Supreme Court Overrules Sotomayor

Special Tuesday From the Emails.

Hey folks,

Happy Tuesday to you. You know, I've said this before. I could do the whole blog just from the Emails. I really could. Right now I have 28 to go through and 5 I would love to use right now. I chose this one because it is another clear example of Obama's Nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor using race in making official decisions and just another case that has be overturned. Something like a 65 percent turn over rate is what Judge Sotomayor's record shows.

Now I'm not going into the whole thing again. We have covered Sotomayor pretty intensely. She is a Racist. She is WRONG on the Law. She THINKS Judges Legislate from the bench. She is a radical.

Now the Supreme Court has stepped in and over turned yet another decision. IG sent this to me, and included this note:

About time.

Reverse discrimination has been been going on way to long.

The Affective Action law started reverse discrimination and it's way past time to end it.

You shouldn't get a job because of your color but because your qualified to do the job.

I could not agree more. As I keep saying, if we are going to have TRUE equality in this country, we have to start treating EVERYONE equally. This is from CNN.

CNN - High court backs firefighters in reverse discrimination suit

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. Supreme Court sided Monday with white firefighters in a workplace discrimination lawsuit, a divisive case over the role race should play in job advancement.

In the split 5-4 vote, a majority of the justices ruled that the city of New Haven, Connecticut, improperly threw out the results of promotional exams that officials said left too few minorities qualified.

One Latino and no African-American firefighters qualified for promotion based on the exam; the city subsequently decided not to certify the results and issued no promotions.

A group of 20 mostly white firefighters sued, claiming reverse discrimination.

No. It was not "reverse discrimination." It WAS discrimination PERIOD.

High court nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor heard the case on her federal appeals court last year and sided with the city.

The Supreme Court was being asked to decide whether there was a continued need for special treatment for minorities, or whether enough progress has been made to make existing laws obsolete, especially in a political atmosphere in which an African-American occupies the White House.

At issue was whether the city intentionally discriminated -- in violation of both federal law and the Constitution's Equal Protection Clause.

In a dissent read from the bench, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg questioned the fairness of the test, which was 60 percent written and 40 percent oral.

"Relying so heavily on pencil-and-paper exams to select firefighters is a dubious practice," Ginsburg said, calling the majority ruling "troubling."

"Congress endeavored to promote equal opportunity in fact, and not simply in form. The damage today's decision does to that objective is untold," she said.

So OK. I have a question for her Honor Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Did she NOT just say that Minorities are to stupid to take a test using pencil-and-paper exams? Sure does sound like she just did. Then notice how she COMPLETELY disregarded the Constitutional question and said Congress. Sorry, the Constitution wins out over Congress. I hope this decision will not only damage the stupidity of LEGAL Discrimination, but lead to ENDING it altogether.

Key plaintiff Frank Ricci and others took promotional exams in 2003 for lieutenant and captain positions that had become available in New Haven.

When the results came back, city attorneys expressed concern about the results, and the New Haven corporation counsel -- after several public hearings -- refused to certify the test, and no promotions were given.

The city said that under a federal civil rights law known as Title VII, employers must ban actions such as promotion tests that would have a "disparate impact" on a protected class, such as a specified race or gender.

Which is completely idiotic.

The Obama administration took a nuanced position on the appeal. A Justice Department lawyer told the high court that while the federal government supported the city's discretion to nullify the test results, it also believed the lawsuit should be allowed to proceed on a limited basis.

Kennedy argued that "the process was open [and] fair" and that the city officials "were careful to ensure broad racial participation in the design of the test itself and its administration."

He added that "race-based action like the city's in this case is impermissible under Title VII unless the employer can demonstrate a strong basis in evidence that, had it not taken the action, it would have been liable" under the law dealing with "disparate impact."

Kennedy said the city had not met that threshold.

The case has received added attention because Sotomayor was on the appellate court that dismissed the appeal.

Sotomayor was part of a three-judge panel that ruled in February 2008 to uphold a lower court decision supporting New Haven's move to throw out the results.

In June 2008, Sotomayor was part of a 7-6 majority that denied a rehearing of the case by the full court.

Legal analysts said they expect Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee will want to ask about her role in that case as well as her comments about ethnicity and the bench.

They BETTER. Someone needs to stand up and say enough is enough. Not just with Sotomayor's Nomination, but with ALL the lunacies of the Left in charge. I agree IG. It is ABOUT TIME.
Peter

Sources:
CNN - High court backs firefighters in reverse discrimination suit

Obama Excuses Others From "Global Warming" Due to Bad Economy

From the Energy Front 062909

Hey folks,

Yeah, Obama excuses foreign Countries from worrying about penalties for not cutting emissions, but YOU. You stupid American, you WILL pay big time. His reason? The Economy. I'm not kidding. According to Reuters - Obama opposes energy bill trade penalties: reports

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama on Sunday called a House-passed climate change bill "an extraordinary first step," but spoke out against a provision that would impose trade penalties on countries that fail to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

"At a time when the economy worldwide is still deep in recession and we've seen a significant drop in global trade, I think we have to be very careful about sending any protectionist signals," Obama said in an Oval Office interview reported by The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post.

So he just excused others from doing their part to help save the planet, based on a bad economy. But YOU? The single Mom working two jobs? The young family just starting off. The Retired folks on a set income? SCREW YOU! You WILL pay higher energy costs. You WILL watch this "Kill The American Economy Bill," increase unemployment, and put unfair and completely unnecessary burdens on ALL Americans. To save the planet of course.

You know folks, I have said this before. Let's talk about an asteroid coming to collide with Earth. Some Scientist somewhere finds it. Sees it's path will strike California. The size of it, is thought to be a World Ending event.

America and all others would come together and come up with some kind of plan. Either attempt to reflect it, changing it's course, or a contingency plan to save the Human race by saving some.

NOTHING ELSE WOULD MATTER! The Economy, Trade Relations, employment, NOTHING. The "Talks" would not be put off. There would be no fanfare. It is a crises that would have to be dealt with. What good would a good economy be if we are all dead?

Now we have "Global Warming," I mean, "Man-made Climate Change" that the Chicken Little Crowd wants you to believe is a World Ending event. But we have to talk about it. We have to regulate some, but not all. We have to make people "Feel Good" about doing their part. We have to have talks to discuss what we will talk about in future talks. {Sigh}

Why? Because there is NO THREAT. Those pushing this, KNOW there is no threat. So Obama is not concerned about China, who pollutes more than any other country on the face of the planet. But YOU? You better follow the agenda. You do not have a choice.

Poor and Middle Class Americans: "But Mr. President, I can't afford higher Energy Costs. With the Economy being as bad as it is. I am going to lose my job with this Cap and Trade bill. I'm hurting here Mr. President."

Obama: "I understand. I feel for you. But you have to do your part. We know what is best for you. We have to save the planet. You have to pay these costs to force companies to seek out cleaner solutions. Besides. You will have new, and better jobs in the Green Field, in ten to twenty years when someone comes up with an alternative."

Still to my utter amazement, a slight majority of Americans: "Oh? OK. I'm sorry for questioning you on this Mr. President. I was listening to those evil, Fear Mongering Republicans that are nothing but Racists. Thank you Mr. President. Thank you for setting me straight. You are right. I'm too stupid to know what is best for me. Of course I will do my part. Thank you, thank you. Long Live Obama."

The Democratic-controlled House on Friday passed the climate change bill that would require large U.S. companies, including utilities and manufacturers to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases associated with global warming by 17 percent by 2020 and 83 percent by 2050, from 2005 levels.

This is complete BS folks. Impartial Experts have proven that at the MOST, it MAY alter the Global Temps by half a degree in like 20 to 50 years. MAYBE. It will not do ANYTHING to help the environment.

But it will do A LOT to burden and already hurting US Economy. It will also effect the Global Economy. Why? Less and less Americans will have any MONEY. They will cut there energy use to bare minimums, cut travel to foreign destinations, cut their spending here at home. Kind of hard to go on vacation if Gas is over $4.00 a gallon, energy costs for your home doubles, Air fare doubles, food cost skyrocket do to shipping and transport costs.

Let's see. Trip, or paying the Electric Bill? Go to Wal-Mart and buy that new outfit, buy gas to go to work? Go out to dinner, or stay home? You get the point. We already know what happens when gas is at $4.00 a gallon. Yet, some of the same people that were up in arms over it at the time, are now PRAISING Obama's agenda that will do that and more.

So what is Obama's answer to those concerned with this? Light Bulbs. I'm not kidding.

An aide said Obama plans to announce new energy-saving standards for light bulbs this week to keep the focus on energy issues, the newspaper said.

So Obama's answer to those concerned Americans about $4.00 a gallon gas, skyrocketing Energy Costs, and over a million new Job Losses? Light Bulbs. Oh, and do not forget to inflate your tires and for those of you up north, uh, wear a Sweater.

Of course, you could always more to China, then you will not have to worry about any of this. The Economy is bad after all don't you know?
Peter

Sources:
Reuters - Obama opposes energy bill trade penalties: reports

A WELL Deserved Winner

Preview for Sunday 062809

Hey folks,

Welcome to the Big Sunday Edition of the OPNTalk Blog. Glad to have ya today. WE have a lot of ground to cover including me coming clean about something that you folks, some of you, have been wondering about.

We will also be revisiting the FDA Baning or flavored Cigarettes yet leaving Menthol alone. A lot of you have something to say about that. I have a new take on it. Join in the conversation in just a few.

Coming up today?

Rush Limbaugh H.R. 2454: The Cap & Tax Travesty
Ahmadinejad Promises to CRUSH US.
Revisiting FDA To Ban Flavored Cigarettes, EXCEPT Menthol
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Domestic Assault Weapon of Choice: Cheetos
IWA for Sunday 062809

All that coming right up. But first I want to share this story. You know, we always hear of people wining the Lotto that really do not need it. But this is one of those far and few between stories of someone who ACTUALLY deserves it, hitting it big.

AP - Calif. man working 3 jobs wins $39M lottery

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – A man who works three jobs to support his family — including one as a limousine driver — has won a $39 million jackpot in California's SuperLotto Plus.

Clyde Persley, who is married with a 4-year-old daughter, turned in his winning ticket on Tuesday night and should get his first check for about $16 million in four to six weeks, said a California lottery spokeswoman.

The 49-year-old Santa Cruz man operates candy-making machines for Santa Cruz Nutritionals, drives a limousine and picks up extra hours at a restaurant.

He says his first moves will be taking his wife on a trip to Hawaii and hiring a financial adviser.

He bought his winning ticket at a Santa Cruz market where he has played the lottery twice a week for several years.

Congratulations Mr. Clyde Persley. Hire a GOOD Financial Adviser. Spend wisely. Live long and at peace. Oh, you may also want to think about quiting one or all of those jobs. {Smile}

OK folks, I'll be right back so we can get started. Get your morning Go-Go Juice and I see you in a second.
Peter

Rush Limbaugh H.R. 2454: The Cap & Tax Travesty

Just to prove a point.

Hey folks,

OK. Maybe to gloat a little bit also. I have been talking about GWBS for years. I just told you about the Waxman-Markey Bill going to the House this past Friday on Wednesday. But I told you about Waxman-Markey a while back.

They did Pass this Idiotic Bill, and now we have to move to the Senate and let them know that if they Vote for this THEY are out. But I love this.

A friend just sent me a transcript of none other than Rush Limbaugh. Turns out on his show Friday, he, well, sounded just like ME. {Laughing} I'm not kidding. My friend said it. He is right. Just to prove a point to some of my, uh, "fans" that think all I do is repeat talking points handed down by people like Rush, here is a clear example that sometimes you hear it HERE first. The following is Rush's Transcript talking about Waxman-Markey.

Rush Limbaugh H.R. 2454: The Cap & Tax Travesty

BEGIN TRANSCRIPT

RUSH: This climate bill, I just got something and I can't look at it until the next commercial break. But I'm told here that there was a test vote this morning, the House Democrats narrowly won a test vote on ground-breaking legislation to combat global warming. This is so unnecessary, there isn't any global warming. This bill is not about climate change. It's not about improving the environment. It's not about anything but raising taxes and taking away people's freedom. Folks, we are made of carbon, and what this is is a carbon tax. Theoretically, we could be taxed because of the carbon dioxide we exhale. If they want to figure out how much that is contributing to global warming, we could be taxed on that basis. There's no limit here once you start taxing carbon. We are made of carbon. We are a carbon-based life form. What this legislation seeks to establish is that we, by virtue of our existence, are destructive polluters who have to be punished. We are polluters whether we want to be or not, because we're carbon. It is absurd. In all kinds of countries they're learning that this doesn't work. Spain, it didn't work. Australia, it didn't work.

Kimberley Strassel has a great piece at the Wall Street Journal, which I'm going to cite here in just a moment. This test vote today was 217 to 205 to send Obama and his legislation over to the full House. Thirty Democrats defected. Do you know that there was a tax for cow farts in this bill? Now, Rachel, you watched Gore's stupid movie and you bought it. I'm telling you, there was a tax on bovine flatulence. This upset a bunch of Democrat Congressmen in agricultural states. So they went in there and they removed the tax on cow farts to get the votes. This is how ridiculous it is. There are Republicans on the fence on this. There ought to be no Republicans on the fence on this. This is another one of these premises where we say: no you won't. We don't debate it. We don't say, okay, we're going to do global warming legislation. Fine, well, here's our idea. Our idea on global warming legislation is that there isn't any global warming. Sunspot activity is way, way down. I've got a NASA website series of photos to show you from 2000 to 2009 how the sun's activity has slowed down. It is cooling off all over the planet.

There is no global warming. Temperatures have not risen in the last nine years in an appreciable way and this legislation is not going to lower temperatures. It's not going to do anything they claim it's going to do. Nobody is going to have fully read this. There are over a thousand mandates, meaning limits on freedom, over 1,300 pages. Even the chairman of the committee, Henry Nostrilitis Waxman doesn't know what's all in it. It doesn't matter to him what all is in it. Yesterday I think that I heard there was something like 17,000 or 20,000 calls to Congress opposing this. It's going to take a lot more than that to stop this. Yesterday it looked like this thing is going to go down to defeat. But at like three or four this morning they offered a 300-page amendment that nobody's read. But they told the farmers, the Democrats from farm states, agriculture states, yeah, we're going to take care of you. We're going to take out some of these punitive things to get their votes. This is signature legislation and it would be very embarrassing if this goes down in defeat. They're going to have a tougher time in the Senate with it. But it would be best to shut it down in the House of Representatives today, and that's the vote, and I'm told we're going to need six to seven votes, it looks like, whereas a couple days ago it seemed to be a slam dunk. So six to seven votes on either the Republican or Democrat side to stop this.

Let me tell you something else that's happened. I read about this in a lot of different places today. What I have here is a piece from the Competitive Enterprise Institute which summarizes it pretty well. They are making public an internal study on climate science, which was suppressed by the EPA and Lisa Jackson. "Internal EPA email messages, released by CEI earlier in the week, indicate that the report was kept under wraps and its author silenced because of pressure to support the Administration's agenda of regulating carbon dioxide." There's a defector, there's somebody in the EPA who put together a report: Wait a minute, temperatures are not rising. We can't prove that carbon dioxide is a pollutant. He cited evidence from around the country; he cited scientific data. By the way, the consensus on climate science that you've always heard about on global warming, it's falling apart. It's falling apart. Scientists from Australia and two or three other countries have defected from the so-called consensus. That's what this guy's report was about. They told him to shut up. They suppressed his report and they said don't you dare talk about it. They fired him. They said don't you dare talk to anybody about this.

The point is the Environmental Protection Agency, Obama Administration, they don't care about the truth in any of this. This is not about global warming. It is not about climate change. It's about nothing but taxes. It's taxing everything they can get their hands on. It's revenue generation. Obama yesterday even had the gall to call this a jobs bill. Well, I'll tell you what green jobs did to Spain. George Will wrote about it yesterday. The stimulus bill was supposed to be a jobs bill and it didn't turn out to be a jobs bill, and this is not a jobs bill. This is a jobs-killing bill. Now, I know it's a tough sell because people listening to me talk about this: Why would our government come up and do something? Folks, I know it's hard to understand that we've elected somebody who is willingly, purposely setting out to deplete the capital in the private sector, to destroy the US economy. I know it's hard to understand. Most of you don't have, most of us -- I'll include myself in this -- most of us don't have this concept of that kind of power; of wanting it, wanting to use it for our own personal fun, frolic, frivolity, whatever. We can't imagine that we have elected somebody who really doesn't like the United States as it was founded, but that's what's happened. This is exactly what we've done here.

There was a great piece, and I had it in the stack yesterday. I thought this is a little too esoteric to get into. And I may try to find it and do it again today. It is a piece in the AmericanThinker.com by a woman from Nigeria who says: Barack Obama is no different than any other African colonial. Meaning he's a despot. The British went in and colonialized all Africa. By the way, her piece tells us why -- she doesn't say this, but if you have a basic knowledge, this piece will instruct you why Obama so often disses the UK. They went in there, they colonialized Africa and they set up despotic leaders and they end up being Marxist, Mugabe and these other guys. This woman from Nigeria thinks that's exactly what we have here, an African colonial-type president who views this country in ways unlike most Americans view this country, in ways unlike most Democrats view the country. And when I read the piece yesterday, I put it together with what he's trying to do with healthcare, what he's trying to do now with this cap-and-trade climate science, all this rotgut, what she says has a lot of credence. I'll find it. I'll share it with you as the program unfolds before your very eyes today.

Kimberley Strassel, op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, focuses on Australia's parliament's efforts to curb their own carbon emission scheme. They had the same thing. They tried to do what we are on the verge of doing. She writes about the Australian parliament's efforts to curb their own scheme due to many politicians' doubt in human causes of global warming. More and more Australian politicians are being convinced now that the human contribution to climate change, global warming, be it cooler or warmer, is something you can't factor. We don't have that kind of power. So as the global warming debate climate is shifting, the backlash has fallen on Australia and Europe and Japan. The consensus has broken down. The scientists and politicians in those countries are taking a second look and saying: Wait a minute, we don't see any evidence here that man's causing any of this, and we don't see any evidence that there's any warming going on.

Now, this is not being reported widely in the United States, but it's happening in Australia and Japan and Europe. It's happening there and the reason it's not being reported here is because, of course, our star is Al Gore and the United Nations. The media goes out and they smear any dissenters. After listing scientists from all over the world who are skeptical of manmade global warming, Kimberley Strassel writes this: "The collapse of the 'consensus' has been driven by reality. The inconvenient truth is that the earth's temperatures have flat-lined since 2001, despite growing concentrations of C02. Peer-reviewed research has debunked doomsday scenarios about the polar ice caps, hurricanes, malaria, extinctions, rising oceans. A global financial crisis has politicians taking a harder look at the science that would require them to hamstring their economies to rein in carbon," and they're deciding around the world they don't have the desire and it makes no sense to put even more stress on their economies to reduce carbon when there's no evidence that more carbon is harming anything, bottom line.

Our official climatologist here, Roy Spencer at the University of Alabama at Huntsville, sent me a note last night. Let me find it in the stack here. It's about fish. They're finding that fish ears are growing because of carbon dioxide in the ocean. Remember all the horror stories that we have seen over the years about deformed frogs at birth and we have been told this is due to global warming and their ecology all out of whack. We find out that that's not the case, and the left-wing BBC is nonetheless the source: "Scientists think they have resolved one of the most controversial environmental issues of the past decade: the curious case of the missing frogs' legs. Around the world, frogs are found with missing or misshaped limbs, a striking deformity that many researchers believe is caused by chemical pollution.

However, tests on frogs and toads have revealed a more natural, benign cause. The deformed frogs are actually victims of the predatory habits of dragonfly nymphs, which eat the legs of tadpoles. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, researchers started getting reports of numerous wild frogs or toads being found with extra legs or arms, or with limbs that were partly formed or missing completely. The cause of these deformities soon became a hotly contested issue."

It had to be caused by global warming, this and that. And people said, no, no, this is happening naturally. They were debunked and then called deniers and so forth. But they have now proven that these deformed frogs are simply nature taking its course. Nothing to do with man. Nothing to do with us. The cap-and-trade bill will probably tax dragonflies once they learn about this.

BREAK TRANSCRIPT

RUSH: One thing that you need to know about this test vote that the AP, the State-Run Media is talking about all over is the test vote is designed to make you think it's all over. The test vote is designed to make you say, "Oh, it's too late now! I can't do anything about it." That's not true. This thing is still up for grabs. I've got two different lists here of Republicans and Democrats on the fence. One's from Red State and I don't know where the other one's from. But they're a little different from one another. And there are too many names here to give out. Let's go with the short list, the Republicans. Here are the last names of the Republicans on one of the list. Some of these names I don't see on both lists so we'll do the best we can here. But these are the Republicans that are on the fence about it -- and there ought to be no Republicans "on the fence."

This is nothing to do with saving anything. This is nothing to do with global warming. It is nothing to do with saving the climate or saving the planet or saving the polar bears. It is nothing to do with that. The problems that this legislation claims to address do not exist. Well, to the extent that some problems exist, they are not caused by us. Regulating our behavior, changing our behavior, limiting our freedom will not have any effect on whatever climate changes are or are not taking place out there. It's just that simple. So we can argue about this. We can debate the merits of it all day long, but just in an ideological or philosophical way, this is a no-brainer, a non-starter. It is unnecessary. It is a pure power and money grab by the same people in Washington who have been grabbing power and money since Obama was inaugurated.

Now, according to the Washington Post: Rep. Collin Peterson, a Democrat from Minnesota -- he's the agricultural committee chairman -- "said he was not sure what the offset program would look like: 'The truth is, nobody knows for sure how this is going to work.'" This is a Democrat chairman of the Ag Committee talking about cap and trade. Nobody knows how it's going to work! Nobody's read the full thing. Waxman has admitted he doesn't know what's all in it. All they know that's in it that matters to them is tax increases, limitations on liberty and freedom and Washington regulating more and more of the behavior of the American public. That's what's attractive. Here are some Republican names on the short list that I'm told are on the fence. Buchanan in Florida. Gerlach in Pennsylvania. I forgot how to pronounce this rookie's name C-a-o in Louisiana. Chow? Cho? I'm not sure how. Johnson in Illinois. Ehlers in Michigan. Kirk in Illinois. Frelinghuysen in New Jersey and Smith in New Jersey. Those are the Republicans on the short list of on the fence.

BREAK TRANSCIRPT

RUSH: I'm told the pronunciation of Mr. Cao's name, the rookie -- the guy that replaced Congressman William Jefferson (Democrat-Louisiana) -- is "cow." Regardless, some people are asking, "Is there a number on this bill, Rush?" Yes. H.R. 2454. Look, all you have to do is call your member of Congress. In fact, I'm now told there are a million and a half calls yesterday, not 17,000 to 20,000. Some of those million and a half calls yesterday were about healthcare as well, I'm sure. But regardless. H.R. 2454. The message is, "No, we won't!" It's just very simple: "No, we won't!" Obama's out there saying, "Yes, we can." The answer is, "No, you won't. No, we won't." Here's more from the Competitive Enterprise Institute analysis: The report finds that EPA, by adopting the United Nations' 2007 'Fourth Assessment' report, is relying on outdated research and is ignoring major new developments. Those [new] developments include a continued decline in global temperatures..."

And you know by virtue of your own life global temperatures are not rising. If you live in the Northeast, you live in Chicago, you live in the upper tier of states, you know you're barely... You haven't seen summer yet and it's June 26! "Rush, you can't use this anecdotal stuff." BS! Reality is reality. Global warming is not happening. The polar ice caps are not shrinking! At any rate, "developments include a continued decline in global temperatures, a new consensus that future hurricanes will not be more frequent or intense..." We know that. We've had fewer hurricanes since that bad year of including Katrina. New findings are that "water vapor will moderate, rather than exacerbate, temperature." The point is that this old "consensus" we've all heard about for all these years, "A consensus of scientists agree global warming is appearing..."

You can have no consensus in science. It's not up for vote, it's not up for an opinion. But whatever. That consensus was so-called preferred scientist software even falling apart now. "All of this demonstrates EPA should independently analyze the science, rather than just adopt the conclusions of outside organizations." Now, this is what the Competitive Enterprise Institute writes. That's not the point. "EPA should independently..." The science is irrelevant to the EPA! They don't want to analyze the science. It's not that they're accepting science from outside sources; they're accepting a political conclusion from outside sources. This whole issue is nothing but politics and it has been nothing but politics since I first heard of it in 1980. Back in 1984 -- I've told you the story -- I was watching This Week with David Brinkley and there was some global warming alarmist on named Oppenheimer. "We've got 20 years, George!" he said to George Will.

"We've got 20 years. If we don't get in gear fast the oceans are going to rise." Twenty years? Well, 20 years was 2004. It's 2009 and everything's hunky-dory. All of this is just absurd. The EPA is not relying on science. Everything that Barack Obama has taken control of is pure politics. It is purely political, 100%. So to ask the EPA to look at different science? They just suppressed an internal report from one of their own employees. It says, "What you guys are doing is wrong. They said shut up. Don't tell anybody about this," and they fired the guy. "Shut up. You're not going to get out there." Anything that contradicts the political desire -- and the political desire here is power, control, regulation of human behavior, the weakening of the US economy all for the benefit of the creation of more power for Obama and his minions. So, it's down-to-the-wire time on all this. And again here's the short list of Republican Congressmen and women who are on the fence on this the legislation H.R. 2454.

Buchanan in Florida. Gerlach in Pennsylvania. Cao in Louisiana. Johnson in Illinois. Ehlers in Michigan. Kirk in Illinois. Frelinghuysen in New Jersey. Smith in New Jersey. Now, there's a lot of Democrats on the fence, way too many to name here. Heath Shuler from North Carolina is one. But he's not on both lists. Here's the short list of Democrats. Altmire from Pennsylvania. Bright from Alabama. Dahlkemper from Pennsylvania, Driehaus from Ohio. Ellsworth from Indiana. Kissell, North Carolina. Kratovil, Maryland. Paul Kanjorski, Pennsylvania. Minnick in Idaho. And Teague from New Mexico. That's the short list of Democrats apparently on the fence. That test vote you're hearing about, if you have heard about it, it was 217 to whatever it is. They need 218 to pass this. That's the majority. The test vote's designed to make it look like they've got it and to dispirit people from opposing it. That's not the case.

BREAK TRANSCRIPT

RUSH: You know they call this the Waxman-Markey bill but they should call it the Madoff-Waxman-Markey bill. Put Madoff's name in this bill because this bill is a con game. It promises what it cannot deliver.

• Heritage Foundation: The Economic Impact of the Waxman-Markey Cap-and-Trade Bill
• Wall Street Journal: The Climate Change Climate Change - Kimberley Strassel
• CBS: Will Congress Read Bills Before Voting?
• American Thinker: A Lame Liberal Media Response to a Lame EPA Response to Cover-up Allegations
• Seattle Times: Spain's Experience With the 'Green' Economy: Save the Planet, Lose Some Jobs - George Will
• Washington Examiner: 'Green Jobs' Studies Contain Fundamental Flaws, Think Tank Experts Say
• BBC: Legless Frogs Mystery Solved
• Sweetness & Light: Biggest Tax Increase In US History
• Investor's Business Daily: Waxman-Markey: Man-Made Disaster
• Investor's Business Daily: How Unions Define Environmentalism
• HotAir: Cap and Trade Vote Today, Complete with AP Apin; 300-Page, Last-Minute Amendment
• Science Daily: High Carbon Dioxide Levels Cause Abnormally Large Fish Ear Bones

Be right back.
Peter

Ahmadinejad Promises to CRUSH US.

A Visit with Little Hitler

Hey folks,

During my daily visit with Little Hitler, I learned that he wants to CRUSH the US. Yeah, the Obama speech did wonders for our relationship. As a matter of fact, talking about Obama calling for an end of the crack down in violence toward the Protesters, Little Hitler said this.

"You should know that if you continue the response of the Iranian nation will be strong," Ahmadinejad said in a speech to members of Iran's judiciary, which is directly controlled by the ruling clerics. "The response of the Iranian nation will be crushing. The response will cause remorse."

Now I have seen this statement all over the place. There is no doubt he said this. But I like the way Newsmax.com reports this. According to Newsmax.com - Iran Pledges a 'Crushing' Response to U.S. Critiques Saturday, June 27, 2009 2:55 PM

EDITOR'S NOTE: Iranian authorities have barred journalists for international news organizations from reporting on the streets and ordered them to stay in their offices. This report is based on the accounts of witnesses reached in Iran and official statements carried on Iranian media.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad vowed Saturday to make the U.S. regret its criticism of Iran's postelection crackdown and said the "mask has been removed" from the Obama administration's efforts to improve relations.

Ahmadinejad — with his internal opponents virtually silenced — all but dared Obama to keep calling for an end to repression of demonstrators who claim the hardline leader stole re-election through massive fraud.

"You should know that if you continue the response of the Iranian nation will be strong," Ahmadinejad said in a speech to members of Iran's judiciary, which is directly controlled by the ruling clerics. "The response of the Iranian nation will be crushing. The response will cause remorse."

Ahmadinejad has no authority to direct major policy decisions on his own — a power that rests with the non-elected theocracy. But his comments often reflect the thinking of the ruling establishment.

It's actually the other way around folks. Little Hitler is running the show. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is the figurehead. The Cleric? They are just there to keep the faithful in line.

The cleric-led regime now appears to have quashed a protest movement that brought hundreds of thousands to the streets of Tehran and other cities in the greatest challenge to its authority in 30 years. There have been no significant demonstrations in days, and the most significant signs of dissent are the cries of "God is great!" echoing from the rooftops, a technique dating to the days of protest against the U.S.-backed shah before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Days of relatively restrained talk from both Washington and Tehran appear to be returning to a familiar pattern of condemnation and recrimination despite Obama's stated desire to move away from mutual hostility. Iran and the U.S. still appear interested in negotiations over Iran's nuclear program, but the rising rhetorical temperature can be expected to slow progress toward a deal, experts said.

"The political feasibility of pursuing it, and the likelihood of success has changed," said Trita Parsi, president of the National Iranian American Council. "I have a hard time seeing any real engagement taking place for at least four to six months."

Obama acknowledged Friday that Iran's violent suppression of unrest would hinder progress, saying "There is no doubt that any direct dialogue or diplomacy with Iran is going to be affected by the events of the last several weeks."

But he did not say he would NOT talk with them. Now did he?

Obama struck a conciliatory tone toward Iran after taking office, sending a video greeting for Persian New Year that used the government's formal name — the Islamic Republic of Iran — in a signal that the goal of regime change had been set aside. He even avoided strong language as Iran began suppressing street protests, saying he wanted to avoid becoming a foil for Iranian hard-liners who blame the United States and other Western powers for instigating internal dissent.

I'll let you draw your own conclusions about the video, and Obama calling them "the Islamic Republic of Iran."

But Obama decried Iran's crackdown more vigorously as amateur videos of beating and shootings began flooding the Internet. He said Friday in his strongest condemnation yet that violence perpetrated against protesters was "outrageous," and dismissed a demand from Ahmadinejad to repent for earlier criticism.

"I would suggest that Mr. Ahmadinejad think carefully about the obligations he owes to his own people," Obama added.

Iran also had been stopping short of its normally harsh language about the U.S., mostly blaming Britain and even France and Germany as Mousavi's supporters demanded a new election. Ahmadinejad had made relatively few appearances in an apparent attempt to avoid inflaming the situation.

The protests dwindled to scattered clashes as riot police and Basij militiamen put down the unrest using batons, tear gas, water cannons and, in at least 17 cases, live ammunition. Mousavi said Friday that he would seek official permission for any future rallies, effectively ending his role in street protests.

Ahmadinejad appeared self-assured and even invigorated Saturday in the face of the previous day's personal challenge from Obama.

"We are surprised at Mr. Obama," Ahmadinejad said. "Didn't he say that he was after change?

"They keep saying that they want to hold talks with Iran. All right, we have expressed our readiness as well. But is this the correct way?" Ahmadinejad told judiciary officials. "They showed their hand to the people of Iran, before all people of the world. Their mask has been removed."

He still appeared to leave some opening for dialogue, saying Iranians officials "have expressed our readiness" and still want the U.S. to "join the righteous servants of humanity as well."

Translation time folks. "As long as the Great Satin converts to Islam, we will be their friend."

Experts said, however, that it was not yet certain that Ahmadinejad and his most powerful backer, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, would emerge from the unrest as strong as before. Many speculated that the fight between hard-liners and reformists had moved behind the scenes and would add more uncertainty to U.S. dealings with the already opaque regime.

No. He will emerge STRONGER. Especially if Obama decides to go ahead with the talks.

Authorities briefly arrested relatives of Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani in a move seen as a warning to the powerful former president not to work against Ahmadinejad and Khamenei. Other prominent conservatives such as Tehran's mayor and the parliament speaker have criticized the government in recent days in another indication of possible internal divisions.

"This will complicate the decision-making process inside Iran," said Bahman Baktiari, an expert on Iranian factional politics and director of the Middle East Center at the University of Utah. "I think we will see paralysis in the Islamic Republic when it comes to making important decisions."

{Sigh} The "experts said Ahmadinejad was in trouble when the opposing Party gained power. They said he was nowhere near being ready to complete a Nuclear bomb or the delivery system for it. They said he was out this election. The "Experts have been WRONG on everything when it comes to Little Hitler.

A 30-year-old resident of the central city of Isfahan told The Associated Press on Saturday that people continue to shout "God is Great!" and other anti-regime slogans from their roofs at night in Tehran and Isfahan.

"People are angry and afraid," he said on condition of anonymity for fear of government reprisal. "They are afraid of the future and angry because they failed to achieve change with their ballots."

Members of the Basij militia have been raiding homes and beating residents in an attempt to stop the chanting, Human Rights Watch said, accusing authorities of seizing satellite dishes to prevent citizens from seeing news broadcast from overseas. Iranian officials have blamed the British Broadcasting Corp., Voice of America and other news channels for fomenting unrest on behalf of Western governments.

"While most of the world's attention is focused on the beatings in the streets of Iran during the day, the Basijis are carrying out brutal raids on people's apartments during the night," said Sarah Leah Whitson, the rights group's Middle East director.

Italy has granted visas to Iranians seeking to flee the violence and wants the European Union to adopt a common policy on how to assist them, the Italian foreign minister said.

Italy and other members of the Group of Eight industrialized nations called Friday for an end to the violence in Iran and urged the authorities to find a peaceful solution.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hasan Qashqavi was quoted by the official news agency IRNA as accusing the G-8 of "interventionist and hasty remarks."

In Sweden, Foreign Ministry spokesman Andre Mkandawire said the Swedish ambassador was summoned by Iran's foreign ministry Friday after clashes between demonstrators and Iranian Embassy officials outside Stockholm.

Demonstrators broke into the embassy, climbing through shattered windows and injuring one embassy worker, police said.

So Mr President Obama? The ball was batted back into your court. Your move. What now?
Peter

Sources:
Newsmax.com - Iran Pledges a 'Crushing' Response to U.S. Critiques

Revisiting FDA To Ban Flavored Cigarettes, EXCEPT Menthol

Enough of you want to keep discussing this. Lets.

Hey folks,

On Sunday June 14, 2009 I posted this. FDA To Ban Flavored Cigarettes, EXCEPT Menthol

Well, the Loony Left did it. They gave the power to the FDA to regulate Cigarettes. A responsibility that they do not even want. That's right. They do not want this. Then you have the Government showing just how Racist THEY are. We have talked all about this in the past. Let me bring you back to May 15, 2008. I posted Will The REAL Racist Please Stand Up

Some public health experts are questioning why menthol, the most widely used cigarette flavoring and the most popular cigarette choice of African-American smokers, is receiving special protection as Congress tries to regulate tobacco for the first time.

One possible answer? They do not care if they die? Maybe, just maybe, they see the fact that 75 percent of Black Smokers smoke Menthol is a good thing? We have been told for years that cigarettes kill. Yet, if smokers were to quit tomorrow, where do you suppose all the money would come from that helps fund health care? It is bad, it kills, yet no ban? That is really just a side note.

The legislation, which would give the Food and Drug Administration the power to oversee tobacco products, would try to reduce smoking’s allure to young people by banning most flavored cigarettes, including clove and cinnamon.

But those new strictures would exempt menthol — even though menthol masks the harsh taste of cigarettes for beginners and may make it harder for the addicted to kick the smoking habit. For years, public health authorities have worried that menthol might be a factor in high cancer rates in African-Americans.

I wrapped it up with this.

So we have Liberal programs that have destroyed the Black family. We have Planned Parenthood taking donations set aside to kill Black Babies. Now we have a ban on flavored Cigarettes, with an exemption of Menthol that is enjoyed by 75 percent of Black smokers, causing them a 50 percent higher rate than anyone else of getting cancer and DYING. Who is in charge of ALL these things? Liberal far Left Fringe Democrats. Affectionately dumbed here the LWL {Left Wing Loonies}

I talked about the fact that they actually did do it. They gave authority to the FDA to regulate Tobacco. I also thought about this. Another possible answer as to why the would leave Menthol alone was because they {Congress} do not want to be seen as Racists themselves for Banning a cigarette that 75 percent of Blacks smoke, and leaving the White folks cigarettes alone.

Well this has started quite an interesting conversation. So I am revisiting this complete with all the comments that keep coming in. Want to join the conversation? Please feel free.

Anonymous said...
HA. This is ridiculous. You're saying it's racist that they are not banning menthol cigarettes just to up the chances for blacks to get cancer? Last I checked - SMOKING IS A CHOICE. If anyone chooses to smoke menthols, or any cigarette, THEY are increasing their own risks for cancer, NOT the government. You've got to be kidding me.

10:26 PM
Peter said...
Hey Anonymous,

Welcome to the OPNTalk Blog.

HA. This is ridiculous. You're saying it's racist that they are not banning menthol cigarettes just to up the chances for blacks to get cancer?

Can you give me another reason why they will not ban Menthol? They are baning Orange, Cherry, and other FLAVORED Cigarettes. They say they are banning these flavors and raising taxes on cigarettes in general because they are BAD for you. Yet, they are going to leave Menthol, a Flavoring, alone. Why?

It is worse than regular Cigarettes. Some studies have shown that they are the worse kind. So why not ban them?

Because 75 percent of Blacks CHOOSE to smoke them. So if they cared about CHOICE, they would leave ALL flavors alone. Correct?

Of course all smokers have the choice. But if the Government is going to step in and limit that choice, one has to wonder why they are leaving a choice that is the most dangerous alone.

If you have another explanation, I would LOVE to hear it.
Peter

6:10 AM
alex d said...
hey pete,
i'm white as rice and i smoke menthol. i believe that the reasoning behind the exclusion of menthol is that some companies, such as newport, salem, and kool, market only menthol cigarettes.

clove cigarettes like blacks[that's a brand, i'm not being racist;)]account for 1% or less of total tobacco sales. menthol, however, is responsible for 23% of all sales. if the feds were to ban menthol, then they would be forcing a large number of companies to go out of business.

btw:i in no way whatsoever support this bill.this is just me trying to understand their thought process.i think its total bull that they will decriminalize marijuana and turn around and take our blunt wraps.
what a bunch of 8----D's

-alex d

4:22 PM
Anonymous said...
if the feds were to ban menthol, then they would be forcing a large number of companies to go out of business.
Swisher Sweets, White Owls, Black n Mild, and Phillies are going to go out of business. Swisher ONLY sells flavored cigars. Don't forget the dip! spearmint, chocolate, etc. they don't care about business.

11:02 PM
AnotherViewPoint said...
You can also view this as a way to increase the tax penalty on those that DO NOT smoke menthol cigarettes. If "75% of Black choose to smoke them", couldn't that mean that lawmakers, who surely were aware of this fact, were looking to tax non-blacks?

3:42 PM
Anonymous said...
I can tell you why they aren't messing with menthols. They aren't because President Obama smokes menthols.

11:22 PM
Anonymous said...
OP is an idiot to bring up racism as a reason to keep menthols around. I'm black myself and I don't see anything racist about it. If anything, op is racist for even seeing it that way. Hating on the whities?

12:59 AM
Anonymous said...
I find it interesting that I am only now hearing that Obama smokes cigarettes, and am a little turned off by the fact actually. I do think that the governement is still concerned about cigarette companies going out of business, and since so many people (of all colors) smoke menthols, that would be a lot of taxes the government doesn't see. That being said, I think it's ridiculous that menthols are not included in the ban. They do contain fiberglass, and are known to be the worst kind of cigarette you can smoke.

I think this bill is a good idea. I know a lot of young people who only smoke flavored cigarettes, including my young cousin, and I'm willing to give up my blunts for her. They hurt my throat and I always liked my bong better anyway :)

3:57 PM
Jan-Erik said...
personally i think the reason why menthol cigarettes are excluded in this bill is because philip morris' profit is dependent on their continued existence.

they can ban labelings like 'light' and 'mild' and ban flavored cigarettes in order to achieve the illusion of action against smoking, but philip morris' lobbyists would never allow for an outright ban on ANY of it's products.

10:08 PM
Anonymous said...
guess its time to rebel, we were told by the constitution to bare arms in the event of an oppressive government....sounds like its time to do sumthin about it.

11:25 PM
Ben said...
well ok now we all go roll our own unfiltered flavored cigarettes. I guess I don't see the point in essentially deregulating flavored cigarettes by making them a black market commodity, It's not done anything against the sale/distribution of weed except put the profits in criminal hands. Empty gesture on the governments part, there are some things you just can't ban.

9:14 AM
Peter said...
Hey Alex,

Welcome to the OPNTalk Blog.

"I believe that the reasoning behind the exclusion of menthol is that some companies, such as newport, salem, and kool, market only menthol cigarettes."

Interesting point. I'm sure that is one reason they were thinking about. Look at the reduction of tax income if these companies DID shut down.

However, if tobacco is so deadly, why no just ban it. Right? I mean, they love banning things. But you are right, TAXES.

The original article though made it clear that one of the BIGGEST reasons they are leaving Menthol alone is because that IS what most Black folks smoke.

Let's leave aside my argument of Racial, well, no, let's look at it this way. Perhaps they are also AFFRAID of being CALLED Racists if they ban what 75 percent of Black Smokers choose to smoke and leave Marlboro alone. I can hear it now.

"They left the White people Cigarettes alone and ban Black's"

THEN smoking would become a Civil Rights issue. {Laughing}
Peter

10:16 AM
Peter said...
Hey Anonymous,

"Swisher ONLY sells flavored cigars. Don't forget the dip! spearmint, chocolate, etc. they don't care about business."

They sure do care about taxes though. Your right about them not caring. They have agenda's and they are sticking to them. To hell with whatever the People think.

That is the whole original point to my posting this. If they are going to do this, knowing some companies WILL go out of business, then WHY leave the most DEADLY produce alone? Because MOST Black folks smoke them. Then you have to wonder WHY that would matter.

Interesting conversation going on here. Thanks for adding.
Peter

10:22 AM
Peter said...
Hey Another,

Welcome to the OPNTalk Blog.

"You can also view this as a way to increase the tax penalty on those that DO NOT smoke menthol cigarettes. If "75% of Black choose to smoke them", couldn't that mean that lawmakers, who surely were aware of this fact, were looking to tax non-blacks?"

Uh, actually no. I'm not sure how you came up with that. If they leave Menthol alone and allow Black folks to keep smoking them, they will pay just as much tax as anyone else that smokes. So I'm not sure your point. Could you elaborate a bit?
Peter

10:29 AM
Peter said...
Hey Anonymous Huh, 3

"I can tell you why they aren't messing with menthols. They aren't because President Obama smokes menthols."

I was wondering what he smoked. Just flat out curiousity. Interesting point though.
Peter

10:33 AM
Peter said...
Hey Anonymous 4

"OP is an idiot to bring up racism as a reason to keep menthol around. I'm black myself and I don't see anything racist about it. If anything, op is racist for even seeing it that way. Hating on the Whites?"

I'm assuming that you are referring to me OP {OPNTalk}? My name would be Peter, Pete, whatever. Just to simplify things {Smile}

I do not think you are Hating on Whitey, although I haven't heard that phrase in a long time.

So you really do not think Race has any part of this? Seriously. I'm asking. You see, this is why I will be posting this on this Sunday 062809, in an attempt to keep the conversation going and to bring it to the attention of new folks.

What do you think about my new possible reason? They {Congress} are afraid to be called Racist if they DO ban Menthol? Leaving the White's cigarettes alone and baning what 75 percent of Black folks smoke? You do not think someone would be attempting to play the Race Card on that. You basically called me a Racist for bringing it up. {Smile}

So if you do not feel Race plays a part in banning all Flavors EXCEPT Menthol, then why do you think they are leaving the most dangerous one on the market?
Peter

10:43 AM
Peter said...
Hey Anonymous 5

"I find it interesting that I am only now hearing that Obama smokes cigarettes, and am a little turned off by the fact actually. I do think that the government is still concerned about cigarette companies going out of business, and since so many people (of all colors) smoke menthol, that would be a lot of taxes the government doesn't see. That being said, I think it's ridiculous that menthol are not included in the ban. They do contain fiberglass, and are known to be the worst kind of cigarette you can smoke."

Exactly. Why? They do get taxes from all other flavors as well. Why not KEEP them and Tax Flavored MORE. Then people who chose to smoke the Flavored, will simply pay more for them.

If they are banning them for "health reasons" then WHY not ban the most dangerous kind?

I love your closing remarks. {Smile}
Peter

10:48 AM
Peter said...
Hey Jan-Erik,

Welcome to the OPNTalk Blog.

"personally i think the reason why menthol cigarettes are excluded in this bill is because philip morris' profit is dependent on their continued existence.

they can ban labelings like 'light' and 'mild' and ban flavored cigarettes in order to achieve the illusion of action against smoking, but philip morris' lobbyists would never allow for an outright ban on ANY of it's products."

What about the taxes that the Government gets? Like Gas, they get far more "Profit" for doing nothing than those that actually produce the product does.

What about all the other companies that will go out of business? I understand your disdain for Lobbyists. Trust me on that one. But this Administration LIVES by Lobbyists. They LOVE ACORN. and many others. So you have a good point.

I hope we can continue this on Sunday. Really interesting conversation so far. Thank you to all who are participating.
Peter

10:55 AM

Just click on add comment and I will make sure it gets posted. For those of you who may be new here, it may take a little bit to show up, I do have to make sure it's not spam, but other than that, I do not censor your comments.

So what say you? AM I right? Race is playing a major part in this. Or am I wrong? Why? Do you agree with those that have left comments? What is your take?
Peter

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Health and Science For Sunday 062809

Hey folks,

OK. Time for me to come clean with all of you out there. I haven't been feeling well. I'll be honest. This is going to be a little difficult for me to share this with you because I really do NOT like talking about myself. But I know many of you have caught on that I have been missing some days, not on "my game" from time to time, and some of you have even asked me flat out. "What's up?"

I got tired of being tired. I mean completely worn out and run down. I bought a bike, and me and Josh go biking nearly every day when I get home from work. I walk MILES a day and even went back to the Gym. I have started eating right and doing some of the things I should do. So what happened? Nothing. I'm still tired.

I'm not talking drowsy after a hard day's work or the exercising thing. I'm talking falling asleep at a red light. Drowsy WHILE driving. Worn out and feeling beat up. I have started going to see some Doctors. I have High Blood Pressure. Debilitating Head Aches, and Heart Burn so bad it makes me sweat. So what is wrong?

Well, after months of blood work, tests, and a handful of medications, I went in for a Cat Scan. They did not like my test results that showed a little something. I went to see a Specialist just this past Friday after leaving the OPNTalk Office and he said this.

"I'm not so concerned about the Cat Scan. It's little. Tiny. We could go in and take it out to see if it is Cancer, but I would rather wait a little bit. Do a Cat Scan in three to four months and see if it grows. But I think that you have Obstructed Sleep Apnea. As a matter of fact. I'm sure you do."

So he wants me to go in and do a sleep study. That is where you spend the night and they monitor you while you sleep. Then I would get fitted for a machine that will make me sound like Darth Vader while I sleep. I haven't decided yet if I'm going to go through all this. But you know me. It got me curious.

Then I remembered when I shared with you folks a while back about Sleepwalking, Anthony posted a comment that lead me to post this. More Serious Sleep Disorders on May 10, 2009

Anthony chimed in and left a link to the Sleeping Disorders Home Page.

Here is what I found when I went to the Link.

Medindia.com - Heart Disease Risk Heightens In Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Researchers have uncovered a link between obstructive sleep apnea (ie periodic interruptions in breathing throughout sleep) and a hike in the risk of several forms of heart and vascular disease.

What's more, the common sleep apnea thickens sufferers' blood vessels, the study published in the May 1 issue of the American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology claimed.

Emory researchers have found enzyme NADPH oxidase as important for the effects obstructive sleep apnea has on blood vessels in the lung.

Standard treatment for obstructive sleep apnea involves a mechanical application of air pressure. Anything that blunts sleep apnea's effects on blood vessel physiology could reduce its impact on disease risk, senior author C. Michael Hart, professor of medicine at Emory University School of Medicine and Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center said.

Cyclically depriving mice of oxygen - researchers call this "chronic intermittent hypoxia" -- in a way that simulates obstructive sleep apnea gives them pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary hypertension, which can be life threatening, is a condition in which the right side of the heart has trouble pumping blood because of resistance in the lung's blood vessels.

Chronic intermittent hypoxia forces the blood vessels in the lung to make more NADPH oxidase, Hart and his colleagues found. Mice that lack NADPH oxidase are immune to hypoxia's effects.

NADPH oxidase is a helpful enzyme because it is responsible for making superoxide, a reactive free radical that the immune system uses to kill bacteria. But superoxide also interferes with nitric oxide, a signal that allows blood vessels to relax.

Humans with mutations in genes for NADPH oxidase have recurrent bacterial infections because their ability to fight the bacteria is weakened. Therefore, according to Hart, inhibiting the NADPH oxidase enzyme in the entire body may be harmful, and he favors an indirect intervention.

"We think that strategies to lower NADPH oxidase expression induced by hypoxia may be useful in preventing hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension," says Hart.

I had forgotten all about me saying this to him.

Thank you again Anthony. I snore too. Maybe I should add that to the growing list of things my doctors should be checking out. I encourage you all to check out this site. You may find it as interesting as I did.
Peter

Well, I am looking into it even more now that I have been told by the Doctor that I DO have this. All the symptoms that I have been having ARE symptoms of Sleep Apnea. I had the answer right here in front of me thanks to Anthony.

Do not worry. I will do the follow up Cat Scan to see what this little Lymph Node {?} is doing. But I guess I have to decide what to do about what I KNOW I do have. Thank you again Anthony.
Peter

Domestic Assault Weapon of Choice: Cheetos

You Can't Make This Stuff Up 062809

Hey folks,

I have heard of many things being used as weapons during a Domestic Violence attack. Guns, Knives, Fry Pans, Bats, ETC. But I never heard of this.

AP - Tenn. couple accused of assault using Cheetos

SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. – Authorities said a couple got into a fight using Cheetos. The Bedford County Sheriff's Department said a 40-year-old man and 44-year-old woman became involved in a 'verbal altercation.' Somehow, the orange puffy snacks were used in the assault.

Deputies said they were charged with domestic assault. No one was hurt.


According to the Shelbyville Times-Gazette, both posted bond of $2,500.


Can't make that up. No one was hurt? That's because they were not consuming the yet to be regulated snack, they were throwing them at each other. {Smile}

Be right back with our IWA.
Peter

Sources:
AP - Tenn. couple accused of assault using Cheetos

IWA for Sunday 062809

A regular Winner, does it again.

Hey folks,

It's Sunday, HERE is the Idiot of the Week. Ladies and Gentalmen, the Speaker of the House, on the House Floor

"No matter how long this Congress wants to talk about it, we cannot hold back the future. And so, in order to move on with the future, I want to yield back my time, submit my statement for the record, and urge my colleagues to vote for this important legislation. And when you do, just remember these four words for what this legislation means: jobs, jobs, jobs, and jobs. Let's vote for jobs."

THERE ARE NO JOBS IN THIS BILL!!! NONE! People will LOSE JOBS!!

The following are the remarks that the Speaker submitted to the Congressional Record:

"Madam Speaker, today the House has an opportunity to pass historic and transformative legislation: the American Clean Energy and Security Act.

"I would like to acknowledge the authors of the legislation:

Chairman Waxman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce
Chairman Markey of the Select Committee on Energy Security and Climate Change

Both deserve to be thrown out. Then again, so does our Idiot.

"I would also like to acknowledge:

Chairman Collin Peterson of the Agriculture Committee for bringing the priorities of America's farmers to this bill.

Which will be ignored in the long run.

And Chairman Rangel who helped ensure that this bill is fiscally responsible and fully paid for.

OK RANGEL? You Political Junkies and insiders like myself, get this connection. Makes sense. Rangel is the one that came right out and PROPOSED the biggest tax increase in history a while back.

"And I would like to acknowledge the many staff who worked so hard on this legislation."

Since you did it, I will not fire you. {Smile}

"In his Inaugural Address, President Obama called upon us to, 'harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories.' One week and one day later, we did just that. We passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act - the single largest investment in history in clean energy - with over $69 billion for new investments in clean energy."

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is another Bill will NEVER do what they claim it will. {Sigh} Then she goes on to all the OUT OF CONTROL And BOGUS Promised Spending they are so proud of.

"Shortly thereafter, we passed the omnibus spending bill, with significant investments in advanced energy research and the labs and equipment necessary to perform the next generation of advanced energy research.

We passed the budget, which included a 10 percent increase in investment in clean energy and energy efficiency.

This was building upon the work of the last Congress:

The Farm Bill was the first in history to include a real investment in energy independence, with over $1 billion to leverage renewable energy industry investments in new technologies and new feedstocks.

And the historic and bipartisan energy bill signed by President Bush increased fuel efficiency standards for vehicles for the first time in 30 years and redirected this country's energy policy toward clean, renewable energy.

Creating a new energy policy and addressing the global climate crisis is: Energy independence is:

a national security issue by reducing our dependence on foreign oil;

It will INCREASE it! Dependence!

an environmental and health issue;

Just complete BS.

it is a moral issue;

WHAT? You know, I'll leave that alone for now.

and it is an economic issue for America's families.

THAT IS TRUE!!! It is an economic issue for America's families. A NEGATIVE ONE! It will hurt America's families.

"There are four words that can describe this bill: jobs, jobs, jobs, and jobs."

You forgot to add four words. Lost, lost, lost, and lost.

"Madam Speaker, we debate this legislation as millions of Americans are struggling in this economy. This is our moment to transform our economy and create jobs."

Yet we are about to Vote on and pass a MAJOR tax increase, HIGHER Energy Costs and insane pointless regulations.

"This is the moment when we can unleash private sector investment in clean energy to create millions of new jobs and make America the global innovation leader. It will promote clean energy technology - made in America. It will put America in the lead in the global competition."

NO IT WILL NOT! Idiot. MILLIONS of Jobs will be GONE! I hope your's is one of them.

"As we rebuild America in a green way, we will create jobs that cannot be shipped overseas. We are creating a framework in which innovation can occur and that gives business certainty that we are moving to a clean energy economy. That will unleash innovation, investment, and venture capital to drive new technologies into the market."

Stupidity. Complete and utter Stupidity.

"America's farmers will fuel America's energy independence. They will do so with carbon-offsetting crops and forests, and biofuel and wind farms to repower America."

{Sigh} Already failed attempts at this folks.

"This historic legislation is the product of months of consensus building to achieve an effective and affordable transition to a clean energy future."

Oh looky here. It's historic. Go figure.

"I am so pleased that the diverse coalition supporting this bill includes everyone from:

The Union of Concerned Scientists to the Evangelical Climate Initiative and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

Proof of the Bishops? Like to see that. But all Lib groups here.

From the business community to labor organizations, from ALCOA to the U.S. Steelworkers of America

From the U.S. Conference of Mayors to members of the U.S. Climate Action Partnership, a coalition of business and non-profit groups.

Today, we have an opportunity to lead America toward an effective and affordable transition to a clean energy future. It is a moment we cannot afford to miss. We have a responsibility to create jobs and make America more secure, protect the health of our citizens, and honor our moral responsibility to our children and our future generations."

IT WILL NOT CREATE JOBS you TWIT!

"Vote to create jobs. Let's put this Congress on the right side of the future. Vote yes on the American Clean Energy and Security Act.

I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to protect God's beautiful creation by supporting this legislation."

And I urge my fellow Americans to FIRE your ass. You and all those that Voted for this insane piece of trash. Congratulations AGAIN! Nancy Pelosi. You are the Idiot of the Week. Now to Healthcare. Want to go for three? Or would it be four now.
Peter

Sources:
Office of the Speaker of the House

Waxman-Markey Passes The House

BREAKING NEWS : 44 Democrats deserve our thanks and all those that voted against it.

Hey folks,

Time to move on to the Senate. After your voices were heard. Some ignored you. The lobbying pushed by Obama won. Some of those Farm State Democrats ignored you. I hope you ignore them when it comes time for YOU to vote. I hope you ignore ANY of those that voted FOR it.

The Idiocy Bill passed 219 to 212, with 44 brave Democrats standing up for what is right. Now it is time to move to the Senate. Let them know, in no uncertain terms, if they take the House lead, they are done. There is still hope to kill this Kill America Economy Bill in the Senate. There is also time for it to get worse. It will be up to you.

According to the Washington Post, some that voted for it, STILL wants MORE power, control and money. Get this.

There were moments of unrehearsed drama: Liberal Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Tex.), who in the morning issued a release saying he opposed the bill because it was "too weak" and moved "billions from the public to polluters," took the floor in the afternoon to say he had changed his mind.

"I believe there is still some hope to make improvements once it gets out of the House," Doggett said. "Better to have a seat at the table to try to influence the change that is needed in this legislation."

Folks, I'm not going through all this again. You already KNOW what is in this thing. You already KNOW that it will KILL and already floundering economy and effect EVERY American. Those 8 Republicans that voted for it? GONE! I do not care where they stand on ANY other issue.

This is one of the biggest tax increase in history during a RECESSION based on a SCAM! It's time to let your voices be heard in the Senate. It's time to tell these Morons who the Boss is. We do not have a Dictatorship yet. DO NOT ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN. There is still time to stop it. But it is up to you.

Look for the gloating on the morning shows today by the Idiots that Voted for this. Look for the MMD to spin this as a good thing. Watch pressure on the Senators to Vote for this. Look for King Hussein Obama to move on to Healthcare next while pushing behind the scenes for this Bill to become Law.

You know, this is all I really have to say right this second on this Kill the American Economy Bill. I'm sure I will have more to say in the future. But for right now. I'm aggravated and I'm done with this nonsense.
Peter

Sources:
The Washington Post - In Close Vote, House Passes Climate Bill Measure Aims to Change Energy Use

Wesley Pruden: Stopping the bomb what counts

From the Emails 062609,

Hey folks,

I can not wait until the Big Sunday Edition of the OPNTalk Blog. I already have idea's forming on what we will talk about. It has indeed been a busy week. Lots of topics. One of them is to revisit the EPA control over Tobacco and the exception of Menthol. As of 10 pm last night, comments are still coming in about that. So, since this seems to be something you all want to continue to talk about, we will revisit it on Sunday.

But today is Friday. Happy Friday to you. It's time to go to the Emails. This one sent in by BG. It's by a TRUE Journalist and a person in the Mass Media that actually GETS it. It's by Wesley Pruden, and was posted in the Washington Times. LINK : Washington Times - Stopping the bomb what counts By Wesley Pruden Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Raw numbers don't mean very much in the Middle East, where running into the streets to demonstrate, usually but not always against the Great Satan, is the national sport. It's more fun than evening prayers at the mosque.

What is impressive is the simple fact of the outpouring of popular sentiment in Tehran. Lifting even a finger to mock the indifference and arrogance of the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (Impertinence Be Upon Him), or even President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (Palaver Be Upon Him), is asking for a hard thump on the head, or worse. Usually much worse.

So only a churl would rain on the parade of the brave and the bold, but a realist can see the limits of the romantic view of what's going on inside Iran. The most important of the losing candidates, Mir Hossein Mousavi, was no doubt cheated of many votes - maybe enough to have been cheated out of the presidency. But as sad as that is, the greater danger for America and the West is that the boiling rage in the streets will divert attention from what's most crucial, most urgent and most important. Stopping the Iranian bomb, not correcting theft of an election, is what counts most.

Indulging the romantic view of the rage diverts attention from Iran's nuclear scientists, who continue to build centrifuges and enrich uranium on the way to developing a bomb, by most estimates a year away. This seems finally to have occurred to Barack Obama, who imagines that his golden tongue is more than a match for anything the radical Muslims can build to throw at America and the West.

Mr. Obama first talked of the outpouring of Iranian grief and wrath as if the demonstrations were merely the work of an overly zealous community organizer. Vice President Joe Biden, always eager to share his manifold speculations and apprehensions, conceded "doubts" about the "official" results, but said the Obama administration just "wasn't prepared to say" whether the election was free and fair. By the time Mr. Obama got home from a round of golf later that day, his admiration for "robust debate" had faded to "troubled." But he could muster only an implied apology for President Eisenhower's meddling in Iran more than a half-century earlier. Nobody does apologies better than the One.

Perhaps the crowds merely got a little more worked up than they should have by the "robust debate." Mr. Obama had sometimes seen that happen in Chicago, where he, too, was a community organizer. But then he realized that not only had his flippant dismissal of the demonstrations angered nearly everybody at home, but he was missing an opportunity to help himself. By keeping the focus on the brutal suppression of the demonstrators, he could put off a little longer dealing with an Iranian bomb.

Jaw-jaw is always preferable to war-war, as Winston Churchill famously said, but it's difficult to imagine how even such a prolific talker as Mr. Obama can talk his way out of the dilemma in the Middle East. He probably can't get tougher sanctions from the freeloaders at the U.N., for whatever good that might do. The Russians and the Chinese are ready to protect Mr. Ahmadinejad's interests there. He doesn't want to praise democracy too much, lest it sound like a call for regime change. That would vindicate George W. Bush.

The rage in Tehran's streets suggests that time may be running out for a brutal regime, but that same clock is ticking for Barack Obama and what to do about the Iranian bomb. A reprise of the Cairo speech won't work; the Muslims are masters of endless, empty rhetoric themselves, and know how to figure the discount on words. The consequences of taking out the Iranian nuclear works, or enabling Israel to do it for him, would be awful, exceeded only by the consequences of allowing the mullahs in Tehran to get their bomb. Then everybody in Arabia would want one. The Saudis would buy one from Pakistan; certain intelligence sources say a deal is already in the works to deliver it once an Iranian bomb is in place. If the Shi'ites have a bomb, it's only logical, as logic is measured in that miserable corner of the world, for the Sunnis to get one. Every thuggish eighth-century theocracy must be fully armed.

The implications are frightening and easily measured, even by a timid White House. Mutually assured destruction kept the Cold War confrontation between Washington and Moscow in check, with one or two close calls, because both East and West had something to lose. The prospect of Sunnis and Shi'ites shooting it out with nuclear weapons, with nothing to lose but each other, is not a happy one. Dealing with it will require something with more firepower than a teleprompter.

• Wesley Pruden is editor emeritus of The Washington Times.

THANK YOU MR.PRUDEN. Then again, this is the same guy that was talking about Journalism today when he said this.

"We've developed a distinctly holier-than-thou tone in our voices, painting the very people we're trying to persuade to read our newspapers as irredeemable racists, depicting our businessmen as crooks, our religious heritage as bigotry, and the culture of the democratic west as evil."

That was back in 2001. It has never been truer than today. I wonder what he thinks of ABC completely selling out to Obama and Crew. I wonder what he thinks of the NYT.

Anyway, he is right on target here about Iran. Thank you BG for sending it in. See you all Sunday. Have a GREAT Weekend.
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.

God Speed Farrah and Michael

Two Pop Culture Icons Leaves us today

Hey folks,

Today is a sad day in the world of Pop Culture. One sold record numbers of records. One sold record number of posters. One created a "look" and made the moon walk famous. One created a hair style and even had a Shampoo named after her.

Think what you will of them as individual people, but you can not deny their contributions to Pop Culture and they entertained us all

Michael Jackson. Really, enough said. His one glove, and Thriller album changed music and videos forever. But even as one of the Jackson Five, Michael contributed a lot to the music industry. Hey, he even made "Weird Al" famous.

Yes I understand that he was, uh, unique. Questions were raised about possible Child Abuse. Never proven. But Odd he was. Lets face it. Even those that hate to admit it, were still entertained by him.

Like I said, think what you will about him personally, we can not say thank you enough professionally for all he has done.

Farrah Fawcett. Come on, if you were a male of just about any age, YOU most likely had a Farrah Poster. The most famous "Angel" of them all.

She lost her battle with cancer today.

Jackson seems to have had a heart attack.

God Speed Farrah and Michael. May their families have the peace and comfort they need in this time.
Peter

Iranian Uprising?

A President's stance.

Hey folks,

I'm really not sure what the big deal is here. I'm being honest. Yesterday, I heard many in support of Obama say he is doing the right thing in condemning the Iranian Government in their handling of protesters. Ooh? Then I heard those on the Right condemning Obama for not doing it sooner. Why the outrage NOW? I'm talking about the folks on the Right.

Obama and this Administration has already TOLD you where they stand. They are FOR Muslim lead Countries. They are going out of their way to apologize for America, embrace our enemies, and completely disrespect our Allies. Hell, they invited Little Hitler {President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad} and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to a Forth of July BBQ. I'm not kidding. Some of you that have not heard this may think I'm making this up. I'm not. That invitation has been rescinded since, but they invited them.

Now the Mass Media Drones, and the Obama Administration wants you to believe that they took back this invitation because of the violence and the protested Elections. Hillary came out and said this.

"Unfortunately, circumstances have changed, and participation by Iranian diplomats would not be appropriate in light of the unjust actions that the president and I have condemned," Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a cable to US diplomatic mission abroad.

Just think of the stupidity of inviting Muslims to a "hot dog" Independence Day Celebrations to begin with. EVEN if they were our FRIENDS. Think about it. But it WAS Clinton herself that invited them. Clinton had sent US diplomats instructions to invite Iranians. But what is going on in Iran is NOT the reason the invitations have been rescinded. No folks, the real reason? No one RSVP-ed. {Laughing} That is the REAL answer. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs had said invitations to the July 4 parties would no longer be extended, but not that those already issued had been rescinded.

"July fourth allows us to celebrate the freedom and the liberty we enjoy -- freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom to assemble peacefully. Freedom of the press.

I don't think it's surprising that nobody's signed up to come."

Then you have the fact that between May 4 and May 10, Obama sent a letter to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei calling for an improvement in ties.

Then after the Election, Obama said this in reference to the Election itself and the calls of fraud.

“It’s not productive, given the history of the US-Iranian relationship, to be seen as meddling.”

What was the LETTER all about? Right before the Iranian Elections? What did Obama tell Khamenei in reference to the Elections? We will most likely never know. But people are now dying and being "jailed" by record numbers in Iran. The Protests seem to be reducing in numbers, and soon it will most likely be over. Little Hitler will retain power and continue his Nuclear Quest. What is Obama going to do about that?

Folks, do not get me wrong. I have already said that I stand with the Iranian people and I hope that Ahmadinejad and even the Figurehead Khamenei be thrown out. The people rising and standing against this EVIL regime is GREAT to see. They are attempting to pay for their freedom with their very lives. It is powerful to watch. Like I said before, short of a full out Civil War in Iran, nothing is going to change. But our help? Obama's help to bring an HONEST democracy to Iran? "I strongly condemn the violence." {Sigh}

I wonder if Obama sent a letter to Khamenei saying something like, "Hey, uh, President Obama here. Yeah, you know where I stand. I'm with ya. I, uh, do not want you to think that I care how you run your country, but uh, I am going to have to use some a strong language here. Uh, I'm uh, taking a beating in the polls over this, so uh, I have to say something. So I am going to say I condemn the violence. I hope you understand." Khamenei sends a letter back, "Yes, Yes, Yes, I understand. You have to say whatever. I get it. Don't worry Barack. We'll get together soon for those Hot Dogs and Beer."

Meanwhile in Iran.

More than a half-dozen witnesses said the security forces outnumbered protesters in Baharestan Square and used overwhelming force -- clubbing them with batons, beating women and old men, and firing weapons into the air to disperse them.

People are dying. The protests, although much smaller, are continuing to go on.

According to official figures, 17 people have been killed in clashes with government forces. But CNN has received unconfirmed reports of as many as 150 deaths related to the popular uprising on just Saturday alone. Iran's government has restricted media access in the country.

Believe me, the number is MUCH higher. Even our own MMD came right out and asked Obama "What took you so long." He said he has been consistent. Letters, July 4 invitations, now Condemnation? Yeah THAT'S consistent. The answer to "What took you so long?" is easy. He was waiting for the polling numbers.
Peter

Sources:
Iran Focus - US rescinds July 4 invitations to Iran diplomats
CNN - Opposition leader postpones rally in Iran

Waxman-Markey Goes To The House

"From The Energy Front" 062409

Hey folks,

Now we talked about the Waxman-Markey, or as Pete {good name} from The NRCC calls it the Cap and Tax Bill. Well it goes to the House Floor for a Vote, most likely this coming Friday. Pete Sessions, Chairman NRCC, said this.

"Cap and Trade is nothing more than a tax which starts accruing the moment you flip on your light switch. This "light switch tax" will raise energy costs by hundreds of dollars for the average family and between 1.8 and 7 million American jobs could be lost.

Just think, every time you turn on a light at home, watch TV or wash your clothes the meter is running and Democrats are collecting. In these tough economic times its more important than ever to put money in the pockets of average Americans."

He is right. According to Jane over at API, "As studies by the Heritage Foundation and the National Black Chamber of Commerce show, this bill will cut jobs by more than two million a year and raise the price of gasoline by an estimated 77 cents a gallon over the next decade.

Recently, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) produced a new analysis of the Waxman-Markey bill, estimating that the net cost per household will be only $175 a year. API economists have reviewed this analysis and have found that it is deeply flawed. It fails to address the reduction in Gross Domestic Product from the higher cost of carbon--an impact that could be in the hundreds of billions of dollars--and it counts the value of free allowances given to businesses as a benefit to average American households. Together these flaws have the effect of biasing the CBO study to provide a much lower estimated economic impact on households than can be realistically anticipated."

So the API President Jack Gerard sent a LETTER to every member of Congress, explaining why the "Cap and Tax" Bill is a bad thing for ALL Americans. In the letter, he said this.

“As independent analysis suggests, this legislation will drive up consumer prices for gasoline and other fuels. At today’s prices, it would mean gasoline at more than $4 a gallon. It also will create huge disincentives for the production of America’s abundant natural gas resources, and force jobs and productive capacity overseas,”

That IS the goal of this Congress. Folks, as I keep telling you they do not CARE. They WANT energy cost to skyrocket. Obama said so. He said it's GOOD. Why? So they can force you to go along with the nonsense of the Global Warming Agenda. It will, they think, FORCE you to accept it. Buy what they tell you to buy. Live how they tell you to live. Now of course you have the freedom, for now anyway, to tell Congress and President Obama to go pound sand, but it will cost you. They are counting on most not being able to AFFORD to NOT follow their agenda.

Now API does not oppose Alternative Energy and doing things to help the Environment. I have many disagreements with them on this issue. THERE IS NO GLOBAL WARMING. THERE IS NO THREAT to the planet. But as Jane pointed out to me a while back, It doesn't matter if "Man-made Climate Change" is real or not. It no longer matters that Global Warming is a Scam. We have a Congress and a President that "believes" or wants you to believe that it is a real and pending crisis. The real question that the Energy Industry, and unfortunately all of us, have to deal with, is this. "What are they going to do about it?"

The "Light Switch Tax" is not going to do ANYTHING about it. As I keep pointing out to you, even if this was real, even if Global Warming was going to kill us all, stupidity like the Waxman-Markey Bill will do NOTHING to reduce Green House Gases. Cap and Trade will move profits and money around, but protect the environment, it will not. All it is, is another tool to control your personal lives. All it is, is another power grab by this Congress and Administration. It is merely a tool to further their agendas.

It WILL hurt all Americans. It WILL INCREASE our dependence on Foreign Oil. It WILL limit our very Freedoms. It WILL give the Obama Administration MORE power and control over Private Industries, and it WILL allow Government MORE access into YOUR private lives.

We can only hope, that there are enough people in the House, on BOTH sides, that will stand up for America. American Independence, American Freedoms, and the American People and defeat this stupidity. I have my doubts. But we can HOPE. I hope that YOU, participate and let these people know, that if they DO vote for this, they are GONE in 2010, and 2012. Let them know where you stand. Let them know, enough is enough. They work FOR you. We are not here to serve THEM. It's time to let your voices be heard again.
Peter

Sources:
Waxman-Markey - PDF
NRCC - Website
API - Stop Waxman-Markey

New Obama Combat Policy Helps Enemy, Puts US Troops In Danger

Completely ignorant and dangerous

Hey folks,

"From the Energy Front" tomorrow. I HAVE to talk about this new Obama Policy. If it does not come from Obama, then Obama needs to stand up TODAY, and SAY SO. This new policy is completely asinine. It could even be seen as HELPING our enemy during a time of War. It is reckless and completely ignorant if no malice towards our Troops is intended.

I had little words when I first read this. AP - Analysis: Bombing rule may help protect civilians By PAULINE JELINEK, Associated Press Writer Pauline Jelinek, Associated Press Writer – Mon Jun 22, 6:13 pm ET

The more I think about it. This even flirts with our right TREASON. Intended or not. Get this.

WASHINGTON – Stricter new rules for combat and bombing raids in Afghanistan may well complicate the battlefield for American forces, but officials say the changes are crucial to reducing civilian deaths that have been undermining the war effort.

Analysts say they don't expect the new guidelines to immediately translate to more peril for ground troops that depend on air support in battle, but if some combat encounters under the new rules lead to more dangers, the risk is worth the effort if it builds more Afghan support for the war.

Says WHO? This writer, Pauline Jelinek, or the "Officials" she refers to? Either one is completely ignorant. It WILL very much put our brave Men and Women, on the front-line, in DANGER!

Listen to this Moron.

"We are not in Afghanistan to make sure that fewer Americans die," said Andrew Exum of the Washington think tank Center for a New American Security. "We are in Afghanistan to make sure fewer Afghan civilians die."

No Jackass. We are in Afghanistan to make sure we confront an Enemy that killed 3000 Americans in one attack, and more counting US Troops. We are in Afghanistan fighting a WAR with those that want us ALL dead. Including YOU Moron.

Gen. Stanley McChrystal, who took command of the 8-year-old war in Afghanistan last week, is expected soon to give U.S. and NATO forces new guidelines on airstrikes, telling them to break away from fights with militants hiding in Afghan houses when they can.

This is brilliant. Listen to this.

McChrystal will issue orders within days saying troops may attack insurgents hiding in Afghan houses if the U.S. or NATO forces are in imminent danger and must return fire, U.S. military spokesman Rear Adm. Greg Smith said Monday.

"But if there is a compound they're taking fire from, and they can remove themselves from the area safely, without any undue danger to the forces, then that's the option they should take," Smith said. "Because in these compounds we know there are often civilians kept captive by the Taliban."

Yeah. They are called HUMAN SHIELDS. The civilians that are killed by them being used as Human Shields are killed because of the ENEMY. Not us. This new order tells our Troops to run away. Run and hide. Do not defend yourself. That is what this is saying.

Though guidelines have been tightened before, the order would be one of the strongest measures taken by a U.S. commander to protect the Afghan population.

Who appointed him to this position? Where is he taking his orders from? Obama.

Commanders and top Defense Department officials alike, say such deaths hurt their counterinsurgency mission because they turn average Afghans against the government and U.S. and NATO forces.

Complete and utter BS. The Afghans KNOW who the enemy is. It isn't us. They know WHY some of them get killed. Because the Cowards that are the Taliban use this practice. If they we not there, they would not die. The TALIBAN kidnaps them, and puts them in this position. They know who is to blame here.

The change probably will encourage Taliban and other insurgents to continue, or even increase, the practice of hiding among civilians and using them as human shields, Exum acknowledged. "But if they do that, then they're going to lose the support of the population," he said.

This guy is a COMPLETE IDIOT. OF course they will use this. Not only because we stop attacking them, and defending our ground troops. But because YOU are TELLING THEM that it will now WORK! Folks, this is so far off the chart of logic and commonsense it is TREASONOUS!We are actually telling our enemy how to BEAT our Troops.

Exum said the new guidelines likely will result in fewer airstrikes.

Which is what the Enemy WANTS.

And that could limit the choices of ground troops who find themselves in a tough spot.

Yeah. You just said SCREW YOU American Troops. Their Blood will be on YOUR and OBAMA'S hands. But then again, I'm not all that sure Obama cares.

"This is going to constrain some of their options," Exum said. "But the mission ultimately comes before the men, and I don't think this is going to so (constrain them) that they are going to be subject to being overrun by the Taliban."

The MISSION IS TO WIN THE WAR. That comes before the men's safety. THAT is the whole reason we are they. TO WIN. NOT to babysit, cow-tail to the Enemy, or put our troops in unnecessary harms way for some kind of Liberal ideology.

Lawrence Korb of the Washington think tank Center for American Progress, agreed, noting that there is a huge caveat in the new guidelines that should provide protection for the ground forces.

"If you're in danger, you need to return fire, but if you can remove yourself without any due danger, that's your option," Korb said. "They will still have an out, but this amounts to telling pilots and forces to think again" about protecting civilians.

"The question is not winning the battle, it's winning the war," Korb said.

Another brilliant Idiot. You see folks, the concept of winning the War, any War, by those on the far Lib Left is to have everyone love us. Our enemies will just lay down their weapons and we will all sing Kumbaya. To Hell with our Troops. They do not matter. What matters is that the World loves us and we kill no one. Just the shear compassion and brilliance of the Lib Left will bring about change and peace in the world.

See how well that worked in Iran? What about North Korea? Yeah, Obama is so charismatic, and brilliant, that his "historic" speech brought about all these positive steps. {Sigh}

Civilian casualties are a major source of friction between Afghan President Hamid Karzai and the U.S.

More complete and utter BS.

According to the U.N., NATO, U.S. and Afghan forces killed 829 civilians in the Afghan war last year.

Where, who, how? Were they Human Shields? How many of our Troops WOULD have died if those that were killed lived by our troops NOT firing back? Oh yeah, I forgot. Our Troops are not important. How many were killed BY the Enemy themselves?

In the most recent instance, a May 4-5 battle between U.S. and Afghan forces and militants in western Farah province killed dozens of civilians. A U.S. report last week said U.S. forces killed an estimated 26 civilians. However, Karzai's government says 140 were killed, while an Afghan human rights group says the number is about 100.

Military forces had not made absolutely certain that civilians were not present, officials concluded.

SO WHAT! They are being attacked and they need to do WHAT? Well, according to this new policy, run away and NOT defend themselves.

As much as setting new guidelines, McChrystal may also be setting a new tone.

"The important thing is not necessarily the individual guideline," Exum said, but rather that McChrystal "is signaling new priorities in Afghanistan and signaling to his commanders" what those priorities should be.

"He is changing the operational culture in Afghanistan," Exum said. "If it's between killing the Taliban and saving civilians, you save the civilians."

Translation, if it's between SAVING our TROOPS, and saving civilians, or people dressed up to LOOK like Civilians, you allow our Troops to DIE.

We are in a WAR. People die in a WAR. If the enemy is attempting to kill you on a street corner, House, School, or where ever, you return fire. If the Enemy went out and kidnapped a bunch of Civilians and are hiding behind them when you fire back, and they die, the ENEMY is responsible for their deaths. NOT THE US TROOPS.

But then again, Obama is out there going around apologizing for America, bowing to Kings, saying he will work with Muslims everywhere, which, in this case, sounds like it includes our enemies, and saying he is going to give some of our tax money to Muslim Lead Countries to help "School their Females." He is also acting in ways that DO have an anti-Semitic smell to it towards Israel. Now this? Maybe we should not be surprised.
Peter

Sources:
AP - Analysis: Bombing rule may help protect civilians

Happy Father's Day

Preview For Sunday 062109

Hey folks,

Welcome to the Big Sunday Edition of the OPNTalk Blog. We are TRULY fully loaded and ready to go. But first, to all the Dad's out there. Happy Father's day.

I do want to comment on some "controversy" involving Obama and Fathers. I'll do that in just a second.

First, coming right up today?

Thousands mourn Iranians killed in protests
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to Protesters: Stop Or Die
Juneteenth
Sotomayor quits women's club, State Run Media Bias
Swine Flu Update 062109
IWA for Sunday 062109

That's coming right up. But first I want to talk about the latest controversy from my friends on the FAR Right. They say with what is going on in Iran and North Korea, Cuba, and Russia, not to mention we are still at war with those that want us dead, Obama is ignoring it to talk about Fathers. Sorry, I just do not see it this way.

According to The Baltimore Sun - Obama say prime goal was 'to be a good father' By Paul West paul.west@baltsun.com

June 20, 2009

WASHINGTON - - President Barack Obama, speaking in highly personal terms as the son of an absentee father, devoted much of his workday Friday to promoting the importance of parental commitment and mentoring.

Celebrities from the worlds of music and sports joined the president at the start of Father's Day weekend for what Obama called the beginning of a national conversation about fatherhood and personal responsibility.

"I decided that if I could be one thing in life, it would be to be a good father," he told a White House audience, after saying that his father's decision to walk away from his family had left "a hole in a child's heart" that couldn't be filled.

I LIVED that. I met my Dad when I was 21 years old. Until that moment, I was total how evil was and saw him as a Darth Vader type of figure. Thing changed INSTENTLY upon meeting the man and we have a good few years together before he past on.

I understand what Obama is saying here. I lived it. I get it. I do not have the time right this second to do all the research, but the percentage of single Minority Moms are so high, it's about time someone say something about Fathers.

Obama spoke after five men, including a former addict from Baltimore, described their own struggles. The president said there was "no rule that says that you have to repeat your father's mistakes."

Probably why I spend as much time with my Josh as I do.

Adults who were deserted by a parent "have an obligation to break the cycle" and "do better than they did, with your own children," he said.

Joe Jones, 50, founder of the Center for Urban Families in Baltimore and a prominent advocate for inner-city fathers, described his 17-year struggle with heroin and cocaine addiction that began at age 13, not long after his family broke apart.

Jones thanked Obama for making fatherhood issues a priority and said that "the right kind of support systems and the right kind of public policies" can overcome problems "that attack young men's ability to manage their own behavior."

Later, during a question-and-answer session with members of the East Room audience, Jones asked Obama about his decision to run for president with two young daughters at home.

"Frankly, I don't think we would have made the same decision if our kids were a little older," the president said. "Sasha was 5. Malia was 8. And they were still in Chicago. They had my mother-in-law, and they had a whole network and a community and a family that could help and support them."

In response to another question, Obama drew on his biography to underscore the importance of adult influence on young people.

Obama's Kenyan father deserted the family when his son was 2, and reappeared briefly when he was 10. Still, the president said yesterday, that fleeting encounter "in the few weeks that I was with him" made an impact. Obama, a basketball enthusiast and jazz fan, said that his father gave him his first basketball and took him to his first jazz concert.

"I didn't remember this until later on in life, but just that imprint is powerful. And imagine if that's sustained every day," the president said.

Ed Gordon, a former Black Entertainment Television host, thanked Obama for promoting his family in the news media. The Obamas have been particularly agreeable to cover stories in publications aimed at African-American readers.

"The image is so powerful," said Gordon, and that has made it easier to persuade young men to become more involved with their children.

Vice President Joe Biden added praise of his own.

"Mr. President, you're a great President. You're a great dad," Biden said. "And you're really good to be doing this. It's a big deal," he said, to applause from the invited guests.

Obama did not announce any new government initiatives but did take several hours out of his schedule to highlight a variety of public, private and faith-based organizations.

He made a quick trip to a Northern Virginia nonprofit, Year Up Inc., a job-training program for young urban adults. And later, he played host to a picnic for young men from the Washington area, with rib-eye steaks grilled on the South Lawn by celebrity chef Bobby Flay.

On hand were many of the celebrities who had taken part in the day's events, including NBA players Dwayne Wade of the Miami Heat and Etan Thomas of the Washington Wizards; Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher and Antwaan Randle El of the Washington Redskins; hip-hop artist Darryl "DMC" McDaniels; and Tony Hawk, described by the president as the best skateboarder in the world.

Good for Obama. I mean that. If we DID have more two Parent Homes, we would have less crime, lower expenses, ETC. With this, I'm with Obama 100 percent.

OK. Going to fill my cup. Trust me, you will need one to. Be right back.
Peter

Thousands mourn Iranians killed in protests

From The Emails 062109

Hey folks

RC sent this in. "From the Emails" is usually a Friday Segment. However, since the passing of a good friend Ed Burchfield, I postponed it until today. So here we go. It's FRI,,Uh,,make that Sunday {Smile} Time to go to the Emails.

It's by Reuters - Thousands mourn Iranians killed in protests
Thu Jun 18, 2009 6:37pm EDT

By Parisa Hafezi

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran's supreme leader will address the nation on Friday for the first time since a disputed election result triggered the biggest protests the Islamic Republic has seen.

(Editors' note: Reuters and other foreign media are subject to Iranian restrictions on their ability to report, film or take pictures in Tehran.)

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has urged Iranians to unite behind hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad but supporters of defeated candidate Mirhossein Mousavi have so far ignored the call, holding huge rallies in defiance of an official ban.

Khamenei's speech at Friday prayers in the Iranian capital follows a sixth day of protests by Mousavi supporters. On Thursday, tens of thousands, wearing black and carrying candles, marched to mourn those killed in earlier mass rallies.

The largest and most widespread demonstrations since the 1979 Islamic revolution have rocked the world's fifth biggest oil exporter, which is also caught up in a dispute with the West over its nuclear program.

Iranian state media has reported seven or eight people killed in protests since the election results were published on June 13. Scores of reformists have been arrested and authorities have cracked down on both foreign and domestic media.

Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi said about 500 people had been arrested in the last week, and called for their unconditional release. She said Iran should hold new elections under the supervision of the United Nations.

Mousavi, a moderate who advocates better ties with the West, has also called for the election to be annulled, saying pledges by the country's top legislative body, the Guardian Council, to recount some disputed ballot boxes did not go far enough.

The council has invited Mousavi and two other defeated candidates to talks on Saturday, and says it has begun "careful examination" of 646 complaints.

Objections include a shortage of ballot papers, pressure on voters to support a particular candidate, and the barring of candidates' representatives from polling stations.

Iran has denounced foreign criticism of the election, although U.S. President Barack Obama's administration has muted its comments to keep the door open for possible dialogue.

BLOODIED FACES

At Thursday's rally, protesters massed in a Tehran square, responding to Mousavi's call for people to gather in mosques or at peaceful rallies to show solidarity with the victims and their families.

They held photographs of those killed, some showing bloodied faces, apparently taken after they died.

"Our martyred brothers we will take back your votes," read one placard. "Why did you kill our brothers?" said another.

Other banners told protesters to stay home on Friday, when Ahmadinejad supporters are expected to show their strength at Khamenei's Friday prayers, but to gather again the next day.

Mousavi supporters say he will be joined on Saturday by reformist former president Mohammad Khatami and another defeated candidate, liberal cleric Mehdi Karoubi.

Ahmadinejad has defended the legitimacy of the vote, telling a cabinet meeting on Wednesday that 25 million of 40 million voters had approved the way he was running the country.

The semi-official Fars news agency said two children of powerful cleric Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, who backs Mousavi and clashed with Ahmadinejad during campaigning, had been barred from leaving Iran.

His daughter Faezeh addressed Mousavi supporters on Tuesday. Hardline students called for her and her brother, Mehdi, to be arrested.

Iran's Intelligence Ministry said it had uncovered a foreign-linked terrorist plot to plant bombs in mosques and other crowded places in Tehran during the election.

State broadcaster IRIB quoted a ministry statement as saying several terrorist groups had been discovered, adding they were linked to Iran's foreign enemies, including Israel.

Hamid Najafi, editor-in-chief of Kayhan International, an English-language conservative Iranian daily, said the Guardian Council investigation of the vote would calm unrest but the overall result would not change because "there isn't a millionth chance of doing any fraud."

(Editing by Jon Hemming)

LINK - Reuters - Thousands mourn Iranians killed in protests

I have a lot to say about all this, and I will in just a few minutes. A friend of mine also pointed out the deaths and said "Got to love Iranian Democracy." No. They have no Democracy. Plain and simple. I'll be right back and we will dive right into this whole mess.
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.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to Protesters: Stop Or Die

Obama seems clueless?

Hey folks,

Yep. That's right. The Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei basically just told the Protesters: "Stop Or Die." Did you really expect anything else? I told you, Little Hitler is his guy. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was reelected before the elections even took place. They do not tolerate this type of thin in Iran. All these protests? We will most likely NOT see some of these people ever again. Soon, we may not even see Mir Hossein Mousavi again. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei gave a two hour Speech.

Turnout at the ballot box has been officially set at 85 percent, or 40 million voters, with Ahmadinejad winning by a margin of 11 million votes, or 60 percent of the vote. "How one can rig 11 million votes?" he asked. “The Islamic republic state would not cheat and would not betray the vote of the people.”

Khamenei blamed the “media belonging to Zionists, evil media” for fomenting the demonstrations.

Told you. But we know who really controls the Mass Media Drones.

He also warned that if street demonstrations don't end, then "leading politicians will be held accountable for the chaos.”

Bye bye Mousavi

Hundreds of thousands of protestors again on Thursday night demonstrated in the streets of Tehran, the sixth day of ever-increasing protests in the Islamic Republic's capital.

"This election was a political earthquake for our enemies and a celebration for its friends," Khamenei said. "This election showed religious democracy for the whole world to see."

According to the AP - Iran warns opposition against staging street rally By ALI AKBAR DAREINI and NASSER KARIMI, Associated Press Writers Ali Akbar Dareini And Nasser Karimi, Associated Press Writers

TEHRAN, Iran – Iran's opposition leader received another stern warning Saturday not to encourage his supporters to take to the streets a day after the country's top leader sought to end the deepening election crisis by effectively declaring President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad the winner.

Supporters of opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi have planned a massive rally in Tehran later Saturday, but it was unclear if he would attend and how large the rally would be after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ordered opposition leaders on Friday to end street protests or be held responsible for any "bloodshed and chaos" to come.

Iran's Interior Ministry reiterated the warning to Mousavi on Saturday, saying he would "be held responsible for the consequences of any illegal gatherings." The ministry also accused the 67-year-old former prime minister of supporting protests that "have lead to the disruption of security and public order," State Security Council secretary, Abbas Mohtaj, said in a statement on the ministry's Web site.

The warnings place Mousavi at a pivotal moment. He can either back down or risk a crushing response from police and the forces at Khamenei's disposal — the powerful Revolutionary Guard and their volunteer citizen militia, the basij.

Now there is even more violence in Iran against the Protesters. So what does the house do? They vote to condemn it.

WASHINGTON (AP) — In the strongest message yet from the U.S. government, the House voted 405-1 Friday to condemn Tehran's crackdown on demonstrators and the government's interference with Internet and cell phone communications.

The resolution was initiated by Republicans as a veiled criticism of President Barack Obama, who has been reluctant to criticize Tehran's handling of disputed elections that left hard-liner President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in power.

Who was the one? Ron Paul.

Rep. Ron Paul, a Texas libertarian, cast the sole opposing vote because he said it wasn't the House's place to judge "events thousands of miles away about which we know very little."

That's the truth. THEY know very little about Little Hitler and his rise in power. Listen to what Obama had to say about this.

Obama told CNBC this week that "when you've got 100,000 people who are out on the streets peacefully protesting and they're having to be scattered through violence and gun shots, what that tells me is the Iranian people are not convinced of the legitimacy of the election."

Obama also said that it was "not productive, given the history of U.S.-Iranian relations, to be seen as meddling."

He is repeating what Little Hitler and the Supreme Leader BOTH said. Don't meddle. So he just said. OK. No problem.

Folks, it is just as true today as it was when I first told you a few years back. Ahmadinejad is going to continue to rise in power, he is going to continue his quest for Nuclear Weapons, and he is NOT going anywhere. He will not stop.

All these protests are, is just a moment in time. Built up and glorified by the MMD. A FASLE sign of hope due to Obama's magnificent, and most likely historic, speech. But at the end of the day, the Protesters with disappear, one way or another, and things will be back to normal. So to speak. No smile. No wave. No speech, No SANTIONS will make a bit of difference.
Peter

Sources:
JTA - Khamenei: Elections were fair, ‘Zionist’ media to blame
AP - Iran warns opposition against staging street rally
AP - House condemns Tehran crackdown on protesters

Juneteenth

What is Juneteenth?

Hey folks,

What is it, and what do I think about it? Well, according to Juneteenth.com

From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond.

Today Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a day, a week, and in some areas a month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics and family gatherings. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for assessment, self-improvement and for planning the future. Its growing popularity signifies a level of maturity and dignity in America long over due. In cities across the country, people of all races, nationalities and religions are joining hands to truthfully acknowledge a period in our history that shaped and continues to influence our society today. Sensitized to the conditions and experiences of others, only then can we make significant and lasting improvements in our society.

So what do I think? I think it's GREAT. I mean that. I have no problem at all with it. We celebrate July 4th as our Independence Day in America. When we shook off the chains of bondage from the Church of England and the oppressive taxation of a Monarchy. So the Blacks have this Independence Day. Great.

As long as they do it for the right reasons. Now I know some want the new recognition of Congress to be a step toward reparations, but I do not see that as what this is about. Congresses move to recognize the day is a nice jester to the African American Community. Nancy Pelosi released this following statement.

"On June 19, 1865, the last slaves of African descent were freed when Union Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas -- shortly after the end of the Civil War -- to enforce President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, an executive order issued two year prior on January 1, 1863.

"Since that day more than two centuries ago, many African Americans around our nation recognize June 19th as an historic turning point in our nation's history. Over the last few decades, this celebration of freedom has spread to South America, Europe, Asia and Africa.

"Today, as we reflect on the historic steps our country has taken to promote equality, let us recommit ourselves to ending modern-day slavery, discrimination, and exploitation so that all citizens of the world can live equally -- with respect and dignity."

Now see, this is where I become cautious. What exactly does she mean by "let us recommit ourselves to ending modern-day slavery, discrimination, and exploitation so that all citizens of the world can live equally -- with respect and dignity?"

Modern day slavery? Not here, unless you count the oppressive taxation and regulations that this new Administration seems hell bend on levying against the citizens. Discrimination? Yes there are some small pockets across the country where this is still relevant. Then again, you have ACTIVE Discrimination by the Left against Christians, Jews, and White folks. Exploitation? Again.

But she said, "all citizens of the world" NO! Seriously. We are NOT citizens of the world. We are Americans. Should we continue to strive toward total equality in OUR country? Of course. Are we the Policemen of the World? No. Whatever happened to Obama saying he does not want to impose our will on other countries? Let's start with our own first.

Some ways to speed up the process? Do away with Affirmative Action. Put those that WANT to divide rather than unite, out or business. Let's take a lesson from MLK Jr. Let's judge people on the content of their character and NOT the color of their skin.

But as for the day? June 19? ANYTHING positive coming out of it is a good thing. Family? Good. Faith? Good. Equality? Good. But let's not ruin the whole meaning behind it by using it to further agendas.
Peter

Sources:
Juneteenth.com
Speaker of The House Office

Sotomayor quits women's club, State Run Media Bias

Two CLEAR Examples,

Hey folks,

I have two stories here that I'm going to role into one. Why? Because they show the CLEAR and purposeful intention of the MMD Bias. The State Run Media, or as I call them, the MMD {Mass Media Drones} no longer report facts. They twist them, create them, and attempt to lead you into think as they wish you to. Simply put, they write what they are told to.

Story one. AP - Sotomayor quits women's club after GOP criticism By MARK SHERMAN, Associated Press Writer Mark Sherman, Associated Press Writer – Fri Jun 19, 9:40 pm ET

WASHINGTON – Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor resigned Friday from an elite all-women's club after Republicans questioned her participation in it. Sotomayor said she resigned from the Belizean Grove to prevent the issue from becoming a distraction in her confirmation hearings.

First, why is it that anytime a Democrat or a Lib, get caught doing something wrong, it is merely a distraction? They love this word. It excuses the wrong doing and minimizes the complaint. "Of it's just a distraction from more important things." You NEVER see them use this word with a Republican.

In a letter to Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont and Republican Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama, the federal appeals court judge said she is convinced that the club does not practice "invidious discrimination" and that her membership in it did not violate judicial ethics.

YES IT DOES! That is why she resigned.

But she said she didn't want questions about it to "distract anyone from my qualifications and record."

Your qualifications and record IS the problem.

Federal judges are bound by a code that says they shouldn't join any organization that discriminates by race, sex, religion or nationality.

ALL WOMENS CLUB.

The Belizean Grove bills itself as women's answer to the 130-year-old all-male Bohemian Club in California. The club owns a 2,500-acre camping area in northern California called the Grove. Chief Justice Earl Warren belonged to the Bohemian Club beginning in the 1940s, before he joined the court and long before the federal judiciary adopted a code of conduct.

"The Belizean Grove is a constellation of influential women who are key decision makers in the profit, non-profit and social sectors; who build long term mutually beneficial relationships in order to both take charge of their own destinies and help others to do the same," the group says on its Web site. There are about 115 members, the club says.

Earlier in the week, Sotomayor defended her participation in the group, telling senators that it involves men in some of its events and that she was unaware of any man who had tried to become a member.

Why would we want to. But that is not the point. What about all those lawsuits from women about all boys clubs? I guess now she resigned, she would be able to hear those cases. Right? It goes on, but you get the point. Poor innocent Sotomayor forced to resign from a great club because of those Damn Republicans.

Second story? AP - Sen. Ensign responds to ex-mistress' husband By KATHLEEN HENNESSEY, Associated Press Writer Kathleen Hennessey, Associated Press Writer – 43 mins ago

LAS VEGAS – Sen. John Ensign is pushing back against the husband of his former mistress, saying the man made "exorbitant demands for cash and other financial benefits."

Ensign's accusation on Friday was the most direct shot at Doug Hampton, the husband of the woman with whom the Nevada Republican admits he carried on a nine-month affair last year. Through a spokesman, the Republican senator seized on an allegation that had circulated among his allies for days.

SECOND Paragraph. Nevada Republican, the Republican. What party does Sotomayor belong to? We know, but when was that reported? What about all the stories about Democrats that get caught. Most of the time they do not even tell you what Party they are from. But a Republican? THAT is the main crust of it. But it gets better.

The senator's charge came as he attempted to fight back against a series of accusations from Hampton. In a letter published Friday by the Las Vegas Sun, Hampton accused the man he called a lifelong friend of "heinous conduct and pursuit" of his wife.

Ensign, 51, a staunch Christian conservative in his second term, confessed on Tuesday to the affair with Cindy Hampton, 46, a former campaign aide. Ensign has said the affair began during a rocky time in his marriage in December 2007 and continued until August 2008.

Forth paragraph, a staunch Christian conservative. What religion does Jefferson, money in the freezer belong to? What religion does Spitzer? What about, you get the point.

Ensign described the Hamptons as "close friends." The couples were neighbors and their children went to school together.

Doug Hampton, 47, also worked in Ensign's Senate office before both Hamptons left their positions in May 2008.

"Senator Ensign's conduct and relentless pursuit of my wife led to our dismissal in April of 2008," Doug Hampton wrote in the letter addressed to Fox News. "The actions of Senator Ensign have ruined our lives and careers and left my family in shambles."

Hampton's contact with the media prompted Ensign's abrupt admission, the senator's office has said.

On Friday, Ensign spokesman Tory Mazzola said Doug Hampton had reached out to the senator through an attorney who had sought money in the past month.

"Doug Hampton's outrageous demand was referred to Senator Ensign's legal counsel, who is handling the matter going forward," the statement said.

Mazzola would not name the senator's attorney. Hampton's lawyer, Daniel Albregts, did not respond to messages seeking comment.

The FBI in Las Vegas and Las Vegas police said they were not investigating.

Doug Hampton's letter to Fox News was dated June 11 and addressed to anchorwoman Megyn Kelly. In it, Hampton sought Kelly's help in exposing Ensign's actions.

Tom Lowell, senior producer of "America's Newsroom," told the Huffington Post Web site that when reporters followed up with Hampton, he "seemed evasive and not credible, thus we didn't pursue it."

So not only do they attempt to crucify the entire Right based on this one guy, they also go after Fox News. {Laughing} Just a clear example of the MMD being nothing more than a tool of the Left. Yes folks, true Journalism is dead.
Peter

Sources:
AP - Sotomayor quits women's club after GOP criticism
AP - Sen. Ensign responds to ex-mistress' husband

Swine Flu Update 062109

Health and Science for Sunday 062109

Hey folks,

In today's health and Science Segment, we are going to look at the latest in the Swine Flu Pandemic

According to Reuters - CDC sees "something different" with new flu By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Editor Maggie Fox, Health And Science Editor – Fri Jun 19, 9:46 am ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The new strain of H1N1 flu is causing "something different" to happen in the United States this year -- perhaps an extended year-round flu season that disproportionately hits young people, health officials said on Thursday.

An unusually cool late spring may be helping keep the infection going in the U.S. Northeast, especially densely populated areas in New York and Massachusetts, the officials at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

And infections among healthcare workers suggest that people are showing up at work sick -- meaning that workplace policies may be contributing to its spread, the CDC officials said.

The new strain of swine flu is officially a pandemic now, according to the World Health Organization.

So far the virus is causing mild to moderate disease, but it has killed at least 167 people and been confirmed in nearly 40,000 globally.

The United States has been hardest hit, with upward of 100,000 likely cases and probably far more, with 44 deaths and 1,600 hospitalized.

"The fact that we are seeing ongoing transmission now indicates that we are seeing something different," the CDC's Dr. Daniel Jernigan told a news briefing.

"And we believe that that may have to do with the complete lack of immunity to this particular virus among those that are most likely affected. And those are children," Jernigan added.

"The areas of the country that are most affected, some of them have very high population densities, like Boston and New York. So that may be a contributor as well. Plus the temperature in that part of the country is cooler, and we know that influenza appears to like the cooler times of the year for making transmission for effective."

Jernigan said in areas that are the most affected up to 7 percent of the population has influenza-like illness.

SUMMER OF FLU

"The United States will likely continue to see influenza activity through the summer, and at this point we're anticipating that we will see the novel H1N1 continue with activity probably all the way into our flu season in the fall and winter. The amount of activity we expect to be low, and then pick up later."

One worrying pattern: healthcare workers are being infected, and most reported they did little or nothing to protect themselves, the CDC's Dr. Mike Bell said.

People coming into emergency departments or clinics need to be checked right away for flu symptoms and anyone working with such a patient needs to wear a mask, gloves and eyewear, Bell said.

"We're beginning to see a pattern of healthcare personnel-to-healthcare personnel transmission in some of the clusters, which is also concerning, because it gets to the issue of people showing up to work sick," Bell said.

Doctors, nurses and technicians who have flu can spread it to vulnerable patients, Bell noted.

As of May 13, the CDC said it had received 48 reports of healthcare workers infected with swine flu.

Detailed case reports on 26 showed that 13 were infected in a healthcare setting such as a clinic or hospital and 12 caught it from infected patients, the CDC said in its weekly report on death and disease.

(Additional reporting by Julie Steenhuysen in Chicago, editing by Philip Barbara)

CDC Update

A Pandemic Is Declared

On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6 in response to the ongoing global spread of the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus. A Phase 6 designation indicates that a global pandemic is underway.

More than 70 countries are now reporting cases of human infection with novel H1N1 flu. This number has been increasing over the past few weeks, but many of the cases reportedly had links to travel or were localized outbreaks without community spread. The WHO designation of a pandemic alert Phase 6 reflects the fact that there are now ongoing community level outbreaks in multiple parts of world.

WHO’s decision to raise the pandemic alert level to Phase 6 is a reflection of the spread of the virus, not the severity of illness caused by the virus.

Alabama 172 cases 0 deaths
Alaska 23cases 0 deaths
Arkansas 18cases 0 deaths
Arizona 645 cases 7 deaths
California 1245 cases 8 deaths
Colorado 103 cases 0 deaths
Connecticut 767 cases 3 death
Delaware 223 cases 0 deaths
Florida 562 cases 1 death
Georgia 51 cases 0 deaths
Hawaii 279 cases 0 deaths
Idaho 47 cases 0 deaths
Illinois 2526 cases 8
Indiana 223 cases 0 deaths
Iowa 92 cases 0 deaths
Kansas 97 0 deaths
Kentucky 108 0 deaths
Louisiana 134 cases 0 deaths
Maine 42 0 deaths
Maryland 263 0 deaths
Massachusetts 1270 1 death
Michigan 442 cases 2 deaths
Minnesota 365 1 death
Mississippi 81 cases 0 deaths
Missouri 46 cases 1 death
Montana 44 cases 0 deaths
Nebraska 81 cases 0 deaths
Nevada 198 cases 0 deaths
New Hampshire 187 cases 0 deaths
New Jersey 603 cases 2 deaths
New Mexico 155 cases 0 deaths
New York 1300 24 deaths
North Carolina 125 cases 0 deaths
North Dakota 41 cases 0 deaths
Ohio 63 cases 0 deaths
Oklahoma 112 cases 1 death
Oregon 219 cases 1 death
Pennsylvania 942 cases 3 deaths
Rhode Island 94 cases 1 death
South Carolina 83 0 deaths
South Dakota 17 cases 0 deaths
Tennessee 121 cases 0 deaths
Texas 2519 cases 10deaths
Utah 755 cases 8deaths
Vermont 43 cases 0 deaths
Virginia 135 cases 1 death
Washington 588 cases 3deaths
Washington, D.C. 33 cases 0 deaths
West Virginia 77 cases 0 deaths
Wisconsin 3008 cases 1 death
Wyoming 63 cases 0 deaths
Territories
Puerto Rico 18 case 0 deaths
Virgin Islands 1 case 0 deaths
TOTAL*(53) 21,449 cases 87 deaths

Like I said, I will continue to watch this closely and bring you any updates as they come up. Be right back with our IWA
Peter

Sources:
Reuters - CDC sees "something different" with new flu

IWA for Sunday 062109

Headline SHOULD read Commonsense won over greed.

Hey folks,

Lets wrap things up today with the IWA. I could have drug out the Case of Idiot Awards on this one again, but I will just pick the most obvious. I'm talking about the Cow tax. Yes. The COW TAX.

The Cow Tax is meant to, well, truthfully, it will do nothing. It will put an oppressive tax on Farmers. How oppressive? Get this.

The Farm Bureau quickly did the math and figured farms would have to pay about $175 for each dairy cow, $87.50 per head of beef cattle and $20 for each hog to purchase permits for emissions.

Now do the math yourself. If a Farmer has 100 head Cattle count. $175 for each dairy cow? How much would that Farmer have to pay? Then you have to ask, WHY. What will charging a Farmer that much money actually DO? Cows are still going to pass gas. This leads me into our Idiot of the Week.

Research has shown that changing cattle diet and boosting efficiency — such as producing the same amount of milk and beef from a smaller herd — can result in less gas, according Frank M. Mitloehner, an associate professor at the University of California at Davis, who has studied livestock gas for 15 years.

OK. Since I have NOT studied livestock gas for 15 Seconds, let alone 15 years, I have a couple of OBVIOUS questions.

1- Changing the Cattle's Diet? Sounds logical. You eat something that gives you excess gas, you don't eat that anymore, and so you burp and fart less. However, what research is Professor Mitloehner referring to?

2- How do you do this? If you have 100 cattle, would it not make logical sense that not having as many will reduce the emission, yet, it seems utterly impossible to have the SAME amount of beef. There are only so many parts to a cow. Cows can only produce so much milk.

"I don't think livestock should be ignored. Every industry has to play their role," Mitloehner said. But laws designed to reduce emissions from smokestacks and tailpipes won't work with cattle, which can't be fitted with pollution control devices, Mitloehner said.

You think?

"The belching is very hard to collect," he said. "You cannot capture these gases."

So what's the point? More power, control, and of course money to the Federal Government. No Professor, this is why this Amendment by Rep. Todd Tihart, R-Kan, passed BARRING the EPA to enforce this stupidity.

How long have we had Cows Farting and burping? Other animals? PEOPLE? Congratulations Professor Mitloehner, you ARE the Idiot of the Week. For, A, believing in the SCAM that is Global Warming, that even the White House legal counsel said is lacking any REAL Science. B, for being an expert with 15 years experience and making a comment that less is the same. Now why do you not talk about all the hot air by owner won Democratic lead Congress.
Peter

Sources:
AP- THE INFLUENCE GAME: Excuse me! Lobby wins on burps

God Speed Ed Burchfield

You will be missed.

Hey folks,

It is with a saddened heart that I post today. "From the Emails" will appear this Sunday in the Big Sunday Edition. But right now I want to talk about a good friend to all that knew him, Ed Burchfield.

“Mr. Ed,” Burchfield had been a staple on local radio since 1983. The "Breakfast With Burchfield Show" was what I tuned into every Monday through Friday at 1590, WPSL between 6 to 9 AM. Together with Newsman Charlie Neeld they made my mornings a little brighter. Together for more than 12 years, they were the longest-running radio duo on the Treasure Coast.

Ed started “Breakfast with Burchfield” on WIRA 1400 AM of Fort Pierce Florida in 1983. Then moved his show to WPSL 1590 in Port St Lucie Floria, to take over the morning show that had been started by Greg and Carol Wyatt in 1994.

Him and Charlie were known for taking the Show on the road and was a major player in the WPSL Christmas Kids that makes sure that all kids have something under the tree on Christmas Day.

Mr. Ed was truly a great person. He just had a way of making people feel as if they knew him their whole lives. He joked and felt TRUE compassion. He LISTENED and even gave advice. Never arrogant. Never "to busy." He would stop and talk to anyone, no matter where he was or what he was doing.

Radio lost a TRUE giant Wednesday afternoon. Ed Burchfield, 67, died at his home, ending a three-year battle with cancer.

Survivors include his wife of seven years, Helen Burchfield; daughters, Paige Burchfield of Fort Pierce, and Mary Burchfield of Port St. Lucie; son, Ted Burchfield of Port St. Lucie; stepson, Mark Hendry of Canada; stepdaughter, Jamie Lawson of Canada; and two grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to WPSL Christmas Kids, 4100 Metzger Road, Fort Pierce, FL 34947.

Services: Visitation will be held on Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Haisley Funeral Home. A service will be conducted on Sunday at 1 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Arrangements are under the direction of Haisley Funeral & Cremation Service. A guest book may be signed at www.haisleyfuneralhome.com

I know a lot of you, well OK, MOST of you true OPNers out there are not from Florida or this local area. There is also a good chance that you have never heard of Mr. Ed Burchfield. Trust me on this, he is going to be missed by the hundreds of thousands of people that he has touch over the years. You can check out WPSL 1590 Tribute and see for yourself.

God Speed Mr. Ed. May his family have the peace and comfort that they need at this time. See you all Sunday.
Peter

Iran's Revolutionary Guard warns online media

Keep an eye on this.

Hey folks,

I have little to no time today, I'm going to be out of town most of it, so here is an AP piece that you really need to keep an eye on. As you know, I am, and have been, following Iran VERY closely over the last few years. This is getting interesting, and the Media loves it. It is bringing hope to a lot of people. However, I fear that short of a full fledged Civil War, nothing is going to change in Iran. I will be back as soon as I can to discuss this further.

AP - Iran's Revolutionary Guard warns online media By ALI AKBAR DAREINI, Associated Press Writers Ali Akbar Dareini, Associated Press Writers – 1 hr 7 mins ago

TEHRAN, Iran – Iran's opposition announced a third day of street demonstrations Wednesday as the country's most powerful military force warned of a crackdown against online media in its first pronouncement on the deepening election crisis.

Blogs and Web sites such as Facebook and Twitter have been vital conduits for Iranians to inform the world about protests over Friday's disputed election. Pro-reform candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi and his supporters accuse the government of rigging the election to declare hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad the winner.

The Web became more essential after the government barred foreign media Tuesday from leaving their offices to report on demonstrations on the streets of Tehran.

The Revolutionary Guard, an elite military force answering to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , said through the state news service that Iranian Web sites and bloggers must remove any materials that "create tension" or face legal action.

The Guards are a separate military with enormous domestic influence and control of Iran's most important defense programs. They are one of the key sources of power for a cleric-led establishment that has been pushed by the crisis into an extraordinary public defense of the Islamic ruling system.

The unelected supreme leader made a highly unusual appeal Tuesday in response to tensions, telling Iranians that all citizens should hold fast to their belief in the system despite disagreements over the election.

Despite official warnings and a ban on street demonstrations, some Web sites allied with opposition leader Mousavi said Wednesday that supporters should gather in a downtown square in the late afternoon.

The announcement raised the prospect of further clashes with security forces. The violence has left at least seven people dead, according to Iran's state media.

In an attempt to placate the opposition, the main electoral authority said Tuesday it was prepared to conduct a limited recount of ballots at sites where candidates claim irregularities.

But the announcement did not satisfy Mousavi, who has called the election an "astonishing charade" and demanded it be canceled and held again.

His representative, reformist cleric Ali Akbar Mohtashamipour, reiterated that demand after a meeting of the Guardian Council, an unelected body of 12 clerics and Islamic law experts close to the supreme leader and seen as supportive of Ahmadinejad. Mousavi and the two other candidates who ran against Ahmadinejad are calling for an independent investigation of voting irregularities.

Mousavi charges the Guardian Council is not neutral and has already indicated it supports Ahmadinejad.

"If the whole people become aware, avoid violent measures and continue their civil confrontation with that, they will win. No power can stand up to people's will," Mohtashamipour said. "I do not think that the Guardian Council will have the courage to stand against people."

On Tuesday afternoon, the government organized a large rally in Tehran to show it too can bring supporters into the streets. Thousands waved Iranian flags and pictures of the supreme leader, thrusting their fists into the air and cheering as speakers denounced "rioters" and urged Iranians to accept the results showing Ahmadinejad was re-elected in a landslide Friday.

"This nation will protect and defend its revolution in any way," Gholam Ali Haddad Adel, a prominent lawmaker and Ahmadinejad supporter, told the pro-government crowd in Vali Asr Square.

He called on Mousavi's supporters to accept the results and press their complaints through legal means.

"After all, in all elections there will be losers and winners, naturally," he said. "This should not cause a rift between the people."

The appeal for unity failed to calm passions, and a large column of Mousavi supporters — some of them with green headbands and their faces masked against tear gas or to hide their identities — marched peacefully along a central avenue in north Tehran, according to amateur video.

A witness told The Associated Press that the pro-Mousavi rally stretched more than a mile (1.5 kilometers) along Vali Asr avenue, from Vanak Square to the headquarters of Iranian state television.

Security forces did not interfere, the witness said, and the protest lasted from about 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Other witnesses told the AP that about 100 people continued the protest in front of state TV past 9:45 p.m. The witness spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of government reprisal.

Ahmadinejad, who has dismissed the unrest as little more than "passions after a soccer match," attended a summit in Russia that was delayed a day by the unrest in Tehran. That allowed him to project an image as Iran's rightful president, welcomed by other world leaders.

In Washington, President Barack Obama expressed "deep concerns" about the legitimacy of the election and post-voting crackdowns.

The U.S.-based International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran said that several dozen noted figures associated with Iran's reformist movement had been arrested Tuesday, among them politicians, intellectuals, activists and journalists.

At least 10 Iranian journalists have been arrested since the election, "and we are very worried about them, we don't know where they have been detained," Jean-Francois Julliard, secretary general of Reporters Without Borders told AP Television News in Paris. He added that some people who took pictures with cell phones also were arrested.

A Web site run by former Vice President Mohammad Ali Abtahi said the reformist had been arrested.

Saeed Hajjarian, a prominent reformer, also has been detained, Hajjarian's wife, Vajiheh Masousi, told the AP. Hajjarian is a close aide of former President Mohammad Khatami.

Iran's most senior dissident cleric said Tuesday that the ruling Islamic system had no political or religious legitimacy because of widespread vote fraud in Friday's presidential election.

Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri said "no sound mind" would accept the results.

"A government that is based on intervening in (people's) vote has no political or religious legitimacy," said Montazeri, who had once been set to succeed Khomeini as supreme leader until he was ousted because of criticisms of the revolution.

See you all soon.

Peter

Obama is Brilliant

What's your problem with him?

Hey folks,

This came up while debating someone about Obama's choices. So, since I know some of you are wondering, I figured I would share my response. I will attempt to make this as clear and concise as I can.

"Obama is brilliant? We are to ignorant to understand his master plans. Just accept them."

This is how the Mass Media, the Government RUN Mass Media, get's people like Obama's agenda's past. We hear all the time how smart he is, yet NO proof whatsoever. A failed {Obama's own words} Community Organizer is his claim to fame.

School Records? Not released
Medical Records? Not released
Actual Birth Certificate? Not released
IQ? We are told high, Proof? Not released.

Open and Honest Government? Just because he can deliver a GREAT pre written speech means NOTHING.

There is no proof of his brilliance. That is my point.

We are told that he is brilliant, no evidence to support that. I just ask someone to prove what they are saying. It's not a rumor that he has not released anything. It's Fact. The Rumor is he knows what he is doing.

I get tired of the MMD falling all over this guy, making excuses for him, and basically LYING to the American people, while he destroys this country. We even have some reporters calling him "god like." We have otherwise intelligent people blindly standing and applauding him no matter what he does. It is almost Cult like.

Take Iran for example. Everyone was sure that Little Hitler was out. Even though he is still there, Obama and the Press are attempting to take credit for the unrest there now. Which is complete BS. All this protesting and even the recount means nothing.

I get tired of the double standard. If he were anyone other than Obama, he would have never got elected. Now the MMD would be attempting to hang him with anything they could find. There would be cartoons depicting how stupid it was, for him to think a little speech would change who the Iranians are. SNL would be doing parodies. Yet, NOTHING.

Obama inherited about 300 Billion, we are up to 2 Trillion. Obama inherited one major private industry in trouble, which the Democrats protected. Now? Banks, Insurance Companies, Housing, Credit Companies, Gas Prices climbing back up, unemployment all time high. Trillions WASTED. Nothing is fixed. He wants to spend MORE.

The world will love us? N Korea nuclear {Thanks to Clinton} now coming out and actually THREATENING Nuclear War. 33 minutes is all it would take for a Nuke to be launched from N Korea and hit a major US City. Little Hitler INCREASING his Nuclear quest. China talking trash, Russia being Russia, Britain ticked off that we just put four Islamic Terrorist in Bermuda, Israel is questioning our loyalty and friendship, and people in this country are standing a cheering as our Freedoms are being stripped away at blinding speeds.

Where is "god" The messiah, "Buddha?" Where is the Brilliance? Where is the proof that he has ANY experience in fixing any of this. HE is CAUSING it.

I do not have a problem with Obama because he is Black. I do not have a problem with Obama because he is on the Left. My problem with him is his policies. My problem with the Media is that they are outright LYING to the American people about him. My problem with Obama is that he is destroying this country from the inside. Yet people love him. My problem with that, is the SHEER ignorance that allows this to happen.
Peter

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back On Drilling

Senator Dorgan Says Drill, Fracking is targeted to be banned

Hey folks,

Happy Monday to you. Yeah I know. But Happy Monday anyway. Today, From the Energy Front, we learn that Congress and the House have taken us one step closer to reduced Energy prices and two steps backwards.

The Chairman of the Democratic Policy Committee, Senator Dorgan, who is a strong advocate of energy policy that will move our country aggressively toward the use of renewable energy and domestic energy sources, added a provision that provides access to the Destin Dome area.

The Destin Dome area is a proven natural gas field, which, because it is located near existing pipelines and plants, could allow supplies to be brought to market in relatively short order.

Now this is not a Republican Oil Hound, or someone that is in the pocket of "Big Oil."

As Chairman of the Senate Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee, he has worked to fund development of renewable energy sources like wind, solar and biofuels, as well as clean coal research that will help us find better ways to use the resource that fulfill 50 percent of our nation's energy needs. However, he has a rare thing in Washington these days, commonsense.

According to the API President in a Press Release about the Dorgan provision, "By allowing greater access to oil and natural gas leasing in promising areas of the Eastern Gulf of Mexico, Senator Dorgan’s amendment stands to help the American people by creating new jobs, adding new energy resources and providing new revenues to federal, state and local governments."

"Destin Dome by itself contains at least 2 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of natural gas - enough to heat 2 million homes for 15 years - while the potential resources in the entire Eastern Gulf of Mexico are estimated at 3.7 billion barrels of oil and 21.5 Tcf of natural gas.

This amendment represents an important common-sense approach to energy policy, especially with demand for natural gas expected to grow as the nation seeks to meet our growing energy needs while addressing the global climate challenge." The Statement said.

But not so fast. The House and Senate ALSO want to Ban what is known as "Fracking." This is the two steps back. According to Reuters - US lawmakers move to crackdown on drilling practice By Ayesha Rascoe

WASHINGTON, June 9 (Reuters) - U.S. lawmakers on Tuesday introduced legislation to crack down on a controversial drilling practice used to enhance extraction of oil and gas from the ground.

Democratic Representatives Diana DeGette, Maurice Hinchey and Jared Polis offered a bill that would reverse a Bush era measure in 2005 that excluded hydraulic fracturing from regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

The Safe Drinking Water Act is just another excuse for oppressive Government regulation, power, and control. It is NOT to help the American people. By the way, "Hydro-fracking" is a way to drill new Water Wells and regenerate old nearly dry ones. Should we ban that also?

In the Senate, Democrat Bob Casey introduced similar legislation.

Hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," involves injecting water, sand and chemicals into rock formations at high pressure to make oil and natural gas flow more freely. The method has been used for decades to stimulate production in old wells, but is now also used to tap oil and gas trapped in shale beds.

Fracking has come under fire in recent years as residents in gas drilling areas have complained their well water was discolored or foul-smelling and that children became sick.

"Families, communities, and local governments are upset that the safety of their water has been compromised by a special interest exemption, and we join them in that frustration," said Polis of Colorado.

Get this.

Hydraulic fracturing is essential shale natural production, which has significantly boosted U.S. gas output. Industry groups worry the measure would burden drillers with cumbersome federal standard and higher costs.

"More than one million wells have been completed using this technology. Unnecessary regulation of this practice would only hurt the nation's energy security and threaten our economy," said American Petroleum Institute President Jack Gerard in a statement.

API highlighted a study by IHS Global Insight that found that additional federal regulations would lower the number of U.S. wells drilled by 20.5 percent over a five-year period, while cutting natural gas production by about 10 percent from 2008 levels by 2014.

Just when our country needs MORE not Less Natural Gas and Domestic Oil. According to the Study itself, which you can find here,

 Elimination of Hydraulic Fracturing (No Frac) Scenario: In five years, if fracturing were eliminated, there would be a decrease of nearly 79% in wells completed. As a result, the country would experience by 2014, a 17% reduction in oil production and a 45% reduction in natural gas production, relative to the reference case, with declines continuing during the forecast period resulting in a 23% reduction in oil production and a 57% decrease in gas production from the reference case by 2018. Due to the country’s increasing reliance on unconventional resources, where over 95% of wells are routinely treated using fracturing, the impact on production would be permanent and severe.

 Fluid Restrictions Scenario: By 2014, a change in fluid options for hydraulic fracturing operations would reduce natural gas production by 4.4 tcf or 22%, falling from 20.4 tcf in the reference case to 16 tcf. Similarly, crude oil production would decrease by 0.4 million barrels per day or 8% while wellhead revenue would decrease by 48 billion dollars or 15%.

 UIC Compliance Scenario. Implementation of these regulations on oil and gas drilling would result in a 20.5% reduction of new wells drilled over a five year period and a 10% loss of natural gas production within five years. Given the tenuous balance between supply and demand, a loss of 2.1 tcf (6 bcf/day) would result in more imports of pipeline natural gas and LNG.

The No Drilling or PDP Scenario. In addition to comparing the three sets of policy-scenario results with the reference case, an additional point of comparison is provided, on the low side, by the volumes that would be produced only from remaining proved reserves from currently producing wells over their lifetime. This is referred to as the "No Drilling or PDP"scenario.

So you see, BDS {Bush Derangement Syndrome} and Cheneytitise is still alive and well. Want proof? According to this Reuters piece

In addition to opening the door to Environmental Protection Agency supervision of the practice, the bills would also require companies such as Halliburton Co (HAL.N) and Schlumberger Ltd (SLB.N) to reveal what chemicals they use to produce hydraulic fracturing fluid.

Which in essence is nothing more than the Government controlling yet ANOTHER private industry.

Critics of fracking have accused then Vice President Dick Cheney, a former Halliburton executive, of playing a role in pushing the 2005 exemption.

"It's time to fix an unfortunate chapter in the Bush administration's energy policy and close the 'Halliburton loophole' that has enabled energy companies to pump enormous amounts of toxins, such as benzene and toluene, into the ground that then jeopardize the quality of our drinking water," Hinchey of New York said.

Which is just not true. They have been operating like this for a LONG time and there are NO cases whatsoever of people getting sick. I have tasted "City Water" is various Cities all over the US. Some taste funny. SO? Should we list what the Cities are putting into the waters? What about the Hotels, Restaurants, Bottling Companies, ETC. You know, the actual SOURCES of the water you drink?

The bottom line here is Senator Dorgan did the right thing, yet with this Bush / Cheney / Halliburton Witch Hunt, we will destroy anything that the Dorgan provision might hope to achieve.

All this is, is a back door to ban new drilling without imposing an outright ban. All this is, is a way for us to remain dependent on Foreign Oil and keep the Gas prices going up. After all, Obama Motors need to sell some "Green Cars" you know.
Peter

Sources:
Reuters - US lawmakers move to crackdown on drilling practice
API President Jack Gerard- statement on passage of Dorgan amendment

Madman NOT Christian, Ahmadinejad Tells The Truth,

Preview For Sunday 061409

Hey folks,

Welcome to the Big Sunday Edition of the OPNTalk Blog. Glad that you could drop by. First I want to mention something real quick here. Ahmadinejad told the truth yesterday, or today Iranian time. He said this.

"This is a great victory at a time and condition when the whole material, political and propaganda facilities outside of Iran and sometimes... inside Iran, were total mobilised against our people," he said.

He blamed "foreign media" for instigating a "full-fledged fight against our people".

"Nearly 40 million people took part in a totally free election," he said.

Now do I think that the Election was rigged? Of course I do. Would I LOVE to see Little Hitler thrown out of office? Of course I would. Do I think that there would be at least a possibility of some kind of warmer relations between us and them if it were NOT for Ahmadinejad? I would LOVE to believe that. But I also KNEW and KNOW the reality of the situation.

But what he said is the same thing I have been telling you for a few days now. Our media actually thought that they could get a power change in Iran like they did in our elections. They were just totally making stuff up, and attempted to put the mass marketing machine behind Ahmadinejad's main challenger. They hyped up Obama's power of persuasion and even told us that the Iranian people wanted Little Hitler to lose, based on nothing more than what they saw in the streets. A few thousand demonstrators and supporters of Mousavi. But in the end, as I said, Little Hitler is still standing.

Coming right up today?

Obama to Cut Medicare and Medicaid By Hundreds of Billions
A Priceless Obama Moment. No. Really.

Kid Hit By Meteorite

FDA To Ban Flavored Cigarettes, EXCEPT Menthol

IWA for Sunday 061409

Oh yeah, then there is this. THIS really ticks me off. The Madman is not a Christian. This entire article has a VERY specific purpose. According to AP - Shootings show threat of 'lone wolf' terrorists by DEVLIN BARRETT and EILEEN SULLIVAN, Associated Press Writers Devlin Barrett And Eileen Sullivan,

WASHINGTON – An elderly man enters a crowded museum carrying a rifle and begins shooting. A young man in Arkansas pulls the trigger outside a military recruiting office. Another man opens fire in a Kansas church.

Three chilling, unconnected slayings in less than two weeks. One gunman was a white supremacist, one a militant Muslim, one a fervent foe of abortion.

This article even states that CLEARLY, these are not even CLOSE to being related. They are not Terrorists. They are KOOKS.

But that is not the reason for this story. No folks, this is a set up. This is an attempt to further expand the Governments role in monitoring, SPYING, on Americans based on nothing more that Race and Religion. Or PERCEIVED Religion. This is an attempt to justify Obama's "Right Wing Extremist" report. Lastly, it is an attempt to equate Christianity to Radical Islam. I'm not kidding folks.

The Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks white supremacists, says the number of hate groups in the United States has risen 54 percent since 2000, fueled by opposition to Hispanic immigration and, more recently, by the election of the nation's first black president and the economic downturn.

"Today the vast majority of domestic terrorist attacks are in fact lone wolf or so-called leaderless resistance attacks," said the center's Mark Potok. "There are very few ways to prevent them ... short of assigning a police officer to every person in America."

Uh, what happened to the "militant Muslim?" What about Muslims? Are we investigating and SPYING on them? But this next sentence is what really ticks me off.

The number of angry white men in America is getting larger, said Chip Berlet, senior analyst with Political Research Associates in Somerville, Mass., a think tank that studies right-wing extremists.

Then he get's even MORE specific.

In particular, the heterosexual, white, Christian men in America feel they've been pushed out of the way, Berlet said. Attacking the Holocaust Museum is a no-brainer, he said, because white supremacists blame Jews for the advancement of black people.

"The idea that blacks are put in positions of power by crafty Jews is central to their conspiracy theory," Berlet said.

Bertlet? YOU are an Idiot. You are the RACIST. You are nothing more than an Anti-Christian, Anti-Israel, Anti-War Far Left Loon. You have NO idea whatsoever as to what you are talking about. ZERO! There are so many things wrong with this BS I'm not even sure where to begin.

First, ANYONE that attacks ANYONE because of ANY REASON based solely on Race or Religion are NOT true Christians. Being WHITE is not a sin, nor does it make one Racist. Being "Straight" does not make one Homophobic. You are NOT the smartest person in the room here, nor are Heterosexual, White, Christian men angry.

True Christians SUPPORT and RESPECT the Jews. They are our Brothers, Sisters. Christians are not ignorant. They understand what God teaches and they try to follow it. They are not the ones that hate. We leave that to Liberals. They are not Racists. We leave THAT to Liberals. We are not out to control the World. We leave THAT to Liberals. Sorry, but you are an Idiot.

Other experts contend the white supremacist climate has not changed much over the years.

Charlie Allen, the former top intelligence officer at the Department of Homeland Security, said such hatred has been embedded in small parts of American communities. Under Allen's leadership, the department created an analysis branch that looked at extremist groups across the country.

A department assessment of domestic extremism found about 2,400 white supremacist Web sites; 72 blogs; 30 mailing lists; 213 user groups and clubs; and 25 online racist video games.

The agency says white supremacist organizations rarely publicly call for attacks.

They don't. They, the White Supremacist, ARE an ignorant, bunch of cowards. They are a product of Generations of inbreeding and stupidity. They are happy to meet with like minded individuals and tell stories, most of them false, about their life experiences, hopes, and dreams.

To make a statement like it is Angry White Men that are the true threat to this country, is like me saying Muslims are the ones that need watching. Who are the ones that have been behind every major attack against the US in the last 15 to 20 years? MUSLIMS. So? But I can't say that. That would be wrong. No. Angry, White, Heterosexual, Christian, Males are the real threat to this country. Nothing more than typical and pretty standard false Lib talking point.

Anyway, I'll be right back. Going to fill my cup. Today's coffee? Seattle's Best "Cinnabon" www.seattlesbest.com Maybe that will help me calm down a bit. {Smile}
Peter

Sources:
BBC News - Ahmadinejad defiant on 'free' Iran poll
AP - Shootings show threat of 'lone wolf' terrorists

Obama to Cut Medicare and Medicaid By Hundreds of Billions

Will Cut Government Reimbursement to Hospitals Also.

Hey folks,

I KNOW some of you just will not get this. But according to Reuters - Obama eyes $313 billion more cuts for healthcare reform by Doug Palmer Doug Palmer – Sat Jun 13, 8:14 am ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama on Saturday proposed an additional $313 billion in cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and other programs to pay for healthcare reforms expected to cost about $1 trillion over the next decade.

"I know some question whether we can afford to act this year. But the unmistakable truth is that it would be irresponsible to not act," Obama said in an advance text of his weekly radio address.

This is the standard Liberal Socialist propaganda. We must do this now. Forget about thinking about it. The world will end if we don't. Banks, Insurance, Housing, Auto, now Heathcare. Yet EVERYTHING is WORSE since the Government rushed in to "fix" these things. But they must do this NOW. You know, just in case America wises up and throws them out next year.

"So today, I am announcing an additional $313 billion in savings that will rein in unnecessary spending, and increase efficiency and the quality of care -- savings that will ensure that we have nearly $950 billion set aside to offset the cost of health care reform over the next ten years," Obama said.

About $110 billion of the new cuts would come from reducing scheduled increases in Medicare payments. That would encourage healthcare providers to increase productivity, White House budget director Peter Orszag told reporters.

ABSOLUTE BULL. What that will do is shut down Nursing Homes. It will cut and kill Elder Patient care... WAIT!!! Of course it will. THAT IS THE PLAN. Remember this?

Daschle says health-care reform “will not be pain free.” Seniors should be more accepting of the conditions that come with age instead of treating them. That means the elderly will bear the brunt.

{Laughing} I almost forgot about that. Dashcle actually SAID Screw Off old people. Get this.

Medicare now pays for treatments deemed safe and effective. The stimulus bill would change that and apply a cost- effectiveness standard set by the Federal Council (464).

The Federal Council is modeled after a U.K. board discussed in Daschle’s book. This board approves or rejects treatments using a formula that divides the cost of the treatment by the number of years the patient is likely to benefit. Treatments for younger patients are more often approved than treatments for diseases that affect the elderly, such as osteoporosis.

In 2006, a U.K. health board decreed that elderly patients with macular degeneration had to wait until they went blind in one eye before they could get a costly new drug to save the other eye. It took almost three years of public protests before the board reversed its decision.

Back to the current Reuters article.

Obama also proposed cutting payments to hospitals to treat uninsured patients by $106 billion on the assumption those ranks would decline as healthcare reforms phase in.

So that $400 Dollar Aspirin will now cost you $800. More, not less, people will end up going to the Emergency Room because they can not afford treatment, so cost will go through the roof.

An additional $75 billion would come from "better pricing of Medicare drugs," Orszag said, adding the White House was in talks with stakeholders over the best way to do that.

The remaining $22 billion in proposed cuts would come from smaller reforms, such as adjusting payment rates for physician imaging services and cutting waste, fraud and abuse.

So LESS tests will be run to determine what's wrong with you. Doctors will start GUESSING and this will put more people in danger. GREAT job Mr. President.

The new cuts are in addition to a $635 billion "down payment" on healthcare reform that Obama outlined in his budget to Congress earlier this year.

About half of that came from cuts in Medicare and Medicaid and the rest from revenue proposals such as cutting tax deductions for families that make over $250,000 a year.

Back to this? It's not families that make over $250,000 a year. It will be EVERYONE. But the number we ended with with this constant changing target was $100 Grand by VP Biden himself.

Altogether, the Obama administration is now asking Congress to trim spending on Medicare and Medicaid by more than $600 billion over the next decade, which is more than some Democrats are willing to swallow.

Yeah, I thought it was suppose to be the REPUBLICANS that were going to throw Old People out in the streets and make them chose between Medication and Eating. Turns out, like in so many cases, it is ACTUALLY the Libs.

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel told reporters after a closed-door meeting with fellow Democrats on the panel that the committee would include about $400 billion in Medicare and Medicaid savings in the healthcare overhaul legislation being drafted.

"We don't think we can do all the things he (Obama) is recommending. ... We think his 600 (billion) is our 400," Rangel told reporters.

Like I said, I understand some of you are not going to get this. The Utopia of Universal Healthcare will cover all these things. But that is just NOT reality. But there is hope. Even the Democrats do not want this one.
Peter

Sources:
Reuters - Obama eyes $313 billion more cuts for healthcare reform

OPNTalk - Universal Healthcare in Pork Bill

A Priceless Obama Moment. No. Really.

I mean it. Kudos to Obama

Hey folks,

You all know how I feel about Obama's Politics and what I think of his plans. I do truly believe he is on a quest for tyranny. He is destroying this country. But this? This was just absolutely priceless.



The note reads: “To Kennedy’s Teacher — Please excuse Kennedy’s absence … she’s with me. Barack Obama.” Kennedy said she plans to take it home and frame it, but she might make a few copies first, including one for her teacher.

He made little Kennedy's day here. Talk about something to bring in to Show and Tell. I hope she enjoys this moment for a long time. Saving that note may also be a great idea.

Kudos to you Barack. That one even I have to applaud you for.
Peter

Kid Hit By Meteorite

You Can't Make This Stuff Up 061409

Hey folks,

In the YCMTSU Category this week, we learn that things falling DO have to hit something. Or, in this case someone. Yes. If you every wondered if it was possible that an Asteroid or Meteor could hit someone while falling to the Earth, the answer is YES.

According to SPACE.com - Boy Hit by Meteorite

A 14-year old German boy was hit in the hand by a pea-sized meteorite that scared the bejeezus out of him and left a scar.

"When it hit me it knocked me flying and then was still going fast enough to bury itself into the road," Gerrit Blank said in a newspaper account. Astronomers have analyzed the object and conclude it was indeed a natural object from space, The Telegraph reports.

Most meteors vaporize in the atmosphere, creating "shooting stars," and never reach the ground. The few that do are typically made mostly of metals. Stony space rocks, even if they are big as a car, will usually break apart or explode as they crash through the atmosphere.

There are a handful of reports of homes and cars being struck by meteorites, and many cases of space rocks streaking to the surface and being found later.

But human strikes are rare. There are no known instances of humans being killed by space rocks.

According to a SPACE.com article on the topic a few years, back:

On November 30, 1954, Alabama housewife Ann Hodges was taking a nap on her couch when she was awakened by a 3-pound (1.4-kilogram) meteor that crashed through the roof of her house, bounced off a piece of furniture and struck her in the hip, causing a large bruise.

On October 9, 1992, a large fireball was seen streaking over the eastern United States, finally exploding into many pieces. In Peekskill, New York, one of the pieces struck a Chevrolet automobile owned by Michelle Knapp. Knapp was not in the car at the time.

On June 21, 1994, Jose Martin of Spain was driving with his wife near Madrid when a 3-pound (1.4-kilogram) meteor crashed through his windshield, bent the steering wheel and ended up in the back seat.

In 2004, a 2,000-pound space rock bigger than a refrigerator exploded in the late-night sky over Chicago, producing a large flash and a sound resembling a detonation that woke people up. Fragments rained down on that wild Chicago night, and many were collected by residents in a northern suburb.

So the next time you look up at a shooting start? Do not forget to duck. {Smile}
Peter

Sources:
SPACE.com - Boy Hit by Meteorite

FDA To Ban Flavored Cigarettes, EXCEPT Menthol

Health and Science For Sunday 061409

Hey folks,

Well, the Loony Left did it. They gave the power to the FDA to regulate Cigarettes. A responsibility that they do not even want. That's right. They do not want this. Then you have the Government showing just how Racist THEY are. We have talked all about this in the past. Let me bring you back to May 15, 2008. I posted Will The REAL Racist Please Stand Up

Some public health experts are questioning why menthol, the most widely used cigarette flavoring and the most popular cigarette choice of African-American smokers, is receiving special protection as Congress tries to regulate tobacco for the first time.

One possible answer? They do not care if they die? Maybe, just maybe, they see the fact that 75 percent of Black Smokers smoke Menthol is a good thing? We have been told for years that cigarettes kill. Yet, if smokers were to quit tomorrow, where do you suppose all the money would come from that helps fund health care? It is bad, it kills, yet no ban? That is really just a side note.

The legislation, which would give the Food and Drug Administration the power to oversee tobacco products, would try to reduce smoking’s allure to young people by banning most flavored cigarettes, including clove and cinnamon.

But those new strictures would exempt menthol — even though menthol masks the harsh taste of cigarettes for beginners and may make it harder for the addicted to kick the smoking habit. For years, public health authorities have worried that menthol might be a factor in high cancer rates in African-Americans.

I wrapped it up with this.

So we have Liberal programs that have destroyed the Black family. We have Planned Parenthood taking donations set aside to kill Black Babies. Now we have a ban on flavored Cigarettes, with an exemption of Menthol that is enjoyed by 75 percent of Black smokers, causing them a 50 percent higher rate than anyone else of getting cancer and DYING. Who is in charge of ALL these things? Liberal far Left Fringe Democrats. Affectionately dumbed here the LWL {Left Wing Loonies}

Fast forward to today.

AP - Historic anti-smoking bill aims at stopping teens by JIM ABRAMS, Associated Press Writer Jim Abrams, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON – No more "light" cigarettes or candy-flavored smokes. Bigger, scarier warning labels. Fewer ads featuring sexy young smokers.

OK. When is the last time you have seen a cigarette ads? Seriously. Can someone tell me where you see them? I can not tell you the last time I saw "ads featuring sexy young smokers." They may still be out there somewhere, but I really have no idea where.

Historic anti-smoking legislation sped to final congressional passage on Friday — after a bitter fight lasting nearly a half-century — and lawmakers and the White House quickly declared it would save the lives of thousands of smokers of all ages. Even more important, they said, the measure could keep countless young people from starting in the first place.

Yeah. Everything Obama and the Loons do is historic now.

President Barack Obama, admittedly still struggling with his own nicotine habit, saluted passage of the bill, which he will soon sign. He said, "For over a decade, leaders of both parties have fought to prevent tobacco companies from marketing their products to children and provide the public with the information they need to understand what a dangerous habit this is."

Specifically, the measure for the first time will give the Food and Drug Administration authority to regulate what goes into tobacco products, demand changes or elimination of toxic substances and block the introduction of new products.

Will it matter as much as supporters say? Smokers lighting up outside Washington offices had mixed reactions.

Government researcher Reginald Little, 47, who said he swiped his first cigarette from his grandfather at age 15, thought regulation was needed "because you don't know exactly what's in it."

But Becky Cook, a 22-year-old program analyst, said that, while she supported limits on ads aimed at children, "I already know it's bad for me, so I don't think knowing how much is really in one cigarette is really going to make a difference."

And nonsmokers?

Yan Meek, 42, a finance analyst from Jacksonville, Fla., who was visiting the nation's capital with her 8-year-old son, Jesse, doesn't smoke and suggested the legislation would lead to "too much government control over personal lives, personal choices."

AMEN!

Lionel Richardson, 26, an electrical engineer visiting from Huger, S.C., is a a nonsmoker, too, but called the legislation a good thing. "It's a drug," he said, and "the FDA plays a big part in what drugs are sold." As for restricting advertisements, he said, "They make it sexy so kids think it's the cool thing to do."

WHERE are these ads?

The thousand health and consumer groups that endorsed the bill say that, combined with other anti-smoking efforts, it can significantly reduce the 400,000 deaths and $100 billion in health care costs attributed every year to smoking in the U.S.

And then who will pay for all the things that Tobacco Tax, going up here in Florida another $1.00 a pack in July, pays for? YOU!

Under the legislation:

• Cigarette packages will have warning labels that cover 50 percent of the front and rear. The word "warning" must be included in capital letters.

Ooh!

• Any remaining tobacco-related sponsorships of sports and entertainment events will be banned, as will giveaways of non-tobacco items with the purchase of a tobacco product. A federal ban will be imposed on all outdoor tobacco advertising within 1,000 feet of schools and playgrounds.

• Point-of-sale advertising will be limited to adults-only facilities, and remaining vending machines will disappear except in places restricted to adults. Retailers who sell to minors will be subject to federal enforcement and penalties.

Vending Machines? I haven't seen one of them in a LONG time either. It is ALREADY against the Law to sell to minors. They just did a sting in Martin County here in Florida LAST WEEK.

• Smokers, particularly the younger crowd, will find they can no longer buy cigarettes sweetened by candy flavors or any herb or spices such as strawberry, grape, orange, clove, cinnamon or vanilla. Cigarettes advertised as "light" or "mild," giving the impression that they aren't as harmful to health, will no longer be found on store shelves.

Menthol excluded of course.

With an estimated 3,500 young people smoking their first cigarette each day, the ban on flavorings alone could have significant health benefits, said Dr. Adam Goldstein, director of the University of North Carolina Tobacco Prevention and Evaluation Program.

In the longer run, aggressive FDA efforts to reduce nicotine content — the bill prohibits an outright ban on nicotine or cigarettes — could "stimulate as dramatic a change in the product as anything we've seen in the last 50 years."

Can you say Prohibition?

He said it was not inconceivable that adult smokers, now more than 20 percent of the population, could be reduced to less than 5 percent in 20 years.

Other factors that could cut into tobacco use include the sharp rise in prices — Congress earlier this year approved a 62-cent a pack increase in the federal cigarette tax to pay for a children's health program — and measures by the states to ban smoking in public places. Goldstein noted that even North Carolina, the nation's biggest tobacco grower, recently moved to ban smoking in public areas.

Again, if all were to quit, who would pay that Tax? Where would the money come from. Oh, yeah. They are talking about a Sugar Tax, Sin Tax, Junk food Tax, ETC.

Paul Billings, vice president at the American Lung Association, agreed that pricing, education and laws are all needed to drive down smoking and reduce the health consequences. FDA regulation has been "a huge missing piece in the arsenal against tobacco," he said.

New FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg said the agency was ready to "roll up our sleeves" to meet the new obligations. "We really do feel, by being able to regulate tobacco and tobacco products, we can reduce the burden of disease," especially by preventing teen smoking, she said.

I stand corrected. The NEW Commissioner DOES want it. She is a Clintonite and was appointed by Obama. Silly me. The Old Commissioner did NOT want it. The Department is already strained and would require more fina,,again, we are talking Obama and Crew. Bigger, and more finances are not a problem.

The Senate passed the FDA bill on Thursday by a 79-17 vote and the House followed suit on Friday, with a 307-97 vote. Despite those one-sided tallies, the bill has been years in the making.

The FDA tried to exert authority over tobacco products in the 1990s, but the industry fought back and the Supreme Court in 2000 ruled, in a 5-4 decision, that the agency did not have regulatory powers over tobacco under then-existing law. Several efforts by lawmakers since then had fallen short, victims of industry lobbying and opposition from the Bush White House.

Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., sponsor of the bill and chairman at a memorable 1994 hearing where tobacco industry executives denied that nicotine was addictive, relished the long-sought victory.

"I think we are today at the last gasp of the tobacco industry's efforts to protect their profits at the expense of the health and lives of the American people and to get children to take up this habit," he said.

Philip Morris USA, the nation's largest tobacco company, came out in support of the bill, saying it was behind tough but fair regulation. Its chief rivals were opposed, saying that FDA restrictions on new products would lock in Philip Morris' share of the market.

Costs of the new program will be paid for by a new user fee imposed on the industry. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that assessments could rise from $235 million in 2010 to $712 million in 2019.

Still not even a drop in the bucket compared to the TRILLIONS Obama is spending.

There was some opposition from Republicans who questioned the ability of the FDA to handle tobacco regulation and criticized what they said was another Democratic-led intrusion of the federal government in private business. North Carolina Republican Howard Coble said the bill is unpopular in his state, with its 12,000 tobacco farmers. "Their fear is tobacco today, the family farm tomorrow."

They do not care. They just want, say it with me, more power, control and of course money. But don't forget, leave those Menthols alone. Black people smoke them and die.
Peter

Sources:
AP - Historic anti-smoking bill aims at stopping teens

IWA for Sunday 061409

As you all know, I have a Son.

Hey folks,

Yes, I have a Son. His name is Joshua. He is 4 years old this coming July 19. Which by the way is a Sunday, so there will be not Big Sunday Edition of the OPNTalk Blog that week. I love my boy.

Josh is well advanced in many things. He is VERY skilled at puzzles. Better than I actually. Can count to ten in English and Spanish. Say his ABCs, even read a bit. Forget trying to spell things out. I do not know how he does it, but he seems to figure out what you are spelling and then comes out and says what you are attempting to keep from him. Of course, he can also tell you ANY of the Thomas and Friends Trains by number and color.

Yes. My Son is well advanced in many things. DRIVING is not one of them. Neither would I make such a ridiculous claim. But our Idiot this Week DID. Sort of. Yes, it's Sunday. Time for the IWA.

According to the AP - NH Man blames infant son for hit-and-run accident

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. – Police in Portsmouth, N.H., said a man has been charged with lying about his involved in a hit-and-run accident by telling them his son was driving the vehicle. Problem is, the man's son is an infant. A police officer questioned the man about who "normally" drives the car and was told by the man that his 19-year-old son drives the vehicle, but wasn't home, Foster's Daily Democrat reported. The man told police he would have his son contact them.

A police office said in an affidavit as he was leaving the house, he "happened upon one of the neighbors" and asked if they had seen the man's son driving the vehicle recently.

The officer wrote that the subject laughed and informed him that the man's son is still an infant.

That's it folks. That's the whole story. It doesn't say, but I think I would have waited a day or so. I would LOVE to see who this Idiot got to play his Son. This guy, normally I do not award someone without knowing their name, most definitely deserves it. Really, did he think that they would just go away? How was he planning on producing a 19 year old Son? If anyone DOES know this guys name, please feel free to Email me at opntalk@aim.com I would love to send him the IWA. Something I have started doing. I actually try to send the winners the Award.

Anyway, have a great rest of Sunday, and I will see you right here Monday morning with the "From the Energy Front" Segment. See ya.
Peter

Sources:
AP - NH Man blames infant son for hit-and-run accident

Ahmadinejad Win NOT a Surprise

I told you he is not going anywhere

Hey folks,

Happy Saturday to you. The BIG news today? Ahmadinejad wins surprise Iran landslide victory, and Mousavi claims fraud. Well, DUH! I have been telling you that Little Hitler is not going anywhere. I kept telling you that try as hard as they may to portray it as such, Iran is NOT America. The "People's" Will does not matter. Oh, of course, officially, Ahmadinejad wins landslide victory, but most on the street claim they voted for Mousavi. That does not matter.

Dictators to not bow to the Will of the People. If they did, people like Saddam would not have won his elections with 100 percent of the Vote. Little Hitler would be out on his, uh, ear. But they do not have a democracy as we do. Well, as we do for now.

But the MMD and the US government attempted to alter the outcome of the Iranian Election. Obama even took credit for the "closeness of the election" as due to his Speech in Cairo. The Election was NEVER close. Ahmadinejad was the winner before the first vote was cast. As I have said, I will say again, I KNOW Ahmadinejad better than Obama does. Sure as hell better than the Media seems to. But then again, OUR State Run Media simply report what they are told to. The Mass Media Drones simply tell you what those controlling them WANT you to believe. Much to often, the Sheeple out the buy it without a second, well, or even a FIRST thought.

This is interesting though. According to the The UK Guardian - Ahmadinejad wins surprise Iran landslide victory

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has won a crushing victory in Iran's landmark presidential election, according to the country's authorities, but his moderate challenger Mir Hossein Mousavi has warned of "tyranny" and protested that the result was rigged after a record turnout of 84%.

As the official results were announced, baton-wielding riot police clashed with angry Mousavi supporters in some of the most serious unrest Tehran has seen in years.

Mousavi appealed directly to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but the country's supreme leader today threw his weight behind Ahmadinejad, urging the other candidates to support the president.

{Laughing} Yeah, or else you will not be seeing the other Candidates to much longer. Now just wait folks. Just like here, the Kook, Little Hitler, will claim a mandate by the Iranian people to further his agenda. All "Progressive" Kooks operate from the same play book. But this is interesting.

Mousavi said this morning: "I personally strongly protest the many obvious violations and I'm warning I will not surrender to this dangerous charade. The result of such performance by some officials will jeopardise the pillars of the Islamic Republic and will establish tyranny."

But Khamenei, who has final say on all state matters, called the result a "divine assessment" and called on all Iranians to support Ahmadinejad.

"Divine assessment." Ahmadinejad is chosen by God. He is "The One." His is the Iranian Savour. He is God Like. Sound familiar?

Speaking on state television this afternoon, he said: "I assume that enemies intend to eliminate the sweetness of the election with their hostile provocation."

Riot police used batons to disperse Mousavi supporters who staged a sit-in near the interior ministry, where the results were announced. Up to 2,000 Mousavi supporters set fire to tyres and chanted "Mousavi take back our vote! What happened to our vote?"

Reporters saw police attacking the demonstrators, and several protesters were carried away.

Never to be seen again I bet you.

In another main street of Tehran, about 300 young people blocked the avenue by forming a human chain and chanted "Ahmadi, shame on you. Leave the government alone."

Mobile phone text messages were jammed, and international news websites – including the Guardian and the BBC – as well as pro-Mousavi websites were blocked or difficult to access.

"The election was a game and full of lies," shouted one protester. "We can not do anything here," said another. "We can not believe the results and they are unacceptable."

Mousavi, a former prime minister, had been widely expected to trounce the controversial incumbent, or at least do well enough to trigger a run-off. He claimed victory in an apparent attempt to pre-empt his rival.

But as the votes were still being counted late on Friday, aides to Ahmadinejad announced that he had won by an "unassailable" margin. Polling stations had stayed open four extra hours to meet the huge demand.

The interior minister, Sadeq Mahsouli, said this afternoon that Ahmadinejad had won an overwhelming victory of 62.63% to Mousavi's 33.75%.

Even in Mousavi's hometown province of Tabriz in north-west Iran, the ministry claimed Ahmadinejad received more than 60% of the vote.

Early editions of Mousavi's paper Kalemeh Sabz, or the Green Word, and other reformist dailies declared Mousavi the victor but were ordered to change their headlines, local journalists said. The papers had blank spots where articles were removed.

The outcome seems a grave setback to hopes for a solution to the looming international crisis over Iran's nuclear ambitions and for détente with the US in response to Barack Obama's overtures. Israel quickly demanded efforts to stop Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.

It is NOT A SET BACK! There was NEVER any HOPE that Iran was going to change because Obama spoke, smiled , and waved. They could not give a Rat's behind what Obama thinks or says. They see him as weak, and a joke. They will entertain him a bit to buy time, but they are NOT going to stop being who they are. Little Hitler is THEIR {False} Messiah, not Obama.

"It doesn't augur well for an early and peaceful settlement of the nuclear dispute," said Mark Fitzpatrick at London's International Institute for Strategic Studies.

Israel's deputy foreign minister, Danny Ayalon, said: "If there was a shadow of hope for a change in Iran, the renewed choice of Ahmadinejad expresses more than anything the growing Iranian threat."

Little Hitler continues to grow.

If the result stands it will spell an end to hopes for the greater freedoms and economic competence Mousavi had promised Iran's 72 million people. At times the election campaign seemed like a referendum on Ahmadinejad's four-year term.

{Sigh}

The high turnout underscored the stakes domestically. Mousavi's slick ­campaign galvanised an apathetic electorate and raised hopes of a more stable economy and increased liberty at home as well as better relations abroad.

Supporters had hoped Mousavi could have a similarly positive effect to Mohammad Khatami, who ushered in a period of change that ended when Ahmadinejad came from nowhere to capture the presidency four years ago.

Trita Parsi, the president of the Washington-based National Iranian American Council, expressed disbelief at the wide margin in Ahmadinejad's favour. "It is difficult to feel comfortable that this occurred without any cheating," Parsi told Reuters.

Just because the MMD REPORTED it was close, based on what they saw in the STREETS, which means nothing, it doesn't mean that it EVER was. Just because the Media wanted to PROTRAY the magical words spoken by Obama to move mountains and change the world, doesn't mean that it effected ANYTHING. As we now see, it did not.

Ali Ansari, who heads the Institute for Iranian Studies at St Andrews University in Scotland, warned: "The potential for unrest is high."

As three weeks of often passionate campaigning drew to a close on Wednesday, the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued an ominous warning that any attempt at a popular "revolution" would be crushed.

And it will be. Yes folks, as I said, Little Hitler is not going anywhere. He will NOT stop his agenda. He will NOT stop his nuclear quest without intervention. If no one will stop him, he WILL ATTACK ISRAEL! He WILL try to find a way to ATTACK US. How many lives lost are acceptable before someone gets serious about stopping this Madman?
Peter

Sources:
The UK Guardian - Ahmadinejad wins surprise Iran landslide victory

BREAKING NEWS: Early Reports Shows Ahmadinejad Wins

BREAKING NEWS from China on Iran's Elections

Hey folks,

Here is the Latest from Iran's Elections. Mousavi is declaring victory, but all those that actually MATTER are saying Little Hitler is ahead by insurmountable numbers. According to China View - Iran's presidential election sees both victory for rival candidates by Xinhua writers Lin Liping, Zhang Shengping and Che Ling 2009-06-13 08:18:24

TEHRAN, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Iran's state media declared that the hard-line incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won Friday's presidential election, just minutes after reformist candidate Mir-Hossein Mousavi claimed himself "definite winner."

By getting more than 75 percent of votes in the rural areas of the country, Ahmadinejad determinately wins the election, Iran's official IRNA news agency said in a report minutes before 12:00 p.m. (1930 GMT), the deadline for voters after a six-hour extension.

But Iran's poll chief said about an hour later that only 19 percent of the total ballots were counted.

Mousavi, who took the lead in declaring victory in the closely-fought presidential race, said at a press conference, "according to the information we have received, I am the definite winner in this presidential election," without elaborating what kind of information has proven his win.

The poll chief said early results showed that Ahmadinejad leads by 69.04 percent of the votes, while his main rival Mir-Houssein Mousavi followed with 28.42 percent.

Two other candidates -- former chief of Islamic Revolutionary Corps Mohsen Rezaei and former Parliament Speaker Mehdi Karroubi --got only 1.62 percent and 0.9 percent respectively, said the poll chief.

But the Interior Ministry modified the numbers later to 68.8 percent for Ahmadinejad and 28.87 percent for Mousavi after 35 percent of ballots were counted.

Polling stations closed at 22:00 p.m. (1730 GMT), but voters who have already queued up were allowed to cast their ballots. More than 45,000 ballot boxes opened nationwide to the total 46. 2 million eligible voters simultaneously at 8:00 a.m. (0330 GMT).

Unprecedented turnout was seen in Iran's 10th presidential election since the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

More than 5 million voters had cast their votes in the first four hours of the election day, according to the Interior Ministry, while by 10:00 p.m. when polls closed, more than 20 million ballots have been cast.

The Interior Ministry expected the total turnout to exceed 70 percent, compared with that in the 2005 vote -- some 63 percent in the first round and about 48 percent in the run-off. The ministry has extended the voting time several times.

"I believe this year's presidential election will be the one to see most people voting," said Sedigheh Imani, a 23-year-old university student, before heading for the ballot boxes. "It's important that we can come and vote. It's important we show our presence here," she added.

"I never voted before, this is the first time," said another voter giving his name as Hassan, saying he was not interested in the previous presidential elections, but was attracted by this year 's intense campaigns and the sharp differences between the four presidential hopefuls.

Some three weeks of frenetic campaign, through series of fierce debates organized by the state TV, novel internet propaganda and carnivalesque street rallies that draw thousands of supporters, have almost made the year's election a unique one since 1979.

The tight presidential race was mainly between the conservative Ahmadinejad and reformist Mousavi who pledged more freedom to the people and better ties with West powers, as observers predicted, but prediction has remained cautious on who of the two would win.

Ahmadinejad, who has maintained a hard-line foreign policy against the West, has earned both support and criticism for his toughness and economic spending.

His success of speeding up Iran's nuclear plan despite pressure and sanctions from the West and his support for subsidies for lower-income families have won hearts of ultra-conservatives and many Iranian poor people.

The recent overtures offered by the new U.S. administration of President Barack Obama were used by Ahmadinejad's supporters to prove the success of his tough policies.

"I surely voted for Ahmadinejad," said a male voter who declined to give his name, at a polling station in downtown Tehran. "He is a national hero of Iran. During his presidency, Iran's fame and influence has increased," he added.

He said Ahmadinejad's policy is good for the poor, and Iran does not need the West countries.

Reformist Mousavi has vowed to pursue constructive interaction and a better relationship between Iran and the world if he is elected. He criticized Ahmadinejad's foreign policy, saying there is "absolutely no need to turn all countries into enemies."

Critics also blamed Ahmadinejad's toughness of boosting U.S. success in seeking UN sanctions against Iran and affecting the country's foreign relations.

Ahmadinejad's economic policy, which dramatically increased government spending, has also been a frequent target of criticism, due to the soaring inflation and high unemployment which Iran is suffering.

"We all like changes, we want Iran to have better relations with other countries, especially the powers," said Fazel Nikzad, an engineer in his 30s, implying his support for Mousavi.

When an official winner is announced, rest assured you can find it here.
Peter

Iran Elections, From The Emails 061209

Is the Press attempting to alter Iran's Elections?

Hey folks,

Sure sounds like it. Times Online seems to be following the Iranian Elections pretty close. Like I told you yesterday, it sounds as if the Media was talking about OUR elections. We all know how they got Obama Elected. In this case though, I hope that they succeed.

Like yesterday, the Media seems to be attempting to alter Iran's Election outcome. They are talking about issues like rigged Elections, intimidation, all the way up to riots in the streets if the one they picked does not win. Look at this from today by Times Online

“Presently they have prevented some of our representatives from being present at polling stations and they do not let us monitor (the vote),” he said. “We expect that officials would solve this problem as soon as possible.”

Mr Mousavi's allies went even further, claiming that Mr Ahmadinejad could win only by cheating and warning that this could spark riots and chaos on the streets. One political analyst said that he feared a "Tienanmen Square-style experience", with the military moving in to crush any protests.

Even Times Online admits in this piece that it is almost a guarantee that Ahmadinejad is reelected. But there are "signs" that he may be in for a challenge, because of those they have seen protesting. But they have no real FACTS to back it up. It is as if they want to CREATE the illusion that there is "Hope" that Little Hitler will lose today. There is not.

Anyway, Happy Friday to you. Since it is Friday, it's time to go to the Emails. The Sender added this message.

"Your going to love this Pete."

And I DO!! {Laughing}

This is from the Washington Times. Now this is from back on, what was it? Here it is. Back on Thursday, May 21, 2009. Why did you wait so long to send it to me? But it doesn't matter when. It's by John McCaslin. I guess it is a running compilation of different things going on in Politics called "Inside The Beltway."

They start off with a story of how the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis are being told in writing to leave at home or in their vehicles all "ceremonial swords" and anything else "that might be considered a weapon or a threat by screeners." which included Umbrellas. Because the Almighty Obama was to be there. {Sigh} Don't they normally GRADUATE with the Swords? I don't know. But this is not the thing I love. THIS is.

SURREAL DELUSION

This is where John McCaslin talks about Ron Paul. Remember him? I liked him. I did not agree with his stance on the War and a few other things, but he was on the right track at least. Talk about people WAKING UP to see who and what Obama really is? Even John McCaslin could not believe what Ron Paul said.

Wow - what adjectives, adverbs and nouns did 2008 presidential candidate and Congressman Ron Paul of Texas not resort to when recalling a horrific vision he experienced this week?

"Could it all be a bad dream, or a nightmare?" Mr. Paul wondered. "Is it my imagination, or have we lost our minds? It's surreal; it's just not believable. A grand absurdity; a great deception; a delusion of momentous proportions, based on preposterous notions and on ideas whose time should never have come; simplicity grossly distorted and complicated; insanity passed off as logic; grandiose schemes built on falsehoods with the morality of Ponzi and Madoff; evil described as virtue; ignorance pawned off as wisdom; destruction and impoverishment in the name of humanitarianism; violence, the tool of change; preventive wars used as the road to peace; tolerance delivered by government guns; reactionary views in the guise of progress; an empire replacing the republic; slavery sold as liberty; excellence and virtue traded for mediocrity; socialism to save capitalism; a government out of control, unrestrained by the Constitution, the rule of law, or morality; bickering over petty politics as we collapse into chaos; the philosophy that destroys us is not even defined."

Is this where you woke up, sir?

"We have broken from reality," he continued. "A psychotic nation. Ignorance with a pretense of knowledge replacing wisdom. Money does not grow on trees, nor does prosperity come from a government printing press or escalating deficits. We're now in the midst of unlimited spending of the people's money, exorbitant taxation, deficits of trillions of dollars spent on a failed welfare/warfare state; an epidemic of cronyism; unlimited supplies of paper money equated with wealth ...

"Of course, it could all be a bad dream, a nightmare, and that I'm seriously mistaken, overreacting, and that my worries are unfounded. I hope so. But just in case, we ought to prepare ourselves for revolutionary changes in the not-too-distant future."

LINK: Washington Times - Inside the Beltway

{Laughing} Why don't you tell us how you REALLY feel Mr. Paul? Actually folks. He is RIGHT! One hundred percent RIGHT! Except one little detail. It's NOT a Nightmare. It IS Obama.
Peter

Sources:
Times Online - Ahmadinejad challenger demands access to polls as Iran election gets under way

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.

Iran Elections Tomorrow, NOTHING Is Going To Change

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad not going anywhere.

Hey folks,

Yes Iran has it's Presidential Election Tomorrow. Some people are making a really big deal about this. Times Online has a interesting piece today. When you read it, it almost sounds like they are talking about us. Protesters complaining about unfair Airtime, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has support of the rural poor and religiously devout, and is thought to have the backing of the Supreme Leader as well as the Revolutionary Guards and the volunteer Basij militia. His opponent has the support of the urban middle-classes.Talks of Vote rigging, unrest if a Candidate loses. ETC.

It almost sounds like one of our elections. But it's NOT. I would be willing to bet you that Little Hitler {Mahmoud Ahmadinejad} is NOT going anywhere. He DOES have the support of the Supreme Leader, Revolutionary Guards, and the Basij militia, who ALL BELIEVE WHAT HE TELLS THEM TO BELIEVE. What does Little Hitler say about his opponent? He is an "American sympathiser." He said this.

“Bush said ‘You don’t need nuclear power’,” he declared. “My opponents asked why we needed nuclear power. They were echoing the words of our enemies. But Iran has become a nuclear state despite them, and it is a great and honourable achievement.”

The crowd broke into deafening chants — “Ahmadi, we love you” and “Nuclear energy is our right, Mousavi, go, we don’t want an American sympathiser, shame on you, Hashemi."

Now notice it was Little Hitler himself that called America Iran's ENEMY. NOT the Right in this country. Not me. Not Bush. It was Ahmadinejad. He also said this.

“You see the lies, the accusations against me? Libel is a crime. They should be punished.”

“Even if all the great powers and Zionists were ready with their guns I will take the message of the Iranian people to the world.”

“Oh Great and Compassionate God, sit the Iranian nation on the roof of the world.”

As one, the crowd responded: “Thank you, thank you, our President.”

In a TV debate June 3, 2009, between Little Hitler and his opponent. He made this statement. I point this out for a reason.

"I took a stand with regard to the issue of the Holocaust. Both the leader and the people approved this stand."

Yeah you remember that? He is a Holocaust Denier. He is telling us that the Supreme Leader was behind him on this. He has also said that he will wipe Israel off the map. He is ACTIVELY engaged in creating a Nuclear Bomb, launching Rockets that could carry it, and OUR President? Is telling Israel. We will not back you if you attack Iran. Running around apologizing to Muslims, and saying that we will give money to Muslim Lead countries to help educate their Females.

Then the Picture. Did you hear about this? The White House released a picture taken by the White House photographer of Obama on the phone with Benjamin Netanyahu, who is the Prime Minister of Israel. So? The main focus of the picture was Obama, with his feet up on the Oval Office desk, with the sole of his shoes facing out. In other words, "showing his sole of his shoe" to Benjamin Netanyahu . An extreme insult in the Middle East.

Couple that with him dissing Israel, telling Israel they have to break up their country for peace, and one report I just saw said he is warning Israel he will blame THEM if they attack Iran, and all the other stuff he has been doing and saying?

Folks, nothing is going to change in Iran tomorrow. NOTHING. Little Hitler is not going anywhere. He will continue to pursue his Nuclear quest, which Obama also said he has a legitimate right to do, and will continue to threaten to wipe Israel off the map.

Like I said before. If I were Israel? If I were Prime Minister Netanyahu? I would be fueling the Jets. I would be getting the Bombs in place. I would be mapping out my attack. If I were Israel, listening to what Obama is saying, watching what Obama is doing, I would be getting the feeling that Obama is more friendly toward Ahmadinejad, and Islamic Terrorists, than he is with a long standing Ally, Israel.

Obama is sounding more and more like a bigger danger to Israel and Jews than the Whack Job, James W. von Brunn, that just went into the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and started shooting people. Why? One is a sole Madman, and one is the President of the most powerful Country on the Planet. Someone really needs to tell Obama, if he does not want this image that is starting to form about him being a Anti-Semite, he had better start proving people wrong.

No folks, nothing is going to change in Iran. Little Hitler is not going anywhere. I give Times Online credit. It is a good piece. But make no mistake about it. Iran's President is already picked. He IS Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Peter

Sources:
Times Online - Mahmoud Ahmadinejad fights for survival as late surge gives rival hope
MEMRI - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Clashes with Presidential Candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi
The Philadelphia Enquirer - Holocaust Museum guard is shot dead

Pay As You Go, $2.5 Trillion Worth of Exemptions

Typical and SOP of Obama and Crew

Hey folks,

This was completely hysterical. Did you catch this? President Obama said this.

"The 'pay-as-you-go' rule is very simple," Obama said. "Congress can only spend a dollar if it saves a dollar elsewhere."

Because you folks are starting, in small numbers, but starting, to wake up to what the Obama and Crew are doing. Spending this country into Bankruptcy and placing unheard of dept onto our Children and our Children's Children. Obama had to say something. So Obama came out and gave us a plan that would prohibit Congress from growing the deficit in one year by putting off until later years the tax increases or spending cuts to pay for it.

"Pay as you go" requires Congress to pass a law requiring lawmakers to pay for new spending programs and tax cuts without further adding to Obama's RECORD deficits. Which the AP and others, even Obama Economists, declare is over TEN TRILLION Dollars.

But there is only one major problem with that. There are also $2.5 TRILLION dollars worth of exemptions. {Laughing} Obama just made a statement last week that "We can not keep spending the way we are" yet, HE KEEPS SPENDING.

Still, and once again I point out, NOTHING is solved. NOTHING. People are losing their homes at record levels. People are losing their Jobs at RECORD levels. Private Industries are going out of business. Insurance is SKYROCKETING. NOTHING is working. Yet, he is STILL spending at a RECORD rate. He is a FAILURE. His plans are a FAILURE.

Now according to AP- Obama: It's OK to borrow to pay for health care

Congress lived under a so-called "pay-go" regime in the 1990s and the early years of this decade. But it didn't stop lawmakers from passing President George W. Bush's landmark 2001 and 2003 tax cuts and big increases in farm subsidies without making the required spending cuts elsewhere. A $127 billion surplus in 2001 subsequently turned into deficits over the next four years of $159 billion, $377 billion, $413 billion and $319 billion.

The rules still exist and lawmakers routinely find ways around them. For example, a bill to effectively double GI Bill education benefits was enacted last year. Congress also regularly waives the rules to pass an annual "patch" to the alternative minimum tax, sparing some 20 million families from a $2,000 tax increase on average.

Look at those numbers again. We started paying off the deficits until Obama came in and starting SPENDING out of control. Not to mention a little thing called a WAR. No folks, I know Obama is a fan of "pass the buck," but anyone with an IQ over ten, and even a elementary understanding of Economics, can clearly see that this is ALL OBAMA.

"It is no coincidence that this rule was in place when we moved from record deficits to record surpluses in the 1990s — and that when this rule was abandoned, we returned to record deficits that doubled the national debt," Obama said.

Until you came along and shot it to RECORD LEVELS with your FAILED spending. {Sigh} How bad do THEY say it's going to get?

The federal deficit is on pace to explode past $1.8 trillion this year, more than four times last year's all-time high. The record borrowing is credited with pushing up interest rates, which could imperil chances for a recovery later in the year.

In Obama's own words, "You ain't seen nothing yet."
Peter

Sources:
AP- Obama: It's OK to borrow to pay for health care

Swine Flu Update 061009

UPDATE: Swine Flu Alive and Well

Sun Sentinel - Broward students quarantined in China over H1N1 swine flu fears by Joel Marino SunSentinel.com

Nine Broward County high school students and one teacher were detained and quarantined on Tuesday in Beijingover fears of the H1N1 swine flu.

The group may be held for up to seven days in China, according to an official with the Spokane, Wash.-based People to People Student Ambassador Program, which arranges educational trips for United States students.

The detained group was traveling with 11 other students and two other teachers from South Florida. Officials with the Spokane program would not release their names or the schools they attend.

Though none were sick, a nearby passenger on their flight had flu-like symptoms, said Meredith Banka, the organization's vice president.

The group left for China on Saturday and was detained Tuesday, Banka said. The students' parents must now decide if they want their children to stay in China once they're released from quarantine, she said.

"We developed a plan as soon as we heard about the swine flu outbreak, so we were ready to handle such a situation," Banka said, adding such trips generally last 14-19 days. "Safety is our number one priority when students travel."

The students who were not quarantined were on their way to see the Great Wall, Banka said.

Calls to the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., were not immediately returned, but its website said travelers have been detained since mid-May when the first H1N1 swine flu virus case was reported in that country.

Among them: New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, his wife and a security guard, who were detained Sunday and remain in quarantine at a Shanghai hotel. Like the students, the entourage had sat near a passenger who appeared ill.

Mainland China has reported 97 H1N1 swine flu infections since May.

The disease, which officials think began in Mexico in March, has spread around the world at an alarming rate.

The World Health Organization said as of Tuesday that 73 countries had reported more than 26,000 infections, including 140 deaths.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Latests CDC: Case Count here

Alabama 94 cases 0 deaths
Alaska 3cases 0 deaths
Arkansas 9cases 0 deaths
Arizona 547 cases 4 deaths
California 973 cases 0 deaths
Colorado 75 cases 0 deaths
Connecticut 395 cases 1 death
Delaware 142 cases 0 deaths
Florida 247 cases 0 deaths
Georgia 33 cases 0 deaths
Hawaii 115 cases 0 deaths
Idaho 16 cases 0 deaths
Illinois 1357 cases 5
Indiana 173 cases 0 deaths
Iowa 92 cases 0 deaths
Kansas 92 0 deaths
Kentucky 96 0 deaths
Louisiana 134 cases 0 deaths
Maine 17 0 deaths
Maryland 89 0 deaths
Massachusetts 787 0 deaths
Michigan 298 cases 1 death
Minnesota 82 0 deaths
Mississippi 40 cases 0 deaths
Missouri 46 cases 1 death
Montana 15 cases 0 deaths
Nebraska 60 cases 0 deaths
Nevada 128 cases 0 deaths
New Hampshire 64 cases 0 deaths
New Jersey 148 cases 0 deaths
New Mexico 108 cases 0 deaths
New York 858 cases 8 deaths
North Carolina 30 cases 0 deaths
North Dakota 23 cases 0 deaths
Ohio 35 cases 0 deaths
Oklahoma 93 cases 0 deaths
Oregon 167 cases 0 deaths
Pennsylvania 299 cases 0 deaths
Rhode Island 18 cases 0 deaths
South Carolina 60 0 deaths
South Dakota 10 cases 0 deaths
Tennessee 104 cases 0 deaths
Texas 1670 cases 3 deaths
Utah 461 cases 2 deaths
Vermont 9 cases 0 deaths
Virginia 55 cases 1 death
Washington 577 cases 1 death
Washington, D.C. 24 cases 0 deaths
West Virginia 6 cases 0 deaths
Wisconsin 2217 cases 0 deaths
Wyoming 25 cases 0 deaths
Territories
Puerto Rico 1 case 0 deaths
TOTAL*(52) 13,217 cases 27 deaths

Sources:
Sun Sentinel - Broward students quarantined in China over H1N1 swine flu fears

Energy Information By The Experts

New Energy Blog

Hey folks,

I have great news for those of you who are interested in FACTS and TRUTH when it comes to Energy. Our friends over at API have launched a new Blog all about energy. You can find it here over at Energy Tomorrow Blog.

The main Author will be our very own friend Jane Van Ryan, with guest writers up to and including the API President. Experts in the Energy Field Talking DIRECTLY to you, about all things on the Energy front.

"Who are we?

Energy Tomorrow is brought to you by the American Petroleum Institute (API), which is the only national trade association that represents all aspects of America's oil and natural gas industry. Our 400 corporate members, from the largest major oil company to the smallest of independents, come from all segments of the industry. They are producers, refiners, suppliers, pipeline operators and marine transporters, as well as service and supply companies that support all segments of the industry.

What are we trying to do here?

Well, it's pretty simple. Like we explained in our inaugural post, we aim to be:

Informative: Energy issues are complicated, to say the least. We'll do our best to break down some of these complex issues in a way that's easy to understand, and we'll answer your questions in an open dialogue.

Timely: This is also where we'll provide our most up-to-date tidbits of news, information and commentary. So subscribe, bookmark - whatever your preference - to stay sharp on the day's most pressing energy issues.

Fair: Most importantly, we want to hear from you and welcome your comments on our blog posts. We're looking forward to hosting a discussion with varying positions and opinions, but we do ask that you adhere to the comment guidelines. (Basically, we just ask that you be respectful.)

What do we want from you?

We want to foster a productive debate on energy issues. With that in mind, we expect those participating in the conversation on our blog to adhere to the comment policy described below. We encourage you to weigh in with a variety of perspectives; you just have to play by the rules. Thank you in advance for doing so."

You can read all about them and the Comment Policy over at the Blog itself.

Here is just a taste of what you can expect.

Prices at the Pump Explained
Did You Know...
A new burden on American families
Climate Bill: 'Unacceptable as Drafted'
Poll Finds Support for Offshore Drilling on East Coast

That is just a small sample of what you can find at this new Blog. It is far past time when all ordinary Americans, of whom are ALL effected by the Energy Issues facing us today, have a source to go to to learn the FACTS. A place where you can talk DIRECTLY to the real Experts in the field and learn things that you will not learn anywhere else.

I encourage you all to take a few minutes to go over and sign up. Well, if you want to leave a comment you have to sign up. Check it out for yourself. Whenever you hear something about energy and want to learn more about it, the New Energy Tomorrow Blog., would be a GREAT place to start.
Peter

President Obama Has Been Demoted

No longer the Messiah?

Hey folks,

Happy Sunday to you and welcome to the Big Sunday Edition of the OPNTalk Blog. Glad you could stop by. That's right folks, President Obama has be demoted by the MMD. He is no longer the Messiah. No. Now he is Gandhi

I'm not making this up. The headline says so. Mahatma Obama in Palestine. Now in this piece, they use this from the Speech. Do not worry, I'm about to give my analysis of the Speech in just a few minutes, but they used this.

"Palestinians must abandon violence. Resistance through violence and killing is wrong and it does not succeed. For centuries, black people in America suffered the lash of the whip as slaves and the humiliation of segregation. But it was not violence that won full and equal rights. It was a peaceful and determined insistence upon the ideals at the center of America's founding."

So think about this. Israel is the Evil White Slave owners and the Muslims that want them dead are the moral equivalent to Black American Slaves? Talk about sheer ignorance. Talk about throwing Israel under a bus. {Sigh} More on all this in a second.

Coming right up today?

Analysis of Obama Cairo Speech
Iran in major nuclear expansion
This Women Has No Right To Choose?
Court Says Christmas and The Bible Not Related

As for the IWA, All this guys deserves is an after thought if that. So let's do this now. Our Idiot just wrote this over at the Daily Kooks.

"Well it has been nearly a week since I have had an opportunity to blog, and during that time I guess the Republican Party has declared war on the Hispanic population of the United States."

What complete and utter ignorance. But this is who these people are. Mindless Drones that lack the ability to actually THINK for themselves.

"I find it refreshing that they aren’t even disguising their racist attitudes anymore. It has always been apparent that if you were not a white male or the spouse of one that you really aren’t what the Republicans are looking for, and I don’t want to hear, but what about Michael Steele or some other exception to the rule, because history is full of fools who go against there own and their own interests."

Now I know some of you may not get it. But this MORON is what is wrong with this country. The ones that have PROVEN time after time that they are the ones that see everything through the Prism of Race and those that are the TRUE Racist, are the Liberal Left. He just called "Michael Steel, or some other exception to the rule" Most likely Clarence Thomas, Condi Rice, "Uncle Toms" Sell outs. Yes folks, this Idiot is nothing more than a sheep. Mindlessly repeating sad and ignorant rhetoric.

"Newt and Rush calling Judge Sotomayor a racist is like butcher calling out a vegan for being cruel to animals." She is.

"Does Rush "I am a fat worthless lying Pig" Limbaugh remember when he got fired from ESPN for his racist statements about Donavan McNabb?"

He was critiquing the MEDIA'S view of McNabb, but that has been proven LONG ago. Sorry you did not get the updated memo.

"Probably not, he’s taken far too many prescription drugs since then, but Newt, wow, he will sling any kind of feces he can get his grubby little mouth to choke out just so he can stay on the airways and keep his name being talked about like he was still relevant."

More than you will ever be. More than Most Lib.s will ever be. Newt is relevant. Leaning a little to far Left for me from time to time, but still relevant.

"I realize that these two windbags are just a couple of examples of all the rightwing hate being thrown at Judge Sotomayor, for I could mention Tom Delay or any of the rest, but they are individually not important, what is important is that Americans are paying attention to this party and hopefully they will see the truth about who the Republicans are and until they want to rejoin the rest of us in America and realize that Old White Guy rule has come to an end, then they need not be elected to office."

It is MORE important that Americans are paying attention to Obama, hopefully they will see the truth about who he really is, and who the LWL {Left Wing Loons} like you, are and until they want to rejoin the rest of us in America and realize that Socialistic rule has come to an end.

I hesitated to give this guy any attention whatsoever today, but I wanted to illustrate to you, what I have been telling you for YEARS. When they have nothing, and they cannot defend their views, YOU are the Racist, Chauvinistic, Homophobe. They are pure, intelligent, and wholesome. To bad that is not even close to reality.

So there you go, Matthews Peters, AKA, Obama and ME, you ARE the Idiot of the week. Now that this is out of the way, let's get to what actually matters. Be right back.
Peter

Sources:
McClatchy Newspapers - Mahatma Obama in Palestine

Analysis of Obama Cairo Speech

"Tear Down This Wall" it ain't.

Hey folks,

Now I know, I know, that the MMD {Mainstream Media Drones} LOVED this speech. The Obamaid drinkers LOVED this speech. Some even want ME to point out at least one good thing that I heard in it. OK. I'll try.

But some have gone off the deep end. They are comparing this to the Ronald Reagan "Tear Down This Wall" speech. Your kidding right? I have even heard some compare this to the MLK Jr. "I Have A Dream" speech. But then again, I thought that was his speech on Race a while back. Anyway. None of these are even close to what this was.

Most of the "Facts" that Obama pointed out is completely made up. Seriously. I'll get to some of them in a second. I told you I was waiting to hear what he said about Israel. He did say this.

"Around the world, the Jewish people were persecuted for centuries, and anti-Semitism in Europe culminated in an unprecedented Holocaust. Tomorrow, I will visit Buchenwald, which was part of a network of camps where Jews were enslaved, tortured, shot and gassed to death by the Third Reich. Six million Jews were killed — more than the entire Jewish population of Israel today. Denying that fact is baseless, ignorant, and hateful. Threatening Israel with destruction — or repeating vile stereotypes about Jews — is deeply wrong, and only serves to evoke in the minds of Israelis this most painful of memories while preventing the peace that the people of this region deserve."

OK. Sounds good. There is the one good thing for you. He is sticking up for Israel. Right? But then he said this.

"On the other hand, it is also undeniable that the Palestinian people — Muslims and Christians — have suffered in pursuit of a homeland. For more than sixty years they have endured the pain of dislocation. Many wait in refugee camps in the West Bank, Gaza, and neighboring lands for a life of peace and security that they have never been able to lead. They endure the daily humiliations — large and small — that come with occupation. So let there be no doubt: the situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable. America will not turn our backs on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity, and a state of their own."

There are a few problems with this. One, he said "They endure the daily humiliations — large and small — that come with occupation." Occupation? So he right there said he feels that Israel is occupying Palestinian land. The Jews took their land and they are occupying it. So right there, seems as if he chose sides.

Leave that aside for a second, he also seems to be equivocating 60 years of the Palestinians without a homeland to the Holocaust. REALLY? He wants us to draw a moral equivalence between the slaughter of six million Jews and a political circumstance in Palestine that's largely brought on by themselves? What about all the times we helped Muslims all around the world? He didn't mention that of course. No, he said that Israel had to give up their land, you know, Palestinian land, and then there will be peace. OH, yeah, of course the Muslims have to stop killing Israelis. {Sigh}

But this entire Pro-Muslim speech was nothing but BS.

"As a student of history, I also know civilization's debt to Islam. It was Islam at places like Al-Azhar that carried the light of learning through so many centuries, paving the way for Europe's renaissance and enlightenment. It was innovation in Muslim communities that developed the order of algebra, our magnetic compass and tools of navigation, our mastery of pens and printing, our understanding of how disease spreads and how it could be healed. Islamic culture has given us majestic arches and soaring spires, timeless poetry and cherished music, elegant calligraphy, and places of peaceful contemplation -- and throughout history, Islam has demonstrated through words and deeds the possibilities of religious tolerance and racial equality."

He must have been sleeping in class folks.

Algebra? Babylonians. Not Muslims.

Magnetic Compass, "tools of navigation?" Some say Central Americans. Some say the Chinese. Either one you chose to accept, one thing is sure. The compass was discovered centuries before the advent of Islam.

"Our mastery of pens and printing?" Gutenberg. Not Muslim

"Our understanding of how disease spreads and how it can be healed?" Can anyone tell me where THIS came from? Any proof of this?

Arches and Spires? Really? Try ROME. Not Muslim.

"Cherished music?" One problem with that, most are forbidden in most Islamic traditions.

Now we seem to be up to 7 million Muslims in this country? {Laughing} No still about 2.5 to 3 million.

OH, and what about this Women's right thing? I'm being serious here. He complained about Women being discriminated against in this country for covering their hair. You know, that scarf that they wear around their hair and face. Remember that big hoo ha at the Motor Vehicle a few years back? But Obama? WHAT ABOUT WOMEN'S Rights NOT to wear it in Muslim countries? He of course did not address this. Nor the Stonings, beheadings, Rapes, so on. Nope, he said this.

"In Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia, we have seen Muslim-majority countries elect a woman to lead. Meanwhile, the struggle for women's equality continues in many aspects of American life."

So Women have made GREAT STRIDES in the countries where they are Raped, Oppressed, and killed. Yet in this country? BAD AMERICA! BAD AMERICA! {Sigh} And just exactly what does this mean?

"That is why the United States will partner with any Muslim-majority country to support expanded literacy for girls, and to help young women pursue employment through micro-financing that helps people live their dreams."

"Micro-financing" Did he just say we are going to start giving Muslim Countries OUR Money to help them better educate THEIR Women? He is going to be in charge of this? YOUR Tax money will pay for this? What about OUR Schools? I haven't heard much about that from Obama. I know he wanted to shut down a program in DC that HELPED Minority Children. He still is going to. He just delayed it. But NOW we will be micro-financing Girls in Muslim Countries?

As you can clearly see, although I know that the Obamaid drinkers will NEVER see, this whole speech was more of the same. America bad. Israel Bad. Muslims good. America will not impose our will, accept you Israel, on any Country. Nukes bad. We are all one. We should be one. No need for Sovereignty. We are all Citizens of the world.

Peter

Sources:
OPNTalk - Transcript of Barack Obama's speech at Cairo University

Iran in major nuclear expansion

Guess Obama Speech worked huh?

Hey folks,

We just got done discussing Obama's "Historic" Speech. How he is all about Muslims. He wants them to rest assured, that they have a friend in the US. That Israel will have to be divided to make way for peace, and they, the Islamofacists must stop attacking Israel.

But then again, he also just said that Iran has every right to go nuclear. He said "I do believe is that Iran has legitimate energy concerns, legitimate aspirations."

So what are you so upset about? Why is the U.N. upset? Ahmadinejad is just doing what Obama said is legitimate. He is just doing it faster than the "experts" though possible. He has been telling you what he is doing the whole time, but the "experts" said differently. Turns out, Little Hitler was telling the truth.

According to Reuters - Iran in major nuclear expansion, U.N. oversight harder by Mark Heinrich

VIENNA (Reuters) - Iran has significantly expanded uranium enrichment with almost 5,000 centrifuges now operating and this has made it harder for U.N. inspectors to keep track of the disputed nuclear activity, an IAEA report said on Friday.

According to Ahmadinejad, that would be over 7000.

Obtained by Reuters, the restricted International Atomic Energy Agency report said Iran had increased its rate of production of low-enriched uranium (LEU), boosting its stockpile by 500 kg to 1,339 kg in the past six months.

Iran's improved efficiency in turning out potential nuclear fuel is sure to fan Western fears of the Islamic Republic nearing the ability to make atomic bombs, if it chose to do so.

IF? Yeah, they were just testing Missiles for fun.

Oil giant Iran says it wants a uranium enrichment industry solely to provide an alternative source of electricity.

OK. {Sigh}

But it has stonewalled an IAEA investigation into suspected past research into bomb-making, calling U.S. intelligence about it forged, and continues to limit the scope of IAEA inspections.

You mean they are not cooperating? Really?

David Albright of the Institute for Science and International Security, a think tank that tracks proliferation issues, said Iran now had accumulated enough LEU to convert into high-enriched uranium (HEU) sufficient for one atom bomb.

This would require reconfiguring Iran's centrifuge network and miniaturizing HEU to fit into a warhead -- technical hurdles that could take 1-2 years or more -- and would not escape the notice of U.N. inspectors unless done at an undeclared location.

There are no indications of any such secret site.

{Laughing} WHY?? Because he did not tell you where his secrete locations are?

"Still, Iran is ramping up enrichment to reach the point of potential nuclear weapons capability. They haven't made a political decision to do that. But their lack of constraint is disappointing given (U.S. President Barack) Obama's effort to start negotiations," Albright told Reuters from Washington.

I'm not blaming Reuters here. Nor am I blaming the writer of this piece Mark Heinrich, this is ACTUALLY how Obama and the UN think. Little Hitler has not told them that he intends to make a Nuclear Bomb. He has not told them where to find "SECRETE LOCATIONS." So this must not be his intent. He HAS told the world that he wants Nuclear Energy. So that MUST be true. Folks, this really is how they think.

JUMP IN CAPACITY

The U.N. nuclear watchdog report said Iran had 4,920 centrifuges, cylinders that spin at supersonic speed, being fed with uranium hexafluoride gas (UF6) for enrichment nonstop as of May 31, a jump of about 25 percent since February.

Another 2,132 machines were installed and undergoing vacuum tests while a further 169 were being set up -- bringing Iran's total number of deployed centrifuges at its underground Natanz enrichment hall to 7,231 -- with 55,000 eventually planned.

The IAEA had told Iran that given the burgeoning numbers of centrifuges and increased pace of enrichment, "improvements to the containment and surveillance measures are required in order for the agency to continue to fully meet its safeguards objectives," the report said, referring to basic inspections.

So I guess he should just say "Yeah OK." Right?

Senior inspectors were discussing solutions with Iran.

"There is now a forest of 7,000 machines, that's quite a lot, it's a very impressive place, and they will be installing more which could mean 9,000 (soon)," said a senior U.N. official who asked for anonymity to discuss sensitive information.

"That makes it increasingly difficult to do the surveillance (to ensure no diversions for bombmaking purposes elsewhere). We are reviewing (the angles) of our cameras, walking rules (for workers handling equipment), where things are being kept."

At a separate pilot plant in Natanz, Iran continues to test small numbers of a more sophisticated centrifuge than the 1970s vintage it is now using. These models could refine uranium 2-3 times as fast as the P-1, analysts say.

IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei has urged Iran to engage with the United States, "grasp the hand that Obama is extending to you," and negotiate over its nuclear program to ensure it remains civilian under effective monitoring.

Yeah SO? Ahmadinejad has said that discussions of their Nuclear programs are off limits, and he has said Sanctions will never work. He has said that they will not stop, regardless of what the UN or the World thinks. Now he just heard Obama say that they have a RIGHT to go Nuclear.

But little progress in coaxing Iran to open up to IAEA investigators and grant more wide-ranging inspections is likely without a major thaw in Tehran's relations with Western powers.

"The Iran file has been on the table for six years. It's high time to sort it out. We hope Iran and international community get to the table and start to come up with solutions so we can do our (non-proliferation) job," said the senior U.N. official.

Obama has set a rough timetable for negotiating results with Iran, saying he wanted serious progress by the end of the year. He has underlined that any U.S. overtures will be accompanied by harsher sanctions if there is no cooperation.

LITTLE HITLER DOES NOT CARE! Apparently he was also not impressed with Obama's little speech. Ahmadinejad does not care who Obama's Father was. He does not care about Obama. He is on a quest. One he said he will not divert from. What then?

Peter
Reuters - Iran in major nuclear expansion, U.N. oversight harder

This Women Has No Right To Choose?

Woman's Right To Chose?

Hey folks,

I'm actually being serious. If it is a Woman's body, giving her the Right to Murder an innocent life, then why would it not apply to oneself? One could also argue that by allowing what is natural to occur, can in no way be called Suicide.

What I'm talking about is Alison Silva who has chosen NOT to have an operation that could save her life. She chooses not to. Some people are not that happy about that. In our Health and Science Segment this week, we are going to look at this.

According to AOL NEWS Health - Brain Lesion Sparks Painter's Creativity

(June 1) -- An artist with a potentially deadly tangle of blood vessels in her brain is drawing on the hallucinations she suffers to inspire her work, ABC News reported.

Alison Silva, 33, was diagnosed with the brain lesion after an episode in 2006 that "pretty much felt like a carnival ride -- flashing lights, wavy lines, everything was blurry and I felt very clumsy," she recalled.

Doctors told Silva her condition could lead to fatal bleeding or seizures. The diagnosis threw her into depression at first. But then she decided to put her hallucinations into her art. She has declined surgery, saying that she doesn't want to cut the creative pipeline.

"I was scared the operation would change my art," Silva told ABC. "I wanted to paint every day after that. One detail, one emotion almost became like a diary. It put me on the edge and forced me to be even more creative."

Silva is featured in a new documentary on outsider art, work that doesn't fit in the mainstream. 'The Artists' Sanctuary' is to be submitted to film festivals this year.

Some researchers have said that brain injuries can unleash a person's creative juices by inhibiting the "thinking side" of the brain. For anecdotes of people who have experienced that phenomenon, read the full ABC News story. You can see more of Silva's artwork on her Web site.

Now we have seen this type of thing before. Someone diagnosed with a possible fatal disease and they chose, for whatever reason, not to have it treated. There always seems to be others that want treatment to be forced onto them. My question is WHY?

If we have an argument in this country, which we do, that a Woman has a "Right" to murder an innocent and unborn Child, that has no choice in the matter, then WHY would anyone be able to argue that the Woman, or anyone else, does NOT have the "right" to reject Medical treatment, even to the point of death?

Alison is not on the phone calling Doctor Kevorkian to come and give her that last comfortable ride into the ever after. She is simply saying that she does NOT want an operation. So why is this so controversial?

The ABC piece calls her "Childlike." I have seen others saying that the brain lesion may actually be impairing her ability to make a rational decision for her own well being. I say leave her alone. Leave everyone alone. Let them chose if they want to suffer the treatment, with in some cases can be worse than the disease, or not.

We all Captain our own Ships through this magnificent journey called Life. Captain your own Ship and let others Captain theirs.
Peter

Sources:
AOL NEWS Health - Brain Lesion Sparks Painter's Creativity

Court Says Christmas and The Bible Not Related

You Can't Make This Stuff Up 060709

Hey folks,

Remember when you went to school? In most kindergartens, even some Elementary schools, there is a time called show and tell. This is where kids bring in something that is important to them, and they show it to the class. They explain what it is, how it works, where it comes from, that sort of thing.

Well, there are limitations. The kids can't bring a gun, knife, noose, etc. They can't light stuff on fire to show why they love matches, and apparently in Philadelphia, you can't bring the Bible.

Now we could argue all day about the fictitious "Wall of Separation" in the Constitution, there is none, but that is not why this story caught my attention. It was actually the REASON that the Court gave to prevent it.

The appeals court says there is a "significant difference" between identifying those holidays and reading from Scripture.

Really? Those Holidays, as they called them, would NOT BE HOLIDAYS if it were not FOR Scripture. Idiots.

No Christ, NO CHRISTMAS. Now I know that Christmas has been hijacked by those who wish to commercialize it. Billions of dollars a year are thrown around during the Holiday Season. However Jesus is not a Fat White guy with a long white beard and a red suit. But the very word Christmas, MEANS Christ's Mass. The day, correct or not, that we have set aside to celebrate Jesus the Christ being Born.

What about Passover? You could not have Passover WITHOUT SCRIPTURE. So how is there a "significant difference" between reading Scripture and identifying the day set aside to HONOR Scripture? They are not related?

Christopher Columbus came to America. Yeah. Here is a book to tell you why, when and how. WAIT!!!!! Can't read that!!!! What? So we can tell our kids Christmas is a Holiday {Holy Day} but cannot tell them WHY? How ignorant is that. Typical, but ignorant to say the least.

Peter

Sources:
AOL News - No Bible at Show and Tell, Court Rules

Transcript of Barack Obama's speech at Cairo University

A New Beginning, as released by the White House. The speech was delivered on June 4, 2009.

President Obama: "I am honored to be in the timeless city of Cairo, and to be hosted by two remarkable institutions. For over a thousand years, Al-Azhar has stood as a beacon of Islamic learning, and for over a century, Cairo University has been a source of Egypt's advancement. Together, you represent the harmony between tradition and progress. I am grateful for your hospitality, and the hospitality of the people of Egypt. I am also proud to carry with me the goodwill of the American people, and a greeting of peace from Muslim communities in my country: assalaamu alaykum.

We meet at a time of tension between the United States and Muslims around the world — tension rooted in historical forces that go beyond any current policy debate. The relationship between Islam and the West includes centuries of co-existence and cooperation, but also conflict and religious wars. More recently, tension has been fed by colonialism that denied rights and opportunities to many Muslims, and a Cold War in which Muslim-majority countries were too often treated as proxies without regard to their own aspirations. Moreover, the sweeping change brought by modernity and globalization led many Muslims to view the West as hostile to the traditions of Islam.

Violent extremists have exploited these tensions in a small but potent minority of Muslims. The attacks of September 11th, 2001 and the continued efforts of these extremists to engage in violence against civilians has led some in my country to view Islam as inevitably hostile not only to America and Western countries, but also to human rights. This has bred more fear and mistrust.

So long as our relationship is defined by our differences, we will empower those who sow hatred rather than peace, and who promote conflict rather than the cooperation that can help all of our people achieve justice and prosperity. This cycle of suspicion and discord must end.

I have come here to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world; one based upon mutual interest and mutual respect; and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive, and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles — principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings.

I do so recognizing that change cannot happen overnight. No single speech can eradicate years of mistrust, nor can I answer in the time that I have all the complex questions that brought us to this point. But I am convinced that in order to move forward, we must say openly the things we hold in our hearts, and that too often are said only behind closed doors. There must be a sustained effort to listen to each other; to learn from each other; to respect one another; and to seek common ground. As the Holy Koran tells us, "Be conscious of God and speak always the truth." That is what I will try to do — to speak the truth as best I can, humbled by the task before us, and firm in my belief that the interests we share as human beings are far more powerful than the forces that drive us apart.

Part of this conviction is rooted in my own experience. I am a Christian, but my father came from a Kenyan family that includes generations of Muslims. As a boy, I spent several years in Indonesia and heard the call of the azaan at the break of dawn and the fall of dusk. As a young man, I worked in Chicago communities where many found dignity and peace in their Muslim faith.

As a student of history, I also know civilization's debt to Islam. It was Islam — at places like Al-Azhar University — that carried the light of learning through so many centuries, paving the way for Europe's Renaissance and Enlightenment. It was innovation in Muslim communities that developed the order of algebra; our magnetic compass and tools of navigation; our mastery of pens and printing; our understanding of how disease spreads and how it can be healed. Islamic culture has given us majestic arches and soaring spires; timeless poetry and cherished music; elegant calligraphy and places of peaceful contemplation. And throughout history, Islam has demonstrated through words and deeds the possibilities of religious tolerance and racial equality.

I know, too, that Islam has always been a part of America's story. The first nation to recognize my country was Morocco. In signing the Treaty of Tripoli in 1796, our second President John Adams wrote, "The United States has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Muslims." And since our founding, American Muslims have enriched the United States. They have fought in our wars, served in government, stood for civil rights, started businesses, taught at our Universities, excelled in our sports arenas, won Nobel Prizes, built our tallest building, and lit the Olympic Torch. And when the first Muslim-American was recently elected to Congress, he took the oath to defend our Constitution using the same Holy Koran that one of our Founding Fathers — Thomas Jefferson — kept in his personal library.

So I have known Islam on three continents before coming to the region where it was first revealed. That experience guides my conviction that partnership between America and Islam must be based on what Islam is, not what it isn't. And I consider it part of my responsibility as President of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear.

But that same principle must apply to Muslim perceptions of America. Just as Muslims do not fit a crude stereotype, America is not the crude stereotype of a self-interested empire. The United States has been one of the greatest sources of progress that the world has ever known. We were born out of revolution against an empire. We were founded upon the ideal that all are created equal, and we have shed blood and struggled for centuries to give meaning to those words — within our borders, and around the world. We are shaped by every culture, drawn from every end of the Earth, and dedicated to a simple concept: E pluribus unum: "Out of many, one."

Much has been made of the fact that an African-American with the name Barack Hussein Obama could be elected President. But my personal story is not so unique. The dream of opportunity for all people has not come true for everyone in America, but its promise exists for all who come to our shores — that includes nearly seven million American Muslims in our country today who enjoy incomes and education that are higher than average.

Moreover, freedom in America is indivisible from the freedom to practice one's religion. That is why there is a mosque in every state of our union, and over 1,200 mosques within our borders. That is why the U.S. government has gone to court to protect the right of women and girls to wear the hijab, and to punish those who would deny it.

So let there be no doubt: Islam is a part of America. And I believe that America holds within her the truth that regardless of race, religion, or station in life, all of us share common aspirations — to live in peace and security; to get an education and to work with dignity; to love our families, our communities, and our God. These things we share. This is the hope of all humanity.

Of course, recognizing our common humanity is only the beginning of our task. Words alone cannot meet the needs of our people. These needs will be met only if we act boldly in the years ahead; and if we understand that the challenges we face are shared, and our failure to meet them will hurt us all.

For we have learned from recent experience that when a financial system weakens in one country, prosperity is hurt everywhere. When a new flu infects one human being, all are at risk. When one nation pursues a nuclear weapon, the risk of nuclear attack rises for all nations. When violent extremists operate in one stretch of mountains, people are endangered across an ocean. And when innocents in Bosnia and Darfur are slaughtered, that is a stain on our collective conscience. That is what it means to share this world in the 21st century. That is the responsibility we have to one another as human beings.

This is a difficult responsibility to embrace. For human history has often been a record of nations and tribes subjugating one another to serve their own interests. Yet in this new age, such attitudes are self-defeating. Given our interdependence, any world order that elevates one nation or group of people over another will inevitably fail. So whatever we think of the past, we must not be prisoners of it. Our problems must be dealt with through partnership; progress must be shared.

That does not mean we should ignore sources of tension. Indeed, it suggests the opposite: we must face these tensions squarely. And so in that spirit, let me speak as clearly and plainly as I can about some specific issues that I believe we must finally confront together.

The first issue that we have to confront is violent extremism in all of its forms.

In Ankara, I made clear that America is not — and never will be — at war with Islam. We will, however, relentlessly confront violent extremists who pose a grave threat to our security. Because we reject the same thing that people of all faiths reject: the killing of innocent men, women, and children. And it is my first duty as President to protect the American people.

The situation in Afghanistan demonstrates America's goals, and our need to work together. Over seven years ago, the United States pursued al-Qaeda and the Taliban with broad international support. We did not go by choice, we went because of necessity. I am aware that some question or justify the events of 9/11. But let us be clear: al Qaeda killed nearly 3,000 people on that day. The victims were innocent men, women and children from America and many other nations who had done nothing to harm anybody. And yet Al Qaeda chose to ruthlessly murder these people, claimed credit for the attack, and even now states their determination to kill on a massive scale. They have affiliates in many countries and are trying to expand their reach. These are not opinions to be debated; these are facts to be dealt with.

Make no mistake: we do not want to keep our troops in Afghanistan. We seek no military bases there. It is agonizing for America to lose our young men and women. It is costly and politically difficult to continue this conflict. We would gladly bring every single one of our troops home if we could be confident that there were not violent extremists in Afghanistan and Pakistan determined to kill as many Americans as they possibly can. But that is not yet the case.

That's why we're partnering with a coalition of forty-six countries. And despite the costs involved, America's commitment will not weaken. Indeed, none of us should tolerate these extremists. They have killed in many countries. They have killed people of different faiths — more than any other, they have killed Muslims. Their actions are irreconcilable with the rights of human beings, the progress of nations, and with Islam. The Holy Koran teaches that whoever kills an innocent, it is as if he has killed all mankind; and whoever saves a person, it is as if he has saved all mankind. The enduring faith of over a billion people is so much bigger than the narrow hatred of a few. Islam is not part of the problem in combating violent extremism — it is an important part of promoting peace.

We also know that military power alone is not going to solve the problems in Afghanistan and Pakistan. That is why we plan to invest $1.5 billion each year over the next five years to partner with Pakistanis to build schools and hospitals, roads and businesses, and hundreds of millions to help those who have been displaced. And that is why we are providing more than $2.8 billion to help Afghans develop their economy and deliver services that people depend upon.

Let me also address the issue of Iraq. Unlike Afghanistan, Iraq was a war of choice that provoked strong differences in my country and around the world. Although I believe that the Iraqi people are ultimately better off without the tyranny of Saddam Hussein, I also believe that events in Iraq have reminded America of the need to use diplomacy and build international consensus to resolve our problems whenever possible. Indeed, we can recall the words of Thomas Jefferson, who said: "I hope that our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us that the less we use our power the greater it will be."

Today, America has a dual responsibility: to help Iraq forge a better future — and to leave Iraq to Iraqis. I have made it clear to the Iraqi people that we pursue no bases, and no claim on their territory or resources. Iraq's sovereignty is its own. That is why I ordered the removal of our combat brigades by next August. That is why we will honor our agreement with Iraq's democratically elected government to remove combat troops from Iraqi cities by July, and to remove all our troops from Iraq by 2012. We will help Iraq train its Security Forces and develop its economy. But we will support a secure and united Iraq as a partner, and never as a patron.

And finally, just as America can never tolerate violence by extremists, we must never alter our principles. 9/11 was an enormous trauma to our country. The fear and anger that it provoked was understandable, but in some cases, it led us to act contrary to our ideals. We are taking concrete actions to change course. I have unequivocally prohibited the use of torture by the United States, and I have ordered the prison at Guantanamo Bay closed by early next year.

So America will defend itself respectful of the sovereignty of nations and the rule of law. And we will do so in partnership with Muslim communities, which are also threatened. The sooner the extremists are isolated and unwelcome in Muslim communities, the sooner we will all be safer.

The second major source of tension that we need to discuss is the situation between Israelis, Palestinians and the Arab world.

America's strong bonds with Israel are well known. This bond is unbreakable. It is based upon cultural and historical ties, and the recognition that the aspiration for a Jewish homeland is rooted in a tragic history that cannot be denied.

Around the world, the Jewish people were persecuted for centuries, and anti-Semitism in Europe culminated in an unprecedented Holocaust. Tomorrow, I will visit Buchenwald, which was part of a network of camps where Jews were enslaved, tortured, shot and gassed to death by the Third Reich. Six million Jews were killed — more than the entire Jewish population of Israel today. Denying that fact is baseless, ignorant, and hateful. Threatening Israel with destruction — or repeating vile stereotypes about Jews — is deeply wrong, and only serves to evoke in the minds of Israelis this most painful of memories while preventing the peace that the people of this region deserve.

On the other hand, it is also undeniable that the Palestinian people — Muslims and Christians — have suffered in pursuit of a homeland. For more than sixty years they have endured the pain of dislocation. Many wait in refugee camps in the West Bank, Gaza, and neighboring lands for a life of peace and security that they have never been able to lead. They endure the daily humiliations — large and small — that come with occupation. So let there be no doubt: the situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable. America will not turn our backs on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity, and a state of their own.

For decades, there has been a stalemate: two peoples with legitimate aspirations, each with a painful history that makes compromise elusive. It is easy to point fingers — for Palestinians to point to the displacement brought by Israel's founding, and for Israelis to point to the constant hostility and attacks throughout its history from within its borders as well as beyond. But if we see this conflict only from one side or the other, then we will be blind to the truth: the only resolution is for the aspirations of both sides to be met through two states, where Israelis and Palestinians each live in peace and security.

That is in Israel's interest, Palestine's interest, America's interest, and the world's interest. That is why I intend to personally pursue this outcome with all the patience that the task requires. The obligations that the parties have agreed to under the Road Map are clear. For peace to come, it is time for them — and all of us — to live up to our responsibilities.

Palestinians must abandon violence. Resistance through violence and killing is wrong and does not succeed. For centuries, black people in America suffered the lash of the whip as slaves and the humiliation of segregation. But it was not violence that won full and equal rights. It was a peaceful and determined insistence upon the ideals at the center of America's founding. This same story can be told by people from South Africa to South Asia; from Eastern Europe to Indonesia. It's a story with a simple truth: that violence is a dead end. It is a sign of neither courage nor power to shoot rockets at sleeping children, or to blow up old women on a bus. That is not how moral authority is claimed; that is how it is surrendered.

Now is the time for Palestinians to focus on what they can build. The Palestinian Authority must develop its capacity to govern, with institutions that serve the needs of its people. Hamas does have support among some Palestinians, but they also have responsibilities. To play a role in fulfilling Palestinian aspirations, and to unify the Palestinian people, Hamas must put an end to violence, recognize past agreements, and recognize Israel's right to exist.

At the same time, Israelis must acknowledge that just as Israel's right to exist cannot be denied, neither can Palestine's. The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements. This construction violates previous agreements and undermines efforts to achieve peace. It is time for these settlements to stop.

Israel must also live up to its obligations to ensure that Palestinians can live, and work, and develop their society. And just as it devastates Palestinian families, the continuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza does not serve Israel's security; neither does the continuing lack of opportunity in the West Bank. Progress in the daily lives of the Palestinian people must be part of a road to peace, and Israel must take concrete steps to enable such progress.

Finally, the Arab States must recognize that the Arab Peace Initiative was an important beginning, but not the end of their responsibilities. The Arab-Israeli conflict should no longer be used to distract the people of Arab nations from other problems. Instead, it must be a cause for action to help the Palestinian people develop the institutions that will sustain their state; to recognize Israel's legitimacy; and to choose progress over a self-defeating focus on the past.

America will align our policies with those who pursue peace, and say in public what we say in private to Israelis and Palestinians and Arabs. We cannot impose peace. But privately, many Muslims recognize that Israel will not go away. Likewise, many Israelis recognize the need for a Palestinian state. It is time for us to act on what everyone knows to be true.

Too many tears have flowed. Too much blood has been shed. All of us have a responsibility to work for the day when the mothers of Israelis and Palestinians can see their children grow up without fear; when the Holy Land of three great faiths is the place of peace that God intended it to be; when Jerusalem is a secure and lasting home for Jews and Christians and Muslims, and a place for all of the children of Abraham to mingle peacefully together as in the story of Isra, when Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed (peace be upon them) joined in prayer.

The third source of tension is our shared interest in the rights and responsibilities of nations on nuclear weapons.

This issue has been a source of tension between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran. For many years, Iran has defined itself in part by its opposition to my country, and there is indeed a tumultuous history between us. In the middle of the Cold War, the United States played a role in the overthrow of a democratically elected Iranian government. Since the Islamic Revolution, Iran has played a role in acts of hostage-taking and violence against U.S. troops and civilians. This history is well known. Rather than remain trapped in the past, I have made it clear to Iran's leaders and people that my country is prepared to move forward. The question, now, is not what Iran is against, but rather what future it wants to build.

It will be hard to overcome decades of mistrust, but we will proceed with courage, rectitude and resolve. There will be many issues to discuss between our two countries, and we are willing to move forward without preconditions on the basis of mutual respect. But it is clear to all concerned that when it comes to nuclear weapons, we have reached a decisive point. This is not simply about America's interests. It is about preventing a nuclear arms race in the Middle East that could lead this region and the world down a hugely dangerous path.

I understand those who protest that some countries have weapons that others do not. No single nation should pick and choose which nations hold nuclear weapons. That is why I strongly reaffirmed America's commitment to seek a world in which no nations hold nuclear weapons. And any nation — including Iran — should have the right to access peaceful nuclear power if it complies with its responsibilities under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. That commitment is at the core of the Treaty, and it must be kept for all who fully abide by it. And I am hopeful that all countries in the region can share in this goal.

The fourth issue that I will address is democracy.

I know there has been controversy about the promotion of democracy in recent years, and much of this controversy is connected to the war in Iraq. So let me be clear: no system of government can or should be imposed upon one nation by any other.

That does not lessen my commitment, however, to governments that reflect the will of the people. Each nation gives life to this principle in its own way, grounded in the traditions of its own people. America does not presume to know what is best for everyone, just as we would not presume to pick the outcome of a peaceful election. But I do have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and doesn't steal from the people; the freedom to live as you choose. Those are not just American ideas, they are human rights, and that is why we will support them everywhere.

There is no straight line to realize this promise. But this much is clear: governments that protect these rights are ultimately more stable, successful and secure. Suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away. America respects the right of all peaceful and law-abiding voices to be heard around the world, even if we disagree with them. And we will welcome all elected, peaceful governments — provided they govern with respect for all their people.

This last point is important because there are some who advocate for democracy only when they are out of power; once in power, they are ruthless in suppressing the rights of others. No matter where it takes hold, government of the people and by the people sets a single standard for all who hold power: you must maintain your power through consent, not coercion; you must respect the rights of minorities, and participate with a spirit of tolerance and compromise; you must place the interests of your people and the legitimate workings of the political process above your party. Without these ingredients, elections alone do not make true democracy.

The fifth issue that we must address together is religious freedom.

Islam has a proud tradition of tolerance. We see it in the history of Andalusia and Cordoba during the Inquisition. I saw it firsthand as a child in Indonesia, where devout Christians worshiped freely in an overwhelmingly Muslim country. That is the spirit we need today. People in every country should be free to choose and live their faith based upon the persuasion of the mind, heart, and soul. This tolerance is essential for religion to thrive, but it is being challenged in many different ways.

Among some Muslims, there is a disturbing tendency to measure one's own faith by the rejection of another's. The richness of religious diversity must be upheld — whether it is for Maronites in Lebanon or the Copts in Egypt. And fault lines must be closed among Muslims as well, as the divisions between Sunni and Shia have led to tragic violence, particularly in Iraq.

Freedom of religion is central to the ability of peoples to live together. We must always examine the ways in which we protect it. For instance, in the United States, rules on charitable giving have made it harder for Muslims to fulfill their religious obligation. That is why I am committed to working with American Muslims to ensure that they can fulfill zakat.

Likewise, it is important for Western countries to avoid impeding Muslim citizens from practicing religion as they see fit — for instance, by dictating what clothes a Muslim woman should wear. We cannot disguise hostility towards any religion behind the pretence of liberalism.

Indeed, faith should bring us together. That is why we are forging service projects in America that bring together Christians, Muslims, and Jews. That is why we welcome efforts like Saudi Arabian King Abdullah's Interfaith dialogue and Turkey's leadership in the Alliance of Civilizations. Around the world, we can turn dialogue into Interfaith service, so bridges between peoples lead to action — whether it is combating malaria in Africa, or providing relief after a natural disaster.

The sixth issue that I want to address is women's rights.

I know there is debate about this issue. I reject the view of some in the West that a woman who chooses to cover her hair is somehow less equal, but I do believe that a woman who is denied an education is denied equality. And it is no coincidence that countries where women are well educated are far more likely to be prosperous.

Now let me be clear: issues of women's equality are by no means simply an issue for Islam. In Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia, we have seen Muslim-majority countries elect a woman to lead. Meanwhile, the struggle for women's equality continues in many aspects of American life, and in countries around the world.

Our daughters can contribute just as much to society as our sons, and our common prosperity will be advanced by allowing all humanity — men and women — to reach their full potential. I do not believe that women must make the same choices as men in order to be equal, and I respect those women who choose to live their lives in traditional roles. But it should be their choice. That is why the United States will partner with any Muslim-majority country to support expanded literacy for girls, and to help young women pursue employment through micro-financing that helps people live their dreams.

Finally, I want to discuss economic development and opportunity.

I know that for many, the face of globalization is contradictory. The Internet and television can bring knowledge and information, but also offensive sexuality and mindless violence. Trade can bring new wealth and opportunities, but also huge disruptions and changing communities. In all nations — including my own — this change can bring fear. Fear that because of modernity we will lose of control over our economic choices, our politics, and most importantly our identities — those things we most cherish about our communities, our families, our traditions, and our faith.

But I also know that human progress cannot be denied. There need not be contradiction between development and tradition. Countries like Japan and South Korea grew their economies while maintaining distinct cultures. The same is true for the astonishing progress within Muslim-majority countries from Kuala Lumpur to Dubai. In ancient times and in our times, Muslim communities have been at the forefront of innovation and education.

This is important because no development strategy can be based only upon what comes out of the ground, nor can it be sustained while young people are out of work. Many Gulf States have enjoyed great wealth as a consequence of oil, and some are beginning to focus it on broader development. But all of us must recognize that education and innovation will be the currency of the 21st century, and in too many Muslim communities there remains underinvestment in these areas. I am emphasizing such investments within my country. And while America in the past has focused on oil and gas in this part of the world, we now seek a broader engagement.

On education, we will expand exchange programs, and increase scholarships, like the one that brought my father to America, while encouraging more Americans to study in Muslim communities. And we will match promising Muslim students with internships in America; invest in on-line learning for teachers and children around the world; and create a new online network, so a teenager in Kansas can communicate instantly with a teenager in Cairo.

On economic development, we will create a new corps of business volunteers to partner with counterparts in Muslim-majority countries. And I will host a Summit on Entrepreneurship this year to identify how we can deepen ties between business leaders, foundations and social entrepreneurs in the United States and Muslim communities around the world.

On science and technology, we will launch a new fund to support technological development in Muslim-majority countries, and to help transfer ideas to the marketplace so they can create jobs. We will open centers of scientific excellence in Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, and appoint new Science Envoys to collaborate on programs that develop new sources of energy, create green jobs, digitize records, clean water, and grow new crops. And today I am announcing a new global effort with the Organization of the Islamic Conference to eradicate polio. And we will also expand partnerships with Muslim communities to promote child and maternal health.

All these things must be done in partnership. Americans are ready to join with citizens and governments; community organizations, religious leaders, and businesses in Muslim communities around the world to help our people pursue a better life.

The issues that I have described will not be easy to address. But we have a responsibility to join together on behalf of the world we seek — a world where extremists no longer threaten our people, and American troops have come home; a world where Israelis and Palestinians are each secure in a state of their own, and nuclear energy is used for peaceful purposes; a world where governments serve their citizens, and the rights of all God's children are respected. Those are mutual interests. That is the world we seek. But we can only achieve it together.

I know there are many — Muslim and non-Muslim — who question whether we can forge this new beginning. Some are eager to stoke the flames of division, and to stand in the way of progress. Some suggest that it isn't worth the effort — that we are fated to disagree, and civilizations are doomed to clash. Many more are simply skeptical that real change can occur. There is so much fear, so much mistrust. But if we choose to be bound by the past, we will never move forward. And I want to particularly say this to young people of every faith, in every country — you, more than anyone, have the ability to remake this world.

All of us share this world for but a brief moment in time. The question is whether we spend that time focused on what pushes us apart, or whether we commit ourselves to an effort — a sustained effort — to find common ground, to focus on the future we seek for our children, and to respect the dignity of all human beings.

It is easier to start wars than to end them. It is easier to blame others than to look inward; to see what is different about someone than to find the things we share. But we should choose the right path, not just the easy path. There is also one rule that lies at the heart of every religion — that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us. This truth transcends nations and peoples — a belief that isn't new; that isn't black or white or brown; that isn't Christian, or Muslim or Jew. It's a belief that pulsed in the cradle of civilization, and that still beats in the heart of billions. It's a faith in other people, and it's what brought me here today.

We have the power to make the world we seek, but only if we have the courage to make a new beginning, keeping in mind what has been written.

The Holy Koran tells us, "O mankind! We have created you male and a female; and we have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another."

The Talmud tells us: "The whole of the Torah is for the purpose of promoting peace."

The Holy Bible tells us, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."

The people of the world can live together in peace. We know that is God's vision. Now, that must be our work here on Earth. Thank you. And may God's peace be upon you."

What Is With Obama and Islam?

I'm seriously starting to wonder.

Hey folks,

What is it? Yesterday I told you how Obama seems to be getting more friendly with Muslims than he is with a long time Ally, and 60 year plus Ally, Israel. I even said this.

"Folks, if I were Israel, I would be fueling the Jets. I would be getting the Bombs in place. I would be mapping out my attack. If I were Israel, listening to what Obama is saying, watching what Obama is doing, I would be getting the feeling that Obama is more friendly toward Ahmadinejad, and Islamic Terrorists, than he is with a long standing Ally, Israel.

I would not be feeling all that comfortable that the new American President has my back and I would be preparing to do whatever it takes to keep my Country, and my people safe. With or without America. "

But NOW? Now I am SERIOUSLY starting to wonder WHAT is it? What is with Obama and Islam? Now I know that just about an hour from now, he will be delivering a "historic" speech from Egypt, to Muslims everywhere. I really am interested to see what he actually says about Israel. I have a good idea. I'm not telling you until he actually says it. I can't believe even he is stupid enough to go through with it, so I'll wait to see if this is true.

But we do not need this speech to actually see where he stands. This is the second trip he will NOT be stopping by to visit Israel. Nope. But he will be bow,, huh, visiting a bunch of Muslims.

Now is this is one sign? The fact he has been attempting to dictate to Israel what they can and can't do on there own land, while making statements like this?

"Without going into specifics, what I do believe is that Iran has legitimate energy concerns, legitimate aspirations."

Then just yesterday, he said this.

"One of the points I want to make is if you actually took the number of Muslim Americans, we'd be one of the largest Muslim countries in the world."

What? Really? There are Between 2.3 to about 3 million Muslims in America. 80 million in Egypt, Pakistan 150 million Muslims. Something like 156 million Muslims India, 200 million Muslims in Indonesia, So the numbers just do not add up. But then again, he also recently said that "we are NOT a Christian Nation." But yet, we are "one of the largest Muslim countries in the world?"

Then you have this little tidbit. Remember all during the election, Obama's Father was an Agnostic? Now his Father was a Muslim?

Now do not get me wrong here. I could not care less if Obama was to follow the Muslim Faith. Unless that includes wanting to kill us. It really doesn't matter to me either way. I think that Obama uses whatever Religion that will be beneficial to him at the time. Like this comment April 6 address to the Turkish Parliament.

"Americans have Muslims in their families or have lived in a Muslim majority country. I know, because I am one of them."

I do not believe that he is all that faithful in ANY Religion.

My problem with all this is that he is saying to Israel, "Screw off." He is saying to America, "Screw Off." He is attempting to rip this country apart from the inside. He is trying to rewrite history. He is trying to destroy the very foundation that we were founded on. Just to remind Obama, it is "In God We Trust." We are "One Nation Under God." Not One Nation "striving in the way of Allah."Is he BECOMING a full fledged Muslim? Has he always been? Does it matter?

What does matter is that he IS taking over this country. He IS Socializing this country. He IS dissing Israel. He is ENCOURAGING those that hate and want to destroy Israel, and those that hate and want to destroy what America is. He is doing it for them.

Yes folks, this speech should be quite interesting indeed.
Peter

Sources:
Fox News - Obama Renews Openness About His Muslim Roots Ahead of Egypt Speech
ABC News - The Emergence of President Obama's Muslim Roots

Obama States Iran's Nuclear Quest is "legitimate aspirations”

So Naive it is dangerous.

Hey folks,

Yes Guy {Guy Harrison NRCC Executive Director} I saw this. I have been watching Little Hitler's {Mahmoud Ahmadinejad} rise to power, and his quest for Nuclear weapons for years. I understand the threat. Guy said this.

"I needed to make sure you saw this.

Iran as a nuclear power. Does that sound appealing to you? Because it does to President Obama, who, according to The Washington Post, believes that a country flush with oil, '…has legitimate energy concerns, legitimate aspirations.'"

Now, one of his points is this.

"Ironically, Obama and the Democrats have stood against nuclear power as a path to energy security and independence in the United States – which legitimately has energy concerns."

My fear is worse than that. It is starting to look as if Obama is more of a friend of Little Hitler, than he is of Israel. Or that he is so Naive about Iran that he is becoming DANGEROUS to Israel, and our own country.

You see, we have a President that goes on a World Wide Apology Tour. Apologizing for America, claiming that we are the source of all the problems in the world. He makes statements like we are not at war with Islam and we will work with Muslims "all over the world." Meanwhile he is attempting to tell Israel that they would lose if the attack Iran. The Mainstream Media is printing stories of such nonsense. He is telling Israel not to settle on their own land. Talking about Israel having to give up some of their Land "for peace." Yet, according to the The Washington Post - Obama says Iran's energy concerns legitimate

LONDON -- President Barack Obama reiterated that Iran may have some right to nuclear energy _ provided it takes steps to prove its aspirations are peaceful.

Can you say Clinton and Kim Jong Il?

In a BBC interview broadcast Tuesday, Obama also restated plans to pursue direct diplomacy with Tehran to encourage it to set aside any ambitions for nuclear weapons it might harbor.

It MIGHT? {Sigh}

Iran has insisted its nuclear program is aimed at generating electricity. But the U.S. and other Western governments accuse Tehran of seeking atomic weapons.

"Without going into specifics, what I do believe is that Iran has legitimate energy concerns, legitimate aspirations. On the other hand, the international community has a very real interest in preventing a nuclear arms race in the region," Obama said.

Notice he did NOT say, "We do not want, nor will we allow, Iran to obtain Nuclear Weapons." He said, "the international community has a very real interest in preventing a nuclear arms race in the region,"

Just like he is talking about US, leading by example and doing away with our nukes. Maybe what he would like is Israel to lead by example and lay down their weapons. Then, there would be no reason for Iran to obtain Nuclear Weapons. Right?

Folks, IF we were to do away with our Nuclear Weaponry, we would be the ONLY ones. Israel? They would cease to exist.

The comments echo remarks Obama made in Prague last month in which he said his administration would "support Iran's right to peaceful nuclear energy with rigorous inspections" if Iran proves it is no longer a nuclear threat.

Little Hitler just threw out some inspectors not to long ago. He brags about his nuclear progress, launches missiles, and says he wants to wipe Israel off the map. He just said this.

"We have said this before and we are saying it right now, that we will not talk about the nuclear issue with those outside the IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency],"

Iranian state television described the news as Obama recognizing the "rights of the Iranian nation," a phrase typically used to refer to Iran's nuclear program.

The president has indicated a willingness to seek deeper international sanctions against Tehran if it does not respond positively to U.S. attempts to open negotiations on its nuclear program. Obama has said Tehran has until the end of the year to show it wants to engage.

"Although I don't want to put artificial time tables on that process, we do want to make sure that, by the end of this year, we've actually seen a serious process move forward. And I think that we can measure whether or not the Iranians are serious," Obama said.

HOW? Seriously. HOW? What is the measuring stick? How will Iran "show" that they are no longer a Nuclear Threat? That they want peace? HOW? Over Tea? "I promise?" Again, Kim Jong Il.

Obama's interview offered a preview of a speech he is to deliver in Egypt this week, saying he hoped the address would warm relations between Americans and Muslims abroad.

"What we want to do is open a dialogue," Obama told the BBC. "You know, there are misapprehensions about the West, on the part of the Muslim world. And, obviously, there are some big misapprehensions about the Muslim world when it comes to those of us in the West."

Only to you Mr. President. Only to you.

Obama leaves Tuesday evening on a trip to Egypt and Saudi Arabia aimed at reaching out to the world's 1.5 billion Muslims. He is due to make his speech in Cairo on Thursday.

Obama sounded an optimistic note about making progress toward resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, although he offered no new ideas for how he might try to secure a freeze on new building of Israeli settlements. The United States has called for a freeze, but Israeli leaders have rejected that.

OF COURSE THEY HAVE. Why should we impose our will on them? Right Mr. President? It IS thier land. It will be interesting to see what Obama DOES actually say about Israel. His idea's for Israel. Should be very interesting indeed.

Asked what he would say during his visit about human rights abuses, including the detention of political prisoners in Egypt, Obama indicated no stern lecture would be forthcoming.

He said he hoped to deliver the message that democratic values are principles that "they can embrace and affirm."

Obama added that there is a danger "when the United States, or any country, thinks that we can simply impose these values on another country with a different history and a different culture."

Uh, except Israel. Right? Folks, if I were Israel, I would be fueling the Jets. I would be getting the Bombs in place. I would be mapping out my attack. If I were Israel, listening to what Obama is saying, watching what Obama is doing, I would be getting the feeling that Obama is more friendly toward Ahmadinejad, and Islamic Terrorists, than he is with a long standing Ally, Israel.

I would not be feeling all that comfortable that the new American President has my back and I would be preparing to do whatever it takes to keep my Country, and my people safe. With or without America.
Peter

Sources:
The Washington Post - Obama says Iran's energy concerns legitimate

Swine Flu Update 060309

UPDATE: Swine Flu Spreads to All 50 States

Hey folks,

It is NOT Flu Season. It is NOT subsiding. It is NOT going away. This is why I'm tracking it. H1N1, AKA Swine Flu has now shown itself to be present in all 50 States. According to AOL NEWS / Reuters - Swine Flu Spreads to All 50 States

WASHINGTON (June 2) -- Cases of the new H1N1 flu virus have been found in all 50 U.S. states and tests have confirmed the virus in more than 10,000 people across the country, U.S. officials said on Monday.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said the confirmed tests represent about one in 20 of the actual number of infections, which would bring the total number of U.S. cases to around 200,000.

California health officials reported the state's first two deaths from the swine flu virus, bringing the nationwide total to 19 fatalities.

Both involved middle-aged people, a man from San Bernardino County and a woman from Los Angeles County, who had pre-existing medical conditions.

"While, overall, we have seen predominantly mild flu cases in the state, these fatalities remind us that all flu viruses can be deadly, including the H1N1 flu," Dr. Mark Horton, director of the California Department of Public Health, said in a statement.

California has identified 802 people with confirmed or probable cases of the disease, with 47 requiring hospitalization.

Most of those hospitalized had underlying medical conditions that included lung disease, weakened immune systems and heart disease, and a smaller number had diabetes or were obese or pregnant.

The virus, which spreads easily and causes mostly mild disease, has been diagnosed in 17,564 people in 64 countries, killing 115, according to the World Health Organization.

It was found this week in patients in Bulgaria, Vietnam and Jamaica.

Although H1N1 swine flu appears mild, it affects mostly older children and young adults, and experts worry it could change into a more dangerous form.

That is the concern. What happens when actual Flu Season returns? Will it mutate to become more deadly and drug resistant? They DO seem to be hard at work in finding a way to help ward it off, and lesson the blow. Here is the official CDC Case Count as of June 1.

CDC Update Case Count as of 060109 at 11AM

Alabama 84 cases 0 deaths
Alaska 1 case 0 deaths
Arkansas 7cases 0 deaths
Arizona 547 cases 4 deaths
California 804 cases 0 deaths
Colorado 61 cases 0 deaths
Connecticut 196 cases 0 deaths
Delaware 121 cases 0 deaths
Florida 166 cases 0 deaths
Georgia 29 cases 0 deaths
Hawaii 73 cases 0 deaths
Idaho 13 cases 0 deaths
Illinois 1103 cases 3 deaths
Indiana 146 cases 0 deaths
Iowa 71 cases 0 deaths
Kansas 79 cases 0 deaths
Kentucky 77 cases 0 deaths
Louisiana 122 cases 0 deaths
Maine 11 cases 0 deaths
Maryland 48 cases 0 deaths
Massachusetts 470 cases 0 deaths
Michigan 234 cases 0 deaths
Minnesota 60 0 deaths
Mississippi 16 cases 0 deaths
Missouri 36 cases 1 death
Montana 14 cases 0 deaths
Nebraska 43 cases 0 deaths
Nevada 102 cases 0 deaths
New Hampshire 40 cases 0 deaths
New Jersey 74 cases 0 deaths
New Mexico 108 cases 0 deaths
New York 605 cases 4 deaths
North Carolina 14 cases 0 deaths
North Dakota 6 cases 0 deaths
Ohio 23 cases 0 deaths
Oklahoma 82 cases 0 deaths
Oregon 148 cases 0 deaths
Pennsylvania 123 cases 0 deaths
Rhode Island 14 cases 0 deaths
South Carolina 46 cases 0 deaths
South Dakota 7 cases 0 deaths
Tennessee 104 cases 0 deaths
Texas 1403 cases 3 deaths
Utah 247 cases 1 death
Vermont 3 cases 0 deaths
Virginia 31 cases 0 deaths
Washington 575 cases 1 death
Washington, D.C. 20 cases 0 deaths
West Virginia 3 cases 0 deaths
Wisconsin 1641 cases 0 deaths
Wyoming 2 cases 0 deaths
TOTAL*(51) 10,053 cases 17 deaths

For those of you out there that want to continue to wave this off and say, "So what? No big deal." I say GOOD. We should be THANKFUL that it is as mild as it is. But we also need to answer those questions that STILL have not been answered. Is this a Man-Made Virus? By whom, where, when, how? Why? Would be a good one also. If not, then HOW did Swine Flu, Bird Flu, and Human Flu combined together to form this naturally?

Peter

Sources:
AOL NEWS / Reuters - Swine Flu Spreads to All 50 States

Waxman-Markey Will Hurt the Economy, You Will Pay For It

From the Energy Front 060109

Hey folks,

Obama is pushing for the Waxman-Markey Global Warming Tax Bill. Pushing for it BIG TIME. Some folks out there are buying right into it. You know your Energy cost are going to go up, even more than they are going up now? "Yeah but that's the price we have to pay to save the environment." Really? I have an interesting Video coming right up that tells you, if you accept the premise that there actually is a problem, I don't, just how much all this will actually "save the Environment."

But first I want to address a question I got Friday. No Thursday. I don't know. Last week. Here it is.

"What about the Gas Prices lately? How do you defend that? We know you have friends that you like to defend all the time in Big Oil, so tell us, there is no demand, how do you defend the Gas Prices? We await your answer. Ought to be good."

They provided this link - TIME.com - Oil Is Plentiful, Demand Weak. Why Are Gas Prices Going Up?

Storage tankers across the globe may be brimming with oil that no one is buying because of the global economic downturn, but the traditional laws of supply and demand don't always apply to oil prices. Drivers have faced rising prices at the gas pump in recent months, as investors and oil-producing countries hoard supplies in anticipation of a global economic recovery later this year.

The 12 member countries of the OPEC cartel voted in Vienna on Thursday to maintain output at current levels rather than increase supplies in order to bring some relief to consumers, particularly in the gas-guzzling West. {That would be us} The OPEC oil ministers, whose countries account for about 40% of the world's entire crude-oil supply, also renewed their commitment to stick to their agreed quotas, rather than ship extra oil, as they began doing last April when several members ignored their agreed output limits. OPEC leaders, many of whose economies are heavily dependent on oil exports, have struggled to stabilize prices at a level that suits their own economic needs amid falling demand and rising supplies. Prices had rocketed to a record level of $147 a barrel last July before plummeting to $30 just five months later and beginning a new climb.

Oil analysts believe OPEC's decisions on Thursday could help push oil prices even higher; oil futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange have risen 36% in just two months, to about $63.46 a barrel on Thursday. And that appears to be on track to achieve targets set by OPEC leaders. Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi - OPEC's key power player - said Wednesday that oil prices ought to rise to between $75 and $80 a barrel by the end of the year. "Demand is picking up, especially in Asia," he told reporters puffing alongside him as he jogged through the streets of Vienna. "The price rise is a function of optimism that better things are coming in the future."

Hey Obama just said we are back from the brink. The Media is talking up the Economy. The numbers do not say the same thing, but hey, Obama is the President and he can not be shown to be the Failure he is in dealing with this.

The economic recovery Naimi so optimistically predicts would certainly be vital to oil-producing countries, whose own economies would be imperiled by a drawn-out recession. Oil demand in rich countries has crashed since the onset of the economic crisis last year, and is now at its lowest level since about 1981, according to the Paris-based International Energy Agency. U.S. oil inventories - the stored surplus - this month reached their highest level since the 1980s. And about 2.6 billion barrels are currently stored in commercial tankers around the world. "There is some risk we will run out of storage space in the next four to six weeks," says Simon Wardell, director of global oil at IHS Global Insight, an energy-forecasting company in London. To oil-rich countries that possibility evokes grim memories of 1998, when the Asian economic crisis sent demand plummeting, driving world oil prices down to $10 a barrel. "If we run out of storage it could prompt a collapse in the price," says Wardell. Oil producers might then choose to dramatically cut output in order to run down the surplus.

Despite such dangers, investors and oil producers are betting that global demand will roar back, apparently hoping that the recession has already hit bottom. Over the past two months, investors have plowed billions of dollars into oil futures. If the U.S. and other major industrial economies rebound, oil supplies could be depleted because the recession has prompted producer nations to freeze hundreds of projects to open new oil wells or upgrade existing ones. In the oil-rich Niger Delta, a major Nigerian government offensive against rebels has seriously disrupted production for several weeks. Venezuela's Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez said in Vienna that his country could not afford to invest in major new oil exploration unless prices rise further. "We need a level of at least $70 [a barrel] to recuperate investment," he said on Thursday. Muhammad-Ali Zainy, senior energy analyst at the Center for Global Energy Studies in London, says oil demand could increase quickly once the recession ends, especially as China has begun to build up its strategic oil reserves. "We think the price is going to go up gradually," says Zainy.

For those feeling the pain at the gas pumps, however, there is one piece of good news. Oil is unlikely to hit $147 a barrel again - at least not during the coming decades. The U.S. Energy Information Administration said on Wednesday that oil prices would likely rise to $110 a barrel by 2015 and $130 a barrel by 2030. By that time the world oil markets might once again follow the normal rules of economics.

I know you are ticked off at this. So am I. I'm not about to defend OPEC. Why in the Blue Hell do you think that I have been advocating TRUE Energy Independence for YEARS now? Why do you think that I have been giving you the FACTS? "Green Energy" is a nice dream, but there is none. We DO have our own Oil and Natural Gas, all we have to do is go get it. We have companies ready to do just that. Why are we in the situation we are in? Dependence on Foreign Governments for our Energy.

One way we will NOT see a reduction in Gas Prices, Home Heating Prices, Food Prices, {They have to be delivered to the stores somehow} is NOT Waxman-Markey.

Check out this Video from Fox News. Heritage's energy and climate change expert David Kreutzer discusses how the Waxman Markey global warming tax will hurt both jobs and the economy. If you have to, watch it twice to get the REAL numbers.

Now our friends over at API just finished a paper talking about how the folks here in Florida will be hurt directly. Here it is.

The People Of Florida will be hurt by the Waxman-Markey Climate Bill.

The legislation is unbalanced. The goals are laudable, but the bill will hit consumers and producers of petroleum fuels especially hard and create an uneven playing field for U.S. refiners while protecting other U.S. industries. People who use automobiles, trucks, planes, trains, heating oil and other non-transportation petroleum products will shoulder the lion’s share of the burden, but the inequitable nature of the legislation could worsen the pain for everyone.

Higher prices: The bill will touch every family and every business that uses oil products. According to one independent analysis, the bill will raise gasoline prices by 74 percent. Today, that would mean gasoline prices above $4.00 a gallon, an increase nearly equivalent to a ten-fold rise in the federal gasoline tax.

Less disposable income: An average family could pay an additional $1,500 a year for energy. That’s 4.3 percent of Florida’s per capita disposable income. Fewer jobs and lower wages: One independent study projects up to 2.7 million net jobs lost annually, even with new green jobs created, and expects the wages of workers who remain employed to fall and for the loss to become greater over time. Another analysis shows that the inequitable approach of the bill by itself will produce additional unemployment, driving annual job destruction totals related to the legislation to more than 2.2 million jobs nationwide by 2011. For Florida this could mean a loss of 132 thousand jobs just a few years from now. If those jobs were lost today it would increase Florida’s unemployment rate from 9.7 percent to 11.1 percent.

Less wealth: One analysis projects the bill would reduce aggregate gross domestic product (GDP) by $9.6 trillion over the next 30 years. For Florida this could mean a reduction of as much as $511 billion in the state’s gross state product (GSP).

Undermines energy security: U.S. refiners will have to buy allowances, increasing their costs and giving a competitive advantage to non-U.S. refiners. U.S. jobs will be lost and contrary to the bill’s intention, America will be less energy secure.

The requirements are not equitable and will hurt consumers and producers of motor fuels most. The bill would allocate only two percent of allowances to fuel producers, but make them responsible for 44 percent of emissions, including emissions from refineries and also consumer emissions from planes, trains, automobiles, heating oil, and other non-transportation petroleum use. In contrast, some other sectors receive free allowances that roughly match their obligation (utilities get more than 40 percent of all allowances, select “energy-intensive” industries get 15 percent of all allowances and local natural gas distributors receive nine percent). This inequitable system of allocations will have a disproportionate adverse impact on consumers and producers of gasoline, diesel fuel, heating oil, jet fuel, propane and crude oil.

The people of Florida who use automobiles, trucks, planes, trains, heating oil and other non-transportation petroleum products are treated unfairly by the Waxman-Markey Climate Bill.

The transition to new low-emission energy sources will take time. Unlike power generation, which has the ability of switching to a low-carbon fuel source, there is no commercial-scale low-carbon source to fuel the nation’s 250 million cars.

We need an equitable plan that will address global climate change and improve, not weaken, our nation’s energy and economic security. Decisions made today will have repercussions for decades to come. We need to take the time now to get this right.

Those states with the highest emissions per dollar of economic activity will face the greatest challenge to reduce them.

There are some great charts in this. Check them out. FLORIDA_WAXMAN_MARKEY.pdf

Folks, the bottom line is this. Like I pointed out before, the way the Energy industry sees this is this. It doesn't matter if "Man-made Climate Change" is real or not. It no longer matters that Global Warming is a Scam. We have a Congress and a President that "Believes" or wants you to believe that it is a real and pending crisis. The real question that the Energy Industry, and unfortunately all of us, have to deal with, is this. "What are they going to do about it?"

Like David Kreutzer said, it's easy to believe that Waxman-Markey is necessary to help fix Man-made Global Warming, when you are receiving BILLIONS of dollars for pet projects. The problem for you, the average American, is that those Billions of dollars are coming from YOU. Another problem is, even if this was true, just like the very REAL problems in the Financial institutions, Housing, Auto industries, all this money, will do NOTHING to fix it. But I guess as long as you are told that YOU are helping to Save the Planet, you will be fine with the $4.00 a gallon gas price.
Peter

Sources:
TIME.com - Oil Is Plentiful, Demand Weak. Why Are Gas Prices Going Up?
Fox News Video
API