Media Matters Not A Unbiased Media Watchdog?

"Wow, I never knew. I thought they were an unbiased media watchdog group."

Hey folks,

I really have nothing to add to this. At all. With one exception. This is no surprise. But it's good to see others reporting the FACTS about this Liberal Attack Dog Group. You WERE being Sarcastic, Right? Here it is. It's a little long but well worth the read. It's from The Daily Caller - Media Matters wants a fight, but can’t take a punch By Vince Coglianese - The Daily Caller Senior Online Editor

After facing down more than a month of tough reporting, David Brock’s Media Matters for America still has nothing to say for itself. The progressive messaging group has all but clammed up about its internal turmoil under a constant barrage of scrutiny from conservatives and liberals alike.

It’s been a little over a month since The Daily Caller published the beginning of an investigative series examining the inner workings of Media Matters. The reporting, bolstered by first-hand knowledge from sources familiar with day-to-day activities in the group’s Washington, D.C. offices, revealed close coordination with the Obama White House, a slew of favored — and receptive — mainstream journalists, intense erratic behavior by Brock, a Glock pistol illegally carried by Brock’s assistant and consequence-free sex in the office’s media war room.

TheDC also revealed an extensive list of left-wing foundations that bankroll the group’s operations. Those findings showed the organization’s use of Bernie Madoff-exposed assets, the receipt of a donation specifically earmarked for targeting religious media, and a laundry list of big-name progressive foundations, including the Tides Foundation, George Soros’ Open Society Foundations and MoveOn.org, among many others.

In that same time frame, Fox News reported that Brock had to sell his Rehoboth Beach, Del. home to pay his former domestic partner $850,000 in what Brock called “blackmail” to keep him silent about details purportedly devastating to Media Matters.

Additionally, Media Matters’ foreign policy department has risen to become the group’s greatest public liability, with senior fellow MJ Rosenberg under fire across the political spectrum — and in the pages of The New York Times — for being “virulently anti-Israel,” according to liberal Harvard Law School professor Alan Dershowitz.

A report published Monday by TheDC showed that Media Matters’ foreign policy associations include a tangled relationship with Al-Jazeera, a Qatar government-operated television network with an anti-Israel — and arguably anti-American — editorial posture.

Amid all this fallout are serious questions about Media Matters’ ability to maintain its tax-exempt charitable status with the IRS, with the White House and senior Democrats aligning themselves closely with the organization.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has even promised his voice — regardless of the consequences of political ties for Media Matters’ favored tax status — in helping to promote the organization’s latest anti-Fox News book, “The Fox Effect.”

That tax status, TheDC learned, began to face scrutiny from Republican members of Congress in mid-February.

Through all this, Media Matters has been extraordinarily quiet, publicly answering only a single question regarding a 2009 Media Matters internal memo suggesting the group hire private investigators “to look into the personal lives” of Fox News employees.

“I could not care if a Fox News person was cheating on their wife. That doesn’t matter,” Media Matters’ Executive Vice President Ari Rabin-Havt replied to TheDC during a book event. “We don’t dig into people’s personal lives, no.”

Beyond that claim, Rabin-Havt dismissed a Daily Caller reporter as a “troll.”

“I generally make a policy not to respond to trolls, basically,” he said. “I’m not going to respond to an article that’s basically filled up with just crap. There’s no point getting into a match back and forth with The Daily Caller, and that’s why we chose not to respond.”

Neither Brock nor his group’s spokeswoman, Jess Levin, has returned a single request for comment from TheDC.

Additionally, Brock has avoided nearly all national media outlets while promoting his book, “The Fox Effect,” giving him ample cover from facing tough questions.

The lone exception came late Tuesday night in the form of an op-ed appearing prominently on the home page of the news website Politico.

In an opinion column, Brock went back on the offensive against conservative radio talker Rush Limbaugh, complaining about his treatment of a Georgetown Law School student and contraception activist on Feb. 29. Limbaugh referred to Sandra Fluke as a “slut” on his show that day, and later apologized for his choice of words.

Brock’s Politico op-ed came 20 days later — and long after countless other liberal commentators had tired of attacking Limbaugh and his advertisers — in what amounted to a safe toe in the water that gave Media Matters a higher profile without addressing the widespread charges against it.

Brock was at least once offered, and refused, an invitation to appear on CNN’s “Reliable Sources” on Feb. 19. “We asked Media Matters to make someone available,” host Howard Kurtz told viewers on that day’s broadcast. “David Brock is not able to come on — the founder of the group — because he’s got a book coming out next week,” he explained.

During that program, when challenged on why Media Matters hadn’t yet responded to the reports published by TheDC, Kurtz responded, “Well, we’re going to give them that opportunity, perhaps next week.”

That opportunity never came, and it was not for a lack of trying.

A producer for “Reliable Sources” accidentally reached out to TheDC to confirm Brock’s appearance on the Feb. 26 broadcast. But that invitation was later retracted, according to Kurtz.

“In the end we wound up not inviting him because we had too much other news to deal with,” Kurtz told TheDC via email.

As to why Brock hasn’t even appeared on the liberal MSNBC to promote the book, the network did not return TheDC’s request for comment.

MSNBC may have some incentive for maintaining distance from Brock. A source within his organization originally told TheDC that Media Matters took credit for “pretty much writing their [MSNBC's] prime time.” The network’s president, Phil Griffin, made himself readily available to phone calls by Media Matters staff.

Politico, among the few national outlets to speak with Brock for his book tour, published a playful interview with him on March 13. The questions, ranging from “tell us your favorite joke” to “how often do you Google yourself?” are the same asked of every guest in the publication’s “Answer This” series.

Reporter Patrick Gavin told TheDC that he offered Brock the interview on Feb. 7, “before the Daily Caller thing ran [on Feb. 12].” Gavin said Brock’s answers were emailed back to him on Feb. 22, ten days into TheDC’s investigative series on the group.

Brock was also on MSNBC host Ed Schultz’s Feb. 21 radio show, where he took a cursory question regarding TheDC’s reporting.

“We haven’t responded,” Brock said. “Reuters [columnist Jack Shafer] said that The Daily Caller piece was ‘bad journalism and lame propaganda,’ and we don’t feel like we need to respond to that.”

It’s a drastically different PR strategy for an organization whose founder once published an open letter challenging Fox News host Bill O’Reilly to an on-air debate in an effort to defend Media Matters and George Soros, the liberal financier who would eventually become a major contributor to the group.

According to the Dec. 16, 2004 letter, O’Reilly had previously dismissed Media Matters as a “far left, deceitful, disgusting website” composed of “‘character assassins’ and ‘despicable weasels.’”

“You once offered your viewers your definition of the word ‘coward,’” Brock responded in the letter. “On the January 5, 2004, O’Reilly Factor, you declared: ‘If you attack someone publicly, as these men did to me, you have an obligation to face the person you are smearing. If you don’t you are a coward,’” he recalled.

“Well, Mr. O’Reilly,” Brock continued, “you have attacked me publicly on numerous occasions, and you refuse to face me. You, sir, are a coward — by your own definition of the term.”

“Should you continue to refuse this offer,” Brock concluded, “it is only reasonable that the American people will conclude that you are not only — as you would put it — a ‘coward,’ but a hypocrite as well.”

Beginning in February, Fox News has devoted extensive coverage to the challenges facing Media Matters, but none of those reports have elicited a response from the oft-pugnacious media monitoring group. Even the “Fox Attacks Media Matters” video round-up — featured prominently on the MediaMatters.org homepage — has gone dark, with the last clip dated February 8, 2012. The organization’s coverage now excludes dozens of once-meticulously documented mentions of Media Matters on Fox News programs.

Additionally, Media Matters has not published a single entry on its website challenging the many news stories released over the last month about its own operations.

Media Matters did not return a request for comment for this story.

They are nothing more than Bullies. You know what happens when you stand up to a Bully? They run and hide. They are typical Libs. They Lie, cheat, and steal. They have no ability to actually engage in an Intellectual Debate on their Positions. They simply attack. They follow scripts. They follow orders. They can not stand up to scrutiny. They can not deal with the TRUTH. I love it. Their little Bubble is bursting, and they have no idea what to do.

Have a great Weekend folks. See you Sunday.
Peter

NYT Israel Attack Bad For America

Complete and utter nonsense.

Hey folks,

By now you all know I am nothing less than an Expert on anything Iran or Ahmadinejad. I have been watching "Little Hitler" very closely for a LONG TIME. Over ten years both here and elsewhere, I have been sharing his Rise to power from the days in the 80 with the Hostage Crises, to today. From his early beginnings as a Terrorist, to his rise in power to President, to his quest for Nuclear Weapons that he intends on using on Israel to "Wipe them off the map."

I just send an Email to a Friend, who was talking about this on her Radio Show yesterday. Even I was amazed to see the volume of information I have posted over the years. Seriously, just type in Iran, Hitler, or Israel, in the Search Section of this Blog and you will see what I mean. From his rise, to all the apologists, to Obama and his clear, uh, lack of love for Israel.

We all know that Little Hitler is not going anywhere. We all know he IS and HAS been working on a Nuke. We all know he is going to USE it. We all know that Israel can not rely on this Administration to defend them. They are going to have to do whatever it takes to defend themselves, with or without help from Obama.

Now, YEARS after I started warning you that this was happening and what was about to happen, the World is starting to talk about it. Iran is getting closer to having a Nuke, and Israel is getting closer to striking out of Self Defense. Kinda hard to defend oneself if one is aglow from a Nuclear Explosion.

So, just like the Original Hitler, Ahmadinejad has his supporters. Just like the Original Hitler, all of Littler Hitler supporters are Libs. They want you to think that if Israel attacks Iran, it will cause World War Three. They might be right. However, if Iran Nukes Israel, THAT will cause World War Three and it will be after the fact of MORE Millions of Jews are dead. But NOW? NOW they what you to think that even if we attack Iran, it will not do much. I kid you not. According to the NYT - U.S. War Game Sees Perils of Israeli Strike Against Iran By MARK MAZZETTI and THOM SHANKER Published: March 19, 2012

WASHINGTON — A classified war simulation held this month to assess the repercussions of an Israeli attack on Iran forecasts that the strike would lead to a wider regional war, which could draw in the United States and leave hundreds of Americans dead, according to American officials.

The officials said the so-called war game was not designed as a rehearsal for American military action — and they emphasized that the exercise’s results were not the only possible outcome of a real-world conflict.

{Laughing} Yeah, just the one we want you to believe.. But get this..

The two-week war game, called Internal Look, played out a narrative in which the United States found it was pulled into the conflict after Iranian missiles struck a Navy warship in the Persian Gulf, killing about 200 Americans, according to officials with knowledge of the exercise. The United States then retaliated by carrying out its own strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

Wait. You mean if Iran hits one of our Ships we would have to get involved? Wait. You mean we could lose lives in a WAR? 200 Americans? Is this before or AFTER MILLIONS of Jews are wipe out because of America's willingness to do NOTHING? But this next part is AMAZING to me. It really is. They go from saying World War will break out, but it really will not have that much effect on Iran anyway, so why bother?

The initial Israeli attack was assessed to have set back the Iranian nuclear program by roughly a year, and the subsequent American strikes did not slow the Iranian nuclear program by more than an additional two years. However, other Pentagon planners have said that America’s arsenal of long-range bombers, refueling aircraft and precision missiles could do far more damage to the Iranian nuclear program — if President Obama were to decide on a full-scale retaliation.

{Sigh}Folks, if we wanted to, we could wipe Iran off the Map. I'm thinking a few well placed Bombs of Israel is going to STOP Iran's Nuclear Program Indefinitely. Not a year. What kind of nonsense is this? Like I said, well, more on this in a second.

With the Israelis saying publicly that the window to prevent Iran from building a nuclear bomb is closing, American officials see an Israeli attack on Iran within the next year as a possibility. They have said privately that they believe that Israel would probably give the United States little or no warning should Israeli officials make the decision to strike Iranian nuclear sites.

Because they have no reason to TRUST us. Thank you Obama. It wraps up with this.

Israeli intelligence estimates, backed by academic studies, have cast doubt on the widespread assumption that a military strike on Iranian nuclear facilities would set off a catastrophic set of events like a regional conflagration, widespread acts of terrorism and sky-high oil prices.

“A war is no picnic,” Defense Minister Ehud Barak told Israel Radio in November. But if Israel feels itself forced into action, the retaliation would be bearable, he said. “There will not be 100,000 dead or 10,000 dead or 1,000 dead. The state of Israel will not be destroyed.”

Shame on us for not doing more to help them NOW. Of course they want to go it alone. Not because they LOVE War, or HATE Iran, but because they are fighting for their very survival. Look, it really is simple. All this is by the New York Times is an attempt to say "See. Look at all this destruction, and chaos. After all, an Israeli or even an American Strike will not do much. Just delay the Iranians Nuclear Quest by a year or so. So why bother. Right?"

Truth is, Israel has the Right to exist. They have a RIGHT to defend themselves. We have a DUTY to assist them. They are not the aggressor here. They are fighting for their survival. It is too late AFTER a Nuclear Explosion to do much. It is TIME to stop Iran. Period. Oh, don't forget one little detail. After Israel, or at the same time as Israel, we are NEXT.
Peter

Israel, Iran, and America

If we are going to talk Energy Prices and the Economy, we HAVE to talk about this.

Hey folks,

We already know WHY all this matters to us, from an Energy standpoint. YEARS of Liberal Policies and agendas have put us in this situation. But THIS situation is far more dangerous than just higher Energy costs. There is a WAR coming.

You know, I scan hundreds of News Outlets, Blogs, Websites, Newspapers, ETC. on a daily basis. I sometimes take the time to check out the comment sections, to see what the other readers might be saying. At times, the sheer and unadulterated Stupidity leaves me in complete amazement, and at times, even a little scared.

Of course the big news yesterday is Obama meeting with Netanyahu. Folks, I'm not trying to be provocative, sound Arrogant, or anything else here. I'm really not. But this is one of those times when the sheer and unadulterated Stupidity scares me a bit. Ignorance can be educated. Stupidity can't be. I actually heard a caller, I believe it was the Tom Sullivan Show, say that we should just allow Iran to get their Nukes. "They will never use them. We got them. Israel got them. Of course Iran wants them for their own protection." {Sigh}

We have them, and we will use them for Protection against attacks on us and our Allies. Well, we may depending on OUR Leadership at the time. Israel will use them in defense. But Iran is a TOTALLY different animal. They are not building them for Protection. They are building them for USE. To destroy Israel and the "Great Satin" which is of course, US.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, yes he IS really in charge, IS Hitler. His entire existence is for the Destruction of Israel. That is the only reason he breaths. He wants Israel destroyed, and he wants US gone. He sees a world with Sharia law as the Law of the Land with one Government, with him in charge of it, controlling EVERYTHING. He thinks if he brings this about, he will hastening the end of the World as we know it.

Look. I understand and I even join you, my Peacenik friends, in the vision of a world free of War and guns. Flowers not Guns. Peace all through the Land. Where the Lion lays down with the Lamb. Where we can build a Camp Fire and sing "Kumbayah." So does Ahmadinejad. Only he thinks that the only way to get there is to destroy Israel, and America and put him in charge of that Camp fire.

So a TRUE World Leader, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, comes to meet with Obama. Here is a guy, Obama, who is NO FRIEND of Israel. For the last three years, he has PROVEN this. It's out there, or you can check the Vast Archive right here at the OPNTalk Blog for clear and undeniable examples of this. From ignoring them, to calling for them to recede to indefensible 1967 boarders, to SAYING we will NOT join them in an attack on Iran. To calling the Palestinians equal to Black American Slaves, which of course would make Israel the "Evil Master." All these things and many more. But now we are in an Election Year, and Obama wants the Jewish Votes, so he has this meeting and says, "What? Come on Netty, you know we got ya Back Jack." Then Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, comes out and gives this nice Politically Correct Speech that we're all friends and he appreciates Obama saying he has Israels Back.

So it is just funny to me, when I saw this, this morning. Breaking News...Israel might already have a plan to attack Iran? Really? {Laughing} According to The Algemeiner - Israel’s Channel 2: U.S. Officials Believe Netanyahu Has Already Decided to Strike Iran March 5, 2012 4:14 pm

Channel 2 in Israel, sourcing a “senior American official”, says that the decision has already been made by the Israeli government to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities.

“All U.S. intelligence officials are confident the Israeli leadership has already decided to attack Iran, unless a significant change happens in the coming weeks or months with the Iranian nuclear program,” Channel 2 reports.

Really? That is what Iran SHOULD be thinking about US.

“A senior official stressed in a conversation with News 2 there is a dispute between Israel and the United States on the question of ‘day after’, which means the price of attacking Iranian nuclear facilities,” Channel 2′s report says.

Poss World War? Skyrocketing Energy Costs? Uh? What? No more Iranian threat, that's for sure. But then again, what about the Day After Israel is aglow from a Nuclear Bomb sent via Iran? What about THAT Day After? Then there WILL no doubt be World War, and a Nuclear Cloud floating around out there. Oh, and Skyrocketing Energy Cost. Not to mention Millions of dead Jews. So why is Netanyahu so ready to attack? His own words in a follow up story, same place, says all that needs to be said.

“As Prime Minister of Israel, I will never let my people live in the shadow of annihilation.”

Pretty much says it all. Does it NOT? According to The Algemeiner -“I Will Never Let My People Live in the Shadow of Annihilation” March 5, 2012 11:03 pm

Following the Monday afternoon meeting between President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, the Israeli leader arrived at the Washington D.C. convention center to address the 13,000 people awaiting his remarks on one issue: Iran.

After thanking the United States and it’s government for their support of Israel, the Prime Minister said, “Tonight I would like to talk to you about a subject that no one’s been talking about recently, Iran.”

Here is what he said..

“The Jewish state will not allow those who seek our destruction, the means to achieve that goal. A nuclear armed Iran must be stopped.

I promise you that as Prime Minister, I will never gamble with the security of the state of Israel."

{Even though the Sanctions are hurting the Iranian Economy, their Nuclear Program has}“continued to march forward,”

“We’ve waited for diplomacy to work, we’ve waited for sanctions to work, none of us can afford to wait much longer.

As Prime Minister of Israel, I will never let my people live in the shadow of annihilation.”

The decision is a simple one. Do nothing and allow Iran to Nuke up, KNOWING that they intend to use it? Or Stop them. It really IS, just that simple.
Peter

World War Three?

I keep warning you, but now, the World is starting to sound the Drum Beats of War.

Hey folks,

You've no doubt heard of the Arab Spring? We all know what that means. The Muslim Brotherhood is on the march. They are taking over all the Middle East. Who IS the Muslim Brotherhood? Islamofascists. Who do they answer to? Iran. We have HELPED them take over entire Countries. Out of Ignorance or on purpose, not sure which is worse, this Administration has assisted them in their quest.

Now we have the Syrian situation. You know what is going on there. Right?

China, along with Russia, recently supported Damascus by vetoing a U.N. Security Council resolution that would have condemned Assad's regime. During his visit Saturday to Syria, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhai Jun urged dialogue and called on all parties to stop the violence.

Now we learn this today.

Two Iranian warships docked Saturday at a Syrian port, the Iranian broadcaster Press TV reported.

The vessels - a destroyer and a supply ship - are to provide maritime training to Syria's navy under an agreement between the two countries, according to the report.

China and Russia have also blocked the U.S. in it's attempts to be ever more forceful in dealing with Iran's Nuclear Quest. Speaking of Russia, did you catch this?

MOSCOW — A nasty spate of anti-Americanism set off by Vladimir V. Putin has grown into waves of attacks aimed at the new American ambassador and Russian opposition leaders, raising questions about the future of U.S.-Russian relations.

The attacks started just before the December parliamentary elections and have intensified as the March 4 presidential vote approaches. Although widely viewed as aimed primarily at a domestic audience, they have grown shriller and more aggressive, provoking debate about whether Russia is deliberately giving a cold shoulder to President Obama’s effort to promote more productive relations.

A main target of the attacks is Michael McFaul, the new ambassador, a longtime democracy advocate and Russia expert who as a top aide to Obama has been an architect of what the White House calls a “reset’’ with Moscow.

The anti-American campaign bears trademark Soviet and KGB thinking, reflecting the mindset of many of the high-level officials appointed by Putin as well as their efforts to protect their power and privileges from the gathering opposition.

I have been telling you for YEARS now, that Putin WANTS Mother Russia back. He WANTS a new "Cold War" with the U.S. He has never lost control of Russia and WILL again be their President.

So we have Iran, ACHIEVING their Nuclear Quest and creating a BOMB that they WILL use to Wipe Israel off the Map. We have Iran on the march all over the middle East, complete with THIS Administration HELPING them. You have Russia going backwards toward the Dark Days of the USSR. You have Russia and China taking the side of Iran. Don't forget about North Korea. And you have a Nuclear Iran that has already said they will defeat Israel and the "Great Satin." {America}

Meanwhile, Israel will have to defend itself, SOON. It will have to attempt to stop Iran before they are DESTROYED. If we do nothing, the original Holocaust will look like a walk in the Park. If Iran attacks Israel with Nuclear Weapons, then attacks US, It will be too late. China and Russia WILL get involved and World War Three WILL make the other Two look like Pea Shooting Contests. Dark Days are coming. REALLY Dark Days.

We need a Leadership that understands World Events and what is going on. We need a Leadership with the guts to do whatever they need to do to prevent this. Iran is the key to all of this. Will Russia and China get involved? Perhaps. But if we do nothing?

I do not think Russia nor China are interested in deploying Nukes themselves. They will talk tough, they will maybe get involved today if we allow and back Israel in doing what Israel MUST do. But if Iran DOES use Nukes, then we will have to. If we do? Then Russia and China, even North Korea, might join in. We are facing some tough choices here folks. Choices that need to be made soon. The drums have started. Time is running out. Doing nothing is no longer an option.
Peter

Sources:
The AP - Prosecutor, judge killed in northwest Syria
Haaretz.com - Iranian warships dock at Syrian port after crossing Suez Canal
The Washington Post - In Russia, Putin allies sharpen anti-American attacks ahead of elections

It's Coming Folks, $4 Plus a Gallon

Sad thing is, it never had to.

Hey folks,

Really? You do not need me to add anything to this. It's by the AP - Gas prices are highest ever for this time of year By CHRIS KAHN AP Energy Writer

At $3.53 a gallon, prices are already up 25 cents since Jan. 1. And experts say they could reach a record $4.25 a gallon by late April.

"You're going to see a lot more staycations this year," says Michael Lynch, president of Strategic Energy & Economic Research. "When the price gets anywhere near $4, you really see people react."

Already, W. Howard Coudle, a retired machinist from Crestwood, Mo., has seen his monthly gasoline bill rise to $80 from about $60 in December. The closest service station is selling regular for $3.39 per gallon, the highest he's ever seen.

"I guess we're going to have to drive less, consolidate all our errands into one trip," Coudle says. "It's just oppressive."

The surge in gas prices follows an increase in the price of oil.

Oil around the world is priced differently. Brent crude from the North Sea is a proxy for the foreign oil that's imported by U.S. refineries and turned into gasoline and other fuels. Its price has risen 11 percent so far this year, to around $119 a barrel, because of tensions with Iran, a cold snap in Europe and rising demand from developing nations. West Texas Intermediate, used to price oil produced in the U.S., is up 4 percent to around $103 a barrel. That's 19 percent higher than a year earlier.

Higher gas prices could hurt consumer spending and curtail the recent improvement in the U.S. economy.

A 25-cent jump in gasoline prices, if sustained over a year, would cost the economy about $35 billion. That's only 0.2 percent of the total U.S. economy, but economists say it's a meaningful amount, especially at a time when growth is only so-so. The economy grew 2.8 percent in the fourth quarter, a rate considered modest following a recession.

Gas prices are already an issue in the presidential campaign. Republican candidate Newt Gingrich spoke several times this week about opening up more federal land to oil and gas drilling as a path toward U.S. energy independence - and lower pump prices.

"Our goals should be to get gasoline to $2.50 or less so that working families can actually get to work and retired families can travel," Gingrich said at a campaign event in Los Angeles Thursday.

High oil and gas prices now set the stage for even sharper increases at the pump because gas typically rises in March and April.

Every spring, refiners suspend operations to switch the type of gasoline they make. Supplies of wintertime gas are sold off before March, when refineries need to start making a new formula of gasoline that's required in the summer.

That can mean less supply for service stations, resulting in higher gas prices. And summertime gasoline is more expensive to make. The government mandates that it contain less butane and other cheap organic compounds because they contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, a primary constituent in smog. That means more oil, a costlier component, is needed to produce each gallon.

The Oil Price Information Service predicts that gasoline could peak at $4.25 a gallon by the end of April. That would top the record of $4.11 in July 2008.

The national average for gasoline began the year at $3.28 a gallon. The average price for February so far is $3.49 a gallon. That's up from $3.17 a gallon last February, a record at the time. Back in 2007, before the recession hit, the average for February was $2.25 a gallon.

Prices are higher on the East and West Coasts, where gasoline has risen above $3.70 in Connecticut, New York, Washington D.C. and California. This isn't unusual - states on the coasts charge some of the nation's highest gas taxes.

High gas prices put a strain on many people's budgets.

Americans spent 8.4 percent of their household income on gasoline last year when gas averaged an all-time high of $3.51 a gallon. That's double the percentage a decade ago. They could pay even more this year, even though demand is the lowest in 11 years as people drive fewer miles in more efficient cars, says Tom Kloza, chief oil analyst at OPIS.

Gary Goodman commutes into Manhattan from Edgewater, N.J., because gas, tolls and parking make the cost of driving prohibitive.

Goodman, an accountant, commutes by bus. He uses his car mostly for trips to the grocery store or for occasional nights out. He says he has no choice but to eat the higher gas costs.

"I already drive as little as possible," he says.

Paul Dales, a senior economist at Capital Economics says it would take a bigger shift in the global economy - say, a deep recession in Europe or a slowdown in Asia's manufacturing - for pump prices to drop noticeably. Either event would slow oil demand, depressing prices.

But experts expect demand to keep rising. World oil demand is expected to increase by another 1.5 percent to 89.25 million barrels a day in 2012, according to the Energy Information Administration.

In the short term, tensions with Iran are feeding fears that oil supplies could be blocked.

The U.S. and Europe are tightening economic sanctions against Iran over what the West believes is Iran's attempt to build a nuclear bomb. World leaders fear Israel may be planning a strike against Iran, the world's third largest oil exporter.

In response, Iran has threatened to withhold its own oil deliveries and to block the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway along its coastline through which one-fifth of the world's oil flows.

On Friday, an international banking clearinghouse crucial to Iran's oil sales said it is prepared to discontinue services to Iranian financial institutions being targeted by the EU and U.S. sanctions. That could ratchet up the pressure on Iran, but also send oil prices soaring.

The price of Brent crude fell 53 cents on Friday to $119.58. WTI gained 93 cents to $103.24.

---

Reporter Beth Fouhy in Atlanta contributed to this report.

If we only did what we said we were going to do during Bush. If only Obama didn't start an all out War against Energy. If only Obama said Yes to the Keystone Pipeline. None of this would be about to happen. Yet, here we are. As a DIRECT RESULT of Obama and his Liberal Agenda. Period. Get ready folks. It IS coming.
Peter

Martin Country Fair, Nuclear Iran

Preview for Sunday 021212

Hey folks,

Only 2 more days to go. You ready guys? Valentine's day is just TWO days away. I got my order in. Are you ready? She will be waiting. {Smile}

Happy Sunday to ya. I am of course your Provocateur of Thought himself, Peter Carlock, and this IS the Big Sunday Edition of the OPNTalk Blog. Glad you stopped by. Always remember, if you want to be part of the OPNTalk Blog, send in Articles, Comments, or just say hi, the Email is opntalk@gamil.com.

Had a great time at the Martin County Fair Yesterday. Josh got sick on the Spinning Apple thing. But other than that? It was a great time. All the Fair Food. LOVE IT! The Rides, the People. It was also Eli's FIRST Fair. He loved the Animals and, well, the food, and everything else. Passed out about 6:30pm and sleep very well. Josh passed out on the way home.

One thing I did realize this year. Maybe it has always been this way? But I noticed that the set up was indeed both Kid and Parent Friendly. Meaning, when you first walk in, you have the Animals, and Kiddie Rides. NO GAMES!! Well, I think there was a Fish one. Or, Pick a Duck thing. I think there was a basketball one, where you pay the Lady $5.00 or $10 bucks and your kiddie shoots until he makes it and "Wins" a Prize. Josh got an Angry Bird. Well, Two. But all those, "Hey just $5.00 for three chances to win a blow up crappy prize until you pay another $9 bucks to try to win a miniature stuffed animal, until you spend more" Games were all in the Adult section. So Kids and Parents alike could have a GREAT time, without going broke , as long as you stayed in the Kiddie Section. I thought that was very nice.

Great time was had by all. A true THANK YOU and Good Job, goes out to the folks that put this on every year. It was really appreciated. A shout out also goes to the Martin County Sheriffs that were there to keep everything safe. Especially to the Spanish Lady Deputy that fell in love with Josh and Eli and spent some time making their night a little more fun. Can't wait until next year.

Coming right up today?

God Speed Whitney Houston
Obama Cave On Religious RULE?
Liberalism Fakeness
Chocolate Cake For Breakfast?
DLA For Sunday 021212
IWA for Sunday 021212

All that in just a few minutes. First I have to say this. I hate War. I really do. But there is another Holocaust coming. There is another World War coming. We are going to wake up one morning and there is going to be a Nuclear Cloud hovering over what used to be Israel. I'm not exaggerating. I'm not playing Politics. I'm not "fear Mongering." This is REALITY.

Folks, for YEARS I have been warning you about this. For YEARS I have been watching Little Hitler, rise to power. For Years I have been telling you that the day is coming where the World will HAVE to do something to stop this. For YEARS we, as a Nation, have done NOTHING. As that saying goes, "In order for evil to flourish, all that is required is for good men to do nothing."

According to The AP - Ahmadinejad: Iran to reveal new nuke achievements By NASSER KARIMI

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran will soon unveil "big new" nuclear achievements, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Saturday while reiterating Tehran's readiness to revive talks with the West over the country's controversial nuclear program.

Ahmadinejad spoke at a rally in Tehran as tens of thousands of Iranians marked the 33rd anniversary of the Islamic Revolution that toppled the pro-Western monarchy and brought Islamic clerics to power.

Ahmadinejad did not elaborate on the upcoming announcement but insisted Iran would never give up its uranium enrichment, a process that makes material for reactors as well as weapons.

Remember, "Tehran's readiness to revive talks" is nothing more than a stall tactic. Always has been. I even proved that to you. Back during Clinton, something should have been done. Back with Bush? Now Obama? Not only are "good Men doing nothing," we are preventing others from doing the Right thing. When the World started to realize that Iran was NOT going to stop, that they were going to build a Nuclear Weapon, that they TELL us they WILL use to "Wipe Israel off the Map" we should have told Israel, "Go for it. Do whatever you feel is necessary, we got your back." But no. As a matter of fact, what THIS Administration did was tell them, "Don't you even dare."

I'm not calling for another War. I'm called for the PREVENTION of another War. I'm not calling for Boots on the Ground. I'm calling for some well placed Bombs. I'm PRAYING that we STOP Iran, BEFORE a new and even more devastating Holocaust happens. BEFORE we wake up and the news is a big Cloud over what used to be Israel. Before we HAVE to engage the Enemy in an all out World War, AFTER Millions more Jews are killed.

This is REAL folks. This is happening as we speak. When is enough, enough? When is it too late? When is it we MUST do something? It was just last Sunday, February 05, 2012, when we learned THIS..

“In light of the realization of the divine promise by almighty God, the Zionists and the Great Satan (America) will soon be defeated,” Ayatollah Khamenei, the Iranian supreme leader, is warning.

Yup. They are calling for Israel to be wiped off the Map and US to be "defeated." LAST WEEK. No. This is not new. Neither is the fact they are building a Nuclear Bomb to ACHIEVE such Goals. But it IS new that the Mainstream Media are actually reporting the TRUTH. We could have stopped this, with relatively few casualties YEARS ago. NOW? We need to do something, before we are FORCED to get involved AFTER Millions of Casualties. Now is the time folks. But time is running out.

Be right back..
Peter

Sources:
OPNTalk - Iran, Israel, Reality
The AP - Ahmadinejad: Iran to reveal new nuke achievements

Super Bowl SUNDAY! / Romney Takes Nev

Preview for Sunday 020512

Hey folks,

Are you ready for some Football!?!? I am. Hot Wings, Pizza, Friends and Family. Live from Lucas Oil Stadium, 6:30 ET on NBC. New England Patriots Vs. New York Giants. Who are you rooting for? Go Patriots. {Smile}

Yup that's right, I'm going for the Patriots. I think they have the Momentum, Talent, and I do not even think it will be as close as some think. I hope it IS, but I really think you may be surprised. And this coming from a former NY Boy.

A friend of mine said this. "Super Bowl Sunday, the one day of the year that DVR's are used to watch commercials, instead of skip them..." {Laughing} How very true. I will be going to the Bathroom DURING the Game. Maybe the Half Time Show. Madonna? Well, she does know how to put on a Show. We'll have to see.

Anyway, coming right up?

The Question and Answer Heard Around The World
Iran, Israel, Reality
Chicken Nugget Diet
DLA For Sunday 020512
IWA for Sunday 020512

So Newt vows to stay in til the end. Romney walks away with a HUGE Victory in Nev. Santorum and Paul? Sorry to all my Paul fans out there, it's time. Santorum the same. I really think it is those two that are allowing Romney to keep winning. If we have it just Newt and Romney? I think it would be totally different right now.

Look, no matter what, and YES I will tell you the Truth, I Voted Newt. But no matter what, it's time that we all came together and get behind ONE Candidate. Obama IS the objective here. Obama and America itself IS the objective. We need to unite. And right now? It looks like the only one that really stands a chance is Romney.

Folks, we are FAR removed from Politics as usual. You win one, they win one, ETC. We are FAR from differing Policies and Ideas. Obama and Crew have brought this Country to the Brink. He said he wanted to "Change the very foundation of this Country." He said he doesn't like the constitution. "Too Restrictive." He is a Socialist, and one that is attempting to REMAKE this Country into something it was NEVER intended to be. Truth is, record high unemployment, foreclosures, debt, and a record LOW National Security Level. Cutting the Military in a time where a World War looms. INCREASING our dependency on foreign Governments that HATE us for all our Energy Needs. HE. OBAMA. He is our goal.

I've said it before. I'll say it again. If Micky Mouse was running, I would Vote for him to bring the "Happiest Place on Earth" to all of America. If Romney is the Guy, we need to get behind him 100 percent. I do not care about stupid stuff. I do not care about his Religion. I do not care if our guy had a divorce. I do not care about affairs, former business ventures, or slight disagreements on this or that. I CARE about America, and I CARE that if Obama is re-elected, America itself may not be here in another 4 years. THAT is what I care about. We live in a dangerous time in an ever increasing dangerous World right now. The last thing we need to be worrying about is our OWN President destroying our Country from within.

Be right back.
Peter

Iran, Israel, Reality

This one is hard for me to stay calm about.

Hey folks,

I'm being one hundred percent honest here. This one is hard for me to stay calm about. VERY hard. Just check out the Archives here, and you will see I have been warning everyone that will listen, about Little Hitler, {Mahmoud Ahmadinejad} for YEARS. I have been giving you his own words. His own actions. I have told you how Sanctions will never work. I have been warning you that a Third World War is on the horizon and NO ONE in our Government has been paying attention.

Now just a day or so ago, Iran said it again. Despite all the nonsense from Obama and Crew, Little Hitler has been building a Nuclear War Head. He has Missiles that WILL carry it. That CAN reach Israel and U.S. Territories. He just launched a Satellite into Orbit. Meanwhile, Obama and Crew invite them to a Hot Dog BBQ, and tell us we just need to work with them. We just need to be nice to them and they will be nice to us. There is no evidence that they are building a Nuke. Even if they did, they would NEVER use it. Little Hitler,,uh President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is not really in charge anyway. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei is and he is so much nicer. Blah, blah, blah...

They won't. They are. They WILL. And Little Hitler is VERY much in charge. Just like Putin has ALWAYS been in charge in Russia. Plain and simple folks. Just a day or two ago, we get this.

“In light of the realization of the divine promise by almighty God, the Zionists and the Great Satan (America) will soon be defeated,” Ayatollah Khamenei, the Iranian supreme leader, is warning.

Yes. That is the kinder, gentler, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. {Sigh} According to WND - Iran warns world of coming great event By Reza Kahlili

Says 'evil hegemony' soon will be defeated by power of Allah

Amid crippling sanctions over its nuclear weapons program, Iran is continuing to prepare itself for war against the West, and now is warning of a coming great event.

“In light of the realization of the divine promise by almighty God, the Zionists and the Great Satan (America) will soon be defeated,” Ayatollah Khamenei, the Iranian supreme leader, is warning.

Khamenei, speaking to hundreds of youths from more than 70 countries attending a world conference on the Arab Spring just days ago, told a cheering crowd in Tehran that “Allah’s promises will be delivered and Islam will be victorious.”

The countries represented included Bahrain, Egypt, Libya, Palestine and Tunisia, all of which have been involved in the Arab Spring.

Folks, you have no idea how hard this is for me to keep my composure. Read that again. "The countries represented included Bahrain, Egypt, Libya, Palestine and Tunisia, all of which have been involved in the Arab Spring."Which IS the Muslim Brotherhood. Which ARE Islamofascists. Which ARE at war with US. WHO Obama helped put into place in some of these Countries. WHO is speaking to them? HOW are they reacting? WHAT is he saying? Again...

“In light of the realization of the divine promise by almighty God, the Zionists and the Great Satan (America) will soon be defeated,”

Back to this Article..

In his remarks, Khamenei advised the youths to remain vigilant, stating that the Islamic awakening in the region has delivered several blows to the enemies of Islam and that all Muslims, despite their own historical and social differences, remain united in opposing the “evil hegemony of the Zionists and the Americans.”

Khamenei then claimed the current century as the century of Islam and promised that human history is on the verge of a great event and that soon the world will realize the power of Allah.

Many clerics in Iran have stated that Khamenei is the deputy of the last Islamic messiah on earth and that obedience to him is necessary for the final glorification of Islam.

Khamenei has been heard to say that the coming of the last Islamic Messiah, the Shiites’ 12th Imam Mahdi, is near and that specific actions need to be taken to protect the Islamic regime for upcoming events.

Mahdi, according to Shiite belief, will reappear at the time of Armageddon. Selected forces within the Revolutionary Guards and Basij reportedly have been trained under a task force called “Soldiers of Imam Mahdi” and they will bear the responsibility of security and protecting the regime against uprisings. Many in the Guards and Basij have been told that the 12th Imam is on earth, facilitated the victory of Hezbollah over Israel in the 2006 war and soon will announce publicly his presence after the needed environment is created.

Meaning the destruction of Israel..Meaning the Destruction of US. Folks, make no mistake about it, this IS Islam. It is NOT a Religion of Peace. This IS who these people are.

Sources within Vali’eh Amr, the revolutionary forces in charge of the supreme leader’s protection, also recently revealed an assassination attempt on Khamenei that was thwarted just in time.

SepahOnline reports that last year during Khamenei’s visit to the port of Asalouyeh in southern Iran, Revolutionary Guards found pistols and hand grenades hidden by one individual dressed as a janitor in a barracks that Khamenei was set to attend. The supreme leader was then returned to Tehran immediately.

Other sources within the Guards report that following Barack Obama’s letter to the Iranian leader last month requesting negotiations, Khamenei ordered Iranian officials to speak positively about holding nuclear talks and giving hope to Obama and other Western leaders that a negotiated solution is possible.

And either Obama and Crew are Stupid enough to fall for it, or, he understands that it's all show. Not sure which one is worse.

This was apparent after a trip of U.N. nuclear inspectors to Iran this week, who called the talks positive.

At the same time, his directive to the Guards ordered a speedy completion of the Iranian nuclear bomb program in which Guards’ missiles can be armed with nuclear warheads. Khamenei believes once that’s achieved, Iran can test a nuclear bomb, letting the world know that Iran has joined the nuclear-armed club and that any confrontation will result in destruction of much of the Western world.

The Revolutionary Guards not only can hit all U.S. bases in the Middle East with their ballistic missiles but also reach most capital cities in Western Europe. The Guards, with the help of China and North Korea, are working on intercontinental ballistic missiles. But more dangerous to America, as reported last July, is the Guards action in arming their vessels with long-range ballistic missiles and their expansion of their mission into the Atlantic Ocean, right into the Gulf of Mexico.

Any Iranian military or commercial vessel easily could get right outside the U.S. coastline and in less than 60 seconds fire a ballistic missile armed with a nuclear payload and detonate it over U.S. skies in an electromagnetic attack that would plunge America back into the 18th century.

Studies show within just one year after such an attack, two-thirds of Americans would cease to exist and the rest would live under dire conditions.

Are you paying attention to this? Seriously. Are you? Keep reading..

The radicals ruling Iran not only have prepared for mass suppression of their own people as they get close to their confrontation with the West, but also have prepared to fuel unrest through their proxies in the Middle East and elsewhere.

SepahOnline, with sources within the Guards, reports that Afghanistan will soon witness an increase in terrorist activities against U.S. forces. The Guards not only are training Taliban fighters in Iran close to the Afghan border, but are shipping armaments to forces in Afghanistan with an order to create instability by harming U.S. forces and destabilizing the Afghan government.

Guards agents have also been ordered to do the same in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf counties.

The Guards also announced the imminent formation of a defensive unit to deal with possible radioactive contamination. Although they did not say why, they could be preparing for a nuclear exchange with the West once Iran becomes nuclear-armed.

WND previously has reported that the chieftains in Iran also are preparing to execute their own internal critics and opponents at the right time.

This was similar to action taken by the founder of the Islamic regime in 1988, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

In the book, “A Time to Betray,” the CIA spy in the revolutionary guards reveals the mindset of the Shi’ite clerics and how they aspire for the destruction of the world. They truly believe the end of time is here. As revealed last year, the Iranian secret documentary “The Coming is Upon Us” clearly indicates that the radicals ruling Iran believe the destruction of Israel will trigger the coming of last Islamic Messiah.

And people wonder WHY Israel is ready to bomb them into the stone-age? Why are WE standing in the way of this? Not one boot needs to set foot on Iranian Soil. Just one or two well place Bombs will do it. Folks, it's time we STOP wasting time, and START thinking of REAL Solutions. They are fully committed. Are we?
Peter

Sources:
WND - Iran warns world of coming great event

Israel NOT Playing. Nor Should They.

Israel does NOT trust Obama. It really IS that simple.

Hey folks,

This is just inconceivable. It is completely idiotic. We have Iran. You know him, you love him, Little Hitler himself, Ahmadinejad, telling the world that the Holocaust never happened. That America is the Great Satin and he WILL wipe Israel off the Map. He is ACTIVELY engaged in building a Nuclear Weapon and the means to deliver it. He has SAID that he cares not about any Sanctions. He will not stop until someone stops him. Now he is playing War Games in the Strait of Hormuz saying he will cut off the World's Oil Supply Route, even threatening the US Navy.

We have Israel, the target of many in the Middle East and our FRIEND and ALLY. They want him stopped but they know that THIS Administration is less than likely to do ANYTHING but talk tough. They are preparing, which is what I said I would do if I were them, to go it alone if necessary.

Then we have THIS Administration. What are they doing? Warning Israel against doing anything about it. Yes, Obama and Crew are warning Israel to NOT defend themselves and others in the area. They are warning them NOT to interfere in Iran's War Games. I kid you not. According to the The Wall Street Journal - U.S. Warns Israel on Strike Officials Lobby Against Attack on Iran as Military Leaders Bolster Defenses By ADAM ENTOUS,JULIAN E. BARNES and JAY SOLOMON

WASHINGTON—U.S. defense leaders are increasingly concerned that Israel is preparing to take military action against Iran, over U.S. objections, and have stepped up contingency planning to safeguard U.S. facilities in the region in case of a conflict.

Now WHY would this possibly be. Hmm? It is not a hard concept folks. Israel does NOT trust Obama. It really IS that simple. They are target number ONE. They are getting ready to DEFEND themselves.

President Barack Obama, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and other top officials have delivered a string of private messages to Israeli leaders warning about the dire consequences of a strike. The U.S. wants Israel to give more time for the effects of sanctions and other measures intended to force Iran to abandon its perceived efforts to build nuclear weapons.

Stepping up the pressure, Mr. Obama spoke by telephone on Thursday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and U.S. Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will meet with Israeli military officials in Tel Aviv next week.

The high-stakes planning and diplomacy comes as U.S. officials warn Tehran, including through what administration officials described Friday as direct messages to Iran's leaders, against provocative actions.

AGAINST provocative actions?!?! They continue to BUILD A NUCLEAR WEAPON!! They are THREATENING US. They WILL Drop a Nuke ON Israel the first chance they get. They just moved aggressively toward one of OUR Ships. Warned AGAINST provocative actions?!?! Ahmadinejad and Iran under his Control IS provocative actions.

Tehran has warned that it could retaliate to tightened sanctions by blocking oil trade through the Strait of Hormuz. On Thursday, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed to punish the perpetrators of the assassination—blamed by Iran on the U.S. and Israel—of an Iranian scientist involved in the nuclear program.

The U.S. denied the charge and condemned the attack. Israel hasn't commented.

The U.S. and Iran, however, have taken steps in recent days apparently designed to ease tensions. Iran has agreed to host a delegation of United Nations nuclear inspectors this month. The U.S., meanwhile, has twice this month rescued Iranian sailors in the region's seas.

Covert efforts by Israel's intelligence service to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons have been credited with slowing the program without the high risk of military conflict that could be sparked by an airstrike. Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful uses.

I was going to cut this nonsense out. But I left it in. Basically this is simple Blah, Blah, Blah, BS. Meanwhile Little Hitler continues to prepare to carry out their plans. Then there is this little tidbit of truth and logic..

But Israel has declined to rule out a strike, as has the U.S.

"It is the policy of the Israeli government, and the Obama administration, that all options remain on the table. And it is crucial that the ayatollahs in Tehran take this policy seriously," said Michael Oren, Israel's ambassador to the U.S.

Well, it is the Policy of Israel, as well it should be, but they do not REALLY Trust it is of Obama. More Blah, Blah, Blah... Then this..

Israeli officials said Mr. Netanyahu's government continues to closely coordinate with the U.S. in responding to the Iranian threat. "Israel believes that heightened sanctions combined with a credible military threat may dissuade the Iranian regime from developing nuclear capabilities," Mr. Oren said.

Mr. Panetta and other top officials have privately sought assurances from Israeli leaders in recent weeks that they won't take military action against Iran. But the Israeli response has been noncommittal, U.S. officials said.

U.S. officials briefed on the military's planning said concern has mounted over the past two years that Israel may strike Iran. But rising tensions with Iran and recent changes at Iranian nuclear sites have ratcheted up the level of U.S. alarm.

"Our concern is heightened," a senior U.S. military official said of the probability of an Israeli strike over U.S. objections.

Sanctions combined with a Credible Military Threat. That is the KEY. A VIABLE threat. They do not fear Obama. They KNOW he will not do anything. So Israel will not wait too much longer.

Despite the close relationship between the U.S. and Israel, U.S. officials have consistently puzzled over Israeli intentions. "It's hard to know what's bluster and what's not with the Israelis," said a former U.S. official.

Thank you OBAMA!!! He is the main PROBLEM here. Make no mistake about it folks. NONE. Israel WILL attack if they feel they have run out of time and options. Including relying on US to help them. They WILL attack and LEVEL Iran if they have too. If WE only had a Leader that understood Reality and how to deal with people like this, Israel might NOT be as on edge. But just like you, me, or anyone else, if they have to, they WILL Protect their HOME, and FAMILY, by any means necessary. As well they should.
Peter

Sources:
The Wall Street Journal - U.S. Warns Israel on Strike Officials Lobby Against Attack on Iran as Military Leaders Bolster Defenses

DLA For Sunday 011512

A Politician that GETS it?

Hey folks,

I read this. I couldn't believe what I was reading. A Politician that GETS it? Oh, one, he's from right here in Sunny Florida. Two? He's a Republican. (Smile) But all kidding aside. Listen to this.

"Time and again this Administration has taken too lightly the threat of Hugo Chavez and his emerging alliance with other thugocrats like Ahmadinejad. President Obama jokes about visiting Chavez and high fives him, and Secretary of State Clinton engages Chavez while their liberal buddy Joe Kennedy gets paid by Chavez to mount a PR campaign in America. Hugo Chavez has been in direct violation of UN sanctions prohibiting the shipment of fuel to Iran; while welcoming the building of Iranian missile sites in Venezuela, missiles aimed at the U.S. A visit from Ahmadinejad is just the beginning of what could be a nightmare for the U.S. unless this Administration gets serious about the destabilizing threat of Hugo Chavez in our region."

Well, way to go Congressman Mack. That's right, our Winner of the Display of Logic Award this Week is Congressman Connie Mack (FL-14). The rest of the Press Release is even better. Here it is..

Mack to Obama: "This is What Happens When You Coddle Dictators."

Iran's Ahmadinejad Arrives In Venezuela to Celebrate Chavez

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Despite only verbal warnings from the State Department to avoid close ties with Iran, Venezuela's Hugo Chavez welcomed Iranian dictator Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Caracas over the weekend where a grinning Hugo Chavez stated, "A spokesman or spokeswoman in Washington from the State Department or the White House said it was not convenient for any country to get close to Iran. Well, the truth is, it made you laugh."

Chairman of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee Congressman Connie Mack (FL-14), responding to the visit by the Iranian dictator, stated, "Time and again this Administration has taken too lightly the threat of Hugo Chavez and his emerging alliance with other thugocrats like Ahmadinejad. President Obama jokes about visiting Chavez and high fives him, and Secretary of State Clinton engages Chavez while their liberal buddy Joe Kennedy gets paid by Chavez to mount a PR campaign in America. Hugo Chavez has been in direct violation of UN sanctions prohibiting the shipment of fuel to Iran; while welcoming the building of Iranian missile sites in Venezuela, missiles aimed at the U.S. A visit from Ahmadinejad is just the beginning of what could be a nightmare for the U.S. unless this Administration gets serious about the destabilizing threat of Hugo Chavez in our region."

Also over this past weekend Hugo Chavez named General Henry Rangel Silva, a U.S. Treasury designated drug kingpin, as the new Defense Minister in Venezuela. Rangel, a former intelligence chief, said in late 2010 that the military wouldn't accept an opposition victory in the 2012 presidential election.

Meanwhile, U.S. State Department officials announced on Sunday that Venezuelan consul general Livia Acosta Noguera has been expelled from her post in Miami. This comes after she had allegedly been tied to a group of Venezuelan and Iranian diplomats who expressed interest in an offer from a group of Mexican hackers to infiltrate the websites of the White House, the FBI, the Pentagon and U.S. nuclear plants.

SOURCE Office of Congressman Connie Mack

You see folks, this is what I mean when I say we need Adults in Charge. People that can look at the World, see REALITY, and have the ability to understand what they are seeing. Then after observing and understanding, they have the ability to apply Logic and Strategic Thought while creating a Plan on dealing with the Situation. These are the abilities, as PROVEN by this Administration, that Liberals lack. Liberals would rather attempt to create an Ideal reality that they feel is the way things SHOULD be, the way they see things, instead of dealing with Reality itself. THAT fails every time it is tried.

Try it yourself. Reality says you have to pay your Bills. Your Mortgage, Electric Bill, Car Payments, ETC. You decide that the Ideal reality for you is that you do not have to pay these things. It's not fair that Ford Makes a Huge Profit. That your Mortgage Company will receive over Double of what the loan is that you are paying. It's not fair that the Power Company can charge you so much for what you feel is a necessity. So just attempt to create a reality that you do not have to pay. What happens? Just because you now see a different reality, doesn't change the REAL Reality. They WILL come and take your Car, Home, and they will turn off the power.

Iran HATES US. They WILL Wipe Israel off the Map. They WILL attack US. They ARE working on a Nuclear Bomb. People like Hugo IS helping him. {Little Hitler, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad} Russia is returning to Cold War Era USSR Tactics. Nobody has a Clue to this day on North Korea. These people do not understand negotiations. They do not CARE about what we think or say about them. They only understand one thing. Force or the threat, VIABLE threat, of FORCE. FEAR brought a sort of Peace in the World during Reagan. Carter in power? On November 4, 1979, an angry Mob of young Islamofascists, of which Ahmadinejad was one of them, overtook the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. They took more than 60 Americans Hostage. They held them for 444 days. Why? They KNEW Carter would do nothing about it. They had no FEAR of Carter. Ronald Reagan Got Elected and Sworn in? Something like 30 Minutes later, all the hostages were released. {Laughing} MINUTES. Why? They DID fear him. They thought, in their minds, this guy is CRAZY enough to push the Button. Forget if he would or wouldn't, they FEARED he would. How many attacks under Clinton? How many when Bush was in office following 911? Get the Picture?

It is refreshing to see and hear a Politician that gets it. Congratulation Congressman Connie Mack. You ARE the Winner of the Display of Logic Award for today, Sunday, January 15th, 2012. The FIRST Winner of 2012 by the way. Keep telling it like it is Congressman. Keep telling it like it is.
Peter

Debate Was Absurd / Paul Second in Poll?

Preview For 010812

Hey folks,

Did you catch the Debate? Seriously. The Moderator, ABC News Commentator George Stephanopoulos was Absurd. Patently Absurd. He just kept shooting off pointed Questions with out any evidence, Sources, NOTHING. Stephanopoulos did not cite any analysts by name, nor did he say WHY he was asking. As a matter of fact, he asked all kinds of Stereotypical and FALSE Premise Questions.

I'll tell ya folks, he might as well have been in the DNC Chair last night. He ATTACKED Ron Paul for Letters from 20 years ago that he did not even Write. When was the last time he asked Obama about 20 years with Rev Wright? Hmm? It really was a Joke.

Welcome to the Big Sunday Edition of the OPNTalk Blog. First one of 2012. Of course you know what that means, the Display of Logic Award and the Idiot of the Year for 2011 are coming right up. Also coming right up today....

Iran, Israel, Britain, US, War Games?
Told You "Occupy" Was A SCAM
When Your Kids Are Sick?
DLA Of The Year 2011
Idiot of the Year for 2011

All that in just a second. Here is one for you Ron Paul Fans. How do you think He will do in New Hampshire. Did you catch the Latest Poll. A survey by WMUR-TV/University of New Hampshire put Romney at 44%, followed by? You guested it. Ron Paul at 20%. The Rest of the field? Santorum and Gingrich tied for third at 8%, followed by Huntsman at 7%. I have no idea why Huntsman is still in this thing. But hey he has money to throw away.

I think I'm done with the Debates thing. There is another in just a bit later this morning. But I think I'll be turning my attention to the Primaries and make my Decision on who to back closer to the Election.

OK. Fair warning folks. I'm operating on 24 hours no sleep. So thing outta be a fun day. Going to fill my, like 20th cup of much needed Coffee. Be right back. And they are BIG cups too. {Laughing} You have know Idea....
Peter

Iran, Israel, Britain, US, War Games?

So Iran is in The Strait of Hormuz.

Hey folks,

We know this. We know that they are threatening to shut it down, cutting off a MAJOR Oil Supply Route to the World. We know that WE have the U.S. Fifth Fleet that says it won't allow a Hormuz disruption.

Today we learn, well, January 6th, we learned that the US and ISRAEL are testing a NEW more powerful Missile Defense System. Its called “Austere Challenge 12”, and it is designed to improve Defence Systems. They will be testing multiple Israeli and US Air Defence Systems against incoming Missiles and Rockets. If all goes well, they would be able to destroy ANY Missile or Rocket LONG before it hits Israel.

Then Today, we also learned that WE are not alone. Britain is now getting into the Act. According to The Daily Telegraph - Royal Navy sends its mightiest ship to take on the Iranian show of force in the Gulf

The Daily Telegraph understands that HMS Daring has been fitted with new technology that will give it the ability to shoot down any missile in Iran's armoury. The £1 billion destroyer, which will leave Portsmouth next Wednesday, also carries the world's most sophisticated naval radar, capable of tracking multiple incoming threats from missiles to fighter jets.

Daring, with its crew of 190, will transit through the Suez Canal and enter the Gulf later this month to replace the Type 23 frigate currently on station

So we got US, Iran, Israel, and now our Friends {DISPITE OBAMA} across the Pond, will be joining in. Meanwhile Obama is giving our Tech and Secrets to the Russians, while telling us he will shrink the Military. No one has a CLUE what is going on in North Korea. And also thanks to Obama, because of all this, watch the Price of Gas go up to $4.00 Plus a Gallon.

As I keep telling you. We live in Dangerous Times in a Dangerous World. We NEED real Leadership. Someone that LOVES this Country and all her Freedoms that go with it. Someone who UNDERSTANDS that with CERTIAN Force, it can only be met with Force. Unfortunately, with some, they only understand Force and or the VIABLE Threat of.
Peter

Sources:
Financial Times - Iran, Israel and US plan Gulf exercises By James Blitz in London January 6, 2012 8:13 pm
The Daily Telegraph - Royal Navy sends its mightiest ship to take on the Iranian show of force in the Gulf

Tension Builds In The Strait Of Hormuz

With the Keystone Pipeline in place, we would need not worry about this type of insanity.

Hey folks,

So on Tuesday, Iran threatened to close down the Strait of Hormuz. It is the strip of water separating Oman and Iran, which connects the biggest Gulf Oil Producers, including Saudi Arabia, with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. This is where we, and many others around the World get a big portion of the supply for our Energy Needs.

On Tuesday, Iran said if Obama and Crew, America, and some of the rest of the World even think of imposing tougher Sanctions on Iran, or interfere in any way in their Nuclear Program, they would Shut the Strait of Hormuz down and STOP any flow of Oil from going through. They said Closing it down would not be difficult,,,,

"it will be easier than drinking a glass of water,"

Now to assure Americans and our Allies around the world, WE are starting to talk tough. According to Reuters - U.S. Fifth Fleet says won't allow Hormuz disruption by Parisa Hafezi and Myra MacDonald; Editing by Alison Williams

(Reuters) - The U.S. Fifth Fleet said on Wednesday it would not allow any disruption of traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, after Iran threatened to stop ships moving through the world's most important oil route.

"Anyone who threatens to disrupt freedom of navigation in an international strait is clearly outside the community of nations; any disruption will not be tolerated," the Bahrain-based fleet said in an e-mail.

So how will we stop them if they try? There is only one way. Attack the Iranian Ships. Right? Use FORCE against FORCE. Do you think that they will just go home? Nope. They will use Force and CLAIM Self Defense. Ship to Ship has the potential to turn out to be a full Fledged War.

Now many feel that this is not a REAL Threat.

A British Foreign Office spokesman called the Iranian threat

"rhetoric," saying: "Iranian politicians regularly use this type of rhetoric to distract attention from the real issue, which is the nature of their nuclear program."

Which is TRUE, however, have you seen the Price of Gas? That's right, just based on this new Threat, Oil hit $100 a Barrel and has the potential of climbing higher, which means, the Price at the Pump, which has been pretty reasonable lately, will start to go up as well. So even though Iran is no match for the US Fifth Fleet, even a few day or Weeks disruption will cause havoc on American People who are already hurting financially and will feel the sting at the pump if it goes up to $4 plus again.

Meanwhile, Iran continues it's Nuclear Quest and WILL achieve their goal if allowed to do so. They WILL Bomb Israel, and they WILL attack US. They said so. That has been a goal of Little Hitler {President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad} for YEARS. To "Wipe Israel of the Map." Israel is not going to wait too much longer.

As I keep pointing out to you. When Bush said, "We WILL Drill more here. We WILL use our own resources." The Price of Oil PLUMMETED. It fell like a ROCK. Just the mere mention of this. When Obama said, "No we won't." Threaten to bankrupt the Coal Industry, announced Cap and Tax, put a Moratorium in place, then a de facto Moratorium, and started to attack ANYTHING Oil, the Price SKYROCKETED again. If we only had started ACTUALLY doing it back when Bush SAID, we would be flowing with our OWN Oil right now. Then with the Keystone Pipeline, that Obama is blocking, we would create Tens if not Hundreds of THOUSANDS of Jobs, Lower Prices, and INCREASE National Security. We would be getting 92 percent of our Liquid Energy Needs from RIGHT HERE and our friends in the North. NOT from these Countries that HATE us.

Forget the Jobs. Forget the cost of Oil. It would be real easy for Iran, or ANYONE, to cripple the US by shutting down the Oil Routes. It would be hard to fight a War with no Fuel for the Ships and Planes. Just for the National Security Aspect of it, we NEED the Keystone Pipeline and we NEED to use our own resources.

Yet, here we are, playing War games with Iran in the Strait Of Hormuz. Russia is up to it's old tricks and Putin is on his way back to the Presidency, China is a bit uppity over our Debt, and NO ONE knows what to expect of North Korea. The Islamofascists have all but taken over the Middle East, with help FROM Obama, and Obama just opened the Door for Little Hitler himself to walk right into Iraq. Meanwhile, thanks to Obama and Crew, we are STILL reliant on Foreign Governments, most of which HATER us, for our Energy Supply Needs. For someone that is suppose to be the most Brilliant Person to ever hold Office, still no proof of this whatsoever, this should not be hard to understand. It's NOT Brain Surgery. The World is getting more Dangerous, and WE are doing NOTHING to protect ourselves. It is time for a CHANGE.
Peter

Sources:
Reuters - U.S. Fifth Fleet says won't allow Hormuz disruption

Iran Playing Games? Or Getting Ready?

Lets check in with our good Friend Little Hitler.

Hey folks,

So we are "Spying" on Iran. We LOOSE a Spy Drone in Iran. Here is the difference in two people that should know World Affairs and how to handle the situation. First, I don't understand why this Drone did not have a self Destruct magnetism of some sort, but it didn't. So how do we handle this? First, our former VP said we should have went in and destroyed it.

"The right response to that would have been to go in immediately after it had gone down and destroy it," the Republican, who served with President George W. Bush, told CNN's Erin Burnett. "You can do that from the air ... and, in effect, make it impossible for them to benefit from having captured that drone."

What did Obama do? "Can we have it back PLEASE?" Meanwhile, the White House is Hosting A former Commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps along with Iraq Prime Minister to discuss the future of Iraq? Seriously?

A former commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, which the FBI says played a role in a 1996 terrorist attack that killed 19 U.S. servicemen, accompanied Iraq’s prime minister to the White House on Monday, attending an event at which President Obama trumpeted the end of the Iraq War.

Hadi Farhan al-Amiri, transportation minister in Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s government, was part of the delegation that visited the White House to discuss Iraq’s future and Iran’s influence there, among other topics.

{Sigh} Meanwhile? According to Reuters - Iran army declines comment on MP's Hormuz exercise remarks Reuters – Mon, Dec 12, 2011

TEHRAN (Reuters) - A member of the Iranian parliament's National Security Committee said on Monday that the military was set to practice its ability to close the Gulf to shipping at the narrow Strait of Hormuz, the most important oil transit channel in the world, but there was no official confirmation.

The legislator, Parviz Sarvari, told the student news agency ISNA: "Soon we will hold a military maneuver on how to close the Strait of Hormuz. If the world wants to make the region insecure, we will make the world insecure."

Contacted by Reuters, a spokesman for the Iranian military declined to comment.

Iran's energy minister told Al Jazeera television last month that Tehran could use oil as a political tool in the event of any future conflict over its nuclear program.

As Obama stalls the Keystone Pipeline, stalls Oil Drilling, attempts to Bankrupt Coal and Shale Industries. Right? At least SOMEONE is paying Attention. Israel. According to AFP - Iran must chose between a bomb or survival: Israel
Dec 12 01:30 PM US/Eastern

A senior Israeli cabinet minister on Monday said Iran must be forced to face an existential question over its nuclear drive: choose between getting an atomic bomb, or survival.

"We believe that in order to stop the Iranian military nuclear project, the regime in Tehran should face a dilemma -- whether to have a bomb or to survive," Strategic Affairs Minister Moshe Yaalon told reporters in Jerusalem.

Yaalon said however it was for the international community, rather than Israel, to apply what he called an "achievable" policy.

"We prefer that the international community led by the United States will bring about this dilemma in order to convince the regime to give up its military nuclear programme," he said, stressing the need for political isolation and economic sanctions aimed at the banking and oil sectors.

Israel and much of the international community fear that Iran's nuclear programme masks a drive for a weapons capability.

Make no mistake about it, Israel would LIKE us to lead the way, but they understand that with this Administration, it's not likely. They will not wait forever. I'm willing to bet they are waiting for 2012, to see if they got Obama, or someone who is an Adult that understands Reality to deal with. As I keep saying, as Obama Plays games, the World grows even more Dangerous.
Peter

Sources:
AFP - Iran must chose between a bomb or survival: Israel
Reuters - Iran army declines comment on MP's Hormuz exercise remarks
MyWay News- Obama calls on Iran to give back downed US drone Dec 13, 6:31 AM (ET)
CNN - Obama says U.S. has asked Iran to return drone aircraft
The Washington Times - Ex-Iran Guard commander visits White House with Iraq leader