Mexico plans shutdown as world flu alert raised

UPDATE: Swine Flu - CDC Raises Alert

Hey folks,

First up today is of course your Swine Flu Update for Thrusday 043009. Then I have some good news from the Energy Front. In Florida at least. Here is your Flu update.

AP - Mexico plans shutdown as world flu alert raised: "Mexico plans shutdown as world flu alert raised" By MARK STEVENSON and ANDREW O. SELSKY, Associated Press Writers Mark Stevenson And Andrew O. Selsky, Associated Press Writers – 13 mins ago

MEXICO CITY – Mexico readied a "temporarily closed" sign — taking the drastic step of ordering a suspension of nonessential federal government and private business activity as it tried to squelch a swine flu epidemic. The World Health Organization ratcheted up an alert and warned that "all of humanity" is threatened.

The dire warning showed that world health officials are very worried about the potential for massive numbers of deaths worldwide from the mutated virus, even though the epidemic so far has claimed only a confirmed eight lives in Mexico and one in the United States. Roughly 170 deaths are suspected of having been caused by the virus in Mexico.

The Phase 5 alert, indicating a pandemic could be imminent as the virus spread further in Europe, prompted Mexico to announce the partial May 1-5 shutdown, Mexican Health Secretary Jose Cordova said late Wednesday.

In Washington, President Barack Obama promised "great vigilance" in confronting the outbreak which has sickened nearly 100 people in 11 states and forced schools to close. A Mexican toddler who visited Texas with his family died Monday night in Houston, becoming the first fatality in the U.S., and 39 Marines were confined to their base in California after one came down with the disease.

The virus, a mix of pig, bird and human genes to which people have limited natural immunity, has also spread to Canada, New Zealand, Britain, Germany, Spain, Israel and Austria.

"It really is all of humanity that is under threat during a pandemic," WHO Director General Margaret Chan said in Geneva. "We do not have all the answers right now, but we will get them."

In a televised address, Mexican President Felipe Calderon praised "the heroic work" of doctors and nurses and asked his countrymen to literally stay in their homes between May 1 and May 5, saying "there is no safer place to protect yourself against catching swine flu, than in your house."

"In recent days, Mexico has faced one of the most serious problems in recent years," Calderon said Wednesday night. He brushed aside criticisms that his government's response was slow, stressing several times that authorities had reacted "immediately."

School in Mexico has already been canceled until May 6. During the shutdown, essential services like transport, supermarkets, trash collection and hospitals will remain open.

Calderon said authorities would use the partial shutdown to weigh whether to extend the emergency measures, or "if it is possible to phase out some" restrictions.

The outbreak appeared to already be stabilizing in Mexico, the epicenter. Confirmed swine flu cases doubled Wednesday to 99, but new deaths finally seemed to be leveling off after an aggressive public health campaign was launched when the epidemic was declared April 23. Although 17 new suspected deaths were reported, only one additional confirmed death was announced Wednesday night, for a total of eight countrywide. The virus is believed to have sickened as many as 2,955 people across the country, though hospital records suggest the outbreak may have peaked here last week.

The WHO said the global threat is nevertheless serious enough to ramp up efforts to produce a vaccine against the virus. It declared a Phase 5 outbreak — the second-highest on its threat scale — for the first time ever, indicating a pandemic could be imminent.

In the U.S., eight states closed schools Wednesday, affecting 53,000 students in Texas alone.

Obama said his administration has made sure that needed medical supplies are on hand and he praised the Bush administration for stockpiling 50 million doses of antiviral medications.

"The key now is to just make sure we are maintaining great vigilance, that everybody responds appropriately when cases do come up. And individual families start taking very sensible precautions that can make a huge difference," he said.

Ecuador joined Cuba and Argentina in banning travel to or from Mexico and Peru banned flights from Mexico. The Panama Canal Authority ordered pilots and other employees who board ships passing through the waterway to use surgical masks and gloves. An average of 36 ships per day use the canal, most from the United States, China, Chile and Japan.

In France, President Nicolas Sarkozy met with Cabinet ministers to discuss swine flu, and the health minister said France would ask the European Union to suspend flights to Mexico.

The U.S., the European Union and other countries have discouraged nonessential travel to Mexico. Some countries have urged their citizens to avoid the United States and Canada as well. Health officials said such bans would do little to stop the virus.

Medical detectives have not pinpointed where the outbreak began. Scientists believe that somewhere in the world, months or even a year ago, a pig virus jumped to a human and mutated, and has been spreading between humans ever since.

China has gone on a rhetorical offensive to squash any suggestion it's the source of the swine flu after some Mexican officials were quoted in media reports in the past week saying the virus came from Asia and the governor of Mexico's Veracruz state was quoted as saying the virus specifically came from China.

One of the deaths in Mexico directly attributed to swine flu was that of a Bangladeshi immigrant, said Mexico's chief epidemiologist Miguel Angel Lezana.

Lezana said the unnamed Bangladeshi had lived in Mexico for six months and was recently visited by a brother who arrived from Bangladesh or Pakistan and was reportedly ill. The brother has left Mexico and his whereabouts are unknown, Lezana said. He suggested the brother could have brought the virus from Pakistan or Bangladesh.

By March 9, the first symptoms were showing up in the Mexican state of Veracruz, where pig farming is a key industry in mountain hamlets and where small clinics provide the only health care.

The earliest confirmed case was there: a 5-year-old boy who was one of hundreds of people in the town of La Gloria whose flu symptoms left them struggling to breathe.

Days later, a door-to-door tax inspector was hospitalized with acute respiratory problems in the neighboring state of Oaxaca, infecting 16 hospital workers before she became Mexico's first confirmed death.

Neighbors of the inspector, Maria Adela Gutierrez, said Wednesday that she fell ill after pairing up with a temporary worker from Veracruz who seemed to have a very bad cold. Other people from La Gloria kept going to jobs in Mexico City despite their illnesses, and could have infected people in the capital.

Cordova, the Mexican health secretary, said getting proper treatment within 48 hours of falling ill "is fundamental for getting the best results" and suggested the virus can be beaten if caught quickly and treated properly. But it was neither caught quickly nor treated properly in the early days in Mexico, which lacked the capacity to identify the virus, and whose health care system has become the target of widespread anger and distrust.

In case after case, patients have complained of being misdiagnosed, turned away by doctors and denied access to drugs. Monica Gonzalez said her husband, Alejandro, already had a bad cough when he returned to Mexico City from Veracruz two weeks ago and soon developed a fever and swollen tonsils.

As the 32-year-old truck driver's symptoms worsened, she took him to a series of doctors and finally a large hospital. By then, he had a temperature of 102 and could barely stand.

"They sent him away because they said it was just tonsillitis," she said. "That hospital is garbage."

Gonzalez finally took her husband to Mexico City's main respiratory hospital, "dying in the taxi." Doctors diagnosed pneumonia, but it may be too late: He has suffered a collapsed lung and is unconscious. Doctors doubt he will survive.

Swine flu has symptoms nearly identical to regular flu — fever, cough and sore throat — and spreads like regular flu, through tiny particles in the air, when people cough or sneeze. People with flu symptoms are advised to stay at home, wash their hands and cover their sneezes.

CDC - Update:

The outbreak of disease in people caused by a new influenza virus of swine origin continues to grow in the United States and internationally. Today, CDC reports additional confirmed human infections, hospitalizations and the nation’s first fatality from this outbreak. The more recent illnesses and the reported death suggest that a pattern of more severe illness associated with this virus may be emerging in the U.S. Most people will not have immunity to this new virus and, as it continues to spread, more cases, more hospitalizations and more deaths are expected in the coming days and weeks.

CDC has implemented its emergency response. The agency’s goals are to reduce transmission and illness severity, and provide information to help health care providers, public health officials and the public address the challenges posed by the new virus. Yesterday, CDC issued new interim guidance for clinicians on how to care for children and pregnant women who may be infected with this virus. Young children and pregnant women are two groups of people who are at high risk of serious complications from seasonal influenza. In addition, CDC’s Division of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) continues to send antiviral drugs, personal protective equipment, and respiratory protection devices to all 50 states and U.S. territories to help them respond to the outbreak. The swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is susceptible to the prescription antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir. This is a rapidly evolving situation and CDC will provide updated guidance and new information as it becomes available.

Arizona 1
California 14
Indiana 1
Kansas 2
Massachusetts 2
Michigan 2
Nevada 1
New York 51
Ohio 1
Texas 16 1
TOTAL COUNTS 91 cases 1 death

Be right back with the good news from the Enery Front.
Peter

From The Energy Front: Florida House Says DRILL

Now we just need the Senate to follow their lead.

Hey folks,

As you know, there is this major push to become Energy Independent. To seek out alternative Energy and remove ourselves off of Oil. That is great. I agree. Yet the reality of the situation is this. THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE ENERGY! Not yet.

For us to get off Oil, we have to:

1- Find the Alternative Energy Source.
2- Find a way to harvest it.
3- Find a way to mass produce it. Convert it into something we can use.
4- Find a way to make it available on a mass scale.

We are DECADES away from doing this. We have not really if started step one yet. Wind, Solar? Of course these are possibilities. But do we even have the technology yet in which to do anything with it? Nope.

True story folks. I ran into a guy installed a Solar Panel on a house. I called him down off the roof and said "I'm interested in making my home completely Solar. I want to be off the grid. What would something like that cost me?" His reply? Oh, we don't do that. This is for their pool. I do not know any company in Florida that will do the entire home. But you would be looking at about $20,000 plus. Just a guess though."

That would be just one house. Mine. No company in Florida, the "SUNSHINE STATE" does entire Solar Houses? Yet some think that tomorrow we will be a Solar Nation? No folks. We have the answer. While we pursue the Dream of Alternative Energy, we can be Energy Independent, TOMORROW. {Relatively speaking} All we have to do is use what we have more of then anyone else in the World. As long as we use what makes the World Economy RUN. Oil.

Turns out that the Florida House had a Vote on Drilling off the coast of Florida. To say it passed is an understatement. It passed 70-43. Now of course there were those that hate this. Those that out of lack of understanding, or them being agenda driven, made the normal uneducated statements.

"This is something serious, a dagger in the heart of the economy in my district and the districts of other coastal communities," said Rep. Keith Fitzgerald, a Sarasota Democrat. "Just the smallest of spills will send people elsewhere."

Could you name me a major spill? All those hurricanes that came right through the Drilling area, NOT ONE DROP? Can you tell me in the years of Drilling where the economic destruction EVER happened? Please Representative Fitzgerald, please tell us.

"History will judge us on this vote, whether it be 10 years or 20 years," said Rep. Richard Steinberg, D-Miami Beach. "We are gambling with the future of Florida."

Yeah? I bet it will pay off BIG TIME! Gov. Crist said this.

"It may have some promise. What I mean by that is if the technology can be proven, if it can be shown to be safe, I'm sympathetic to the notion we might be able to be more independent in terms of weaning off our dependence on foreign oil," Crist said.

It HAS been proven. Now we just have to do it. Not to mention more than $6 billion annually for the state and create more than 16,000 jobs. That should help boost Florida's economy.

API President Jack Gerard comments on Florida House vote on offshore development
WASHINGTON - American Petroleum Institute President Jack Gerard today issued the following statement on the Florida House’s overwhelming passage of a bill to authorize oil and natural gas development in Florida state waters:

“Florida’s House of Representatives - like the majority of Americans - recognizes that domestic oil and natural gas development is necessary to preserve and create jobs, generate revenues for cash-strapped state and local governments and bolster America’s energy security. It also recognizes the nation’s oil and gas industry uses state-of-the art technology and strict operating practices to ensure that any development would be done in a way that protects both the environment and state’s vital tourism industry. We hope that the state’s Governor and its Senate can see the wisdom in the House proposal, and re-open the door to offshore oil and gas development that would benefit not only Florida but the entire nation.”

AMEN! You see what happens when people get educated with FACTS, instead of just blindly repeated false talking points. We make progress. Now to the Senate. Let's hope they open their eyes as well.
Peter

Sources:
Business Week - Fla. House passes bill to allow offshore drilling
API - Press Release

Swine Flu Update 042909

Update: Swine Flu, Money, Vaccines, and Fear.

Hey folks,

Yes, I'm aware there is more news out there. Yes I am aware that some would like to dismiss this, or even ignore it. I will get to so of the other news and answer some of your questions in just a second. But first, sorry, I do find this very important to keep an eye on with all the MIS-information out there. Here is your Swine Flu Update, for Wednesday 042909. When you read this, you make your own judgements on the money, Vaccines, and fear aspect of all this. Right after this, I will be talking about Obama's first one hundred days, and my honest feelings on Arlen Specter switching Parties.

Bloomberg - Swine Flu Extends Reach to Countries Outside Mexico (Update2) By Tom Randall

April 29 (Bloomberg) -- New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said hundreds of students in his city are sick with suspected cases of swine flu, an indication the disease may be taking root in countries outside Mexico.

President Barack Obama asked Congress for $1.5 billion in new funding to brace for an outbreak, a White House spokesman said. New York accounts for 45 of the 65 confirmed U.S. cases in six states. New Zealand today confirmed 14 people have swine flu in Auckland city, the first cases in the Asia-Pacific region.

Mexico, where the virus toll is highest, said 159 people may have died from the malady, with seven of those verified by laboratory tests. Seven countries have confirmed swine flu, including the U.K., Canada, Israel, New Zealand and Spain, laying the seeds for a possible global pandemic, according to the World Health Organization. Officials in Bavaria said Germany confirmed its first case today.

“The zillion-dollar question is how long will this transmission activity last and what will be the evolving picture of disease severity,” said Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease and Policy at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. “If transmission continues and severe illness is documented, WHO will have to raise its pandemic alert level further.”

The WHO, a United Nations agency based in Geneva, said it’s watching New York to see whether the virus has become rooted in a second country, a finding that would boost the level of the pandemic alert system.

Hospitalization, Deaths

The U.S. can expect hospitalizations and deaths, and businesses and schools should plan for a pandemic, Richard Besser, acting head of the Atlanta-based CDC, said yesterday.

New York, America’s largest city, has about 45 confirmed cases, most originating at St. Francis Preparatory School in Queens, Bloomberg said yesterday. At P.S. 177, a public school for autistic children, 82 students have called in sick and six students are being tested at Ascension school in Manhattan’s Upper West Side, , he said. Most family and staff suspected of having the flu haven’t been tested, the mayor said.

Two other people, a woman in Brooklyn and a boy in the Bronx, were hospitalized with suspected cases associated with travel to Mexico, Bloomberg said. Five patients with confirmed swine flu cases have been hospitalized in the U.S., Besser said.

Alert Raised

WHO raised its global pandemic alert this week, saying the disease is no longer containable and health authorities need to prepare for outbreaks. It’s the first time the warning has been raised to a 4 since the six-step system was adopted in 2005. It had been at 3 since 2007, when it was elevated for an outbreak of avian flu.

A pandemic, rated 6 on WHO’s alert system, is an unexpected outbreak of a new contagious disease that spreads from person to person across borders. In such cases, almost no one has natural immunity.

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said Obama requested more money yesterday to help build stockpiles of anti- viral drugs, work on vaccines and coordinate the U.S. response with other governments.

The money is meant “to ensure we have the resources available” at federal, state and local levels to deal with any wider spread of the virus, Gibbs said.

The biggest concern is whether the virus is establishing itself outside Mexico, Keiji Fukuda, WHO’s assistant director- general for health security and environment, said on a conference call yesterday with reporters.

Speed, Ferocity

WHO is tracking the speed and ferocity of the New York- based transmissions with U.S. and state health officials to determine how the flu may spread in the future, Fukuda said.

“There is definitely the possibility that this virus can establish that kind of community-wide outbreak capacity in multiple countries,” Fukuda said. “It’s a very serious possibility, but it’s still too early to say that it’s inevitable.”

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency to help the most populous U.S. state with 37 million people prepare for an outbreak. Health officials said yesterday they had confirmed an 11th case, though the added instance wasn’t reflected in the CDC data. The state also has seven more “probable” cases, said Bonnie Sorensen, chief deputy director of the California Department of Public Health.

Travel Advisories

Schwarzenegger ordered state agencies to use whatever government personnel, equipment and facilities needed to help the health department. He also authorized the agency, along with the state’s Emergency Medical Services Authority, to enter contracts with private companies without competitive bids.

The outbreak in Mexico City prompted the local government yesterday to order all 35,000 restaurants shut.

U.S. officials recommended that nonessential travel to Mexico be avoided and the European Union told travelers to avoid outbreak areas. Malaysia today asked the WHO to ban outbound travel from Mexico.

Japan suspended visa-free entry for Mexican nationals, countries including Australia, Singapore and South Korea are screening air passengers, and Taiwan advised against visiting Mexico.

Australia is testing 90 people for swine flu, and authorities are searching for 15 people who were on a plane from Mexico two days ago, Health Minister Nicola Roxon said.

Trade Curbs

South Korea will suspend imports of live hogs from North America starting today, the Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said. Indonesia said April 27 it will destroy all imported pork and swine products and fumigate agricultural goods bought from Canada, the U.S. and Mexico as a precaution.

China, the world’s top pork consumer, banned imports of swine products from Mexico and parts of the U.S.

The WHO isn’t recommending travel restrictions and has said people can’t get swine flu from eating properly handled pork.

“We’re in a pre-pandemic phase and it’s going to be hard to know until we’re much further along what this is going to progress to,” Besser said in an interview.

Scientists are trying to determine why swine flu, a respiratory disease of pigs caused by a type-A influenza virus, has been more severe in Mexico. The disease results in symptoms similar to those of seasonal influenza, such as fever, lethargy and coughing, and may also cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, according to the CDC.

Pandemic Alert

“In terms of defining a pandemic, there is no requirement that it cause severe disease,” said Arnold Monto, a scientist at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. “It doesn’t have to be killing millions. The virus may be bad in terms of the likelihood of getting infected, but not necessarily in terms of severity.”

The Mexican government requested that bars, movie theaters and churches close in Mexico City. It also extended its school closure to May 6 and may shut down more activities.

The World Bank, in a worst-case scenario published in October, said a flu pandemic that’s similar in scope to the 1918 outbreak known as the Spanish flu could kill 71 million people worldwide and push the economy into a “major global recession” costing more than $3 trillion.

Flu Treatments

Production of influenza vaccine for seasonal outbreaks, which U.S. health officials have said is ineffective against the new flu, should continue, Fukuda said. The WHO is working with companies to prepare for a swine-flu vaccine, and would help produce it if the outbreak becomes a pandemic, he said.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration signed emergency authorizations April 27 that will permit the CDC to use an unapproved lab test for swine flu and more dosing options than currently recommended for influenza treatments Tamiflu, sold by Swiss drugmaker Roche Holding AG, and Relenza, from London-based GlaxoSmithKline Plc.

If the world is facing a pandemic, “this is a nice, gentle pandemic,” said John Oxford, a virologist at Queen Mary’s School of Medicine in London. “Virulence seems low.”

The New York City mayor is founder and majority owner of Bloomberg News parent Bloomberg LP.

To contact the reporter on this story: Tom Randall in New York at trandall6@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: April 29, 2009 03:50 EDT

CDC Update:

The human swine flu outbreak continues to grow in the United States and internationally. Today, CDC reports additional cases of confirmed swine influenza and a number of hospitalizations of swine flu patients. Internationally, the situation is more serious too, with additional countries reporting confirmed cases of swine flu. In response to the intensifying outbreak, the World Health Organization raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 4. A Phase 4 alert is characterized by confirmed person-to-person spread of a new influenza virus able to cause “community-level” outbreaks.” The increase in the pandemic alert phase indicates that the likelihood of a pandemic has increased.

CDC has activated its emergency operations center to coordinate the agency’s emergency response. CDC ’s goals are to reduce transmission and illness severity, and provide information to help health care providers, public health officials and the public address the challenges posed by this swine influenza virus. Yesterday, CDC issued a travel warning recommending that people avoid non-essential travel to Mexico. CDC continues to issue interim guidance daily on the website and through health alert network notices. CDC’s Division of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) is releasing one-quarter of its antiviral drugs, personal protective equipment, and respiratory protection devices to help states respond to the outbreak. The swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is susceptible to the prescription antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir. This is a rapidly evolving situation and CDC will provide updated guidance and new information as it becomes available.

AS of 11 AM yesterday, the CDC breaks it down like this.

California 10 cases
Kansas 2 cases
New York City 45 cases
Ohio 1 case
Texas 6 cases
TOTAL COUNT 64 cases

There is an investigation of two deaths in LA to see if they died of this. More updates to follow.
Peter

Sources:
Bloomberg - Swine Flu Extends Reach to Countries Outside Mexico (Update2)
CDC - Website

Obama 100 Days of Spending, Specter is Democrat

Obama and Specter, doing what Libs Do

OK Folks,

Let's look at some of the other news out there shall we. Some of you really want my honest opinion on the first 100 days of Obama and the whole Arlen Specter switching to the Democrat thing.

First Obama's first 100 days? That is simple. He has done NOTHING. If one actually wakes up and looks at the REALITY that is Obama, instead of the DREAM that is Obama, you can CLEARLY see that the reality is vastly different.

The Dream that is Obama had all these components to it. As I said to a friend in a recent Email.

I really think that there is an unbelievable disconnect with people. People LOVE the DREAM that is Obama. Young, good looking, can deliver {A Pre-written on a teleprompter} speech like no one else. He can fire up a crowd. A skill that has the Black Church all over it. He learned from the best. He was a Community Organizer that is all about firing up a crowd. With this, he has YEARS of experience. Couple that with the outright Hatred for Bush, and the War. Obama was a shoe in. New, Fresh, Bold.

So people wanted to believe. Then, those who wanted him in, SELECTED McCain to be the Republican Candidate. One of the MAJOR players George Soros. He funded Obama, owns the Media, and even got Obama started in Politics. I actually believe that McCain went along with this willingly. I'm not joking. I think McCain's sole purpose of running was to get Obama elected. Something that I will never be able to prove. But it makes sense. Huckabee, Romney, Even Rudy, stood more of a chance at beating Obama one on one, yet the Media destroyed them before the Republican Primary. Basically leaving just McCain. So really? Who was the choice? Obama.

Now that Obama is in, these people, still cling to the dream. But yet, when people wake up, like you, and actually start looking at the REAL Obama, you find, out of control spending times ten, like 4 BILLION to ACORN? You see nothing changed in Iraq. Obama is keeping the Wire Tapping, has not close Gitmo yet. Has not actually fixed ANYTHING. Seriously look at where we are. Billions to Banks, People still losing their homes. Banks went out and bought other Banks making a ton of money. People still hurting and can not get loans. Billions to the Auto industry, the Government NOW OWNS 89 percent of GM. 89 percent. Yet GM just announced 8000 plus more layoffs, on it's way to tens of thousands, did away with major name brands and are still about to go Bankrupt. Now to the Credit card companies?

We do not have Universal Healthcare. Free Education, Teachers salaries have gone nowhere. Because of the recession and Obama's Spending, schools are actually CLOSING. China tests a rocket. North Korea tests a Rocket. Iran continues at neck breaking rate to develop Nuclear Weapons, and our President is bowing to Kings, shaking Dictator's hands and saying we can learn a lot from them. But what has he ACTUALLY done for us? Put us into a dept that our GRANDKIDS will still be attempting to pay off, if even possible. That is reality. Far from the Dream. People, like you now, who are awake, can see it. Don't feel so bad, I really wanted to believe in the Dream. I really did. But my gut was warning me that he was going to be a nightmare. We just need to keep trying to wake people up.

Now to Specter. So Arlen Specter, who became a Republican during Reagan, looks at the Polls, he even came right out and said it, found he was going to lose to a CONSERVATIVE, and switched back to the Democrat Party. {Sigh} Who cares?

People wonder why I call myself a Conservative Independent? This is the type of thing that drives me nuts. Arlen Specter was never a Conservative. He was a RINO. He switched during Reagan because he knew that would help his career. He saw Reagan as one of our most popular and greatest President we have ever had, and thought, this is the trend. We will get more Reagans, and the Country will move Conservative. That did not happen. Now he sees Obama as {Not even close} the Liberal Version of Reagan. He sees {So he thinks} the country moving hard Left, so he wants to be on THAT Wagon. Specter, like so many Politicians on both sides, is out for Specter. He even said, that he would not let the Republican Constituents decide his 29 year career. Here is AP's take on this.



So he switched Parties? So what? I can think or SEVERAL I would love to join him. Be brave enough to be who you are. Specter is, was, and always will be a spineless Lib. He showed the same old, same old, Liberal arrogance and elitism that Obama and those in power show us every day. SCREW YOU American people. I am a Politician. I will tell YOU what to do, not you telling me. To bad the Constitution says differently.

2010 is less than a year away folks. If you are waking up and you are getting angry with all this, get ready, go VOTE! Send these Idiots a message that we are NOT going to allow them to destroy this country. Remind them WE are THEIR Boss. The best way to send that message. Fire them.
Peter

Swine Flu Update 042809

UPDATE: Finger pointing now beginning

Hey folks,

Here is your Daily Update on this new Swine Flu. While some are reporting that the focus is on a 4 year old Mexican Boy and one Pig farm, others are saying that there is no proof of this. The workers at the farm are not sick. Mexico is now saying that perhaps it started HERE. Other countries are telling people NOT to visit US or Mexico. Some are FINNALLY even coming out and openly asking if this IS Man-Made.

Here is the latest from the AP

AP - World health officials race to stem deadly flu By ANDREW O. SELSKY, Associated Press Writer Andrew O. Selsky, Associated Press Writer – 1 hr 5 mins ago

MEXICO CITY – World health officials, racing to extinguish a new flu strain that is jumping borders, raised a global alert to an unprecedented level as the outbreak claimed more lives in Mexico. The U.S. prepared for the worst even as President Barack Obama tried to reassure Americans.

With the swine flu having already spread to at least four other countries, authorities around the globe are like firefighters battling a blaze without knowing how far it extends.

"At this time, containment is not a feasible option," said Keiji Fukuda, assistant director-general of the World Health Organization, which raised its alert level on Monday.

At the White House, a swine flu update was added to Obama's daily intelligence briefing. Obama said the outbreak is "not a cause for alarm," even as the U.S. stepped up checks of people entering the country and warned U.S. citizens to avoid nonessential travel to Mexico.

"We are proceeding as if we are preparatory to a full pandemic," said Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.

The European Union health commissioner suggested that Europeans avoid nonessential travel both to Mexico and parts of the United States. Russia, Hong Kong and Taiwan said they would quarantine visitors showing symptoms of the virus.

Mexico, where the number of deaths believed caused by swine flu rose by 50 percent on Monday to 152, is suspected to be ground zero of the outbreak. But Mexican Health Secretary Jose Angel Cordova late Monday said no one knows where the outbreak began, and implied it may have started in the U.S.

"I think it is very risky to say, or want to say, what the point of origin or dissemination of it is, given that there had already been cases reported in southern California and Texas," Cordova told a press conference.

It's still not clear when the first case occurred, making it impossible thus far to determine where the breakout started.

Dr. Nancy Cox of the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said she believes the earliest onset of swine flu in the United States happened on March 28. Cordova said a sample taken from a 4-year-old boy in Mexico's Veracruz state in early April tested positive for swine flu. However, it is not known when the boy, who later recovered, became infected.

The World Health Organization raised the alert level to Phase 4, meaning there is sustained human-to-human transmission of the virus causing outbreaks in at least one country. Monday was the first time it has ever been raised above Phase 3.

Putting an alert at Phases 4 or 5 signals that the virus is becoming increasingly adept at spreading among humans. Phase 6 is for a full-blown pandemic, characterized by outbreaks in at least two regions of the world.

Fifty cases — none fatal and most of them mild — were confirmed in the United States. Worldwide there were 79 confirmed cases, including six in Canada, one in Spain and two in Scotland. Thirteen are suspected in New Zealand, and one is suspected in both France and Israel.

Symptoms include a fever of more than 100, coughing, joint aches, severe headache and, in some cases, vomiting and diarrhea.

Amid the alarm, there was a spot of good news. The number of new cases reported by Mexico's largest government hospitals has been declining the past three days, Cordova said, from 141 on Saturday to 119 on Sunday and 110 Monday.

In a bid to prevent mass contagion, Mexico canceled school nationwide until May 6, and the Mexico City government is considering a complete shutdown, including all public transportation. The Cinco de Mayo parade celebrating Mexico's defeat of a French army on May 5, 1862 and Mexico City's traditional May 1 parade were canceled. More than 100 museums nationwide were closed.

At Mexico City's international airport, families grimly waited for flights out of the capital or country, determined to keep their masks on until they touched ground somewhere else.

Three games involving Mexico City soccer clubs were played with no spectators over the weekend. Decio de Maria, secretary general of the Mexican soccer federation, said plans for future matches would be announced on Wednesday.

"The idea is to look for the fewest number of games that have to be played behind closed doors," he said. "If it's necessary, we'll play all the matches behind closed doors. We don't foresee canceling any games."

Many residents of Mexico City wore blue surgical masks, though the CDC said most masks offer little protection. Many victims have been in their 30s and 40s — not the very old or young who typically succumb to the flu. So far, no deaths from the new virus have been reported outside Mexico.

It could take four to six months before the first batch of vaccines are available, WHO officials said. Some antiflu drugs do work once someone is sick.

Napolitano, the U.S. Homeland Security chief, said Washington is dispatching people and equipment to affected areas and stepping up information-sharing at all levels of government and with other nations.

Richard Besser, the CDC's acting director, said his agency is aggressively looking for evidence of the disease spreading and probing for ways to control and prevent it.

Flu deaths are nothing new in the United States. The CDC estimates that about 36,000 people died of flu-related causes each year, on average, during the 1990s in the United States. But the new flu strain is a combination of pig, bird and human viruses that humans may have no natural immunity to.

Besser said that so far the virus in the United States seems less severe than in Mexico. Only one person has been hospitalized in the U.S.

"I wouldn't be overly reassured by that," Besser told reporters at CDC headquarters in Atlanta, sounding a cautionary note.

The best way to keep the disease from spreading, Besser said, is by taking everyday precautions such as frequent handwashing, covering up coughs and sneezes, and staying away from work or school if not feeling well.

WHO spokesman Peter Cordingley singled out air travel as an easy way the virus could spread, noting that the WHO estimates that up to 500,000 people are on planes at any time.

Governments in Asia — with memories of previous flu outbreaks — were especially cautious. Singapore, Thailand, Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines dusted off thermal scanners used in the 2003 SARS crisis and were checking for signs of fever among passengers from North America. South Korea, India and Indonesia also announced screening.

Teams of doctors, nurses and government officials boarded flights arriving in Japan from Mexico, the U.S. and Canada to check passengers for signs of the flu, Japanese Health Ministry official Akimori Mizuguchi said.

European and U.S. markets bounced back from early losses as pharmaceutical stocks were lifted by expectations that health authorities will increase stockpiles of anti-viral drugs. Stocks of airlines, hotels and other travel-related companies posted sharper losses.

So we are now up to 50 cases confirmed in the US, and more people getting sick daily. The CDC Update, last updated yesterday at 1 pm, basically says the same thing. They are working on it. At that time, 40 were confirmed that broke down like this.

California 7 cases
Kansas 2 cases
New York City 28 cases
Ohio 1 case
Texas 2 cases
TOTAL COUNT 40 cases

They have not updated where the other 10 came from yet. More to follow.

By the way, my goal here is NOT to panic anyone. My goal is to keep us, including me, informed of what is actually going on. Some have been down playing this. Some have said it is just a mass distraction created by Obama and Crew to take focus away from what he is really doing. Some are saying it is nothing. So what? 50 people out of 300 million. Who cares? For those of you who do not feel that this is a big deal, so be it. Go to Cancun, have a great time. Go to Texas and California. Go where this is. I hope you do not get sick. Me? I would rather know what we are dealing with. I would rather know if this is a test for something bigger, or if this is nothing at all. I do not want to speculate. I want answers.
Peter

SWINE FLU UPDATE 042709

UPDATE: World Governments Taking It Serious, Stock Markets Fall

Hey folks,

This is getting bigger than anyone ever expected. Here is your Swine Flu Update for April 27, 2009. Until further notice, Updates to follow on a regular bases. This was just pointed out to me by someone in the Comment Section on my original post. Well, is this an admittance of this Swine Flu being Man-made. Watch this and you decide.



AP - World gov'ts race to contain swine flu outbreak By LAURAN NEERGAARD, AP Medical Writer Lauran Neergaard, Ap Medical Writer – 1 hr 5 mins ago

WASHINGTON – The world's governments raced to avoid both a pandemic and global hysteria Sunday as more possible swine flu cases surfaced from Canada to New Zealand and the United States declared a public health emergency. "It's not a time to panic," the White House said.

Late Sunday, Mexico's health secretary raised the number of suspected deaths in that country to 103, and the number of cases to more than 1,600.

Mexico, the outbreak's epicenter, canceled some church services and closed markets, restaurants and movie theaters. A televised variety show filled its seats with cardboard cutouts. Few people ventured onto the streets, and some wore face masks.

Canada confirmed cases in six people, including some students who — like some New York City spring-breakers — got mildly ill in Mexico. Countries across Asia promised to quarantine feverish travelers returning from flu-affected areas.

The U.S. declared the health emergency so it could ship roughly 12 million doses of flu-fighting medications from a federal stockpile to states in case they eventually need them — although, with 20 confirmed cases of people recovering easily, they don't appear to for now.

Make no mistake: There is not a global pandemic — at least not yet. It's not clear how many people truly have this particular strain, or why all countries but Mexico are seeing mild disease. Nor is it clear if the new virus spreads easily, one milestone that distinguishes a bad flu from a global crisis. But waiting to take protective steps until after a pandemic is declared would be too late.

"We do think this will continue to spread but we are taking aggressive actions to minimize the impact on people's health," said Dr. Richard Besser, acting chief of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

President Barack Obama's administration sought to look both calm and in command, striking a balance between informing Americans without panicking them. Obama himself was playing golf while U.S. officials used a White House news conference to compare the emergency declaration with preparing for an approaching hurricane.

Yeah, that is reassuring. Someone even commented on that. Does it really show leadership?

"We're preparing in an environment where we really don't know ultimately what the size or seriousness of this outbreak is going to be," Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano told reporters.

Earlier, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said the outbreak was serious, but that the public should know "it's not a time to panic." He told NBC's "Meet the Press" that Obama was getting updates "every few hours."

In Mexico, soldiers handed out 6 million surgical-style masks to deal with the deadly flu strain. Special laboratory tests to confirm how many died from it — 22 have been confirmed so far out of 103 suspected deaths — are taking time.

The World Bank said it would send Mexico $25 million in loans for immediate aid and $180 million in long-term assistance to address the outbreak, along with advice on how other nations have dealt with similar crises.

A potential pandemic virus is defined, among other things, as a novel strain that's not easily treated. This new strain can be treated with Tamiflu and Relenza, but not two older flu drugs. Also, the WHO wants to know if it's easily spread from one person to a second who then spreads it again — something U.S. officials suspect and are investigating.

"Right now we have cases occurring in a couple of different countries and in multiple locations, but we also know that in the modern world that cases can simply move around from single locations and not really become established," cautioned WHO flu chief Dr. Keiji Fukuda.

There is no vaccine against swine flu, but the CDC has taken the initial step necessary for producing one — creating a seed stock of the virus — should authorities decide that's necessary. Last winter's flu shot offers no cross-protection to the new virus, although it's possible that older people exposed to various Type A flu strains in the past may have some immunity, CDC officials said Sunday.

Worldwide, attention focused sharply on travelers.

"It was acquired in Mexico, brought home and spread," Nova Scotia's chief public health officer, Dr. Robert Strang, said of Canada's first four confirmed cases, in student travelers.

Should we then NOT be looking at securing the boarders even more here?

New Zealand said 10 students who took a school trip to Mexico probably had swine flu, and on Monday it said three students in a second group just back from Mexico probably have it as well. Spanish authorities had seven suspected cases under observation. In Brazil, a hospital said a patient who arrived from Mexico was hospitalized with some swine flu symptoms. A New York City school where eight cases are confirmed will be closed Monday and Tuesday, and 14 schools in Texas, including a high school where two cases were confirmed, will be closed for at least the next week.

China, Russia, Taiwan and Bolivia began planning to quarantine travelers arriving from flu-affected areas if they have symptoms. Italy, Poland and Venezuela advised citizens to postpone travel to affected parts of Mexico and the U.S.

Multiple airlines, including American, United, Continental, US Airways, Mexicana and Air Canada, are waiving their usual penalties for changing reservations for anyone traveling to, from or through Mexico, but have not canceled flights.

Officials along the U.S.-Mexico border were asking health care providers to take respiratory samples from patients who appear to have the flu. Travelers were being asked if they visited flu-stricken areas.

The U.S. hasn't advised against travel to Mexico but does urge precautions such as frequent hand-washing while there, and has begun questioning arriving travelers about flu symptoms.

Yeah, so every other country is urging their people to avoid traveling to Mexico. Why has our Government NOT done the same? With all this, now the Stock Market is also starting to be effected. According to the WSJ - GLOBAL MARKETS: European Stocks Fall On Fears Over Swine Flu

LONDON (Dow Jones)--European stocks have traded lower Monday as fears over the impact of a possible swine flu pandemic on an already weak global economy have boosted demand for traditional safe-haven assets.

"If swine flu morphs into a pandemic, it's the last thing the world economy needs, as it's already on its knees," said economist Kenneth Broux at Lloyds Banking.

During times of global flu pandemics, three trends take place: equity markets fall, the dollar strengthens, and there's a flight to quality, he said.

Like I said, until someone get's a handle on this, you can look here for on going updates as they become available.
Peter

Sources:
AP - World gov'ts race to contain swine flu outbreak
WSJ - GLOBAL MARKETS: European Stocks Fall On Fears Over Swine Flu

SWINE FLU UPDATE

UDATE: Emergency declared as 20th swine flu case confirmed

Continuing Update on Swine Flu

U.S. officials say the public health emergency is a precaution. Americans are told to prepare for outbreaks but not to panic. By Jim Tankersley

11:06 AM PDT, April 26, 2009

Reporting from Washington -- Federal officials today declared a public health emergency involving human swine flu, warning Americans to prepare for widespread outbreaks now or in the future, yet urging them not to panic.

In a briefing at the White House, the acting head of the Centers for Disease Control, Dr. Richard Besser, confirmed a 20th case of the flu, this one in Ohio. He said the government will likely find more cases -- and cases that are more severe than the relatively mild ones seen in the United States so far -- as it ramps up detection efforts.

Meanwhile, Nova Scotia's chief public health officer said today that the east coast Canadian province has four confirmed cases of swine flu. And in Mexico, the country's health minister said the disease had killed up to 86 people and likely sickened more than 1,400 since April 13.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said the government would release a quarter of its 50-million-unit strategic reserve of antiviral medications, which combat the disease in infected patients, to states where outbreaks have occurred. Besser said the CDC has begun laying the groundwork to manufacture a swine flu vaccine if one becomes necessary.

The officials cast the moves as aggressive but precautionary, and they counseled calm.

Swine flu is "serious enough to be a great concern to this White House and to this government," White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said on NBC'S "Meet the Press," adding that President Obama is receiving frequent updates on the situation.

"We are taking the proper precautions to address anything that happens," Gibbs said. "It's not a time to panic."

Napolitano said the "emergency" declaration was a routine move to ensure the government is prepared "in an environment where we really don't know, ultimately, what the size or seriousness of this outbreak is going to be."

A swine flu outbreak in Mexico is being blamed for at least 1,000 infections and 81 deaths. There have been 20 reported cases in the United States, none fatal. That includes cases in California, Kansas, Texas, Ohio and New York, where officials confirmed infections today in eight students of a private high school in Queens.

The U.S. patients have ranged in age from 9 to 50. All are recovering or have recovered.

Only one U.S. patient has been hospitalized so far, Besser said. But given the experience in Mexico, he said he expected "that, over time, we are going to see more severe disease in this country."

"This is moving fast," Besser added later, "but I want you to understand that we view this more as a marathon."

The symptoms of swine flu are nearly identical to the symptoms of other influenza, including high fever, aches, coughing and congestion. It appears to spread through human-to-human contact and human contact with live pigs but not by eating pork products, officials said.

Countries around the world moved quickly to limit the disease's spread today. Some issued travel warnings for the United States or Mexico. Others began screening some incoming international air travelers for signs of high fever.

Besser and other officials at the press conference stressed simple steps that the U.S. public can take to limit spread of the disease: Wash hands frequently, stay home, and don't board airplanes, if you feel sick, and keep sick children out of school.

Gibbs said it was too early to speculate about economic effects of an outbreak. And he dismissed reporters who asked if the federal response was hampered by the fact that the Senate had not yet confirmed President Obama's nominee to lead the Health and Human Services department, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas.

"It's all hands on deck and we're doing fine," Gibbs said. "I would say that we hope we have a new secretary shortly."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

LA Times

From the CDC

Human Swine Influenza Investigation

April 26, 2009 12:45 ET

Human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection have been identified in the United States. Human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection also have been identified internationally. The current U.S. case count is provided below.

U.S. Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection State # of laboratory
confirmed cases

California 7 cases
Kansas 2 cases
New York City 8 cases
Ohio 1 case
Texas 2 cases
TOTAL COUNT 20 cases

International Human Cases of Swine Flu Infection

Investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the infection and whether additional people have been infected with swine influenza viruses.

CDC is working very closely with officials in states where human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) have been identified, as well as with health officials in Mexico, Canada and the World Health Organization. This includes deploying staff domestically and internationally to provide guidance and technical support. CDC has activated its Emergency Operations Center to coordinate this investigation.

Laboratory testing has found the swine influenza A (H1N1) virus susceptible to the prescription antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir and has issued interim guidance for the use of these drugs to treat and prevent infection with swine influenza viruses. CDC also has prepared interim guidance on how to care for people who are sick and interim guidance on the use of face masks in a community setting where spread of this swine flu virus has been detected. This is a rapidly evolving situation and CDC will provide new information as it becomes available.

There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy.

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.

If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

UPDATE: SWINE FLU CONFIRMED IN NYC

UPDATE: CDC NOW CONFIRMS SWINE FLU IN NYC AND WARNS OF TRAVEL

Hey folks,

This is getting serious now.

In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control confirmed that eight students of a high school in Queens had been infected with swine flu, the first confirmed cases in New York City, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said at a news conference on Sunday. Mr. Bloomberg said that all of the cases had been mild and hospitals in the city had not seen more patients with severe lung infections.

YET. First California and Texas, Now NYC. So far over 61 people died in Mexico, over a thousand Cases suspected. So how did it get from Mexico to NYC?

“So far there does not seem to be any outbreak,” Mr. Bloomberg said. “We don’t know if the spread will be sustained. What’s heartening is the people who tested positive have only mild illnesses.”

No Outbreak? Try possible Terrorism. This is man made folks.

About 100 students at St. Francis Preparatory School in Fresh Meadows, Queens, became sick in the last few days, and some family members have also taken ill. Mr. Bloomberg said the school would be closed on Monday, and that officials would then reassess whether to reopen the school.

Other New York City schools will be open as usual on Monday, Mr. Bloomberg said.

Yeah sure, why not. Let's help this thing spread even more. Moron.

In Washington, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and top health officials were due to speak at a news conference Sunday afternoon to address what the government was doing to control the spread of the disease. Eight students from New York City are likely to have contracted swine flu, and there have been 11 confirmed cases in California, Kansas and Texas.

So far, not so good in containment.

No deaths from swine flu have been reported in the United States. On Sunday, the government of Hong Kong announced some of the toughest measures yet of any jurisdiction in response to a swine flu outbreak in Mexico and the United States.

Officials urged residents not to travel to Mexico and ordered the immediate detention at a hospital of anyone who arrives with a fever and symptoms of a respiratory illness after traveling in the previous seven days through a city with a laboratory-confirmed outbreak.

New York is not yet on the list of cities with outbreaks because the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta is still testing samples from the eight students from Queens.

They better add them. I just found out about Kansas the same time you did. I hope they are finally taken this seriously. Can't wait to see what Obama and Crew are planing on doing.

I really would like to know how this made it from Mexico to the US. What is the "self life" of this thing. What is the incubation of the Swine Flu? Someone has it, they can give it to me, how? How long until I see signs? And please, do not tell me to wash my hands. GIVE US REAL INFORMATION!

One legacy of SARS is that Hong Kong may now be better prepared for a flu pandemic than practically anywhere else on the world. Fearing that SARS might recur each winter, the city embarked on a building program to enlarge its capacity to isolate and treat those infected with communicable respiratory diseases.

Hong Kong now has 1,400 beds for this purpose each equipped with mechanical ventilators for treating those with severe pneumonia or other respiratory difficulties. But only 80 to 100 of these beds are needed on any given day, so they have been used until now for patients with other medical problems, Dr. Chow said.

The city has also expanded its flu research labs, already among the best in the world and leaders in tracking the H5N1 avian flu influenza virus. The so-called bird flu virus, which kills an unusually high share of its victims, has periodically triggered fears over the past decade about a possible pandemic but is different from the H1N1 swine flu influenza virus now causing illnesses in Mexico and the United States.

We already know that this is a combination of SARS, Bird Flu, and Swine Flu. Which means that it most likely HAS to be man-made.

More updates to follow.
Peter

Sources:
NYT - As Nations Try to Contain Flu, N.Y. Cases Are Confirmed

Super Obama, So says CNN

Where are all the REAL Liberals?

Hey folks,

Welcome to the OPNTalk Blog, the Big Sunday Edition. I'm not in the greatest of moods right now, so let me start off by asking a question that I never thought I would ask. WHERE ARE ALL THE LIBERALS?

Where are those REAL Liberals that want Big Brother to stay the hell out of our lives? Where are the hippies that want free love and not a free ride? Whatever happened to those that would storm in and protest the House and Senate hearings? Where is Code Pink? Where is the American Spirit? Why the hell are you all standing around and allowing this to happen.

I really am getting sick of this whole thing. Now Obama is going after Credit Card Companies? Dictating to them what they can and cannot charge? What THIS Private industry can and can't do? I really am getting tired of people who say they are Liberals, and then turn around and act like either Communists or ignorant fools. I'm losing faith in humanity, one person at a time. At least one American at a time. I do not even blame Obama anymore. I blame the ignorance of the American people.

Obama "I, King Hussein Obama, do hereby declare that I will take over the Banks. I will dictate to them who they loan to. How much interest they can set. What they and those that work there can make. This will include the Housing Industry"

Americans: Standing ovation, and great cheer.

Obama: "I, King Hussein Obama, will now take over the Auto industry. I will dictate to them what kind of cars they can make and what kind of cars that YOU, uh, Americans can drive. It is to save the Planet."

Americans: Standing ovation, and great cheer.

Obama: "I King Hussein Obama, will now take over the Credit Card Companies and dictate to them what they can do."

Americans: Standing ovation, and great cheer.

Obama: I, King Hussein Obama, will now declare a Cap and Trade on Big Oil Profits. On top of that, I will set windfall profits taxes. I will NOT allow new exploration nor drilling of New Oil"

Americans: Standing ovation, and great cheer.

Obama: "Uh, this of course means that your energy cost will skyrocket. But this will force us to conserve and go green and, uh, find , uh, new energy."

Americans: Standing ovation, and great cheer.

Obama: "Well, OK Then. I King Hussein Obama, do declare that YOU will pay me, uh, I mean the government, an oppres,,,uh,,I mean, a little more in taxes if you make more than $250,000, uh, $200,000, I mean, uh, $100,000, never-mind, if I think you make too much, I will take it in taxes."

Americans: Standing ovation, and great cheer. "We love you Obama."

Obama: "Yes, yes, yes, I know, and I uh, love you too. I king Hussein Obama also declare that anyone that does not love me, is uh, a danger to America and will be watched closely. I declare them to be Racist, Hate filled, Homophobes. Extremists. Those Pro-Lifers, and such."

Americans: Standing ovation, and great cheer. "We love you Obama."

Obama: "I, King Hussein Obama, will also go around the world and apologize to those that hate us. All other administrations before me wanted to follow that stupid piece of paper, what is that called, uh, oh yes, the Constitution, or something like that. I will not make that mistake. I will do whatever I think is best for us. We are citizens of the world and I will take lessons from those other great leaders, like Castro and Chavez, the other Kings out there, and so forth."

Americans: Standing ovation, and great cheer.

Obama: "That is all for now."

Then we see this type of reporting on him. CNN - Is Obama the superpresident?

Seriously? They start out pointing out the fact that he is at a 64 percent approval rating which is normal. Reagan was higher at this point. Some were higher, some lower. But about average. But then this.

Obama really stands out on personal qualities.

After 9/11, the public believed George W. Bush would keep the country safe. Do they think Obama will keep the country safe? Yes -- 71 percent, according to a poll taken for the Associated Press.

Americans in the polls believed Clinton cared about them. Do they think Obama cares about them? Yes -- 71 percent, according to a CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll taken February 18-19, which sampled the public's view of the 44th president.

The first President Bush was criticized for being out of touch with ordinary Americans. Do people think Obama understands the problems of ordinary Americans? Yes -- 74 percent.

Jimmy Carter was not considered a strong leader. Ronald Reagan was. Does the public think Obama is a strong leader? Yes -- 76 percent.

Richard Nixon turned out not to be honest and trustworthy. Do people think Obama is honest and trustworthy? Yes -- 74 percent.

Is Obama the superpresident? So far, so good.

{Sigh}

Coming right up?

Swine Flu Outbreak Could Be Man Made

Obama calls for new era of energy exploration
Lord Christopher Monckton Barred From Congress

Talk About A Bad Day

IWA for Sunday 042609

Yes folks, I'm not in a great mood today. But like I said, I no longer blame Obama. I blame YOU. You folks out there that stand and applaud him as he strips away your RIGHTS. As he takes more and more control over your Private lives. I blame you. If we were NOT all in this together, I would say go, you get what you deserve. But we ARE all in this together. So those that can actually think for themselves and see what is going on, get ready.

Going to refill my cup. No matter what mood I'm in, I always need my coffee by my side. Today's coffee is Eight O'Clock Whole Bean Coffee, Hazelnut. www.eightoclock.com Can you tell Hazelnut is my favorite? I really like the whole bean better. It always seems freshest if you grind them yourself. Be right back.
Peter

Sources:
CNN - Is Obama the superpresident?

Swine Flu Outbreak Could Be Man Made

Why is the CDC NOT taken this more seriously?

Hey folks,

As you know I have been watching the Bird Flu very closely and warning you folks about it for years. I want you to pay VERY CLOSE ATTENTION to the FACTS of this new Swine Outbreak, and tell me if you think that this is just a natural occurrence.

According to Reuters - Deadly new flu breaks out in Mexico, U.S. By Alistair Bell and Noel Randewich

* New mixture of viruses in flu never seen before

* Eight cases found in California and Texas

* WHO says Mexico, U.S. well-equipped to handle outbreak

* No need to change travel plans, say WHO and CDC (Adds eighth case in United States)

MEXICO CITY, April 24 (Reuters) - A strain of flu never seen before has killed as many as 61 people in Mexico and has spread into the United States, where eight people have been infected but recovered, health officials said on friday.

Now the way this starts off, sounds like no big deal. The CDC has even said, do not worry about traveling to Mexico. No reason to worry. However, what about these facts?

Mexico's government said at least 16 people have died of the disease in central Mexico and that it may also have been responsible for 45 other deaths.

The World Health Organization said tests showed the virus in 12 of the Mexican patients had the same genetic structure as a new strain of swine flu, designated H1N1, seen in eight people in California and Texas.

Because there is clearly human-to-human spread of the new virus, raising fears of a major outbreak, Mexico's government canceled classes for millions of children in its sprawling capital city and surrounding areas.

So Mexico, which suspect not 61 cases, but over a THOUSAND, are closing schools and starting to get a handle on people's travels and what their people are doing. CDC?

"Our concern has grown as of yesterday," U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention acting director Dr. Richard Besser told reporters in a telephone briefing.

Well, that's good. But it really does not seem likely that this is a natural occurrence.

It first looked mostly like a swine virus but closer analysis showed it is a never-before-seen mixture of swine, human and avian viruses, according to the CDC.

OK. So we have the DNA of this Virus. It contains what causes some variation of Human Flu, along with that which causes Bird Flu, and that which causes Pigs to get the Flu. Is it even Scientifically possible that all these elements could come together and form this new Flu? Sorry, but as much as I have analysed this, NO.

Swine Flu can normally be transmitted from Pigs to Humans. Bird Flu, Birds to Humans. Human Flu, from Human to Human. So if you combine the Human to Human ability of transmission to Bird or Swine, then it becomes possible that once a Human contracts the Bird Flu, or in this case, Swine Flu, it becomes then possible to pass it along person to person.

Mexico's government cautioned people not to shake hands or kiss when greeting or to share food, glasses or cutlery for fear of infection.

The virus is an influenza A virus, carrying the designation H1N1. It contains DNA from avian, swine and human viruses, including elements from European and Asian swine viruses, the CDC has said.

Hello? CDC? Are you paying attention? CNN has an interesting story about this. According to CNN- Texas family quarantined after son contracts swine flu

(CNN) -- As Hayden Henshaw was being rushed to the doctor's office after becoming ill, his father heard that his son's classmates had been struck with the deadly swine flu virus like the one sweeping through Mexico.

Patrick Henshaw called his wife immediately to have Hayden checked for it. Later, they received the bad news.

Hayden had become the third confirmed case of swine flu at his Texas high school. It is a virus that has killed 68 people in Mexico and infected at least eight people in the United States.

Health officials arrived at the Henshaws' house Friday and drew blood from the whole family, then told them to stay inside and away from the public, Henshaw told CNN.

The whole family is quarantined indefinitely, according to CNN-affiliate KABB. Henshaw said his family was shocked when they got the news about their son.

"Stunned. My wife was having a panic attack," Henshaw told the affiliate.

U.S. health officials have expressed concern about U.S. cases of a swine flu virus that has similar characteristics to the fatal virus in Mexico.

More than 1,000 people have fallen ill in Mexico City in a short period of time, U.S. health experts said.

"This situation has been developing quickly," Richard Besser, acting director of the Atlanta, Georgia-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said Friday. "This is something we are worried about."

So why is this not on EVERY news outlet, warning people about traveling to Mexico? Why has President Obama and his Crew NOT come out and made a statement about this growing danger, securing the Boarder between us and what appears to be Ground Zero, Mexico? Why are there still some in this country pushing for wide open boarders and Amnesty?

Where, other than here, is THIS in the news?

New York health officials said Friday they were testing about 75 students at a school in New York City for swine flu after the students exhibited flu-like symptoms this week.

A team of state health department doctors and staff went to the St. Francis Preparatory School in the borough of Queens on Thursday after the students reported cough, fever, sore throat, aches and pains.

Test results are expected as early as Saturday.

We're waiting. Still waiting.

Surveillance for and scrutiny of influenza has been stepped up since 2003, when H5N1 bird flu reappeared in Asia. Experts fear that or another strain could spark a pandemic that could kill millions.

In Egypt, a 33-year-old woman died of bird flu, becoming the third such victim there in a week. The H5N1 bird flu, a completely different strain from the swine flu, has infected 421 people in 15 countries and killed 257 since 2003.

An outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, killed 44 people in Canada in 2003.

CDC will be issuing daily updates.

Now we have a Flu, that is AFTER Flu Season that contains all three of these together? I'll be checking the daily updates. Perhaps you should as well.

Peter

Sources:
Reuters - Deadly new flu breaks out in Mexico, U.S.
CNN- Texas family quarantined after son contracts swine flu
The CDC- Website

Obama calls for new era of energy exploration

But not that of which we need.

Hey folks,

When I saw this headline, I got a little excited. I thought perhaps Obama was finally coming around to understand that we need to forget the stupidity of oppressive taxation and regulation on the Energy companies. But that is not what this is about. According to the AP - Obama calls for new era of energy exploration By PHILIP ELLIOTT and MIKE GLOVER, Associated Press Writers

NEWTON, Iowa – President Barack Obama, standing Wednesday in the shell of a once-giant Maytag appliance factory that now houses a wind energy company, declared that a "new era of energy exploration in America" would be a crucial to leading the nation out of an economic crisis.

With pieces of wind turbine towers as a backdrop, Obama touted the small manufacturing firm as a success and as a step toward reducing the United States' reliance on polluting fuels. But as the president on Earth Day set a goal for wind to generate as much as 20 percent of the U.S. electricity demand by 2030, legislation to make that a reality faced a challenge back in Washington in the Democratic-led Congress.

What has THIS Company actually produced? What are the numbers, that are realistic, of Wind Turbines that are needed to achieve this ridiculous goal? What is the cost? What about the FACT that by 2030, the EXPERTS predict we will STILL need about 85 percent of all our energy to be Oil? Where is his figures and facts to back up his declaration?

"The nation that leads the world in creating new energy sources will be the nation that leads the 21st century global economy," Obama said in a state that launched him on the road to the White House with a surprise upset over one-time rival Hillary Rodham Clinton.

"America can be that nation. America must be that nation. And while we seek new forms of fuel to power our homes and cars and businesses, we will rely on the same ingenuity — the same American spirit — that has always been a part of our American story."

Yeah, so let it happen. Stop standing in the way. Americans GET IT. You seem to be the one that doesn't.

It's an American spirit, though, that has been damped with economic downturn and financial crisis.

The president left Washington for a few hours Wednesday to visit this small Iowa town, which took a huge economic hit when Maytag Corp. shut its doors in 2007. The Maytag plant employed some 4,000 in a town of 16,000 residents in jobs that paid about $30,000 to $40,000 a year.

Need I remind you, that further Oil Exploration and Drilling will produce 160 thousand new jobs, and produce about a TRILLION dollars in new revenue for the Government. Meanwhile;

In its place is Trinity Structural Towers, a 90-person manufacturing firm that makes parts of wind turbines the president hopes to expand on land and at sea through the government's first plan to harness ocean currents to produce energy.

Which at this point is going NOWHERE.

"Now, the choice we face is not between saving our environment and saving our economy," Obama said. "The choice we face is between prosperity and decline. We can remain the world's leading importer of oil, or we can become the world's leading exporter of clean energy."

Or we could do what actually works in the real world. Drill here, Drill Now, and stand on our own. This completely absurd statement by Obama is nothing but rhetoric. Saving the environment or saving our economy? Prosperity or decline? The word that should have been used there was poverty, by the way. Patiently absurd. We have the answer right under our feet.

In Washington, the president's plan to increase alternative energy sources and create environmentally friendly jobs hit some snags despite Obama's fellow Democrats controlling both chambers of Congress. Energy Secretary Steven Chu, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood reinforced Obama's message in testimony to a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on Wednesday.

The administration's draft bill is designed to help stem the pollution blamed for climate change by capping greenhouse gas emissions and reducing the nation's reliance on fossil fuels. The goal is to reduce greenhouse gases by 20 percent from 2005 levels by 2020, and by 83 percent by mid-century.

Meanwhile CRIPPLING our Economy, and chasing a failed dream. It will NOT benefit anyone except maybe make Al Gore another 100 million dollars. Along with people like him that will benefit financially from the SCAM.

The White House wants to see movement on the legislation by Memorial Day. To help that along, aides said the president plans to personally make his case that the costs of dealing with climate change can be reduced dramatically by adopting programs that will spur energy efficiency and wider use of non-fossil energy such as wind, solar and biofuels.

Where? By whom? How? All this is BS folks.

In Newton, Obama proclaimed that "once-shuttered factories are whirring back to life," although the facility he toured is a shadow of what it replaced here about 30 miles east of Des Moines.

"Today this facility is alive again with new industry," Obama said, while noting that "this community continues to struggle and not everyone has been so fortunate as to be rehired."

Sorry, but Obama making these statements show either he is a complete idiot, or he thinks you are.

Trinity now employs about 90 people — hardly the replacement Newton so desperately needs.

"We'll never have another Maytag," said Paul Bell, a Newton police officer who also serves in the state legislature. "Maybe we shouldn't have had a company here that the majority of people worked for. We put all of our eggs in one basket."

Recognizing the challenges remaining in Newton and scores of towns like it coast-to-coast, Obama quickly added: "Obviously things aren't exactly the same as they were with Maytag."

Obviously.

With the same root in realism, Obama acknowledged the United States' energy policy will not change instantly, given the country's reliance on oil and natural gas.

"But the bulk of our efforts must focus on unleashing a new, clean-energy economy that will begin to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, will cut our carbon pollution by about 80 percent by 2050 and create millions of new jobs right here in America, right here in Newton," he said.

PROVE IT! He can't, but he is setting it up so when your energy bills "Necessarily skyrocket" and you do not see any thing happening, he can then say, "Hey, I told you it would not happen right away, hang in there, by 2050, you will see progress. If you believe that, then YOU are an idiot."

But it won't come quickly. The United States imports almost 4.9 billion barrels of oil and refined products annually. That is raw energy that cannot be replaced, one windmill at a time.

Instead, Obama urged bold thinking — and spending — to address climate change and energy supplies.

"So on this Earth Day, it is time for us to lay a new foundation for economic growth by beginning a new era of energy exploration in America," he said to applause.

Obama also pushed personal responsibility, calling on every American to replace one incandescent light bulb with a compact fluorescent. The president also said the leaders of the world's major economies will meet next week to discuss the energy crisis.

Neither Obama nor this Congress is interesting in Energy Independence. If they were, they would stop with the myth that we can be energy independent by way of a SCAM and start doing what we actually CAN do now. It's time to let them know in no uncertain terms, STOP WITH THE SCAM.
Peter

Sources:
AP - Obama calls for new era of energy exploration

Lord Christopher Monckton Barred From Congress

Open and fair Congress?

Hey folks,

As you know, the Idiots in Washington, are attempting to further their SCAM of Climate Change. AKA: Global Warming.

So the story goes, House Democrats told House Republicans, that they were going to have a "superstar guest" to testify about Climate Change, but would not say who. So the Republicans said "Great, so do we." They said "fine."

Then as the time got closer, the Democrats said, "OK. Our person is Al Gore. Who is yours." The Republicans said "UK's Lord Christopher Monckton, a former science advisor to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher." With that, the House Democrats ran away scared as hell and said "NO! He can not testify. Absolutely no way, no how, We'll accept, uh, Newt. Yeah, Newt Gingrich. He is not a Scientist {Neither is Gore} and we can easily with the help of the press, wave him off."

You think I'm kidding? I'm not. They are SCARED to DEATH of Lord Christopher Monckton, because Al Gore will LOSE any debate with him. Al Gore would look like the complete lying idiot he is. Newt? Well, they drag that old bear out of the closet. He has not clue about climate. Who cares what Newt thinks. Right?

Washington, DC -- UK's Lord Christopher Monckton, a former science advisor to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, claimed House Democrats have refused to allow him to appear alongside former Vice President Al Gore at a high profile global warming hearing on Friday April 24, 2009 at 10am in Washington. Monckton told Climate Depot that the Democrats rescinded his scheduled joint appearance at the House Energy and Commerce hearing on Friday. Monckton said he was informed that he would not be allowed to testify alongside Gore when his plane landed from England Thursday afternoon.

“The House Democrats don't want Gore humiliated, so they slammed the door of the Capitol in my face,” Monckton told Climate Depot in an exclusive interview. “They are cowards.”

Yes they are. And this is not just a claim, this is a FACT.

According to Monckton, Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas), Ranking Member on the Energy & Commerce Committee, had invited him to go head to head with Gore and testify at the hearing on Capitol Hill Friday. But Monckton now says that when his airplane from London landed in the U.S. on Thursday, he was informed that the former Vice-President had “chickened out” and there would be no joint appearance. Gore is scheduled to testify on Friday to the Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment's fourth day of hearings on the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009. The hearing will be held in 2123 Rayburn House Office Building.

According to Monckton, House Democrats told the Republican committee staff earlier this week that they would be putting forward an unnamed 'celebrity' as their star witness Friday at a multi-panel climate hearing examining the House global warming bill. The "celebrity" witness turned out to be Gore. Monckton said the GOP replied they would respond to the Democrats' "celebrity" with an unnamed "celebrity" of their own. But Monckton claims that when the Democrats were told who the GOP witness would be, they refused to allow him to testify alongside Gore.

[ Update: 1:55 PM EST: A GOP House source told Climate Depot that the Democrats on the Committee said “absolutely not” to allowing Monckton to appear during today's Gore hearing. The GOP committee “pushed at multiple levels” to bring Monckton in to testify but the Democrats “refused,” according to the GOP source. Former GOP House Speaker Newt Gingrich was called in to testify after Monckton was rejected by the committee Democrats, according to the Congressional source.]

“The Democrats have a lot to learn about the right of free speech under the US Constitution. Congress Henry Waxman's (D-CA) refusal to expose Al Gore's sci-fi comedy-horror testimony to proper, independent scrutiny by the House minority reeks of naked fear,” Monckton said from the airport Thursday evening.

“Waxman knows there has been no 'global warming' for at least a decade. Waxman knows there has been seven and a half years' global cooling. Waxman knows that, in the words of the UK High Court judge who condemned Gore's mawkish movie as materially, seriously, serially inaccurate, 'the Armageddon scenario that he depicts is not based on any scientific view,'” Monckton explained. Monckton has previously testified before the House Committee in March. (See: Monckton: Have the courage to do nothing...US Congress told climate change is not real ) Monckton has also publicly challenged Gore to a debate. (See: Al Gore Challenged to International TV Debate on Global Warming By Lord Monckton - March 19, 2007 )

A call to the Democratic office of the House Energy and Commerce Committee seeking comment was not immediately returned Thursday night.

And it won't be. They can't prove Global Warming, uh, I mean Climate Change is Man-Made, nor if it is even happening. When someone with the expertise of Lord Monckton can EASILY dis-prove all the falsehoods and outright lies of the Global Warming Chicken Little crowd, they want him far far away, and silent. He can ruin their SCAM.
It really is, just that simple.
Peter

Sources:
Climate Depot - Report: Democrats Refuse to Allow Skeptic to Testify Alongside Gore At Congressional Hearing

Talk About A Bad Day

I'm not attempting to make fun of this poor Woman.

Hey folks,

I'm really not. But talk about a bad day. When is the last time you ever heard of anything like THIS? According to the AP - Mom-to-be hit by car while fleeing bear is OK By IVAN MORENO, Associated Press Writer Ivan Moreno, Associated Press Writer

DENVER – A pregnant woman who was fleeing a bear when she was struck by a slow-moving car said she would honor the euthanized animal by giving her baby the middle name "Bear."

Uh, OK.

Ashley Swendsen, 26, said she thought the bear followed her more out of curiosity than malice because it kept a distance of about 10 feet Thursday morning on a hiking trail in northwestern Colorado Springs.

As she ran, she thought, "If it was going to hurt me, it already would have."

Then why run? That actually might have caused the Bear to become more aggressive. As if it was about to chase down prey.

Swendsen managed to scramble up an embankment and was crossing the street when she was hit by a slow-moving car. Although she was not seriously injured, she was taken to a hospital as a precaution because she was pregnant.

Police said they're looking for the driver of the car that hit Swendsen. The driver stopped and spoke to her but left before police arrived.

Swendsen said she first spotted the bear as it was coming out of a creek.

"I didn't know what to do, so I just kept walking," she said. "I wasn't going to start sprinting."

But she started running when the bear moved toward her.

The Colorado Division of Wildlife said the chase happened in an area where bears are common. Division spokesman Michael Seraphin said the brown-colored North American black bear was tranquilized and later euthanized after Swendsen identified it.

How did she,,,uh, Nevermind. But my BIG problem with this is this. WHY DID THEY KILL THE BEAR?

1- Ms. Swendsen was in the Bear's "yard" so to speak. She was in the wild where the Bear lives.

2- The Bear, as Ms. Swendsen herself said, seemed more curious than anything else. It did not chase her until she ran.

3- IT DID NOT ATTACK HER. It did nothing wrong.

4- OK. How is she really sure that the Bear that they killed WAS the bear that chased her?

Swendsen said she was sad to hear about the bear's death.

"Yeah, because the bear spared me, and then it had to die," she said.

Swendsen, who is about five months pregnant, said she doesn't know the sex of her baby but will give it the middle name "Bear" whether it's a boy or a girl.

There you go folks. Can't make that one up. {Smile}
Peter

Sources:
AP - Mom-to-be hit by car while fleeing bear is OK

IWA for Sunday 042609

In THIS Day and Age?

Hey folks,

You all know I love kids. Finally at the age of 36, I had my own. God blessed my Wife Laura and I with a Son. His name is Joshua {Which you all know as well} But I have many kids. Mostly, well, OK, all Girls. My Niece is more like my Daughter having helped raise her pretty much from Birth. {Her Dad is a dirt-bag in Prison} I have also helped raise and been part of other's and their kid's lives pretty much my whole life. "Uncle Pete" is still part of some of their lives.

I have who I call my adopted Daughter, who has since moved and is doing great on her own, and her Mom is doing great the last time we talked as well. Pretty much my Best Friend, the Mom and her went through a lot. From age nine, or so, I became "Uncle Pete." Now her, my Niece, and most of the others are all turning into very beautiful young Adults that are about to go off and live their lives. Although I'm not sure if my Niece is ready to let go of her Uncle Pete just quite yet.{Smile} Which is fine with me. So I understand how you Father's of Daughters out there feel.

But today is NOT what yesterday use to be. For Joshua, who will be 4 this year, and the Girls all turning Adult or close to it, times sure have changed. No longer can you simply say to your child, "Go out and play." and not see them again until Dinner Time. No longer is it safe to allow them to go off on their own, even in your own neighborhood. Don't believe me? Search "Pedophiles" in your local community. Most states have a place online that tell you EXECTLY where these low lifes live.

Some may be people you already know. My one friend told me when she did the search, she found that someone that she allowed IN HER HOUSE, was a registered Sex Offender. Turns out that he liked pulling up to girls walking down the street to ask them for directions, while Naked. He was arrested when he actually got out of the car in front of two 13 year olds and a Crossing Guard that he did not see at the time.

How did she get this information? Her other friend was the Mother of one of the Girls. When she told her what she found on line and showed her friend the picture, her friend recognized him right away.

So in this day and age, where not only little Girls, but some Boys as well, are disappearing, being molested, Raped, and Murdered, this is NOT the time to throw your kids out of the car and drive off. Hell, even Female Teachers are being arrested for sex with 12 year olds. You can not be one hundred percent confident about just sending your kids to school. Remember the Gym Teacher that was videoing the Girls locker room? So you really think that it's a good idea to throw your Pre-Teen Girls out of the car in the middle of a shopping district three miles from home? A shopping District where there is more than a reasonable assumption that is a hunting ground for these animals? They go to where the Girls are.

Well, that is EXACTLY what our nominee for Mother of the Year did. According to the AP - Police say mom ordered daughters out, drove off

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – Usually, it's an empty threat: "If you kids don't stop fighting, I'm going to stop this car right now and leave you here!" But a mother from an upper-crust New York suburb went through with it, ordering her battling 10- and 12-year-old daughters out of her car in White Plains' business district and driving off, police said Tuesday.

She did it. She was arrested and charge with Child Endangerment.

Police would not say if Primoff ever returned to look for the girls, but they said, without explaining how, that the 12-year-old eventually caught up with the mother. The 10-year-old was found by a "Good Samaritan" on the street, upset and emotional about losing her mother, police said.

The girl gave police her mother's name and their address in well-to-do Scarsdale, and they asked Scarsdale police to check Primoff's $2 million house. Shortly afterward, Primoff called Scarsdale police from home to say the 10-year-old was missing, said Scarsdale Detective Lt. Bryant Clark.

He directed her to White Plains police headquarters, where she was arrested.

Dr. Richard Gersh, director of psychiatric services at the Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services in Manhattan, said Primoff's behavior was not appropriate.

"It is a traumatic situation for a child to be abandoned by a parent like that. You can imagine what emotional issues might arise," he said.

An update on this case indicates this.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – A judge is now allowing contact between a New York mother and the young daughters she is accused of ordering out of her car for arguing.

White Plains City Judge Barbara Leak has modified a temporary order of protection against 45-year-old Madlyn Primoff (PRIM'-ahf).

Her lawyer, Vincent Briccetti (brih-SET'-ee), says Primoff is no longer barred from living or talking with her 10- and 12-year-old daughters.

Primoff has pleaded not guilty to child endangerment. Police say the upset 10-year-old was found Sunday on a White Plains street.

A police report says the mother ordered both girls out of the car and drove off. They were three miles from their home in Scarsdale.

The order of protection was modified Tuesday.

OK. So a bonehead move? Yup. A moment in stupidity? Yup. Is this Mother an Idiot? Without a doubt. She got lucky. Actually, perhaps the Girls had someone looking over them. They are the ones that got "lucky" here.

Congratulations Madlyn Primoff, for not taking into account what could have, and thankfully didn't, happen, you ARE the Idiot of the Week. Since you can now live with your Daughters again, so you better be giving them the biggest hugs you can possibly muster. Apologizing to them about 100 times, "I will not put you in danger again." may be worth while as well.
Peter

Sources:
AP - Police say mom ordered daughters out, drove off

FRC Action: Obama Administration Working to Overturn Pro-Life Laws in Other Countries

Makes Sense doesn't it? The most Anti-Life President with a God complex.

WASHINGTON, April 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today in a House Foreign Affairs Committee Hearing on foreign policy priorities in the Obama Administration, U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) asked Secretary Clinton if the Obama Administration is working to overturn other countries pro-life laws and if the administration sees "reproductive rights" and "reproductive health" as including abortion.

Secretary Clinton's answered the latter question by stating, "We happen to think that family planning is an important part of women's health and reproductive health includes access to abortion. ... We are now an administration that will protect the rights of women, including their rights to reproductive health care."

"It is clear from this statement that the Obama Administration is working to overturn other countries' pro-life laws," said FRC Action Senior Vice-President Tom McCluskey. "Secretary Clinton said that Rep. Smith is free to push his belief in pro-life policies in other countries, and that 'we' - evidently referring to the Obama Administration - are free to do the same.

"It is appalling but not surprising that this Administration has a total lack of respect for life. Discontent to pro-life protections in our own country, they feel strangely compelled to export a pro-abortion agenda overseas, using taxpayer dollars to do so.

"If Secretary Clinton is to be believed, this appears to be the Obama Administration's foreign policy. To push their imperialistic commitment to abortion on demand on countries who oppose their agenda of death is their goal, and they are intent upon doing so. At least they are candid about it. And at least now the American people know, without any doubt, where the Administration stands," McCluskey concluded.

FRC Action, a 501(c)(4) membership organization is the legislative advocacy arm of the Family Research Council, a 501(c)(3) organization.

SOURCE Family Research Council Action

Note: Photos added by Peter, not part of original Article.

Note: "From The Emails" is a weekly segment in the Friday edition of the OPNtalk Blog. If you care to send in News Articles, Comments, Stories, or anything else you may wish to share, please feel free to send it to opntalk@aim.com As always, you never know what you are going to see here.

On The Energy Front

Obama and Crew heading in the WRONG Direction.

Hey folks,

I'm almost starting to think that we need to call this a war. You spoke out. Let these people know CLEARLY where you stand on this issue. So loudly I might add that Obama actually said he was FOR Drilling.

On August 2, 2008, The Washington Times - Obama accepts offshore drilling reported it this way.

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama on Friday withdrew his opposition to additional offshore oil drilling, essentially embracing his rival's energy stance, which is credited in part with pumping up Sen. John McCain's poll numbers.

"My interest is in making sure we've got the kind of comprehensive energy policy that can bring down gas prices," Mr. Obama said in an interview with the Palm Beach Post.

"If, in order to get that passed, we have to compromise in terms of a careful, well-thought-out drilling strategy that was carefully circumscribed to avoid significant environmental damage - I don't want to be so rigid that we can't get something done."

To bad some in Congress has not gotten this message. Some are actively looking for ways to override, or create a back door, to shut those down those that supply us with what we need. Low energy costs. Did you catch this on Friday? According to the Las Vegas Sun - Appeals court cancels offshore drilling program

The Associated Press

Fri, Apr 17, 2009 (9:06 a.m.)

A program to expand oil and gas drilling off the Alaska coast has been canceled by a federal appeals court because of environmental concerns.

A three-judge panel in the District of Columbia says the Bush administration's Interior Department failed to consider the offshore environmental impact and marine life before approving an oil and gas leasing program in the Beaufort, Bering, and Chukchi (CHOOK-chee) seas.

The seas are home to wildlife including polar bears, whales, seals, walruses and seabirds.

The appeals court ordered the Interior Department, now run by appointees of President Barack Obama, to analyze the areas to determine environmental damage risks before moving ahead with the program.

This is absolute BS folks. All this HAS been researched, and reported. There is NO danger here. All this is, is an attempt to shut it down before it even begins. It is also saying to the 53 percent of you who are for it, "Sorry, we have to pander to those that got us in power and those that {we think} will keep us there."

The American Petroleum Institute issued the following statement:

"The American Petroleum Institute is reviewing the implications of the federal appeal court’s decision vacating and remanding the 2007-2012 five-year leasing program.

It would be a disservice to all Americans - and a devastating blow to the economy - if this decision were to delay further the development of vital oil and natural gas resources.

America’s oil and natural gas industry is the backbone of the economy. Development in federal waters off the nation’s coast provides thousands of well-paying jobs, government revenues and the fuel needed to run America’s cars and factories, heat our homes and the feedstock needed to make the materials we use every day."

THEY DO NOT CARE! Obama also said that your electric bills would skyrocket under his plans. In essence, he said deal with it. But those in congress are not done with this yet. They have also gotten their buddies over at the EPA involved.

The Environmental Protection Agency has concluded that carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gases are a danger to public health and welfare. It is the first step to regulating pollution linked to climate change.

I do not care what these people with clear agenda's declare. Nor should you. There is no science whatsoever that backs this up. NONE! Carbon Dioxide is a necessary byproduct. We NEED it. It is NOT a fictitious Greenhouse Gas and is NOT causing Global Warming.

Congressional sources told The Associated Press that EPA will announce its proposed finding Friday and begin a comment period before issuing a final ruling. The EPA also will say tailpipe emissions from motor vehicles contribute to climate change. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the finding hasn't been announced.

The action was prompted by a Supreme Court ruling two years that said greenhouse gases are pollutants under the Clean Air Act and must be regulated if found to be a human health danger.

So you see this has just been building and waiting. Now they have a President and Congress that can be bought. They are beholden to the Envionuts out there. They are beholden to the Kooks out there, but more importantly, they are USING all this for MORE power and control over you. Over your personal life. Over Private Industries. Over, well, EVERYTHING! What does API think about this one?

Jack Gerard, President of API, released THIS statement on Friday.

“The proposed endangerment finding poses an endangerment to the American economy and to every American family. It could lead to greenhouse gas regulations under a law fundamentally ill-suited to addressing the challenge of global climate change. The regulations could impose complex, costly requirements on restaurants, colleges, schools, shopping malls, bakeries and many other businesses and institutions. The Clean Air Act was created to address local and regional air pollution, not the emission of carbon dioxide and other global greenhouse gases."

He is right you know. Not only this, but the entire national environmental policy was, and is, to protect the environment for future generations while interfering as little as possible with the efficiency of commerce or the liberty of the people and to limit inequity in who is burdened with environmental costs. That was the original intent. But as you can clearly see, it is no longer. They are actually doing the exact opposite

Now those that want power, control, and of course the money, are using this to grow government, and take over your private lives in the name of saving the planet. There IS NO CONSENSUS on Global Warming. There is no evidence that can be backed by REAL Science that there is even a threat. They have proven NOTHING. Not to mention, there is NO ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES as we speak.

They keep saying, well Obama does, that high energy costs are necessary to bring about change. That it will force people to seek and use Alternative energy. But there IS NONE. Switch to WHAT?

What does that Single Mom do to get back and forth to work, not being able to afford $4.00 a gallon gas, UNTIL someone can give her an alternative? What will MOST Americans do? I know Obama is a MILLIONAIRE, and most in Congress are Millionaires, and therefore they do not care about $4.00 a Gallon Gas prices, or "Skyrocketing Energy Costs." They can pay them. Well, if they DID pay them. Most are paid by YOU. The Tax payer. YOU pay their energy costs along with paying your own.

Now folks, this is starting to look more and more like a war with these anti-energy independent people. It is starting to look more and more like they are doing EVERYTHING in their power to say SCREW YOU! On this and many other things. So NOW is the time. Call, write, Email, Hell, visit them. Tell them enough is enough, you are mad as Hell, and you are not going to take it anymore.
Peter

Sources:
The Washington Times - Obama accepts offshore drilling
Las Vegas Sun - Appeals court cancels offshore drilling program
Las Vegas Sun - EPA finds greenhouse gases pose a danger to health

API

Both DHS Reports Posted, You Decide

As promised, here is my take.

Hey folks,

As I promised to some of my more Liberal friends out there, here is the Left Wing Extremist Warning Report filed by the Department of Homeland Security and the one about what they declare to be Right Wing Extremists, side by side. Please take a few minutes and read BOTH reports, then YOU decide for yourself.

Here is the way I see this.

The title does contain the phrase "Left Wing Extremists." As does the one creating all the uproar "Right Wing Extremist." But that is where the stop being similar. Oh, and by the way to my Liberal friends out there that have NOT read the report, just go by what the Kooky Left Bloggers and Media have said about it, the DATE on the Right Wing one is 7 April 2009, one week before the planned Tea Parties. Sorry, Bush is not the one that requested this one. The date on the Left Wing one IS January, but not this one. Sorry.

Then you have the vast difference between the two. The Left is talking about REAL Terrorist and Extremist Groups that have and plan on once again committing acts of terror and crimes against private companies and individuals. The give SPECIFICS and FACTS to back up their warnings.

the Right one? The Right one is filled with generalities and assumptions. It signals out one individual and attempts to say that because of him, their is a treat from ALL returning Vets, and because, in their view, the Right is nothing more than Hate filled, Racist, Bigoted, Chauvinistic, Homophobes, they will recruit these Vets and this will threaten our country. You do not see anything even close to this:

"The DHS/Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) has no specific information that domestic rightwing* terrorists are currently planning acts of violence, but rightwing extremists may be gaining new recruits by playing on their fears about several emergent issues. The economic downturn and the election of the first African American president present unique drivers for rightwing radicalization and recruitment."

No specific information, may be, ETC.

Nor do you see this.

"Rightwing extremists have capitalized on the election of the first African American president, and are focusing their efforts to recruit new members, mobilize existing supporters, and broaden their scope and appeal through propaganda, but they have not yet turned to attack planning."

You bunch of Racists you.

"The possible passage of new restrictions on firearms and the return of military veterans facing significant challenges reintegrating into their communities could lead to the potential emergence of terrorist groups or lone wolf extremists capable of carrying out violent attacks."

Again, because the Almighty Obama wants to do what they see as the "right thing", these Racist MAY recruit Military Vets. {Sigh} Then THIS.

"Rightwing extremism in the United States can be broadly divided into those groups, movements, and adherents that are primarily hate-oriented (based on hatred of particular religious, racial or ethnic groups), and those that are mainly antigovernment, rejecting federal authority in favor of state or local authority, or rejecting government authority entirely. It may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration."

Of course they want to be able to "BROADLY DIVIDE" Right Wing People, AKA Conseritives, into Hate Groups and Anti Obama. This way they can attempt to control them and attempt to silence they opposition.

"rejecting federal authority in favor of state or local authority," That is why we have a Constitution. "rejecting government authority entirely." If they are wrong, then YES. Again, this is why we have a Constitution. "It may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration."

So if you are Pro-life, you may be a Right Wing Extremist? If you are anti AMNESY, you may be a Right Wing Extremist?

No folks, I was hoping that the reports were similar to put to rest my friend's fear and that anger that this Right Wing Report, put out right before the scheduled Tea Parties, was and continues to cause. I was hoping that they would be similar in there threat assessments. But they are not.

It is clear that one talks about real extreme groups, the attacks and plans of attacks they are actually planing, and the other is a tool of suppression. So there you have it folks. Both reports. posted one after the other. Read them, and you decide.
Peter

DHS Report: Leftwing Extremists

(U//FOUO) Leftwing Extremists Likely to Increase Use of Cyber Attacks over the Coming Decade

26 January 2009

(U) Prepared by the Strategic Analysis Group, Homeland Environment and Threat Analysis Division.

(U) Scope

U//FOUO) This product is one of a series of intelligence assessments published by the DHS/Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) Strategic Analysis Group to facilitate a greater understanding of the emerging threats to the United States. The information is provided to federal, state, and local counterterrorism and law enforcement officials so they may effectively deter, prevent, preempt, or respond to terrorist attacks against the United States.

(U//FOUO) This assessment examines the potential threat to homeland security from cyber attacks conducted by leftwing extremists, a threat that DHS/I&A believes likely will grow over the next decade. It focuses on the more prominent leftwing groups within the animal rights, environmental, and anarchist extremist movements that promote or have conducted criminal or terrorist activities (see Appendix). This assessment is intended to alert DHS policymakers, state and local officials, and intelligence analysts monitoring the subject so they can better focus their collection requirements and analysis.

(U//FOUO) The key assumptions underpinning this report include:

— (U//FOUO) Cyber attack capabilities will continue to proliferate and be readily available.

— (U//FOUO) Some cyber attack capabilities will continue to outpace countermeasures.

(U) LAW ENFORCEMENT INFORMATION NOTICE: This product contains Law Enforcement Sensitive (LES) information. No portion of the LES information should be released to the media, the general public, or over non-secure Internet servers. Release of this information could adversely affect or jeopardize investigative activities.

(U) Warning: This document is UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY (U//FOUO). It contains information that may be exempt from public release under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552). It is to be controlled, stored, handled, transmitted, distributed, and disposed of in accordance with DHS policy relating to FOUO information and is not to be released to the public, the media, or other personnel who do not have a valid need-to-know without prior approval of an authorized DHS official. State and local homeland security officials may share this document with authorized security personnel without further approval from DHS.

(U) This product contains U.S. person information that has been deemed necessary for the intended recipient to understand, assess, or act on the information provided. It has been highlighted in this document with the label USPER and should be handled in accordance with the recipient's intelligence oversight and/or information handling procedures. Other U.S. person information has been minimized. Should you require the minimized U.S. person information, please contact the DHS/I&A Production Branch at IA.PM@hq.dhs.gov, IA.PM@dhs.sgov.gov, or IA.PM@dhs.ic.gov.

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— (U//FOUO) Leftwing extremists will continue to focus on what they consider
economic targets.

— (U//FOUO) Economic enterprises and other organizations will become more
dependent on advanced information technologies.

(U) Source Summary Statement

(U//FOUO) This assessment reflects primarily intelligence reporting from federal, state, and local agencies at the Unclassified//For Official Use Only level. Key judgments are based largely on field agent reporting considered highly reliable and on law enforcement finished intelligence. By design, the judgments use an estimative analytic approach. DHS subject-matter experts in the areas of domestic leftwing extremism and cyber technologies provided support for threat and trend analysis. In addition, DHS/I&A examined leftwing extremist media for evidence pointing to ideological shifts or changes in motivation and intent. Government crime data specific to leftwing extremist cyber attacks are unavailable, but DHS/I&A assesses that open source and other data accurately frame leftwing extremist goals and motivations, although some of the sources may have provided information intended to
deceive or mislead. Other open source information included business journals and research institute reports.

UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

(U) Key Findings

(U//FOUO) DHS/Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) judges that a number of emerging trends point to leftwing extremists maturing and expanding their cyber attack capabilities over the next decade with the aim of attacking targets in the United States.

— (U//FOUO) The potential for economic damage, the individually-initiated and anonymous nature of cyber attacks, and the perception that cyber attacks are nonviolent align well with the ideological beliefs, strategic objectives, and tactics of many leftwing extremists.

— (U//FOUO) The increasing reliance of commercial businesses and other enterprises on cyber technologies, including interconnected networks and remote access, creates new and expanding vulnerabilities that technically-savvy leftwing extremists will exploit.

— (U//FOUO) The proliferation of cyber technologies and expertise as well as the public availability of online hacking tools and “hackers-for-hire” offer leftwing extremists incentives to adopt a cyber attack strategy.

(U) Appeal of Cyber Attacks

(U//FOUO) DHS/I&A assesses that cyber attacks are attractive options to leftwing extremists who view attacks on economic targets as aligning with their nonviolent, “no-harm” doctrine and tactic of “direct action.”

— (U//FOUO) Their no-harm doctrine includes claiming to ensure the safety of humans, animals, and the environment even as they attack businesses and associated operations.

— (U//FOUO) Many leftwing extremists use the tactic of direct action to inflict economic damage on businesses and other targets to force the targeted organization to abandon what the extremists deem objectionable. Direct actions range from animal releases, property theft, vandalism, and cyber attacks—all of which extremists regard as nonviolent—to bombings and arson.

— (U//FOUO) The North American Earth Liberation Front Press Office, the media arm of the Earth Liberation Front (ELF), published the following guidance for activists: “By inflicting as much economic damage as possible, the ELF can allow a given entity to decide if it is in their [sic] best economic interest to stop destroying life for the sake of profit.”

(U//FOUO) Lone wolves and small cells can conduct highly-effective cyber attacks consistent with the strategy of leaderless resistance that many leftwing extremists embrace. DHS/I&A assesses that this facet of leftwing extremist operational strategy

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will further encourage some extremists to improve their cyber attack capabilities and possibly encourage recruitment of individuals with sophisticated cyber skills into their trusted circles. Furthermore, extremists can apply their cyber skills in support of a number of different leftwing movements, a capability that is consistent with the frequent shifting of individuals among movements.

(U) Leaderless Resistance

(U//FOUO) Leaderless resistance stresses the importance of individuals and small cells operating independently and anonymously outside of formalized organizational structures or leadership in order to increase operational security and avoid detection. Postings on extremist websites and other online media forums offer guidance on objectives, tactics, and target selection. Followers are encouraged to self-train, promote their own objectives, and conduct attacks on their own initiative.

(U) The most common leftwing extremist cyber attacks (particularly within the animal rights movement) in the past several years have included deletion of user accounts, flooding a company’s server with e-mails, and other types of e-mail assaults intended to force businesses to exhaust resources.

— (U//FOUO) On 13 July 2007, an animal rights extremist hacked into a U.S. company’s computer system and deleted more than 300 associates’ user accounts. To restore the accounts, the perpetrator demanded that the company sell its shares in a corporation that conducts tests using animal subjects.

— (U//FOUO) In October 2005, animal rights extremists launched an e-mail attack against a Milwaukee, Wisconsin firm that held stock in an animal testing laboratory. The firm subsequently sold its shares in the laboratory, with losses it estimated at approximately $1.4 million.

— (U//FOUO) In late April 2005, animal rights extremists overwhelmed a U.S. company’s computer server with e-mail, which the company claims resulted in a loss of approximately $1.25 million.

(U) Attractive Strategy for the Future

(U//FOUO) DHS/I&A judges that the cyber attack option will become increasingly attractive to leftwing extremists as companies’ reliance on cyber technologies grows. DHS/I&A also assesses that these extremists will improve their cyber attack capabilities by keeping pace with emerging technologies and overcoming countermeasures that develop over the period of this assessment.

(U) Increasing Reliance on Cyber Technologies

(U//FOUO) Businesses and other enterprises rely on interconnected computer networks for operational continuity, storage of vital data, and communications, introducing vulnerabilities that leftwing extremists could exploit. For example, the use of integrated

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systems and remote access creates opportunities for computer intrusion and data theft through poorly-monitored or unsecured connections. In this target rich environment, cyber attacks likely will become an increasingly attractive option, particularly on businesses and industries that extremists consider high-priority targets.

— (U) The logging industry, a principal target for environmental extremists and an industry not traditionally associated with cyber technologies, now relies on integrated systems to support forestry operations.

— (U) The farming industry also is experiencing a growth in the use of advanced technologies, such as Global Positioning Systems and remote sensing, to cut costs and manage crop production. The agricultural industry often is a target of environmental extremists who oppose genetically-modified crop production.

(U) Proliferation of Cyber Attack Tools and Expertise

(U//FOUO) DHS/I&A believes that the availability of cyber technologies and expertise such as online hacking tools and hackers-for-hire provides leftwing extremists with resources to augment their own homegrown cyber attack capabilities. Resources and capabilities for successful cyber attacks are becoming more accessible to the public as evidenced by online advertisements for hacking services and software. A simple online search provides users with numerous links to discussion forums and websites that offer hacking tutorials and information regarding exploitable system vulnerabilities. In addition, illegal file-sharing sites allow pirated copies of hacking software to be freely exchanged.

— (U//FOUO) In October 2007, law enforcement authorities discovered a group advertising hacking services to customers seeking passwords to the e-mail accounts of spouses, employees, and business competitors.

— (U//FOUO) A website identified early in 2008 originating in the United States provided customers the ability to purchase and download hacking tools and malicious codes as well as video tutorials on how to use the software.

(U//FOUO) DHS/I&A believes that the emerging trend exhibited by some leftwing extremists of posting hacking-related materials on their websites signifies their intent to develop more robust cyber strategies over the coming decade.

— (U) The Anarchist Cookbook, continually updated and revised in online versions and accessible on numerous anarchist, animal rights, and environmental websites, contains several chapters focusing on hacking techniques and tutorials.

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(U) Potential Range of Target Selection

— (U) Popular anarchist Internet groups such as The HacktivistUSPER and Internet Liberation FrontUSPER promote hacking as a means of direct action and publish links to hacking resources on their websites.

(U) Hacktivism: The convergence of “hacking” and “activism,” using cyber technologies to achieve a political end. Hacktivism includes website defacement, denial-of-service attacks, hacking into the target’s network to introduce malicious software, information theft, insider attacks, economic sabotage, and other malicious
Internet-based activities.

(U) Potential Targets

(U//FOUO) Based on an analysis of previous limited attacks, both cyber and noncyber, and on the prospective growing advantages of cyber attacks in the future, DHS/I&A judges that potential targets likely will expand to include a broader set of organizations and critical infrastructure that extremists associate with harming animals and degrading the natural environment, as well as icons of capitalism and authority.

— (U//FOUO) In addition, DHS/I&A judges that leftwing extremists will build upon the perceived success of previous, noncyber attacks on secondary targets— organizations with business links to a primary target—and increasingly will attack secondary and possibly tertiary targets. One animal rights extremist website claims that attacks on secondary businesses have resulted in more than 200 companies severing ties with the primary target organization. Secondary targets in previous, noncyber attacks have included financial partners and suppliers associated with the principal target organization.

(U) Potential Range of Target Selection

(U) Primary Target

(U//FOUO) Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS) (A UK-based company with facilities in the United States and a high priority target of extremist animal rights groups.)

(U) Secondary Target

(U//FOUO) Wachovia BankUSPER (Shareholder in HLS; attacked by extremist animal rights group in 2007.)

(U//LES) Staples Office SupplyUSPER (Provider of office supplies to HLS;
attacked throughout April and May 2008 by extremist animal rights groups.)

(U) Tertiary Target

(U//FOUO) Investment Firms, Shareholders, Indirect Service Providers
(Advertising and Media, Legal, Administrative, or Janitorial)

(U//FOUO) The international nature of many types of cyber attacks means that many more attackers will be available to attack a greater number of distant targets, including those in the United States. A recent study of noncyber attacks demonstrates that a majority of leftwing extremists previously have focused their efforts locally and limited their targeting to within 30 miles of where they live; global connectivity, however, makes the distance between the cyber attacker and the target irrelevant.

— (U) One extremist animal rights group’s monthly newsletter stated that in today’s technological age, computer systems are the real front doors to companies. So instead of chaining ourselves together in the physical doorways of businesses we can achieve the same effect from the comfort [sic] our armchairs.

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(U) Potential Indicators

(U//FOUO) The following highlight a range of signposts that may expose leftwing extremists’ intent—either domestically or abroad—to develop more robust cyber attack strategies:

— (U//FOUO) Increasing number of statements by leftwing extremists advocating the use of cyber attack techniques.

— (U//FOUO) Increasing number of communiques published on leftwing extremist websites claiming credit for cyber attacks.

— (U//FOUO) Suspicious cyber attack activity or increased frequency, creativity, or severity against traditional primary, secondary, and tertiary targets of leftwing extremists.

— (U//FOUO) Evidence that leftwing extremist groups or activists are recruiting or attempting to acquire the services of individuals with cyber capabilities.

(U) Cyber Attack Terms

(U) Cyber attacks are malicious acts that degrade the availability, integrity, or security of data. Cyber attack techniques are constantly evolving; some examples include the following:

— (U) Unauthorized intrusions into computer networks and systems.

— (U) Website defacement or subtle changes to web pages in order to disseminate false
information.

— (U) Information theft, computer network exploitation, and extortion.

— (U) Denial-of-service attacks, typically by overwhelming the resources of the system.

— (U) The introduction of malicious software into a computer network.

(U) Reporting Notice:

(U) DHS encourages recipients of this document to report information concerning suspicious or criminal activity to DHS and the FBI. The DHS National Operations Center (NOC) can be reached by telephone at 202-282-9685 or by e-mail at NOC.Fusion@dhs.gov. For information affecting the private sector and critical infrastructure, contact the National Infrastructure Coordinating Center (NICC), a sub-element of the NOC. The NICC can be reached by telephone at 202-282-9201 or by e-mail at NICC@dhs.gov. The FBI regional phone numbers can be found online at http://www.fbi.gov/contact/fo/fo.htm. When available, each report submitted should include the date, time, location, type of activity, number of people and type of equipment used for the activity, the name of the submitting company or organization, and a designated point of contact.

(U) For comments or questions related to the content or dissemination of this document please contact the DHS/I&A Production Branch at IA.PM@hq.dhs.gov, IA.PM@dhs.sgov.gov, or IA.PM@dhs.ic.gov.

(U) Tracked by: CRIM-040600-01-05, TERR-060100-01-05, TERR-060800-01-05

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(U) Appendix: Leftwing Extremists

(U//FOUO) DHS/Office of Intelligence and Analysis defines leftwing extremists as groups or individuals who embrace radical elements of the anarchist, animal rights, or environmental movements and are often willing to violate the law to achieve their objectives. Many leftwing extremist groups are not hierarchically ordered with defined members, leaders, or chain of command structures but operate as loosely-connected underground movements composed of “lone wolves,” small cells, and splinter groups.

— (U//LES) Animal rights and environmental extremists seek to end the perceived abuse and suffering of animals and the degradation of the natural environment perpetrated by humans. They use non-violent and violent tactics that, at times, violate criminal law. Many of these extremists claim they are conducting these activities on behalf of two of the most active groups, the Animal Liberation Front and its sister organization, the Earth Liberation Front. Other prominent groups include Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty; and chapters within the Animal Defense LeagueUSPER, and Earth First!USPER.

— (U//FOUO) Anarchist extremists generally embrace a number of radical philosophical components of anticapitalist, antiglobalization, communist, socialist, and other movements. Anarchist groups seek abolition of social, political, and economic hierarchies, including Western-style governments and large business enterprises, and frequently advocate criminal actions of varying scale and scope to accomplish their goals. Anarchist extremist groups include entities within CrimethincUSPER, the Ruckus SocietyUSPER ,and Recreate 68 USPER.

Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment

PDF of Report Homeland Securtiy - Rightwing Extremism

(U//FOUO) Rightwing Extremism:
Current Economic and Political
Climate Fueling Resurgence in
Radicalization and Recruitment
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

(U//FOUO) Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment

7 April 2009

(U) Prepared by the Extremism and Radicalization Branch, Homeland Environment Threat Analysis

Division. Coordinated with the FBI.

(U) Scope

(U//FOUO) This product is one of a series of intelligence assessments published by the Extremism and Radicalization Branch to facilitate a greater understanding of the phenomenon of violent radicalization in the United States. The information is provided to federal, state, local, and tribal counterterrorism and law enforcement officials so they may effectively deter, prevent, preempt, or respond to terrorist attacks against the United States. Federal efforts to influence domestic public opinion must be conducted in an overt and transparent manner, clearly identifying United States Government sponsorship.

(U) LAW ENFORCEMENT INFORMATION NOTICE: This product contains Law Enforcement Sensitive (LES) information. No portion of the LES information should be released to the media, the general public, or over non-secure Internet servers. Release of this information could adversely affect or jeopardize investigative activities.

(U) Warning: This document is UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

(U//FOUO). It contains information that may be exempt from public release under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552). It is to be controlled, stored, handled, transmitted, distributed, and disposed of in accordance with DHS policy relating to FOUO information and is not to be released to the public, the media, or other personnel who do not have a valid need-to-know without prior approval of an authorized DHS official. State and local homeland security officials may share this document with authorized security personnel without further approval from DHS.

(U) All U.S. person information has been minimized. Should you require the minimized U.S. person information, please contact the DHS/I&A Production Branch at IA.PM@hq.dhs.gov, IA.PM@dhs.sgov.gov, or IA.PM@dhs.ic.gov.

(U//FOUO) Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment

7 April 2009

(U) Prepared by the Extremism and Radicalization Branch, Homeland Environment Threat Analysis Division. Coordinated with the FBI.

(U) Scope

(U//FOUO) This product is one of a series of intelligence assessments published by the Extremism and Radicalization Branch to facilitate a greater understanding of the phenomenon of violent radicalization in the United States. The information is provided to federal, state, local, and tribal counterterrorism and law enforcement officials so they may effectively deter, prevent, preempt, or respond to terrorist attacks against the United States. Federal efforts to influence domestic public opinion must be conducted in an overt and transparent manner, clearly identifying United States Government sponsorship.

UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Page 2 of 9

(U) Key Findings

(U//LES) The DHS/Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) has no specific information that domestic rightwing* terrorists are currently planning acts of violence, but rightwing extremists may be gaining new recruits by playing on their fears about several emergent issues. The economic downturn and the election of the first African American president present unique drivers for rightwing radicalization and recruitment.

— (U//LES) Threats from white supremacist and violent antigovernment groups during 2009 have been largely rhetorical and have not indicated plans to carry out violent acts. Nevertheless, the consequences of a prolonged economic downturn—including real estate foreclosures, unemployment, and an inability to obtain credit—could create a fertile recruiting environment for rightwing extremists and even result in confrontations between such groups and government authorities similar to those in the past.

— (U//LES) Rightwing extremists have capitalized on the election of the first African American president, and are focusing their efforts to recruit new members, mobilize existing supporters, and broaden their scope and appeal through propaganda, but they have not yet turned to attack planning.

(U//FOUO) The current economic and political climate has some similarities to the 1990s when rightwing extremism experienced a resurgence fueled largely by an economic recession, criticism about the outsourcing of jobs, and the perceived threat to U.S. power and sovereignty by other foreign powers.

— (U//FOUO) During the 1990s, these issues contributed to the growth in the number of domestic rightwing terrorist and extremist groups and an increase in violent acts targeting government facilities, law enforcement officers, banks, and infrastructure sectors.

— (U//FOUO) Growth of these groups subsided in reaction to increased government scrutiny as a result of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing and disrupted plots, improvements in the economy, and the continued U.S. standing as the preeminent world power.

(U//FOUO) The possible passage of new restrictions on firearms and the return of military veterans facing significant challenges reintegrating into their communities could lead to the potential emergence of terrorist groups or lone wolf extremists capable of carrying out violent attacks.

* (U) Rightwing extremism in the United States can be broadly divided into those groups, movements, and adherents that are primarily hate-oriented (based on hatred of particular religious, racial or ethnic groups), and those that are mainly antigovernment, rejecting federal authority in favor of state or local authority, or rejecting government authority entirely. It may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration.

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Page 3 of 9

— (U//FOUO) Proposed imposition of firearms restrictions and weapons bans likely would attract new members into the ranks of rightwing extremist groups, as well as potentially spur some of them to begin planning and training for violence against the government. The high volume of purchases and stockpiling of weapons and ammunition by rightwing extremists in anticipation of restrictions and bans in some parts of the country continue to be a primary concern to law enforcement.

— (U//FOUO) Returning veterans possess combat skills and experience that are attractive to rightwing extremists. DHS/I&A is concerned that rightwing extremists will attempt to recruit and radicalize returning veterans in order to boost their violent capabilities.

(U) Current Economic and Political Climate

(U//FOUO) DHS/I&A assesses that a number of economic and political factors are driving a resurgence in rightwing extremist recruitment and radicalization activity. Despite similarities to the climate of the 1990s, the threat posed by lone wolves and small terrorist cells is more pronounced than in past years. In addition, the historical election of an African American president and the prospect of policy changes are proving to be a driving force for rightwing extremist recruitment and radicalization.

— (U) A recent example of the potential violence associated with a rise in rightwing extremism may be found in the shooting deaths of three police officers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on 4 April 2009. The alleged gunman’s reaction reportedly was influenced by his racist ideology and belief in antigovernment conspiracy theories related to gun confiscations, citizen detention camps, and a Jewish- controlled “one world government.”

(U) Exploiting Economic Downturn

(U//FOUO) Rightwing extremist chatter on the Internet continues to focus on the economy, the perceived loss of U.S. jobs in the manufacturing and construction sectors, and home foreclosures. Anti-Semitic extremists attribute these losses to a deliberate conspiracy conducted by a cabal of Jewish “financial elites.” These “accusatory” tactics are employed to draw new recruits into rightwing extremist groups and further radicalize those already subscribing to extremist beliefs. DHS/I&A assesses this trend is likely to accelerate if the economy is perceived to worsen.

(U) Historical Presidential Election

(U//LES) Rightwing extremists are harnessing this historical election as a recruitment tool. Many rightwing extremists are antagonistic toward the new presidential administration and its perceived stance on a range of issues, including immigration and citizenship, the expansion of social programs to minorities, and restrictions on firearmsownership and use. Rightwing extremists are increasingly galvanized by these concerns and leverage them as drivers for recruitment. From the 2008 election timeframe to the present, rightwing extremists have capitalized on related racial and political prejudices in expanded propaganda campaigns, thereby reaching out to a wider audience of potential sympathizers.

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(U) Revisiting the 1990s (U//FOUO) Paralleling the current national climate, rightwing extremists during the 1990s exploited a variety of social issues and political themes to increase group visibility and recruit new members. Prominent among these themes were the militia movement’s opposition to gun control efforts, criticism of free trade agreements (particularly those with Mexico), and highlighting perceived government infringement on civil liberties as well as white supremacists’ longstanding exploitation of social issues such as abortion, inter-racial crimes, and same-sex marriage. During the 1990s, these issues contributed to the growth in the number of domestic rightwing terrorist and extremist groups and an increase in violent acts targeting government facilities, law enforcement officers, banks, and infrastructure sectors.

(U) Economic Hardship and Extremism

(U//FOUO) Historically, domestic rightwing extremists have feared, predicted, and anticipated a cataclysmic economic collapse in the United States. Prominent antigovernment conspiracy theorists have incorporated aspects of an impending economic collapse to intensify fear and paranoia among like-minded individuals and to attract recruits during times of economic uncertainty. Conspiracy theories involving declarations of martial law, impending civil strife or racial conflict, suspension of the U.S. Constitution, and the creation of citizen detention camps often incorporate aspects of a failed economy. Antigovernment conspiracy theories and “end times” prophecies could motivate extremist individuals and groups to stockpile food, ammunition, and weapons. These teachings also have been linked with the radicalization of domestic extremist individuals and groups in the past, such as violent Christian Identity organizations extremist members of the militia movement.

(U//FOUO) Perceptions on Poverty and Radicalization

(U//FOUO) Scholars and experts disagree over poverty’s role in motivating violent radicalization or terrorist activity. High unemployment, however, has the potential to lead to alienation, thus increasing an individual’s susceptibility to extremist ideas. According to a 2007 study from the German Institute for Economic Research, there appears to be a strong association between a parent’s unemployment status and the formation of rightwing extremist beliefs in their children—specifically xenophobia and antidemocratic ideals.

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Page 5 of 9

(U) Illegal Immigration

(U//FOUO) Rightwing extremists were concerned during the 1990s with the perception that illegal immigrants were taking away American jobs through their willingness to work at significantly lower wages. They also opposed free trade agreements, arguing that these arrangements resulted in Americans losing jobs to countries such as Mexico.

(U//FOUO) Over the past five years, various rightwing extremists, including militias and white supremacists, have adopted the immigration issue as a call to action, rallying point, and recruiting tool. Debates over appropriate immigration levels and enforcement policy generally fall within the realm of protected political speech under the First Amendment, but in some cases, anti-immigration or strident pro-enforcement fervor has been directed against specific groups and has the potential to turn violent.

(U//FOUO) DHS/I&A assesses that rightwing extremist groups’ frustration over a perceived lack of government action on illegal immigration has the potential to incite individuals or small groups toward violence. If such violence were to occur, it likely would be isolated, small-scale, and directed at specific immigration-related targets.

— (U//FOUO) DHS/I&A notes that prominent civil rights organizations have observed an increase in anti-Hispanic crimes over the past five years.

— (U) In April 2007, six militia members were arrested for various weapons and explosives violations. Open source reporting alleged that those arrested had discussed and conducted surveillance for a machinegun attack on Hispanics.

— (U) A militia member in Wyoming was arrested in February 2007 after communicating his plans to travel to the Mexican border to kill immigrants crossing into the United States.

(U) Legislative and Judicial Drivers

(U//FOUO) Many rightwing extremist groups perceive recent gun control legislation as a threat to their right to bear arms and in response have increased weapons and ammunition stockpiling, as well as renewed participation in paramilitary training exercises. Such activity, combined with a heightened level of extremist paranoia, has the potential to facilitate criminal activity and violence.

— (U//FOUO) During the 1990s, rightwing extremist hostility toward government was fueled by the implementation of restrictive gun laws—such as the Brady Law that established a 5-day waiting period prior to purchasing a handgun and the 1994 Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act that limited the sale of various types of assault rifles—and federal law enforcement’s handling of the confrontations at Waco, Texas and Ruby Ridge, Idaho.

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— (U//FOUO) On the current front, legislation has been proposed this year requiring mandatory registration of all firearms in the United States. Similar legislation was introduced in 2008 in several states proposing mandatory tagging and registration of ammunition. It is unclear if either bill will be passed into law; nonetheless, a correlation may exist between the potential passage of gun control legislation and increased hoarding of ammunition, weapons stockpiling, and paramilitary training activities among rightwing extremists.

(U//FOUO) Open source reporting of wartime ammunition shortages has likely spurred rightwing extremists—as well as law-abiding Americans—to make bulk purchases of ammunition. These shortages have increased the cost of ammunition, further exacerbating rightwing extremist paranoia and leading to further stockpiling activity. Both rightwing extremists and law-abiding citizens share a belief that rising crime rates attributed to a slumping economy make the purchase of legitimate firearms a wise move at this time.

(U//FOUO) Weapons rights and gun-control legislation are likely to be hotly contested subjects of political debate in light of the 2008 Supreme Court’s decision in District of Columbia v. Heller in which the Court reaffirmed an individual’s right to keep and bear arms under the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, but left open to debate the precise contours of that right. Because debates over constitutional rights are intense, and parties on all sides have deeply held, sincere, but vastly divergent beliefs, violent extremists may attempt to co-opt the debate and use the controversy as a radicalization tool.

(U) Perceived Threat from Rise of Other Countries

(U//FOUO) Rightwing extremist paranoia of foreign regimes could escalate or be magnified in the event of an economic crisis or military confrontation, harkening back to the “New World Order” conspiracy theories of the 1990s. The dissolution of Communist countries in Eastern Europe and the end of the Soviet Union in the 1990s led some rightwing extremists to believe that a “New World Order” would bring about a world government that would usurp the sovereignty of the United States and its Constitution, thus infringing upon their liberty. The dynamics in 2009 are somewhat similar, as other countries, including China, India, and Russia, as well as some smaller, oil-producing states, are experiencing a rise in economic power and influence.

— (U//FOUO) Fear of Communist regimes and related conspiracy theories characterizing the U.S. Government’s role as either complicit in a foreign invasion or acquiescing as part of a “One World Government” plan inspired extremist members of the militia movement to target government and military facilities in past years.

— (U//FOUO) Law enforcement in 1996 arrested three rightwing militia members in Battle Creek, Michigan with pipe bombs, automatic weapons, and military ordnance that they planned to use in attacks on nearby military and federal facilities and infrastructure targets.

— (U//FOUO) Rightwing extremist views bemoan the decline of U.S. stature and have recently focused on themes such as the loss of U.S. manufacturing capability to China and India, Russia’s control of energy resources and use of these to pressure other countries, and China’s investment in U.S. real estate and corporations as a part of subversion strategy.

(U) Disgruntled Military Veterans

(U//FOUO) DHS/I&A assesses that rightwing extremists will attempt to recruit and radicalize returning veterans in order to exploit their skills and knowledge derived from military training and combat. These skills and knowledge have the potential to boost the capabilities of extremists—including lone wolves or small terrorist cells— to carry out violence. The willingness of a small percentage of military personnel to join extremist groups during the 1990s because they were disgruntled, disillusioned, or suffering from the psychological effects of war is being replicated today.

— (U) After Operation Desert Shield/Storm in 1990-1991, some returning military veterans—including Timothy McVeigh—joined or associated with rightwing extremist groups.

— (U) A prominent civil rights organization reported in 2006 that “large numbers of potentially violent neo-Nazis, skinheads, and other white supremacists are now learning the art of warfare in the [U.S.] armed forces.”

— (U//LES) The FBI noted in a 2008 report on the white supremacist movement that some returning military veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have joined extremist groups.

(U//FOUO) Lone Wolves and Small Terrorist Cells

(U//FOUO) DHS/I&A assesses that lone wolves and small terrorist cells embracing violent rightwing extremist ideology are the most dangerous domestic terrorism threat in the United States. Information from law enforcement and nongovernmental organizations indicates lone wolves and small terrorist cells have shown intent—and, in some cases, the capability—to commit violent acts.

— (U//LES) DHS/I&A has concluded that white supremacist lone wolves pose the most significant domestic terrorist threat because of their low profile and autonomy—separate from any formalized group—which hampers warning efforts.

— (U//FOUO) Similarly, recent state and municipal law enforcement reporting has warned of the dangers of rightwing extremists embracing the tactics of “leaderless resistance” and of lone wolves carrying out acts of violence.

— (U//FOUO) Arrests in the past several years of radical militia members in Alabama, Arkansas, and Pennsylvania on firearms, explosives, and other related violations indicates the emergence of small, well-armed extremist groups in some rural areas. ordnance that they planned to use in attacks on nearby military and federal facilities and infrastructure targets.

(U) Outlook

(U//FOUO) DHS/I&A assesses that the combination of environmental factors that echo the 1990s, including heightened interest in legislation for tighter firearms restrictions and returning military veterans, as well as several new trends, including an uncertain economy and a perceived rising influence of other countries, may be invigorating rightwing extremist activity, specifically the white supremacist and militia movements. To the extent that these factors persist, rightwing extremism is likely to grow in strength.

(U//FOUO) Unlike the earlier period, the advent of the Internet and other informationage technologies since the 1990s has given domestic extremists greater access to information related to bomb-making, weapons training, and tactics, as well as targeting of individuals, organizations, and facilities, potentially making extremist individuals and groups more dangerous and the consequences of their violence more severe. New technologies also permit domestic extremists to send and receive encrypted communications and to network with other extremists throughout the country and abroad, making it much more difficult for law enforcement to deter, prevent, or preempt a violent extremist attack.

(U//FOUO) A number of law enforcement actions and external factors were effective in limiting the militia movement during the 1990s and could be utilized in today’s climate.

— (U//FOUO) Following the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah federal building in Oklahoma City, the militia movement declined in total membership and in the number of organized groups because many members distanced themselves from the movement as a result of the intense scrutiny militias received after the bombing.

— (U//FOUO) Militia membership continued to decline after the turn of the millennium as a result of law enforcement disruptions of multiple terrorist plots linked to violent rightwing extremists, new legislation banning paramilitary training, and militia frustration that the “revolution” never materialized.

— (U//FOUO) Although the U.S. economy experienced a significant recovery and many perceived a concomitant rise in U.S. standing in the world, white supremacist groups continued to experience slight growth.

(U//FOUO) DHS/I&A will be working with its state and local partners over the next several months to ascertain with greater regional specificity the rise in rightwing extremist activity in the United States, with a particular emphasis on the political,
economic, and social factors that drive rightwing extremist radicalization.

(U) Reporting Notice:

(U) DHS encourages recipients of this document to report information concerning suspicious or criminal activity to DHS and the FBI. The DHS National Operations Center (NOC) can be reached by telephone at 202-282-9685 or by e-mail at NOC.Fusion@dhs.gov. For information affecting the private sector and critical infrastructure, contact the National Infrastructure Coordinating Center (NICC), a sub-element of the NOC. The NICC can be reached by telephone at 202-282-9201 or by e-mail at NICC@dhs.gov. The FBI regional phone numbers can be found online at http://www.fbi.gov/contact/fo/fo.htm. When available, each report submitted should include the date, time, location, type of activity, number of people and type of equipment used for the activity, the name of the submitting company or organization, and a designated point of contact.

(U) For comments or questions related to the content or dissemination of this document, please contact the DHS/I&A Production Branch at IA.PM@hq.dhs.gov, IA.PM@dhs.sgov.gov, or IA.PM@dhs.ic.gov.

(U) Tracked by: CRIM-040300-01-05, CRIM-040400-01-05, TERR-010000-01-05

US To Boycott UN Racism Conference

With Good Reason.

Hey folks,

Welcome to the Big Sunday Edition of the OPNTalk Blog. Yes, first I want to congratulate President Obama for actually making the right choice. We, the US, will not be going to the Racist Racism Conference hosted by the Racist UN.

According to Yahoo News- US to boycott United Nations racism meeting

WASHINGTON – The Obama administration will boycott "with regret" a U.N. conference on racism next week over objectionable language in the meeting's final document that could single out Israel for criticism and restrict free speech, the State Department said Saturday.

The decision follows weeks of furious internal debate and will likely please Israel and Jewish groups that lobbied against U.S. participation. But the move upset human rights advocates and some in the African-American community who had hoped that President Barack Obama, the nation's first black president, would send an official delegation.

Why should we go to a meeting that is CLEARLY Anti-Semitic? Seriously. Israel is one of our closets allies. Another is the provision to make it a CRIME, and a Human Rights Violation to criticize Islamofascists.

Some revisions — including the removal of specific critical references to Israel and problematic passages about the defamation of religion — were negotiated for which State Department spokesman Robert Wood said the administration was "deeply grateful."

But he said the text retains troubling elements that suggest support for restrictions on free speech and an affirmation of the findings of the first World Conference Against Racism, held in Durban, South Africa, in 2001 that the U.S cannot endorse.

So I DO stand and applaud this decision by Obama. One in a very long time. He made the right decision here.

So coming right up today?

Roxana Saberi Sentenced To 8 Years
There Can Be Only One Messiah
Congress To Debate Intrusive Global Warming Bill
IWA for Sunday 041909

Don't worry folks, I did not forget. I will be discussing and posting the Left Extremist warning tomorrow and giving you my opinion, you can form your own. That's tomorrow. I simply ran out of time today.

Anyway, get ready, I'm going to refill, Today's Featured Coffee, Don Francisco's Hawaiian Hazelnut, www.don-francisco.com One of my absolute favorites. be right back.
Peter

Roxana Saberi Sentenced To 8 Years

Roxana Saberi just a pawn

Hey folks

OK. So Roxana Saberi Sentenced To 8 Years in jail by the Iranian Government on Spying Charges. According to the LA Times- Iranian court sentences U.S. journalist to 8 years By Ramin Mostaghim and Jeffrey Fleishman 9:00 AM PDT, April 18, 2009

FOUND GUILTY: Roxana Saberi holds dual American and Iranian citizenship.
Roxana Saberi's spying conviction could strain attempts by the Obama administration to ease tension with Tehran.

I truly think that this is the point. The way I see this, Roxana Saberi just a pawn. According to this article:

Roxana Saberi, 31, who had reported for the British Broadcasting Co. and National Public Radio in Washington, had faced charges of espionage during a trial Monday before Iran's Revolutionary Court.

"The eight-year sentence is true. I will appeal the verdict," said Saberi's lawyer, Abdul-Samad Khorramshahi. It was not clear if she was convicted today or earlier in the week.

Under Iranian law, Saberi, who was arrested two months ago, could have been sentenced to 10 years in prison. She was charged with using the cover of a journalist to spy on Iran while passing on information and documents to American intelligence services. The deputy prosecutor for the Revolutionary Court had told Iran's media that Saberi confessed to the charges.

So she is sitting in an Iranian Jail and the court proceedings are under way. A big show that the world is watching. Pleas from her family and the US Government being made. Ahmadinejad, sitting back and waiting.

Now Obama and Crew have made it clear that they want to "work with Muslims all around the world." He has made it clear we are "not at war with Islam." He has made it clear that he wants to sit down and talk with Little Hitler {Ahmadinejad} and talk.

So now Iran has charged this AMERICAN Journalist to 8 years for spying and the are even reporting, yeah right, that she confessed. Iranian media, much like in our own country today, is run and controlled by the Iranian government and simply report whatever they are told to.

Reza Kaviani, an analyst based in Tehran said this.

"The heavy sentence against Roxana is a message to all intellectuals. . . . I do hope her case will be on the negotiating table" between Washington and Tehran.

Of course it will. I predict that this will be part of the big show. Obama, his highest, will smile and wave his hand. He may even "talk tough." Then, Ahmadinejad, in the name of peaceful beginnings and a show of friendship, will commune her sentence and send her home.

The crowds go crazy, Obama is given all the credit for how intelligent and forceful he is. How the world will now love us because of Obama. Iran is not a bad place and they are not our enemies. This will be the second time that Obama has shown his brilliance and power. The first being the Captain being held hostage by the Pirates.

Just keep watching folks. Just keep watching.
Peter

Sources:
LA Times - Iranian court sentences U.S. journalist to 8 years

There Can Be Only One Messiah

When in Rome,

Hey folks,

One of my fondest memories is when I went to a Passover Dinner at one of my friend's houses. Now I'm not Jewish, and at this point, I had no idea what any of the Jewish Passover meant. But I just went with the flow.

When I arrived, I was greeted by my friend at his door. He gave me a Yamaka to put on my head. Now again, I'm not Jewish, and did not really care to put what looked like a "Flimsy Flyer" on my head, but I was a guest at his house. A lesson I learned in church came to mind, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." so I put it on.

So then he broke bread, said a prayer, and we all started to eat. GREAT food. He was teaching me what this and that meant. He shared stories and it was a great night all around.

I have since been in Synagogues, Catholic Churches, Baptist, even a Kingdom Hall. Although I have many issues with man-made traditions, called Religion, I still did what they did, and learned as I did. It is a sign of respect.

You do not have to even be talking about Religion. I have been in homes where you are expected to take off your shoes, where a robe to a dinner, only sit on the floor. Again, I did and do, all these things, out of respect.

Then you have Obama. Obama was a guest of Georgetown University. He was happy to be there, however, since there can only be one Messiah, they had to cover up the symbol of Jesus.

Due to a request from the White House Staff, the university covered up the “IHS”— a symbol of the name of Jesus Christ — on the stage of Gaston Hall during President Obama’s speech on Tuesday.

“Georgetown University was pleased to host President Obama to deliver a major address on the economy in Gaston Hall earlier this week,” university spokesperson Julie Bataille said in an e-mail. “In coordinating the logistical arrangements for the event, Georgetown honored the White House staff’s request to cover all of the Georgetown University signage and symbols behind the Gaston Hall stage in order to accommodate a backdrop of American flags, consistent with other policy speeches.”

No it really is NOT consistent with other speeches. The symbols were covered at request of "the one" who was to be there. It was covered up as to not portray Obama as a hypocrite after his absurd statement that we are not a Christian Nation.

Not to mention, what would this symbolize to the Muslims that Obama wants to work with. What about the fact that the Mainstream Media continues to portray Obama himself as the {False} Messiah? There can be only one you know.

I guess Obama is ashamed of his "Christian Faith." He is a Christian you know. He will tell you that. {Sigh} After being corrected. Remember this?


{Smile} Be right back.
Peter

Sources:
TheHoya.com

Congress To Debate Intrusive Global Warming Bill

Get ready.

Hey folks,

Even in the face of the reality that we have not warmed since 98. In the face of the fact we are now in a cooling cycle. In the face of the fact that more and more Scientists are coming out and saying that GW is BS. Congress is debating the most intrusive form of Government control and power that we have ever seen. All in the name of saving the Planet.

According to the AP - Congress weighs far-reaching global warming bill By DINA CAPPIELLO, Associated Press Writer Dina Cappiello, Associated Press Writer – Sat Apr 18, 11:08 am ET

WASHINGTON – The last time Congress passed major environmental laws, acid rain was destroying lakes and forests, polluted rivers were on fire and smog was choking people in some cities.

The fallout from global warming, while subtle now, could eventually be even more dire. That prospect has Democrats pushing legislation that rivals in scope the nation's landmark anti-pollution laws.

Lawmakers this coming week begin hearings on an energy and global warming bill that could revolutionize how the country produces and uses energy. It also could reduce, for the first time, the pollution responsible for heating up the planet.

WRONG! Just a flat out SCAM. If you really want to know what is heating the planet right now, it is all the hot air coming from those spouting the SCAM. The planet is NOT in danger. There is NO GLOBAL WARMING.

If Congress balks, the Obama administration has signaled a willingness to use decades-old clean air laws to impose tough new regulations for motor vehicles and many industrial plants to limit their release of climate-changing pollution.

What the False Messiah wants, the False Messiah will get.

The Environmental Protection Agency on Friday said rising sea levels, increased flooding and more intense heat waves and storms that come with climate change are a threat to public health and safety. The agency predicted that warming will worsen other pollution problems such as smog.

The Sea Levels are NOT rising. That has already been proven. There is no increased flooding. Where are the intense heat waves? Where are the storms? Did the powers to be NOT just predict an AVERAGE, to below average Hurricane season this year? Sorry, the FACTS do not add up to catastrophe.

"The EPA concluded that our health and our planet are in danger. Now it is time for Congress to create a clean energy cure," said Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., one of the sponsors of the American Clean Energy and Security Act.

IDIOT!

If passed, it would be the first major environmental protection law in almost two decades. In addition to attempting to solve a complex environmental problem associated with global warming, the bill also seeks to wean the nation off foreign oil imports and to create a new clean-energy economy.

WE ALREADY HAVE THE ANSWER! Drill here, Drill now, and use our own resources to become Energy independent. Meanwhile we can play make believe and investigate the non-existent "alternative energy" sources.

"It's a big undertaking," said the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif. Waxman and Markey presented their 648-page bill last month.

Of course, the Waxman. Another IDIOT!

From 1969 to 1980, Congress passed more than a dozen environmental bills tackling everything from air and water pollution and garbage, as well as protections for fisheries, marine mammals and endangered species. In 1990, the Clean Air Act was overhauled to address the problem of acid rain created by the sulfur dioxide released from coal-burning power plants.

Yet they are toying with the idea of shooting sulfur into the sky to cool the planet by blocking out the Sun. BRILLIANT. I guess we should just fire up MORE Coal Burning Plants.

"We had two decades of extraordinary legislation and almost two decades of nothing," said Richard Lazarus, a Georgetown University law professor and author of "The Making of Environmental Law." "If this one passes, it will certainly be an outburst."

OK. Let me ask the obvious question here. Since we did enact all this garbage, why do we have a crisis now? So we need to enact even more? For the same outcome? Is this what they are telling us?

There are many reasons why Congress' chances to succeed in passing global warming legislation are improved this year, but by no means assured.

After President George W. Bush did little about global warming in his two terms, there is "a lot pent up demand" for action on climate, said William Ruckelshaus, the first administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Both the Democratic-controlled Congress and President Barack Obama agree that legislation is needed to limit emissions of greenhouse gases and radically alter the nation's energy sources. They want to pass a bill by the end of the year.

"For the first time ever, we have got the political actors all aligned," said Lazarus. "That is not enough to get a law passed, but that is a huge start. We haven't been close to that before."

Well, I'm glad the kooks are happy.

Unlike the 1970s, when the first environmental laws passed nearly unanimously, Republicans are opposed. They question whether industry and taxpayers can afford to take on global warming during an economic recession.

Then there is the question whether the public will have the appetite to accept higher energy prices for a benefit that will not be seen for many years. Climate change ranks low on many voters' priority lists.

NO! WE WILL NOT HAVE THE APPETITATE TO ACCEPT HIGHER ENERGY PRICES!!!! That is the whole point by the way. MONEY! Money, power, and control. As I keep telling you. And it will not be years before we see any benefit. It will be forever. Because there is no threat.

Every year since 2001 has been among the 10 warmest years on record. Sea ice in the Arctic and glaciers worldwide are melting.

Completely wrong. Care to give the dates, tempts, and history? I bet they will not give you this. If they did, you would find that they are incorrect here. But they never give you actual facts backed by REAL Science, because if they did, you would see that it is a scam.

But the problems are not as apparent as they were in the 1970s, or even the early 1990s, when Congress addressed acid rain and depletion of the ozone layer.

"If carbon dioxide were brown, we wouldn't have the same problem," said Gus Speth, who organized the Natural Resources Defense Council in 1970. "But it's a subtle issue. ... The problems are chronic not acute, and it is largely invisible to people unless they're reading the newspaper or checking the glaciers or going to the South Pole."

{Sigh} Yeah, and it's also NOT a pollutant. No matter how many times they say it is.

In 1969, oil and debris in the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland burst into flames, an incident that led to the passage of the Clean Water Act. That same year, a blowout at an offshore oil platform off Santa Barbara, Calif., spilled millions of gallons of oil onto beaches. And long before that, a smog episode in Donora, Pa., in 1948 killed 20, sparking a crusade against air pollution.

"There was so much evidence — sort of smell, touch and feel kind of evidence — that the environment was really in trouble," said Ruckelshaus. "We had real problems, real pollution problems that people could see on the way to work. And there were rivers catching on fire and terrible smog events."

With climate, "you are asking people to worry about their grandchildren or their children," he said. "That is why it will be so tough to get something like this through."

No. It's because there is NO REAL Science backing the SCAM. There is what can only be called Bad Science. Phony Science. Funny and FALSE Science. A bunch of people working together to perpetrate the SCAM. Computer models with information inputted to them by those same people to spit out what they WANT them to spit out. Even then, they can not prove the SCAM.

I know with all these Idiots, you may be thinking that this is the IWA, but believe it or not, this is actually the Heath and Science Segment this week. {Smile} I hope this gets you as angry as it gets me. I love science. I love FACTS. This is nothing by BS. Complete and utter BS. But with Obama and Crew, what else would you really expect?
Peter

Sources:
AP - Congress weighs far-reaching global warming bill

IWA for Sunday 041909

Just flat out WHY?

Hey folks,

It's Sunday, time for the IWA. This weeks winner is someone I actually really like. I have enjoyed nearly all his movies, and find him to be one of the few people that can really make me laugh.

So why is he worthy of the IWA? Simple. He has come right out and said, that people need to be controlled. Yup. He actually said it. Forget about freedom. Forget about independence. Forget about the personal Spirit. In his mind, his people need to be controlled.

His name? Jackie Chan. According to the AP - Jackie Chan: Chinese people need to be controlled By WILLIAM FOREMAN, Associated Press Writer William Foreman, Associated Press Writer – 1 hr 35 mins ago

BOAO, China – Action star Jackie Chan said Saturday he's not sure if a free society is a good thing for China and that he's starting to think "we Chinese need to be controlled."

Chan's comments drew applause from a predominantly Chinese audience of business leaders in China's southern island province of Hainan.

I'm sure it most likely is drawing applauds from some right here in this country as well.

The 55-year-old Hong Kong actor was participating in a panel at the annual Boao Forum when he was asked to discuss censorship and restrictions on filmmakers in China. He expanded his comments to include society.

"I'm not sure if it's good to have freedom or not," Chan said. "I'm really confused now. If you're too free, you're like the way Hong Kong is now. It's very chaotic. Taiwan is also chaotic."

Chan added: "I'm gradually beginning to feel that we Chinese need to be controlled. If we're not being controlled, we'll just do what we want."

Why is Freedom becoming a four letter word? I just do not get it. People are starting to come right out and say Socialism is good. People, mostly Libs, in this country are standing and applauding EVERYTIME Obama strips away another Right. They actually defend the Government becoming bigger and bigger. They applaud with complete ignorance as the Government is slowly becoming a Centralized Controlling Government in control of more and more of things the Government has no business being in control of.

Congratulations Jackie Chan, here is another award you can add to your collection. You ARE the Idiot of the Week. Now, go make another movie so I can laugh and forget how stupid that comment is.
Peter

Sources:
AP - Jackie Chan: Chinese people need to be controlled

What Happened To True Americans, and the American Spirit?

"You really should post this. Maybe even elaborate on it a little more."

Hey folks,

OK. I'll be honest. This is technically not from the Email. But it was pointed out to me by SG who really thought that it would be worth while for me to post it here. So, since I have had some feed back on this via the Emails, I decided to go ahead and post it here.

I was debating someone over at E-thepeople.org, when I just got fed up with the whole Liberal Mindset of how great this false Utopia of Socialism is in their mind. Let me elaborate on my original point.

What happened to those faithful days when we broke from the chains of tyranny, came to this Continent and set up our own Government. Whatever happened to "We the People"? A Government by the people, FOR the people? We over came the odds, bloodshed, Civil Wars, World Wars, and every threat to our "Land of the Free, and Home of the Brave." We WERE Americans, and the American Spirit would not die.

Well, from the best I can tell, we got lazy. "The New Deal" started us down a road of "what can the Government do for me?" The Government must protect me, feed me, care for me, and the Government must make it so that I can have what others have worked for, if I work for it or not.

Whatever happened to "Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country."

Some here in this country, so many years later, are now asking "who can I trust?" The Left or the Right? One set of Politicians or the other. "Why do I keep electing these people that tell me one thing, yet get into power and do the opposite? Who can I trust?" Well, how about trusting in yourself. Believe it or not, you ARE responsible for your own life. As long as we are still a free country, YOU are responsible for:

Your job.
Your Home.
Your Family.
Your Wealth.
Your Healthcare.
Your lifestyle.
Your FREEDOM.

YOU are responsible for YOUR American Dream. The pursuit of Life, Liberty, and Happiness.

It amazes me also that you can meet immigrant after immigrant, that has come here with nothing, most fleeing a Socialist or Totalitarian system, pursue and acquire the American Dream. Actually make something of themselves. While we have Americans that want the Government to give it all to them. They want this American Dream handed out and stamped with approval by the US Government.

Now we have a President, and Congress that LOVES these Socialistic and Tyrannical Systems, because THEY get to have all the power, and Americans want to applaud their efforts. They want to see us go down the same road. Give up personal responsibility, and accept Government reliance and control over their own personal lives. However, when you do this, you also give up your freedom.

Yes, from early education on, we are taught that the Government is there for us. That they will meet our needs. Do not worry about anything. We all must be on level playing fields. We all must be able to have whatever anyone else has.

Our kids, all the way up to adulthood, have now been trained to rely on Government to fix anything wrong in our lives. To ensure that we all get a piece of the pie. To make things "fair." We, as adults, can only teach our kids what we know. Generation after generation, we get further and further away from the American Spirit and closer and closer to accepting the American Nightmare.

With every ounce we give the Government, the Government takes a pound. We are appearing to come full circle. From tyranny to freedom, from freedom back to tyranny. With every generation, our ignorance of the past grows. Out of this absolute ignorance, comes those that seek power and control, and their ability to acquire that of which they seek.

It truly is sad, the cost of ignorance.
Peter


Note: "From The Emails" is a weekly segment in the Friday edition of the OPNtalk Blog. If you care to send in News Articles, Comments, Stories, or anything else you may wish to share, please feel free to send it to opntalk@aim.com As always, you never know what you are going to see here.

Conservatives: Enemy of the State?

This is not insane, it is Un-American and Criminal

Hey folks,

I owe my friend a huge apology. I really do. When he told me about this last night, I said, "Yeah OK. That is a little extreme even for Obama and Crew." I thought my friend had gone over to the Black Helicopter, "Their out to get us," fringe kook groups. Perhaps a little paranoia setting in. But then I checked it out, because my friend is someone that is, shall we say, "in the know." He has many friends in high positions both in and out of Government. It is not like him to come up with this kind of conspiracy garbage.

MAN! Do I own my friend an apology. He was telling me the truth. I still can not believe what I just read. I just posted it. Of course, this came out right before, and in preparation of today's Tea Parties being held all across the country.

The next thing you know, YOU will be an Enemy of the State.

An enemy of the state is a person accused of certain crimes against the state, such as treason. Describing individuals in this way is sometimes a manifestation of political repression. For example, an authoritarian regime may purport to maintain national security by describing social or political dissidents as "enemies of the state". In other cases, the individual in question may have legitimately endangered the country and/or its population. For example, a double agent selling military or intelligence secrets could undermine a nation's security, and could therefore be considered an enemy not of just a person or entity within a state, but the state itself and all entities therein.

So what did we just read in the Washington Times?

The Department of Homeland Security is warning law enforcement officials about a rise in "rightwing extremist activity," saying the economic recession, the election of America's first black president and the return of a few disgruntled war veterans could swell the ranks of white-power militias.

Now OK, we already know that the ignorant Left actually thinks that all Conservatives are War mongering, hate filled, Racist, Chauvnistic, Homophobes. They have attempting to portray us as this for years, even though, as I have pointed out here countless times, it is THEY that are the true Racist. But THIS? This is so far over the line, it is CRIMINAL.

A footnote attached to the report by the Homeland Security Office of Intelligence and Analysis defines "rightwing extremism in the United States" as including not just racist or hate groups, but also groups that reject federal authority in favor of state or local authority.

So if you believe in the CONSTITUTION, YOU are an Extremist. An Enemy of the the Federal Government?

"It may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single-issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration," the warning says.

Are you getting this? So if you are against Amnesty, Abortion, or gather, such as the Tea Party Movement to speak out against the False Messiah Obama, YOU ARE A CRIMINAL!

The White House has distanced itself from the analysis. When asked for comment on its contents, White House spokesman Nick Shapiro said, "The President is focused not on politics but rather taking the steps necessary to protect all Americans from the threat of violence and terrorism regardless of its origins. He also believes those who serve represent the best of this country, and he will continue to ensure that our veterans receive the respect and benefits they have earned."

Folks, Janet Napolitano is an imbicel. She could and would not have come up with this on her own. She was most likely instructed to by the powers to be in the White House and Congress.

The nine-page document was sent to police and sheriff's departments across the United States on April 7 under the headline, "Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment."

Where was it sent? To those area that have already been identified as locations of the Tea Parties.

It says the federal government "will be working with its state and local partners over the next several months" to gather information on "rightwing extremist activity in the United States."

So if you are a Conservative, you MAY very well be being watched. Are we going to have to start whispering in the back rooms for fear that Big Brother might be watching? Listening?

The report, which was first disclosed to the public by nationally syndicated radio host Roger Hedgecock, makes clear that the Homeland Security Department does not have "specific information that domestic rightwing terrorists are currently planning acts of violence."It warns that fringe organizations are gaining recruits, but it provides no numbers.

The report says extremist groups have used President Obama as a recruiting tool.

"Most statements by rightwing extremists have been rhetorical, expressing concerns about the election of the first African American president, but stopping short of calls for violent action," the report says. "In two instances in the run-up to the election, extremists appeared to be in the early planning stages of some threatening activity targeting the Democratic nominee, but law enforcement interceded."

Told you. This is ALL about Obama. If you DARE to go against the Almighty One, His Majesty Obama, YOU are an Enemy of the State. It may not be official yet, but it sure looks as if it is heading in that direction.

When asked about this passage, Secret Service spokesman Ed Donovan said, "We are concerned about anybody who will try to harm or plan to harm any one of our protectees. We don't have the luxury to focus on one particular group at the exclusion of others."

Congressional debates about immigration and gun control also make extremist groups suspicious and give them a rallying cry, the report says.

"It is unclear if either bill will be passed into law; nonetheless, a correlation may exist between the potential passage of gun control legislation and increased hoarding of ammunition, weapons stockpiling, and paramilitary training activities among rightwing extremists," the report said.

Prove that. Some Kooks are out there. No doubt about it. Some are on Farms, some run Government. But not all that disagree with Government is an Enemy of Government. We are exercising our RIGHTS set forth by that annoying little Document that Obama LOVES to ignore, The Constitution.

The FBI was quoted Monday as saying that, since November, more than 7 million people have applied for criminal background checks in order to buy weapons.

SO?

The Homeland Security report added: "Over the past five years, various rightwing extremists, including militias and white supremacists, have adopted the immigration issue as a call to action, rallying point, and recruiting tool."

You against Amnesty? You Racist you. Now you are an Extremist as well.

The report could signify a change in emphasis for Homeland Security under former Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano. A German magazine quoted Ms. Napolitano as rebranding "terrorism" as "man-made disasters." Since its inception in 2003, the department has focused primarily on radicalization of Muslims and the prospect of homegrown Islamist terrorism.

You read that correctly. So now if you disagree with Obama, you can be deemed a TERRORIST?

In January, the same DHS office released a report titled "Leftwing extremists likely to increase use of cyber attacks over the coming decade."

"These types of reports are published all the time. There have actually been some done on the other end of the spectrum, left-wing," Ms. Kuban said.

A similar headline was used in a report issued in January, Ms. Kuban said, although she could not provide the content of the headline.

Of course. "Yeah, uh, we, uh, did one with the Left Wing also, uh, so , uh, we are not,,," Can you give us a copy or tell us what is in it? How about just the Headline? "Uh, no, uh, I have no idea, uh I mean, uh" You get the point.

Ms. Kuban said she did not know how long the new report had been in the making.

"The purpose of the report is to identify risk. This is nothing unusual," said Ms. Kuban, who added that the Homeland Security Department did this "to prevent another Tim McVeigh from ever happening again."

How about YOU were instructed to come up with this right before the NON-Reported on Tea Parties? In a way to label those attending them Extremist Kook that should just be ignored. Or even worse, a set up to actually bring down the weight of government on any who dare disagree with this Administration and this President?

The Homeland Security assessment specifically says that "rightwing extremists will attempt to recruit and radicalize returning veterans in order to exploit their skills and knowledge derived from military training and combat."

Idiots. PROVE IT!

The FBI report said that from October 2001 through May 2008 "a minuscule" number of veterans, 203 out of 23,000, had joined groups such as the Ku Klux Klan, Aryan Nations, the National Socialist Movement, the Creativity Movement, the National Alliance and some skinhead groups.

"Although the white supremacist movement is of concern to the FBI, our assessment shows that only a very small number of people with prior military experience may have an affiliation with supremacist groups," FBI spokesman Richard Kolko said Monday when asked about the FBI report.

I bet you they were ALREADY members. They are kooks that believe in extreme views. You know, like Obama being a community organizer in Chicago.

So there you have it folks. YOU are an extremist that needs to be watched by the Government because you DARE to go against the False Messiah that is Obama. Yes, YOU are an extremist, because you DARE to show public dissent against Obama and this Congress on all the EXTREME and UNCONSTITUTIONAL things THEY have been doing. They are not wrong, YOU are.

This is also an attempt to intimidate you into staying home. They want the numbers as low as possible for these Tea Parties. They want to be able to wave it off as a small group of extremists that could become criminal if not watched. Not the views of the Majority of Americans that Love Obama and knows that he is the one. The one we have been waiting for. No, no, no. These extremists running around the country today do not represent the average American. They may even all be criminals. Pay them no mind. We are watching them. We will protect you from these ignorant and bitter clingers.

The next thing you know folks, is that you MAY very well become, an Enemy of the State under the Obama Regime. I say this should not deter you. This should ENERGIZE you. I hope this insanity actually bring MORE people out today. Go out there, and let this Administration know, we are AMERICANS and we will NOT be silenced.
Peter

Sources:
OPNTalk - Conservatives: Enemy of the State? WT Article
OPNTalk - Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment

Conservatives: Enemy of the State? WT Article

Washington Times - Federal agency warns of radicals on right

Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Federal agency warns of radicals on right
Audrey Hudson and Eli Lake

The Department of Homeland Security is warning law enforcement officials about a rise in "rightwing extremist activity," saying the economic recession, the election of America's first black president and the return of a few disgruntled war veterans could swell the ranks of white-power militias.

A footnote attached to the report by the Homeland Security Office of Intelligence and Analysis defines "rightwing extremism in the United States" as including not just racist or hate groups, but also groups that reject federal authority in favor of state or local authority.

"It may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single-issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration," the warning says.

The White House has distanced itself from the analysis. When asked for comment on its contents, White House spokesman Nick Shapiro said, "The President is focused not on politics but rather taking the steps necessary to protect all Americans from the threat of violence and terrorism regardless of its origins. He also believes those who serve represent the best of this country, and he will continue to ensure that our veterans receive the respect and benefits they have earned."

The nine-page document was sent to police and sheriff's departments across the United States on April 7 under the headline, "Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment."

It says the federal government "will be working with its state and local partners over the next several months" to gather information on "rightwing extremist activity in the United States."

The joint federal-state activities will have "a particular emphasis" on the causes of "rightwing extremist radicalization."

Homeland Security spokeswoman Sara Kuban said the report is one in an ongoing series of assessments by the department to "facilitate a greater understanding of the phenomenon of violent radicalization in the U.S."

The report, which was first disclosed to the public by nationally syndicated radio host Roger Hedgecock, makes clear that the Homeland Security Department does not have "specific information that domestic rightwing terrorists are currently planning acts of violence."It warns that fringe organizations are gaining recruits, but it provides no numbers.

The report says extremist groups have used President Obama as a recruiting tool.

"Most statements by rightwing extremists have been rhetorical, expressing concerns about the election of the first African American president, but stopping short of calls for violent action," the report says. "In two instances in the run-up to the election, extremists appeared to be in the early planning stages of some threatening activity targeting the Democratic nominee, but law enforcement interceded."

When asked about this passage, Secret Service spokesman Ed Donovan said, "We are concerned about anybody who will try to harm or plan to harm any one of our protectees. We don't have the luxury to focus on one particular group at the exclusion of others."

Congressional debates about immigration and gun control also make extremist groups suspicious and give them a rallying cry, the report says.

"It is unclear if either bill will be passed into law; nonetheless, a correlation may exist between the potential passage of gun control legislation and increased hoarding of ammunition, weapons stockpiling, and paramilitary training activities among rightwing extremists," the report said.

The FBI was quoted Monday as saying that, since November, more than 7 million people have applied for criminal background checks in order to buy weapons.

The Homeland Security report added: "Over the past five years, various rightwing extremists, including militias and white supremacists, have adopted the immigration issue as a call to action, rallying point, and recruiting tool."

The report could signify a change in emphasis for Homeland Security under former Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano. A German magazine quoted Ms. Napolitano as rebranding "terrorism" as "man-made disasters." Since its inception in 2003, the department has focused primarily on radicalization of Muslims and the prospect of homegrown Islamist terrorism.

In January, the same DHS office released a report titled "Leftwing extremists likely to increase use of cyber attacks over the coming decade."

"These types of reports are published all the time. There have actually been some done on the other end of the spectrum, left-wing," Ms. Kuban said.

A similar headline was used in a report issued in January, Ms. Kuban said, although she could not provide the content of the headline.

Ms. Kuban said she did not know how long the new report had been in the making.

"The purpose of the report is to identify risk. This is nothing unusual," said Ms. Kuban, who added that the Homeland Security Department did this "to prevent another Tim McVeigh from ever happening again."

The Homeland Security assessment specifically says that "rightwing extremists will attempt to recruit and radicalize returning veterans in order to exploit their skills and knowledge derived from military training and combat."

Jerry Newberry, director of communications for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, said the vast majority of veterans are patriotic citizens who would not join anti-government militias.

"As far as our military members go, I think that the military is a melting pot of society. So you might get a few, a fractional few, who are going to be attracted by militia groups and other right-wing extremists," he said.

"We have to remember that the people serving in our military are volunteers, they do it because they love their country, and they believe in what our country stands for," he said. "They spent their time in the military defending our Constitution, so the vast majority of them would be repulsed by the hate groups discussed in this report."

The Homeland Security report cited a 2008 FBI report that noted that a small number of returning military veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have joined extremist groups.

The FBI report said that from October 2001 through May 2008 "a minuscule" number of veterans, 203 out of 23,000, had joined groups such as the Ku Klux Klan, Aryan Nations, the National Socialist Movement, the Creativity Movement, the National Alliance and some skinhead groups.

"Although the white supremacist movement is of concern to the FBI, our assessment shows that only a very small number of people with prior military experience may have an affiliation with supremacist groups," FBI spokesman Richard Kolko said Monday when asked about the FBI report.

A 2006 report from the Southern Poverty Law Center, an organization that monitors white supremacists like the Klan, said that white-power groups had an interest in the kind of training the military provides.

Mark Potok, director of the center's intelligence project, said the Homeland Security report "confirms that white supremacists are interested in the military. There is some concern, and there should be, about returning veterans, one need only think of the example of Timothy McVeigh, who was in the first Iraq war."

Mr. Potok added that he was generally pleased with the report.

"Basically, the report tracks fairly closely with what we have been saying for some time now. They mention us a couple of times, though not by name," he said.

Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment

PDF of Report Homeland Securtiy - Rightwing Extremism

(U//FOUO) Rightwing Extremism:
Current Economic and Political
Climate Fueling Resurgence in
Radicalization and Recruitment
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

(U//FOUO) Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment

7 April 2009

(U) Prepared by the Extremism and Radicalization Branch, Homeland Environment Threat Analysis

Division. Coordinated with the FBI.

(U) Scope

(U//FOUO) This product is one of a series of intelligence assessments published by the Extremism and Radicalization Branch to facilitate a greater understanding of the phenomenon of violent radicalization in the United States. The information is provided to federal, state, local, and tribal counterterrorism and law enforcement officials so they may effectively deter, prevent, preempt, or respond to terrorist attacks against the United States. Federal efforts to influence domestic public opinion must be conducted in an overt and transparent manner, clearly identifying United States Government sponsorship.

(U) LAW ENFORCEMENT INFORMATION NOTICE: This product contains Law Enforcement Sensitive (LES) information. No portion of the LES information should be released to the media, the general public, or over non-secure Internet servers. Release of this information could adversely affect or jeopardize investigative activities.

(U) Warning: This document is UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

(U//FOUO). It contains information that may be exempt from public release under the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552). It is to be controlled, stored, handled, transmitted, distributed, and disposed of in accordance with DHS policy relating to FOUO information and is not to be released to the public, the media, or other personnel who do not have a valid need-to-know without prior approval of an authorized DHS official. State and local homeland security officials may share this document with authorized security personnel without further approval from DHS.

(U) All U.S. person information has been minimized. Should you require the minimized U.S. person information, please contact the DHS/I&A Production Branch at IA.PM@hq.dhs.gov, IA.PM@dhs.sgov.gov, or IA.PM@dhs.ic.gov.

(U//FOUO) Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment

7 April 2009

(U) Prepared by the Extremism and Radicalization Branch, Homeland Environment Threat Analysis Division. Coordinated with the FBI.

(U) Scope

(U//FOUO) This product is one of a series of intelligence assessments published by the Extremism and Radicalization Branch to facilitate a greater understanding of the phenomenon of violent radicalization in the United States. The information is provided to federal, state, local, and tribal counterterrorism and law enforcement officials so they may effectively deter, prevent, preempt, or respond to terrorist attacks against the United States. Federal efforts to influence domestic public opinion must be conducted in an overt and transparent manner, clearly identifying United States Government sponsorship.

UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Page 2 of 9

(U) Key Findings

(U//LES) The DHS/Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) has no specific information that domestic rightwing* terrorists are currently planning acts of violence, but rightwing extremists may be gaining new recruits by playing on their fears about several emergent issues. The economic downturn and the election of the first African American president present unique drivers for rightwing radicalization and recruitment.

— (U//LES) Threats from white supremacist and violent antigovernment groups during 2009 have been largely rhetorical and have not indicated plans to carry out violent acts. Nevertheless, the consequences of a prolonged economic downturn—including real estate foreclosures, unemployment, and an inability to obtain credit—could create a fertile recruiting environment for rightwing extremists and even result in confrontations between such groups and government authorities similar to those in the past.

— (U//LES) Rightwing extremists have capitalized on the election of the first African American president, and are focusing their efforts to recruit new members, mobilize existing supporters, and broaden their scope and appeal through propaganda, but they have not yet turned to attack planning.

(U//FOUO) The current economic and political climate has some similarities to the 1990s when rightwing extremism experienced a resurgence fueled largely by an economic recession, criticism about the outsourcing of jobs, and the perceived threat to U.S. power and sovereignty by other foreign powers.

— (U//FOUO) During the 1990s, these issues contributed to the growth in the number of domestic rightwing terrorist and extremist groups and an increase in violent acts targeting government facilities, law enforcement officers, banks, and infrastructure sectors.

— (U//FOUO) Growth of these groups subsided in reaction to increased government scrutiny as a result of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing and disrupted plots, improvements in the economy, and the continued U.S. standing as the preeminent world power.

(U//FOUO) The possible passage of new restrictions on firearms and the return of military veterans facing significant challenges reintegrating into their communities could lead to the potential emergence of terrorist groups or lone wolf extremists capable of carrying out violent attacks.

* (U) Rightwing extremism in the United States can be broadly divided into those groups, movements, and adherents that are primarily hate-oriented (based on hatred of particular religious, racial or ethnic groups), and those that are mainly antigovernment, rejecting federal authority in favor of state or local authority, or rejecting government authority entirely. It may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration.

UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Page 3 of 9

— (U//FOUO) Proposed imposition of firearms restrictions and weapons bans likely would attract new members into the ranks of rightwing extremist groups, as well as potentially spur some of them to begin planning and training for violence against the government. The high volume of purchases and stockpiling of weapons and ammunition by rightwing extremists in anticipation of restrictions and bans in some parts of the country continue to be a primary concern to law enforcement.

— (U//FOUO) Returning veterans possess combat skills and experience that are attractive to rightwing extremists. DHS/I&A is concerned that rightwing extremists will attempt to recruit and radicalize returning veterans in order to boost their violent capabilities.

(U) Current Economic and Political Climate

(U//FOUO) DHS/I&A assesses that a number of economic and political factors are driving a resurgence in rightwing extremist recruitment and radicalization activity. Despite similarities to the climate of the 1990s, the threat posed by lone wolves and small terrorist cells is more pronounced than in past years. In addition, the historical election of an African American president and the prospect of policy changes are proving to be a driving force for rightwing extremist recruitment and radicalization.

— (U) A recent example of the potential violence associated with a rise in rightwing extremism may be found in the shooting deaths of three police officers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on 4 April 2009. The alleged gunman’s reaction reportedly was influenced by his racist ideology and belief in antigovernment conspiracy theories related to gun confiscations, citizen detention camps, and a Jewish- controlled “one world government.”

(U) Exploiting Economic Downturn

(U//FOUO) Rightwing extremist chatter on the Internet continues to focus on the economy, the perceived loss of U.S. jobs in the manufacturing and construction sectors, and home foreclosures. Anti-Semitic extremists attribute these losses to a deliberate conspiracy conducted by a cabal of Jewish “financial elites.” These “accusatory” tactics are employed to draw new recruits into rightwing extremist groups and further radicalize those already subscribing to extremist beliefs. DHS/I&A assesses this trend is likely to accelerate if the economy is perceived to worsen.

(U) Historical Presidential Election

(U//LES) Rightwing extremists are harnessing this historical election as a recruitment tool. Many rightwing extremists are antagonistic toward the new presidential administration and its perceived stance on a range of issues, including immigration and citizenship, the expansion of social programs to minorities, and restrictions on firearmsownership and use. Rightwing extremists are increasingly galvanized by these concerns and leverage them as drivers for recruitment. From the 2008 election timeframe to the present, rightwing extremists have capitalized on related racial and political prejudices in expanded propaganda campaigns, thereby reaching out to a wider audience of potential sympathizers.

UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Page 4 of 9

(U) Revisiting the 1990s (U//FOUO) Paralleling the current national climate, rightwing extremists during the 1990s exploited a variety of social issues and political themes to increase group visibility and recruit new members. Prominent among these themes were the militia movement’s opposition to gun control efforts, criticism of free trade agreements (particularly those with Mexico), and highlighting perceived government infringement on civil liberties as well as white supremacists’ longstanding exploitation of social issues such as abortion, inter-racial crimes, and same-sex marriage. During the 1990s, these issues contributed to the growth in the number of domestic rightwing terrorist and extremist groups and an increase in violent acts targeting government facilities, law enforcement officers, banks, and infrastructure sectors.

(U) Economic Hardship and Extremism

(U//FOUO) Historically, domestic rightwing extremists have feared, predicted, and anticipated a cataclysmic economic collapse in the United States. Prominent antigovernment conspiracy theorists have incorporated aspects of an impending economic collapse to intensify fear and paranoia among like-minded individuals and to attract recruits during times of economic uncertainty. Conspiracy theories involving declarations of martial law, impending civil strife or racial conflict, suspension of the U.S. Constitution, and the creation of citizen detention camps often incorporate aspects of a failed economy. Antigovernment conspiracy theories and “end times” prophecies could motivate extremist individuals and groups to stockpile food, ammunition, and weapons. These teachings also have been linked with the radicalization of domestic extremist individuals and groups in the past, such as violent Christian Identity organizations extremist members of the militia movement.

(U//FOUO) Perceptions on Poverty and Radicalization

(U//FOUO) Scholars and experts disagree over poverty’s role in motivating violent radicalization or terrorist activity. High unemployment, however, has the potential to lead to alienation, thus increasing an individual’s susceptibility to extremist ideas. According to a 2007 study from the German Institute for Economic Research, there appears to be a strong association between a parent’s unemployment status and the formation of rightwing extremist beliefs in their children—specifically xenophobia and antidemocratic ideals.

UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Page 5 of 9

(U) Illegal Immigration

(U//FOUO) Rightwing extremists were concerned during the 1990s with the perception that illegal immigrants were taking away American jobs through their willingness to work at significantly lower wages. They also opposed free trade agreements, arguing that these arrangements resulted in Americans losing jobs to countries such as Mexico.

(U//FOUO) Over the past five years, various rightwing extremists, including militias and white supremacists, have adopted the immigration issue as a call to action, rallying point, and recruiting tool. Debates over appropriate immigration levels and enforcement policy generally fall within the realm of protected political speech under the First Amendment, but in some cases, anti-immigration or strident pro-enforcement fervor has been directed against specific groups and has the potential to turn violent.

(U//FOUO) DHS/I&A assesses that rightwing extremist groups’ frustration over a perceived lack of government action on illegal immigration has the potential to incite individuals or small groups toward violence. If such violence were to occur, it likely would be isolated, small-scale, and directed at specific immigration-related targets.

— (U//FOUO) DHS/I&A notes that prominent civil rights organizations have observed an increase in anti-Hispanic crimes over the past five years.

— (U) In April 2007, six militia members were arrested for various weapons and explosives violations. Open source reporting alleged that those arrested had discussed and conducted surveillance for a machinegun attack on Hispanics.

— (U) A militia member in Wyoming was arrested in February 2007 after communicating his plans to travel to the Mexican border to kill immigrants crossing into the United States.

(U) Legislative and Judicial Drivers

(U//FOUO) Many rightwing extremist groups perceive recent gun control legislation as a threat to their right to bear arms and in response have increased weapons and ammunition stockpiling, as well as renewed participation in paramilitary training exercises. Such activity, combined with a heightened level of extremist paranoia, has the potential to facilitate criminal activity and violence.

— (U//FOUO) During the 1990s, rightwing extremist hostility toward government was fueled by the implementation of restrictive gun laws—such as the Brady Law that established a 5-day waiting period prior to purchasing a handgun and the 1994 Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act that limited the sale of various types of assault rifles—and federal law enforcement’s handling of the confrontations at Waco, Texas and Ruby Ridge, Idaho.

UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Page 6 of 9

— (U//FOUO) On the current front, legislation has been proposed this year requiring mandatory registration of all firearms in the United States. Similar legislation was introduced in 2008 in several states proposing mandatory tagging and registration of ammunition. It is unclear if either bill will be passed into law; nonetheless, a correlation may exist between the potential passage of gun control legislation and increased hoarding of ammunition, weapons stockpiling, and paramilitary training activities among rightwing extremists.

(U//FOUO) Open source reporting of wartime ammunition shortages has likely spurred rightwing extremists—as well as law-abiding Americans—to make bulk purchases of ammunition. These shortages have increased the cost of ammunition, further exacerbating rightwing extremist paranoia and leading to further stockpiling activity. Both rightwing extremists and law-abiding citizens share a belief that rising crime rates attributed to a slumping economy make the purchase of legitimate firearms a wise move at this time.

(U//FOUO) Weapons rights and gun-control legislation are likely to be hotly contested subjects of political debate in light of the 2008 Supreme Court’s decision in District of Columbia v. Heller in which the Court reaffirmed an individual’s right to keep and bear arms under the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, but left open to debate the precise contours of that right. Because debates over constitutional rights are intense, and parties on all sides have deeply held, sincere, but vastly divergent beliefs, violent extremists may attempt to co-opt the debate and use the controversy as a radicalization tool.

(U) Perceived Threat from Rise of Other Countries

(U//FOUO) Rightwing extremist paranoia of foreign regimes could escalate or be magnified in the event of an economic crisis or military confrontation, harkening back to the “New World Order” conspiracy theories of the 1990s. The dissolution of Communist countries in Eastern Europe and the end of the Soviet Union in the 1990s led some rightwing extremists to believe that a “New World Order” would bring about a world government that would usurp the sovereignty of the United States and its Constitution, thus infringing upon their liberty. The dynamics in 2009 are somewhat similar, as other countries, including China, India, and Russia, as well as some smaller, oil-producing states, are experiencing a rise in economic power and influence.

— (U//FOUO) Fear of Communist regimes and related conspiracy theories characterizing the U.S. Government’s role as either complicit in a foreign invasion or acquiescing as part of a “One World Government” plan inspired extremist members of the militia movement to target government and military facilities in past years.

— (U//FOUO) Law enforcement in 1996 arrested three rightwing militia members in Battle Creek, Michigan with pipe bombs, automatic weapons, and military ordnance that they planned to use in attacks on nearby military and federal facilities and infrastructure targets.

— (U//FOUO) Rightwing extremist views bemoan the decline of U.S. stature and have recently focused on themes such as the loss of U.S. manufacturing capability to China and India, Russia’s control of energy resources and use of these to pressure other countries, and China’s investment in U.S. real estate and corporations as a part of subversion strategy.

(U) Disgruntled Military Veterans

(U//FOUO) DHS/I&A assesses that rightwing extremists will attempt to recruit and radicalize returning veterans in order to exploit their skills and knowledge derived from military training and combat. These skills and knowledge have the potential to boost the capabilities of extremists—including lone wolves or small terrorist cells— to carry out violence. The willingness of a small percentage of military personnel to join extremist groups during the 1990s because they were disgruntled, disillusioned, or suffering from the psychological effects of war is being replicated today.

— (U) After Operation Desert Shield/Storm in 1990-1991, some returning military veterans—including Timothy McVeigh—joined or associated with rightwing extremist groups.

— (U) A prominent civil rights organization reported in 2006 that “large numbers of potentially violent neo-Nazis, skinheads, and other white supremacists are now learning the art of warfare in the [U.S.] armed forces.”

— (U//LES) The FBI noted in a 2008 report on the white supremacist movement that some returning military veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have joined extremist groups.

(U//FOUO) Lone Wolves and Small Terrorist Cells

(U//FOUO) DHS/I&A assesses that lone wolves and small terrorist cells embracing violent rightwing extremist ideology are the most dangerous domestic terrorism threat in the United States. Information from law enforcement and nongovernmental organizations indicates lone wolves and small terrorist cells have shown intent—and, in some cases, the capability—to commit violent acts.

— (U//LES) DHS/I&A has concluded that white supremacist lone wolves pose the most significant domestic terrorist threat because of their low profile and autonomy—separate from any formalized group—which hampers warning efforts.

— (U//FOUO) Similarly, recent state and municipal law enforcement reporting has warned of the dangers of rightwing extremists embracing the tactics of “leaderless resistance” and of lone wolves carrying out acts of violence.

— (U//FOUO) Arrests in the past several years of radical militia members in Alabama, Arkansas, and Pennsylvania on firearms, explosives, and other related violations indicates the emergence of small, well-armed extremist groups in some rural areas. ordnance that they planned to use in attacks on nearby military and federal facilities and infrastructure targets.

(U) Outlook

(U//FOUO) DHS/I&A assesses that the combination of environmental factors that echo the 1990s, including heightened interest in legislation for tighter firearms restrictions and returning military veterans, as well as several new trends, including an uncertain economy and a perceived rising influence of other countries, may be invigorating rightwing extremist activity, specifically the white supremacist and militia movements. To the extent that these factors persist, rightwing extremism is likely to grow in strength.

(U//FOUO) Unlike the earlier period, the advent of the Internet and other informationage technologies since the 1990s has given domestic extremists greater access to information related to bomb-making, weapons training, and tactics, as well as targeting of individuals, organizations, and facilities, potentially making extremist individuals and groups more dangerous and the consequences of their violence more severe. New technologies also permit domestic extremists to send and receive encrypted communications and to network with other extremists throughout the country and abroad, making it much more difficult for law enforcement to deter, prevent, or preempt a violent extremist attack.

(U//FOUO) A number of law enforcement actions and external factors were effective in limiting the militia movement during the 1990s and could be utilized in today’s climate.

— (U//FOUO) Following the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah federal building in Oklahoma City, the militia movement declined in total membership and in the number of organized groups because many members distanced themselves from the movement as a result of the intense scrutiny militias received after the bombing.

— (U//FOUO) Militia membership continued to decline after the turn of the millennium as a result of law enforcement disruptions of multiple terrorist plots linked to violent rightwing extremists, new legislation banning paramilitary training, and militia frustration that the “revolution” never materialized.

— (U//FOUO) Although the U.S. economy experienced a significant recovery and many perceived a concomitant rise in U.S. standing in the world, white supremacist groups continued to experience slight growth.

(U//FOUO) DHS/I&A will be working with its state and local partners over the next several months to ascertain with greater regional specificity the rise in rightwing extremist activity in the United States, with a particular emphasis on the political,
economic, and social factors that drive rightwing extremist radicalization.

(U) Reporting Notice:

(U) DHS encourages recipients of this document to report information concerning suspicious or criminal activity to DHS and the FBI. The DHS National Operations Center (NOC) can be reached by telephone at 202-282-9685 or by e-mail at NOC.Fusion@dhs.gov. For information affecting the private sector and critical infrastructure, contact the National Infrastructure Coordinating Center (NICC), a sub-element of the NOC. The NICC can be reached by telephone at 202-282-9201 or by e-mail at NICC@dhs.gov. The FBI regional phone numbers can be found online at http://www.fbi.gov/contact/fo/fo.htm. When available, each report submitted should include the date, time, location, type of activity, number of people and type of equipment used for the activity, the name of the submitting company or organization, and a designated point of contact.

(U) For comments or questions related to the content or dissemination of this document, please contact the DHS/I&A Production Branch at IA.PM@hq.dhs.gov, IA.PM@dhs.sgov.gov, or IA.PM@dhs.ic.gov.

(U) Tracked by: CRIM-040300-01-05, CRIM-040400-01-05, TERR-010000-01-05

Tea Parties Tomorrow

Are you ready to go?

Hey folks,

As I told you last Thursday, the number of Tea Parties Growing, and they are coming to your area. I asked if you were going to go, and I said that I wasn't. Since then, I have learned that there will be a Tea Party right here in sunny Stuart Florida from 6 until 8pm Tomorrow evening. That one I just may make.

That's right folks, tomorrow, April 15th is the day. Here is someone that WILL, without a doubt, be going.

My fellow Americans:

I hope you and yours had a blessed Easter or Passover celebration.

This Wednesday, April 15th, is an important day. As Americans file their tax returns, they will be handing over their money to a government that has been mismanaging the treasury of this great nation. The current policies of tax-and-spend-and-bailout, combined with a near-socialistic approach to government intervention into the private sector, must be opposed and defeated.

That is why this huge grassroots "Tea Party" movement has sprung up, and I urge you to do everything you can to make it to a Tea Party near you.

Perhaps you've heard my contribution to this movement - via my "American Tea Party Anthem" - if not I do hope you take a moment to listen to it and post your feedback.

Last Friday, I left my home in Florida to perform at a Tea Party in Santa Barbara, CA. After my performance, Michael Patrick Leahy (of Top Conservatives on Twitter) asked me to stay in California to appear on Pajamas TV. What began as me appearing on two Tea Party Coalition programs has evolved into me staying in California until after I perform at the Sacramento Tea Party April 15th.
Above: That's me performing at the Orlando Tea Party

So, I am at what you might call “tea party center” and the movement is HUGE; over 600 scheduled and growing daily for April 15th. This INCREDIBLE movement was sparked by one man’s rant, Rick Santelli, and embraced by the American people. How cool and American is that! (smile). You can find the "Tea Party" nearest you - HERE.

Amazingly, the mainstream media have chosen to ignore this Great American Story. But that’s OK because God is on our side. Only a ‘perfect storm’ could have united and organized so many people.

I did my best, working with many of you, to defeat Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid from winning in last November's elections. While we may have lost that battle, it was only the first in the war for America and her future. And I want you to know how dedicated I am to this cause -- I will stand with you and work to ensure we win the 2010 congressional elections and then boot Obama from the White House in 2012.

Sometimes that journey will be rocky, something I learned on a very personal level during our efforts at the Our Country Deserves Better Committee's "Stop Obama Tour" last year.

I had lost 40lbs, including muscle, of which I spent years in the gym building. Constantly with urgency I needed to urinate. Though I feared the worst, I did the typical 'guy thing' by choosing not to see a doctor. It was October and I had committed myself to traveling across the country on the “Stop Obama Tour” with Our Country Deserves Better PAC. I didn't want any bad news.



Above: Singing on the "Stop Obama Tour"

I'm a professional singer/ entertainer. My job on the tour was to energize the crowds at every rally (40 total) preparing them to hear our speakers, Blue Star mom, Deborah Johns and national talk show host, Mark Williams.

Even though seeking the nearest restroom was extremely stressful, the tour was absolutely wonderful. I loved meeting the hard working, God-fearing, good and decent American people. I hugged a lot of folks, shook a lot and hands, prayed with some and shed a few patriotic tears.

Once back home from the tour, I saw a doctor. The diagnosis wasn't too good: diabetes and high blood pressure. The doctor said my blood sugar was probably over 400 while on the tour. Normal is around 84 to 100. Amazingly, I never felt ill or lost energy on the tour. God protected me.

Now I take a few pills and have severely changed my diet. Currently, my weekly sugar average is around 130. With exercise, I believe I can get it in the normal range.

With Obama in the White House, lowering my high blood pressure will be a challenge. But I'm a proud conservative American. We thrive on challenges.

And I tell you all of this because I know that as you read this email you have your own highs and lows dealing with your own personal lives. Yet, you too understand the importance of giving up some of your time and energy to fight for the future of our great nation - mankind's last best hope on earth.

So gather up all your friends, family members and co-workers on Wednesday and bring them with you to a "Tea Party." Let us stand in numbers so great that even the biased news media and tone-deaf politicians in Washington, D.C. can hear our message and understand our position: we will not back down nor give up until they change their ways. This is a country of the people, by the people and for the people - and we the people are going to take our country back!

I am extremely excited and energized to “tea party” with my patriot brothers and sisters across our great nation on Tax Day, April 15th.

God Bless, Lloyd Marcus - Our Country Deserves Better Committee
http://www.OurCountryDeservesBetter.com

And my personal website: http://www.LloydMarcus.net

Thank you Mr. Lloyd Marcus. I hope he has encouraged each and every one of you to do whatever you can to stop Obama and Crew from destroying this precious country. From continuing to take us down a road that we should never be on. To protect our Freedom, Sovereignty, and Nation itself. I stand with Mr. Marcus, and the Millions of you out there that have had enough.

It's time to let those in Congress, and those in the White House, know we are done with their agenda. It's time to remind them that THEY WORK FOR US. They are PUBLIC SERVENTS. Not the other way around. Not a Dictatorship, Monarchy, nor a Empire. We are America. Land of the Free, and Home of the Brave.
Peter

Off Shore Drilling Debate

We need to wake people up.

Hey folks,

You know that I am an fierce supporter of our Energy Independence. I have been advocating our need to Drill Here and Drill Now for a while now, and I have been telling you who it is standing in the way. Well, on Friday, our friend Jane over at API sent me an Email with some updated information and a way for you to become even more involved. I really do not have much to add so here it is. We'll start with part of the Email Jane sent me.

As you know, the Minerals Management Service issued its Five-Year Plan in January calling for more offshore oil and natural drilling. Despite the fact that 53% of the already submitted public comments supported increased drilling, Sec. Salazar delayed the plan’s implementation, directed Interior Department scientists to produce new reports on how much oil and gas might be found off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, and extended the public comment period to September. He also scheduled four regional public hearings this month (in Atlantic City, NJ; New Orleans; Anchorage and San Francisco) to gauge Americans’ perspective on increased offshore drilling.

It’s important to note, however, that no one has to attend a hearing to submit a supportive comment. In fact, you and your readers can instead submit comments to MMS electronically. This link will direct you to a page on our Web site where you can click-through to comment. In addition, the page has several resources for bloggers, including a blog badge and an interactive widget that will allow you to identify your Congressional representatives, find them on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, or simply send them an e-mail. The widget is very cool and the first of its kind. Try it out, and if you like it, please feel free to embed it in your blog.

Well I did check it out, and I agree that if you care at all about the prices of your energy use, you WILL take time out to check it out yourself. I'll even save you the trouble of clicking the link.

America needs a comprehensive energy policy that includes energy from all sources. However, a pattern seems to be emerging when it comes to developing America’s offshore oil and natural gas resources—delay. Now, more than ever, we cannot afford to delay.

A majority of Americans support domestic access. It is time to start listening to the wisdom of the American people and create energy policy that would allow increased access to our own resources and generate nearly 160,000 new, well-paying jobs, $1.7 trillion in revenues to federal, state and local governments and greater energy security.

Right now, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar is convening regional hearings to gather public input on this issue.

Let your voice be heard and tell Congress and MMS to put America’s energy to work for Americans.

Contact Congress and MMS

Use the widget below to speak up—via Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, official Web site, or e-mail—and show your support for increasing access to America’s own energy resources.






Tell Others Where You Stand
On Twitter...

Tweet your support! (E.g. - Congress: #tellmms 2 give more access 2 domestic oil & natural gas resources 2 create jobs & #energy security. http://sn.im/ff3hb)

Use #energy and #tellmms to join the conversation on Twitter.
Follow @EnergyTomorrow on Twitter to stay informed on the latest domestic access updates.

On Your Blog...
Show your support by embedding this blog badge on your site:


What is MMS, and why do I need to contact them?


According to the bureau’s Web site:

“The Minerals Management Service (MMS), a bureau in the U.S. Department of the Interior, is the Federal agency that manages the nation's natural gas, oil and other mineral resources on the outer continental shelf (OCS). The agency also collects, accounts for and disburses more than $8 billion per year in revenues from Federal offshore mineral leases and from onshore mineral leases on Federal and Indian lands.”

It is critical that both the federal MMS and members of Congress hear from you in support of the new five-year leasing program that will expand our nation’s access to the resource-rich OCS.

Use the interactive tool above (or go directly to the Partnership for America’s Energy Security site) to send an e-mail to MMS telling it to move forward with its plan to open 31 new leases for oil and natural gas exploration.

To learn more:

Explore the Interactive Leasing Timeline to get a better understanding of the MMS leasing process.

Visit this page that offers more insight into the MMS Five-Year Plan.

How much oil and natural gas is actually out there? How much of it is off limits?

According to federal government data, the U.S. has enough oil and natural gas to fuel more than 65 million cars for 60 years and enough natural gas to heat 60 million homes for 160 years. In fact, the U.S. government estimates that there are 30 billion barrels of undiscovered technically recoverable oil on federal lands currently closed to development.

To learn more:
Read this page filled with key facts about domestic access.
Pour through this comprehensive primer on access.
Take a closer look at this study about untapped U.S. oil and natural gas resources.
Try out the interactive Access Counter to see what America is using – or not using – when it comes to oil and natural gas.

We MUST fight this. We MUST come together with this, and the "Tea Party Movement," and start letting these people in Congress and the White House know that the majority of Americans are NOT willing to allow those in power to turn this country into the new USSA. That we want our Freedom. We want our Rights. We want The Constitution to be upheld and not trampled upon or ignored. You know, as a side note, isn't it funny that these are the same people that went ballistic over Bush spying on foreign communications? Yet, they are now saying it's OK for Obama and Crew to take over Private Industries, controlling what employees make, {Unless it's Fannie and Freddie, that's OK} set Oppressive Taxes, Control the Auto industries, and go around dictating to the world what THEY can and can't do. These are the same people that have no problem with the Government standing in to way of our Energy Independence. They are even starting to applaud Obama and Crew's new plan of Amnesty. {Sigh}

Congress and the White House are out of control. They are ignoring "The People." for the sake of a few Kooks that want Socialism. I encourage those of you that have Blogs yourself, to go ahead and post on this including the links for YOUR readers to check out and participate in. I hope we can get through to some of these Obamaid Drinkers and WAKE THEM UP, before it truly is too late.

Peter

Sources:
API
Energy Tomorrow

Harry Knox, Ottis Moss, Rabbi David Saperstein, Obama's Faith Based Leadership

Got to love this one.

Hey folks,

That's right. Obama has appointed All of the above, and others, to Obama's Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Seriously. Let's look at this shall we?

Who is Harry Knox? A Gay Rights Advocate and a Pope Basher. Who is Rev. Otis Moss Jr., his son replaced the Rev. Jeremiah Wright as pastor of Obama’s former church. You remember Rev Wright don't you? Who is Rabbi David Saperstein? He is the guy who denounced the U.S. Supreme Court in 2007 for upholding the federal ban on partial-birth abortions. I'm not kidding folks.

Obama Appoints Pope-Basher to Religious Panel

President Barack Obama has appointed a gay-rights activist and a critic of Pope Benedict XVI to the federal government’s faith-based initiative board.

Harry Knox has been appointed to Obama's Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Knox is director of the religion and faith program at the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a homosexual activist organization.

He has referred to the Pope as a “discredited leader” and attacked the Catholic Knights of Columbus because of the group’s support of Proposition 8, the California ballot initiative that passed last November and defined marriage as being between a man and a woman.

“The Knights of Columbus do a great deal of good in the name of Jesus Christ, but in this particular case they were foot soldiers of a discredited army of oppression,” Knox told the San Francisco-based Bay Area Reporter on March 19.

Knox also made this statement

"Gay people deserve the same right to marry that everybody else does. And God cares about our relationships the same way God cares about heterosexual relationships. We're making the same commitments to each other. We have the same responsibilities to each other, and we deserve the same rights and responsibilities under the law that everyone else has."

Sorry Rev Knox, the Bible, and many other People of the Cloth would beg to differ. The Bible makes is PERFECTLY CLEAR. Crystal Clear, how God sees Homosexuality. It really doesn't matter what side of the fence you happen to sit on with this issue, it is CLEAR what God thinks about it.

The newspaper reported, “Knox noted that the Knights of Columbus ‘followed discredited leaders,’ including bishops and Pope Benedict, ‘a Pope who literally today said condoms don’t help in the control of AIDS.’”

During his trip to Africa, Pope Benedict said that distributing condoms was not the answer to the problem of AIDS, and asserted that the best strategy was the church's efforts to promote sexual responsibility through abstinence and monogamy.

Well, that's true. If you do not have sex, share needles, or put your self in situation where you CAN get AIDS, guess what, there is more than a good chance you WON'T. Just like, if you do not have sex, you CAN'T get Pregnant. Not really a hard concept. It's called self responsibility. Self control.

On April 6, Knox told the Cybercast News Service’s Web site CNSNews: “The Pope needs to start telling the truth about condom use. We are eager to help him do that.

"Until he is willing to do that and able, he’s doing a great deal more harm than good — not just in Africa but around the world. It is endangering people’s lives.”

{Sigh}

Knox posted a statement on the HRC Web site on Monday saying that as a member of the 25-member Advisory Council, he “will support the president in living up to his promise that government has no place in funding bigotry against any group of people.”

Can you say Obama is getting people in place to further his agendas? Forget that those states that have allowed Gay Marriages have done so through Legislation, NOT votes of the people. A small group of people dictating to the majority of what they will and will not accept. Those states that HAVE put it to a Vote, the People chose NOT to allow it. Is Obama looking to create a Federal Law to force even those states that HAVE Constitutional language of Marriage between and Man and a Woman be FORCED by the Federal Gov. To allow it? I'm not really sure yet to tell you the truth, but he seems to either be attempting to pacify the Gay Rights Radicals, or he very well may be setting in place those that will help him over turn States' Rights.

Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League, told CNSNews that the appointment of Knox “is exactly the kind of bastardization of common sense that the Obama people are putting forth. Quite frankly, I would prefer to see the entire faith-based initiative closed down . . .

“I’d rather people simply be honest and say we don’t believe in faith-based initiatives as they were initially intended by the previous administration, and what we’re going to do is thoroughly politicize them with these gay activists.”

President George W. Bush’s faith-based efforts focused on religious non-profit organizations, while Obama “has changed the focus to target community groups, religious and secular,” CNSNews reported.

Yup.

Other members of Obama’s Advisory Board include the Rev. Otis Moss Jr., whose son replaced the Rev. Jeremiah Wright as pastor of Obama’s former church, the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago; the Rev. Jim Wallis, who has been called the “leader of the religious left” by The New York Times; and Rabbi David Saperstein, who denounced the U.S. Supreme Court in 2007 for upholding the federal ban on partial-birth abortions.

So who else is on this panel? Each member of the Council is appointed to a one-year term. The members of the Council are:

Diane Baillargeon, President & CEO, Seedco, New York , NY

Anju Bhargava, Founder, Asian Indian Women of America, New Jersey

Bishop Charles Blake, Presiding Bishop, Church of God in Christ, Los Angeles, CA

Noel Castellanos, CEO, Christian Community Development Association, Chicago, IL

The Rev. Peg Chemberlin, President-Elect, National Council of Churches USA, Minneapolis, MN

Dr. Arturo Chavez, President & CEO, Mexican American Catholic College, San Antonio , TX

Fred Davie, Senior Adviser, Public/Private Ventures, New York , NY

Nathan Diament, Director of Public Policy, Orthodox Jewish Union, Washington, DC

Pastor Joel C. Hunter, Senior Pastor, Northland, a Church Distributed, Longwood, FL

Harry Knox, Director, Religion and Faith Program, Human Rights Campaign, Washington, DC

Bishop Vashti M. McKenzie, Presiding Bishop, 13th Episcopal District, African Methodist Episcopal Church, Knoxville, TN

Dalia Mogahed, Executive Director, Gallup Center for Muslim Studies, Washington, DC

Rev. Otis Moss, Jr., Pastor emeritus, Olivet Institutional Baptist Church, Cleveland, OH

Dr. Frank S. Page, President emeritus, Southern Baptist Convention, Taylors, SC

Eboo S. Patel, Founder & Executive Director, Interfaith Youth Core, Chicago, IL

Anthony Picarello, General Counsel , United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC

Nancy Ratzan, Board Chair, National Council of Jewish Women, Miami, FL

Melissa Rogers, Director, Wake Forest School of Divinity Center for Religion and Public Affairs, Winston-Salem , NC

Rabbi David N. Saperstein, Director & Counsel, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, Washington, DC

Dr. William J. Shaw, President, National Baptist Convention, USA, Philadelphia , PA

Father Larry J. Snyder, President, Catholic Charities USA, Alexandria , VA

Richard Stearns, President, World Vision, Bellevue , WA

Judith N. Vredenburgh, President and Chief Executive Officer, Big Brothers / Big Sisters of America, Philadelphia , PA

Rev. Jim Wallis, President & Executive Director, Sojourners, Washington , DC

Dr. Sharon Watkins, General Minister and President, Disciples of Christ (Christian Church), Indianapolis, IN

Folks, Obama is NOT a friend of those who have faith. Unless their faith rests in the False Messiah that IS Obama. We already know that he is no friend of life. With the people that he as selected to head the Advisory Council on "Faith-Based" and Neighborhood Partnerships, we can clearly see that it is mostly a bunch of radicals. Some of which do NOT represent the Word of God, nor do they really represent what even the majority in their own communities believe in. But then again, it's Obama. What else would you expect.
Peter

Sources:
Newsmax
365 Gay - Obama Names Knox to Religion Council

The Easter Story Is Real, Billy Graham

HAPPY EASTER to all.

Hey folks

Happy Easter and welcome to the big Sunday Edition of the OPNTalk Blog. Is the Easter Story true? or myth? Billy Graham answered this just Yesterday in the Kansas City Star.

DEAR BILLY GRAHAM: Did Jesus really rise from the dead on that first Easter? How was it possible? Or is the Easter story only a nice myth — just a symbol of the hope we all have for life after death, as one friend of mine says? — W.W.

DEAR W.W.: No, the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead that we read about in the Bible is not a myth or a symbol. Jesus Christ was a real man who really suffered and died, and on that first Easter he really rose from the tomb.

Does this seem incredible to you? Of course it does, because you and I know that once a person is dead, their life on this earth has ended and they don’t come back to life. And Jesus’ contemporaries knew it, too (more than we do, in fact, for death was common in the ancient world). As Job asked centuries before, “If a man dies, will he live again?” (Job 14:14).

And yet, within days Jesus’ disciples were willing to risk death to proclaim the message of Christ. The reason? They knew beyond doubt that Jesus, whose death and burial they had witnessed, was alive and had walked among them. As the Apostle Paul recorded, “he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living” (1 Corinthians 15:5-6).

But Jesus Christ not only came back from the grave almost 2,000 years ago. He is alive even today, and by his Spirit he wants to come into our lives. Because he rose from the dead we can have hope — hope right now and hope for eternity. This Easter put your faith and trust in him.

The Kansas City Star - Billy Graham The Easter story is real, not myth

Coming right up today, an abbreviated version of the Sunday Edition, seeing that I have family and friends getting together for the Easter Celebration.

Pirates Hijack Another US Ship
Job Promotions Unhealthy For You
Obama, Global Warming, Space Gun
IWA for Sunday 041209

So lets get right to it shall we? Get your favorite beverage and get comfy. Mine today, sticking with Folgers "Gourmet Selections" {I want to try all of them} Creme Brulee is in my cup today. www.folgers.com Well, will be in a second. Be right back.
Peter

Pirates Hijack Another US Ship

Are we still talking about Housing Mr. President?

Hey folks,

This is getting to be obvious. The Privates are not afraid of Obama. Nor do they care about what we could do to them. No, they have decided that Obama is no threat to them. That's just great.

Remember when a reporter asked Obama "What about the Pirates?" that were holding a US Captain Hostage. Obama's answer was "Uh, We're talking about housing right now." The answer was not on the teleprompter. {Smile}

So now, according to the BBC - Pirates hijack second US vessel

Somali pirates have hijacked a US-owned tugboat in the Gulf of Aden with 16 crew members on board - 10 of them Italians, reports say.

Maritime industry sources say the tug was towing two barges at the time of the attack at 0800 GMT.

The crew are said to be unharmed. The US and Italian governments have not confirmed the hijacking.

Meanwhile pirates holding a US captain hostage have warned that using force to rescue him could result in "disaster".

The pirates said they hoped to transfer Capt Richard Phillips from a lifeboat to a bigger vessel, as US and other naval ships made their way to the area.

He is being held by four pirates hundreds of kilometres off Somalia.

In other developments:

Sailors on a Panama-flagged bulk carrier repulsed a pirate attack with water hoses. Nato officials on a nearby Portuguese warship said an unexploded rocket-propelled grenade landed in the commanding officer's cabin

On Friday, one Frenchman and two pirates were killed in a rescue operation by French troops on another vessel captured off Somalia. Four others, including a child, were freed from the yacht.

Are we still talking about housing Mr. President? What about Frannie and Freddie bonuses? How about your take over of the Auto Industry? Do you think maybe you might want to take time out from playing King of the World to maybe BE the President? I don't know Mr. President, it's starting to seem that all you care about is your Socialistic agenda. Sorry, but the rest of the world does not see you as you see yourself. They, like many of us here, see you for what you actually are. An inexperienced, incompetent, little kid, playing King of the World. Not a serious and real threat to those that want to do us harm.

Maybe, just maybe Mr. President, you might want to re-read the Constitution? Your job description is CLEARLY spelled out. What you are doing, is just not it.
Peter

Sources:
BBC - Pirates hijack second US vessel

Job Promotions Unhealthy For You

Be A Grunt. Be Happy

Hey folks,

I love this one. I know it's Easter, family and friends gathered around and we do not want to think about the economy. I get that. I also know, a lot of people are being DEMOTED and are flat out losing their jobs.

I also know that people like Hillary, and some of the other Libs out there think that College is a waste of time. Even Obama has said that we need more Trade School students and those trained to serve the community. Michele Obama was telling women to forget the Ivory League stuff.

But hey, I have great news for you folks out there. Turns out, according to Live Science - Job Promotions Unhealthy, Study Finds. So if you want the path to happiness in the work place. Be a grunt. Be happy.

By Robert Roy Britt
Editorial Director
livescience.com – Thu Apr 9, 1:21 pm ET

While some 13 million Americans are out of work these days, those still with jobs might have a strange new thing to worry about - getting a promotion can be bad for you, a new study suggests.

And you though I was making this up. {Smile}

British researchers found that when people get promoted, they suffer on average about 10 percent more mental strain and are less likely to find the time to go to the doctor.

{Laughing} Yeah responsibility SUCKS!

"Getting a promotion at work is not as great as many people think. Our research finds that the mental health of managers typically deteriorates after a job promotion, and in a way that goes beyond merely a short-term change," said Chris Boyce of the University of Warwick. "There are no indications of any health improvements for promoted people other than reduced attendance at GP surgeries [i.e. doctors visits], which may itself be something to worry about rather than celebrate."

Other research has found stress can be deadly, raising the risk of everything from the common cold to cancer. Other recent revelations about stress:

Stress makes us forget things.

Happily married women suffer less stress.

Job stress in particular has been shown to fuel disease.

Those who were promoted reported on average a 20 percent fall in their visits to a doctor following their promotion. The researchers figure this owed to the stress of the new job and the sudden lack of time.

So your evil and sick Bosses out there, might actually BE sick. Because they are a Boss, and they have no time to go to the Doctor. {Smile}

The research, using data from an annual survey of Brits, included information about about 1,000 people who had been promoted. The findings will be presented later this month at a conference of the Royal Economic Society.

So there you have it folks. Be happy. Be a Grunt. Do not strive to be the best you can be. Do not strive to get ahead. Be content. Enjoy your job. Let your Boss be the sick one. It is NOT good to be the Boss. Just be content and know your role. Better yet, if you really want to be happy, serve others. Get trained on how to serve those in power. They you will be in a Utopia.

{Sigh} Be right back.
Peter

Sources:
Live Science - Job Promotions Unhealthy, Study Finds

Obama, Global Warming, Space Gun

So What happens IF Obama is successful?

Hey folks,

I can't believe this, but anyone with an IQ over ten, understands that we have now entered a cooling cycle. GWBS is exactly that, BS. A Scam. More and more Scientists are coming out and telling us that we have not been warming since 98, and as a matter of fact, we are now in a changing cycle that is heading toward cooling temperatures.

But that does not stop Obama and Crew from pushing this immediate threat of us turning into a Great Ball of Fire, if we do nothing. So Obama and his top Science Adviser, have announced a plan to cool the planet. I have a question, and a possible prediction on all of this.

First the announcement. You really can't make this up folks. From Time.com - Obama Looking at Cooling Air to Fight Warming By AP / SETH BORENSTEIN Thursday, Apr. 09, 2009

(WASHINGTON) — Tinkering with Earth's climate to chill runaway global warming — a radical idea once dismissed out of hand — is being discussed by the White House as a potential emergency option, the president's new science adviser said Wednesday.

That's because global warming is happening so rapidly, John Holdren told The Associated Press in his first interview since being confirmed last month.

"That's because global warming is happening so rapidly," NO IT'S NOT!. It is NOT even warming at all. {Sigh}

The concept of using technology to purposely cool the climate is called geoengineering. One option raised by Holdren and proposed by a Nobel Prize-winning scientist includes shooting pollution particles into the upper atmosphere to reflect the sun's rays.

{Laughing} Yes you read that correctly.

Using such an experimental measure is only being thought of as a last resort, Holdren said.

"It's got to be looked at," he said. "We don't have the luxury ... of ruling any approach off the table."

His concern is that the United States and other nations won't slow global warming fast enough and that several "tipping points" could be fast approaching. Once such milestones are reached, such as complete loss of summer sea ice in the Arctic, it increases chances of "really intolerable consequences," he said.

PROVE IT! He can't of course. But you are making the claim, PROVE IT.

Twice in a half-hour interview, Holdren compared global warming to being "in a car with bad brakes driving toward a cliff in the fog."

Can you say, "following a script?"

He and many experts believe that warming of a few degrees more would lead to disastrous drought conditions and food shortages in some regions, rising seas and more powerful coastal storms in others.

The temperature is NOT rising. The Sea levels are not rising. None of this is true. Where has this Idiot been? He seems to have an outdated script. Even some Global Warming "subscribers" are talking about this. They can not deny the facts.

At first, Holdren characterized the potential need to technologically tinker with the climate as just his personal view. However, he went on to say he has raised it in administration discussions.

"We're talking about all these issues in the White House," Holdren said. "There's a very vigorous process going on of discussing all the options for addressing the energy climate challenge."

Holdren said discussions include Cabinet officials and heads of sub-Cabinet level agencies, such as NASA and the Environmental Protection Agency.

The 65-year-old physicist is far from alone in taking geoengineering seriously. The National Academy of Sciences is making it the subject of the first workshop in its new climate challenges program for policymakers, scientists and the public. The British Parliament has also discussed the idea. At an international meeting of climate scientists last month in Copenhagen, 15 talks dealt with different aspects of geoengineering.

The American Meteorological Society is crafting a policy statement that says "it is prudent to consider geoengineering's potential, to understand its limits and to avoid rash deployment."

Yeah. Let's start with this.

A- GW is BS
B- DO you really know how much Sulfur you will have to shoot up to block out the LIFE GIVING Sun? To effect all the worlds temperatures?
C- What do we do with all the acid rain?
D- What if AFTER you do this, a giant Volcano erupts? Where is the thermostat? How do we turn the temps back up?
E- OH, did I mention THERE IS NO GLOBAL WARMING?

Last week, Princeton scientist Robert Socolow told the National Academy that geoengineering should be an available option in case climate worsens dramatically.

Holdren, a 1981 winner of a MacArthur Foundation "genius" grant, outlined these possible geoengineering options:

"Genius." Yeah right.

— Shooting sulfur particles (like those produced by power plants and volcanoes, for example) into the upper atmosphere, an idea that gained steam when it was proposed by Nobel laureate Paul Crutzen in 2006. It would be "basically mimicking the effect of volcanoes in screening out the incoming sunlight," Holdren said.

I thought all those Power Planets, were CAUSING Global Warming. Along with cows farting, and us BREATHING. Now it's a GOOD THING? So what's the problem?

— Creating artificial "trees" — giant towers that suck carbon dioxide out of the air and store it.

The first approach would "try to produce a cooling effect to offset the heating effect of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases," Holdren said.

But he said there could be grave side effects. Studies suggest that might include eating away a large chunk of the ozone layer above the poles and causing the Mediterranean and the Mideast to be much drier.

And those are just the predicted problems. Scientists say they worry about side effects that they don't anticipate.

While the idea could strike some people as too risky, the Obama administration could get unusual support on the idea from groups that have often denied the harm of global warming in the past.

Says who?

The conservative think tank American Enterprise Institute has its own geoengineering project, saying it could be "feasible and cost-effective." And Cato Institute scholar Jerry Taylor said Wednesday: "Very few people would rule out geoengineering on its face."

Holdren didn't spell out under what circumstances such extreme measures might ever be called for. And he emphasized they are not something to rely on.

"It would be preferable by far," he said, "to solve this problem by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases."

Yet there is already significant opposition building to the House Democratic leaders' bill aimed at achieving President Barack Obama's goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions 20 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050.

Because there is no need. It's Oppressive, unconstitutional, and will bankrupt industries that we, believe it or not, REALLY can not live without.

Holdren said temperatures should be kept from rising more than 3.6 degrees. To get there, he said the U.S. and other industrial nations have to begin permanent dramatic cuts in carbon dioxide pollution by 2015, with developing countries following suit within a decade.

Those efforts are racing against three tipping points he cited: Earth could be as close as six years away from the loss of Arctic summer sea ice, he said, and that has the potential of altering the climate in unforeseen ways. Other elements that could dramatically speed up climate change include the release of frozen methane from thawing permafrost in Siberia, and more and bigger wildfires worldwide.

The trouble is that no one knows when these things are coming, he said.

I do. NOTHING! Now the prediction. Since we ARE in a global cooling cycle, they will keep up this nonsense for a little bit, then declare victory over Global Warming. Hell, they may even build their space gun, launch, shoot, whatever, some harmless dust up there, the say "Hey it Worked. Obama saved the Planet." However, since we can not be allowed to put this world at risk again, none of the regulations and programs will go away. They will stay as a precaution and people will continue to make a lot of money.
Peter

Sources:
Time.com - Obama Looking at Cooling Air to Fight Warming

IWA for Sunday 041209

One of those things that make you go WHY?

Hey folks,

WHY? Why was this allowed to happen. Truthfully, I'm not sure who the real Idiot is here. Oh, I know who I'm giving the IWA to, but really, I need a case of them for this one.

OK. For you Parents out there. Myself and Laura tried the Day Care thing when Joshua was first born. We have lives you know. We both work and both need time to ourselves. After all, it is normal to put your kid in Day Care. Right? {Sorry Dr. Laura. There really is a point to this}

So other than the cost, which can be pretty pricey depending on where you drop your kidlet, there is also this annoying little fact that you are giving the most PRESIOUS gift you will EVER receive in your life, to a perfect stranger.

This really did not last long. Laura changed to work over night, and I worked during the day. This way Josh always has Mommy or Daddy. Now this was before I really started to get to know Dr. Laura, I just somehow knew that this was not a good thing. Day Care is NOT a necessity now matter what you may have heard. You, even single parents, can find a way around it. I HIGHLY suggest you do just that.

How can YOU, Mommy or Daddy, be there for your kids needs, if you are not there? How can you be there for the first step, word, mind boggling breakthrough, if you are not there. Instead, you must rely on the stranger to tell you about it. Check out Dr. Laura's new book "In Praise For Stay at Home Moms"

But then you have an even darker side. The abuse, neglect, and carelessness. Not to mention your kids are learning things you may not agree with. Let's talk about the dark side of Day Care. Take this story. From Yahoo News / AP - Baby found dead in day care van; driver arrested By CARRIE ANTLFINGER, Associated Press Writer Carrie Antlfinger, Associated Press Writer – Thu Apr 9, 10:36 pm ET

MILWAUKEE – A 4-month-old boy was found dead in a day care center's van Thursday and its driver was arrested, police said.

Get the first IWA ready. The Driver.

The baby may have been left in the Bumble Bee Day Care Center van for about four hours before he was found Thursday afternoon, police spokeswoman Anne E. Schwartz said. How the baby died was not immediately known; the temperature in the area was in the 50s at the time.

Schwartz says the van's 44-year-old driver was arrested on a tentative felony charge of leaving a child in a child care vehicle unattended. His name was not immediately released.

I tried to get it and was told I can not use it. I do not know why. But there you go.

The child's grandmother, Remona Williams, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel the victim is Jalen Knox-Perkins and he had been attending Bumble Bee for about a month.

An autopsy was scheduled for Friday morning.

So maybe the OWNER of the Bumble Bee Day Care Center did not know, nor was to blame for what this true Idiot did. Maybe Remona Williams, or the MOTHER of Jalen Knox-Perkins, did not seach for information about the Day Care Center before enrolling little Jalen. Idiot Awards two and three. Maybe the Owner DID have a reason to be concerned?

Erika Monroe-Kane, a spokeswoman for the State Department of Children and Families, said Bumble Bee's owner also owns a preschool, Alphabet Street Learning Center. Both facilities have been shut down while the state investigates.

Both? Why?

An Alphabet Street employee there, who was later fired, was charged recently with breaking the arms of two children.

TWO? Why was she still THERE? Idiot Award four.

Bumble Bee had been licensed only since March and had some noncompliance issues that were not related to transportation, Monroe-Kane said. Alphabet Street has been licensed since 1990. Monroe-Kane said she only had immediate access to its records for the last two years but said it also had no recent issues regarding transportation of children.

WHY were these two places allowed to stay open to begin with? WHY, Ms. Monroe-Kane, if your department had so much problems with the Alphabet Street Learning Center, did you allow the Owner, which I also can not get the name of, open a Day Care? Idiot Award FIVE.

In February, a 48-year-old woman was charged with a felony after she allegedly left a 4-month-old in a closed vehicle in 80-degree weather in July.

OK. Someone needs to explain THIS one to me. "Monroe-Kane said she only had immediate access to its records for the last two years but said it also had no recent issues regarding transportation of children." Yet? "In February, a 48-year-old woman was charged with a felony after she allegedly left a 4-month-old in a closed vehicle in 80-degree weather in July." Uh? Huh?

At any rate, the Idiot award, that would be number SIX, goes to the OWNER of both Child Care Centers. Either SHE is completely incompetent, or completely careless. What is the screening process used to find employees? Are the Employees Family Members? Friends? What? Where was their supervision?

The Mother, and or Grandmother, are Idiots for not checking this out prior. The Driver, of course is an Idiot, and SHOULD be in Jail. The person, or persons that allowed the Owner of an already problemed Child Care Facility to open another one, should be fired. The Owner, should not only lose BOTH Child Care Centers and NEVER allowed to be in the care of children again, she should be arrested as well.

There was a lot of Idiots involved in this poor little innocent child's death. PLEASE folks, be careful that when it comes to raising your own children, that you do not make the same mistakes.
Peter

Sources:
Yahoo News / AP - Baby found dead in day care van; driver arrested

Iran's Islamic Revolution Resonates 30 Years Later

From The Emails Friday 041009

Hey folks,

I found this interesting and thought it would be worth wild to share. With our President bent on attempting to talk Iran and Little Hitler out of their Nuclear Quest, I thought it would be worth a read. I will reserve further comment until a later time.

Here it is.

Iran's Islamic Revolution Resonates 30 Years Later
By Sonja Pace
London
06 February 2009

It's been described as one of the most important revolutions in history, one that changed the face of a country and sent shock waves around the world. The Islamic Revolution of 1979 changed Iran from a monarchy into a theocracy and made political Islam a force to be reckoned with around much of the globe. The revolution unfolded 30 years ago, but its impact is felt to this day.

Not far from a beach in Dubai is the home of Iranian writer and filmmaker, Siba Shakib. "I miss [Iran] tremendously," she said. "I miss it a lot."

Shakib is one of an estimated two million or more Iranians who have left their homeland. Some go back to visit; others, not at all.

The reason is a revolution 30 years ago that toppled a monarchy, and ushered in rule by Shiite Muslim clergy.

Tension had been brewing between Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi and opponents ranging from far left Marxists to constitutional reformers to conservative Islamists.

The regime became increasingly unpopular amid allegations of widespread corruption, political oppression, and unpopular reforms. The Shah was viewed by many Iranians as a western puppet who had sold the country's oil wealth for the benefit of a small, westernized and extravagant elite.

Former British Foreign Secretary Lord David Owen said by the late 1970's, the Shah had managed to alienate much of Iranian society. "The Bazaaris [merchants] were upset by inflation, which was roaring ahead with no curbs on it at all," he said. "The religious mullahs were upset by [the Shah's] apparent flouting of ... the Islamic faith; the students were upset because there wasn't enough liberty and democracy."

Protests spread throughout the country.

On 16 January 1979, the Shah fled Iran, and 18 months later died of cancer in Cairo.

The revered cleric, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, return from exile in France on 1 February 1979 to a hero's welcome and as the undisputed leader of the revolution.

By April, the Islamic Republic was officially established. The revolution was about change.

Like many professionals and intellectuals, human rights lawyer Shirin Ebadi had supported it. "The slogan of the revolution was freedom and independence, and they had promised we would achieve the two," Ebadi said.

Change came, but not as many had hoped. There were executions, mass arrests, purges and chaos.

In November of 1979, a group of students took over the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and held 52 Americans hostage for 444 days.

Washington severed ties and imposed sanctions; relations have yet to recover.

Christopher Rundle was a British diplomat in Iran just after the revolution. He says that while the revolution may have brought isolation, inside Iran it was seen as a victory.

"The people in power in Iran would say that one of the great achievements of the revolution has been independence from the United States, in particular," Rundle stated. "They are very proud of that achievement."

But, hard times followed. Iran's neighbor and arch rival Iraq used the chaos to launch an attack in 1980. The eight-year Iran-Iraq war cost as many as one million lives on both sides.

Internally, as the Islamists consolidated power, draconian laws were passed to curb personal and social freedom.

Speaking to VOA in London, Shirin Ebadi said the revolution threw off western influence, but did not deliver on other promises. "I never saw the freedom that I wanted being realized," Ebadi explained. "That is why I became a defender of human rights, and I am fighting so that we actually gain that freedom."

Shirin Ebadi was a judge under the Shah, but she lost her post after the revolution. She stayed in Iran and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003 for her work in human rights.

Experts on Iran say first and foremost, the revolution survived. It threw off western influence and exported political Islam as a force to be reckoned with.

But because of its support for radical groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iran has been labeled a supporter of terrorism.

Its pursuit of nuclear technology, possibly for nuclear weapons, has been met with widespread condemnation and sanctions.

For Iranians under the age of 30 and born after 1979, the revolution has little meaning, some experts say.

"A lot of them have access to the Internet, to satellite television," Rundle said. "In the background and in people's houses, a lot is going on that the mullahs would not necessarily approve of."

Many Iranians are looking to America's new president, Barack Obama, to make a difference.

Iranians like Siba Shakib in Dubai are optimistic. "I think we have very, very, very good chances, if everyone does what they have to do," Shakib added. "Including us."

Talks between Iran and the U.S. are considered more likely under the Obama administration, but with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in power, progress is not expected to come easy. Analysts say the West must accept that Iran's revolution is here to stay. How it evolves remains to be seen.

Link: Voice of America

Have a great Weekend folks. Be right back here on Sunday. See you then.
Peter

Note: "From The Emails" is a weekly segment in the Friday edition of the OPNtalk Blog. If you care to send in News Articles, Comments, Stories, or anything else you may wish to share, please feel free to send it to opntalk@aim.com As always, you never know what you are going to see here.

Tea Parties Growing

Where can I find one in my area?

Hey folks,

I know most of YOU know all about this. If you do not, then you have been listening to the Mainstream Media that have purposely failed to say word one about them. Why? We are talking estimates of anywhere between "Several hundred" to "over a Thousand" all across America. Thousands of Americans coming together to protest Obama and the Liberal Kooks that are attempting to remake this country into one of their own image.

Of course you will not hear about these in the Mainstream Media. It does not fit the agenda. It does not play into the false polls you have seen where Obama has an 80 plus percent approval rating. That he is loved and adored, and his Socialistic Agenda is welcomed by most Americans.

So what is all this about? Where can you find one in your area?

One week from today, {Yesterday} on April 15, 2009, several hundred protests will take place simultaneously across the United States against the massive government spending, higher taxes, government bailouts, government takeovers of whole sectors of the economy, and quasi-socialistic policies of the Democratic Congress and Barack Obama's administration.

Next Wednesday Americans say "Enough is Enough" -- we urge you to join one of these Tax Day Tea Parties (fashioned after the historic Boston Tea Party of 1773). Your first step is to find the Tea Party closest to you - FIND TEA PARTY CLICK HERE.

You can also find more information on local tea parties being organized in your area by speaking to a local organizer - LOCAL INFORMATION CLICK HERE.

Now no one person is really responsible for starting this. This is NOT a Conservative Leadership movement. This is real folks. THIS is grass roots at its finest. Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Conservatives, even some Liberals, will be there. Oh, there will be special guests at some of these. Rush said he was not going, because he does not want to make it about him, but others are going to be there.

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA RALLY (STATE CAPITOL 12:00 Noon): Neil Cavuto (Fox News), Mark Williams (Radio Host, Our Country Deserves Better PAC) and Lloyd Marcus (American Tea Party Anthem). More information - HERE.








ATLANTA, GEORGIA RALLY (STATE CAPITOL 6:00PM): Sean Hannity of Fox News. More information - HERE.








SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS RALLY (ALAMO PLAZA 6:00PM): Glenn Beck of Fox News. More information - HERE.










NEW YORK, NY RALLY (CITY HALL PARK 7:00PM): Newt Gingrich of American Solutions. More information - HERE.








We here at the Our Country Deserves Better Committee (one of the largest conservative political action committees in America) would like to thank the following individuals and organizations for stepping up and playing an important role in the success of the Tea Party movement:

Michelle Malkin
American Solutions
Smart Girl Politics
Top Conservatives on Twitter
Don't Go Movement
Pajamas TV
FreedomWorks

Am I going to one of these? Unfortuanetly, no. I have plans I cannot avoid on the 15th. However, I will be there in Spirit. You know I have been warning you folks about all this. I told you this was coming TWO YEARS before it started. Now, more and more people are starting to wake up. About time. This all should be interesting to watch, and to see how much, if any of it, is reported.

What will most likely happen, is that the Mainstream Media will find the one, or handful of kooks, possible property damage or some kind of clash with Police somewhere, and they will report THAT. They will attempt to portray that as what the whole thing is about. However, you know better. What this is about is the fact that America, and true Americans, are not willing to lay down and allow this country to be destroyed from the inside. This is just the start of it folks. The Movement is growing.

Imagine if this was a handful of Kooks protesting Bush? You would know when, where, who, the numbers would be estimated high, and it would be glorified as true American Freedom on display. But since this is people against the False Messiah, the MMD {Mainstream Media Drones} remain silent.

But that is OK. There is too many of you to ignore much longer. There is more of you everyday. This is your opportunity to be not only heard, but seen as well. Rejoice in your Freedom. Stand up for your Freedom. Let Obama and crew know, enough is enough.
Peter

Links:
Our Country Deserves Better
PJTV - American Tea Party

Obama To Push Amnesty

Told you this was coming,

Hey folks,

I told you this was all but guaranteed. According to Fox News and the New York Times, Obama is getting ready to once again push for Amnesty.

Report: Obama to Push Immigration Reform Bill

President Obama is gearing up for yet another legislative battle, this time over the contentious issue of immigration, according to a New York Times report that says one of the goals will be to a create a path for illegal immigrants to become legal.

The push for immigration reform would echo one of Obama's campaign pledges, though its success is uncertain in a tough economic climate.

Administration officials tell the Times that Obama plans to speak publicly about the issue in May and will press lawmakers from both parties to begin discussing legislation by the fall.

The goal will be "policy reform that controls immigration and makes it an orderly system," Cecilia Munoz, director of the White House's intergovernmental affairs, told the Times. "He intends to start the debate this year."

However, the new push for immigration reform would come in the wake of the failure two years ago of the Secure Borders, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Reform Act. That bill received criticism from both sides of the immigration debate, despite being portrayed as a compromise between legalization of illegal immigrants and increased border enforcement.

During Obama's campaign, he pledged to "bring people out of the shadows" through a system that would allow the 12 million undocumented immigrants to pay a fine, learn English and go to the back of the line in the citizenship process.

"Opponents, mainly Republicans, say they will seek to mobilize popular outrage against any effort to legalize unauthorized immigrant workers while so many Americans are out of jobs," the Times said.

Read the full report at the New York Times

With this Congress being nothing more than a rubber stamp, and vise versa, I'm not so sure this time, it will be easy to stop. But you better get ready folks. You better get ready.
Peter

Israel Stepping Up Defense Because Of Obama

Mixed signals to say the least.

Hey folks,

In Prague, President Obama said this.

"Let me be clear: Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile activity poses a real threat, not just to the United States, but to Iran's neighbors and our allies. As long as the threat from Iran persists, we intend to go forward with a missile defense system that is cost-effective and proven."

OK. But then he goes on the rest of his world trip apologizing to everyone about everything, in essence, blaming America for all the ills of the world. Then he started affirming his unwavering stance of a two state solution for Israel and Palestine, saying that we are not at war with Islam, and declaring that the US and he, "will work with Muslims all around the world."

Of course he was getting some high praise by some of the Muslim World Leaders for this. Some of those same Muslim World Leaders want to wipe Israel off the map, and are actively engaged in seeking the ability to do just that. Then you have our elustrious President telling the world that he wants to get rid of our nukes and show the world that we truly are a leader. GREAT! Of course people like Russia and North Korea will applaud that. Makes us an easier target. "If he wants to see we have got rid of ours, we will take him out and show him some junk and claim we have no more. Snicker, snicker."

So Israel is starting to feel as if America is turning it's back on them. They are stepping up to best defend themselves. According to the AP - Israel tests system to shoot down Iranian missiles By MATTI FRIEDMAN, Associated Press Writer Matti Friedman, Associated Press Writer

JERUSALEM – Israel successfully tested an anti-missile system designed to protect the country against Iranian attack, the Defense Ministry said, perfecting technology developed in response to failures of similar systems during the 1991 Gulf War. The intercept of a dummy missile was the 17th test of the Arrow system, a U.S.-Israeli joint venture. Israeli defense officials said the interceptor was an upgraded Arrow II, designed to counter Iran's Shahab ballistic missile.

Israel has identified Iran as its biggest threat, citing the country's nuclear program and its development of long-range ballistic missiles. Those fears have been compounded by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's repeated calls for the destruction of the Jewish state.

And Obama wants to go have tea and sing Kumbaya with him.

Israel believes Iran is developing nuclear weapons that could pose a threat to its existence. Iran denies that and says its nuclear work is for peaceful purposes such as energy production. Israel has threatened military action, and Iran has said it would strike back, warning last month that Israel's own nuclear facilities were within missile range.

Iran's Shahab-3 missiles have a range of up to 1,250 miles (2,000 kilometers), putting Israel well within striking distance. Iranian officials were not available for comment on the Israeli test.

In a statement, the Defense Ministry said the interceptor shot down "a missile simulating a ballistic threat in especially challenging conditions." It called the test "an important step in the development program and the development of operational abilities to counter the growing threat of ballistic missiles in the region."

Defense Minister Ehud Barak watched Tuesday's intercept from a military helicopter, the ministry said. According to the Israeli Embassy in Washington, Pentagon representatives also were present.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has made the Iranian threat a top priority of his administration, congratulated defense officials for the successful test. "While we are for peace, we will know how to defend ourselves," he said.

Of course. Obama is sending them mixed signals to say the least. While he was on his little world tour, did he stop by? Nope. But he did visit with Muslims. Oh what does THIS mean anyway? Get this.

In an interview Tuesday with CNN, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden was asked how worried he is that Israel, under Netanyahu, will launch a strike to take out Iran's nuclear facilities.

"I don't believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu would do that," Biden said. "I think he would be ill-advised to do that. And so my level of concern is no different than it was a year ago."

Why? Why would he be "ill-advised" to take out the CLEAR threat to his country's very existence? Was that a threat? Did Vice President Biden just threaten Israel? Sure could be portrayed as such.

So I see this as nothing more than a logical step taken by Israel. They are starting to feel more and more like their long time ally, US, will not have their back if someone attacks them. Thank you Obama. Thank you Biden. I actually hope that if they DO find out Iran is closer than we all "think" or better said this way, if Israel finds out that Iran is closer than this Administration is willing to disclose, they DO take out Iran's Nuclear capability. Sad to say, I doubt Obama has the guts, or the willingness to do it himself. Even if they pose a REAL and pending danger.
Peter

Sources:
AP - Obama urges Iran to affirm peaceful nuclear energy
AP - Israel tests system to shoot down Iranian missiles

Democrat Hypocrisy Starting To Be Reported

I told you about this on Sunday.

Hey folks,

Just this past Sunday, I told you about this. The only real comment I had was that if you want to get rich, maybe you should work for the Democrats. This was a Reuters piece talking about the hypocrisy of the Liberals in power that are running around and saying that CEO's are making to much money, and that Obama and Crew need to take over these companies to ensure "fairness," yet they themselves are making MILLIONS.

Yes folks, they are running around stirring up class envy. Telling you that they are FOR YOU. That Obama and Crew need unprecedented, and unconstitutional power to take over Private business to dictate what these companies do with "YOUR Money." People are actually standing and applauding this. Yet?

Lawrence Summers, a top economic adviser to U.S. President Barack Obama, was paid about $5.2 million by hedge fund D.E. Shaw in the past year, financial disclosure forms released by the White House showed on Friday. Plus $2.7 million in speaking fees by firms including J.P. Morgan, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs and Lehman Brothers. You know, he was paid by tax payer money. Reuters also pointed out others.

National Security Adviser James Jones reported collecting more than $1 million for serving as a director for Boeing, Chevron and other companies. He had a salary and bonuses of $900,000 from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Obama senior adviser David Axelrod reported $896,776 in salary from his consulting firm AKP&D Message and Media as well as $500,000 in partnership income. He had another $151,914 in partnership income from his other campaign management firm, ASK Public Strategies.

Axelrod reported he had entered an agreement to sell the firms for $3 million over five years.

Valerie Jarrett, another senior Obama adviser, reported $346,687 in directors' fees, including from the consulting firm Navigant, a real estate investment trust and the Chicago Stock Exchange.

Jarrett had $302,000 in salary from a company that develops and manages apartment buildings, plus $550,000 in deferred salary from the same firm, her disclosure form showed.

Well now the Wall Street Journal is getting in on the act. They are letting you know that there are even MORE. According to the WSJ - Hedge Fund Paid Summers $5.2 Million in Past Year

WASHINGTON -- Top White House economic adviser Lawrence Summers received about $5.2 million over the past year in compensation from hedge fund D.E. Shaw, and also received hundreds of thousands of dollars in speaking fees from major financial institutions.

A financial disclosure form released by the White House Friday afternoon shows that Mr. Summers made frequent appearances before Wall Street firms including J.P. Morgan, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs and Lehman Brothers. He also received significant income from Harvard University and from investments, the form shows.

In total, Mr. Summers made a total of about 40 speaking appearances to financial sector firms and other places, with fees totaling about $2.77 million. Fees ranged from $10,000 for a Yale University speech to $135,000 for an appearance paid for by Goldman Sachs & Co.

The disclosure -- in a financial report that is required for federal office holders -- comes as Mr. Summers is involved in shaping the Obama administration's policy decisions on the financial meltdown as well as the broader recession. Among the many decisions the economic team has wrestled with has been whether to step up regulation of hedge funds, one of the most contentious subjects during a summit of world leaders this week. European nations pushed for tougher rules, while the Obama administration preferred a less stringent approach.

How does the White House respond to this? This is really pathetic.

Asked to comment, White House spokesman Ben LaBolt said that, "from the first days of the administration, we have bolstered accountability over banks" and made other rules changes so that "the influence of lobbyists is curbed, executive compensation is reined in, and firms are required to show how they will preserve or expand lending using government funds." He added: "Dr. Summers has been at the forefront of this administration's work to shore up our nation's financial system and to put in place a regulatory framework that will strengthen the financial system and its oversight -- all in an effort to help the families across America who have paid a very steep price for risky decisions made by Wall Street executives."

{Laughing} So it's OK because he is doing this FOR YOU. Then this?

In at least one instance, Mr. Summers shed fees paid to him from a Wall Street firm that received federal funds. His form shows that he received a $45,000 speaking fee from Merrill Lynch on Nov. 12 -- about a week after Barack Obama won the election -- and that he donated the sum to charity.

The White House official said that when Mr. Summers "became aware that Merrill Lynch would be accepting taxpayer funds through its merger with Bank of America, he attempted to cancel his appearance." The official added that "when he was unable, he elected to donate those funds to charity."

Proof of this? I doubt it. What about the rest?

David Axelrod, the president's top political advisor, reported in his form that he will get $3 million over the next five years from the sale of his two media consulting firms, ASK Public Strategies, LLC and AKP&D Message and Media. In addition, Mr. Axelrod took a salary of $896,776 last year from AKP&D and reported $651,914 in partnership income from the two companies.

In total, Mr. Axelrod reported assets valued between $6.9 million and $9.5 million. Mr. Axelrod's clients were mostly political campaigns, including those of Rep. Patrick Kennedy, New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, and Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley. He also reported receiving money from large corporations such as AT&T Inc., Comcast Corp. and the nuclear energy company Exelon Corp.

National Security Adviser James Jones reported $900,000 in salary and bonus from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as well as director fees from a number of corporations. He received, for example, $330,000 from Boeing Corp. and $290,000 from Chevron Corp.

Gregory Craig, White House Counsel, reported receiving a salary of $1.7 million last year from Williams & Connolly, the high-powered Washington law firm where he had been a partner since 1999.

White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers collected a $350,000 salary from Allstate Financial as president of the social networking division, as well as $150,000 in board fees from Equity Residential, a real estate investment trust in which she also holds at least $250,000 in stock. She also collected $20,000 in board fees from Blue Cross Blue Shield. Other assets reported in her checking account, stock investments, and mutual funds total at least $2 million.

Valerie Jarrett, assistant to the president for intergovernmental affairs, lists a $300,000 salary and $550,000 in deferred compensation from The Habitat Executive Services, Inc., in Chicago.

Ms. Jarrett also disclosed payments of more than $346,000 for service on boards of directors that reflect her political ties, and work in Chicago real estate and community development.

She was paid $76,000 last year for service as a director of Navigant Consulting, Inc. a Chicago-based global consulting group with governmental clients. She received $146,600 for service on the board of USG Corporation, a building materials manufacturer, and $58,000 to serve on the board of Rreef American REIT II, a real estate investment trust based in San Francisco. The Chicago Stock Exchange, Inc., paid her $34,444 to serve on its board.

Deputy National Security Advisor Tom Donilon earned $3.9 million as a partner at the law firm of O'Melveny & Myers LLP, where his clients include Citigroup, Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co., and Obama fundraiser and heiress Penny Pritzker.

Carol Browner, assistant to the president for energy and climate change, disclosed earnings of between $1 million and $5 million from lobbying firm Downey McGrath Group, Inc., where her husband, Thomas Downey, is a principal. She states $450,000 in "member distribution" income, plus retirement and other benefits from The Albright Group, a lobbying firm whose principals include former Secretary of State Madeline Albright.

SO? Is none of this unreasonable or excessive? Where is the outrage on these? Are they going to give the money back? A lot of which is Tax Payer's Money? It truly is amazing how arrogant the Obama and Crew really are. The Liberals in Government have NO PROBLEM telling YOU what YOU have to do, how you should feel, and what you should believe. They have no problem violating the Constitution and telling others what they can and can't make, while they themselves are getting rich off of YOU,

Doesn't any of this get through to the Sheeple out there? Can no one see this? Where is the outrage? Oh, notice no outrage and no reporting on the Fannie and Freddie Bonuses? Told you so.
Peter

Sources:
OPNtalk- Get Rich Quick, Work For Democrats
Reuters- Hedge fund paid Obama adviser Summers $5.2 million
WSJ - Hedge Fund Paid Summers $5.2 Million in Past Year

Innocent Civilians Dead By US Strike, Outrage Missing

Preview for Sunday 040509

Hey folks,

Did you catch this? If you were a True OPNer and check in every day you would have. In the Google Breaking News section, top right, there was this Headline yesterday.

Reuters - US drone fires missile in Pakistan, 13 dead By Alamgir Bitani

PESHAWAR, Pakistan, April 4 (Reuters) - A pilotless U.S. drone aircraft fired a missile in northwest Pakistan on Saturday, killing 13 people including some foreign militants, security officials and residents said.

How many of them were innocent civilians? If this were Bush, This would be front page in every paper. On all the News Networks. We would be hearing how 35 U.S. strikes have killed about 350 people in Pakistan. We would know who these people were, where they lived, the families they left, and how this is just evil and Bush needs to be stopped.

Forget that some of these people were mid-level al Qaeda members, and some foreign militants, INNOCENT PEOPLE DIED. Then you have this.

Hours later, Pakistani Taliban militant leader Baitullah Mehsud claimed responsibility for a shooting at a U.S. immigration centre in New York in which a gunman killed 13 people, saying it was revenge for U.S. drone attacks in Pakistan.

Now my first reaction was this. "The guy is a Kook" The Binghamton shooting, which you would have also seen the Breaking News about Friday night, if you checked in every day,{Smile} was done by just a kook that was disgruntled about life. But then again? 13 for 13? Maybe this is NOT something to dismiss so fast. Maybe a test? But that can't be. People are suppose to love Obama and bow to his new reign here in the US.

All well. I guess since Obama is now in charge of keeping America safe, a few innocents is just the cost of business. Bush? It would have been portrayed as genocide, but Obama, Shhhhhhh. Don't tell anyone.

Anyway, coming right up today.

Will There Be Show Outrage For Fannie Freddie Bonuses?
A Nuclear Free World
Perception and Memory
Get Rich Quick, Work For Democrats
Gays Rejoice in Iowa, Mainstream Media Targets Republicans
IWA for Sunday 040509

Here is something else that Obama needs to be watching to keep America safe. Looks like they did it. North Korea launched their rocket we have been watching. According to BBC News - North Korea 'has launched rocket'

North Korea appears to have launched a rocket, despite international appeals not to go ahead.

Officials from Japan, South Korea and the US confirmed lift-off at 0230 GMT. The rocket appeared to have passed over Japan to the Pacific, Tokyo said.

North Korea says it is sending a satellite into orbit, but its neighbours suspect the launch could be a cover for a long-range missile test.

They say it violates UN resolutions and have warned of consequences.

"A short time ago a flying object appeared to have been launched from North Korea," the Japanese government statement said.

The US State Department and South Korea's presidential office also confirmed a launch.

Japan did not try to intercept it, as it had indicated that it would if its territory was threatened, it said in a statement.

The US called the launch "provocative" and the Japanese government described it as "regrettable".

Yes it is. So what do you think Obama will do about it? We will have to wait and see. So go get your morning Go Go Juice, mine today is Don Francisco's Hawaiian Hazelnut, www.don-francisco.com. Be right back.
Peter

Sources:
Reuters - US drone fires missile in Pakistan, 13 dead
BBC News - North Korea 'has launched rocket'

Will There Be Show Outrage For Fannie Freddie Bonuses?

I doubt it. Actually I KNOW it.

Hey folks,

THIS is just unbelievable. But typical at the same time. Remember the Fake AGI "rage" over the bonuses? Well, not for Obama and Crew's pet project, and what started the economic mess we are in right now. No they are about to give out at least $1 million dollars each, to four top Executives? Are they going to be called on to give the money back? Are they going to be taxed over 90 percent? Will Obama say he would "do everything we can to get those bonuses back." Nope.

Where is the Moron? Where is Frank? Why do we not hear him DEMANDING the names of all the people getting bonuses? Folks, this is just too ridiculous to even attempt to analyze.

AGI was giving out $165 million in bonuses. The Show was on. Enter Frankie.



Fannie and Freddie will be giving out $210 Million dollars in bonuses for retention awards for more than 7,600 employees. Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa, the Senior Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, asked for the names of the people getting the bonuses, and he was told, no. Why? {Laughing}

Lockhart denied a request Grassley made last month to release names of employees receiving at least $100,000 in bonuses, citing "personal privacy and safety reasons."

Where is FRANKIE???? Where are the Subena requests? Where is Obama?

"It's hard to see any common sense in management decisions that award hundreds of millions in bonuses when their organizations lost more than $100 billion in a year," Grassley said in a statement. "It's an insult that the bonuses were made with an infusion of cash from taxpayers."

You think? Seriously, why do you think that the infamous clause that allowed the bonuses to be paid was put in there when no one was looking? So FANNIE AND FREDDIE could pay out these. AGI just benefited from it. There will be no Show. There will be no OUTRAGE. It was the Democrats, including Frankie himself, that PROTECTED Fannie and Freddie and allowed this to happen. They still are.

Keeping the companies "operating at full speed was best for the housing markets and best for the economy," Lockhart wrote. "That would only be possible is we retained the Fannie and Freddie teams."

Yeah, keep the crooks in there. Unbelievable.
Peter

Sources:
AP - Fannie, Freddie worker bonuses total $210M

A Nuclear Free World

Absolute Ignorance. Absolutely.

Hey folks,

OK. We're back. Let's talk about more absolute ignorance shall we. This is not new ignorance, but it is at a much grander scale. Obama is now on one of many missions that are bordering on completely insane. This one? A nuclear Free world. I'm not kidding.

"In Prague, I will lay out an agenda to seek the goal of a world without nuclear weapons," Obama said yesterday {Thursday} after arriving in continental Europe for the first time as president. "The spread of nuclear weapons or the theft of nuclear material could lead to the extermination of any city on the planet," he warned, adding that suspected rogue nuclear states, such as North Korea or Iran, may only be persuaded to abandon their quests if the big nuclear powers set an example.

You're kidding right? Seriously? I really TRULY hope that Obama does not actually believe this. We do away with our Nukes, and Little Hitler in Iran, and North Korea will simply stop their quest and do away with theirs?

This is like Gun Control. On a much grander scale granted, but along the same lines. Remember what happened in Australia? They seized guns and took thousands of guns away from Law Biding Citizens, and what happened? Gun Violence raised 300 percent. Well that worked.

The problem with this type of Liberal think, is that take the guns away, no more violence. But the Criminals with the guns are not Law Bidding Citizens. They think along the lines that Great, they do not have guns anymore, so they are easy targets.

This same mentality will happen if we do away with our Nuclear Weapons. We will not be seen as heroes, but as stupid and now EASY targets.

More from the Genius that is Obama.

"We can't reduce the threat of a nuclear weapon going off unless those that possess the most nuclear weapons, the United States and Russia, take serious steps to reduce our stockpiles," Obama said. "So we want to pursue that vigorously in the years ahead."

Blah, blah, blah. But get this.

"It is important for Europe to understand that even though I am president and George Bush is not president, al-Qaida is still a threat," Obama said. "I've come to Europe this week to renew our partnership ... America is changing but it cannot be America alone that changes." He warned that the risk of an al-Qaida attack was higher in Europe than in the US.

Why? Why is Europe an easier target? Think about it. I am glad he acknowledged that there is still a threat. More so NOW that he IS President. Make no mistake about it.

So what he in essence is saying is that we, we as the second most Nuclear Equipped Nation, will lay down our arms and embarrass the world. Now, lay down yours and we will have world peace. "Yeah OK. You first." BOOM! "Stupid Americans."

Remember the Sixties when some people were putting flowers in gun barrels? didn't really work, now did it? I also would like to believe that our new President is not really this stupid either. We could get rid of 9000 Nukes and still wipe out an entire country. It only takes one. So in essence, this is most likely just another show. Lib feel good speak. Problem is, I doubt if the rest of the world is buying into it.
Peter

Sources:
The UK Gaurdian - Barack Obama's new offensive against nuclear weapons

Perception and Memory

Science Matters Program Explores the Accuracy of Eyewitness Testimony Presented by the California Science Center

Hey folks,

I would love to go here. For my friends in California, you should set some time aside and take the trip. Your kids will love it also, the California Science Center has a lot of fun stuff for them to do as well.

LOS ANGELES, April 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The California Science Center's Science Matters speakers program will investigate methods in our legal system with "Eyewitness Testimony: Perception and Memory on Trial" on Saturday, April 18, 2009, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Eyewitness testimony is at the foundation of our judicial system, but its accuracy has recently been called into question by scientists and lawmakers alike. The discussion, which is free to the public, will question whether the practice of eyewitness testimony is scientifically sound or inherently flawed. Program panelists will explain the science of perception and memory that lies at the core of eyewitness testimony -- how we form memories, and how our perceptions influence how we remember. Science Matters will also discuss the consequences of the use of eyewitness testimony. Audience members are encouraged to visit the exhibits "Target America: Opening Eyes to the Damage Drugs Cause" and "CSI: The Experience" to get a look at the elements of forensic science.

Conan Nolan, NBC4 reporter, will serve as moderator for the panel discussion, in the Loker Conference room at the California Science Center.

Panelists include: Steven Clark, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology, University of California, Riverside; Jeff Sherman, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology, University of California, Davis; John Van de Kamp, Esq., Chair of the California Commission on the Fair Administration of Justice; and Julie L. Hamilton, Division Counsel, Drug Enforcement Administration, Los Angeles.

Program attendees will have a chance to hear the debates on this issue and to ask questions of the panelists at the end of the program. All those interested in attending may RSVP at 213-744-2420.

About the California Science Center

The California Science Center's mission is as follows: "We aspire to stimulate curiosity and inspire science learning in everyone by creating fun, memorable experiences, because we value science as an indispensable tool for understanding our world, accessibility and inclusiveness, and enriching people's lives."

OK. So I saw this, and thought, what about Perception and Memory? For those of you who might be new here, I LOVE Science. I always have. So things like this fascinates me. Kind of the whole point behind the Health and Science Segment.

I found this from Scientific America - Blurring the Boundary Between Perception and Memory, Dec 26, 2008

Can you trust your lying eyes—or any of your other senses and memory? Not really

Perception is mathematically impossible.

This might seem like a bold statement—after all, you are perceiving these letters right now—but it’s nonetheless true. Imagine a black-and-white line drawing of a cube on a sheet of paper. Although this drawing looks to us like a picture of a cube, there are actually an infinity of other three-dimensional figures that could have produced the same set of lines when collapsed on the page. But we don't notice any of these alternatives. Happily for all of us, our visual systems have more to go on than just bare perceptual input. They use heuristics and short cuts, based on the physics and statistics of the natural world, to make the “best guesses” about the nature of reality. Just as we interpret a two-dimensional drawing as representing a three-dimensional object, we interpret the two-dimensional visual input of a real scene as indicating a three-dimensional world. Our perceptual system makes this inference automatically, using educated guesses to fill in the gaps and make perception possible.

It turns out that our brains use the same intelligent guessing process to reconstruct the past, in addition to using it help perceive the world. Memory itself is not like a video-recording, with a moment-by-moment sensory image. In fact, it’s more like a puzzle: we piece together our memories, based on both what we actually remember and what seems most likely given our knowledge of the world. Just as we make educated guesses in perception, our minds’ best educated guesses help “fill in the gaps” of memory, reconstructing the most plausible picture of what happened in our past.

The most striking demonstration of the minds’ guessing game occurs when we find ways to fool the system into guessing wrong. When we trick the visual system, we see a “visual illusion”—a static image might appear as if it’s moving, or a concave surface will look convex. When we fool the memory system, we form a false memory—a phenomenon made famous by researcher Elizabeth Loftus, who showed that it is relatively easy to make people remember events that never occurred. As long as the falsely remembered event could plausibly have occurred, all it takes is a bit of suggestion or even exposure to a related idea to create a false memory.

This is one of the reason I do not believe in Hypnotherapy. Way too many cases of people going to a Hypnotherapist and discovering that they were abused in their past. Some of these cases do not even make it to a trial because there is no real evidence that it has happened, yet some of the cases tear otherwise normal families apart and label innocent people abusers.

In the Blink of an Eye

In past literature, visual illusions and false memories have been studied separately. After all, they seem qualitatively different: visual illusions are immediate, whereas false memories seemed to develop over an extended period of time. A surprising new study blurs the line between these two phenomena, however. The study, conducted by Helene Intraub and Christopher A. Dickinson, both of the University of Delaware, reveals an example of false memory occurring within 42 milliseconds—about half the amount of time it takes to blink your eye.

Intraub and Dickinson’s study relied upon a phenomenon known as “boundary extension”, an example of false memory found when recalling pictures. When we see a picture of a location—say, a yard with a garbage can in front of a fence—we tend to remember the scene as though more of the fence were visible surrounding the garbage can. In other words, we extend the boundaries of the image, believing that we saw more fence than was actually present. This phenomenon is usually interpreted as a constructive memory error—our memory system extrapolates the view of the scene to a wider angle than was actually present.

The new study, published in the November issue of the journal Psychological Science, asked how quickly this boundary extension happens. The researchers showed subjects a picture, erased it for a very short period of time by overlaying a new image, and then showed a new picture that was either the same as the first image or a slightly zoomed-out view of the same place. They found that when people saw the exact same picture again, they thought the second picture was more zoomed-in than the first one they had seen. When they saw a slightly zoomed-out version of the picture they had seen before, however, they thought this picture matched the first one. This experience is the classic boundary extension effect. So what was the shocking part? The gap between the first and second picture was less than 1/20th of a second. In less than the blink of an eye, people remembered a systematically modified version of pictures they had seen. This modification is, by far, the fastest false memory ever found.

Although it is still possible that boundary extension is purely a result of our memory system, the incredible speed of this phenomenon suggests a more parsimonious explanation: that boundary extension may in part be caused by the guesses of our visual system itself. The new dataset thus blurs the boundaries between the initial representation of a picture (via the visual system) and the storage of that picture in memory.

So is boundary extension a visual illusion or a false memory? Perhaps these two phenomena are not as different as previously thought. False memories and visual illusions both occur quickly and easily, and both seem to rely on the same cognitive mechanism: the fundamental property of perception and memory to fill in gaps with educated guesses, information that seems most plausible given the context. The bottom line? The work of Intraub and colleagues adds to a growing movement that suggests that memory and perception may be simply two sides of the same coin.

So the next time that you seem to remember something in your past, think about this. Is it really your memory, or just a perception of what may or may not have happened. This is why I am big on letting the past stay the past, focusing on today. Like the old saying goes, "If you live in yesterday, dwell on tomorrow, all you will be is confused today." Or something like that.

Again, if you are in the Los Angeles area on April 18, it may be worth your while to check it out.
Peter

Sources:
Scientific America - Blurring the Boundary Between Perception and Memory Dec 26, 2008

Get Rich Quick, Work For Democrats

I have no real comment. Just read, and you decide.

Hey folks,

Here it is. Reuters - Hedge fund paid Obama adviser Summers $5.2 million By Roberta Rampton – Fri Apr 3, 11:44 pm ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Lawrence Summers, a top economic adviser to U.S. President Barack Obama, was paid about $5.2 million by hedge fund D.E. Shaw in the past year, financial disclosure forms released by the White House showed on Friday.

Summers, a former U.S. Treasury secretary and Harvard University president, also was paid $2.7 million in speaking fees by a range of organizations and companies, including several troubled Wall Street financial firms, they showed.

The disclosure documents on Summers and other White House officials advising Obama on the global financial crisis covered 2008 and the first few months of this year. Summers became an official adviser on January 20 when Obama took office.

Summers, who was a part-time managing director of D.E. Shaw after stepping down as Harvard president, had speaking fees of $67,500 from JP Morgan, $45,000 from Citigroup, $135,000 from Goldman Sachs and $67,500 from Lehman Brothers, which went bankrupt in the mortgage crisis last year.

He also had significant income from Harvard University and from investments, the forms showed.

As chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors, Summers is a leading voice in Obama's policies to reverse the recession in the United States, rebuild the financial industry and help to end the global crisis.

The disclosure documents showed many of the senior advisers to the president earned large salaries from their companies, served in lucrative positions on corporate boards and had large holdings of stocks, bonds and mutual funds.

National Security Adviser James Jones reported collecting more than $1 million for serving as a director for Boeing, Chevron and other companies. He had a salary and bonuses of $900,000 from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Obama senior adviser David Axelrod reported $896,776 in salary from his consulting firm AKP&D Message and Media as well as $500,000 in partnership income. He had another $151,914 in partnership income from his other campaign management firm, ASK Public Strategies.

Axelrod reported he had entered an agreement to sell the firms for $3 million over five years.

Valerie Jarrett, another senior Obama adviser, reported $346,687 in directors' fees, including from the consulting firm Navigant, a real estate investment trust and the Chicago Stock Exchange.

Jarrett had $302,000 in salary from a company that develops and manages apartment buildings, plus $550,000 in deferred salary from the same firm, her disclosure form showed.

{Sigh} So? You looking forward to that extra $13 bucks in your paycheck?
Peter

Sources:
Reuters - Hedge fund paid Obama adviser Summers $5.2 million

Gays Rejoice in Iowa, Mainstream Media Targets Republicans

New Battle Ground Iowa?

Hey folks,

Yup. Iowa has said it's OK to be Gay, and Married. Well, the Supreme Court did anyway? What do the people think? We'll have to wait until 2012 to find out. Officially that is.

Of course the Mainstream Media is using this to target Religious organizations to show how closed minded and Homophobic Republicans are. According to ABC News- Iowa: 'The Gay Marriage Mecca'?

Potential GOP Presidential Contenders Weigh In on Iowa's Same-Sex Marriage Ruling By TEDDY DAVIS and FERDOUS AL-FARUQUE

A Republican congressman from Iowa warned Friday that the state could turn into "the gay marriage Mecca" if the state legislature does not begin restricting marriage licenses to in-state residents.

Makes sense, since it will not be recognized anywhere else. In other words, you can not go to Iowa, get married, then go home to California, Floria, or thirty two other states that have said Marriage is between a Woman and a Man, and say "See I'm married if you like it or not, now respect me and give me the same "rights" as other Married folks." Doesn't work that way. Sorry.

The statement from Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, which followed the Iowa Supreme Court's unanimous ruling striking down a state ban on same-sex marriage, underscored the emotional power the issue holds for social conservatives in the state, which will hold the GOP's first presidential nominating contest in 2012.

Iowa is now the third state where gay and lesbian couples are permitted to marry. The other two are Massachusetts and Connecticut.

So I guess they can go there.

Conservatives like King are pushing for a state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.

"It is the Iowa legislature's responsibility to pass the Marriage Amendment to the Iowa Constitution, clarifying that marriage is between one man and one woman, to give the power that the Supreme Court has arrogated to itself back to the people of Iowa," said King.

Yup. Let the PEOPLE decide.

Given that Iowa is the state which kicks off the presidential contest, several Republicans who are eyeing a White House run in 2012 criticized the ruling and reaffirmed their opposition to same-sex marriage.

"I believe marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman and the definition of marriage should be left to the people and not to activist courts," former Gov. Mitt Romney, R-Mass., said in a written statement provided to ABC News.

The governor of South Carolina -- Republican Mark Sanford -- also criticized the ruling and touted his support for a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage in his state.

"The governor supported a constitutional amendment here banning same-sex unions. That position still holds," Sanford spokesman Joel Sawyer told ABC News. "He's not the governor of Iowa, but he's against same-sex marriages."

Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, who supports civil unions for gays and lesbians, reacted to the Iowa decision by reiterating his support for restricting marriage to heterosexual couples. In 2004, Huntsman successfully backed a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.

"He believes all people should have equal rights," Huntsman spokeswoman Lisa Roskelley told ABC News. "But when it comes to marriage, Gov. Huntsman believes that should be reserved for a man and a woman."

Asked if he favors the passage of a constitutional amendment in Iowa, Roskelley said, "He would leave that up to Iowa and trust that they would address that appropriately within their state."

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, the winner of the 2008 Iowa Republican caucuses, called the decision "disappointing."

"All Iowans should have a say in this matter, not a handful of legislative judges," said Huckabee in a written statement. "This issue is too important to not be made by the people of Iowa. It is my hope that the legislature will take the necessary steps to properly resolve this matter."

ABSOLUTELY, Way to go Mike.

Erin Isaac, a spokesperson for Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, said, "[The governor] supports civil unions but believes