| Obama: Hearts ACORN, New Prog war fail, overexposed, hopeless, foreign blunders swept under the rug. Mismanagement: SEIU nightmare, socialism alive and well, Kennedy's death-bed power-grab, labor-state blues, probe ACORN, shame on Carpenter corruption, Teamsters on strike, Congress fail. International: Dictatorships on the rise, Chávez hearts Trotskyite Lula, Putin hearts Chávez, Putin hearts Correa. |
President of the United States of ACORN ... President Barack Obama was a community organizer with Project Vote, an affiliate of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN), before entering public service. What effect has his prior association with ACORN had on his methodology of governing as president? The recent effort by the White House to keep track of all of the rumors about the healthcare reform bill must lead all but the most ardent Obama supporters to acknowledge one thing: The White House has implemented the radical tactics the president learned in the streets of Chicago, organizing for ACORN. In a book written in 1986 and long ago forgotten, titled "Organizing the Movement," author Gary Delgado a 14-year ACORN organizer, trainer, and recruiter explicitly and unapologetically outlines the guerilla response of ACORN when confronted by opposition. His book is the diary of an insider revealing the early history of ACORN through its first years. (washingtonexaminer.com)
Iraq: Blood on Obama's hands ... As of Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009, at least 4,334 members of the U.S. military had died in the Iraq war since it began in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. The figure includes nine military civilians killed in action. At least 3,465 military personnel died as a result of hostile action, according to the military's numbers. (sfexaminer.com)
Obama's War: Wasted life, tragedy ... Despite President Barack Obama’s attempts to prepare the American people for rising casualties in Afghanistan, a new poll shows most Americans see the war as a wasted effort. The Washington Post-ABC News poll showed 51 percent of people say the war is not worth fighting. That sentiment was particularly high among members of the president’s own party, with seven in 10 Democrats saying the war is not worth its costs. (blog.taragana.com)
Andy Stern's nightmare ... Along with the indefatigable Dan Hayes of Reason.tv, I attended today's MoveOn.org-AFL-CIO protest on Capitol Hill (video forthcoming). "President Obama is holding a virtual health care forum live from the DNC building," says the MoveOn press release, "and right-wing groups are mobilizing to protest." We met a lone libertarian (who seemed to have happened on the event), but no right-wing, let-them-eat-cake, Obama-ist-der-Fuehrer protesters. Most of those we spoke with fretted about the future of the public option, which all admitted was necessary as a Trojan horse for a single-payer system. Andy Stern, president of the Service Employees International Union, thinks that if Obama continues to falter on the health care issue, the GOP is in a perfect position to retake Congress: (reason.com)
Obamunism: Overexposed? ... We could still blow this thing. Obamacare and its proponents have taken a drubbing in the polls. Americans are passionate about matters of life and death and who gets to decide them. Unlike appropriations for the F-22 or another billion or so in "stimulus" so the NEA can underwrite simulated-sex dances, the health-care issue aroused the public. Citizens read the bill (something their legislators haven’t been anxious to do) and blew a gasket. Saul Alinsky's bag of tricks doesn’t say what to do when the opponent to be smeared in the public mind is the public itself. So our organizer-in-chief is adrift at sea, and sinking. But this battle is far from over. Since Barack Obama first emerged in national politics, it’s been chattering-class wisdom to throw both caution and Occam's Razor to the wind. No need for concern, the pundits proclaimed, about Ayers and Dohrn and Khalidi and Wright and Pfleger and Frank Marshall Davis and ACORN and the Chicago New Party and infanticide and ... and ... and ... (article.nationalreview.com)Bonus links:
• Summary of Saul Alinsky's 'Rules for Radicals'
• More Saul Alinsky stories: here
• 'Rules for Radicals' at amazon.com
Obama: Hopeless ... President Barack Obama has run into a brick wall: the American people, who cherish their liberty and revere their nation and do not want it remade in Obama's socialist image. Obama's free-falling poll numbers are not the result of a misinformation campaign from a small sliver of unruly conservative opponents, as the administration wants you to believe. They are a reflection of the public's reaction to Obama's policies and his own comprehensive misinformation campaign to dupe the people into believing America is unsalvageable without fundamental change. When Obama promised to bring fundamental change to America, most Americans, fortunately for him, did not take him literally. He offered them "hope" at a time when the economy was going south; political partisanship had reached new levels of acrimony, and people were weary of a protracted, albeit successful, war in Iraq. (patriotpost.us)
Obama's foreign policy blunders take a back seat ... What's Obamamania? Domestically, it's a heart beating hotly for throttling American industry in the name of a cleaner environment. For "energy independence" without expanded nuclear power. For a "stimulus package" (etc.) causing (in for instance the fiscal year ending this fall) record-setting $2 trillion annual deficits. And for the government running "reformed" banks, insurance companies, automobile manufacturers and the nation's health delivery system with all the efficiency of Amtrak and the Postal Service. In matters foreign, it consists in going ga-ga over - well, let's see. ... (bnd.com)
Socialism alive and well ... Have you read the stories about Democrat leaders declaring that the socialized health care "public option" is dead? Well, it's not! The socialists at George Soros-funded MoveOn.org are telling their lies that "the public option has the support of 83% of the American people," even though the most reliable polls show that a majority of voters oppose "Obama Care," by at least 53-44% and the numbers are rising in opposition. There is one thing MoveOn.org isn't lying about: right now, there are enough leftist Democrats in the House to block any bill without the socialistic "public option" of Obama Care. The White House has said repeatedly Obama's position hasn't changed. He still wants government-run healthcare! (renewamerica.com)
Shame on Kennedy's pre-posthumous power-grab ... At the request of gravely ill Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, Massachusetts lawmakers are weighing whether to speed up the process of appointing his successor, as Democratic leaders in Washington face a string of hard votes on health care and other issues when Congress returns next month. But Bay State Republicans, while expressing sympathy for Mr. Kennedy's plight, already were denouncing the effort Thursday as a power grab to change a law that had been put in place just four years earlier by the Democrat-dominated legislature. "Do not eliminate the voter from the electoral process," said Massachusetts Republican Party Chairman Jennifer Nassour. "The voice of the people must be heard through a timely special election, and Republicans trust the people to be informed and to make an informed choice - rather than leave any succession to the whims of a small group of politicians." (washingtontimes.com)
Labor-state blues: No limits on corruption ... In response to the Aug. 11 letter questioning why the writer's congressmen didn't schedule meetings on health care: It will make no difference. Reps. Frank Pallone Jr. and Rush Holt, and Sens. Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez, all New Jersey Democrats, with a combined 74 years in office, represent themselves and the Democratic Party only. I went on Holt's Web site and perused his pictures with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. What do you think the chances are of Holt voting against her health bill? Not happening. Same for the other Pelosi puppets. Unfortunately for New Jersey voters, we deserve what we get. New Jersey politicians have absolute power for two reasons — no term limits in Congress or the state Legislature and 2 million of 4 million registered voters in New Jersey who don't vote. Of the 2 million who do, 800,000 are government workers. Your state, county, municipal and school employees mostly vote for Democrats to protect their unions. And they all vote. (app.com)
Probe union-backed, tax-funded fraud group ... During the election campaign last year there were strong indications of fraudulent activities by a liberal national operation, the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now. Allegations that ACORN operatives committed illegal acts were made in several states. Each time, ACORN officials said such improprieties are not the group's policy. Overzealous individuals were blamed. Now, however, the former director of ACORN in Las Vegas, Nev., has agreed to testify against the organization and one of its officials in regard to election fraud charges. President Barack Obama's administration no doubt will try to block similar investigations in other states. Like their counterparts in Nevada, however, election officials in other states should pursue investigations of ACORN. They should not allow pressure from Washington to deter them. (news-register.net)
Shame on corrupt Carpenters Union bigs ... The national carpenters’ union has fired three local officials facing corruption charges and has placed its New York chapter under emergency supervision. The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America announced Wednesday night that the city’s district council would be placed under trusteeship and the matter would be investigated internally. Those fired were Executive Secretary-Treasurer Michael Forde, Business Manager John Greaney and Business Agent Brian Hayes. Their lawyers didn’t return calls seeking comment. Prosecutors say the union leadership took about $1 million in bribes in exchange for letting contractors pay workers with cash at below-union wages. Contractors also employed nonunion and undocumented laborers. (poughkeepsiejournal.com)
Teamsters on strike: Can't follow complex rules ... Workers go on strike at another local company but it's not because of what's in their contract. New Interstate Concrete in Terre Haute no longer has a contract with the Teamsters. The owner of New Interstate, Preston White, says the only reason he didn't sign the contract was because his address was not on the cover sheet. White says neither he nor his workers are able to vote on contract terms. He also says none of his 6 employees have been out on the picket line. (mywabashvalley.com)
Congressman raises concerns ... I am very concerned about Steve Israel, my Congressman. Congressman Israel is a great moral man who cares about his district. As a matter of fact, he always shows up at my Synagogue to make a speech. It happens like clockwork, every two years on the Sabbath before Election Day. Heck, the Congressman cares so much about his constituents that he voted for the Stimulus and Cap and Trade bills, even though he didn't have a chance to read them. What a guy! Nancy Pelosi told him it would help us and wham, he ran out and voted. See how much he cares about us? During the August congressional break, Congressmen and Senators have been spending time in their districts running town hall meetings to get voter feedback on the Obamacare bills. The members of Congress have been giving feedback to their constituents also. Harry Reid told them they were evil, Barney Frank compared one of his voters to a table, and Nancy Pelosi said they were un-American. It was strange that Steve Israel didn't set up a public town hall to have this back-andmissing-forth. The longer he was silent, the more I became concerned for his well-being. (americanthinker.com)
Rep. Paul Kanjorski placed on Dirty Money Watch ... WHO: Rep. Paul Kanjorski (D-Pa.), a co-sponsor of the Employee Free Choice Act, (aka Card Check) WHAT: Kanjorski received the following dirty money: Communication Workers of America (PAC) $2,000 in 2008 election cycle. Boilermakers Union (PAC) $2,000 in 2008 election cycle. American Federation of Government Employees (PAC) $2,500 in 2008 election cycle; $1,000 in 2006 election cycle. The Service Employees International Union (PAC) $4,000 in 2008 election cycle; $2,000 in 2006 election cycle. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (PAC) $5,000 in 2010 election cycle; $10,000 in 2008 election cycle; $4,000 in 2006 election cycle. WHY IT'S DIRTY: Multiple officers and members of these unions, including division presidents, secretary-treasurers and business managers, have been convicted since 2001 of felonies ranging from embezzlement, falsifying official reports to government, mail fraud and conspiracy. The Communication Workers of America and the American Federation of Government Employees have had eight convictions, The Service Employees International Union has had nine convictions and The Boilermakers have had 10 members convicted, while the IBEW has had 14 members convicted. The amounts of embezzled funds range from over $5,000 to over $100,000. PMA Group (PAC) $4,000 in 2008 election cycle; $2,000 in 2006 election cycle PMA Group (PAC) $4,000 in 2008 election cycle; $2,000 in 2006 election cycle WHY IT'S DIRTY: PMA Group (Paul Magliocchetti and Associates) was a defense lobbying group that is now the focus of multiple federal investigations concerning allegations of influence peddling and other corrupt activities, mostly associated with earmarks. Before it was disbanded earlier this year, PMA Group's employees and its political action committee gave current members of Congress $3.4 million between 1989 and 2008, with 79 percent of that going to Democrats, according to OpenSecrets.org. WILL KANJORSKI GIVE IT BACK: Kanjorksi did not respond to The Examiner's request for comment. THE SCORE: Number of Democrats who have given it back: 0 • Number of Republicans who have given it back: 0 • Gave donation to charity: Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.), Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) YOUR TURN:You can reach Rep. Kanjorski's Washington D.C. office at 202-225-6511 (washingtonexaminer.com)International Collectivism
New Prog dicatorships exposed ... What do Hugo Chávez and Congress Have in Common? Answer: they both want to punish Colombia. Venezuela’s authoritarian, anti-American President Chávez claims Colombia threatens his national security, runs around too much with the “Empire,” [the U.S.], and will one day provoke a war with Venezuela. For these reasons, he aims to punish Colombia by cutting off trade and undermining economic security in Colombia and Venezuela. Being the economic kingpin of Venezuela, he can make it happen. (blog.heritage.org)
Chávez hearts Trotskyite Lula: Deadbeat LatAm communist thugs of a feather ... Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva sent a letter to his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chávez asking him to speed up the payment to Brazilian companies engaged in exports to Venezuela, in view of the accounts payable for up to eight months, reported on Thursday the Brazilian press. (english.eluniversal.com)
Putin hearts Correa: Russian "nuclear devices" to Ecuador ... Russia will help Ecuador develop a nuclear energy program for peaceful purposes according to a new energy cooperation agreement between the two countries, the Ecuadorean government said on Thursday. "Yesterday the ministry of electricity and renewable energy signed a memorandum of understanding with the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation (Rosatom) ... to carry out research in technologies and nuclear devices that may effectively be used in our country," the ministry said in a statement. (reuters.com)
Putin hearts Hugo: Rushes military aid to Venezuela ... "At the request of President Hugo Chávez," Russia will cut short the terms to build several sites for maintenance and repair of Russian helicopters in Venezuela. The facilities "will be available in two or three-year term," said Deputy Director General of state-owned arms exporter Rosoboronexport, Alexandr Mijeev, as quoted by Ria Novosti. "We are building in Venezuela an infrastructure for maintenance and repair of Russian helicopters and they will be sites where engines, transmitters and other systems could be repaired," said Mijeev in the city of Zhukovski, where he was attending the MAKS 2009 International Airspace Hall, opened last Tuesday. (english.eluniversal.com)
