Crossposted from Flopping Aces

From Fox News: Born in Idaho, Palin moved to Alaska with her parents, to Charles and Sally Heath, when she was 3 months old.

She grew up in Wasilla, just outside of Anchorage, and played on the Wasilla state championship girls’ basketball team. She was crowned Miss Wasilla in 1984 and was a runner-up in the Miss Alaska pageant.

Palin studied journalism and political science at the University of Idaho and graduated in 1987. She eloped with her high school boyfriend, Todd Palin, in 1988 to save money on an expensive wedding. She helped out in her husband’s family commercial fishing business and appeared occasionally as a television sportscaster.

Palin won a seat on the Wasilla City Council in 1992 as a new face and a new voice, and by opposing tax increases. Four years later she was elected mayor at 32 by knocking off a three-term incumbent. At the end of her second term, party leaders encouraged her to enter the 2002 race for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor. Against veteran legislators with far more experience, Palin finished second by fewer than 2,000 votes, making a name for herself in statewide politics. She was elected Alaska’s youngest and first woman governor in 2006.

Sarah and Todd Palin have five children: boys Track, 19, and Trig, 4 months, and daughters Bristol, 17, Willow, 13, and Piper, 7. Track Palin joined the Army last September and will deploy to Iraq on Sept. 11. Palin gave birth to Trig, who has Down syndrome, in April and returned to work three days later.

Palin will be the second female vice presidential candidate from a major political party. The first was New York Rep. Geraldine Ferrarro, who was Walter Mondale’s Democratic running mate in 1984.

Hockey Moms Unite!

The choice of Sarah Palin is a bold and exciting move. She’s a fresh face, not another old white male. She brings with her the pioneer spirit of Alaska. That’s a spirit that still lives in many places in this nation.

She will appeal strongly to disaffected Hillary voters, who are still angry that a woman was denied a place on the Democrat ticket.

And Joe Biden will have to watch his step in debates. He’s known for his arrogant and condescending remarks. If he tries that with Palin, woman will revolt. And let’s not forget that despite the evident contrast in experience between the two, Biden confused Iranians, who are Persians, with Arabs. And he’s the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. So much for experience.

also:

Palin’s Trooper’Gate: Beating MSM distortions to the truth

It’s been over 12 hours now since Alaskan Governor, Sarah Palin, has been named as GOP choice of Veep. Already, a desperate Obama camp of supporters are in search of talking points… other than the obviously poor choice of “inexperience”… or a scandal to take back what they perceive as the DNC ticket superiority.

Knowing the Palin-Monegan-Wooten investigation of abuse of power was their prime target, I’ve been spending time this AM researching the chain of events in hopes of beating the media to the political and biased distortions creating a new, and false “truth. I took into consideration that journalists… and ardent supporters like Markg8 on Curt’s thread… will be quick to post what they believe is damning evidence without reading more material on the issue.

So on that note, settle back and catch up with the reality of rural country politics. I’d like to share with you what appears to be the crux of the story, using both pro and con Palin bloggers and news media.
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Crossposted from Flopping Aces

Enjoy your day in the sun Obama, it’s OUR turn next!

Liberal, Liberal

What do you get when you nominate Barack Obama, the most liberal member of the U.S. Senate, and Joe Biden, the third most liberal member of the Senate, on the same ticket running for President and Vice President?

Answer: You get a ticket so far out of the American mainstream that they cannot be honest about what they would do if elected and still win.

And that’s the speech you heard Obama deliver in Denver Thursday night. Long on promises, short on specifics. Obama used the word “change” 15 times and the word “promise” 32 times. But not once did he say exactly how he would deliver on those promises and achieve that change.

Here’s a Wordle of the top 150 words he used in the speech. The larger the word in this image the more times it was used:

Notice Obama used the name “McCain” 21 times in attacks that undermine his message of new politics. He linked McCain to an “old, discredited Republican philosophy” and yet, all he offered was a repackaging of the tax and spend liberal programs that have proved to be such abominable failures in the past.

Saying “America, now is not the time for small plans” he listed nothing more ambitious than vague promises of tax cuts for people who don’t pay taxes and a promise to end our dependence on Middle East oil in ten years. Short on specifics and substance but long on carefully crafted soundbites. And the rest was nothing more than the usual laundry list of pet projects for liberal special interest groups.

Now he wants to debate McCain?

Twice Obama mentioned his eagerness to debate John McCain. “If John McCain wants to have a debate about who has the temperament, and judgment, to serve as the next commander in chief, that’s a debate I’m ready to have” Obama said. Oh really? How many times has McCain invited you to debate only to be met by your silence or a long string of “uhhhh”s?

Never fear Republicans! Payback begins at Noon EST Friday!

also:

The Obama Response On Terrorist Ayers

New information out today about the relationship between Barack Obama and Ayers, the Weather Underground terrorist. But first, I have to include this new ad from Obama which highlights his relationship. A very stupid move on Obama’s part, but he has made a career out of stupid moves.

Transcript of the ad:

With all our problems, why is John McCain talking about the sixties, trying to link Barack Obama to radical Bill Ayers?

McCain knows Obama denounced Ayers’ crimes, committed when Obama was just eight years old.

Let’s talk about standing up for America today.

John McCain wants to spend $10 Billion a month in Iraq, tax breaks for corporations that ship jobs overseas, selling out American workers.

John McCain, just more of the same.

What a red herring. The point in this controversy is not when the crimes by Ayers were committed. Rather its about his friendship with the man even though the man was a terrorist. Now the Annenberg papers reveal more about this relationship:

The minutes of the Annenberg Challenge meetings show that during a June 1995 meeting, Ayers was credited with having “worked diligently” to support the effort. More than a year later, Obama pushed the group to be bolder in its reforms.

“At the end of five years, will we have broken the mold? Not much seems to be bubbling up that is inspiring or substantive,” October 1996 minutes say, paraphrasing Obama.

More then working diligently to support the effort, Ayers was the founder of the group as his resume tells us:

Co-Founder and Co-Chair, Chicago School Reform Collaborative (The Annenberg Challenge), 1995-2000.

They obviously worked together, even working together on the Woods foundation a few years later, and the fact that he would have any relationship with a man who compares 9/11 to what the United States has done in the past speaks volumes about his character:

I think every American that I know was weeping over the next several weeks, and devastated and shocked. Was that an act of pure terror? It absolutely was. And there are many other acts of terror carried out by our government, even recently, that, that are comparable,

These words were uttered in 2004 and it shows Ayers isn’t shy about speaking out. Are we to believe this Ayers is not the Ayers Obama knew? The same excuse he has given for every badguy Obama had a relationship with.
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Crossposted from Brian Griffiths

Another study proves once again that red-light cameras are dangerous:

Well, according to study after study, rather than improving motorist safety, red-light cameras significantly increase crashes and therefore, raise insurance premiums. In fact, the only studies that have shown any benefit to red-light cameras were either done by the IIHS…the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, or researchers funded by them. How very strange, don’t you think? The most recent study revealing the truth about the cameras was done by researchers at the University of South Florida College of Public Health.
“The rigorous studies clearly show red-light cameras don’t work,” said lead author Barbara Langland-Orban, professor and chair of health policy and management at the USF College of Public Health. “Instead, they increase crashes and injuries as drivers attempt to abruptly stop at camera intersections.”

Comprehensive studies from North Carolina, Virginia, and Ontario have all reported cameras are associated with increases in crashes. The study by the Virginia Transportation Research Council also found that cameras were linked to increased crash costs. The only studies that conclude cameras reduced crashes or injuries contained “major research design flaws,” such as incomplete data or inadequate analyses, and were always conducted by researchers with links to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The IIHS, funded by automobile insurance companies, is the leading advocate for red-light cameras since insurance companies can profit from red-light cameras by way of higher premiums due to increased crashes and citations.

I have noted before that my own anecdotal evidence confirms this to be true, and it just passes the common sense test.
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by Haider Ajina

The following is my translation of an article in Iraq ’s ‘Iraq Al-Ghad’ (Iraq of Tomorrow) of August 25th 2008

Alqaida Gangs will be finish in Iraq as did Sadam’s regime.

Iraqi forces have found another mass grave with fifteen Iraqi bodies 25 kilometer west of Baqoobah (one of Dialah provinces largest cities). This is one of tens of mass graves left behind by criminal Alqida gangs. The spokesman for the Iraqi defense ministry Mohamed Alaskari added that these mass graves were found in areas under Alqida control till operation “News of Abundance” freed these areas of the Alqaida gangs. During this operation 757 were arrested and over 1600 surrendered under the new amnesty announced by the Iraqi Prime Minister. Over one thousand bombs were uncovered and 33 bomb factory homes. Iraqi police announced they arrested a high ranking Alqida criminal in Kirkuk , after he ran away from Dialah’s security operation. The Alqida leader admitted the existence of forty Terrorist amongst them four Alqida high ranking leaders with explosives experience.

My comments,

This operation has been going on for a few weeks now. The Iraqi Prime minister announced an amnesty for all who cooperate and divulge information about terrorist. Since the amnesty the cooperation and information has increased dramatically. The Iraqi government is perusing a strong policy of reconciliation and strengthening provincial government to handle its own affairs once security has been brought to the province. Our own military has been reporting on this and has been impressed by progress in Dialah province.

Officials Confirm Stability After Georgia Brigade’s Departure

Friday, 22 August 2008

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Joe Thompson

Special to American Forces Press Service

FOB DELTA — Iraqi Security and Coalition Force leaders recently held a joint news conference here to confirm the stable security situation in Iraq’s Wasit province after the Georgian government redeployed the 1st Georgian Brigade to help with its domestic crisis.

“The security is very good, and we are conducting training and joint operations with the Coalition forces,” said Maj. Gen. Abed al-Haneen, Wasit Provincial Directorate of Police.

The Police and 32nd Iraqi Army Brigade accepted the challenges and additional responsibilities of an increased role in the security of Wasit province.

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The link is here.

* McCain urged the Iraq surge, a posture Bush rejected for years before conceding its wisdom. (more…)

Crossposted from Flopping Aces

For all the facade of party unity at the Democrat Convention in Denver, you don’t have to look far to find a Hillary delegate who just isn’t going to fall over and support Obama. This woman may not vote at all…

also:

Catholic Cardinal Admonishes Nancy Pelosi on Abortion

The flap over Senator Obama’s answer at the Saddleback Forum that the point at which a Baby has human rights was “above my pay grade” (video here) has gotten House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) in trouble with Cardinals and Bishops of the Catholic Church U.S.A.

On an appearance on Meet the Press, Pelosi’s answer to a question by Tom Brokaw has caused further controversy:

Meet the Press
August 24, 2008

MR. BROKAW: Senator Obama saying the question of when life begins is above his pay grade, whether you’re looking at it scientifically or theologically. If he were to come to you and say, “Help me out here, Madame Speaker. When does life begin?” what would you tell him?

REP. PELOSI: I would say that as an ardent, practicing Catholic, this is an issue that I have studied for a long time. And what I know is, over the centuries, the doctors of the church have not been able to make that definition. And Senator–St. Augustine said at three months. We don’t know. The point is, is that it shouldn’t have an impact on the woman’s right to choose. Roe v. Wade talks about very clear definitions of when the child–first trimester, certain considerations; second trimester; not so third trimester. There’s very clear distinctions. This isn’t about abortion on demand, it’s about a careful, careful consideration of all factors and–to–that a woman has to make with her doctor and her god. And so I don’t think anybody can tell you when life begins, human life begins. As I say, the Catholic Church for centuries has been discussing this, and there are those who’ve decided…

MR. BROKAW: The Catholic Church at the moment feels very strongly that it…

REP. PELOSI: I understand that.

MR. BROKAW: …begins at the point of conception.

REP. PELOSI: I understand. And this is like maybe 50 years or something like that. So again, over the history of the church, this is an issue of controversy. But it is, it is also true that God has given us, each of us, a free will and a responsibility to answer for our actions. And we want abortions to be safe, rare, and reduce the number of abortions. That’s why we have this fight in Congress over contraception. My Republican colleagues do not support contraception. If you want to reduce the number of abortions, and we all do, we must–it would behoove you to support family planning and, and contraception, you would think. But that is not the case. So we have to take–you know, we have to handle this as respectfully–this is sacred ground. We have to handle it very respectfully and not politicize it, as it has been–and I’m not saying Rick Warren did, because I don’t think he did, but others will try to.

Cardinals and Bishops of the Catholic Church responded forcefully. But perhaps none more so than Cardinal Egan in New York: (more…)

Crossposted from Red Maryland

–by Richard E. Vatz

About the Convention rhetoric – sometimes called appearances and speeches – of the first night of the Democratic National Convention, some thoughts from a rhetorician:

1. James Carville, a reluctant negative source if ever there was one, found the first few hours deadly dull, lacking an iteration of why it’s so important for the Democrats to take the White House. This writer likes both Carville and his wife Mary Matalin, as they often give more than the party line.

2. Jimmy Carter, fresh from building hints of anti-Semitism and the worst Democratic presidential foreign policy memory of the last, say, 100 years, was mercifully kept from speaking live to the convention and was relegated instead to taped remarks, lest he articulate or even remind Jewish voters of some of his anti-Israel philosophy from his work, “Palestine Peace Not Apartheid.”

3. Terminally ill Senator Ted Kennedy, never a substantive favorite of this writer, was brilliant. He is — elocution-wise – perhaps the finest well-known political speaker in America, as was his assassinated presidential brother, John F. Kennedy, before him. Sen. Kennedy’s convention speech, sporting echoes of that brother’s inaugural address, “the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans” (EMK: “And this November the torch will be passed again to a new generation of Americans”) and referencing his 1980 powerful convention speech mantra, “The dream lives on,” was truly a moving moment for all Americans. Many of us can never forget his horrible, possibly felonious, behavior at Chappaquiddick, leading to the death of an innocent woman, but the moment was, indeed as The Washington Post headline said, electrifying.

4. Michelle Obama was poignant, touching, and she tried to be redemptive. No one can doubt her genuine love and admiration for her husband and presidential nominee, Barack Obama. Her encomiums to her family and personal work ethic seemed to this listener to be sincere, heartfelt and moving. Her protest of “That is why I love this country,” however, as an answer to her early campaign remark, “For the first time in my adult lifetime, I’m really proud of my country?” Sorry, it sounded contrived. (more…)

by Regina Sztajer

“With the selection of Senator Joe Biden as Senator’ Obama’s vice president, the Democrat’s ticket has now become an even greater gamble for the Jewish community. Throughout his career, Senator Biden has consistently been wrong on Iran and his voting record on Israel has been inconsistent. Like Obama, Biden fundamentally misunderstands the threat posed by an Iran determined to obtain nuclear weapons. Biden has continuously demonstrated poor judgment on Iran. He has voted against significant legislation that would pressure Iran to stop pursuing nuclear weapons. Biden has failed to recognize the serous threat that Iran poses to Israel and the U.S. and its allies in the Middle East,” said Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) Executive Director Matt Brooks.

In 1998, Biden was one of only four senators who voted against the Iran Missile Proliferation Sanctions Act. It was a bill that punished foreign companies or other entities that sent Iran sensitive missile technology or expertise. He also opposed the bipartisan 2007 Kyl-Liberman Amendment labeling the Iranian Revolutionary Guard a terrorist organization. ” Iran is not a nuclear threat to the United States of America,” said Biden in 2007. On MSNBC’s “Hardball,” Biden said he “never believed” Iran had a weapon system under production. “The Jewish Community was already gravely concerned with Senator Obama’s naive understanding of the Iranian threat. An Obama -Biden ticket has proven that it is ill-equipped to deal with this threat. By selecting Senator Biden, Obama has now become an even greater risk, “said Brooks.

Yesterday August 24, 2008, at the Democratic National Convention in Denver there was an interfaith service attended by 3,000 people of various ages, races and religions at the Colorado Convention Center. The message was “faith is what we live.” Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean and House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn and Gov. Bill Ritter attended the event. Other speakers were Rabbi Steven Foster, of Congregation Emmanuel in Denver; Bishop Charles Blake, of the Church of God; and Dr. Ingrid Mattson, president of the Islamic Society of North America.

Mattson is the leader of an organization that is linked to the Muslim Brotherhood and she got a standing ovation at the Democratic Convention. She made many wild claims before the Convention laying claim to Protected Victim Status for Muslims, which would place them beyond scrutiny and criticism that is necessary today to head off the Brotherhood’s grand Jihad. The grand Jihad would destroy western civilization!!!! They also wish to sabotage what they consider our miserably house through violence with stealth jihad. Her organization has ties to provide financial support to Hamas.

Mattson is a leader in Muslim efforts to censor free speech in America and especially in our government. She takes offense to our using the words “Islamic Terrorism,” and suggests using the terms “terrorism, crime or violence,” rather than “Islamic” being included by Bush and others when they talk of terrorism. She places loyalty to Islam before that of America and hopes American’s will rise up to define itself as an ethnic nation. I am assuming what she means Islamic.
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The link is here.

Rather, Obama’s model should be Al Gore’s acceptance speech in 2000 or Bill Clinton’s in 1996. Both were virtual State of the Union speeches, delivered to an audience rather than to Congress, but televised and just as widely seen. In those speeches, his predecessors canvassed each aspect of public policy and articulated a program or initiative to move it forward. Each topic got its paragraph, punctuated at the end with an applause line. Then came a transition sentence into the next topic. This rote formulation, repeated over and over, sounds boring to speechwriters and may lack the emotional eloquence for which Obama is famous, but the time has come for the Democratic candidate to answer the question being asked about him all over: in effect, where’s the beef?
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Crossposted from Flopping Aces

The political war has heated up, with Nawaz pulling the 2nd largest party majority from the PPP coalition. Citing broken promises over the removed judges, and arguments over Musharraf’s replacement – against the backdrop of the falling rupee – Sharif says he won’t try to bring the Pakistan government down…. for now.

As I’ve often said… the world, and now even Pakistan, will be missing Musharraf. He was the fragile bond that tied… even if by their mutually shared hatred.

also:

New Ad – Obama, The Infanticide Supporter

Finally:

Hillary Supporters Still A Bit Angry

Not looking good for Obama:

Fewer than half of Hillary Rodham Clinton’s supporters in the presidential primaries say they definitely will vote for Barack Obama in November, a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll finds, evidence of a formidable challenge facing Democrats as their national convention opens here today.

In the survey, taken Thursday through Saturday, 47% of Clinton supporters say they are solidly behind Obama, and 23% say they support him but may change their minds before the election.

Thirty percent say they will vote for Republican John McCain, someone else or no one at all.

Its easy to say this during a poll but what they will do when they have to actually vote is another thing entirely. But with the news that Obama never even considered Hillary for VP, the anger may very well fester until November.

Crossposted from Red Maryland and Delmarva Dealings

Driving into the office this morning I heard an interview with House Speaker Nancy “Little Tommy” Pelosi. In her closing remarks she stated that she looked forward to the Democrats having a larger majority in January so that she could “end the war in Iraq and begin fixing the economy”.

As for ending the war in Iraq, that is a farce. There is little that Congress can do short of pulling funding. The Democrats simply don’t posses the stones for a move like that.

What concerns me most is her desire to “fix” the economy. History has shown us that government, while able to inflict great damage, can do little to “fix” an economy. The only forms of government action which have proven successful are those that simply undo past mistakes. Things like reducing spending, lowering taxes, reducing the regulatory burden on the nation’s citizens and employers.

Sure, we all know that Dems like Obama, Biden, and Pelosi all think that the FDR administrations was proof that massive deficit spending will cure all ills. Unfortunately, history has since taught us that it was World War II, and not the welfare state, which dragged the US out of the Great Depression. All of those juicy government programs simply provided temporary, and local, fixes to problems.

Consequently, what is expected to be mild to average recession in 2009 could turn into a severe downturn if Obama, Biden and Pelosi have their collective way. While it is certainly not a slam dunk that we’ll see an Obama-Biden ticket elected, should we risk putting an extra vote for socialism in Congress – like Frank Kratovil?
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These days it is a safe bet guessing someone’s political affiliation by counting the number of stickers on the back of their car. A Conservative might have two or three, but it is almost always the liberals that have more stickers on their car then Imelda Marcos has shoes. And as the teletubbies only makes sense to a 2 year old and is incomprehensible to an adult so liberal pride themselves on stickers that would shock and confuse anyone with a decent value system or a rudimentary intelligence. One of my favorites is “I am already against the next war.” It is difficult to think of a stupider statement then that. So no matter what transpires to this country, these jellyfish will stand idly by and let the country burn. So if someone wants to take away our right to vote or worship as we choose, or take away all rights of women, they will not stop them. Yes, I know liberals might find it hard to believe there are groups out there like that. So perhaps a better sticker would be ‘thank you for dying for my freedom, because my cowardly ass will not fight for crap.” This goes along the lines of “War never solves anything;” a phrase ignorant on so many levels. A more accurate bumper sticker would be “War never solved anything, Save slavery, National Socialism, Genocide, etc.“ Hell, our nation, a nation dedicated to Democracy and religious freedom was founded by war…. dummy.

Another favorite is “Stop climate change now.” I am not sure where to start with this one. Anyone, and I mean anyone with a basic understanding of climate knows that the one thing the climate does is change because,…shocker, it is suppose to change. Remember Ravi Shankar, yeah, I know I just dated myself. Most everyone hated listening to him, but you listened to him because everyone else was. That is how liberalism is. It does not matter that an idea makes sense, but hell, everyone else is drinking to Kool-aid, so pour yourself a glass. Because if you don’t drink some, you aren’t ever going to score with the hot girl from the Green Party. (Sadly, they have the hottest girls, even if they all do not shave.) I saw an anti growth sticker the other day. It makes me wonder what these capitalist haters do for a living, for unless you live on a farm, you might actually want the economy to do well so you get a bonus and a big raise so you can buy some new shoes for your best friend on the commune.

I love “Hate is not a family value.” Ignoring the fact that just because you do not disagree with a philosophy or lifestyle does not mean you hate them, I just find it amazing that there are people that truly believe that by weakening the definition of a particular institution, you do not hurt the institution. (see family: urban culture.) And for anyone who was seen pictures of a gay pride street show in San Francisco, please tell me how that has anything to do with family values? I guess it makes sense to the same group of people that thinks increasing taxes on anyone actually helps the economy, or a smaller military makes the country more secure, or that you can trust a deal or negotiate with a dictator, or that by not building refineries and oil wells you can solve the countries energy needs. (Sorry about the run-on.) Pass around the Kool-aid. The list goes on and on. But without the bumper sticker loving Kool-aid drinkers, a good looking, mumbling, terrorist befriending Marxist who goes to a racist church with a political resume as long as a toilet paper square would have no hope of being president. (more…)

The link is here.
.

Obama wimped out.
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Crossposted from Flopping Aces

Time and again, Senator Obama’s been asked how he would get Osama Bin Laden in the lawless (sans-sovereign) tribal territories along the Pakistan/Afghnistan border; what Senator Obama calls, “The Central Front in the War on Terror” (Bin Laden, Al Queda spokesmen, terrorist group leaders, and subsequently the Bush Administration all called IRAQ the Central Front, but recently Al Queda’s been driven from Iraq, through Iran, through Afghanistan, and into the tribal areas). In one of the Democratic Party debates Senator Obama said that if he had the chance to get Bin Laden, he’d ask the Pakistanis to do the job for us, or at least for their permission to capture/kill the most wanted man in the world, and the person that Americans hate more than anyone else since Hitler. IF the Pakistanis refused to kill him for us, and they refused to let us kill him or capture him, then Senator Obama has said that he would unilaterally take action irregardless of the 178 million Pakistanis, their nuclear weapons, and the hundreds of thousands of terrorists in Pakistan seeking to die in battle against the United States.

Wait…isn’t that the Bush plan? Isn’t that the kind of warmongering that President Bush does? Did the Democratic Party nominee for President really say there’s times when it’s ok to take military action inside someone else’s (faux) sovereign territory?

Why yes he did say that; yes, it is the new Democratic Party position to unilaterally take military action-to go it alone.

Any doubts, fas forward to about 3:40seconds into this interview, and watch as the Democratic nominee for President-a man campaigning with the word “CHANGE” emblazoned on every podium, every bumpersticker, every campaign button, everything possible…is asked whether or not his strategy/policy for getting Osama Bin Laden is the same as President Bush’s.
“Isn’t that the Bush Doctrine?”
“Y-y-yes. I do believe it is the current doctrine.” But under President Obama see, it would CHANGE because it would called,

The Obama doctrine.

Gosh I’m impressed.

Seriously, this man is going to be George Bush III, but he can tell Democrats that the right thing to do is [insert Bush policy of choice here], and the most enraged Bush haters in America will vote for the same policies in a different man. No. I’m sorry, I was wrong. It’s not the man. It’s the political party.

If politicians lie, spin, distort, misled, trick, and tell us things that aren’t the truth, then are you gullible enough to believe Barack Obama is an honest man, or do you have the courage to ask what he’s lying, spinning, and misleading you about? Be brave-ya only have to try and contemplate it.

The courage to wonder

also:

Biden Can’t Even Get Obama’s Name Right

At least he didn’t call him Osama (like Ted Kennedy)

‘Barack America’???

Of course it didn’t help when Obama introduced Biden as “The next President.”

Considering how Democrat voters can become so easily confused and mismark their ballots, shouldn’t their campaign try harder to get the candidates to use the correct names and offices for which they are running?

Nah! That wouldn’t be any fun!

There is a dangerous, growing anti-American revolution flourishing in Latin America. Hugo Chavez, the President of Venezuela, is the militant leader of this hard-left socialist movement. What makes Chavez more dangerous than fellow travelers, like Cuba’s Fidel Castro, is the unfortunate fact that Venezuela is rich in oil. Chavez, like all dictators before him, has moved to take government control of major industries within his country, including oil. As part of his constant “hate America” policies, he has used oil as a weapon, including supplying more of it at discount rates to nations like China and Russia. At the same time, as part of OPEC, he has been part of the conspiracy to increase gasoline prices at the pumps for the American People. Dictator Chavez has used oil in another, more clever, way by providing reduced rates to products, like fuel oil, which are marketed to unsuspecting citizens in the United States by dupes such as former Congressman Joseph Kennedy. The Chavez-Kennedy scheme is primarily a propaganda effort used to mislead American citizens, promote Chavez, and make money for Kennedy.

The Venezuelan dictator, through his Citgo Oil Company, has provided a windfall gift of $1.5 million to CASA de Maryland. The Central American Solidarity Association, otherwise known as CASA, is an alleged advocate for immigrants. In reality, CASA is an 800 pound gorilla that exercises major power and influence in Maryland political circles. The so-called non-profit organization has a $6.3 million budget, 45% of which comes from taxpayers’ funds. MontgomeryCounty alone provides almost $2 million to support 5 CASA-managed day labor centers which are primarily used to benefit illegal aliens. Governor O’Malley and the leaders of the Maryland General Assembly have given CASA millions of dollars in taxpayers/ funds, including the purchase and renovation of an historic mansion in Prince George’s County.

CASA forcefully lobbies lawmakers in Annapolis supported by taxpayers’ funding to oppose legislation that would protect Maryland citizens against the burdens created by the more than 300,000 illegal aliens now invading our state. Their agenda includes advocating drivers’ licenses for illegals, taxpayer subsidized tuition for illegals, and opposition to English as Maryland’s official language. Unfortunately, CASA, not the people, is controlling the politicians in Annapolis. CASA’s new partner, Hugo Chavez, has spent more than $6 billion in weapons procurement from Russia, China and Iran, including submarines, jet fighters, and combat helicopters. His global tactics include support for the Palestinian Liberation Army (PLA) and the Iranian extremist government while opposing the United States and our ally, Israel. Chavez has used his oil money to send troops and support to his fellow socialist president, Evo Marales, in neighboring Bolivia to put down resistance by pro-democracy forces. Chavez has als o used his military muscle to back up the narco-terrorists in Columbia in their militant efforts against the pro-American democratically elected government. The struggle in Columbia was recently highlighted for the world by the daring rescue of hostages that had been held by Chavez’s terrorist friends.

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by Dr. Frederick Meekins

To those of us whose vocations consist largely of commenting on the momentous trends and events going on all around us, it can be easy to fall for the delusion that ultimately the world itself orbits those of us observing it.

Fred Phelps of the Westboro Baptist Church has gained for himself and his congregation a degree of notoriety for his insistence that “God Hates Fags”.

One can at least argue with this proposition as either incorrect or for at least failing to remember the distinction of God hating the sin but loving the sinner. However, it is from this oratorical peak that Phelps descends into rhetorical irrationality.

Phelps skyrocketed to national infamy when he started showing up at funerals of U.S. military personnel having given their lives for their country in Iraq or Afghanistan. Instead of respecting this sacrifice irrespective of whether or not one agrees with an interventionist approach to the war on terror, the Phelpsians show up at what should be the most solemn of moments and basically rub it in the noses of grieving families that their fallen loved ones got what they deserved for serving in the government of a nation under the judgment of God for applauding outright immorality.

The outrage does not stop there. Though mocking the honored dead in this fashion grates upon the patriotic sensibilities of all good Americans, military families are for the most part an admirably stoic lot and able to take the ingratitude of certain elements in stride.

However, even this level of disgust is not low or self-absorbed enough for the Phelpsians.

On April 5, 2008, two teens were killed in a car accident late at night in Finksburg, Maryland. Most upon hearing a tragedy such as this would attribute the occurrence to some kind of driver error, vehicular malfunction, roadway mishap, or environmental conditions. However, to the members of the Phelps cult, the lives of these young people were cut short because of God’s judgment against the State of Maryland for defying the will of Westboro Baptist Church.

For you see, a jury in the state awarded a $5 million judgment to the father of a soldier whose funeral the Phelpsians had protested. According to a press account mentioned in a 4/8/08 Carroll County Times story titled “Church Plans Teen Funeral Protests”, the sect believes God now hates Maryland and all tragedies befalling residents of the state can be traced back to this particular ruling.

Doesn’t such a claim border on idolatry for at least two reasons?
(more…)

ByDick Morris

So everybody basically agrees that Obama is a new fresh face, who advocates change but is too inexperienced, and lacks some or all of the qualifications needed for the job. The question of which part of this statement outweighs the other is the issue on which the election hinges.
(more…)

Crossposted from Flopping Aces

Joe Biden is the Vice Presidential pick for the Obama team:

Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware is Barack Obama’s pick as vice presidential running mate, The Associated Press has learned.

Biden, 65, is a veteran of more than three decades in the Senate, and one of his party’s leading experts on foreign policy, an area in which polls indicate Obama needs help in his race against Republican rival John McCain.

The official who spoke did so on condition of anonymity, saying they did not want to pre-empt a text-message announcement the Obama campaign promised for Saturday morning.

Works for me, now we can play that soundbite of that “clean” black guy comment from the guy over and over again.

UPDATE

Yes! Here is the audio:

Lets not forget the Indian 7-11 racist comment he made:

Here he is proud that his state was a slave state:

But we all are supposed to know he didn’t really mean this kind of stuff in a mean way right? He’s a liberal so he just can’t be racist…..

Ask Sen. Byrd that please.

Awesome pick Obama….just stellar.

UPDATE

Jonah Goldberg:

I think it is an outright terrible decision on Obama’s part to pick Biden. Yes, he helps balance Obama’s inexperience on foreign policy, but he also reminds people of it. Yes, Biden could conceivably be effective as an attack dog. But Biden is such a gasbag he makes the Hindenburg look like a sack of rocks. Obama doesn’t need to increase his lip-flapping quotient. Biden is a gaffe machine and Obama is bad explaining faults, and his VP’s faults will inevitably become Obama’s in the Fall campaign. Biden will be fantastic at convincing people already eager to vote for Obama to vote for Obama. His ability to convince the undecided is much, much weaker, in my opinion. There’s more than a small risk that Biden will reinforce the sense that this ticket is all about hearing itself talk. I wouldn’t be surprised, two months from now, that we’ll hear a lot of talk about how Obama’s mistake in picking Biden can be explained by Obama’s inherent weakness, and love, for talky-talk-talk.

UPDATE

A few Biden statements that should interest a few people:

Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE) Reaffirmed That Obama Was Not Ready To Be Commander In Chief. ABC’s George Stephanopoulos: “You were asked is he ready. You said ‘I think he can be ready, but right now I don’t believe he is. The presidency is not something that lends itself to on-the-job training.’” Sen. Biden: “I think that I stand by the statement.” (ABC’s “This Week,” 8/19/07)

Sen. Biden: “Having talking points on foreign policy doesn’t get you there.” (”Biden Lashes Out At Obama,” ABC News’ “Political Radar” Blog, blogs.abcnews.com, 8/2/07)

Sen. Biden Called Obama’s Pronouncement “Very Naive.” Sen. Biden: “It’s a well-intended notion he has, but it’s a very naive way of thinking how you’re going to conduct foreign policy. … [T]he way to deal with it is not to announce it, but to do it. The last thing you want to do is telegraph to the folks in Pakistan that we are about to violate – quote – ‘their sovereignty.’” (“Biden Lashes Out At Obama,” ABC News’ “Political Radar” Blog, blogs.abcnews.com, 8/2/07)

More here and at Stop The ACLU.

also:

Obama – Communist China Infrastructure Is Vastly Superior To America

picture from Democrat=Socialist

Another day, another gaffe from Obama. This time he praises China for having a better infrastructure, better ports, and better airports then the United States.

Yes, you heard that right:

From Hugh Hewitt: (more…)

The link is here.

That’s what happened in 1996 and in 2004. Both times, the challenger party had the first convention and, in both cases, it was a good one, affording a standard 10-point bounce. In 1996, the Clinton administration nullified the bounce by signing welfare reform and other key legislation during the interval between the conventions. By the time the Democrats met in late August, Clinton had restored a seven-point lead. By the end of the convention, it was over 20 points. It didn’t drop to the seven points — Clinton’s actual margin of victory — until the China fundraising scandals of late October.
(more…)

Crossposted from Flopping Aces

Russia threatens “non-diplomatic” action in response!

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Poland’s Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski sign a “Declaration on Strategic Cooperation” in Warsaw August 20, 2008. The agreement establishes U.S. basing of anti-missile defenses on Polish soil.

The agreement (full text here) establishes a framework for direct defense cooperation between the U.S. and Poland in addition to Poland’s participation in the NATO alliance. Poland had been dragging it’s feet in the negotiations which were stalled until the Russians invaded Georgia earlier this month.

In describing why Poland would move closer in it’s defense relationship with the U.S. Polish analyst Marek Ostrowsk said: “Traditionally and historically, we think America is more reliable than Europe…In 1918, we regained independence thanks to the U.S. When World War II began in 1939, we were let down by our allies, Britain and France. But the U.S. has never failed us.”

Before signing the pact, Poland’s President Lech Kaczynski in a televised address to the Polish people declared, “No one will ever again tell Poland what to do and what not to do.” A clear reference to Russia’s domination of the country starting in 1939 when Stalin and Hitler agreed to divide the country. Poland only regained full independence in 1989.

A major component of the new defense agreement is the installation of ten missile interceptors to be based on Polish soil and manned by U.S. personnel. The interceptors are designed to counteract missile threats from Iran or other rogue states but such a small number would not counter the Russian arsenal which possesses hundreds of missiles.

Nevertheless, the Russians have upped their war on words directed at Poland insisting that basing purely defensive systems on Polish soil would cause Russia to target Poland. “If Poland allows elements of the U.S. missile shield to be placed in its territory it will expose itself to a strike … and that’s a hundred percent sure,” threatened deputy head of Russia’s General Staff Col. Gen. Anatoly Nogovitsyn.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice dismissed Russia’s saber rattling, saying the threats “border on the bizarre.”

“When you threaten Poland, you perhaps forget that it is not 1988,” Rice said, according to The Associated Press. “It’s 2008 and the United States has a … firm treaty guarantee to defend Poland’s territory as if it was the territory of the United States. So it’s probably not wise to throw these threats around.”

But in addition to the threats, Russia may be making a more concrete move. Norway’s defense ministry claims Russia has told it that it plans to cut all military ties with NATO, The Associated Press reports.

Democrats Go Wobbly on Polish Missile Defense

At the very same moment when our European partners and NATO allies are signaling full speed ahead on closer cooperation with the U.S. Democrats in Congress are signaling the opposite. Democrats have long opposed defense against ballistic missiles ever since President Reagan introduced the concept in 1983.

Despite the fact that the technologies involved in missile defense have been recently proven to work, Democrats, including Barack Obama, still want to cut spending for the program. They would replace Reagan’s proven strategy of “Peace through strength” with “peace pretty please” at the exact same time the world is being threatened once again by Russia.

Related News: Russians Squash UN Resolution on Georgia. Occupation Continues

No surprise here, but the U.N. Security Council Resolution demanding Russia’s withdrawal from Georgia and respect for the small nation’s territorial integrity was blocked by Russia. Meanwhile, the occupation of Georgia continues as Russian troops appear to be digging in, not preparing to withdraw despite the agreements Russia has signed.

also:

You Are Known by the Company You Keep: Obama’s Friend the Terrorist!

This is the latest political ad getting all the buzz today!