16 posts tagged “news & politics”

               The OBAMA CHRONICLES
                            To AYER is to be WRIGHT

 Poster by Shepard Fairey -Arrested on two outstanding warrants Feb. 7, 2009

 
Senator Obama resume: Senator, Community Organizer, Chicago, 1985, Attorney-Sidley & Austin, Author and Teacher

November 4, 2008, elected President of The United States.
 
Nov. 14 - President Obama had more money than other candidate in history to spend on his election with millions left over. His moral conviction that there was too much money in politics got lost? His first semi-official act was to pick a strident partisan Chief of Staff according to most Democrats. His first press conference was to state he could do nothing, even though he is still a Senator,  until after his move to the White House.  Also, a cheap shot at a much older lady was in order,  which the press thought was very funny, endeared him to his many supporters. The older lady was the  former First Lady Nancy Reagan. The attacks on people of faith and vandalism on churches are up, gun sales are up, verbal attacks by the media on home schooled children are up, bail-out money is up and the the stock  market is down. I expect all to keep going up except the stock market.  Last I heard President-Elect Obama and President Bush were lobbying for a another bailout. Rumors have the same old, tired, failed, re-tread politicians of the past in the new adminstration. Hope for real change is fadeing.

 Nov. 17 - President-Elect Obama and Senator McCain have scheduled a meeting. The purpose is to discover the policies and social goals they have in common. This could be a very short meeting by simply admitting they is no difference on any major policy or social goals. Or, it could take days detailing all the goals they have in common. It would be much more accurate to say this is the worst economy since President Jimmy Carter not the Great Depression. I hope that is just 'Political Speak' and President-Elect actually knows the difference. And, the difference between Wall Street and Main Street, which is basically the same, seems completely mis-understood. President-Elect Obama says he will ban torture. Again, I hope this is just more 'Political Speak.'  That seems like a slander against all citizens, especially military, active and retired. That as a public policy we have always approved torture. Lets hope President-Elect knows what it is like to be beaten and starved,  with bones broken, for months at a time without medical care.  

Nov. 24 - President Elect has made a decesion regarding education - Private Quaker Education 2, Public Education 0. According to MMP, Senator McCain is helping with a new version of the  aministy bill for illegal aliens on which they both agree. Terrorist attacks are up and the Stock Market is up. If the market goes up President-Elect is responsible. If the market goes down President Bush is responsible. No one wants to take credit for the increase in terrorists attacks. Speaking of President Bush, he always reminded me of an owl. Not to be outdone, President-Elect Obama reminds me of Alfred E. Neuman which makes it hard for me not to smile every time I see them speaking to a very serious subject.

Dec. 21 - "She is running around talking about this is an insult to sportsman. Now she values the 2nd Amend. She's talking like she is Annie Oakley!!" President-Elect Obama is talking about the Govenor of Alaska, Sara Palin? No, he was talking about his choice for Sec. of State Senator Clinton.     And the Obama policy looks more and more like the President Bush policy. Partisans think there is a big difference, but that is why they are partisans and think in political speak. Meanwhile, We the People, fiddle while Rome burns.

 Jan. 4 - No birth records, work records, college records or medical records seem to be forthcoming from President-Elect Obama. This continues to make for a lot of babble from some of the talking heads on AM radio and the US Su. Ct. said no thanks to hearing a case involving his birth certificate. "Is Barack Obama a socialist? Not really. Is George W. Bush a free marketer? Not hardly. In fact, right now they both seem to be pursuing policies that are neither socialist nor laissez-faire but rather corporatist." David Boazs. Interesting thought somewhat different than mine.

Jan. 16, 2009 - Aids say President-Elect Obama will do a better job  of enforcing the law. Nomination for Sec. of Treasury doe not pay his personal income tax and hires illegal aliens. Nomination for Attorney General was instrumental in the disconnect between the CIA and the FBI that, in part,  was responsible for 9-11. And, pursues a policy of pardons for white collar crimes. A mixed bag of re-tread politicians and re-tread policies of ever President after President Eisenhower.

One has to give President-Elect Obama at least half a point for political courage. In warning, that Social Security and Medicare are ticking fiscal time bombs.

 

                                                 

Zak Klemmer wrote: Jan 23

I have one that says "DOPE

Jan. 25 - During the inauguration ceremony the Reverend got smiles and laughs from President Obama for a future when "white would embrace the right." An economic adviser to the President says he is concerned, as many of you are,  that no money from the stimulus package go to "white male construction workers." It is like the 'Underground Railroad', the marches of Martin Luther King never happened. Our entire history of sacrifice to end injustice  only began with the election of the President Obama. There is 'change' but it is not the kind of progressive change I support. I had hoped for progressive change to rescind all Federal Laws and Programs that reward or punish citizens based on race, culture, language or religion, in the likeness of Martin Luther King...not the Klan.  

Feb. 6. - "Obama is on the verge of completing what  FDR (and Hoover)  started. Like the original New Deal, Mr. Obama's "stimulus" plan will fail to kick-start the contracting economy. But it will target pivotal Democratic special-interest groups: Hispanics, African-Americans, labor unions, blue-collar Catholics, the youth, and environmentalists. It is a naked attempt to exploit the economic crisis to enhance the Democratic Party's appeal - and reach." Jeffrey T. Kuhner.                                                                                                                                                                     This seems to be what congress is trying to agree upon. The Democrats want to pay their supporters. The Republicans are meekly balking at such a apparent hoax on the taxpayer, Democrat, Republican or Libertarian.

I am almost convinced that Bush, Obama and the Congress will lead and force us into bad economic times for years to come. The current and past  President seems not to know if they scare everyone into fear, the economy will dry like the desert sand. The Federal Government spending money and the average citizen, hoarding money, induced by fear is a planned disaster. We have been here before.

Alfrerd the Ordinary wrote: Feb. 8

All special-interest groups except the one that really matters: the one that holds society up. Man, woman and children in a family unit, recognised by society through a bond of matrimony, earning their keep and paying taxes. When that unit fades, society collapses.

Feb. 10. "Mexico should be proud of their achievement protecting workers' right to a secret ballot. Unfortunately while Mexico is a taking a step forward, Obama's America is poised to make a giant leap backward.
Does President Obama and the Democrat-led Congress really want American workers to have fewer rights than Mexicans?"  F. Vincent Vernuccio is a former Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management in the Department of Labor. 
 By voiding workers right to a private vote in union matters the Obama administration is releasing the dogs, also known as union thugs, on the worker. What happened to the idea that your vote was a private matter between you and your maker and none other.

The 'Fear Factor' continues by all the President's men. Also known as the ' Treasury Secretary Geithner's Plan' on Wall Street. Not many specific details while pushing the fear factor higher and higher. How hollywood sells sex, Obama's men sell fear. "The power gravitates to a small group of people." Ron Paul - Feb. 10, 10:54 AM PT.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/23/paul.bailout/index.html

And, just for the fun..check out school built in the 1850's President Obama referred to in his speech.

http://www.dillon2.k12.sc.us/jvm/default.htm

Rusty wrote Feb. 10; Interest Rates as of Today should be going down as a result of the senate and the treasury secretary. They are trying to stabilize the banking system.

 Lightfoot Letters wrote Feb. 10;  agree with your comment. I'm concerned that the fear started by President Bush and Congress, continued by President Obama, will outweigh common sense of the average investor and consumer.

 

 Paleo wrote Feb. 14; Rep. Ron Paul would say, correctly, that the problem has been that interest rates have been too low. This is what ultimately caused the housing bubble to expand to the point it has. So we all should not want lower interest rates. They need to be much higher to reflect reality. That is, the reality of man's consumption to saving (investing) ratio.

Briefly, the only "natural" (vs. artificial) way interest rates can lower is if man saves more. This means that man has held off present consumption for the future; that he is saving and investing more in temporally lengthy projects. If the Federal Reserve System, on the other hand, floods the market with credit (via the printing up of money from nothingness), this in turn artificially lowers the interest rate. It makes investments in capital industries (that receive the credit) seem profitable. But as the new money trickles through the market, the old consumption-saving proportions reassert themselves and those investments are then seen for what they really are; namely, hot air because they will no longer be profitable (resources are not there to keep the "boom" going). This is when a recession or depression occurs. It is the market's correcting process where the malinvestments are liquidated. (If we want a fast recovery, government must then allow the correction process to take place. Government, then, must do nothing.)

I recommend you all read "Economic Depressions: Their Cause and Cure" by Murray N. Rothbard. You might also want to check out my blog essay, "Money and Civilization." Dr. Paul has written, among other works, "Gold, Peace, and Prosperity." Please allow me to additionally recommend a new book by Dr. Thomas E. Woods, Jr., Meltdown. He has given an excellent lecture on it here (mp3).

Cato Letters - c. 1720

Mar 1   The little boy needed 100 dollars to help his parents pay bills. and prayed for weeks, but nothing happened. So, he decided to write God directly.

When postal authorities received a letter addressed to to God they decided to send it to President Obama.

President Obama  felt sorry for the young boy, his family  and instructed the Treasury Secretary to send  him a $5.00 bill.

The President thought what is five dollars out of a 8 trillion dollar budget. A good use of tax money to make a small boy happy. Not to mention, the boy would think he was using his own money and being a good citizen by helping his parents.

Delighted to get 5 dollars, the young boy noticed, it was postarked Washington DC.  He decided to send God a thank you note. 

              Dear God,

              Thank you for sending the money,

                   my parents can use the help,

                  But, why did you send it thru Washington, DC,

                   Those assholes took $95 dollars in tax !!!!!!

                 Thanks again,

                  Bobby

Alfred the Ordinary wrote:Mar 3, 2009    Good one!

  Last Words:  " Mr. President. Regardless of the politics of this past election, all Americans wish you good health, wisdom and fortitude as you guide our fragile experiment in democracy forward for the next four years. And if you ever feel that there is anything I can do to help you in this effort, you can always count on me"
Judge James P. Gray - Nov. 2, 2008

"I'm proud of Barack Obama, I pray for him, his family, the new administration. I look forward to the good things that are in store for this nation." Governor Sara Palin - Nov.  2008 

. Original Post Nov. 14, 2008

Commentary by Lightfoot - Published in part or whole, print or web, Los Angeles Times Jan. 30, Wall Street Journal Feb. 16,  NBC LA News Mar. 13, Fox News,  ABC News Mar. 14. 

 source: abc news,cato institute, cbs news, la times, wash times

The America that you are searching for is not hard to find. Just look for individual freedom. That is the American Dream and Promise.
 
If you protest that we are gradually losing that dream to an authoritarian socialist system; I tend to agree with you. If you think that has anything to do with the Great Depression, Guthrie or the Dust Bowl; I think you are just another empty suit trying to sell a song... to make a buck.

Letter by Lightfoot to BS

        The MEDIA, ENDORSEMENTS and LIES

And why...
Possibly I'm just backwards.  Because,  I do not think the news media should endorse any candidate or proposition at any level of government. First, it gives a few citizens the voice of thousands, if not millions. Not very democratic in nature. Second, it is not the job or purpose of the news media to tell us what to think. It is the job and purpose of the news media to report facts and allow the citizens to interpret those facts.

Example: Currently there is very little difference between the overall policy of President Bush, President Elect Obama,  Except, there is a R after one and an D after the others. Possibly Bush and Obama  could debate which letter looks better after one's name. The perceived difference is created by the media so they they can argue for or against the perceived difference that they themselves have created. It should be noted that President Elect Obama is more honest and direct about the social welfare state that he wants to expand. As a voter, I appreciate his honesty as a welcome change from most politicians. But, the policy is different only by degrees. Not a different policy.

If the news media just reported the facts we would all know that there is very little difference on every major issue from social security, the economy, foreign policy to protecting the integrity of the United States. The real difference is the perceived difference created by the media in a malicious way to fix the outcome of elections based on personal political party affiliation and the reporting of that difference by the news media. 
Possibly, I am not only backwards, also naive, thinking we as citizens want factual information. Not, opinions based on spin and personal prejudice put forth for pure political reasons.
I am truly looking forward to that hot debate over which letter looks better after ones name...TRULY!

Letter/Commentary: Rejected by Freedom News Papers/The Register, LA Times, Daily Pilot, OC Weekly ,  Washington Post and     Alaska Daily News

Reconsidered and published  by the LA Times/Daily Pilot Dec. 1, 2008

Now that Obama has been elected President, what is the first change you would like to see him make once he is in office?

If the President-Elect is truly a person of change the first thing he should do is rescind the Prescription Drug Bill passed by this Congress and signed by President Bush. It is true that 3-4 % of Seniors need help with their prescription drugs costs. However, this one-size fits all, bill was and is a failure before the ink dried. Even in  a social welfare state Social Security, which is also failing, should have been addressed first.

Where are you planning on watching today's historical election results? Are you prepared to celebrate or for disappointment?

I think I will let Will Rogers and Judge Gray speak for me as someone that know much more than I about politics.

 "If your side lost don't take it too much to heart. Remember there is always this difference between us and Italy. Mussolini runs the country. But here the country runs the president."
Will Rogers - Nov. 9, 1932

" Mr. President. Regardless of the politics of this past election, all Americans wish you good health, wisdom and fortitude as you guide our fragile experiment in democracy forward for the next four years. And if you ever feel that there is anything I can do to help you in this effort, you can always count on me"
Judge James P. Gray - Nov. 2, 2008

Published: LA Tmes Daily Pilot

and today-
 
  In the early 1900's, most educational leaders, as well as the rank and file of teachers argued that the unionization of teachers was prompted by selfish devotion to self interest.  The affiliation with the A.F. and L. was the prostitution of the well-being of all children. The main assertion was NO WORTHY TEACHER would ever feel justified in going ON STRIKE.
 

 Today we hear; Our new budget is only 193 million over last years budget of 56.6 billion. "We have to be out here (picketing) for the kids." LAUSD teacher the day of the mini-strike. 30,000 teachers stayed-out, on the picket line. That's 30,000 hours times approximately 700, 000 students lost time that will never be regained, never returned.  Again,  "we have to be out here for the kids." Just what kids are they talking about.  

 
 And, the LAUSD and The California Teachers Union wonder why some of us think the public schools are failing and set a bad example for all our kids, grandkids and future generations. Don't be surprised the next time you hear close the public schools for a year and just start over. A good time to start over might be 1904.  I do not think those teachers would pick D-Day to hit the picket line! 
 
Then again,  I wonder if  these students or teachers even know it's D-DAY.
 
  Not to be less corrupt than the LAUSD, the Nevada Teachers Union's threatened to use of the initiative process to increase taxes on casinos by approximately (44%)forty four percent. That's right forty four percent! If passed all the new taxes would only be used for teachers salaries. 

 
  And then, with the help of Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley (D) a secret meeting was held between the Public Teachers Union and the casinos resulting in a bizarre plan that almost as corrupt as the original initiative. Nevada counties are to put the question of tax increases on the November ballot. 

 
Threats, blackmail and secret back room deals of the past have become the present for teachers unions. To use the initiative process to for a personal tax grab, not improve education, is corrupt  to the core. An act  only worthy of self serving selfish greedy individuals, but not public employees...especially teachers!

Not to be outdone by Nevada Teachers. The District Attorney charged Capistrano School Board (CUSD) held closed door meetings in violation of the Brown Act. While, voting the CUSD Super a 58 thousand per year pay raise. I'm sure it was all for the little kids.

Again, just what kids are they talking about?

Brian Gilbert wrote; "The teachers union, tenure and promotion, out of the classroom, who should be fired, represents everything that is wrong with America."

 
ref: LA Times,  ABC News 2008,  School and Society 1918, 1956, Sac. Union, Tahoe 
      Bonanza - Photo - Sacramento Union 

 Published in part June 29 -  Sacramento Union

Additional Notes: Sept.6 -  In all areas of academic ability, half of the children are below average. This fact has implications for education and public policy, and yet it's something most politicians and public intellectuals would rather not talk about. It amounts to educational romanticism. At its heart is a glib presumption that every child can be anything he or she wants to be if only the schools do their job properly. No one really believes it, but we approach education's problems as if we did. We are phobic about saying out loud that children differ in their ability to learn the things schools teach. Not only do we hate to say it, we get angry with people who do. We insist that the emperor is wearing clothes, beautiful clothes, and that those who say otherwise are bad people.”

Dr. Charles Murray

Dec. 5 -  Our public education system is a slow-motion car crash, driven the same union special interests that brought the auto companies to the brink of bankruptcy.

Townhall

Declaration of Independence and Slavery

 

 

 For the 4th. of July,  I would like to see in print,  The Declaration of Independence, as written by Thomas Jefferson, especially for all educators lacking clear knowledge.  The following was deleted from the original regarding slavery,  prior to final approval. Many citizens believe that the real fight for individual freedom and  civil rights for minorties began in the 1960,s. The original draft of the Declaration tells a different story. 

 

     "He (King George lll) has waged cruel war against human nature itself, violating it's most sacred

rights of life & liberty in the persons of a distant land who never offended him, captivating & carrying

them into slavery in another hemisphere or to incur miserable  death in their transportation hither.

The practical warfare, the oppression of infidel powers, is the warfare of the Christian 

King of Britain determined to keep open a market where MEN would be bought and sold."

 

  These words remind me that the fight for liberal and libertarian  ideas of individual freedom is the supreme struggle....Even between two god fearing peoples. It is my  hope that July 4th all  men will join the struggle. We needed them then and we need them now even more!! 

 

 

 

 

 

letter/editor freedom newspapers/ocr

published july 4th 

 

  SEAN HANNITY  the great american
  You've reached the hate Hannity hot line. This message is for people who disagree with Sean. If you leave a message here it can be played on air. THE OWNER OF THIS MAIL BOX IS NOT ACCEPTING MESSAGES AT THIS TIME.
 
  What that means is the hot line has been, for the time being, taken down. Sean was caught doctoring the comment line to come out a certain way. Reasonable comments were cut completely or editing in such a way as to leave out the actual disagreement. Example; Hey duffs boy, you don't know the difference between a socialist and a conservative. This would be cut to dufus boy, added to some other foul language and presented as the actual comment.
 
  I believe the purpose was to demean and slander liberals. And, to destroy the past, the liberalism of John Loke and Thomas Jefferson, and present core values and principles of liberalism as the  new conservative. To claim the values and principles of liberalism, as your own,  and at the same time time claim "liberalism is the basis of socialism" is dishonest to the core.
 
  I can agree with some of Sean's  political ideas  and as a vet I appreciate what he does for the military. I can not agree with his purpose and methods. Partisan politics is no excuse for misleading the public, especially the young people, on such a grand scale.  But being guilty of the same behavior,doctoring comment lines and blocking e-mail comments,  to paint a false picture is no different than what he accuses others of doing. Even, if my analysis and opinion is not 100% accurate it still does not justify what amounts to a falsehood. 

 "Conservatives define liberal as anyone who is not their idea of a conservative."
Clarence Page - Chicago Tribune.   I believe the facts support this observation.  Meaning that Limbaugh, Hannity and the "mouth that roared" Mark Levine's use of the word liberal has no meaning at all. Example; Mark Levine says "liberalism is the philosophy of the stupid."  If he does not mean the liberal philosophy of John Loke or Thomas Jefferson....who or what does he mean?

 Sean's proclamation  that liberalism is the basis for socialism is "Hannity Logic." That would make liberal philosopher John Loke the father of Socialism. Thomas Jefferson was an avid reader, student and supporter of John Loke. Using Hannity logic that makes Thomas Jefferson not only a supporter of socialism but a founding member.

 
  The biggest political lie in our history is socialists, marxists and authoritarians are liberals and examples of liberalism. This is the lie that Sean is selling and the purpose of the doctored comment line. The difference between  Tokyo Rose Radio (West Coast) and ABC Radio's Sean Hannity? Nothing! They all mislead their listeners for pure partisan political reasons.
 
  "The OWNER of this MAIL BOX is not accepting messages at this time." Especially if you are a liberal and your comments contradict the "The BIG Lie."
 
 Be careful. You never know what shenanigans people are up to these days." - Sean Hannity - 2008
 
 
"This is where we need truth to catch up with reality."
Lightfoot Letters - 2007

Original letter June 8, 2008

Revised June 29 

June 17 Sidebar:

 It should be noted that the Rushman will not take calls or accept challenge to his ideas of what it means to be a conservative, socialist ect. I do not believe it to be the same level as Sean Hannity...But the dishonest misleading component is clearly there.

Original letter June 8, 2008

Revised June 29 

           TOBACCO SHOULD be BANNED

                                        Letter to the Editor
 
  My mom, my dad, my aunt and uncle all died  from cancer.  I think I can more than relate to the loss of a close relative. Especially your mom or dad.
 
  However, I do not blame anyone for their personal choices. My grandmother did not allow smoking inside her home. She could paint a visual picture of what smoking and chewing tobacco could do to your body in the 1940's. My mom, her sisters and brothers choose not to follow her advice. It was their decision for the part tobacco played in their lives.
 
  The idea that we are ignorant and we blame others for all our bad decisions must stop. It is dishonest on our part and is a very poor example for children. It teaches them and society nothing except, we are not responsible for our own choices. Someone else is to blame. In this case it is the tobacco companies. Not us, no it could not possibly be our fault for our own bad decisions.
 
  Do I wish my mom and dad were still here. Of course. Do I miss my favorite aunt who was so much like my mom. No question about it. Would I do anything to limit their choices that I wish were different.  Absolutely not.
 
  I am thankful every day that I have the freedom to make bad decisions, to make a bad choice.