ideology, are today ethnically cleansing countries such as Libya, Syria, Iraq, and Nigeria of all traces of Christianity. No less than the President of Egypt, Muslim Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, a devout Muslim, has <a href="http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/sisi-muslim-brotherhood-is-the-origin-of-all-islamic-extremism/2015/02/09/">said</a> as much. <p>Considering how the Muslim Brotherhood and their terrorist pawns treat fellow Muslims in Egypt, Libya, Syria, and Iraq, butchering them by the bushel including women and children, it should come as no surprise that <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/egypts-military-backed-government-declares-muslim-brotherhood-a-terrorist-organization/2013/12/25/7cf075ca-6da0-11e3-aecc-85cb037b7236_story.html">Egypt</a> and <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/07/us-saudi-security-idUSBREA260SM20140307">Saudi Arabia</a> have declared the them a “terrorist” organization. <p>It should also come as no surprise that the United Arab Emirates has <a href="http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates-international/1395272478814.html">designated</a> Muslim Brotherhood front groups operating in the United States “terrorist” entities. In November, the UAE effectively declared that the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) and Muslim-American Society (MAS) were no different than Al Qaeda. Why? It’s because they share a common origin in the Muslim Brotherhood. One could add to this list of domestic terrorist collaborators and enablers the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), and the Muslim Students Association (MSA). <h5>A New HQ in America</h5> <p>Equally alarmingly, all-American institutions such as <a href="http://theamericanreport.org/2015/03/01/betrayal-papers-under-obama-the-us-captured-by-the-muslim-brotherhood/2014100634931/editorial/rsn-pick-of-the-day/qatar-awareness-campaign-georgetown-school-of-foreign-service.html">Georgetown University</a> and the <a href="http://www.investigativeproject.org/4630/ipt-exclusive-qatar-insidious-influence-on">Brookings Institution</a> have accepted so much money from the Muslim Brotherhood government in Qatar, that their political positions are virtually indistinguishable from the Muslim Brotherhood’s domestic front groups! <p>Yet, the United States government does not see these organizations and their employees as the enemy, as apologists for the worst kinds of barbarity. In fact, the highest profile people from these organizations advise the Obama administration, including the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, and the National Security Council. In January, the Department of State actually <a href="http://freebeacon.com/national-security/open-jihad-declared-in-egypt-following-state-dept-meeting-with-muslim-brotherhood-aligned-leaders/"><i>welcomed</i></a> the Muslim Brotherhood to a meeting, and shortly thereafter Egypt exploded in jihadi violence. This is no magical coincidence. <p>To the detriment of our safety and well-being, the domestic Muslim Brotherhood front groups help dictate counterterrorism policies. It is their influence which leads to the farcical idea, recently <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/02/05/remarks-president-national-prayer-breakfast">expressed</a> by Obama at the National Prayer Breakfast, that the Crusades have something to do with ISIS and the mass murder of innocents in the Middle East today. <p>These front groups shape our foreign policy, which since the Arab Spring and continuing to this day is on the side of the Muslim Brotherhood. <p>So-called “moderate Muslims” employed at these front groups have made the country of Qatar, a totalitarian sharia-based society, and an “<a href="http://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2014/12/16/report-qatar-serves-as-atm-for-isis-other-terrorists/">ATM for terrorists</a>,” the closest ally of the United States under Obama’s Presidency. With enthusiasm from Obama and Eric Holder, they have us emptying Guantanamo Bay of the most vicious killers and sending them to Qatar, with only the vaguest of security assurances. <p>The remaining four articles will explore the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood on American policy, both foreign and domestic (including in Common Core, Obama’s position on illegal immigration and amnesty, and the hostility of the administration toward police officers). The exposé will also detail the operatives in the government who work to advance the Muslim Brotherhood’s ambitions for a worldwide Caliphate. And it will put into context the mysterious influence that George Soros and Valerie Jarrett have over Barack Hussein Obama, his administration, and the policies that affect every American. <p><strong>The Betrayal Papers</strong> <i>is a collaborative effort by the Coalition of Concerned Citizens, which includes: </i><a href="https://radiopatriot.wordpress.com/"><i>Andrea Shea King</i></a><i>, </i><a href="http://www.voiceofthecopts.org/"><i>Dr.</i></a><i> </i><a href="http://www.voiceofthecopts.org/"><i>Ashraf Ramelah</i></a><i>, </i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/SEALBenjaminSmith"><i>Benjamin Smith</i></a><i>, </i><a href="http://www.therightplanet.com/"><i>Brent Parrish</i></a><i>, </i><a href="http://charlesortel.com/"><i>Charles Ortel,</i></a><i> Chris Nethery, </i><a href="http://founderscode.com/"><i>Denise Simon</i></a><i>, </i><a href="http://www.semich912teaparty.org/"><i>Dick Manasseri</i></a><i>, </i><a href="http://www.semich912teaparty.org/"><i>Gary Kubiak</i></a><i>, </i><a href="http://gatesofvienna.net/"><i>Gates of Vienna</i></a><i>, </i><a href="http://www.al-rassooli.com/"><i>IQ al Rassooli</i></a><i>, </i><a href="http://rightsidenews.com/"><i>Jeff Bayard</i></a><i>, </i><a href="http://counterjihadreport.com/"><i>Leslie Burt</i></a><i>, </i><i>Marcus Kohan</i><i>, Mary Fanning, </i><a href="http://standupamericaus.org/"><i>General Paul E. Vallely</i></a><i>, </i><a href="http://denverteaparty.ning.com/profile/ReginaThomson924"><i>Regina Thomson</i></a><i>, </i><a href="http://politicalillusionsexposed.com/"><i>Scott Smith</i></a><i>, </i><a href="http://noisyroom.net/"><i>Terresa Monroe-Hamilton</i></a><i>, </i><a href="http://rightsidenews.com/"><i>Colonel Thomas Snodgrass</i></a><i>, </i><a href="http://www.trevorloudon.com/"><i>Trever Loudon</i></a><i>, </i><a href="http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/authors/detail/wallace-s-bruschweiler"><i>Wallace Bruschweiler</i></a><i>, and </i><a href="http://misterchambers.com/"><i>William Palumbo</i></a><i>.</i> Ask Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08154704300625351259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681715373324516612.post-84013438735188193552015-03-03T21:26:00.001-08:002015-03-03T21:26:09.274-08:00Todd Palin Dedicates His 2015 Iron Dog Run to Chris Kyle<p>By Marion Algier – <a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2015/02/27/todd-palin-dedicates-his-2015-iron-dog-run-to-chris-kyle/">AskMarion</a></p> <p>Todd Palin, husband of Sarah Palin and four-time champion of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesoro_Iron_Dog">Tesoro Iron Dog</a>, the world's longest snowmobile race,<sup> </sup>which traces the path of the <a href="https://justonemorepet.wordpress.com/2014/03/31/todd-palin-excited-to-bring-iditarod-to-tv/">Iditarod race</a> with an extra journey of several hundred miles to Fairbanks added, has dedicated his 2015 Iron Dog run to hero Chris Kyle, as <a href="https://thespeechatimeforchoosing.wordpress.com/2015/02/26/video-governor-sarah-palin-reprises-her-command-in-chief-role-honors-veterans-at-cpac2015/">Governor Sarah Palin Reprises Her Commander-in-Chief Role and Honors Veterans at CPAC 2015</a> with a speech honoring veterans.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rnWEniYQugE/VPaXX5OtvWI/AAAAAAAAMP4/GuIBJy9Riro/s1600-h/Heroic-Veterans4.jpg"><img title="Heroic Veterans" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Heroic Veterans" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CAh9dP0yyQI/VPaXYX2EwKI/AAAAAAAAMP8/RZvdtQD6zDg/Heroic-Veterans_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="394" height="199"></a></p> <p align="left">Recently, <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/01/21/exclusive-todd-palin-heartland-can-see-through-liberal-hollywood-about-chris-kyle-record-breaking-american-sniper/">Todd Palin said</a> of Chris Kyle: </p> <blockquote> <p>“And then it was an honor for me and others to participate in <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/tv-column/post/todd-palin-among-those-competing-in-nbcs-reality-series-stars-earn-stripes/2012/06/19/gJQArIGAoV_blog.html">“Stars Earn Stripes”</a><em> </em> with Chris and others in the military. You can have a conversation with somebody but until you’re side-by-side in the trenches with somebody, then you really know somebody. These guys, being a sniper, being out ahead of his unit and saving lives, Chris was just a good man, an expert in his field and he was one heck of a teacher.” <p>Palin also spoke about his own personal experience as the father of a military man. <p>“As father and mother, Sarah and I witnessed our son [Track] go through boot camp. It’s just an unbelievable process. You have an 18-year-old go down to boot camp and then you go down there a few months later when they graduate from boot camp and they’re just mentally strong, physically strong and have all the respect in the world for their drill sergeant because their drill sergeant is right next to you climbing up that mountain or running the five miles. But it just shows years of training, dedication and protecting freedom and liberty. That’s the motto of our military.”</p></blockquote> <p>Not only is Todd Palin a local hero and Iron Dog champion, but the Palins also <a href="http://community.adn.com/node/160162">run a mix of lead and team dogs</a> for <a href="http://iditarod.com/">the Iditarod</a>, touted as the Last Great Race on Earth. In fact, Todd, the former first dude of Alaska and <a href="http://us4palin.com/gov-palin-generates-189-million-yearly-in-ak-tourism/">Governor Palin Generate $189 Million+ Yearly in Alaskan Tourism</a> They motivate 44% of tourist travel to the state and the former governor’s favorable number is 21 points higher among Alaska tourists than the general public. Wouldn’t it be great if <a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2015/02/18/palinmania-and-why-she-can-win/">they could generate that type of tourism to Washington, D.C.</a>? <blockquote> <p><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="Sarah Palin's photo." src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/s480x480/10990686_10153125769623588_8220642448306867547_n.jpg?oh=d20161f4b8f187e6b121e6582951e2ff&oe=5590D163&__gda__=1435849333_b009194d29dcb100815a4453866bb5aa" width="490" height="653"> <p><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="Sarah Palin's photo." src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/p417x417/10557368_10153125769628588_2812853632757995071_n.jpg?oh=ccfeabb8168252d6bf096e1b29d044de&oe=5555BB0E&__gda__=1434292248_869cbe0ae1f9b908a15833d2e1c03d99" width="497" height="567"></p></blockquote> <p><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="FullSizeRender 2" src="https://i1.wp.com/wp.production.patheos.com/blogs/bristolpalin/files/2015/02/FullSizeRender-2-e1424642068259.jpg" width="554" height="609"> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.breitbart.com/sports/2015/02/22/no-girly-men-allowed-todd-palin-races-iron-dog-honors-chris-kyle/">Breitbart’s</a> Kevin Scholla <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/sports/2015/02/22/no-girly-men-allowed-todd-palin-races-iron-dog-honors-chris-kyle/">writes</a> (In “No Girly Men Allowed”): <blockquote> <p>While many in the contiguous 48 states will be watching the Daytona 500 and <a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2015/02/25/our-weasel-of-the-week-nominees-3/">the Oscars</a> Sunday, the eyes of Alaska focus on the Iron Dog. <p>The grueling snowmachine race has been going strong since 1984. For the 22nd time, former Alaska First Gentleman Todd Palin competes. <p>Palin has won the race four times and he’s teaming for a second straight year with Tyler Huntington. The duo, Team 11, honors an American hero in the process. Todd Palin races in support of the <a href="http://chriskylefrog.com/">Chris Kyle Frog Foundation</a>, with a snowmachine decked out in a patriotic decal that pays homage to one of the greatest snipers America has ever known. <p>Palin and Kyle became friends while filming the NBC show <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/tv-column/post/todd-palin-among-those-competing-in-nbcs-reality-series-stars-earn-stripes/2012/06/19/gJQArIGAoV_blog.html">“Stars Earn Stripes”</a><em>. (The Palins and Kyles became friends and the Palins <a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2013/02/13/sarah-palin-honors-chris-kyle-at-his-funeral-in-texas/">honor Chris Kyle’s service</a>… <a href="http://youtu.be/Bh7Hk1CFSso">all veteran’s service</a>.)</em></p></blockquote> <p>“It was just an honor to spend time with Chris Kyle,” Palin told <em>The Palin Update with <a href="http://www.mamagrizzlyradio.com/">Kevin Scholla on Mama Grizzly Radio</a></em>. “I think that the success of (<a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2015/01/22/american-sniper-a-rorschach-test-separating-the-wheat-from-the-chaff/">American Sniper</a>) just shows that Americans have been waiting to be able to lift that hero up. It’s been huge” <blockquote> <p>Before embarking on the 2015 Iron Dog Race and gunning for his fifth championship. Todd and Kevin discussed the weather conditions, what it takes to win, and how Chris Kyle lives on through this grueling event. The show also included Sarah Palin showing off her comedy chops at SNL's 40th Anniversary Show and tells you why Alaskans are smiling ear to ear. There is also, a brand new segment of Liberty & Legacy with Tamara Colbert in Texas and Steel Resolve; their weekly commentary with Sarah Steelman in Missouri is showcased. </p> <p align="center"><font color="#ff0000">Audio:</font> <a href="http://youtu.be/CXrP1iUJhZE">Todd Palin Guest on Mama Grizzly - Part I</a></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ff0000">Audio:</font> <a href="http://youtu.be/zzRpFDZUnCk">Todd Palin Guest on Mama Grizzly - Part 2</a></p> <p align="center">Mama Grizzly Radio is ON DEMAND and available for DOWNLOAD anytime. Mama Grizzly Radio...hear the roar!</p></blockquote> <p>Bristol Palin wrote, “So proud of Dad and his desire to honor Chris. Go, Dad, go!” <p align="center"><img alt="3" src="https://i2.wp.com/wp.production.patheos.com/blogs/bristolpalin/files/2015/02/3-e1424641997296.png" width="488" height="451"></p> <p align="center"><img alt="FullSizeRender" src="https://i1.wp.com/wp.production.patheos.com/blogs/bristolpalin/files/2015/02/FullSizeRender-e1424642160469.jpg" width="486" height="579"></p> <p align="center"><img alt="1" src="https://i0.wp.com/wp.production.patheos.com/blogs/bristolpalin/files/2015/02/1-e1424642136868.png" width="484" height="510"> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EKCMynTThwU/VPaXYxB9elI/AAAAAAAAMQI/urj-C7svw9E/s1600-h/Todd-Palin-Sarah-Palin-Iron-Dog%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="Todd-Palin-Sarah-Palin-Iron-Dog" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Todd-Palin-Sarah-Palin-Iron-Dog" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0M2gQ3D90Zk/VPaXZgBLDaI/AAAAAAAAMQQ/UEKYX8zPSrM/Todd-Palin-Sarah-Palin-Iron-Dog_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="365"></a></p></blockquote> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oF0edyjajyc/VPaXaOUf_gI/AAAAAAAAMQU/sIqIz0QWGEU/s1600-h/Team-Huntington-Palin3.jpg"><img title="Team Huntington-Palin" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Team Huntington-Palin" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-d2Ne64WRJBA/VPaXa7S9qnI/AAAAAAAAMQg/KpkpIDOME8E/Team-Huntington-Palin_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="386" height="386"></a></p> <p align="center">Also, read what Taya Kyle wrote on Chris’ Facebook page about Todd Palin <a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/bristolpalin/2015/02/check-out-chris-kyles-facebook-update-about-todd-palin/">here</a>. <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GC6NELC_dYE/VPaXbc6Un7I/AAAAAAAAMQk/gTYy75X5qII/s1600-h/Chris-Kyle3.png"><img title="Chris Kyle" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Chris Kyle" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DF4dk_UJxRo/VPaXb9ZzCtI/AAAAAAAAMQw/CekouBDQmRo/Chris-Kyle_thumb1.png?imgmax=800" width="376" height="151"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://chriskylefrog.com/">Chris Kyle Frog Foundation</a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.irondog.org/race-tracking/">Iron Dog Race Tracking</a></p> <p align="left">Updated on 03.01.15: <a href="http://www.newsminer.com/news/local_news/faeo-quam-win-bruising-iron-dog-snowmachine-race/article_49b21220-bfa9-11e4-8046-c33b3e52018a.html">Faeo, Quam won the bruising Iron Dog snowmachine race</a> in which: </p> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.newsminer.com/news/local_news/snowmachines-sink-in-bay-during-tough-iron-dog-course/article_6a6ae44e-be5d-11e4-8344-4f18f8d95d61.html">Snowmachines sunk in bay during tough Iron Dog course</a> <li><a href="http://www.newsminer.com/news/local_news/iron-dog-off-to-rough-start-over-bare-earth-open/article_1e42090c-bc01-11e4-983c-437437a5a347.html">Iron Dog was off to a rough start over bare earth, open water</a></li></ul> <p>The runners-up were Anchorage's Aaron Bartel and Davis, of Soldotna, who finished 46 minutes later and won $35,000 for the showing. Allen Hill, of Big Lake, and McKenna, of Anchorage, claim $20,000 for the their third-place finish. <p>Two-time champion Tyler Huntington of Galena was the top Interior racer in the race, joining with Wasilla's four-time champion Todd Palin to take ninth place. Other Interior finishers included rookies Ryan Folsom and Tony Greene in 12th place; Fairbanks rookie Chris Carroll, who is racing with Ray Chvastasz of Wasilla, in 16th place; and Tanana's Archie Agnes and Arnold Marks in 17th place. <p>Quam, 44, said not many racers his age win the grueling Iron Dog, and that he relied on the energy that Faeo, 31, injected into the team. Faeo said Quam's trail savvy provided a crucial balance. <p>"Eric's been awesome," he said. "A guy with a lot of experience, a great rider. I've learned a ton from him this year." <p>Sources:</p> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/sarahpalin">Sarah Palin’s Facebook Page</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/bristolpalin/2015/02/5-photos-from-todd-palins-iron-dog-race-honoring-chris-kyle/">Patheos.com</a> - By <a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/bristolpalin/author/bristolpalin/">Bristol Palin</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.newsminer.com/news/local_news/faeo-quam-win-bruising-iron-dog-snowmachine-race/article_49b21220-bfa9-11e4-8046-c33b3e52018a.html">Newsminer.com</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.breitbart.com/sports/2015/02/22/no-girly-men-allowed-todd-palin-races-iron-dog-honors-chris-kyle/">Breitbart.com</a></p> <p><a href="https://justonemorepet.wordpress.com/">JustOneMorePet.com</a></p> <p><a href="https://sarahpalininformation.wordpress.com/2015/02/23/todd-palin-racing-iron-dog-2015-in-honor-of-chris-kyle/">SarahPalinInformationBlog.com</a></p> <p><a href="https://thespeechatimeforchoosing.wordpress.com/2015/02/26/video-governor-sarah-palin-reprises-her-command-in-chief-role-honors-veterans-at-cpac2015/">A Time For Choosing</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.palin-cruz.org">Palin-Cruz 2016</a></p> Ask Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08154704300625351259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681715373324516612.post-83899629513188340422015-03-01T20:10:00.001-08:002015-03-01T20:10:20.309-08:00The Council Has Spoken!! Our Watcher’s Council Results 02.27.15<p align="center"><img alt="http://www.crystalinks.com/druids_stonehenge.jpg" src="http://www.crystalinks.com/druids_stonehenge.jpg" width="400" height="248"></p> <p align="center">The Council has spoken, the votes have been cast, and the results are in for this week’s <a href="http://www.watcherofweasels.org/">Watcher’s Council</a> match up.</p> <p align="center"><i>“Breathes there the man, with soul so dead,<br>Who never to himself hath said,<br>This is my own, my native land!<br>Whose heart hath ne’er within him burn’d,<br>As home his footsteps he hath turn’d<br>From wandering on a foreign strand!<br>If such there breathe, go, mark him well;<br>For him no Minstrel raptures swell;<br>High though his titles, proud his name,<br>Boundless his wealth as wish can claim;<br>Despite those titles, power, and pelf,<br>The wretch, concentred all in self,<br>Living, shall forfeit fair renown,<br>And, doubly dying, shall go down<br>To the vile dust, from whence he sprung,<br>Unwept, unhonour’d, and unsung. “</i> -Sir Walter Scott</p> <p align="center"><i>Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men. It is the spirit of men who follow and of the man who leads that gains the victory.</i> – General George S. Patton</p> <p align="center"><i>“</i><i>I was only the servant of my country and had I, at any moment, failed to express her unflinching resolve to fight and conquer, I should at once have been rightly cast aside. </i>- Sir Winston Churchill</p> <p align="center"><i>But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” </i>- 1 Samuel 16:7</p> <p><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="https://askmarion.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/38d9b-joshua_dali_sun.jpg" src="https://askmarion.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/38d9b-joshua_dali_sun.jpg"></p> <p>This week’s winning essay,<b>Joshuapundit’s </b><a href="http://joshuapundit.blogspot.com/2015/02/is-president-obama-christian-does-he.html">Is President Obama A Christian? Does He Love America? </a>was my reaction to the question raised by former NY Mayor Rudy Giuliani and the media meltdown that followed. Here’s a slice:</p> <p><i>Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani created a press-fueled tempest in a teapot when he raised those issues at a private dinner. As you know, only Democrats and Leftists are entitled to private conversations and secrecy even the Mafia would envy. And of course, to the freedom to express their opinions no matter how bat sh*t crazy they are. Rudy Giuliani obviously doesn’t qualify for that kind of protection.</i></p> <p><i></i></p> <p><i>Of course the press leaped on this. The current administration and its minions are free to refer to ‘right wing Tea Partiers’ as terrorists and to deride a serving US General commanding a combat operation as ‘General Betray Us’ in the </i><i>New York Times</i>, but again, <i><u>the rule for Democrats and the Left is that you may never question their patriotism under any circumstances, no matter what they say or do</u>. </i></p> <p>Having pretty much struck out trying to smear GOP front runner Governor Scott Walker for not undergoing four years or more of Leftist indoctrination at someplace like Harvard, Yale, Columbia or Princeton, the Obama media decided to grab at another straw and make a point of asking Governor Walker if <i>he</i> thought this president was a Christian.</p> <p>His quite sensible reply was that he didn’t know, and as <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/why-the-confusion-on-obamas-religion/article/2560534">Byron York pointed out</a>, a fair amount of Americans don’t know either. I suppose it all depends on whether you consider Reverend Jeremiah Wright’s Trinity United Church with its radical politics and its anti-Semitic and racialist overtones ‘Christian.’ Or whether you’re confused about a president who defends Islam and Islamists at every turn while dissing Christianity and standing by and doing nothing while Christians are being ethnically cleansed from the Middle East by those peaceful Islamists.</p> <p>But at any rate, the only way to know for sure would be to look inside this president’s head and heart, and Walker was astute in simply saying he wasn’t going to attempt that.</p> <p>Now, does this president love America? Again, like the question about Christianity, it all depends on what your definition of loving America is.</p> <p>In his memoir about his time as Secretary of Defense in the Bush and Obama Administrations, Robert Gates chronicled his struggle to contain his rage as former Democrat Senators and 2008 presidential candidates Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden chuckled to Gates about how their efforts during the second Bush administration to sabotage America’s war effort in Iraq and the Surge in particular while our troops were under fire were ‘hah hah,just politics, ho ho.’ As Gates related, these efforts along with their calculated attempts to insult and emasculate its commander General Petraeus literally cost American lives.</p> <p><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="http://cdn7.wn.com/ph/img/e0/de/3323f9fe52c38f5d7d730f6feaca-grande.jpg" src="http://cdn7.wn.com/ph/img/e0/de/3323f9fe52c38f5d7d730f6feaca-grande.jpg"></p> <p>Now again, some people are going to say ‘what difference does it make?’ Others would be outraged at this and a lot of other things that have happened in this administration.</p> <p>So you see, it all depends on your point of view.</p> <p>But walk with me a minute.</p> <p>Let’s say,just for giggles, we elected a president who actually <i>didn’t</i> love the country, but whose agenda could more accurately be described in one word – payback.</p> <p>How would such a president behave?</p> <p>Much more <a href="http://joshuapundit.blogspot.com/2015/02/is-president-obama-christian-does-he.html">at the link.</a></p> <p>In our non-Council category, the winner was the one and only Mark Steyn with <a href="http://www.steynonline.com/6820/o-beautiful-for-specious-guys">Oh Beautiful For Specious Guys </a>submitted by <b>The Noisy Room</b>.</p> <p>Steyn exercises his usual mastery at getting to the heart of the matter, in this case the Obama Administration’s craven response to <s>violent, radical Islamism</s> uhhh, ‘violent extremism’ that dares not speak its name. A must read.</p> <p>Here are this week’s full results. Only the Right Planet was unable to vote this week, but was not subject to the usual 2/3 vote penalty for not voting:</p> <h5><font style="font-weight: bold">Council Winners</font></h5> <ul> <li><b>*First place with 3 votes! </b>– <b>Joshuapundit </b>- <a href="http://joshuapundit.blogspot.com/2015/02/is-president-obama-christian-does-he.html">Is President Obama A Christian? Does He Love America? </a> <li>Second place with 2 1/3 votes – <b>Bookworm Room</b> – <a href="http://www.bookwormroom.com/2015/02/18/hey-sweden-hows-that-open-immigration-and-pc-multiculturalism-working-out-for-you/">Hey, Sweden! How’s that open immigration and PC-multiculturalism working out in your faux-socialist land? </a> <li>Third place *t* with 1 1/3 votes – <b>Nice Deb </b>– <a href="https://nicedeb.wordpress.com/2015/02/23/al-sisi-and-haftar-fight-isis-in-libya-with-no-help-from-us-while-obama-meets-with-muslim-brotherhood/">Al Sisi and Haftar Fight ISIS in Libya With No Help From US – While Obama Meets With Muslim Brotherhood </a> <li>Third place *t* with 1 1/3 votes – <b>The Right Planet</b> – <a href="http://www.therightplanet.com/2015/02/doomed-to-repeat/">Doomed To Repeat…</a> <li>Fourth place *t* with 2/3 vote – <b>GrEaT sAtAn”S gIrLfRiEnD</b> – <a href="http://greatsatansgirlfriend.blogspot.com/2015/02/swarm-baby-swarm.html">China’s Attack Strategy: Swarm Baby, Swarm </a> <li>Fourth place *t* with 2/3 vote – <b>The Noisy Room</b> – <a href="http://noisyroom.net/blog/2015/02/22/the-russian-bear-moves-in-next-door/">The Russian Bear Moves In Next Door</a> <li>Fourth place *t* with 2/3 vote – <b>VA Right! -</b> <a href="http://www.varight.com/news/is-obama-a-christian-or-a-muslim-what-do-his-deeds-say/">Is Obama a Christian or a Muslim? What Do His Deeds Say?</a> <li>Fourth place *t* with 2/3 vote – <b>Rhymes With Right</b> – <a href="http://rhymeswithright.mu.nu/archives/355165.php">Is Obama A Christian </a> <li>Fifth place with 1/3 votes –<b>Ask Marion</b> – <a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2015/02/19/texas-is-leading-the-way-to-stop-president-obamas-illegal-amnesty/">Texas Is Leading the Way to Stop President Obama’s Illegal Amnesty </a></li></ul> <h5><font style="font-weight: bold">Non-Council Winners</font></h5> <ul> <li><b>First place with 3 votes!</b> – <b>Mark Steyn </b>–<a href="http://www.steynonline.com/6820/o-beautiful-for-specious-guys">Oh Beautiful For Specious Guys </a>submitted by <b>The Noisy Room</b> <li><b>Second place with 2 1/3 votes </b>– <b>Jonah Goldberg</b> – <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/article/414163/progressives-peculiar-sense-patriotism-jonah-goldberg">Progressives’ Peculiar Sense of Patriotism </a>submitted by <b>Joshuapundit</b> <li><b>Third place with 1 2/3 votes </b>– <b>Warrior Lodge </b>– <a href="http://www.warriorlodge.com/blogs/news/16298760-a-french-soldiers-view-of-us-soldiers-in-afghanistan">A French Soldier’s View of US Soldiers in Afghanistan </a>submitted by <b>The Right Planet</b> <li><b>Fourth place *t* with 2/3 votes</b> -<b>Sultan Knish </b>– <a href="http://sultanknish.blogspot.com/">We Can Kill Our Way to Victory</a> submitted by <b>The Independent Sentinel</b> <li><b>Fourth place *t* with 2/3 votes</b> - <b>Bobby Ghoush/Defense One </b>– <a href="http://www.defenseone.com/threats/2015/02/why-arab-ground-troops-wont-defeat-isis/105876/?oref=d-skybox">Why Arab Ground Troops Won’t Defeat ISIS </a>submitted by <b>GrEaT sAtAn”S gIrLfRiEnD</b> <li><b>Fourth place *t* with 2/3 votes</b> - <b>The People’s Cube </b>– <a href="http://thepeoplescube.com/peoples-blog/quran-quran-glam-band-puts-a-face-to-the-muslim-invasion-t15936.html">Quran-Quran: glam band puts a face to the Muslim Invasion </a>submitted by <b>The Razor</b> <li><b>Fifth place *t* with 1/3 vote</b> -<b>Roll Call </b>– <a href="http://blogs.rollcall.com/wgdb/mcconnell-throws-in-towel-on-dhs-fight-but-reid-waiting-for-boehner-to-cave/">McConnell Throws in Towel on DHS Fight, but Reid Is Waiting for Boehner to Cave (Updated</a> submitted by <b>VA Right!</b> <li><b>Fifth place *t* with 1/3 vote</b> -<b>Gay Patriot </b>– <a href="http://www.gaypatriot.net/2015/02/24/liberals-really-are-less-patriotic-than-conservatives/">Liberals Really Are Less Patriotic than Conservatives </a>submitted by <b>Rhymes with Right</b> <li><b>Fifth place *t* with 1/3 vote</b> -<b>DC Clothesline </b>– <a href="http://www.dcclothesline.com/2015/02/19/jobs-for-jihadists-applications-flood-state-department/">Jobs for Jihadists’ Applications Flood State Department </a>submitted by <b>The Glittering Eye</b> <li><b>Fifth place *t* with 1/3 vote</b> -<b>Mister Chambers </b>– <a href="http://misterchambers.com/2015/02/19/onward-to-defeat/">Onward To Defeat </a>submitted by <b>The Watcher</b> </li></ul> <p><i>See you next week! </i></p> <p><i>Make sure to tune in <b>every Monday</b> for the <b>Watcher’s Forum</b>. and <b>every Tuesday morning</b>, when we reveal the weeks’ nominees for<b> Weasel of the Week!</b></i></p> <p><i>And remember, <b>every Wednesday</b>, the Council has its<b> weekly contest</b> with the members nominating two posts each, one written by themselves and one written by someone from outside the group for consideration by the whole Council. The votes are cast by the Council, and the results are posted on <b>Friday morning</b>.</i><br><i><br></i><i>It’s a weekly magazine of some of the best stuff written in the blogosphere, and<b> you won’t want to miss it.</b></i>..<i>or any of the other fantabulous Watcher’s Council content.</i></p> <p><i>And don’t forget to like us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Watcher-of-Weasels/58417762783">Facebook</a> and follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/weaselwatcher">Twitter</a>..’cause we’re cool like that, y’know?</i></p> Ask Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08154704300625351259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681715373324516612.post-65936654851669868372015-02-26T14:09:00.001-08:002015-02-26T14:09:17.776-08:00Our Weasel Of The Week!! - 2.26.15<p><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" src="http://www.noisyroom.net/blog/weaseloftheweek.jpg" width="299" height="400"> <p>It’s time to present this week’s statuette of shame, The Golden Weasel, to our <em><a href="http://www.watcherofweasels.org/category/weasel-of-the-week/">Weasel Of The Week</a></em>!! <p>Every Tuesday, the Council nominates some of the slimiest, most despicable characters in public life for some deed of evil, cowardice or corruption they’ve performed. Then we vote to single out one particular Weasel for special mention, to whom we award the statuette of shame, our special, 100% plastic Golden Weasel. <a href="http://joshuapundit.blogspot.com/2015/02/our-weasel-of-week-nominees_24.html">This week’s nominees</a> were all truly slime-worthy and disgusting, but in the end the overwhelming winner was….the envelope please.. <p><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="http://cdn.ricochet.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Harf-298x330.jpg" src="http://cdn.ricochet.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Harf-298x330.jpg"> <p>State Department Spokeshole,Jihadi Employment Specialist and Chikken Fried Crap Thrower Marie Harsh! <p><a href="http://www.independentsentinel.com/">The Independent Sentinel</a>: <i>For me, Marie Harf has a slight edge over Eric Holder who doesn’t know why we have to call radical Islam by its name. She thinks the solution to ISIS is jobs! </i> <p><i> <p>D<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=jHJvyhI4QLY">uring an interview with Chris Matthews on MSNBC</a>, State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said: “We can’t kill our way out of this war…whether it’s more opportunities for jobs… what makes these 17-year old kids pick up an AK-47 instead of trying to start a business.” <p>We’re still killing them but they need job opportunities, she assured Chris Matthews. <p>Since they don’t know what this “kind of ideology this is” in the White House, this solution isn’t unexpected. <p></i> <p><i>Maybe we can open up an ISIS employment agency at the White House or we could give ISIS jobs as border agents. </i> <p>Yes, it’s Marie Harf who took the honors this week. Straight outta college and into the Obama Campaign, she’s been a particularly loyal soldat, she has, and last week’s set to proved it. <p>There she was, saying that we couldn’t kill or way to victory, that all IS needs are job opportunities, and that all the Islamist terrorist outfits in the world <a href="http://hotair.com/archives/2015/02/18/more-marie-harf-i-notice-people-dont-talk-so-much-about-joseph-konys-christian-terror-group-anymore/">are somehow absolved</a> by Joseph Kony and the Lord’s Army in Uganda, a supposed ‘Christian’ terrorist outfit. <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2015/02/19/marie-harf-wrote-thesis-on-how-conservative-support-for-israel-complicates-u-s-foreign-policy/">Why,she even wrote her college thesis</a> on the awful way all those wack job Right Wingers and Evangelicals support Israel and how bad it is for U.S.foreign policy. <p>In other words, mirroring <i>exactly</i> what Barack Hussein Obama believes. <p>“Hey, I’ve got a Masters, I wear glasses and I’m smarter than all of you dammit ! That’s why I’m Deputy State Department deputy spokeswoman!” <p>Ah, but all that being down for the struggle just wasn’t enough. <p>When her supervisor, State Department Spokeswoman Jen Psaki moves to the White House (appropriately on April Fool’s Day) to serve as the next White House Communications Director, you’d think Marie Harf would get her reward for all that sucking up ( or whatever direction it was) and get promoted to Psaki’s old job. <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2960294/Obama-picks-States-Psaki-head-White-House-communications.html#ixzz3SEAi2Npb">Alas, it appears not</a>. Sigh. It’s one thing to lie and dissemble as part of your daily duties, but to not even get a proper reward for it? How dare President Obama deny us all that material! I’m proud to present this Weasel to Ms.Harf, and I certainly hope it starts the ball rolling towards her well earned promotion. <p>No more war on women! <p><i>Well, there it is! </i> <p><i>Check back <b>next Tuesday</b> to see who next week’s nominees for Weasel of the Week are! </i> <p><i>Make sure to tune in <b>every Monday</b> for the <b>Watcher’s Forum</b>, and </i><i>remember, <b>every Wednesday</b>, the Council has its weekly contest with the members nominating two posts each, one written by themselves and one written by someone from outside the group for consideration by the whole Council. The votes are cast by the Council, and the results are posted on <b>Friday morning</b>.</i><br><i><br></i><i>It’s a weekly magazine of some of the best stuff written in the </i><i>blogosphere, and<b> you won’t want to miss it.</b></i>..<i>or any of the other fantabulous Watcher’s Council content.</i> <p><i>And don’t forget to like us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Watcher-of-Weasels/58417762783">Facebook</a> and follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/weaselwatcher">Twitter</a>..’cause we’re cool like that, y’know?</i></p> Ask Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08154704300625351259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681715373324516612.post-74932869394521287172015-02-22T20:17:00.001-08:002015-02-22T20:17:13.055-08:00Palinmania and Why She Can Win<p align="center"><a href="https://askmarion.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/palinshowonhillarytimes.jpg"><img title="Palin Show on Hillary Times" border="0" alt="Palin Show on Hillary Times" src="https://askmarion.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/palinshowonhillarytimes_thumb.jpg?w=493&h=370" width="493" height="370"></a></p> <p>By Marion Algier – <a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2015/02/18/palinmania-and-why-she-can-win/">Ask Marion</a></p> <p>What is the old saying? I don’t care what you say about me; just spell my name right! If you are famous there is a lot of truth in that statement. Name recognition is often more important than the message or the news. And there is nobody that gets more press, good and bad, than Sarah Palin. The first reaction by many would be, “Well, most of the news about Sarah Palin is negative!” In reality most of the press about Hillary is also negative even with her cover from the lamestream media and the Clinton machine. The difference is that most of the negative about Hillary is true whereas most of the negative press about Sarah is false, exaggerated or spun, plus the Democrats promote and support Hillary no matter what and have buried some pretty awful stuff, just like they have for her husband for the past 40-years. But the Republicans, instead of capitalizing on <a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2015/01/27/sarah-palin-is-the-perfect-foil-to-take-on-hillary-clinton/">their answer to Hillary Clinton</a> or Elizabeth Warren do not protect or defend Sarah Palin but instead often even jump on the bandwagon.</p> <p>If Sarah Palin had been Secretary of State in Hillary’s place she would have been dubbed the Benghazi Butcher, but since it was Hillary the entire fiasco and cover-up was written off as business as usual, spun as not Hillary’s fault and even sold to the American people as being caused by a video.</p> <p align="center"><img alt="clinton-bosnia-airport" src="http://static.ijreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/clinton-bosnia-airport.jpg" width="540" height="364"></p> <p align="center">Hmmm… Doesn’t look like sniper fire to me?!?</p> <p>In 1996 Hillary had a Brain Williams moment (and not her only one) claiming she remembered landing in Bosnia under sniper fire and telling everyone, “There was supposed to be some kind of a greeting ceremony at the airport but instead we just ran with our heads down to get into the vehicles to get to our base.” In fact she was greeted by this sweet little blond girl (pictured above) and the people standing around them… yet nobody asked her to resign. Instead, the Dems with the media’s help swept it under the carpet. (Clinton finally admitted in 2008 that she had misspoken. Really? Misspoken? Sounds a lot more like either another Clinton lie or <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2014/05/13/does-hillary-clinton-have-brain-damage/">brain damage</a>!?!) Sarah had an off day at the Iowa Freedom Summit when her teleprompter broke and didn’t do her usual amazing job adlibbing and she was ripped to shreds by not only the media, the Dems and the GOP Establishment but even some of those who are her supporters voiced their doubts because she didn’t dazzle them for once. When is the GOP going to stop eating its own? And what is wrong with conservatives that can’t stand by their girl through a weak or confusing speech?</p> <p align="center"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UCDxXJSucF4" frameborder="0" width="420" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://youtu.be/UCDxXJSucF4">Sarah’s Amazing 2008 Republican Vice Presidential Acceptance Speech For the Ages Was Partially Adlibbed When The TelePrompter Broke</a> <font color="#ff0000">(Video)</font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000"><a href="https://thespeechatimeforchoosing.wordpress.com/2015/02/13/ratings-gold-governor-sarah-palin-joins-snls-40th-anniversary-tv-special-on-sunday/">Sarah Palin is ratings gold!</a> That is why she was asked to join the SNL 40th Anniversary Bash team and <a href="https://thespeechatimeforchoosing.wordpress.com/">she stole the headlines show!!</a> Just like she steals the show at political rallies at both Republican and <a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2011/09/05/the-candidate/">Tea Party</a> events across the country, including in <a href="http://www.zimbio.com/photos/Sarah+Palin/Large+Tea+Party+Rally+Held+Sen+Harry+Reid/qJdCQ104jzC">Searchlight, Nevada</a>… Harry Reid’s hometown.</font></p> <p align="center"><img alt="17firstdraft-palin-tmagArticle" src="https://i0.wp.com/wp.production.patheos.com/blogs/bristolpalin/files/2015/02/17firstdraft-palin-tmagArticle.jpg" width="546" height="364"></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ff0000">Video: </font><a href="http://youtu.be/6l5O82aSYPc">SNL40: Jerry Seinfeld Drops Brian Williams Jokes, Takes Question from Palin</a></p> <p align="left"><a href="https://wordpress.com/read/post/id/6492988/41330/">Sarah Palin gets Pop Culture</a>. She also gets Americana! And Palin is willing to stand-up and fight for freedom, the Constitution and for average Americans… for you and me! (See <a href="http://www.aceshowbiz.com/video/download/00020475/">The Undefeated trailer</a>; a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005FLSZNS?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B005FLSZNS&linkCode=xm2&tag=truhea-20">movie</a> everyone should see before dismissing Palin as a candidate.) No matter what the fallout or whether she is speaking to a friendly audience or not, Sarah Palin is willing to make her case. Both <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/palin-mania-sweeping-nation/">Palinmania</a> and <a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2012/08/06/palin-derangement-syndrome-continues/">Palin Derangement Syndrome</a> swept the country in 2008 and the phenomenon has never ceased.</p> <blockquote> <p align="left">My husband and I were lucky enough to hear and see Sarah Palin speak live, <a href="http://dailythoughtpad.blogspot.com/2008/10/thought-for-day-100508.html">at her first Rally in Cali</a> , not long after she had been tapped as John McCain’s running mate. She was mesmerizing and both inspired and energized the crowd of about 23,000 people. She was introduced and supported by the Los Angeles President of NOW (the National Organization for Women), a lifetime Democrat and political convert as she introduced herself… until sometime later the powers that be within her group convinced her otherwise. Many people have forgotten that soon after Sarah was chosen for VP that she and McCain were ahead until McCain decided to suspend the campaign and trudged back to Washington, D.C. because of the financial crisis. Had that not happened or maybe even if McCain had just not headed back to D.C., he and <a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2011/07/16/palin/">Palin</a> could very well have won! What a different America we would be living in, if that were the case! <a href="http://thespeechatimeforchoosing.wordpress.com/2012/08/02/greta-about-those-people-claiming-sarah-palin-cost-john-mccain-the-election/">Greta Van Susteren pulled out the old polls</a>.</p></blockquote> <p align="left"><img src="https://thespeechatimeforchoosing.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/sarah-palin-new-glasses.jpg" width="549" height="318"></p> <p align="left">Earlier in the week, before Palin rubbed elbows with the generally progressive SNL crowd, <a href="https://thespeechatimeforchoosing.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/sarah-palin-new-glasses.jpg">she received multiple standing ovations at the Houston Energy Summit</a> as well as <a href="http://www.oaoa.com/news/education/utpb/article_d51c6740-b340-11e4-8575-2b03d3906797.html?mode=jqm">speaking to a near capacity crowd in Midland Texas</a> as part of the John Ben Shepperd Public Leadership Institute Distinguished Speaker Series, speaking on the topic “Groundbreakers, Mavericks and Trailblazers: How Women Are Showing 21st Century Leadership.” Think about it, does the GOP really want the Dems to run the first female candidate for president as they did the first candidate for VP? Sarah Palin was the second. Or elect the first female US president?</p> <blockquote> <p>Before Sarah Palin was Governor of Alaska [and after she was term limited out as Mayor of Wasilla] she was Chairman of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. One of the most powerful jobs in Alaska, and the oil and gas industry as a whole. <p>Once elected Governor, Palin was then elected Chairman of the nation’s Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, which comprises all of the oil and gas producing states in America. The National Governors Association, comprised of Governors from all 50 states elected Palin as Chairman of their Natural Resources Commission. <p>Palin is a recognized expert on oil and gas production and has been involved in exploration and developing best practices and ethics for the industry. <p>She is quite famous for taking on Big Oil, numerous times. So much so, industry insiders wrote the best seller “<em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982163207?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0982163207&linkCode=xm2&tag=truhea-20">Sarah Takes On Big Oil’</a></em></p></blockquote> <p align="left">There are three things that matter in an election. The people who vote which is a small percentage of the population; getting out the vote for your side; and who counts and verifies the vote.</p> <ul> <li> <div align="left">Only a small portion of the American population votes and there is nobody who has a more loyal following than Sarah Palin. The right loves her and her sphere of influence and followers is ever expanding. Sarah Palin speaks to standing room only crowds wherever she goes. She has been dubbed the Kingmaker my conservatives she has helped get elected, including Ted Cruz. And her book signings have people wrapped abound the building wherever she goes. Hillary is speaking to half empty rooms. Her followers don’t even know why they are thinking about voting for her and the turn out for Hillary’s book signing as well as her book sales were extremely weak.</div> <li> <div align="left">The GOP, both the Establishment and the Tea Party activists need to get themselves and others to the polls, even if the ticket isn’t exactly who they wanted.</div> <li> <div align="left">Reince Priebus and the RNC need to make peace with the tea party and then need to focus their energy on beating the Democrats which includes getting out the vote and monitoring all questionable counts and recounts.</div></li></ul> <p>Sarah Palin is the best candidate that the Republicans could put up against Hillary or Elizabeth. She is the <a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2013/12/10/rnc-chairman-says-hillary-2016-candidacy-is-set-and-female-presidency-will-be-the-carrot/">answer to the Democrat’s carrot</a> of electing the first female president and is vetted beyond what most politicians can even imagine. The question is not whether Sarah Palin could win or whether she is up to running in 2016. The question is can the GOP, including the Tea Party, get out of their own way!?!</p> <p><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/E4dGMrFV15U" frameborder="0" width="560" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ff0000">Video:</font> <a href="http://youtu.be/E4dGMrFV15U">Two Women, Two Paths</a> <p>Related: <p><a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/">Ask Marion</a> <ul><a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2014/04/29/sarah-palin-the-case-for-a-palin-candidacy-for-president-in-2016/">The Case for a Palin Candidacy for President in 2016</a></ul> <ul><a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2014/05/21/two-women-two-paths-the-choice/">Two Women, Two Paths… The Choice</a></ul> <ul><a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2014/06/02/dinesh-dsouzas-america-warns-hillary-clinton-will-finish-off-the-country/">Dinesh D’Souza’s ‘America’ warns Hillary Clinton will ‘finish off’ the country</a></ul> <ul><a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2014/05/30/it-does-make-a-difference-to-hillary/">It Does Make A Difference To Hillary… Now</a></ul> <ul><a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2014/12/30/american-achiever-of-2014-sarah-palin-american-thinker//">American Achiever of 2014: Sarah Palin </a></ul> <ul><a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2014/08/11/gop-poll-sarah-palin-not-yet-a-contender-most-liked-by-gop-for-2016//">GOP Poll: Sarah Palin, Not Yet a Contender, Most Liked by GOP for 2016</a></ul> <ul><a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2013/08/02/sarah-palin-obama-is-a-liar-on-energy/">Sarah Palin: Obama is a LIAR ON ENERGY</a> </ul> <ul><a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2012/08/06/palin-derangement-syndrome-continues/">Palin Derangement Syndrome Continues</a></ul> <ul><a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2013/06/29/sarah-is-back/">Sarah Is Back</a></ul> <p><a href="http://us4palin.com/">US 4 Palin</a> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://us4palin.com/two-women-run-sarah-palin/">Sarah Palin: Would Love to See Two Women Run in 2016</a></p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://conservatives4palin.com/2012/06/governor-palins-executive-accomplishments.html">Governor Palin’s Executive Accomplishments</a></p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://us4palin.com/accomplishments/master-list-of-gov-palins-2014-accomplishments/">Master List of Governor Palin’s 2014 Accomplishments</a></p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://us4palin.com/accomplishments/master-list-of-governor-palins-2013-accomplishments/">Master List of Governor Palin’s 2013 Accomplishments</a></p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://us4palin.com/accomplishments/master-list-of-governor-palins-2012-accomplishments/">Master List of Governor Palin’s 2012 Accomplishments</a></p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://us4palin.com/accomplishments/master-list-of-governor-palins-2011-accomplishments/">Master List of Governor Palin’s 2011 Accomplishments</a></p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://us4palin.com/accomplishments/master-list-of-governor-palins-2010-accomplishments/">Master List of Governor Palin’s 2010 Accomplishments</a></p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://us4palin.com/accomplishments/master-list-of-governor-palins-2009-accomplishments/">Master List of Governor Palin’s 2009 Accomplishments</a></p></blockquote> <p><a href="https://thespeechatimeforchoosing.wordpress.com/2013/09/04/september-4-2008-governor-sarah-palins-historic-rnc-vice-presidential-nomination-speech/">A Time For Choosing</a> <blockquote> <p><a href="https://thespeechatimeforchoosing.wordpress.com/2013/09/04/september-4-2008-governor-sarah-palins-historic-rnc-vice-presidential-nomination-speech/">September 4, 2008: Governor Sarah Palin’s Historic RNC Vice Presidential Nomination Speech</a></p></blockquote> Ask Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08154704300625351259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681715373324516612.post-80446515630419692002015-02-16T13:07:00.001-08:002015-02-16T13:07:49.718-08:00Happy President’s Day… Or Maybe Not?!?<h4> <p>There is a federal holiday Monday, but it’s called 'Washington’s Birthday.' Yet mattress retailers and used-car sales lots tend to make this Presidents Day in their ads.</h4> <h5><font style="font-weight: normal">By </font><a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/DC-Decoder/Decoder-Buzz/2015/0216/There-is-no-US-Presidents-Day.-Why-does-the-charade-continue#"><font style="font-weight: normal">Peter Grier, Staff writer</font></a><font style="font-weight: normal"> – </font><a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/DC-Decoder/Decoder-Buzz/2015/0216/There-is-no-US-Presidents-Day.-Why-does-the-charade-continue"><font style="font-weight: normal">CSMonitor</font></a><font style="font-weight: normal"> - February 16, 2015 - Cross-Posted by Marion Algier at </font><a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2015/02/16/happy-presidents-day-or-maybe-not/"><font style="font-weight: normal">AskMarion</font></a></h5> <h5></h5> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cP171jzVY8g/VOJcIE9vfFI/AAAAAAAAMPc/zUxq9RwAnoU/s1600-h/George%252520Washington%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="George Washington" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="George Washington" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-44XB4k0DJH8/VOJcI8tL1LI/AAAAAAAAMPk/lcAeIhiJiDQ/George%252520Washington_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="524" height="351"></a></p> <p align="center">Presidential portraits, including a 1796 painting of George Washington by artist Gilbert Stuart, are displayed at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, Aug. 27, 2014. The 8-foot-by-5-foot picture is considered the definitive portrait of Washington as president after earlier images in military uniform. Jacquelyn Martin/AP <p>There are some great <a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/csmlists/topic/Presidents+Day">Presidents Day</a> stories out there Monday morning. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/16/politics/presidents-day-myths-and-facts/index.html">CNN has a piece</a> on the myths and secrets of presidential monuments: Did you know there’s Civil War-era graffiti at the Washington Monument? <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/whats-county-name-presidents-day-edition-n306516">NBC tallied</a> the US counties named for presidents, finding that a shocking number – OK, more than 10 – are named for James Polk. <p>Research organizations are taking a somewhat more abstract approach. Pew Research, in honor of Presidents Day, <a href="http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/02/13/from-telegrams-to-instagram-a-look-at-presidents-and-technology/">put up an examination</a> of how presidents have adopted and used the new media of their day, from <a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/csmlists/topic/Abraham+Lincoln">Abe Lincoln</a>’s use of the telegraph to <a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/csmlists/topic/Barack+Obama">Barack Obama</a>’s promotion of the <a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/DC-Decoder/Decoder-Buzz/2015/0212/Obama-selfie-stick-video-End-of-Western-civilization-or-hip-marketing-video">"selfie stick.</a>" The <a href="http://www.brookings.edu/blogs/fixgov/posts/2015/02/13-obama-measuring-presidential-greatness-vaughn-rottinghaus">Brookings Institution unveiled a poll</a> of political scientists that rates the presidents in order of perceived greatness. We won’t spoil it by telling you where Mr. Obama ranks, but we’ll give you a hint: 18th. <p>OK, we did spoil it. <p>Like we said, this all great, or at least interesting stuff. Too bad it’s based on a false premise. There is no federal Presidents Day. It’s a myth. The <a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/csmlists/topic/United+States">United States</a> as a whole does not have such a holiday.We’ve been ripping the lid off this scandal <a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/DC-Decoder/Decoder-Buzz/2014/0217/Why-does-myth-of-US-Presidents-Day-persist-video">for years</a>. Shockingly, the charade continues. <p>There is a federal holiday Monday, but it’s called “Washington’s Birthday.” It’s right there in the <a href="http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/snow-dismissal-procedures/federal-holidays/#url=2015">Office of Personnel Management’s list</a> of federal days off for 2015. If you click through and look, you’ll notice it has an asterisk, which leads to a note of explanation. <p>“This holiday is designated as ‘Washington’s Birthday' in section 6103(a) of title 5 of the United States Code, which is the law that specifies holidays for Federal employees,” writes OPM. “Though other institutions such as state and local governments and private businesses may use other names, it is our policy to always refer to holidays by the names designated in the law.” <p>Section 6103(a) of Title 5 of the US Code! That’s almost as good as being in the Constitution, right? <p>How did things get this way? Long story short: Washington’s Birthday has been a US holiday since 1886. In the late 1960s, Congress embarked on a renovation of US holidays to make three-day weekends, and Washington’s Birthday got thrown into the mix. Some members of the Illinois congressional delegation thought it would be a great idea to expand the day to honor Lincoln, and so they suggested the “Presidents Day” business. But their Virginia counterparts wanted to protect the singularity of the day for the Father of Our Country. In the end, they prevailed. It’s a lot easier to block change in Congress than it is to bring change about. <p>States and localities do what they want, and some have voted to make this “Presidents Day” in their environs. Others have not. <p>Some states always vote to recognize favorite-son presidents. There’s a Lyndon Baines Johnson Day in Texas. It’s Aug. 27, LBJ’s actual birthday. <p>Mattress retailers and used-car sales lots tend to make this Presidents Day in their ads, wherever they’re located, and they’re the institutions we blame for making this a national <a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/DC-Decoder/2013/0218/Presidents-Day-2013-Actually-there-s-no-such-thing">holiday that really isn’t</a>. Why “Presidents Day Sales” instead of “George Washington’s Birthday Sales”? Well, the former is shorter and punchier, for one thing. Also, you can use drawings of Lincoln in your ad. The beard and stovepipe hat are a good counterbalance to Washington’s breeches and wig. <p>Other than that, we have no idea. <p align="center"><a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2012/02/20/its-not-presidents-day-its-washingtons-birthday/">It’s not ‘President’s Day.’ It’s Washington’s Birthday</a></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2009/03/06/u-s-presidential-libraries/">U.S. Presidential Libraries</a></p> Ask Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08154704300625351259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681715373324516612.post-68246969381599764432015-01-28T22:14:00.001-08:002015-01-28T22:32:55.427-08:00Watcher’s Council Nominations – Snowed In Edition 01.28.15<p align="center"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rqm3xursN8A/VMZUg-wsb3I/AAAAAAABqDc/beJ75C6IVPY/s1600/Boston%2Bsnow.jpg" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rqm3xursN8A/VMZUg-wsb3I/AAAAAAABqDc/beJ75C6IVPY/s400/Boston%2Bsnow.jpg" width="528" height="317"> <p align="center"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FTNheCEUP_A" frameborder="0" width="420" allowfullscreen></iframe> <p align="center"><font color="#ff0000">Video:</font> <a href="http://youtu.be/FTNheCEUP_A">Margaret Whiting and Johnny Mercer - Baby Its Cold Outside</a> <p>Welcome to the <a href="http://www.watcherofweasels.org/">Watcher’s Council</a>, a blogging group consisting of some of the most incisive blogs in the ‘sphere, and the longest running group of its kind in existence. Every week, the members nominate two posts each, one written by themselves and one written by someone from outside the group for consideration by the whole Council.Then we vote on the best two posts, with the results appearing on Friday morning. <h5>Council News:</h5> <p><b>The Council In Action!</b> <p>*<b>Terresa Monroe-Hamilton of <a href="http://noisyroom.net/blog/">The Noisy Room</a></b> was quoted from coast to coast on Christian radio for a post at Right Wing News <a href="http://rightwingnews.com/religion/god-country-recruiting-poster-ordered-removed-us-army-god-problem-obamas-military/">For God and country’ recruiting poster was ordered removed by the US Army; ‘God’ is a problem in Obama’s military</a> <p>*<b>This week</b>, <a href="http://www.trevorloudon.com/">Trevor Loudon</a>, <a href="http://legalinsurrection.com/">Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion</a>, <a href="http://politicsandfinance.blogspot.com/">The Political Commentator</a> and <a href="http://www.thepiratescove.us/">The Pirate’s Cove</a> earned honorable mention status with some great articles. <p>You can, too! Want to see your work appear on the Watcher’s Council homepage in our weekly contest listing? Didn’t get nominated by a Council member? No worries. <p>To bring something to my attention, simply head over to <a href="http://joshuapundit.blogspot.com/">Joshuapundit</a> and post the title and a link to the piece you want considered along with an e-mail address (mandatory, but of course it won’t be published) in the comments section no later than Monday 6PM PST in order to be considered for our honorable mention category. Then return the favor by creating a post on your site linking to the Watcher’s Council contest for the week when it comes out on Wednesday morning <p>Simple, no? <p>It’s a great way of exposing your best work to Watcher’s Council readers and Council members while grabbing the increased traffic and notoriety. And how good is that, eh? <p>So, let’s see what we have for you this week…. <h5><b>Council Submissions</b></h5> <ul> <li><b>The Noisy Room</b> – <a href="http://noisyroom.net/blog/2015/01/24/the-shadow-of-crisis-engulfs-the-united-states/">The Shadow of Crisis Engulfs the United States </a> <li><b>Simply Jews</b> – <a href="http://simplyjews.blogspot.co.il/2015/01/charlie-hebdo-murders-and-three.html">Charlie Hebdo murders and three paragons of hypocrisy </a> <li><b>Ask Marion</b> – <a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2015/01/23/saudi-arabia-king-abdullah-dies-at-age-90-as-yemeni-president-resigns/">Saudi Arabia King Abdullah dies at age 90 as Yemeni President Resigns – </a> <li><b>Bookworm Room</b> – <a href="http://www.bookwormroom.com/2015/01/21/american-sniper-a-rorschach-test-separating-the-wheat-from-the-chaff/">“American Sniper” — a Rorschach test separating the wheat from the chaff </a> <li><b>Joshuapundit </b>- <a href="http://joshuapundit.blogspot.com/2015/01/obama-netanyahu-and-congress-real.html">Obama, Netanyahu And Congress: The Real Inside Story Raises Further Questions </a> <li><b>GrEaT sAtAn”S gIrLfRiEnD</b> – <a href="http://greatsatansgirlfriend.blogspot.com/2015/01/shia-crescent.html">Shia Crescent</a> <li><b>The Right Planet</b> – <a href="http://www.therightplanet.com/2015/01/whore-jacking-freedom/">The Sudden Friends Of Charley Hebdo</a> <li><b>Rhymes With Right</b> – <a href="http://rhymeswithright.mu.nu/archives/354487.php">How The GOP Base Views The GOP Field </a> <li><b>Nice Deb </b>– <a href="https://nicedeb.wordpress.com/2015/01/27/lt-col-tony-shaffer-bowe-bergdahl-has-been-charged-with-desertion/">Lt. Col. Tony Shaffer: Bowe Bergdahl Has Been Charged With Desertion </a> <li><b>The Razor</b> – <a href="http://www.therazor.org/?p=8046">To My Wife’s Patients: Things She Can’t Say To You – But I Can </a> <li><b>The Glittering Eye</b> <a href="http://theglitteringeye.com/declaring-victory-3/">Declaring Victory </a> <li><b>VA Right! -</b> <a href="http://www.varight.com/news/does-rpv-general-council-opinion-prevent-speaker-howell-and-others-from-running-as-a-republicans/">Does RPV General Council Opinion Prevent Speaker Howell and Others from Running as Republicans? </a> <li><b>The Independent Sentinel</b> – <a href="http://www.independentsentinel.com/medicare-wont-pay-fees-for-services-next-year/">Medicare Won’t Pay Fees for Services Next Year </a></li></ul> <h5><font style="font-weight: bold">Honorable Mentions</font></h5> <ul> <li><b>Trevor Loudon</b> – <a href="http://www.trevorloudon.com/2015/01/top-communist-admits-communist-party-utilizes-the-democratic-party-a-lesson-for-constitutionalistss/#sthash.q0d0WQAY.dpuf">Top Communist Admits How CPUSA Uses the Democrat Party </a> <li><b>Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion</b> – <a href="http://legalinsurrection.com/2015/01/argentine-prosecutor-death-in-iran-terror-case-gets-curiouser/">Argentine Prosecutor Death in Iran Terror Case Gets Curiouser </a> <li><b>The Political Commentator</b> – <a href="http://politicsandfinance.blogspot.com/2015/01/epilogue-bowe-bergdahldeserter-video.html">Epilogue: Bowe Bergdahl…Deserter! (Video) </a> <li><b>The Pirate’s Cove</b> – <a href="http://www.thepiratescove.us/2015/01/27/crazy-warmists-continue-to-blame-blizzard-on-climate-change/">Crazy Warmists Continue To Blame Blizzard On “Climate Change” </a></li></ul> <h5><font style="font-weight: bold">Non-Council Submissions</font></h5> <ul> <li><b>Andrew McCarthy/NRO </b>– <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/article/397110/what-bobby-jindal-gets-about-islam-and-most-people-still-dont-andrew-c-mccarthy">What Bobby Jindal Gets about Islam — and Most People Still Don’t </a>submitted by <b>The Noisy Room,</b> <li><b>Howard Jacobson </b>– <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/try-and-instead-of-but-and-youll-find-that-america-and-israel-are-not-to-blame-for-all-the-worlds-atrocities-9999414.html">Try ‘and’ instead of ‘but’ and you’ll find that America and Israel are not to blame for all the world’s atrocities </a>submitted by <b>Simply Jews</b> <li><b>Adriana Cohen/Boston Herald </b>- <a href="http://www.bostonherald.com/news_opinion/columnists/adriana_cohen/2015/01/adriana_cohen_sarah_palin_is_the_perfect_foil_to_take">Sarah Palin is the Perfect Foil to Take on Hillary Clinton </a>submitted by <b>Ask Marion</b> <li><b>David Daoud/The Tower</b>-<a href="http://www.thetower.org/article/replacement-theory-the-administrations-crazy-new-middle-east-illusion/"> Replacement Theory: The Administration’s Crazy New Middle East Illusion </a>submitted by <b>Bookworm Room </b> <li><b>Ruben Diaz Jr </b>– <a href="http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/columns/Why-I-am-visiting-Israel_18235951">Why I Am Visiting Israel </a>submitted by <b>Joshuapundit</b> <li><b>Daily Beast </b>– <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/01/27/ex-pentagon-spy-chief-blasts-white-house-paralyzed-by-radical-islam.html">Spy General Unloads on Obama’s ISIS War Plan </a>submitted by <b>GrEaT sAtAn”S gIrLfRiEnD</b> <li><b>Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) </b>– <a href="http://gosar.house.gov/reply-michael-moore-and-left-military-snipers">A Reply to Michael Moore and the Left on Military Snipers </a>submitted by <b>The Right Planet</b> <li><b>Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion </b>– <a href="http://legalinsurrection.com/2015/01/finally-obtained-david-gregory-arrest-warrant-affidavit/">Finally Obtained: David Gregory Arrest Warrant Affidavit </a>submitted by <b>Rhymes with Right</b> <li><b>James Delingpole/Breitbart London </b>- <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/london/2015/01/23/2014-was-not-the-hottest-year-on-record-so-why-did-nasa-claim-it-was/">2014 Was Not The ‘Hottest Year on Record’. So Why Did NASA Claim It Was?</a> submitted by <b>Nice Deb </b> <li><b>Jakub Grygiel/The American Interest </b>– <a href="http://www.the-american-interest.com/2015/01/23/know-thy-enemy/">Know Thy Enemy </a>submitted by <b>The Razor</b> <li><b>Sic Semper Tyrannis </b>– <a href="http://turcopolier.typepad.com/sic_semper_tyrannis/2015/01/yemen-arizona-in-1870-reborn.html">Yemen (Arizona in 1870 Reborn) </a>submitted by <b>The Glittering Eye</b> <li><b>Pariot Update</b> – <a href="http://patriotupdate.com/articles/liberals-rewriting-americas-history-create-ignorant-electorate/">Liberals are rewriting America’s History to Create an Ignorant Electorate<br></a>submitted by <b>VA Right!</b> <li><b>Dennis Prager/NRO </b>– <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/article/397252/if-obama-gave-state-union-without-telling-lie-dennis-prager">If Obama Gave the State of the Union without Telling a Lie </a>submitted by <b>The Watcher</b> <li><b>Bill Whittle/Truth Revolt </b>– <a href="http://www.truthrevolt.org/videos/bill-whittle-terrorist-nation">Terrorist Nation </a>submitted by <b>The Watcher</b> <li><b>Stephen Moore/Washington Times </b>– <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/jan/25/stephen-moore-obamas-illusory-economic-recovery/">Obama’s illusory economic recovery </a>submitted by <b>The Watcher</b></li></ul> <p>Enjoy! And don’t forget to like us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Watcher-of-Weasels/58417762783">Facebook</a> and follow us <a href="https://twitter.com/weaselwatcher">Twitter</a>..’cause we’re cool like that!And don’t forget to tune in Friday for the results! Ask Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08154704300625351259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681715373324516612.post-11202514349781551302015-01-27T14:37:00.001-08:002015-01-27T14:37:07.506-08:00Sarah Palin is the perfect foil to take on Hillary Clinton<p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-thsgI-HFNiY/VMgTDtLO6rI/AAAAAAAAMPA/lbEyGOgwpXA/s1600-h/Hillay%252520Pouty%252520Mouth%25255B3%25255D.png"><img title="Hillay Pouty Mouth" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Hillay Pouty Mouth" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-69jzphAokBo/VMgTEYGRKQI/AAAAAAAAMPI/1MYxAwBZcH8/Hillay%252520Pouty%252520Mouth_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="542" height="307"></a></p> <p align="center">AP Photo</p> <p><a href="http://www.bostonherald.com/news_opinion/columnists/adriana_cohen/2015/01/adriana_cohen_sarah_palin_is_the_perfect_foil_to_take">Adriana Cohen</a> - <a href="http://www.bostonherald.com/">Boston Herald</a></p> <p>Sarah Palin says she’s seriously considering a 2016 presidential run. <p>Why not? The GOP needs women on the ticket for many reasons, not least because it steals the Democratic Party’s thunder. They want to be the “first” at breaking cultural barriers and glass ceilings. With Hillary Clinton expected to be their front-runner in 2016, they’ll use her gender as a tactic to gin up support from their base — especially female voters. <p>I can already see Emily’s List pushing out emails nationwide saying, “Let’s make history by electing the first female president of the United States.” <p>It’s imperative Republicans put forward their own female leaders for the presidential ticket to counter that Democratic message. <p>Yes, Sarah Palin was bludgeoned in the 2008 race by the Democratic machine, which tried to discredit her unfairly and turn her into a cartoon figure. But Americans — especially Republicans — understand the game. There’s a double standard in gender politics. <p>If you’re a female leader on the Democratic ticket, you’re a “hero” regardless of how many times you put your foot in your mouth, embarrass yourself or worse. <p>We haven’t forgotten Hillary Clinton saying that we should empathize with our enemies or that businesses and corporations don’t really create jobs. Both absurd statements that should disqualify any candidate — male or female — from any race, never mind the top slot. <p>But if you’re a female conservative? Watch out! Liberals will pounce and do everything they can to marginalize a conservative woman who runs for office no matter how educated, or talented, or accomplished she is. Liberals only “tolerate” others if they agree with them and follow their agenda. <p>Skeptics will say Sarah Palin doesn’t have a chance in the GOP race because she’s too polarizing. But what about Hillary Clinton and U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren? They’re polarizing too, with supporters and haters in equal measure. <p>The reality is Sarah Palin draws huge crowds at speaking engagements, has millions of social media followers and just as many supporters across the nation. <p>Hilary Clinton has been giving speeches to half-filled rooms. <p>If Sarah Palin chooses to throw her proverbial hat in the ring for 2016, there’s no doubt she’d make the race exciting and bring a welcome woman’s point of view to the GOP field. <p>Adriana Cohen is co-host of “Boston Herald Drive” on WMEX 1510 AM weekdays from 7-9 a.m. Follow Adriana on Twitter <a href="mailto: @AdrianaCohen16"> @AdrianaCohen16</a>. <p><iframe height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/E4dGMrFV15U" frameborder="0" width="560" allowfullscreen></iframe> <p align="center">Video: <a href="http://youtu.be/E4dGMrFV15U">Two Women, Two Paths</a> <p>Related: <p><a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/">Ask Marion</a> <ul> <p align="left"><a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2014/04/29/sarah-palin-the-case-for-a-palin-candidacy-for-president-in-2016/">The Case for a Palin Candidacy for President in 2016</a></p></ul> <ul> <p align="left"><a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2014/05/21/two-women-two-paths-the-choice/">Two Women, Two Paths… The Choice</a></p></ul> <ul> <p align="left"><a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2014/06/02/dinesh-dsouzas-america-warns-hillary-clinton-will-finish-off-the-country/">Dinesh D’Souza’s ‘America’ warns Hillary Clinton will ‘finish off’ the country</a></p></ul> <ul> <p align="left"><a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2014/05/30/it-does-make-a-difference-to-hillary/">It Does Make A Difference To Hillary... Now</a></p></ul> <ul> <p align="left"><a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2014/12/30/american-achiever-of-2014-sarah-palin-american-thinker//">American Achiever of 2014: Sarah Palin </a> </p></ul> <ul> <p align="left"><a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2014/08/11/gop-poll-sarah-palin-not-yet-a-contender-most-liked-by-gop-for-2016//">GOP Poll: Sarah Palin, Not Yet a Contender, Most Liked by GOP for 2016</a> </p></ul> <ul> <p align="left"><a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2013/08/02/sarah-palin-obama-is-a-liar-on-energy/">Sarah Palin: Obama is a LIAR ON ENERGY</a></p></ul> <blockquote> <p align="left"> <a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2012/08/06/palin-derangement-syndrome-continues/">Palin Derangement Syndrome Continues</a></p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://us4palin.com/">US 4 Palin</a> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://us4palin.com/two-women-run-sarah-palin/">Sarah Palin: Would Love to See Two Women Run in 2016</a></p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://conservatives4palin.com/2012/06/governor-palins-executive-accomplishments.html">Governor Palin’s Executive Accomplishments</a></p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://us4palin.com/accomplishments/master-list-of-gov-palins-2014-accomplishments/">Master List of Governor Palin’s 2014 Accomplishments</a></p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://us4palin.com/accomplishments/master-list-of-governor-palins-2013-accomplishments/">Master List of Governor Palin’s 2013 Accomplishments</a></p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://us4palin.com/accomplishments/master-list-of-governor-palins-2012-accomplishments/">Master List of Governor Palin’s 2012 Accomplishments</a></p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://us4palin.com/accomplishments/master-list-of-governor-palins-2011-accomplishments/">Master List of Governor Palin’s 2011 Accomplishments</a></p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://us4palin.com/accomplishments/master-list-of-governor-palins-2010-accomplishments/">Master List of Governor Palin’s 2010 Accomplishments</a></p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://us4palin.com/accomplishments/master-list-of-governor-palins-2009-accomplishments/">Master List of Governor Palin’s 2009 Accomplishments</a></p></blockquote> <p>A Time For Choosing <blockquote> <p><a href="https://thespeechatimeforchoosing.wordpress.com/2013/09/04/september-4-2008-governor-sarah-palins-historic-rnc-vice-presidential-nomination-speech/">September 4, 2008: Governor Sarah Palin’s Historic RNC Vice Presidential Nomination Speech</a></p></blockquote> Ask Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08154704300625351259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681715373324516612.post-85453446631865184512015-01-27T14:31:00.001-08:002015-01-27T20:21:45.547-08:00Forum: Will You Watch The Super Bowl? Why Or Why Not?<p><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8IBFEwUbmGE/T_qG1u8vp2I/AAAAAAAABdI/BgA-qBLY4XI/s400/question-marks.jpg" width="362" height="376"> <p><i>Every week on Monday morning , the Council and our invited guests weigh in at <em><a href="http://www.watcherofweasels.org/category/the-council-forum/">The Council Forum</a></em>, short takes on a major issue of the day, the culture, or daily living. This week’s question:</i>Will You Watch The Super Bowl? Why Or Why Not? <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-U-fzTn73Nrk/VMgRohn70zI/AAAAAAAAMOc/EgyQbF8ayvg/s1600-h/Super%252520%252520Bowl%25252049%25255B4%25255D.png"><img title="Super Bowl 49" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Super Bowl 49" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7j61uDTa7pM/VMgRpqznEqI/AAAAAAAAMOg/DUdXzwlAe4M/Super%252520%252520Bowl%25252049_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="548" height="344"></a> <p><b><a href="http://www.therazor.org/">The Razor</a></b>: I gave up watching the Super Bowl or any NFL game two years ago. At the time CTE or chronic traumatic encephalopathy was making the news, as was the NFL channeling their inner tobacco company to deny it just as the latter denied the cancer link to smoking. I was also getting sick of seeing players laid out in the field. I was eating at some sports themed restaurant one Sunday afternoon and there were three games on at the same time, each showing players injured on the field. I felt that it was only a matter of time before someone died, and that even though I loved the sport, I couldn’t stomach it anymore. <p>The business of the game had also pulled at my libertarian and populist instincts. Seeing taxpayer money funneled to billionaires to pay for their stadiums as they blackmailed their host cities appalled me, a situation that my hometown of St. Louis finds itself in yet again with the owner of the Los Angeles St. Louis Rams threatening to move the team back to LA if he doesn’t get a grand stadium his team can lose games in. St. Louis has one of the best baseball teams in that sport, and even its hockey team is worthy of celebrating, but it has never had a decent football team. For some reason the NFL owners have some kind of mind control over politicians to fund their pet projects, and St. Louis is no different. They seem willing to spend hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars to keep a bad football team around. <p>So no I won’t watch the Super Bowl even if the New England Patriots aren’t a bunch of cheating weasels which I believe without a shadow of a doubt they are. Instead I’ll be streaming Downton Abbey or a Sons of Anarchy episode through my Roku as I gather my courage to cancel my DirecTV subscription and cut the cable once and for all. But in the meantime a pox on the Pats. <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xU3UrAA5u_c/VMgRqTXTDsI/AAAAAAAAMOs/R_DD5b1spE0/s1600-h/Belichick%252520vs%252520Carroll%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Belichick vs Carroll" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Belichick vs Carroll" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-N4LsgUi1mTk/VMgRqwhu2KI/AAAAAAAAMO0/6roXff3gTdY/Belichick%252520vs%252520Carroll_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="551" height="312"></a> <p align="center">CheaterGate – Belichick vs Carroll (<cite>Getty Images)</cite> <p><b><a href="http://askmarion.wordpress.com/">Ask Marion</a></b> : No…NO…No…NO!!!! <p>My husband is a sports fanatic. He loves every sport and I’ve watched more games than I care to remember, so I really pick and choose the ones I will waste my time on these days! And this upcoming Super Bowl is not one! <p>I’m tired of hearing about soft and squishy balls!! <p>I don’t like the Patriots and I don’t like Pete Carroll!! <p>The Patriots have cheated before, so does anybody really believe that they didn’t this time around? Neither Tom Brady nor Bill Belichick have reasonable explanations for ‘DeflateGate’. Plus, Brady and his wife are arrogant and have severe potty mouths. None of which excites me. <p>Pete Carroll was definitely part of the problem that ultimately crippled the USC football program in 2010, bailed when everything hit the fan for the school and the program, deserting them for the Seahawks to line his own pockets. I can never understand why any USC fan would root for him or the Seahawks. <p>Perhaps the bigger question the media, who have been obsessed with the ‘deflated balls’ should be asking is: Which <a href="http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/49">NFL Super Bowl XLIX</a> (49) coach is a bigger cheater Bill Belichick or Pete Carroll? <p><b>Patriots Coach Bill Belichick</b>: <p><u>SpyGate Scandal</u> <p>In 2007, Bill Belichick was fined $500,000 and the New England Patriots had their 2008 first round draft pick taken away by the NFL after the Patriots had videotaped New York Jets defensive assistant coaches calling signals from the sidelines. Belichick admitted he had been taping other teams since 2000, and that he thought it was a legal practice because he did not use the tapes in the same game. <p>The Patriots have actually had a better overall <a href="http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nwe/">record</a> (75% wins verses 71%) after the taping controversy ended from 2008 to today than they did from 2000 to 2007. It’s highly questionable how much the team benefited from the tapes. <p><u>DeflateGate Football Scandal</u> <p>After the Patriots beat (could be said clobbered) the Indianapolis Colts, 45-7, in the AFC Championship game for the 2014 season, 11 of the 12 footballs the Patriots used in the game were found to have less air pressure in them than required by NFL rules. <p>The footballs in question clearly played little in the outcome of the game, something the Colts players themselves <a href="http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nfl/colts/2015/01/21/deflategate-colts-links/22109369/">have said</a>, so it remains to be seen what sanctions will be imposed. But looking at the Patriot’s history the sanctions and penalties should be tough. <p><b>Seahawks Coach Pete Carroll:</b> <p><u>USC NCAA Sanctions</u> <p>On June 10, 2010, the NCAA <a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jun/09/sports/la-sp-usc-20100610">imposed</a> a two-year bowl ban, the elimination of 30 football scholarships and the forfeiture of many wins from the 2004 to 2006 seasons on the USC Trojans college football team due to the rules that USC broke over the time frame. Pete Carroll was USC head football coach during the time the rules were broken and he had victories removed from his college coaching record. <p>Some would say the sanctions were overdone considering the allegations primarily focused on Reggie Bush getting improper gifts like a house for his family to temporarily live in. <p><u>NFL Fines and Penalties for Illegal Practices</u> <p>In August of 2014, the Seattle Seahawks and Pete Carroll <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/seahawks/2014/08/26/pete-carroll-fine-cba-seattle-minicamp/14646221/">were</a> fined $300,000 by the NFL for holding contact practices during training camps when it was forbidden by the rules during the offseason. Carroll was found to be a repeat offender for the offense over many years and the Seahawks are being further penalized by not being allowed to hold a few practices in the upcoming 2015 mini-camp season. Seahawks players will still be paid for those now missing practices. <p><u>Drug Suspensions</u> <p>Since 2010, when Pete Carroll left USC to take over the coaching job, at least eight Seattle Seahawks players have been <a href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000204503/article/pete-carroll-panned-for-seahawks-players-suspensions">suspended</a> nine times by the NFL for drug violations. The Seahawks players suspended were LenDale White (played for Carroll at USC), Brandon Browner (twice), Leroy Hill, John Moffitt, Allen Barbre, Winston Guy, Bruce Irvin, and Walter Thurmond. <p>I would say it’s a toss-up which coach has been the bigger cheater. So no thank you… I will not be watching the upcoming CheaterGate Super Bowl. <p><b><a href="http://greatsatansgirlfriend.blogspot.com/">GrEaT sAtAn”S gIrLfRiEnD</a></b>: I reckon I’ll watch the ads and the haff time entertainment yet sports on TV knocks me out faster than the Golf Channel or Canadian Parliament… <p><b>Laura Rambeau Lee, <a href="http://right-reason.com/">Right Reason</a></b>: Being a diehard Pittsburgh Steelers fan, if they are not in the Super Bowl I don’t have much interest in the outcome. However, it is a big day and our extended families get together for lots of food and fun. The game will be on for the guys, while the girls will be catching up on family events. And of course, we will be watching the commercials and half-time show. <p><b><a href="http://www.independentsentinel.com/">The Independent Sentinel</a></b> : I’m going to watch it because it’s the game of the year. Ballgazi doesn’t affect it. I won’t stop watching baseball because Whitey Ford is in the Hall of Fame even though he cheated and threw a spitball. <p><b><a href="http://www.theglitteringeye.com/">The Glittering Eye</a></b>: I don’t plan to watch the SuperBowl next weekend. I rarely watch it–only when I’m out of town and the people I’m visiting are watching it. <p>I’m just not particularly interested in professional athletics and I’ve always found the half-time show lame. <p>The only reason to watch it would be the ads and if I were that interested I’d could catch those on YouTube. <p><i>Well, there you have it! </i> <p><i>Make sure to tune in <b>every Monday</b> for the <b>Watcher’s Forum</b>. and <b>every Tuesday morning</b>, when we reveal the weeks’ nominees for<b> Weasel of the Week!</b></i> <p><i>And remember, <b>every Wednesday</b>, the Council has its<b> weekly contest</b> with the members nominating two posts each, one written by themselves and one written by someone from outside the group for consideration by the whole Council. The votes are cast by the Council, and the results are posted on <b>Friday morning</b>.</i><br><i><br></i><i>It’s a weekly magazine of some of the best stuff written in the blogosphere, and<b> you won’t want to miss it.</b></i>..<i>or any of the other fantabulous Watcher’s Council content.</i> <p><i>And don’t forget to like us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Watcher-of-Weasels/58417762783">Facebook</a> and follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/weaselwatcher">Twitter</a>..’cause we’re cool like that, y’know?</i> Ask Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08154704300625351259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681715373324516612.post-12788660503470929852015-01-23T23:56:00.001-08:002015-01-23T23:56:51.060-08:00The Council Has Spoken!! Watcher’s Council Results 01.23.15<p><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/62/C.sf.,_castelli,_carmine_gentile,_ovale_con_allegoria_dell%27accademia_degli_illuminati,_1730-1750.JPG" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/62/C.sf.,_castelli,_carmine_gentile,_ovale_con_allegoria_dell%27accademia_degli_illuminati,_1730-1750.JPG" width="550" height="454"> <p><em><a href="http://www.watcherofweasels.org/category/the-council-has-spoken/">The Council Has Spoken!</a></em> The votes have been cast and the results are in for this week’s Watcher’s Council match up. <blockquote> <p><i>“I came from the United States of America to stand for freedom, with all free people, against the forces of oppression and darkness which you are representing. … You are fighting for the most radically intolerant and hateful ideology on the planet. … You are already subjugated! You are already their useful idiots. You are already their tools. “</i> – Robert Spencer, speaking to a Left wing audience in Europe, June 2, 2011. </p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p><i>“Islam isn’t in America to be equal to any other faith, but to become dominant. The Koran…should be the highest authority in America, and Islam the only accepted religion on Earth.”</i> – CAIR co-founder Omar Ahmad </p></blockquote> <p><i>The ideological descendants of the communist/progressive Left that spent its capital hoping the West would lose the Cold War to the Soviet Union are today’s leftist core. Based on their hatred for the United States, the Left has forged a symbiotic relationship with radical Islam, whose hatred for America equals theirs. Both make it clear that they consider Western civilization evil and unworthy of preservation. </i>- Ben R. Furman, Former FBI Counterterrorism Chief <p><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--bd_Q_iBJfY/TsYx44QOX9I/AAAAAAAAAm8/QonbRkHSjmw/s400/Noisy%2Broom%2B2.jpg" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--bd_Q_iBJfY/TsYx44QOX9I/AAAAAAAAAm8/QonbRkHSjmw/s400/Noisy%2Broom%2B2.jpg" width="540" height="540"> <p>This week’s winning essay, <b>The Noisy Room’s</b> – <a href="http://noisyroom.net/blog/2015/01/18/an-american-intifada-communists-and-radical-islamists-join-forces/">An American Intifada – Communists and Radical Islamists Join Forces </a>is a scintillating piece that concerns something only the most blind refuse to see, the alliance between the Red and the Green, between the radical Left and Islam. Here’s a slice: <p><i>Trevor Loudon wrote an article that each and every one of us should read and take note of: Intifada USA? American Radicals Build Ties to “Palestinian” Revolutionaries. I agree completely with Trevor when he says that 2015 could usher in chaos, unrest and violence as we have not seen in our lifetime. The Communists are now joining hands in America with the Radical Islamists, forming an American Intifada – an uprising, resistance, revolt. They are using racism as the building blocks and their hate for America as the glue to forward massive havoc and violence in our streets.</i> <p><i> <p>The riots in Ferguson and New York were just the warm up act for these thugs. They are looking to create what they think is an American Spring, which will push every radical and Communist ideal there is out there. It will scream racism, go after the police and alphabet agencies, cry social and environmental injustice, push demands for Islamic acceptance and Shariah law – and in the mix will be the ever-present Jew-hatred which is the kindling for their hatred. In this twisted case, the enemy of my enemy is my ally. For the short term anyway. <p>Taking the lead are primarily Black and Latino revolutionaries who claim to represent the movements for “black lives” and racial justice, who took a jaunt to Palestine to show solidarity against – you guessed it – Israel. Meet the Dream Defenders Palestine Delegation: <p>Representatives at the forefront of the movements for Black lives and racial justice took a historic trip to Palestine in early January to connect with activists living under Israeli occupation. <p>Black journalists, artists and organizers representing Ferguson, Black Lives Matter, Black Youth Project 100 (BYP100) and more have joined the Dream Defenders for a 10-day trip to the occupied Palestinian Territories and Israel. <p>The trip comes after a year of highly-publicized repression in Ferguson, the Gaza Strip and West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as well as solidarity between these places. <p>Ahmad Abuznaid, Dream Defenders’ legal and policy director and a co-organizer of the delegation, said that the goal of the trip was to make connections. <p>“The goals were primarily to allow for the group members to experience and see first-hand the occupation, ethnic cleansing and brutality Israel has levied against Palestinians, but also to build real relationships with those on the ground leading the fight for liberation,” wrote Abuznaid. <p>“In the spirit of Malcolm X, Angela Davis, Stokely Carmichael and many others, we thought the connections between the African American leadership of the movement in the U.S. and those on the ground in Palestine needed to be reestablished and fortified.” <p>Abuznaid said the trip represented a chance to bring the power of Black organizing to Palestine. <p>“As a Palestinian who has learned a great deal about struggle, movement, militancy and liberation from African Americans in the U.S., I dreamt of the day where I could bring that power back to my people in Palestine. This trip is a part of that process.” <p>[…] <p>For Steven Pargett, communications director for Dream Defenders, visiting the Dheisheh Refugee Camp outside of Bethlehem made these connections clearer: “A camp doesn’t have to have a fence with barbed wire all around it in order to be a place where displaced people are struggling to survive.” <p>Pargett said that Black people in the United States are also displaced refugees. <p>“Our refugee camps are lower income communities and project buildings all around the country that many would not be living in had we not been taken into slavery generations ago. Rather than having the Israeli Defense occupation in our hoods, we have the occupation of police officers who often prove to have little regard for our lives, being that they are not from these communities,” Pargett wrote. <p>Hip-hop was a unifying force for the delegation, Pargett said, commenting that Palestinians have been inspired by hip-hop in the U.S. and use it as a tool to amplify their own voices. <p>St. Louis-based rapper and activist Tef Poe said his experience in the camps connecting through hip-hop was the best day of his life. <p>“A refugee camp with a bunch of people fighting for their lives and using hip hop to lift their spirits and spark the minds of the children and break down gender barriers between young girls and boys,” Tef posted to Facebook. “I spent a day with these ppl .. Most amazing day of my life. Thanks be to the Most, the struggle is beautiful.” <p>This trip is another chapter in the recent history of Black-Palestinian solidarity. In November, a group of 10 Palestinian student activists visited Ferguson and St. Louis, meeting with people organizing in the streets. <p>A month later, upon their return, the students hosted a series of events at their university in the West Bank to raise awareness with the Black struggle and stand in solidarity. Dream Defenders unanimously passed a resolution to support the Palestinian Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement in this interval. <p>[…] <p>Moving forward, delegates expressed a desire for Black and American action in support of Palestine. <p>“I believe the Black Lives Matter movement can benefit greatly by learning about struggles outside of the U.S., but particularly the Palestinian struggle,” said Patrisse Cullors. “I want this trip to be an example for how Black folks and Arab communities can be in better solidarity with one another.” <p>Cherrell Brown sees joint action as a way to global freedom. <p>“I want us to take back things we can do in the now, as Americans, to raise awareness and action around Palestinian liberation. I want us to reimagine what society could and will look like when we’ve dismantled this white-supremacist patriarchal and capitalist society. I want us to do it together. I want to bring back these conversations and stories in hopes that it will help add to this global struggle to get free.” <p>The full list of delegates includes five Dream Defenders (Phillip Agnew, Ciara Taylor, Steven Pargett, Sherika Shaw, Ahmad Abuznaid), Tef Poe and Tara Thompson (Ferguson/Hands Up United), journalist Marc Lamont Hill, Cherrell Brown and Carmen Perez (Justice League NYC), Charlene Carruthers (Black Youth Project), poet and artist Aja Monet, Patrisse Cullors (Black Lives Matter), and Maytha Alhassen, a USC PhD student. Catch up with the delegation and follow their last few days using #DDPalestine on Twitter and Instagram. <p>Gee, that’s a who’s who of racists, social justice agitators and Communists. Just look how chummy and united they have all become. I know you will be really, really shocked to learn that the Tides Foundation is funding this. And who is behind the Tides Foundation? Why, that old spider George Soros who hates Jews, America and freedom in general. You know, the guy who gave $33 million to the activists who took part in Ferguson and other venues of violence. <p></i> <p><i>This is all part of a movement that has been gathering steam for a while now and it is thoroughly anti-Israel. Guess who is in the thick of it? Dr. Marc Lamont Hill of HuffPost Live, BET News and CNN. Watch it Marc, your antisemitism is showing and badly. Our comrade Hill also spouted revolutionary rhetoric to promote the Dream Defenders. Ferguson, Eric Garner and #BlackLivesMatter protests have become the calling card for the new face of the Occupy Movement. You are witnessing the rise of the Islamo-Communist Axis in America.</i> <p>More <a href="http://noisyroom.net/blog/2015/01/18/an-american-intifada-communists-and-radical-islamists-join-forces/">at the link.</a> <p>In our non-Council category, the winner was <b>Victor Davis Hanson</b> – <a href="http://victorhanson.com/wordpress/?p=8150">Muslims And Islamists </a>submitted by <b>Joshuapundit</b>. I’m a huge fan of VDH, even when I disagree with him. In this particular case, I think he is spot on, and all I’ll say is that what he wrote here deserves your utmost attention. <p>Here are this week’s full results: <h5><font style="font-weight: bold">Council Winners</font></h5> <ul> <li><b>*First place with 3 1/3 votes! </b>– <b>The Noisy Room</b> – <a href="http://noisyroom.net/blog/2015/01/18/an-american-intifada-communists-and-radical-islamists-join-forces/">An American Intifada – Communists and Radical Islamists Join Forces </a> <li>Second place with 2 2/3 votes – <b>Joshuapundit </b>- <a href="http://joshuapundit.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-selma-controversy-and-what-it-says.html">The ‘Selma’ Controversy And What It Says About Race In America </a> <li>Third place with 1 2/3 votes – <b>Ask Marion</b> – <a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2015/01/18/american-sniper-hollywood-and-sharpton/">American Sniper… Hollywood and Sharpton </a> <li>Fourth place *t* with 1 1/3 votes – <b>Bookworm Room</b> – <a href="http://www.bookwormroom.com/2015/01/16/mt-holyoke-the-vagina-monologies-and-why-the-coming-college-decline-is-a-good-thing/">Mt. Holyoke, The Vagina Monologues, and why “The Coming College Decline” is a good thing </a> <li>Fourth place *t* with 1 1/3 votes – <b>The Razor</b> – <a href="http://www.therazor.org/?p=8038">Consensual Incest Puts Progressives on Slippery Slope </a> <li>Fifth place with 1 vote –<b>The Right Planet</b> – <a href="http://www.therightplanet.com/2015/01/the-marxist-dialectic-from-lenin-to-obama-video/">The Marxist Dialectic – From Lenin to Obama </a> <li>Sixth place *t* with 2/3 vote – <b>Simply Jews</b> – <a href="http://simplyjews.blogspot.co.il/2015/01/deborah-maccoby-to-jews-of-europe.html">Deborah Maccoby to Jews of Europe: denounce Israel and live happily thereafter </a> <li>Sixth place *t* with 2/3 vote – <b>Nice Deb </b>– <a href="https://nicedeb.wordpress.com/2015/01/14/the-obama-regime-cair-and-the-doctrine-of-taqiyya/">The Obama Regime, CAIR, and the Doctrine of Taqiyya </a> <li>Seventh place with 1/3 vote – <b>VA Right! -</b> <a href="http://www.varight.com/news/hanover-photo-gate-deepens-new-photo-casts-doubt-on-statement-to-mechanicsville-local/">Hanover Photo-gate Deepens – New Photo Casts Doubt on Statement to Mechanicsville Local </a></li></ul> <h5><font style="font-weight: bold">Non-Council Winners</font></h5> <ul> <li><b>First place with 2 votes!</b> –<b>Victor Davis Hanson</b> – <a href="http://victorhanson.com/wordpress/?p=8150">Muslims And Islamists </a>submitted by <b>Joshuapundit</b> <li><b>Second place *t* with 1 1/3 votes </b>–<b>Marine Le Pen </b>–<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/19/opinion/marine-le-pen-france-was-attacked-by-islamic-fundamentalism.html?_r=1">To Call This Threat By Its Name </a>submitted by <b>The Razor</b> <li><b>Second place *t* with 1 1/3 votes </b>–<b>Global Guerillas </b>– <a href="http://globalguerrillas.typepad.com/globalguerrillas/2015/01/saudi-arabia-on-the-edge-of-an-abyss.html">Saudi Arabia Plunges into an Abyss </a>submitted by <b>The Glittering Eye</b> <li><b>Second place *t* with 1 1/3 votes </b>–<b>Jerome Corsi/WND </b>-<a href="http://www.wnd.com/2015/01/military-veterans-benghazi-inquest-compromised/"> Admirals, generals, intel: Benghazi inquest compromised, ‘I think Gowdy has been warned away or threatened’ </a>submitted by <b>Ask Marion</b> <li><b>Second place *t* with 1 1/3 votes </b>– <b>Sultan Knish </b>– <a href="http://sultanknish.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-importance-of-blasphemy.html">The Importance Of Blasphemy</a> submitted by <b>The Independent Sentinel</b> <li><b>Third place *t* with 1 vote </b>– <b>Michelle Malkin </b>– <a href="http://michellemalkin.com/2015/01/16/attack-of-the-open-borders-mau-mau-ers/">Attack Of The Open-Borders Mau-Mau-ers </a>submitted by <b>The Noisy Room</b> <li><b>Third place *t* with 1 vote </b>– <b>Kevin D. Williamson/ NRO </b>- <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/article/396361/fox-news-obsession-kevin-d-williamson">The FOX News Obsession </a>submitted by <b>Nice Deb </b> <li><b>Fourth place *t* with 2/3 votes</b> - <b>The Passing Parade </b>– <a href="http://passingparade.blogspot.co.il/2015/01/the-more-things-change-more-they-stay.html">The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same </a>submitted by <b>Simply Jews</b> <li><b>Fourth place *t* with 2/3 votes</b> - <b>American Thinker</b> – <a href="http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2015/01/eric_cantor_lectures_on_how_to_win_elections.html">Eric Cantor Lectures On How to Win Elections? </a>submitted by <b>VA Right!</b> <li><b>Fourth place *t* with 2/3 votes</b> - <b>Tom Rogan/NRO </b>– <a href="http://www.nationalreview.com/article/396692/new-islamic-state-boko-haram-tom-rogan">The New Islamic State: Boko Haram</a> submitted by <b>GrEaT sAtAn”S gIrLfRiEnD</b> <li><b>Fifth place *t* with 1/3 vote</b> - <b>Mike McDaniel/The Truth About Guns</b>-<a href="http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2015/01/mike-mcdaniel/happened-will-happen/">It Happened Before, It Will Happen Again </a>submitted by <b>Bookworm Room </b> <li><b>Fifth place *t* with 1/3 vote</b> - <b>The New American </b>– <a href="http://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/africa/item/19939-obama-and-un-created-terror-state-in-libya?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook">Obama and UN Created Terror State in Libya </a>submitted by <b>The Right Planet</b> <li><b>Fifth place *t* with 1/3 vote</b> - <b>Volokh Conspiracy </b>– <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2015/01/17/over-80-percent-of-americans-support-mandatory-labels-on-foods-containing-dna/">Over 80 percent of Americans support “mandatory labels on foods containing DNA” </a>submitted by <b>Rhymes with Right</b> <li><b>Fifth place *t* with 1/3 vote</b> - <b>Eli Lake</b> – <a href="http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-01-19/why-obama-can-t-call-charlie-hebdo-terrorists-radical-islamists-">Why Obama Can’t Say ‘Radical Islam’ </a>submitted by <b>The Watcher</b> <li><b>Fifth place *t* with 1/3 vote</b> - <b>The Other McCain </b>– <a href="http://theothermccain.com/2015/01/16/rapists-rape-and-rape-again/">Rapists Rape and Rape Again </a>submitted by <b>The Watcher</b></li></ul> <p><i>See you next week! </i> <p><i>Make sure to tune in <b>every Monday</b> for the <b>Watcher’s Forum</b>. and <b>every Tuesday morning</b>, when we reveal the weeks’ nominees for<b> Weasel of the Week!</b></i> <p><i>And remember, <b>every Wednesday</b>, the Council has its<b> weekly contest</b> with the members nominating two posts each, one written by themselves and one written by someone from outside the group for consideration by the whole Council. The votes are cast by the Council, and the results are posted on <b>Friday morning</b>.</i><br><i><br></i><i>It’s a weekly magazine of some of the best stuff written in the blogosphere, and<b> you won’t want to miss it.</b></i>..<i>or any of the other fantabulous Watcher’s Council content.</i> <p><i>And don’t forget to like us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Watcher-of-Weasels/58417762783">Facebook</a> and follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/weaselwatcher">Twitter</a>..’cause we’re cool like that, y’know?</i></p> Ask Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08154704300625351259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681715373324516612.post-12117459648423470652015-01-21T15:50:00.001-08:002015-01-21T15:51:58.469-08:00Obama State of the Union 2015 Address: President's [FULL] SOTU Speech Today on 1/20/15<p><iframe height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Z8LqG_Ld0Dw" frameborder="0" width="560" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ff0000">Video:</font> <a href="http://youtu.be/Z8LqG_Ld0Dw">Obama State of the Union 2015 Address: President's [FULL] SOTU Speech Today on 1/20/15</a></p> <p align="left">By Marion Algier – <a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2015/01/21/obama-state-of-the-union-2015-address-presidents-full-sotu-speech-today-on-12015-2/">Ask Marion</a></p> <p><em>President Barack Obama delivered his 2015 State of the Union address on Tuesday night where he laid out his agenda for the coming year. </em> <p><em>Below is the full text transcript of the speech and a video of the president's address:</em> <p align="center"><img title="obama state of the union" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="obama state of the union" src="http://images.christianpost.com/full/80232/obama-state-of-the-union.jpg" width="546" height="376"> <small>(Photo: Reuters/Larry Downing)</small> <p><em>President Barack Obama delivered his 2015 State of the Union address on Tuesday night where he laid out his agenda for the coming year. </em> <p><em>Below is the full text transcript of the speech and a video of the president's address:</em> <p>U.S. President Barack Obama delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of the U.S. Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, January 20, 2015. <p>Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Members of Congress, my fellow Americans: <p>We are fifteen years into this new century. Fifteen years that dawned with terror touching our shores; that unfolded with a new generation fighting two long and costly wars; that saw a vicious recession spread across our nation and the world. It has been, and still is, a hard time for many. <p>But tonight, we turn the page. <p>Tonight, after a breakthrough year for America, our economy is growing and creating jobs at the fastest pace since 1999. Our unemployment rate is now lower than it was before the financial crisis. More of our kids are graduating than ever before; more of our people are insured than ever before; we are as free from the grip of foreign oil as we've been in almost 30 years. <p>Tonight, for the first time since 9/11, our combat mission in Afghanistan is over. Six years ago, nearly 180,000 American troops served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today, fewer than 15,000 remain. And we salute the courage and sacrifice of every man and woman in this 9/11 Generation who has served to keep us safe. We are humbled and grateful for your service. <p>America, for all that we've endured; for all the grit and hard work required to come back; for all the tasks that lie ahead, know this: <p>The shadow of crisis has passed, and the State of the Union is strong. <p>At this moment — with a growing economy, shrinking deficits, bustling industry, and booming energy production — we have risen from recession freer to write our own future than any other nation on Earth. It's now up to us to choose who we want to be over the next fifteen years, and for decades to come. <p>Will we accept an economy where only a few of us do spectacularly well? Or will we commit ourselves to an economy that generates rising incomes and chances for everyone who makes the effort? <p>Will we approach the world fearful and reactive, dragged into costly conflicts that strain our military and set back our standing? Or will we lead wisely, using all elements of our power to defeat new threats and protect our planet? <p>Will we allow ourselves to be sorted into factions and turned against one another — or will we recapture the sense of common purpose that has always propelled America forward? <p>In two weeks, I will send this Congress a budget filled with ideas that are practical, not partisan. And in the months ahead, I'll crisscross the country making a case for those ideas. <p>So tonight, I want to focus less on a checklist of proposals, and focus more on the values at stake in the choices before us. <p>It begins with our economy. <p>U.S. President Barack Obama delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of the U.S. Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, January 20, 2015. <p>Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Members of Congress, my fellow Americans: <p>We are fifteen years into this new century. Fifteen years that dawned with terror touching our shores; that unfolded with a new generation fighting two long and costly wars; that saw a vicious recession spread across our nation and the world. It has been, and still is, a hard time for many. <p>But tonight, we turn the page. <p>Tonight, after a breakthrough year for America, our economy is growing and creating jobs at the fastest pace since 1999. Our unemployment rate is now lower than it was before the financial crisis. More of our kids are graduating than ever before; more of our people are insured than ever before; we are as free from the grip of foreign oil as we've been in almost 30 years. <p>Seven years ago, Rebekah and Ben Erler of Minneapolis were newlyweds. She waited tables. He worked construction. Their first child, Jack, was on the way. <p>They were young and in love in America, and it doesn't get much better than that. <p>"If only we had known," Rebekah wrote to me last spring, "what was about to happen to the housing and construction market." <p>As the crisis worsened, Ben's business dried up, so he took what jobs he could find, even if they kept him on the road for long stretches of time. Rebekah took out student loans, enrolled in community college, and retrained for a new career. They sacrificed for each other. And slowly, it paid off. They bought their first home. They had a second son, Henry. Rebekah got a better job, and then a raise. Ben is back in construction — and home for dinner every night. <p>"It is amazing," Rebekah wrote, "what you can bounce back from when you have to…we are a strong, tight-knit family who has made it through some very, very hard times." <p>We are a strong, tight-knit family who has made it through some very, very hard times. <p>America, Rebekah and Ben's story is our story. They represent the millions who have worked hard, and scrimped, and sacrificed, and retooled. You are the reason I ran for this office. You're the people I was thinking of six years ago today, in the darkest months of the crisis, when I stood on the steps of this Capitol and promised we would rebuild our economy on a new foundation. And it's been your effort and resilience that has made it possible for our country to emerge stronger. <p align="center"><img title="obama state of the union" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="obama state of the union" src="http://images.christianpost.com/full/80233/obama-state-of-the-union.jpg" width="543" height="336"> <small>(Photo: Reuters/Kevin Lamarque)</small> <p align="center">Democratic members of congress stand and applaud U.S. President Barack Obama (C) as he delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the U.S. Capitol in Washington January 20, 2015. <p>We believed we could reverse the tide of outsourcing, and draw new jobs to our shores. And over the past five years, our businesses have created more than 11 million new jobs. <p>We believed we could reduce our dependence on foreign oil and protect our planet. And today, America is number one in oil and gas. America is number one in wind power. Every three weeks, we bring online as much solar power as we did in all of 2008. And thanks to lower gas prices and higher fuel standards, the typical family this year should save $750 at the pump. <p>We believed we could prepare our kids for a more competitive world. And today, our younger students have earned the highest math and reading scores on record. Our high school graduation rate has hit an all-time high. And more Americans finish college than ever before. <p>We believed that sensible regulations could prevent another crisis, shield families from ruin, and encourage fair competition. Today, we have new tools to stop taxpayer-funded bailouts, and a new consumer watchdog to protect us from predatory lending and abusive credit card practices. And in the past year alone, about ten million uninsured Americans finally gained the security of health coverage. <p>At every step, we were told our goals were misguided or too ambitious; that we would crush jobs and explode deficits. Instead, we've seen the fastest economic growth in over a decade, our deficits cut by two-thirds, a stock market that has doubled, and health care inflation at its lowest rate in fifty years. <p>So the verdict is clear. Middle-class economics works. Expanding opportunity works. And these policies will continue to work, as long as politics don't get in the way. We can't slow down businesses or put our economy at risk with government shutdowns or fiscal showdowns. We can't put the security of families at risk by taking away their health insurance, or unraveling the new rules on Wall Street, or refighting past battles on immigration when we've got a system to fix. And if a bill comes to my desk that tries to do any of these things, it will earn my veto. <p>Today, thanks to a growing economy, the recovery is touching more and more lives. Wages are finally starting to rise again. We know that more small business owners plan to raise their employees' pay than at any time since 2007. But here's the thing — those of us here tonight, we need to set our sights higher than just making sure government doesn't halt the progress we're making. We need to do more than just do no harm. Tonight, together, let's do more to restore the link between hard work and growing opportunity for every American. <p>Because families like Rebekah's still need our help. She and Ben are working as hard as ever, but have to forego vacations and a new car so they can pay off student loans and save for retirement. Basic childcare for Jack and Henry costs more than their mortgage, and almost as much as a year at the University of Minnesota. Like millions of hardworking Americans, Rebekah isn't asking for a handout, but she is asking that we look for more ways to help families get ahead. <p>In fact, at every moment of economic change throughout our history, this country has taken bold action to adapt to new circumstances, and to make sure everyone gets a fair shot. We set up worker protections, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid to protect ourselves from the harshest adversity. We gave our citizens schools and colleges, infrastructure and the internet — tools they needed to go as far as their effort will take them. <p align="center"><img title="obama state of the union" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="obama state of the union" src="http://images.christianpost.com/full/80234/obama-state-of-the-union.jpg" width="550" height="349"> <small>(Photo: Reuters/Larry Downing)</small> <p align="center">U.S. Rep. Ted Cruz (R-TX) (C) and Republican congressional colleagues listen as U.S. President Barack Obama delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of the U.S. Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, January 20, 2015. <p>That's what middle-class economics is — the idea that this country does best when everyone gets their fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules. We don't just want everyone to share in America's success — we want everyone to contribute to our success. <p>So what does middle-class economics require in our time? <p>First — middle-class economics means helping working families feel more secure in a world of constant change. That means helping folks afford childcare, college, health care, a home, retirement — and my budget will address each of these issues, lowering the taxes of working families and putting thousands of dollars back into their pockets each year. <p>Here's one example. During World War II, when men like my grandfather went off to war, having women like my grandmother in the workforce was a national security priority — so this country provided universal childcare. In today's economy, when having both parents in the workforce is an economic necessity for many families, we need affordable, high-quality childcare more than ever. It's not a nice-to-have — it's a must-have. It's time we stop treating childcare as a side issue, or a women's issue, and treat it like the national economic priority that it is for all of us. And that's why my plan will make quality childcare more available, and more affordable, for every middle-class and low-income family with young children in America — by creating more slots and a new tax cut of up to $3,000 per child, per year. <p>Here's another example. Today, we're the only advanced country on Earth that doesn't guarantee paid sick leave or paid maternity leave to our workers. Forty-three million workers have no paid sick leave. Forty-three million. Think about that. And that forces too many parents to make the gut-wrenching choice between a paycheck and a sick kid at home. So I'll be taking new action to help states adopt paid leave laws of their own. And since paid sick leave won where it was on the ballot last November, let's put it to a vote right here in Washington. Send me a bill that gives every worker in America the opportunity to earn seven days of paid sick leave. It's the right thing to do. <p>Of course, nothing helps families make ends meet like higher wages. That's why this Congress still needs to pass a law that makes sure a woman is paid the same as a man for doing the same work. Really. It's 2015. It's time. We still need to make sure employees get the overtime they've earned. And to everyone in this Congress who still refuses to raise the minimum wage, I say this: If you truly believe you could work full-time and support a family on less than $15,000 a year, go try it. If not, vote to give millions of the hardest-working people in America a raise. <p>These ideas won't make everybody rich, or relieve every hardship. That's not the job of government. To give working families a fair shot, we'll still need more employers to see beyond next quarter's earnings and recognize that investing in their workforce is in their company's long-term interest. We still need laws that strengthen rather than weaken unions, and give American workers a voice. But things like child care and sick leave and equal pay; things like lower mortgage premiums and a higher minimum wage — these ideas will make a meaningful difference in the lives of millions of families. That is a fact. And that's what all of us — Republicans and Democrats alike — were sent here to do. <p>Second, to make sure folks keep earning higher wages down the road, we have to do more to help Americans upgrade their skills. <p>America thrived in the 20th century because we made high school free, sent a generation of GIs to college, and trained the best workforce in the world. But in a 21st century economy that rewards knowledge like never before, we need to do more. <p>By the end of this decade, two in three job openings will require some higher education. Two in three. And yet, we still live in a country where too many bright, striving Americans are priced out of the education they need. It's not fair to them, and it's not smart for our future. <p>That's why I am sending this Congress a bold new plan to lower the cost of community college — to zero. <p>Forty percent of our college students choose community college. Some are young and starting out. Some are older and looking for a better job. Some are veterans and single parents trying to transition back into the job market. Whoever you are, this plan is your chance to graduate ready for the new economy, without a load of debt. Understand, you've got to earn it — you've got to keep your grades up and graduate on time. Tennessee, a state with Republican leadership, and Chicago, a city with Democratic leadership, are showing that free community college is possible. I want to spread that idea all across America, so that two years of college becomes as free and universal in America as high school is today. And I want to work with this Congress, to make sure Americans already burdened with student loans can reduce their monthly payments, so that student debt doesn't derail anyone's dreams. <p>Thanks to Vice President Biden's great work to update our job training system, we're connecting community colleges with local employers to train workers to fill high-paying jobs like coding, and nursing, and robotics. Tonight, I'm also asking more businesses to follow the lead of companies like CVS and UPS, and offer more educational benefits and paid apprenticeships — opportunities that give workers the chance to earn higher-paying jobs even if they don't have a higher education. <p align="center"><img title="obama state of the union" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="obama state of the union" src="http://images.christianpost.com/full/80235/obama-state-of-the-union.jpg" width="548" height="357"> <small>(Photo: Reuters/Jonathan Ernst)</small> <p align="center">U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts and Associate Justices (L-R) Anthony Kennedy, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, Elena Kagan and Sonya Sotomayor listen to U.S. President Barack Obama as he delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of the U.S. Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, January 20, 2015. <p>And as a new generation of veterans comes home, we owe them every opportunity to live the American Dream they helped defend. Already, we've made strides towards ensuring that every veteran has access to the highest quality care. We're slashing the backlog that had too many veterans waiting years to get the benefits they need, and we're making it easier for vets to translate their training and experience into civilian jobs. Joining Forces, the national campaign launched by Michelle and Jill Biden, has helped nearly 700,000 veterans and military spouses get new jobs. So to every CEO in America, let me repeat: If you want somebody who's going to get the job done, hire a veteran. <p>Finally, as we better train our workers, we need the new economy to keep churning out high-wage jobs for our workers to fill. <p>Since 2010, America has put more people back to work than Europe, Japan, and all advanced economies combined. Our manufacturers have added almost 800,000 new jobs. Some of our bedrock sectors, like our auto industry, are booming. But there are also millions of Americans who work in jobs that didn't even exist ten or twenty years ago — jobs at companies like Google, and eBay, and Tesla. <p>So no one knows for certain which industries will generate the jobs of the future. But we do know we want them here in America. That's why the third part of middle-class economics is about building the most competitive economy anywhere, the place where businesses want to locate and hire. <p>21st century businesses need 21st century infrastructure — modern ports, stronger bridges, faster trains and the fastest internet. Democrats and Republicans used to agree on this. So let's set our sights higher than a single oil pipeline. Let's pass a bipartisan infrastructure plan that could create more than thirty times as many jobs per year, and make this country stronger for decades to come. <p>21st century businesses, including small businesses, need to sell more American products overseas. Today, our businesses export more than ever, and exporters tend to pay their workers higher wages. But as we speak, China wants to write the rules for the world's fastest-growing region. That would put our workers and businesses at a disadvantage. Why would we let that happen? We should write those rules. We should level the playing field. That's why I'm asking both parties to give me trade promotion authority to protect American workers, with strong new trade deals from Asia to Europe that aren't just free, but fair. <p>Look, I'm the first one to admit that past trade deals haven't always lived up to the hype, and that's why we've gone after countries that break the rules at our expense. But ninety-five percent of the world's customers live outside our borders, and we can't close ourselves off from those opportunities. More than half of manufacturing executives have said they're actively looking at bringing jobs back from China. Let's give them one more reason to get it done. <p align="center"><img title="obama state of the union" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="obama state of the union" src="http://images.christianpost.com/full/80236/obama-state-of-the-union.jpg" width="546" height="348"> <small>(Photo: Reuters/Jonathan Ernst)</small> <p align="center">Members of the U.S. military's Joint Chief of Staff (L) listen as U.S. President Barack Obama delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of the U.S. Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, January 20, 2015. <p>21st century businesses will rely on American science, technology, research and development. I want the country that eliminated polio and mapped the human genome to lead a new era of medicine — one that delivers the right treatment at the right time. In some patients with cystic fibrosis, this approach has reversed a disease once thought unstoppable. Tonight, I'm launching a new Precision Medicine Initiative to bring us closer to curing diseases like cancer and diabetes — and to give all of us access to the personalized information we need to keep ourselves and our families healthier. <p>I intend to protect a free and open internet, extend its reach to every classroom, and every community, and help folks build the fastest networks, so that the next generation of digital innovators and entrepreneurs have the platform to keep reshaping our world. <p>I want Americans to win the race for the kinds of discoveries that unleash new jobs — converting sunlight into liquid fuel; creating revolutionary prosthetics, so that a veteran who gave his arms for his country can play catch with his kid; pushing out into the Solar System not just to visit, but to stay. Last month, we launched a new spacecraft as part of a re-energized space program that will send American astronauts to Mars. In two months, to prepare us for those missions, Scott Kelly will begin a year-long stay in space. Good luck, Captain — and make sure to Instagram it. <p>Now, the truth is, when it comes to issues like infrastructure and basic research, I know there's bipartisan support in this chamber. Members of both parties have told me so. Where we too often run onto the rocks is how to pay for these investments. As Americans, we don't mind paying our fair share of taxes, as long as everybody else does, too. But for far too long, lobbyists have rigged the tax code with loopholes that let some corporations pay nothing while others pay full freight. <p>They've riddled it with giveaways the superrich don't need, denying a break to middle class families who do. <p>This year, we have an opportunity to change that. Let's close loopholes so we stop rewarding companies that keep profits abroad, and reward those that invest in America. Let's use those savings to rebuild our infrastructure and make it more attractive for companies to bring jobs home. Let's simplify the system and let a small business owner file based on her actual bank statement, instead of the number of accountants she can afford. And let's close the loopholes that lead to inequality by allowing the top one percent to avoid paying taxes on their accumulated wealth. We can use that money to help more families pay for childcare and send their kids to college. We need a tax code that truly helps working Americans trying to get a leg up in the new economy, and we can achieve that together. <p>Helping hardworking families make ends meet. Giving them the tools they need for good-paying jobs in this new economy. Maintaining the conditions for growth and competitiveness. This is where America needs to go. I believe it's where the American people want to go. It will make our economy stronger a year from now, fifteen years from now, and deep into the century ahead. <p>Of course, if there's one thing this new century has taught us, it's that we cannot separate our work at home from challenges beyond our shores. <p>My first duty as Commander-in-Chief is to defend the United States of America. In doing so, the question is not whether America leads in the world, but how. When we make rash decisions, reacting to the headlines instead of using our heads; when the first response to a challenge is to send in our military — then we risk getting drawn into unnecessary conflicts, and neglect the broader strategy we need for a safer, more prosperous world. That's what our enemies want us to do. <p>I believe in a smarter kind of American leadership. We lead best when we combine military power with strong diplomacy; when we leverage our power with coalition building; when we don't let our fears blind us to the opportunities that this new century presents. That's exactly what we're doing right now — and around the globe, it is making a difference. <p>First, we stand united with people around the world who've been targeted by terrorists — from a school in Pakistan to the streets of Paris. We will continue to hunt down terrorists and dismantle their networks, and we reserve the right to act unilaterally, as we've done relentlessly since I took office to take out terrorists who pose a direct threat to us and our allies. <p>At the same time, we've learned some costly lessons over the last thirteen years. <p>Instead of Americans patrolling the valleys of Afghanistan, we've trained their security forces, who've now taken the lead, and we've honored our troops' sacrifice by supporting that country's first democratic transition. Instead of sending large ground forces overseas, we're partnering with nations from South Asia to North Africa to deny safe haven to terrorists who threaten America. In Iraq and Syria, American leadership — including our military power — is stopping ISIL's advance. Instead of getting dragged into another ground war in the Middle East, we are leading a broad coalition, including Arab nations, to degrade and ultimately destroy this terrorist group. We're also supporting a moderate opposition in Syria that can help us in this effort, and assisting people everywhere who stand up to the bankrupt ideology of violent extremism. This effort will take time. It will require focus. But we will succeed. And tonight, I call on this Congress to show the world that we are united in this mission by passing a resolution to authorize the use of force against ISIL. <p>Second, we are demonstrating the power of American strength and diplomacy. We're upholding the principle that bigger nations can't bully the small — by opposing Russian aggression, supporting Ukraine's democracy, and reassuring our NATO allies. Last year, as we were doing the hard work of imposing sanctions along with our allies, some suggested that Mr. Putin's aggression was a masterful display of strategy and strength. Well, today, it is America that stands strong and united with our allies, while Russia is isolated, with its economy in tatters. <p>That's how America leads — not with bluster, but with persistent, steady resolve. <p>In Cuba, we are ending a policy that was long past its expiration date. When what you're doing doesn't work for fifty years, it's time to try something new. Our shift in Cuba policy has the potential to end a legacy of mistrust in our hemisphere; removes a phony excuse for restrictions in Cuba; stands up for democratic values; and extends the hand of friendship to the Cuban people. And this year, Congress should begin the work of ending the embargo. As His Holiness, Pope Francis, has said, diplomacy is the work of "small steps." These small steps have added up to new hope for the future in Cuba. And after years in prison, we're overjoyed that Alan Gross is back where he belongs. Welcome home, Alan. <p>Our diplomacy is at work with respect to Iran, where, for the first time in a decade, we've halted the progress of its nuclear program and reduced its stockpile of nuclear material. Between now and this spring, we have a chance to negotiate a comprehensive agreement that prevents a nuclear-armed Iran; secures America and our allies — including Israel; while avoiding yet another Middle East conflict. There are no guarantees that negotiations will succeed, and I keep all options on the table to prevent a nuclear Iran. But new sanctions passed by this Congress, at this moment in time, will all but guarantee that diplomacy fails — alienating America from its allies; and ensuring that Iran starts up its nuclear program again. It doesn't make sense. That is why I will veto any new sanctions bill that threatens to undo this progress. The American people expect us to only go to war as a last resort, and I intend to stay true to that wisdom. <p>Third, we're looking beyond the issues that have consumed us in the past to shape the coming century. <p>No foreign nation, no hacker, should be able to shut down our networks, steal our trade secrets, or invade the privacy of American families, especially our kids. We are making sure our government integrates intelligence to combat cyber threats, just as we have done to combat terrorism. And tonight, I urge this Congress to finally pass the legislation we need to better meet the evolving threat of cyber-attacks, combat identity theft, and protect our children's information. If we don't act, we'll leave our nation and our economy vulnerable. If we do, we can continue to protect the technologies that have unleashed untold opportunities for people around the globe. <p align="center"><img title="obama state of the union" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="obama state of the union" src="http://images.christianpost.com/full/80237/obama-state-of-the-union.jpg" width="550" height="363"> (<small>Photo: Reuters/Jonathan Ernst)</small></p> <p align="center">U.S. President Barack Obama delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of the U.S. Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, January 20, 2015. <p>In West Africa, our troops, our scientists, our doctors, our nurses and healthcare workers are rolling back Ebola — saving countless lives and stopping the spread of disease. I couldn't be prouder of them, and I thank this Congress for your bipartisan support of their efforts. But the job is not yet done — and the world needs to use this lesson to build a more effective global effort to prevent the spread of future pandemics, invest in smart development, and eradicate extreme poverty. <p>In the Asia Pacific, we are modernizing alliances while making sure that other nations play by the rules — in how they trade, how they resolve maritime disputes, and how they participate in meeting common international challenges like nonproliferation and disaster relief. And no challenge — no challenge — poses a greater threat to future generations than climate change. <p>2014 was the planet's warmest year on record. Now, one year doesn't make a trend, but this does — 14 of the 15 warmest years on record have all fallen in the first 15 years of this century. <p>I've heard some folks try to dodge the evidence by saying they're not scientists; that we don't have enough information to act. Well, I'm not a scientist, either. But you know what — I know a lot of really good scientists at NASA, and NOAA, and at our major universities. The best scientists in the world are all telling us that our activities are changing the climate, and if we do not act forcefully, we'll continue to see rising oceans, longer, hotter heat waves, dangerous droughts and floods, and massive disruptions that can trigger greater migration, conflict, and hunger around the globe. The Pentagon says that climate change poses immediate risks to our national security. We should act like it. <p>That's why, over the past six years, we've done more than ever before to combat climate change, from the way we produce energy, to the way we use it. That's why we've set aside more public lands and waters than any administration in history. And that's why I will not let this Congress endanger the health of our children by turning back the clock on our efforts. I am determined to make sure American leadership drives international action. In Beijing, we made an historic announcement — the United States will double the pace at which we cut carbon pollution, and China committed, for the first time, to limiting their emissions. And because the world's two largest economies came together, other nations are now stepping up, and offering hope that, this year, the world will finally reach an agreement to protect the one planet we've got. <p>There's one last pillar to our leadership — and that's the example of our values. <p>As Americans, we respect human dignity, even when we're threatened, which is why I've prohibited torture, and worked to make sure our use of new technology like drones is properly constrained. It's why we speak out against the deplorable anti-Semitism that has resurfaced in certain parts of the world. It's why we continue to reject offensive stereotypes of Muslims — the vast majority of whom share our commitment to peace. That's why we defend free speech, and advocate for political prisoners, and condemn the persecution of women, or religious minorities, or people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. We do these things not only because they're right, but because they make us safer. <p>As Americans, we have a profound commitment to justice — so it makes no sense to spend three million dollars per prisoner to keep open a prison that the world condemns and terrorists use to recruit. Since I've been President, we've worked responsibly to cut the population of GTMO in half. Now it's time to finish the job. And I will not relent in my determination to shut it down. It's not who we are. <p>As Americans, we cherish our civil liberties — and we need to uphold that commitment if we want maximum cooperation from other countries and industry in our fight against terrorist networks. So while some have moved on from the debates over our surveillance programs, I haven't. As promised, our intelligence agencies have worked hard, with the recommendations of privacy advocates, to increase transparency and build more safeguards against potential abuse. And next month, we'll issue a report on how we're keeping our promise to keep our country safe while strengthening privacy. <p>Looking to the future instead of the past. Making sure we match our power with diplomacy, and use force wisely. Building coalitions to meet new challenges and opportunities. Leading — always — with the example of our values. That's what makes us exceptional. That's what keeps us strong. And that's why we must keep striving to hold ourselves to the highest of standards — our own. <p>You know, just over a decade ago, I gave a speech in Boston where I said there wasn't a liberal America, or a conservative America; a black America or a white America — but a United States of America. I said this because I had seen it in my own life, in a nation that gave someone like me a chance; because I grew up in Hawaii, a melting pot of races and customs; because I made Illinois my home — a state of small towns, rich farmland, and one of the world's great cities; a microcosm of the country where Democrats and Republicans and Independents, good people of every ethnicity and every faith, share certain bedrock values. <p>Over the past six years, the pundits have pointed out more than once that my presidency hasn't delivered on this vision. How ironic, they say, that our politics seems more divided than ever. It's held up as proof not just of my own flaws — of which there are many — but also as proof that the vision itself is misguided, and naïve, and that there are too many people in this town who actually benefit from partisanship and gridlock for us to ever do anything about it. <p>I know how tempting such cynicism may be. But I still think the cynics are wrong. <p>I still believe that we are one people. I still believe that together, we can do great things, even when the odds are long. I believe this because over and over in my six years in office, I have seen America at its best. I've seen the hopeful faces of young graduates from New York to California; and our newest officers at West Point, Annapolis, Colorado Springs, and New London. I've mourned with grieving families in Tucson and Newtown; in Boston, West, Texas, and West Virginia. I've watched Americans beat back adversity from the Gulf Coast to the Great Plains; from Midwest assembly lines to the Mid-Atlantic seaboard. I've seen something like gay marriage go from a wedge issue used to drive us apart to a story of freedom across our country, a civil right now legal in states that seven in ten Americans call home. <p>So I know the good, and optimistic, and big-hearted generosity of the American people who, every day, live the idea that we are our brother's keeper, and our sister's keeper. And I know they expect those of us who serve here to set a better example. <p>So the question for those of us here tonight is how we, all of us, can better reflect America's hopes. I've served in Congress with many of you. I know many of you well. There are a lot of good people here, on both sides of the aisle. And many of you have told me that this isn't what you signed up for — arguing past each other on cable shows, the constant fundraising, always looking over your shoulder at how the base will react to every decision. <p>Imagine if we broke out of these tired old patterns. Imagine if we did something different. <p>Understand — a better politics isn't one where Democrats abandon their agenda or Republicans simply embrace mine. <p>A better politics is one where we appeal to each other's basic decency instead of our basest fears. <p>A better politics is one where we debate without demonizing each other; where we talk issues, and values, and principles, and facts, rather than "gotcha" moments, or trivial gaffes, or fake controversies that have nothing to do with people's daily lives. <p>A better politics is one where we spend less time drowning in dark money for ads that pull us into the gutter, and spend more time lifting young people up, with a sense of purpose and possibility, and asking them to join in the great mission of building America. <p align="center"><img title="obama state of the union" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="obama state of the union" src="http://images.christianpost.com/full/80238/obama-state-of-the-union.jpg" width="549" height="346"> <small>(Photo: Reuters/Joshua Roberts)</small> <p align="center">U.S. President Barack Obama points into the crowd of legislators on the floor near the start of his State of the Union address to a joint session of the U.S. Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, January 20, 2015. <p>If we're going to have arguments, let's have arguments — but let's make them debates worthy of this body and worthy of this country. <p>We still may not agree on a woman's right to choose, but surely we can agree it's a good thing that teen pregnancies and abortions are nearing all-time lows, and that every woman should have access to the health care she needs. <p>Yes, passions still fly on immigration, but surely we can all see something of ourselves in the striving young student, and agree that no one benefits when a hardworking mom is taken from her child, and that it's possible to shape a law that upholds our tradition as a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants. <p>We may go at it in campaign season, but surely we can agree that the right to vote is sacred; that it's being denied to too many; and that, on this 50th anniversary of the great march from Selma to Montgomery and the passage of the Voting Rights Act, we can come together, Democrats and Republicans, to make voting easier for every single American. <p>We may have different takes on the events of Ferguson and New York. But surely we can understand a father who fears his son can't walk home without being harassed. Surely we can understand the wife who won't rest until the police officer she married walks through the front door at the end of his shift. Surely we can agree it's a good thing that for the first time in 40 years, the crime rate and the incarceration rate have come down together, and use that as a starting point for Democrats and Republicans, community leaders and law enforcement, to reform America's criminal justice system so that it protects and serves us all. <p>That's a better politics. That's how we start rebuilding trust. That's how we move this country forward. That's what the American people want. That's what they deserve. <p>I have no more campaigns to run. My only agenda for the next two years is the same as the one I've had since the day I swore an oath on the steps of this Capitol — to do what I believe is best for America. If you share the broad vision I outlined tonight, join me in the work at hand. If you disagree with parts of it, I hope you'll at least work with me where you do agree. And I commit to every Republican here tonight that I will not only seek out your ideas, I will seek to work with you to make this country stronger. <p>Because I want this chamber, this city, to reflect the truth — that for all our blind spots and shortcomings, we are a people with the strength and generosity of spirit to bridge divides, to unite in common effort, and help our neighbors, whether down the street or on the other side of the world. <p>I want our actions to tell every child, in every neighborhood: your life matters, and we are as committed to improving your life chances as we are for our own kids. <p>I want future generations to know that we are a people who see our differences as a great gift, that we are a people who value the dignity and worth of every citizen — man and woman, young and old, black and white, Latino and Asian, immigrant and Native American, gay and straight, Americans with mental illness or physical disability. <p>I want them to grow up in a country that shows the world what we still know to be true: that we are still more than a collection of red states and blue states; that we are the United States of America. <p>I want them to grow up in a country where a young mom like Rebekah can sit down and write a letter to her President with a story to sum up these past six years: <p>"It is amazing what you can bounce back from when you have to…we are a strong, tight-knit family who has made it through some very, very hard times." <p>My fellow Americans, we too are a strong, tight-knit family. We, too, have made it through some hard times. Fifteen years into this new century, we have picked ourselves up, dusted ourselves off, and begun again the work of remaking America. We've laid a new foundation. A brighter future is ours to write. Let's begin this new chapter — together — and let's start the work right now. <p>Thank you, God bless you, and God bless this country we love. <p align="left"><iframe height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/JhMvkog_OBk" frameborder="0" width="560" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ff0000">Video:</font> <a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2015/01/21/joni-ernst-gop-response-to-sotu-2015/">Joni Ernst GOP Response to SOTU 2015</a></p> <p><iframe height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/kws4ejERQ1U" frameborder="0" width="560" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ff0000">Video:</font> <a href="http://youtu.be/kws4ejERQ1U">Tea Party Response to 2015 SOTU</a></p> <p align="left"><iframe height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/UpueBLZ8bD8" frameborder="0" width="560" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ff0000">Video:</font> <a href="http://youtu.be/UpueBLZ8bD8">Sen. Ted Cruz Reaction to 2015 SOTU with Neil Cavuto</a> </p> <p align="center"><iframe height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/wcBuoxKlQu4" frameborder="0" width="420" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ff0000">Video: </font><a href="http://youtu.be/wcBuoxKlQu4">Taxed To The Max - President Touts Plan In State Of The Union - Valerie Jarrett - Fox & Friends</a></p> Ask Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08154704300625351259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681715373324516612.post-88585797463704919872015-01-20T17:52:00.001-08:002015-01-20T17:52:06.941-08:00Forum: What Is Your Opinion Of the New Proposed Internet Rules President Obama Wants The FCC To Impose?<p> <p><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8IBFEwUbmGE/T_qG1u8vp2I/AAAAAAAABdI/BgA-qBLY4XI/s400/question-marks.jpg" width="377" height="391"> <p><i>Every week on Monday morning , the Council and our invited guests weigh in at the Watcher’s Forum, short takes on a major issue of the day, the culture, or daily living. This week’s question</i>: <b>What Is Your Opinion Of the New Proposed Internet Rules President Obama Wants The FCC To Impose?</b> <p><a href="http://www.independentsentinel.com/"><b>The Independent Sentinel</b></a> : It’s the government getting its tentacles into one more thing. <p>It gives companies immunity when they share our data. We no longer have privacy protections from the government in the name of security. The government will freely share our information among government agencies. <p>The government claims the information-sharing system would not put privacy at risk as the information disclosed will principally concern the method of attack on computer data and systems, rather than its content. <p>Who trusts them? <p>Why do they need these rules when they can already do it? Is it just a way of bullying companies into doing it more readily? They have been resistant. <p>According to the Guardian, “it would criminalize the overseas sale of stolen US financial information like credit card and bank account numbers, would expand federal law enforcement authority to deter the sale of spyware used to stalk or commit ID theft, and would give courts the authority to shut down botnets engaged in distributed denial of service attacks and other criminal activity.” <p>Meanwhile, our government won’t allow illegal immigrants to be charged or held if they steal IDs. <p>There will be more consumer notifications pushed on companies who become aware of breaches but they already notify consumers. It’s more regulation and more expense that will be passed down to consumers. <p>The bill is vague and will be misinterpreted. <p><b>Laura Rambeau Lee, <a href="http://right-reason.com/">Right Reason</a></b>: If we have learned anything with this administration, what they say and what we get are diametrically opposed. The Affordable Care Act has proven unaffordable for many. President Obama wants the FCC to reclassify the internet under Title II of the Telecommunications Act and extend that regulation to mobile broadband service as well. Net neutrality will not lead to a fairer, more open and free internet as the president promises. As Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz stated: “Net neutrality puts the government in charge of determining Internet pricing, terms of service, and what types of products and services can be delivered, leading to fewer choices, fewer opportunities, and higher prices for consumers.” I believe that about sums it up. <p>The internet has been working very well in a free market system. If we want to keep an affordable, free, and open internet, we must keep government out of it. <p><a href="http://www.theglitteringeye.com/"><b>The Glittering Eye</b></a> : I’m not sure how to answer the question. Perhaps the best way would be for me to state what I’m in favor of. First, a brief preface. <p>The Internet grew from developments by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency for a computer network that could survive nuclear war. The Internet has succeeded because a) it was in the public domain, b) ICANN (the ultimate registrar of domain names) has been seen as apolitical and fair, c) it has largely been free of regulation and taxes, and d) the cost of entry was relatively low. Later that development was augmented by the European Center for Nuclear Research (CERN) and the University of Illinois’s computer science department. <p>Previous attempts at large scale computer networks whether public (in France) or private (by many companies) had failed. There is no reason to believe that any proprietary network would have succeeded. <p>I am unsympathetic to the complaints of the mega-service providers. In large part they enjoy the position of power they hold because of their government-granted monopolies. They have expended very little capital on research and development in their Internet service enterprises and have enjoyed substantial revenues with things as they are. That other companies, e.g. Google, Netflix, are making profits out of the Internet as it is is merely sour grapes on the part of the ISPs. If they demand more money from their investments on network infrastructure, minor relative to the revenues they’ve derived from them, they should meter bandwidth at the customer level and leave providers alone. <p>Consequently, I believe in network neutrality, that the Internet should be largely free of sales taxes, that it should remain predominantly uncensored, and that Time-Warner, Comcast, Verizon, AT&T, and so on should be regulated by the FCC. In particular I think that any business that has gained its present position as the result of government-granted monopoly should be kept out of the content business. I’m not sure where that puts me relative to the Obama Administration but that’s what I think. <p><b><a href="http://joshuapundit.blogspot.com/">JoshuaPundit</a></b>: What government can regulate, it can control. And what it can control, it can tax. Ultimately, screwing yet more tax revenues out of the American people is a lot of what this is all about,and the fact that this president wants the FCC to impose these new proposed rules without congressional oversight while it has a majority of his appointees who took their seats while he had a congressional majority tells me all I need to know. <p>The other major part of what this is about is censorship and control of content. This president is also not only hyper-partisan but a long time appeaser of Islamists, and <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2015/01/13/white-house-obama-will-fight-media-to-stop-anti-jihad-articles/">he has already said </a>that he is going to ‘fight the media ‘ and the nation’s journalism community when it is planning to publish anti-jihadi articles,using the lame excuse that he is suddenly concerned about the welfare of the same troops overseas whose lives he has endangered with ridiculous Rules of Engagement and his illegal wars. Rest assured that very selective censorship in a great many areas will be the order of the day if he gets his way. <p><b><a href="http://askmarion.wordpress.com/">Ask Marion</a></b>: On Thursday 01.15.15 the White House said legislation was not necessary to settle the “net neutrality” rules issue because the Federal Communications Commission had the authority to write them. And President Obama’s rallying cry this past week has been… ‘Everyone deserves free Internet’. Beware of politicians bearing free gifts!!! <p><b>Quick Background</b>: <p>What actually is at immediate stake here is what rules should govern how Internet service providers (ISPs) manage web traffic on their networks to ensure they treat all Internet content fairly. At the heart of the latest phase in the debate over the rules is what legal authority should guide those regulations. <p>Obama is urging the FCC to regulate ISPs more strictly under a section of communications law known as Title II, treating them more like public utilities. The broadband companies adamantly oppose this plan, saying the added regulatory burden would reduce investment and stifle innovation in their industry. <p>The Republican chairmen of the Senate and House commerce committees, John Thune and Fred Upton, have been working to strike a legislative deal with Democrats that would adopt some of the same net neutrality principles but without resorting to Title II. <p>Late on Wednesday, Thune released a list of the net neutrality principles he would pursue, which closely echoed Obama’s, such as bans on blocking or throttling of websites. <p>While some Republicans have also sought a delay in the FCC’s vote to establish new net neutrality rules, planned for February 26th, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler has indicated no interest in a change or delay. <p>“Chairman Wheeler believes it is important to move forward as quickly as possible to protect consumers, innovation and competition online,” FCC spokeswoman Kim Hart said in a statement. <p>Evoking net-neutrality and expanding the scope and power the FCC has been on the Obama administrations’ radar since day one and now that they are in their final two years, the administration has entered their complete lawless phase. So controlling communication is high on their agenda. <a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2014/02/21/fcc-plan-for-newsroom-monitors-sparks-constitutional-concern-as-fcc-plans-to-issue-new-net-neutrality-rules-wake-up-america/">It is all about control</a> and these changes are just the tip of the iceberg. Censorship; monitoring newsrooms; and taking control of every aspect of communication… newspapers, radio, TV, Internet, news outlets, textbooks, movies, even art, plus the services that support them have been on Obama’s list since 2009, when both <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/173847/some_democrats_minority_groups_question_net_neutrality.html">minority groups and Democrats questioned net neutrality. </a> <p><a href="http://www.theverge.com/2015/1/16/7558715/net-neutrality-new-republican-bill-limit-fcc">The Republicans in Congress are in favor of a net neutrality law</a> as long as the federal government doesn’t handle it, so are trying to drum up support for a bill that would counter <a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2014/05/16/wtf-is-net-neutrality-what-is-it-and-what-are-these-new-rules/">the FCC’s upcoming new rules</a>. But <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2014/11/10/7185933/fcc-should-reclassify-internet-as-utility-obama-says">after the Obama administration’s comments</a> getting Democrats on board could be difficult. <p>The proposed bill attempts to offer a compromise between hard-line opponents of net neutrality and the larger changes preferred by President Obama and many progressive activists. It would modify the Communications Act of 1934, adding the basic elements of the FCC’s “open internet” plan. That includes the following major points: <p>The proposed bill attempts to offer a compromise between hard-line opponents of net neutrality and the larger changes preferred by President Obama and many progressive activists. It would modify the Communications Act of 1934, adding the basic elements of the FCC’s “open internet” plan. That includes the following major points: <p>No blocking of lawful services on a network<br>No prohibiting the use of non-harmful devices<br>No traffic throttling — except for “reasonable network management,” it would be illegal to slow or degrade any site or service<br>No paid prioritization<br>Transparency requirements for ISPs <p>Much of the language for this bill was lifted directly from the FCC’s 2010 Open Internet Order, which was thrown out in court last year?!? It includes less-than-ideal exceptions for network management and “specialized services” like VoIP, but it settles a major point of contention in Wheeler’s proposal by banning paid prioritization, which would have allowed ISPs to offer faster service for companies that paid more. In some ways, it’s exactly what net neutrality supporters have been asking for, although the advocacy group Public Knowledge has <a href="https://www.publicknowledge.org/press-release/public-knowledge-expresses-strong-concerns-about-sen.-thunes-net-neutrality-discussion-draft">expressed concerns</a> about how strong its protections would be in practice. <p>A crucial point is that the bill adds all of this to Title I of the Communications Act, classifying broadband as an “information service.” Title I services are regulated more lightly than Title II “common carriers” like telephone companies. The last FCC net neutrality framework plan was struck down because it came too close to making rules that only Title II allows: <p>“In terms of legislation, we don’t believe it’s necessary given that the FCC has the authorities that it needs under Title II,” said a White House official. “However, we always remain open to working with anyone who shares the president’s goal of fully preserving a free and open internet now and into the future.” <p>Of course in reality, preserving a free and open Internet is the opposite of the this administration’s goal and we all should have learned by know that anything regulated and run by the government makes it and us less free. In fact, in March of 2014 <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/us-to-relinquish-remaining-control-over-the-internet/2014/03/14/0c7472d0-abb5-11e3-adbc-888c8010c799_print.html">ICANN and the US government announced their intention</a> to relinquish control of the Internet to the UN by 2015, so there is much more to this plan than just a few rule changes! Anything turned over to the United Nations brings us just us one step closer to globalization and the ruling elite’s goal of a New World Order which will definitely make us all less free. <p><b>Everyone deserves free Internet</b>. Sounds good until you remember… you can’t have both freedom of speech and big government that controls the media… It is a choice!! And it not only won’t be free, it will more expensive for everyone. We (you) will all be paying for everyone’s Internet service plus the government bureaucracy that will run it. <p>Pay attention America, if government controls the media… TV, radio, the Internet… your free speech stops and the attempt to take over media and your information will be even easier and more blatant than it already is… <p>My feeling, like always, is less government involvement is always best! <p><i>Well, there you have it! </i> <p><i>Make sure to tune in <b>every Monday</b> for the <b>Watcher’s Forum</b>. and <b>every Tuesday morning</b>, when we reveal the weeks’ nominees for<b> Weasel of the Week!</b></i> <p><i>And remember, <b>every Wednesday</b>, the Council has its<b> weekly contest</b> with the members nominating two posts each, one written by themselves and one written by someone from outside the group for consideration by the whole Council. The votes are cast by the Council, and the results are posted on <b>Friday morning</b>.</i><br><i><br></i><i>It’s a weekly magazine of some of the best stuff written in the blogosphere, and<b> you won’t want to miss it.</b></i>..<i>or any of the other fantabulous Watcher’s Council content.</i> <p><i>And don’t forget to like us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Watcher-of-Weasels/58417762783">Facebook</a> and follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/weaselwatcher">Twitter</a>..’cause we’re cool like that, y’know?</i></p> Ask Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08154704300625351259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681715373324516612.post-74575028124050015312015-01-19T14:32:00.001-08:002015-01-19T14:34:54.290-08:00Martin Luther King Day 2015 - 50th Anniversary of Selma March<p align="center"><em><strong><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-I1383I9q874/VL2F8FsyZvI/AAAAAAAAMNc/Tsgyb7H1wVk/s1600-h/mlking-_portrait_fi%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="mlking-_portrait_fi" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="mlking-_portrait_fi" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eu6S2wqi5YY/VL2F8qP1QyI/AAAAAAAAMNk/ENCgfxMqask/mlking-_portrait_fi_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="555" height="355"></a></strong></em></p> <p>by Marion Algier - <a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2015/01/19/martin-luther-king-day-2015-50th-anniversary-of-selma-march/">Ask Marion</a></p> <p>Al Sharpton sold out long ago to become the <a href="https://reclaimourrepublic.wordpress.com/2015/01/19/video-what-geraldo-recently-said-must-have-dr-king-rolling-over-in-his-grave-courts-legacy-intertwined-with-mlk/">‘racial grievance industry profiteer’</a> he is today, shaking down individuals and corporations alike in exchange for his silence or support. But he really outdid himself this month with his latest stunt. <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2015/01/15/sharpton-calls-for-emergency-diversity-task-force-meeting-after-selma-oscar-snub/">Al Sharpton called a special diversity meeting to complain that the movie Selma didn’t get enough nods</a> (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00S0X6L48?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B00S0X6L48&linkCode=xm2&tag=truhea-20">Selma</a> received two nominations including Best Picture) and that no African Americans were nominated this year, implying that the academy was too white, too male and too old. Hello? Silly me, <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2015/01/16/media/selma-oscar-snubs-cause-outrage/index.html">I thought that the Oscars and the arts were about best performances not quotas</a> and I guess a Best Picture nomination was insulting? <a href="http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2015/01/16/redistribute_meryl_streep_s_oscars_to_black_actresses">I guess we will be redistributing Oscars soon</a> and calculating their nominations according to quotas if liberals have their way?!?</p> <p>Sharpton should get the Oscar for being the greatest opportunist. His move and approach last week would be exactly opposite of what MLK would have wanted or done! Martin Luther King, Jr. promoted unity not division.</p> <p>On Sunday, the '<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00S0X6L48?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B00S0X6L48&linkCode=xm2&tag=truhea-20">Selma</a>' actors lead a <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/01/19/selma-actors-lead-re-enactment-165-march-on-eve-mlk-holiday/">re-enactment of the 1965 march</a> on the eve of the 2015 MLK holiday.</p> <p align="center"><iframe height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/smEqnnklfYs" frameborder="0" width="420" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ff0000">Video:</font> Martin Luther King – I Have A Dream <a href="http://www.youtube.com/artist/speech?feature=watch_video_title">Speech</a> – August 28, 1963 <p align="left"><iframe height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/KgthPUxRr3E" frameborder="0" width="560" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ff0000">Video:</font> <a href="http://youtu.be/KgthPUxRr3E">Martin Luther King Biography</a> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AXE2wb58wPs/VL2F9R1LvWI/AAAAAAAAMN8/HfNnbTij2P4/s1600-h/MLK%252520Pulls%252520Cross%252520From%252520Front%252520Yard%252520Lawn%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="MLK Pulls Cross From Front Yard Lawn" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="MLK Pulls Cross From Front Yard Lawn" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WxKlNWCXJQI/VL2F94kdd6I/AAAAAAAAMOE/O8zvWQHy5Yg/MLK%252520Pulls%252520Cross%252520From%252520Front%252520Yard%252520Lawn_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="548" height="489"></a></p> <p align="center">MLK Pulls Cross Out of Front Yard as Son Looks On</p> Ask Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08154704300625351259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681715373324516612.post-10250904007514608942015-01-15T20:04:00.001-08:002015-01-15T20:04:35.291-08:00Joni Ernst to Deliver GOP Response to the State of the Union–Whoohoo!!<p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-B0LV_IS3ehE/VLiNwgfvhQI/AAAAAAAAMMk/4KBuSDpYL_8/s1600-h/Joni%252520Ernst%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Joni Ernst" style="display: inline" alt="Joni Ernst" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6hBWVjdM1rA/VLiNxAcja7I/AAAAAAAAMMs/tNnjm-EnAxk/Joni%252520Ernst_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="532" height="300"></a></p> <p>By Marion Algier – <a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2015/01/15/joni-ernst-to-deliver-gop-response-to-the-state-of-the-uninwhoohoo/">Ask Marion</a></p> <p>Well well… Perhaps the <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/jan/13/john-boehner-plot-ohio-bartender-michael-hoyt-inte/">attempted assassination scare</a> and the fact that Boehner had competition for his position made the establishment Republicans in Congress think?!? The choice of Joni Ernst to to deliver the GOP response to the State of the Union speech is quite a coup for the right and for the American people.</p> <p>Newly elected Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), part of Gov. <a href="http://wp.me/p1dXJI-9yF">Palin’s Bench</a> but got Mitt Romney’s endorsement as well, will deliver the GOP response to President Barack Obama's 2015 State of the Union address on Tuesday January 20th, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) announced at the House and Senate GOP retreat in Hershey, Pennsylvania. <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vO88auMY8_o/VLiNxxY03eI/AAAAAAAAMM0/yCV0Lsz_lxM/s1600-h/Congrats%252520Joni%252520from%252520Sarah%25255B4%25255D.png"><img title="Congrats Joni from Sarah" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Congrats Joni from Sarah" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zZJePiAwVsU/VLiNzL4zPtI/AAAAAAAAMM8/Bnv21JLlPWY/Congrats%252520Joni%252520from%252520Sarah_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="467" height="392"></a> <blockquote> <p>"Sen. Ernst brings a unique perspective to the Senate. She is a mother, a soldier and an independent leader who serves in Washington because Americans voted for change in the last election, and Joni understands that middle-class Americans want Congress to get back to work and that they want Washington to get refocused on their concerns, instead of those of the political class,” said McConnell in a statement on Thursday.</p></blockquote> <p>Ernst who was <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/04/iowa-senate-election-results_n_5858508.html">elected</a> to the Senate in November, becoming the first woman elected to federal office from Iowa and promised to make Washington squeal if she was elected, said she is "truly honored" to deliver the GOP address. <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cVujq6FWSFo/VLiNzg569uI/AAAAAAAAMNE/u5PK2ptdnS0/s1600-h/joni-ernst-make-em-squel%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="joni-ernst-make-em-squel" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="joni-ernst-make-em-squel" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NV7ucOjbxoI/VLiN0cteweI/AAAAAAAAMNM/Hnbc7FRmEOc/joni-ernst-make-em-squel_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="474" height="356"></a> <p>House Speaker John Boehner praised Ernst after the announcement Thursday. <blockquote> <p>"She knows that our federal government is too big, our spending is too high, and our tax code is broken," Boehner said. “And, she knows first-hand the sacrifices our men and women in uniform make to keep us all safe in a dangerous world," he added.</p></blockquote> <p>Republicans who have previously given the GOP response to the State of the Union address include Senator. Marco Rubio (Fla.) and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Wash.) and Gov. Bobby Jindal (LA), to name just a few.</p> Ask Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08154704300625351259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681715373324516612.post-76450633086852799452015-01-12T13:01:00.001-08:002015-01-12T13:01:56.599-08:00Forum: What Should Western Response Be to the Attacks in France, If Any?<p><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8IBFEwUbmGE/T_qG1u8vp2I/AAAAAAAABdI/BgA-qBLY4XI/s400/question-marks.jpg" width="427" height="443"><br><i>Every week on Monday morning, <strong><a href="http://www.watcherofweasels.org/forum-what-should-western-response-be-to-the-attacks-in-france-if-any/">The Watcher’s Council</a></strong> and our invited guests weigh in at the Watcher’s Forum, short takes on a major issue of the day, the culture, or daily living. This week’s question : </i> <p>What Should Western Response Be To The Attacks In France, If Any? <p><a href="http://simplyjews.blogspot.com/">Simply Jews</a>: I shall use as a starting point a precise example of what the Western response should not be. It was helpfully provided by one of the more moronic representatives of the Guardianistas, one Simon Jenkins, concerned most of all about possible damage to Western democracy as a result of new laws, new controls, new additions to the agenda of illiberalism. <p>There is no need for new laws/controls/etc. The West has enough legal, law enforcement, intelligence and military tools in its disposal, the only problem the West has is with the will and the readiness to use them. First of all, the West should pound into the ground the many heads of the militant Islamism – Al Qaeda, Taliban, ISIL (IS), Hezbollah, Bokko Haram, Hamas and all its other guises. <p>As long as all or even part of the above continue to exist, providing rich and fertile grounds for the so called “lone wolf” growth, there wouldn’t be a chance to destroy the domestic terrorism. <p>And then will come the second stage: integration. The choice that must be offered to the adherents of the militant Islam in Europe and US should be simple: accept the laws of the land or move to a place where the law of the land suits you. Which is elsewhere. <p><a href="http://noisyroom.net/blog/">The Noisy Room</a> : My answer to ‘What should the Western response be to the attack in France, if any?’ is a mixture of responses from Allen West and from Ralph Peters. <p>1. Accept that we are in a war with Islamist terrorists.<br>2. Name the enemy – Islamist terrorists/Jihadists.<br>3. Know that we cannot continue to make our culture and values<br>subservient to others.<br>4. We have to reconsider who we allow into the US and who can stay here.<br>We also need to profile.<br>5. Get the lawyers out of the way and off the battlefield.<br>6. Accept that there will be collateral damage and don’t apologize for it.<br>7. No nation building or rebuilding.<br>8. Do not just ‘try’ to hold ground.<br>9. Go wherever the terrorists are and kill them. Try to exterminate them<br>with prejudice.<br>10. When you leave a war theater, actually leave.<br>11. Leave behind smoking ruins and grieving widows. War means killing<br>and breaking things. Accept it.<br>12. If in 5 or 10 years, the enemy even thinks of raising his head, go<br>back and do it all over again. Finish it.<br>13. Never send American troops into a war that you do not intend to win.<br>14. We win, they lose and no soldier is left behind.<br>15. We don’t make deals with the enemy, no matter the immediate cost.<br>The long term cost will be far worse. <p>If we do these things, France and the rest of Europe, will benefit and<br>will finally have an example they can follow. <p>I think that about covers it. Any questions? <p><a href="http://www.independentsentinel.com/">The Independent Sentinel</a> : Curtail any Muslim immigration from terrorist countries.Stop using GITMO as the terrorist farm team. <p>Tighten surveillance on radical Muslims and Mosques.Move to arrest any Muslims returning from fighting with ISIS or al-Qaeda or from any known terrorist hotbed.Put the words “jihad” and “radical Islam” back into the FBI and Army manuals and use the words in my speeches. <p>Change the rules of engagement and start capturing some of these terrorists for the purposes of interrogation.<br>I’d immediately announce that I was leaving a residual force of 10,000 in Afghanistan. Stop aid to Yemen and other terrorist countries like Gaza until they come up with a plan to fight terrorism. Meet with al-Sisi of Egypt and re-establish that relationship after I met with Netanyahu and re-established that relationship. <p>Send weapons to the Peshmerga and tell the Iraqi government to pound salt. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards wouldn’t be my boots on the ground and I’d end those talks immediately. Instead, I’d meet with Congress about adding new sanctions.Talk about the need to stop the genocide in the Middle East and try to actually form a real coalition with allies, not with other terrorists. <p>I’d declare war on radical Islam, sit down with my generals and develop a comprehensive plan to defund them to start and all options would be on the table. <p><a href="http://www.therazor.org/">The Razor</a> :It’s difficult to consider what the western response to the attacks in France that killed 18 innocents, considering we’re still waiting for the response to the downing of Malaysian Airlines flight 17 over Ukraine that killed 298. It does pose a bit of a dilemma since it’s impossible to convert to Islam AND Russian Orthodox at the same time, though if anybody could do it the Europeans can. <p><a href="http://www.theglitteringeye.com/">The Glittering Eye</a> : As I <a href="http://theglitteringeye.com/the-aftermath-of-the-charlie-hebdo-murders/">wrote in a post</a> earlier today. <p>I have been asked what I think the West should do in response to the incidents. In preface I should mention that I object to the framing. I do not believe there is a “West” in any meaningful sense. Whom does it include? Western Europe, the British Commonwealth, Canada, the U. S., Japan, and Israel? More? Less? I think that the term was originally coined to distinguish between Greece on the one hand and the Persian Empire on the other and was resurrected at the turn of the last century to unite the United States with the older, presumably more sophisticated United Kingdom and Continental Western Europe. After World War I, it received new currency to tie the United States to Western Europe against Russia and its satellites. I think that distinction has largely lost its meaning and is no longer helpful to the United States. <p>However, I’ll divide my response into two questions. What should we (the United States) do? What should the countries of Europe do?<br>I don’t think we should do anything. France has its own distinct issues, quite different from ours. France is quite capable of dealing with its own problems and its citizens need to decide what response if any is appropriate. <p>What should the countries of Europe do? They really have only three alternatives. They can push their Muslim populations farther away possibly alienating and radicalizing them in the process, they can do nothing and determine that occasional mass murders by radical members of that population are an acceptable risk, or they can take affirmative steps to integrate their Muslim populations more closely into their societies. <p>I think it is up to the citizens of those countries to decide what kind of countries they wish to be. My preference would be that they accept their Muslim populations whether citizen or resident, not relegating them to second class status as is too frequently the case but that’s not a decision for me, an American, to make. They should do as they think best in the full knowledge that whatever they decide will have implications. <p><a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2015/01/11/us-must-arm-muslims-fighting-extremists-to-the-teeth-says-judge-jeanine-pirro-as-world-leaders-minus-obama-and-kerry-gather-in-paris/">Ask Marion</a> : The Western nations,<a href="http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2015/01/us-obama-administration-noticeably-absent-at-massive-paris-anti-terror-march/"> minus the US</a>, made a big stride forward in standing up to Islamic terrorism on Sunday in Paris as their leaders walked arm in arm in unity. And the <a href="http://youtu.be/5fjDmGL6JcQ">French Prime Minister declared war on radical Islam</a>. <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ONG8zEqL5Nk/VLQ2O7DGMQI/AAAAAAAAML8/OTSQpQ_HsUs/s1600-h/Arm-in-Arm4.jpg"><img title="Arm in Arm" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Arm in Arm" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1g2TsMsNGUQ/VLQ2PveUbbI/AAAAAAAAMME/y96t7xm-jfM/Arm-in-Arm_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="513" height="377"></a> <p>And <a href="http://youtu.be/0w2ZS231BAQ">I’m with Judge Jeanine Pirro</a>… The US (And the Rest of the Western World) Must Arm Muslims Fighting Extremists ‘To the Teeth.’ <p>Americans should be more than concerned; they should be frightened at the weak kneed reaction of our president to this latest terror attack as the rest of the world is finally waking up. Americans need do their homework. Why isn’t <a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2013/01/05/egyptian-magazine-affirms-brotherhood-infiltration-of-white-house/">our president in Paris today</a>? He certainly had plenty of time to fly to and vacation in Hawaii for the holidays. Are we still <a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2013/08/26/egypt-attorney-general-says-muslim-brotherhood-leaders-received-850k-each-yearly-billions-from-obama-thru-us-embassy/">paying money to the Muslim Brotherhood</a>? Hillary Clinton said back in 2011 that we were reaching out to the Brotherhood and just recently she said we needed to be more tolerant of our enemies; reason alone that she should be out of the 2016 presidential race. And let’s not forget Hillary’s aide with <a href="http://directorblue.blogspot.com/2012/07/great-news-clinton-aide-huma-abedin.html?spref=tw">close ties to the Muslim Brotherhood and al Qaeda.</a> <p>America is now suffering from electing a president they didn’t vet and instead chose to ignore all the warning signs. Hopefully we will not be that foolish again, for the battle against radical Islam is a battle that the West must win and our leadership doesn’t even seem interested in participating! <p><a href="http://www.therightplanet.com/">The Right Planet </a>: I don’t honestly know what sort of coherent and decisive response can be delivered by the Western World if they steadfastly refuse to acknowledge they have a problem with Islamic terrorism. The stance many Western leaders assume is to bury their collective heads in the sand when it comes to the subject of Muhammadanism, i.e., Islam. The refusal by many Western leaders, especially President Barack Obama, to admit Jihad is codified into Islamic law, and that the works of Muhammad contained in the Hadith, Siri and Koran greatly influence the actions and plans of Islamic terrorists, is an exercise in either lethal incompetence or villainous treason. I’m just not going to mince words here. <p>I have seen video after video of Islamic terrorist groups of both Shia and Sunni extraction shouting, “Allah U’ Ahkbar!,” as they commit their murderous rampages. Yet I hear my own leaders telling me it has nothing to do with Islam. Please, do not insult my intelligence. To me, the point is not to condemn everyone who may call themselves a “Muslim.” The point is to understand how Islamic ideology inspires so many who do call themselves “Muslim” to commit barbarous acts against anyone who does not submit to the severity and ruthlessness of Muhammadanism. <p>Laura Rambeau Lee, <a href="http://right-reason.com/">Right Reason</a> : Following this past week’s attacks, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls declared that France is at war with radical Islam. Heads of state from many nations across Europe and the Middle East came together in unity against the attacks, joined by millions of people carrying signs says Je Suis Charlie – We are Charlie. The Obama Administration was pathetically absent from Sunday’s show of solidarity against these attacks. Attorney General Eric Holder went to Paris but did not participate in the march of unity with the other nations. Instead he appeared on the many Sunday talk shows. When asked if we are at war with radical Islam, he could not bring himself to state what has become obvious to the rest of the civilized world. Utilizing the Obama administration’s tired narrative, he declared we are at war with terrorists who commit heinous acts and who use a corrupted version of Islam to justify their actions. <p>In the aftermath of the massacres, we are discovering the Kouachi brothers were known to United States, British, Yemeni, and French intelligence. The younger brother served 18 months in prison in France after being convicted on charges of terrorism in 2008. Both brothers were on the no fly list. We knew one and possibly both brothers received training in Yemen in 2011 with Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). There they met Anwar al-Awlaki, the American Muslim preacher killed in a drone strike ordered by President Obama in 2011. Let’s not forget, Al-Awlaki was also behind the Ft. Hood shootings committed by U. S. Army Major and “Soldier of Allah” Nidal Hasan. It makes me wonder why there was no international outpouring of concern or unity then. It appears the French lost interest in their surveillance of the Kouachi brothers in spite of their history of terrorist connections. <p>The Obama Administration is attempting to frame this incident as an attack on free speech. This was not an attack on free speech, it was an attack on those who chose to blaspheme the prophet Mohammed, and as President Obama has told us, “the future must not belong to those who slander the prophet of Islam.” We must not let them redirect our focus from the threat of radical Islamic terrorism. We must not try to understand why they are committing these acts of terror, or empathize with them, as former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said. We need to understand that sometimes evil just is, and it must be annihilated. <p>It appears we had the intelligence. It appears we shared the intelligence. And yet, we continue to see these attacks being committed at an alarmingly increasing number with better planning and organization. The Western response should be focused on increased surveillance, more intelligence gathering by capturing and questioning those found to be involved with al Qaeda, ISIS, ISIL or any other variant of these radical Islamic groups, and being proactive instead of reactive in the fight against radical Islam. We must declare CAIR a terrorist organization and prohibit them from having access to and directing how we train our national security agency personnel in their investigations of terrorist threats. <p>Here in the South we have these nasty insects called fire ants. They live in colonies built upon mounds of sand. If you happen to step in one unaware they will climb up your body by the hundreds without you feeling a thing. Then some silent signal is given and all of them will bite in unison, causing incredible pain. My biggest fear is these radical Islamists are planning some nationwide or even worldwide terror event, and like the fire ants, are coordinating to synchronize these events to happen simultaneously. <p><i>Well, there you have it! </i> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NlthTvZTh04/VLQ2QGE8eTI/AAAAAAAAMMM/H6AXH_ExFPg/s1600-h/charliehebdocover%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="charliehebdocover" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="charliehebdocover" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tmvc13Lpn3g/VLQ2Q87ZhZI/AAAAAAAAMMQ/yV2wWoc4lfc/charliehebdocover_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="446" height="284"></a> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/2357660686?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=2357660686&linkCode=xm2&tag=truhea-20">Charlie Hebdo</a> - Colectif <p align="center"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/2357660082?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=2357660082&linkCode=xm2&tag=truhea-20">Obama, what else ? (en FRANCAIS)</a> <p><i>Make sure to tune in <b>every Monday</b> for the <b>Watcher’s Forum</b>. and <b>every Tuesday morning</b>, when we reveal the weeks’ nominees for<b> Weasel of the Week!</b></i> <p><i>And remember, <b>every Wednesday</b>, the Council has its<b> weekly contest</b> with the members nominating two posts each, one written by themselves and one written by someone from outside the group for consideration by the whole Council. The votes are cast by the Council, and the results are posted on <b>Friday morning</b>.</i><br><i><br></i><i>It’s a weekly magazine of some of the best stuff written in the blogosphere, and<b> you won’t want to miss it.</b></i>..<i>or any of the other fantabulous Watcher’s Council content.</i> <p><i>And don’t forget to like us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Watcher-of-Weasels/58417762783">Facebook</a> and follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/weaselwatcher">Twitter</a>..’cause we’re cool like that, y’know?</i></p> Ask Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08154704300625351259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681715373324516612.post-64481535176262465902015-01-11T14:57:00.001-08:002015-01-11T15:19:56.371-08:00US Must Arm Muslims Fighting Extremists ‘To the Teeth’ Says Judge Jeanine Pirro as World Leaders Minus Obama and Kerry Gather in Paris<p><iframe height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/0w2ZS231BAQ" frameborder="0" width="560" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ff0000">Video:</font> <a href="http://youtu.be/0w2ZS231BAQ">US Must Arm Muslims Fighting Extremists ‘To the Teeth’ - 01-10-15</a></p> <p align="left">By Marion Algier –> <strong> If you can’t see videos go here –> </strong><a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2015/01/11/us-must-arm-muslims-fighting-extremists-to-the-teeth-says-judge-jeanine-pirro-as-world-leaders-minus-obama-and-kerry-gather-in-paris/"><strong>Ask Marion</strong></a></p> <blockquote> <p>On Saturday night, Fox New’s Judge Jeanine Pirro of “Justice with Judge Jeanine” opened her show with “The US should arm Muslims fighting against extremists “to the teeth.” <p>She went on to say, “After this week’s brutal terror attacks in France, hopefully everybody now gets it. And there’s only one group that can stop this war, the Muslims themselves. Our job is to arm those Muslims to the teeth, give them everything they need to take out these Islamic fanatics, let them do the job, let them have at it. And as they do, we need to simply look the other way. It is time for this to be over and stop sending American dollars to any Arab country that does not support this mission, Pakistan at the top of the list. Force Arab nations to choose, they’re either with us or they’re against us, and stop with this nuclear negotiation nonsense. They don’t operate the way we do. You can’t negotiate, you can’t mediate, and you can’t bargain, you can’t even reason with these people”. <p>The judge also criticized the US’ response to the ‘terrorist threat’, saying “our country’s response to this threat? The FBI destroys tens of thousands of documents deemed offensive to Islam. The CIA removes the word ‘Islamic’ before ‘terrorist’ in those Benghazi talking points. The Ft. Hood massacre, the Oklahoma beheading, both workplace violence. Are we morons? Of course, none of this should be a surprise given that our president invited the Muslim Brotherhood to fill the first two rows of his apology for being an American speech in Cairo in 2009, and as we cower to these Islamic fanatics, our president, and former Secretary of State Clinton say they will prosecute the man who made the video, free speech be damned. They call murders accompanied by ‘Allah Akbar’ workplace violence. This surrender is nothing more than a coward’s response to the fear of this fanatical terrorism, and this political correctness will be the death of us. They can kill us, but we can’t hurt their feelings?” <p>Judge Jeanine pointed out that Egypt rid themselves of the Muslim Brotherhood. <p>Pirro also predicted that “there will be efforts to limit our First Amendment, our free speech, to comply with Sharia blasphemy laws, which call for death to those who slander the prophet Mohammed.” Much of this has already taken place or has at least <a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2014/04/30/colorado-high-school-students-say-pledge-in-arabic-one-nation-under-allah/">been tested</a> in the US over the past few years.</p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p>And as Judge Jeanine said… she has been warning us about this for a long time… for years as have people like former Fox host Glenn Beck who is again being proved right in his warnings.</p></blockquote> <p><iframe height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/7nm8aW7WOsc" frameborder="0" width="560" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ff0000">Video:</font> <a href="http://youtu.be/7nm8aW7WOsc">Judge Jeanine Pirro on ISIS: "They're Coming For US!" - Opening Stmt. - Jun 21, 2014</a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lZ-L9WfYFlk/VLL_sLEXqVI/AAAAAAAAMLE/Sqog5sxRoIE/s1600-h/World%252520Leaders%252520Gather%252520in%252520Paris.jpg"><img title="World Leaders Gather in Paris" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="World Leaders Gather in Paris" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BKmEFJGFHP8/VLL_so_RQXI/AAAAAAAAMLI/SH9DBrwjZ8s/World%252520Leaders%252520Gather%252520in%252520Paris_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="515" height="345"></a></p> <p align="center">Photo: Reuters</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ie7zveEJ_iI/VLL_tJRgJiI/AAAAAAAAMLU/jyioHnATxo0/s1600-h/Republique%252520Square%252520Paris%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="Republique Square Paris" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Republique Square Paris" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8y_Oo8w0yos/VLL_twXKoBI/AAAAAAAAMLY/ZecwM2hb0Z0/Republique%252520Square%252520Paris_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="508" height="329"></a></p> <p align="center">Crowd in Republique square before the demonstration, in Paris, France, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015. Laurent Cipriani/AP Photo</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/world-leaders-gather-for-paris-march-honoring-attack-victims/ar-AA81xdb?ocid=ansnewsreu11">World leaders gathered in Paris and marched in unity</a> for the victims of the latest terror attack by Islamic radicals and against those who continue their war on the West, on freedom, on Christians and Jews, on women… on anyone or anything that will not bend to their will. But who was missing? <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/11/politics/obama-kerry-paris/index.html">President Obama and John Kerry were noticeably absent?</a> Why? <a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2012/10/10/obamas-ring-there-is-no-god-but-allah/">Do you ever wonder?</a> Wake up America… Judge Jeanine is right and our leaders are taking the US down the wrong path!! Obama and the US are again on the wrong side of this fight. This is what happens when we don’t vet our candidates, don’t vote or vote blindly!!</p> <p align="center"><iframe height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/5fjDmGL6JcQ" frameborder="0" width="420" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ff0000">Video:</font> <a href="http://youtu.be/5fjDmGL6JcQ">Addressing The Enemy - French PM Declares 'War On Radical Islam' - Allen West - Fox & Friends</a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.aim.org/aim-column/paris-the-latest-example-of-islamic-jihadist-terrorism/">Paris—The Latest Example of Islamic Jihadist Terrorism</a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2015/01/us-obama-administration-noticeably-absent-at-massive-paris-anti-terror-march/">US & Obama Administration Noticeably Absent at Massive Paris Anti-Terror March</a> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2015/01/50-world-leaders-at-paris-anti-terror-rally-heres-the-list/">50 World Leaders at Paris Anti-Terror Rally – HERE’S THE LIST</a> <p align="center">Video: <a href="http://bit.ly/1y09U6Z">French Muslim children REFUSED to participate in schools’ moment of silence for jihad victims</a> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2015/01/08/6-times-the-obama-administration-said-its-job-was-to-promote-islam/">6 Times The Obama Administration Said Its Job Was to Promote Islam</a> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.rightsidenews.com/2015010935346/us/islam-in-america/islam-in-our-schools.html">Islam In Our Schools</a> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/09/23/egypt-court-bans-muslim-brotherhood-orders-its-assets-confiscated/?cmpid=cmty_twitter_fn">Egypt Court Bans Muslim Brotherhood; Orders Its Assets Confiscated</a></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2013/08/26/egypt-attorney-general-says-muslim-brotherhood-leaders-received-850k-each-yearly-billions-from-obama-thru-us-embassy/">Egypt: Attorney General Says Muslim Brotherhood Leaders Received $850K Each Yearly–> Billions from Obama thru US Embassy</a></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2012/10/13/obamas-muslim-world-journey-and-its-consequences-for-america/">Obama’s “Muslim World” Journey and Its Consequences for America</a></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2012/09/28/bombshell-obama-vetting-1979-newspaper-article-by-valerie-jarrett-father-in-law-reveals-start-of-arab-purchase-of-u-s-presidency/">Bombshell Obama Vetting: 1979 Newspaper Article By Valerie Jarrett Father-In-Law Reveals Start Of Arab Purchase Of U.S. Presidency</a></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2013/03/31/sec-of-state-john-kerry-reveals-daughter-married-iranian-american-with-extensive-ties-to-iran/">Sec of State John Kerry reveals daughter married Iranian-American with extensive ties to Iran</a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.barenakedislam.com/2015/01/10/u-n-secretary-general-ban-ki-moon-says-the-muslim-terrorist-massacre-in-paris-had-nothing-to-do-with-islam/">U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon says the Muslim terrorist massacre in Paris had nothing to do with Islam</a> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.barenakedislam.com/2015/01/10/bill-maher-on-the-charlie-hebdo-massacre-with-guest-salman-rushdie/">BILL MAHER on the Charlie Hebdo massacre with guest Salman Rushdie</a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://noisyroom.net/blog/2015/01/07/noisyroom-net-proudly-publishes-the-mohammed-cartoons-everyone-should-flood-the-web-with-them/">NoisyRoom.net Proudly Publishes the Mohammed Cartoons – Everyone Should Flood the Web With Them</a> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-waI2X-ZyRww/VLL_ubU5MVI/AAAAAAAAMLk/EdfxIAttGHQ/s1600-h/Islam%252520Terrorism%252520Lie%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Islam Terrorism Lie" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Islam Terrorism Lie" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vHcayfpwo7Q/VLL_u2ojeOI/AAAAAAAAMLs/gHOGmPEdXZk/Islam%252520Terrorism%252520Lie_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="452" height="450"></a></p> Ask Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08154704300625351259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681715373324516612.post-12114006699497260252015-01-10T20:50:00.001-08:002015-01-10T20:50:42.119-08:00The Council Has Spoken!! Our Watcher’s Council Results - 01-09-15<p><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="http://www.trevorloudon.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/wat1.jpg" src="http://www.trevorloudon.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/wat1.jpg" width="500" height="400"> <p>The Council has spoken, the votes have been cast, and the results are in for this week’s Watcher’s Council match up. <blockquote> <p><i>“Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility”</i> – Eleanor Roosevelt</p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p><i>“One of the chief tasks of any dialogue with the Gentile world is to prove that the distinction between anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism is not a distinction at all.” </i>– Abba Eban</p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p><i>“</i><i>“The Jews are a peculiar people: Things permitted to other nations are forbidden to the Jews. </i>- Eric Hoffer</p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p><i>“We must take positions. Our weakness in the West is born of the fact of so-called ‘objectivity.’ Objectivity does not exist – it cannot exist!… The word is a hypocrisy which is sustained by the lie that the truth stays in the middle. No, sir: Sometimes truth stays on one side only.”<br></i>- Orianna Fallacci</p></blockquote> <p><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_nEAkWOufFU/T366WMxCdrI/AAAAAAAABOg/easpV-8FMnM/s400/Joshua_Dali_Sun.jpg" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_nEAkWOufFU/T366WMxCdrI/AAAAAAAABOg/easpV-8FMnM/s400/Joshua_Dali_Sun.jpg"> <p>This week’s winning essay,<b>Joshuapundit’s </b>- <a href="http://joshuapundit.blogspot.com/2015/01/whos-responsibility.html">Who’s ‘Responsible?’ </a>came about when I read an astounding statement from the mouth of European Union foreign affairs head Federica Mogherini. Here’s a slice: <p><i>Sometimes, a public figure makes a statement that simply defies the imagination in its blatant hypocrisy and ignorance of reality.</i> <p><i> <p>Those of you who have been following events in the region know that the Third Intifada against Israel is well underway, and that the Palestinian Authority and Hamas are doing their best to incite violence. Against this background, Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian Authority AKA Hamas/Fatah recently went to the UN Security Council in an attempt to get a resolution declaring a Palestinian State along the pre ’67 lines that would have called for forcing Israel back to indefensible borders, re-dividing Jerusalem and barring Jews from their Holy sites, ethnically cleansing 500,000 Jews, freeing all terrorists currently in captivity in Israeli jails and allowing any of the Arabs whom identify themselves as Palestinians to return to whatever they claim their homes were in Israel. <p>The resolution failed by one vote, but Abbas has promised to re-introduce it now that three pro-Israel nation’s terms on the Security Council have finished and three anti-Israel countries terms on the Security Council started in 2015. And Abbas is also attempted to join the International Criminal Court, saying that if he’s successful he will attempt to prosecute Israel there for war crimes. <p>Aside from violating both the Oslo Accords and The Road Map, this is nothing less than a hostile entity making a declaration of war against Israel. <p>In retaliation, Israel decided to take the measure of freezing $127 million in tax monies it gathered for Hamas/Fatah, and is considering other measures as well. <p>The EU immediately condemned this, and their reaction is worth looking at. <p>European Union foreign affairs head Federica Mogherini said in a statement today that even this moderate pushback “runs counter to Israel’s obligations.” <p>“An effective Palestinian Authority, committed to non-violence and a peaceful resolution of the conflict, is a key element for a two-state solution,” Mogherini said. <p>Mogherini said that “recent steps taken … could aggravate the already tense situation on the ground and bring them further away from a negotiated solution.” <p>“Both sides should refrain from taking actions which could raise obstacles to the rapid return to the negotiations,” she added. <p>She also threatened that the EU’s financing of ‘Palestine’ could be endangered by Israel’s withholding the money. <p>You have to wonder what planet the EU thinks it lives on. <p>Israel’s ‘responsibilities?’ What about the Palestinian Authority? <p>In exchange for being gifted sovereignty by Israel in the Oslo Accords over some land it otherwise had no claim to, The Arabs whom call themselves Palestinians agreed to do three things…renounce terrorism, recognize Israel’s right to exist and end anti-semitic incitement in its mosques schools and media. Those same three requirements were also part of the Road Map. <p>Not one of them has ever been adhered to, not by Arafat, not by Mahmoud Abbas and certainly not by Hamas. <p>While the PLO charter tepidly recognizes Israel, neither the Fatah charter or the Hamas charters do. Support for terrorism against Israeli civilians is a given, and not merely tolerated but rewarded. In the twenty years since Oslo, not a single person has ever been arrested by the PA security forces for killing a Jew. Financing of terrorist activity by the PA and Hamas is a long documented fact. Terrorist killers convicted of some of the most heinous murders by Israeli courts are called ‘holy martyrs’ by Abbas and receive a nice salary from the PA courtesy of Eu and American taxpayers, and these ‘martyrs’ are held up as heroes and role models to Palestinian society. They’re glorified in its media, lionized in its mosques and have public buildings named after them. <p>Mahmoud Abbas’s Moscow University treatise claiming that the Holocaust never happened and that the few Jews that were killed were the result of ‘Zionists’ collaborating with the Nazis is a required text in the PA’s school curriculum. <p>And the PA itself is now allied in a unity government with the genocidal Hamas.For that matter, the PLO has already said that the Oslo Accords <a href="http://joshuapundit.blogspot.com/2010/12/breaking-palestinians-say-they-are-no.html">no longer apply to them</a>. <p></i> <p><i>And when Mogherini talks about a Palestinian Authority, committed to non-violence and a peaceful resolution of the conflict, does she even recognize the years of sustained and constant rejectionism and unwillingness to negotiate anything by Arafat,<a href="http://joshuapundit.blogspot.com/2010/09/abbas-i-cant-allow-even-one-concession.html">Abbas and the PA</a> as the main contributor to the current impasse?<br></i><br>Much more <a href="http://joshuapundit.blogspot.com/2015/01/whos-responsibility.html">at the link.</a> <p>In our non-Council category, the winner was the one and only Rush Limbaugh with <a href="http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2015/01/06/the_gop_leadership_s_attitude_toward_its_own_base_is_unprecedented">The GOP Leadership’s Attitude Toward Its Own Base Is Unprecedented</a> submitted by <b>Ask Marion</b>. This is a transcript of Limbaugh’s comments on the air during his hugely popular radio show and he takes on the contradiction of a large part of the Republican leadership showing outright contempt for the voters that just gave them one of the largest GOP congressional majorities in history with his usual clarity and logic. Definitely read it. <p>Here are this week’s full results. Only <b>Ask Marion</b> was unable to vote, but was not subject to the usual 2/3 vote penalty : <h5><font style="font-weight: bold">Council Winners</font></h5> <ul> <li><b>*First place with 2 1/3 votes! </b>– <b>Joshuapundit </b>- <a href="http://joshuapundit.blogspot.com/2015/01/whos-responsibility.html">Who’s ‘Responsibility?’ </a> <li>Second place with 2 votes –<b>The Noisy Room</b> – <a href="http://noisyroom.net/blog/2015/01/03/john-mccains-progressive-hand-is-behind-the-purge-of-tea-party-detractors-from-the-arizona-gop/">John McCain’s Progressive Hand Is Behind The Purge Of Tea Party Detractors From The Arizona GOP</a> <li>Third place *t* with 1 2/3 votes – <b>Bookworm Room</b> – <a href="http://www.bookwormroom.com/2015/01/04/the-new-york-times-ignores-the-reasons-why-swedes-might-be-turning-against-immigrants/">The New York Times ignores the reasons why Swedes might be turning against immigrants </a> <li>Third place *t* with 1 2/3 votes – <b>VA Right! -</b> <a href="http://www.varight.com/opinion/barack-obama-the-president-of-no/">Barack Obama – The President of No! </a> <li>Fourth place with 1 vote – <b>Ask Marion</b> – <a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2015/01/06/time-for-gop-leadership/">Time For GOP Leadership </a> <li>Fifth place *t* with 2/3 vote –<b>Nice Deb </b>– <a href="http://nicedeb.wordpress.com/2015/01/04/lefty-losers-lie-about-officer-lius-widow-on-twitter/">Lefty Losers Spam Twitter With Lie About Officer Liu’s Widow</a> <li>Fifth place *t* with 2/3 vote –<b>Simply Jews</b> – <a href="http://simplyjews.blogspot.co.il/2014/12/jonathan-freedland-and-liberal-zionists.html">Jonathan Freedland and the liberal Zionists’ support: thanks but no thanks </a> <li>Fifth place *t* with 2/3 vote – <b>The Razor</b> – <a href="http://www.therazor.org/?p=8026">What I learned In 2014 </a> <li>Fifth place *t* with 2/3 vote – <b>The Right Planet</b> – <a href="http://www.therightplanet.com/2014/12/british-lawmaker-hitler-was-a-socialist/">British Lawmaker: Hitler Was a Socialist </a> <li>Sixth place *t* with 1/3 vote – <b>The Glittering Eye</b> - <a href="http://theglitteringeye.com/the-problem-with-student-debt/">The Problem With Student Debt </a> <li>Sixth place *t* with 1/3 vote – <b>The Independent Sentinel</b> – <a href="http://www.independentsentinel.com/cuomos-captious-new-law-no-more-selfies-with-tigers-and-lions/">Cuomo’s Captious New Law: No More Selfies With Tigers and Lion</a></li></ul> <h5><font style="font-weight: bold">Non-Council Winners</font></h5> <ul> <li><b>First place with 2 1/3 votes!</b> –<b>Rush Limbaugh </b>- <a href="http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2015/01/06/the_gop_leadership_s_attitude_toward_its_own_base_is_unprecedented">The GOP Leadership’s Attitude Toward Its Own Base Is Unprecedented</a> submitted by <b>Ask Marion</b> <li><b>Second place with 2 votes </b>– <b>Victor Davis Hanson</b> – <a href="http://victorhanson.com/wordpress/?p=8112">Autopilot nation </a>submitted by <b>Joshuapundit</b> <li><b>Third place *t* with 1 2/3 votes </b>–<b>Roger L. Simon/PJ Media </b>– <a href="http://pjmedia.com/rogerlsimon/2015/01/03/egypts-al-sisi-makes-extraordinary-speech-on-islam/">Egypt’s al-Sisi Makes Extraordinary Speech on Islam </a>submitted by <b>The Glittering Eye</b> <li><b>Third place *t* with 1 2/3 votes </b>–<b>Sultan Knish </b>– <a href="http://sultanknish.blogspot.com/2014/12/december-31-1912.html">December 31st, 1912 </a>submitted by <b>The Independent Sentinel</b> <li><b>Fourth place *t* with 1 vote </b>– <b>Klari Goldman Bates/ Times Of Israel </b>– <a href="http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/a-tango-with-hypocrisy/">A Tango With Hypocrisy </a>submitted by <b>Simply Jews</b> <li><b>Fourth place *t* with 1 vote </b>– <b>Peter Pomerantsev/Politico </b>–<a href="http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/01/putin-russia-tv-113960.html?ml=m_po#.VKtJB3vvpbE"> Inside Putin’s Information War</a> submitted by <b>The Razor</b> <li><b>Fifth place *t* with 2/3 votes</b> – <b>USNI News </b>– <a href="http://news.usni.org/2015/01/05/navy-wants-rail-guns-fight-ballistic-supersonic-missiles-says-rfi">Navy Wants Rail Guns to Fight Ballistic and Supersonic Missiles Says RFI </a>submitted by <b>GrEaT sAtAn”S gIrLfRiEnD</b> <li><b>Fifth place *t* with 2/3 votes</b> -<b>Angry White Dude</b> – <a href="http://angrywhitedude.com/2015/01/trust-republicans-said-time-will-different-said/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter">Trust the Republicans They Said! This Time Will Be Different, They Said!</a>submitted by <b>VA Right!</b> <li><b>Fifth place *t* with 2/3 votes</b> – <b>Powerline </b>– <a href="http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2015/01/liberals-cant-argue-they-can-only-bully.php">Liberals Can’t Argue, They Can Only Bully [Updated] </a>submitted by <b>The Watcher</b> <li><strong>Sixth place with 1/3 vote –</strong> <b>Weasel Zippers</b> - <a href="http://weaselzippers.us/210011-today-blacklivesmatters-imploded/">Today #BlackLivesMatters Imploded </a>submitted by <b>Nice Deb </b></li></ul> <p><i>See you next week! </i> <p><i>Make sure to tune in <b>every Monday</b> for the <b>Watcher’s Forum</b>. and <b>every Tuesday morning</b>, when we reveal the weeks’ nominees for<b> Weasel of the Week!</b></i> <p><i>And remember, <b>every Wednesday</b>, the Council has its<b> weekly contest</b> with the members nominating two posts each, one written by themselves and one written by someone from outside the group for consideration by the whole Council. The votes are cast by the Council, and the results are posted on <b>Friday morning</b>.</i><br><i><br></i><i>It’s a weekly magazine of some of the best stuff written in the blogosphere, and<b> you won’t want to miss it.</b></i>..<i>or any of the other fantabulous Watcher’s Council content.</i> <p><i>And don’t forget to like us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Watcher-of-Weasels/58417762783">Facebook</a> and follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/weaselwatcher">Twitter</a>..’cause we’re cool like that, y’know?</i></p> Ask Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08154704300625351259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-681715373324516612.post-8906931384659184812015-01-10T20:32:00.001-08:002015-01-10T20:32:01.967-08:00Our Weasel of the Week<p> <p><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.noisyroom.net/blog/weaseloftheweek.jpg" width="389" height="520"> <p>Once again, It’s time to present this week’s statuette of shame, The Golden Weasel!! <p>Every Tuesday, the Council nominates some of the slimiest, most despicable characters in public life for some deed of evil, cowardice or corruption they’ve performed. Then we vote to single out one particular Weasel for special mention, to whom we award the statuette of shame, our special, 100% plastic Golden Weasel. <a href="http://joshuapundit.blogspot.com/2015/01/our-weasel-of-week-nominations.html">This week’s nominees </a>were all despicable, but the votes are in and we have our winner…the envelope please… <p><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="http://thedailybanter.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Screen-Shot-2014-07-26-at-12.03.00-PM.png" src="http://thedailybanter.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Screen-Shot-2014-07-26-at-12.03.00-PM.png" width="400" height="260"> <p><b>Yes, it’s those trashy hypocrites from PETA!</b> <p><b><a href="http://askmarion.wordpress.com/">Ask Marion</a></b> :<i> My Weasel of the Week nominee is PETA.</i> <p>Sarah Palin posted a photo of her 6-year-old special needs son, Trig, trying to help with the dishes. Nobody immediately reacted when he said he needed help to reach the sink, so Trig took it upon himself to solve the problem. He stood on the family dog, Jill, a black lab especially trained to be a companion for kids like Trig who suffers from down syndrome. <p><i>When Palin posted the photo, PETA went nuts. Now I’m a dog lover, an animal lover, but really???</i> <p>Hmmm… funny thing?!? When Ellen DeGeneres, who doesn’t suffer from Downs or the like, posted virtually the same photo of herself standing on the family dog as a child, there were crickets from PETA and then they nominated her women of the year. <p><i>And when <a href="https://askmarion.wordpress.com/2012/04/19/obama-admits-to-eating-dog-fur-finally-flies/">President Obama admitted that he ate dog meat</a> as a child in Indonesia there wasn’t a peep either from PETA.</i> <p><i>Or how about when New York Mayor Bill DeBlasio dropped the groundhog, who eventually died, at the yearly celebration? I don’t remember a peep from PETA either.</i> <p><i>But like with anything else in today’s climate, if you are a Democrat or a Progressive from either party, you are untouchable and always excused, but if you are a Republican or worse yet a tea party Republican, you are fair game with a target on your back for anyone or any group to inflict their fake outrage. Just ask former <a href="http://justonemorepet.wordpress.com/2012/04/19/obama-admits-to-eating-dog-fur-finally-flies/">Governor and GOP Presidential Candidate Romney</a> .</i> <p><i>But Sarah <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2015/01/03/palin-responds-to-peta-flap-at-least-trig-didnt-eat-the-dog/">Palin responded to PETA like only Sarah can!</a></i> <p>Yes, PETA, who compared chickens to Holocaust victims, <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2042862/PETA-advert-claims-shark-attack-victims-like-Ian-Redmond-coming.html">who outraged people</a> all over the world with a disgusting ad claiming that ‘shark attack victims have it coming’ after honeymooning groom Ian Redmond was killed in a shark attack in the Seychelles, whom had to publicly apologize for harassing and bullying a 14-year-old kid in Louisiana for raffling off his bull to fund his trip to Great Britain as a Student Ambassador through the People to People.<br>program. <p>And then, there’s all those animals <a href="http://www.nathanwinograd.com/?p=11830">that PETA kill themselves</a>.. <p>The Palin kerfluffle was just another instance of these people making asses of themselves, and they definitely earned their Golden Weasel! <p>Tell me, would you like fries with that? <p><i>Well, there it is.</i> <p><i> <p>Check back next Tuesday to see who next week’s nominees for Weasel of the Week are! <p>Make sure to tune in every Monday for the Watcher’s Forum, and remember, every Wednesday, the Council has its weekly contest with the members nominating two posts each, one written by themselves and one written by someone from outside the group for consideration by the whole Council. The votes are cast by the Council, and the results are posted on Friday morning. <p>It’s a weekly magazine of some of the best stuff written in the blogosphere, and you won’t want to miss it…or any of the other fantabulous Watcher’s Council content. <p></i> <p><i>And don’t forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter..’cause we’re cool like that, y’know?</i></p> Ask Marionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08154704300625351259noreply@blogger.com0