Politico reports that "on Saturday, the Congressional Budget Office said the proposal to give an independent panel the power to keep Medicare spending in check would only save about $2 billion over 10 years- a drop in the bucket compared to the bill's $1 trillion price tag."
"In CBO's judgment, the probability is high that no savings would be realized ... but there is also a chance that substantial savings might be realized. Looking beyond the 10-year budget window, CBO expects that this proposal would generate larger but still modest savings on the same probabilistic basis," CBO Director Douglas Elmendorf wrote in a letter to House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer on Saturday.
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Saturday, July 25, 2009
CBO Continues To Contradict Obama On Health Care
Friday, July 24, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Sgt. James Crowley: "'I Know What I Did Was Right"
Visit this link if you want to see the full police report: http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2009/0723092gates1.html
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Officer That Arrested Harvard Professor Teaches Racial Profiling Classes
The AP reports that "the white police sergeant criticized by President Barack Obama for arresting black scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. in his Massachusetts home is a police academy expert on understanding racial profiling. Cambridge Sgt. James Crowley has taught a class about racial profiling for five years at the Lowell Police Academy after being hand-picked for the job by former police Commissioner Ronny Watson, who is black, said Academy Director Thomas Fleming."
"I have nothing but the highest respect for him as a police officer. He is very professional and he is a good role model for the young recruits in the police academy," Fleming told The Associated Press.
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Obama Says Current Health System Makes Greedy Doctors Take Out Tonsils For No Reason
The American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS)responded to Obama's statement.
They had the following to say: “We, too, are in favor of evidence-based medicine that supports quality patient care. President Obama’s statement highlights the complexity of medical decisions like this. However, the AAO-HNS is disappointed by the President’s portrayal of the decision making processes by the physicians who perform these surgeries. In many cases, tonsillectomy may be a more effective treatment, and less costly, than prolonged or repeated treatments for an infected throat. For the past several years, the Academy has been developing clinical guidelines based on evidence and outcomes research, including ‘Quality of Life after Tonsillectomy,’ a January 2008 supplement to the journal Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery. We are in agreement with the President’s statement that physicians, patients, and hospitals should make the decisions, based on the evidence, about what’s best for patient care.”
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Kentucky Ten Commandments Display Removed After ACLU Lawsuit Is Filed
A lawsuit was filed by the ACLU over a ten commandments display in a Kentucky courthouse. County leaders removed the commandments in response to the lawsuit. WYMT "talked to the man who hung the religious document in the court house ten years ago...and Monday night, he took them down. 'The people in Jackson county...over 99.9 percent of them wanted them hung...we hung them 10 years ago, and it was a sad time to take them down,' said Jim Muncy. Holding back the tears, Jim Muncy looked at the new home for the ten commandments that used to be in the court house."
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Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Blue Dog Dem Rep. Mike Ross: "I Don’t Think They Have The Votes" In The House To Pass Obamacare
Jake Tapper of ABC News reports that a leading "Blue Dog" Democrat told ABC News that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's claim that that "we have the votes on the floor of the House to pass this legislation” is questionable.
“No, I don’t think they have the votes,” Rep. Mike Ross, D-Ark., said. ABC reports that Ros argued that "if that were the case he and the other six Blue Dogs on the House Energy and Commerce Committee who have been holding up the bill in committee would be under far less pressure."
“We’re speaking for a silent majority within the Democratic caucus,” he said. “The American people want us to slow down and they want us to get it right.”
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Barack Obama Vs. Larry Elder On Profiling Controversy Surrounding Arrest Of Harvard Professor
Here is Obama saying it seems that the police acted "stupidly":
Obama's answer was half right. Former nationally syndicated radio host Larry Elder writes, "OK, the cops overreacted... But [Professor] Gates overreacted, too." Elder provides the full context to this story that much of the media would rather ignore or revise in order to create a sensational profiling controversy. Elder provides some of the facts that Obama himself did not mention. To read Elder's article visit http://townhall.com/columnists/LarryElder/2009/07/23/hwb_--_home_while_black.
I imagine that a white president would probably not have even been asked about this in a nationally televised prime-time news conference, especially considering all the other important issues of the day. Should we be asking this president about this story just because he is black? I wonder what your thoughts on this are. Please feel free to leave comments.
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Dem Congressman Says "Minimum Of 39" Dems Will Vote Against Obamacare If Language Prohibiting Funds Being Used For Abortion Is Not Included
CBS News reports that "Democratic Rep. Bart Stupak said he is 'optimistic' that his campaign to include explicit language comndemning the use of federal funds for abortion in the House health care bill will pass the House Energy and Commerce Committee. The congressman from Michigan did however say...that the House will likley not vote on the bill before their July 31st deadline."
"I think if they do not have [the language] in there and President Obama says we are going to have a bill with nothing in there on abortion, I think it is going to backfire. I think we bring down the rule and it will be explicitly discussed in the health care plan one way or another," Stupak said. Stupak told CBS News that he feels confident that "a minimum of thirty nine" Democrats would join him in opposing the legislation if the abortion language were not included in the House bill.
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Obama Summons Doug Elmendorf To White House
CBO Chief Doug Elmendorf told the Senate last Thursday that Obama's health care plan will expand health care spending. Fox News is investigating if the White House is trying to silence the CBO chief Doug Elmendorf. Elmendorf was summoned to the White House after giving his critical testimony. Watch the Fox News report here to get a full view of this story: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2009/07/22/report_obama_ordered_cbo_chief_to_wh.html
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Netanyahu Lauds Christian-Jewish Ties In Support Of Israel
The Jewish Telegraphic Agency reports that "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the growth of Christian support for Israel is a sign of the 'changing' relationship between the two religious groups." The Prime Minister spoke via satellite to the Christians United for Israel annual conference in Washington.
Netanyahu received a thunderous standing ovation when he appeared on the video screen. "For centuries, the relationship between Christians and Jews was marked by conflict rather than partnership and friendship," the Israeli leader said. "But this is changing. A new chapter in the relationship between us is now being written. Today millions of Christians stand with Israel because they stand for freedom, millions of Christians stand with Israel because they stand for truth, millions of Christians stand with Israel because they want to see a genuine peace in the Holy Land."
CUFI founder and chairman Pastor John Hagee told him that "50 million Christians" support "Israel's sovereign right to grow and develop the settlements of Israel as you see fit and not yield to the presssure of the United States government."
As part of a panel at the conference, U.S. Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-Nev.) criticized the Obama administration's policy toward Israel "foolhardy" and stating that to "publicly dress down the State of Israel" over settlements was "a huge mistake."
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City Responds To Complaints Of Christian Prayers At City Meetings By Inviting Prayers From Other Faiths
The Austin American-Statesman reports that "in response to complaints by state and national groups about Christian prayers at city meetings, the City of San Marcos is creating a policy to address concerns, while keeping the prayer practice. To start with, Rabbi Kerry Baker from Austin's Congregation Kol Halev will give the invocation at Tuesday's meeting."
The Statesman explains that this change took place after an unnamed resident complained about prayers at City Council meetings. The ACLU of Texas and Americans United for Seperation of Church and State then "sent the city a letter last month, giving the city a month to respond. The letter didn't specifically mention a lawsuit, but both organizations have filed lawsuits against governments about this issue." The San Marcos City Council last week directed City Attorney Michael Cosentino "to come up with a policy to prohibit prayers that proselytize or advance one religion, a decision that elicited cheers from many residents attending the council meeting."
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Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Blue Dog Dem Rep. Dan Boren: Cap And Trade The "Worst Piece Of Legislation I’ve Seen"
The Hill reports that "the cap-and-trade climate bill before Congress is the 'worst piece of legislation' in recent years, one centrist Democratic lawmaker said Monday."
“The cap and trade bill is really the worst piece of legislation I’ve seen since I’ve been there,” Rep. Dan Boren (D-Okla.) told the Tulsa Metro Chamber of Commerce. “It raises energy prices on businesses, raises electric bills on families, and it even raises gasoline prices in the middle of a recession. And, it makes America less competitive in the global economy.” Boren was one of 44 House Democrats to vote against cap and trade.
He also took a shot at health care. "We have to be very careful," he said, as reported by the Oklahoman. "The current health insurance plan that's been released, in my opinion, will only exacerbate the problem."
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Obama Admits He’s Not Familiar With Provision In Health Care Bill After Being Asked About It
Obama's Poll Numbers Put Him 10th Among The Dozen Presidents Who Have Served Since World War II
The USA Today reports that "Barack Obama, who completed six months in office Monday, has a 55% approval rating in the USA TODAY/Gallup Poll, putting him 10th among the dozen presidents who have served since World War II at this point in their tenures... More people disapprove than approve of Obama on four domestic issues: the economy, taxes, health care and the federal budget deficit. He scores majority approval on handling Iraq, Afghanistan and foreign affairs. The biggest drop has been on his handling of the economy, down 12 points since February; his disapproval is up 19 points. The most erosion has come not from Republicans or independents but among his own Democrats. Support from conservative and moderate Democrats is down by 18 points. Another group in the party's political base — those earning $20,000 to $50,000 a year — had a drop of 15 percentage points, to 47%."
According to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey, "if the 2012 presidential election were held today, President Obama and possible Republican nominee Mitt Romney would be all tied up at 45% each."
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U.S. Increases Pressure On Honduras
The AP reports that the U.S. has ratcheted up pressure on Honduras "warning that they will face severe sanctions if ousted President Manuel Zelaya is not restored to power. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called interim President Roberto Micheletti to say there would be serious consequences if his government ignores international mediation for Zelaya's return... The European Union added to the pressure on Monday by announcing it was suspending $93.1 million (65.5 million euros) in aid to Honduras."
Interim President Roberto Micheletti was of the same political party as former President Zelaya and became president only after the Supreme Court of Honduras ordered Zelaya be arrested for pushing an illegal referendum to extend his term in office. Zelaya is a close ally of Hugo Chavez. Micheletti implied that his nation has been betrayed by the United States. "We have received pressure from all sides," Micheletti said in a speech before cheering supporters Monday. "One learns in life that people who seem to be friends are not really friends, but are only interested in what you can do for them or give to them."
"We feel abandoned by several friendly countries," Micheletti said. But "we are going to demonstrate ... that we have the strength to hold out until the last moment." He vowed to stay in power until a scheduled Nov. 29 presidential vote, which the U.S. has suggested it may not recognize.
"We are going to go on with life, we are going to go on with our government, we are going to go on with the next presidential elections on Nov. 29," he said. "They have to respect us."
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Rep. Eric Cantor: Set Mideast Policies In "Judeo-Christian Tradition" And Stop Saying Settlements Are "The Stumbling Block"
Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.) is the only Jewish Republican in Congress. The Jewish Telegraphic Agency reports that "he told Christian Zionists in a speech to the Christians United For Israel annual conference in Washington that U.S. policies in the Middle East must be 'firmly grounded' in Judeo-Christian principles."
"Reaching out to the Muslim world may help in creating an environment for peace in the Middle East, but we must insist as Americans that our policies be firmly grounded in the beliefs of the Judeo-Christian tradition upon which this country was founded," said Cantor (R-Va.), who is the House minority whip. Cantor's 10-minute speech focused on U.S. support for Israel, and the threats to the Jewish state from Iran and terrorist groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. He told the group that "now, more than ever, it is vital you're here, at a critical moment in history."
"Critics say the stumbling block" to peace in the Middle East "is settlements or Jerusalem or refugees," Cantor said. "We all know the real stumbling block to peace is posed by those who vehemently deny the nation of Israel's historical right to the land of Zion."
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Jerusalem Post: Evangelicals Back Israel In Washington
The Jerusalem Post reports that "over 4,000 Christians are gathering in Washington this week to advocate for Israel on Capitol Hill" in the fourth annual summit of Christians United for Israel (CUFI). The Jerusalem Post explains that CUFI was "founded in 2006 by Pastor John Hagee, the organization is now active in all 50 states and in dozens of countries. Throughout the year it holds local events to educate Christians about Israel, build up their support and raise money for the organization and for charities in Israel. The Christian Zionist organization cites biblical sources as imperatives for Christians to support and help the Jewish people and the State of Israel. For the first two days of the conference, participants are learning about issues relating to Israel and the Middle East. They will spend Wednesday lobbying their elected officials on Capitol Hill. The conference features a wide range of leaders and policy experts, including Israel advocate Gary Bauer and Susan Michael, director of the US Branch of the International Christian Embassy, Jerusalem, as well as some of CUFI's religious leadership. Most of the speakers, however, deal with Israel and Judaism. They include Rabbi Aryeh Scheinberg of San Antonio, Texas; Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi, founder and president of The Israel Project; Congressman Eric Cantor; Malcolm Hoenlein, executive vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations; Asaf Shariv, consul-general of Israel in New York; and talk radio host Dennis Prager. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will also address the conference via satellite. While the Obama administration has been promoting a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, CUFI does not want President Barack Obama to ask Israel to make land concessions."
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Monday, July 20, 2009
Mary Anastasia O'Grady WSJ Article: "The U.S. Steers Left On Honduras"
O'Grady writes that "when Hugo Chávez makes a personal appeal to Washington for help, as he did 11 days ago, it raises serious questions about the signals that President Barack Obama is sending to the hemisphere's most dangerous dictator... This is not good news for the region. The Venezuelan may feel that his aims have enough support from the U.S. and the Organization of American States (OAS) that he would be justified in forcing Mr. Zelaya on Honduras by supporting a violent overthrow of the current government. That he has reason to harbor such a view is yet another sign that the Obama administration is on the wrong side of history." Tweet
40th Anniversary Of Moon Landing
Here is Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin making rare remarks on the moon landing:
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Sunday, July 19, 2009
Lesbian Minister's High School "Days of Diversity" Presentation Goes To Court
The San Jose Mercury News reports that "in Castro Valley, [California], parents recently sued the district after they learned that lesbian minister Nehring was addressing students at the high school." The Castro Valley Forum reports that "two months ago, a group of 31 Castro Valley parents filed suit against the district seeking information about Rev. Arlene Nehring who spoke to CVHS [Castro Valley High School] students during it’s annual 'Diversity' program which for the past nine years has included presentations on a variety of topics."
The Oakland Tribune reports that the "school district has complied with a lawsuit demanding the release of materials related to a 'Days of Diversity' presentation by a lesbian minister that caused a stir earlier this year." Rev. Arlene Nehring spoke to Castro Valley High classes, according to the Oakland Tribune, about "the importance of diversity and acceptance of alternative lifestyles." Nehring's presentation prompted parental outrage.The minister herself is quoted as saying, "I describe my own experiences, including my personal process of coming out."
Kevin Snider is chief counsel of the Pacific Justice Institute, a Sacramento-based legal firm that specializes in defending parental rights and religious freedom. The Pacific Justice Institute is representing the parents in this case. Snider says the district isn't teaching diversity because traditional relationships are ignored. "There's an inordinate amount of presentations that seem to be dealing with human sexuality orientation, but I didn't see anything that celebrated traditional marriage. Maybe this will provide an opportunity for people to look at what was being presented and see there are other viewpoints missing from Days of Diversity." The Castro Valley Forum further reports that "Snider contends there are still concerns that a PowerPoint presentation the Institute received from the district is not consistent with information students claimed to have seen during Nehring’s presentation. A subpoena has been forwarded for the presentation to the Eden Church of Christ in Hayward where she is minister."
“These parents want to know what is going on in the classroom and want that time devoted to the subjects of math and science and not other irrelevant discussions,” said Snider.
The Castro Valley forum also reports that the Pacific Justice Institute has already "sent the Castro Valley School District a $14,700 bill for legal costs in connection with the law firm’s probe of the a lesbian minister’s presentation during the school’s 'Days of Diversity' earlier this year."
I think this story warrants a reminder to all my readers about the recent vote of the Alameda School Board that provided for what the L.A. Times called "a primer on sexual identity for kindergartners through fifth-graders": http://www.stevelackner.com/2009/06/la-times-editorial-alameda-unified.html. Even the L.A. Times disagreed with the forced lectures concerning sexual orientation saying that the district went "too far in adopting a curriculum that introduces topics involving sexuality at an age when most children are ill-equipped to consider them."
The fact is that there are activists, often from official gay rights groups, that seek to introduce our youngsters to the topic of homosexuality in ways that are very often seen as completely inappropriate by many parents. Parents that do not want their children exposed to and to have official school venues that often endorse homosexuality should have their views respected. As far as I am concerned, children and teenagers are sent to school to be educated in the basics of the key fields of knowledge that are viewed as essential to the development of any person. They are sent to study writing, grammar, science, history, mathamatics, literature, and whatever else is necessary for a younger person to attain what are the basics of human knowledge. Public schools are in no way supposed to be a forum for indoctrination of particular controversial values that are antithetical to the values of so many parents that send their children to these schools.
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Israel Rightly Refuses U.S. Request To Suspend Building Project In East Jerusalem
The AP reports that "Israel on Sunday rejected a U.S. demand to suspend a planned housing project in east Jerusalem, threatening to further complicate an unusually tense standoff with its strongest ally over settlement construction. Israeli officials said the country's ambassador to Washington, Michael Oren, was summoned to the State Department over the weekend and told that a project being developed by an American millionaire in the disputed section of the holy city should not go ahead." Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu told his Cabinet there would be no limits on Jewish construction anywhere in "unified Jerusalem." He said that Israel "cannot accept the fact that Jews wouldn't be entitled to live and buy anywhere in Jerusalem," Netanyahu declared. He also said that Israeli sovereignty over the entire city was "indisputable." "I can only imagine what would happen if someone would suggest Jews could not live in certain neighborhoods of New York, London, Paris or Rome. There would certainly be a great international outcry," he told reporters at the cabinet meeting. "We cannot accept this edict in Jerusalem." Netanyahu also explained that "Israeli Arabs are not forbidden from buying houses in west Jerusalem, and Jews must be granted the same right in the eastern part of the city."
WND reports that Netanyahu was quoted by his advisers as saying he "was surprised by the U.S. move. In my conversation with [U.S. President Barack] Obama in Washington, I told him that I could not accept any limitations on our sovereignty in Jerusalem. I told him Jerusalem is not a settlement, and it has nothing to do with discussions on a freeze."
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Protestors Greet Extremist Islamist Group Holding Conference In Chicago Hotel
Fox News report on the conference and protestors:
Fox News interview with Islamist terrorism expert Walid Phares:
Here is a Hizb ut Tahrir ad for the conference:
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